NTown - March 2015

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March 13, 2015

+ St. Patrick's Day musings • Caught on Camera • Marco Benevento makes surprise stop • NTown's Top 10

from the editor’s desk H

1. St. Patrick's Day

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The only saint-related holiday of its kind, St. Patrick's Day is more about secular traditions than anything else at this point. People with no ties to the Emerald Isle don green threads, shamrocks and "kiss me I'm Irish" T-shirts and head to the pub for a green pint (or 10) to celebrate the man who rid Ireland of snakes and carved out a nice spot in the holiday calendar between Valentine's Day (another mostly-secular saintly celebration) and April fools day.

2. March Madness The greatest tournament in all of sports and the most intriguing from a gambling perspective, the NCAA tournament owns March. Across the country office brackets are being thrown together with bits of knowledge, superstition and strange selection devices. Even for those who don't religiously follow college basketball, like myself, the tournament is a lot of fun.

Everyone can get in on it.

A friend of mine's mother, a mathematician, nearly won her family's bracket pool one year with an algorithm based

on the length of the team names. With so many ins and outs, nobody knows what will happen, but we know we'll get a good show. Unless top-seeded Kentucky wins it all. That'd be pretty lame. Yet, in a tournament where you have to expect the unexpected, that would be unexpected, right? I may be over thinking this.

3. Daylight savings This one's a tough sell, but hear me out. Nobody's a fan of the spring forward. It feels like you just lost an hour of your life that you'll never get back.

But the trade-off is good for everybody, not just farmers. Losing an hour of sleep for longer days, more sun and the end of the creeping seasonal bummer is worth it. Now, if I could just figure out how to reset the clock on my microwave, I'd be set. (Get it? OK. We're done here.)

4. The Medieval Fair One of Norman's favorite festivals takes over Reaves Park for three days of people watching paradise. It's a perfect time to get outside and take in the madness of the middle ages.

See you at the fair,

Publisher Mark Millsap

Cover Design Anthony Kimball

Production Manager Rob Rasor

Executive Editor Andy Rieger

Advertising Rebekah Collins Robin Escarcega Kimberly Lehenbauer Ryan Dillard

Writers Mack Burke Doug Hill Mary Newport Scott Strandberg

Editor Mack Burke

what’s

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ello Norman, The long winter is over. It's probably a little early to break out the shorts, but the on again off again mini blizzards are done for the year. Probably. That's just part of the good news. March is a special month for spectacle and entertainment. The top reasons to love March in no particular order:

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Q&A with McMichael Music's Wess McMichael

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Live long and prosper: Remembering Nimoy

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Album & book reviews

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Hidden Gems on Netflix

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Getting Medieval: NTown's guide to the Medieval Fair

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Marco Benevento makes surprising stop in Norman

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From St. Patrick to Patrick Stewart

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NTown's Top 10

Photographers Kyle Phillips Jay Chilton Mack Burke Nick Powers

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 mburke@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 at normantranscript.com/ntown.

&A

Q

Wess McMichael started teaching guitar nearly 30 years ago. What started as an exten4

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sion of his love of the instrument blossomed into one of Norman's finest private music teaching studios. Now located at 230 Alameda St., in the Miller Historic Distric, the expansive, maze-like building that houses McMichael Music is bursting with students from all ages and musical backgrounds.

The studio boasts instructors from some of Norman's top performing acts — Alan Orebaugh, Mike Hosty, Zane Russell, Micah Smith, Thomas Young, Kiel Dehnert, Trevor Galvin, Kyle Ried, Olivia Buthod, Jeff Richards, Kate Dinsmore and Brenda Severson, just to name a few — and offers classes on nearly every conceivable instrument and style. The studio even hosts "School of Rock" style rock clinics in a full-scale rehearsal room.

NTown caught up with the studio's visionary sole proprietor to talk about his own musical ambitions, the joy of teaching and what it takes to take on the stage.

———— NTown: What's your background in music? Did it start at an early age for you?

WM: I started playing the guitar when I was 16 years old. The pivotal moment for me was my first musical decision, to buy a Beatles record at the Apache General Store. I grew up around music — my parents would play country, classical. But it was the Beatles that caused me to fall in love with music. I took guitar lessons in Lawton for a couple years until I was good enough to learn from records.

NTown: How did you get your start as gigging

By Mack Burke

with McMichael Music's Wess McMichael

musician?

WM: I remember in college that I wanted to be in a band so badly. I made a bunch of fliers and hung them up all over campus and finally someone called me. We started a punk rock band.

NTown: So, from there, did teaching become the next natural step? When did you start teaching?

WM: Yes, I guess I started teaching back in the 1980s.

NTown: What were the early days like for your studio? How did you get started and how did you manage to get the word out?

WM: I was teaching in Lawton and I would come to Norman for chess tournaments and after the tournament I would go see local musicians play. I was super impressed with not only the caliber of playing but the diversity of the kinds of things people were playing. It was exciting.

I came down here and went to Norman Music Center, they immediately recommended me for a teaching job here in Norman and within a week I had 30 students here to go with the 40 students I had in Lawton. I started my own school in the summer of 2000 with a studio of 50+ private students.

As far as getting started with my studio, the best advertising has always been word of mouth. Our students have performance opportunities at least twice a month. Part of my philosophy is getting the students performing live because there are so many things you can only learn by performing.

NTown: From a teacher's perspective, what broad advice would you give to aspiring musicians? How do you look to inspire?

WM: The two particulars of musical success I've noticed is fearlessness and passion. Talent is great, but the other two things are far more important. Usually my students are pretty passionate, but developing a healthy lack of fear is what I spend most of my time on.

I try to lead by example. I still practice all the time, I'm excited about music I read books about music. I read blogs about music and I perform regularly.

NTown: Your studio offers instruction on a wide range of instruments and is adding to that list all the time? Is the string program the latest facet of that?

Although we are known for guitar, bass and drums, we do offer a variety of other musical instruments including piano, woodwinds and voice.

We've actually had strings for some time.

We've recently expanded to cover all orchestral strings. Rebecca Panayiotou, who joined us last summer, is the head of our strings department and she is changing up what is traditionally offered for strings. She sometimes sits in with my band, The Ravens, at Scratch on Wednesday nights.

NTown: What's the story behind rock clinic?

What makes working together and rising to meet performance pressure so empowering?

WM: I learned about how much fun it is to teach groups of kids to play together in bands from my friend Danny Hargis. He was so fired up about rock and roll, it was infectious. I remember how much fun it was to watch

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Mack Burke / NTown McMichael Music founder Wess McMichael works on his chops during an afternoon break at his studio. Visit mcmichaelmusic.com for more information.

him share the enthusiasm for rock with young people.

NTown: What's on the musical horizon for you as a performer and creator?

WM: I'm making a new original album at Blackwatch. We have half the songs done. I've really been enjoying playing with Kierston White and the Dirty Dishes. I think she's written some really great songs.

NTown: Your instructors also double as some of the most popular performers in Norman. Has that always been part of the philosophy, to not

just have teachers, but teachers people actually want to take from?

age, do you have a guitar in your hands?

WM: I teach about eight hours a day, and I practice a couple more hours, some in the morning and if I have any cancellations in my lessons I practice, and sometimes I have gigs too. I pretty much play guitar all the time, which is awesome.

