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11.19

Expressing the Times. Beginning with an opening reception from 5-8pm, American Fine Arts and Tulsa's own Pierson Gallery, 1311 E. 15th St., showcases 15 rediscovered works completed between the '50s and the '70s by skilled abstract expressionist painter Eugene Bavinger. "Eugene Allen Bavinger: A Retrospective Exhibit" features Bavinger's vivid abstract geometric forms. The innovative Sapulpa born artist and OU alum (and later instructor) was truly an Oklahoma treasure and his experimental mediums, methods and techniques have intrigued audiences and critics alike since the 1950s. The exhibit hangs through Jan. 13. Call 584-2440, or visit piersongallery.com for more information.

11. 20

Spell-binding. Puritan bad girl Abigail and her friends raise hell in the colonial town of Salem, much to the dismay of poor John Proctor, his wife, his neighbors-and pretty much everyone else-in the 1953 classic The Crucible. The Liddy Doenges Theatre at the Tulsa PAC, 110 E. 2nd St., presents Arthur Miller's Tony Award-winning play about paranoia, suspicion and evil in a small 17th century Massachusetts village. Shameless, envious and bored teenage girls convince otherwise good-hearted people to take up arms against their neighbors, who they accuse of witchcraft. Using superstition, spectral evidence and the fear of unknown to their advantage, the girls reveal the true heart of evil in this disturbing drama. Curtains open at 8pm. Tickets are $15. Catch a performance tonight or the final show tomorrow. Call 596-7122, or visit tulsapac.com.

11. 21

Arts and Sweets. Give someone the gift of fine art this year! If you haven't been to the new Living Arts, 307 E. Brady, now is time, especially if you are a fan of champagne and chocolate. The 15th annual Champagne & Chocolate Holiday Gala and Art Show is, without a doubt, one of the coolest (and tastiest) holiday events in Tulsa. In addition to an art sale and silent auction, this year's event also features the corsets of Nicole Moan.

11.22

The Run Around. The historic Mother Road once again hosts a mother of a marathon. Beginning and ending at Veterans Park, the Williams Route 66 Marathon (a true 26.2 mile marathon) takes runners over the river, through historic downtown, down beautiful Riverside Drive past the newly updated River Parks, and all the way back in a run that could be just as much a sightseeing tour as a test of will and endurance. There will be several runs and events in addition to the full and half-marathons, which will start at 7:30am. The Mayor's 5K starts at 8am, and a Fun Run (strollers welcome) begins at 9am. For drivers, or runners who love to drive, a classic car show will be held at 18th and Boulder, starting at 10am. Registration is required for participants. You can register for any of these events at the Williams Route 66 Marathon Health and Fitness Expo on Friday or Saturday, or online at route66marathon.com. Visit route66marathon.com for more.

11.23

3-D Humbuggery. Ebenezer Scrooge and his gang of ghosts of Christmas show up and show off in this new take on the famous tale. Disney's A Christmas Carol: An Imax 3D Experience at Cinemark, 10802 E. 71st St. S., takes digital animation and this story to another level. Jim Carrey stars as the hum-bug king, Ebenezer Scrooge, who gets visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet-to-come, and tries to change Scrooge's negative views on the holiday season. If you haven't seen it before, you definitely want to see it in this form. Tickets start at $8.75 for children and $10.25 for adults. For more information, visit Cinemark.com or call 307-2629.

11. 24

Chill Grill. During the day the Clubhouse Bar & Grille, 10441 S. Regal, is a chic and sophisticated, yet casual and unassuming south Tulsa bar and grill that has great food, including salads, burgers and delicious wood-smoked entrees. For a stylish and cozy lunch with friends and family or business associates, it's pretty hard to beat. On weekend nights, however, Clubhouse lets its hair down and offers live music, a good selection of wine and beer, signature cocktails and a lively dance floor. Clubhouse also offers a VIP Club Room, making it the perfect place in South Tulsa for business meetings or private parties, both day and night. Call 369-8330, or visit clubhousetulsa.com.

11. 25

Jingle Bells Rock. One of the most popular holiday musical acts in history (they've sold some 30 million albums in the U.S. alone), Mannheim Steamroller has been sort of rocking audiences with their Christmasy style since 1984. On the day before Thanksgiving, they will bring that aforementioned style to the Tulsa PAC's Chapman Music Hall. Blending classical and rock music (among other styles) and utilizing both acoustic and electronic instrumentation, Steamroller has captivated audiences and made an indelible mark on the holiday and popular music landscapes. You get two chances to experience this once in a lifetime event, with two shows at 1:30 and 7:30pm. Call 596-7122 or visit tulsapac.com for ticket information.

11. Nov. 26

Give Thanks. First celebrated by English colonists in 1621, America's premier food holiday didn't become an annual tradition for most Americans until Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving" to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November in 1863. Although popularly celebrated by some, Turkey Day couldn't be fully legit until it was federally recognized. It would take the signature of another historic wartime president-Franklin Delano Roosevelt-to make the holiday official in December 1941. This year, with another historic president and unfortunately, another war, we can give thanks that we still have plenty to be thankful for, including the existence of the venerable and often under appreciated Turkey. Happy Thanksgiving.