Weekly Events Calendar January 13-19

Each week, Oklahoma Today staffers comb through their calendars to find a handful of great events happening across the state. Get out! See Oklahoma! And be sure to let us know what you find, either here or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @oklahomatoday.

Midget sprint cars duke it out during the 2019 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. Photo provided by Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals.

Tiny Terrors

After thirty years, it’s fair to say the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals are a hit. Likely because spectators—even those who mistakenly come with bibs and spoons—cannot help but marvel at the fast-paced midget sprint car racing action held annually. Leave the hot sauce at home and head for Tulsa Expo Square’s River Spirit Expo to see five nights of qualifying races on a quarter-mile clay oval track, slipping and sliding their way into the championship competition on Saturday. January 13-18. Tickets, $227-$337. chilibowl.com

Clearly Canadian

Despite lyrics claiming otherwise, American women are extremely welcome at Lawton's Apache Casino Hotel when The Guess Who perform. The Canadian classic rockers are sure to bust out a coterie of their hits, including “No Sugar Tonight,” “These Eyes,” and, of course, the scathing “American Woman.” The show is a guaranteed winner, which is better than can be said for the slot machines. January 16. Tickets, $30-$70. apachecasinohotel.com

Watch the fingers and bows fly at the Western Hills Bluegrass Festival. Photo by Kim Boll.

Fiddling Around

We’re biased, of course, but you really can’t go wrong with a visit to one of Oklahoma’s gorgeous state parks. All the splendor of Sequoyah State Park gains a musical accompaniment this week as the Western Hills Bluegrass Festival descends upon Wagoner for three days of fiddle, banjo, and guitar playing. This annual regional draw brings in musicians and music lovers from surrounding states who come to listen, jam, take part in workshops, and enjoy the Lodge at Sequoyah State Park. January 16-18. Tickets, $15-$45. facebook.com

Real Friends

Though he made his name as a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Chris Janson is no slouch when it comes to performing. See for yourself when his Real Friends tour rolls through Enid’s Stride Bank Center. With catchy country tunes including “Buy Me a Boat” and “Power of Positive Drinkin’,” Janson can make every night feel like a party. January 17. Tickets, $29.75-$49.75. stridebankcenter.com/chris-janson

So. Many. Beads. Head over to the Oklahoma Winter Bead & Jewelry Show this week to see them all.

Cool Beads

As grammar nerds, seeing an event like the Oklahoma Winter Bead & Jewelry Show always forces our brains to ask questions like, “What is a ‘winter bead,’ exactly?” After hours of research, we are happy to report that beads purchased during the show can be used year round, it’s just that you can purchase them during the winter. Hopefully, with that weight lifted, you can enjoy perusing the millions of beads, pearls, chains, minerals, and more for sale over three days at the Oklahoma State Fair Park. January 17-19. Admission, $5. aksshow.com

Mad Dog 2020

“Getting smashed” takes on an entirely different meaning as the Mad Dog Demolition Derby returns to the Claremore Expo Center. The car-crashing action is generally reserved for adults, but there will be a Power Wheel Derby for those 4-8 year olds who are obsessed with destruction. Which is all of them. January 18. Tickets, $10-$25. motorheadevents.com/demo-derby.html

Beyond The Dream

Martin Luther King Jr. is rightfully remembered for his “I have a dream” speech, but there was more to his life and his legacy than that indelible moment. Learn more about the last eighteen months of his life with a showing of King in the Wilderness, a documentary that shows how he navigated turbulent times and his own self doubt while fighting for civil rights, at the Stillwater Public Library. After the film, there will be a moderated discussion. January 19. Admission, free. library.stillwater.org

Written By

Greg Elwell

Greg Elwell served as research editor and web editor of Oklahoma Today from 2018-2023. He also has worked for newspapers, medical research organizations, and government institutions.