Performing Arts
Courtney Silva
On Friday, explore your uninhibited side at the Carnality Ball. Themed “No Taboo,” this year’s installment runs from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Club Raw, 3034 N. Portland.

OKG7 things to do
Gazette staff
Stock up on peanuts and Cracker Jack, because your Oklahoma City RedHawks open their season at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle. The homeroosting RedHawks host the Memphis Redbirds, making this baseball contest one of crimson avian species on both sides of the plate, but we’re rooting for the bird of prey. Tickets are $5-$17. Call 218-1000 or visit okcredhawks.com. 

Thursday

OKG7 things to do
Gazette staff
Root root root for the home teams — Oklahoma State University and University of Oklahoma, that is — as the Big 12 Baseball Championship swings away at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark for a 15-game series. It begins at 9 a.m. today, with the final game at 1 p.m. Sunday, so place your bets! (Er, don’t — that’s illegal, actually.) Weekend passes are $67-$117; allsession passes, $87-$202. Visit big12sports.com.

Wednesday-Sunday

Sports
Greg Horton
In 1984, Danny Hightower was playing ball for a minor-league team in Bradenton, Fla., a part of the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Now the athletic director at his alma mater in Owasso, he was in Major League Baseball about the time the Dominican pipeline began to gush forth with baseball talent.

OKG7 things to do
Gazette staff

Born in Texas, raised in Louisiana, nominated for a Grammy, renowned pianist and vocalist Marcia Ball brings her groove-laden rhythm and blues to Sooner Theatre, 101 E. Main in Norman, for one night only. She’ll perform at 8 p.m. Friday, with songs from her latest album, Roadside Attractions. Tickets are $40- $50. Call 321-9600 or visit soonertheatre.org.

Friday

Features
Rod Lott, Sarah Lobban

 And remember, safety first!