Tulsa, Oklahoma

==Arts and culture==
Tulsa culture is influenced by the nearby [[Southwestern United States|Southwest]], [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]], and [[Southern United States|Southern]] cultural regions, as well as a historical Native American presence. These influences are expressed in the city's museums, cultural centers, performing arts venues, ethnic festivals, park systems, zoos, wildlife preserves, and large and growing collections of public sculptures, monuments, and artwork.<ref name="Tulsa's Public Art">{{cite web | url=http://ww3.visittulsa.com/general.asp?id=191 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329203219/http://ww3.visittulsa.com/general.asp?id=191 | archive-date=March 29, 2006| title=Tulsa's Public Art| publisher=Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce | access-date=May 11, 2006}}</ref>

===Museums, archives and visual culture===
Tulsa is home to several museums. Located in the former villa of [[petroleum|oil]] pioneer [[Waite Phillips]] in Midtown Tulsa, the [[Philbrook Museum of Art]] is considered one of the top 50 [[fine art]] museums in the United States and is one of only five to offer a combination of a historic home, formal gardens, and an art collection.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ww3.visittulsa.com/general.asp?id=149 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329204055/http://ww3.visittulsa.com/general.asp?id=149 | archive-date=March 29, 2006| title=Philbrook Museum of Art| publisher=Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce | access-date=April 15, 2006}}</ref> The museum's expansive collection includes work by a diverse group of artists including [[Pablo Picasso]], [[Andrew Wyeth]], [[Giovanni Bellini]], [[Domenico di Pace Beccafumi]], [[Willem de Kooning]], [[William Merritt Chase]], [[Auguste Rodin]] and [[Georgia O'Keeffe]]. Philbrook also maintains a satellite campus in downtown Tulsa.

In the [[Osage Hills]] of Northwest Tulsa, the [[Gilcrease Museum]] holds the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts of the American West.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.travelok.com/atv/urban.asp | title=The All-Terrain Vacation | publisher=Travelok.com | access-date=April 12, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060410174845/http://www.travelok.com/atv/urban.asp | archive-date=April 10, 2006 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> The museum includes the extensive collection of Native American oilman and famed art collector [[Thomas Gilcrease]] with numerous works by [[Frederic Remington]], [[Thomas Moran]], [[Albert Bierstadt]] and [[John James Audubon]] among the many displayed.

On the west bank of the Arkansas River in the suburb of [[Jenks, Oklahoma|Jenks]], the [[Oklahoma Aquarium]] is the state's only freestanding aquarium, containing over 200 exhibits, including a shark tank.<ref name="Oklahoma Aquarium">{{cite web |year=2007 |url=http://ww3.visittulsa.com/general.asp?id=183 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329203745/http://ww3.visittulsa.com/general.asp?id=183 |archive-date=March 29, 2006|title=Oklahoma Aquarium |publisher=Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau |access-date=April 20, 2006}}</ref>

In addition, the city hosts a number of galleries, experimental art-spaces, smaller museums, and display spaces located throughout the city (clustered mostly in downtown, Brookside, and the Pearl District). Living Arts of Tulsa, in downtown Tulsa, is among the organizations dedicated to promoting and sustaining an active arts scene in the city.

====Cultural and historical archives====
Opened in April 2013, the [[Woody Guthrie Center]] in the Tulsa Arts District is Tulsa's newest museum and archive. In addition to interactive state-of-the-art museum displays, the [[Woody Guthrie]] Center also houses the Woody Guthrie Archives, containing thousands of Guthrie's personal items, sheet music, manuscripts, books, photos, periodicals, and other items associated with the iconic Oklahoma native.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://woodyguthriecenter.org/ | title=Woody Guthrie Center}}</ref> The archives of Guthrie protégé, singer-songwriter [[Bob Dylan]] will also be displayed in Tulsa when a new facility designed to showcase [[The Bob Dylan Archive]] is completed.

[[The Church Studio]] is a recording studio and tourist attraction with an archive of more than 5,000 pieces. Constructed in 1915, the church was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] due to musician [[Leon Russell]], who turned the old church into a recording studio and office to [[Shelter Records]] in 1972.

