December

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Q&A We sat down with Norman Artist Paul Moore

Noise Makers Art and music blend in this unique show

A Wonderful Life

December 13, 2013

Sooner Theatre tackles a classic

COVER PHOTO

for the love of t community Norman' s thriv ing ar 4 has big p lans f or 2 0 1

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what’s

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4 From the editor Downs Family 6 Chrismas Lights 7 Christmas Parade Q&A with 8 Paul Moore Book & Music 12 Reviews

Big Sam’s Funky Nation lead singer Sam Williams plays the trombone during the bands’ 2013 Norman Music Festival performance. photo by Kyle Phillips

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Whodunnit Dinner Theatre

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A Wonderful Life at Sooner Theatre

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Arts in Norman and What’s Next?

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Top 10 Social Calendar

Makers at 26 Noise MAINSITE of “Thoroughly 28 Photos Modern Millie” of Andrews 29 Photos Park Ice Rink

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2nd Friday Art Events

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from the editor’s desk

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TOWN

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staff

had left in her stocking — good call, Papa. enough money. No, the Christmas season It wasn’t until I was much older that was beautiful because it was a celebration I realized that many of of love. A celebration the charming Christmas of familial, platonic and moments from my romantic love. And most It took some coaxing, childhood hadn’t happened importantly, a celebration but that first Christmas of the love offered by Jesus organically. Somewhere, someone had planned — my husband was able to Christ and God. even agonized — over the Whether a celebration remind me that beautiful includes all the trimmings, gifts, events, acts of service, food, decorations and music holiday experiences don’t or perhaps, like the first I would participate in during Christmas, takes place in happen just because the holiday season. The a manger — Christmas is realization left me quaking Christmas as long as love is someone planned in my boots. present.

My first Christmas away For up-to-date well enough, was from home was spent as information on N-town, creative enough or had like us on Facebook or a newlywed 1,500 miles from the place I had always enough money. No, the follow us on Twitter and known and loved during the Instagram.

Christmas season was holidays. As Christmas Day Have any suggestions approached I felt absolute for us? Comments? Praises? beautiful because it was dread. How could I recreate Give me a shout out at the nostalgia of the holidays hcruz@normantranscript. a celebration of love. for myself and my husband com. I’d love to hear from om on our shoestring, student you. income? Could I become Santa?

It took some coaxing, but that first Christmas my husband was able to remind me that beautiful holiday experiences don’t happen just because someone planned well enough, was creative enough or had

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Oranges in the tips of stockings, clam dip, Avon makeup and Doodle Bears. It’s not exactly sugarplums but for me, these are the visions of Christmas past.

Though I share many of the same memories as other Americans — trimming the tree, the twinkle of lights, carols and leaving out cookies for Santa — Christmas has always stood out as a remarkable time of year for me.

Peppered into my holiday memories are glimmers of moments that my young mind could only describe as magical: the look on my music-obsessed brother’s face when he found a drum set under the tree, discovering the joy in service as I did a Secret Santa project with my mom, or when I first became aware of the truly humble beginnings of my Savior Jesus Christ.

I remember obsessively rearranging the fake snow on our Department 56 village in the window, greedily eating fresh mandarin oranges from the local farm all month long, and — among my favorite memories — Mom unwrapping a ruby ring Kris Kringle

Publisher Terry Connor

Ad Director Debbi Knoll

Production Manager Rob Rasor

Executive Editor Andy Rieger

Advertising Representatives Rebekah Collins Robin Escarcega Kimberly Lehenbauer Sherry Romack Nick Sheats Trevor Wolfe

Writers Hannah Cruz Amber Hodge Doug Hill Kirsten Viohl

Editor Hannah Cruz Layout Artist Kerry Friesen

Photographers Kyle Phillips Jay Chilton Julie Bragg

N-town is a monthly publication of The Norman Transcript, 215 E. Comanche St, Norman, OK 73070. (Phone: 405.321.1800). Letters or editorial contributions should be sent to: N-town, P.O. Drawer 1058, Norman, OK, 73070 or emailed to hcruz@normantranscript.com. N-town is not responsible for unsolicited submissions. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permissions is prohibited. Address advertising inquiries to Debbi Knoll, 405-366-3554 or dknoll@normantranscript.com. N-town can be found online.

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D O W N S FA M I LY

christmas light

M I N I S T R Y

by Hannah Cruz

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A Norman family’s Christmas light display has been shining bright for locals for seven years.

But this holiday season is the first year that has garnered the Downs Family Christmas Light Ministry national attention.

The family’s large LED light display is being featured on “The Great Christmas Light Fight” on ABC primetime, a new competition series in which 20 families from across America deck out their homes for the chance to win $50,000. The series premiered Dec. 9 with the Downs family featured 8 p.m. Dec. 23.

As a part of the competition rules, Kimberli and Chuck Downs had to set up, run and tear down the display without professional assistance of any kind in just 21 days.

Kimberli said the family, including the couple’s five daughters, normally take two to three months to set up the entire display, complete with various displays that twinkle and blink to seasonal music.

The family was miked and filmed starting in early October.

Kimberli said the reality TV show experience was

nerve-wracking at first, but they enjoyed the process and getting to know the film crew.

“It will be interesting,” she said, on seeing the finished TV show product. “Hundreds and hundreds of hours of video, and I’m interested to see what they pick out and put together.”

Kimberli said the family has yet to be informed on if they’ve won any money. But with the family hosting the display for free every year and also accepting food donations on site for Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Kimberli said money is the last thing on their minds.

“We’ve never done it to win or for the money,” she said. “We mostly just did it to get some more exposure for the display, which will help the food bank by getting more people out.”

Kimberli said they estimate that approximately 22,000 vehicles visit the display every year.

According to the display’s website, that translates to 10,318 pounds of food and $40,794.38 in cash donated at the display for the Regional Food Bank in 2012.

The show runs every night 6 p.m. to midnight, weather permitting, through Jan. 4 at the Downs family’s

home, 2900 72nd Ave. SE. This year’s display started Thanksgiving evening.

Every year the family adds a new portion to the display and a fresh song or two, Kimberli said, with the ultimate goal of providing a joyful experience for other families.

As for the future, Kimberli said she sees no immediate end in sight.

“As long as we’re healthy and able to do it, we’ll be doing it,” she said.

For more information, visit downsfamilychristmas.com or find them on Facebook.

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C h r i st m a s it’s beginning to look a lot like

by Doug Hill

Themed “Hometown Christmas,” Norman’s Christmas parade is rolling through town this year 10 a.m. Dec. 14 with memories of Christmas past.

The grand moving spectacle will begin at Norman High School and travel slowly along Main Street to its conclusion at Crawford Avenue. The 2013 parade grand marshall is Allen Morain. Ed Copelin has been the organization chairperson.

The parade has long been a way for the entire town to come together for a single event and celebrate the joy of the season. Everyone is invited. Marching bands, floats, riders on fine horses and a visit from Santa Claus have been a part of parades past and will be repeated for 2013. No Norman Christmas Parade would be complete without candy and a bountiful supply will be tossed into the throngs free by the marchers.

The Canadian River Cruisers motoring club will be well represented with select members driving vintage vehicles. These delightful old automobiles spark memories for senior citizens and wonder among young people who have never seen them before. One perennial favorite is a 1926 Ford Model T pick-up truck driven by Cruisers President David Saunders and spouse Marilyn. The vehicle’s sides are professionally painted with the legend “Murray’s Dry Goods.” That was a Norman business located on the northeast corner of Main Street and Crawford Avenue.

It was owned and operated in the 1930s by Marilyn’s grandfather, Oscar M. Murray, who was mayor for a time. The Saunders have lived all over the country but Norman is Marilyn’s actual hometown and David has adopted it as his.

