OKC Restaurant Week

FREE EVERY WEDNESDAY | METRO OKC’S INDEPENDENT WEEKLY | JUNE 1, 2016

Celebrating OKC’s vibrant dining scene

BY GREG ELWELL P.15

PEACE LOVE & GOODWILL FESTIVAL PROGRAM INSIDE P.25

RIVERS OF CASH PROGRESSIVE $60K SATURDAYS ON JUNE 4, 18 & 25, 4:30-MIDNIGHT, TRIPLE ENTRIES ON TUESDAYS.

BEATS & BITES 6/11 RIVERWIND IS TAKING IT TO THE STREETS WITH DOZENS OF FOOD TRUCKS, A BEER GARDEN, LIVE MUSIC FROM ZODIAC, MAGGIE MCCLURE AND SHANE HENRY, PLUS MORE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. LOCATED IN THE RIVERWIND CASINO WEST LOT.

RACE FOR THE CARNATIONS ENTER YOUR LOSING BELMONT STAKES RACE TICKET INTO THE PROMOTIONAL HOPPER FOR A CHANCE TO SHARE IN $1,000 ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11.

JUNE 1

JUNE 18

JUNE 24

WHITESNAKE

JOHN ANDERSON

BILLY CURRINGTON

OKC’S MOST REWARDING CASINO

COMING SOON:

405.322.6000 • WWW.RIVERWIND.COM I-35 AT HIGHWAY 9 WEST, NORMAN, OK

JIM GAFFIGAN – JULY 8 JAMEY JOHNSON – JULY 29 NICK OFFERMAN & MEGAN MULLALLY – JULY 30 CLINT BLACK – AUGUST 12 SUMMERLAND TOUR FT. SUGAR RAY, EVERCLEAR, LIT & SPONGE – AUGUST 20

GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY 1.800.522.4700

2 j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m UNI_16-CGR-06_June_Combo_NP.indd 1

5/26/16 11:19 AM

inside

Mission statement Oklahoma Gazette’s mission is to stimulate, examine and inform the public on local quality of life issues and social needs, to recognize community accomplishments, and to provide a forum for inspiration, participation and interaction across all media.

Cover illustration Anna Shilling 15 Join Oklahoma Gazette June 6-12 as it presents Oklahoma City Restaurant Week. The citywide event features dozens of mouthwatering, specially priced menus from almost 50 participating metro restaurants. Learn more about original, chef-created prix fixe Restaurant Week selections on P.15 and how dining out helps Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma on P.17. See our guide to Oklahoma City Restaurant Week, featuring a how-to and a full list of participating venues and menus inserted in this issue! By Greg Ellwell

Health domestic violence

8

City conservation leaders

9

City general obligation bonds

10 Chicken-Fried News 12

Commentary

12

Letters

15

Cover Oklahoma City Restaurant Week

17

Cover Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

18

Review Chae Modern Korean

19

Briefs

20 Gazedibles boss sauces

Visual Arts The Paseo Plunge Visual Arts Prix de West Invitational Exhibition & Sale Performing Arts In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) Performing Arts American Idiot Film Morabo: The Wandering Festival of Film Film The Foreverlands Film You People Active The See Spot Run Calendar

Arts & Culture

Education PTAs struggle

6

24 30

33

34 36

37 38 40 41

music

4

45 Event Peace, Love & Goodwill Festival 46 Event Bilal 47 Feature War-Torn Industries 48 Live Music

34

22 Shop cooking 23 Shop Local 25 Peace, Love & Goodwill Festival

FUN

A&C

EAT & Drink

news

cover

40

49 Puzzles Sudoku | Crossword 50 Astrology

Gazette Weekly Winner! Mike Dippel

To claim your tickets, call 528-6000 or come by our offices by 6/8/16!

