While energy jobs are important to our local economy, most newcomers (and even some longtime residents) are shocked to learn that energy jobs make up only 3.5 percent of Oklahoma City’s employment base. The diversity of our local economy and the size of sectors such as aerospace and bioscience are a surprise to most. Here are some of the sectors having a big impact on our region’s economic health:

Aerospace
Oklahoma City’s aerospace industry is soaring, pun intended. Greater Oklahoma City’s aerospace industry represents more than 36,000 jobs at more than 230 public- and private-sector firms. The state of Oklahoma ranks 12th nationally in the number of aerospace engineers, fifth in aircraft mechanics and service technicians, and eighth in avionic technicians. Aerospace firms now produce $4.9 billion in goods and services locally.

Biotechnology
With the Oklahoma Health Center just north (east?) of downtown, Oklahoma City has long been a hub of biotech research. In recent years, Oklahoma City’s own research institutions have made significant advances in the fields of Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and septicemia, to name a few. Firms in Greater Oklahoma City’s biotech sector boast annual revenues of more than $6.7 billion and employ more than 51,000 workers.

Technology and entrepreneurship
It is no secret that Oklahoma City’s pioneers, both in the past and present, have carried a spirit of entrepreneurship into their business and civic ventures. That spirit is very much alive today in Oklahoma City’s growing entrepreneurship community. From successful tech startups to the inventor’s workbench, OKC is a place where your ideas can get off the ground. (Looking for entrepreneurial resources? Visit www.greateroklahomacity.com [especially the EDIS and LBI tools] and www.i2e.org.).

Energy
Oklahoma City has long been considered a global oil capital, and with good reason. Oklahoma has a rich history of growing successful energy companies and our state Capitol even has a working oil rig on its grounds. But a lot has changed since the early wildcatter days of Oklahoma’s past. Oklahoma energy companies work in petroleum, compressed natural gas, wind power and solar energy, and they use state-of-the-art technology.

According to the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s 2019 Economic Forecast, an annual report looking at the year ahead for the Oklahoma City economy, the metro’s economy is expected to continue to grow in 2019. In fact, job growth this year is expected to increase by 2.1 percent or 13,600 jobs.

The report also highlights OKC’s impressive population growth. The OKC MSA has grown to 1.4 million people and is expected to add more than 200,000 people by 2020. If the metro continues its current population growth, 2 million people will live here by 2040.

According to the report, urbanization continues to benefit the two largest metros in the state. This is specifically seen in looking at how much of the state’s economy and growth can be attributed to the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros. Combined, Oklahoma City and Tulsa MSAs now account for 70 percent of the state’s GDP, 66 percent of personal income, and 60 percent of total population (or $7 out of every $10 of goods & services, two out of every three dollars of personal income and three out of every five people).

You can read the forecast at www.OKCChamber.com/forecast.

The story original ran on VeloCityOKC.com.

Nikki Nice is a first-term City Councilor representing Ward 7 in OKC after winning a runoff election last November. She recently took the time to sit down with VeloCityOKC and tell us about her background, which led to on-air radio jobs at Perry Publishing & Broadcasting’s KRMP & KVSP in OKC as well as other markets, why she ran for city council, her thoughts on some of Ward 7’s assets (including her favorite spots to eat) and challenges, and Oklahoma City in general.

VeloCityOKC: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Councilwoman Nice: I was born and raised here. I grew up in Capitol View, attended Millwood Public Schools, and my church was literally across the street, Greater New Zion Baptist Church. From there, I went to Northeast High School to be a part of the biomedical sciences program there. I didn't want to go to Northeast, but my mom made me go to be a part of the bio-med program, but when I got there, I had 10 of my Millwood friends there with me. Their parents obviously thought it was best for them to be a part of the bio-med program too, so that pretty much made my high school transition much easier, to have some of those friends.

