Tonight in the Plaza District!

ARTGALA: Fundraiser

LivingWellProject: Safe water wells in Pucallpa, Peru

Monday, November 30, 6:00-9:30 PM

Convergence Connection 1755 NW 16^th Oklahoma City, OK 73106

FEATURING:

*Silent Art Auction – Purchase beautiful pottery, photography, paintings or music for your home or a Christmas gift that will also give clean water in Peru.

*Music- Sons of Thunder, a local rap/hip-hop band featuring Vince Carter, ex OU/NFL will be performing their funky blend of rock, rap and gospel.  Talented contemporary folk singer Adelina Longoria will also be performing. Adelina’s new album “Finding My Purpose” features songs written for exclusively for LivingWellProject: and the cause of clean water and will be available for purchase.

*Interactive Global Gallery- Children will be able to experiment with the arts, music and international food as they learn about hunger, poverty, disease and the difference clean water can make in the lives of the world’s children. This will be fun for the whole family, with great lessons about culture and giving.

*PLUS Amazing food from Peruvian restaurant El Pollon & Café Beverages from Althea’s Vault Café & Bakery, including coffee, tea and hot chocolate!

There is a world-wide health crisis that stems from lack of access to safe water. Water-borne diseases are responsible for the deaths of 5,000 children under the age of 5 every day. This is preventable and you CAN do something. We believe that the gift of clean water brings help, healing, and most of all hope to those who have nothing. We would like to invite you to join us on Monday, November 30 at 6 p.m. in the Oklahoma City Plaza District as we celebrate art, music, Peruvian food and culture, all for the sake of clean water. All proceeds from the event will go to building safe water well in Pucallpa, Peru (near the headwaters of the Amazon River).

The LivingWellProject: was founded by students at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. We are passionate about bringing clean water, medicine and hope to the nations, as well as serving the poor, sick and needy in our own communities.  Peace, love and water.

Help the LivingWellProject:

Give the gift of clean water this Christmas.

For more information please contact the LivingWellProject:

at livingwellproject@gmail.com or find us on Facebook.

Shop Local, Black Friday.

We just have to admit it…it’s that time. Holiday shopping is in full swing! To kick off the holiday shopping season, the Plaza District is asking you to Shop Local, Black Friday.

Imagine this. You wake up at 5 am, role into some grungy clothes, tip toe out of your house into the freezing cold. Your car is frosted, so you wait and scrape, then off you head into the dark, dark morning to….Sears. You see, you just HAVE to get the amazing deal on a power drill, an off brand DVD player and fancy alarm clock/ipod dock. Important stuff. You finally find a parking space, far away from the store and head into the madness. So, after you’ve ran over small children, and someone “accidentally” elbowed you, you hunt down your items. You can’t find the fancy alarm clock, so you ask a saleskid where it might be. He goes to check the computer system, which is frozen, so he points you to an area of the store, which turns out was the completely wrong place. You’re tired of the madness, so you wait in a long, long line…purchase your amazing gifts and head back in the dark morning to your car far away in the parking lot, and head to your home..in the dark.

Or imagine this. You wake up a 9 am, full of energy and excitement! The sun is shining! It’s cold, but you bundle up in your favorite scarf and coat, and get in your car ready to go. You drive through historic neighborhoods of Oklahoma City, admiring the trees and the last of fall colors. Then, you turn down 16th street where you are greeted by a little quirky district full of character and funky businesses. First, you head into Collected Thread, greeted by the smell of apple cider and Lindsay Zodrow knitting at her counter. The store is full of handmade, local gifts. You find a scarf for your daughter, some handmade soap for your aunt, and the cutest little baby shoes for your sisters new baby. You check out with Lindsay, and take your cider and cookies over to DNA Galleries. You’re greeted by the smell of hot cocoa, Amanda and her precious pup KoKo. In DNA, you find your nephew an Oklahoma Tshirt, your neice some handmade bracelets…and though you never planned on buying a work of art for your best friend, you notice a painting you know she would love. After check out at DNA, you walk down the street to Shop Good, one of the Plaza’s newest businesses. Inside, you find handmade goods, handprinted tees, accessories perfect for your friends and family. Plus, you discover that a portion of ALL merchandise sold goes to a local or global cause. You’re not only shopping locally, but buying is giving too, so you’re truly shopping GOOD! Next door, at Bad Granny’s Bazaar, greeted by a store full of curious and funky finds. You find some small funky furniture for your friend’s new apartment, and a vintage hat for your cousin. You spot a few things you’ll for sure be coming back for yourself! Then you head down to JuJu Gallery, greeted by Stephanie in her cute studio and gallery. You purchase some art pieces, and affordable art magnets as stocking stuffers. You’re brother in law has been waiting to get a new tattoo, so you pop into No Regrets Tattoo for a gift certificate! Lastly, you head over to Velvet Monkey Salon’s vintage boutique and find a vintage fur coat for your upcoming holiday party. Then, after completing a good deal of your holiday shopping, you head home for a lazy afternoon with your family and leftovers!

