7+1 Edited by Jarrod Gollihare

Top Pick

Make a Holiday Memory. Even if it's one you've made year after year after year... American Theatre Company's musical rendition of Charles Dickens' classic Yuletide fable, A Christmas Carol, is a Tulsa holiday tradition. Get your family Scrooged properly this year at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 2nd & Cincinnati. Showtimes are Dec. 20-22 at 7:30pm and Dec. 23 at 2pm.

The Big Week

Thursday, December 20

No one can skewer American pop culture, tradition and everyday urban/suburban life like satirist and best-selling author David Sedaris. The Santaland Diaries, a one-man show starring Mike Pryor (based on Sedaris' uproarious telling of his experiences as a Macy's department store elf), is a perfect example. Catch a performance tonight at the Tulsa PAC, 2nd & Cincinnati. Showtime is 8:15pm. For mature audiences only.

Friday, December 21

The legendary Ronnie Milsap is arguably one of country music's most beloved performers. (You don't amass 40 #1 hits and sell more than 25 million records without a sizeable dose of raw talent, after all.) Tonight, he'll be gracing the stage at the Osage Event Center at Million Dollar Elm Casino, 951 W. 36th St. Show starts at 8pm.

Saturday, December 22

For many Tulsans, The Nutcracker is the only ballet they'll experience this year. This decade, even. (Or maybe ever.) While the performers of Tulsa Ballet would rather this not be the case (they do a lot of quality work all year round, after all), they're still happy to have you in attendance. Get some culture tonight... take in a performance of this classic Christmas ballet. 2pm and 7pm.

Sunday, December 23

For a decidedly Native American take on the holiday season, American Indian Theatre presents the uplifting and humorous A Song of Winter at the Tulsa PAC, 2nd & Cincinnati. Features original compositions in native languages performed by a Native American ensemble. Curtain rises at 2pm.

Monday, December 24

Hey... it's Christmas Eve. Better get in bed early tonight... Santa's on a tight schedule this year.

Tuesday, December 25

Merry Christmas! That's right, I wrote MERRY CHRISTMAS... not "Happy Holidays" or some other vague, watered down, boring, politically correct phrase. We're using the "C" word here. Christmas. If this offends you for some overwrought reason, here's a suggestion: Lighten up. You could always celebrate Festivus, ya know. (Ask a Seinfeld loving friend to explain this to you...)

Wednesday, December 26

Hmmm... what to do the day after Christmas? Return gifts at the mall with the rest of the post holiday throng? (Nah... tedious.) Finish off Aunt Edna's special eggnog? (Well sure... but that won't take all day long.) How about traveling to the Price Tower Arts Center, 510 Dewey Ave., Bartlesville, to experience its current exhibit, "Oklahoma Moderne: The Art and Design of Olinka Hrdy," featuring the works of Prague, OK's very own visionary designer, Olinka Hrdy (1902-1987), who was influenced equally by Cubism, Bauhaus abstraction, Art Deco and Czech Embroidery? (Yes!) Visit pricetower.org for more information.

Thursday, December 27

All you Frank Lloyd Wright fans out there (we know you are legion) won't want to miss Philbrook Museum's current exhibit, "Frank Lloyd Wright and the House Beautiful," featuring around 100 objects--including furniture, drawings, publications, metal work, textiles and accessories--from the extensive collection of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in Scottsdale, AZ. Visit "http://www.philbrook.org"; philbrook.org for more details.

Winter Wonderland

Time for Eleven Nine. Six bands line up for a benefit at Cain's Ballroom, 423 N. Main, Thurs., Dec. 20. The Eleven Nine Memorial Benefit Concert features Bad Things, Imzadi, David Dover, Left 4 Dead, Sweatin Bullets and IIIrd Degree. The proceeds go to families of the victims who died outside of Backyard Bar on November 9. This is an all ages show. Tickets are $9 advance. Doors open at 6:30pm. Go to cainsballroom.com for more.

