LIVE on the Plaza Nov 13th. Happy Birthday Oklahoma!

UPCOMING LIVE- November 13th
LIVE on the Plaza Second Fridays
November 13th, 7-11 PM
NW 16th between Indiana & Blackwelder

Happy Birthday to..Oklahoma! The Plaza District celebrates the birthday of our great state!

Kick things off by visiting the grand opening of one of the newest businesses, Shop Good. Although Shop Good has had temporary roots outdoors this summer, it debuts it’s permanent retail space within The Convergence Collective. Shop Good boasts socially-conscious, hand-printed, earth-friendly, wearable art. A portion of all proceeds are donated to local or global cause. Check their fabulous space out while jamming to LIVE music by Gum!

Then head to the district’s newest gallery,JuJu Gallery at 1612 NW 16th. JuJu will feature the creative works by Cyrpt-o-licious Creations, Sp

iritual Sparkles and Felix Matos. Celebrate this last Friday the 13th, by visiting with Oklahoma horror author Dennis McDonald who will be promoting his newest collection of short stories, “13 Nightmares”. Be sure to enter for a chance to win a JuJu Gift Basket!

Oklahoma is in America, and deadCENTER Films will be featuring “Give thanks … for America!” at PhotoArt Studios at 8:30 PM. This collection is as diverse as the US itself. From a doc about a celebrated Native American artist or the oldest man to run for Congress to a quiet narrative about love through a window, these shorts capture the various sparks of inspiration and determination that are uniquely American.

Featuring OK Films: Unconquered: Allan Houser and the Legacy of One Apache Family, by Bryan Beasley…and Steeped by Peter Hermes (filmed in Portland)

Oklahoma Ts at DNA Galleries

Also giving thanks, will be Paula & Company Realtors who will host a Thanksgiving dinner open to all!For more Oklahoma goodies, be sure to visit DNA Galleries and Collected Thread who will all be featuring local Oklahoma designers and art. DNA Galleries will also feature Oklahoma artist Michelle Heimes McRay. Then hop over to Velvet Monkey Salon featuring live music by Oklahoma band Captain C-Note at 7 PM.

Last but not least, be sure to check out open houses at 1708, Charparney and open mic at Coffy’s Cafe. Bad Granny’s Bazaar will also be open with funky, warm and fuzzy finds for this

Support Local Art Ts at DNA Galleries

winter with live music by Sleeper, plus a chance to take your photo with Ceasar the 255 lb Friendly Monster Dog! All proceeds benefit the Central Oklahoma Humane Society!

THIS week in the Plaza

It’s a great week in the Plaza District, check it out!

at Lyric at the Plaza!…..

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. From Oct 22nd – Nov 1st click for ticket info!

October 22 – November 1, 2009
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays: 7:30pm
Fridays & Saturdays: 8:00pm
Saturday Matinee: 2:00pm  Sunday Matinee: 3:00pm

It’s Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award winning classic musical thriller, with all its gothic gore, lush songs, and romantic melodrama. Along with the sinister Mrs. Lovett and her special recipe for meat pies, Sweeney Todd and his barber’s blades bring betrayal, revenge, madness, and bloody murder to the city of London. Sondheim’s complex and haunting score is the perfect companion to the Halloween season, bringing to life one of musical theatre’s darkest heroes.

Starring Tony Award nominee Emily Skinner as Mrs. Lovett!

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Then, on Friday October 23rd, help us celebrate DNA Galleries One Year Anniversary!

longboard deck show – friday october 23rd 7-11pm

It’s been a year and DNA is still here! This in itself is cause to celebrate, but they decided to go all out and make it a part of their longboard deck show that’s been in the works for the past 8 months. They  have given decks to a variety of local artists to customize. In case you aren’t familiar with longboards, these aren’t regular skateboard decks they measure roughly 3′ in length and ride a lot like a surfboard would on cement. They will have DNA shirts, freebies, beer and wine available for this one night reception! Find us on the map here.

Customized decks by local artists:
Cassie Stover, Ashley Smith, Josh Reynolds, Shawn Vali, Sara Atlee, Josh Heilaman, Bombs Away, Brandi Downham, Kris Kanaly, Fernando Cassias, Jason Pawley, Matty Lynch, Shawn Winfield, Tanner Frady, Stephanie Evans, Michael Combs, Dusty Gilpin, Eric Lyons, Brooke Rowland, Dylan and Amanda Bradway

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Plaza District in

Ghouls Gone Wild Parade-Sat Oct 24th, 7-9 PM

We’ll have an entry in the parade, plus an after party at 611 Creative (611 N Broadway Ave)

Check out this for all the parade info!

