Events to Remember Magazine

OKCPHIL’s 35th Pops Season is hitting high notes

Cirque Musica makes a tri‑ umphant return to the OKCPHIL on April 5‑6 with "Cirque Musica: Heroes & Villains." This extraordi‑ nary concert experience promises to transport audiences into a realm where heroes and villains from movies, comics, and television come to life.

Combining the elegance and excitement of the world's greatest cirque performers with captivating symphonic music, "Cirque Musica: Heroes & Villains" offers a unique fusion of art forms.

Audiences can expect to be daz‑ zled by stunning acrobatics, breath‑ taking aerial displays, and mesmer‑ izing feats of strength and agility, all set to a dynamic symphonic soundtrack.

The Pops season culminates in a spectacular finale featuring the incomparable Bernadette Peters. With a career adorned with Tony Awards and Golden Globes, Peters is a true icon of stage and screen. Her illustrious career spans Broadway, television, and film, with memorable appearances on beloved shows like "Carol Burnett" and "Sonny & Cher."

Cirque Musica makes a triumphant return on April 5-6 with "Cirque Musica: Heroes & Villains."

Combining the elegance and excitement of the world's greatest cirque performers with captivating symphonic music, "Cirque Musica: Heroes & Villains" offers a unique fusion of art forms.

Peters has graced the Broadway stage in acclaimed productions such as "Sunday in the Park with George" and "Annie Get Your Gun," captivating audiences with her unparalleled talent and charisma.

We have three more exciting Insamuch Foundation Classics Concerts. The repertoire reflects shared human experiences, from childhood playtime to the beauty of nature, deep feelings of love and the fragility of life itself. The stories are brought to life through the orchestra with movements that evoke a range of familiar emo‐tions. Each presents a different and unique perspective of life and humanity through music.

Our next Classics concert, “Glorious Life,” March 23, is a thought‐provoking program going to the literal edge of life. It includes a compilation of works representing our entrance into the world and the passage beyond life as we know it. Where does it start? Where does it end? The ultimate part of humanity. It serves as a guided reflection on the eternal passage of time. In quantum physics, EVERYTHING is connected without beginning or end. The music arouses a range of feelings and hopes for the future.

Our April Classics on April 20 will have a completely different take. From Smetana’s “Moldau” and Respighi’s “Pines of Rome” to David Lang’s “man made” and Johann Johannsson’s “IBM 1401 Processing Unit.” Our humanity is rooted in nature, taking flight through our creativity, courage, and unlim‐ited spirit of adventure and discovery.

And we will finish the 23‐24 season with a semi‐staged version of Puccini’s “Tosca” on May 18. It is storytelling at the most dramatic level. “Tosca” is in love and her lover is not able to protect her. She takes her fate into her own hands. It is empowerment on every level, but also sac‐rifice and unconditional Love. Our humanity coming full circle. See you there.

Season Reveal

On Jan. 18, the highly anticipated reveal of the Classics and Pops concerts for the 2024/2025 season took center stage. With over 100 patrons and esteemed guests in attendance, the Season Reveal event was abuzz with excitement. Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate and Executive Director Brent Hart took the stage to unveil the concert schedule and introduce the overarching theme of the season: "Philharmonic Rising."

Amidst the anticipation, there was a palpable sense of optimism and positivity permeating the room, mirroring the bright future ahead for both the orchestra and our community. This sentiment was reflected in the carefully curated programs of the season, which exuded a sense of boldness and poignancy. Each Classics concert promises to be an immersive experience, featuring renowned artists and a meticu‐lously crafted selection of music that explores creative themes woven into every program. For more, see OKCPHIL, Page 15

At top: OKCPHIL musicians go into schools to teach students about music through the We’ve Got Rhythm program. Above: Stage and screen icon Bernadette Peters is coming to the OKCPHIL May 3-4.

March 5

The Art of the Piano Trio 7:30 p.m.

Brightmusic presents guest artist Sean Wange on violin. The program includes Franz Joseph Haydn, Piano Trio in G Major, XV:25 “Gypsy” David Baker, Roots II Piano Trio and Bedrich Smetana, Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 15.

Brightmusic

First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City brightmusic.org

March 5

Forever Young: Your Life/Your Music

7:30 p.m.

Forever Young follows one unforgettable group of friends as they discover the greatest hits of all time! Set in a music‐filled suburban basement, this unbelievable heartfelt true story is guar‐anteed to take you back to the first time you pushed play, tuned in and set the needle down. Featuring songs by Billy Joel, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Huey Lewis & The News, Styx, Queen, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Brooks & Dunn, The Black Crows, Bon Jovi and many more, this multi‐award‐winning production is jam‐packed with power‐house vocals, dynamite cho‐reography, and one sensa‐tional true story that is guaranteed to make you feel ... FOREVER YOUNG.