There I [also] did Newsroom 101, yearbook, journalism. I didn't play sports, but I was the basketball manager. I had a few favorite teachers, but one was Ms. Karen Parks [now Patton]. She was our English, yearbook, and journalism teacher. I was also afforded the opportunity to be taught by Ms. Nancy Davis, Jr. -- her mom [Nancy Randolph Davis] was the first African-American student to attend Oklahoma State University, so we got a lot of great history from Ms. Davis.

I was also part of YLX, and I did student council, so [in terms of] civic engagement, community, and leadership, those things shaped me. Even at Millwood, being a part of Brownies, and Girl Scouts, and things like that. Just being active in my church; my mom made sure I was very active in church, reading the church announcements and things like that, ushering with her.

And you are a Langston grad; what did study during college?

I started my college career at the University of Central Oklahoma... My major had always been journalism & broadcasting. I wanted to be a sportscaster, because I love sports. My favorite baseball team is the Cincinnati Reds--I'm so excited now that Matt Kemp is now a Red. And obviously the Thunder, because I was also originally a SuperSonics fan. And I am a [Dallas] Cowboys fan, because my mom was a Cowboys fan, so we would watch football on Sundays, and she pretty much taught me football, and she would scream at the TV at Tony Dorsett and all the football players.

What got me into radio was my church. We had a church broadcast on Saturdays at 1220 AM. After I did that, I was like, “I think I like this. People don't have to see me.”

Read the full interview with Councilwoman Nice at VelocityOKC.com.

The story original ran on VeloCityOKC.com.

It's well-known among politicians, investors and entrepreneurs that the Internet — and access to it — is an economic engine. It helps connect Americans to education and government services. It serves as a platform for new ideas and companies that wind up changing the world. And it reduces costs for consumers and businesses everywhere.

At a press conference held at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, Mayor David Holt and Cox Communications announced that homes throughout the metropolitan area have access to 1 gigabit broadband internet speeds. Cox Communications customers can utilize this powerful connection, equal to 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps), to download 100 songs within 3 seconds, 1,000 photos in 16 seconds and a 2-hour movie in 8 seconds.

“Like virtually all cities, Oklahoma City depends on a partnership with the private sector to provide for our citizens’ ever-growing digital needs,” said OKC Mayor David Holt, “and so I am always grateful when companies like Cox step up and make these kinds of investments. This infrastructure will benefit our existing citizens and their businesses but will also continue to improve Oklahoma City’s profile as a place for job creators and entrepreneurs to relocate. It means a lot to our city’s unity that we maintain that kind of equity, and it fulfills our vision of ‘One OKC.’ I commend Cox not just for providing this service but for the effort to ensure it is provided to all.”

“This new service provides our residents and businesses with the technology they are demanding, this is another distinguishing, quality-of-life factor that differentiates our community and helps attract talent in a very competitive environment,” said Roy Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.

“Our Gigablast service meets the needs of today’s internet users who increasingly have multiple internet-dependent devices in their homes and desire faster speeds for entertainment, communication, safety and a range of other purposes,” said Kristin Peck, Cox Communications’ vice president of public affairs. “Cox Communications’ sizeable network investments, including a $10 billion network infrastructure investment, help us stay significantly ahead of demand and enable smart homes, smart businesses and smart cities – all of which depend on reliable fast internet service.”

Cox is making significant upgrades to its infrastructure in Oklahoma City as part of the company’s commitment to invest $10 billion in its network over the next five years. DOCSIS 3.1 technology builds on the strength of Cox’s fiber-based network and provides the ability to roll out gigabit internet speeds throughout more neighborhoods at a faster pace. Cox has committed to offering gigabit speeds to all customers – not just a select few – and an array of speed and pricing options to all homes and businesses, not just chosen neighborhoods.

Tuesday, February 19
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Blackberry Smoke; 7 p.m.; Diamond Ballroom; Ticket prices vary.

Wednesday, February 20    
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Rio Grande Valley Vipers vs. Oklahoma City Blue; 7 p.m.; Cox Convention Center; Ticket prices vary.
Lettuce; 8 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Ticket prices vary.

