Various businesses in downtown Ardmore will present a number of activities during “Third Thursday” this week from 5 to 7 p.m.
Ardmore Little Theatre actors will perform scenes from their upcoming season. African artist and musician Wengai Kahuni will perform live at Kiva Gallery and cowboy poet and author Kenny Phipps will have a poetry reading and book signing at Simple Curiosities. These are only a few of the special events designed to introduce the public to the new and established businesses located in the eastern district of Main Street.
• Ardmore Little Theatre actors will perform in various downtown businesses scenes from the musical adaptation of Robert Fulghum’s heartwarming classic, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten” opening Sept. 17 at The Goddard Center. ALT will also present scenes from “The Diary of Anne Frank” a dramatization by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett based on the book, “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl.” The show will open in November.
To ask questions about Ardmore Little Theatre’s upcoming 2008-09 season and membership drive, call the box office at (580) 223-6387.
• African artist and musician, Wengai Kahuni, will give an encore performance of his rhythmic drumming, which captivated patrons on the opening night of his art show at Kiva Gallery. Born in South Africa and raised in Zimbabwe, Kahuni begin developing his creative skills at the age of 4 when he started using leftover material to make toys. Today, in addition to his musical talents, Kahuni utilizes his creative abilities to make unique one-of-a-kind masterpieces out of native African stone, as well as metal and glass, in a variety of subjects. Kahuni’s work will be on display and available for purchase at Kiva Gallery at 20 N. Washington St. through Aug. 8. To ask questions, contact Kiva Gallery at (580) 226-5592.
• Ardmore native Kenny Phipps will present a live poetry reading and will sign copies of his book, “Rhymes and Times Of A Parrothead Cowboy,” at Simple Curiosities, located at 15 N. Washington St.
“Kenny Phipps combines the wit of Will Rogers, the laid-back rhythmic beat of Jimmy Buffet and the ability to navigate humor with the grace of Kelly Slater’s surfing to give us all some new lessons about living and enjoyment,” said Dr. David Bradford.
Phipps discovered his gift for writing short stories and poetry in 2005 and is currently working on a second book. He has received attention from the country music industry from artists such as George Strait and Tim McGraw, who are considering putting Phipps’ poetry to music. To ask questions, contact Simple Curiosities at (580) 226-1510.
• Sweet! bakery and cafe at 109 E Main St. will be open for dinner again for Third Thursday and will feature a menu of crab cakes with herbed potatoes and a summer salad with tuna steak. Reservations are welcomed by calling (580) (580) 226-2501.
• Studio 107 at 107 E. Main St. will be set up to have a complimentary glass of wine for visitors or customers who drop by on Third Thursday.
• For fitness buffs, The Fitness Professionals at 110 E. Main St. will have its Turbo Groove II class in full swing from 6 to 7 p.m. for anyone who wants to join, or just stop by to check it out.
• 580 to Go, the cell phone place at 24 N. Washington St., invites people to drop in during Third Thursday. Everyone who registers for a new cell phone between 5 and 7 p.m. will receive a free accessory. Anyone with questions can call (580) 226-5371.
• Upcoming “Third Thursday” events for Aug. 21 in downtown Ardmore include live poetry readings by the Southern Oklahoma Writers’ Guild at various businesses, free tea tastings at Simple Curiosities, free dessert samples at Sweet!, free gourmet samples at Rough Creek and much more.