OCCC Performing Arts Series OCCC Performing Arts Center occc.edu/pas/

March 5‑10

OKC Restaurant Week

For the benefit of the Regional Food Bank, the com‐munity is invited to dine for a cause and support locally‐operated establishments who pledge to donate a portion of sales to fight hunger in Oklahoma. regionalfoodbank.org/ okc‐restaurant‐week

March 7‑9

Move! Dance for the World of Entertainment Star Dance Company

8 p.m., Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday Oklahoma City University’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment

Kirkpatrick Auditorium (405) 208‐5227 or okcu.edu/tickets

March 7‑10

Future Voices

Oklahoma City Ballet is pleased to present Future Voices: A Choreographic Showcase, now in its fifth year. 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 inti‐mate setting of the world’s most iconic dance studio.

Future Voices features sev‐eral short works by up‐and‐coming choreographers, many of whom are company dancers.

Oklahoma City Ballet

Susan E. Brackett Dance Center okcballet.org or (405) 848‐8637

Through March 9

Vietgone

An all‐American love

story about two very new Americans. It’s 1975. Saigon has fallen. He lost his wife. She lost her fiancé. But now in a new land, they just might find each other. Part cross‐country road trip, part romantic comedy, Vietgone will take audiences on a journey through time to reexamine a pivotal moment in American histo‐ry, and playwright Qui Nguyen gets up‐close‐and‐personal to tell the story that led to the creation of Qui Nguyen.

OKC Rep in Partnership with Oklahoma Contemporary Te Ata Theater

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center

okcrep.org, Oklahoma Contemporary at (405) 951‐0000 or in person at Oklahoma Contemporary

March 9

Oklahoma Gardening School

9 a.m.‐4 p.m. This year’s OKC Gardening School helps you further understand the powerful link between gar‐dens and well‐being. Speakers will share practi‐cal ways to create beautiful, thriving and low‐mainte‐nance gardens. Accessible design strategies along with specific tools and equip‐ment to make gardening less physically demanding, at any age, are also be pre‐sented.

Myriad Gardens

OKC University, Meinders School of Business Auditorium

myriadgardens.org/garden‐gardening/okgarden‐ingschool/

Through March 10

Wicked

Wicked, staged by OKC Broadway, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz — but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald‐green skin — smart, fiery, misunder‐stood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popu‐lar, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships … until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”

OKC Broadway

Civic Center Music Hall okcbroadway.com/wicked

Through April 7

Dr. Suess’s the Cat in the Hat

Everyone’s favorite cat comes to mischievous life in the Oklahoma Children’s theatrical adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic. From the moment his tall, red‐and‐white‐striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that The Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat that they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and the craziest of ideas, he is cer‐tainly loads of fun. He turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure.

Oklahoma Childrens Theatre

OCT Children's Center for the Arts at OCU

oklahomachildrenstheatre. org/dr‐seusss‐the‐cat‐in‐the‐hat/

March 9

Boots and Ball Gowns

6 p.m.‐Midnight

Break out your sequins and silver, it’s time to saddle up for Infant Crisis Services.

Infant Crisis Services

OKC Convention Center

Tickets: infantcrisis.org

March 14

Ray Chen: Encore Performance

7:30 p.m.

Armstrong audiences were stunned by Ray Chen’s immense talent and electrify‐ing energy at his 2018 recital. Since then, he has risen into the stratosphere as a violinist who redefines what it is to be a classical musician in the 21st century. Ray Chen’s remarkable musicianship transmits to a global audi‐ence that is reflected in his engagements with the fore‐most orchestras and concert halls around the world.

Armstrong Auditorium

Performing Arts Series

Armstrong Auditorium armstrongauditorium.org/ performance/ray‐chen

March 14

For all the Saints

7:30 p.m.

Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day early with Canterbury Voices and Canterbury Chamber Voices, along with the OKC Philharmonic and an Irish band, as they embark on a journey that pays homage to the spirit of the Irish, the legacy of patron saints (espe‐cially Patrick), and the time‐less beauty of ancient melodies. The evening begins with Eriks Esenvalds’ mes‐merizing O Salutaris Hostia, to the beauty of Franz Biebl‘s Ave Maria, and then we move to a full‐on celebration with music by Dolores Keane, Dan Forrest, Francis Shaughnessy,

Elaine Hagenberg, Kevin Memley, Michael McGlynn and others!

