It's a bird! It's a plane! ...It's Posthuman-Palooza!

Posthuman-Palooza, an all-day music festival to raise funds for the locally-produced superhero movie “Posthuman,” features music from artists including Ali Harter, Mont Lyons and Modern Rock Diaries beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

Directed by Kyle Roberts, “Posthuman” focuses on five high school students who attain extraordinary powers on the eve of graduation. Roberts is the videographer and producer of the “Static” music series on NewsOK.com. Oklahoma actors Kyle Whalen, Lindsay Sawyer, Josh Bonzie, Alex Harris and Collin Place star in “Posthuman” alongside Rett Terrell (“Vampires Suck”).

The festival begins at 2 p.m. with the Sugar-Free Allstars, followed by Brianna Gaither, O Fidelis, Ali Harter, the Grown Ups, Mont Lyons and Modern Rock Diaries.

- George Lang, Static Blog, NewsOK

Purchase your wristbands online for $15. Get more information about the concert on their Facebook event page and learn about the film “Posthuman” at indiegogo.com/posthumanproject.

The City of OKC - keeping you in the know

The City of Oklahoma City is launching a MAPS 3 e-newsletter in the next few weeks to keep you informed about upcoming community meetings, ground breakings and other MAPS 3 progress. Click here to subscribe.  The newsletter will be sent to your inbox periodically.   

You're also invited to attend a community meeting for the MAPS 3 downtown park on Thursday, Sept. 13 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Downtown Library. See you there!

Who's who downtown?

In future issues of What's Up Downtown, keep your eyes peeled for the new Who's Who feature - a new way to get better acquainted with your fellow downtown employees and residents.  Ryan Thomas has agreed to be our next Who's Who interviewee. We hope you enjoy learning about Ryan and your other downtown neighbors in the upcoming weeks.

Tell us a little bit about what you do at SandRidge. 
I am an accountant in our Exploration and Production department.  I focus on the accounting, reporting, and analytics for our hedging and derivatives.

What do you like most about your job?
I get to geek out in Excel all day, what could be better than that? As much as I enjoy counting things, my favorite part of my job is being able to take advantage of all the extra things SandRidge offers.  Whether it's taking fitness classes at lunch, reading to 3rd graders at Edwards Elementary during the week, rowing in the corporate rowing league (Boats and Rows!), or participating in classes like Dave Ramsey, the Full Plate Diet, etc., I am consistently afforded the luxury of being able to give back to my community and better myself.

What are you known for around your office?
I think I am known as the hot sauce guy.  I consistently have about five varieties of hot sauce in my office and I use at least one of them for every meal.  If anyone on my floor ever needs a little spice, they know where to turn.

What’s the best part about living and working downtown?
I love not having to get in my car.  I get to walk to work from my apartment in Deep Deuce and walk/ride my bike (or a Spokies bike!) everywhere else. Currently, one of the only times I leave downtown is to get groceries, but luckily, Native Roots will be up and running in a couple weeks and I’ll only have to walk across the street.

If you were trapped on a deserted island and could only take one downtown restaurant with you, which one would you take and why?
Easy. The Wedge in Deep Deuce. With their pizza, patio, and selection of COOP beers, that deserted island would quickly turn into paradise.

Where do you like to take out-of-town visitors?
I will typically buy my guest a 1-day Spokies pass and we'll bike around Bricktown, the Myriad Gardens, Midtown, and Automobile Alley.  Along the way we will probably grab a beer at Tapwerks/McNellies (quick aside- I am very passionate about craft beer/homebrewing and I am very proud of the quality of our local breweries and our blossoming beer culture), lunch on 9th street and visit the National Memorial & Museum.  I always take my guests down to the boathouse district and, weather permitting, we'll take out some kayaks and stand-up paddle boards for an hour.  I'd also make sure we drive around to the Plaza District, the Paseo, and Western Avenue.  There are so many cool enclaves in OKC it is hard to show off everything in one weekend.

If you had one hour to spend $1,000 in downtown OKC, how would you spend it?
I would probably put it towards a road bike at Schlegel. I've been saving to upgrade my 80’s beater, and $1,000 would go a long way.

What would you do if you could be the Mayor for one day?
I would do everything in my power to make the quiet zone happen, that way I could sleep in peace! I would also work on adding more bike lanes to downtown and lighting for cyclists/pedestrians. We've made significant strides in becoming a more walkable and bike friendly city, but the most important thing we could do is to make sure the street lights we have are turned on at night!

What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or a Sunday afternoon?
You can usually find me outside with friends... either riding my bike, running on the river trails or through Heritage Hills/Mesta Park, playing disc golf, grilling outside by the pool, or just relaxing on a patio.

The OKC RedHawks relive history tonight

At 87, Rev. William “Bill” Greason has had more life experiences than many of us ever will. He grew up in poverty. He served in two wars. And, in 1952, he broke Oklahoma’s baseball color barrier.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of that historic achievement, Greason will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before tonight's game against the Albuquerque Isotopes. Get the full story at OKGazette.com.

