Arts & Entertainment
April 13, 2012
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Norman 2012 VISION
You know ‘The Fred’ and ‘The Sam;’ Meet ‘The Phil’
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First, we had “The Fred,” known professionally as the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. Then came “The Sam,” short for the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Now, we have “The Phil,” Norman’s first Philharmonic Orchestra. Its inaugural performance in January provided the first sold out show at the Nancy O’Brian Center for the Performing Arts. Organizers hope to do it again Saturday night at 8, and again Sunday at 3 Andy Rieger p.m. in OU’s Sharp Hall inside the Executive cavernous Catlett Music Center. Editor Tickets are $10 and are available from the OU Fine Arts Box Office, 325-4101. The organizers encourage concertgoers to buy tickets early and avoid some of the seating problems that occurred during the first concert in January. The January debut also was the world premiere of “Forward,” Norman’s anthem written by Minnesota composer Libby Larsen. The orchestra performed it at City Hall this week. (It may have been the
Conductor Richard Zielinski, an OU professor, serves as artitistic director and principal conductor for the Haydn Festspiele.
Chickasaw Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Goodwill Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Kyle Phillips / The Norman Transcript
The Actory Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
most harmony ever to come from council chambers). Conductor Richard Zielinski has assembled a cadre of talented musicians. About a third of them call Norman home. On Saturday, they’ll team up with the OU School of Dance and OU Choirs to prsent Haydn’s “The Creation.” It’s an American first for Haydn’s work to be choreographed. Part of it was done once in the 1990s in Germany. OU will take about 200 performers to Eisenstadt, Austria, this summer to the Haydn festi-
val. Zielinski, an OU professor, serves as artitistic director and principal conductor for the Haydn Festspiele. Next year’s concert lineup for “The Phil” is in the works. Zielinski hopes to present four concerts for the community. Having our own orchestra is the sign of a vibrant, growing community that appreciates the arts. It has come about because of a few individuals who want to share all the fine arts Norman has to offer. We’ll see you at “The Phil.”
Animal Emergency Center. . . . . . . . . . 2
Norman Music Institute . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Pioneer Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Primrose Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Republic Bank and Trust . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Spaulding Family Chiropractic . . . . . . 11 Sooner Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
ON THE COVER
n Clockwise from upper left: Primrose Funeral Home, Norman Music Institute, Jazz in June and The Actor Factory. Photos by Kyle Phillips / The Norman Transcript.
Next up: Community Growth
Norman 2012 VISION
Jerry Laizure / Transcript File Photo
Quembe Walkingstick of Yukon looks over works at the Firehouse Art Center faculty art show in 2011.
Kyle Phillips / Transcript File Photo
One of the many public art installations at the Firehouse Art Center in 2011.
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Jerry Laizure / Transcript File Photo
Elizabeth Vaughn shows her grandmother Jane Bowerman her art during the 2011 Firehouse Art Center student show.
Firehouse center’s expansion to increase outreach, functionality By Carol Cole-Frowe For The Transcript
The bustle of activity at Norman’s Firehouse Art Center is a prelude of good things to come. Planned repairs are being completed at the iconic, former fire station by the city of Norman, which owns the structure at the southeast corner of Lion’s Park and leases it to FAC. Soon it’s hoped a major expansion with privately raised funds will increase its functionality and outreach. The FAC board will launch the corporate part of the $600,000 capital campaign for the expansion this summer. A public push will continue this fall. The city budgeted $139,000 in this fiscal year for replacing the FAC roof, entry doors, six windows with more energy efficient versions, floor joists, fire escape, siding and other repairs. They ended up costing $156,900, with Ron Walters Construction doing the work. “We anticipated that,” said James Briggs, city of Norman park planner who acted as project manager. He said they had seen water running down behind exterior siding and underneath windows and knew much would need to be done. “The whole wall was pretty much gone,” Briggs said of the main entry
side. The about 1,500-square-foot expansion will extend on the east side facing Flood Avenue. About a year ago, it was thought only about $225,000 would need to be raised for the expansion. That was before a professional cost analysis of the plans was done, with a more accurate estimate of $600,000. “We’ve really been working to develop the mission of the Firehouse,” said Theresa Bragg, FAC board member and chairwoman of the capital campaign. “We feel real comfortable with the $600,000 cost estimate. … I really believe it’s going to be a grassroots effort. The Firehouse has been around so long and has touched so many lives.” About $60,000 has been raised so far, said Douglas Shaw Elder, FAC executive director, a sculptor by training, and recent awardee of the Fowler Volkswagen Art Education Award. Elder joined FAC as its
director in 2007. Even with repairs going on, the FAC has continued expanding its mission, providing visual arts education for 2,212 Norman children last year, compared with 1,614 the year before. Other classes like the Healing Studio serve Norman seniors and a variety of classes like jewelry design, painting, pottery, weaving and sculpture serve the adult population. Bragg said Elder’s work with arts education in Norman Public Schools has greatly expanded the scope of what they do. “(Douglas) is the ambassador for the Firehouse. He’s just really done a fabulous job of keeping the Firehouse at the forefront,” she said. • Installing two ADA compliant bathrooms to augment the single unisex bathroom, which has been serving hundreds of children and adults daily. “Cleanliness and upkeep are tricky,” Elder said of the bathroom. • Moving and expanding the administrative offices. Currently, FAC staff including Elder office in 164-square-feet. • Adding and making classroom space more functional. • Major storage needs for gallery artwork, gift shop inventory, student works and art supplies. • Increasing the energy