Canterbury Voices

Civic Center Music Hall canterburyokc.com/ forallthesaints/

March 20‑April 7

King of Pangaea

A breakout hit with audi‐ences at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s New Musicals Festival! After a sud‐den loss shatters his world apart, 21‐year‐old Christopher Crow travels back to the imaginary island of his childhood in hopes of finding answers that will bring the pieces back togeth‐er. This new musical, inspired by the playwright’s own lived experience and presented by the Lyric Theatre, is a fantasy musical memoir that weaves realism, humor, and whimsy into a unique theatrical expe‐rience custom created for Lyric’s Plaza Theatre. Discover the true meaning of becoming king or queen of one’s own heart.

Lyric’s Plaza Theatre

(405) 524‐9312 or LyricTheatreOKC.org

March 22

Oklahoma Contemporary Founders Day

4:30 p.m.

Robert and Sody Clements, Rand and Jeanette Elliott, Laura Warriner and Jabee Williams are this year’s Founders Day honorees.

Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center oklahomacontemporary.org/ support/founders‐day

March 22‑24

Red Earth Festival

10 a.m.‐5 p.m. daily

This juried art market fea‐tures original art by Native artisans. Festival guests expe‐

rience the artistic creations of some of America’s most cele‐brated artists as they offer for sale exquisite examples of contemporary and traditional paintings, beadwork, bas‐ketry, jewelry, pottery, sculp‐ture, graphics and cultural attire. Native dance presenta‐tions and musical perform‐ances are featured through‐out weekend celebrations.

Red Earth

National Cowboy & Western  Heritage Museum

redearth.org/pages/ upcoming‐festival

March 23

Glorious Life

OKCPHIL Classics Concert featuring Alexander Mickelthwate as conductor, Teng Li on viola and the Canterbury Voices; and including THEOFANIDIS: Rainbow Body; KANCHELI: Styx; PÄRT: Festina Lente; and STRAUSS: Death and Transfiguration.

OKC Philharmonic Civic Center Music Hall okcphil.org/concert‐tickets (405) TICKETS (405‐842‐5387)

March 27, 7:30 p.m.

March 28, 8 p.m.

Raul Midón — Singer, Guitarist, Eclectic Adventurer

Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist and Engineer, Raul Midón established himself as a first‐call session singer upon graduation from the prestigious Studio Jazz pro‐gram at the University of Miami in 1991. He sang back‐ground vocals on more than 60 Latin recordings, many Grammy winning. In 1999 he was asked to join the touring band of Shakira. During that time, he was creating his own original music and was signed to a development deal

with Warner Chappel. He left Shakira’s band to move to NYC to pursue his own career. Within a year he debuted at Carnegie Hall with the Movie Music of Spike Lee. Spike engaged him to write the end credit song for “She Hate Me.”

OCCC Performing Arts Series

OCCC Performing Arts Center occc.edu/pas/

March 28

OKC Beautiful’s annual Distinguished Service Awards

11:30 a.m.

OKC Beautiful’s luncheon is an opportunity to recog‐nize individuals and organi‐zations working to improve the beauty and environmen‐tal sustainability of Oklahoma City. The individ‐uals and groups being hon‐ored represent those in Oklahoma City working to create a more beautiful and sustainable community. This year’s honorees are Hans and Torrey Butzer, Melody Johnson, Solarize OKC, Plaza Walls, Fertile Ground, BancFirst, Sharon Reeves and JB Schuelein.

Oklahoma City Beautiful

Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club okcbeautiful.com/distin‐guished‐service‐awards

March 28

Shine a Light

6 p.m. reception

7 p.m. dinner

Shine a Light supports Sunbeam Family Service’s programs to help build brighter futures with all children and families. Bob Harbison is to receive the 2024 Aspire Award.

Sunbeam Family Services National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum sunbeamfamilyservices.org/

April 2

2024 E.C. Joullian

Distinguished Citizen Award

6 p.m., reception

7 p.m., dinner

The E.C. Joullian Distinguished Citizen Award is named for two men who were champions of Scouting and well‐known philanthro‐pists, Edward C. Joullian II and Edward C. Joullian III. The Last Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America, presents this award annually. All pro‐ceeds from the event support the programs of the Boy Scouts of America in 24 coun‐ties in central and southwest Oklahoma. This year’s hon‐oree is Pat Rooney.

Last Frontier Council of the Boy Scouts of America Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club scoutingrocks.tv/posts/67694 /distinguished‐citizen‐dinner

April 4

The Glenn Miller Orchestra

7:30 p.m.

