Spring break begins today for area college students and most public schools. The chickweed and clover are spreading across yards and byways, and as soon as that last bell rings we will run out into the sunshine to celebrate the first buds of spring. We’ve rounded up some fun activities to enjoy over the break if you are willing to step out of the sunshine for a few moments to enjoy curated exhibits and happenings. Metro libraries host a series of fan fiction, tech and arts events for teens. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum presents entertainment and activities related to the Madonnas of the Prairie exhibit. The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History offers hands-on art and educationalprogramming each day this upcoming week, including a celebration of native languages and cultures.
Young adults’ librarians in the metro area are rad characters. They’re always coming up with fun, free activities to entertain and attract teenagers. This month, they encourage kids to enter the Vine video contest. The video should express a personal reaction to a specific book of your choice and use the hashtag #almontevines. Winners will receive a $25 gift card to a popular bookstore. Entries are due no later than March 31. March is Teen Tech Month, so there are a slew of activities over the next two weeks.
Tuesday afternoon means video and board games at the Ralph Ellison Library. GameFest gives kids an opportunity to get their game on outside of the house and learn new skills in a supportive environment. All games are rated E, E10+ or T— for everyone, for everyone 10 and up, and teens.
Thursday afternoon, Northwest Library invites teens to practice art journaling. Reference librarian Julia McConnell provides fancy paper and crafty supplies. She can also find or recommend a book on nearly any topic. In the meantime, check out South African photojournalist Dan Eldon’s collection of mixed media journals.
Also Thursday afternoon, the Village Library hosts Fashion Club with fashion designer Lyndah Izevbingie. Students learn to design clothes, create stunning nails, make bows and other tricks of the trade, every third Thursday at the Village. Librarians can help you locate fashion books to continue studying techniques and combinations at home. There is an Insurgent Party Thursday evening at Warr Acres Library, with complimentary sweets, Divergent trivia and a be-your-favorite-character costume contest.
“Madonnas of the Prairie: Depictions of Women in the American West” features photographs, paintings and sculpture of active, iconic women of the late 1800s through the present. These are everyday heroines, feeding babies, rustling cattle, walking their dogs in cowgirl boots and short shorts. During spring break, Oklahoma artists entertain museum guests with western arts demos and performances. Two Native American female artisans demonstrate their craft for museum visitors. Monday, Cherokee pottery expert Jane Osti teaches guests to make coil pots using modeling clay, during a morning and an afternoon session. All activities are complimentary with museum admission, which is $5.75 for youngsters ages 4 – 12. The museum is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
Wednesday is Educators’ Day at the Western Heritage Museum. All educators with school identification are admitted free of charge. The Yumare Mexican Folkloric Dancers perform traditional and regional dances of Mexico at 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Alyce Vigil, a historian of the American West, shares her knowledge of Native American women’s experiences in Wild West Shows, Thursday evening, March 19 at 6:30 p.m., in a lecture entitled “Same Traditions, New Reasons.” Vigil discusses the conflicting stereotypes created by white organizers and native participants, and the reception of popular figures such as Viola Shaw and Princess Wenona. Friday, Sue Fish demonstrates river cane basketry in two-hour sessions, morning and afternoon.
Every day during Spring Break Escape, March 16-20, the Sam Noble Museum chooses a new theme from their collections to highlight. Friday’s theme is Native American culture and language. The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers will perform their interpretations of traditional dance from various regions. Guests can make a parfleche, a decorated rawhide pouch, and knapp flint. The museum exhibits materials from 72 native languages, and selections from the ethnology collection. Traditional Kiowa and Caddo storyteller Kricket Rhoads-Connywerdy performs at 12:30 p.m. Children 17 and under enter for $3, 5 and under for free, and adults for $4.
There is so much to do, see and experience in central Oklahoma, but only 168 hours each week. We’ll help you make the most of it. Check our calendar of community events for an abundance of spring activities, from arts and entertainment, to lectures and volunteer opportunities. OneSix8 returns from spring break on Thursday, March 26, with a Mary Chapin Carpenter interview, and information on the Music Moves Mountains Foundation.
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