Tulsa World: The BOK : One year later

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The BOK : One year later
A look back — and forward — at Tulsa's arena

Fans cheer for Paul McCartney at the BOK Center on Aug. 17. The former Beatle's show was the top grossing show in the arena's first year. Tom Gilbert/Tulsa World

By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Published: 9/13/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 9/13/2009 11:31 AM

It's been 365 days, close to 190 shows, countless crowds and lots and lots of rock 'n' roll.

You've brought us hockey, basketball, dinosaurs, dancers, rodeo riders, skate dates and Christmas spectaculars, all book-ended with two of the largest names in music history: The Eagles (twice) and Sir Paul McCartney.

Next weekend, it's the Rock 'n Rib feast for the ears and tummy Thursday through Sunday, with local music and some of the best barbecue in the world, along with a free, family-friendly open house at the BOK Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Enjoy guided tours, high school marching bands, giveaways, a commemorative gift, live music — and free admission to the Rock 'n Rib Festival before 1 p.m.

The BOK Center was ranked No. 2 in the United States and No. 9 in the world by industry tracker Pollstar. But it's No. 1 in big, big, big shows over the last 12 months.

Happy first birthday, BOK Center.

The following numbers represent data from the first event at the BOK to the Aug. 17 Paul McCartney show.

Top 10 grossing shows

1. Paul McCartney (Aug. 17, Monday)

2. Billy Joel/Elton John (March 17, Tuesday)

3. Eagles (opening) (Sept. 6, 2008, Saturday)

4. Celine Dion (Feb. 2, Monday)

5. Eagles (Nov. 11, 2008, Tuesday)

6. Aerosmith (July 30, Thursday)

7. Fleetwood Mac (May 3, Sunday)

8. Walking With Dinosaurs

(Jan. 28-Feb. 1, Wednesday - Sunday)

9. Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco (Dec. 12-14, 2008, Friday-Sunday)

10. Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Dec. 22-24, Thursday-Saturday)

Total gross: $15,495,660.20

Source: BOK Center

Top 10 attended shows since opening day

1. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus (Oct. 17-19 2008, Friday-Sunday)

2. Walking With Dinosaurs (Jan. 28-Feb. 1, Wednesday - Sunday)

3. PBR (July 18-20, Saturday-Monday)

4. Joyce Meyer (May 14-16, Thursday-Saturday)

5. Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Dec. 22-24, Thursday-Saturday)

6. Get Motivated (Sept. 22, 2008, Tuesday)

7. Billy Joel/Elton John (March 17, Tuesday)

8. Jonas Brothers (June 22, Monday)

9. Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco (Dec. 12-14, 2008, Friday-Sunday)

10. Celine Dion (Feb. 2, Monday)

Source: BOK Center

BOK on the map

Awards and accolades from Year One.

New Concert Venue of the year: Nominated by Pollstar Magazine

Facility executive of the year: Nominated by Pollstar Magazine

Hall of headlines award for Top arena Bookings in 2008: Awarded by Venues Today Magazine

Hall of headlines nomination for Top arena Marketing in 2008: Nominated by Venues Today Magazine

Prime Site award: Awarded by Facilities Magazine

Best Venue in Central hockey league: Voted by CHL players

Best locker rooms in Central hockey league: Voted by CHL Players

Excellence in Construction award: Awarded by Associated Builders and Construction

No. 2 arena in USA for ticket sales: First Quarter 2009, Pollstar Magazine

By the numbers

35: concerts

36: family shows

32: Winterfest and Skate Date events

31: hockey games

14: banquets

11: general entertainment

10: arena football games

8: performing arts (Cirque du Soleil)

6: other sporting events 1: convention

184: total number of events

How old?

We took a random sample of BOK headlining acts from the past year.

Rascal Flatts: Jay DeMarcus is 38. Gary LeVox is 39. Joe Don Rooney is 34. (Average age: 37)

Carrie Underwood: 26 aerosmith: Steven Tyler is 61. Joe Perry is 59. Brad Whitford is 57. Tom Hamilton is 57. Joey Kramer is 59. (Average age: 58.6)

Eagles: Don Henley is 62. Glenn Frey is 60. Joe Walsh is 61. Timothy Schmit is 61. (Average age: 61)

Lil Wayne: 26

Taylor Swift: 19

Britney Spears: 27

Celine Dion: 41

Elton John/Billy Joel: John is 62, Joel is 60. (Average age: 61)

Trace Adkins: 47

Miley Cyrus: 16

Demi Lovato: 17

Def leppard: Rick Savage is 48. Joe Elliott is 50. Rick Allen is 45. Phil Collen is 51. Vivian Campbell is 46. (Average age: 48)