With remnants of the [[Holocaust]] and artifacts relevant to [[Judaism]] in Oklahoma, the [[Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art]] preserves the largest collection of [[Judaism|Judaica]] in the Southwestern and South-Central United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishmuseum.net/ | title=Sherwin Miller Museum of Judaism | publisher=Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art | access-date=April 20, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226183123/http://www.jewishmuseum.net/ | archive-date=February 26, 2010 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Other museums, such as the Tulsa Historical Society, the [[Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium]], the [[Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame]], and the Tulsa Geosciences Center, document histories of the region, while the [[Greenwood Cultural Center]] preserves the culture of the city's African American heritage, housing a collection of artifacts and photography that document the history of the [[Greenwood District, Tulsa|Black Wall Street]] before the [[Tulsa Race Riot]] of 1921.

===Public art===
[[File:Woodward Park.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Cyrus Dallin]]'s [[Appeal to the Great Spirit]] in [[Woodward Park (Tulsa)|Woodward Park]]]]
Since 1969, public displays of artwork in Tulsa have been funded by one percent of its annual city budget.<ref name="Tulsa's Public Art" /> Each year, a sculpture from a local artist is installed along the Arkansas River trail system, while other sculptures stand at local parks, such as an enlarged version of [[Cyrus Dallin]]'s [[Appeal to the Great Spirit]] sculpture at [[Woodward Park (Tulsa)|Woodward Park]].<ref name="Tulsa's Public Art" /> At the entrance to Oral Roberts University stands a large statue of praying hands, which, at {{convert|60|ft|m}} high, is the largest bronze sculpture in the world.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.roadsideamerica.com/sights/sightstory.php?tip_AttrId=%3D11895 | title=World's Largest Praying Hands | publisher=Roadside America | access-date=May 11, 2007}}</ref> As a testament to the city's oil heritage, the {{convert|76|ft|m|adj=on}} [[Golden Driller]] guards the front entrance to the Tulsa County Fairgrounds.  Tulsa has a number of exhibits related to [[U.S. Route 66]], including The Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, located next to the east entrance of the historic [[11th Street Bridge]]. The Plaza contains a giant sculpture weighing {{convert|20000|lb|kg}} and costing $1.178 million<ref>[http://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/sculpture-dedicated-to-cyrus-avery "Sculpture dedicated to Cyrus Avery, the 'Father of Route 66'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714015403/http://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/sculpture-dedicated-to-cyrus-avery |date=July 14, 2015 }}, KJRH. November 9, 2012. Accessed July 6, 2015.</ref> called "East Meets West" of the Avery family riding west in a Model T Ford meeting an eastbound horse-drawn carriage.<ref name="Barber">Barber, Brian (May 18, 2008), [http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/government/cyrus-avery-plaza-s-construction-nearly-finished/article_3456332a-f152-5fbf-b2ec-6c5bccd7eed6.html?mode=story "Cyrus Avery plaza's construction nearly finished"], ''Tulsa World''. Accessed July 6, 2015.</ref>  In 2020, Avery Plaza Southwest is scheduled to open, at the west end of the bridge, and should include replicas of three neon signs from Tulsa-area Route 66 motels from the era, being the Will Rogers Motor Court. Tulsa Auto Court, and the Oil Capital Motel.<ref>{{cite web | url=  https://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/it-s-a-big-part-of-our-history-city-should/article_d1cf1682-9115-5b96-8dd7-46a0ddd62d8b.html| title= It's a big part of our history: City should resurrect 11th Street bridge over Arkansas River, preservationists say | date= January 29, 2019 | publisher=Kevin Canfield, Tulsa World, January 30, 2019 | access-date=January 30, 2019}}</ref>  Tulsa has also installed "Route 66 Rising," a {{Convert|70 by 30|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} sculpture on the road's eastern approach to town at East Admiral Place and Mingo Road.<ref>John Klein, "Landmark Rises on Route 66", Tulsa World, November 27, 2018.</ref>  In addition, Tulsa has constructed twenty-nine historical markers scattered along the {{Convert|26|mi|km|adj=on}} route of the highway through Tulsa, containing tourist-oriented stories, historical photos, and a map showing the location of historical sites and the other markers.<ref name="Signs" />  The markers are mostly along the highway's post-1932 alignment down 11th Street, with some along the road's 1926 path down Admiral Place.<ref name="Signs">{{cite web|url= https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/route66/sign-seeing-route-historical-markers-were-a-long-time-coming/article_a2ed21ce-bdab-57a5-b351-b16e7219105b.html | title= Sign seeing: Route 66 historical markers were 'a long time coming' | date= October 15, 2019 | publisher=Michael Overall, Tulsa World, October 15, 2019|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Golden Driller.jpg|thumb|upright|The iconic Golden Driller, built in 1953 for the 1953 [[International Petroleum Exposition]],<ref name="Golden Driller">{{cite web|url=http://www.bestoftulsa.com/landmarks/golden_driller.shtml |title=Tulsa Landmarks |publisher=Best of Tulsa |access-date=April 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427175226/http://bestoftulsa.com/landmarks/golden_driller.shtml |archive-date=April 27, 2007 }}</ref> now stands at the Tulsa County Fairgrounds.]]

