Downtown Events! From Downtown OKC Inc.
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Rock the Boat This Weekend on the Bricktown CanalCome out this Saturday, June 7for the second annual Rock the Boat festival on the Bricktown Canal. From noon to 6pm pop-up shops will line Oklahoma Avenue and feature vendors selling jewelry, home goods, pet accessories, art, clothing, flowers, and more! There will also be live music, free face painting & caricatures, a bounce house, and food trucks. Event attendees will receive a free Water Taxi ticket, courtesy of Downtown OKC, Inc., while supplies last. Pinot’s Palette will have a giant paint by numbers project for the public, and small canvases for the kids to paint and take home. OKC RIVERSPORT will also be joining us with their rowing machine to experience the adventure of rowing on dry land. Rock the Boat “after dark” will draw event attendees to the Bricktown Canal and feature live music at three different stages from 6pm to midnight. Live music stages include: the ACM@UCO Stage, the Oklahoma Chevy Team Dealers Stage at Captain Norm’s Dockside Bar, and the Oklahoma Gazette Stage at RedPin Restaurant and Bowling Lounge. The full list of pop-up shops and the lineup of live music is now available at downtownokc.com. This event is free and open to the public. Red Earth ParadeCelebrate the opening of the 28th Annual Red Earth Festival this Friday, June 6 at 9am with the Red Earth Parade. The streets of downtown Oklahoma City will vibrate in Native American tribal spirit during the Red Earth Parade as hundreds of participants in authentic tribal regalia participate in what has been referred to as America’s most unique parade. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to find the best viewing spot for the parade, which circles the Myriad Botanical Gardens in the heart of downtown OKC. This event is free and open to the public. For more information about the Red Earth Festival, visit redearth.org. Bricktown Canal’s 15th Anniversary Photo ContestThe Bricktown Canal is celebrating its 15th birthday on Wednesday, July 2. To celebrate, Downtown OKC, Inc. and the Bricktown Association are hosting a social media photo contest! During the month of June, snap your best photo of the canal and tag it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with #BTC15. The more original and creative the photo the better! Three grand prize winners will be selected from the submissions on July 2. The grand prize features a night out in Bricktown including: a one night stay in a Bricktown hotel, Bricktown Water Taxi passes, a gift card to a Bricktown restaurant, and a gift card to Harkins Theatres. Ten other winners will be selected and receive various gift cards to Bricktown businesses. A special thank you to the following businesses for donating prizes for this contest: Bricktown Water Taxi, Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Fuzzy’s, Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse, Chelinos, Resolution Legal Group, Sonic, and Captain Norm’s Dockside Bar. Lower Bricktown Live Announces 2014 LineupBeginning Friday, June 6, Bricktown visitors will once again enjoy free live music for 10 weeks on the Lower Bricktown Plaza every Friday night from 8pm to 10pm. All shows are performed on the Chevy Stage on the Lower Bricktown Plaza, 115 E. Reno, in downtown Oklahoma City. Bring your friends and family – plus lawn chairs & blankets – out to enjoy Lower Bricktown Live!
