7+1 Edited by Jarrod Gollihare

Top Pick

Classic Christmas. We've certainly got some well-established holiday traditions in this town. In fact, three of the "big four" (Philbrook's Festival of Trees, the PSO Parade of Lights, and Utica's Square's annual lighting celebration) have already taken place. Now it's time for the fourth... Tulsa Ballet's lauded annual presentation of The Nutcracker. Every year Tulsans make a date with the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King, and Mr. Nutcracker himself, Dec. 15-Dec. 23 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 3rd and Cincinnati Ave. Visit "http://www.tulsaballet.org"; tulsaballet.org for showtimes.

'Tis Definitely the Season

Thursday, December 13

Get your pre-weekend groove going on tonight at the Tulsa Press Club, 415 S. Boston, when Urban Tulsa Weekly presents Oklahoma folk rocker Dante Schmitz in concert at 6pm. It's part of the ongoing Soundproof concert series sponsored by UTW and The Tulsa Press Club.

Friday, December 14

"What's love got to do with it?" That's what Tina Turner wants to know. Well, Tina, spoken word artist Deborah Hunter has some answers for you tonight. "Love & Light, a Poetry Performance," at Living Arts of Tulsa, 308 S. Kenosha, features Hunter and 18 other performers who will take the audience on an exploratory journey through Love Land... every hill and valley included. Performance begins at 8pm. Visit "http://livingarts.org/performance.htm"; \o "http://livingarts.org/performance.htm"; livingarts.org for more info.

Saturday, December 15

Are you an aspiring filmmaker, actor, or movie buff? Well, here's your chance to get out and support like-minded independent cinema-philes who are actually out there making art on their own. It's the 10th Annual Tulsa Overground Film Festival, featuring original work from filmmakers around the world. Showtimes are from 5pm-2am at Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis. Get tickets online at circlecinema.com or tulsaoverground.com.

Sunday, December 16

Drop the kids off at the babysitter and head over to Heller Theatre, 5328 S Wheeling Ave., for an evening of hilarious adult Christmas entertainment with The Spontaniacs improv theatre. Their performance is part of the Dysfunctional Holidays Weekend brought to you by Heller Theatre and Clark Theatre. Show starts at 7pm.

Monday, December 17

If you're like me, a list of actors you thought you would never, ever, ever see in a movie musical would have to include Sopranos star James Gandolfini... for obvious reasons. It turns out we were all wrong. In Romance and Cigarettes, the new film from actor-turned-director John Turturro, Gandolfini portrays a hardworking ironworker who's married to Kitty (Susan Sarandon) while having an affair with Tula (Kate Winslet). And, yes, they all sing. Head over to Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis, if you want to see it for yourself. Call 592-FILM for showtimes.

Tuesday, December 18

American Theatre Company presents their fun-filled version of the classic Charles Dickens holiday story, A Christmas Carol, every year at the Tulsa PAC, 2nd & Cincinnati. What? You've never been, you say? You're the only one, then. But don't worry, you'll get your chance. The show runs through Dec. 22. Curtain rises tonight at 7:30pm.

Wednesday, December 19

Fans of author David Sedaris will tell you, this American humorist (and master of sarcasm) has a way of making any situation funny. Sedaris's wry account of his misadventures as a Macy's department store elf is the subject of The Santaland Diaries, a one-man show featuring Mike Pryor, tonight at the Tulsa PAC, 2nd & Cincinnati. The fun begins at 8:15pm. Recommended for matures audiences only.

Thursday, December 20

For an alternate view of the Christmas season, check out Unwrapped, the 50 Swats Holiday Production at Nightingale Theater, 1416 E. 4th St. Through a series of monologues and short scenes, the 50 Swats folks hope to make you think about the real "reason for the season" (although it's probably not what you're used to hearing). Doors open at 7:30pm... show begins at 8pm.

All About the Holidaze

Christmas Ghosts. The classic Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol, returns to the John H. Williams Theatre once again Dec. 11-15 and 18-22. Greedy Ebeneezer Scrooge becomes generous just in time for Christmas, but not without a Christmas fright first! All the favorite characters, including Tiny Tim and the three lovable ghosts, are back to warm your cold, cold heart (Er, Ebeneezer's cold, cold heart, that is). Live at the Performing Arts Center, 110 E. 2nd St. at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $20. Go to tulsapac.com for tickets.

