Reporter

Story Telling. The University of Tulsa's 2010-11 Presidential Lecture Series, will conclude on April 7 with author Henning Mankell in conversation with fellow author Michael Ondaatje. The presentation begins at 7:30pm in the Great Hall at the Allen Chapman Activity Center.

Internationally bestselling Swedish novelist and playwright Henning Mankell has achieved international acclaim for his Kurt Wallander detective series. He is currently working on a new novel, which will be released in Sweden in 2011, as well as writing a television series about his late father-in-law, Ingmar Bergman.

Michael Ondaatje is one of the world's foremost writers. His artistry and aesthetic have influenced an entire generation of writers and readers.

Although he is best known as a novelist, Ondaatje's work also encompasses memoir, poetry and film, and reveals a passion for defying conventional form including his transcendent novel The English Patient.

Elevator Needed. The American Lung Association is presenting the second annual competitive stairclimb, Fight for Air Climb, on April 2 at 8:30am. This fun athletic event will challenge participants to climb the BOK Tower in downtown Tulsa. Participants may run or walk each one of the 50 floors on their way to a celebration at the top.

Stairclimbs are emerging athletic competitions that take participants beyond the average run/walk event. These "vertical marathons" are growing in popularity and Tulsa is leading the way by hosting this one-of-a-kind event. Participants can compete in the Fight for Air Climb as individuals or as teams.

All participants will have their time calculated through an electronic chip-timing system. Teams will have the ability to start the race together and support one another during the climb. Water stations and rest floors will be available periodically throughout the climb if needed.

Through team sponsorships and donations, Fight for Air Climb participants will support the American Lung Association's fight against lung disease. Proceeds from Fight for Air Climb will help find cures, protect clean air and promote smoke-free kids.

For more information about the Fight for Air Climb, visit fightforairclimb.org or call the American Lung Association at 918-747-3441.

Raising the Rainbow. The Annual MOREcolor Fine Art Exhibition is presented by Oklahomans for Equality in conjunction with the national Gay Pride Celebration. Last year's MOREcolor exhibition showed nearly 150 works by 65 artists.

The history of the show goes back to the late '80s, when it was established by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (now Oklahomans for Equality) as a way for the LGBT community to reach out to the broader community, and to join forces with the Tulsa cultural community.

Originally an invitational, this year's event is a step in the transition to an all-juried exhibit. The guest juror this year is well-respected watercolorist Kelley Vandiver, who will join painters Shawn Wilson, Allie Jensen and Michael Christopher on the jury.

A number of changes have been made this year to reach out to new and emerging artists and new works, and to make this year's juried exhibition even better than the last. As always, 70 percent of MOREcolor sales go to the artists, there is no entry fee, and artists may invite as many friends to the gala opening reception as they like. Submission deadline is April 8. The show and sale of fine art is held June 2-6.

Performance and installation works are also invited. Visit morecolorart.com for more information.

Hollywood Home. Rich in Dallas, a race horse that played Seabiscuit in the 2004 Disney movie that received seven Academy Award nominations, is now living at the Tulsa Boys' Home.

Rich in Dallas was brought to Tulsa by Leslie and Tom Hubble of Stroud. The couple helps rescue thoroughbreds that are retired from racing. The former Seabiscuit will join the Therapeutic Equine Program at Tulsa Boys' Home as part of its residential treatment program for troubled Oklahoma boys.

Rich in Dallas will also make his first public appearance in Oklahoma at Tulsa Boys' Home's premier fundraising event, "Run for the Roses" on May 7 at the Tulsa Fairgrounds. For more information call Lucy Willis 918-245-0231 or visit tulsaboyshome.org.

Biker Genie. The Brookside Rumble & Roll is revving up its engines for the 10th year to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma (MAW).

Brookside Rumble & Roll

The parade will begin June 9 at 7pm from the parking lot just north of the Reynolds Center on the University of Tulsa Campus, near 11th and South Harvard. The motorcycles will rumble down Cherry Street and roll into Brookside for a great street party until 10:30pm from 33rd to 36th Streets on South Peoria.

