Latch Fest expands into weekend-long festival supporting Tulsa street cats

Latch Fest, a grassroots celebration honoring a once-stray cat named Latch, is returning for its third year with a full weekend of music, art, comedy, cat adoptions and more.

What began as a one-day birthday party for the Whittier Bar's resident feline has grown into a three-day benefit festival supporting T-Town TNR, a nonprofit that helps reduce Tulsa’s stray cat population.

Festival Overview

The event kicks off Friday, Aug. 8, at the Whittier Bar with Fancy Feast Friday, a dance party featuring local DJs Heartwerk, Sydney Lee, The Freakout and Katnip. The 21-and-over event starts at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug. 9, a free and family-friendly Vendor Market will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. across seven Kendall Whittier businesses: Heirloom Rustic Ales, Addis Ceramics, Flip Side, Anthousai, MUST, Tyler Thrasher Gallery and the Whittier Bar. More than 20 local creators—including illustrators, writers, and a henna artist—will participate. Two cat adoptions and DIY ceramic crafting will also be part of the lineup.

Saturday night continues with Feral Royalty, a drag performance at the Whittier Bar beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by live music from local bands Labadie House, Quilts, Pluto Rouge and Morris Village.

The weekend concludes Sunday, Aug. 10, with Hair of the Cat, a ticketed show at the Whittier Bar combining live music and stand-up comedy. Scheduled performers include singer-songwriters Eric Strauss, Jules Holzbauer, Ryan and Liz Gruel, and comedians Haley Parker, Lacee Rains, T.J. Clark and Laura Cook.

Supporting T-Town TNR

Proceeds from Latch Fest benefit T-Town TNR, a nonprofit that reduces Tulsa’s community cat population through Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return. The organization is fully volunteer-run and works to humanely trap unowned cats, have them spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and returned to their original location. Socialized kittens and displaced cats are adopted through partner programs.

TNVR has been shown to reduce nuisance behaviors such as spraying, fighting and yowling, while stabilizing community cat populations and supporting neighborhood ecosystems.

The Origin of Latch Fest

The festival is named after a gray and white stray cat who began frequenting the Whittier Bar in 2021. Latch quickly became a local favorite and a symbol of connection in the Kendall Whittier neighborhood.

To honor his impact, Latch Fest was launched by bar regulars and artists Bradley Metcalf and Laura Voth to raise funds for other cats in need.

Festival Schedule

Friday, Aug. 8

1. Fancy Feast Friday: Doors at 8 p.m., event 9 p.m.–2 a.m. (21+, ticketed)
2. Location: Whittier Bar

Saturday, Aug. 9

1. Vendor Market: 2–6 p.m. (Free & family-friendly)
2. Locations: Heirloom Rustic Ales, Addis Ceramics, Flip Side, Anthousai, MUST, Tyler Thrasher Gallery, Whittier Bar
3. Feral Royalty: Doors at 6 p.m., show 6:30–7:30 p.m. (21+, ticketed)
4. Latch Fest Live Music: Doors at 8 p.m., show 9 p.m.–2 a.m. (21+, ticketed)
5. Location for both events: Whittier Bar

Sunday, Aug. 10

1. Hair of the Cat: Doors at 3 p.m., show 4–8 p.m. (21+, ticketed)
2. Location: Whittier Bar

Follow Latch Fest online on their Instagram page and Facebook page.