Allied Arts

Ring in the new year at Oklahoma City's biggest New Year's Eve celebration!  With live performances, games and attractions, Opening Night is sure to be non-stop fun for the whole family.

Produced by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, Opening Night is set to run from 7 pm until midnight in Downtown Oklahoma City.  Take the kids to the Cox Convention Center for face painting, an inflatable obstacle course and craft projects. Brave the cold weather and make the trek to see tons of performers including Jamie Bramble, Edgar Cruz, OKC Improv, Hartel Dance Group and our member agencies Ambassardors' Concert Choir and Harrison Academy Symphonic Winds.  Plus, you could win some cool prizes in the scavenger hunt!

What would a New Year's Eve party be without the big countdown to midnight?  Brother Summit Band will be rockin' Kerr Park from 9 until 11:30 followed by a sound and light show until the ball rises at midnight.  The new year will come in with a bang with a huge fireworks extravaganza to finish the night.

Does this sound like fun to you?  Get your wristbands at 7-11, Homeland, MidFirst Bank locations, Science Museum Oklahoma or the Arts Council of Oklahoma City.  They'll also be available at various Downtown locations on the night of the event.  Wristbands are $8 in advance or $10 at the door.  Use your OKCityCard to get them for 1/2 price! 

Need more information?  Maps, wristband outlets, food, entertainment and everything else you need to know can be found at http://www.artscouncilokc.com/opening-night. 

Are you in need of a few last-minute gift ideas?  I've had great luck finding gifts at these retailers - plus, I save money with my OKCityCard! Hopefully you can find one of these shops on your way home today and score the perfect present for someone special.

Best of Books
Discount:  20% off
Location:  Kickingbird Square in Edmond
Why I love it: Variety! Best of Books carries reads for all ages and all types. They also have a friendly staff - If you can't find what you're looking for, they'll order it for you. This year, in order to make your holiday easier, they offer free gift-wrapping, too!
Find a gift for:  Your favorite bookworm, of course!

No Regrets
Discount:  20% off one item
Location:  Casady Square in Oklahoma City
Why I love it: Cute. That's all I can say. I picked up a Lilly Pulitzer desk calendar last year to cheer up my cubicle and swoon over the monogrammed home decor.
Find a gift for:  The hostess with the mostest

Paper Crown
Discount:  15% off
Location:  Casady Square in Oklahoma City
Why I love it:  They have everything you could ever need for scrapbooking!  I've picked up items to make cards and fluffed up a few scrapbook pages with their charming papers and knick knacks.
Find a gift for:  The girls of the family - they can make a scrapbook as a post-holiday activity

Painted Door
Discount:  10% off
Location:  Bricktown
Why I love it:  What can't you find at Painted Door? Their beautiful gifts will put a smile on anyone's face.  I especially love their Oklahoma memorabilia - they have the classiest OU, OSU and OKC stuff.
Find a gift for:  Your out-of-town visitors or any proud Okie

Spencer Stone Co.
Discount:  20% off
Location:  Nichols Hills Plaza
Why I love it:  Spencer Stone carries exceptional men's clothing. High quality, high style.
Find a gift for:  Your favorite dashing gentleman

Tip for Santa:  One of these fits perfectly into any size stocking!



Not only are you giving the gift of savings to the OKCityCard's recipient, you're giving to the community and enriching the lives of Oklahomans through the arts.  With only a $50 donation, you'll make an impact in Central Oklahoma and save hundreds throughout the year on arts events and entertainment.

Donate here or call us at (405) 278-8944 today!

If you've been reading this blog for more than a few weeks, you'll know that I LOVE to shop. In fact, it's my Friday afternoon activity. So today, I thought I'd share a few of my Friday finds with you. I always use my OKCityCard and I always get great deals!  And who doesn't need great deals at this time of year? If you're still in need of a few gifts (or gifts for everyone in your family, like me!) here are a few shops I frequent on Fridays.

 Antique Garden- Normanites, listen up!
Discount:  20% off
Location:  Campus Corner in Norman
Why I love it:  I got a few of my most fancy and favorite things here, including a giant turquoise necklace and my sparkle skirt.  Their home decor is also fantastic.
Find a gift for:  Your favorite fashionista

Collected Thread
Discount:  10% off
Location:  The Plaza District
Why I love it:  It is so charming! Everything is handmade and unique. For instance, I got amazing recipe cards with a tandem bicycle on them, a bow skirt and a knitted teddy bear for my soon-to-be-here niece.
Find a gift for:  Your artsy friend OR that person who has everything - because they won't have these one-of-a-kind items!