Entry fee for the event is just $10 per rider, with every penny of that money going to MAW, to help make wishes come true for young children dealing with life-threatening illnesses. The street party is free, but donations will be accepted all night long at the MAW Wishing Well.

The 2011 Wish Ambassador is the adorable Colby Mitchell, an 11 year old from Claremore. Colby has spina bifida which keeps him confined to a wheelchair. His wish to swim with a dolphin in Hawaii was granted last summer.

Parade preregistration is available at Myers-Duren Harley-Davidson, 4848 S. Peoria, or online at rumbleandroll.com.

Sundown Jig. This year's Dance of the Two Moons will be held Saturday, April 16, at the spectacular Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa, 777 W. Cherokee St., Catoosa.

The 2011 Dance of the Two Moons will feature an extraordinary dinner, live and silent auctions. Attendees will be entertained by the talents of the Native Nations Youth Council drum group -- the youth group is sponsored by IHCRC. The Fabulous Mid-Life Crisis Band is back again to keep the party lively and guests dancing.

The Honorary Chairs of the 2011 Dance of the Two Moons are Bert and Martha Marshall. The will help fund Indian Health Care's pediatric services and will provide vital funding for IHCRC to continue to provide numerous pediatric services including medical, dental, optometry and more.

For more information about the Dance of the Two Moons or to purchase a sponsorship or tickets, please contact Emily Bolusky at 918-382-1206 or email at twomoons@ihcrc.org.

Painting Peace. Tulsan Joseph Chamberlain has been a staple in the Native American art world for many years. He is a Dakota Sioux artist, and works in pen and ink, charcoal, pastels, acrylic and water colors. He also paints drums and buffalo skulls and sculpts dolls.

A Pendleton representative saw Chamberlains art during a visit to Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, and was interested in creating a blanket from one of his paintings. The piece, entitled "All Night Meeting," was chosen from the five works submitted. It depicts two warriors holding the items necessary for the meeting as well as seven water birds representing the seven fires of his people. The rising moon and the setting sun tell of the meeting lasting all day and all night. The painting honors the tribes Lakota, Dakota and Nakota.

Chamberlain considers it a great honor to have his art chosen because Pendleton is being used so prevalently in the native culture. Chamberlain will host an unveiling and signing on April 16 at The Marriott Hotel, 1902 E. 71st St.

There will also be a concert and CD kickoff party at 7:30pm featuring Grammy-nominated recording artist John Two Hawks. For more information call 888-790-9091 or 918-277-1129.

Soaring Cause. This year, Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium's annual fundraising event will honor American Airlines for its contribution to the Tulsa community at the ninth annual Aviator Ball to be held on April 30.

When American Airlines made the decision to move its maintenance, repair and overhaul base from New York to Tulsa in 1946, no one could imagine the impact it would have on this little prairie town. American Airlines has been instrumental in helping raise literally tens of thousands of families over the last 65 years. Many continue to work for American just like their fathers and mothers before them, making American Airlines the single largest employer in the city.

In honor of this historic anniversary, Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium will join with past Mayors, city and county leaders and the Tulsa metro community to thank American Airlines for the impact their presence has had on Tulsa.

This year's Aviator Ball will be held across from the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium campus at the imposing American Airlines Hangar 80. Guests will enjoy delectable cuisine under two enormous 757s and live entertainment from Easy Street Band as TASM toasts American Airlines' commitment to Tulsa County and to the community for supporting educational programs at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium.

Proceeds from the Aviator Ball help fund TASM's educational programming for the Sherman and Ellie Smith Hangar One Museum and the James E. Bertelsmeyer Planetarium. Call 918-834-9900, ext. 119 for more information.

Plan to Attend. High school students from around Green Country are invited to the Great Plains Association for College Admission Counseling's annual "College Affaire." The event will be held at Tulsa University's Reynold's Center, 800 S. Tucker Dr., on May 1 from 2-4pm.

Students and parents can meet with representatives from over 50 colleges and universities across the country and learn more about the schools and their admission requirements. The afternoon will also include financial aid workshops at 2:30 and 3:15pm.