efficiency of the building. “I think for the community in general, the Firehouse needs to grow,” Elder said. FAC board member James Schwartz, who has extensive construction experience, is the building chairman for the expansion and has been working with the City on the repairs. Schwartz said FAC's next step is bringing the electrical system up to current standards, including installation of a 400-amp circuit box. “Mainly get the building together for the next 20 or 30 years,” Schwartz said. Three potters organized the Firehouse in 1971, when it went out of service as a fire station. The old fire pole that helped firefighters to the first floor still stands in an upstairs classroom, although the circular cutout has been covered over. The last major expansion of the Firehouse — also funded privately — was in 1983 and about doubled its previous space. “The Firehouse is grateful to the community and to the City of Norman. Without them, we wouldn’t have survived for 40 (plus) years,” Elder said. “The Firehouse has a rich history. … We want to continue that for another 40 years. We need their help and support to keep growing.”
Kyle Phillips / Transcript File Photo
Firehouse Art Center Executive Director Douglas Shaw Elder, a sculptor by training, recently was awarded the Fowler Volkswagen Art Education Award.
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Honesty, trust and integrity key to Primrose By Jerri Culpepper Special for the Transcript
Eighty-one years. Few businesses in this country can lay claim to having survived, much less thrived, that many years. But, says the general manager of Primrose Funeral Service and Sunset Memorial Park, the reasons for their longevity are really pretty simple. John Davenport explains: “The Primrose team is dedicated to the community. We have been very fortunate to serve Norman for 81 years! Not many businesses can say that. We would not have been able to stay in business for that length of time by providing John bad service or Davenport ignoring the people who trust us during a time that may not be the best. We have been able to be successful because we truly believe that honesty, trust and integrity are vital in today's world. Other funeral homes in Norman have come and gone, yet Primrose Funeral Service has been consistent over years.” He cited two other factors that have served them well. They listen to what their clients want, rather than trying to force a “one size fits all” package on everyone. And they are willing to change and adapt with the times. He used cremation as an example. “The funeral industry is evolving each and every day. Cremation is a growing trend that many funeral homes are against, yet Primrose is ready to serve families that would prefer a cremation service to a burial service,” he says, explaining that cost is only one factor in choosing cremation over burial. An average funeral in the United
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Primrose Funeral Home says that honest, trust and integrity is key to longevity and great service. States costs $7,500, compared to an average cremation cost of $1,500. Primrose offers many different types of urns, including metal, clay, biodegradable, wood and even plastic urns. One of the more unique offerings is called “Thumbies,” in which the thumb print of a loved one is used to create a personalized necklace, bracelet or ring. Upon request, Primrose also can cast the hand, foot or even face of a loved one in a mold. Primrose also offers assistance in carrying out people’s wishes after the cremation and service. “People always say, ‘I want my ashes scattered in the ocean or a lake or a pond.’ We offer a service where we can actually have someone’s cremated remains placed in a coral reef off the coast of Florida. This is something that is gaining an increased amount of popularity and has been a huge success in helping marine life,” Davenport says. Primrose also offers a web-
casting service that allows them to broadcast a funeral or a memorial service anywhere in the country with access to the Internet. Whatever route one chooses – a traditional burial or cremation – the staff at Primrose offer a myriad of ways to personalize the service for a family. For example, the funeral home has an event center that can host a meal for up to 85 people. Another popular option is the “How May We Serve You Catered Event.” By providing the food, linens and wait staff during evening visitation, before or after the service, or even during the memorial service, families are freed up to visit with relative and friends, rather than having to cook themselves or deal with a separate catering company. Yesterday… Odies Primrose and George Jansing established JansingPrimrose Funeral Home in Nor-
man in 1931. In 1943, the business became Primrose Funeral Home, and relocated to North Porter Avenue in 1947. The second generation of the Primrose family ownership began with Ben Primrose in 1973 and continued until his retirement in 1994. Both Ben and his father were licensed funeral directors, and Odies held a 50-year service pin with the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association. … and Today Since 1994, Primrose Funeral Service has been a member of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers. Primrose Funeral Service is affiliated with Sunset Memorial Park. Primrose is the only funeral home in Norman affiliated with a cemetery, allowing families to take care of all of their arrangements in one place. John Davenport joined Primrose five years ago, and today serves as general manager. A
New York transplant who originally came to Norman to attend the University of Oklahoma, he says he has been proud to call Norman home for over 10 years now. Davenport met his future wife, Jennifer (Beyer) Davenport, while the two were students at OU. They were married on Aug. 14, 2010. The couple made their home in Norman (Jennifer is a CPA and works for Ernst and Young), and are both active in the community. In addition to serving as a chapter advisor with his fraternity house, he still participates in many activities at OU. He also is a member of Rotary International, the Norman Chamber of Commerce and Norman Next, and has participated in Leadership Norman 2011 and Meals on Wheels. Davenport said that he feels privileged to be part of the Dignity Memorial Network and even more honored to be a part of the vibrant Norman community. This is a paid advertorial by Primrose Funeral Home.
