Events Guide

Altus

Quartz Mountain Nature Park 43393 Scissortail. July 21-26, Quartz Mountain Music Festival. The internationally renowned classical guitar ensemble Los Romeros joins the Quartz Mountain Chamber Players to dazzle audiences with selections from Mendelssohn, Rodrigo, Ravel, and Ginastera. (580) 649-7596. Aug 1, Quartz Mountain Diamondback 100. A scenic trek through southwest Oklahoma , this family-friendly bike ride offers courses ranging from ten to one hundred miles long. (580) 563-2238

Great Plains Stampede Rodeo Aug 20-22, Altus Rodeo Grounds. Voted best medium-sized rodeo in the PRCA’s Prairie Circuit, this annual event brings bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping, steer dogging, and calf roping to the ring. (580) 471-8832 

Alva

American Indian Expo Aug 3-8, Anadarko Fairgrounds. A tradition since 1932, this event celebrates Native American culture from fourteen participating tribes with a parade, carnival, arts and crafts show, and powwow. (405) 933-0774

Anadarko

Caddo County Fairgrounds , 900 E Broadway. Aug 3-8, American Indian Expo. The oldest Indian-owned and operated fair includes two parades, tribal dancing, arts and crafts, and pageant contests. Aug 31, Caddo County Free Fair & Horse Show. Livestock exhibits from 4-H and FFA classes in addition to hobbies, arts, textiles, horticulture, baking, and canning. (405) 574-5483

Honor America Day Celebration and Custom Car and Truck Show July 4, Randlett Park . This event celebrates the Fourth of July in true southern style with watermelon-eating contests, turtle races, gunny-sack races, hot rods, and fireworks. (405) 247-6651

Ardmore

Goddard Center 401 1st SW. July 1-Aug 1, Art de Cuba Exhibition. Making its third appearance at the Goddard Center , this exhibit presents a collection of contemporary paintings from eastern Cuba . July 17, Backstage Pass to Roz Brown. A cabaret featuring Brooklyn native-turned-Ardmoreite Roz Brown, whose vocals cross the boundaries of gospel, blues, R&B, pop, and rock. Aug 22-31, Pottery by Worley Faver. Florida resident Worley Faver’s pottery is inspired by the 5,000-year-old traditions of the Anasazi Indians and includes designs made using instruments like a Virginia walnut, coral, and rocks. (580) 226-0909

Bartlesville

Price Tower Arts Center 510 Dewey. July 1-19, Centuries of Progress: American World’s Fairs, 1853-1982. This exhibit shows how World’s Fairs were responsible for introducing the public to consumer goods like television, Wonder Bread, and Juicy Fruit gum. Aug 7-31, UK to OK: Exploring Traditions in Contemporary Design. Including pottery, textiles, printmaking, furniture, fashion, and jewelry, this exhibit examines the contemporary techniques, materials, and motives of British and Oklahoman designers. (918) 336-4949

Bristow

Celebration of the National Day of the American Cowboy July 25, Main Street . The cattle-herding, rough-and-tumble American cowboy is feted with a horse parade and western music. (918) 367-6762

Broken Arrow

Nottingham: A Totally Teen Musical July 18-19, 25-26, Broken Arrow Community Playhouse. This off-season rock-and-roll musical puts a retro spin on Robin Hood with ’50s and ’60s music.  (918) 258-0077 

Buffalo

Old Settlers Picnic Aug 19, Doby Springs Park . The early 1900s come to life with a sing-along, watermelon feed, horseshoe throws, sack races, egg toss, and rolling pin throw. (580) 735-2533

Chandler

Chandler Craft Fair July 17-19, Aug 14-16, Route 66 Interpretive Center. Vendors display the best crafts in wood, leather, jewelry, and more. (405) 258-1300

Chandler Open Rodeo July 24-25, Tilghman Park . Spectators see the area’s toughest competitors in bull riding, calf roping, open barrels, and ladies’ breakaway. (405) 258-0408

Chickasha

Muscle Car Ranch Swap Meet Aug 20-22, 3609 S 16th. Claiming to be “the Woodstock of all swap meets” and with past musical acts like Ambrosia, Stoney LaRue, and Brian Howe, this year’s event once again brings live music, neon lights, and muscle cars together. (405) 222-4910