What’s next

Britney Spears, Sept. 15

Rock ‘n Rib Festival, Sept. 17-20

One Year Anniversary Open House, Sept. 19

WWE Presents Smackdown and ECW, Sept. 22

Taylor Swift, Sept. 27

Dave Matthews Band with Willie Nelson & Family, Oct. 2

Creed, Oct. 9

Miley Cyrus, Oct. 12

OKC Thunder vs Miami Heat, Oct. 14

Star Wars: In Concert, Oct. 20

Tulsa Oilers home opener, Oct. 24

So You Think You Can Dance Tour, Oct. 30

Alan Jackson, Nov. 7

Curious George Live!, Dec. 3

Daughtry, Dec. 15

Days of the week

When are most events? (Including Oilers and Talons games)

Monday: 11 percent
Tuesday: 11 percent
Wednesday: 14 percent
Thursday: 7 percent
Friday: 10 percent
Saturday: 18 percent
Sunday: 30 percent

Without sporting events

Monday: 14 percent
Tuesday: 14 percent
Wednesday: 9 percent
Thursday: 13 percent
Friday: 16 percent
Saturday: 20 percent
Sunday: 14 percent

By the numbers

Since opening day, here are the numbers of hot dogs sold, e-mails sent, workers employed per sold-out show and overall economic impact:

21,478: Hot dogs sold ($3.75 each, bratwurst or Polish dog $3.75 each)

27,157: Popcorn ($4)

26,819: Pizza by the slice ($4)

11,854: Large Dippin’ Dots ($5)

11,326: Small Dippin’ Dots ($4)

71,456: Large soda ($4)

106,169: Regular soda ($3)

209,425: Draft beer ($6.50)

20,326: Pretzels ($3)

24,219: Super nachos ($6)

21,567: Frozen margaritas ($9)

65,305: Bottled water ($3)

150: Average number of concession workers for a sold out show

$53,692,594: Total economic impact overall (including taxes and ticket sales) since opening day.

What’s good?

Here is a sampling of prices for other food items sold by Oklahoma-founded eateries and concessions inside the BOK Center (menu prices/items subject to change):

Coffee: $2.75

Hot cocoa: $2.75

Funnel cake: $5

Grilled panini sandwich: $6

Borden Dairy: soft-serve ice cream $4, ice cream bars $3, milk or milkshake chugs $2 In the Raw: edemame, ITR salad, teriyaki chicken rice bowl or variety of sushi rolls, $7 each

Mazzio’s: whole pizza $20; pizza slice $4; chicken wings $6; toasted ravioli $6; sandwich $6; cheese, cinnamon or bread sticks $3.50

Billy’s: hamburger $6, chicken sandwich, $6, chicken theta sandwich $6, steak sandwich $8, chicken tender basket $6.50, catfish basket $8, shrimp basket $8, chicken salad $6.50, onion rings $3.50, fries $3, fries-rings combo $3

BOK Grill: cheeseburger or hamburger $6, grilled chicken sandwich $6, rueben sandwich $6, Philly sandwich $6, chicken tender basket $6.50, Andouille sausage $4, French fries $3, chili-cheese fries $4

Ike’s Chili: Frito chili pie $6.50, tamales $5, chili cheese coneys $5 and baked potatoes with chili $6.50

Check out the World’s new BOK Center web site, tulsaworld.com/bokcenter

The site now commemorates the arena’s first year, with many special features.

Click on our interactive timeline of the first year that includes links to reviews and slide shows.

Read all stories related to the BOK Center and its events.

View a photo gallery of sports and entertainment events from the first year.

See a calendar of all upcoming events.

Check out updated maps of downtown eateries, hotels, parking and bars.

Check out a video tour of the BOK Center.

Watch a time-lapse slide show of the arena under construction.

See the results of our online reader writein and find out who Tulsans most want to see at the BOK Center.

Jennifer Chancellor 581-8346
jennifer.chancellor@tulsaworld.com By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer

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If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

	Report Comment Dad, Up North (9/13/2009 9:40:15 PM) It is a great place to watch hockey.
	Report Comment yep, Tulsa County (9/13/2009 3:23:50 PM) The arena is taking in more money than is required to pay the bills, so yes it is making a profit. It is run by a 3rd party organization. After that company gets its take, I don't know how much (if any) leftover that Tulsa gets, nor do I know what is done with it. Interesting question...hopefully someone more "In the know" will respond.
	Report Comment oldnorthroad, (9/13/2009 5:53:58 PM) Here is some advice to whoever runs the BOK. Get Phish to play if you want another huge money maker.
	Report Comment Red Barron, (9/13/2009 12:58:11 PM) Sounds good but is it making or loosing money?

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