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Norman 2012 VISION
NCVB works to make Norman a vacation destination By Joy Hampton The Norman Transcript
City leaders hope wayfinding and branding will make Norman a more desirable and accessible destination. Differentiating Norman’s various districts and attractions can make a visit more appealing to tourists or to visitors looking for new experiences in shopping and dining. Identifying and pointing the way to Norman’s cultural attractions, shopping districts, historic districts, and entertainment venues will help tourists and other visitors find their way around town better. Brand recognition and marketing is not just for clothing designers and sports teams. The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a
name, term, sign, symbol or design, or any combination of these items used to identify ... and to differentiate. Branding cities is a growing trend that municipalities are using to attract new residents, business and development, and tourism to their towns. What springs to mind when you think of San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Paris, or Milan? Why visit Amsterdam or Venice? The ideas people associate with those cities attracts them to visit and, while visiting, to spend money on dining, entry fees, souvenirs and other goods and services. Not all cities have world famous canals or other illustrious landmarks that have become know over the course of
decades or even centuries. To compete in the regional, national and global tourism and retail markets, more and more cities are turning to branding and aggressive promotion in order to draw in more money from beyond city limits. The Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau along with the Norman Chamber of Commerce and the city are working to develop a city branding and wayfinding program for Norman. Currently in the planning and design phase, Norman’s wayfinding program will be designed to help visitors find their way around town. “In general, wayfinding is a series of signs and symbols you would use here in this community,” said Director of Public Works Shawn O’Leary.
Stephen Koranda, executive Director for NCVB and Chamber of Commerce President John Woods said their boards were excited enough about the possibilities wayfinding will create for Norman that they voted to contribute $20,000 each to conduct a comprehensive wayfinding study. “The CVB has spent tremendous resources in brand realignment, the look of our communication pieces, our advertisements and the web site so that the consumer can identify Norman as a special place to visit,” Koranda said. “The importance of continuing that branding through wayfinding is to continue, in essence, comfort and connection while visitors are in Norman.” The wayfinding program will
be easy to grasp and will include signs, symbols, colors and images to cross cultural and language barriers to serve a diversity of out-of-town visitors and tourists. Intended as an economic and business development tool, wayfinding could potentially help increase visits to Norman destinations by providing “clear and inviting directions,” O’Leary said. Koranda said when visitors recognize the brand and can follow easy-to-read signs, they relax and feel comfortable to explore the city’s amenities more fully. Tourist and visitor dollars are the sweetest say city insiders, because that boost to the economy is coming from outside local spending.
