Weekly Arts and Entertainment Highlights (Mar 22, 2012)

An American band prominent in France, a German documentary, an adaptation of an Irishman’s novel, and an internationally renowned vocalist bring a worldly flavor to events on this week’s calendar.

The Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents Pink Martini as part of the Pops concert series. The 13-member “little orchestra” began in the United States in the mid-1990s, but has gained recognition in Europe, particularly in France where they have been nominated for the Victoires de la Musique Awards. The band draws inspiration for their sound from romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and 50s. Many television shows and movies have utilized Pink Martini’s music, and they were featured on NPR’s Toast of the Nation New Year’s Eve program in 2005. They take the stage at Civic Center Music Hall this Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m.

The documentary “Pina” explores the artistry of German choreographer and dancer Pina Bausch, but it was almost not made. Originally intended to be a documentary about Bausch and her work, Bausch died in 2009 shortly after filming began. Director Wim Wenders wanted to end the project, but the dancers of Bausch’s Tanztheater Wuppertal convinced him to continue. “Pina” became a testament to her art and memory featuring performances of some of her most well-known pieces. It was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at this year’s Academy Awards. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art screens “Pina” for 4 days beginning this Thursday.

The Fellowship of the Performing Arts’ stage adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ novel “The Screwtape Letters” comes to Oklahoma City for one day only. It has seen success since its opening in New York City in 2006, and it has been on tour around the country off and on since then. Originally published in 1942, “The Screwtape Letters” is a satirical Christian apologetics novel comprised of a series of letters between two devils discussing “spiritual warfare.” Lewis wrote the book after a conversion from atheism to Christianity in the early 1930s. On Saturday, performances at the Rose State Performing Arts Theatre begin at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

The Armstrong Auditorium in Edmond hosts baritone Jubilant Sykes in concert. Sykes, a classically trained American vocalist, uses his skills in a variety of musical genres including pop, gospel, jazz, and more. He was named Sacred Music USA’s Vocalist of the Year in 1996 and has performed all over the world, including at the Apollo Theater, the New Orleans Jazz Festival, and Deutsche Oper Berlin. Jubilant Sykes describes singing “like breathing — it's an extension of me. I don't think of it is extraordinary. It's my passion.” His performance in Edmond begins at 7:30 p.m. on March 27th.

There are several other events of interest in the metro.

The Oklahoma City Home Show takes over the Oklahoma State Fair Park this weekend featuring ideas, advice, products, and services for home improvement projects, landscaping, and more.

The Downtown Library of Oklahoma City hosts the OKC Human Rights Film Festival on March 24th and 25th. The screenings deal with a variety of subjects from human trafficking to the death penalty.

Local singers and songwriters perform for two evenings, March 24th and 25th, at the Hidden Castle in Norman for the Second Annual Lonesome Troubadour Festival.

The Myriad Botanical Gardens celebrates its anniversary with complimentary admission to the newly renovated Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory on the 25th.

For more events in your area, visit our calendar page.