Back to Nature

You don't need to travel far to get in touch with nature's glory. Martin Park Nature Center & Trail is one of Oklahoma City's greatest treasures, a crossroads of wildlife, recreation and education. Located just west of Mercy Hospital at 5000 W. Memorial Road, this 144-acre park has three hiking trails, a bird observation wall, a watchtower and a hands-on nature museum. Hikers who set out on the 3.5 miles of trails will go through woodlands and past grasslands, around a large pond and along a spring creek. Keep your eyes peeled and you might just glimpse a deer, coyote or cottontail rabbit.
Things to Do & See – Aug. 9 - Aug. 15
Tuesday, August 9
RIVERSPORT Run and Walk Free Program; 6 - 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Boathouse, 725 S. Lincoln; 552-4040
The Early Ford V8 Club of American Meeting; 7 p.m.; Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center, 3400 NW 36; 943-0827
Wednesday, August 10
Way Back Wednesday at the Oklahoma City Zoo; all day; 2101 NE 50; 424-3344; $1 admission and other discounts
Flower Design Class; 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.; Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center, 3400 NW 36; 943-0827
Mustache Bash benefitting Sunbeam Family Services; 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.; Shop Good, 3 NW 9 St.; 702-0517; mustache-themed block party
Wednesday Night at the Movies; 6 - 8 p.m.; 46th Star Auditorium in the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave.; 231-8650; Admission is FREE
Thursday, August 11
US Rowing Masters National Championships; All day; Chesapeake Boathouse, 725 S. Lincoln Blvd.; 552-4040
Cocktails on the Skyline; 5 - 10 p.m.; Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Roof Terrace, 415 Couch Drive; 236-3100
Urban Neighbors August Social; 5:30 - 7 p.m.; Joey’s Pizzeria, 700 W. Sheridan
MS Smarty Pants Trivia Night; 7 p.m.; Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive; 522-0765; presented by Chesapeake Energy; Registration is $400 per team with teams of up 10 people
Lower Bricktown Live Concert Series; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.; Bricktown Chevy Stage, south of the intersection of Reno Ave. and Mickey Mantle Dr.; 618-7038
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park; 8 - 10:30 p.m.; Myriad Gardens Water Stage, 301 W. Reno; 235-3700; $15 for adults, $10 for students/senior/military
Friday, August 12
US Rowing Masters National Championships; All day; Chesapeake Boathouse, 725 S. Lincoln Blvd.; 552-4040
OKC RedHawks vs. Colorado Springs; 7:05 p.m.; RedHawks Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle; 218-1000; Ticket prices vary
RIVERSPORT Moonlight Kayaking; 8 - 9:15 p.m.; Route 66 Boathouse, 3115 E. Overholser Dr.; 787-0900
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park; 8 - 10:30 p.m.; Myriad Gardens Water Stage, 301 W. Reno; 235-3700; $15 for adults, $10 for students/senior/military
Saturday, August 13
US Rowing Masters National Championships; All day; Chesapeake Boathouse, 725 S. Lincoln Blvd.; 552-4040
Spin Your Wheels; First race begins at 7 a.m.; The Children's Center, 6800 NW 39th Expressway; 789-6711; Registration is $30
History Comes Alive Cruises; Noon & 12:45 p.m.; Regatta Park, 701 S. Lincoln; 702-7755; Ticket prices vary
Drop-In Art; 1 - 4 p.m.; Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Dr; 236-3100; Free with paid museum admission
OKC RedHawks vs. Colorado Springs; 7:05 p.m.; RedHawks Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle; 218-1000; Ticket prices vary
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park; 8 - 10:30 p.m.; Myriad Gardens Water Stage, 301 W. Reno; 235-3700; $15 for adults, $10 for students/senior/military
Midnight Streak 2011; 10 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.; City Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd.; 951-0000; 5K run and 1-mile Fun Run to support City Arts Center; $30 registration
Sunday, August 14
US Rowing Masters National Championships; All day; Chesapeake Boathouse, 725 S. Lincoln Blvd.; 552-4040
Sunday Nature Hikes; 2:30 p.m.; Martin Park Nature Center, 5000 W. Memorial; 755-0676; $2 fee per person
OKC RedHawks vs. Colorado Springs; 4:05 p.m.; RedHawks Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle; 218-1000; Ticket prices vary
Sunday Twilight Concerts; 7 - 8:30 p.m.; Myriad Botanical Gardens Grand Lawn, 100 Myriad Gardens; 297-3995; Admission is FREE
Monday, August 15
OKC RedHawks vs. Colorado Springs; 7:05 p.m.; RedHawks Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle; 218-1000; Ticket prices vary
Things to Do & See – August 2 - August 8
Tuesday, Aug. 2
Oklahoma City Redhawks vs. Omaha; 7:05 p.m.; RedHawks Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive; 218-1000; Ticket prices vary
Iguana Tuesday; 4 - 11 p.m.; Iguana Mexican Grill, 9 NW 9th St.; 606-7172
Wednesday, Aug. 3
Way Back Wednesday at the Oklahoma City Zoo; all day; 2101 NE 50; 424-3344; $1 admission and other discounts
OSU-OKC Summer Farmer’s Market; 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Glenn Brook Centre East; 1120 NW 63rd.