The largest augmented reality mural in the world, "The Majestic", a {{Convert|15,000|ft2|m2|adj=on}} work which adorns two sides of the Main Park Plaza at 410 S. Main downtown, was completed in October 2021.<ref name=Majestic>{{cite web|url= https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/watch-now-majestic-augmented-reality-mural-unveiled-in-downtown-tulsa-pushes-the-boundaries-of-public/article_2875fe42-2dd8-11ec-8711-57c9f6fb12d6.html |title=Watch Now: 'Majestic' augmented reality mural unveiled in downtown Tulsa, 'pushes the boundaries' of public art|date=October 19, 2021 |publisher= Tim Stanley, Tulsa World, October 19, 2021}}</ref>  The $230,000 project was created by Los Angeles-based artists Ryan "Yanoe" Sarfati and Eric "Zoueh" Skotnes.<ref name=Majestic/>  The mural becomes animated when viewed through a smartphone camera.<ref name=Majestic/>

===Flag===
{{main|Flag of Tulsa}}

The flag of Tulsa is considered one of the most attractive city flags in the United States. In 2023, it became one of two city flags to receive an A+ rating from the North American Vexillological Association.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Savannah Sinclair & Jennifer Maupin, KTUL |date=2023-01-08 |title=Tulsa flag ranks No. 1 in survey by North American Vexillological Association |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/tulsa-flag-ranks-top-25-in-survey-by-north-american-vexillological-association |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=KTUL |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Tulsa City Council]] voted to adopt the new city flag in 2018 following  a campaign from local community.<ref name="Adams">{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Saundra |date=2018-10-03 |title=Tulsa City Council approves vote to adopt new city flag |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/tulsa-city-council-approves-vote-to-adopt-new-city-flag |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=KTUL |language=en}}</ref>  The design incorporates a [[dreamcatcher]] to represent te the Tulsa settlement under the [[Creek Council Oak Tree|Council Oak Tree]]. The color [[red]] is meant to represent the people who died in the Tulsa race massacre, the color blue represents the [[Arkansas River]], the gold represents the discovery of "black gold", or oil.<ref name="Adams"/>

===Performing arts, film and cultural venues===
Tulsa contains several permanent dance, theater, and concert groups, including the [[Tulsa Ballet]], the [[Tulsa Opera]], the [[Tulsa Symphony Orchestra]], [[Light Opera Oklahoma]], [[Tulsa Signature Symphony|Signature Symphony]] at TCC, the [[Tulsa Youth Symphony]], the [[Heller Theatre]], [[American Theatre Company]], which is a member of the Theatre Communications Group and Oklahoma's oldest resident professional theatre, and [[Theatre Tulsa]], the oldest continuously operating [[community theatre]] company west of the [[Mississippi River]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.theatretulsa.org/history/history.html| title=History of Theatre Tulsa| publisher=Theatre Tulsa| access-date=April 26, 2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630030120/http://www.theatretulsa.org/history/history.html| archive-date=June 30, 2007| df=mdy-all}}</ref> Tulsa also houses the Tulsa Spotlight Theater at [[Riverside Studio]], which shows the longest-running play in America ([[The Drunkard]]) every Saturday night. Many of the world's best choreographers have worked with Tulsa Ballet including: [[Leonide Massine]], [[Antony Tudor]], [[Jerome Robbins]], [[George Balanchine]], [[Paul Taylor (choreographer)|Paul Taylor]], [[Kurt Jooss]], [[Nacho Duato]] (ten works), [[Val Caniparoli]] who is its resident choreographer (with seven works and four world premieres), [[Stanton Welch]], [[Young Soon Hue]], [[Ma Cong]], [[Twyla Tharp]] and many others. 
In April 2008, Tulsa Ballet completed an ambitious $17.3 million integrated campaign, which was celebrated at the opening of the brand new Studio K; an on-site, three hundred-seat performance space dedicated to the creation of new works.

