Off-Beat Summer Adventures
by Granny Anarchy
It's summer, and sometimes we might want to tool around Oklahoma City and environs to see something offbeat or extraordinary to remind us that we - and the world - are special and worth saving.
Granny's gotcha covered! UMAmi's other roadies might have extra tips, because we all have different ideas of what is fun, but I gravitate towards museums. Here are some places I REALLY WANT TO GO TO or that I've been in the past year, all within the Oklahoma City metro or easy reach. I've also kept my eye on our wallets - most places are free or low cost admission.
Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies, DAVIS arbucklemountainfriedpies.com
I don't know how many of you have taken road trips towards Dallas, but if you've been down I-35 just ONCE, you'll likely recall the feeling of having finally left The City, the long stretch of so-softly-undulating-it-mightas-well-be-flat cattle and farm land then -- are those MOUNTAINS? I mean, little ones, but...
The Scenic Overlook by Turner Falls might be a laughable glance at cell phone towers, and the windmills can be a hot button issue, but almost everyone loves the Sinclair station dinosaur and what it marks: the little food stand/restaurant that serves all kinds of fillings in pastry crusts. There is a Fried Pies in OKC proper, but I never go, because the only place to eat them is in Davis. My favorite is the apple. No, the blackberry. Wait, the savory pies with the cheese and veg are really good. Um... hang on. I'll be back in a few hours.
I also recommend taking the road west off the interstate, and driving through a bit of the Turner Falls area, where you'll see the vegetation change as the elevation does. The winding road is fun, and getting to the top (where you suddenly feel like you are in another world - Oklahoma City does not host so much cacti all in one place) can be energizing and meditational. I also love the mountains themselves; man had to blast through them to carve out our roads, so when I get out of the car and touch the scarred rock it is like touching the bones of the earth, which is sobering but also centering. And after walking about, one might get hungry. Luckily, there's this great place that serves all kinds of... [Fried Pies!]
The American Pigeon Museum theamericanpigeonmuseum.org/ Fri 1pm-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm Free! (donations encouraged)
So, you've been to the Oklahoma City Zoo. Or you think it's too expensive. Or it's too hot. Well, have you ever considered learning about pigeons? Pigeons get a terrible rap. I absolutely adore these much-maligned birds. DOVES are pigeons. Or pigeons are doves. The point is, y'all are all happy with the white peace-y one but the city grey one is a dirty rat with wings? This was a false narrative that began in the 1960s when the NYC Parks Commissioner thought that pigeons were helping to spread meningitis. They weren't. Pigeons are highly intelligent and resourceful. If you see a pigeon with two sticks in the springtime, it's pretty much got its nest built in its mouth. (Sorry, pigeon joke.) And there are many varieties of wild and show pigeons, some of which are just beautiful, some of which were bred to aid humans - maybe you'll learn about the WWI hero (yes, hero!) Cher Ami!
Mix-Tape at Factory Obscura factoryobscura.com/ Mon, Wed-Thu 11am-7pm, CLOSED TUESDAY, Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 12pm-7pm Adults $12 for PARTY! (May-Sept)
The creative crew at Factory Obscura offer a fun way to beat the Oklahoma heat in exploring Mix-Tape. I've not been to PARTY! but I've attended several other installations, and I always manage to revert to a childlike sense of wonder as I wander the wavy hallways and explore up and down the odd surfaces. I'm always up for a trip to Mix-Tape!
Experience pass at library locations!
Museum of Osteology skeletonmuseum.com/ Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm Adults $14 NO BONES ABOUT IT, this is a FUNtastic museum! I had to make those puns. The Osteology Museum has over 450 real skeletons of all kinds of creatures (including humans.) It also features a humpback whale and javan rhino skeleton. Not all of the skeletons are from completely healthy specimens - some of the skeletons I saw had spinal problems, issues with bone growth, or cranial damage. The museum educates about each of these. If you or someone you love is interested in anatomy or animals - this musuem is a rare opportunity to feast your eyes and learn about biology, forensics, and other sciences.