WM: Yes, I think it's important that the performing artists in this community have a chance to share what they have with the community. We have a lot of talented teachers.

NTown: Worked out over years, that comes to roughly how many hours of guitar? Do you still find yourself in love with the instrument?

WM: I definitely have my 10,000 hours in. Very

NTown: How many hours a day, on aver-

Wess McMichael

See Q&A, Page 22

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LIVE LONG AND PROSPER

A SILENCE WITH YOU IS NOT A SILENCE

This vulcan greeting was inspired by the Hebrew letter “shin” which the young Nimoy saw used as a blessing in a synagogue.

BUT A MOMENT RICH WITH PEACE. Leonard Nimoy, 1931 - 2015

ACTOR/DIRECTOR

DISCOGRAPHY

He recorded 9 studio albums.

BIBLIOGRAPHIES

In 1974 he directed and starred as Randle Murphy in the stage production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

These fan books were written to clarify his character, Spock, and the man, Leonard Nimoy.

Nimoy was the voice of Galvatron in the 1986 movie, The Transformers.

HA! MASTER OF FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY In 2002, this controversial book of photography was published centering around the female body partially clad in male religious garb. It was reported to have caused a “ruckus” within the Jewish community.

He was first featured at the age of 21 in Zombies of the Stratosphere, a 1952 sci-fi series.

The Susan Bay and Leonard Nimoy Foundation, established in 2003, distributed more than $1.7 million to recognize, support and encourage artists.

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album reviews

By Doug Hill

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Artist: David Vest Album: "Roadhouse Revelation" Blues shouter Big Joe Turner (1911-1985) gave David Vest a telling compliment when the pianist was only 21 years old. He said Vest’s piano playing made him feel like he was back home in Kansas City. That would be the town known for 1930s era joints where the parties never stopped.

In his 7th decade now, Vest’s new disc proves his own personal party is nowhere near conclusion. Its eleven cuts are mostly his original tunes and they’re all the kind of largely up-tempo rockers welcome in roadhouses around the world.

Vest now calls Canada home but he was born a southern child in Huntsville, Alabama.

He may pay allegiance now to the big red maple leaf but his music is unmistakably all-American. Country, rock, blues and jazz strains run through this album dedicated to the taverns where gals dance on tables. Vocals, piano and organ are all Vest’s. Track 10 “Heart Full of Rock and Roll” could easily be an alternative title track.

All others were studio-produced but this song was recorded live at a house concert complete with hollering and applause.

“What makes grandma love old

By Doug Hill

grandpa so/ He can still boogie-woogie like he did fifty years ago,” he sings. It would be difficult to imagine Vest’s piano-pounding contemporaries Jerry Lee Lewis or Leon Russell either one matching this level of energy on the keys in 2015.

“Gone Too Far” is chock-a-block full of ivory key flourishes and masterful intricacies. Similarly “Santa Fe Steamer” is an all instrumental tune where Vest flat-out flogs that baby grand. The liner notes indicate his inspiration for the composition came from playing on the Boogie Woogie Hall of Fame stage in Cincinnati a few years back.

Vest is backed by a bass, drums and guitar band on all these songs.

Paul deLay’s “Crooked Politician” boasts a definitive New Orleans-style Second Line drum beat with its hilarious (or not) lyrics.

“Take the money from the schools put it in they pocket/ take the money from the poor put it in they pocket/ take the money from the old folks put in they pocket/ then they buddies down in Houston can shoot another rocket.” David Vest has undoubtedly learned a lot in his career of rocking roadhouses with probably just a smidgen of it is revealed in this smoking new disc.

Artist: Bobby Spencer Album: "Unleashed" Bobby “Hurricane” Spencer got his nickname the old fashioned way. It was bestowed on him by a peer in the heat of the moment.

At a 1960s Oakland, Ca. club gig Spencer had just played an incendiary tenor saxophone solo.

Guitarist J.J. Bad Boy Jones who was also on the bandstand felt chills go down his spine and observed, “Bob, you the hurricane!”

Spencer’s new album of 12 mostly original compositions demonstrates that he’s still blowing sax at Category 5 strength. Born in Motown mid-20th century his music career was centered in Cali going back over 45 years.

Spencer got his chops playing joints such as Hal’s House of Smiles and Ester’s Orbit Room.

He’s from the sophisticated west coast blues tradition and it shows in this refined set of songs. Spencer is an amazingly strong vocalist.

His deep rich pipes mirror the horn he plays. With a trio of backing singers he alternates between vocal and sax solos. Spencer even demonstrates a knack for scat singing on “Camarillo.”

It’s about being so crazy in love he should be checked into what was a state institution back in the

day at that Golden State location. Charlie Parker’s “Relaxin’ at Camarillo” was written there when he was shooing the heroin monkey off his back. Spencer is at his most urbane on tunes such as “Mr. Magic.”

It’s the album’s only instrumental track and is a brass sorcerer’s flying carpet ride. “Big Maybelle” hearkens back to the chitlin’ circuit where he spent most of his early career. “When Maybelle dips snuff she sips that old tokay y’all,” Spencer sings. It features gutbucket sax honking, hollering and driving percussion. “You’re All I Need” finds him channeling music from Detroit when it was the world capitol of soul.

Spencer’s gentle but powerful way with this song is sincerely comforting. It brings to mind how he must have inspired young people during his three decade long day job. Spencer was a full time teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He had a remarkable talent for helping Spanish speaking children learn English.

Hurricanes are usually known for destruction but in Spencer’s case he’s been a force of nature in all good ways.

——— Doug Hill hillreviews@hotmail.com

book reviews

By Mary Newport

By Mary Newport

"Rook and Shadow" Angela Marshall 2015

"The Fame Thief" Timothy Hallinan 2014

In most fairy tales, it doesn't do to look too hard at the details. When a princess is described as 'the fairest of them all' and odes are written to her beauty, nobody thinks about the logistics of judging physical perfection or asks if all those ode-writers clutter up the palace. In her debut YA novel, Oklahoma author Angela Marshall skips the glossy haze of traditional stories and gets right down to the brass tacks – or rather, the magical diamond studs.

Her princess lives in an enchanted, ethereal world that has real consequences and an exquisite level of detail. If you've ever wondered how a kingdom can base its entire system of sovereignty on having perfect hair, “Rook and Shadow” has your answer.

Princess Salara of Salaria – so named by a fairy without much creativity – is her kingdom's greatest treasure. Blessed to be exquisitely beautiful in face, voice and manner, she spends her days having her portrait painted, sitting in good lighting to inspire the court poets and singing in operas of her mother's invention. She's supposed to learn how the rule the kingdom, too, but her parents refuse to tell her what's going on, what she can do about it or what exactly 'sanctions' are.

After a trying day, fate gives Salara a chance to escape her royal identity for a moment. She grasps five minutes of blissful freedom … then watches in horror as everything goes suddenly, terribly wrong. On the run from her own soldiers and set adrift in a world she doesn't know how to navigate, Salara finds that life is shockingly different outside the palace walls – and her friends and family have been keeping more from her than she ever dreamed.

