Exciting Growth on the Horizon in Tulsa
Out & About in Greater Tulsa By EMILY RAMSEY
Managing Editor
CHILDREN’S GARDEN: Adults and children spent time enjoying Tulsa Botanic Garden’s new Children’s Discovery Garden during its grand-opening celebration on May 15. This is the second garden to open as part of the Botanic Garden’s 20-year master plan.
EMILY RAMSEY for GTR Newspapers
Sometimes, when I find myself trying to rush, in vain, through the crowds during the First Friday Art Crawl or waiting for a table at a downtown restaurant or searching for a parking spot less than a few blocks away from Cain’s Ballroom, my momentary feelings of frustration could easily give way to wishes that Tulsa wasn’t growing at its current rate.
But I catch myself, and I try to smile instead. Because, I argue, there is no more exciting of a time to be in Tulsa than now.
While living in a city that has already established its identity is fun no doubt, as the many hordes of people flocking to Chicago, Austin and Denver attest, being on the ground floor of a city that is in the process of shaping its personality and its future offers a different level of exhilaration, and more and more people are discovering that this kind of energy is taking place in our understatedly hip city.
Tulsa is becoming a place where a person can pretty much find something to do or someplace interesting to go any day of the week.
Although, you don’t have to be very old to easily flash back to the days when that was far from the case: when Mayfest was the only reason one time a year that people were willing to venture downtown on a Saturday.
As Tulsa continues to grow in its offerings, whether we’re talking cultural, sports, commercial, residential, Tulsans’ pride in our city is undoubtedly increasing as well.
For example, a few weekends ago, I was able to enjoy both the stunning voices and grand theatrics of Tulsa Opera’s Samson and Delilah and our beautiful ballet company, which, since its recent tour in Italy, has been noted as one of the top five ballet companies in the nation.
I fear that many Tulsans don’t fully recognize how incredibly privileged we are to have these artistic gems in a city of our modest size.
Fiddler on the Roof, by Theatre Tulsa, ended its run at the end of April. Later this year, the local company will perform Cabaret and, next year, Sweeney Todd.
Tulsa Botanic Garden, on May 15, opened its Children’s Discovery Garden to eager droves of adults and children, debunking any questions of whether Tulsans are in want of more public green spaces. I can only imagine what the opening of A Gathering Place for Tulsa will look like next year.
Tulsa has many beautiful areas, but you would be hard pressed to find another area in Tulsa as serene and breathtaking as the Botanic Garden, with a feeling of untouched, pristine beauty, all residing among the beautiful countryside of the Osage Hills. The children’s garden is the second garden to open as part of the Botanic Garden’s 20-year master plan.
The Tulsa Designer Showcase took place April 29-May 22, showcasing a gorgeous 1920s mansion in the historic area of Tulsa at 29th Street and Utica Avenue. Project Cuffway, a runway show of outfits made from unconventional materials, was held in April, by Rustic Cuff owner and Tulsan Jill Donovan.
Not to be forgotten is Broken Arrow’s developing Rose District, which continues to make headlines with new shops opening often and monthly events, making it arguably the coolest place outside of downtown and midtown Tulsa in the greater Tulsa area. (See page B1.)
Craft beer and its brewmakers continue their upwards trajectory, with a number of breweries and brewpubs slated to open soon in Tulsa, including Prairie Brewpub, 223 N. Main St., which opened in mid-May in the Brady Arts District.
Kitchen 66, 907 S. Detroit Ave., another entrepreneurial endeavor by Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation, officially opened at the beginning of May, with plans to relocate the food hub to 11th Street, as efforts to revitalize Route 66 take shape. (See page B6.) is also currently involved in bringing a food truck court to Route 66 that will include a permanent structure to allow for year-round use and to include a bar.
And what about Virgola, a New York City-based oyster bar, coming to Brookside in June?
The buzz of further development in Tulsa is palatable, and I, for one, wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here.
Updated 05-23-2016
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