Gear up for the Bart & Nadia Sports/Health Festival

The Bart & Nadia Sports & Health Festival, in association with The Oklahoman, encourages families to take ownership of their health through activities that embrace Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympics ideals with an emphasis on sports, nutrition and wellness.

Take part in a series of healthy and family-friendly events happening Feb. 15-17, which includes a Perfect 10 Fitness Challenge, OKC RIVERSPORT events, UCO Welness activities, a free family health festival, and much more! 

One of our favorite events this year is the RUNderground 5k. For the 3rd year, the OKC Boathouse Foundation will host the RUNderground Run through the OKC Underground on Saturday, Feb. 16. Avoid those chilly winter winds, and join fellow runners for this unique event through the tunnels under downtown OKC!

All participants will receive a complimentary t-shirt and free admission to the Bart & Nadia Sports & Health Festival in association with the Oklahoman. T-shirts are limited.

The run will begin and end at the Cox Convention Center in the Northwest Lobby. Registration is $25 and is open online now through 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15. Runners can also register on site the morning of the race from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. for $30 (cash only). The race begins at 12 p.m. Parking is available at the Cox Convention Center and surrounding garages on the day of the event. To learn more and register online, visit  signmeup.com.

For more information, visit bartandnadiafestival.com.

Treat your Valentine to a special night out in Bricktown!

Because Valentine's Day is almost here, Yucatan Taco Stand Tequila Bar and Grill and Harkins Theatres in Bricktown have teamed up to give away a dinner/movie date to one lucky couple. For your chance to win this date package, simply complete this date night survey. We'll give you a call if you're our lucky winner.

Don't forget to follow Yucantan Taco Stand on Facebook to keep up with happy hour and game day specials. 

Who's who downtown

This week, we're getting to know Tina and Autumn - the two women behind a few of Automobile Alley's newest retailers - Les Debris and Red Hot Mamma's Pickles. Stop by and say hi next time you're cruising down the Alley. They love visitors!

Tell us a little bit about Les Debris and Red Hot Mamma’s Pickles.
Les Debris is an antique, art and consignment store... family owned and operated.  We have a great eclectic mix of modern, mid-century, high-end French antiques, art deco, and reclaimed furniture (done by local craftsmen), as well as artwork from Salvador Dali and signed lithographs to beautiful landscapes by  Oklahoma City artists. The store is patterned after one in New Orleans and we try to give a Big Easy feel to it.  

Red Hot Mamma’s Pickles is inside Les Debris and carries Made in Oklahoma Products, from Split-T Theta Sauce, Suan’s Jellys to locally-made pretzels. We’re all about keeping it local. Our main products, of course, are our pickles. Red Hot Mamma’s Pickles are a sweet and spicy Cajun recipe from our family and for years we dreamed of marketing them, and now we are.

Why did you two decide to open up shop in Automobile Alley?
It was just something we knew we wanted to do. We love Automobile Alley and have been watching it blossom and grow and decided the time was right to start our businesses. Seeing the restaurants and shops pop up on 9th Street and up and down Broadway has been exciting and you can almost feel the energy in the air as you watch all the people out and about, enjoying what downtown has to offer. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to be part of that growth and excitement.

What’s the coolest thing about your job?
Tina: The coolest thing about my job is that I get to work with my family (daughter Autumn, son Zach and granddaughter Rhiannon).  Plus I’m doing two things I love and have dreamt about for years (pickles and antiques).  ...And the people. It’s such a joy to meet so many wonderful people who love what we’re doing almost as much as we do.

Autumn: I love that I get to work around people. I love our customers, artists and our “pickers”. And it’s great to be able to work with my family and one of my best friends, Victoria, who’s our marketing director. Also, we get to be down here in Automobile Alley where there’s so much activity going on.

If you were trapped on a deserted island and could only take one downtown restaurant with you, which one would you take and why?
Autumn: S & B Burgers, because I love the environment. I could eat them non-stop, but then I’d need a wheelchair to get off the island.

Tina: 1492. It’s casual and fun, the food's great…it’s really hard to say, there are so many good places in the area...

Where can we find you when you’re not working? What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or a Sunday afternoon?
Tina:  I love Sundays at the OKC Museum of art, first having brunch at the Café, then wandering through the Museum itself to see the latest exhibit or taking in a movie at their theater. But most of the time, I’m at home catching up around the house, reading a good book, or venturing out to estate sales.