Wednesday Night at the Movies; 6 - 8 p.m.; 46th Star Auditorium in the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave.; 231-8650; Admission is FREE
Thursday, Aug. 4
Noon Tunes presents Rebecca Edwards; 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave; 231-8650
Cocktails on the Skyline; 5 - 10 p.m.; Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Roof Terrace, 415 Couch Drive; 236-3100
Concerts on the Curve; 6 - 9 p.m.; Classen Curve, Classen Blvd. at Grand Blvd.
The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City Grand Event Celebration; 6 - 9 p.m.; Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City, I-40 & Council Rd.; 271-2207; Tickets: $10 in advance; $15 at the door
Lower Bricktown Live Concert Series; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.; Bricktown Chevy Stage, south of the intersection of Reno Ave. and Mickey Mantle Dr.; 618-7038
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park; 8 - 10:30 p.m.; Myriad Gardens Water Stage, 301 W. Reno; 235-3700; $15 for adults, $10 for students/senior/military
ACM@UCO students at The Blue Note; 10 p.m. - 1 a.m.; Blue Note, 2408 N. Robinson; 600-1166
Friday, Aug. 5
AQHYA World Youth Championship Quarter Horse Show; All day; Oklahoma State Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Blvd; 948-6704
Oklahoma Sales Tax Holiday; All day; Sales tax holiday on certain clothing and shoes
Community Landscaping Workshop; 9:30 a.m.; Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center, 3400 NW 36; 943-0827
OKC Gem, Jewelry and Bead Show; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Oklahoma State Fair Park, Arts & Crafts Building, 3001 General Pershing Blvd.; 948-6704; $5 per person
First Friday Gallery Walk; 6 - 10 p.m.; Paseo Arts District, NW 28 & Walker to NW 30 & Dewey
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park; 8 - 10:30 p.m.; Myriad Gardens Water Stage, 301 W. Reno; 235-3700; $15 for adults, $10 for students/senior/military
Saturday, Aug. 6
AQHYA World Youth Championship Quarter Horse Show; All day; Oklahoma State Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Blvd; 948-6704
Oklahoma Sales Tax Holiday; All day; Sales tax holiday on certain clothing and shoes
OKC Gem, Jewelry and Bead Show; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Oklahoma State Fair Park, Arts & Crafts Building, 3001 General Pershing Blvd.; 948-6704; $5 per person
First Friday (Saturday) Gallery Walk; 12 - 5 p.m.; Paseo Arts District, NW 28 & Walker to NW 30 & Dewey
History Comes Alive Cruises; Noon & 12:45 p.m.; Regatta Park, 701 S. Lincoln; 702-7755; Ticket prices vary
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park; 8 - 10:30 p.m.; Myriad Gardens Water Stage, 301 W. Reno; 235-3700; $15 for adults, $10 for students/senior/military
Sunday, Aug. 7
AQHYA World Youth Championship Quarter Horse Show; All day; Oklahoma State Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Blvd; 948-6704
Oklahoma Sales Tax Holiday; All day; Sales tax holiday on certain clothing and shoes
OKC Gem, Jewelry and Bead Show; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Oklahoma State Fair Park, Arts & Crafts Building, 3001 General Pershing Blvd.; 948-6704; $5 per person
Shakespeare on the River Cruises; 12 & 12:45 p.m.; Regatta Park, 701 S. Lincoln; 702-7755; Ticket prices vary
Sunday Twilight Concerts; 7 - 8:30 p.m.; Myriad Botanical Gardens Grand Lawn, 100 Myriad Gardens; 297-3995; Admission is FREE
Monday, Aug. 8
AQHYA World Youth Championship Quarter Horse Show; All day; Oklahoma State Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Blvd; 948-6704
Warr Acres Book Club; 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Warr Acres Library, 5901 NW 63; 721-2616