Tulsa's music scene is also famous for the eponymous "[[Tulsa Sound]]" which blends rockabilly, country, rock 'n' roll, and blues and has inspired local artists like [[J.J. Cale]] and [[Leon Russell]] as well as international superstars like [[Eric Clapton]] and [[Hanson (band)|Hanson]].

A number of concert venues, dance halls, and bars gave rise to the Tulsa Sound but [[Cain's Ballroom]] might be the best known. Cain's is considered the birthplace of Western Swing,<ref name="Selling Tulsa">{{cite news|date=July 15, 2006 |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?articleID=060715_Bu_E1_Tulsa51913 |title=Selling Tulsa: Branded |first=John |last=Stancavage |newspaper=[[Tulsa World]] |access-date=April 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070811123505/http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?articleID=060715_Bu_E1_Tulsa51913 |archive-date=August 11, 2007 }}</ref> housed the performance headquarters of [[Bob Wills]] and the [[Texas Playboys]] during the 1930s. The centerpiece of the downtown Brady Arts District, the [[Brady Theater]], is the largest of the city's five operating performing arts venues that are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="National Register of Historic Places">{{cite web | url=http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/OK/Tulsa/state.html| title=National Register of Historic Places – Oklahoma, Tulsa | publisher=National Register of Historic Places | access-date=July 14, 2007}}</ref>  Its design features extensive contributions by American architect [[Bruce Goff]]. The Pearl District features [[The Church Studio]].

Large performing arts complexes include the [[Tulsa Performing Arts Center]], which was designed by [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] architect [[Minoru Yamasaki]], the [[Cox Business Center]], the art deco [[Expo Square Pavilion]], the [[Mabee Center]], the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for Education, and the River Parks Amphitheater and Tulsa's largest venue, the BOK Center. Ten miles west of the city, an outdoor amphitheater called "Discoveryland!" holds the official title of the world performance headquarters for the musical ''[[Oklahoma!]].''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://discoverylandusa.com/awards.shtml |title=Honors and Awards |publisher=Discoveryland! |access-date=April 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405010705/http://www.discoverylandusa.com/awards.shtml |archive-date=April 5, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The city's film community hosts annual festivals such as the Tulsa United Film Festival and Tulsa Overground Film and Music Festival.

===Outdoor attractions===
{{See also|List of festivals and events in Tulsa, Oklahoma}}
[[File:Tommso.jpg|thumb|left|The river parks trail system traverses the banks of the Arkansas River.]]

