This weekend, Tulsa’s Young Professionals‘ Next/Now Art Show goes on display at Living Arts.  Typros started the Next/Now Art Show five years ago as a way to showcase the work being done by Tulsa’s YPs.  What I’ve loved about this event every year is that there really are no limits to what art is produced, so as an attendee, there is no shortage of pieces available, and there is sure to be something to engage everyone. I can honestly say I don’t know who or what will be featured in this year’s Next/Now, but I know that there will surely be enough variety to satisfy my need for art — at least for now.

And let’s not forget about the venue.  If you haven’t visited Living Arts‘ new space, this is the perfect opportunity to check it out one of Tulsa’s most impressive new arts venues.  Living Arts has been a stable piece of the Tulsa art scene for over 40 years, and it now has the space it deserves.  The building is an ideal space for art, giving more than enough room for patrons to peruse and mingle with friends.  Living Arts has continued to support art in all mediums, from painting to sculpture, film, performance, concept — and a few things I don’t even have words to describe.  Like I said, if you haven’t been to Living Arts, this is a great opportunity to come mingle and network with young professionals (don’t forget to consider a donation to Living Arts for all they do for Tulsa, it has been earned).

So you’ve got what is sure to be a great show, a great venue, how about some great food? Come to the reception on Tuesday, July 27^th from 6-9 pm and try some of Vitter’s Catering’s Caribbean food and The Melting Pot’s dessert.  Plus: a steel drum band, and Tony Bailey and Clair Collins performing Spoken Word.

I’ll be writing a follow up after visiting and seeing the art this time, but for now, I encourage you to get out and check out this show; it’s definitely something you won’t want to miss.

Living Arts Tulsa is located at 307 E Brady St [map] in the Brady Arts District.

Have an event, project, person you want featured in the art section of The Tulsa Project? email thom@maketulsa.com

Starting June 29th the Tulsa Young Architects Forum presents it’s biennial Beyond Bricks art show, featuring juried artworks created by its membership. The show runs at Living Arts, closing with an Artists Reception on Thursday evening, July 8, 2010, and features works in a variety of mediums including painting, photography, sculpture, glassblowing and more. From Beyond Bricks founder Jed R. Ballew:

“Beyond Bricks demonstrates that architects and designers not only create the functional art of buildings and spaces, but their talent and methods of artistic expression transcend their vocation.”

The show runs through July 8th, hours as follows:

So I’ve been on a slight hiatus due to a career change that has made the past few weeks…interesting, but that is most definetly not Tulsa Project worthy.

What is, in my most humble opinion, is the first Alliday Show this weekend. Alliday is the brainchild of Briana Hefley-Shepard and April Snodgrass, both local crafters and collaborators of SheezKrafty.  Now that summer has set in with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day behind us, and Christmas way too far off to even think about, there seems to be no hope for lovers of holidays, or so it would seem.  The whole idea of Alliday is that every day can be a holiday, which is enough of a reason for me to celebrate!

In the Ford Truck Exhibit Hall at the Tulsa Fairgrounds on Saturday, these lovely lades are bringing 50+ artists and crafters together for a full day (9-5).  They have assembled an…eclectic variety of wares for you to shop, all listed on the Alliday site, some of whom you can see a little more closely at the blog.

Honestly, whether you’re in need of a gift, know someone who could use a little pick me up, need to treat yourself, or just have a little free time, you should make your way to Alliday and show local artists and crafters some love Saturday.

Do you know an artist or an art event you’d like to see on the Tulsa Project?  Email me, thom[at]maketulsa[dot]com, I’d love to hear from you.

When Hibiscus first opened, I’m not exactly sure that I knew what a “Caribbean Bar and Grill” was.  I overheard a friend say that he had booked his band to play an evening gig there, so I decided it would be a good time to check out the place.  After all, I’m always up for two things: trying new food and drinking beer.

For starters (no pun intended), their Plantain appetizer is delicious and affordable; show up between 5 and 7pm to enjoy this delectable treat at half price.  Live music usually doesn’t start until a little later in the evening, but if you’re enticed by sweet fruit this is totally worth the trip.  You can chase it down with $3 Red Stripe, too, which is pretty good considering that their drink prices are a little higher than average in comparison to many of the bars that I visit in Tulsa.

