7+1

Editor's Choices for the Week

Thursday 11.27

Post-Turkey Stress. So, you've eaten all the turkey you can handle, pumpkin pie too. You've hung out with immediate and extended family for about, oh, six and a half hours. You don't care that tomorrow is Black Friday, and you don't intend to get up at the crack of dawn to comb through maddening retail stores. You're free, what now? Exit 6C, 222 E. 1st St., hosts Whirligig, a lively psychedelic jam band that compels even the most stoic among us to shake a leg. It's time to relax and join friends to collectively breathe a sigh of relief. Onto the next holiday.

Friday 11.28

Winter Whimsy. There's nothing quite as whimsical as an outdoor skating rink during the holiday season. And now, we Tulsans have the opportunity to partake in this cherished pastime. Tonight marks the opening of Winterfest '08 in the BOK Center Plaza, at the corner of 3rd and Frisco. So, grab a date or the whole family for carriage rides, holiday lights, tasty concessions, live entertainment and, of course, outdoor ice skating. The festivities run from now through New Year's Eve. Bring your own skates or rent them here. For a complete schedule, check out bokcenter.com.

Saturday 11.29

Dirty Hippie. Tulsa has recently become a hub of American Idol activity. This evening, Flytrap Music Hall, 514 E. 2nd St., welcomes former contestant Jason Castro from Dallas. The singer-songwriter is sure to make anyone swoon with, if not with his lush voice and lovesick lyrics, then his pretty blue eyes. Since American Idol, Castro has been touring nationally and devoting energy to writing more songs and, hopefully, releasing an album by springtime.

Sunday 11.30

Oh Christmas Trees. Celebrate the season with kith and kin this afternoon at Philbrook, 2727 S. Rockford Road, for its annual Festival of Trees. Inspired by the Eugene B. Adkins collection, synthetic evergreens are for sale of all shape and sizes, decked with homey Southwest holiday décor. Pieces from 150 Tulsa-area artists are also available for purchase, displayed outside in both the museum and outside in the gardens. Additionally, local students have carefully designed tasty gingerbread houses for the occasion, almost too pretty to eat. Call 749-7941 or visit philbrook.org for more information.

Monday 12.1

Look Out Below. A dimly lit barroom lies nestled in the belly of downtown Tulsa. It's tricky to find, though Cellar Dweller, 417 W. 7th St., offers a cryptic ambiance and it rivers PBR, among other libations. To get there, head North on Denver Ave., then hang a left onto 7th St. Drive one block, looking to your right for a three story brick building on the corner of 7th and Elwood. The top of the building says "First Class Financial" toward the top. Enter the door under the maroon awning, descend the stairs into the basement, and get yourself a drink.

Tuesday 12.2

Tulsa Tunes. Before you run to Wally World to grab generic Christmas gifts for friends and family, take a deep breath. Don't do it. Come to Ciao tonight instead, 3308 S. Peoria Ave., for a CD Sale Party. There, guests and diners alike can pick up sweet tunes from local musicians including: Red Alert (pictured), Rebecca Ungerman, John Sawyer, Janet Rutland, Grady Nichols, Primal Swing and more. All of the CD's will be priced at $20, with all proceeds going to directly to the artists. The vocalists will be available to sell their wares and visit with guests throughout the evening. Call 293-9333 for more information.

Wednesday 12.3

Ring My Bell. Pack your lunch today for a midday performance at the Tulsa PAC, 110 E. 2nd St., by the Tulsa Festival Ringers, Tulsa's only auditioned community handbell choir. Since 1991, the choir has performed in churches and concert halls in the Tulsa area, throughout Oklahoma and in several surrounding states. The group often has collaborated with Tulsa's premier orchestras, combining their multi-octave handbells with the sounds of the city's finest classical musicians. The group performs in the John H. Williams Theatre from 11:30am-12:45pm. Free and open to the public. For more, visit tulsapac.com.

Thursday 12.4

It's the Little Things. Though we have a tendency to take it for granted, the fruit of artists is all around us and manifests in many different forms, large and small. A new exhibit at Lovetts Gallery, 6528 E. 51 St., entitled "The Limited Collection," showcases a variety of smaller, more accessible creations by 12 gallery artists. Some of the handicrafts there include jewelry, paintings and sculpture. The exhibit runs through the entire month of December and features a new artist every week. Lovetts stays open late, until 8pm, on Friday and Saturday through the 31st. For more information, visit lovettsgallery.com.