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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMaggie McClure talks about the Oklahoma film and music and industries.<\/p>\n
Maggie McClure talks about the Oklahoma music and film industries while attending Film and Music Day at the Capitol in Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/story-highlights> Events to celebrate the “King of Western Swing<\/a>” and to showcase the Sooner State’s film, music, arts and cultural sectors are coming soon to the state Capitol in Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n An annual tradition at the state Capitol, Bob Wills Day<\/a> is set for 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday, March 9. Co-sponsored by state Sen. Jo Anna Dossett<\/a> and state Rep. Jay Steagall<\/a>, the event will feature live performances by Western swing musicians in the Capitol\u2019s second-floor rotunda.<\/p>\n The public is invited to attend the free event, which annually takes place around Wills’ birthday<\/a>.<\/p>\n Born March 6, 1905, in Texas, Wills<\/a> helped popularize the danceable music genre<\/a> known as Western swing during the 1930s and ’40s. Wills\u2019 band, the Texas Playboys, had a daily program on the Tulsa radio outlet KVOO and were regular performers at Tulsa’s venerable Cain\u2019s Ballroom<\/a>, where they showcased the genre’s distinctive blend of swing jazz, Dixieland jazz, Mexican folk music, blues, polka and more.<\/p>\n Returning to the stage this year will be Jana Jae<\/a>, Oklahoma Swing, Jay Steagall<\/a> and the Part-Timers and Bob Wills\u2019 Texas Playboys<\/a> under the direction of Jason Roberts.<\/p>\n Presented through a partnership of the Oklahoma Arts Council<\/a> and Oklahoma Historical Society<\/a>, this year’s celebration will spotlight some newcomers to Bob Wills Day, too: Katie Shore, vocalist and fiddle player for the Grammy Award-winning band Asleep at the Wheel<\/a>, and Hank Thompson\u2019s Brazos Valley Boys<\/a>, under the direction of Morey Sullivan, will perform.<\/p>\n The festivities also will feature a Western fashion contest. Attendees are invited to come dressed in their Western best for the chance to earn prizes in categories including Best Boots, Western Shirts, Western Swing Skirts and Ties (which includes the bolo and bow varieties).<\/p>\n Prizes for the Western style contest will be provided by Oklahoma Film + Music Office<\/a>. Tulsa’s Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture<\/a> and the National Endowment for the Arts provide support for Bob Wills Day, too.<\/p>\n Plus, the event will include special recognitions for Wills \u2014 who died May 13, 1975<\/a>, at the age of 70 \u2014 in the state Senate and House of Representatives.<\/p>\n Plus, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office<\/a> has announced plans for its 2026 Oklahoma Film and Music Day<\/a> at the Capitol, which is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 7.<\/p>\n Also free and open to the public, the industry showcase will feature live music, more than 50 film and music exhibitors, networking opportunities and more.<\/p>\n “We’re already at capacity with our vendors … so we’re super excited. It’s a great time,” said Oklahoma Film + Music Office Director Jeanette Stanton<\/a>.<\/p>\n In addition, the nonprofit arts advocacy group Oklahomans for the Arts<\/a> is hosting next month its annual Arts & Culture Day at the Capitol<\/a>, billed as the state\u2019s only arts advocacy event.<\/p>\n\n
Oklahoma Film and Music Day returns to the state Capitol in April<\/h2>\n
Oklahomans for the Arts is planning Arts & Culture Day at the state Capitol<\/h2>\n