Back at Armstrong for a second encore performance, the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra is the most sought after big band in the world. It covers over a 100,000 miles a year, working most every night for nearly 300 playing dates and performing for more than a half million peo‐ple annually. The signature Miller sound continues to entertain generations young and old, with time‐honored favorites including “Moonlight Serenade,” “Chattanooga Choo‐Choo” and “In The Mood,” as well as modern well‐known tunes like “The White Cliffs of Dover,” “Rainbow Rhapsody,” “Everybody Loves My Baby,” and “Star Wars.”

Armstrong Auditorium

Performing Arts Series

Armstrong Auditorium armstrongauditorium.org/per formance/the‐glenn‐miller‐orchestra

April 4

Tatas & Tinis OKC 6 p.m.

Join Oklahoma Project Women for an evening filled with drinks, small bites and live music from Adam Aguilar. The evening is in support of providing breast cancer health care at no charge to the clients of Oklahoma Project Woman.

Oklahoma Project Women

Cole’s Garden okprojectwoman.org.

April 5

Ladies in the News

11 a.m., check‐in and basket raffle, Noon, fashion show

For over 50 years, Oklahoma Hospitality Club has honored Oklahoma women during this annual luncheon and style show fundraising event. Honorees are recognized for their con‐tributions to their professions and to their communities. The funds raised from this event help support Oklahoma non‐profit charitable and/or serv‐ice organizations.

Oklahoma Hospitality Club

Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club oklahomahospitalityclub.com /events/ladies‐in‐the‐news

April 5‑6

Cirque Musica Heroes & Villains

8 p.m.

This Cirque‐style musical production celebrates heroes and villains from movies to comics to television. Some of the greatest performers from around the world will keep you spellbound as you cele‐

brate the world of heroes and villains with powerful music from the OKCPHIL led by con‐ductor Jayce Ogren.

OKC Philharmonic Civic Center Music Hall okcphil.org/concert‐tickets (405) TICKETS (405‐842‐5387)

April 6

Ballet Ball

6 p.m.‐Midnight

Set sail with Oklahoma City Ballet at the 2024 Ballet Ball: Coastal Cruise. This year's event, inspired by May’s pro‐duction of Fancy Free (a Jerome Robbins ballet that inspired the film On the Town), will bring together Oklahoma City's arts enthusi‐asts to celebrate and support the ballet. The evening includes a seated dinner, live auction, dancing and a very special performance, all bene‐fiting Oklahoma City Ballet’s programs.

Oklahoma City Ballet

Omni Hotel okcballet.org

April 6‑7

Redbud Classic

Throughout the years, the Redbud has offered numerous opportunities for families, friends and the entire commu‐nity to join together in excit‐ing events, geared for all ages and fitness levels. This year, the race benefits Focus on Home.

Nichols Hills redbud.org

April 7

At the Circus with Phil! 2 p.m.

Get ready to be amazed and delighted as Phil the Penguin takes center stage at the circus. With the thrilling sounds of circus music from the OKCPHIL orchestra filling the air, you won’t be able to

resist the excitement and wonder of this incredible spectacle. So get ready for a wild ride with Phil, the orchestra, and the rest of the circus crew!

OKC Philharmonic Civic Center Music Hall okcphil.org/concert‐tickets (405) TICKETS (405‐842‐5387)

April 7‑13

Literary Voices

As the Metropolitan Library’s Literary Voices cele‐brates its 20th anniversary, it is expanding Literary Voices to offer a series of events for the community during National Libraries Week, April 7 ‐13. This year, three unique events at three separate loca‐tions are being offered.

April 7

Kwame Alexander

1 p.m.

Join Oklahoma Public Schools and Metro Tech to hear from regular NPR con‐tributor and New York Times Bestselling author, Kwame Alexander.

Frederick Douglass High School metrolibrary.org/event/ literary‐voices‐kwame‐alexan‐der‐326090

April 9

James Patterson

7 p.m.

Listen to one of America’s best‐loved authors and receive a copy of his new book, The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians (release date April 8, 2024). Conversation with James Patterson is to be moderated by Roberta Fields.

Rose State College Hudiburg Chevrolet Center Midwest City supportmls.org/let/ literaryvoices/

April 11

Kevin Kwan

6 p.m.

Celebrate Literary Voices and public libraries at their signature fundraising dinner. Conversation with Kevin Kwan is to be moderated by Jacqueline Sit. This event mod‐els the traditional Literary Voices dinner. At this event, community members are hon‐ored with the Lee B. Brawner Lifetime Achievement Award.

OKC Golf and Country Club supportmls.org/let/ literaryvoices/

April 9‑14

Chicago

After 25 years, Chicago is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy‐shake: a universal tale of fame, for‐tune, and all that jazz, with one show stopping song after another and the most aston‐ishing dancing you’ve ever seen.

