LIVE on the Plaza District
presented/sponsored by Fowler Volkswagen
Friday, January 13th 7-11 PM

LIVE on the Plaza celebrates GRAND OPENING of The Parish!!!

During this month’s LIVE on the Plaza, presented and sponsored by Fowler Volkswagen, check out the newest renovated space in the Plaza District that is becoming home to The Parish! The Parish is a local church in the Plaza District with a community space for local art and music. During LIVE on the Plaza, The Parish will be showing off their new space with a FREE coffee bar, lots of live music and local art! Enjoy Elemental Coffee bar, and listen to the musical styling’s of: Barling, John Parker Milsap, Gabriel Hancock and Melissa May. Also enjoy local art from Tessa Raven.

DNA Galleries hosts artists Tannery Frady and Dusty Gilpin. Longtime supporters of the Plaza District, TEEF and DUST pair up at DNA galleries to bring their latest work featuring illustration, screenprint and urban typography. “Most professional artists tend to stop drawing poorly executed cartoons once they reach adulthood – not these two”, remarks artist Jerrod Smith. Their cartoons and prints will spark your inner child and your curiosity, so come see for yourself!

Warm up a chilly night with a Chili Cook Off! Paula and Company will be hosting this spicy event during LIVE on the Plaza! Bring your favorite Chili by Paula and Company at 7PM. Not big on cooking? Come and vote for the best chili, the public votes the winner!

Other happenings during LIVE on the Plaza include:

FowlerVW : SPY wagen, free goodies and Vdub Club Cards!
Bad Granny’s Bazaar- New Year Sales!!! Newly released Peach CD $5. 8PM Shelton Poole and Black Jack Gypsies play
Convergence Community- Art Show by Carla Schwab
DNA Galleries- featured artists Dusty Gilpin and Tanner Frady!
Paula and Company- Chili cook-off!! Come and bring some chili. No entry fee. Public votes!
The Parish- Grand Opening Party! 1757 NW 16th St 73106
-Free Espresso Bar (Elemental Coffee)
-Live Music: Barling, John Parker Milsap, Gabriel Hancock, Melissa May
-Local Art: Tessa Raven

http://www.theparishokc.com

The Society- LIFE DRAWING: STUDY AND SKETCH SESSION from 6PM to 9PM. $20 to participate.
Warpaint Clothing- featured artist Matthew Lynch

Open Houses
@1614 at Midwest Media
Bomb Shelter
Chaisin’ Tail
Collected Thread
Dig It!
Lyric Theatre
No Regrets Tattoo
Retrokc
Saints
Urban Wineworks
Urbanology
Velvet Monkey Salon

To get festive for the holidays, we are planning a fun community project! We would like to hang red and green handmade party pendants from streetlight to street light on 16th! We are asking craft groups, friend groups, company groups and anyone interested to adopt a pendant string! We have about 14 spaces available, and they are approximately 50 ft apart. We will designate a standard size/ template, but each group can use their own materials and patterns as long as they are based in red and green! We’d like to have everything installed by Dec 9th for LIVE on the Plaza! We will also host a craft night for anyone interested in getting together to make them!

If you would be interested in adopting a pendant string for your group, please email kristen@plazadistrict.org for more details!

LIVE on the Plaza has grown into an awesome event! We are so thrilled to have more and more people visiting the event, as well as participating. LIVE on the Plaza is the lifeblood of progress for our district, and is becoming a staple for Oklahoma City to enjoy creativity and culture! To accommodate the growth of the event, we are forming a LIVE on the Plaza committee and looking for people from the community be be involved!

The committee will help in organizational aspects of LIVE, including establishing processes for vendor applications, layout of the event, marketing and partnerships.We would love to partner with other organizations and groups to make LIVE on the Plaza an exciting event each month. We are also looking to add more children’s activities to LIVE, and looking at various arts grants to enable more family-friendly creative activities.

This committee will be doing alot of brainstorming and working to create partnerships outside the Plaza District to make new and fresh things happen. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please contact Executive Director, Kristen Vails at kristen@plazadistrict.org

Thanks, looking forward to a great 2012!

