Thousands of people rang in the New Year at Arts Council Oklahoma City’s Opening Night, presented by MidFirst Bank and the Inasmuch Foundation. Opening Night was the perfect place for people of all ages to experience music, comedy, magic, fireworks, and more as they said goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023!
From 7 p.m. to midnight, New Year’s Eve crowds enjoyed performances held throughout 6 different venues in downtown Oklahoma City, capped off by a spectacular performance by Shortt Dogg on the Finale Stage, presented by Jackie Cooper BMW.
“Opening Night is a community-wide celebration of the arts that is unlike any other NYE celebration in Oklahoma City,” said Opening Night Co-Chair Richard Beam, “We aimed to bring a wide variety of entertainment to Opening Night and hope the event offered a fun way to ring in the new year for people of all ages.”
At the Children’s Area in Meinders Hall of Mirrors, kids got their faces painted by the Bricktown Clowns, participated in an interactive art project, and used a variety of shapes and colors to create an artistic mask that they could take home with them.
Shortt Dogg headlined the Finale Stage, presented by Jackie Cooper BMW, performing R&B party music to a fervent crowd. After a countdown to midnight, onlookers witnessed the Finale Ball rise as one of the most intense fireworks displays in the state rang-in the New Year.
“The fireworks display at Opening Night is among the best in Oklahoma City and is certainly a highlight of the evening,” said Opening Night Co-Chair Kelly McConnell. “Whether you were watching from Bicentennial Park or from your home with your loved ones, we hope you enjoyed the show and have a very happy New Year.”
The total number of wristbands sold will not be available until late January. Wristbands were sold at OKC Metro Dunkin’ and OnCue Express stores, as well as on Artscouncilokc.com. Wristbands were also sold at the event.
Opening Night is produced by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City and presented by MidFirst Bank and the Inasmuch Foundation. The Finale at Opening Night is presented by the Jackie Cooper BMW. Volunteer co-chairs are Kelly McConnell and Richard Beam.
Opening Night is produced by Arts Council Oklahoma City. Arts Council Oklahoma City is a nonprofit 501 ©(3) organization dedicated to bringing the arts and the community together through free or low-cost cultural events and a variety of arts outreach activities that impact underserved populations. Each year, Arts Council OKC events, programs and services reach approximately one million Oklahoma City residents and visitors. Opening Night is sponsored by MidFirst Bank, Inasmuch Foundation, Devon Energy Corporation, Ozarka Water & Coffee Service, Sonic – America’s Drive-in, ICG, OG&E Energy Corporation, Toucan Productions, The Oklahoman, Heartland, The Oklahoma City Thunder, S&S Promotions, Tyler Media, and OKC Parks. For more information, call 405-270-4848 or visit www.ArtsCouncilOKC.com.