Salara is a perfect balance of naive and sensible. Her sheltered life makes the real world a bewildering – and sometimes hilarious – revelation, but she exhibits none of the classic helplessness of a fairy tale maiden. Readers can't help but root for the kind-hearted, level-headed girl suddenly thrust into a life of hiding, trekking and kicking soldiers in the face.

Face-kicking aside, there's very little violence in the book, but it's pure adventure through and through. Daring escapes, clever disguises, bandits, pirates, evil plots and terrible curses all make a thrilling appearance. Marshall weaves in side characters and subplots with skill, leaving the storyline gratifyingly complex but not convoluted and often tense but never scary.

“Rook and Shadow” is a sweet, stirring work with an engaging blend of dainty magical wonders and salt-of-the-earth pragmatism. It's a good read for young fans of fantasy-adventure or anyone in the mood for a soft, satisfying tale of love, daring-do, strange spells and even stranger poetry.

Junior Bender is, in a loose sense of the word, a detective. He occasionally tracks down stolen goods, dirty secrets and well-hidden criminals.

Junior is also, by the strictest definition, a thief.

He frequently liberates small valuables and large amounts of money from the well-to-do. This is not as much a conflict of interest as it might seem, though, because all of Junior's investigations are undertaken for crooks.

Junior's good reputation on the bad side of Los Angeles gets him in trouble when an aging mob boss orders him to solve a sixty-year-old case. Beautiful actress Dolores La Marr was trembling on the edge of stardom when her reputation was ripped to shreds in what looked like a calculated sabotage. She faded quickly from the minds of 9 the public, but Irwin Dressler, her biggest fan and the most dangerous man in L.A., never forgot what might have been. Now he wants Junior to hunt down the perpetrator … whether they're dead, alive or in a nursing home.

The cold case heats up a little too much for Junior's liking when his inquiries set off a series of murders. Caught between the devil he knows and a cold-blooded killer who just might send him down to shake hands with the real one, Junior is running out of time.

By turns sarcastic, brutal and bloody good fun, “The Fame Thief” pulls readers in and refuses to let them up for air. Junior is a twisty man in an equally snaky world of mobsters, hit men, dirty cops and con men with hearts of gold – pure gold, they promise, and they normally wouldn't sell it so cheap but they need the 3.13.15 money for little Janie's operation, see?

The mystery is every bit as crooked as the characters, with enough false starts and tantalizing hints to lead readers along by the nose before slamming them right up against the grand finale. In the way of the best mysteries, the perpetrator isn't the first person you suspect, or the last – it's the person you might suspect, if you're paying attention, but then again you might not. There's a constant principal of uncertainty, of complex personalities with realistic motivations muddying the waters.

Through it all, Hallinan's dialogue is a wonder, slick and pat enough to be straight out of the movies but natural enough to take shape in a real mouth – a real smart mouth, most of the time. The characters are vivid enough – and brash enough – to step through the pages and stub out a cigarette on your couch. The author plays on Hollywood tropes and criminal stereotypes without ever depending on them as he slides past the edge of the spotlight to the shadowy boudoirs of the has-beens and almost-weres. The book flirts with violence in the same way, dipping its toes into dusty coffins and funereal memories, right up until all that stirring brings fresh blood spurting into the light of day.

“The Fame Thief” is smart and snappy, the kind of book that hooks you hard and reels you all the way through. It's a good pick for anyone who likes a sharp, modern mystery and doesn't mind the hot metal reek of a smoking gun.

Read if: You've ever wondered how well basing a monarchy on good looks works.

Don't read if: You disapprove of high fashion and high sodium.

Read if: You like your heroes on both sides of the law.

Don't read if: You have trouble rooting for a weasel.

movie reviews Hidden gems on

'Headhunters' (2011) Norway isn’t traditionally known for its thriving film industry, 10 but lately the Scandinavian nation is experiencing a significant film renaissance. One of the films leading this revolution is the thriller “Headhunters” — a breathlessly exciting film, anchored by two tremendous 3.13.15 performances. The film’s breakneck pacing and twist-laden screenplay are major factors as well, but “Headhunters” would simply not work nearly as well if not for the perfect casting of its leads.

Viewers are first introduced to Roger Brown, played by Aksel Hennie — best known to Americans for co-starring alongside The Rock in last summer’s “Hercules” film. The Roger Brown known to the public is a ruthlessly brilliant businessman, who has gained a reputation as Norway’s top corporate recruiter.

The private Roger Brown is an elite art thief, breaking into the homes of his clients and replacing their valuable paintings with forgeries, while the owners are away at business meetings set up by Brown himself. Brown uses the money from the art heists to fund his exceptionally lavish lifestyle, and to keep his trophy wife from getting

By Scott Strandberg

In this age of digital media, Netflix Instant Play is entering nearly everyone’s homes. The streaming service is now part of approximately 35 million American households, a number which is growing by the day. With that in mind, this column serves to highlight films you may have overlooked on Netflix. This month, I decided

too unsatisfied.

Brown finally meets his match when he encounters Clas Greve, portrayed in an excellent performance by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who plays Jamie Lannister on the smash-hit HBO show “Game of Thrones.” At first, Greve is just another mark for Brown, as Brown’s wife finds out that Greve owns a painting worth tens of millions of dollars.

However, the stakes get highly personal very quickly, with Brown realizing he stole from the wrong man. As it turns out, Greve used to be part of an elite special-forces unit in the army, specializing in wiping out top-level terrorist threats. Not surprisingly, he is not a person who takes kindly to being stolen from.

Director Morten Tyldum received a 2014 Best Director Oscar nomination for his universally acclaimed film adaptation of “The Imitation Game,” and his incredible talents are front and center in “Headhunters” as well. Tyldum tweaks genre conventions in many ways, most notably in focusing on the villainous Brown as the lead and de facto protagonist.

Meanwhile, Greve — the revenge-seeking anti-hero — plays the secondary role as Brown’s antagonist. In any other thriller, the wronged man seeking vengeance is always the focus. Here, it’s the exact opposite. In this regard, the casting is especially brilliant — Hennie naturally looks like a good guy, while Coster-Waldau is best known for his nefarious turn in

on the theme of three great films that are in line for bigbudget Hollywood remakes. Enjoy these films on Netflix before the (likely inferior) reboots hit the theaters.

Follow Scott on Twitter @scottstrandberg

“Game of Thrones.”

The shades of grey between the two men shift frequently throughout the film, with the one constant being that no one would ever refer to either of them as a good person.

The result is a complex, rewarding film that never forgets to be entertaining. Not surprisingly, an American remake is on the way, somewhat ironically in the form of an HBO series. See the film first.

“Headhunters” is a highly gripping thriller that effortlessly mixes in plenty of dark comedy and a potent social commentary: Nothing compares to the cold, calculated ruthlessness of the corporate world.

“Headhunters” is rated R for bloody violence including some grisly images, strong sexual content and nudity.

'Romancing the stone' (1984) “Romancing the Stone” has the distinction of being the one film that launched several legendary careers. For director Robert Zemeckis, it was the breakthrough success that led to his subsequent blockbusters: “Back to the Future,” “Forrest Gump”

and “Cast Away,” just to name a few.

The film also catapulted Kathleen Turner to A-list status, and further solidified Michael Douglas as a major box-office draw.

