The Oklahoma City Philharmonic has risen from the ashes of the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra that was founded way back in 1938. The Oklahoma Symphony was conducted most prominently by three men, Ralph Rose in 1938, and later Victor Alessandro and Guy Francis Harrison in the decades to follow. During this period, the Oklahoma Symphony rose in popularity both at the national and international levels, mainly due to radio broadcasts on the Voice of America and the Mutual Radio Network.
The Oklahoma State Fair Arena, Oklahoma City is a multi-purpose arena located on the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Also called “The Big House”, the arena can accommodate 10,944 people and is the third largest multipurpose arena owned by Oklahoma City after the Ford Center and the Cox Convention Center arena. When opened, the building had the largest roof of its kind in the world and was named the James Norick State Fair Arena after the mayor of OKC at the time.
Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park (OSP) is a live classical theater in downtown Oklahoma City, the brainchild of Kathryn McGill and Jack J. O’Meara. The theater generally performs in different locations. The summer season performances are staged at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage while in the fall and winter, performances are staged at the Stage Center. The Mitchell Hall in the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma also becomes a venue occasionally. Larry Alley serves as President while co-founder Kathryn McGill is the Artistic Director.
Oklahoma City is a business and vacation destination par excellence. Oklahoma City tourist attractions include destinations and venues dealing with sightseeing, performing arts, sports, cinema, nature, flora and fauna, shopping, dining, and other themes. Museums, malls, restaurants, theaters, convention centers, lakes, canals…they’re all there.