On Facebook page, “You Know You’re from Norman if…”, Norman residents recollected affectionate memories from past parades. Then and now the merchant community was actively involved in contributing to the excitement of the Christmas parade.

Troy Cook, Norman High School class of 1971, remembers when Old Saint Nick abandoned his sleigh and reindeer for a more modern flying machine.

“I liked when we all went to Main Street and Santa

2 0 1 3 N o r m a n C h r is t m a s P a r a d eh a s a h o m et o w n t h em e

dropped ping pong balls out of a helicopter and you got prizes from different stores in the ‘60s, I believe,” he wrote.

Downtown has changed since those times. The department stores are gone but at one time they were a vibrant part of the holiday shopping experience.

Glenda Madden grew up here and still calls Norman her hometown.

“I always enjoyed parking on Main Street and walking both sides with my parents,” she wrote. “The merchants would put various Normanite’s names in their windows, announcing that person had won a certain item from their store. I remember my mother was over-the-moon with excitement when we spotted her name in the Holtzschue window as the winner of a G. E. coffee percolator. Mom loved coffee and she wore that thing out!”

That same wooden floored establishment, which was a hardware store, had a clever method for attracting children and their parents after the parade.

“They would set up a toy land at the back of the store,” Jon Rennie recalled. He reckons that would have been in the 1950s.

Another retailer of popular small box Christmas gifts is still in business at 217 E. Main St. “Goodno’s Jewelers would give free tickets to the Sooner Theatre for kids so their moms could go shopping without them,” Tanya Webb Wade Wallace wrote.

For many folks an unforgettable Christmas parade component was provided by the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, aka the Shriners. Their parade units famously drive miniature cars powered by lawn mower engines. You really haven’t lived until you’ve seen a group of otherwise mature men having the time of their lives hooting and hollering and driving ridiculous little jalopies in tight figure eight circles on a parade route.

Lynne Thompson is a life-long Norman resident and administrator at Longfellow Middle School. Part of her job has been riding herd over a student drum line.

“My most memorable Christmas parade was the first time my middle school drum line played in the parade,” Thompson wrote.

“It was a chilly 32 degrees with a dark gray sky threatening to open up with sleet at any moment. The students had on heavy coats, gloves, festive hats and trash bags covering the drum heads. ‘Please don’t let it rain’ they yelled out. They could hardly contain their excitement about playing in the parade. At last we rolled onto Main Street beating our drums with catchy rhythms. That year we demolished our competition called ‘The Little Dazzlers’ and won the ‘Mayor’s favorite’ trophy. The kids were thrilled!”

2013’s Christmas Parade is certain to create a new set of memories about this place we call our home town.

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Top: Santa Claus pays a visit during the 2012 Norman Christmas Parade.

Bottom: Members of the Sooner Theater program sing and dance during the 2012 Norman Christmas Parade. photos by Julie Bragg

Paul Moore, pictured with his sons, Todd and Ryan, inside their studio. photo by Kyle Phillips

& with Paul Moore

by Hannah Cruz

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Q&A WITH PAUL MOORE

What’s the margin of error for

Paul Moore’s beginnings were humble enough, but the Norman resident and University of Oklahoma artist-in-residence is now well-known throughout the state, nationally and internationally.

Though many wouldn’t recognize him on the street, even as he passes to and from his studio space on Main Street, his iconic pieces — like the Seed Sower on OU campus — have granted Moore notoriety as a figurative sculptor.

Among his most famous pieces is his Oklahoma Centennial Land Run Monument in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown. Once completed, according to the city of Oklahoma City website, the 45 life and one-half size figures of land run participants racing to claim new homesteads will be one of the largest freestanding bronze sculptures in the world, spanning a distance of 365 feet in length by 36 feet in width and over 16 feet in height.

Now 13 years in the making — with another four to six years to complete the entire monument — Moore said the project is taking a serious toll on his body and that of his two artist assistants, his sons Todd and Ryan. But their efforts and sacrifices are not going unnoticed. Moore recently earned the Governor’s Arts Award in the Special Recognition category.

Moore took a break from sculpting and teaching to show me around his studio. Underneath all the clay is a humble family man working hard to pursue his passions.

For more information on Moore visit crownartsinc.com.

Q something like one of these

How long is the process for creating a sculpture like this from beginning to end?

On top of that I do a lot of work at the university installing other sculptures.

In the meantime we’re doing work for shows, smaller works for shows, as well as doing monumental pieces. ...

We’re getting there. It’s just wearing us out. We’re battling it. It’s turned into an endurance test now. When you look at Mount Rushmore, it took 12 years and then Gutzon Borglum died 12 years into it and his son Lincoln went in and cleaned up everything after that. We went past the 12th year so I’m happy. [laughing]

Q

This project has been going for

A 13 years now. [motioning to one of the Oklahoma Centennial Land Run Monument pieces in his studio] But normally a big project — let’s say we did one of those sculptures — is a year and a half. The sculpting, we make the molds, and then from the molds we go in and take the mold to the foundry where the casting process begins.

all three of you work on the Q Do sculpting?

Yeah, but to them it’s just normal.

sculptures? do you mean margin of A What error? no error? Is that nerve Q There’s wracking for you?

The toughest part is when it

A leaves our hands and we have no control. Once it goes to the foundry all I can do is go in and inspect different stages, which I do, but you’re still depending on a foundryman and their expertise.

We do all the sculpting and all the molds. We’re getting to where we’re hoping to get someone else to come in to do molds for us. We’ve done too many over the years. With all our injuries its really slowing us down.

How does it feel to be almost done with the Oklahoma Centennial Land Run Monument?

Q

Well, it was feeling good until they raised the money for the next part. We’ve been on this for 13 years and it will be 14 years by the time we finish the 38 and now we’re looking at another four to six years.

A

ahead of the curve.

I do most of the sculpting. Todd comes in and helps periodically, Ryan comes in and helps periodically.

Ryan’s really been handling mostly molds — he’s one of the best mold makers in the country. And Todd is an extremely good mold maker himself.

Ryan comes and works in the studio part of the day with me, more than Todd, but Todd handles all of my graphic design work, photography, scheduling, book keeping, pay roll.

He’s a jack of all trades, he does a little bit of everything. Web page. He does everything. He’s the only one around here that’s that skilled. The rest of us just look at awe at what he does. It’s sort of magical because we can’t figure out anything about it.

A

really neat that you have a Q That’s family operation.

Yeah, Todd has been working

A with me since he was 8. And he’s 32 now.

Do your grandkids ever get to

Q come?

In here? Oh, yeah, all the time.

A Did you not notice the little artist

studio over there? [referring to kids Q That’s exhausting. table; laughing] That isn’t for us!

Yeah, we’re worn out. Our bodies A are beat. Because we’re not just Q I did see that! [laughing] doing this. I’m teaching at OU, I’m an It’s for us to get in touch with artist in residence there and I teach A our childhood. [laughing] No, figurative sculpture two days a week.

they come in. Our grandson is 8 and our granddaughter, she is 5. They’re both really talented kids. They like to come in and help. They want to come in and work when they’re a little older. So we’re going to have three generations of artists in the studio some day. They’re both very talented kids.

They’re amazing. They crawl up into the scaffolding with me sometimes and help me do some surfacing work. They know how to hold a tool properly and really know how to use it properly.

Q They’re lucky kids. They’re way

A It’s just a part of life. To them it’s

not anything special. It’s just an average thing that we do. It’s a daily thing we’ve been doing — my kids have been doing it their whole life. And now my grandkids are used to it. They think everybody’s grandfather does something like this.

How did you get involved in art to

Q begin with?