This event is free and open to the public. For the full summer music lineup, visit welcometobricktown.com. International Wine Tasting Festival Comes to MidtownDon’t miss your chance to support the YMCA’s International partnerships at A Taste of Culture, an evening of international wine, food and entertainment on Sunday, June 8 from 6pm to 9pm. Sip on wines from around the world paired with local fare from Midtown and Oklahoma City restaurants while you bid on auction items and enjoy live music and dance performances. It’s sure to be A Taste of Culture you won’t find anywhere else! The tasting will be at Cafe do Brasil in Midtown. Tickets are $50 in advance and $65 at the door. You may purchase tickets online or call (405) 297-7710. Dinner Detective Decends on Downtown OKCThe Dinner Detective, the nation’s largest interactive murder mystery dinner show, is set to make its debut at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City this Saturday, June 7. Promising a unique and entertaining spin on the classic murder mystery dinner, The Dinner Detective begins each show with a cocktail interrogation session. During this time, guests are encouraged to create aliases and backstories for the evening ahead. Unbeknownst to them, the show has already started! Admission includes a four course meal with choice of entree, interactive dinner show, prizes, and more. To kick off the opening weekend, Dinner Detective is flying in some of their top talent from Los Angeles whose credits include AXS TV, MTV, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Additionally, for the debut, they are offering 20% off tickets in the month June with the discount code: CLUELESS. For the full schedule and ticket information, visit thedinnerdetective.com. Celebrate Father’s Day with the RedhawksLooking for a creative and fun way to spend Father’s Day? The Redhawks have a great day planned for dad on Sunday, June 15. Start with great seats to watch the RedHawks game, a Redhawks baseball hat, plus an all-you-can-eat picnic! Dad can also bring the kids down to run the bases and play catch in the outfield after the game. Redhawks players will also be available at 5pm to sign autographs on the concourse. This Father’s Day package is $24 per person and can be purchased by calling 405-218-2120 by 5pm this Friday, June 6. Tickets may also be purchased online with the promo code CATCH. OKCFest is Right Around the CornerThe first annual OKCFest will be held Friday, June 27 through Sunday, June 29, in downtown Oklahoma City. The festival’s main stage features popular recording artists including Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Merle Haggard, Randy Rogers, Kix Brooks, Josh Abbott, Casey Donahew Band, Scotty McCreery, and many more. In addition to the ticketed headline events Friday and Saturday evenings, OKCFest will also feature additional music performance stages in the Myriad Gardens that are free to the public. These stages will showcase a variety of local musical artists, as well as food, beverages, and family fun. The Myriad Gardens portion of the festival is free to public. Main stage site admission is $35 per day and $59 for a two-day pass. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit OKCFest.com. Fizz! Boom! Read!Read anytime, anywhere with the Metropolitan Library System’s all new Summer Reading Program! Readers can register online now and log their reading time from June 1 through July 31. It’s easy to sign up individuals, as a family or even a group. This year, the Summer Reading program welcomes adults to join in on the fun. Now, adult readers can model lifelong learning by participating in the program with their children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends. Participants must read for 20 minutes every day, for at least 30 days, to reach Goal 1 and Goal 2. Pre-readers can count the time spent listening to stories, and audiobooks count towards your time as well. Participants who reach the final goal will be entered into a random gift drawing for prizes donated by generous sponsors. Sign up today by visiting metrolibrary.org. The Art of ManlinessWhat makes a man? To answer this question, three metro arts professionals are organizing a landmark event to celebrate the essence of men, aptly named the Manly Show. The event will be at Istvan Gallery and Urban Art complex on Friday, June 13 from 6pm to midnight and Saturday, June 14 from noon to 5pm. The family-friendly event will showcase male artists, artisans, merchants, musicians, restaurateurs, mixologists and service providers such as barbers who will offer straight-razor shaves on site throughout the