Joan Wilder (Turner) is a best-selling romance novelist, living a largely solitary existence in her New York City apartment.

When her sister is kidnapped and held for ransom in Colombia by a shady antiques dealer and his bumbling henchman (Danny DeVito), Joan leaves the safety of her apartment, ending up deep in the dangerous South American jungle.

Soon after arriving, Joan finds herself the target of a corrupt military police force. The shady paramilitary group wants the treasure map Joan intends to exchange for her sister, and only a chance meeting with American ex-pat Jack (Douglas) keeps her — and the map — out of their hands.

From there, Jack and Joan set off on a rollicking adventure through Colombia, fighting off a gauntlet of colorful villains as they try to make their way to Joan’s sister. Along the way, Zemeckis jam-packs the film with a series of exhilarating car chases and shootouts that would make Indiana Jones jealous.

Where the film truly rises above the somewhat crowded pack of mid80’s adventure films is in the casting.

Turner and Douglas have absolutely electric chemistry together, turning what could be a cheesy, forced love story into a fully believable narrative arc. DeVito is hysterical as the hapless henchman, and even the most minor characters feel fleshed out,

thanks to the dynamic performers that inhabit each role.

The story behind “Romancing the Stone” is perhaps even better than the film itself. Firsttime screenwriter Diane Thomas was working as a waitress, writing scripts in her spare time.

One day, she pitched one of her scripts to Douglas — a regular customer — and he bought the rights to the script himself, enlisting Zemeckis to direct the film.

Sadly, Thomas’ first screenplay was also her last. The waitress-turned-screenwriter’s storybook rise to fame ended when she passed away in a car accident, just 18 months after “Romancing the Stone” hit theaters.

The film was successful enough to spawn a sequel in 1985, the dreadful “The Jewel of the Nile.” While the on-camera talent mostly returned for “Jewel,” Zemeckis did not. His replacement — schlocky B-movie director Lewis Teague — produced an uncomfortably xenophobic film, in which neither the action scenes nor the humor were even remotely effective.

20th Century Fox picked up the rights for a remake several years ago, though the film has been stuck in various states of pre-production ever since. Here’s hoping the reboot stays truer to “Stone” than “Jewel” — if it ever gets off the ground, that is.

The original “Romancing the Stone” holds up so well today — more than three decades since its release — that maybe we’re all better off if 20th Century Fox chooses not to reinvent the wheel on this one.

“Romancing the Stone” is rated PG for adult situations, language and violence.

'Housebound' (2014) When petty criminal Kylie (Morgana O’Reilly) finds herself in court after a botched ATM theft, the judge hands down a sentence worse than jail time — house arrest at her neurotic mother’s home in the country. With an ankle bracelet preventing her from leaving the property, and her mother driving her up the wall, Kylie settles in for eight long months at home.

The setup to writer/director Gerard Johnstone’s debut feature film is simple enough. However, the execution of “Housebound” is anything but. Johnstone brilliantly tweaks the tired tropes of the haunted-house film to create a horror/comedy mash-up every bit as side-splittingly funny as the 2012 smash hit “The Cabin in the Woods.”

O’Reilly — a relative newcomer herself — is an absolute revelation as Kylie. No one should be surprised if Morgana O’Reilly is a household name sooner rather than later. The Kylie character itself is the film’s boldest commentary on the horror genre, as she is about as far removed as possible from the timid, virginal “final girl” found in typical horror films.

O’Reilly’s chain-smoking, beer-swilling Kylie is like a biker chick mixed with a rock star. It’s as if an early-1980s Joan Jett landed the Jamie Lee Curtis role in “Halloween.” It’s an entirely brilliant bit of casting that benefits the film greatly, while also establishing O’Reilly as an actress who could hold down a Hollywood leading role with ease.

See NETFLIX, Page 22

FIRE HOU SE

ART

C EN TER

MARCH +

HE ALI NG ST UD I O 2 0 1 5 EX H I B I T I O N March 6 - March 21, 2015 Reception: Friday, March 13, 2015, 6 - 9 PM An exhibition celebrating the creativity of the Healing Studio members and featuring work from their instructor Jane Lawson.

+ SPRING 2015 SEMESTER NOW ENROLLING Classes begin the week of March 22, 2015 Visit normanfirehouse.com for class listings

+ FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE MURAL PROJECT During the past year, the Firehouse Art Center has provided 175 hours of visual arts education to 1503 students in the following Norman Public Schools: 7 434 students, Kennedy Elementary 7 474 students, Jackson Elementary 7 327 students, Lincoln Elementary 7 268 students, Wilson Elementary

444 S. Flood Avenue Norman, Oklahoma 73069 normanfirehouse.com 405.329.4523 Mon - Fri: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM | Sat: 10 AM - 4 PM | Sun: Closed

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By Mack Burke

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he 39th annual Medieval Fair will take over Reaves Park in Norman for three days in March, transforming it into a multi-acre time machine with one destination.

The Medieval period in Europe, which lasted from about the year 470 to 1500, might not have been the most enjoyable experience for the (now) skeletons that lived it, but in 2015 fairgoers can take in all the fun parts without having to worry about contracting the plague. And they come out in droves.

Medieval Fair coordinator Ann Marie Eckart estimates about 100,000 people attend the fair each year. With about 20 percent of the performers coming from Oklahoma and the rest drawing heavily from Texas, Missouri, Arkansas and beyond, it’s primarily a traveling troupe of minstrels, knights and craftsmen. Norman’s own Medieval Fair (From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., March 27-29) is just one stop on the tour, but it’s one of the biggest.

“Everyone’s going to find something they like at the fair. Because, for the sports enthusiast, you’ve got the jousting. For someone who likes games you’ve got the knife and the axe throwing.

For the animal lover you’ve got the petting zoo, the camel rides and pony rides. You can even ride one of the war horses the jousters joust on.

They do ride in between shows ... For the people who love to shop, there’s jewelry and clothing and weapons made by the blacksmith. There’s all kinds of unique arts and crafts that you won’t find anywhere else,” Medieval Fair coordinator Ann Marie Eckart said.

The fair sprang up out of the OU English department in 1977. Now, the Norman Medieval Fair is a staple. People just can’t resist it.

“It started in the OU English Department. They wanted to do something to show off the talents of the students and show off Shakespeare’s birth-

day and sort of get the culture out there. They had been to some of the festivals in Texas and California that were just starting up back in 1977.”

The very first Medieval Fair, at least in the United States, was The California Pleasure Festival.

Contrary to what that might sound like, it was a Renaissance Fair.

“Everybody else was doing Renaissance. We decided to go Medieval ... We’re getting back to that, getting back to our roots in the Medieval Period. 1360, this is when the universities as we know them were getting established. It’s when a lot of the government structure was getting established. The Medieval period was the foundation of a lot of the society in which we’re living today.

So, it’s one of those things. I believe it was Mark Twain that said ‘you have to go live in a different country to truly appreciate yours.’ Well, the same is true of time periods. Once you study and understand where you are today and where you came from, you have a better understanding of culture and society and why things are the way they are.”

So, whether you’re of the house of turkey leg or the house of expendable income, whatever banner you follow will lead you to the Medieval Fair.