For information on entering this week’s Gazette Giveaway see pg. 8

classifieds 50

46

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

3

e d u c at i o n

NEWS

Budget aftermath

District cuts prompt a fundraising task force to determine policy for supporting teacher salaries. By Laura Eastes

When 10-year-old Eleanor Fairclough goes back to Cleveland Elementary School after summer vacation, she expects one of her favorite teachers, the school’s visual arts educator, won’t be there to greet her.

The incoming fifth-grader looks forward to the painting lessons and likes special assignments, like the time she drew an apple for her teacher. Fairclough says the school’s visual arts program made her a better artist.

Fairclough wrote in black marker on white posterboard, “This sign would be more creative, but you’ve cut my art teacher.” She held the sign high at the state Capitol two days before the legislative session ended. Her brother, Callum — who completed kindergarten last week — held a sign that read “Oklahoma’s future.”

“I want him to learn how to paint and draw,” Fairclough said as she looked at her younger brother, also a Cleveland student.

“I want him to experience art.”

Many of Oklahoma City Public Schools’ (OKCPS) extracurricular programs and activities have been axed or whittled away.

In the wake of state budget cuts and loss of $12 million in federal funding, the state’s largest school district eliminated 208 classroom teachers and 92 administrators for the coming school year.

Additionally, district leaders are delaying textbook purchases, shrinking school supply budgets, reducing funding for athletic equipment and uniforms and eliminating funding for students to take Advanced Placement and college placement exams. Beginning July 1, the district will operate with 25 percent less allocated to 4

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

athletics and fine arts.

Like Fairclough, fellow OKCPS students Audrey Bacharach and Elaine Starkey are saddened that their school, Nichols Hills Elementary, will be without a visual arts teacher and strings music teacher next school year.

“All of the things gone are my favorites,” said Bacharach, who plays violin and starts fifth grade in August. “At our school, we have three specials: art, music and physical education. They are taking away art and music. Why art?”

The loss or reduction of school programs, along with schools offering larger class sizes and fewer course offerings next academic year, drove parents and students in recent weeks to the Capitol to advocate for funding solutions. Students from local secondary schools, including Classen School of Advanced Studies, U.S. Grant, Northwest Classen, Star Spencer and Jefferson, walked out of classes to protest the drastic cuts and loss of their favorite teachers.

During that time, parents and community members also called the district, offering to plug dollars back into the $30 million budget hole. Some Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) proposed fundraisers to help afford the costs of a teacher or program affected by the budget cut.

District dilemma

Such offerings presented a quandary for the district, which promoted leaders to create a task force to evaluate fundraising options for teacher salaries.

The problem is twofold: Current district

policy fails to address donations toward teacher salaries, but it calls for ensuring students receive equal educational opportunities. Hence, one school PTA funding an art teacher’s salary could be unfair, as another school PTA might not have the capacity to do the same.

Current policy welcomes gifts, donations and grants to the district “provided the conditions of assistance do not remove any degree of control of the school district from the board and will not cause inequitable treatment of any students or student groups,” according to policy titled “Public gifts/donations to the schools.”

District administrators, PTA representatives and parents serve on the newly established task force, which is expected to report their findings and suggestions to the OKCPS Board of Education at Monday night’s meeting.

Last month, a district official said the task force would review new state guidelines for allowing adjunct educators to teach courses cut by the district. Additionally, partnerships with outside agencies could be explored to offer fine arts programs in schools without a fine arts teacher.

Since 87 schools of the district’s 88 school sites receive Title 1 funds from the U.S. Department of Education, district officials said they are mindful of mandatory comparability reports. Title 1 funds are allocated based on the percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunches.

The funds bridge the gap between low-income students and other students, typically supporting supplemental reading and

from left Cullen and Eleanor Fairclough, students at Oklahoma City’s Cleveland Elementary School, advocate for school funding.