I was raised in small communities

A in California and Oklahoma when I was young. None of them had art galleries, none of them had museums, there were no artists around me. I don’t know how I got into it. It’s just something that from the time I was young I always would draw and paint, and when kids were out playing football I was inside painting.

I started sculpting in high school and the Cowboy Hall of Fame was the only museum I ever went to as a kid.

I went there one time. I think I was 12 or 13, and my mother told me she had a camera and that I could go pick out my five favorite pieces and photograph them. I had to take a lot of time looking at them and figuring it out. Two of my favorite pieces were James Earle Fraser’s “End of the Trail” and his “Seated Lincoln,” which are still on display at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. In the back in my head I thought, “One day I’d like to do that.” the creative process like Q What’s for you?

It’s like saying what is the creative

A process for writing an article. You

go with it, it’s what you do. You go in and you do basically what I do. You become creative, you figure out how to lay it all out. Writing and sculpting is basically the same.

You lay out a skeleton format of what you’re going to write on and the main points you’re going to cover — I build an armature. And then you go in and start fleshing it out, and that’s what I do — I go in and I start adding

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the clay and start creating a form and the mass I’m trying to receive.

You have an idea of where you want to end up, same with me. The creative process is the same no matter what you’re doing — writing, sculpting, paintings — it’s all the same. We go in at the end and hit the flourishes and tie everything in, and that’s what I do. I try to find all the flourishes that will complete the piece, and try to make it the best piece.

Are you ever intimidated when you

Q start a piece?

It’s like any artist. Writer, musician, actor, whatever — you always have those doubts in the back of your head. Is it going to be as good as the last piece?

But you just get in there and through confidence of doing pieces over and over again you have the confidence of knowing that the piece will eventually turn out.

Some pieces are easier than others and you know right off the back. Doing portraits, for example. I’ve been able to do portraits as fast as three hours. And other times it can take two weeks. It just depends on the facial structure, if my eyes are tired that day, if my lines are mush, if I slept the night before — all those things are a factor.

A

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Q Just like any other job.

Just like any other creative job.

A That’s all it is for us. It’s a job. We’ve been doing it a long time. I’ve been doing it for 36 years and like I said, Todd’s been with me since he was 8, he’s 32 now so you can figure that out. He’s been with me since he was young, working periodically in the studio, helping out. My oldest son has been with me for 14 years, maybe 15 now. As a team we’ve been working together easily over 15 years.

What was the most difficult part for

collector base and commission work is really nice. I have a great reputation with collectors and patrons who have commissioned me to do work. I’m fortunate enough to be where I don’t have to go out and look for commissions, they come to me.

If you weren’t sculpting what would

Q

Are you able to be selective with the commissions you do?

Q you be doing?

Jeez, I don’t know. I’ve been

Yeah. There was a time we took everything. Now it’s what seems interesting. After doing so many riders on horseback we look for anything that’s a little different to create some interest in our lives. [laughing]

A

you do a lot of research to Q Do develop your pieces? yeah. It’s fun. It’s half the fun of A Oh, it, the research.

Q How do you research?

Find great books or go online. One A of my favorite things to do is to

A sculpting since I was young so I don’t know.

project has worn us all out physically.

Normally when you work on a big piece its ware and tear on the body and when you finish it you’re worn out and you can sit back and normally it will take a year before another big piece comes through so your body can recoup. We always have three pieces going through the studio at all times and it’s been happening for 13 years straight. And that’s one project as well as what else is coming in. There’s some times where we’ll have five or six sculptures going on in the studio at once.

Q What do you do on your free time?

Did you anticipate it being that Q exhausting when you started on it?

Sculpt. Seriously. When I’m not A sculpting here I’ll go home and sit When you’re young you don’t even and sculpt.

A notice it. It’s when you get into your 50s that you start feeling it. One thing I Q Do you get tired of it? didn’t anticipate with this is getting older.

I did well until I hit 50 and then my Not yet.

A body started breaking down and I wasn’t healing up. I used to be able to heal up That’s a good sign.

Q after a weekend and get back into it.

My body doesn’t heal quite as rapidly.

We’ll see. [laughing] I’m getting A tired. I’m not getting tired of the It takes months sometimes years to heal

something that I’ve injured. That’s one work but I’m getting tired. This land run look up the ethnological studies from the Smithsonian from the 1800s of the Native American communities. They’ve done a Paul and his sons, Todd and Ryan, work on sculptures inside their studio on Main Street. lot of studies on them on various dances photos by Kyle Phillips or the type of art they made or the type of lifestyle they were living. It’s amazing what you can find online today.

It’s a lot of fun to dig in as much as you can and find as much information to try to make pieces as accurate as possible. I also like a lot of Native American mythology and folklore. It’s one of my favorite things to do is read the stories. ... It’s different things like that that I like to do and I do spin-offs with my sculptures. I try to do different imagery than what is typical for Western art images. Some people like it, some people don’t. But I do it for myself.

Is it easier to sculpt the older you

Q you in establishing your career and Q get and the more experienced you getting to where you are now?

not that difficult. The toughest part is really capturing the personality of the individual and getting it just right because everyone has various personalities and it’s interesting trying to capture that one look that everyone can relate to.

become?

Yes and no. the older you get

A hardest. It all builds slowly. you

I think the first 20 years is the

A the more tired your eyes get. But

slowly build up, you get your body of work together and you continue to build on that your whole life. You get into shows, you get into building up your

you know what to look for. I’ve done over 100 portraits so if you stick with the game plan and follow your steps that you’ve prepared over the years it’s

thing I didn’t think about.

Do you ever anticipate having to

Q stop?

One day. I’ll always sculpt but one

A day I’ll stop doing the big ones.

How do you think you’ll feel at that

Q point?

Probably relieved. Right now I’m just juggling a lot of work so I don’t know — it’s one of those things where you just hang in there and do what you can do. We go in to every day like it’s a fresh day and just do what we can. You put in a good day and feel good at the end of the day that you accomplished a lot and you’re worn out. We’re trying to do the best we can given the circumstances.

A

When did you feel like you “made

Q it"?

a living off of your art work you’re successful. There’s very few people doing it. Most people have back up. I think if you can just survive as an artist, pay your way, then you’re very successful.

But I guess we all have goals in our heads where we think we should be eventually some day and what we consider successful. Some people say I am, I still have doubts about it.

I keep working. We’re in the studio all the time so it’s kind of hard to get out except for some shows here or there. Other than that, we’ve been very successful in doing commission work. We’re probably one of the most productive studios in the nation.

When most sculptors will do maybe 30 commissions in their lifetime, I think I’m on 138 or 139 commissions and that counts the land run as only one. We’ve been producing a tremendous amount of work. I couldn’t do it without my sons.

They are amazing individuals and very talented as artists. We work as a great team.

I don’t think the majority of people

A really ever feel like they make it.

I think that as long as you’re making

What do you hope to do next with

Q your career?

I’m doing it. This is what I hope

A to do the rest of my life and I’ve been doing it for 36 years now. I hope to continue to just keep doing what I do.

day. It meant a lot to me that Joe Beeler wanted to do that. I swore that if I ever got the chance that I would teach. When President Boren asked me to come to OU it was one of the many reasons I decided to come here.

Q Why is it important for you to teach?

So it’s kind of you paying it forward When I started out I had only one A artist who gave me any time. He Q to other artists? was a guy named Joe Beeler. He was founder of the Cowboy Artists of America and he actually was born in Arkansas but moved to Oklahoma. One of his first jobs was doing illustrations and he became a very well known artist and I contacted him and he invited me down for a day in his studio.