Autumn: I have brunch with my family and try to make it a family day. We do a lot of festivals and events for the businesses, so a lot of the time the whole family is involved with that and it’s actually fun.

Check out Les Debris and Red Hot Mamma's Pickles for yourself. They're located at 7 NE 10th street. Learn more LesDebris.com and RedHotMammasPickles.com.

Harlem Globetrotters return to OKC this weekend

Known as innovators of the game of basketball for decades, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters are again introducing something unparalleled in the history of sports and family entertainment, taking kid participation and fun to a whole new level when the Globetrotters come to Chesapeake Energy Arena on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. For more information about the event, visit  chesapeakearena.com.

It's giveaway time!
Downtown OKC, Inc. has 2 extra tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters this Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. Check out the Globetrotters Giveaway survey for your chance to win. Keep in mind that if you're a winner, you must be able to pick up your tickets from the Downtown OKC, Inc. offices on Friday, Feb. 8 before 5 p.m. Good luck! 

OKC Ballet lures lovers to 'Paris Rouge' for Valentine's weekend

The Oklahoma City Ballet will seduce audiences in an infamous Parisian nightclub with its third production of the 2012-2013 season, a romantic triple bill headlined by Paris Rouge at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10 at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave.

Director Robert Mills and Ballet Master Jacob Sparso will offer a lecture prior to the Saturday evening show at 7:15 p.m. in the south lobby of the Civic Center Music Hall.  Sparso performed in Napoli Divertissements during his time with the Royal Danish Ballet.

A .25 carat diamond solitaire necklace will be given away to one audience member during intermission at the Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon performances, and all attendees can get free photos with their date at the interactive Paris Rouge-themed photo booth in the lobby prior to both shows.

Individual ticket prices range from $33 to $55 depending on section. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit okcballet.com.

OKC Philmarmonic presents the Cole Porter Songbook

Music director Joel Levine and the OKC Philharmonic present the wit and magic of songwriter Cole Porter on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22 & 23, at the Civic Center.

A rarity for a composer, Cole Porter wrote both the music and the words to most of his songs and both his tunes and lyrics have become classics. "You're the Top," "I Get a Kick Out of You," "Begin the Beguine" are just a few popular favorites.

Maestro Levine pulls out all the stops with a full cast of singers, dancers, costumes and lighting effects to bring the romance alive in this beautiful show. 

The Cole Porter Songbook is presented on the Oklahoman Pops Series with concert sponsorship by American Fidelity Foundation and Glenna & Dick Tanenbaum. Additional support is from the Allied Arts Foundaton and the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Ticket prices range from $15 to $65 and are can be purchase by calling 405-TICKETS (842-5387) or by visiting okcphilharmonic.org or myticketoffice.com.

Myriad Gardens hosts dinner for food lovers

Enjoy a locally-sourced gourmet meal preceded by hand-crafted cocktails overlooking the beautiful Gardens on Saturday, Feb. 16. This dinner marks the beginning of a schedule of quarterly chef dinners at the Gardens. Tickets are $65 for Myriad Gardens members and $75 for nonmembers. Wine is included with dinner. Space is limited so reserve your spot by calling 405.445.7080.

A full schedule of Myriad Botanical Gardens events can be found online at myriadgardens.org. 

Local students asked to participate in Youth Art Sale

For nearly half a century, the Arts Council of Oklahoma City has produced the annual Festival of the Arts. A recent addition to the event is the Youth Art Sale, a sale focused on developing young artists.

The Arts Council of Oklahoma City is now accepting applications for the Youth Art Sale, artists between the ages of eight and 18 years-old and live in Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma, Pottawatomie, or Seminole County are eligible to apply. The Youth Art Sale is a juried show that will feature original artwork from approximately 30 students on Saturday, April 27 from 11am-4pm at Festival of the Arts.

Applications for the Youth Art Sale are available online at artscouncilokc.com. For more information, contact the Arts Council of Oklahoma City at 405-270-4848 or info@artscouncilokc.com.

Thunder up!

Mark these dates on your calendar so you don't miss this season's Thunder action:

Friday, Feb. 8 - OKC Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 10 - OKC Thunder at Phoenix Suns, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 12 - OKC Thunder at Utah Jazz, 8 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 14 - OKC Thunder vs. Miami Heat, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 20 - OKC Thunder at Houston Rockets, 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 22 - OKC Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 24 - OKC Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls, 8:30 p.m.

Visit nba.com/thunder to view the full schedule.

Go support your OKC Barons

It's true... there's never been a better time to check out an OKC Barons game.