Aug. 30 vs Albuquerque Isotopes
Aug. 31-Sept. 3 vs Round Rock Express

Don't forget... Tonight is Thirsty Thursday. That means dollar draws all night long! To purchase tickets, call 218.1000 or visit okcredhawks.com.

Lululemon finds a new home in downtown OKC

If you're excited about lululemon athletica's new location in Automobile Alley, you're one of many. Lululemon is a global company that makes technical athletic apparel for yoga, running, dancing, and most other sweaty pursuits.

Help us celebrate the grand opening of their new downtown showroom opening. there will be complementary yoga, shopping and fun all weekend!

When and where?
Thursday, Aug. 30 - Saturday, Sept. 1, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Complimentary yoga in the showroom
Thursday, Aug. 30 at 7:00 p.m. with Allison Candelaria
Friday, Aug. 31 at 10:00 am with Mandy Lathan
Saturday, Sept. 1 at 10:00 am with Betina Wills

Win dinner for two at Vast, courtesy of Downtown Proud

Tell us what you love most about downtown OKC and you could win dinner for 2 at Vast at the top of the Devon Tower, courtesy of News9's Downtown Proud. One lucky winner will be randomly selected each week: now through Oct. 15. The final week, one lucky person will win for two at Vast, as well as a one-night stay at the Colcord Hotel, a VIP tour of the Devon tower and tickets to the Broadway Series at the Civic Center Music Hall.

To enter, simply complete the online giveaway form at News9.com. You can also enter by texting 'DOWNTOWN' to 79640.

Good luck!

Nonna's offers guaranteed entertainment every weekend

If you're sick of playing the "what do you want to do this weekend?" game, we have a solution for you. Nonna's in Bricktown offers free live music every weekend from 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Here's the schedule for the month of September:

Friday, Aug. 31 - Attica State - Alternative
Saturday, Sept. 1 - Stephen Speaks - Acoustic/Alternative/Pop

Thursday, Sept. 6 - BAT - Classic Rock/Reggae
Friday, Sept. 7 - BAT - Classic Rock/Reggae
Saturday, Sept. 8 - BAT - Classic Rock/Reggae

Friday, Sept. 14 - Oxford Town - Alternative/Classic
Saturday, Sept. 15 - Jacob Becannen & Mark Vollertson - Acoustic/Rock/Pop

Friday, Sept. 21 - Stephen Speaks - Acoustic/Alternative/Pop
Saturday, Sept. 22 - Rick Jawnsun - Acoustic/"Red Dirt"

Friday, Sept. 28 - Nathan Laughlin - Acoustic/Singer/Songwriter
Saturday, Sept. 29 - Derek Harris Duo - Classic Rock/Reggae

Come a little early and enjoy 1/2 priced appetizers from 3:30 - 6:30 (Tuesday - Saturday) in the Purple Bar. And don't forget - valet parking is always $5! Get more info at Nonnas.com.

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.

Learn workplace first aid and CPR

A fellow employee falls to the floor. What should you do first? What should you do during the 9 minutes before EMSA arrives? Learn the proper way to react when seconds count to help your colleague.

Join EMSA Paramedic Instructor, Heather Yazdanipour, at the Tuesday Topics seminar on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from noon-1 p.m.
This seminar will answer essential questions to emergency response all within the safety of the OKC Downtown College in Norick Downtown Library.

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, Allegiance Credit Union, Norick Downtown Library, and Downtown OKC, Inc.

OUHSC's fall music festival kicks off next week

Every Friday between Sept. 7 and Oct. 28, hear a variety of musical styles performed live from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Sacred Valley Park. This venue is just south of Presbyterian Professional Building and north of Service Center Building in the OU Health and Sciences Center campus.

The first concert of the series will feature classic and modern rock tunes by the Jacob Dement Duo. While you're there, get some grub from one of these guys: 

• Taste of Soul Eggrolls
• Roxy’s Ice Cream
• Big Truck Tacos
• Mutt’s Hot Dogs
• Smokin’ Okies
• Franks Wurst
• Wild Al’s
• Heo’s

Other downtown news & events

News

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett plugs city's success at Republican National Convention (NewsOK)
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett plugged his hometown to the Republican National Convention on Tuesday and said it has thrived in the last two decades because of debt-free investments made locally.

Architect talks Kerr Park plans (OKCBiz)
It may not look like much now, but over the next two years, Oklahoma City will be reintroduced to Kerr and Couch parks downtown. A transformation is under way at the adjoining parks in a joint effort by the city of Oklahoma City, SandRidge Energy and Chesapeake Energy.

Oklahoma City again posts best jobless rate among large U.S. cities (NewsOK)

Oklahoma City Council wants more study on MAPS 3 sidewalks (NewsOK)
The Oklahoma City Council is not satisfied the city has done all it can to find the best places for MAPS 3 sidewalks or build as many as it can afford.

Prestigious Lululemon among new retailers opening along Automobile Alley in Oklahoma City (NewsOK)
Oklahoma City's Automobile Alley is about to be home to three new retailers — including a national chain known for upscale addresses such as Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Events

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

Cocktails in the Gardens, Myriad Gardens, August 30

Drop-In Art, OKCMOA, Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 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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Oklahoma City, OK 73102
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