[[Tulsa Zoo]] encompasses a total of {{convert|84|acre|ha}} with over 2,600 animals representing 400 species.<ref name="Zoo History">{{cite web |year=2007 |url=http://www.tulsazoo.org/general.asp?id=97 |title=Zoo History |publisher=Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum |access-date=April 25, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928072514/http://www.tulsazoo.org/general.asp?id=97 |archive-date=September 28, 2006 }}</ref> The zoo is located in {{convert|2820|acre|ha|adj=on}} Mohawk Park (the third largest municipal park in the United States) which also contains the {{convert|745|acre|ha|adj=on}} Oxley Nature Center.<ref name="Mowhawk Park - 3rd Largest" /><ref name="Save Mohawk Park">{{cite web |date=April 7, 2007 |url=http://www.tulsaaudubon.org/mohawk/savemohawkpark.htm |title=December 2005 Revision to Master Plan Proposal |publisher=Tulsa Audubon Society |access-date=April 25, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112154202/http://www.tulsaaudubon.org/mohawk/savemohawkpark.htm |archive-date=January 12, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Tulsa State Fair]], operating in late September and early October, attracts over one million people during its 10-day run.<ref>{{cite web |year=2006 |url=http://www.tulsastatefair.com/attendance.html |title=2005 Tulsa State Fair Stats Preliminary Numbers |publisher=Tulsa State Fair |access-date=April 15, 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061023072445/http://www.tulsastatefair.com/attendance.html |archive-date=October 23, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> A number of other cultural heritage festivals are held in the city throughout the year, including the Intertribal Indian Club Powwow of Champions in August; Scotfest, India Fest, Greek Festival, and Festival Viva Mexico in September; ShalomFest in October; Dia de Los Muertos Art Festival in November; and the Asian-American Festival in May. The annual Mayfest arts and crafts festival held downtown was estimated to have drawn more than 365,000 people in its four-day run in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 21, 2007 |first=Leigh |last=Bell |title=Weather, crowd holds up until end of Mayfest |newspaper=Tulsa World |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20120521_11_A8_CUTLIN488807|access-date=September 4, 2012}}</ref> On a smaller scale, the city hosts block parties during a citywide "Block Party Day" each year, with festivals varying in size throughout city neighborhoods.<ref>{{cite web |year=2005 |url=http://www.cityoftulsa.org/Community/Neighborhoods/ |title=Mayor's Office for Neighborhood |publisher=City of Tulsa |access-date=May 21, 2007}}</ref> Tulsa has one major amusement park attraction, Paradise Beach Waterpark<ref>{{cite news|last=Rivas |first=Kaitlyn |url=https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/safari-joes-h20-under-new-ownership |title=Safari Joe's H20 under new ownership |date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125011448/https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/safari-joes-h20-under-new-ownership |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |url-status=live |website=www.kjrh.com}}</ref> (formerly Safari Joe's H2O Water Park, formerly Big Splash Water Park), featuring multi-story water slides and large wave pools. Until 2006, the city also hosted [[Bell's Amusement Park]], which closed after Tulsa County officials declined to renew its lease agreement.<ref name="Rides disappearing at Bells">{{cite news |date=January 27, 2007 |url=http://kotv.com/news/local/story/?id=118983 |title=Rides disappearing at Bells |publisher=KOTV |access-date=April 15, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715124635/http://www.kotv.com/news/local/story/?id=118983|archive-date=July 15, 2007}}</ref>

===Music===
Western Swing, a musical genre with roots in [[country music]], was made popular at Tulsa's Cain's Ballroom. [[The Tulsa Sound]], a variation of country, blues, [[rockabilly]], [[blues rock]], [[swamp rock]] and [[rock 'n' roll]], was started and largely developed by local musicians [[J. J. Cale]] and [[Leon Russell]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/leon-russell-mn0000816387 |title=Leon Russell |access-date=22 November 2022|website=AllMusic}}</ref> in the 1960s and 1970s.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tulsatoday.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=849&Itemid=2 | first=Jim|last=Downing| title=Tulsa Rocks Part Two: The Tulsa Sound | date=January 2006 | work=Tulsa Today | access-date=June 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417170959/http://www.tulsatoday.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=849&Itemid=2 |archive-date=Apr 17, 2008 }}</ref> Musicians from Tulsa or who started their musical careers in Tulsa include [[Elvin Bishop]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=21 November 2022|first1=Mark|last1=Deming|title=Elvin Bishop Biography|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/elvin-bishop-mn0000796736/biography|website=AllMusic}}</ref> [[Jim Keltner]],  [[David Gates]], [[Dwight Twilley]], [[Jesse Ed Davis]], [[Garth Brooks]], [[The Gap Band]], [[St. Vincent (musician)|St. Vincent]], [[Clyde Stacy]], [[Flash Terry]], [[Hanson (band)|Hanson]], [[Gus Hardin]], [[Jeff Carson]], Billy Reynolds Eustis and the Tri-Lads, Marvin&Johnny, [[Ronnie Dunn]], [[Jamie Oldaker]], [[Bob Wills]](Texas),<ref>{{cite web | title=Tulsa Musicians | url=http://www.tulsalibrary.org/research/tulsa/musicians.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314204158/http://www.tulsalibrary.org/research/tulsa/musicians.htm | archive-date=March 14, 2007 | access-date=April 29, 2007 | publisher=Tulsa City-County Library }}</ref> [[David Cook (singer)|David Cook]],<ref>{{cite news | title=David Cook: Back in Blue Springs| url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080510_238_A1_hrpCa40734 | date=May 10, 2008|access-date=May 25, 2008 | work=[[Tulsa World]] | author=Cary Aspinwall |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514134835/http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080510_238_A1_hrpCa40734 |archive-date=May 14, 2008 }}</ref> [[Broncho (band)|Broncho]], [[Jacob Sartorius]], [[Tyson Meade]], [[John Moreland]], [[John Calvin Abney]], The Damn Quails(folk group), Kristin Chenoweth(actress), [[JD McPherson]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=269&articleid=20121223_269_D1_CUTLIN480644 |title=2012 good for Oklahoma's musicians |work=Tulsa World |date=December 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223114437/http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=269&articleid=20121223_269_D1_CUTLIN480644 |archive-date=Dec 23, 2012 |first1=Jennifer |last1=Chancellor |access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref>  and [[Wilderado]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Tulsa-born St. Vincent performed solo at Brady Theater but she's far from alone |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/5585096/tulsa-born-st.-vincent-performed-solo-at-brady-theater-but-shes-far-from-alone |website=The Oklahoman |first1=Nathan |last1=Poppe |date=2 March 2018}}</ref>  The heart of the [[Tulsa sound|Tulsa Sound]] can be found at [[The Church Studios|The Church Studio.]]
[[AleXa]] a representative from Tulsa won [[American Song Contest]]

