Autumn vibes
Autumn vibes are in full swing across Oklahoma City! As the temperatures drop and the leaves turn, the districts of OKC come alive with food, art, music and family-friendly fun at every corner. From colorful parades and late-night markets to pink-powered shopping sprees, theatre performances, comic-book adventures and international cultural celebrations, there’s truly something for…
Oklahoma noir
Crooks Signing Event With Lou Berney 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 Best of Books1313 E. Danforth Road, Edmond405-340-9202 bestofbooksok.comFree Lou Berney is warmly funny and engaging, providing the thoughtful responses you’d expect from a seasoned author of seven novels, including Dark Ride, November Road and The Long and Faraway Gone. From his polite comportment, you’d…
Ends meet
Panda Bear with Deakin 8 p.m. Saturday Oct. 4 Beer City Music Hall 1141 NW Second Stbeercitymusichall.com $39.12 Way back before the turn of the century in 1999, Release Magazine called Panda Bear’s self-titled debut “soft, fragile and remarkably sentimental” and compared it to “a rugged diamond waiting to be cut.” Released in February, Sinister…
Bumper crop
Shopping at your local farmers market or food hub is one of the best ways to access fresh, seasonal, locally grown produce picked at the peak of the growing season. These markets are also centers of community, where shopping feels like a pleasure rather than a chore. Shoppers have the chance to meet farmers and…
India Food & Art Festival 2025
Note: This event has been rescheduled to October 26th. The India Food & Art Festival, hosted by the India Association of Oklahoma, is one of the state’s largest cultural celebrations, attracting more than 16,000 attendees annually. This year’s festival features a vibrant mix of authentic Indian cuisine, traditional and contemporary art, live music, dance performances…
Asian Night Market Festival
Learn about and celebrate the diverse people of Asia at the seventh annual Asian Night Market Festival. See live music and dance performances, sample food and appreciate the fashion of many different cultures at this two-night event projected to draw more than 25,000 attendees of all ages. Visit asiandistrictok.com/anmf.
Party! on
Party! Through Sept. 29 Factory Obscura25 NW Ninth St.factoryobscura.com Free-$12 Summer’s ending, but it’s not too late to join the party. The immersive art installation Party! remains open through Sept. 29 at Factory Obscura, 25 NW Ninth St. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for kids 4 to 17 and free for kids 3 or…
Book it
On Sept. 27, the Central Oklahoma Independent Bookstore Fall Crawl will challenge book lovers to visit as many local shops as possible in the most adorably nerdy variation on a pub crawl we’ve seen. Follow @centralokbookstorecrawl on Instagram for more information. We’ve compiled a handy guide to get you started, in case you’re the kind…
Weeding out ‘woke’
Oklahoma can use all of the teachers it can get, but Superintendent Ryan Walters aims to increase pressure on individuals potentially coming from New York and California by introducing an “America First” test. Walters said it will weed out “woke” teachers, but in a state that gives out thousands of emergency certifications to seemingly anyone…
Plug it
This summer, the Trump administration ruled that states no longer have to measure methane leaks before and after plugging up unused oil wells. But the absence of checking for a leak doesn’t mean there isn’t one. In fact, it’s a big problem in Oklahoma, which has more than 20,000 “abandoned wells.” Thankfully, the state is…
Internet blocked
The Stitt administration is so dedicated to reducing federal government spending that it is returning $225 million that was given to the state to expand broadband internet access. However, officials who have been working on broadband expansion for years say it will simply mean that money earmarked for Oklahomans will be diverted to other states. …
Suite revival
Undoubtedly, Oklahoma City’s most iconic building, The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City has an equally iconic history. William Balser “Bill” Skirvin commissioned prolific Oklahoma City architect Solomon Andrew Layton to design the hotel, which opened to much fanfare in 1911. One of the largest hotels in the Midwest, the landmark’s Art Deco façade and English Gothic…
Kim Garrett-Funk
Kim Garrett-Funk is the chief visionary officer and founder of Palomar, an Oklahoma City-based organization that provides support and resources for victims of domestic violence. This year, Palomar broke ground on a new family justice center. Oklahoma Gazette: How did you get involved in this work? Kim Funk: I started when I was 19 in…
Chronic absence
Well before he canceled and skipped meetings with the state’s top school board in recent weeks, state Superintendent Ryan Walters has been chronically absent from multiple state boards where he holds a seat, including one he’s supposed to lead. Public meeting records show poor attendance from Walters, particularly this year, on various governing boards whose…
Tiny treasure
Later Bye 301 NW 13th St., Suite 101laterbyeokc.com 405-768-3208What works: Everything.What needs work: It’s not their fault everyone loves them and it’s always packed.Tip: The earlier you arrive, the better. You can also call ahead up to 30 minutes before arrival to put your name on the list. Later Bye has every right to be…
Food security
What are you having for dinner tonight? In Oklahoma City’s thriving restaurant scene, the hardest part of answering that question can be picking where to go. But for nearly 1 in 5 Oklahomans, planning their next meal can be a stressful endeavor. Oklahoma is one of the hungriest states in the country, with 18.4 percent…
Sculpture booted
The city’s progressive wing gave the boot to a proposed sculpture. A planned sculpture titled “Kicks 66” by local artist Cameron Eagle was set to be placed along a stretch of Classen Boulevard in the middle of the city’s Asian District. The 35-foot-tall neon red boot was meant to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route…
Mixed emotions
I Think I Feel a Little Different (Part 1 & 2) release show 7 p.m. Friday Sept. 26 Mt. Reidymessage @sdotreidy on Instagramsreidy.bandcamp.comFREE When S. Reidy recorded 2024’s I Think I Feel a Little Different, the Norman hip-hop artist was in an emotional state he didn’t necessarily want to return to. On Sept. 19, he’s…
Plaza District Festival
Celebrating its 26th year, the annual Plaza District Festival will include the Plaza Walls Mural Expo, children’s activities, artist vendors, and food and beverage trucks, but one of the main draws as far as we’re concerned is the live music. See performances by Magenta Burn, RAABERS, the Sweet Talkers and several other acts from Academy…