Thursday, February 21        
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Third Thursday at OKCMOA: A Night at the Oscars; 5 p.m.; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Tickets are $12.
Born of Osiris; 6 p.m.; Diamond Ballroom; Ticket prices vary.
Jon Wolfe; 8 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Ticket prices vary.

Friday, February 22
Leake Classic Car Show & Auction; All day; State Fair Park; Ticket prices vary.
The Friends of the Library Book Sale; All day; State Fair Park; Event entry is free.
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Midtown Rotary Spelling Bee; 8 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Ticket prices vary.
La Sylphide; 8 p.m.; Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.
Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 8:30 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; Ticket prices vary.

Saturday, February 23
Leake Classic Car Show & Auction; All day; State Fair Park; Ticket prices vary.
The Friends of the Library Book Sale; All day; State Fair Park; Event entry is free.
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Sacramento Kings vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; Ticket prices vary.
La Sylphide; 8 p.m.; Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.

Sunday, February 24
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
La Sylphide; 2 p.m.; Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.
Donavon Frankenreiter; 8 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Ticket prices vary.

Monday, February 25
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Shen Yun 2019; 7:30 p.m.; Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.

If you are new to OKC, you may think that the Oklahoma River has always flowed freely just south of downtown, or that the Chesapeake Energy Arena has always welcomed screaming sports fans. Actually, the hallmarks of Oklahoma City’s renaissance are relatively new and they all got their start when Oklahoma City residents approved the Metropolitan Area Projects in December 1993.

Before that time, Oklahoma City had endured an economic recession and many of its workforce left for other areas. When an airline chose to locate a production facility in another place because their employees didn’t want to relocate to Oklahoma City, community leaders knew they had to change their investment strategy.

From that motivation, the groundbreaking MAPS program was born—a temporary 1-cent sales tax that was used to construct public facilities debt free. The first iteration of that program brought Oklahoma City back to life and gave us iconic facilities like the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Bricktown Canal, Cox Convention Center, Chesapeake Energy Arena and the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library—all facilities that we can’t imagine OKC without.

The program was so successful that it was repeated two times: the MAPS for Kids program in 2001 and the MAPS 3 program in 2009. MAPS for Kids infused $800 million in capital investments for schools throughout Oklahoma City. Like other MAPS projects, MAPS for Kids has played a fundamental part in improving the daily lives of Oklahoma City residents. By investing in Oklahoma City student’s schools and programs, MAPS for Kids has also invested in the future of Oklahoma City.

More recently, MAPS 3 expanded the quality-of-life improvements to include a new downtown convention center, a new downtown park, the Oklahoma City Streetcar, the whitewater center at RIVERSPORT Rapids, the Bennett Event Center at State Fair Park, senior health and wellness centers throughout the metro, and more trails and sidewalks to help connect pedestrians to parks, schools and employment centers.

Did you know that the City of Oklahoma City maintains more than 3,500 miles of roadways within the city limits? Oklahoma City is massive, and that means that a lot of time and effort goes into improving our infrastructure. Each year, the City’s Public Works department completes about $100 million in bond projects, which include street resurfacing, streetscapes, sidewalks, trails and bicycle infrastructure.

Alongside the bond program, the Better Streets, Safer Oklahoma City 27-month temporary penny sales tax was approved in 2017 that will generate $240 million of revenue for streets, sidewalks and trails. All of the planned City projects except for those related to water and wastewater improvements have been mapped, and additional information is available on the City’s website at www.okc.gov/pw. You can also see a list of Better Streets Safer City projects available at www.okc.gov/bettersafer.

Want to learn more about how the Public Works department improves your neighborhood streets? Read a recent Q&A with Shannon Cox, Public Works public information and marketing manager, at VeloCityOKC.com.

Now that you understand how the power of a penny can change a city, I bet you are ready to dream up some projects that will boost Oklahoma City’s growth for the next generation. Luckily for you, the City is soliciting feedback for the next round of MAPS. Mayor David Holt and the members of City Council are inviting everyone to submit ideas for a potential MAPS 4 at ideas4maps.com. The City is requesting that the ideas be transformational, specific things that will propel Oklahoma City forward.

