City: Oklahoma City, OK

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (405) 297-2584

Address: 201 N. Walker Ave.

Description: The Civic Center Music Hall is not only a beautiful structure with its art-deco design, but a building that has through renovation become nationally known for its “near perfect accoutsics.” Originally called the Municipal Building, the building was part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Program and was completed in 1937. At the time, it could seat 6,000 people and was used for numerous events like conventions, sporting events (boxing and basketball) and performing arts. In 1966, the hall went through a renovation and its name was changed to the Civic Center Music Hall. Beginning in 1998, the hall went through a second major renovation. Since the building is owned by Oklahoma City, it was to benefit from the 1993 tax-based initiative known as MAPS (Metropolitan Area Projects). Then in Sept 2001, three years later, the $52.4 millionnewly renovated 2,500-seat Civic Center Music Hall reopened its doors. The new hall is striking and stylish In 2006, a study was done and the Music Hall was rated “one of the top 3 acoustic halls in the United States. The Canterbury Choral Society, Lyric Theatre, Oklahoma City Ballet Company and Oklahoma City Philharmonic make their home here. Nationally known singers, musicians and artists like Mikhail Baryshnikov, Michael Buble, Placido Domingo, The Gaithers, and Itzhak Perlman have performed here, Three different performance theatres as well as two banquet spaces are located in the Civic Center Music Hall. The main hall is the Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theater. It seats 2,418 and features ballet companies, Broadway musicals, choral performances, orchestras and more, The 286-seat Freede Little Theatre is a smaller space than the Thelma Gaylord theater and is typically used for seminars and recitals. This theatre hasn’t changed much through the years and still has much of its original décor like its seats, sconces, and more. The black-box-style CitySpace theater is located in the basement of the Civic Center Music Hall. It seats 90. Being smaller in size it is perfect for the smaller theater companies who want to produce an intimate experience for guests. Next is the 5,300-square-foot Meinders Hall of Mirrors. This historic ballroom still has its parquet wood floors, original sconces, chandeliers, and its 20 foot windows and mirrors. Banquets, fundraisers, and weddings are often held here. Joel Levine Hall, a smaller and modern version of the Meinders can seat up to 100. There is street-level parking around the building, both on the street and in municipal lots around the complex. Metered parking spaces are free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends. Fees vary for the lots but generally range from $6 to $8 per space. Admission prices vary for each performance. Individual tickets for season performances and special limited engagements can be purchased at the box office in person, by phone (405-297-2264 or 800-364-7111) or on the Web (www.okcciviccenter.com or www.myticketoffice.com). The box office is located at 201 North Walker Ave. and the hours are Mon through Fri from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and two hours before each show time. Season tickets for any of the center’s resident performing groups can be purchased by contacting the individual group.