Dante's Prayer. Soundproof brings Dante Schmitz, Oklahoma native with a touch of Americana folk-rock-style, to the Tulsa Press Club, Thurs., Dec. 13. The New Atlas Grill will serve food from 5-7pm. Music starts at 6pm. Soundproof is sponsored by Urban Tulsa Weekly, The New Atlas Grill and The Tulsa Press Club. There is intercom access at both the front and back doors after 6:30pm and ample parking on Cincinnati. Free and open to the public. Go to tulsapressclub.com for more information.

The 50 Swats of Christmas. Flip Scrooge the bird this year and see Unwrapped, the 50 Swats Holiday Production, at the Nightingale Theater, 1416 E. 4th St. Dec. 13-15 and 20-22. Naturalistic, imaginative and intimate with moments of high relief, this collection of original monologues and short scenes will leave you wondering what Christmas is really all about. Tickets are $8 and available at the door. Doors open at 7:30pm and shows begin at 8pm. Call 633-8666 or go to "http://www.nightingaletheater.com"; \o "http://www.nightingaletheater.com"; nightingaletheater.com.

What? Another One? It's time again for that delicious holiday story by what's-his-name? Scrooge? No. The ghost of Christmas Past, no... Oh yes, that old chap, Charles Dickens. Muskogee Little Theatre, corner of E. Cincinnati Ave. & S. D St. in Muskogee, presents the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, with performances Dec. 13-15. Curtains rise at 8pm, and at 2pm on Sunday, Dec. 15. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students. For additional information, visit "http://www.muskogeelittletheatre.com"; \o "http://www.muskogeelittletheatre.com"; muskogeelittletheatre.com or call 683-7660.

Will Love be There? Delve into the realm of Love & Light, a Poetry Performance at Living Arts of Tulsa, 308 S. Kenosha, Fri., Dec. 14 at 8pm. Spoken word artist Deborah Hunter hosts 18 Love and Light performers who will take the audience on a poetic exploration of the many facets of love, light and shadow. Inviting them to look into the nuances, spaces and places that love takes us, shining light on the ways we want, pursue, lose or dream of love; unfolding light without avoiding darkness. Admission is $7 for non-members and $5 for members. Go to "http://livingarts.org/performance.htm"; \o "http://livingarts.org/performance.htm"; livingarts.org for more.

Both Will Kill Ya. A down-and-dirty musical love story set in the world of the working class, Romance and Cigarettes opens Fri., Dec. 14 at Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis. Nick (James Gandolfini) is an ironworker who builds and repairs bridges. He's married to Kitty (Susan Sarandon), a strong and gentle woman with whom he has three daughters. He is carrying on a torrid affair with a redheaded woman named Tula (Kate Winslet). Nick is basically a good, hardworking man driven forward by will and blinded by his urges. Like Oedipus at Colonus, he is sent into exile and searches to find his way back through the damage he has done. In an imaginative, humorous, and touching way, Romance and Cigarettes explores the cost and value of a relationship through life and death. Call 592-FILM for more.

Jolly Improvisation. Heller and Clark Theatres are laughing through the holidays during the Dysfunctional Holidays Weekend, Dec. 14-16. Be a part of the fun Fri., Dec. 14, with Laughing Matter Improv at Heller Theatre, 5328 S. Wheeling, at 8pm. Sat., Dec. 15 brings Teen Laughing Matter to the youth stage at Clark Theatre, 11440 E. Admiral Blvd., at 7:30pm. And last but not least, The Spontaniacs Show brings an evening of old-fashioned, designer-name-brand improv theatre to the Heller Theatre at 7pm, Sunday, Dec. 16. Why shop, when you can drop...with laughter? And remember, Santa says, "The Spontaniacs' show is only for BIG boys and girls." All Dysfunctional Holiday shows are $5. Call 746-5065 or go to hellertheatre.com, "http://www.clarktheatre.com"; clarktheatre.com or call 669-6455 for more information.

Elf for Hire. Humorist David Sedaris' memoir of his adventures as a Macy's department store elf is a sardonic and hilarious behind-the-scenes look at the business of Christmas. The Santaland Diaries stars Mike Pryor in this one-man show, Dec. 14-16 and Dec. 19-22 at 8:15pm, and on Sunday, Dec. 23, at 2pm in the Liddy Doenges Theatre, Tulsa PAC. For mature audiences only. Go to tulsapac.com for more.