OKC Broadway Civic Center Music Hall okcbroadway.com/chicago

April 12

Under the Big Top 6‐9:30 p.m.

Under the Big Top is Calm Waters’ one‐of‐a‐kind event that includes your favorite car‐nival experiences such as Plinko, balloon pop, hole‐in‐one, a punch wall and deck of cards, as well as a live magi‐cian, aerialists, stilt‐walkers, jugglers, a wine pull, a jewelry draw and a raffle.

Calm Waters

OKC Farmers Market calmwaters.org/events/ under‐the‐big‐top/

April 12

Raising the Ranch

6 p.m.‐ midnight

The gala supports Peppers Ranch, a community of homes for foster and adoptive chil‐dren and families. A cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m., fol‐lowed by a homestyle dinner, entertainment, live auction and boot‐scooting after party.

Peppers Ranch

Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club peppersranch.com/ raising‐the‐ranch

April 12‑14

Art in Bloom

Art in Bloom is to feature floral sculpture interpretations of works from the Oklahoma City Museum of Arts’ perma‐nent collection, all crafted by designers from OKC.

OKCMOA

okcmoa.com

April 12

Bubbles & Blooms

Bubbles & Blooms is a part of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Art in Bloom. The 21+ cocktail party is to feature floral inspired cocktails and light bites, skyline views on the museum terrace, a DJ and inter‐active performers in the gal‐leries.

OKC Museum of Art

OKC MOA Rooftop Terrace okcmoa.com/visit/events

April 13

Elemental Ball

6 p.m.

This science chic‐themed atmosphere, cocktails, dinner, auction and dancing will raise awareness and money to sup‐port Science Museum Oklahoma's initiatives and empower curiosity for all. Science Museum Oklahoma sciencemuseumok.org/ elemental

April 17

Awards of Excellence

11:30 a.m.

The Oklahoma City University Awards of Excellence is the only organiza‐tion in the state of Oklahoma to honor women for their volun‐teer careers. Through the year‐ly awards presentation, the recipients exemplify what ser‐vant‐leadership means within our community and state.

Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club okcu.edu/advancement/ development/societies/awards ‐of‐excellence

April 18

Silhouettes: Love Happens 7:30 p.m.

The Silhouettes, created, directed and owned by Lynne Waggoner‐Patton, was first run‐ner‐up on America’s Got Talent season six in 2011 and grateful recipients of Alesha Dixon’s

Golden Buzzer on AGT – The Champions! This professional theater company uses shadow work, dance, music and acting to tell brilliant stories and con‐vey powerful messages.

OCCC Performing Arts Series

OCCC Performing Arts Center occc.edu/pas/

April 18

Cork & Canvas

6‐9 p.m.

Cork & Canvas is a fun, casu‐al evening of delicious appe‐tizers, drinks and live enter‐tainment with a great selec‐tion of silent and live auction packages, including one‐of‐a‐kind artwork from Positive Tomorrows students. All pro‐ceeds benefit Positive Tomorrows’ work to help chil‐dren and families experienc‐ing homelessness.

Positive Tomorrows

Location TBA positivetomorrows.org/ events/cork‐canvas/

April 19

Reduce the Odds Casino Night

6:30 p.m.

This YWCA event takes place during Sexual Assault Awareness Month to raise awareness and reduce the odds of this horrible crime. With music, a photobooth, cash bar, heavy hors d’oeu‐vres and raffle items, this is sure to be an evening you won’t want to miss.

YWCA OKC

Central Oklahoma Home Builders Assoc. Regal Room ywcaokc.org/events/ reduce‐the‐odds

April 20

Pines of Rome 8 p.m.

This OKCPHIL Classics con‐cert features Alexander Mickelthwate and the con‐ductor and Sō Percussion; and including BOULANGER: D’un matin de printemps; WAGNER: Siegfried: Forest Murmurs; LANG: Man Made; SMETANA: Die Moldau; JOHANNSSON: IBM 1401 Processing Unit; and RESPIGHI: Pines of Rome. OKC Philharmonic Civic Center Music Hall okcphil.org/concert‐tickets

(405) TICKETS, (405) 842‐5387)

April 24

56th Annual Angels & Friends 4 p.m., Festi‐First

Angels & Friends is our annual fundraising event to support Arts Council Oklahoma City’s programs and initiatives. It’s a night of food, music, art and more! New this year is Festi‐First which gives attendees the opportunity to shop the Festival of the Arts before it opens to the public.

Arts Council Oklahoma City Bicentennial Park artscouncilokc.comangels‐friends‐celebration/ April 25‑28

Festival of the Arts

The Festival of the Arts is a community celebration of the visual and performing arts, bringing a variety of talented artists together in downtown OKC’s Bicentennial Park.