Grady County Fair Aug 27-29, Grady County Fairgrounds . A carnival, vendors, and arts and crafts make this a great family event. (580) 252-5676

Claremore

Gatesway Balloon Festival Aug 7-9, Will Rogers Downs . This event includes more than thirty hot-air balloons, food and craft vendors, and a car show presented by the Claremore Route 66 Club.            (918) 259-1405

Concho

Oklahoma Indian Nations Powwow July 31, Aug 1-2, Concho Powwow Grounds. In conjunction with Summerfest, this annual event celebrates traditional Native American culture with dancers, food, a 5K buffalo run, and more. (405) 422-7545

Cookson

Cookson Jubilee July 17-18, Tenkiller Area Community Building and Grounds. The thirty-fifth annual jubilee includes craft and food vendors, door prizes, and live music from Jason Meadows. (918) 457-3100

Davis

Arbuckle Mountain Park 4th of July Bluegrass Jam July 1-6, Arbuckle Mountain Park . Informal jamming includes bluegrass, gospel, and old-time country music. (405) 665-5226

Duncan

Dehydrator Bicycle Ride and Race July 25, Simmons Center . In this event benefiting the Duncan Band Boosters, riders roll through the hills of southwest Oklahoma in noncompetitive bike rides of ten to sixty-nine miles and competitive bike rides of fourteen to fifty-six miles. (580) 252-1092

Edmond

LibertyFest July 1-4, Downtown. Selected as one of the top ten places to be in America on July 4th by CNN & USA Today, this festival includes kids’ activities, a parade, food, live music, and fireworks. (405) 340-2527

El Reno

Ghosts of Fort Reno Tours July 18, Fort Reno . Aug, 15. Visitors hear unsolved mysteries and murder stories while visiting with paranormal research and investigation teams. (405) 262-3987

Enid

Into the Woods July 17-18, 24-25, Gaslight Theatre. This absurd fairy tale is full of twisted storybook characters like a vicious Little Red Riding Hood and a rapping witch. (580) 234-2307

Eufaula

Whole Hawg Days & Poker Run July 23-25, Posey Park. With a motorcycle rally, food vendors, a parade, and poker runs, this weekend is sure to be hog heaven. (918) 689-2791

Freedom

Alabaster Caverns State Park S.H. 50 & S.H. 50-A. July 4, 11, 18, 25, Alabaster Caverns Lantern Tour. This tour takes up to twenty visitors into underground caves as old campfire stories are told. July 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30, Aug 1, Selman Bat Watch. An estimated one million bats fly overhead in the night sky. (405) 424-0099

Grove

Cajun Fest and Arts, Crafts & Music Festival July 4, Grove Civic Center and Snider’s Camp. This annual Fourth of July event brings the best Cajun music, food, and arts and crafts around, with musical guests Jana Jae and Hotwire. (918) 786-8896

Hulbert

Fiddlers Festival Aug 20-22, Western Hills Guest Ranch & Sequoyah State Park . Visitors can dance the night away to live music by professional fiddle players.               (918) 772-2545 

Jenks

Shark Week July 27-Aug 2, Oklahoma Aquarium. In conjunction with Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, the aquarium is offering behind-the-scenes tours, special lectures, and videos about their unique shark collection that includes the largest bull sharks in captivity. (918) 296-3474

Lawton

Dearly Departed July 17-18, 24-25, Blue Moon Productions. The story of Bud Turpin’s funeral and all the crazy characters who were in his life. (580) 591-6730

Lawton-Fort Sill Birthday Celebration Aug 1, Elmer Thomas Park. Celebrating the 108th birthday of Lawton and Fort Sill , this party includes activities for the whole family. (580) 581-3470

Miami

Coleman Theatre Beautiful 103 N Main . July 9, My Fair Lady. In this musical, Eliza Doolittle is transformed from a street girl to a proper lady. July 17-19, Coleman Company Players’ Musical. The Coleman Theatre’s house troupe performs a Broadway musical. July 24, Trout Fishing in America . This Grammy-nominated duo performs folk rock and original children’s songs. July 31, The Comedy and Magic of Doug Anderson. This comedic magician has performed for astronaut Neil Armstrong, Olympian Mary Lou Retton, and fellow magician David Copperfield. Aug 7, The Texas Playboys. A touring band that includes original Playboys members performs a selection of songs made famous by Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing. (918) 540-2425 

