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!

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.

Plaza keeps it Hot!

LIVE on the Plaza Second Fridays
July 10th, 7-11 PM
NW 16th between Indiana & Blackwelder

Plaza District keeps summer hot with LIVE on the Plaza Second Fridays! Featured artists, live music and outdoor artist booths will compliment open businesses in the Plaza District.

Velvet Monkey Salon will be open and featuring artist Tony Westlund. DNA Galleries will host artist Billy Reid, whose work explores human emotion through the use of mixed media materials, exuberant textures and fresh color. Next door, Collected Thread will feature artist Lindsay Hall specializing in paper work, journals, photo albums, stationary, and such. She has made some special stuff for for this second Friday, such as some glass lanterns and message boards. Then make you way to Coffy’s Cafe for open an open mic night!

Next, head over at Convergence Collective, to check out the debut of 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 don’t forget to stop by Bad Grannies Bazaar for vintage and funky finds! Cross the street over to PhotoArt Studios for an open house, and then on to Paula & Company Realtors for live music and beverages and open spaces of No Regrets and 1708. Round the corner over to 1612 Gatewood for an open house for a great space for lease!

We are inviting YOU to come out and support the entire Plaza District! Join us for LIVE on the Plaza this Friday, July 10th 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.

HOTT new stuff in the Plaza!

Just wanting to highlight a couple new things at DNA Galleries and Collected Thread in the Plaza!

First up, Oklahoma Care packages at DNA Galleries. I’m not even homesick and I still want one! It comes with:

1 Home Sweet Homa T
1 Oklahoma Cuddlemonster Plush
1 Framed Oklahoma Landmark photo (your choice)
2 Oklahoma Landmark photo magnets (your choice)

in a nifty little box a $65 value for $50.
Yipee!

Next, handmade Olive Oil Soaps by Saipua at Collected Thread. Someday, when you can upload scents on the internet, I can upload these amazing scents. Unfortunately, until then…you will just have to come to Collected Thread to smell for yourself!

Best of OKC- Vote Plaza District!

OK Gazette’s Best of OKC is ready for your vote!

http://www.okgazette.com/surveys/survey_show_bestof_2009.asp?sid=124

Here are some ideas for your favorite Plaza District businesses and friends!

Best Under the Radar Restaurant: Tienda Gautemala

Best Mexican: Iguana Grill

Best Place to take Out of Towners: Iguana Grill

Best Salon: Velvet Monkey Salons (at the Plaza)

Best Tattoo Studio: No Regrets Tattoo

Best New Service: Cafe Evoke Catering

Best Resale, Vintage, Thrift: Bad Grannies Bazaar

Best Accessories: DNA Galleries or Collected Thread

Best Place to find a gift: DNA Galleries or Collected Thread

Dance/Theatre company: Lyric Theatre

Upscale Restaurant: Rococo

Wine: Rococo

Best Chef: Bruce Rinehart

Non-Profit: Oklahoma Visual Art Coalition

Best Art Gallery: DNA Galleries

Best Festival: Plaza District Festival

Thanks, happy voting!

LIVE on the Plaza, Velvet Monkey Salon Grand Opening!

June 12th, 7-11 PM 1700 block of NW 16th

Plaza District is taking it back in time to the hey day of the district, Rockabilly style! In celebration of the grand opening of Velvet Monkey Salon, LIVE on the Plaza Second Fridays will have plenty of Rockabilly, featured artists, live music, fashion and more! New businesses and building renovations such as Velvet Monkey Salon are bringing the Plaza District back to the buzzing commercial district it was from the 1930s-60′s. Please join us as we celebrate this comeback!

The fun kicks off at 7 PM at Velvet Monkey Salon where plenty of funky style and art is sure to be found. Local groups including Hellkats bike gang, Red Dirt Rebellion Rollergirls, Roadkillers Car Club, Psuedodance burlesque, and DJ ATM will be buzzing about the newly renovated Velvet Monkey Salon! Featured artist Olivia Frisbee from LA will also be exhibiting art. This grand opening celebration is also a pre-party event for the Rockabilly 50′s Fashion show at Bolero Tapas Bar & Spanish Grill beginning at 11 PM.

Next door, visit Collected Thread to see the collage work of Amy Coldren, plus a great assortment of local handmade and vintage items. Next door to Collected, DNA Galleries will host artist Spencer Tracy, as well as handmade art, accessories and clothes!

Cross the street over to Paula & Co, 1708 and No Regrets Tattoo and enter the courtyard for live pyschobilly music by Billy Joe Winghead, outdoor grilling, food and refreshments. Other stops on the west end of the district include open mic at Coffy’s Cafe, featured artists at Convergence Collective, vintage items Bad Grannies Bazaar, outdoor artist booths and an open house at PhotoArt Studios.

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.

Vote for Plaza businesses!

