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Top Pick

Pop Goes Broadway. The fact that the blockbuster Broadway smash Mamma Mia! is actually about a former hippie mom whose daughter meets all three of her possible fathers just before her wedding on a fictional Greek island is actually not important. What matters here is that the entire lighthearted musical production is set to the classic pop hits of Swedish supergroup ABBA. That's what everyone goes to Mamma Mia! for... all that feel-good Nordic pop. Catch a performance May 8-10 at 7:30pm, May 11 at 8pm, May 12 at 2 and 8pm, and May 13 at 2 and 7pm.

Thursday, May 3

The boys in California rap-core band hed (p.e.) have spent the last several years building up a sizeable grassroots following across the US. They'll be pulling into Cain's Ballroom, 423 N. Main, for a loud'n'rowdy show tonight along with fellow Scratch N Sniff Tour mates Authority Zero, Mower, Danny Diablo (aka Lord Ezec), and Separation from All. Doors open at 6pm.

Friday, May 4

The Bee Gees, like them or not (and you should like them), were a seminal force in pop music during the '60s and '70s, which is why they have their very own tribute band nowadays. They ushered in disco, after all...and that changed everything. Many people, unfortunately, overlook their classic '60s pop fare, though. The Australian Bee Gees Show will cover all the stylistic bases. You'll almost feel like you're witnessing the real deal...looks, harmonies, stage moves, etc. Catch a performance at the Brady Theater, 105 W. Brady, this evening. Doors open at 7pm.

Saturday, May 5

Norman, OK's very own Starlight Mints are making waves in the national indie-rock scene with their unique brand of Baroque pop. Tonight they'll be joined by fellow Okie bands Colourmusic, Stardeath and White Dwarves for a night of all regional music at Cain's Ballroom, 423 N. Main. Doors open at 7pm.

Sunday, May 6

What's your musical preference today?

Monday, May 7

Kings of Leon make music that combine their distinctly southern rock/blues sensibilities with quirky lyrics and high-watt guitars. The result is indie-rock at its finest...unpredictable, fun, and smart. See KOL in concert tonight at Cain's Ballroom, 423 N. Main, along with Georgia rock combo Snowdon. Doors open at 7pm.

Tuesday, May 8

Take a look at our planet in a totally different light today. Elizabeth Downing's latest photographic exhibit, "Aether," is a collection of backlit images of earth, air, fire and water that showcases each element's ability to "reflect changes in their environment as tiny shifts and interruptions are made obvious by movement, surface, and texture." (And yes--broad environmental statements are being made here. Draw all the conclusions you want.) "Aether" will be on display through May 26 at the gallery of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 2nd & Cincinnati. Exhibit is free. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 10am-5:30pm.

Wednesday, May 9

Don't miss Tulsa watercolorist Anke Dodson's new exhibit, "The Wonder of Trees," at Color Connection Gallery, Utica Square. Dodson captures--in a delicate, painterly fashion--the sculptural quality of trees, utilizing canvas and various types of paper. The show runs through May 31. Gallery hours are 10am-5:30pm.

Thursday, May 10

When contemporary painter Patrick Stone is hired to forge the last self-portrait of Vincent Van Gogh, he finds himself squaring off against the legendary master himself in the surrealistic stage production Inventing Van Gogh. See a performance of this thought-provoking play tonight at Heller Theatre, 5328 S. Wheeling. Curtain rises at 8pm.

Elemental Photography. "Aether" is a collection of backlit photographs of earth, air, water and fire by Elizabeth Downing. Each of the images emphasizes the ability of the four fundamental elements to reflect changes in their environment as tiny shifts and interruptions are made obvious by movement, surface, and texture. This subject translates directly to current conservation and environmental concerns, as small changes can dramatically affect a larger whole. An opening reception will take place at the gallery of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 2nd & Cincinnati on May 4 from 6-9pm, and the show will run through May 26. It is free and open to the public.