This year’s fair features:

Seven stages Near continuous shows set the mood with everything from minstrels and dancing to theater and reenactments and jugglers.

New this year: • The Steele Sisters comedy sword fighting • Triskelion: Celtic/folk/filk music group Returning favorites: • Human Combat Chess Match performed by the Arthurian Order of Avalon, a non-profit medieval re-enactment organization based out of Norman.

The Mission of the Arthurian Order of Avalon,

Inc. is to educate its membership and audiences in Arthurian ideals, history and culture in order to instill, preserve and promote the ideals of chivalry, courtesy and honor. Shows run every day at 1 and 4:45 p.m.

• Tullamore: A Kansas City-based trio performing music of Scotland and Ireland, offering contemporary arrangements of traditional styles.

• Brizeus: Interceltic, historic, and original dance music played on bagpipes, drums and percussive strings.

•

Medieval village

More than 200 art and craft booths offering unique and handcrafted wares, including pottery, wood crafts, stained glass, armor, costumes, fairy wings, jewelry, leather crafts, hair garlands and more. There’s always a surprise.

New this year: • Apocalypse Caravan: One of a kind leather sculptured crowns, masks, headbands • Brick Artist Zack Easley: Pen & ink artwork with exquisitely fine detail Returning favorites: • Saltfork craftsmen: Artist-Blacksmith Association demonstrating their blacksmithing skills and also selling their fine jewelry, wares and utensils • Tracey Creations: Demonstrating and selling pottery

Food and drink

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More than 30 food vendors peddling turkey legs, craft root beer and fair-style indulgent food abominations (fried twinkies, etc.)

New this year: Oz Highland Farm, traditional Scottish food, Highland Beef raised in Auburn, See FAIR, Page 14

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Kyle Phillips / NTown A jouster talks with the audience before the start of a jousting tournament at the 2013 Medieval Fair in Norman. Jousting shows are put on at 11:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., daily.

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Kans., (menu: haggis & mash, mince & tatties, Highland beef steakburger, bangers & mash, ribeye steak sandwich, Oz Dog, Scottish sausage, banger sausage, shepherds pie, Haggis slider, scone with strawberry & cream).

• Wcky Jammerz, Ye Jam & Jelly Shoppe: Offers unique jams and jellies such as English toffee coffee jelly, Dr. Pepper jelly and ghost pepper jelly for the truly courageous.

Returning favorites: Turkey legs, root beer, roasted corn on the cob, loaded brisket potatoes and Scottish eggs.

• Jousting Every day features a jousting tournament at 11:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Riding in full armor, and protected by a thin layer of internal padding, “knights” from the New Riders of the Golden Age (Sarasota, Fla.) put on a real show. It’s scripted, but getting knocked off a horse is getting knocked off a horse. Luckily, they’re trained and seasoned professionals who tend to develop a bond with

one horse. On the off hand that something goes wrong (Eckart said she’s seen unlucky moments at other fairs, like a lance through the eye and another that found the perfect gap in a performer’s armor) at least they have modern medicine to fall back on.

• Games, rides & costumes •King Edward III and his Royal Court: Meticulously costumed actors that adhere to social customs of the era and set the stage for the immersive event. Kids can even get knighted in the royal court.

• Every day features a costume contest at 1:45 p.m. The cast of the Medieval Fair invites people to join in the atmosphere by dressing up. Medieval costumes are best, but it's no surprise to see something a little out of time, like a Dr. Who here and there. (That kind of makes sense, when you think about it.)

New & returning favorites: • The hand cranked Flying Carousel Ride • Knife/Axe/Star target throwing

• • • • • • •

Extreme animal petting zoo Dragon egg ride Pirate bungee jump Castle moon bounce Face painting Henna tattoos World-class people watching

That's the Medieval Fair in a nutshell. There's hardly enough time to take it all in and the whole story can't be told here. It's just too big. Too much.

It's goal is to ignite the spark of curiosity that leads to lifelong learning through educational entertainment. Does everyone who attends the Medieval Fair take up swordplay or begin a journey towards becoming a full fledged blacksmith? Probably not. But they do take something with them.

That's what keeps the crowds coming back every year. It's a unique experience and there's something for everyone. For me, it will be a turkey leg and jousting tournament. What banners will your raise?

——— mackburke@gmail.com Follow me @TranscriptNTown

Stopover surprise

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Mack Burke / NTown Marco Benevento jams to a full house March 2 at The Deli in Norman after in between tour stops in Houston and Phoenix.

• Marco Benevento makes surprise stop in Norman with powerhouse piano trio

By Scott Strandberg

The band on stage was tearing through a raucous cover of the classic Dr. John tune “Such a Night.” The crowd’s energy and enthusiasm made the atmosphere of that night feel like a Friday. In actuality, this was the scene March 2 at The Deli in Norman, where experimental jazz and rock pianist Marco Benevento whipped the weeknight crowd into a weekend frenzy.

This was far from an ordinary Monday night in Norman. The New Jersey-born Benevento had never played a show in Oklahoma before, which is odd considering he’s played just about everywhere else. The 37-year-old played pretty much every

major music festival in America, in a group with drummer Joe Russo known as “The Benevento Russo Duo.” After more than a decade of playing the festival scene with Russo, Benevento hit the road with a new group, this time opting for the trio format.

Drummer Andrew Borger has been playing with Benevento for nearly three years now, and has also toured extensively with the likes of Tom Waits, Norah Jones and Ani DiFranco. Rounding out the trio is bassist Dave Dreiwitz, best known for his 15-year run with the band Ween.

The group’s music jumped from jazz fusion to indie rock to alt-pop. Still, their set — a well-assembled selection of covers and originals —

flowed cohesively as a continuous performance.

Their sound is tighter than the grip of a vice, with all three musicians hitting every single note in perfect stride. Whether they were riffing on some impromptu jazz interludes, or playing a bright, catchy pop melody, the performance whisked by like a train gliding down seamless tracks.

Benevento’s acoustic piano produces a tremendous variety of sonic landscapes, thanks to a series of pickups and effects pedals. The effects are far from just smoke and mirrors -- Benevento can truly hold his own with just about anyone regarding pure chops on a keyboard.

See SURPRISE, Page 21

Where have all the Patricks gone?

• A search for the top names in the Patrick game

By Clay Horning

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I’m not saying Wikipedia is foolproof but I am saying, for a silly and fun column about St. Patrick’s Day, written during a horribly busy sports weekend, do you really think I’m going to knock myself out with the research.

So, let’s just pretend our favorite web portal for all things all things really is accurate. I mean, it’s probably accurate.

If you can’t trust 117 footnotes at the bottom of the page, what can you trust?

So, did you know St. Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland is Irish by choice and not by birth, sort of the way Barry Switzer is an Oklahoman by choice, remaining west of Ft. Smith ever since Jim McKenzie brought him to Norman from Fayetteville in 1966.

Seems our friend Pat was captured by Irish pirates as a 16-year-old from his home in Great Britain, taken to Ireland and made a slave. Only then, after escaping and returning home, did he make his way back to Ireland, do all his 5th-Century missionary work and become all saintly and stuff.

Did he go back because he sympathized with his captors?