Moore

Art in the Park: A Celebration in the Heartland July 3-4, Buck Thomas Park. This Fourth of July celebration includes art, food, a carnival, a train ride for kids, fireworks, and live entertainment from bands Bad Monkey and Metal Shop and magician Jim Green. (405) 793-5224 

Muskogee

Salsa-Tasting Contest July 25, Market Square . This salsa-tasting contest at Muskogee Farmers’ Market keeps taste buds entertained while the shoppers buy fresh Oklahoma-grown plants, herbs, and baked goods. (918) 686-6939

Norman

The Performing Arts Studio 200 S Jones Ave. July 12, Wanda Jackson. A 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Jackson has been rockin’ since the 1950s. July 26, Dorian Small. This five-piece band from Norman mixes genres to create a synth rock sound. Aug 9, Son del Barrio. This Latin roots band showcases a style known as Chicano groove. Aug 23, Darrell Scott. Playing more than fifty shows a year, this Nashville-based singer/songwriter brings his talent to Oklahoma . (405) 307-9320 

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 2401 Chautauqua Ave. July 2, The Basics of Visual Astronomical Observing. Nick Lazzaro from the Odyssey Astronomy Club teaches the basics of observing for the beginner. Aug 6, Lunar Eclipses. Jeff Thibodeau from the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club discusses lunar eclipses, which only occur when the sun, earth, and moon are aligned. (405) 325-4712

Art à la CART July 10, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. Includes art activities like basket making, music by Ford Chastain, Stephanie Rhynes, and Bryan Bradley, and a short film presented by deadCenter.                 (405) 325-3272

Midsummer Nights’ Fair July 10-11, Lion’s Park. This annual arts fair includes demonstrations of pottery throwing, jewelry making, stone carving, and sculpture in addition to food, live music, and art projects for kids. (405) 329-4523

Les Misérables July 30-Aug 2, Sooner Theatre. Presented by Sooner Theatre’s Young Producers, ages thirteen to eighteen, this classic play set in nineteenth-century Paris follows the life of ex-convict Jean Valjean as he seeks redemption. (405) 321-9600

Okemah

Woody Guthrie Folk Festival July 8-12, Downtown. With headliners like Jimmy LaFave, Jon Vezner, Audrey Auld, and many more, this is a great day to remember one of Oklahoma ’s favorite songwriters. (918) 623-2440

Oklahoma City

Diamond Ballroom. 8001 S Eastern. July 31, The Donnas. This all-girl hard rock group performs fan favorites and tracks from their new album. Aug 21, Hatebreed. Joined by special guests Chimaira, Winds of Plague, Dying Fetus, and Toxic Holocaust, Hatebreed plays music from their May 2009 release, For the Lions. (405) 677-9169 

Lyric Theatre 1727 NW 16th. July 7-11, The Music Man. In this eight-time Tony Award-winning musical, con man Harold Hill runs the risk of being exposed when he falls in love with a librarian. July 21-25, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This musical, based on the parable of Joseph’s coat of many colors, follows his rise from a slave to the most powerful man in Egypt . Aug 4-8, The Producers. Theater producers Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop and get into a fix when the play turns into a hit. Aug 18-22, Little Shop of Horrors. This rock-and-roll musical follows flower shop clerk Seymour , his true love Audrey, and an unusual plant that feeds on human flesh. (405) 524-9312 

Myriad Botanical Gardens 301 W Reno . July 2-3, 9-11, As You Like It. In this pastoral comedy, heroine Rosalind must flee persecution from her uncle to find love. July 12, 19, 26, Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2009 Sunday Twilight Concerts. Music-lovers can enjoy free concerts that include rock, pop, funk, and jazz music, and on July 19 and Aug 23, children’s art activities are available for families. July 16-18, 23-25, Misalliance. Written by George Bernard Shaw, this play is an ironic examination of courtship and marriage. July 30-Aug 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, Hamlet. The famous Shakespearean tragedy recounts Prince Hamlet’s attempts to get revenge on his murderous uncle. Aug 27-29, Twelfth Night. One of Shakespeare’s many romantic comedies complicated by mistaken identity. (405) 235-3700