event. Highlights of the two-day event will include arts exhibition, art/craft demonstrations and musical performances. The Manly Show will run a continuous music line-up that includes bands and solo performers like Country Strange. There will also be food trucks, a cash bar, a cigar bar, and a brown spirit tasting sponsored by Byron’s Liquor Warehouse. General admission is free for men, as a symbolic nod to the weekend event. Women pay $1 admission and there is no charge for individuals under the age of 18. For more information, visit ManlyShowOKC.com. Start Checking Off That Summer Bucket ListYelp OKC is proud to host Yelp’s Summer Bucket List, a series of events designed to offer opportunities for OKC residents to take part in some of Downtown’s most fun events and attractions all summer long. June events include a free Spokies ride, an evening at the deadCENTER Film Festival, a visit to Auto Alley Shop Hop, and more! More summer events will be announced soon! This event is co-sponsored by Downtown OKC, Inc., Uber, and KIND Healthy Snacks. New Uber riders can use the promo code OKCBUCKET to get $25 off their first ride. For more information, visit yelp.com. Other Downtown NewsAround Town: Family festival on the canal (Read the full article here.) Downtown street closings mark ongoing growth for Oklahoma City New downtown community planned for former Downtown Airpark property Oklahoma City’s skyline adapts to new shapes, new color schemes Train horns to go quiet downtown by November 2015 Producers Cooperative Oil Mill plans to sell most of its land, but will remain just south of Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Free summer concerts, movies, festivals abound in Oklahoma City area (Read the full article here.) Oklahoma City’s Film Row Featured on OETA (Read the full article here.) Other Downtown EventsThere’s plenty to see and do in downtown Oklahoma City! A brief schedule of upcoming events is listed below. For a full downtown events calendar, visit downtownokc.com. Art Moves, Presented by Devon, various locations, ongoing June 4 – Food Truck Wednesday, Dunlap Codding June 4 – DIY Oklahoma Summer Passport, Downtown Library June 5 – The Mix, Dunlap Codding June 5 – Art After 5, Oklahoma City Museum of Art June 5 – Real Big Fish, Bricktown Music Hall June 5 – Dental 32 Open House, 4pm – 7:30pm, 16 NE 2nd Street, Deep Deuce June 5-28 – Twelfth Night, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, Myriad Garden’s Water Stage June 6 – Red Earth Festival Parade, Downtown OKC June 6 – Lower Bricktown Live, Bricktown District June 6 – Little Brushes, Pinot’s Palette June 6 – Jacob Becannen & Mark Vollertsen, Nonna’s Purple Bar June 6 – Purple Rain, The Paramount June 7 – Rock the Boat festival, Bricktown Canal June 7 – Glamor, Glitz and Gatsby Masquerade Ball, Skirvin Hilton June 7 – Too Terrific Terrariums, Myriad Botanical Gardens June 7 – “Whiz Bang” The Science of Magic, Downtown Library June 7 – NAMI Walks, Myriad Botanical Gardens June 7 – Beth & Jess, Nonna’s Purple Bar June 7 – The Dinner Detective, Sheraton Hotel June 7 – Western Waters Cruise, Boathouse District June 7 – Footloose, The Paramount June 8 – Grilling 101: Dinner on the Terrace, Myriad Botanical Gardens June 8 – Twilight Concert Series, Bicentennial Park June 8-15 – Father’s Day Endless Fondue, The Melting Pot June 9 – Story and Craft Night, Downtown Library June 11-15 – deadCENTER Film Festival, Downtown OKC June 11 – Food Truck Wednesday, Dunlap Codding June 11 – Kidz Yoga Fairy Workshop, Downtown Library June 11 – Speed Dating, The Melting Pot June 12 – Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road, The Paramount June 12 – Bug Out! Lady Budy Release and Insect Adventure, Myriad Botanical Gardens June 12 – Art After 5, Oklahoma City Museum of Art June 13 – Lower Bricktown Live, Bricktown District June 13 – Little Brushes, Pinot’s Palette June 13 – Taylor Thompson, Nonna’s Purple Bar June 13 – FAA Credit Union Summer Movie Series, Boathouse District June 13 – J.L. Jones, the Nicnos, and more, The Paramount June 14 – Rick Jawnsun, Nonna’s Purple Bar June 14 – Job Search Essentials, Downtown Library June 14 - Western Waters Cruise, Boathouse District June 15 – Twilight Concert Series, Myriad Botanical Gardens June 15 – Read the Movie, Downtown Library June 16 – Kids Gameapalooza, Downtown Library June 18 – Food Truck Wednesday, Dunlap Codding June 18 – Kids on the Block Puppet Show, Downtown Library June 19 – Shop Hop, Automobile Alley District June 19 – Splendor in the Gardens, Myriad Botanical Gardens June 19 – Art After 5, Oklahoma City Museum of Art June 20 – Little