Now doesn’t that sound better? Join us on Friday, November 27th from 10am-7pm to Shop Local on Black Friday! 1700 Block NW 16th

Plaza and MAPS 3

If you aren’t familiar with the MAPS 3 proposal to be voted on December 8th, please visit www.okc.gov/maps3/, or www.yesformaps.com to learn more.

As director of the Plaza District Association, I really wanted to shine some light on the possibilities this proposal could bring to our district. Aside from the many benefits these projects will add to the entire city, there are a few that have the potential to become incredibly beneficial to the Plaza District.

Convention Center-We need a convention center. The opportunity to have large amounts of visitors spending money (downtown, hotels, food) in our city (and then leaving) is one of the greatest aspects of this proposal. When people travel, even on conventions and conferences, they will shop. What does one do before traveling? Well, they get online and search for things to do. I know, that by the time our new convention center is built, when a traveler googles “things to do in oklahoma city” the Plaza District will come up as one of the places to be. They’ll want to come to DNA Galleries to get a Oklahoma tshirt, or handmade scarf from Collected Thread. They’ll notice there’s a unique performance happening at Lyric Theatre while they are in town. That’s why the Plaza needs the convention center. Our district holds the local, unique flavor that visitors long for.

Transit-While it will be our job to get their attention, they’ll need to be able to get here easily. We’re lucky to have the buses stopping in our district, but the public using the buses are not the public using many of our businesses. While the first phase of public transit will be met with MAPS 3, it will likely not extend this far into 16th. It is important that the groundwork for public transit is laid, and that it is laid now. My hope is this will open doors in public transit to the plaza for the future.

All in all, the increased tourism generated from these projects will not only benefit the Plaza District, but the city as a whole. Many of the other projects will play an integral role in the further development of our district. While not a direct impact for the plaza, the focus on health initiatives associated with the trails, senior centers are so valuable for a state ranked so high in obesity. The cultural opportunities the park and river projects will provide are exciting-venues, public art and gatherings that will enhance the arts in our state.

I posted this blog for, and encourage discussion. Feel free to comment your ideas and views. Also, we will be hosting a MAPS 3 Forum on Monday, November 23rd with Mayor Cornett at 5:30 PM. PhotoArt Studios 1738 NW 16th. Please come to learn more. Feel free to email me at kristen@plazadistrict.org for more info.

LIVE it up, Short n’ sweet

So much to do in this action-packed LIVE on the Plaza, so I thought I’d make a short and sweet listing to guide you through the night!

Bad Granny’s Bazaar-vintage, retro, antiques and funky finds. LIVE music by Sleeper

PhotoArt Studios-Deadcenter Film Screenings. llan Houser and the Legacy of One Apache Family, by Bryan Beasley and Steeped by Peter Hermes 8 pm

Shop Good- Grand Opening. Apparel, accessories and more all benefiting a local or global cause. Live music by Gum

Coffy’s Cafe-open mic. Gluten-free and vegetarian meals, coffee and tea

JuJu Gallery- Grand Opening. Art by Cryptolicious Creations, Spiritual Sparkles, Felix Matos. Hosting book author Dennis McDonald. Raffle for gift basket

Chaparney-Art Opening with works by Don Narcomey and guest artists Ron Ferrell, Larry Pickering and Joe Slack.

No Regrets Tattoo- $40 Oklahoma themed tattoos. First come first serve

Parts & Labor- Open house

1708-private party

Paula & Co.-Thanksgiving dinner and open house. Kareoke after 9 pm

DNA Galleries-Featured artist Michelle Heimes McRay. Oklahoma inspired merchandise

Collected Thread-open house. Oklahoma inspired merchandise

Velvet Monkey-Live music by Asleep, Audience, Dream! 7 pm