You can also submit your ideas on social media using the hashtag #ideas4maps or by mailing a letter to Mayor David Holt, Attn: MAPS 4, 200 N Walker Ave. 3rd floor, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

And just to settle any fears you might have: A new MAPS program would leave the current Oklahoma City sales tax rate of 4.125 percent unchanged. The Better Streets, Safer City temporary 1-cent sales tax that is helping to fund nearly $800 million in street repairs expires at the end of March 2020. If residents adopt a MAPS 4 plan this year, the overall sales tax rate in most of OKC would remain 8.625 percent (8.975 percent in Canadian County and 8.875 percent in Cleveland County because of county sales taxes).

If all this talk of Oklahoma City’s growth and potential has you bursting with civic pride, we have the perfect outlet for you. Today, Oklahoma City residents in Wards 2, 5, 6 and 8 will have the chance to choose who will serve on the City Council for the next four-year term, which begins in April 2019. A total of 12 candidates filed to run for Oklahoma City Council, including incumbents David Greenwell (Ward 5) and Mark Stonecipher (Ward 8). Other candidates are James Cooper, Mike Dover, Suzanne Broadbent, Tracey Halley Terrell and Marilyn Davidson for Ward 2; Kristina Hull for Ward 5; Nathaniel Harding, JoBeth Hamon and Jim Holman for Ward 6; and Lauren Durmas for Ward 8.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, never fear! The Chamber recently surveyed each candidate on issues that are important to Oklahoma City’s growth. See their responses at VeloCityOKC.com.

Other municipalities throughout the metro area also have candidates standing for city and school board elections. View all elections for Oklahoma, Canadian and Cleveland counties, and make sure you take the time to vote today!

Tuesday, February 12
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.

Wednesday, February 13     
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Cursive; 8 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Ticket prices vary. 

Thursday, February 14        
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Blake Shelton; 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; Ticket prices vary.
Mulholland Drive/Fire Walk With Me; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Ticket are $15. 
August Burns Red; 7:30 p.m.; Diamond Ballroom; Ticket prices vary.

Friday, February 15
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Nadia Comaneci International Invitational; All day; Cox Convention Center; Ticket prices vary.
Saved-by-the-90s Celebration; 8 p.m.; Myriad Botanical Gardens; $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers.

Saturday, February 16
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Nadia Comaneci International Invitational; All day; Cox Convention Center; Ticket prices vary.
Monster Jam; 1 & 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; Ticket prices vary.
Todd Snider; 8 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Ticket prices vary. 

Sunday, February 17
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Nadia Comaneci International Invitational; All day; Cox Convention Center; Ticket prices vary.
Monster Jam; 1 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; Ticket prices vary.

Monday, February 18
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Office Space; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Ticket are $10. 

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is an awesome video worth? For some of the best videos on Oklahoma City we suggest you bookmark the Visit OKC YouTube page. If you are a newcomer to OKC it is a great place to learn about what to do in the 4-0-5. Our friends at the Oklahoma City and Convention and Visitors Bureau keep it updated with great videos on all our attractions, exciting districts, fun events and so much more.

Check out this great resource for a crash course on all things fun in OKC!

One thing that can surprise newcomers and visitors to Oklahoma City is that we have one of the best-ranked and largest zoos in America. With 100 acres and more than 1,900 animals, there is a reason the Oklahoma City Zoo is on every local’s must-do list. With an array of gorgeous habitats, it should come as no surprise that people are known to spend entire days there. And who can blame them? With plenty to eat, watch and experience there’s never a shortage of wild things to do.

The Oklahoma City Zoo welcomes more than 1 million visitors each year and is located in the Adventure District, just northeast of downtown.

The zoo has been a priority of our city since pre-statehood days. The zoo opened in 1902 in what was then called Wheeler Park. Damages from the flooding of the Oklahoma River eventually forced the zoo to move to its present day location in 1920. In 1990, the residents of Oklahoma City voted for a 1/8-of-a-cent sales tax to help fund the zoo.