===Cuisine===
Tulsa restaurants and food trucks offer a number of cuisines, but several cuisines are particularly prominent in its culinary landscape because of its distinctive history.

====BBQ====
Tulsa is known nationally for its barbecue offerings; its barbecue reflects its midpoint location "between pig country and cow country," that is, in the transition zone between the South and the West.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Martino|first1=Justin|title=The Heartland of BBQ|url=http://www.okmag.com/blog/2016/05/26/the-heartland-of-bbq/|access-date=August 14, 2016|work=Oklahoma Magazine|date=May 26, 2016|quote="We’re right in the heartland," says Nick Corcoran, pit master at Burn Co. Barbeque in Tulsa. "We’re right between pig country and cow country, so we get the best of both worlds. We’re also right between Kansas and Texas, two known barbecue meccas as well, so we get a melding of those two pots."|archive-date=August 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807135058/http://www.okmag.com/blog/2016/05/26/the-heartland-of-bbq/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The city's barbecue is also helped by its geography; the wood used in barbecuing is abundant in Northeastern Oklahoma (including [[pecan]], [[oak]], [[hickory]], [[mesquite]] and [[maple]]). The region's ethnic diversity is felt, too: its BBQ traditions bear the influences of white, African-American and American Indian foodways.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wilson|first1=Linda D.|title=Barbecue|url=http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entryname=BARBECUE|website=Oklahoma Historical Society|access-date= August 14, 2016}}</ref>
Tulsa is also home to the nationally acclaimed premium smoker manufacturer Hasty-Bake Company. Some Tulsa based barbecue joints have expanded even beyond the state's borders, including Leon's Smoke Shack, [[Rib Crib]] and [[Billy Sims Barbecue]]. The prize-winning [[Oklahoma Joe's]] was founded by Oklahoman Joe Davidson, who mastered his craft at Tulsa's T-Town BBQ Cook-Off.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vaughn|first1=Daniel|url=http://www.tmbbq.com/interview-joe-davidson-of-oklahoma-joes-bar-b-cue/|title=Texas Monthly BBQ|access-date=August 14, 2016|date=May 28, 2014}}</ref>

Oklahoma barbecue is also unique in its emphasis on hickory-smoked [[barbecue bologna]], nicknamed "Oklahoma tenderloin," and its [[fried okra]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Ardie|title=Barbecue 'Oklahoma Tenderloin' hard to find in KC — that's no baloney|url=http://www.kansascity.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/chow-town/article337138/Barbecue-%E2%80%98Oklahoma-Tenderloin%E2%80%99-hard-to-find-in-KC-%E2%80%94-that%E2%80%99s-no-baloney.html|access-date=August 17, 2016|work=The Kansas City Star|date=January 23, 2014}}</ref>