Is it all just one big case or Stockholm Syndrome? Should we start calling it “Dublin Syndrome” instead? Should we pull his sainthood the way the NCAA just took about 100 wins from Jim Boheim and just give it Bono instead. I mean, I think he’s earned it, don’t you?

Still, these are questions are for another day. Tuesday, maybe, when the green beer flows. Today, instead, perhaps in the spirit of St. Patrick — but how do we really know, it was like 1,700 years ago — is just about Patrick(s).

With the old Saint off the board, here are our top four Patricks, starting from the bottom:

4. Patrick Ewing `Everybody knows Ewing as the center who made the Knicks relevant in the 80s, but there’s no question he gets short shrift for the player he became, because in college, under John Thompson, he was a defensive machine and about as good offensively as, for you Kelvin Sampson Sooner fans, Johnnie Gilbert.

But remember how Hakeem Olajuwon became like the best baseline short- and mid-range jump shooter you’ve ever seen? Well, Ewing developed his game very much the same way, and though he wasn’t Kareem or Olajuwon, and certainly wasn’t Wilt, and never won a title like Russell won over and over again, he was better than Artis Gilmore, better than Bob Lanier, better than Bill Laimbeer and better than, forgive me Sooner fans, Alvan Adams. And he was the first guy to put a T-Shirt on under his jersey. Wilt might have brought us the 3-second rule, a wider lane and goaltending, but what Ewing began at Georgetown is still happening

today on about every high school team you can find. A T-Shirt? You can do that? What a concept.

3. Patrick Duffy Another Ewing, get it?

Well, perhaps that line — another Ewing — was just too good not to make Duffy our No. 3, but I thin I can make a case. Here we go: I love Larry Hagman … on “I Dream of Jeannie.” (I was fond of Barbara Eden, too, every day after school; and that guy who showed up later on the “Bob Newhart Show,” too).

But on Dallas, Larry Hagman was about as likable as Ted Debiase when he put the Rat Pack together on Bill Watts’ Mid-South Wrestling.

As J.R. Ewing, Hagman was the ultimate deal. But Duffy, playing Bobby Ewing, offered light. He never seemed to get his way on the show. Even when J.R. was shot, it turned out he wasn’t really shot, it was all a dream. But you know what Duffy got, which alone puts him in the top five? He got to call Victoria Principal, or Pamela Ewing, his wife. Not that Linda Gray — J.R.’s wife — lacked much, but she was no Victoria Principal. Still isn’t.

2. Patrick Dempsey Look, I don’t even watch “Grey’s Anatomy.” But “Sweet Home Alabama” was cute and so was enchanted. Of course, one of best non-Clooney television and movie careers

Kyle Phillips / NTown Mike Cook shows off his Leprechaun outfit during the 2012 St. Patrick's Day celebration at O'Connell's Pub in Norman.

of the 21st Century is only the half of it because Patrick Dempsey brought us so much more.

If you didn’t like “Can’t Buy Me Love” you either have no sense of humor or, thrust into the “Pretty in Pink,”, you would have hung out with James Spader’s character, Steff, not to be confused with the redeemable Blane, Andrew McCarthy’s character.

Anyway, “Can’t Buy Me Love” gave hope to every misfit, nerd and floater he could get the beautiful girl to fall for him if she’d just give him the chance (or take a cool grand to pretend to be his girlfriend and fall for him). And who didn’t want to be his character in “Loverly.” About that one, you’re going to have to look at up. But Wikipedia did not get the plot wrong.

1. Patrick Stewart Yeah, Patrick Stewart. Was there really a question? What,

you think we were going to break out Swayze, Riley or Moynihan? Danica, Dan or the NHL’s old Patrick Division. Uh, no. No, we’re giving it to the guy who you can’t help but think of when you hear this word — “Engage” — or this phrase — “Make it so” — not to mention any sentence that begins “Number One …” Fine, Shatner’s Kirk was a mensch.

A captain for his times, but Kirk, in a million years, can’t hold Jean Luc Picard’s phaser.

He can’t. Nobody can. Do you think, maybe, he was Wesley Crusher’s father and that was the thing Beverly could never quite tell him. They had a history you know. Of course, there are folks who agree with this choice, yet would throw me over a bridge for not gushing over his turn as Professor Charles Xavier. Anyway, in all things, Patrick Stewart is the man. Who else could hold his own with Q like that. I men really. He’s the man.

Make it so.

CAUGHT

on camera Norman night life Photos by Nick Powers

Briehna Kimbrough, Brittani Jackson, Erin Walker , Skyler Dans, DarianBrene Dugger and Alexandria Denser — Chimy's

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Diana Harris, Dominique LItenfield and Eddie Jeremias — O'Connells 3.13.15

Brittany Macomber, Melanie King and Nicole McGuire — Chimy's

Faith Mouse and Emma Morris — Chimy's

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Tweet us your photos @TranscriptNTown for a chance to appear in next month's edition!

CAL

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Gallery Opening Ladies of Norman Friday, Mar 13, 6:00pm

• Medieval Fair When: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., March 27-29 Where: Reaves Park •Step back in time for a day of revels at the Medieval Fair. Enjoy mirth and merriment with kings, queens, knights and fools as the kingdom comes alive.

Held annually since 1977, this living history fair features arts, crafts, food, games, educational exhibits, demonstrations and ongoing entertainment at seven stages. Entertainment for the whole family includes minstrels, dancing, theater and reenactments, jugglers, knights jousting on horseback and human chess games.

Whistle Stop Concert Heather Maloney Sunday, Mar 22, 7:00pm 18

Winter Wind Concert Terri Hendrix Lloyd Maines Sunday, Mar 29, 7:00pm Whistle Stop Concert Darlingside Tuesday, Apr 7, 8:00pm

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Brought to you in part by: dŽŵ DĐ ƵůŝīĞ - ŽŶ ŝĞƐ ZĞĂů ƐƚĂƚĞ ƌĂĚ ĂŶĚ >ŝƐĂ ZĂůĞLJ The Depot - 200 S Jones Avenue (405) 307-ϵϯϮϬ ǁǁǁ͘ŶŽƌŵĂŶĚĞƉŽƚ͘ŽƌŐ ΛƚŚĞŶŽƌŵĂŶĚĞƉŽƚ

Check out NTown’s top ten events for the month of March!

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• Hayes Carll w/ Travis Linville When: 8 p.m., March 13 Where: Sooner Theatre Hayes Carll is an odd mix.

Wildly literate, utterly slackerly, impossibly romantic, absolutely a slave to the music, the 35-year old Texan is completely committed

to the truth and unafraid to skewer pomposity, hypocrisy and small-minded thinking. Appearing with Carll is multi-instrumentalist , singer/songwriter Travis Linville.

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• Of Montreal with Deerhoof When: 8 p.m., March 17 Where: ACM Performance Lab, OKC The 2009 Norman Music Festival headliner makes its way back to Oklahoma for a show at the ACM Performance Lab in Bricktown.

If you missed them in 2009 and

indie music is to your liking, here's your chance to make that right. Doors open at 7 p.m. All ages.Tickets are $20.

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• Whistle Stop Concert Series: Heather Maloney When: 7 p.m., March 22 Where: The Depot Heather Maloney, an American singer-songwriter who has received numerous accolades for her startlingly soulful voice and literate songwriting exploring themes of spirituality, transformation and

impermanence, is stopping by to make the first “Whistle Stop Concert at The Depot" a reality.