Bitter, the Taste. On Wed., May 9, Heather Bierly and the Italian Club invite you to a free screening of Riso Amaro (Bitter Rice) at 7:30pm at Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis. This film packed theaters around the world, despite being banned by the Legion of Decency in the US. Though intended as a contemptuous indictment of harsh conditions endured by women laboring in Italy's rice fields, the film's massive popularity was largely attributed to the erotic appeal of young Silvana Mangano. The former Miss Rome became a star overnight for her sultry debut as an impoverished yet voluptuous laborer who turns down the chance to emigrate to a better life in South America in favor of a steamy affair with her best friend's lover. More info at 585-FILM.

Turn the Page, if You Dare. A French psychological thriller, The Page Turner tells the story of Mélanie Prouvost, a ten-year-old butcher's daughter, who is a gifted piano player. She is so gifted that she and her parents decide that she should take the Conservatory entrance exam. Mélanie is very likely to be admitted, but gets distracted by the president of the jury's offhand attitude and fails. Ten years later, Mélanie becomes the page turner for this former president and waits patiently for her revenge. This film operns at Circle Cinema on Friday, May 4. Call 592-FILM for showtimes.

Music in the Air. Starting May 3 and running through June 28, Tuesday evenings downtown are all about the music with the Downtown Spring Music Festival, sponsored by Urban Tulsa Weekly. From 4:30-7pm, you can enjoy local talents from big names to sidewalk performers at the 5th & Main intersection. On the first evening, you can enjoy the tunes of Earl Clark and his accompaniment, the Central High School Jazz Band. All of the shows are free, and you can just pop in after work without any hassle. For more info, call 582-3993.

Deutsch macht Spass! It's time again for the other big German-American Society event: Germanfest! On May 4-6, you can enjoy German foods music, dancing and imported wares. The Maikoenigen (May Queen) will also be crowned this weekend! The family-friendly event will benefit their GAST programs and will run from 10am-9pm Friday and Saturday and 12-5pm on Sunday. Entrace is free to the German American Society Building, which is at 1429 Terrace Dr. For more info, call 744-6997.

Trying to Find that American Dream. August Wilson's King Hedley II is part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright's cycle of 10 plays, each set in a different decade of the 20th century. It is set in Pittsburgh's Hill District and explores both the comedy and tragedy of the African-American experience with an ex-con named King trying to rebuild his life by selling stolen refrigerators to get enough money to buy a video store. This play will run in the Doenges Theatre of the Tulsa PAC, 2nd & Cincinnati, on May 5, 11 & 12 at 8pm. Tickets are $12.50 and may be purchased at the Box Office, myticketoffice.com or 596-7111.

Absolutely Amadeus. The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and Tulsa Oratorio Chorus are collaborating to present An Evening of Mozart, an all-Mozart program featuring orchestral favorites "The Magic Flute" Overture K.620 and Symphony No. 35 in D, "Haffner" K. 385, followed by a performance of Mozart's "Requiem" K. 626. The chorus will be joined by soloists Amanda Mansheim, soprano, Charlotte Blakely, mezzo-soprano, Robert Daniel, tenor, and Richard Sutliff, bass. The show starts at 7:30pm Sat., May 5, at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $5-30, so there's a seat for everyone!

Stayin' Alive. The Australian Bee Gees Show guys have not only reproduced the look of the Gibb Brothers, they've also got their sound down, heavenly harmonies and all. They've even got some family endorsement, so it seems to be as real as the deal is gonna get these days. So, if you never got your chance to see the Gees, or if you're just looking to take a travel back in time, come check out their show on Fri., May 4, at the Brady Theater, 105 W. Brady. Doors are at 7pm, and advance tickets are $27.50 or $32.50. You can pick yours up at the Box Office, 58-BRADY or bradytheater.com.

Sniff This. Come check out hed (p.e.)--the p.e. allegedly stands for Planet Earth-- California's "G-Punk" rap-core band, along with Arizona punkers Authority Zero, explosive San Diegans Mower, Danny Diablo (aka Lord Ezec), and Separation from All on the Skratch N Sniff Tour that's stopping by the Cain's Ballroom, 423 N. Main, on Thurs., May 3. Doors for the show are at 6pm, and advance tickets are only $18.25. You can pick yours up at the Box Office, Starship Records, Reasor's or www.gettix.net.

