Khaled Hosseini, best-selling author of "The Kite Runner," will open the season for this annual series of outstanding speakers who help open minds, stir curiosities and inspire imaginations.
Hosseini, who recently released "And the Mountains Echoed," will deliver his talk "Afghanistan Through the Decades: An Emigre's Personal Perspective." He is the designated Tulsa Reads author and will be studied in a communitywide reading initiative sponsored by Tulsa Town Hall, Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers, Tulsa City County Library, and Tulsa World.
The season's other speakers include award-winning broadcast journalist Dan Rather, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Timothy Egan, critically acclaimed actress Mia Farrow and Mars Mission Curiosity Rover engineer Gentry Lee.
In addition to each morning lecture, a luncheon featuring a question-and-answer period with the lecturer will be held ($20, season ticket-holders only; reserve in advance, 918-749-5965).
New this year is round-trip shuttle service from Boston Avenue Methodist Church to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for $5 per person.
Event details: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday for each speaker - Hosseini, Oct. 4; Rather, Nov. 8; Egan, Feb. 7; Farrow, March 14; Lee, April 11 - Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second St.
Attire: Casual/business casual
Sponsors: Helmerich Foundation, H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Trust, Mervin Bovaird Foundation, Ralph and Frances McGill Foundation, Tulsa World, Sarah and John Graves, AmeriTrust Corp., Judith & Jean Pape Adams Foundation, Judy and Ronny Altman, Senior Star Management Co., Toni's Flowers, QuikTrip Corp.
Season subscriptions: $75 (918-749-5965;
tulsaworld.com/tulsatownhall; Tulsa Town Hall, P.O. Box 52266, Tulsa, OK 74152); $5 single-event tickets available for students and teachers only
For more: tulsaworld.com/tulsatownhall
Barry Epperley's final season with the Signature Symphony begins Sept. 21. Courtesy
Signature Symphony kickoff reception
Before the baton is raised for Barry Epperley's final season with the Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College, the First Chair Society will hold a reception to kick off the season.
The evening, open and free to First Chair Society sponsors only, will include beautiful music from the Signature Quartet, hors d'oeuvres, wine and a signature toast to welcome a new season of symphony music, of which the opening concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21.
In addition to the reception, First Chair Society benefits include two season tickets for either 2013-14 Pops or Classics concerts; reserved parking; backstage tour prior to Saturday, Oct. 4 Pops performance; guest artists receptions; two complimentary guest tickets to one performance; and donor recognition in concert programs.
Event details: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, Five Oaks Ranch, 528 E. 121st St., Jenks
Attire: Business
First Chair Society sponsorships: $1,000 (Eileen Kenney, 918-595-7844)
For more: tulsaworld.com/signaturesymphony
"Oklahoma's Favorite Son," Will Rogers, will be celebrated Sept. 19-20 during "The Event," with activities planned in Claremore and Tulsa. Courtesy
The Event
This two-day celebration fetes the legendary Will Rogers and the 75th diamond jubilee anniversary of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.
On Thursday, Sept. 19, an evening event will showcase Rogers and the museum, and an award will honor the early pioneers and founders of the museum. Wild West entertainment will be provided by world-champion ropers Kowboy Kal and Doug Smith, plus music by The Tulsa Playboys and the "First Lady of Country Fiddle," Jana Jae. Judge Robert Henry, president of Oklahoma City University, will be keynote speaker, and a silent auction will be held.
"The Event" continues Friday, Sept. 20, with a concert at Cain's Ballroom, featuring Jessi Colter, wife of Waylon Jennings; Shooter Jennings, Waylon Jennings' son; and Oklahoma's own Red Dirt Rangers.
Proceeds from both days benefit the Will Rogers Legacy Programs and the foundation's goal of bringing Rogers' voice and values to all generations.
Event details: Sept. 19 - 6-9 p.m., Will Rogers Memorial Museum, 1720 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore; Sept. 20 - 6:30 p.m. doors open, 8 p.m. concert, Cain's, 423 N. Main St.
Attire: Sept. 19 - elegantly casual; Sept. 20 - casual
Sponsors: Presenting - Cherokee Nation; The Man - Mary Lee and Jack Spinks, McFarlin Ranch, Pelco Structural LLC; The Voice - The Albert and Hete Barthelmes Foundation, BancFirst, D & L Manufacturing, Dave and Mary Faulkner, New Dominion LLC, New Source Energy Partners, Rogers County Bank RCB, Win and Kay Ingersoll
Tickets: Sept. 19 - $125 (918-341-0719,
tulsaworld.com/theevent919); Sept. 20 - $20 advance, $22 day-of, $24 at-door (Cain's box office,
tulsaworld.com/cains)
For more: tulsaworld.com/rogersmuseum
Executive of the Year dinner
Executive Women International's (EWI) 57th annual fete will honor David Murlette, president and CEO of Montereau, as 2013 Executive of the Year. Bob Losure, CNN Headline News anchor, will be the keynote speaker. Other highlights include a wine reception and musical entertainment by Grady Nichols.
Murlette
Proceeds benefit EWI programs, including the EWI Scholarship Program, which awards college scholarships to five high-performing high school seniors, and the Adult Students in Scholastic Transition, which awards scholarships to five adults needing financial assistance.
Event det ails: Thursday, Sept. 12 - 5:30 p.m. wine reception and registration, 6 p.m. welcome, recognition and presentation - Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 111 E. First St.
Attire: Business
Sponsors: Presenting - The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation; Platinum - Omni Air International; Gold - TD Williamson, Mid-America Land Grain & Cattle, The William K. Warren Foundation, Montereau; Silver - Accent Moving, JPMorgan Chase, Hilti, Osteopathic Founders Foundation, Helmerich & Payne, Senior Star Management Co.
Tickets: $50; tables of eight, $1,000 (RSVP by Sept. 11 to Susan Miller,
slmiller2@saintfrancis.com)
For more: tulsaworld.com/ewitulsa
Richard Winn (left) of TWO Architecture is chairperson of Art in Architecture. He poses here with Susan Thomas and Seth Smith in this year's venue, the home of Susan and William Thomas, which Winn designed. Courtesy
Art in Architecture
Held each year in an architecturally prominent home or commercial building in Tulsa, this event features live music, an art auction of local and national artists, live music by Steve Liddell, and a wonderful dinner by Taste Catering. Of course, the star attraction is the venue itself, the home of Susan and William Thomas, designed by Richard Winn of TWO Architecture.
Proceeds benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-Sooner Chapter.
Event details: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, the Thomas residence (RSVP for address)
Attire: Cocktail
Sponsors: Iron Werx, Ralph Cole, Byron Shen, Kim Fonder, Aberson's, David Clark, Jon Hibblen, SR Hughes, T.J. Garis, Brenda Zappitell, Tailynn Tindall, David Gooden-MA Doran
Tickets: $250; sponsorships available (Jo Ann Winn, 918-744-6354,
jwinn@cff.org)
For more: tulsaworld.com/artinarch2013
People & Places
Any evening that starts with a red carpet and Spartan soldiers forming a sword-drawn canopy over your head deserves writing about.
Come December, Shannon West will be a college graduate.