Arts Council Oklahoma City Bicentennial Park artscouncilokc.com/ festival‐of‐the‐arts April 26‑28

OKC Memorial Marathon — A Run to Remember

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is a com‐munity‐driven event that began in 2001 as a fundraiser for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Six events take place throughout race weekend: Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, 5‐Person Relay Kids Marathon, and Senior Marathon.

OKC National Memorial & Museum

Throughout Oklahoma City and surrounding areas okcmarathon.com

April 30

Romantic Moods

7:30 p.m.

The Brightmusic program includes Astor Piazzolla, Invierno porteno from The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires (for violin, cello, and piano) Sergei Rachmaninoff; Sonata for Cello and Piano; and Antonin Dvorak, String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 77.

Brightmusic

First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City brightmusic.org

May 3‑4

An Evening with Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters has won Tony Awards and Golden Globes. She appeared on tele‐vision shows like Carol Burnett and Sonny & Cher. She starred on Broadway in Sunday in the Park with George, and Annie Get Your Gun. She is also the foremost interpreter of the works of Stephen Sondheim. Now the legendary Bernadette Peters is coming to Oklahoma City, bringing her sparkling song and personality to the OKCPHIL. Join us for a fantas‐tic evening of music with your OKCPHIL led by conductor Tedd Firth.

OKC Philharmonic

Civic Center Music Hall okcphil.org/concert‐tickets (405) TICKETS (405‐842‐5387)

May 4 ARTini

8 p.m.

Allied Arts’ ARTini is Oklahoma City’s largest marti‐ni tasting event, mixed with live entertainment, food and an exclusive art auction that raises critical money for Allied Arts. With the support of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, local restaurants are invited to create their best martini creation centered around the theme of the event, hand selected by the ARTini com‐mittee.

Allied Arts

Oklahoma City Convention Center artiniokc.com

May 10‑12 Shorts

The OKC Ballet presents three iconic ballets in one performance. The show includes Carmina Burana, the dramatic conclusion to an extraordinary season. In col‐laboration with Canterbury Voices, more than 50 singers are to join Oklahoma City Ballet dancers for this iconic work based on a collection of 13th century songs and poems; Fancy Free is the pre‐cursor to Broadway’s On the Town, presenting three sailors and their escapades while in Manhattan. The short ballet

takes place in a wartime New York City bar, where the three sailors compete for the atten‐tion of two beautiful women. In Cacti, 16 dancers stand, seemingly trapped, on over‐sized Scrabble tiles. While a string quartet plays and spo‐ken recordings give tongue‐in‐cheek narration of the action, the dancers run, fall, writhe, and try to escape their invisible prisons. A gleeful and knowing parody of the art form’s greater excesses, Cacti is an affectionate, pointed, and often hilarious decon‐struction of the affectations of dance.

OKC Ballet

Civic Center Music Hall okcballet.org/performances/ or (405) 848‐8637

May 10

American Tourist: New Orleans

6:30 p.m.

American Tourist is Upward Transitions’ annu‐al fundraising event that support its programs to serve central Oklahoma. Each year, over 300 guests head to a new “destina‐tion” to enjoy silent and live auctions, wine/bour‐bon and jewelry pulls, music and dancing, deli‐cious food and refreshing beverages.

Upward Transitions

OKC’s Historic Farmers Public Market pwardtransitions.org/ americantourist

May 16‑23

OKC Jewish Mini Film Festival

The Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City invites you to experience

three award‐winning films exploring Jewish culture, community and accom‐plishment.

Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City Rodeo Cinema jfedokc.org/

May 18

Tosca

8 p.m.

Featuring Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor; and internationally recog‐nized singers from New York City’s Metropolitan Opera: Latonia Moore, Alan Held and Adam Smith per‐forming Puccini’s Tosca. OKC Philharmonic

Civic Center Music Hall okcphil.org/concert‐tickets

(405) TICKETS (405‐842‐5387)

May 21‑26

Mamma Mia

A mother. A daughter.

Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to dis‐cover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago.

OKC Broadway Civic Center Music Hall okcbroadway.com/ mammamia

May 25‑26

Chuck Wagon Festival

Families and foodies alike will delight at the 33rd Annual Chuck Wagon Festival, a celebration of Western and Native American history, art and

cuisine for all ages.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum nationalcowboymuseum. org/annual‐chuck‐wagon‐festival

May 30

Crescendo

6 p.m., Cocktail Hour

7 p.m., Concert

A festive evening of music, food, cocktails and fun, Crescendo is to feature music by the Canterbury Chamber Voices in a virtu‐osic performance benefit‐ting Canterbury’s ongoing mission of excellent choral music education. Proceeds benefit the Canterbury Youth Voices Education Program, consisting of 150 children & youth, repre‐senting over 90 schools from the OKC Metro area.