The concert will be held in The Depot on March 22, 2015 at 7:00pm. Admission is $15.

HOUSE AD!

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The Healing Studio 2015 Jane Lawson.The exhibtion, Exhibition highlights the artwork which opened on March 6 runs of Firehouse Art Center instructor through March 21.

Award winning actor Jason Alexander, most known for his character as George Costanza on NBC's "Seinfeld," joins the

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• Healing Studio 2015 Exhibition When: 6-9 p.m., March 13 Where: Firehouse Art Center

• An evening with Jason Alexander When: 8 p.m., March 13 and 14 Where: OKC Civic Center OKC Philharmonic to perform selections from his favorite Broadway musicals.

• St. Patrick's Day When: March 17 Where: Everywhere

• Last call at Joe's Taverna When: 7p.m., March 21 - 2 a.m., March 22 Where: Joe's Taverna

St. Patrick's Day brings a lot of O'Connell's on the corner or your green and plenty of green-tinted favorite watering hole. Driving not libations. Go enjoy a green pint at advised.

After 21 years in business, Joe music from the Kevin Watson duo, Gil is closing down the bar for Galapagos and Banana Seat. Free good. Before he does though, he's to the public. 21 and up. throwing a huge party. With live

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• ONE BEAT STREET When: 7-11 p.m., March 28 Where: Mainsite Contemporary Art Norman Art Council’s Annual Party celebrating the art and urban culture of late ’70s/ early ’80s NYC.The funky fresh evening will raise funds for Norman Arts Council.Think street art, punk rockers, soul dancers, the birth of hip-hop and get

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your groove on. Period dress is encouraged. Food by Norman restaurants, drinks by Republic National Distributing Company, original art for raffle and auction with a Beat Street twist, music by DJ Timmy B and much more hip, hip fun.

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• Winter Wind Concert Series: Terri Hendrix When: 7 p.m., March 29 Where: The Depot Terri Hendrix is an awardwinning Texas songwriter who spins sorrow into joy and wrings wisdom from the blues with the poetic grace and uplifting melodic flair that has long been her trademark. A classically

trained vocalist and deft multiinstrumentalist, she dodges musical pigeonholes alongside Lloyd Maines, by weaving folk, pop, country, blues and swinging jazz into an eclectic style all her own.

OUR TRADITION IS EXCELLENCE. OUR PASSION IS GROWING. . ND 3T s ./",% s s /0%. - & s 3!4

CAUGHT

on camera Norman night life Photos by Nick Powers

Austin Morgan, Tony Montalvo, Travis Hall, Caden Brown, Thomas Brown and Scarlett Pollard — O'Connell's

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Megan Bowen and Ben Winters — Chimy's

Daniel Truelove and Brielle Capps — Chimy's

Sarah Morgan and Rachelle Ward — Logie's

Josh Norton, Austin Hamm and Korey Keef — Brewhouse

Think you've got a picture worthy of our pages?

Tweet us your photos @TranscriptNTown for a chance to appear in next month's edition!

edition work by Rick Sinnett at MAINSITE! A winner will be drawn at 8 p.m.

FOOD TRUCKS: • The Saucee Sicilian, The Healthy Hippo and Pinky’s Rolling Fresh will all be set up for your enjoyment, offering up a variety of tasty street food.

• Big Truck Tacos and The Loaded Bowl will be parked out front of STASH (412 E. Main).

GALLERIES, SHOPS & STUDIOS:

PARTICIPATING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: • MAINSITE Contemporary Art: Home of the Norman Arts Council (122 E. Main) ushers out its two current exhibits. Abstract Abstract is a group exhibition championing contemporary abstraction … gone small. It includes both local and national artists, including Josh Aster, Chris Kuhn, Lester Monzon, Brad Stevens and curator Tim Stark. Also on the walls is Evanescent Iridescence, a solo show by Chickasha artist John Bruce featuring an arry of paitings and altarpieces inspired by color, texture and the Southwest. Norman Arts Council Individual Artist Ellen Moershel is featured in the Library Gallery, while students from Scissortail School of Art will have pieces on display in the Water Closet Gallery. There will be a artist (John Bruce) and curator (Time Stark) talk taking place at 6 p.m.

• The Firehouse Art Center (444 S. Flood) and the FAC gallery will feature an exhibition of artwork produced by members of the Healing Studio program, alongside paintings from their instructor, Jane Lawson. This annual exhibition is a special opportunity to showcase the talent and creative expressions of the inspirational individuals — exhibiting varying degrees of cognitive, physical or learning learning challenges — who take part in weekly Healing Studio sessions.

•The Depot Gallery (200 S. Jones) celebrates the Ladies of Norman with a lovely group art exhibition showcasing the work of Pamela Lenck Bradford, Norman Brown, Carolyn Faseler, Beverly Herndon, Doré Hill, Julie Klopfenstein, LaVon Scanlan and Betty Wood.

•Dreamer Concepts: A Community Art Space (428 E. Main) will host the opening reception for Dreamer 56: Art Education Experience featuring works created by 4th and 5th graders from Lincoln Elementary School. The gallery will also be home to the opening for featured artist, poet and bookbinder Kerri Shadid. She is the current Artist-in-Residence at the Skirvin Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.

• Leadership Norman is sponsoring an art raffle to benefit Variety Care. Buy your tickets to win a chance at a hand-painted, limited

SURPRISE: (from page 15) Likewise, Borger and Dreiwitz form one of the strongest rhythm sections in the business. There’s a reason their resumes read like a who’s who of modern American music. Together, they provide a rock-solid foundation for Benevento’s fleet fingers, while still getting plenty of room to put their own skills on display.

The driving constant throughout the night was the group’s high energy level, which had the vast majority of those in attendance on the dance floor

• STASH (412 E. Main) gets back to its roots with a photography installation by Samantha Lamb that portrays her love for Oklahoma as her way of saying goodbye before starting a new farm and phase of her life in Tennessee. And get out your best duds and swing dresses for an Okie Barn Dance featuring live music from a collection of local musicians.

• Dope Chapel (115 S. Crawford) invites you to unlock the power of friendship and love with the spirit of Kawaii, transforming Dope Chapel into a MystiKawaii Kloud Kastle filled with stuffed animals, adorable art, colorful costumes, majestic melodies, and of course, cupcakes. Music provided by Troller, Mary Davidson, Ssleeperhold, Aw Cmon, Julius the Robot, Glashiers and SimStim with art from Derrick Adams, Maria Alexandra, Jenna Bryan, Alli Campbell, Laurie Grace, Ed Gruber, Steve Loggins, Laura McPheeters, Eric Piper, Manda Shae and Tracy ShiQuiang.

• D.M. Wealth Management (201 E. Main) is showcasing the work of Bryan and David Rainbow in both their offices and the lobby of the Financial Building. Bryan focuses on imaginative works inspired by nature and texture, while David uses his skills as a welder to transform metal remains into striking sculptures. Frank Lawrence will be on hand to provide the soundtrack to the evening.

• The Social Club (209 E. Main) is celebrating their third birthday with the work of Oklahoma City collage artist Marissa Raglin, whose work was seen at this year’s Momentum.