Brushes, Pinot’s Palette June 20 – Premiere on Film Row, Film Row District June 20 – Lower Bricktown Live, Bricktown District June 20 – Jacob Becannen & Mark Vollertsen, Nonna’s Purple Bar June 20-21 – Bricktown Blues and BBQ Fest, Bricktown District June 21 – Children Reading to Dogs, Downtown Library June 21 - Flat Land Band, Nonna’s Purple Bar June 21 - Western Waters Cruise, Boathouse District June 21 - fagbug nation, The Paramount June 21 – Elusive, The Paramount June 22 – Twilight Concert Series, Myriad Botanical Gardens June 23 – LEGO Club, Downtown Library June 24-28 – Lyric Theatre presents “Les Miserables,” Civic Center Music Hall June 25 – Food Truck Wednesday, Dunlap Codding June 25 – “Whiz-Bang” The Science of Magic, Downtown Library June 26-28 – OKCFEST 2014, Downtown OKC June 26 – Art After 5, Oklahoma City Museum of Art June 27 – Little Brushes, Pinot’s Palette June 27 – Lower Bricktown Live, Bricktown District June 27 – Jordan Law, Nonna’s Purple Bar June 27 – H&8 Night Market, Midtown June 27 - FAA Credit Union Summer Movie Series, Boathouse District June 28 – SandRidge Energy Stars and Stripes River Festival, Boathouse District June 28 – Fireworks Cruise, Regatta Park June 28 – Flat Land Band, Nonna’s Purple Bar June 28 - Western Waters Cruise, Boathouse District June 29 – Twilight Concert Series, Myriad Botanical Gardens June 29 – Forensic Osteology: Human Skulls, Downtown Library June 30 – Exploring Art: Paint Your Own Tote Bag, Downtown Library July 2 – Food Truck Wednesday, Dunlap Codding July 3-18 – Antony & Cleopatra, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, Myriad Botanical Gardens July 3 - Art After 5, Oklahoma City Museum of Art July 4 – Rick Toop & Friends, Nonna’s Purple Bar July 5 – Disco Nights Cruise, Oklahoma River Cruises July 5 – Jamie Bramble, Nonna’s Purple Bar July 6 – Twilight Concert Series, Myriad Botanical Gardens July 7-11 – Cookieland Day Camp July 8-12 – Lyric Theatre presents “The Little Mermaid,” Civic Center Music Hall July 9 – Food Truck Wednesday, Dunlap Codding July 10 – Art After 5, Oklahoma City Museum of Art July 11 – Jamie Bramble, Nonna’s Purple Bar July 12 – King of the Rock, Downtown Community Basketball Court July 12 - Disco Nights Cruise, Oklahoma River Cruises July 12 - Job Search Essentials, Downtown Library July 12 – Rick Jawnsun, Nonna’s Purple Bar July 13 – Twilight Concert Series, Myriad Botanical Gardens July 14 – Board Games for Teens, Downtown Library July 14-17 – Doll-Up Ladies’ Night Out, The Melting Pot July 14-18 – Cookieland Day Camp July 16 – Food Truck Wednesday, Dunlap Codding July 17 – Shop Hop, Automobile Alley District July 17 – Art After 5, Oklahoma City Museum of Art July 18 – Premiere on Film Row, Film Row District July 18 – Nathan Kress, Nonna’s Purple Bar July 19 - Disco Nights Cruise, Oklahoma River Cruises July 19 – Flat Land Band, Nonna’s Purple Bar July 20 - Twilight Concert Series, Myriad Botanical Gardens July 20 – Read the Movie, Downtown Library July 20 – A Companion’s Guide to the Whoniverse, Downtown Library July 22-26 – Lyric Theatre presents “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” Civic Center Music Hall July 23 – Food Truck Wednesday, Dunlap Codding July 24 – Art After 5, Oklahoma City Museum of Art July 24-August 3 – Pericles, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, Civic Center Music Hall July 25 – Rick Toop & Friends, Nonna’s Purple Bar July 25 – H&8th Night Market, Midtown July 26 – Deep Deuce Dive (more info coming soon!) July 26 - Disco Nights Cruise, Oklahoma River Cruises July 26 – Flat Land Band, Nonna’s Purple Bar July 27 - Twilight Concert Series, Myriad Botanical Gardens July 30 – Food Truck Wednesday, Dunlap Codding July 31 – Art After 5, Oklahoma City Museum of Art Project180 UpdateDon’t frown at the construction downtown… let us show you how to get around! Visit the Project180 website or check them out on Facebook and Twitter. Get the Project180 weekly map here. Check out the Downtown Traffic Advisory updates. This list provides a summary of downtown streets expected to be under construction for the next few weeks. Connect with Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc.Like us on Facebook: Downtown OKC, Inc. 211 North Robinson, Suite 225 Send your exciting and newsworthy content to info@downtownokc.com for possible announcement in the What’s Up Downtown newsletter. |

Steve Lackmeyer is a reporter, columnist and author who started his career at The Oklahoman in 1990. Since then, he has won numerous awards for his coverage, which included the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, the city's... Read more ›