The two are upset that their school stands to lose its visual arts teacher. | Photo Laura Eastes

math instruction. Districts must ensure schools’ state and local funds are equitable before adding Title 1 funds to budgets.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Fiscal Guidance Comparability under No Child Left Behind, private funds can support teacher salaries. To calculate comparability, state and local funds — not outside funding sources — are solely used.

Officials from the Oklahoma State Department of Education confirmed the measure but also stressed comparability reports require districts to offer the same positions at comparable school sites.

The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools accepts donations to help fund supplies, equipment and exam fees that have been cut or eliminated by the district.

Cleveland and Nichols Hills PTAs are raising funds to support their schools’ visual arts program, but how those funds will be used aren’t clear. Until the district determines or updates specific fundraising policies, parents and students like Fairclough, Bacharach and Starkey are left imagining what next year will be like.

Two years ago, Bacharach and Starkey’s math teacher said he was leaving OKCPS because he couldn’t earn enough money to support his family. Now, two of the school’s fine arts teachers are out of work.

“We are the future,” Starkey said.

Walnut Square Shopping Center

Saturday, June 4 11am - 3pm A come and go event

7301 S. Pennsylvania Ave, OKC 73159 | 405.681.6060

UNI_16-RP-118_MMA_Gazette.indd 1

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e5/25/16 1 , 2 0 1 6 4:18 5 PM

NEWS

u n do Alex ReenygmAgement speciAl j u n e 1- 4

speciA j u n e 8 -11

HeR tim gAe it 15 -1 8 jun

i e RR e z t u g k c i R n e 22-25

h e a lt h

RteR cHRisl epngoAgement

Life-saving services YWCA Oklahoma City offers outreach to break the cycle and repair the damage of physical and verbal domestic abuse.

By Mark Beutler

ju

ibeR AARoen29k-ljeuly 2 jun

n mic & s

- ope dAYS :30 e d N eS tion by 5

H ow

seRvA fre e ! s get in e ) ie d A l dAYS o R mA n c Th u rS R speciAl peRf ($ 2 fo W

$ 2 w/ Re

8503 n. Rockwell

239-HAHA (4242)

www.loonybincomedy.com To most, life seemed picture-perfect for Pam and her husband Matt. They had a nice group of friends and plenty of money, were well-respected in their social circle and lived in a comfortable Nichols Hills home.

But Pam and Matt (their names have been changed to protect Pam’s identity) were hiding a secret. Domestic abuse was tearing apart their family. The couple were married for more than five years, and after a series of family struggles, Pam said that’s when the abuse started.

“There were always times when he talked ugly, but it doesn’t really stand out in my mind until after that family crisis,” she recently told Oklahoma Gazette. “Then it happened all the time. … The verbal abuse was almost daily; the physical abuse would be about once every couple of months.”

Domestic abuse can take many forms — physical, verbal, emotional, sexual — and it can happen in any ZIP code.

“For me, the verbal and emotional abuse was way worse than the physical,” Pam said.

“But today, if I see someone walking a little too close, I will sometimes still duck out of the way.”

He often gaslighted Pam, she said, manipulating her into questioning her own feelings, judgment and sanity.

“Verbal abuse affects our brain the way physical abuse affects our body,” she added.

She coped by internalizing the abuse, and she often cried.

“I became a shell of my former self, so I don’t know if I would say I dealt with it well or I just dealt,” she said. “I even told myself that maybe if I would just do better … or 6

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Verbal attacks can often escalate to physical violence. “Verbal abuse affects our brain the way physical abuse affects our body,” said abuse survivor Pam. | Photo illustration Bigstock.com

maybe I actually deserved to get yelled at.”

When the couple went out with friends, she said, he was “fantastic.”

“But behind closed doors, he called me every filthy, disgusting name he could think of,” she said. “I swear his eyes went black.

It was so scary.”

Finally, Pam said she had enough. She escaped to her parents’ house until she could save enough money to rent a small apartment. She left behind the swanky home, financial security and friends.

