Habitat for Humanity embarking on new development

Dear Friends,

I am simply elat‐ed by the promise of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s (COHFH) newest, most extensive development, Cornerstone Creek. Our 160‐acre com‐munity, located at 150th and Morgan Road in far northwest Oklahoma City, offers a fresh start for hard‐working, limited‐income families who aspire to become homeowners.

COHFH plans to begin building at Cornerstone Creek in August. When complete, it will offer 450 single‐fami‐ly, affordable and energy‐efficient homes in a well‐developed neighbor‐hood, further enhanced by Piedmont, Oklahoma’s schools. Establishing Cornerstone Creek couldn’t have come at a better time for our future home‐owners.

We’re facing historically high rental rates nationwide, with many Oklahomans spending more than 30% of their paychecks on housing. There’s also a severe lack of affordable houses available in Central Oklahoma and throughout the U.S. Such systemic challenges often mean homeowner‐ship is out of reach for many limited‐income families.

Central Oklahoma Habitat believes everyone deserves a decent place to live. Since 1990, we’ve helped 1,080 families fulfill their dreams of afford‐able homeownership. We also believe each Cornerstone Creek home will serve as a foundation for a better life with more opportunities for our fami‐lies and future generations.

Evidence shows that homeowner‐ ship often leads to improved access to a quality education, better health and greater economic stability, as well as increased social and civic engagement.

We are currently building Cornerstone Creek’s $3 million Phase 1 infrastructure. With the donations we raise, we will pave streets, side‐walks and curbs; install waterlines, sewer lines and storm drains; and establish underground‐ and above‐ground utilities.

Donating is a quick and easy process. Please give today to help make this much‐needed community a reality – any amount is welcome! Together, we will continue our mission of building homes, communities and hope.

Blessings!

Ann Felton Gilliland Chair/CEO

Ballet

From Page 4

“We had wonderful feedback from Ryan’s new version of ‘The Nutcracker,’” said Executive Director Jo Lynne Jones. “It was vibrant, clever, funny, and of course stunningly beautiful.”

Feb. 9‐11, 2024, Oklahoma City Ballet will present the quin‐tessential ballet of the romantic era, “Giselle.” This hauntingly beautiful story is full of romance, tragedy, and revenge. On Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 at 2 p.m., there will be a sensory‐friend‐ly version of Giselle in partnership with AutismOklahoma.

Sensory‐friendly performances are for children and adults with sensory sensitivities or for anyone who may benefit from being in a more relaxed environment. Changes to this perform‐ance will include: no live music and lower volume for recorded music; adjusted house lighting; no pyrotechnics or strobe lights; and very relaxed theater rules, allowing guests to use electronic devices, talk, and leave their seats as needed. Tickets to this per‐formance are deeply discounted.

“Future Voices: A Choreographic Showcase” will return for its fifth year, March 7‐10, 2024, in the Inasmuch Foundation Theater at Oklahoma City Ballet’s Susan E. Brackett Dance Center.

Featuring several world‐premiere short works created by Oklahoma City Ballet dancers and staff, this audience favorite celebrates the process of choreography and dance in its purest form. With no sets or complicated costumes, audiences get a close‐up view of dancers in the intimate setting of the world’s most iconic dance studio.

“‘Future Voices’ has become an audience favorite. You’re up‐close with our dancers in their home studio, witnessing how hard they work. It’s also a nice way to see our stunning facility, where parking is easy, and tickets are only $20 each,” said Whitney Cross, director of development and communications.

The 2023/24 Season will conclude at the Civic Center Music Hall with “Shorts,” featuring three short works in one program: Ryan Jolicoeur‐Nye’s “Carmina Burana”; Jerome Robbins’ “Fancy Free”; and Alexander Ekman’s “Cacti,” May 10‐12, 2024.

“Shorts is going to knock your socks off. My world premiere of "Carmina Burana" will feature dozens of local, live vocalists. Audiences will be charmed by the cheerful and hilarious "Fancy Free," Jerome Robbins’ precursor to "On the Town." "Cacti" is witty, clever, full of surprises, and a must‐see work by one of the world’s most coveted dance makers,” said Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur‐Nye.

Season subscriptions to Oklahoma City Ballet’s 2023/24 Season are available now by calling (405) 848‐8637 or visiting www.okcballet.org. Season Subscribers receive extra benefits like discounts, first choice of seats, free exchanges, and more. Single tickets to all performance will go on sale September 5, 2023.

Tickets may be purchased by calling Oklahoma City Ballet 405‐848‐TOES (8637), online at www.okcballet.org, or by call‐ing the Civic Center Box office at 405‐297‐2264. The Oklahoma City Ballet Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 6800 North Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City. Follow Oklahoma City Ballet on social media @okcballet.

About Oklahoma City Ballet: Founded by Ballet Russe dancers Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov, Oklahoma City Ballet has been the city’s professional ballet company for 51 years. It is the resident dance Company of the Civic Center Music Hall and currently boasts dancers from around the world. Led by Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur‑Nye, the Company produces five main stage productions per season in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City Ballet restages classical and neo classical ballets and regular‑ ly commissions new works from the industry’s leading choreogra‑ phers.

Oklahoma City Ballet also includes the Yvonne Chouteau School, offering dance training to students of all ages, in addition to numerous free community engagement programs serving all of Oklahoma.