Oklahoma Contemporary oklahomacontemporary.org/ Mon/Weds 11am-6pm, CLOSED TUESDAY, Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri-Sun 11am-6pm Free! (donations encouraged) I highly recommend visiting OK Contemporary non-profit arts center during the run of Edgar Heap of Birds' "Honor Song," which is in the Main Gallery through August 4 and expands in the Mary LeFlore Clements Oklahoma Gallery through October 20. You will want to see both galleries (there is also an outdoor installation.)
Oklahoma Frontier Drugstore Museum (& Apothecary Garden), GUTHRIE drugmuseum.org/
Tue-Sat 10am-5pm Adults $5
The fun thing about driving to Guthrie is that - in addition to ogling the architecture, giggling at some of the old-timey medicine names and ingredients, and eyeing a set piece from "Killers of the Flower Moon" - you can stroll or drive a bit down the street to see the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library. There are some really great antique galleries in the area.
Bass Pro Shop & Cabela’s
Surprised by this entry? The Bass Pro outdoor sporting stores often have large aquariums and wildlife displays. This is not necessarily to draw customers. Instead, it allows the shops to be designated as museums and receive tax breaks. For instance, from November 2021 to December 2024, the Sales Tax Exemption Law allowed museums with budgets under $1 million exemptions from paying tax on sales of tangible personal property or services to a museum. okmuseums.org/advocacy/legislation/)
In addition, municipalities often subsidize building these retail outlets. In 2003, Oklahoma City spent $20 million to build a Bass Pro in Lower Bricktown. The city also paid a $3.5 million incentive in 2014 for Cabela's to build in Chisholm Creek.
So, if you want to go to a free museum, you could - technically - visit a for-profit retail outlet which was built partially or fully with citizen tax dollars and pays no sales taxes back into the economy.
Or you could try a quirky nonprofit.
Related Shameless Plug
Library podcast “OK by Me” (available via all the usual streaming services) did a series of miniepisodes on local small museums last summer, including the American Pigeon Museum mentioned above plus a few other hidden gems like the Oklahoma Museum of Telephone History.
89thStreet
VENUES
8911NWesternAve(OKC) 89thstreetokc.com
BeerCityMusicHall
1141NW2nd(OKC) beercitymusichall.com
BlueDoor
2805NMcKinleyAve(OKC) bluedoorokc.com
BlueNote
2408NRobinsonAve(OKC) okcbluenote.com
Bookish
1005NW36thSt(OKC) thebookishshop.com
Criterion
500EastSheridanAve(OKC) criterionokc.com
Core4Brewing
7NLeeAve(OKC) core4brewing.com
DiamondBallroom
8001SEasternAve(OKC) diamondballroom.com
FactoryObscura
25NW9thSt(OKC) factoryobscura.com
GrandRoyale
1749NW16thSt (OKC) instagram.com/grandroyaleokc
JonesAssembly
901WSheridanAve(OKC) thejonesassembly.com
OKCider
705W.SheridanAve(OKC) okciderco.com
Opolis
113NCrawfordAve(Norman) opolis.org
PONYBOY
423NW23rdSt(OKC) ponyboyokc.com
ResonantHead
400SW25thSt,SuiteA(OKC) resonanthead.com
Resonator
325EMainSt(Norman) resonator.space
TheSanctuary
1012NIndianaAve(OKC) facebook.com/thesanctuaryok
51stStreetSpeakeasy
1114NW51stStreet(OKC) 51stspeakeasy.com
TowerTheatre
425NW23rdSt(OKC) towertheatreokc.com
TheVenue
1103NorthVilla(OKC) thevenueokc.com
WhiteRabbit
219SKleinAve(OKC) whiterabbitokc.pro
ZooAmp
2101NE50thSt(OKC) okczooamp.com
@Criterion $$$ Wifisfuneral@TheVenue $$
Sanguisugabogg,PutridStu,Stabbing@89 St. th $$
WorldsWorst,Shallowater@ResonantHead $$ DestroyerDestroyer,Discern,Vantartax,Waning@The Sanctuary $$
bulletsbetweentongues@ResonantHead $$
TheThreeHeadedTour-AmyLaVere,WillSexton&JohnnyDowd @BlueDoor $$
Bats!Kats&RatsTour-TheAquabats,KoffinKats,MikeVandthe Rats@TowerTheatre $$
Gideon,UnityTX@BeerCityMusicHall $$
CLUTCHw/BlacktopMojoandTheInspectorCluzo@Diamond Ballroom $$$
2025USTour-Newmoon,ColdGawd@ResonantHead $$ BuenaVistaOrchestra@TowerTheatre $$$
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY Open Mic night at Factory Obscura - 1st
THURSDAY
UMAmi
the first two years
Thank you for supporting this zine made with the Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County’s Special Collections & Research Department.