Canterbury Voices

Meinders Hall of Mirrors canterburyokc.com/ crescendo

June 1

40th Anniversary Party

6 p.m. cocktail hour, 7 p.m., dinner

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park is hosting a 40th Anniversary Party honoring the retirement of Executive and Artistic Director Kathryn McGill.

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park 2920 Paseo okshakes.org

June 7

OKC Zoo Gala: Roaring Forward

The OKC Zoo and Botanical Garden and Oklahoma Zoological Society are hosting the second annual fundraising gala to recognize dedicated indi‐viduals who have amplified the Zoo’s mission.

June 6‑9

OKC Zoo okczoo.org

deadCenter Film Festival

As Oklahoma’s largest film festival, deadCenter is the best place to see exciting new short films, insightful documentaries, hilarious comedies, hair‐raising thrillers, terrifying movies, and the best independent films from around the world and all over Oklahoma.

deadCenter Film Festival

Oklahoma City Metro deadcenterfilm.org

June 7‑8

Prix de West Art Sale

Prix de West is the nation’s premier Western art exhibition and sale showcasing original works of the American West.

National Cowboy & Western

Heritage Museum nationalcowboymuseum.org

June 8, 7 p.m.

June 9, 3 p.m.

Oklahoma Senior Follies

Edgar Cruz is to be the guest at the Ziegfeld‐inspired extrava‐ganza starring outstanding sen‐ior talents of stage, screen, tele‐vision and radio. Proceeds ben‐efit the Alzheimer’s Association.

Oklahoma Senior Follies

Mitchell Hall University of Central Oklahoma oklahomaseniorfollies.com

June 13‑16

The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition

Plunge into this stunning all‐singing, all‐dancing, dynamic stage show per‐formed by the Oklahoma Childrens Theatre. When the

citizens of Bikini Bottom dis‐cover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their hum‐ble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world! An exciting new musical featur‐ing irresistible characters and magical music, this deep‐sea pearl of a show is set to make a splash with audiences young and old.

Oklahoma Childrens Theatre

Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center oklahomachildrenstheatre. org/the‐spongebob‐musical‐youth‐edition/

June 20, 22‑23

The Flying Dutchman

The opera was written by Richard Wagner and per‐formed by the Painted Sky Opera.

Little Theatre at the Civic Center Music Hall paintedskyopera.org

June 22

Purple Sash 6 p.m.

The YWCA’s Purple Sash is always a night to remember! Come dressed in fun cocktail attire (black tie optional) and enjoy a delicious plated meal, a high energy fashion show and both live and silent auc‐tions. Leave the night know‐ing you helped raise money for victims of domestic vio‐lence so they receive emer‐gency shelter, advocacy and much more. All our services are provided free of cost to victims, and would not be possible without your gener‐ous support.

YWCA OKC

National Cowboy & Western  Heritage Museum ywcaokc.org

June 25‑30

Mary Poppins

Everyone’s favorite, practi‐cally perfect nanny, Mary Poppins, soars into Lyric’s 2024 summer season at the Civic. Drawn from the ground‐breaking 1964 Disney film and the brilliant series of books, this delightful family musical features the unforget‐table songs “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Chim Chim Cher‐ee.” Returning to Lyric’s sea‐son after nearly a decade, you’ll experience this beloved family musical adventure in a sublimely “Supercalifragilistic expialidocious” new produc‐tion – jam‐packed with unfor‐gettable theatrical magic and “Step, Step, Step in Time” cho‐reography.

Lyric Theatre

Civic Center Music Hall (405) 524‐9312 or LyricTheatreOKC.org

July 4

Fourth of July Parades

9 a.m.

Quail Creek Golf and Country Club

Kite Park, Nichols Hills

The Greens Golf and Country Club

July 9‑14

Jersey Boys

This international musical phenomenon takes you behind the scenes – and behind the music – of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The jukebox musical, which won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, fea‐tures such classic hits as “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Sherry,” “My Eyes Adored You,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” among others. This

Four Seasons story is sure to hit all the high notes!

Lyric Theatre

Civic Center Music Hall (405) 524‐9312 or LyricTheatreOKC.org

July 25‑28

Annie Jr.

Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award‐winning Best Musical, this show is per‐formed by the Oklahoma Childrens Theatre. With equal measures of pluck and posi‐tivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next‐to‐nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned

her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan.

Oklahoma Childrens Theatre

Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center oklahomachildrenstheatre. org/annie‐jr/

July 25, 27‑28

Lucia di Lammermoor

The opera was written by Gaetano Donizetti and is per‐formed by the Painted Sky Opera.