The zoo is also in the early stages of planning for a $71 million renovation that could bring more exciting exhibits and amenities to the world-class attraction.

Still looking for a good date night idea? Don’t worry—as always, our friends at the CVB are here to help with their monthly video covering some of the best things going on in OKC. This month in OKC you can rock out at the Jones Assembly, try brunch at Osteria and shop at Affair of the Heart.

This story originally ran on VelocityOKC.com.

A stirring is rippling through the contemporary art scene in Oklahoma City. There is a special group of creatives looking to mix things up once again, proving to ourselves and the world that our city truly is brimming with art, culture and innovation. This collective of local artists is Factory Obscura. Founded in 2017 to provide immersive art experiences, build a creative economy and support arts education, Factory Obscura is quickly becoming a contemporary arts juggernaut. With ambitious plans to establish a large-scale permanent home here in the heart of OKC, the collective has already completed three experiences, each growing in scale and complexity over the last two years. The organization recently joined the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.

Factory Obscura hosted the first of these one-of-a-kind experiences, Midnight Dinner, in November 2017, where a limited number of guests were invited to gather in a top-secret location for an intimate performative dinner party and fundraiser. This event was a preview for their next endeavor later that same month, entitled SHIFT, a free temporary immersive experience created through the artist-in-residence program at Current Studio. More than 20,000 people traversed this full-sensory exploration through the landscape of human consciousness. Building on this success, Factory Obscura launched BEYOND in October 2017, a mystical art odyssey celebrating the time of year when the veil between worlds grows thin. In the few short months of its run, more than 13,000 people crossed its arcane threshold into other dimensions.

Now Factory Obscura is making its biggest waves yet by embarking on its first permanent experience, Mix-Tape. Located inside the iconic Womb Art Complex in Automobile Alley, the first phase of Mix-Tape will open March 21, 2019, including a gift shop with merchandise by Factory Obscura, Meow Wolf and the Flaming Lips, plus interactive installations in the lobby. Meanwhile, the collective will continue to build a 6,000-square-foot experience opening Sept. 21, 2019. Join in and follow along with this truly unique-to-OKC art experience at www.factoryobscura.fun.

Tuesday, February 5
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Orlando Magic vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; Ticket prices vary.
On Your Feet!; 7:30 p.m.; Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.

Wednesday, February 6      
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Sorry to Bother You; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Ticket are $10. 
On Your Feet!; 7:30 p.m.; Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.

Thursday, February 7         
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; Ticket prices vary.
House Party Pajama Party; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Ticket are $10. 
On Your Feet!; 7:30 p.m.; Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.

Friday, February 8
An Affair of the Heart; All day; State Fair Park; Tickets are $10.
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
LIVE on the Plaza; 7 p.m.; Plaza District; This event is free.
On Your Feet!; 8 p.m.; Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.
Flatland Cavalry; 8 p.m. Tower Theatre; Ticket prices vary.

Saturday, February 9
An Affair of the Heart; All day; State Fair Park; Tickets are $10.
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Harlem Globetrotters; 2 & 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; Ticket prices vary.
On Your Feet!; 2 & 8 p.m.; Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.
The West Wing Watch Party; 3 p.m.; Tower Theatre; This event is free.

Sunday, February 10
An Affair of the Heart; All day; State Fair Park; Tickets are $10.
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
South Bay Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Blue; 2 p.m.; Cox Convention Center; Ticket prices vary.
On Your Feet!; 2 & 7 p.m.; Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.

Monday, February 11
American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Philadelphia’s Mummers-Struttin’ Their Stuff at the American Banjo Museum; All day; American Banjo Museum; Ticket prices vary.
Jim Henson- Life and Legacy; All day; American Banjo Museum; Free with museum admission.
Cowboys in Khaki: Westerners in the Great War; All day; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Free with regular museum admission.
Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the West; All day; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Free with museum admission.
Portland Trailblazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; Ticket prices vary.
Krush Groove; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Ticket are $10.