LIVE on the Plaza-October 9th

Thank you so much if you attended the Plaza District Festival, we had a great time! There is still more Plaza District fun ahead with our second Friday artwalk, LIVE on the Plaza this Friday!

We are pleased to introduce our newest art and retail space, parts&labor, which will host their grand opening during LIVE! The opening reception will feature 2 local artists: Debbie Curtis, who paints unique vintage barbie art on canvas and wallpaper. She tries to temper wild abandon with light control, and lets the viewer’s eye fill in the details. Her goal is simple – to capture your curiosity, bring you closer, and reward you for taking the time to look. The second artist is Wade Crow, who uses images from personal experience to try and convey how he felt during that experience using color and movement to make the audience experience visually what he did physically. Style-wise it’s graffiti pop.  The artwork will be available for purchase. Parts&labor’s goal is to encourage local patronage, local artists and a locals only feel (though outsiders are warmly welcomed).

DNA Galleries will host Caleb Jacks from Texas. His illustrations are humorous, intricate and lighthearted, seeking truth out of our everyday lives. be sure to stop by! Collected Thread will have plenty of handmade accessories to keep you warm this winter, and then head over to Velvet Monkey Salon who is proud to have local rock band, Psymblence preform from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  as well as Tribella (amazing all girl  band from Austin, TX) preform from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. This is a show you will not want to miss.  Don’t forget to look on the Velvet Monkey walls for featured artists Ali, (bird lady) and Sky Blackwell!

No Regrets Tattoo will also host LIVE musicby Coyote Teeth, and Coffy’s Cafe will have an open mic night. Another exciting new retail space is SHOP GOOD, located inside Convergence Collective. Every purchase goes to a local or global good cause, so buying is giving! Be sure to stop by and check out their handmade items, clothing and accessories!

deadCENTER Films will be showing at PhotoArt Studios at 8:30 PM, featuring Horror Shorts-The most popular shorts program gets a repeat in the spookiest month of all!  Sometimes terrifying, sometimes ridiculous, these shorts are ALWAYS a good time.  TRT 71min.Featuring OK Films:Unmasked by Nick Denman

This will be the last month for outdoor artist booths, so come check them out while the weather isn’t too cold! Other open businesses include 1708, Paula & Company and Bad Granny’s Bazaar.

parts&labor opening!

Our newest gallery and retail space is opening this Friday during LIVE on the Plaza!

The grand opening of parts&labor, an art gallery and retail space, is scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2009 from 6-9 p.m at 1710 NW 16th St in the Plaza District.  The opening reception will feature 2 local artists: Debbie Curtis, who paints unique vintage barbie art on canvas and wallpaper. She tries to temper wild abandon with light control, and lets the viewer’s eye fill in the details. Her goal is simple – to capture your curiosity, bring you closer, and reward you for taking the time to look. The second artist is Wade Crow, who uses images from personal experience to try and convey how he felt during that experience using color and movement to make the audience experience visually what he did physically. Style-wise it’s graffiti pop.  The artwork will be available for purchase.  Admission is free.  The gallery is accessible for handicapped persons, and on-street free parking is available.  Gallery hours are by appointment now, until the retail space is launched.

Parts&labor’s goal is to encourage local patronage, local artists and a locals only feel (though outsiders are warmly welcomed).

Please email partsandlaborokc@gmail.com or call 405-517-1246 for more information.

PSA Release

For you lovely radio stations out there, we could sure use the help!

PSA Press Release:

What: 2009 Plaza District Festival

When: Saturday, October 3^rd, 2009 3-11 PM

Where: Plaza District, 1700 block of NW 16th

PSA: As the hot summer approaches its end, things are just beginning to heat up in the Plaza District. Fall means it’s time for The 2009 Plaza District Festival on October 3rd, from 3-11 PM. If you’re looking for art, entertainment, food and fun you’re in luck because the festival will have it all! The entertainment and fun continues on with performances, live music, visual artist booths, food, and children’s activities—including Sugar Free Allstars at 6 PM. The evening “Plaza Music Festival” will gear up for 7 PM. Local singers and songwriters will perform throughout the evening, including the Hundred Somethings, Pretty Black Chains, Junebug Spade and New York Summer. Be sure to come check out some of OKC’s local talent! The Plaza District is located of NW 16th between Classen and Penn Avenues, for more information visit www.plazadistrict.org

More info: www.plazadistrict.org, Kristen@plazadistrict.org, 405-308-5991

Plaza Celebrity Bartender @Rococos w/ Estrella Evans!

On Tuesday, September 29th from 7-9 PM Rococos will be helping out the Plaza District Festival with a Celebrity Bartender Event featuring our celeb Estrella Evans! There will be a live auction and 10 percent of bar sales will go towards the Plaza District Festival!

