Marching Bands, Theatre, Jazz and More Coming to Tulsa
MARCHING MARVELS: The Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band has played in nearly every domed stadium in the country, during National Football League, National Basketball Association and Canadian Football League halftimes, and around the world. The Tigers visit Tulsa for opening night of the Tulsa Talons.
The award winning Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band will come to Tulsa for the opening night home game of the Tulsa Talons on April 22 at the Tulsa Convention Center. Henry Primeaux and Paul Ross, owners of the Talons, along with vice president and General Manager Bill Paddock, are thrilled to have this outstanding marching band in Tulsa for the home opener. Paddock says, “We are very excited about Grambling’s marching band performing at the football game and we are happy to partner with the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in their outreach to provide music education for the youth of our community. This is a tremendous chance for the youth from all over the city, to not only come for the music workshop, but also come along with their families to enjoy the football game, and the well-disciplined Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band. So mark your calendars for the entire family to attend the opening home game for the Tulsa Talons with Grambling State University Tiger Band performing at half time. Also make sure to get your children down to the Tulsa Convention Center to participate in the Grambling State University Band’s Music Workshop.
The workshop begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 (game day) and concludes at 3 p.m. The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, in association with the Tulsa Talons, will conduct this extraordinary music workshop. If you are interested in having your child sign up, please contact the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame’s office at 596-1001 or come by to register. The music workshop is free.
There are a few other music and cultural happenings on the scene in the Tulsa area, so let’s take a look with the Inside Scoop.
Jazz at Gilcrease
Remember to keep the third Tuesday of each month on your calendars for the Third Tuesday’s Jazz at Gilcrease Music Series. The action always begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. and goes until 7:30 p.m. For more info or to see who’s playing, call 596-2757. There are always plenty of appetizers and a cash bar. It’s always big fun at Gilcrease!
Plays and Musicals
And speaking of fun, you can’t go wrong at the PAC with the Broadway musicals presented by Celebrity Attractions. Beginning March 21- 26, “HairSpray” will take up residence at the PAC. This hilarious and fun-filled evening of music won the Tony-Award for Best Musical of 2003. Inside Scoop has the word that not only is the show a real “hoot,” but the CD is a blast as well. Be sure and get your tickets. Call 596-7111 or visit online at www.tulsapac.com
In the Broken Arrow area, one of our favorite plays by Tennessee Williams will be happening on stage at the Broken Arrow Community Playhouse at 1800 S. Main. “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”—it all takes place on March 31 through April 9. Call 258-0077 or email bacptheatre@aol.com.
Closer to the downtown area, another outstanding play will be opening March 24 and play to April 2 : “Our Town”, the Thornton Wilder classic, hits the stage at the Liddy Doenges Theatre at the PAC. Call now for tickets at 596-7111. With the Tulsa Ballet, one can expect to enjoy classical and modern dance. Beginning April 7–9, this world-class ballet company will kick up it’s heels with “Evolution”, an evening dedicated to the evolution of American dance. Call the PAC or visit online. For those of you who enjoy choral singing, catch the TU Chorale Concert on March 24 at 7:30 p.m. University Methodist Church, 2915 E. Fifth St. call 631-2262—the Inside Scoop hears the chorale is absolutely fantastic….so stop by and enjoy! And for all you rock and roll fans, a super group is headed to town—Motley Crue—with a show titled, “Carnival of Sins Insane Sideshow.” Where? Tulsa Convention Center. Call Carson Attractions, 584-2000, March 30 at 8 p.m. For you moviegoers, a safe bet is a trip to Circle 2 Cinema at 101 S. Lewis Avenue. Call 258-0077 or 592-FILM. Oh, and before I head across town to snoop what I hear is something very special taking place in Owasso, remember there is always something special happening at Philbrook and the Gilcrease Museums. Take the kids and enjoy!
Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
Well, you know there is always something cookin’ at the Jazz Hall of Fame. With our proposed move in the early Fall of 2006 to our new location at the Union Depot Building at First and Cincinnati, there will lots of new performing opportunities for many of Tulsa’s musicians and vocalists. Right now though, the curtain is up, and lights are focused on CenterStage at the Jazz Hall with the 2006 Spring JAZZ Concert Series. On Sunday, April 9 it will be BEDLAM at the Jazz Hall starring the OU and OSU Jazz Ensembles. For big band lovers and especially for OU and OSU grads, it’s a friendly rivalry moving from the football field and basketball court to the music realm. “Last year, both bands had so much fun and it was great for them to not only enjoy each other’s music, but to enjoy each other’s company,” says OJHF committee member and OSU internal auditor Jim Sleezer. On April 23, a new musical offering conceived, directed and choreographed by yours truly, “The Best of Broadway” featuring music from A Chorus Line, Phantom of the Opera, South Pacific, Oklahoma, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Sophisticated Ladies and many more will take CenterStage. The musical will showcase the talents of Annie Ellicott, Jeff Shadley, Jason De Long, Phil Armstrong, Dionne White, Sandy Gardner, Pam Van Dyke Crosby, Jason Ofori and many others. To close out the season on Sunday, April 30th, will be the crowd-favorite—“The Rat Pack” highlighting the crazy years of the Las Vegas shows starring Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin—with Tulsa’s own Jason De Long, Chuck Cissel and Jeff Shadley, respectively. The Rat Pack is back by popular demand, so get your tickets. Tickets are $10, $5, $3. Call the Jazz Hall at 596-1001 or visit online at www.okjazz.org.
Remember to get out and support the entertainment and cultural life of Tulsa. Call up your friends, colleagues and family members to celebrate our wonderful city! Perhaps you may run into the Inside Scoop while out enjoying the city life.
Updated 03-20-2006
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