Little Theatre at the Civic Center Music Hall paintedskyopera.org

July 30‑August 4

Cinderella

The enchanting, Tony‐nom‐inated musical fairytale that places a spell on audiences of

all ages. In an innovative approach with Deaf Austin Theatre and performed simul‐taneously and seamlessly in English and American Sign Language, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella showcases favorite tunes, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this funny, modern adaptation from the delightful Broadway revival. Add a dash of romance, a splash of stage magic –and POOF! – you’re guaranteed to have a ball!

Lyric Theatre

Civic Center Music Hall (405) 524‐9312 or LyricTheatreOKC.org

August 3

Ripples of Hope

7:30 a.m.

Ripples of Hope is an annu‐al fundraiser for Calm Waters Center for Children and Families. All proceeds will ben‐efit Calm Waters program‐ming, specifically Center‐Based and School Support Groups. This breakfast event will include stories of hope and healing as well as fun raffles and contests.

Calm Waters

Will Rogers Theatre calmwaters.org/events/rip‐ples‐of‐hope/

August 16

Engaging Men Luncheon 11 a.m., check in Noon, luncheon

Over the last 11 years, there have been thousands of men help take a stand against domestic violence by joining us for YWCA Oklahoma City’s Engaging Men Luncheon. This event provides critical funding for YWCA OKC, the leading provider of victim services for domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Oklahoma County, and the sur‐rounding area. The 12th annu‐al Engaging Men Luncheon is an opportunity to be part of a community saving lives every day.

YWCA OKC

Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Medical Center ywcaokc.org/events/ engaging‐men/

August 16

Born and Brewed

Presented by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s Second Century Board of young professionals, Oklahoma Born & Brewed fea‐tures breweries from across the state, providing guests with a unique tasting experi‐ence that is completely “born and brewed” right here in Oklahoma. All proceeds benefit the Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s Free Family Fun and educa‐tional programming, allowing thousands of Oklahoma fami‐lies to experience a variety of immersive programs.

Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s

Second Century Board Gaylord‑Pickens Museum oklahomahof.com/support/

August 17

Dancing for a Miracle

In the past 15 years, this annual event has contributed more than $3 million to the Children's Health Foundation. The star‐stud‐ded and courageous list of local celebrities are paired with award‐winning profes‐sional dancers will delight the audience with a Cha‐Cha, a Tango, or an elegant Waltz ‐ everything you’ve seen on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars!

Children’s Health Foundation

Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel & Conference Center

chfkids.com/dancing‐for‐a‐miracle

OKCPHIL

From Page 4

Discovery Family Concerts

Experience the magical blend of precision and fun as Conductor Shanti Simon leads the captivating Discovery Family Series. Designed to engage children of all ages, this series offers a delightful journey through a diverse range of musical genres, from sing‐alongs to kindie rock and even a thrilling trip to the circus. With a seamless fusion of classical tunes and popular music, every performance promises to be a memorable adventure for the whole family.

Research has shown that exposing children to music at an early age yields numerous benefits. Beyond simply enjoying the melodies, young minds benefit from improved focus, emo‐tional development, enhanced learning capabilities, and a boost in memory retention. The Discovery Family Series not only entertains but also nurtures these essential aspects of child development, making it a valuable experience for both children and parents alike.

Attending these performances is not only a great outing for families but also an ideal activity for grandparents and grand‐children to share. The memories created during these enchanting performances will be cherished for years to come, serving as a meaningful bond between generations. Whether it's reminiscing about the catchy tunes or discussing the mes‐merizing orchestral arrangements, the Discovery Family Series offers a shared experience that transcends generations.

Musical Magic

Rare and exhilarating moments when the electricity in the room becomes palpable are not mere happenstance. They are meticulously crafted through a combination of skilled musi‐

cianship, powerful narratives, dramatic musical themes, and steadfast leadership. Some may attribute this phenomenon to "flow" ‐ the culmination of intense concentration and expert skill. It demands each musician to delve deep into the story and emotion behind every note, working in harmony to bring it to life.

Careful planning goes into curating the theme of a season, one that res‐onates with and reflects our lived experiences and the world around us. This season's programs serve as a source of inspiration, encouraging introspection and fostering compassion towards others. In a world that often feels harsh, music offers hope and healing. It is a deliberate choice not to turn a blind eye to the challenges we've collectively faced in recent years, but rather to confront, process, and glean wisdom from them through the medium of music. This creates an environment ripe for musical enchantment, both on stage and within the audience.

The fun starts in the lobby during Discovery Family Concerts.