OKLAHOMA CITY – The holiday season is invariably a time of stresses and packed schedules just as surely as it’s a time for family and food.
But there may be no other year in recent memory where it’s quite so important to remember that it’s also the season of giving, that time of year where we show appreciation for what we have while extending our generosity to those that have less.
And this year, there’s a lot of generosity needed.
With aid programs being cancelled and dismantled left and right, and with food, outreach, housing, and health services seeing dramatic cuts nationwide and what could be regular interruptions thanks to political turmoil, this giving season comes with no shortage of opportunities to make a difference.
So while it’s always a good idea to use your dollars and your presence to support local music and local venues, this season is also offering some chances to combine that support with some real community outreach as well.
Here are a few options for how to help out, extend a hand, or even just get involved in the conversation while enjoying some of OKC’s best songwriters.
Gabriel Hancock / Sundrift / Chase Kerby – Benefitting the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma – 51st St. Speakeasy – Friday, November 21st
With the recent interruptions to SNAP food assistance benefits, a lot of local figures and groups jumped into action to organize drives helping to boost the stock and capacity of vital services like the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
Even though SNAP was quickly reimplemented after the government shutdown ended, it’s still more important than ever to help out those food banks, as they’ll be an integral part of late-year outreach efforts, and as we’re all now acutely aware that SNAP could be interrupted again at any moment.
So that’s why a trio of fiery, passionate local acts are banding together at The Speak at raise some spirits, raise some funds, and tear through some tunes ahead of the holidays.
Gabriel Hancock will be there with his Sick Forms, bringing a full-force ferocity to his pointed folk-rock, relative newcomers Sundrift will be bringing their buoyant indie-rock energy, and scene tentpole Chase Kerby will be gracing listeners with some songs from his (finally) upcoming first-ever solo record.
That would be a killer lineup already, but with all proceeds from the evening going to benefit the Regional Food Bank, how can you pass this one up?
For tickets and more information, follow @the_speak on Instagram.
Music for Meals feat. Jabee, Labrys, Brandon Birdwell, & more – Benefitting the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma – Resonant Head – Thursday, December 4th
So remember how important I just said the Regional Food Bank is?
The necessity of a fully stocked, fully staffed food bank for Oklahoma is so important that a whole host of some of the city’s other best songwriters are joining forces to bring that same energy to Resonant Head in an event they’ve dubbed Music for Meals: Local Artists Against Food Insecurity.
Led by the inexhaustible community spirit of hip-hop hero Jabee Williams, Music for Meals is not only a chance to support the fight against hunger this holiday season, but also to catch some of the best and most explosive artists in the scene together on one bill.
Joining Jabee will be hard-driving indie-rock heavyweight Labrys, intimate and introspective sets from Chelsey Cope and Branden Scott, and art-pop powerhouse Brandon Birdwell.
The opportunity to help replenish the Regional Food Bank in between the big holidays is invaluable, and every little bit helps.
Plus, there’s at least a small chance we could see a partial reunion of City Cinema.
For tickets and more information, visit resonanthead.com.
Naturalist / Speak, Memory – Benefitting the Homeless Alliance – The Pet Shop – Sunday, December 7th
The city’s newest spot for the harder-hitting, volume-cranking side of the music scene, The Pet Shop on Linwood Blvd., is readying quite an especially loud, intense Sunday evening for December 7th, with a slate of locals covering everything from seething hardcore to jagged, mathy post-rock, all benefitting the Homeless Alliance.
Hardcore howlers Naturalist will be leading the charge, backed up by the glitter and gloom of the stalwart Speak, Memory and the ear-bashing post-metal of newcomers Respair.
Proceeds will go to help support the Homeless Alliance, one of the city’s most vital operations, especially during the winter months and the holiday season, during which they provide a number of special meals, daily lunches, and a nightly winter shelter for the unhoused population of OKC.
Then as a helpful bonus, you can catch Speak, Memory again over at Grand Royale on December 12th, where they’ll be collecting winter coats for donation.
For more, visit thepetshopokc.com.
Woody Guthrie Tribute: Musicians for Democracy and Decency – Blue Door – Sunday, December 7th
The historic Blue Door is known for a lot of things, but chief among them are rapid-fire rotating folk acts taking turns on their songcraft and reverent celebrations of the legacy and power of true folk music.
Well, if you want both of those elements wrapped up together with a little civic engagement, then look no further than this year’s edition of the venue’s annual tribute to perhaps Oklahoma’s most important cultural figure.
For the 35th year, the Blue Door is presenting a full day of Oklahoman artists paying tribute to the life and music of the irreplaceable Woody Guthrie, and paying tribute also to his lifelong fight for stronger community power and class consciousness.
This year, the lineup boasts nearly 20 folk-slinging locals, including towering talents like Carter Sampson, Kierston White, BaileyBoy, Terry Buffalo Ware, and loads more.
The proceeds this year will go toward campaigns for Oklahoman office-seekers that have vowed to better protect food assistance, homeless outreach, public education, and a free and independent media.
Yes, it’s effectively a political event, but Woody himself would be the first to tell you that you’re crazy if you think you can separate art and politics.
Let’s not forget what was written on his guitar.
For tickets and more information, visit bluedoorokc.com.
You can find out about local music and performance happenings in the OKC metro weekly in this music column by Brett Fieldcamp. | Brought to you by True Sky Credit Union.
Brett Fieldcamp is the owner and Editor in Chief of Oklahoma City Free Press. He has been covering arts, entertainment, news, housing, and culture in Oklahoma for nearly two decades and served as Arts & Entertainment Editor before purchasing the company from founder Brett Dickerson in 2026.
He is also a musician and songwriter and holds a certification as Specialist of Spirits from The Society of Wine Educators.