I was living in Northern California at the time. I was in my late teens, early 20s, we drove down to Sedona, Ariz., and spent the day with him and we kept in contact. He looked at my work as I did it and critiqued me. And it meant so much to me to have that one day of time.

Because no other artist would give their time to me. Everyone was busy and I had some say, “Why should I share with you because you’ll just be my competition?”

And they never gave me the time of

Yeah, you have to give back.

A Yeah.

You can’t be greedy your whole life.

You’ve got to give back.

What kind of advice would you

Q impart on a younger artist?

Work hard. Be dedicated.

A Determined. Disciplined. All those things. Without all that you’re not going to achieve much. You can have all the dreams you want to, if you don’t apply hard work and determination, you’ll never get anywhere.

This is what I hope to do the rest of my life and I’v ve been doing it for 36 ye ears now. I hope to continue to just keep doing what I do.

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reviews books

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by Amber Hodge Book: The Goldfinch (2013, Little, Brown and Company) Author: Donna Tartt Why you should read: Tartt’s newest work is a most-anticipated creation for fans of her previous two novels, “The Secret History” and “The Little Friend.” Since 1992, Tartt’s books have made their appearance once a decade, yet their success seems to know no bounds. The same can be said of “The Goldfinch,” which currently stands at No. 3 on the NY Times Bestseller List for hardcover fiction.

And, with Dickensian flair, Tartt has weaved together a timeless story filled with beauty and emotion.

In the beginning, we meet 13-year-old Theo Decker, the narrator and hero of the story, who lives with his loved-by-everyone mother in Manhattan.

His father up and left without warning, leaving nothing behind and no forwarding address.

One day, Theo and his mother make for his prep school to discuss his suspension for smoking on the property, when they detour to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There, his mother shows him her most favorite painting, “The Goldfinch,” a real work of art created in 1654 by Dutch artist Carel Fabritius. Theo reluctantly listens to his mother’s praise for the paining, and a terrorist bomb detonates in the museum. His mother is killed and his life is changed forever. Theo consoles a dying man in the aftermath, who gives him a ring and urges him to take the painting from the carnage, which starts him on a coming-of-age journey involving friends, family, drugs and love.

Tartt has a remarkable skill with words and she conveys all manner of emotions with ease. Her attention to detail paints a vivid picture of Theo’s trials and adventures throughout the story. However, at nearly 800 pages, the story tends to drag every once in a while, but the journey is worth the read. “The Goldfinch” is a delightful read that will stick with readers after its end.

by Amber Hodge Book: My Story (2013, St. Martin’s Press) Author: Elizabeth Smart, Chris Stewart Why you should read: Eleven years after her horrific and historic kidnapping that rocked the news and public, Elizabeth Smart has released a detailed account of the terrors she faced as a 14-yearold child. Having been taken from her Salt Lake City home by a man claiming he was a holy prophet, Smart endured nine brutal months of being tethered, tortured and repeatedly raped, while his wife looked on. With “My Story,” Smart tells readers how she was able to face the horrors throughout her kidnapping, how her faith allowed her to stay hopeful and how she ultimately found her way home.

Smart’s story is nothing if not gut-wrenching. With everything having been all-too real, her shared memories and experiences hit close to home on many occasions. After being abducted by Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, she was forced to spend her days tied to trees in the mountains, with scarce food and little water. Mitchell’s plans, claiming they had been ordered by God, were to make her his second wife. The nine months she spends with the abhorrent couple lead her all the way to California and back to her hometown. During her time away, her story was being shared all over the world in an effort to find her.

“My Story” is gripping and inspiring, but it is also a tough read. It is raw, emotional and terrifying. Through it all, Smart persevered through the horrible time in her life, and kept a strong hold on her faith and decision to keep going even now, long after it all came to an end.

“The conviction was crystal clear. I would do whatever it took to live. No matter what it took, no matter what I had to do, I was going to survive.”

music

by Doug Hill Musician: Trentalange Album name: Same Illusion (2013) Why you should listen: Vocalist Barbara Trentalange is an unusual artist in several respects. She’s the only musician in recollection with a full professional resume that has virtually nothing to do with music posted at her website. Trentalange is a graphic designer who has worked for a half-dozen companies including Merchant du Vin and as a contractor for Microsoft Corporation. She’s also a mother who created this newest album of all original songs during four-hour morning blocks while her daughter was in pre-school.

Trentalange begins the recording with breathy vocals and tapping piano keys on “Without Your Love.” It’s a cerebral introduction into her world that’s ordered in sublimely specific ways.

Save Stuart Mcleod’s percussion and guest musicians on three tracks, all other music is played

by Trentalange. Her vocals conjure a refined aura that brings to mind Peggy Lee. Trentalange’s musical collaboration chronicle includes time with Spyglass, SushsiRobot, Crooked Fingers and most recently blip-beat dance outfit Head Like a Kite. This album of eight songs sounds little like any of those. The title track’s arrangement reflects the Seattle indie rock scene she’s been immersed in for over two decades. It rolls with driving drums, insistent electric guitar and high slicing vocals soaring over the fray. The song about life’s illusory alterations is accompanied by the album’s cover art, designed naturally by Trentalange. On the outer cover the artist is under a magnifying glass held by an unseen hand. Inside she’s holding the glass herself to one beautiful sea green eye. All the songs are hauntingly beautiful with lyrics that speak to a personal and loving connection with the world around her. Even “Lies” with its tambourine cadence and cello lament finds resilience ringing in Trentalange’s voice. Her strength drawn on from a multitude of sources is no grand illusion.

by Doug Hill Musician: Mount Pressmore Album name: Enjoy (2013) Why You Should Listen: Mount Pressmore is admirable for the height of its musicianship. This quintet stands tall in terms of influences, technical capability and sheer listening delight. Lead vocalist, keyboard player and band leader Thomas Shaw chose to build this mighty summit even steeper by featuring Austin chanteuse Erin Ivey.

Mount Pressmore’s sound defies categorization. 21st century indie rock rarely conjures Perry Como but his silken tones are there along with sly purloining from jazz and Broadway. There’s a feeling to “Enjoy” that the listening point of its peak encompasses much of the entire American songbook. Mount Pressmore’s lyrics are included in an adorable petite booklet and slipped inside a vintage design 6-cent Air Mail letter. Antiquity meets modernity. The words are cryptic with unlikely song titles including “The New Regional Branch Manager,” “Vice-Presidential Material” and “Dawn, Bingham.” Shaw’s lyrics are poetic with actual meaning or story elusive.

Reading them is akin to baffled peeking at someone’s personal journal. Listening to them is better because the swirling music overrides that there’s little clue to what the hell they’re about. Don’t be surprised if one number segues effortlessly into another.

Shaw knows what he’s doing: There’s nothing here that wasn’t obviously obsessed over. He wrote out every note in the album’s ten songs, they were practiced meticulously and the result takes the listener to a rarely attained musical crest. Ivey’s backing vocals are a revelation. She strongly contributes to the aura of this being a most American extravaganza. Ivey may not earn any hipster cred for a Lawrence Welk chorus comparison but it was inevitable. She’s a one woman chorale.

Shaw’s lead vocals are pleasant and competent enough. It’s the fact that he’s singing from high atop a magnificent musical mountaintop that makes this an extraordinary record.

WHODUNNIT?

photo provided

The Whodunnit Dinner Theatre arrives in Norman this season.

by Hannah Cruz

The Whodunnit Dinner Theatre has been “killing it” in Oklahoma since 1991, but the team of comedy murder mystery actors are coming to Othello’s in Norman for the first time this December.

The audience interaction format brings the audience up close and personal with the action during the dinner shows held in various locations throughout the metro, Whodunnit Dinner Theatre owner Terry Myers said. Othello’s, Italian restaurant at 434 Buchanan Ave., is hosting a show Dec. 19.

