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May 1, 2025

From a steamroller pressing art prints to composting parties in the park, the first half of May is packed with creative, quirky and can’t-miss events. In this edition of Local Vibes, we’re highlighting some of the festivals lighting up Oklahoma City — including our event spotlight on the hands-on, family-friendly Steamroller Print Festival at ARTSPACE at Untitled. Plus, KGOU is in the mix with a few special events of our own, a brand new How Curious episode featuring a surprising Oklahoma invention, and your chance to win tickets to Canterbury Voices' Crescendo concert. Let’s dive in!

All the best,

Cate

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Check out our community calendar for more events!

TONIGHT! Oklahoma Future Forum: Homelessness in OKC

How is Oklahoma City addressing homelessness—and what more needs to be done? Join us tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Kamp’s 1910 Café for a special edition of the Oklahoma Future Forum. KGOU and KFOR journalists will lead a panel discussion featuring:

• Meghan Mueller, Executive Director, Homeless Alliance
• Erin Goodin, Executive Director, City Rescue Mission
• Erika Warren, Communications Manager, Key to Home

Let’s talk about the work being done—and what’s still needed—to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Get driving directions

KGOU Night at the Sound Bar: Wednesday, May 7

Join us on May 7 for a lively evening at the Sound Bar in Oklahoma City! We’ll kick things off with a story review and Q&A with StateImpact Oklahoma health reporter Jillian Taylor, who’s been covering everything from reproductive health policy to measles. Stick around afterward for a Mother’s Day-inspired playlist curated by Hardluck Jim Johnson. Conversation starts at 6:30. Free and open to all!

RSVP on Facebook

What happens when an American investor trying to help rebuild Russia’s economy ends up behind bars? In this edition of the KGOU Readers Club, we spotlight Odyssey Moscow: One American’s Journey From Russia Optimist to Prisoner of the State — the gripping true story from author and University of Oklahoma alum Michael Calvey. From Wall Street to post-Soviet Moscow, Calvey’s journey is one of ambition, international intrigue and unexpected imprisonment. He sits down with KGOU managing editor Logan Layden for a conversation about navigating power, politics and justice on the global stage. In case you missed the live broadcast, you catch it as our Sunday Radio Matinee this Sunday, May 4, at noon.

Listen here

In the latest How Curious, host Rachel Hopkin looks into how, when and why the parking meter was invented in Oklahoma City back in the 1930s. Learn about the polymath behind its creation, inventive reactions to its installation (such as tying a horse to the meter post and paying for the metered spot to hold a game of bridge) and some beautiful women in golden bikinis. Find out more on air, online or wherever you get podcasts.

Listen to the episode

Reporter Spotlight: Chloe Bennett-Steele

As tornado season ramps up, StateImpact Oklahoma is digging deep into a story with real consequences: how proposed cuts to NOAA’s budget could weaken the very systems we rely on to predict and respond to severe weather.

In her latest report, StateImpact Oklahoma environment and science reporter Chloe Bennett-Steele breaks down what’s at stake — from potential job losses to reduced forecasting accuracy — and why it matters for every Oklahoman. This is the kind of thoughtful, deeply reported journalism that KGOU and StateImpact deliver year-round.

🚨 We don’t do it for clicks — we do it for you. And we can’t do it without your support.

If you value fact-based reporting on issues that affect your life — from weather safety to health care and education — please consider making a donation today.

👉 Support this work and power more stories that matter.

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