Got skills? Show 'em off in the cage

After we built the first downtown community basketball court, it was only a matter of time before the first downtown basketball league formed. If you think you got skills, join The Cage.

This 4-week tournament happens every Sunday night between Aug. 26 and Sept. 23rd. Games start at 6:30 p.m. and the league offers a chance to win opportunity to win tons of prizes.

For info, call 405.698.CAGE. You can also check out The Cage on Facebook and Twitter.

Who's who downtown?

In future issues of What's Up Downtown, keep your eyes peeled for the new Who's Who feature. It's just another way to get better acquainted with your fellow downtown employees and residents.  

Elizabeth Newton, the new special events coordinator at the Myriad Gardens has agreed to be our first Who's Who guinea pig participant. We hope you enjoy learning about Elizabeth and your other downtown neighbors in the upcoming weeks.

Tell us a little bit about what you do at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. 
I'm the Special Events Coordinator for the Gardens. I'm responsible for planning of all of our events including: Summer Movie Nights, Cocktails in the Garden, Mother’s and Father’s Day brunches, Art Exhibit Openings, upcoming holiday activities and more!

What do you like most about your job?
My favorite part of my job is the fact that I get to work with such great vendors. I'm a people person, so I love meeting new people and developing new work relationships. I also really love that I get to pick out pretty linens and buy gorgeous flowers for events. That’s when the girlie-girl inside me comes busting out!

What are you known for around your office?
Mmmm, probably for always having a Diet Dr. Pepper in my hand. Can I get an endorsement deal and a lifetime supply for that shout-out? Kidding! ...Kind of.

What’s the best part about working downtown?
I love that I can walk to so many restaurants and to many of my meetings downtown. I hate driving so this is a big plus!

If you were trapped on a deserted island and could only take one downtown restaurant with you, which one would you take and why?
Oh gosh, this is so hard. I’d have to say Fuzzy’s… I love their tacos, guac and queso – and they have Diet Dr. Pepper!

Choose 3 words to describe Oklahoma City.
Clean. Friendly. Big-supporter-of-local (hyphenated to fit because it’s my favorite thing about OKC).

If you could be anywhere in downtown OKC right now, where would you be and why?
Probably Harkins Theatres. There are a few movies out right now that I’d like to see!

If you had one hour to spend $1,000 in downtown OKC, how would you spend it?
I’d grab lunch at Hideaway Pizza and spend about 7/8 of that money at Automobile Alley's newest business, Lululemon (let’s pretend it’s open already!) Then I'd finish up at FLINT with their delectable donut dessert! Oh, and I’d probably do a quick segue tour… I’ve never done one!

What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or a Sunday afternoon?
I love to go out to Lake Hefner with a Sonic drink (Diet Dr. Pepper, of course) and spend some time walking around with my boyfriend and our puppy. It’s one of my absolute favorite spots in OKC.

To see first-hand what Elizabeth does, check out the Myriad Gardens calendar online and attend an event! 

Get social with OKC ad pros

Ad2OKC and the OKC Ad Club are hosting a free social tonight (Aug. 22) at FLINT from 6-8 p.m.  

Everyone's invited to hear General Manager Mario Rivera talk about FLINT's success and future plans for downtown OKC's restaurant industry. After a brief Q&A, attendees may enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres, courtesy of FLINT.

While you're there, remember to buy a raffle to benefit the Dream Fund. Raffle prizes include a Harkins gift pack, a one-year membership to the Spokies bike share program and much more!

No RSVP is necessary and you don't have to be a member of Ad2OKC/Oklahoma City Ad Club to attend. This event is free and open to anyone interested in hanging out with some of OKC's coolest advertising, marketing, communications and PR pros.

For more info, visit Ad2okc.com. See you there!

Mustang Brewing Co. hosts Beer Dinner Road Trip 2012

Mustang Brewing Company is celebrating the re-release of their fall seasonal beer, Harvest Lager, with a unique series of beer pairing events throughout the Oklahoma City metro area. 