Tickets, available at whodunit. net, are $40 per person and include dinner.

Myers said the performances are perfect for a variety of audiences including couples on dates, families, churches or corporate events.

“Each audience I think kind of gets different things out of it which is basically time to kick back, relax,

unwind from the stresses of day to day life, and just escape for a while, like fun escapism,” she said.

The performance at Othello’s is centered around a game show theme where contestants are battling it out for the grand prize of $100,000, Myers said. When things go sour — leading to murder — the audience has to piece things back together.

“Throughout the course of the show the audience get hints and clues at who might be mad at who and who might have something to gain with the money,” she said. “One of the character dies and the audience gets to guess who they think ‘done it.’”

The group performs a new show every three months, Myers said, with original scripts written by Oklahoma Playwright Earline Cottet.

Past productions included themes that centered around Sherlock Holmes or hillbilly weddings.

Each new script has

approximately seven to nine characters, Myers said. Professional actors are hired for each new production with rehearsals running approximately a month before performances begin.

Myers said each script is fully written, including improv, allowing the actors flexibility to interact with a variety of different audiences.

“Even if you have audience members who are shy or just want to kick back — they’re going to have just as much fun as the heckler that wants to get involved,” Myers said.

The theater began in 1991 by Margie Madden and Peggy Lefte, Myers said, and was created for the intent of putting together productions that are acceptable for all audiences.

All productions are rated PG. To book a reservation visit whodunit.net. For more information visit “WhoDunit Dinner Theatre” on Facebook.

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W

IT’S A

ONDERFUL

LIFE

The classic movie’s musical adaptation opened at Sooner Theatre.

by Hannah Cruz

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at NorthHaven Church. Partridge said he has drawn parallels between his ministry and his character’s development, such as the importance of growth, redemption and gratitude.

Partridge said he hopes the audience is able to relate to Bailey’s transformation as much as he does.

Michael Gibbons, playing Potter, agreed.

“It can be frustrating and bleak and bad, but at the end of the day we’re blessed. We should embrace that and be happy about it and enjoy that because most of the play George is a very unhappy guy,” Gibbons said.

“He doesn’t enjoy his family, his kids, he doesn’t have the job he wants, he’s not traveling — he walks into the marriage and it’s a positive thing but when the kids come along and the job, he’s just not happy about anything.”

While many watch the movie annually, Gibbons said the live performance offers a new take on an old favorite. The book and lyrics for

the musical adaptation were written by Sheldon Harnick and the music was written by Joe Raposo.

“There’s something about live theater,” he said. “It’s three dimensional, it’s right there. It’s a different twist on the story.”

The live performance still maintains many of the signature moments from the movie, Partridge said.

Director Lisa Fox said the production, performed by approximately 30 cast members ranging in age from 7 to 70, has something for everyone in the family.

“I just hope they go away feeling that everyone’s life is important, which is basically what George wants,” Fox said on what she hopes the audience gains from the production. “He just thinks he’s a failure, and it doesn’t matter about status or power it’s how you touch someone else’s life. I think that’s a great message. And just to have an enjoyable evening enjoying the arts.”

“

[Life] can be frustrating and bleak and bad, but at the end of the day we’re blessed. We should embrace that and be happy about it and enjoy that.

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The silver screen comes to life this holiday season during the Sooner Theatre’s production of “A Wonderful Life.”

A musical adaptation of the Frank Capra classic film “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the story follows the life of George Bailey as he attempts to reconcile unrealized dreams with the burdensome responsibilities of reality.

The tale takes the audience on a tour of Bailey’s life, exploring what could have been had he never existed. Though he long dreams of seeing the world, his hopes are interrupted when he is thrust into saving the town of Bedford Falls from the greedy financier Henry Potter. As Bailey’s world unravels, an apprentice angel, Clarence, is sent to answer the community’s prayers for George’s wellbeing.

Bryan Partridge, playing Bailey, said his character explores a gamut of emotions during the production.

“To the audience his life is pretty good and he ends up getting married, has a family and kids, but nothing goes the way that he sees it so he’s constantly beating himself down with, ‘This world is terrible,’” Partridge said. “...He gets redemption at the end and in a sense has this salvation and brand new look on life — it is a wonderful life, even though he hasn’t seen it that way.”

Like Bailey, Partridge said a recent epiphany also changed his lives direction.

While persuing acting in New York City, Partridge said he received the call to ministry.

He now works full time as a youth minister

- Michael Gibbons

Top: George Bailey, center right, played by Bryan Partridge is joined by Zuzu, center left, Beth, right, and Tommy Bailey, played by Sutton Willis, Rachael Jewell and George Schroeder respectively, during a rehearsal of The Sooner Theatre’s production of“A Wonderful Life.”

Middle Left: George Bailey greets friend Sam Wainwright, played

by Jackson Ewing.

Middle Right: George, left, and Harry Bailey played by Evan Robison embrace outside Bedford Falls City Hall as Uncle Billy, played by James Briggs, enjoys a drink.

Bottom: George and Harry Bailey sit at the dinner table talking with Milly Baily, played by Cindy Hanska, joined by Uncle Billy, played by James Briggs, left, and Tom Bailey, played by James Tyra. photos by Jay Chilton

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“A Wonderful Life” runs 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 and 2 p.m.

Dec. 15. at the Sooner Theatre, 101 E. Main St. Tickets are $25 and $20.

Discounts are available for seniors 65 and older, children

ages 12 and under, and groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased online at soonertheatre.com, by phone at 405-321-9600 or in person at the theatre box office, 10 a.m. to noon and 2-5 p.m. Tuesday

through Friday, as well as one hour prior to show time.

More information about these and other Sooner Theatre programs is available at soonertheatre.com or by calling 405-321-9600.

f o e v o l e h t r fo

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T R A y t i n u m m o c t r a g n i v i r th s ’ n a 4 m 1 r 0 o 2 N r o f s n a l p g i b s a h

by Hannah Cruz

Norman, Okla., might be most wellknown across the country for being home to Sooner football and the National Weather Center. But for some locals the arts are the city’s best kept secret.

As the third largest city in the state, Norman — dubbed the “City of Festivals” — is home to many arts organizations and events, ranging from small and large to visual and performing arts. For Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau Communications Manager Stefanie Brickman, the city-wide success is thanks to many elements.

“Just because you’ve got the right ingredients in your cupboard it doesn’t mean it’s going to produce a fantastic

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f o e v o l e h t r fo

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T R A y t i n u m m o c t r a g n i v i r th s ’ n a 4 m 1 r 0 o 2 N r o f s n a l p g i b s a h

by Hannah Cruz

Norman, Okla., might be most wellknown across the country for being home to Sooner football and the National Weather Center. But for some locals the arts are the city’s best kept secret.

As the third largest city in the state, Norman — dubbed the “City of Festivals” — is home to many arts organizations and events, ranging from small and large to visual and performing arts. For Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau Communications Manager Stefanie Brickman, the city-wide success is thanks to many elements.

“Just because you’ve got the right ingredients in your cupboard it doesn’t mean it’s going to produce a fantastic

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Philharmonic, Cimarron Opera, Jacobson House, Pioneer Library System, Norman Public Schools, OU Musical Theatre/Opera Guild and more. The money also helps fund public art projects.

Jazz in June Director of Development Norman H. Hammon said businesses have also been integral to Norman arts community’s success.

“I’ve been delighted with individual, small business and other businesses in our community who have supported the arts,” he said. “With a community of our size and the kind of economy we have in our community we are doing better than most.”

