Weekly Events Calendar: January 29-February 4

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 Ben Luschen
580, 918, 539. These are the three-digit identifiers representing the regions where music-loving phone-havers in Oklahoma can go see Mr. “Area Codes” himself, Ludacris, in concert. That’s right kids, Tej from the Fast & Furious movies actually first got famous by making music. Lovers of hip-hop from the new millennium will have two chances to catch Christopher Brian Bridges on the mic this week. The first opportunity is 8 pm Friday at Choctaw Casino and Resort in Grant. The second is 8 pm Saturday at River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa. Buy a seat for one or both, because tickets are still available. And if you get there and someone is sitting where you’re supposed to be, you can tell them to "Stand Uppp," "Get back!," "Get out the wayyy!," and "RollllOUT!"
February 2 & February 3. choctawcasinos.com or tickets.riverspirittulsa.com

Fast & Furious actor and 2000s hip-hop icon Ludacris performs concerts this week at venues in both Grant and Tulsa. Photo courtesy Ludacris Foundation

By Megan Rossman
Over the years, people have employed many strange methods to lose weight. Fads have included the cigarette diet, the cotton ball diet–which includes dipping cotton balls into tasty liquids and swallowing them—the tapeworm diet, and of course there are the various cabbage soup, carnivore, and grapefruit diets. But one diet you never hear about is the hockey diet, because I just made it up after learning that it’s not uncommon for hockey players to lose five to eight pounds during a game. It’s water weight, of course, but if you’ve got a big event coming up, you might hit the local ice rink and work off some of those pounds before your night on the town. Another unusual method would be to hit up the Tulsa Oilers Arena Challenge on February 3rd. There won’t be a hockey game though, tonight you will find crowds of people running and walking up and down the staircases and around the arena in a 5K race or a fun run that’s put on by Fleet Feet.
February 3. Registration $30-$50. runsignup.com

It might be a bit too chilly for most outdoor running events, but the Tulsa Oilers Arena Challenge gets people moving inside a sports facility. Photo courtesy Fleet Feet Tulsa

By Karlie Ybarra
Let's talk about space, baby. Let's talk about you and me going to the Stargazers Gathering in Claremore northeast of OKC. February might not seem like an ideal time to wonder at the majesty of the stars, but as long as you dress warmly, this gathering February 3rd from 6 to 8 p.m. hosted by the Claremore History Museum is perfect for astrophiles. The early part of this month actually is the best time to see Orion the Hunter in his full glory. While the stars that form the constellation's shoulders are brilliant and beautiful—Rigel and Betelgeuse are some of the brightest stars in the sky—his sword is actually even more fascinating. The center of the three heavenly bodies that make up this weapon isn't even a star at all—it's gaseous cloud where new stars are born 1,300 light years away. Stargazers don't even need a telescope to see details of the Orion nebula. There's no admission, so just bring a blanket and your cosmic awe.
February 3. Admission, free. claremore.com

Look for Orion and more constellations in the night sky during the Claremore Museum of History's Stargazers Gathering. Photo courtesy Pixabay

By Nathan Gunter
I love this event, because it combines two things we’re talking about in our upcoming Adventure Issue for March/April. First, we have a great story about the positive health benefits of deliberate cold exposure—you’ve probably heard them called ice baths. We have a whole story about that! Also, Robert Reid has written an excellent feature about Medicine Park that’s going to have you packing up and heading southwest before you even get to the last page. So if we multiply those two stories times each other, we get this week’s event: The Medicine Park Plunge! Join Medicine Park locals and visitors alike as they dust off their summer swimwear to take an icy dip in Bath Lake. The event is sponsored by The Park Tavern, who are offering liquid courage beforehand starting at 10 a.m. The plunge itself happens at 2 p.m., and costumes and positive vibes are encouraged. And even if a freezing-cold swim isn’t your jam, there’s plenty to enjoy aside from the sight of crazies shivering in the wind: There’ll be live music, high tea, a parade, and more. Call (580) 529-2825 for more info.
February 4. Admission, free. medicinepark.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.