Plan your month with these can't-miss events at Oklahoma Contemporary

A masked family poses for a photo in an art gallery

Can you believe October is here already? With leaves changing and temperatures dropping, we're gearing up for fall at Oklahoma Contemporary with can't-miss virtual and in-person events all month long. Alongside ongoing opportunities to experience our inaugural exhibitions, dine-in or takeout at Cafe Contemporary or find the perfect gift for that special someone in your life at Shop Contemporary, here's a look at what's coming to your new arts center in October.

Thursday, Oct. 1 - Performance | Spotlight Concert Series with Arts Council OKC: Steelwind

Inspired by Oklahoma Contemporary’s inaugural exhibition, Arts Council Oklahoma City’s Spotlight Concert series will celebrate the “bright future” of OKC's entertainment community with live performances held on Oklahoma Contemporary's North Lawn. Steelwind features all-original bluegrass out of Oklahoma. Co-writers Blake Parks and Michael Henneberry continue their bluegrass journey accompanied with tight harmonies and soulful instrumentation. SOLD OUT.

Thursday, Oct. 8 - Performance | Expanse by RACE Dance Collective

RACE Dance Collective will perform an original work inspired by Jen Lewin’s Aqueous. Through structured dance and music improvisation, dancers from RACE Dance Collective, as well as former dancer and project musician James Grigsby, have created a performance that is based around the way that Aqueous beckons them to find space for uninterrupted joy and connection with the world around them. Performed outdoors at dusk for optimal viewing of the illuminated sculpture. Tickets required. Reserve yours free here.

Landscape by former Studio-in-Place artist Danny Joe Rose III, who leads an online Friday Night Workshop on Oct. 9.

Friday, Oct. 9 - Online Friday Night Workshop | Landscape 101

Join artist Danny Joe Rose III online as you create a landscape composition in acrylic from your own reference photo. You'll log off with new painting skills and an original work on canvas. Register here.

Saturday, Oct. 10 - Second Saturday | Indigenous Voices

Join us for an outdoor community celebration of Indigenous People's Day, centering Native American culture and contemporary practices through performances, artist demos and art-making activities. We encourage visitors and families to wear your masks. Tickets required. Reserve your free here.

A man with dark features and glasses smiles at the camera

Oklahoma Contemporary Curatorial Fellow Pablo Barrera leads a virtual gallery talk on Thursday, Oct. 22.

Thursday, Oct. 15 - Performance | Spotlight Concert Series with Arts Council OKC: Sophia Massad

Sophia Massad is an alternative/indie-rock artist who hails from Oklahoma City. Her sultry to sassy vocal tones sculpt her unique sound. With rugged charm, exuberant sense of humor and absurd performance style, Massad pours herself into every song. Tickets required. Reserve yours free here.

Thursday, Oct. 22 - Virtual Gallery Talk | Shadow on the Glare with Pablo Barrera

Curatorial Fellow Pablo Barrera (Wixáritari) joins us to share his insights in organizing Shadow on the Glare. Our third-floor Oklahoma Gallery exhibition features photo and video works critically responding to Bright Golden Haze's themes of light and place, while centering Oklahoma landscapes. Watch online here.

Friday, Oct. 23 - Online Friday Night Workshop | Hand Lettering

Discover contemporary hand lettering with artist and illustrator Aditi Panchal. You'll leave this online workshop with a completed design and new hand lettering skills to impress friends and family. Register here.

Handmade, embroidered, beaded accessory made by woodland quillwork

Saturday, Oct. 24 - Online Workshop | Woodland Quillwork Workshop

Discover the art and history of woodland quillwork as it relates to the Anishinaabek. Learn to harvest porcupine, remove quills, and how quills are prepared and sorted. Participants learn to harvest sweetgrass and birch bark as well as how these materials are prepared for use in woodland quillwork. Register here.

Sunday, Oct. 25 - Film Screening | Art21: Vija Celmins and Roni Horn

Join us to view Vija Celmins in Time, 2003 (12:27) and Roni Horn in Structure, 2009 (13:09). To ensure public safety, only 30 socially distanced seats are open per screening in our 3,500-square-foot theater. Reservations required and will be available two weeks before event.

Thursday, Oct. 29 - Performance | Spotlight Concert Series with Arts Council OKC: Latin Mojo Band

Latin Mojo is a fresh new band blasting into the Latin music scene of Oklahoma City with a repertoire of Spanish pop, salsa and newest top hits. Experience the sounds with a spicy fusion of electric guitars, horns, percussion and Latin rhythms. Tickets required. Reservations open Oct. 15.

For an exhaustive list of everything you can do at the new Oklahoma Contemporary in October and beyond, check out the events calendar.

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Oklahoma Contemporary live music performing arts events