It’s the 2009 Oklahoma Readers Choice Awards for the Oklahoman. There are many opportunties to vote for Plaza District businesses, and so many of our great business are well deserving of these awards! I have included the link below…and list a few categories to nominate our businesses! I apologize if I left off some categories and names, I didn’t realize you couldn’t go back to look after you voted so I will have to look again at the categories and add more tomorrow!

http://www.newsok.com/readerschoice/vote

Specialty foods- health food restuarants- Coffy’s Cafe

Lifestyles-Live Theatre- Lyric Theatre

Shopping A-D- Gallery- DNA Galleries

Shopping A-D- Consigment- Bad Grannies

Shopping A-D- Dance Studio- Everything Goes Dance

Shopping A-D- Salon- Velvet Monkey Salons

Shopping E-M- Made in Oklahoma- Collected Thread

Shopping E-M- Nails- Velvet Monkey

Shopping E-M- Gift Store- DNA Galleries/Collected Thread

and I’m not sure which category it was in, but vote No Regrets Tattoo for Tattoo Studio!

Take Your Momma Out! This Friday!

LIVE on the Plaza Second Fridays present “Take Your Momma Out”, a unique evening to entertain, hang out with, or buy gifts for your dear mom. At 8 PM, Lyric Theatre presents “Steel Magnolias”.’Delicate as magnolias, but tough as steel’ are six Southern women who face sadness and loss by finding support, solace, and most of all laughter in their strong bonds of friendship. Made famous by the film starring Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts, Steel Magnolias celebrates the incredible spirit of strong women. A great opportunity to see a fabulous performance and experience the Lyric Theatre. Tickets can be purchased by calling 405.524.9310

Over at Collected Thread, bring mom to the “Plaid Explosion” where there will be plenty of plaid clothing, headbands, earrings, bags, hair bows, rings, and more, plus first 5 people to bring their mom get a pair of free earrings! Next door at DNA Galleries, be sure to come out and support emerging artist Amanda Dyer. This is sure to be a colorfully creative show filled with inspiring works. Live music will be provided by The Workweek. DNA Galleries will also be launching a fun new line of dresses created by Big Mama Productions, just in time for summer and Mother’s Day!

Join us for the grand opening of 1708, a co-op of creative professionals Cafe Evoke Catering, Josh McCullock Photography and Gibson Events. 1708 opens their space with refreshments, hors d oeuvers and lively conversation! Another new business, Coffy’s Cafe will be open with coffee, gluten free meals and live music, located at 1739 NW 16th.

Other shops and business will feature special mothers day retail promotions, discounts and give-aways! Be sure not to miss the deadCENTER short suite screening at 7:30 at PhotoArt Studios, and the outdoor artist booths! Hope you can join us!

Friday will be Hoppin’!

SO much spring fun going on in the Plaza District at our Second Friday LIVE on the Plaza. Details are all below, but for time’s sake here is a quick list of activities you can expect to enjoy in fabulous spring weather THIS FRIDAY:

Adult/Kid Easter Art Hunt, Featured Artist Josh Heilaman, Lyric’s Woody Sez, deadCENTER Short Suite Screenings, live music, outdoor art booths, open houses, live puppetry, featured designer Birdie, free ballroom dance lessons and much more!

Read below for more details!

Eggs a-LIVE! 7:00 PM
The Plaza District’s LIVE on the Plaza Second Friday Artwalk blooms a packed schedule and fine introduction to spring. Eggs a-LIVE will start at 7 PM, allowing kids and adults yearning to act like kids- a chance to hunt for eggs full of unique Plaza District prizes. Some prizes include: a free kids craft kit, original artwork from DNA Galleries, handmade items from Collected Thread, gift certificates, kids dance lessons, candy, toys and more! Please find the Plaza District info table across from Lyric Theatre to start the hunt!

deadCENTER Short Suite-7:30 PM
Oklahoma City – deadCENTER Film screens short films on the second Friday of every month with LIVE On the Plaza in the Plaza District at PhotoArt Studios (1738 NW 16th). This month, deadCENTER will return to the filmmaker-focused format to highlight short films that were created for the annual 24 Hour Video Race sponsored by Living Arts, Philbrook Museum of Art and the IAO Gallery in Oklahoma City. “These films are some of the funniest and most creative shorts we see all year,” states Program Director, Melissa Scaramucci. “It’s pretty amazing what people can come up with in a very short amount of time. While deadCENTER screens the Grand Jury winner at the annual fest, we have enough of these shorts, we felt it was time to give them their own night.”
Featuring a question and answer period with veteran racer and professional editor, Beau Leland, attendees will lean about the specific and complex components to entering, and winning a film race.Screening will be Team Awesome’s Misscommunication, Team Monkey’s The Public View, and Team Pick Six (Minus One) with Special Delivery which won the Videophile award at the 2009 video race in February.
DNA Galleries features Josh Heilaman
Be sure to stop by DNA Galleries where Josh Heilaman has returned to OKC to show his latest work. Josh’s work in a variety of media, create environments heavy with seas, forests, and cities – all populated by creatures of whimsy and all expressing the multitude of emotions we as humans face today. From contentment to struggle, adornment to loneliness, Josh’s work gives us a glimpse into ourselves through his use of color and whimsical creatures. DNA Galleries has also worked with Josh to produce the first in a series of local artist limited edition T’s and will be releasing these to the public during the exhibit. Also beats by the favorite DJ Garistotle will be playing outside!

