Weekly Events Calendar November 25-December 1

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.

The University of Oklahoma's Hornsemble will be making some joyful noises Tuesday. Photo courtesy Eldon Matlick.

Plenty of Horn

The OU Hornsemble Concert at Norman’s Sharp Concert Hall is not only a showcase of the ensemble’s talent, but also the mutability of their instruments. From Beethoven to Toto, the set list includes an array of styles to highlight the spectrum of sounds the horns produce. Fans of classical arrangements or contemporary charts can enjoy a sonic spread as they slide into the filling festivities of turkey day. The concert is free and open to the public, making it an easy way to warm up—and liven up—a chilly Tuesday night. (And if you’re unable to get to the show, visit ou.edu/finearts/music/ and click “Live Stream” to watch for free from home.) November 26. Admission, free. ou.edu

They’re Not Grilling Frogs

Ardmore’s hopping-est restaurant has all of your taste buds covered this Thanksgiving Day. Two Frogs Grill will host its 26th Annual Thanksgiving Buffet from 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. in celebration of the nation’s tastiest holiday. The smorgasbord of comfort food will feature baked ham, giblet gravy, Russell’s Southern-style fried chicken, and huge helpings of oven-roasted turkey. The buffet also boasts traditional side dishes like cornbread stuffing and yams, but eaters would be wise to save space for a tasting of the grill’s classic holiday desserts. November 28. Reservations recommended. (580) 226-3764 or facebook.com

Piedmont is hoping to start a new tradition with its first Turkey Trot 5K and one-mile fun run.

Sweat for Your Supper

Make the most of Thanksgiving Day by lacing up your sneakers in the morning and loosening your belt in the afternoon. Piedmont’s inaugural Turkey Trot invites runners of all skill levels to participate in the holiday 5K—or the one-mile fun run, if short and sweet is your preferred racing style. Costumes are encouraged, and the morning’s most glamorous gobbler will receive a prize. All proceeds from the Turkey Trot will benefit Bright Sky Ministry, a local nonprofit committed to foster care families and the protection of at-risk children. Stretch your legs and open your heart in honor of the holiday’s focus on gratitude. After that? Eat. November 28. Participation, $20-$25. runsignup.com

Evergreen Never Looked So Good

The Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival will illuminate the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark to kick off the holiday season in style. Since 2002, the annual tree lighting ceremony has branched out to feature more attractions and treats each year. The long-awaited lighting will be handled by two very important people—Mayor David Holt and Old Saint Nick himself—as live performances, face painting, food trucks, and Santa-centric activities take place around the towering tannenbaum. The cast of Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s A Christmas Carol will perform alongside acts like Academia OKC’s Mariachi group, the Native Women’s Choir, and OKC’s own Jabee. This is one great big tree that guarantees a great time. November 29. Admission, free. downtownindecember.com.

Back in Black Wall Street

Tulsa’s Teach Not Punish Family Resource Center hopes to ensure the Roaring Twenties see a revival in the twenty-first century. The organization’s Black Wall Street 1919 Gala encourages attendees to don their best Prohibition-era attire as they raise funds for Tulsa elementary schools. The gala’s theme honors the excellence of Tulsa’s Black Wall Street community as it existed in the early twentieth century. Teach Not Punish hopes to revive the community’s kinship and entrepreneurial spirit by educating and meeting the basic needs of Tulsa’s students and families. The gala includes a plated dinner and cash bar, followed by a party set to the tunes of D.J. Good Ground. All who are willing to dance the Charleston are welcome to attend. November 30. Tickets, $75 and up. eventbrite.com

Leftover pumpkins? Bring them to CommonWealth Urban Farms for The Great Pumpkin Smash composting event. Photo courtesy JoBeth Hamon.

Smashing Pumpkins, Literally

What better way to welcome wintertime than with the light-hearted demolition of your autumnal décor? CommonWealth Urban Farms invites Okies of all ages to bring their aging gourds to The Great Pumpkin Smash for an afternoon of messy festivities. The family-friendly event encourages guests to add their old pumpkins and hay bales to the farm’s compost pile and smash to their heart’s content. Get out any pent-up aggression while you give back to the earth; just remember that safety always comes first in any good pumpkin smash. November 30. Admission, free. commonwealthurbanfarms.com