Gambling Not Required. Even if you don't play the slots, maybe your love of country will get you out to the Osage Event Center at Million Dollar Elm Casino, 951 W. 36th St., when one of the most loved and enduring country artists, Ronnie Milsap, plays live Fri., Dec. 21 at 8pm. His track record speaks loud and clear with 40 #1 hits, more than 25 million records sold, seven Grammy Awards, four Academy of Country Music Awards and eight Country Music Association Awards. Milsap is sure to entertain. Tickets start at $23. Call 877-246-8777 or go to gettix.net for tickets.

Ice Hounds. The ice rink heats up when the Tulsa Oilers hunt the Youngstown Steel Hounds, Fri., Dec. 21, at the Tulsa Convention Center, 100 Civic Center. The action starts at 7:30pm. And on Sat., Dec. 22, the Tulsa Oilers set fire to the Oklahoma City Blazers at 7:30pm at the Convention Center. Be there or be square. Go to tulsaoilers.com or call 596-7177 for more.

Above the Rim. Oral Roberts University's Lady Eagles play Creighton at the Mabee Center, 81st and Lewis, at 7:05pm, Fri., Dec. 21. Go to orugoldeneagles.com for more details. And on Sat., Dec. 22, University of Tulsa Lady 'Canes play against Southeast Missouri at the Reynolds Center, 11th and Harvard. Tip-off is at 4pm. Also on Sat., Dec. 29, the ladies play Stephen F. Austin at the Reynolds Center. Tip off at 2pm. On Sunday, Dec. 30, the men face Mississippi Valley State at the Reynolds Center at 2pm. Visit tulsahurricane.com for more information.

Christmas Ghosts. The classic Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol, returns to the John H. Williams Theater now through Dec. 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.

American Indian Christmas. Ever wonder what Christmas is like in Indian country? Look no further. American Indian Theatre presents, A Song of Winter, Dec. 21-23 at the Charles E. Norman Theatre of the Tulsa PAC. This funny, heart-warming story of Christmas in Indian Country features original compositions in native languages performed by a talented ensemble of Oklahoma Native Americans. Tickets are $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and students and $5 for children. Tickets for groups of ten are $6.50 each.

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. 20-22 at 8:15pm, and on Sunday, Dec. 23, at 2pm in the Liddy Doenges Theater of the Tulsa PAC. For mature audiences only. Go to tulsapac.com for more.

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. 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 HYPERLINK "http://www.nightingaletheater.com"; \o "http://www.nightingaletheater.com"; nightingaletheater.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, now through Dec. 23, at the Chapman Music Hall of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. 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. Call 749-6006 or visit "http://www.tulsaballet.org"; tulsaballet.org for more.

Love is a Rocky Road. Circle Cinema is up and running on Christmas and showing those quirky films that we know and love. Check out the Golden Globe nominated film Juno, Tues., Dec. 25. High School boredom can be a pain, especially when it leads to birth pains. When Juno discovers she's pregnant, she takes it upon herself to find the perfect adoptive parents. Call 592-3456 for showtimes. Dec. 28-29 is midnight madness with Dr. Frank-N-Furter as he tantalizes Janet and her dorky, but manly husband with song and dance in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Showing at midnight at Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis. Call 592-3456 for more.

Once a Year CD. Tulsan Michael Ray Little made a resolution to produce one new CD every year beginning in 2007. His CD release party for Flying Boy, the first fruit of this vow, kicks off on Sat., Dec. 29 at Cain's Ballroom. The CD release party features opening performances by Lauren Little and Brandon Yoder. This show is for all ages and tickets are $5. Doors open at 7pm. Visit cainsballroom.com for more.

Have A Plaid New Year. Jinx, Frankie, Sparky and Smudge, will be onstage at Tulsa Little Theatre, 1511 S. Delaware, New Year's Eve at 9pm, for Forever Plaid, as well as on Sat., Dec. 29 at 8pm and Sunday, Dec. 30 at 2pm. The Forever Plaid cast includes Justin Boyd, Tracy Watson, Mike Pryor and Mark Powell with Bruce Wilkin and Jim Bates providing accompaniment. These performers bring great '50s and '60s music and hilarious staging together to provide an unforgettable evening. Tickets range from $20-$30 depending on the performance day. Call 744-7340 for tickets or go to tulsamusicals.com.

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, 110 E. 2nd St. 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 HYPERLINK "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.