The Dream that Stuff was Made Of. Norman, OK, indie-rockers the Starlight Mints are out juxtaposing classical music with pop, touring 'round to make sure you hear what they're saying, yo. The quartet's sound is unique, and if you've still not heard this addition to the Oklahoma music family, you'll have a chance on Sat., May 5, when they hit the Cain's Ballroom, 423 N. Main. Joining them will be rural Oklahoma band Colourmusic (Brainchild of Roy G. Biv) and experimental OKC rockers Stardeath and White Dwarves. So, it's an entire night of homegrown music for only $13 in advance. Doors are at 7pm.

Engage Life. From 2-5pm on Sunday, May 6, Cain's Ballroom will host a Senior Star Round-Up, a party for seniors that will feature The Round Up Boys with Cowboy Jones and Master of ceremonies, J.V. Haney. Tickets are $7 and may be purchased in advance at Woodland Terrace (250-3631), LIFE Senior Services (664-9000) and Burgundy Place (299-0953). For more information on the event, call 664-9000 x 245.

KOL. They're getting so popular, we can just use an acronym for the Kings of Leon these days. The Followill family will be making yet another stop at our Cain's Ballroom to rock you out on Mon., May 7. Bringing their own, youthful approach to the blues and southern gospel rock, these boys put on a high-energy show that will leave you dancing through the night. Sharing the stage that evening with KOL will be Georgia-based combo Snowden. Doors are at 7pm. Advance tickets are $25 and are available at the usual locations but are going quickly.

From Czech, With Love. Trio Tulsa has decided to shake up its hometown just a bit. For its concert on Sunday, May 6, Trio Tulsa will add two friends so we can hear Dvorak's Piano Quintet, one of those great pieces of music that you don't normally get to hear live because it requires five outstanding musicians. The remainder of this all-Czech concert will feature trios by Kozeluch and Martinu. The performance will be at 3pm in the Williams Theatre of the Tulsa PAC. General admission is $25.

Roaring Good Fun. Now in its 15th year, ZooFari is now a Green Country tradition! This fun-filled event will take place Fri., May 4 at the Tulsa Zoo, 6421 E. 36th St. N., and offers families the perfect opportunity to enjoy the zoo on a beautiful spring evening. From 6:30-9pm, you can enjoy not only the animals, but also live music from Admiral Twin, Gentle Jesters, costumed characters, Jupiter jumps, free train rides, free carousel rides, arts & crafts, carnival-style games, face painting, animal presentations, a raffle, the opportunity to meet several of the state's best-known college athletes and coaches, and food from more than 25 of Tulsa's finest family restaurants. Tickets are $15 for kids 3-11 and $25 for adults. Proceeds will benefit the Growing Wild! Capital Campaign. For more info, call 669-6637.

She Just Wants... The lovely and sassy Ms. Rebecca Ungerman wants you to join her and the mahvalous Frank Brown Trio for an evening with the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame at the Greenwood Cultural Center on Sunday, May 6. Not only will the two perform favorite jazz standards, but they'll also give you some original songs, combined with Ungerman's larger-than-life onstage presence and voice. The show starts at 5pm, and tickets range from $3-10. For more info, or to reserve your spot, call 596-1001 or visit okjazz.org.

Go Pokes! Or Sooners! It's that time of year again: get ready for Bedlam Baseball. The OU Sooners will take on the OSU Cowboys at Driller Stadium, 15th & Yale, on Fri., May 4th at 7pm. Even though it's sure to be an exciting game, it's the crowds you really want to watch at these games. Home-pride runs orange and maroon through the stands, so make sure you're sitting with similar fans. Reserved seating runs $10-15. Get your tix at the Box Office, tulsadrillers.com or 744-5901.

Rockin' Near the River. Riverfield Country Day School will host its Second Annual Riverfield Rocks Street Party featuring seven student-led bands on Fri., May 4th, starting at 6:30pm. The event is free to the public and will be held on the school's 120-acre campus located at 2433 W. 61st St. The Street Party benefits the "Riverfield Rocks" program, one of the most unique and progressive school band programs in the country that gives the students a chance to perform in front of hundreds of people, with a large elevated stage, professional lighting, and sound reinforcement. Concessions will also be available. For more information, call 446-3553.

