Weekly Event Calendar: November 11-17, 2024

Each week, Oklahoma Today staffers comb through their calendars to find a handful of great events happening across the state. Get out! See Oklahoma! And be sure to let us know what you find, either here or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @oklahomatoday.

By Kiersten Stone
Did you know the line “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” was once written to be “Lights and tires and cheers, oh my!”? Yea, me neither, but that’s because I made that up. Truthfully though, you can combine the two lines for a night of fun at the OKC Zoo’s Safari Lights, returning for the holiday season starting November 9. Guests can go wild and enjoy the winter wildlife wonderland with festive light displays, special holiday treats, and photo opportunities. It’s even said Santa will be visiting the lights on weekends starting November 28 and then daily from December 18 until he has to get ready for work on Christmas Eve. There will also be a sensory-friendly night on November 8. Online reservations are required for the OKC Zoo Safari Lights, and tickets and more information can be found by visiting okczoo.org.
Through January 1. Admission, $16-$75. okczoo.org

By Megan Rossman
Imagine for a second that your partner has finally called it quits and is demanding a divorce. You want to be with your children every day. So, naturally, you turn to your makeup artist brother who outfits you with a prosthetic mask and bodysuit, and you put your voice-acting skills to the test as you pretend to be a completely different person and pose as a nanny and housekeeper in your former home. You become part of the family, they learn to respect you in a way they never did as a husband and father, but then your face falls off when you’re giving the Heimlich to your wife’s new boyfriend after you practically kill him with pepper at her birthday dinner. No one is happy. If that sounds crazy, it’s because it is. It's also the plot of the 1993 film Mrs. Doubtfire, of which I am an eternal superfan. So, it’s quite exciting that a musical based on the film will be entertaining—and potentially confusing—audiences at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center from November 12 to 17.
November 12-17. Tickets starting at $29. celebrityattractions.com

Fans of the 1993 Robin Williams comedy Mrs. Doubtfire won't want to miss the stage production this week at Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Photo courtesy Joan Marcus / Celebrity Attractions

By Ben Luschen
Prepare yourself for an a cappella experience that’s anything but straight-laced! Straight No Chaser is bringing their harmonies and hilarity to the Rose State College Hudiburg Chevrolet Center in Midwest City, ready to redefine what you think you know about a cappella. Originally formed by a group of Indiana University students in the '90s, SNC skyrocketed to fame when their "12 Days of Christmas" cover went viral in 2007, sparking an epic comeback. Since then, they've racked up over one billion streams, sold millions of albums, and perfected covers of everything from Toto’s “Africa” to Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”
Expect a blend of top-tier vocals, humor, and unexpected twists as they take on popular hits and classic tunes. Trust us—this isn’t your typical a cappella group in matching blazers! Catch them live for an evening that promises great music, laughs, and a whole lot of charm.
November 12. Tickets, $46.50-$120. ardmoremainstreet.com

They've wowed you online, now witness the a capella magic of Straight No Chaser in person at the Rose State College Hudiburg Chevrolet Center. Photo courtesy Straight No Chaser

By Nathan Gunter
Something I’ve noticed traveling all over the country and the world is that Oklahomans are uniquely proud of their homegrown celebrities. I mean, I think everyone is to some degree, but I’ve noticed that we Oklahomans are pretty quick to jump up and say, “THEY’RE FROM OKLAHOMA!” when the subject of a famous person comes up. Reba, Kristin Chenowith, Vince Gill, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Bill Hader, St. Vincent, Roger Miller, Shannon Miller, Shannon Lucid, Wanda Jackson, Sasquatch: Our antennae are always up for these names of hometown heroes.
But not enough of us know the name Jesse Ed Davis. Jesse Ed Davis was born in Norman in 1944. He was an enrolled citizen of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, and he was regarded as one of the best session guitarists around starting in the 1960s. He played with Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Conway Twitty, Leon Russell, B.B. King, John Lennon, and George Harrison, to name a few, and he was a very big part of Harrison’s famous 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. His list of achievements is a mile long, and more Oklahomans should know his name.
Now, you’ve got a chance to learn about him. At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, the Oklahoma History Center will host a release party for the book Washita Love Child: The Rise of Indigenous Rock Star Jesse Ed Davis by Douglas K. Miller. The book follows Davis’ rise to music stardom, and the author will be on-hand to answer questions and sign copies. There’ll also be a musical selection from Seminole-Muskogee musician Chebon Tiger, and Davis’ Telecaster guitar and Fender Bassman amp will be on display as well. For more information, call (405) 522-0765.
November 12. Admission, free. okhistory.org

Writer Douglas Miller will be at the Oklahoma History Center this week to meet fans at the launch of his new book Washita Love Child, chronicling the life of Jesse Ed Davis.

By Ben Luschen
Like most of the people in this room, I absolutely love soil. It’s the stuff that makes life here on the planet’s surface possible. And if you’re on the hunt for some great soil, I’d like to point you to the Claremore Expo Center, which boasts a cocoa-colored mixture of dirt and sand that, admittedly, is not great for growing crops but is optimal for slinging several feet through the air during the intense whirl of motocross action. And this lovely sediment, along with fast bikes and world-class riders, will be on display this Friday and Saturday in Claremore during the Arena Motocross Nationals. A raucous, sellout crowd of dirt fans will passionately cheer as high-octane racers cut through the sandbox. Monster trucks get a lot of the love, but don’t overlook these nimble machines and their skilled riders, who will be jumping several feet into the air while in competition. Sit close enough to the track and you might even get sprayed by some of that high quality motocross soil, lucky you! This is an all ages event, and doors open at 6:00 p.m. for both days of the competition. General admission is $15-$20, but you can upgrade to a spot in the pit for $30.
November 15-16. Tickets, $15-$30 arenamotocross.com

Written By

Ben Luschen

Luschen joined the *Oklahoma Today*’ staff as Research Editor in 2021 and currently works as the magazine's Web Editor, managing the website and social media fronts. His past *Oklahoma Today* stories have ranged in content from the state's bee and quail industries to its vibrant art and music scenes. Not adverse to a road trip, Luschen is always on the lookout for the next big adventure. He is never out of opinions about the current state of Oklahoma City Thunder basketball.