Between the University of Oklahoma’s arts district, Norman’s many non-profit arts organizations, private arts organizations or events, as well as both public and private funding, Brickman said Norman is in the middle of creating an arts community that will continue to multiply and thrive.

“I would love to see the kind of arts, entertainment and cultural events that are regional draws and bring in people for long weekends, week-long festivals that fill up hotels,” she said. “Not only does that help the entire Norman economy but it also brings in more money directly through the transient tax, and brings in more Hammon guest money for operating budgets so we can help present more events.”

Gavaghan agreed that Norman’s arts community has unbounded potential and room to grow as a more recognized arts community both state wide and nationally.

“We have all of the talent and the organizations and the programs that we need,” Gavaghan said. “That’s already there.

So now it’s just getting the word out.”

Gavaghan is working to solidify Norman’s arts identity with Start Norman, a hybrid

“

I have never been more proud and more convinced of our future of the arts here in Norman

“

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meal out of your oven,” Brickman said.

“You’ve got to be able to have the right kind of people involved, with the right kind of ideas and the right kind of man power that are going to put in the blood sweat and tears.”

And Norman has exactly that.

Erinn Gavaghan, Norman Arts Council executive director, said Norman has every element to create a successful arts community: public support, private support, talent and interest.

Norman’s arts catalyst likely began in 1980, Gavaghan said, when voters passed the city’s four percent transient guest tax, also known as the hotel/motel tax. Twenty-five percent of said tax was designated for public funding of the arts, to be managed and granted to arts organizations by the then newly formed Norman Arts Council.

“Coming back from the state arts conference, other communities are very envious that we have that built in here,” Gavaghan said. “And I think that’s one of the reasons that we have more arts organizations here in Norman than there are members of Allied Arts and they’re all really strong. We’ve got small arts organizations and we’ve got big arts organizations here, and the whole gamut of -Norman performing arts, visual arts, humanities.”

Support continues for the tax, with voters passing an increase on the hotel/ motel tax in the spring, raising the tax from 4 to 5 percent. The rest of the tax is given to Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau and Norman Parks and Recreation.

Funds from the tax go on to support organizations like the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Medieval Fair, Sooner Theatre, Firehouse Art Center, Performing Arts Studio, Jazz in June, Norman Music Festival, Norman

community building model. The program will help further establish Downtown Norman as the historic arts district by pulling elements of Better Block, a project that demonstrates how community spaces can be used, and No Longer Empty, site-specific community art installations.

The tentative plan, she said, is to take empty building spaces along Main Street, install a temporary community-oriented art exhibit with associated month-long programming and highlight how those spaces can be used by businesses or organizations in the long run.

“I don’t expect instantaneous results but I really think it will move that discussion along to the next step,” she said. “We can look at artist renderings of how amazing downtown can be, but until you can actually play with it and have something people can physically see and walk through — it’s like a temporary, three-dimensional rendering of what downtown could be.”

The arts can help improve Downtown Norman, Gavaghan said, creating a space that is attractive and usable to artists, tourists and businesses alike.

Gavaghan said the investment Norman residents have made and continue to make in the arts has helped increase Norman’s quality of life and create a friendly, safe community.

“It just shows, too, that people really care what’s going on in their community. So it just pulls everything together,” she said.

“You think about a sort of idyllic small town, that imaginary small town with the main street and the square and, ‘Oh, hi, there’s the mayor.’ I mean, we’re almost there. We’ve almost got that really idyllic community and I think the arts are pulling that together.”

As for what’s to come for Norman’s arts, Hammon is nothing but optimistic.

“I have never been more proud and more convinced of our future of the arts here in Norman,” he said. “When I see the dynamics and the cooperation and the good works being done and I remember back 30 years to where we were all struggling — I have nothing but a good feeling about our future and our community.”

W H NE

S ’ T A H W

N I T X E N The 2014 Norman calendar is already bursting with events, with more to be scheduled just around the corner. Be sure to make room now for the exciting events coming in 2014. For a detailed up-todate calendar of events visit normantranscript.com/events.

Local music scenes Live music can be found in Norman nearly every night of the year. Hit up Opolis, The Deli, Othello’s, Tres Cantina & Grille and Riverwind Casino for complete, up-to-date schedules.

For more information visit opolis.org, thedeli.us, othellos. us, facebook.com/TresCantina and riverwind.com.

Norman Philharmonic Attend the Norman Philharmonic’s “Orchestra Meets Jazz” concert 3 p.m. Jan. 19, 2014, at the Nancy O’Brian Performing Arts Center to enjoy a performance including the OKC Jazz Orchestra. Tickets are $10. For more information visit normanphilharmonic.com.

Norman Music Festival Mark your calendars now to hear music from hundreds of bands of different genres during Norman Music Festival April 24-26, 2014.

The free festival is located on Main Street. For more

c i s u m

information visit facebook.com/ NormanMusicFestival.

Jazz in June Get your fill of jazz during Jazz in June, June 19-21, 2014.

The free music festival is at Brookhaven Village Thursday and Friday and Andrews Park on Saturday. For more information visit jazzinjune.org.

Performing Arts Studio The Performing Arts Studio will kick off its Summer Breeze Concert Series in May featuring national and local musicians performing in local parks.

The Sunday evening concerts are free and run through September.

The music starts back up again with PAS’ Winter Wind Concert Series. These Sunday evening concerts take place October through March at the Norman Depot. Ticket prices vary.

For more information visit pasnorman.org.

Sooner Theatre Several performers are taking the stage in 2014 at the Sooner Theatre. Performers include Shawn Mullins in concert 8 p.m. April 11, and Jimmy Webb in concert 8 p.m.

May 9. Purchase tickets, $40$50, at soonertheatre.org.

Far Left: The Feel Spectres Amy Mays sings a song during the band's show at the Opolis during the 2013 Norman Music Festival. photo by Kyle Phillips

Middle: Throngs of people flood Main Street for the 2013 Norman Music Festival. photo by Jay Chilton Left: Big Sam’s Funky Nation lead singer Sam Williams puts on a show for the crowd during the bands’ 2013 Norman Music Festival performance. photo by Kyle Phillips Bottom: Efrem Towns of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band plays trumpet in Andrews Park in Norman during the 2013 Jazz in June festival. photo by Jay Chilton

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of Allan Houser, the distinguished Chiricahua Apache artist, with a special exhibition featuring 100 of his inimitable drawings during “Allan Houser Drawings: The Centennial Exhibition.”

The exhibit runs March 8 to May 18.

The exhibit “Our People, Our Land, Our Chocolate Festival C Support the arts and get your fill Images,” runs April 4 to May 25, 2014 with the of the area’s best chocolate during work of indigenous photographers from North o tthe Norman Firehouse Art Center’s America, South America, the Middle East and ffundraiser Chocolate Festival 10:30 New Zealand. aa.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 1, 2014, at May Fair Arts Festival tthe National Center for Employee Peruse art vendors and watch live Development (NCED). For more D iinformation, including ticket prices, performances during the Assistance League of Norman’s 2014 May Fair Art Festival 9 a.m. to vvisit normanfirehouse.com.

8 p.m. May 3 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 4 at Norman N rm n Fir Firehouse h Art C Center nt r Andrews Park.

The Norman Firehouse Art Center has several Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art exhibitions For more information on the free event visit The OU School of Art & Art History is scheduled exhibitions throughout 2014, including celebrating it’s 100th Student Exhibition in 2014. norman.assistanceleague.org.