Kristen Vails

Sarge’s honest eyes say THANK YOU for helping us!

Reflecting on wise words once told to me from our friend Audrey over at SHOP GOOD…

“community is the best when everyone who’s a part of it is excited about contributing and sharing and helping out, rather than being pushed and prodded along into the flow of giving and receiving.”

So thankful for all of you who have been so eager and excited to help the Plaza District celebrate our progress this Saturday!

You’re Invited to Join Lyric Theatre for a Late Night on Broadway!

Join us for Dessert, Drinks & Dancing

Friday, September 30
Nine o’clock until Midnight
The Grand Ballroom of The Skirvin Hotel
$55 per person  //  Black Tie Optional

RSVPs must be received by Friday, September 23rd

The pull will be featured at the under 40 After Dark event during Lyric’s annual Broadway Ball fundraiser on September 30th.  All proceeds from the Keep it Local pull will be donated to the Plaza District Association.

For more information visit us online

Details for LIVE on the Plaza, September 9th 7-11pm
1700 Block NW 16th, Oklahoma City, OK 73106

Quick Peek:

DNAgalleries: exhibiting works by Swiss artist Mizzo

Convergence: From 6 to 8: kids self portrait At 9 Porch Mice will be playing; a country/folk group that is a local favorite.

Collected Thread: 3rd year anniversary!!! T-shirt and tote giveaways printed by Tree & Leaf, gift baskets, goodies and cupcakes from Cuppies and Joe. Plus this party will continue all weekend!

Lyric Theatre: FREE Improv Workshop with Brenda Williams from 7:30 to 8:30

No Regrets Tattoo: Live music by Tastebuds

The Society: The studios will be open with art by Jerrod Smith, Phillip Danner, Tommy Poole, and Joe Garcia. Showing of a music video by Cornelius, public art wall on display and SoonerCon

Bomb Shelter: Bomb Shelter is new to the Plaza District and will be presentsing a ‘Kaiju Show’, a selection of mutations and giant monsters inspired by the post-atomic cinema of Japan from 6 to 9. Welcome Bomb Shelter!

Bad Granny’s Bazaar: accoustic performance by Ronnie Jay Wheeler with Jack Ardis. Also big bargains and discounts throughout store

Midwest Media & Marketing @1614: exhibiting works by Dylan Bradway

Velvet Monkey Salon: New works by Anthony Nguyen

Open houses: Chaparney, Curiouser & Curiouser, RetroOKC, Gallery 1612, Paula & Co, PhotoArt Studios, Lyric Theatre, Saints Restaurant/Pub, Warpaint Clothing Co and Velvet Monkey Salon Monkey , Wildflower andURBAN WINEWORKS

Saints The Joe Stansberry Band

Hartel Dance Group
Outdoor Artist Market
Dog Rescue Corner
Big Truck Tacos, Kona Ice, Atomic Dogs

Collected Thread is turning 3!! Although this toddler sounds like a youngster, Collected Thread is a true leader and inspiration within the Plaza District. Since 2008 when Collected Thread opened its doors by owner Lindsay Zodrow, it has been dedicated to not only make Collected Thread thrive, but also to make the entire Plaza district and local artists. “Just like the artists we wanted to promote, the Plaza District had not yet become established back in 2008—so there was a great opportunity to create something entirely new,” Zodrow said. “Thanks to the hard work and vision of the Plaza District Association and local entrepreneurs, the district is now lined with restored buildings and unique, energetic, locally owned businesses. Over the next 5 years, I see the district becoming a tourist attraction and something that our city proudly boasts of.” Zodrow encourages handmade local art and ensures more than 50 percent of her merchandise is handmade locally. Collected Thread carries a wide range of art, clothes for adults, baby clothes, home décor, jewelry and accessories. They also offer creative classes by talented local artists including the owner of Collected Thread, the beautiful Zodrow. Come learn how to blog, make vintage inspired jewelry, improve your photography skills, maybe even learn to knit.
In spirit of this celebration, Collected Thread has some wonderful events going on during Friday September 9th LIVE on the Plaza and the following Saturday. Many great prizes will be given away such as t-shirts printed by Tree & Leaf artist Dusty Gilpin, totes printed by Dylan Bradway from DNA Galleries as well as, gift baskets raffles and goodies from the store. The wonderful Cuppies and Joe will be given away FREE cupcakes (Yum!) and Saturday Café Evoke will be catering. Collected Thread also has a secret surprise so come down the Plaza District to enjoy LIVE on the Plaza and celebrate with Collected Thread.

