Confession... I've never been to a Dave & Buster's. A buddy of mine in Tulsa tried to take me a few times, but it never worked out. According to him, the place is like Chuck E. Cheese's for grown-ups, only with beer and burgers instead of pizza. Sounds fantastic, frankly, and as childish as I am, it's amazing I've missed it. Though beer and repeatedly plugging coins into game machines could mark my financial ruin, it looks like I'll finally get an introduction when Oklahoma City's Dave & Buster's location opens to the public Monday.

Located at May Avenue and Northwest Expressway, the 23,805 square foot facility is about 6,000 square feet bigger than Tulsa's, the only other in the state. In addition to a dining area, bar and party rooms, Dave & Buster's features a huge "Million Dollar Midway" area with 140 games such as dancing simulators, shooters, basketball, current action favorites and classics.

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}

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We wrap up an uncharacteristically warm January this weekend with a jam-packed slate of highlight events around the metro. For example, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents "ABBA - The Concert" this Friday and Saturday at the Civic Center Music Hall as part of the 2011-12 Pops series. Featuring Waterloo, the top ABBA tribute band in the world, the show includes iconic hits such as "Mamma Mia," "Money, Money, Money," "Dancing Queen" and more. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (405) 842-5387.

But that's not all on the big stage. Lyric Theatre presents "Xanadu" at the Plaza. The "over-the-top roller-skating musical" spoofs the 1980's Olivia Newton-John film about a beautiful muse who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach and inspires a struggling artist to pursue his dreams. Get tickets online or by calling (405) 524-9312.

The Cox Convention Center has Disney Live! presents "Three Classic Fairy Tales" on Sunday, a magical production with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy on an enchanted adventure. Get venue & ticket information here on About.com.

And also in the metro...

• The Oklahoma Children's Theatre begins a production of "The Teddy Bear's Picinic" at Oklahoma City University on Friday.
• Some of the top restaurants and chocolatiers in Norman will be attending a special and delectable event on Saturday... Read More...

Volunteers are needed in Oklahoma for the largest community improvement program in the nation. The annual, three month-long "Great American Cleanup" was created in 1999 by environmental organization Keep America Beautiful, perhaps best known for the crying Native American public service announcement in the 70's. Today, the cleanup event draws nearly 4 million volunteers nationally to collect litter and beautify areas in their communities.

According to numbers from last year, the Great American Cleanup resulted in 6.5 million pounds of trash and debris collected in Oklahoma. That's down from 2010, but still a wonderful effort accomplished by about 47,000 volunteers. Devon Energy has joined the fight as a statewide sponsor, and organizers are looking for help in registering another successful year of cleanup. The 2012 event begins March 1st and ends May 31st.

Get more information and details about online registration for the Great American Cleanup in Oklahoma. Participants receive supplies such as drink coupons and t-shirts, and they can compete for prizes, grants and other opportunities.

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While the debate continues over the state's liquor laws, Oklahoma City is gaining more and more recognition as a burgeoning destination for beer-lovers. Just a few years ago, there wasn't much beyond the Bricktown Brewery and Tapwerks, but now, Draft Magazine calls OKC one of the nation's top emerging beer markets. In Where to drink next: Oklahoma City, writer Ruth Tobias begins, "For a 3.2 state, Oklahoma's firing on all four cylinders" and "the hub of the action is OKC."

The article mentions beer tutorials at Forward Foods (locations in Norman and on North Western), and it chronicles area brewing companies such as Battered Boar, COOP Ale Works and Redbud Brewing. Metro pubs recognized include Tapwerks, McNellie's and Republic, called "an ultrasleek" spot that "backs up its style with substance."

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}

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