Norman 2012 VISION
Art walk has strong foothold downtown By Hannah Cruz Transcript Staff Writer
Since Norman’s 2nd Friday Circuit of Art began in February 2009, it has grown out of it’s Downtown Arts District home to encompass the entire city in a monthly celebration of the arts. Organized and promoted by the Norman Arts Council, the event includes a plethora of free visual and performing arts events hosted by local businesses and nonprofit organizations. Josh Lunsford, associate director for NAC, said the event promotes unity among organizations and within the community. “I think it’s good for the community because we don’t compete against each other for the audience,” he said. “We have it all on one night so we can focus the promotions of the events together, and then when everyone gets out they can go along the routes, the venues, the events and see everything.” Participating organizations include Firehouse Art Center, Jacobson House, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Dreamer Concepts, The Performing Arts Studio, MAINSITE gallery, and many Downton businesses and galleries. The festivities include a wide range of visual and performing arts, Lunsford said, from dancing and live music to painting and photography. Events take place from 6-9 p.m., are free to the public, and often include hands-on activities or active participation. The tradition also offers many benefits for both artists and businesses involved, Lunsford said. With hundreds participating, artists get an automatic, attentive audience and businesses can count on high levels of foot traffic. Lunsford said much of the expansion Downtown, including new art galleries and restaurants, is thanks in part to the event. “Around here you can see the economic impact on Downtown just from people coming and eating at the restaurants,” he said. “So you see people, even if they’re coming down and not buying any art,
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Arts council, city find public art project ducky
they’re buying a meal or getting a drink By Hannah Cruz Transcript Staff Writer from somewhere. It’s definitely benefiting the Downtown area.” Though NAC has plans to count how The Indian Grass sculpture on Main many patrons visit Street and the each site in the CRE8nSK8 future, they don’t (Create and have any current Skate) project at solid numbers on Andrews Park participation. — the Norman Lunsford said on Public Arts average MAINSITE Board’s first two receives between projects — have 400-500 visitors, and taken steps that’s just one toward establocation. lishing Norman With around as an arts $10,000 of their community. annual budget Created in dedicated to 2007, the board promoting the is anxiously circuit, Lunsford engaged in said plans are to creating high keep pumping up quality public participation. art pieces. The “One of the next project: 44things we’re going inch fiberglass to focus on is having “rubber” ducks. entertainment in the The board, streets so people on behalf of don’t have to feel Norman Arts like they have to go Council and the into a gallery,” he city of Norman, said. “They can just is currently walk down the working on a street and feel project to second Friday.” enhance and Lunsford said the paint fabricated, circuit is a tradition fiberglass Norman can be sculptures of Transcript File Photo proud of. ducks that will Joan Kaplan looks at artwork by Abby “Being able to be displayed in Stiglers and a book display by Nicole experience that Norman Garber at Dreamer Concepts during a 2nd diversity of art and children’s parks. Friday Circuit of Art walk in20011. culture all in one Douglas Shaw night and being able Elder, the artist to come out when everyone else is behind the original sculpture, said he coming out doing the same thing — it wanted to create public art that would helps you feel a sense of community, resonate with the general public. especially surrounding art,” he said. “No one hates rubber duckies,” he For a map, participating venues and said with a laugh. more information visit www.2ndfridaynorThe goal of the project is to create man.com. and install sculptures that encourage
creativity. One of the few requirements, he said, is the sculptures must be able to withstand the weather. Though the board hopes eventually to install the ducks in approximately 25 children’s parks, the first two ducks will be installed at the parks with splash pads — Andrews Park and Colonial Estates Park. The first two ducks will be revealed May 20 at Luncheon on the Grass, a collaborative event from several nonprofit organizations at Lions Park. Larry Walker, PAB chair member, said the unveiling ceremony will allow the community to be involved with the artistic process. “We hope the rubber ducks will be loved in the community,” he said. “The long-term goal is to place one in every children’s park in Norman.” With the original design by Elder, master fiberglass work done by Eric Fisher of 3D Extreme, molds made by Ken Hall, owner of Hall of Tattoos and mold maker at The Crucible, and painting done by an unknown Norman artist, Elder said the rubber duckies are truly local art. The board is currently deciding on submitted artist proposals, Walker said. “There have been some very interesting submissions,” he said. “They’re very diverse and we have our work cut out for us in selecting the two.” The project will initially start with two ducks, Walker said, and more will be created as funds are available. The board is funded by donations, Walker said, and not from tax dollars. Donors can subscribe to monthly donations added to utility bills or they can make a direct donation to Arts in Public Places Fund in care of Norman Arts Council. More information can be found at www.normanarts.org. Besides the rubber duck project, Walker said the board is preparing to reveal a graphic arts work by Chase Spivey, a Norman artist, in the Andrew Amphitheater.