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd. July 1-12, Did She Kill ’em All? Martha Maxwell , Colorado Huntress. This exhibit explores the life of Martha Ann Maxwell, the first woman field naturalist. July 1-Aug 31, Prix de West. This prestigious invitational art exhibit displays more than three hundred western paintings and sculptures. July 24-Aug 31, Not Just a Housewife: The Changing Roles of Women in the West. By looking at the women of the past and their struggles to become more than housewives and mothers, this exhibit shows how far women have come. (405) 478-2250 

Turner to Cézanne: Masterpieces From the Davies Collection July 1-Aug 31, Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Exploring the innovations that shaped nineteenth and twentieth-century art, this collection includes fifty-five pieces from artists such as Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. (405) 236-3100

Jamie Foxx July 12, Cox Convention Center . The Oscar-winning actor and comedian bring his R&B music act to Oklahoma City . (405) 602-8500

Reggae Festival July 31-Aug 1, Bricktown. Local reggae bands Natty Nation and Kinky Slinky perform while vendors tend to customers’ needs. (405) 236-4143

Pauls   Valley

Fourth of July Celebration July 4, Wacker Park . This annual event celebrating our nation’s independence offers free food, live entertainment, a watermelon seed-spitting contest, and a huge, manually lit fireworks display. (405) 238-2555

Pryor

Rocklahoma July 9-12, Catch the Fever Festival Grounds. Twisted Sister headlines this ’80s rock festival’s third year with acts like RATT, Anthrax, Great White, Vixen, Bonfire, Nelson, and dozens more. (918) 824-2288 

Shawnee

Red, White & Blue Celebration July 4, Shawnee Expo Center . After a performance by country musician Randy Houser, fireworks light up the sky.   (405) 878-1760 

Stillwater

Eskimo Joe’s 34th Anniversary Celebration July 20-26, 501 W Elm. This celebration includes food and drink specials throughout the week, a carnival, car show, and live music. (405) 372-8896

Tulsa  

BOK Center 200 S Denver . July 9, Jamie Foxx. The Grammy-nominated singer performs songs from his 2008 gold record, Intuition. July 17-19, PBR U.S. Border Patrol Invitational. The world’s top riders try to hang on to bucking bulls for eight seconds. July 24, American Idols Live! The top ten contestants from season eight of TV’s American Idol take the stage. July 30, Aerosmith. ZZ Top opens the show for this legendary Grammy-winning rock band. Aug 2, The Wiggles Go Bananas! The popular Australian children’s entertainers perform an interactive show. Aug 7, Keith Urban. The Grammy-winning country star brings his live act to Tulsa with special guests Sugarland. Aug 20, Rod Stewart. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer brings more than thirty years of hits to the stage. Aug 22, Def Leppard, Poison, and Cheap Trick. Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliot has billed this show “the rock tour of the summer.” (918) 894-4200 

Cain’s Ballroom 423 N Main. July 8, The Expendables. This laid-back music group plays surf, skate, and party music and has been around since 1997. July 16, Sonic Youth. This American noise rock band is a fundamental part of alternative rock history. Aug 30, The Paul Thorn Band. Thorn plays music from his newest album, A Long Way From Tupelo, showing his southern roots through blues, country, gospel, and rock.                 (918) 584-2306

Expo Square 4145 E 21st. July 2-6, Wing Ding 31. With more than 10,000 motorcycle riders expected, this is the world’s largest convention of Honda Gold Wing and Valkyrie motorcycle owners. July 14-17, PHBA Youth World Championship Horse Show. Hundreds of palomino horses compete for cash and prizes from the Palomino Horse Breeders of America. July 17-19, An Affair of the Heart. Including vendors from 110 Oklahoma communities and at least twenty other states, this arts and crafts show is like none other with antique, clothing, pottery, food, and jewelry vendors. Aug 1, Wild Brew. Benefiting the Sutton Avian Research Center in Bartlesville , this pub tour includes dozens of restaurants and breweries and live music from the Fabulous Mid Life Crisis Band, Shelby Eicher, and Mark Bruner. (918) 744-1113