As always, LIVE on the Plaza will be packed with live music, featured artists, outdoor artist market and our four legged friends. Enjoy the stores, bump into friends, meet new people, eat a taco, shop, meet an artist, hear a band – this is all possible in one central place. We love our community family and want to experience that with you. That is the rare beauty of LIVE on the Plaza. We look forward to seeing you there September 9th 7-11 PM.

We are so, so very thrilled to celebrate 3 years of Collected Thread. Lindsay has done so much to get the Plaza District where it is today, and we are so proud of the store’s accomplishments, and Lindsay’s dedication!

Collected Thread’s third anniversary party to promote local business, art 

As the first retail business to officially open its doors in the recently renovated Plaza District, Collected Thread has been at the forefront of Oklahoma City’s shop local movement since 2008.

And on September 9-10, the handmade boutique will celebrate its third anniversary by promoting local artists and businesses who are contributing to the growth of the Plaza District and Oklahoma City.

“Our success has been built on a growing community of local entrepreneurs, artists and shoppers who are passionate about what’s happening here and are proud to be from Oklahoma,” said shop owner Lindsay Zodrow. “Our anniversary is a way to celebrate being part of this community that’s working together for the good of our city.”

During the Plaza District’s monthly LIVE on the Plaza event on September 9, Collected Thread will give away free cupcakes from Cuppies and Joe. On Saturday, September 10, the shop will give away more cupcakes, coffee from Café Evoke, t-shirts designed by local artist Dusty Gilpin from Tree and Leaf, and totes designed by local artist Dylan Bradway from DNA Galleries. On both days, the shop will raffle off several gift baskets and donate 20% of every sale containing three or more items to the Plaza District Association.

Plaza District Executive Director Kristen Vails said Zodrow’s community-building efforts began immediately after opening Collected Thread.

“She understands the hard work and dedication it takes to not only make her business thrive, but also to make the entire district thrive,” Vails said. “The Plaza District would not be the place it is today without Collected Thread’s truly unique store and commitment to our community.”

Zodrow started Collected Thread with a dream to promote handmade work by local artists, lots of encouragement from her husband Adam, and $2,000. As a studio art major at Oklahoma State University, she knew first-hand how difficult it could be for artists to make a living from their work.

“Our hope was that it could be a place that would promote young artists who weren’t established yet,” Zodrow said. “There are a lot of young artists who don’t have a place to start, and we hope to be a catalyst for their success.”

In addition to serving as a catalyst for local artists, Collected Thread has served as a catalyst for other local shops. Audrey Falk, owner of clothing and accessories retailer Shop Good, said Collected Thread inspired her to launch her own business.

“We’d been tossing around the idea of starting our own store, and seeing what a cool space Lindsay had created all by herself was so inspiring,” Falk said. “Her abilities to create visual interest and merchandise her products are amazing,”

Falk said she connected with Zodrow immediately upon being introduced at a LIVE on the Plaza event. Zodrow then mentored Falk and her husband Justin through starting up their own shop in the Plaza District. Zodrow provided feedback on new displays and new product lines and even provided encouragement on slow days.

Falk said having that relationship was invaluable.

“It’s collaborations like this that make Oklahoma City the ideal place to start a small business,” Falk said.“The retail attitude among the young local business owners is so complementary, as opposed to competitive. We all respect what each of us brings to the local retail scene and we work hard to create an atmosphere in which everyone can play to their strengths while cross-promoting with other shops.”

Zodrow said the Plaza District was the perfect place to set up shop and build a collaborative retail community.