Ain't Easy No More. But acclaimed vocalist-harpist Mark Hummel, and his trusty band, The Blues Survivors, are still touring to bring you the best in blues music. They'll be playing a free show at the Cherokee Casino in Catoosa off I-44, at 7pm on Sunday, May 6. Hummel is not only a truly great juice harp player, he's also quite a showman, or so the rumor goes. For more info on this show, call 266-7600. Otherwise, did we mention it's free?

Let's Hear It for the Boys. The third annual Run for the Roses benefit is racing up on Sat., May 5th, from 1-5:30pm at the Tulsa Fairgrounds Pavilion, 17th between Harvard & Yale. Guests will enjoy the sights and sounds surrounding the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Derby springtime attire is encouraged, and the Pavilion will be decorated with Derby sass and style, along with thousands of roses. Guests will watch a simulcast of Derby day races on giant screens, and may place bets on all of the afternoon races. Great food and drinks (featuring the Mint Julep), and an exciting live auction (including several horses) will make this party a hit once again. For the first time this year, the on-line "silent" auction starts on April 5 at tulsaboyshome.cmarket.com. More info and registration at 245-0231 x5006.

Who's Her Daddy? The ultimate feel-good musical, Mamma Mia!, is coming back to Tulsa. This story is about a wedding on a fictional Greek island and a former hippie, her soon-to-be-a-bride daughter and the three men who could be her father is told through the rock-out songs of the Swedish singing sensation, ABBA. Hits such as "Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me" and "The Winner Takes It All" will have audiences dancing in their seats of the Tulsa PAC. The show will play May 8-10 at 7:30pm, May 11 at 8pm, May 12 at 2 and 8pm, and May 13 at 2 and 7pm. Tickets are $20-60.

Small Art for Small Prices. But your patronage is no small help to Tulsa Artists' Coalition or the artists themselves who will be selling their work at the annual 5 x 5 event at TAC, 9 E. Brady. At 5:55pm on 5/5 (that's May 5), $5 will get your into see these 5 x 5" artworks, at which time you can buy them for $55, if you so choose. The works will be by both well-known and emerging local artists and will include a variety of media, as long as it complies with the 5 x 5 format. For more info on this event, visit tacgallery.org or call 592-0041.

Fun with Film. Every year the Gadabout collects film submissions from filmmakers all over the world, and creates a touring film festival that is extremely impressive and diverse. It's not a competition, but rather a celebration of independent film and thought. The films are provoking, fresh, funny, and lovely to look at. These filmmakers love what they are doing, and their work shows it. Come check out this program of films with titles like Biking in the Bible Belt, Nintendo Oldschool Revolution, and Rubber Band Ball. This evening of fun will take place at 8pm on Thurs., May 3 at Living Arts, 308 S. Kenosha. It's only $7, so it's cheaper than a night at the 'normal' movies. More info at 585-1234 or livingarts.org.

The Latest from ArtCore. Middle and High School students brainstormed about what they would like to create last month and came up with a project they describe as an exhibit that shows how our dependencies are as natural as faith or the "death of an addiction," like Jesus using an iPod. Come take a look at their most recent incarnation at 7pm on Fri., May 4 at Living Arts, 308 S. Kenosha. These crazy kids are always up to something. It's free to the public and made possible partially by the goodwill of the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Another Gem from Julie. Directed by Julie Tattershall, Inventing Van Gogh is a haunting and hallucinatory tale about the making of art. In the play, Patrick Stone, a contemporary painter, has been hired to forge the legendary last self-portrait of Vincent Van Gogh and finds himself squaring off, across the years, with the master artist himself. This show will run May 3-6 and 10-12 at Heller Theatre, 5328 S. Wheeling, at 8pm, with a 2pm matinee on Sunday the 6th. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $6 for seniors and students. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 746-5065.