The atmosphere of this place is cool — owners Vincent and Taylor LaTouche have created an environment that is casual but classy and doesn’t feel stuffy.  To me, there are few things as flattering about a restaurant or bar as an affable owner who will greet you on arrival.  That behavior is always a sure way to keep people coming back, and it seems to be working for them.  There are plenty of tables and room at the bar, so despite the size of the restaurant, there is rarely much time spent waiting for seating.  I would be lying if I said that the time it takes to get the food here goes by fast, but this is definitely scratch-cooked, gourmet food, and there is simply nothing quick about preparing a high quality meal.

If you’re just in for a beer you can expect extraordinary service from behind the bar.  It’s obvious that they emphasize customer service to their staff, and that can always be appreciated.  As far as skill goes (with regard to making cocktails) they’re no amateurs; both the classics and their own Caribbean-influenced specialties are made in a top-notch fashion.  With regard to bar service, it’s been consistently quick, without exception.

For the music lovers, this is one of the best spots to catch jazz, acoustic, reggae, salsa, and atmospheric music.  Where else can you catch all of those in the span of a week?  The musicians they bring in never play too loud, and I think that says a lot for a place serving high end food.  After all, that would probably be a deal-breaker with many of their customers.

If you’re stopping in for food, you’re going to be impressed with the menu.  The variety of their offerings is impressive, and if you’re big on spices, this place is for you.  In the past, my favorite items have been the Jerk Chicken, as well as the plantain appetizer (which I mentioned above), but there is too much ethnic variety here to ignore the other items.  Their food isn’t cheap, but it would be silly to expect it to be that way considering their angle on the holy triumvirate of quality: food, drink, and service.  You can visit them on the web (and download a menu) at www.hibiscusbrookside.com, but you won’t get the big picture until you stop in the place.  Give it a shot!

In the early 1980s, Crystal Pistol was a North Sheridan dive where you could catch a round of pool or beers, and all in the midst of a crowd of punks and cowboys.  How the two cohabited at one place in such times is beyond me.  Featuring such hardcore and punk bands such as Black Flag, Husker Du and The Minutemen, the old Crystal Pistol became a landmark for traveling bands to stop by on their way to bigger cities.  Free beer was the payment for playing and that was good enough for them.

When the sacred moniker popped back up in the Brady District, I wondered if it would be similar to the North Sheridan version — and in a sense, it is — but, more or less, I was just plain happy to see more occupation in that area.  Located at 417 S. Main, just between Soundpony and Cain’s, the Pistol has certainly, if anything, established itself as a place to grab a good show; this place has already become a spot to catch a massive variety of local music, from hip hop to punk to rockabilly.  My favorite feature about the place is that bands can play in the barroom, in the actual concert room, or on their stage outside.  The stage, sound equipment, and lights in the concert room are nothing to scoff at either; they’ve hosted touring bands from all over the United States and everything has been great.  In warm weather, the biggest shows go outside.  The stage is high enough that plenty of people can see the performing act, all without the onset of claustrophobia.

With regard to the experience of drinking at the bar, I’ve enjoyed most of my trips thoroughly.  The beer prices are possibly the best in the downtown area; they pride themselves on cheap Guinness, which is good enough for me.  It seems like, on a monthly basis, they feature a revolving menu of cheap beers.  Last summer there was a time when they were serving $2 Stella Artois.  That was a sweet deal.  If you plan on opening a tab, make sure you either have cash on hand or plan on drinking more than $10 worth of refreshments, because they do have a $10 minimum if paying with plastic.

Like all the places on North Main, smoking isn’t allowed within the building.  If you do smoke, the area behind the building is fair game, and there are dozens of booths, tables, and chairs.  Of course, you can take your drink out there, too.

The decor is definitely saloon themed, as the full name of the bar (“The Crystal Pistol Saloon”) spells out, plainly.  The decorative oddities of the place are almost enough to be worth stopping to see, if for anything.  Mannequins, a fossil of a cash register, and a foosball table are all present.  The wood and concrete structure of the building gives the place a proper look for the part of town.

Overall, I enjoy popping over to the Crystal Pistol frequently; plain and simple, there’s nothing to complain about.  I will say, however, if you plan on coming out to a show here, have some cash on hand.  I’ve showed up to watch a gig that was promoted without any price mentioned by anyone (Pistol, bands, promoter) only to be told that its five buckaroos to get in.

It is definitely worth checking out, though; the drink prices and service are top notch and you’ll more than likely get a chance to catch a band you’ve never heard of before.

Photo courtesy The Crystal Pistol Saloon’s Facebook Page.