Holiday Singers. Approaching 60 years of continuous musical excellence in the Tulsa community, the Tulsa Boy Singers are performing their Annual Holiday Concerts at Trinity Episcopal Church, 5th and Cincinnati, on Fri., Dec. 14 and Sat., Dec. 15 at 7:30pm. The program will be varied with carols, motets, solos, duets, excerpts from oratorios, and will include seasonal classics in the traditional choral music genre. Refreshments will be provided and there will be open auditions for any young boys interested in auditioning for the Tulsa Boy Singers immediately after the concerts. Tickets are $5 per person or "pay as you can." Admission is first come, first served. Visit tulsaboysingers.org for more information.

Over and Under. Check out a cinematic grab bag of first-time filmmakers, student directors, professional lensers and big name auteurs at the 10th Annual Tulsa Overground Film Festival, Fri. and Sat., Dec. 14-16 at Circle Cinema. Friday brings an open party to the VFW at 1109 E. 6th St., 8pm-2am, featuring eight bands, a full bar and special guest, Biker Fox. Tickets are $5. Saturday is the day to see short films from a variety of styles and formats, and innovative work from filmmakers around the world. Showtimes are from 5pm-2am at Circle Cinema. Tickets are $8. Get tickets online at circlecinema.com or tulsaoverground.com.

Let the Festivus Begin! Grape Ranch in Okemah celebrates the holidays in a Zen sort of way. Tinsel-free and intoxicating, the Festivus wine--a lush and lovely Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon--is out and ready for quaffing at the Festivus Party, Sat., Dec. 15 at Grape Ranch. This is the moment you've waited for all year... free food, live music by Clifton Johnson and added silliness. This is the time for the restivus... the time for Festivus! Call 623-2250 or graperanch.com for more.

Twelve Years of Red Dirt. Christmas just wouldn't be the same without the annual Red Dirt Christmas at Cain's Ballroom, Sat., Dec. 15, an annual tradition for 12 years. This year features the Red Dirt Rangers with Cross Canadian Ragweed and Stoney LaRue. Doors open at 7pm and the music starts at 8pm. Tickets are $37 advance and $42 the day of the show. Get tickets at Starship, 13th and Lewis or call 866-443-8849 to order by phone or go to cainsballroom.com.

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The magic of the holiday season returns to Tulsa's downtown stage when the Tulsa Ballet presents the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, Dec. 15-Dec. 23, at the Chapman Music Hall of the Tulsa PAC. Featuring such audience favorites as the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snowflakes and the Mouse King, come watch as the Nutcracker's army takes their fantastic journey once again. Tickets for The Nutcracker are on sale now. Call 749-6006 or visit "http://www.tulsaballet.org"; tulsaballet.org for more.

The Waving Wheat. We belong to the land and the land we belong to is grand. "Oklahoma" will be one of the Broadway hits that will fill the Jazz Depot on Sunday, Dec. 16 as SCORE featuring Sandy and Chuck Gardner celebrate the centennial year in song. After their successful performance of "Letter From the Depot," to a capacity crowd last season, the Gardners--along with Jim Bates and Ken Leverette--have been invited back to perform a new show centered around songs that Oklahomans can appreciate. Tickets are $10 at The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 111 E. 1st St. Call 596-1001 for more information.

Engines Roar, Are you Listening? Be loud and be proud to provide Toys for Tots at the 28th annual Toys for Tots Abate Toy Run, Sunday Dec. 16. The line-up starts at 10:30am and will leave at 1pm sharp from 55th and Riverside Drive. There will be two Viet-Nam era UH-34D Marine style Helicopters that will fly over the Tulsa Toy Run, and they will be waiting at the Tulsa County Fair Grounds where the ride will end. The gang will travel south towards the Trade Center Building and park on the West side and then take the Gifts of Toys into the West entrance of the Trade Center Building to be given to the Marines for collection and distribution. Go to tulsatoyrun.org for a complete route.

Celebrate Greenwood. Spend an evening of dance, spirit and cultural enlightenment at the Greenwood Cultural Center Kwanzaa Celebration, Sunday, Dec. 16. The activities start at 5:30pm at the Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood Ave., with N' Goma Uzuri, as the seven principles are celebrated through rhythms, poetry and song. It is free and open to the public. Vendors are welcome. Call 592-1020 or go to greenwoodculturalcenter.com for more information.