Estrella is the owner of Velvet Monkey Salons, a true star  in the art and business community and was a recent start on the Style Network’s “Split Ends”. Come join Estrella, the Plaza District for a fantastic evening of great drinks and food at Rococo Restaurant and Wine Bar.

The auction will feature a Hugh Meade original work of art–a black lacquered guitar, similar to the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame chairs, to be displayed as wall art! Other items include an original painting by Kristen Vails (yours truly!), OU Football tickets, Velvet Monkey Salon gift certificates, Plaza District business merchandise, facial packages from Timeless Beauty Solutions, and gifts from Teavana!

Please join us for a great night in supporting the Plaza District! 9/29/09 7-9 PM at Rococo!

Volunteer today!

We need you!

2009 Plaza District Festival

Sat. Oct 3rd

Volunteering for the festival will be a fun way to help out the Plaza District, plus you can hang out for all the fun before or after your shift!

Visit
www.plazadistrictfestival.com
for more info

or click here to sign up right away!

LIVE on the Plaza: September

LIVE on the Plaza Second Fridays

September 11th, 7-11 PM

NW 16th between Indiana & Blackwelder

Plaza District starts to keep it cool with a perfect evening to welcome the changing season!

Collected Thread celebrates their one year anniversary with live music by BRINE WEBB at 8 PM and THE PRETTY BLACK CHAINS at 9 PM, limited edition merchandise, a raffle for Samantha Lamb artwork plus much more!

Then head next door to Velvet Monkey Salon to check out the awesome new space, featured artist BEN POTTER and funky style from the vintage shop.

Down at PhotoArt Studios check out September deadCENTER Film Sustainable September. These shorts focus on your mother – EARTH! How to treat her better, live longer, support your farmers, and get that good clean feeling from doing the right thing with our food and our planet.  7-8:30 PM

Featuring OK Films:

-Chase the Can from the Dept. of Environmental Quality

-Food for Thought by Stefanie Gowdy

Don’t forget to head over down to Convergence Collective, to check out Shop Good. Come shop where you know EVERY purchase will benefit a local or global cause impacting communities for good. There will be a wide variety of items for sale and just as wide a variety of beneficiaries, so you’ll get to change the world in a lot of ways just by visiting one store! Women Are Not Weapons, The Spero Project, International Refugees in OKC, and many other groups will be present, and selling items for you to SHOP GOOD!

Other outdoor art booths will be on display and also stop by Bad Grannies Bazaar for “Dorm Life Style” for those college kids, plus live music.  Then head on to Paula & Company Realtors for late night kareoke. 1708 willhost an open house, coffee and great conversation.

We are inviting YOU to come out and support the entire Plaza District! Join us for LIVE on the Plaza on Friday, September 11th from 7-11 PM!

For more info about LIVE on the Plaza Second Fridays call 405-308-5991. The Plaza District is located on NW 16th between Indiana and Blackwelder Avenues, on street parking and lot parking will be available in the district, while neighborhood parking is available on the north side of the district.

Plaza Music Fest will rock your socks off!

Here’s a quick look at the bands that will be rockin’ the stage at the Plaza Music Fest. 

Pretty Black Chains describes themselves as garage indie rock .  Their catchy tunes will have you singin’  and hummin’ right along.  These rising stars of the Oklahoma rock scene are quickly gaining notoriety as a hellacious live band. Check out some of their tunes here: http://www.myspace.com/theprettyblackchains

There are many words to define Junebug Spade’s sound, psychedelic,indie,pop rock, but this group of creative musicians are more known for their off-beat sensibilities than their conventional indie aesthetic.  Junebug Spade has been making their mark on the Oklahoma City music scene for awhile and have become known for their enthusiastic & quirky style.  Listen to some of Junebug Spade’s tracks here: http://www.myspace.com/junebugspade1

The members of New York Summer have seen their fair share of success in the music business.  They have plans to tour nationally and have been talking to labels who want to introduce them to a wider audience.  If you like Lifehouse,  Vertical Horizon, and Snow Patrol, you’ll love New York Summer!
Take a sec and give’em a listen: http://www.myspace.com/newyorksummer

OK Gazette’s Best of OKC winners

Congratulations to our winners!  It is quite an honor to have so many great businesses in this emerging district.

• Velvet Monkey Salon won Best Hair Salon
• Lyric Theatre won Best Dance or Theater Company
• Cafe Evoke won Best New Service Business

& congrats to Bruce Rinehart at Rococo for being named Best Chef!

We are so excited to not only have 3 best of winners, but we had 10 nominations in Top 5.

Thanks for getting the word out and showing  your support Plaza Peeps!