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Norman Music Institute attains five year crescendo By Jerri Culpepper Special for the Transcript
Whether your tastes run to classical or jazz, country and western or rock and roll; whether you actually play an instrument or listen to the radio in the car or while jogging; whether you prefer to dance to it or just sway to the rhythm; whether you’re young or old (or in-between), music can soothe you when you’re sad or distressed, energize you up when you’re tired, or transport you to happier times. So it is good news, indeed, that here, in Norman, a business is thriving whose goal is to produce more musicians – specifically, musicians who perform in public. Since opening its doors in January 2007, the Norman Music Institute has successfully endeavored to provide the Norman and the Oklahoma City areas with musical instruction from some of the most experienced teachers in Oklahoma. Director of Education Dean Brown and Institute Director Fred Goff started NMI with 50 students. Five years later, NMI has more than 15 instructors, teaching private and group lessons to over 225 students. NMI provides instruction for most instruments, including guitar, bass, drums, piano and voice, as well as brass and strings. “The words highlighted throughout the institute’s studio – Learn. Play. Perform. – remind our students of the emphasis we have on live performance,” Goff says, noting that NMI holds monthly student showcases where students are provided an opportunity to develop valuable live playing experience on the stage in NMI’s “Big Room” — a live performance venue with professional lighting and sound. The lighting was recently upgraded with the latest LED fixtures and the sound system features JBL speakers and a 32 channel mixing console. NMI students also may enroll in Band Clinic and Live Playing workshops. In the latter, students are introduced to the mechanics of playing in a band situation and provided with an opportunity to form their own bands. Band Clinic allows students with similar abilities and musical preferences to be grouped together and rehearse as a band. You may also have heard NMI student bands perform at local music venues, such as the Norman Music Festival and May Fair, as well as their own gigs. Goff and Brown invite the Norman community to
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Students participating in the weeklong Summer Rock Camp take part in a comprehensive program that emphasizes the fundamentals of each instrument, style analysis, song structure, reading and theory, and stage performing. The camp culminates with a student performance. come out and hear their student bands per-
sive program that emphasizes the funda-
form in two upcoming productions: The Avenue will appear during the Norman Music Festival on April 28, and The Daze is scheduled to play at St. John’s Episcopal School on May 4. Many of those students are graduates of NMI Summer Rock Camp, which this year will be offered June 4 through 8. Students participating in the weeklong Summer Rock Camp take part in a comprehen-
mentals of each instrument, style analysis, song structure, reading and theory, and stage performing. The camp culminates with a student performance. On any given day, NMI instructor can be found performing in the metro area, Goff says, adding that they bring their professional experience as performers and educators to every lesson, providing motivation and inspiration for all the students of NMI.
“Our instructors work closely with each student, customizing the lessons to make learning music fun,” Brown says. “Master instructor Gregg Standridge was added to NMI’s outstanding staff in the spring of 2010 and was the catalyst for the creation of the standard curriculum currently being utilized at NMI. Piano instructor Ryan Jones can be seen weekly playing in the house band of the Oklahoma Rodeo Opry. Voice instructor Kristen Stehr just returned from auditioning for ‘The Voice’ in Los Angeles.” In addition to providing a professional setting for students to experience live performing, NMI’s “Big Room: also has played host to several events, including clinics by Dom Famularo, Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Starr All Star Band), Todd Sucherman (STYX), Jim Riley (Rascal Flatts), Chuck Mangione, Miss Blues, Bruce Benson, Barrie Lee Hall Jr., and Mike Smith. The institute also has hosted concerts by Phil Brown, Girly Man, Gregg Standrigde, Don Conoscenti, Miss Brown to You, Maggie McClure, Josh Roberts, The Mystery Dates and the Sons of Thunder. NMI maintains an ongoing presence in the Norman area by supporting or hosting community events, such as the Norman High and Norman North jazz bands and AllSaints Catholic School Jazz Band, and have been a corporate sponsor for many of the activities at Norman Public Schools and several private schools, along with local community musical events, like the Norman Music Festival and Jazz in June. As the institute marks its fifth year in business in this thriving college town, Brown said that he is very excited “for where we’re at and where we are going with what NMI provides to the Norman and surrounding communities. “Our long-range plans,” he added, “include expanding our educational programs to offer more variety and flexibility, as well as increasing the size of our facility to meet the increasing demand for musical instruction.” Isn’t it nice to know that, at least in Norman, music is appreciated and nurtured and made accessible to everyone? So if you are interested in music lessons, or want to learn more about the Norman Music Institute, you are invited to visit the institute, located at 2795 B. Broce Drive, Or you can call (405) 292-8400 or visit their website at www.normanmusicinstitute.com. This is a paid advertorial by Norman Music Institute
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Norman 2012 VISION
Doug Hill / For The Transcript
The city closes off Main Street on Norman Music Festival turning downtown into a pedestrian mall for Saturdays.
Norman’s festivals provide sound entertainment By Doug Hill For The Transcript
In Norman, music is in the air just about year-round. The annual music festivals include Winter Wind, Summer Breeze, Groovefest, Jazz in June and Norman Music Festival. For many residents they make this town a more exciting and attractive place to live. Attending the live concerts, anticipating what’s in store for the coming year and savoring the memories of past performances have positive meaning in people’s lives. City boosters can point to these events as examples of art enriching what’s
already a good place for studying, working and living. The festivals make Norman a better burg to call home than it would be otherwise.
Norman Music Festival The fifth annual Norman Music Festival starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 26 and continues until late in the evening Saturday, April 28. More than 200 bands and individual artists are scheduled to play during that time. Performances will take place on more than 11 stages throughout the historic downtown Arts District centered in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of East Main. The festival is free and open to the public.