Opera: Not Just for Italians Anymore. Circle Cinema and Tulsa Opera present Giuseppe Verdi's Aida from one of the most celebrated opera houses is the world, La Scala. Aida, directed by the legendary Franco Zeffirelli, premiered at La Scala in 1872, and now, 135 years later on Mon., Dec. 17, Circle Cinema will transform into that legendary opera house at 7pm for one night only. Tickets are $18 for the general public and $15 for Tulsa Opera subscribers and seniors. There will be a champagne intermission just like at La Scala. Call 585-3504 or 585-3456 for tickets.

Cain's is Golden. Blackgold is a company that supports Oklahoma's R&B and Hip Hop artists and they're always looking for new local talent. One of their artists, Lil' Boosie, is playing live at Cain's Ballroom on Tues., Dec. 18. It's an all ages show for you hip hoppers who are breaking into the local scene. Doors open at 9pm, the show starts at 9:30pm. Tickets are $22 advance and $28 the day of the show. Get tickets at Starship, 13th and Lewis, or call 866-443-8849 to order by phone or go to cainsballroom.com.

Shooting Pucks. Grab your coat and hat for a hot night at the ice rink as the Tulsa Oilers go for the crown of the Mississippi River Kings on Fri., Dec. 14 at 7:30pm. Sat., Dec. 15 is Teddy Bear Toss night and family pack night as the Oilers squash the Bossier Shreveport Mudbugs at 7:30pm. Both games are at the Tulsa Convention Center, 100 Civic Center. Go to tulsaoilers.com for tickets.

Hurricanes and Eagles a Slam Dunk. It's a dunk when TU's men's basketball team plays the Charlotte 49ers on Tues., Dec. 18, then take on Texas Pan American on Sat., Dec. 15. Both games start at 7pm and will be at the Reynolds Center on the TU campus. Go to tulsahurricane.com for more. Oral Roberts University's Golden Eagles women's basketball team will be taking those jump shots against Missouri State Sat., Dec. 15 at 7pm at the Mabee Center, 81st and Lewis. Go to orugoldeneagles.com for more.

Get Ready for the Tulsa 66ers. Get ready to stomp some ants when the Tulsa 66ers take on the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Wed., Dec. 19 at 11am. On Sat., Dec. 15, the Tulsa 66ers are gonna drain the vigor right out of Iowa Energy at 7pm. Both games are at the Expo Square Pavilion, 21st and Yale. Call 744-1113 or go to nba.com for more.

Can a Kid do That? Dean Wyatt, artist, Owasso resident and president of Tulsa Artists' Coalition is setting up his acrylic abstract pieces for public viewing through Dec. 30 at the Performing Arts Center Gallery inside the Tulsa PAC. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 10am-5:30pm, and during Chapman Music Hall events. It's free and open to the public. Go to tulsapac.com for more.

Santa Smalls. The holiday exhibit "Small Treasures," hosted by The Color Connection Gallery, 2050 Utica Square, will run through Dec. 31. The show features miniature paintings by gallery artists, and includes a 15 percent discount on all artwork. Featured artists are Robert Reed, Diane Salamon, Jeannie Graham and Shirley Ward. Call 742-0515 or go to colorconnection.com for more information.

Tales from the Trail. "Oklahoma Statehood: A Cherokee Perspective" reveals the struggles and ultimate triumphs experienced by the Cherokee people over the last 100 years. The exhibit at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Park Hill focuses on the important legislation and political environment that led to Oklahoma Statehood. Learn about the important historical legislation including the Curtis Act, Dawes Commission, The State of Sequoyah Convention and more. For more information call the Cherokee Heritage Center at 456-6007, or visit CherokeeHeritage.org. This exhibit will run through April 19, 2008, but will be closed the month of Jan.

Cosmic Adventure. Explore the universe at the planetarium's newest show, Infinity Express. Actor Laurence Fishburne narrates as the show explores the mysteries of the universe with images taken by the Hubble Space telescope that take the audience through the life and death of a star, into the depths of planet Mars and beyond. Infinity Express will show at the James E. Bertelsmeyer Planetarium, 3624 N. 74th E. Ave., through Nov. 2008. Tickets are $6. "http://www.TulsaAirAndSpaceMuseum.com"; Go to TulsaAirAndSpaceMuseum.com or call 834-9900 for showtimes.