• The Bluebonnet Bar (321 E. Main) will have over 20 original posters from past shows created by local artists, many of them musicians, including Ali Harter, Kierston White, Erin Lofties, Brad Fielder and Josh Pitt. At 10 p.m., high-energy modern bluegrass act Bread and Butter Band will perform.

• The Main Street Event Center (300 E. Main) will feature a display of art of well-known Ponca/Chickasaw Artist Brent Greenwood of Edmond. Greenwood's work in painting acrylics on canvas and multi-media has been recognized throughout the country and the world. His use of color, shading, and traditional Native American subjects is distinct and refreshing, as well as being culturally relevant. At 7 p.m., The Norman Singers will present a free vocal performance, and from 9 p.m. to close there will be an “Awesome ’80s Dance Party” with DJ Adam featuring music of the 1980s. ’80s themed attire encouraged.

Door prizes and drawings will be held, as well.

for the entire show. The combination of big-name talent and infectiously exuberant attendees truly made it feel like a weekend night in a major metropolitan city.

Instead, it happened right here in Norman -- and on a Monday, at that. While Benevento and his cohorts don’t yet have anything on the books for a return to Oklahoma, whenever they do come back, it will be a can’t-miss event.

Benevento, Borger and Dreiwitz seemed to enjoy their newfound Norman fans, just as much as those

• Artifactory (313 E. Main) is a new shop and studio here in Downtown Norman. Make them feel welcome, and check out the art, vintage goods and art class offerings.

• Ashtanga Yoga Studio & Third Eye Gallery (120 E. Tonhawa) welcomes Keegan Hulsey, an interdisciplinary artist whose symbolist work centers on spiritual and socio-political subject matter, and his new exhibit In Perspective.

• Sandalwood & Sage (322 & 324 E. Main) is hosting the hairy potter. Locally famous and nationally known potter, poet, philosopher and teacher Dan Harris is their featured artist. Musical guests The Ladies at Play bring their Celtic-music style.

• Coredination Pilates (128 E. Main) is happy to present the work of featured artist Kellen Carter.

• The Artist Studios above MAINSITE (122 E. Main) have new works

by Bill and Juanita Williams up for viewing.

• The 419 Art Room (131 E. Gray) is open with new works by artist Adam Heilman.

• Bigfoot Creative (315 E. Main) is showcasing a variety of local artists and more!

• Gray Owl Coffee (223 E. Gray) has HEART on display, new watercolors on paper by Roshni Robert, breaking from her illustrative work most people know her for. The exhibit focuses on color and shape assembled into a variety of abstractions.

• Gallery 123 (123 E. Main) invites everyone UP to see what’s new in the gallery, including works be featured up and coming arist Kris Fairchild.

• Robinson’s Repurposed (325 E. Main) has items given an artistic touch by makers from all over town.

• Michelangelo’s Coffee & Wine Bar (207 E. Main) has work by local artists on display and music in the air.

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CONCERTS : • Norman Arts Council and Norman Music Festival present the 2nd Friday Concert Series, this time feature Oklahoma hip-hop favorite Jabee, Stillwater indie rock band Admirals and the whimsical, genre defying Bowlsey. The show takes place at Opolis (113 N. Crawford) and starts at 9 p.m. It’s free, but 21+ only!

• Norman Arts Council and Guestroom Records (125 E. Main) are collaborating to bring you Random Noise, an eclectic series bringing you even more free music during the art walk. This month features an especially cool lineup, featuring Burger Records-affliated garage rockers Kim & The Created (in the midst of a national tour), along with Oklahoma City punk outfit Community Pools. 7:15-9 p.m.

• The Bluebonnet Bar (321 E. Main) is excited to host high-energy, modern bluegrass act Bread and Butter Band. The show starts at 10 p.m.

• Red Brick Bar (311 E. Main) has Reverend Red with Duane Mark • The Main Street Event Center (300 E. Main) hosts a free vocal performance by Norman Singers at 7 p.m., and from 9 p.m. to close there will be an “Awesome ’80s Dance Party” with DJ Adam featuring music of the 1980s.

fans appreciated the music. All three men lingered around well after finishing their set, swapping stories and laughs with a number of patrons.

It’s not every day that such nationally renowned musicians as these three take the stage at an intimate venue in Norman. Warm receptions -- like the one they received on this chilly spring night -- go a long way toward continuing to enhance Norman’s reputation as a desirable destination for major touring acts.

“Such a Night,” indeed.

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Q&A: (from page 6) much so.

NTown: Who are your favorite guitar players?

Do you have a favorite guitar? Tough question, I know.

WM: The usual guitar heroes. Some of the most important players to me have been David Grissom, Bill Frisell, Robben Ford, and Mike Stern. My Nash Telecaster is my favorite guitar.

NTown: What do you do when there's not a guitar in your hand? Rumor has it you're a chess master?

WM: I let people all over the world beat me at chess on the internet on a daily basis. I also paint, but guitar takes up most of my time.

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NTown: What are the biggest challenges as a teacher and business owner? After 15 years, the studio is definitely thriving, but getting there had to have its ups and downs? What prompted to you to move to your new-ish location?

WM: I love to teach, but the administrative side is no fun at all. I love where we are now, in the Miller Historic District. It's pretty much residential, we have a lot of great parking, and are right next to Downtown Norman.

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NTown: Here's a phrase I'm sure you've heard before: "I'm just not musical." Is there some truth to that or is everybody equally capable?

Can practice and tutelage fix even the most tone deaf?

WM: Yes, it's true. I am a slow learner myself.

Look at Stevie Ray Vaugn, guitar was much more difficult for him than his brother. It really comes down to having a passion for music and fearless tenacity.

NTown: What's your favorite music joke?

WM: How do you know if a singer's at your door? They don't have a key, and they don't know when to come in.

——— mackburke@gmail.com Follow me @TranscriptNTown

Mack Burke/ NTown Wess McMichael puts in some practice at his studio, McMichael Music, at 230 Alameda St.

Netflix: (from page 11) Likewise, the production values are top-notch. Johnstone’s camera slowly pans and tilts its way around the house, emulating the classic haunted-house aesthetic. Meanwhile, the film’s soundtrack is over-dramatically ominous, sounding every bit like the cliche it’s meant to play off of.

Perhaps the most shocking thing about “Housebound” is that the budget was just a hair over $250,000. From the acting to the audio/visual palette, absolutely every aspect of the film feels like a

high-budget Hollywood feature.

Johnstone debuted “Housebound” at last year’s South by Southwest festival in Austin, which led to a rather unique distribution model. The New Zealand-based film gained universal praise at the festival, earning a limited American theatrical run, paired with video-on-demand availability through cable and satellite providers. Now that it’s available on Netflix, give it a watch before the American remake hits theaters.

“Housebound” has a few good scares up its sleeve, but the jolts of fear are far outnumbered by

moments of laugh-out-loud comedy. Think of it as “Scream” for the haunted-house genre, but slanted even more toward the humorous end of the scale.

Johnstone has set the bar awfully high with his first feature. If his next film lives up to his debut, we could truly be looking at a filmmaking talent to be reckoned with.

“Housebound” is not rated.

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