On Thursday and Friday many shows are at indoor venues in the evening. Saturday vehicular traffic will be prohibited in the key downtown areas as the festival takes to the street with stages set up outdoors at various locations. The festival has grown in terms of attendance, scope and quality beyond the wildest expectations of its original organizers. The Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates a $3.6 million positive impact to the Norman economy from 2011’s NMF. NMF chairman Steven White is proud of that figure, especially considering there is no admission charge for any of scores of performances during those three days. “That is rare across the U.S. for the
level of talent we bring, most places you’d be buying a ticket,” White said. He is enthusiastic about the star performers of this year’s festival, Portugal The Man. “I think they’re going to be one of the best headliners we’ve ever had,” White said. Originally from Wasilla, Alaska, now based in Portland, Ore., the rock quartet boasts harmonized vocals, clever guitar hooks and a more pop than hardcore sound. Hayseed hipster Hayes Carll will be the main attraction on the country music stage. “I’ve been trying to bring him to Norman for quite awhile,” White said. • See FESTIVALS, Page 11
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Doug Hill / For The Transcript
Mike Hosty Duo is a Summer Breeze concert series favorite as seen here in 2011.
Festivals • From Page 10
“Carll writes these great songs, puts on a fantastic show and right now he’s as popular as he’s ever been.” Longtime Norman resident and stellar musician, Travis Linville, is a regular member of the Carll band and will be performing on stage with him. Columbus, Ohio-based rock band Red Wanting Blue will be playing the NMF main stage 2 clicks down from the finale on Saturday. “We’re tickled pink about playing Oklahoma,” bandleader Scott Terry said in a telephone interview. “We’ve been through but never performed there.” Red Wanting Blue has a straightforward all-American sound that recalls Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. “It seems that we win the most people over when they see us perform live,” Terry said. “I try my best to perform our music as honestly as I can. I would rather come across as honest and awkward, than cool and contrived. I’ve given up on cool because there are far too many cooler people out there than me.” All indications are that NMFV is on track to be another epic smorgasbord of musical delight.
Summer Breeze The Summer Breeze concert series resumes on May 20 with a performance
by Brave Combo. Shows by various artists are at 7:30 p.m. every other Sunday in Lion’s Park throughout the season. The series concludes Sept. 9 with The Trishas. All performances are free and open to the public.
Winter Wind The Winter Wind concert series currently is in the planning stage for another year of listening room treasures in the Santa Fe Depot.
Jazz in June The always spectacular Jazz in June festival is slated for June 21-23. Six-time Grammy-winning saxophone sorcerer David Sanborn headlines this year. Also scheduled to perform are Carolyn Wonderland and the Bert Dalton Brazil Project. Shows at Brookhaven Village Shopping Center and Andrews Park are all free and open to the public.
Groovefest Norman’s Groovefest is a long-running human rights-oriented music festival. Spring festivities include an art show April 12-30 at the Form and Function Lab, 123 E. Main, and an Aquarian Exposition May 11 at Sooner Theatre. Groovefest’s 50th fall festival will be Sept. 30 in Andrews Park featuring live music, art, children’s activities and remarks by socially progressive commu-
Norman 2012 VISION
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Chickasaw Cultural Center shares tribal heritage with world Located on 109 acres of rolling hills, woodlands and streams adjacent to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area near Sulphur, the Chickasaw Cultural Center is the culmination of a vision born more than 20 years ago. The center utilizes the latest technology, live demonstrations, ancient artifacts and natural outdoor spaces to tell the Chickasaw story. “Chickasaw people have long dreamed of a special place to celebrate, embrace and share the culture and heritage which binds us together as a people,” said Bill Anoatubby, governor of the Chickasaw Nation. “That dream has now become reality as we open a center which reflects the vision, imagination, resilience and spirit of the Chickasaw people.” Dreams of the center began more than 20 Photo Provided years ago. In October, 2000, more than 1,200 tribal citizens responded to a survey which Above: Morning dawns over the Chickasaw Cultural Center campus in Sulphur. Below: Visitors immerse themselves in the asked for comments and suggestions regard- Stomp Dance Exhibit in the Chikasha Poya Exhibit Center. ing a Chickasaw Cultural Center. Language, artifacts and the separation of the Chickasaw beliefs, ceremonies, history and customs were among the most popular suggestions. and Choctaw Nations are continued in sepaArt and music, food and medicine, prominent rate galleries. The interactive Removal area tells the stoChickasaw men and women, and a living vilry of the Chickasaw journey from the southlage with traditional dwellings were also meneastern homelands to Indian Territory. tioned. Visitors experience the removal from the Numerous informal requests by citizens homelands to Indian Territory in a long corwere also considered during planning and construction. Building upon citizen requests, ridor lined with sculpture of animals, people the cultural center utilizes live performances, and vehicles. Changes in light simulate the high technology multimedia exhibits, and changing seasons and recreate a moment galleries as well as natural outdoor spaces in time during removal. A rear-screen projection simulates clouds to revitalize and preserve tribal culture for moving across the sky. Voices in the backfuture generations. “Chickasaws of all ages and from all walks ground whisper thoughts Chickasaws may of life contributed to the development of the have had as they travel from the woodlands center and the programming that will be of the homelands to the prairie of Indian Teravailable,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “It is beau- ritory. Another exhibit provides a glimpse into Creek. tiful and provides an opportunity for us to tell Other outdoor areas include demonstra- About the Chickasaw Cultural Center The Chickasaw