Philbrook Museum of Art 2727 S Rockford . July 1-26, From Michelangelo to Annibale Carracci: A Century of Italian Drawings From the Prado. This exhibition from Madrid ’s Museo del Prado includes seventy Italian works from artists like Guilio Romano, Paolo Veronese, and Giorgio Vasari. July 1-26, Peggy Preheim: Little Black Book. This exhibition includes fifty-five works, including pencil drawings and sculptural assemblages of black and white photography. (918) 749-7941 

Utica Square 21st & Utica . July 2, Red Dirt Rangers. From Stillwater , this band is one of the originators of Oklahoma red dirt music. July 9, Joseph Vincelli. This New Jersey native, who has recorded with Buddy Miles, Ice Cube, and Burt Reynolds, brings his saxophone skills to the stage. July 16, Jessica V. and the Rhythmatics. This trio of Jessica Hunt, Charlie Davis, and Jon Parris play smooth blues and R&B. July 23, Random Sample. This local band plays a set that includes rock and country. July 30, Usual Suspects. This rock band features six vocalists and a four-piece horn section. Aug 6, Something Steel. This steel drum band plays rhythms that bring tropical islands to mind. Aug 13, Annie Ellicott With Brian Haas Trio. A Tulsa-based singer, Ellicott lights up the night with jazz. Aug 20, The Fabulous Mid Life Crisis Band. Since 1995, this seven-piece classic rock group has been playing music by the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Eagles, and more. Aug 27, Grady Nichols. An internationally known saxophonist, Nichols has had five successful CD releases and has opened for Ray Charles. (918) 742-5531

Art From the Oklahoma State Capitol: The Senate Collection July 4-Aug 31, Gilcrease, The Museum of the Americas . A selection of artwork from the Oklahoma State Capitol’s permanent collection. (918) 596-2700

Oklahoma ! July 2-4, 6-11, 13-18, 20-25, 27-31, Aug 1, 3-8, 10-15, Discoveryland. With a cast of thirty, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical couldn’t be any better in its home state and comes complete with real horses and wagons. (918) 245-6552

Starlight Band Concerts July 7, 14, 21, River West Festival Park . These free concerts in the park have been an Oklahoma tradition for sixty-two years and include special attractions like Circle Cinema’s movie night. (918) 798-7827

Wonderful World of Wood July 10-11, Union 6th & 7th Grade Center . The annual wood-carving craft show includes seminars and demonstrations by master carver Buryl Franks. (918) 251-8734

Tokyo in Tulsa July 10-12, Doubletree Hotel and Tulsa Convention Center . This pop culture convention centered on Japanese animation showcases music, art, writing, gaming, and fashion. (918) 596-7177

Tulsa Area Iris Society Show and Sale July 11, Tulsa Garden Center . (918) 746-5125

Tuttle

Ice Cream Festival July 4, Schrock Park . This Fourth of July celebration includes turtle races, a princess pageant, fireworks, a performance by the Etowa Road Band, and lots of Braum’s ice cream. (405) 381-4600

Watonga

Kids’ Fishing Tournament July 4, Roman Nose State Park . Children fifteen and under who are accompanied by a parent can participate in this fishing event and compete for prizes. (580) 623-5454

Wilburton

Bikes & Bands Aug 15, Main St . This event includes three live bands and the Magic Wheels Motorcycle Parade, an after-dark event featuring bikes decorated with lights. (918) 465-2254 

Woodward 

Western Art Show and Sale July 17-18, Josie Adams Cultural Center. An art show featuring works of western art ranging from spear making and jewelry to paintings and pottery. (580) 256-7120

Yukon

Tribute to Veterans July 3, Chisholm Trail Park . Specifically honoring Yukon veterans, this event includes food vendors, a fireworks display, and live music by Mike Black & the Stingrays and Irv Wagner’s Concert Band. (405) 350-8937

Freedom Fest July 4, Chisholm Trail Park . Yukon celebrates the nation’s freedom with a car show, children’s parade, arts and crafts, fireworks, and the OKC Philharmonic. (405) 350-8937

Dates and times are subject to change; please confirm before attending any event. The calendar is a free service published on a space-available basis.
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