LOVE on the Plaza!

Quick Peek for LOVE on the Plaza

PhotoArt Studios- 8:30, deadCENTER Film Screening “Sita Sings the Blues”

Velvet Monkey Salon- Josh Heilaman, Sweetheart Service Specials

Collected Thread- Kissing Booth with artist Samantha Lamb, Valentines specials

DNA Galleries- Artist Alex Despain, fresh flowers and Momentum OKC promotion

Lyric Theatre- Snapshots

Coffy’s Café- Open mic

Shop Good- Live music by the Grown-Ups, artwork by Kyle

Bad Granny’s- open house, live music by Sleeper

JuJu Gallery- Voodoo Valentines and Parlor Games

No Regrets Tattoo- $40 Love Tattoo Special

Warpaint Clothing- Grand Opening

1708-Private Party

Paula & Co Realtors-Lover’s Ball

The Plaza District’s monthly second Friday LIVE on the Plaza is coming up, but move over LIVE, because LOVE on the Plaza strikes 16th Street on February 12th! Bring your valentine, grab a date or gather your pals to indulge in the artwalk with a romantic twist! It will be an all out cheesy romantic night filled with photo booths, a Plaza Prom, a kissing booth and much heart-felt fun!

Start out a Velvet Monkey Salon, where artwork by Josh Heilaman will be featured. Be sure to check out the Velvet Monkey Sweetheart Salon specials as well! Next door, head to Collected Thread and grab a peck at the Plaza Kissing Booth! Collected Thread boasts a Valentine’s Special, plus fantastic jewelry and accessories for that special lady. Then on to DNA Galleries for featured artist Alex Despain, jewelry by Moi, local art and accessories, plus fresh flowers to woo your special someone. DNA Galleries will also be hosting a guest, the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition promoting Momentum, OKC’s art exhibition for artist’s 30 and younger coming up on March 5-6th!

At Lyric on the Plaza, you could be one of the first in the country to see Snapshots, a brand new musical with a brand new concept from celebrated composer & lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Along with book writer David Stern, Mr. Schwartz has woven together treasured songs from his musicals past to tell the enchanting story of a couple who have fallen out of love. But when they come across photographs that stir up joyous memories of the past, their many years together come alive in front of them. You’ll recognize favorites from Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Children of Eden, and Rags among many more musical gems, all with Schwartz’s own revised lyrics that beautifully tell this heartwarming, romantic story.

A 8:30 pm, deadCENTER is proud to present the remarkable animated musical “Sita Sings the Blues” as part of their “No Love” edition of ShortSUITES Live on the Plaza, at PhotoArt Studio, 1738 NW 16th St. Billed as “The Greatest Breakup Story Ever Told,” “Sita” ties together the story of two women. Sita, a goddess separated from her beloved Lord and husband Rama, and Nina, an animator whose husband moves to India, then dumps her by email. Three hilarious shadow puppets narrate both ancient tragedy and modern comedy in this beautifully animated interpretation of the Indian epic Ramayana. Set to the 1920’s jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw, “Sita Sings the Blues” is a beautiful and strikingly original film that is both heartbreaking and hilarious.

Over at Coffy’s Cafe, enjoy local talent at open mic night, then head on Shop Good for live music by the Grown-Ups and featured artwork. Of course, hit up Bad Granny’s Bazaar for that funky find, and then proclaim your love forever at No Regrets Tattoo with a $40 Love Tattoo Special!Be sure to stop by Chaparney for an open house, then down Gatewood to JuJu Gallery to “Charm your Valentine with Voodoo Valentines and Parlor Games.

Celebrate the Grand Opening of Warpaint Clothing Company, Plaza District’s newest retail business boasting Native American style fashion, screen printed tees and more. There will be plenty of celebratory events at the opening, so stop by and see what Warpaint has to offer!

To top the night off, bust out the 80s prom dress for Paula & Co’s “Lover’s Ball” a Plaza-style prom complete with balloon arch for awkward prom photos to remember LOVE on the Plaza forever! There will be punch, music, dancing, and sappy love song karaoke! So all the single ladies and gents, couples and even those who hate Valentines Day, join us at LOVE on the Plaza to celebrate however you wish!

A Peek into Plaza District Past

These are my most favorite emails to receive. If you, your parents, or your grandparents have stories of the yesteryear Plaza District days, please email them to me (kristen@plazadistrict.org). We are looking to compile all sorts of stories to hopefully gain more perspective on the history of our district. Perhaps we can compile into a written history someday! This is from a gentleman who grew up in the area as a child:

“It is great to see this area revived.  We lived at 1520 NW 10th in the 1930s, and frequently went to movies at the Plaza theater.  I remember a bakery, shoe shop, maybe a Western Auto store (first ball glove purchased there), & other businesses on 16th.  Mckinley Park was a favorite hangout, as well.  There was a railroad track running along near Blackwelder.  You could follow it from 10th to 16th.  I attended Whittier Grade School at 10th & Kentucky from kindergarten thru 4th grade.  Sometimes I would venture as far as 16th and Indiana on the west and over to the Victoria theater on the east.  We had a lot of fun in that area as kids – nice memories even though a depression was going on.”