UMAmi now distributes over 1,000 copies each month to more than 30 local venues like Ponyboy, Factory Obscura, and Red Cup—many of which asked to join the list after spotting it around town. What began as hand-delivered copies by library staff has grown into a thriving network supported by a 1.9k-member Facebook group, an everexpanding archive of Oklahoma music history, and community events like Library Out Loud, Metro Zine Fest, and workshops at Momentum or the OKC Rock and Roll Camp for Girls.
info - tinyurl.com/ok-uma
Plus, in “Stay Salty,” roadie Zoe shares how UMAmi has become one of the most rewarding parts of her career uniting local musicians, punks and artists through zine culture, music writing, all while proving the library can be a hub for both boardroom meetings and punk shows.
And the roadie you all know as Granny Anarchy reflects on how UMAmi helped her step out of her comfort zone and into a passionate community, delivering zines by hand, discovering new bands like Skating Polly, connecting with others through music and memory, and finding belonging in a project that’s just as much about heart as it is about hardcore.
ALSO! as a part of our bonus zine “Stay Salty: The Taste of UMAmi,” zine, we included what you, our lovely readers had to say about UMAmi through the past two years! If you have anything you’d like to pass along to the roadies about what you love about UMAmi or what you’d like to see moving forward, email us at oklahoma.uma@gmail.com
I found this zine at Red Cup last weekend, and just finished reading it. Very fun and cool. Very analogue.
Howdy! I’m a big fan of UMAmi, & always enjoy grabbing one at the end of my first monthly work week. hello!Ilovey'all'szine!the diyapproach,focusonthe localscenes,andopen invitationforguest contributionissogreat. We proudly do not advertise. But, if we did, your zine is exactly what we would be looking for.
Hey,thanksforputtingyourtimeintomakingtheUMAmi zine!IloveseeingeachnewissuewhenIcomeacrossthem.
I recently picked up your October Zine release from Jarvix at my last performance. I read the whole thing and have to admit it's quite a wonderful insight into the OKC scene It was refreshing seeing all the venues in town and new releases from familiar artists.... Thankyo guys for taking the time to check this out! I truly appreciate what you're doing for the city.. thankyouforthezineuma.it meanstheworldtome yo!! i saw y’all’s zine and it’s so sick. IfoundyourzineatdiversityfamilyhealthjustnowandIamveryexcitedbyit! Sawthezinein Elementalandlovedit.
“Copy
Machine Manifestos: Artists Who Make Zines”
Oh howdy! I just finished reading “ Copy Machine Manifesto” by Branden W. Joseph and Drew Sawyer, and I’ve got to give it a big ol’ recommendation for anyone who’s a fan of or involved in zine culture. It’s definitely a dense read at times, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing...it’s one of those books you can approach like a textbook, picking through it section by section depending on your interests.
There are chapters that dive into everything from “post-pop punk art” to “queer zines as queer theory,” so no matter your angle, DIY publishing, identity, politics or art, there’s likely something in here for you. The book gives great context to the evolution of zine-making, tracing it from the early Xerox days through movements like Riot Grrrl and beyond, highlighting how zines have long been tied to accessibility, resistance and creative self-expression.
Super interesting and very browseable. And it’s available through the library system!
A talk with Moriah Bailey (fka sun riah)
What’s something about you or your music that has surprised you?
I am surprised that I play the harp, but also, it feels like the harp has always been a part of me. It’s strange. I’m surprised that I can come back years later to songs that I’ve written and still learn new things about/from them. I’m surprised by how much teaching and learning are some of the most fulfilling parts of my musical experience.
What are some of your biggest non-musical influences?
Henbit, plants and animals, passing glances, changing seasons, heavy sighs, oral histories, subtle glances, conflict and repair, layered relationships with people and places, stories… loss. Saying goodbye. Among other things…
What is some advice you would give to a new musician?