Upon the inception of talks about a new Drillers experience via a new stadium, there was no shortage of skepticism.  And reasonably so; hinging the entire success (with regard to local acceptance) of a minor league baseball team based entirely on atmosphere seemed like a long shot.  Predictably enough however, the “if you build it, they will come” mantra seems to have proven itself legitimate once again, because when the deep-pocketed developers and investors started talking the response of the Brady and Greenwood Districts was loud and clear.  The Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa plans to construct a new, ultra-modern facility by 2011; on Cameron Street, a sign stands in a large open lot announcing the future construction of a media center that will house Channel Six’s offices. Based on seeing these, it would appear that the private sector has locked and loaded on the north end of downtown.

Visual Arts Center
Image courtesy Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa.

Before I stray too far, I should ask the question, “Will the end user also accept this move as a reason to venture north of the tracks?”  Sure they will.

If you don’t already know about the Cain’s Ballroom or the Brady Theater, you probably aren’t going to be spending a lot of time in this part of downtown anyway, but for a district already thriving with bars, arts, and eateries, I think it’s pretty obvious that the new field is already helping.  The Greenwood District even got its own little burger joint, Fat Guy’s Burger Bar.  Drop in at lunch time and tell me what you think; it’s already taken the eye of downtown workers, and pretty soon, they’ll be bringing friends.

To sum it up, the private sector will get what it’s after: the end user’s interest.  It’s happening right now.  The availability of space for retailers, food joints, and pubs is the key;  this, rather than the BOK Center, should be held as the litmus test for potential of development in downtown Tulsa.

And don’t get me wrong; none of this is news.  Talks of further development of Brady and Greenwood have been going on since the first word about a new baseball field was spoken.  What I’m saying, however, is that the first seeds have sprouted, and we’ve barely seen a fraction of what lies ahead.

The Tulsa Project is proudly teaming up with elevenTH (formerly tepera | hood design) to bring a unique artistic endeavor to Tulsa: Freight Gallery. From the Freight website:

FREIGHT Gallery challenges the notion of static art gallery by creating an ephemeral interaction of art in an instant format. The gallery is housed in readymade display spaces such as shipping containers, u-haul trucks and covered trailers. This mobility allows us to present an impromptu gallery opening anytime and anywhere in the city of Tulsa. The low tech nature of the gallery presentation experience removes the fabricated barrier of formality between the artist and public allowing for an accessible experience.

That’s right: U-Haul trucks. We kick off this inventive series this weekend, Friday, May 14th and Saturday, May 15th, at the Blue Dome Arts Festival.

Here’s some info on our first featured artist:

Colliding the organic with the manufactured, I question our position between a world that we shape ourselves and the natural world. My paintings are made out of materials such as leaves and various plastics that reflect that juxtaposition. I “sculpt” my paintings up in many translucent layers and mount them in florescent-lit lightboxes. Doing so allows me to achieve delicate transitions from light to dark. It is my hope that these cityscapes will delight your senses as much as your mind.

-Grace Grothaus

What: Freight Gallery (featuring Grace Grothaus)
When: May 14-15th
Where: Blue Dome Arts Festival

For information / updates on Freight:

• Like Freight Gallery on facebook.
• Follow The Tulsa Project on Twitter.
• Check for updates on the Freight website.

Photograph by Michael Champlin.

It’s generally no surprise to those who know me that I’m a huge fan of buying locally, in addition to the arts, which is why I’m so excited about this weekend.  As many of you already know, this weekend is Mayfest, which is an awesome arts festival that brings vendors from across the country to downtown Tulsa.  I love going through Mayfest and seeing Tulsa so alive and checking out what people are making, but my heart is with the local artists.  Fortunately this year I’ll have two other festivals downtown where I’m sure to get my fill.

The Blue Dome Arts Festival will be in the Blue Dome district downtown this weekend, well within walking distance of Mayfest. In the past there have been booths with vendors with everything you can possibly imagine from pottery to paintings, candles, jewelry, well you get the idea.  Great local talent will be displayed throughout the weekend in booths and on stage.  This is a great time to check out how full of life our downtown is by visiting restaurants, boutiques, and bars in the area.

This will also be the first year for the Brady Arts Festival.  Aside from being home to the historic Brady Theater and Cain’s Ballroom, the Brady District has had several art crawls showcasing galleries in the area.  This weekend will be yet another opportunity for Tulsans to experience how great this area really is.  The galleries will be open providing you with a great time to experience a world-class chocolatier and get up close and personal with glass blowing.  In addition, there will also be music throughout the weekend as well as the art car parade (guaranteed to have all one-of-a-kind cars), not to mention great food.

Which one will I attend?  You’ll definitely see me at all three throughout the weekend.  Come out and support the Tulsa art scene as it takes over downtown.