Friday, Feb. 8 - OKC Barons vs. Grand Rapids Griffins, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 9 - OKC Barons vs Grand Rapids Griffins, 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 15 - OKC Barons at Texas Stars, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 16 - OKC Barons at Texas Stars, 7 p.m.

Visit okcbarons.com to view the full schedule.

American Idol visits OKC

Last week, the Oklahoma City auditions were featured on American Idol. The popular reality show filmed opening auditions at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in the summer of 2012. Those talented enough to impress the judges had call-back auditions at the Devon Boathouse in the fall of 2012 before a select few earned a trip to Hollywood.

If you missed the episode, you can watch the best highlights on the American Idol YouTube channel.

Good news for fans of Kitchen No. 324

If you're craving a bite from Kitchen No. 324, but don't have the time to eat in, we have good news for you: they're now taking call-in orders! Just go ahead and add this number to your speed dial now: 405.763.5911.

Other downtown news

Oklahoma City Thunder: Russell Westbrook leads Thunder's rout of Golden State (NewsOK)
Oklahoma City's star guard indicates early in the game that he would be in complete control. Westbrook finishes with 22 points, three rebounds and five assists.

Ties strengthen between Oklahoma River, downtown (NewsOK)
The Oklahoma River hasn't moved, nor has downtown. But the distance between the two is without a doubt getting smaller.

The Flaming Lips appear in Super Bowl ad / Paul Simon's son made a music video in Oklahoma City (The Lost Ogle)

Other downtown events

Art Moves, Presented by Devon, various locations, ongoing

Feb. 7 - Crimes of the Heart, Civic Center Music Hall

Feb. 7 - Chocolate Decadence [SOLD OUT]

Feb. 7 - Diaper Bag Cinema: Mama Mia, Downtown Library

Feb. 7 - Lisa & Laura, folk duo, Downtown Library, 12pm

Feb. 7 - Nominated Short Documentaries, OKCMOA, 7pm

Feb. 8 - Mar. 3 - Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost, Reduxion Theatre

Feb. 8 - Defending the Caveman, Civic Center Music Hall

Feb. 8-10 & 22-24 - Nominated Short Documentaries, OKCMOA, 7pm

Feb. 9-10 - Paris Rouge, Civic Center Music Hall

Feb. 9 - Tango for Two, Downtown Library

Feb. 9 - Drop-In Art, OKCMOA

Feb. 10 - Grammy Awards watch party, Gaylord-Pickens Museum

Feb. 10 - Chocolate: An Artfullly Tasty Gift, Myriad Gardens

Feb. 12 - 100 Years of Broadway, Civic Center Music Hall

Feb. 12-13 - Film: The Master, OKCMOA

Feb. 13 - Reading Rainforest in the Crystal Bridge

Feb. 14 - Film: Moonrise Kingdom, OKCMOA

Feb. 14 - Brahms Clarinet Trio, Downtown Library, 12pm

Feb. 15-16 - Film: Beasts of the Southern Wild, OKCMOA

Feb. 15-16 - Film: The Sessions, OKCMOA

Feb. 16 - (Food) Lovers Dinner, Myriad Gardens

Feb. 16 - Drop-In Art, OKCMOA

Feb. 16 - RUNderground 5k, Cox Convention Center

Feb. 16 - Bart and Nadia Health Expo

Feb. 17 - Pirates! Band of Misfits, OKCMOA

Feb. 17 - Film: Searching for Sugar Man, OKCMOA

Feb. 17 - Just for Him: Using Your Words, Downtown Library

Feb. 19 - Film: How to Survive a Plague, OKCMOA

Feb. 19 - Tiny Tuesdays: Paint Your Art Out, OKCMOA

Feb. 20 - Generations exhibition reception, Red  Earth Museum

Feb. 20 - Reading Rainforest in the Crystal Bridge

Feb. 20-21 - Film: Anna Karenina, OKCMOA

Feb. 21 - Diaper Bag Cinema, Father of the Bride, Downtown Library

Feb. 21 - Sugarfoot, country, Downtown Library, 12pm

Feb. 23 - 2013 Fight for Air Climb, American Lung Association

Feb. 22-23 - OKC Philharmonic: Cole Porter Songbook:: Anything Goes!, Civic Center Music Hall

Feb. 23 - Drop-In Art, OKCMOA

Feb. 28 - Cleveland Elementary Choir, Downtown Library, 12pm

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.

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211 North Robinson
Suite 225
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405.235.3500

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