OKG7 things to do
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Thursday’s Art from the Heart is more than an art sale to benefit University of Oklahoma art school scholarships. It’s also a delicious luncheon of grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade soups, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Lightwell Gallery, 520 Parrington Oval in Norman. Eat all you want for $10; take home a piece of art for a mere $5 more. Call 325-2691 or visit ou.edu/art.

Thursday

OKG7 things to do
Gazette staff
Earplugs ready? Good, because Monster Jam roars into Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno, for three big ol’ shows: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday Sunday Sunday! Tickets are $8-$28. Call 800-745-3000 or visit chesapeakearena.com.

Saturday-Sunday

OKG7 things to do
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Optical illusions, 3-D art and the abstract conspire to blow your mind as the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm in Norman, goes Into the Void. Opening Saturday and running through July 28, the exhibition of optical art is curated by University of Oklahoma students. Admission is free. For more information, call 325-3272 or visit ou.edu/fjjma.

Saturday, daily, ongoing

OKG7 things to do
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Two saxophonists and one drummer combine to make Moon Hooch, an out-of-this-world brew of indie jazz and math rock. The instrumental trio joins local band Montu to open for Lotus at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S. Eastern. Tickets are $15-$19. Call 677-9169 or visit diamondballroom.net.

Thursday

Hey! Read This:
• Lotus interview
• Montu's Bloom album review 

OKG7 things to do
Gazette staff

Through a partnership with Peach Crest Farm, OKC Beautiful is gifting pear and green apple trees to local elementary schools. The problem? Volunteers are needed to help plant them, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. C’mon — a little shoveling would do you good! Call 525-8822.

Thursday-Saturday

CFN
Gazette staff
The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne is no stranger to weird and wondrous endeavors, but his latest project is particularly notable for just how heartfelt it is. And speaking of hearts, if you’ve ever yearned to feast on an anatomically correct human heart made of chocolate, you’re in luck.

CFN
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People have been getting hitched for centuries. You know the drill: The bride and groom recite vows, sign a contract and voilà! But that’s just not enough for state Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, whose Senate Bill 105 seeks to make “covenant marriage” a legally recognized option.

CFN
Gazette staff

CFN
Gazette staff
The U.S. Senate is often considered a collegial governing body, but every so often, a wayward thumb gets stuck in the eye of fraternity. The latest thumbstick came Jan. 29, when senators overwhelmingly confirmed one of their own, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., for the post of Secretary of State.

CFN
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Edmond grocery shoppers, beware: A high-quality meat bandit is on the loose.

CFN
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Okie country music superstar Blake Shelton upset some of his industry peers recently — and this time, it wasn’t because they’re jealous he gets to do naughty things with Miranda Lambert.

CFN
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Okies love dogs. (We guess we kind of like cats, too.) But now it’s official. A veterinary medicine group said so.

OKG7 things to do
Gazette staff
Relive 100 Years of Broadway in, oh, a couple of hours in an all-star musical revue kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday — the first of eight performances scheduled through Feb. 17 at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker. Tickets are $15- $55. Call 297-2264 or visit okcciviccenter.com.

Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 13, ongoing

OKG7 things to do
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Keep the girls covered, ladies, because while the Norman Mardi Gras Parade indeed has beads, this one’s family-friendly and focused on creativity, not debauchery. The 19th annual event kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday in downtown Norman, with music from The Zydeco All Stars and more. Related events are planned at nearby businesses. Admission is free. Visit normanmardigrasparade.com.

Saturday

OKG7 things to do
Gazette staff
An Affair of the Heart, one of the largest craft exhibitions in the U.S., will set up for its 28th annual show Friday through Sunday at State Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing. The craft show features more than 1,000 booths showcasing homemade arts and crafts. The exhibition runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7. Call 800-755-5488 or visit aaoth.com.

Friday-Sunday