I tell my students to forgive themselves when they make mistakes, and I tell my students to put their emotions into music. They’ll come to me on a bad day, and say, “Ms. Bailey, can I take my anger out on the drums today?” It results in expressive musical practice but also devotion to music as a tool for self-expression. Another thing… My students start and end the year by thinking about music as vibration. I think that when we remember that music is something that we feel, not just hear, it changes how we play and relate to music. So… I guess… My advice to a new musician would be to practice self-compassion, express emotions through music, and consider music as vibration.
Are your current projects anything like what you planned to do?
Nothing! Ha. Younger me would fully disbelieve the trajectory of my musical path. I love how things have turned out though. I love all the weirdness and meanderings of my current musical projects. What comes next will be a surprise to even me, and after seeking stability for most of my adult life, I’m finally accepting and even glad that my life is filled with unpredictability.
What is your most random talent(s)?
Hmm… chopping vegetables. I can blow really big bubbles. I’m pretty good at most Super Mario games.
Favorite show(s)?
I love coming of age comedies… Grace and Frankie is a forever favorite. Also… Never Have I Ever, Insecure… Mo is by far one of my favorite shows in recent years. I’m a big fan of any show that comedically and empathetically grapples with struggling to grow, dealing with the fall out of your own mistakes, and/or surviving change. Also, documentaries of all kinds. I obsessively watch/read/listen to anything about orcas. Ha.
Favorite movie(s)?
Blackfish and Pan’s Labyrinth are two of my favorites.
Favorite book?
I weirdly prefer non-fiction, and I can never choose favorites. I love history… environmental history, history of science, and animal histories.
Favorite podcast?
This Land by Rebecca Nagle. I recommend it often.
What is your go-to karaoke song?
Top three: Wuthering Heights (Kate Bush), Cabaret (from the musical), and Together Again (Janet Jackson).
What is something you wished you learned earlier?
The importance of relationships and community… how to socialize while sober… to trust myself (still learning)… so many other things.
What is your favorite part of your process?
I’m not entirely sure. Probably, either writing or realizing a song. Both parts require a lot of presence. I love that feeling of getting fully lost in a song, lost in a moment. I find that happens most while writing new music or performing live.
Tank Girl (1995)
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Earth Girls are Easy (1988)
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
Only You (1994)
Polite Society (2023)
Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
Top Secret! (1984)
Surf Ninjas (1993)
The Birdcage (1996)
Undertaking Betty (2002)
Troop Beverly Hills (1989)
George of the Jungle (1997)
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Hairspray Live! (2016)
Batman (1966)
Queens of the Dead (2025)
Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)
But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
AMA, Roadies Edition
Favorite roadtrip book / movie / music / other media?
For Road Trip movies, I’m gonna say “Almost Famous” because it always has a soft spot in my heart, and I don’t know if it counts as a road trip movie, but “Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (both old & new) also has a soft spot. I also just watched “A Real Pain” this past Oscar’s season and really enjoyed it. -Zoe
Behind the Wheel & Route 66 - Depeche Mode
Drivin on 9 - The Breeders
Brand New Cadillac - The Clash
Bitchin' Camaro - Dead Milkmen
The Passenger - both Iggy Pop original and Siouxsie cover Where the Streets Have No Name - U2 Motorcycle - Love & Rockets
Interstate 8 - Modest Mouse
Cars - Gary Numan
Driver 8 - REM Long Ride - Skating Polly
The Chauffer - Deftones, Duran Duran -Granny Anarchy
Obviously a personally tailored mix CD, as was the norm in my family. And Erasure has to be on it. That, and the year’s Kids World Almanac. As an adult, it’d have to be a fire memoir and a long queue of podcasts (“Perfume Room,” “Where Should We Begin?,” Scamfluencers” . . .) -la pêche punkette
My roadtrip music depends on who else is in the car and if it’s for background noise or singing along. But my favorite movies about a roadtrip include “Drive Away Dolls” and “The Goofy Movie.”
I'm more of a stare out the window and enjoy the scenery kind of person myself when it comes to car rides. I remember doing homework and drawing a lot in the car as a kid when we were on trips. But! On the roadtrip I went on with my boyfriend last month, I read "I Humbly Beg Your Speedy Answer" out loud for us to enjoy together and it was quite funny talking about the different queries and their responses. -Jackalope -Primal
