Los Angeles and New York are so last decade. In my humble opinion, Oklahoma is the next big arts and music scene. Amidst tornados, hick towns and tumbleweeds (do those things exist outside of movies?) why is Oklahoma—in particular, Norman— the next Austin?

Because we’re a wild, creative bunch out here on the prairie, cowboy. Here in the wild west, imagination spreads like wildfire.

Oklahoma is not on the lame list. In fact, we’re on the straight up V.I.P. list for entertainment. Oklahoma has spawned some of the nation’s most brilliant musicians and artists, from the Flaming Lips to Broadway’s Kristin Chenoweth. Okie bands and artists get down and dirty with the guys from “Rolling Stone” and “Spin” magazines on a daily basis. Hip galleries and wine bars are popping up all over the place. Norman’s stamped its own face on the map of up-and-coming ultra modness.

In case you haven’t heard, the Norman Music Festival is tomorrow. We all went last year and were quite surprised at the turnout. But this year, I hear they’re expecting more than 26,000 people and 90 different bands in 12 venues. And they’re closing off downtown Main Street for Pete’s sake (is it Pete? Who’s Pete?).

Streets don’t close around here unless gay rights rioters and extreme fundamentalist Bible-thumpers dual it out at high noon just east of the railroad tracks.

Which is where I’ll be watching Of Montreal and the Starlight Mints rock out.

Still questioning the Bible Belt’s blingability? Think of old-school Oklahoma, moonshine and the actual reason we’re called the Sooners. You don’t know? Wikipedia Boomer Sooner. We’re a land of scalawag hooligans, out for a good time and ready, rain or shine, for a musical shindig as big as your Grandma’s apple pies. We breed good genes when it comes to creativity. Whether you believe in evolution or not, there’s no doubt about it, Oklahoma is evolving into a Hollywood-sized creative black hole. The music scene will suck you right in like a lush in a dive bar.

So don’t stay up too late tonight. The fest starts at 10:30 a.m. You bet your buttons I’ll be there. In my skinny jeans and cowboy boots.

-Lindsey Allgood is a professional writing senior.