Schlegel Bicycles
Discount:  10% off clothing, parts or accessories
Location:  Automobile Alley
Why I love it:  They have a friendly staff and anything you could need for your bike. They hooked me up with a wicker basket and a bell for my cruiser. Of course, they have manly stuff too - like water bottles, helmets, cycling gloves and bike shorts.
Find a gift for:  Your favorite athlete, cyclist or girl who loves putting accessories on her bike

French Cowgirl
Discount:  10% off
Location:  Western Avenue
Why I love it:  I can always find a gift here!  I get their unique Christmas ornaments, picture frames and jewelry for friends all the time.
Find a gift for:  Anyone that loves a little glitz in her life

    

I'll leave you with the photos of my bike now that it's all dressed up thanks to my friends at Schlegel Bicycles.  Plus, they're having an ugly sweater party tonight, so throw on your tacky sweater and get a great deal on some cycling gear!

It’s the holiday season…a doodle-y –doo and a dickory dock… I’m trying to sing this post.  Is it working?  If it’s not, just go ahead and read this weekend’s events.  They’re going to be way better than my fake singing blog post!

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)
@ Carpenter Square Theatre
http://carpentersquare.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Annual Pottery Sale
Christmas shopping! 
@ City Arts Center
http://cityartscenter.org/

Nigel Hall Exhibit
@ City Arts Center
http://cityartscenter.org/

Trois Voyage Separe
@ IAO Gallery
http://www.iaogallery.org/

Contextual: Student Art Exhibit
@ IAO Gallery
http://www.iaogallery.org/

December Divas
@ Lyric Theatre
http://lyrictheatreokc.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Collective Memory and Objects of Inspiration
@ Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art
http://www.mgmoa.org/

The Nutcracker
@ Oklahoma City Ballet
http://okcballet.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

ART After 5
TONIGHT!
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
http://www.okcmoa.com/

Four Cinematic Views of Venice: Death in Venice
Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo
Brutal Beauty: Tales of the Rose City Rollers
Film Screenings
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
http://www.okcmoa.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

A Rough Night at the North Pole
@ Oklahoma Children’s Theatre
http://www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Mind Games
Opening Night Tonight!
@ Science Museum Oklahoma
http://sciencemuseumok.com/

 

Who's ready for a break from the holiday frenzy?  I know I am!  It's time to sit down, relax and enjoy the musical stylings of 5 dazzling divas. 

This weekend, Lyric Theatre is presenting December Divas, a cabaret-style show starring five of its favorite leading ladies.  They'll be singing Christmas favorites and delighting audiences with holiday charm.

Showtimes are 7:30 tonight, 8 pm Friday and Saturday and 3 pm on Sunday at Lyric's Plaza Theatre.  As always, you can use your OKCityCard to get 2-for-1 tickets, so don't forget to take it along!

For more information about the show, click here.  Don't miss this holiday treat!

For those of you who are faithful Ticket Thursday followers, I apologize for the tardiness of this post.  I was out spreading artful good cheer all day yesterday, which you will hear about at a later date.

Now, on to the main event!  Here are this weekend’s gleefully good holiday events.  I hope you’ve cleared your personal schedule, because this arts schedule will be enough to keep you running for days!

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)
@ Carpenter Square Theatre
http://carpentersquare.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Amahl and the Night Visitors
Wednesday in Norman
@ Cimarron Opera
http://www.cimarronopera.org//

Annual Pottery Sale
Christmas gift alert! Need I say more?
@ City Arts Center
http://cityartscenter.org/

Nigel Hall Exhibit
@ City Arts Center
http://cityartscenter.org/

Trois Voyage Separe
@ IAO Gallery
http://www.iaogallery.org/

Contextual: Student Art Exhibit
@ IAO Gallery
http://www.iaogallery.org/

Book Signing and Lecture with Linda Schaefer
Author of Come and See: A Photojournalists Journey into the World of Mother Teresa
@ IAO Gallery
http://www.iaogallery.org/

The Nutcracker
@ Oklahoma City Ballet
http://okcballet.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

The Girl Who Played With Fire
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
Film Screening
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
http://www.okcmoa.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Luis Jimenez: Works on Paper
CLOSES SUNDAY
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
http://www.okcmoa.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

A Christmas Carol
@ Oklahoma Children’s Theatre
In conjunction with Theatre OCU
http://www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

A Rough Night at the North Pole
@ Oklahoma Children’s Theatre
http://www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Also, check out this cool OKCityCard event:

Cupcakes with Santa
Saturday
@ Oklahoma City Zoo
http://okczoo.recware.com
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

The Zoo has tons of events going on this month (animals and Santa – sounds like a blast!). Visit their web site to find out more!  http://www.okczoo.com/

I don't know about you, but my Christmas is never complete without seeing a performance of The Nutcracker!  The Oklahoma City Ballet presents the holiday classic this weekend, December 10 - 12 and next December 17 - 19 at the Civic Center Music Hall.

