Join Dennis Spielman as he visits ABE’s, a unique 1970s campsite-inspired café nestled in downtown Oklahoma City at Sailor & The Dock. Operated by the team behind Not Your Average Joe, ABE’s is more than just a coffee shop—it’s a hub for inclusion, creativity, and culinary delights.
Discover their signature Swedish aebelskivers, made fresh and stuffed with flavors like Nutella, buffalo chicken, or salmon. Enjoy homemade ice cream, fresh egg bites, acai stacks, and their award-winning coffee roasted by a talented team, including groundbreaking roasters from diverse backgrounds.
Beyond the food, ABE’s mission stands out: providing full-time employment opportunities and fostering community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Take a virtual tour of this vibrant retreat where coffee is brewed in a retro camper, s’mores are roasted, and smiles abound. Whether you’re downtown for Scissortail Park, Thunder games, or shopping, ABE’s is a perfect stop for relaxation and flavor.
Visit ABE’s at Sailor & The Dock at 617 W Sheridan Ave, Oklahoma City, OK.
My latest book, which I wrote with Jeff Provine, is now available for you to read! If you’re new to OKC, trying to expand your horizons, planning to Visit OKC, or trying to convince a friend to move here, “100 Things to Do in Oklahoma City Before You Die” is a thoughtful collection of places to experience and activities to enjoy.
Oklahoma City boomed out of the prairie in 1889 with a land run, and it hasn’t stopped since. At the literal crossroads of the nation where I-35 meets I-40 and one of the key cities on Route 66, OKC welcomes travelers from across the country and world. Today they call it the Modern Frontier, where there is no shortage of people to meet or things to do. Take a drive to see highlights of Route 66 like the Gold Dome, Milk Bottle Building, and Lake Overholser Bridge, the background of countless road trip movies. Get to know the history of the city and take in some fabulous culture in museums like the First Americans Museum, Oklahoma Hall of Fame at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, and the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. Have a night on the town with a musical canal cruise, a Ferris wheel ride, and the best slice of pie you’ve ever eaten. Shop the new Farmers Market at Scissortail Park, tour the town’s hidden record shops, and the chic’est chic of OKC’s numerous art districts. When you’ve done all that, you’re just getting started!
In 100 Things to Do in Oklahoma City Before You Die, you’ll get the best tips from local researcher and ghost-tour guide Jeff Provine and journalist Dennis Spielman on where to meet Sir Indiana Bones the Museum Cat, where to hunt for fairy houses in the park, and where to play retro video games while sipping signature cocktails. There’s always something new to do in OKC!
Book Signing: Saturday, July 20, from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Second Story Books 718 Culbertson Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Free and open to the public
Book Signing: Thursday, July 25, from 6 – 8 p.m. Best of Books 1313 E Danforth Rd, Edmond, OK 73034 Free and open to the public
Presentation and Book Signing: Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. OKC Horror Con 100 Mick Cornett Dr., Oklahoma City, OK 73109 Free and open to the public
Book Signing: Thursday, August 1, from 6-8 pm Kendall’s Restaurant 100 S 3rd St, Noble, OK 73068 Free and open to the public
Book Signing: Friday, August 2, from 7 – 9 p.m. Literati Press Bookshop 3022 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Free and open to the public
Book Signing: Saturday, August 3, from 3-4 pm Full Circle Book Store 1900 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 Free and open to the public
Presentation and Book Signing: Saturday, August 17, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Lit Fest at Metro Library Downtown 300 Park Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Free and open to the public
Presentation and Book Signing: Monday, August 26, from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Literati Press Bookshop 3022 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Free and open to the public
After celebrating 15 years of producing my local travel show, Uncovering Oklahoma, I’ve decided to rebrand and pivot to streamline my work, allow for new opportunities, and expand my reach. Spielventure takes the versatile German word Spiel, translating to game or play, and then combines it with Adventure. I’ve always been passionate about connecting people to new places, people, and experiences, so this new branding still aligns with my mission.
With this pivot, I’ve shut down The Show Starts Now streaming video library app. Long story short, I stretched myself out too thin, hoping to get things started to make money and then hire people to keep everything going. However, that didn’t happen, and I want to avoid falling into a sunk-cost problem, hence the streamlined pivot to one show, one handle, and one website. I’ll still do different segments or series – just under one channel now. Now, the videos on the app will be released over time to the Spielventure YouTube channel because I want people to watch them, go to these places, and have these incredible experiences.
The video posted here provides more details about my entrepreneurial journey, the why, and what the future holds. I have a bunch of new content coming out, so please become a supporting member for early access, buy some merchandise, or make a one-time donation. Visit the new website at spielventure.com
I spoke with the cast of the original play, The Meek, which will be performed at Yellow Dog Coffee in Norman, Oklahoma. The Meek follows Austin’s story as he deals with the psychopath (or perhaps sociopath) of a boss of a copier sales company.
Catch the Oklahoma StoryWorks show March 28-31, 2024 at 8 pm.
Today’s new episode of Uncovering Oklahoma features 10 artist statements about the Area fiftyONE event to benefit the Norman Arts Council. Norman Arts’ annual party goes intergalactic with Area as MAINSITE Contemporary Art is invaded by stellar art, drinks, and bites while live music thumps from live DJs spinning all night.
It’ll be a cosmically good time, and all proceeds have an astronomical impact on Norman Arts Council’s operations and programs like 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk, exhibitions at MAINSITE, arts education scholarships, artist grants, public art, grants to local arts organizations like Sooner Theatre, Norman Music Festival and Jazz In June … and so much more!
See a piece of artwork you want? Bid on the art now at NormanArts.org.