Cultural Center has been the the remarkable history of Chickasaw people. old Indian Territory. An exhibit featuring a tion gardens and a traditional life ways edu“We want to not only preserve our histo- representation of the trains the Dawes Com- cational village featuring a number of tradi- dream of the Chickasaw people since as early as ry, but recognize that we have a living, thriv- mission used as offices while in the Chicka- tional Chickasaw houses similar to those at 1980. saw Nation are presented. ing, growing culture to share with others.” The Cultural Center utilizes the latest technoloKullihoma. Areas are also set aside for stomp Text, photos and objects pertaining to the dance and other traditional ceremonies. Experiencing the culture gy, live demonstrations, ancient artifacts and Exploration of the Chikasha Poya Exhib- pre-allotment and allotment periods are inter“One important aspect of the CCC is that natural outdoor spaces to tell the Chickasaw story. it Center begins in a waiting area which fea- spersed throughout as well. it is inclusive,” said Dr. Amanda Cobb- Features include 96,000 square feet of indoor Visitors also experience a stomp dance Gretham, administrator of the Chickasaw space, a traditional village, amphitheatre, state-oftures colorful mosaic tiles, trickling water, exhibit before returning to the main lobby of Nation Division of History and Culture. “You the-art exhibit buildings, café, honor garden, spirit and a domed ceiling. Visitors hear the beginnings of the Chick- the Exhibit Center. don’t have to be Chickasaw to benefit from forest and a large-format theater. Inside the Exhibit Sharing the story asaw story in an orientation film shown in a a visit to the Cultural Center. Center, a replica of an 18th century Council House Throughout the center, visitors are replica of an 18th century Council House the“Obviously, visitors have the opportunity serves as an orientation theatre. encouraged to explore important aspects of to learn more about Chickasaw culture, but ater. The Chickasaw Cultural Center located at 867 After the film, the projection screen rises Chickasaw life, including nature, spirituality, they also have the chance to learn more Charles Cooper Memorial Road in Sulphur. and visitors walk beneath a rock ledge and family, valor, learning and law through a vari- about Southeastern Native culture, which is over a stream into the Spirit Forest, a place ety of multimedia presentations as well as also an important piece of American, OklaFor more information about the Chickawhere realistic design, technology and the- human storytellers and guides. homan, and Mississippian history.” saw Cultural Center, log on to www.chickaSharing the Chickasaw story is not limitatrical effects mimic the natural sights and The Chickasaw Cultural Center is located sawculturalcenter.com, or call 580-622-7130. sounds of a forest to tell the ancient Chicka- ed to the indoors. Outdoor spaces feature 10 miles east of I-35 on Charles Cooper This is a paid advertorial by Chickasaw rich native vegetation, indigenous stone and Memorial Road in Sulphur. saw story. Center. Stories of ancient ancestors, mounds and trails, all situated near a pond and Rock
Norman 2012 VISION
15
Developing Oklahoma’s acting talent base, one person at a time By Jerri Culpepper Special for the Transcript
Lights. Camera. Action! The stage is set, and the actors put aside their scripts and pre-stage jitters, poised to resume their lines as the director signals the camera to begin rolling. Shortly into the scene, one of the actors fumbles her lines. The cast dissolves into good-natured humor, and veteran film and television actor Darryl Cox, also laughing, joins the actors to discuss ways the narrative could be adjusted to sound more natural. A typical day on a set in LA? No, Cox — a professional actor with more than 50 film and television credits — is working with students in the Acting for the Camera class, offered through Norman’s The Actor Factory — the only acting facility of its kind in Oklahoma and region. The Actor Factory – a training facility located at 3750 W. Main St., Five Park A (in the Park on Main complex), focuses on the art of on-camera acting for aspiring actors ages 8 to 80 – just celebrated its third birthday last month. Chris Freihofer, a professional actor and casting director, started the Actor Factory as a way to help develop the talent base in Oklahoma while the state continues its efforts to attract filmmakers through the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program. Freihofer explains that the Actor Factory is not a school; students do not pursue degrees or certificates. Rather, it “encourages the idea of continual training in the craft, just as professionals in LA and New York City participate in ongoing training.” “We are totally self-sufficient, relying only on class enrollment to keep the doors open,” he explains. “We do not receive state or government funding of any kind. All of our instructors work in the industry as on-camera actors, casting directors and casting assistants.” Freihofer describes the successful on-camera actor as a “four-legged dog, with skills in acting, obviously, but also acting for the camera (which is very different from stage acting), improvisation and auditioning.” The studio is therefore designed around those four basic areas of study. Freihofer teaches the Audition for Film and Television class. Acting for the Camera” is taught by the afore-mentioned Cox, a member of the Screen Actors Guild and Federation of Television and Radio Artists, who most recently appeared on USA Network’s “In Plain Sight.” He also is cast in the pilot episode of “Dallas,”
Photo Provided
Meet Chris Freihofer
Chris Freihofer
The Actor Factory founder Chris Freihofer is a professional with an impressive list of acting and casting credits. He has appeared in dozens of film and television productions, including “Friday Night Lights” and Jerry Bruckheimer's “Chase,” and has cast dozens of films and hundreds of commercials. His casting credits include “The Killer Inside Me,” “Thunderstruck,” with Kevin Durant. He also provided casting for the indie film “So This Is Christmas,” shot in Tulsa in 2011 and starring Eric Roberts and Vivica Fox; “Cowgirls ’n Angels,” opening in theaters May 25; and the upcoming Terrence Malick feature film, shot in Bartlesville. His commercial clients include Nike, Gatorade and Sprint. Freihofer is the only Oklahoma casting director who is a member of the Casting Society of America.
