Heading to downtown OKC for New Year's? Here's what you need to know
For the 37th time, downtown Oklahoma City will ring in the New Year with Opening Night.
Started in 1986, the family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration will include an array of live entertainment by local performers, children's hands-on art activities, the Fresh Paint: OKC NYE Mural Project, food trucks and a fireworks finale to welcome 2023.
"People are ready to get out there and ready to celebrate. This really will be our first New Year's Eve post-COVID to come together, to enjoy some fireworks, to have that semblance of what Opening Night used to be," said Angela Cozby, the new executive director of Arts Council Oklahoma City, which produces Opening Night.
"We're hoping for good weather, but that's with any event."
Here's what to expect from Opening Night 2023:
Where and when is Opening Night 2023 happening?
The sprawling downtown OKC New Year's Eve celebration starts at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 and culminates with the midnight fireworks.
After two years at the Bricktown Ballpark, this year's event is moving back to its previous format: The outdoor Finale Stage will be set up in Bicentennial Park, which is situated between City Hall and the Civic Center, and entertainers will perform in various surrounding indoor venues.
"Having it at the ballpark, it was really about mitigating contact and COVID protocols. This year, we feel that it's safe to have the buildings open, so you can buy a wristband, hop from venue to venue, check out improv and a magician and opera and rock bands and then the big old firework show," Cozby said.
"It is almost like coming home for us. Bicentennial Park is such a great area for us to be, to have the Finale Stage right on the steps at the Civic Center."
Who is performing at Opening Night 2023 and where?
As usual, Opening Night will feature a wide variety of Oklahoma entertainers, with each act setting up at a specific venue and performing sets at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.
This year's lineup is a mix of returning favorites and Opening Night first-timers: The face-painting Bricktown Clowns and Latin pop band Orquesta D'Calle will be back in the Civic Center Hall of Mirrors, where the children's area will be set up.
At the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, classical guitarist and festival favorite Edgar Cruz will play inside Founders Hall, while Opera on Tap will make beautiful music in the historic Noble Theater.
Inside City Hall, magician Joe Coover will be back to conjure up four sets in the Council Chambers, while neo-soul singer-songwriter Sarafina Byrd will perform in the lobby.
"She is incredible, and she is one of the kindest individuals that I have ever met. She's just really, really excited to be a part of Opening Night, and it's her first time," Cozby said. "Then, Perpetual Motion Dance is going to be in the Downtown Library atrium. How cool is that? That aerial dance is going to be absolutely amazing through those tall windows. Especially at night, with the downtown lighting, it's going to be quite the sight."
Longtime Opening Night act OKC Improv will perform in the fourth-floor theater of the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, and the musical duo of Lacy Saunders and Greg Zink will play in the event's new venue: the recently revived First National Center.
"To be able to have performers and have a partnership with First National, we're really, really honored to have them be a part of Opening Night," Cozby said. "It's a little off the beaten path, but what a wonderful journey through downtown from the core of Opening Night ... to that beautiful historic building."
What are the plans for the Opening Night finale?
Funky favorites Shortt Dogg will reprise their role as the Opening Night finale band, playing sets at 9, 10 and 11 p.m. on the Bicentennial Park Finale Stage.
"It really comes down to the energy that they bring. They were scheduled to do one of our Twilight Concerts this summer, but it got rained out. ... A lot of people were very disappointed that they didn't get to see Shortt Dogg then ... and we really wanted a powerhouse to come and bring in the New Year for us," Cozby said.
"Sometimes it's a tough sell to say, 'Do you want to play an outdoor gig on New Year's Eve in Oklahoma?' Some bands aren't even interested, but they love it. They love working with the Arts Council, and we love working with them."
Shortt Dogg has headlined Opening Night multiple times, including in 2012, 2015 and at the 2020 virtual event.
"I actually got to do it last year under my name with my own band, but it's just more fun with them because they've done it so many times," said OKC singer Rod Porter, who has been performing with Shortt Dogg for about five years.
"Celebrating the New Year, which is one of my favorite holidays, with them, I think it's just an extra blessing for me. And when we close the show, we close the show."
Shortt Dogg will perform leading up to the midnight arrival of 2023. At 11:58 p.m., the event's signature rising ball — a giant lighted orb that goes up instead of dropping — will start its ascent, and the live countdown will begin to midnight, when the fireworks show will herald the New Year.
What's the Fresh Paint: OKC NYE Mural Project?
As part of its Opening Night festivities, Arts Council OKC is again partnering this year with the OKC Thunder for the Fresh Paint: OKC NYE Mural Project, which aims to give young local artists who are Black, Indigenous and people of color a chance to expand their skills.
Selected after answering a summer open call for young artists, this year's Fresh Paint: OKC NYE Mural Project artists are Nayelly Morales Rojo, Janely Saavedra Cruz, Savannah Tallbear, Christian Dixon and Giselle Ordaz.
The participants spent the fall collaborating with three local artist mentors — Virginia Sitzes, Dylan Bradway and Verdean Evergarden, who won the inaugural Fresh Paint contest that launched in 2020 when Opening Night went virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic — to create their murals.
"This is one of my favorite things that we do ... to showcase the incredible work of local BIPOC artists whose artistic endeavors don’t represent a singular voice, but rather the beauty found in the diversity of our community," Cozby said.
For the past month, the five vivid 8-foot-by-8-foot murals have been displayed outside City Hall, and the public is invited to vote for their favorite at https://www.nba.com/thunder/artscouncil. The winner will be announced during Opening Night.
What food trucks will be serving at Opening Night?
Several local food trucks will be parked around Bicentennial Park and serving up tasty fare for New Year's Eve celebrants, including Newman’s Firehouse BBQ, Snow S’more, Junction Coffee, Yum Pig, The Brown’s Kitchen, Lolli & Pop’s Funnel Cakes, Ohmygogi, Stacey and Seeds Slappin Soulfood, Soul City Tacos, Lucky Lucky Dumpling and Psycho Taco OKC.
Will the OKC Streetcar be running for free?
Yes. Starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 31, the OKC Streetcar will be running free of charge and making many stops in downtown OKC.
With a showing of the musical "Cats" at the Civic Center and an OKC Thunder game at Paycom Center also scheduled for New Year's Eve, Opening Night attendees may have to park far from the Finale Stage. So, a free streetcar ride might be a handy option.
How much are Opening Night wristbands and where can you get them?
Wristbands are $8 in advance and provide access to all the venues throughout the evening.
They can be purchased at any OKC metro area Dunkin’, at OnCue locations or online at artscouncilokc.com.
Online sales end at 5 p.m. Dec. 31. Wristbands are $10 at the door.
What is the Finale 5K?
Leading up to Opening Night, the Finale 5K begins at 3 p.m. at Bicentennial Park in front of the Civic Center. The first 200 registrants will receive a shirt, and the first 200 finishers will get a medal.
All participants receive wristbands to Opening Night. To register or get more information, go to https://www.artscouncilokc.com/opening-night/opening-night-finale-5k.
How can you get more information on Opening Night?
Go to https://www.artscouncilokc.com/opening-night.
Features Writer Brandy "BAM" McDonnell has covered Oklahoma's arts, entertainment and cultural sectors for The Oklahoman for 20 years. Reach her at bmcdonnell@oklahoman.com,www.facebook.com/brandybammcdonnell and twitter.com/BAMOK. Support her work by signing up for her See & Do Oklahoma newsletter and subscribing to The Oklahoman.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma City is celebrating 37th Opening Night New Year's Eve party
