Weekly Events Calendar September 23-29

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.

Ready for Freddie

The touring production of Mercury: A Musical Celebration of Freddie Mercury will make a memorable stop at the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center in Ada. The Vegas-style show, hosted by real-life rocker Jack Starr, features renowned counter-tenor Terry Barber in the shoes of the Queen frontman. The production mingles the icon’s history with the band’s beloved melodies, making for a spectacle that doesn’t miss a beat. September 24. Tickets, $25. facebook.com

Enjoy a drink at Whirlwind Book Bar in Altus while creating your next masterpiece during Hoppy Painting.

Arts and Craft Beers

Hump day always goes over smoothly at the Whirlwind Book Bar in Altus. Hoppy Painting encourages its participants to raise a brush and down a beer or two. An instructor guides the painting tutorial, and beverages will be available to inspire creativity and/or console those who are not so hot with a paintbrush. September 25. Admission, $25-$30.
facebook.com

Bowl for Brains

Grab your bowling gloves and your thinking caps! If you don’t happen to have those items, just bring a fresh pair of socks and a few friends to Bowling & Trivia. Weatherford’s own Southwestern Lanes likes to spice up the bowling experience with a weekly dose of hard-hitting trivia. Trivia teams of up to four people are encouraged to bowl a few games and tackle a series of tricky questions. September 26. Admission, free. Call ahead to reserve a bowling lane. (580) 772-7500 or southwesternlanes.com

Strike while the trivia is hot at Bowling & Trivia at Southwestern Lanes in Weatherford.

New Park, Who Dis?

As summer winds to a close, Downtown Oklahoma City’s Scissortail Park finally opens its gates. The Scissortail Park Grand Opening guarantees a good time with a free concert from Kings of Leon on Friday night. Music will continue all weekend, with a special concert by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic wrapping up the festivities on Sunday evening. Guests are invited to enjoy the tunes for free, but a huge spread of snacks and sips will be available for purchase throughout the weekend. September 27-29. Admission, free. facebook.com

An International Affair

The 40th annual Lawton International Festival will transform Elmer Thomas Park into a site for cultural exploration and entertainment. Friday evening, the ball gets rolling with the festival’s Opening Ceremony and Parade of Nations. As the weekend continues, live music, food vendors, and interactive displays will give visitors plenty to absorb. Parking and attendance are free, leaving no good reason to pass up such a healthy dose of diversity. September 27-29. Admission, Free. eventcrazy.com

The Boyz are Back in Town

It appears that “One Sweet Day” Okie R&B buffs have been anticipating has finally arrived. Boyz II Men are hitting the Choctaw Grand Theater in Durant to serenade fans in its signature silky three-part harmony. Whether the Boyz (or are they Men at this point?) will make it back to Oklahoma in the near future is uncertain, so it’s best to get tickets now—before their tour meets the “End of the Road.” September 28. Tickets, $43 and up. ticketmaster.com

Monarchs in the Park brings together butterfly fans from across the state in Norman's Andrews Park.

(Butter)Fly Me to the Moon

Okies for Monarchs, arguably the state’s friendliest gang, is sponsoring Norman’s Monarchs in the Park. Andrews Park will be fluttering with activity, making for an exciting afternoon the entire family can appreciate. A butterfly parade, pollinator crafts, and a monarch release are just a few of the festival’s scheduled features; non-monarch related entertainment will also be present, but those looking to avoid butterflies might want to consider a different festival altogether. September 29. Admission, free. okiesformonarchs.org

Dog Drink Dog

It just got even easier to support the cuddly cause of the Stillwater Humane Society. Barktoberfest, a public adoption event hosted by Iron Monk Brewing Company, licks off at 12 p.m. Sunday. Enjoy beverages from more than seventeen different Oklahoma breweries while listening to performances from local greats Morgan, Chloe Beth, and Giakob Lee. Attendees can also grab bites from Free-Range Kitchen and PurdyQ Meats and Treats. Maybe grab a puppy or two, as well! Those who aren’t in the market for a furry friend, however, may still show their support by sponsoring an adoption. September 29. Tickets, $45-$65. eventbrite.com