set to air this summer on TNT. The two other classes are Improv, a threelevel course taught by Topher Owen, who taught improvisation for 10 years at the famous Second City, and Acting Technique, taught by Alissa Millar, professor of acting at the University of Oklahoma, whose television acting credits include “Jag,” “Murder She Wrote” and “Beverly Hills 90210.” She will appear in the upcoming Terrence Malick film, shot in Bartlesville, the filmmaker’s hometown. Voice-over classes will be added to the lineup in the coming weeks. In addition, the Actor Factory offers two regular classes for performers ages 8 to 15: • “Audition for Camera,” which gives young aspiring actors real-world mock auditions for film, television and commercials, taught by Sarah Clark, casting associate at Freihofer Casting • “Acting and Character Study,” which teaches young people the concept of acting and learning how to portray characters other than themselves, taught by Mary Anthony, who holds a bachelor of fine arts degree
in acting from OU and is a casting assistant at Freihofer Casting Aspiring young actors also have an opportunity to hone their skills through summer camps. This summer, The Actor Factory is offering its second Film Acting Camp for youth ages 8 to 15, and a Film Production Camp, for ages 13 to 17. During the first three days of the Film Acting Camp, participants learn the rigors of acting in film, such as hitting marks, matching performances, quick memorization, and the differences between stage and film, then spend two days filming a short film written just for them, based on characters they create in camp. When not acting in scenes, they serve as crew, learning the different jobs on set. On the last night of camp, they and their families are invited to attend a red carpet premiere of their film, complete with a limo ride. The first three days of Film Production Camp are dedicated to learning production design, sound, scheduling, lighting, camera, shot composition and more. During the twoday film shoot, held at the same time as the older Film Acting Camp, each child directs his or her own scene in the film. They also
attend the red carpet premiere of the film and are treated to a limo ride. In addition to their adult and young performer classes and summer camps, The Actor Factory offers workshops led by industry professionals from Los Angeles and New York, as well as from the film markets of Texas, Louisiana and elsewhere. Presenters include Los Angeles talent agents, managers and casting directors. Upcoming workshops are planned led by the casting directors of “Arrested Development,” “CSI” and “NCIS.” To accommodate those who for whatever reason can’t make it to Norman for the classes, The Actor Factory offers live webcasts and online courses, and will be expanding its online courses throughout 2012. While Freihofer cannot guarantee that all its students will become professional actors or otherwise gain employment in the television or film industries, a number of their students already have gone on to appear in major feature films and network television series. “We feel our students are learning more about the real-world industry than they could anywhere else in the region,” Freihofer says, adding that one of “The Factory’s” mottos is “Quality Training from Industry Professionals.” Interest in the Actor Factory is definitely trending upward. In addition to the regular classes that meet six nights a week in the facility’s main classrooms, a new facility – Factory Studio 2 – was opened last week to accommodate growing need. Freihofer is pleased with the warm reception they have received from the Norman and area community, but he’s not really surprised. “There is no place like it in Oklahoma,” he points out. “While there are other places offering on-camera training to the public, and not attached to a university or college, our facility is really the only one that has so many professional, experienced instructors coming together for its single mission. And no facility can really compare the collective resumes of our instructors. We have the best of the best, taught by instructors that make a living working either in front of or behind the camera, or as professional stage or improv actors.” For more information on the Actor Factory and its upcoming lineup of classes and camps, check them out on Facebook or visit their website TheActorFactory.com. To join the email list, text “ActorFactory” to 22828 or sign up online. This is a paid advertorial by Actor Factory.