OKC’s Great Places to Walk!

Hi Friends,

I am a member of Leadership OKC’s “LOYAL” (Linking Oklahoma’s Young Adult Leaders) and am working on a group project to expand Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s “Great Places to Walk” Program. We are looking for more http://www.occf.org/greatplacestowalk.html, and I could use your help in identifying a great place to walk near you. I have included the information below, and feel free to forward on to anyone who might be interested as well.

Thanks so much for your time!- Kristen Vails

Great Places to Walk
Walking is a simple first step toward a healthy lifestyle. To encourage citizens to become more active, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation has compiled a list of 17 Great Places To Walk in the metropolitan area. Currently, OCCF is taking nominations for new “Great Places to Walk” across the metro area. Do you know of a great place to walk? Great places to walk can be in a variety of locations-neighborhoods, parks, commercial areas, schools, indoor spaces–be creative! There are many great places throughout this city, and we are looking for your help to find them! Please check to see if your great place is currently listed at Great Places to Walk, and fill out the nomination form to see your site listed! For more information, please contact Kristen Vails at GreatWalksOKC@gmail.com or call 405-308-5991

LIVE on the Plaza 2010!

UPCOMING LIVE- THIS Friday January 8th 7-11 PM
NW 16th between Indiana & Blackwelder

Velvet Monkey- Artist Yui Takazawa
Collected Thread- Open House
DNA Galleries- Artist Nc Shelton
Lyric Theatre- 7-8 PM Oklahoma Today: Main Street Issue Launch Party, Lyric Theatre tours
Coffy’s Cafe- Open mic
Shop Good- Open house
Curious & Curiouser- Open house
Bad Granny’s Bazaar- Open house, live music by Sleeper 8 pm
JuJu Gallery- Open house
Studio FJ- Open house
Chaparney- Open house
No Regrets Tattoo- Open house
Parts & Labor- Open house
1708-Open house, coffee and conversation
Paula & Co Realtors- 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff

Happy  New Year in the Plaza District! The Plaza District kicks off a new year of art, creativity and fun with January Second Friday!

Start off by visiting Velvet Monkey Salon for the art opening of Oklahoma artist Yui Takazawa. From 7-10, the salon will be open to view the artwork, as well as shop the vintage boutique. Then, be sure to head next door to Collected Thread for all your local art, handmade, and accessory needs!

To start off the year DNA Galleries will be featuring Oklahoma City artist Nic Shelton. DNA will be putting out a limited edition artist shirt for Nic during the opening. Bundle up for the cold, or come by and get yourself a new Support Local Art Scarf to keep warm. They’ve also added several new artists to the store since Christmas so there is plenty of new stock and a new selection of urban art books as well.

Also stop in for a special event at Lyric Theatre. The Oklahoma Main Street Center and the Plaza District celebrate the release of the January/February issue of Oklahoma Today headlined as “The Complete Guide to Oklahoma’s 42 Main Street Communities” and indeed it is. The glossy pages of the magazine highlight the 42 Main Street communities in Oklahoma who are restoring and revitalizing their communities from the inside out. Even more, this issue is a testimony to the process and the Main Street movement across the state and the nation. In celebration of this anticipated issue, four launch parties will be held across the state, and the Plaza District will host the central celebration from 7-8 PM at Lyric Theatre. Attendees will be able to view this very special issue, visit with Oklahoma Main Street Staff and other central Main Street communties, as well as tour the historic Lyric Theatre.

As always, be sure to stop by Coffy’s Cafe for open mic night and delicious vegetarian and gluten free foods! Then head over to SHOP Good for more handmade goods in which proceeds help GOOD causes. Next door hit up antiques at Curious and Curiouser, and then the funky finds at Bad Granny’s Bazaar. LIVE music in Granny’s backroom by Sleeper at 8 pm.

If you’re thirsty for a beer, stop by the newly renovated Scorecards bar just behind Bad Granny’s Bazaar! As always be sure to visit JuJu Gallery for local art by Felix Matos, Spiritual Sparkles, Cryptolicious Creations and more! Studio FJ, Chaparney, No Regrets, Parts & Labor will also all be hosting open houses!

Last but certainly not least, visit Paula & Company for their 2nd Annual Chilli Cook-Off! After all your walking around in the cold you will surely need to warm up! Bring your own chili, or stop by to judge the contestants!