Play, paint, prepare for the holidays with Nov events in OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY — November is about a lot more than just visiting family and turkey naps.

The year’s penultimate month too often sees all sights set on Thanksgiving, but that disregards so much of the natural beauty and fun of November, especially in Oklahoma where this month finally brings the color changes and dipping temperatures to properly herald the autumn time.

November in OKC sees a host of activities, opportunities, and yes, eats, that are enough to make every other month jealous, and all while the city’s trees begin shedding their green and blanketing the ground with every kid’s favorite crunchy goodness.

So let’s take a stroll (or a skate) around OKC in November.

Chef Potluck – The Joinery – 121 E. Sheridan Ave. – 11/6

Right out of the gate this month is one of the year’s best ways to discover the city’s exploding food scene, as chefs from all over town descend upon the multi-story Joinery in Bricktown, each bringing their own specialties and eatery expertise.

All three stories of The Joinery will feature chefs and vendors offering bites and drinks to showcase the tastiest options from bars and restaurants all over the city and to give you some ideas and inspirations for cooking that big meal of your own later in the month.

For tickets and more information, visit ctbokc.com/the-joinery

November Night Market – Scissortail Park – 300 SW 7th St – 11/10

The Scissortail Park night markets (feature photo) have become something of a monthly staple, but they’re definitely never better than during the autumn months.

Crisp fall air, early sunsets, beautifully hung lights, and a wealth of harvest-and-holiday-appropriate gifts, crafts, and creations make the November Night Market one of the best opportunities for getting an early jump on the dreaded holiday shopping while still supporting local vendors and enjoying some sweater weather.

For times and more information, visit scissortailpark.org.

Native Sound Summit feat. Khu.éex’ – First Americans Museum – 659 American Indian Blvd. – 11/11

With a collection of some of the very best all-Native musicians and sound artists from across the city, state, and country, FAM’s Native Sound Summit is set to be the musical event of the month, and honestly maybe the year.

Starting bright and early at 9:00 am, the day will focus on presentations, performances, and panels featuring some of the most exciting young musical talent in the state with Olivia Komacheet, Kalyn Fay, Micah Wesley, Nathan Young, and Penny Pitchlynn of LABRYS all on hand.

But in the evening, things are set to get electric and eclectic with a full-band performance from multi-cultural, all-Indigenous powerhouse collective Khu.éex’, showcasing languages, musical styles, and instruments from all across Native cultures and communities, and even featuring artist Preston Singletary on bass and vocals.

Singletary will also be leading his own presentation on Indigenous art and “sonic expression” during an intermission, all complementing his groundbreaking exhibition “Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight” opening November 11th at Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

For full schedules, tickets, and more, visit famok.org.

Devon Ice Rink at the Myriad Botanical Gardens – 301 W. Reno – Opens 11/17

As the mid-month weather starts dipping more toward wintertime, conditions will be perfect to strap on some skates and hit the ice (but hopefully only metaphorically.)

Presented by Downtown OKC, the rink will keep running all through the holidays and even into February, but its early days in November will give you all the chance you need to work on your balance and grace before showing off your skills to the December rush.

For times and schedules, visit myriadgardens.org.

Eastside Paint & Pizza w/ Erica Nkechi – Eastside Pizza House – 1734 NE 23rd St – 11/18

As if the delectable, black-crusted pizzas at Eastside Pizza House weren’t works of art enough, you can munch, savor, and sip while creating your own masterpiece and learning from one of Oklahoma’s most electrifying visual artists.

Nkechi will be bringing her bold, colorful, expressionistic style to the evening, showcasing and discussing her own work while guiding guests through their own interpretations of an appropriately autumn-hued wooded landscape.

Whether you’re an artistic newcomer looking for a little liquid courage to get the creative juices flowing, or you’re an established talent that just can’t pass up the promise of some of the city’s best pizza while crafting another visual gem, this is the event for you.

For tickets and more information, visit eastsidepizzahouse.com.

Small Business Saturday – Citywide – 11/25

And of course, as every year for more than a decade, the Saturday following Thanksgiving is all about bringing business and bodies to small, locally owned shops, stalls, and vendors around the city.

With the infamous Black Friday seemingly becoming more cutthroat and nerve-wracking each year, and with Cyber Monday gobbling up billions of dollars for retail giants and internet behemoths, Small Business Saturday is a perfect yearly reminder of the importance of community shopping and buying local.

So this year, maybe skip the Friday stampedes and forgo some of the Monday screen-staring and instead get out to meet your friendly neighborhood proprietors, merchants, and restaurateurs for some of your holiday shopping needs instead.

You’ll be surprised at how many items you can check off your list at local stores, and you’ll be helping out your community while you do it.

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