Weekly Events Calendar: June 10-16

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.

By Kiersten Stone
According to the Tenth Doctor, “People assume time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually, from a nonlinear, non-subjective viewpoint, it’s more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff.” While unfortunately, we can’t hop in a big, blue police box and take off to explore time and space, we can visit the labyrinth of past, present, and future at Factory Obscura. The new immersive exhibit Time Slip: Tomorrow, Now & Back Again will take guests on an artful journey through time. Inside the labyrinth, guests can encounter unique and classic creatures and interact with new creations. This exhibit will only be here through September 30 though, so make sure to visit and explore before it slips away to time itself. Through September 30. General Admission, $24. Special Exhibit Admission, $12. factoryobscura.com

By Megan Rossman
Normally fishing is a peaceful endeavor, a relaxing hobby. Anglers cast their lines and contemplate life as they wait for a bite, but there’s not really anything relaxing about the noodling method, as people stick their firsts underwater, hoping for a catfish to bite them and latch on. You can get a look at these river and lake monsters at the Okie Noodling Tournament & Festival on June 13th and 14th and Wacker Park in Pauls Valley. Along with fish weighing in at more than seventy pounds, there will be plenty of beer and food, a catfish cookoff, kids’ games, crafts, and of course, the coronation of the Okie Noodling Queen, who is not a river monster as far as we know.
June 13-14. Registration, $45-$55. General Admission, $25. okienoodling.com.

See fishing take an extreme sports twist at the Okie Noodling Tournament & Festival in Pauls Valley's Wacker Park. Photo courtesy Okie Noodling

By Nathan Gunter
When I was a teenager, I discovered that KGOU plays jazz late at night all through the night. So for years in high school, before going to bed, I’d crawl out my bedroom window onto the roof of my house (sorry mom!) and listen to the sweet sounds of Theolonious Monk, Stan Getz, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and more filling the night air. Then I’d crawl back inside and leave the music on while I went to sleep.
So now imagine having that wonderful experience but getting to share it with tens of thousands of people. Well you can at Norman’s Jazz in June concert, which has been held annually since 1984. Filling Andrews Park with the sweet sounds of jazz, this weekend-long festival also will feature clinics for adults and kids alike who want to find their inner Charles Mingus—plus jam sessions on Thursday and Saturday nights for those of you who want to bring your own instrument. For more information, including a list of food and drink vendors and a way to donate, visit jazzinjune.org.
June 13-15. Admission, free. jazzinjune.org

Grab a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for great music during Jazz in June at Norman's Andrews Park. Photo courtesy Shevaun Williams & Associates

By Karlie Ybarra
It might not seem necessary to shorten June 19th to Juneteenth—the holiday which officially marks the emancipation of African Americans after the Civil War. But you’ll be thankful that you saved yourself those extra seconds, because there’s so much to do that weekend in the Sooner State you won’t have time for anything but celebration. Tulsa Juneteenth Festival is first, June 13-15th in the Greenwood Historical District. Make sure to check out the Greenwood History Center while you’re there. June 14th-15th, the Patterson Community Center in Lawton will have food, music, and activities for the whole family. There’s all that plus a parade those same days at the Attucks Community Center and Park in Ponca City. On June 22nd, one of Oklahoma’s original Black towns, Boley, hosts its annual Juneteenth Rhythm and Blues Festival, where there will be lots of good food, lively entertainment, and some fun activities that will help you understand why this holiday is so important. Search Juneteenth on TravelOK.com to find more celebrations around the state.
Various dates in June. tulsajuneteenth.org lfsjuneteenth.org

All are welcome at the Greenwood Historical District for the Tulsa Juneteenth Festival, just one of many Juneteenth celebrations in the state planned over the next couple of weeks. Photo courtesy Tulsa Juneteenth Festival

By Ben Luschen
Here in the weekly events calendar we have plenty for you to do if you are Hungry or Thirsty. And if you do happen to be them, well, pleased to meet you Hungry and Thirsty, my name is Dad! In fact, I’m Dad, you’re Dad, we’re all Dad at the Father’s Day Festival at Oklahoma City’s Scissortail Park. The fifth annual celebration takes place on when else but Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16. Enjoy Father’s Day the traditional way by somehow making it all about the kids with bounce houses, games, face painting, and more. But hey, all those activities are really just a ruse to keep the kids occupied while dad can enjoy the delicious food truck fair in some peaceful solitude. Maybe we can even get Hungry to wait in line for you. This is a free event that starts at 11:00 a.m. and ends at my favorite tee time, FOOUUR!! Visit scissortailpark.org/events for more information.
June 16. Admission, free. scissortailpark.org

Written By

Ben Luschen

Luschen joined the *Oklahoma Today*’ staff as Research Editor in 2021 and currently works as the magazine's Web Editor, managing the website and social media fronts. His past *Oklahoma Today* stories have ranged in content from the state's bee and quail industries to its vibrant art and music scenes. Not adverse to a road trip, Luschen is always on the lookout for the next big adventure. He is never out of opinions about the current state of Oklahoma City Thunder basketball.