Look Again. Trained as a sculptor, Lucy Gunning has, for the past 15 years, focused on film and video installation works that examine the idiosyncrasies of human behavior. Gunning's work exudes a sympathetic curiosity as she underscores the strangeness that often lies at the heart of apparently normal human behavior. The understated simplicity of Gunning's filmed scenarios--a woman imitating the sound of a horse (The Horse Impressionists, 1994) or drunken businessmen trying to navigate their way home through London's Liverpool Station (Esc, 2004)--gradually reveal subtle psychological insights, tensions between fantasy and reality and levels of complexity within her chosen subject. Gunning's work de-familiarizes the familiar by disrupting and undermining social conventions and expected behavior through play and humor. For her newest project, "Focus 4," Gunning developed a new work that was unveiled at Philbrook, 2727 S. Rockford Rd., and will be on display through Dec. 30. Call 749-7941 or visit www.philbrook.org for more information.

New Old World. Oklahoma native Olinka Hrdy, (1902-1987), was an artist influenced by Cubism, Bauhaus abstraction, Art Deco and Czech Embroidery. During her studies at OU, she produced wall murals that got the attention of architect Bruce Goff, who commissioned a cycle of nine music themed murals for his 1929 Riverside Drive project. This led to future commissions including the stage curtain and entryway mural for the Historic Brady Theater. She traveled from New York to Wisconsin where she studied at Frank Lloyd Wright's school in Spring Green, to Hollywood as an industrial designer following World War II, before coming home to Prague, OK, where she remained until 1987. Constructivism, art deco and Czech folk art are exhibited in "Oklahoma Moderne: The Art and Design of Olinka Hrdy" at Price Tower Arts Center, 510 Dewey Ave., Bartlesville, now through Jan. 13. $4 admission. Call 336-4949 or visit pricetower.org for more information.

Better Living through Architecture. Philbrook Museum of Art presents "Frank Lloyd Wright and the House Beautiful" through Jan. 20. This exhibit is a visually rich showcase of Frank Lloyd Wright's passion for creating a new way of life through architecture. With approximately 100 objects, the exhibition includes furniture, metal work, textiles, drawings, publications, and accessories from the collection of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Scottsdale, AZ, and other public and private collections. The exhibition is the first devoted to the noted architect's decorative and graphic designs since the '70s. Philbrook Museum of Art is located at 2727 S. Rockford Rd. For more information call 749-7941 or visit "http://www.philbrook.org"; philbrook.org or "http://www.artsandartist.org"; artsandartist.org.

Popular Mexican Art. An exhibition of works by Mexican artist Alfredo Zalce (1908-2003) continues at Gilcrease Museum. "Alfredo Zalce: El Grafico Popular" includes forty artworks from one of Mexico's most creative and accomplished artists. The exhibition focuses on his work as a printmaker, consisting of lithographs, monotypes and relief prints. "El Grafico Popular" provides a unique look at one of Mexico's most celebrated and enduring artists. The exhibition runs through Feb. 24, 2008, at Gilcrease Museum, 1400 Gilcrease Museum Rd. Call 596-2700 for more.

Oklahoma Life. Gilcrease Museum's new exhibition, "Charles Banks Wilson: An Oklahoma Life in Art," not only showcases the museum's holdings but will also include a number of artworks from private collections and several new paintings that have never been on public view. Charles Banks Wilson is one of Oklahoma's premier artists whose artworks have been collected and exhibited around the globe. Gilcrease Museum holds one of the most comprehensive collections of Wilson's work, ranging from his early years as an art student and illustrator to his extensive series of Native American portraits and scenes of Oklahoma life. Working in a variety of mediums, Wilson is an accomplished illustrator, muralist, lithographer, sculptor, and teacher. His work has been widely acclaimed for its attention to detail and insightful composition. The exhibition continues now through March 9, 2008.

Tulsarama Relived. Through March 31, 2008, "Flashback '57: Tulsarama & The Buried Belvedere" allows patrons to see the items in the time-capsule plus other artifacts and images from 1957. Tulsa's History Museum is located at the Tulsa Historical Society, 2445 S. Peoria. Hours are 10am-4pm, Tues.--Sat. For more details, call 712-9484 or go to "http://www.tulsahistory.org/"; \o "http://www.tulsahistory.org/"; tulsahistory.org.