====Lebanese steakhouses====
Lebanese steakhouses were once numerous in the region stretching from [[Bristow, Oklahoma]] to Tulsa, but now mostly exist in the Tulsa region.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Schallner|first1=Nancy|title=Lebanese Steakhouses|url=http://www.tulsagal.net/2010/09/lebanese-steakhouses.html|website=Tulsa Gal|access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> These restaurants were founded by [[Syrian Americans|Syrian]] and [[Lebanese Americans|Lebanese]] families who immigrated to Oklahoma before statehood.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gainey|first1=Spencer Livingston|title=BBQ bologna: Oklahoma's legendary Lebanese steakhouses|url=https://nondoc.com/2015/12/08/lebanese-steakhouses-its-just-different/|access-date=August 14, 2016|work=NON DOC|date= December 8, 2015}}</ref>  Traditionally, many of these restaurants had live entertainment (including performers like [[Ella Fitzgerald]] and the [[Ink Spots]]) and featured Mediterranean dishes like [[tabbouleh]], rice [[pilaf]] and [[hummus]] alongside local favorites like smoked BBQ [[Bologna sausage|bologna]].

====Chili and Coney Island hot dogs====
Oklahomans have been consuming chili since well before statehood, owing to the influence of [[Mexican-American]] culture on the state.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Everett|first1=Dianna |title=Chili|url=http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entryname=CHILI|website=Oklahoma Historical Society|access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> In 1910, iconic Tulsa restaurant Ike's Chili Parlor opened and Ivan "Ike" Johnson is purported to have acquired his recipe from a Hispanic-Texan named Alex Garcia.

Greek immigrants to Tulsa who came by way of [[Brooklyn]], [[Pennsylvania]] and [[Michigan]] brought with them the tradition of [[Coney Island hot dog|Coney Island-style hot dogs]] with chili on a bun.<ref name="cauthron">{{cite web | url=https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-2179765/one-hot-dog-how-tulsa-became-a-coney-town | title=One Hot Dog: How Tulsa Became a Coney Town | access-date=July 26, 2015 | author=Cauthron, Matt}}</ref>  Today, a related group of [[Greek-American]] families operate Coney restaurants around the city, including [[Coney I-Lander]] which opened in 1926 and was described by food writers [[Jane and Michael Stern]] as perfectly delivering "the cheap-eats ecstasy that is the Coney's soul".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Stern|first1=Jane|last2=Stern|first2=Michael|title=500 Things to Eat Before it's Too Late:and the Very Best Places to Eat Them|date=2009|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|isbn=978-0-547-05907-5}}</ref>  Many of these restaurants sell Greek food, either year round or at Tulsa's annual Greek Holiday, sponsored by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (which dates to 1925).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Everett|first1=Dianna |title=HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH (Tulsa).|url=http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=HO019|website=Oklahoma Historical Society|access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref>

====Southern "homestyle" food====
By and large, Tulsa's traditional cuisine reflects the influence of Southern foodways, particularly "upland South and... Texas where many of Oklahoma's nineteenth-century population originated."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Everett|first1=Dianna|title=State Meal|url=http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=ST023|website=Oklahoma Historical Society|access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> The prominence of certain foods reflects the agricultural heritage of the surrounding regions. For instance, at the suggestion of experts at what is now [[Oklahoma State University]], peanuts became a major crop in now eastern Oklahoma as a means for lessening the reliance on cotton cultivation.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Everett|first1=Dianna|title=Peanuts|url=http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=PE002|website=Oklahoma Historical Society|access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> [[Chicken-fried steak]] is part of the state meal of Oklahoma and is the signature dish at a number of Tulsa restaurants.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cherry|first1=Scott|last2=Watts|first2=James|title=Where, why and how: 5 great chicken-fried steaks at area eateries|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/food/where-why-and-how-great-chicken-fried-steaks-at-area/article_20e8bb1b-5e10-571d-b64a-cd98aa2561ca.html|access-date=August 14, 2016|work=Tulsa World|date=May 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Weaver|first1=Bobby|title=Chicken-Fried Steak|url=http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entryname=CHICKEN-FRIED%20STEAK|website=Oklahoma Historical Society|access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref>

