Citizens Bank of Edmond is excited to continue the much-anticipated Heard on Hurd festivities on April 20th with an Earth Day theme featuring butterfly stilt walkers from Inspyral Circus, beehive demo and local honey from Sweet Stingers and Apiary, butterfly and pollinator gardening showcase and fresh flowers from The Wildflower Cottage, and much more! Additionally, Citizens is celebrating its 123rd birthday and will hand out butterfly shaped wildflower seed packets to celebrate its Bir-EARTH-Day.

Heard on Hurd is the largest and most vibrant monthly food truck and music festival in the nation. This event, which has become a cornerstone of Edmond’s cultural scene, occurs every third Saturday from March through October in downtown Edmond, Oklahoma from 6-10pm.

Earning its reputation as a must-attend event, Heard on Hurd features an impressive lineup of more than 60 food trucks and pop-up vendors, and showcases the talents of local musicians. The April 20th lineup of bands includes Cherry Laurel at 6pm, Easier at 7:20pm, and Chelsea Days at 8:40pm.

 Citizens Bank of Edmond, the host of Heard on Hurd, has been a steadfast supporter of local, small businesses. With a commitment to fostering economic growth within the community, the bank has played a pivotal role in the event’s success. Heard on Hurd has not only contributed to the revitalization of downtown Edmond but has also generated an astonishing $65 million in economic impact for the city. 

"This family-friendly festival has become synonymous with community, great food, and live entertainment. We hope to revitalize this beloved event with monthly themes for all to enjoy, including carrying out those themes with participation from local businesses. We hope you’ll come out to celebrate local food, local musicians, and local businesses,” said Jennifer Wallis, Chief Impact Officer of Citizens Bank of Edmond.  

To find out more about the event, follow Heard on Hurd on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the website at mycitizens.bank/heard-on-hurd.

Spring is almost always linked to art somehow. In addition to May’s upcoming Arts Festival, the Edmond Art Association will be hosting local artist, Reian Williams on April 22 from 7-9 p.m. at  St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. The church is at  3100 N. Broadway

Visitors are invited for a nominal fee of $5. 

Reian Williams is a highly talented and innovative artist, known for his unique approach to contemporary art. Reian’s passion for creativity was evident from an early age. He began experimenting with various art forms, including painting, drawing and sculpting, and quickly realized that this was his true calling.

Reian’s artwork is characterized by its bold colors, intricate details and thought-provoking concepts. He draws inspiration from his personal experiences, cultural influences and the world around him, creating visually stunning pieces that captivate viewers and evoke powerful emotions.

The Art Association meeting won’t be the only upcoming event.  There are several activities this weekend. Please see Page 9 for a list of weekend happenings.

The University of Central Oklahoma School of Music will host the Kuleshov International Piano Festival and Competition April 12-14, at the Radke Fine Arts Theatre in the Center for Transformative Learning building, located on Central’s campus.

The three-day festival and competition are split into high school and collegiate divisions and includes public performances from guest artists Valery Kuleshov, Nadejda Vlaeva and Ilya Shmukler, who also act as jurors for the competition.

"The caliber of the contestants this year is phenomenal,” said Sallie Pollack D.M.A., UCO School of Music professor and director of the competition. 

"The excitement of hearing this level of young talent coupled with performances of top guest artists will make this weekend a highlight of the year for audiences.”

Award-winning pianist, composer and recording artist Nadejda Vlaeva will perform at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 12, in the Radke Fine Arts Theatre. Vlaeva has performed internationally, including at Carnegie Zankel Hall, the Rose Hall in Lincoln Center, the Oriental Arts Center in Shanghai and The Concertgebouw in the Netherlands. She currently divides her time between New York and Europe.

Ilya Shmukler, a laureate of numerous international piano competitions, will present a recital at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 13, in the Radke Fine Arts Theatre. 

Shmukler completed his master’s degree with honors at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 2021, and presently studies with Stanislav Ioudenitch at the International Center for Music at Park University in Parkville, Missouri.

Valery Kuleshov, the competition’s namesake and UCO School of Music’s artist-in-residence since 1992, will perform at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 14, in the Radke Fine Arts Theatre. 

Kuleshov, an honored artist of the Russian Federation, boasts multiple awards and medals, having performed in prestigious concert halls worldwide.

All three concerts are free and open to the public thanks to the generous funding provided by the Harold and Juanita Swigeart Endowment and the Dr. Peter Springberg and Mrs. Lynnette Jung-Springberg Endowment. 

The competition portion of the event will culminate with the final round of competition, award presentations and a closing reception at 7 p.m., Sunday, April 14, in the Radke Fine Arts Theatre.

For a complete schedule of events, go.uco.edu/Kuleshov.

For more information about UCO College of Fine Arts and Design events, visit cfad.uco.edu.