“Firehouse Talent” highlighting the work of The exhibit opens Jan. 14 and runs through adult students Jan. 10 to March 1, the “Healing Midsummer Nights’ Fair Feb. 16 at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. A Studio” exhibit March 7-29, the “Youth Show” Art vendors, demonstrations, interactive public opening reception will be held 7-9 p.m. highlighting children students ages 10-18 April activities and live music will abound during the Jan. 17. In honor of the centennial anniversary, 4 to May 24, the “Faculty Show” June 6 to July an exhibition of alumni work will be held in the Norman Firehouse Art Center’s 2014 Midsummer 26, “Children’s Summer Art Program” Aug. 8-30, Nights’ Fair at Lions Park. The free event is “Bryan Boone and M. Paul Kirby” Sept. 5 to Oct. Lightwell Gallery inside the OU School of Art & scheduled for Aug. 22-23. For more information 18 and “Holiday Gift Gallery” Nov. 7 to Dec. 24. Art History through Feb. 14. visit normanfirehouse.com.

The museum is celebrating the centennial Opening and closing receptions are scheduled ffor most exhibits.

For more information on the Firehouse visit F normanfirehouse.com. n

N I T X E N

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e r t a the

WHAT’IS N NEXT

Sooner Theatre The Sooner Theatre is producing a number of musicals in 2014 including “CATS” Jan. 2426, “Little Shop of Horrors & Doo Wop Revue” Feb. 28 to March 1, “Jesus Christ Superstar”

Reagan Dora places aluminium foil animal sculptures on a table painted to look like land during the 2013 Midsummer Nights' Fair in Lions Park. photo by Jay Chilton

March 28-30 and April 4-6, “Annie” June 25-29 and “Shrek The Musical” July 31 to Aug. 3.

The theater’s fundraiser “Murder Mystery 2014: Death in a Doublewide” is also scheduled for Feb. 13-15.

For more information on Sooner Theatre productions visit soonertheatre. org.

University of Oklahoma Many performances are scheduled at the University of Oklahoma in 2014, including dance, musical theater, theater and opera productions.

• Young Choreographer’s Showcase is scheduled for 8 p.m. Jan. 23-25 and 3 p.m. Jan.

Artist Craig Swan works on a self-portrait during the 2013 Midsummer Nights’ Fair in Lions Park. photo by Jay Chilton

26 at Reynolds Performing Arts Center.

• “Clybourne Park,” a wickedly funny and fiercely provocative play, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Feb. 5-8 and 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Weitzenhoffer Theatre.

• “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a musical comedy, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Feb. 14-15, 20-22 and 3 p.m. Feb. 16, 23 at the Rupel J. Jones Theatre.

• “Così fan tutte,” an Italian opera, is scheduled for 8 p.m. March 6-8 and 3 p.m. March 9 at the Reynolds Performing Arts Center.

• “The Cherry Orchard,” a tragicomic play, is scheduled for 8 p.m. April 4-5, 10-12 and 3 p.m. April 6, 13. at the Weitzenhoffer Theatre.

• Contemporary Dance Oklahoma is scheduled for 8 p.m. April 25-26, May 1-3 and 3 p.m. April 27 at Rupel J. Jones Theatre.

WHAT’S

t a e offb NEXT IN

Sam Noble Museum The Sam Noble Museum has several exhibits scheduled for 2014.

Exhibits include “George M. Sutton: Exploring Art and Science” Jan. 18 to April 20, “Ramp It Up! Skateboard Culture in Native America” Feb. 8 to June 15, “Hungry Planet: What The World Eats” May 3 to Aug. 31 and “RARE: Portraits of Endangered Species” Sept. 13 to Jan. 18, 2015.

For more information on the museum visit snomnh.ou.edu.

Mardi Gras Parade A bit of New Orleans is coming to Norman during the 2014 Norman Mardi Gras Parade 7 p.m. March 1. The free parade takes place in Downtown Norman.

For more information visit normanmardigrasparade.com.

Medieval Fair The 38th Annual Medieval Fair is coming to Norman April 4-6, 2014, at Reaves Park. The free event includes hundreds of vendors and performances. For more information visit medievalfair.org.

A reveler twirls a hula hoop during Norman's 2013 Mardi Gras parade.

Children display a Chinese dragon they built during the 2013 Mardi Gras parade in Norman. photos by Jay Chilton

Cleveland County Free Fair Attend the Cleveland County Free Fair for four days of classic fair fun at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds Sept. 4-7, 2014.

For more information visit clevelandcountyfair.org.

Oklahoma Arts Conference The Oklahoma Arts Council’s 2014 Oklahoma Arts Conference is scheduled to take place in Norman Oct. 22-23. For more information visit arts.ok.gov.

MAINSITE exhibits MAINSITE Contemporary Art: Home of the Norman Arts Council is hosting several exhibits in 2014, including three shows Feb. 14 to March 15: “The Self: An Exploration in Identity” “heART” and “Buddha Tuesdays.”

The ONE Event, NAC’s fundraiser, is also scheduled for March 29.

For more information visit normanarts.org or mainsite-art.com.

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Needing a nosh or feeling famished? Let N-bites help you figure out what you are craving.

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S e vere We a t h er Ι B rea k i n g N e ws S c h o o l N o t i c es Ι A rea S p o r t s & S c o re s Co m m un i t y & Eve n t s Ι A m b e r A le r t s

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See our detailed calendar in N-town lite in the main edition of The Norman Transcript for a complete guide of this week’s events.

N-town staff picks the top 10 things you can’t miss this month.

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Victorian Christmas at Moore-Lindsay Historical House Take a step into the past during the Victorian Christmas Party at the Moore-Lindsay Historical House, 508 N. Peters Ave., 6-9 p.m. Dec. 13.

The event includes admission into the beautifully decorated house, holiday music, hot cocoa, desserts and free horse and carriage rides to Main Street to participate in 2nd Friday Circuit of Art. For more information visit normanmuseum.org.

2

Sleigh Day at Brookhaven Village Jump in Santa’s sleigh for a free ride during Sleigh Day and Santa at Brookhaven Village, 3700 W. Robinson St., 1-4 p.m.

Dec. 14. The event includes

photos with Santa. Pets are allowed. All activities are free.

For more information visit brookhaven-village. com.

5

Celebrate Jesus! at Hope Seventh-day Adventist Enjoy free Christmas music during “Celebrate Jesus!” 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Hope Seventh-day Adventist Fellowship Church, 1426 NE 12th St. in Moore.

The concert includes

performers from throughout the Oklahoma City metro, including Norman and Moore.

Admission is free. A light reception to follow. For more information call 405-799-2220.

8

Randy Rogers Band at Riverwind Casino Listen to the country favorite, Randy Rogers Band, during their 8 p.m. Dec. 27 show at Riverwind Casino, 1544 West State Highway 9.

Tickets, $27-$47, are available at the Riverwind

Casino Box Office, by calling 405-322-6464 or visiting riverwind.com.

For more information on the band visit randyrogersband.com.

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Sisters of Swing at Norman Depot Tap your foot along to the music during Sisters of Swing Holiday Jazz Concert performances at Norman Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., during two performances 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15.

Refreshments will be served.

Gloriana at Riverwind Casino

Tickets, $10 ($7 for students), are available at the Depot, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Advance purchase is highly recommended.

For more information visit pasnorman.org.

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Winter Wind at Norman Depot American singer and songwriter Carrie Newcomer is scheduled to perform during the Performing Arts Studio’s Winter Wind Concert Series 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Norman Depot, 200 S,

Joy to the World at Rose State College

by Scotty McCreery, Brett Eldredge, Love & Theft, The Henningsens and Chris Stapleton.

For more information visit 933jakefm.com or riverwind.com.

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Jones Ave. Tickets are $20. To purchase visit pasnorman.org.

For more information on Newcomer visit carrienewcomer.com.

Tickets, $25-$45, are available at riverwind.com.

For more information visit gloriana.com.