Catch a matinee and you'll get a little extra treat for the kids.  The Ballet has scheduled photos with Santa before the December 11 and 12 matinee performances, Braum's cookies and milk after each Sunday matinee and Sugar Plum Fairy gifts for every child following the matinee performances on December 18 and 19.  My only question is if 25 years old still counts as a child.  Probably not?  I guess I'll have to ask Santa for my Sugar Plum Fairy gift.

Tickets are still available by calling 405-848-TOES (8637) or at http://okcballet.com/.  As always, you can use your OKCityCard for 2-for-1 tickets to the performances!  You must present your OKCityCard at the OKC Ballet ticket office at 7421 North Classen to get the discount.

I'll leave you with a video that will have you dancing!  Seriously, I'm about to leap out of my chair I'm so excited for The Nutcracker.  It's just not Christmas without it!

It’s Holiday time!  Check out this weekend’s festivities – our member agencies are serving up a double dose of Christmas cheer!

Messiah! 
@ Canterbury Choral Society
http://www.canterburyokc.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)
@ Carpenter Square Theatre
http://carpentersquare.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Nigel Hall Exhibit
@ City Arts Center
http://cityartscenter.org/

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl Who Played With Fire
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
Film Screening
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
http://www.okcmoa.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

A Christmas Carol
@ Oklahoma Children’s Theatre
In conjunction with Theatre OCU
http://www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

A Rough Night at the North Pole
@ Oklahoma Children’s Theatre
http://www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Chesapeake Energy’s A Very Merry Pops
@ Oklahoma City Philharmonic
http://www.okcphilharmonic.org/

A Christmas Tea with the Queen
@ Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park
http://www.oklahomashakespeare.com/

Plus, check out this other cool event:

Annual Home Show Weekend
@ Blue Sage Studios
http://www.bluesagestudios.com/
Glassblowing demonstrations, art glass for sale and tasty treats!

 

Canterbury Choral Society is performing the Christmas classic, Handel's Messiah! this Sunday, December 5th at the Civic Center.  Not only is this piece so significant that everyone should hear it during their lifetime (I mean it - this music will blow you away), it is the perfect performance to put you in the holiday mood. 

Now for the deal - Canterbury has special pricing for this performance that runs until tomorrow.  Getting this deal is as easy as 1, 2, 3! 

• Buy 1 ticket, get 1 half price
• Buy 2 tickets, get 2 free
• Buy 3 tickets, get 3 free to the final concert of the season - Music from Two Shores on May 14, 2011

As always, you can use your OKCityCard to get 2-for-1 tickets to the concert (and you must purchase your tickets in person to do so).  To get the special offer, call 232-SING (7464) and ask for 1, 2 or 3!

And now for fun, I'll leave you with a little taste of Messiah!.  The Opera Company of Philadelphia surprised shoppers with "A Random Act of Culture" and The Hallelujah Chorus. Wish I would've been there! (By the way, this video is worth every bit of the 6 minutes...I'll let you listen and think of how much better it will sound in person when you go to Canterbury's concert than listening to it through your tiny computer speakers.)

Happy Thanksgiving, art lovers!  This year, we’re thankful for each of our donors who believe in the power of the arts and for our 20 member agencies that enhance our communities every day with their amazing work.  The unique culture that we enjoy here in Oklahoma would not be the same without you! 

That being said, we’re bringing you Ticket Thursday a day early, because our member agencies have some great holiday events happening this weekend. 

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)
Opening weekend!
@ Carpenter Square Theatre
http://carpentersquare.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Amahl and the Night Visitors
@ Cimarron Opera
With the Enid Symphony Orchestra
*Performance at the Enid Symphony Center
http://www.cimarronopera.org//
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Nigel Hall Exhibit
@ City Arts Center
http://cityartscenter.org/

Trois Voyage Séparé
@ IAO Gallery
http://www.iaogallery.org/

UCO Senior Capstone Exhibit
@ IAO Gallery
http://www.iaogallery.org/

Certifiably Jonathan
Film Screening
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
http://www.okcmoa.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Black Friday at the Science Shop
7 am – 5 pm – savings on gadgets, gizmos & SMO apparel!
@ Science Museum Oklahoma
http://sciencemuseumok.com/

Enjoy your time with family and friends this Thanksgiving!  And when you start to go stir crazy inside the house, get out and do something artsy!