Get Thee to the Castle. It's that time of year again at The Castle of Muskogee--time for ye olde Renaissance Festival. There will be dozens performers: musicians, jugglers, magicians, mimes, acrobats, sword fighters, comedians, belly dancers, Celtic bands, bagpipers, mud wrestlers, executioners and oh so much more...like people dressed as peasants, knaves, lords, ladies & wizards! Over 100 artisans will sell their unique, handcrafted Renaissance wares. The festival will run every weekend in May and Memorial Day, and tickets run $5-11. Visit OKCastle.com and print your own, or get them at the gate. The Castle is located at 3400 Fern Mountain Rd. in Muskogee.

Trees of Life. "The Wonder of Trees," an exhibit of watercolor paintings by well-known Tulsa artist Anke Dodson will show at Color Connection Gallery during May. The exhibit of watercolor interpretations of the sculptural qualities of trees on a variety of surfaces such as watercolor canvas, Yupo paper and oriental papers. Ms. Dodson's particular, painterly style invites the viewer to travel into a lovely world. This show will run through May 31 at Color Connection Gallery, Utica Square. Normal gallery hours are Tues.-Sat., 10am-5:30pm. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 742-0515.

See You at Conjunction Junction. The Tulsa Spotlight Theatre will run Schoolhouse Rock Live! May 4-6, 7:30pm on Fri. evening and 2pm on Sat. and Sunday. Watch Tom, a nervous schoolteacher, learn how to win his students over with the magic of music and imagination. Hear some of your favorite songs, such as "Just a Bill," "Lolly, Lolly, Lolly" and "Conjunction Junction." Tickets range $8-10, and reservations can be made (and are recommended) at 587-5030. The Theatre is located at 1481 Riverside Dr.

For the People. The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art, 2021 E. 71st, will display a traveling exhibition on the life and artwork of the Polish-born Jewish artist, Arthur Szyk, through June 24. The exhibition includes a selection of both the artist's manuscript illustrations and political art from the 1930s and 1940s created to call attention to Nazi atrocities across Europe, as well as to advocate for social justice and civil liberties in America. The museum is open Mon.-Fri., 10am-5pm and on Sundays from 1-5pm. For more information on the museum or exhibit, call 492-1818.

A Little Piece of Peace. Every 3rd Fri. of the month, Peace House Tulsa, 306 S. Phoenix, will bring you Infusion, an evening of music and poetry that will transport you back into the Jazz Era of Harlem. The show starts at 9pm, and the lineup includes The Mistress of Metaphor: Sharon Smith Knight, Renowned Drummer: Bob "Pacemaker" Newham, and The Ultra Cool Songstress: Miss Stacie Lynn. There will also be a special performance from Wordweaver: Deborah Hunter. $5 gets you into the show. For more info, call 599-8959.

Close Encounters of the Elephant Kind. Newly opened, the Elephant Demonstration Yard at the Tulsa Zoo, 6421 E. 36th St. N., will bring you and your family closer to the elephants than ever before. There will be daily demonstrations at 11am, and the stadium seating will bring you within a few feet of the mighty beasts and their keepers. Come check out Asian Cow elephants Sooky and Gunda as they strut their stuff and roam their newly renovated and expanded habitat. For more info, call 669-6600.

Golf, It's Tulsa's Kind of Sport. The Tulsa Historical Society and the PGA present "A History of the Season's Final Major," which celebrates the history and tradition of the PGA Championship. The collection tracks the Championship from the beginnings of match play to the modern era of stroke play, from Champions like Gene Sarazen and Walter Hagen to today's icons such as Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Visitors to the exhibit can see the progression of golf and its technology by viewing mementos from PGA Champions through clothing, equipment, scorecards and other memorabilia. The PGA exhibit will be on display at the Tulsa Historical Society, 2445 S. Peoria, through Aug. 1. Admission is free. To make tour reservations or for more information, call 712-9484.