Birdie designs, live puppetry and more!
Next door, check out the clothing and accessories by designer Birdie, plus more handmade accessories, vintage clothes and art at Collected Thread! Then, head over to Performance Dancewear for free ballroom dance lessons. Paula and Co Realtors will be throwing a Plaza District ho-down with great music, food and fun! Come see the renovation of live/work artist spaces at 1710 NW 16th, an open house with refreshments and visual artists. At 8 PM be sure not to miss the Balcum Rancum Live Pupptery at Bad Grannies Bazaar. Last month, Balcum Rancum told the story of “The Largest Mermaid”, so tune in this month to see the latest story!

Visual Artist and Indie Craft artist will be displaying works in booths outdoors as well!

“Woody Sez” at Lyric

Also, Lyric at the Plaza will be showing “Woody Sez” at 8 PM. Lyric’s production of Woody Sez is the American premiere of a musical that met with rave reviews and delighted crowds across Europe!  This gem of a show weaves the songs of Woody Guthrie together with excerpts and anecdotes from his writing to transport the audience through his fascinating, beautiful, and sometimes tragic life. Performed by a talented group of four versatile actor/musicians who play 15 instruments ranging from guitar and fiddle to jaw harp and dulcimer, the show brings to life the many people who are the fabric of Woody Guthrie’s amazing story. The cast’s infectious enjoyment, Woody’s incredible journey, and a stirring mix of moving ballads and energetic foot-stompers, including “This Land Is Your Land”, “Oklahoma Hills” and “This Train Is Bound For Glory”, all create a truly personal portrait of an Oklahoma legend and one of the world’s immortal troubadours. Check http://www.lyrictheatreokc.com for more showtimes!

Eggs a-LIVE! for LIVE on the Plaza second Fridays

LIVE on the Plaza, second Fridays
7-11 PM
NW 16th between Classen and Penn

The Plaza District’s LIVE on the Plaza Second Friday Artwalk blooms a packed schedule and fine introduction to spring. Eggs a-LIVE will start at 7 PM, allowing kids and adults yearning to act like kids- a chance to hunt for eggs full of unique Plaza District prizes. Some prizes include: a free kids craft kit, original artwork from DNA Galleries, handmade items from Collected Thread, gift certificates, kids dance lessons, candy, toys and more! Please find the Plaza District info table across from Lyric Theatre to start the hunt!

At 7:30, head over to PhotoArt Studios for a free film screening of deadCENTER films, and at 8 PM be sure not to miss the Balcum Rancum Live Pupptery at Bad Grannies Bazaar. Last month, Balcum Rancum told the story of “The Largest Mermaid”, so tune in this month to see the latest story!

Be sure to stop by DNA Galleries where Josh Heilaman has returned to OKC to show his latest work. Josh’s work in a variety of media, create environments heavy with seas, forests, and cities — all populated by creatures of whimsy and all expressing the multitude of emotions we as humans face today. From contentment to struggle, adornment to loneliness, Josh’s work gives us a glimpse into ourselves through his use of color and whimsical creatures. DNA Galleries has also worked with Josh to produce the first in a series of local artist limited edition T’s and will be releasing these to the public during the exhibit. Also beats by the favorite DJ Garistotle will be playing outside!

Next door, check out the clothing and accessories by designer Birdie, plus more handmade accessories, vintage clothes and art at Collected Thread! Then, head over to Performance Dancewear for free ballroom dance lessons. Paula and Co Realtors will be throwing a Plaza District ho-down with great music, food and fun! Visual Artist and Indie Craft artist will be displaying works in booths outdoors as well!

Also, Lyric at the Plaza will be showing “Woody Sez” at 8 PM. Lyric’s production of Woody Sez is the American premiere of a musical that met with rave reviews and delighted crowds across Europe!  This gem of a show weaves the songs of Woody Guthrie together with excerpts and anecdotes from his writing to transport the audience through his fascinating, beautiful, and sometimes tragic life. Performed by a talented group of four versatile actor/musicians who play 15 instruments ranging from guitar and fiddle to jaw harp and dulcimer, the show brings to life the many people who are the fabric of Woody Guthrie’s amazing story. The cast’s infectious enjoyment, Woody’s incredible journey, and a stirring mix of moving ballads and energetic foot-stompers, including “This Land Is Your Land”, “Oklahoma Hills” and “This Train Is Bound For Glory”, all create a truly personal portrait of an Oklahoma legend and one of the world’s immortal troubadours. Check www.lyrictheatreokc.com for more showtimes!