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Jake’s Jingle Jam at Riverwind Casino See your favorite country musicians during 93.3 JAKE FM’s Jingle Jam scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at Riverwind Casino, 1544 West State Highway 9. The event includes performances

Watch award-winning country group, Gloriana, during their upcoming concert 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Riverwind Casino, 1544 West State Highway 9.

Ring in the Christmas season during “Joy to the World: A Christmas Musical Celebration” 6 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21 at Rose State Performing Arts Theatre in Midwest City.

The event includes music by a multi-faith choir, with many

singers from Norman and the Oklahoma City metro area.

The Oklahoma City Handbell Ensemble will also perform as a part of the event.

Tickets are $10.

To purchase visit joytotheworld2013.com.

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Travis LeDoyt at Riverwind Casino Shake your hips to the sound of Elvis Presley during the Travis LeDoyt concert 8 p.m. Jan. 11 at Riverwind Casino, 1544 West State Highway 9.

Tickets are $10-$15. To

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purchase visit riverwind.com.

For more information on LeDoyt visit travisledoyt. com.

Aaron Whisner

NOI

mak

by Kirsten Viohl

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Matt Goad

Six artists are blurring artistic genres during the upcoming exhibit “Noise Makers” at MAINSITE Contemporary Art opening Dec. 13.

Joshua Boydston, exhibit curator, said the show explores artists who have integrated their passions for both music and visual art. Boydston, who is also a music journalist for the Oklahoma Gazette, said the the two mediums go hand in hand.

“I think there is a kind of language to music that has a lot of footholds and takes fuse from that that you’ll be able to see in the art,” Boydston said. “The biggest tie between all of these artists is that their love of visual art is only matched by their love of music.”

Matt Goad, musician and graphic designer, is one of six artists combining his passions for the exhibit.

The Oklahoma City resident has long dreamed of being in a band. Now at age 43, Goad is living out his childhood fantasies as the guitarist for the Oklahoma City-based band, the Feel Spectres.

During the day he works professionally as a graphic designer for Funnel Design Group, and in his spare time creates works of arts. For Goad, the process of designing, painting and creating music are one in the same.

“When you create a piece of art, you are writing a story,” he said. “Whenever I write a song, I have a visual image of it. And whenever I draw something, I have an audio vision of it, too.”

Goad’s nature-inspired, geometric paintings draw the eye right in, leading to a world of pop art reproduction of the mid-twentieth century. Goad said he wants his art to tell a fun and creative story in every piece. He also hopes he can impact people that see his art, just as artists did for him when he was growing up.

“There is a lot of crummy stuff in this world,” Goad said. “I want people to look at my art or listen to a song and feel better than they did before they

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ers saw or heard it.”

The exhibit also includes artists such as Oklahoma City’s Chad Mount — who has done it all with his art — from designing album covers to anchoring a canvas to a violin. There is James Smith, the Oklahoma City front man of the punk band, The Boom Bang, who also creates art work for garage rock.

Tulsa-based artist Denny Schmickle is a graphic designer who specializes in hand-printed silkscreen concert posters and gallery installations. Aaron Whisner, also from Tulsa, is a street-art influenced designer whose posters range from Band of Horses all the way to Jurassic Park 5. James Camilli, the lone wolf from Kansas City, Kans., is a printmaker and musician.

Boydston describes the exhibition as giving off a youthful and rebellious energy that MAINSITE shows have not seen in a while.

“Some people think that visual artists are one thing and musicians are another,” Boydston said. “A big passion of mine is showing how music and art and life all interact. This idea will come out in the Noise Makers.”

The opening reception is scheduled for 6-10 p.m.

Dec. 13 at MAINSITE, 122 E. Main St., in conjunction with December’s 2nd Friday Circuit of Art. The exhibit runs through Jan. 11 with a closing reception scheduled 6-10 p.m. Jan. 10.

The exhibit will also showcase an audio-visual installation created by Norman New Wave band Depth & Current.

Norman Arts Council Individual Artist Award winner and photographer Sarah Engel-Barnett will showcase some of her latest work in The Library Gallery.

The Water Closet Gallery will house “Place Make” an exhibit from local painter and sculptor Anna Thomas.

Justin Camilli

Chad Mount

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Joshua Boydston

CAUGHT

Kate Kemmett sings as she plays her part as Millie during Norman North's production.

on camera

Thoroughly Modern Millie

by Norman North High School on Nov. 20 Photos by Kyle Phillips

Kate Kemmett, left, sings as she plays her part as Millie with Meredith Rasnic, right, as Mrs. Dorothy

Norman North students sing during thier production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie"

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CAUGHT on camera

Andrews Park Ice Rink Nov. 30 Photos by Jay Chilton

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Andrew Willige, right, falls on the ice after claiming Paton Stalnaker laces Tucker Stalnaker "it" as they play tag with friends. up her blades.

Paton Stalnaker, right, steadies Andrew Willige as they make their way around the ice.

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KIDS

CORNER Plan your perfect Art Walk with us. Find a complete list of events at 2ndfridaynorman.com.

5 p.m.

If you have little ones, start your evening at Kids’ Corner, located at the parking lot adjacent to LWPB Architects & Planners, or inside in case of inclement weather.

There will be a performance by the violin students of Sonder Music, Dance & Art along with hot cocoa and Christmas cookie decorating.

5:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., returns with Art á la Carte, featuring free food, hot drinks, live music from Sherree Chamberlain, ornament decorating and a Holiday Grab Bag Sale at Muse, the museum store.

If you don’t have kids in tow, start your evening at Jacobson House, 609 Chautauqua Ave. Jacobson House hosts its Holiday Art Market 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

6 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

The Diner, 213 E. Main St., opens up for special dining hours and also hosts a book signing by local author Molly Levite Griffis.

Bell’s Mystical Beginnings, 207 W. Main St., is welcomed to the neighborhood and features art from several local artists, including Lauren Kelly and more.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

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Main Street Memorables, 531 E. Main St., will feature the jewelry of artist Tracy Williamson (of Wild Horse Moon).

STASH, 412 E. Main St., features the work of photographer Samantha Lamb. STASH also hosts the album release party for the Fowler VW-sponsored A Blackwatch Christmas Vol. III (Holly-Tonk & Jingle Beats) in the Annex featuring performances by many of the artists who contributed tracks to the album. Free refreshments and vinyl records will be on hand. Mariposa Coffee Roastery will also be serving up hot drinks in their mobile coffee shop.

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First Fidelity Bank, 131 E. Main St., houses the 9th Annual Tree Photo Contest reception 6-9:30 p.m., sponsored by The Norman Park Foundation. The reception includes live acoustic music, refreshments and an opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

7:45 p.m.

Ball and Morse, 111 N. Peters Ave., showcases the paintings and drawings of Christ and Tricia Castro, along with live music from Zach Winters.

8 p.m.

8:15 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

Tribes 131, 131 24th Ave. N.W., hosts its 24th Annual Native American Art Calendar Signing & Holiday Show 7-9 p.m.

Third Eye Gallery at Ashatanga Yoga Studio, 120 E. Tonhawa St., hosts a collaborative exhibition featuring art by kids from ages 3 to 18. The wintery reception for the whole family will include magic, Acro Yoga, hula hooping and refreshments.

9 p.m.

Bluebonnet Bar, 321 E. Main St., will show art celebrating three years of live music in the bar by J. Chris and Marissa Johnson. During 2nd Friday Late Night, live music will be provided by JV’s Fillin Station and Brian Cagle.

10 p.m.

Opolis, 113 N. Crawford Ave., features a performance by Oklahoma favorite singersongwriter Sherree Chamberlain and indie rock outfit Tallows. Cover is $8.