He is Manuel. He dressed Johnny Cash in black. He created jumpsuits for Elvis. The bands Aerosmith, Lynard Skynard, ZZ Top and the Beatles have all worn his artistry. Presidents and movie stars have proudly donned his couture. He is a designer and an artist. He is Manuel. His current exhibit, "Star Spangled Thank You Tour" is a celebration of his career as a performance costume designer and will also showcase 50 one-of-a-kind jackets that pay tribute to the uniqueness of each of the 50 states. The show will run through July 29 at Gilcrease Museum, 1400 Gilcrease Museum Rd. For more information, call 596-2700 or visit gilcrease.org.

Boomers and Sooners. During the first few years of the twentieth century, a series of events took place that lead Congress to grant single statehood for the Oklahoma and Indian Territories together. The exhibit, "Divided Territory, the Quest for Sequoyah," details the process that led two territories, each desiring to be admitted to the Union as their own separate state, to join together to form the State of Oklahoma. Come see this and other exhibits at the Tulsa Historical Society, 2445 S. Peoria, through July 28. For more info, call 712-9484 or visit tulsahistory.org.

Circa 480 B.C. Witness, for the first time, the Battle of Thermopylae on the massive screens of IMAX for a feel of what it was like to be a Spartan defending your ground against the ferocious Persians. Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel and from the same director of Dawn of the Dead, 300 promises to be a violent, yet powerful, film about defending honor and your homeland, to the bitter end. Showing at Cinemark IMAX, 10802 E. 71st. Call 307-2629 for showtimes.

Art From the Majestic East. The newest exhibit at the Price Tower in Bartlesville is "Tokyo: The Imperial Capital," which features 64 woodblock prints by Koizumi Kishio (1893-1945), who captured Tokyo's rebirth as a modern city trying to maintain its identity after the devastating earthquake of 1923. The exhibition will run through May 13 and is available for public viewing 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday and 12-5pm Sundays. For more information, please call 336-4949 or visit pricetower.org.

Celebrate Oklahoma's Rich History! In 1945, Thomas Gilcrease commissioned Vinson Lackey to research, record, and then create works of art representing the early institutions of Indian Territory.

This historic group of Oklahoma's pre-statehood buildings included forts, old Indian capitols, agencies, schools, churches, homes, and industrial structures. Each painting was to be a faithful reproduction of the original structure. The project took Lackey four years to complete.

He traveled to the sites and made sketches of the terrain, took copious notes, and tracked down any available information that might be useful to the project.

Do your civic duty and help the mayor and her cohorts find direction for the museum by letting 'em know you heard about the show in your ever-lovin' UTW. Gilcrease Museum, 1400 Gilcrease Museum Rd., through Sept. 30. For more information, call 596-2700.

America 24/7. In the 1930s & '40s, Oklahoma artists were part of the "American Scene" movement, a reaction in part to abstraction and other modernist movements. These artists documented the America they knew best, whether it was the hills of Oklahoma, the ranch land of West Texas or the shores of New England.

They worked with a single purpose: to capture the myths and truths of an America that was rapidly changing. An exhibit of these works, "The Oklahoma Scene," at Philbrook Museum, runs through Aug. 5. For more information, call 749-7941.

The Longing for Liquid. Oasis in Space is a stunning film voyage that transports the audience through the solar system, galaxy & universe in search of liquid water--a key ingredient for our life on earth.

With a proven, audience-tested story, visually immersive imagery and an original musical score, the film is enjoyable for all ages. You can see Oasis in Space at the Berlesmeyer Planetarium at the Tulsa Air & Space Museum, 3624 N. 74th E. Ave. For showtimes, call 834-9900.

Watch Out For Those Black Holes. In the animated film Dark Star, Subrah, a young teenager prone to getting into trouble, is excited to be going home after spending three years at her father's astronomy research station...and not a moment too soon! Subrah and Sweeps, her helper robot, take viewers on an unforgettable journey through space from a gaseous nebula to the grip of a massive black hole.

This film is meant to be both fun and educational for children, but it's truly an experience that the whole family can enjoy. Dark Star is now showing at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum's Bertelsmeyer Planetarium, 3624 N. 74th E. Ave. Call 834-9900 or visit www.tulsaairandspacemuseum.org for showtimes.