Beer dinners are typically a four- to five- course meal hosted by both the Executive Chef of the restaurant and the Brewmaster from the brewery. Each course is paired with a specific beer that compliments the ingredients of the dish. The first beer dinner in the tour is at Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse, a long-time staple in Bricktown known for the highest quality food, on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. 

“We have done beer dinners in the past, and they always go over well,” commented Eric Pennell, Director of Marketing and Promotions at Mustang. “It’s a win for everyone involved. The restaurants get a chance to get creative with a one-off menu, we get a chance to introduce our line of beers to new people in a fun environment, and the attendees get to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our collaboration with amazing food at an exclusive event.”

Seating will be very limited for each event and will sell out quickly. Tickets are $55 per person. To make your reservation, call 405.272.0777. For more information, visit MustangBrewing.com.

Spokies offers group discounts to downtown companies

As you know, DOKC has partnered with the City’s Office of Sustainability to launch the downtown bike share program, Spokies. Now that the weather is cooling off a bit, we've received several questions about providing corporate memberships - and that's something we can totally do!

If you have a group of 10 or more people who are interested in using the bike share program, or if you’d like to purchase company memberships for employees, guests or students to share, we offer a 25% discount on everyone’s annual membership. (Normally $75 per member per year for unlimited 30-minute rides.) The discounted price is $56.25 for one year. Each company that signs up will receive a free set of Spokies bike helmets, t-shirts and a training session.

There are currently six Spokies bike share stations in the downtown area, and another will be installed at 9th and Broadway within the next couple of months.

To sign up your group (or as an individual), call Brandi Morrow in our office at 405.235.3500. To learn more about Spokies, visit SpokiesOKC.com.

Go on a date with the Arts Council tonight

...and now, a very special message from the Arts Council of OKC:

"I've seen you around at rooftop happy hours, volunteering on your days off and networking with other young professionals. And I've got to say... I like your style! So how about a first date with the Arts Council of OKC? You can learn a little about my most talked about events and the committees that make them so successful. 

Worried about the commitment involved in this potential relationship? No need to fret. I promise to lay it all out on the table - quite literally...

You and me. Bringing the arts and the community together. Wha'd'ya say?"

There will be live music and entertainment, drinks and hors d'oeuvres. it's all happening tonight (8/23) at 5:30 p.m. at the Farmers Market (311 S. Klein Ave.) It's a 21+ event and it's free! For more info, visit artscouncilokc.com.

Last chance to catch the Summer Twilight Concert Series

The Sunday Twilight Concert Series, presented by Devon Energy, hosts its final show at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 26 with musical guest Smilin' Vic and the Soul Monkeys.

The band contains a veteran crew of musicians from Oklahoma City and Tulsa who play rhythm and blues favorites with a splash of soul and dance.

The concert is free and will take place at the Band Shell on the Great Lawn at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs; however pets and glass containers are prohibited.

The 32nd annual Sunday Twilight Concert Series is presented by Devon Energy with additional support from Oklahoma Arts Council, Allied Arts, National Endowment for the Arts and Magic 104.1 - KMGL. For more information, visit artscouncilokc.com.

Brunch on Broadway

The Skirvin hotel invites Saturday night carousers and mid-morning rousers to Brunch on Broadway every Sunday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Park Avenue Grill.

Guests may choose 1 appetizer + entree for $20 or 1 appetizer + endless mimosas and entrees for $25. Live music is provided weekly by local legend, Edgar Cruz.

For more information, call 405.702.8444 or visit parkavegrill.com.

Help clean up our river

The Head of the Oklahoma Regatta will be taking place Sept. 27 - 30 on the Oklahoma River in OKC's fabulous Boathouse District. To prepare for the event, volunteers are planning to gather to help clean up the river before visitors from around the country come visit.

The clean-up is happening Sept. 22 from 9-11 a.m. All are welcome! For more information visit the Oklahoma River Cleanup Facebook page. 

Spaghetti Warehouse hosts Meatball Madness Scavenger Hunt

Bricktown's Spaghetti Warehouse is teaming up with the western Oklahoma American Cancer Society to host the very first Meatball Madness Scavenger Hunt to fight cancer on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Participants will be given seven to ten clues to complete throughout Bricktown within a two-hour time period. Some challenges may require participants to take a picture in front of a downtown landmark, while others may have to perform a challenge. At least one participant per team will need a digital camera or smartphone to participate in the scavenger hunt.