====Wild onion dinner====
The [[wild onion dinner]] is a festive gathering that originated with the [[Southeastern tribes]] which call Eastern Oklahoma home. The meals often feature [[wild onion]], [[pork]], [[frybread]], [[corn bread]], [[Pokeweed|Poke salad]] and a unique dish known as grape biscuits.<ref>Middleton, Nicole Marshall. [http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=39&articleid=20120314_39_D1_CUTLIN99137 "Grape Dumplings Make Unique Dessert with American Indian Influence."] ''Tulsa World.'' March 14, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2012.</ref> The Tulsa Indian Women's Club has been holding annual Wild Onion Dinners since at least 1932.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Zanger|first1=Mark|title=The American Ethnic Cookbook for Students.|date=2008|publisher=Oryx Press|location=Phoenix, AZ|isbn=978-1573563451|page=61|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JTBSpuCkl9AC&q=1932+wild+onion+dinner+tulsa&pg=PA61|access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref>

====Baking and confectionery====
Tulsa is home to the Oklahoma Sugar Arts Show, a premier sugar craft competition hosted by Tulsa-based [[Food Network]] personality [[Kerry Vincent]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dino-Ray |first1=Ramos |title=Kerry Vincent Dies: Food Network Star And Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show Co-Founder Was 75 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/kerry-vincent-dead-obituary-food-network-oklahoma-state-sugar-art-show-1234664194/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=5 January 2021 |date=3 January 2021}}</ref> Tulsa is also home to the nationally renowned Pancho Anaya Mexican bakery, recognized by [[Food & Wine]] as one of America's 100 best bakeries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/restaurants/best-bakeries-in-america|title=The 100 Best Bakeries in America|website=Foodandwine.com|access-date=May 8, 2021}}</ref> Tulsa is home to several national dessert companies: [[Daylight Donuts]] was founded in Tulsa and remains headquartered there, as is the Bama Pie Company.

====Breweries====
Brewing in Tulsa dates back to at least the late 1930s with the Ahrens Brewing Company and their Ranger Beer line. The Ahrens Brewing Company opened in May 1938.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marshallbrewing.com/tulsa-brew-history/|title=Tulsa Brew History|work=marshallbrewing.com|access-date=January 23, 2021|archive-date=November 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130165958/http://marshallbrewing.com/tulsa-brew-history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Tulsa's craft beer scene has boomed since legislation passed allowing for microbreweries to serve the public directly (Tulsa's first microbrewery in the post-World War II era was [[Marshall Brewing Company]] in 2008).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/07/the-craft-beer-guide-to-oklahoma.html |title= The Craft Beer Guide to Oklahoma |work= Paste Magazine |date= July 14, 2014}}</ref>

===Public libraries===
The largest library system in the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, the [[Tulsa City-County Library]], contains over {{Nowrap|1.7 million}} volumes in 25 library facilities.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tulsalibrary.org/about/| title=About the Library | publisher=Tulsa City-County Library | access-date=April 15, 2006}}</ref> The library is active in the community, holding events and programs at most branches, including free computer classes, children's storytimes, business and job assistance, and scholarly databases with information on a variety of topics.<ref name="About the Tulsa Library System" /> The [[University of Tulsa#Campus|McFarlin Library]] at the University of Tulsa is a [[federal depository library program|federal depository library]] holding over three million items.<ref name="McFarlin Library">{{cite web | year=2007 | url=http://www.utulsa.edu/admission/campus/mcfarlin/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906180453/http://www.utulsa.edu/admission/campus/mcfarlin/ | archive-date=September 6, 2006| title=McFarlin Library | publisher=[[University of Tulsa]]| access-date=April 28, 2006}}</ref> Founded in 1930, the library is known for its collection of Native American works and the original works of Irish author [[James Joyce]].<ref name="McFarlin Library" /> The Tulsa City-County Library and the University of Tulsa's Law Library are also federal depository libraries, making Tulsa the only city in Oklahoma with more than two federal depository libraries.<ref name="Depository Libraries">{{cite web| date=June 6, 2005| url=http://www.library.okstate.edu/Govdocs/depos.htm| title=Depository Libraries| publisher=Oklahoma State University| access-date=April 28, 2006| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060503060607/http://www.library.okstate.edu/govdocs/depos.htm| archive-date=May 3, 2006| df=mdy-all}}</ref> The Tulsa City County Library's Downtown branch was massively renovated and opened to the public on Saturday, October 1, 2016.