Weekly Events Calendar, August 21-27, 2023

This week's events calendar is brought to you by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition. Learn more at ovac-ok.org.

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.

It is said that all comedians want to be rock stars and all rock stars want to be comedians, which means comedian and musician Tim Heidecker really is living the dream. See the star of Tom Goes to the Mayor, The Comedy, and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! when he brings his stand-up comedy act and live music show to Oklahoma City's Tower Theatre. August 24. Tickets, $34.50-$104.50. towertheatreokc.com

Drone races are just some of the fun visitors will find at the Thunderbird Drone Festival in Woodward. Photo courtesy Thunderbird Drone Festival

Drone technology has exploded into the public consciousness over the last decade as artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs find new ways to achieve what they could only dream of with the help of flying machines. Learn about every application of drones in Woodward at the Thunderbird Drone Festival, which includes a film festival, demonstrations for first responders, info for hobbyists, and competitive drone sports. August 25-26. Admission, $20-$50. thunderbirddronefestival.com

From sweet to spicy and everywhere between, the Salsa Festival at the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks has every taste covered. Photo by Tesa Robbins

Oklahoma has been plenty caliente this summer, but the Oklahoma Aquarium is cranking it up a notch during the annual Salsa Festival. Giving fish and chips a new meaning, visitors can explore the diverse aquatic life on display at the aquarium before grabbing a basket of tortilla chips and going to town on salsa samples in the Mild, Hot, and Anything Goes categories. And if that isn't enough to break a sweat, the festival also features a jalapeño-eating contest and queso tasting. August 26. Tickets, $15.95-$24.95 for admission to the aquarium, $3 for each basket of tortilla chips. okaquarium.org

Each month, El Reno's Centre Theatre downtown puts on a live music extravaganza that combines classic country, folk, blues, and rock tunes for energized audiences. The Backwoods Country Music Show returns on the fourth Saturday of each month for a family friendly show that guarantees toe-tapping tunes and down-home fun. Whether you're a city slicker, from the backwoods, or somewhere in between, there's great music waiting in El Reno. August 26. Tickets, $12. facebook.com

Engage creativity and celebrate learning at Maker Faire Tulsa at Tulsa Expo Square. Photo courtesy Maker Faire Tulsa

Though much of modern life is spent in the digital sphere, there will always be a need for physical solutions to our daily struggles. Meet the folks working behind the scenes at Maker Faire Tulsa at Tulsa Expo Square. This gathering of makers is a celebration of technology, education, and ingenuity with more than 150 makers and inventors filling the Exchange Center with ideas, projects, and products. Great for kids of all ages, Maker Faire Tulsa is a great place to be inspired to make your own ingenious creations. August 26. Admission, free. tulsa.makerfaire.com

Written By

Greg Elwell

Greg Elwell served as research editor and web editor of Oklahoma Today from 2018-2023. He also has worked for newspapers, medical research organizations, and government institutions.