“We thought a scavenger hunt would be a fun way to get the community to come together and fight back against cancer,” said Lauren Anderson, community manager for the American Cancer Society. “So many Oklahomans have been affected by cancer and we are here to help. This partnership allows us to reach out to more cancer survivors and caregivers to let them know we are here and fighting for them.”

Registration packets are available at Spaghetti Warehouse. Registration fees before Aug. 24 are $25 per person and include an event t-shirt. After that date, the fees go up to $35 and t-shirts will be limited.

Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. The Scavenger hunt will start at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winning teams. The event will be held rain or shine.

For more information, contact Lauren Anderson at 405.841.5819 or lauren.anderson@cancer.org.

Cheer on your OKC RedHawks

Your Oklahoma RedHawks will be back at home on Monday to take  on Albuquerque Isotopes. There are just a few games left in the season, so mark these dates on  your calendar:

Aug. 23-26 @ Iowa Cubs
Aug. 27-30 vs Albuquerque Isotopes
Aug. 31-Sept. 3 vs Round Rock Express

To purchase tickets, call 218.1000 or visit okcredhawks.com.

One more thing! Don't forget about RedHawks Movie Night, featuring Willly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. For info, call 405.218.1000.

Build your own business

Learn how to harness your inner entrepreneurial spirit at the next Tuesday Topics seminar on Tuesday, Sept. 25 from noon-1 p.m.  at the Downtown Library. 

This seminar will answer essential questions about the process and the planning necessary to be a small business owner. Participants will learn about business plans, business structures, taxes, loans and much more. The best part is... all Tuesday Topics seminars are free and lunch is provided! All you have to do is RSVP at 405.232.3382.

Tuesday Topics is brought to you by these sponsors: The OKC Downtown College, SCORE and SBA.

Other downtown news & events

News

Oklahoma officials: We're listening to you on downtown Oklahoma City boulevard (NewsOK)
If you missed Tuesday's public meeting about the plans for OKC's new downtown boulevard, check out this meeting recap. Around 500 people attended the event. You can view photos of the event online at NewsOK.com.

Conversation with John Norquist (OKC Central)
Former mayor of Milwaukee John Norquist weighs in on Oklahoma City's downtown boulevard plans.

Kevin Durant’s ‘Thunderstruck’ has lots of Oklahoma City touches (NewsOK)
While much of “Thunderstruck” was filmed in Baton Rouge, La., Oklahoma City plays a major supporting role in Kevin Durant’s big-screen debut. Watch the official Thunrderstruck trailer online.

Q&A with movie star Kevin Durant (ESPN)

Mileage may vary (OK Gazette)
While MAPS 3 promised 70 miles of new sidewalks, project officials say only about 25 miles can be built for the $6.8 million budget.

Events

Cell phones in summer, [Artspace] at Untitled, ongoing

Film: The Queen of Versailles, OKCMOA, Aug. 23-26

Salsa Night, The Library of Food & Spirits, Aug. 24

Kids' Scavenger Hunt, Myriad Gardens, Aug. 25

Drop-In Art, OKCMOA, Aug. 25, Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Extreme Championship Poetry, IAO Gallery, Aug. 29

Film: Bill W., OKCMOA, Aug. 30-Sept. 2

Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Civic Center Music Hall, Aug 30 - Sept. 9

OKC Philharmonic Grand Opening Night, Civic Center Music Hall, Sept. 15

STATIC film screening, IAO Gallery, Sept. 14

Project180 Update

Don't frown at the construction downtown... let us show you how to get around!

Visit the Project180 website or check them out on Facebook and Twitter

Be informed and prepared for traffic changes downtown by joining the Project180 mailing list

Get the Project180 weekly map here

Check out the Downtown Traffic Advisory updates. This list provides a summary of downtown streets expected to be under construction for the next few weeks.

Connect with Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc.

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211 North Robinson
Suite 225
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405.235.3500

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