“Just like the artists we wanted to promote, the Plaza District had not yet become established back in 2008—so there was a great opportunity to create something entirely new,” Zodrow said. “Thanks to the hard work and vision of the Plaza District Association and local entrepreneurs, the district is now lined with restored buildings and unique, energetic, locally owned businesses. Over the next 5 years, I see the district becoming a tourist attraction and something that our city proudly boasts of.”

About Collected Thread

Collected Thread is a handmade boutique whose purpose is to encourage and help support local craft, design and art. More than 50 percent of our handmade items are made locally. Come by for handmade and hand-altered clothing, housewares, accessories, jewelry and baby items. Located at 1705A NW 16th Street in Oklahoma City, we’re open Tuesdays – Saturdays from 11 am to 7 pm. For more information, please visit CollectedThread.com

• working on Plaza District pet friendly additions such as water bowls and hitch posts outside stores

• providing District business with locally made dog treats (yum)

• hosting dog friendly events such as dog walks and play days

  

Please email Kristen Vails at info@plazadistrict.org for more information, questions or just to sign up

This is Stanley’s building. Stanley’s Garage (who is an excellent mechanic might we add) owns this cute little corner building. Right now, it’s boarded up and used for storage. While there is no plan to lease or sell this building in the near future, Stanley has agreed to let us build a temporary wall over the facade for public art projects. So, we will be building this wall for multi-functional use…allowing murals, installations and even space for artists to sell. This is such a great corner, and we will be able to activate this space and add chairs and tables, donated by the community (see a past post for info about this). Soon, you will able be able to relax on this corner viewing public art, playing community games or listening to live music.

We’re lucky to have The Society ( http://thesocietyokc.com/ ), who has volunteered to take on this project by building the wall. For the first few months, The Society artists will debut on the wall, doing live painting and other projects. Then, we will develop plans to use the wall for the future–whether it be a rotating featured artist, a place for other neighborhood projects to utilize and so on. To make this happen, The Society will be building the wall and gathering the materials. The list of materials we need to purchase new totals about $200. Since this is a community project, we are asking our neighborhood and community to help us build the wall. If you are passionate to see more public art in the district, please consider helping this cause! Click the link below to donate! Thank you!

Plaza Public Art Wall Donation 

" @mattgwillison: Baylor Judd killing it on the mic."

“@okaycity: Anyone else at @plazadistrict? It's jumping down here! ”

"@messycanvas: Fun to meet @jerrodcreates in person @thesocietyokc launch party. Amazing things happening @plazadistrict.”

"@ColtWestbrook And @theSOCIETYokc opening was legit. Great @LIVEonthePlaza tonight."

"@ColtWestbrook And @theSOCIETYokc opening was legit. Great @LIVEonthePlaza tonight.

"@cthomas122 Dunking Cornett @LIVEonthePlaza @Fowlervw"

"@treeandleaf: Painting with @mrdylanb at The Society Launch @LIVEonthePLAZA! Come hang!"

"@ddunc: @mynameisJabee rockin the stage! @liveontheplaza #societyopening”

"@marekalaine: Yes! Father-son challenge at the dunk tank! @CaseyCornett and @MickCornett! @LIVEonthePlaza @Fowlervw #dunkdialing!"

"@Fowlervw: Mayor Mick dunks @caseycornett at @LIVEonthePlaza! Nice!"

"@Allographics: Stop by @LiveonThePlaza and dunk @StudioFJ!!"

'@FowlerVW: Who doesn't want a drumstick on a day like this? Stop by our @LIVEonthePlaza booth for free frozen treats!

"@sscriv:“Terry Craghead on the beats at @convergenceokc for @LIVEONTHEPLAZA”

"@sscriv: “Charles is checking out more art by Carla Schwab at @convergenceokc for @LIVEONTHEPLAZA”

and a link to a video! “@CaseyCornett Am I really in OKC??? Rapping, Bikers on 1/4 pipes, art galleries… @LIVEonthePlaza @plazadistrict post.ly/2rw05“

and a link to photos of Ferris O’Brien in the dunk tank by @NathanPoppee: http://vdubsessions.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/liveontheplaza8122011-1/

Thanks all, send your photos to @plazadistrict or kristen@plazadistrict.org and we’ll add them!