With Halloween comfortably out of the way, it is easy to look forward and see nothing but the sparkling lights of the holidays. As businesses, schools and individuals begin to wade into the holiday spirit, Philbrook Museum kicks of the season with its 26th annual Festival of Trees. The Festival is a staple holiday tradition for the museum, local artists, children and visitors, making it one of Tulsa's most collaborative community events of the holidays.

This year, 127 individual artists and organizations will be showcasing their handmade interpretations of Christmas trees in Philbrook's Mabee Lobby. Alongside the tradition of making artistic trees is the gingerbread house exhibition that will feature more than 50 gingerbread houses built by local student groups such as scout troops and school classes.

The first opportunity to view the trees, meet the artists and purchase the trees and gingerbread houses will be at the Treeview Party from 7-9pm on Nov. 19. Admission to the Treeview Party is $75 for members and $100 for non-members.

The newest event added to the three-week-long festival is the Garden Glow Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 20 from 5-8pm. This is the first evening the garden's holiday lights will be turned on and families can tour the gardens, listen to carolers, drink hot chocolate and tour the tree and gingerbread houses inside. This family friendly event is free to the public.

The Festival of Trees is one of two major fundraising events Philbrook hosts throughout the year. As the museum is a non-profit organization, all of the money raised through admissions, donations and sales directly supports the cost of programming and operations.

Throughout the years, the festival has evolved and experimented with ways to keep the event exciting while responding to suggestions from its visitors. In recent years, the event has drifted away from the artistic trees and evolved into a holiday art show that includes paintings and other traditional art forms. Upon request from its visitors, this year, Philbrook is aiming to bring the Festival of Trees back to its roots by reviving its focus on trees as the art form that visitors come to see.

Every year, Tulsa's local artists and organizations out-do themselves with the quality and imagination they impart into these trees. What is sure to be one of the most spectacular this year is the tree contributed by the Tulsa Glass Blowing School.

Between 3- and 4-feet high, their tree is constructed entirely of multi-colored, round, glass ornaments made by all of the students at the school. The tree will be lit from the inside, beautifully illuminating more than 75 handmade ornaments.

The school has participated the Festival of Trees for the past three years. In previous years, TGS has hung handmade glass ornaments on a Christmas tree, but this year the school is increasing the complexity by creating a tree that is constructed entirely of the glass ornaments. In addition to participating in events such as the Festival of Trees, TGS hosts two shows a year. Its student show with artists ranging from sixth grade to high school opened Nov. 8 at Gilcrease Museum and will run through Dec. 5. More information about TGS is available at tulsaglassblowing.org.

The 2010 Festival of Trees begins Friday, Nov. 19 with the Treeview Party and will continue through Dec. 12. The museum and its gardens will remain open until 6pm through Dec. 31, affording guests extended hours to view the garden lights as well as the Festival of Trees. During the fesitval, admission prices will be $8.50 for adults, $6.50 for students and youth ages 18 and under are free.

More information and a full list of events for the 2010 Festival of Trees is available online at philbrook.org.

Champagne & Chocolate

Living Arts is known for its quirky and off-the-beaten-path events. But even the most alternative folks look for a chance to dress up now and then.

Also in time to kick off the holiday season is the 2010 Champagne & Chocolate Gala & Holiday Art Sale. The Gala is Living Arts' biggest fundraiser of the year and will take place from 7-10pm on Saturday, Nov. 20. Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door with group tickets available at six tickets for $100.

For those wanting a first look at the artwork on display, a Patron Preview will be held before the Gala begins from 6-7pm. Tickets for the preview are $250 for two tickets and will include a $150 purchase credit toward a work of art.

Admittance includes two champagne tickets as well as complementary fine chocolate donated by Tulsa's finest chocolatiers: Dragonmoon Tea Co., Poached Pear Catering, Euro.Mart and Glacier Confection, Tulsa's newest chocolatier located in the Brady District.

This year's event will include more than 500 works of art from 74 of Tulsa's finest artists. There was no theme for the exhibition and work includes but is not limited to: photography, painting, jewelry, ceramics and sculpture as well as painted fabric, furniture, woodwork and glass.

In addition to an art sale, there will be an art auction with stop times at 7:30pm and 9pm. In between auction bidding, a fashion show of wearable art called Living Art Wear will take place. The show will showcase local hand-made clothing, scarves, masks as well as ceramic corsets for purchase.

The Champagne & Chocolate is a classy gala event that is three-fold in its benefits as it offers guests a chance to start their holiday shopping offering completely unique gift opportunities. In addition, guests are able to support Tulsa's local artists and support the Living Arts, an institution on the cutting edge of Tulsa's contemporary art scene.

More information is available at livingarts.org.