“You really find out who is there for you and who isn’t,” Pam explained. “No one

really ever stepped up to take my side, so I decided I don’t want to know people like that.”

The past couple of years have been one huge journey, she said. The attorneys and legal fees have been a nightmare. But at the end of the day, she is in a good place.

“My point for sharing this story is that if someone is in this same situation, take that first step. Don’t wait. Jump,” she said.

“Just get yourself out of the situation you’re in. I have had to swallow a lot of pride, but I am no longer put down or injured daily. I am free.”

Grim reality

Domestic abuse is a leading cause of homelessness among women and children, said Kristie Mitchell, YWCA Oklahoma City chief programs officer. | Photo provided

In 2014, Oklahoma ranked No. 6 nationally for its high number of women killed by men, Violence Policy Center data shows.

Last year, nonprofit YWCA Oklahoma City provided direct services to more than 4,000 women, children and men and reached an additional 30,500 individuals through outreach, prevention education and crisis hotlines, said Kristie Mitchell, YWCA Oklahoma City chief programs officer.

Just as staggering is the economic impact. Domestic violence calls and law enforcement response cost Oklahoma City Police Department more than $8.5 million in 2014, Mitchell said.

Nationally, the annual cost of intimate partner violence, physical assault and stalking exceeds $5.8 billion, including $4.1 billion in direct medical and health care services, YWCA Oklahoma City data shows.

It also is a leading cause of homelessness

If we want domestic violence to stop, it takes an investment from all of us.

Kristie Mitchell for women and children, Mitchell said, with the potential to trigger multiple consequences, such as losing custody of the children to the abuser, child welfare involvement and employment challenges.

“Domestic abuse can happen to anyone,” she said. “It can happen to people who identify as a woman, man, transgender.

Domestic violence exists in every community, and no group of people is exempt from perpetrating or experiencing domestic violence.”

Most abusers do not start with physical assault, Mitchell said. In fact, some might never use physical violence at all, but danger can still exist.

“It is all about power and control,” she said. “It involves a pattern of manipulation, coercion and intimidation punctuated by verbal, emotional, financial, spiritual, sexual and physical abuse.”

The reasons for a perpetrator to engage in domestic abuse are many. Mitchell said it often is a learned behavior. Male children who witness the abuse of their mothers by their fathers are 50 percent more likely to become men who batter in adulthood, according to statistics provided by YWCA Oklahoma City.

Breaking the abuse cycle is difficult, but YWCA works to spotlight the causes, treatment and recovery from domestic violence.

“Since we are a national organization, we take the opportunity to bring awareness to this issue at the federal level so those in Congress know what Oklahomans are facing when they experience this crime,” Mitchell said. “We also do this at the state and local levels so our leaders have access to information about how rights and liberties are stripped away from victims by their partners and by the systems in place that fail to hold these perpetrators accountable.”

YWCA is foremost a stabilizing force for abuse survivors, providing emergency shelter, walking the journey with them, providing support services, accompanying them to appointments, offering a listening ear and even going with them to court.

“The first thing we tell people is to remember it is not your fault and there is nothing you can do to make the abuse stop,” Mitchell said. “If you are thinking about leaving, do not tell your partner, as this may increase your risk of experiencing violence or control.”

There are free, confidential services available for abuse survivors and their children. The YWCA hotline is available 24 hours a day to learn about those services or ask questions about their experiences.

While it might be a natural instinct for an outsider to tell a person to leave a harmful situation, it’s not often that easy to do. The abused person might still love their spouse or believe he or she will change.

“There are many challenges, barriers and cultural implications present when

Purple Sash YWCA Oklahoma City presents its 13th annual Purple Sash gala 6 p.m. June 18 at National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St. The fundraiser benefits YWCA programs that provide services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

“It is extremely important that while our community faces economic challenges, we all work together to support survivors of domestic violence,” said Janet L. Peery, YWCA Oklahoma City CEO. “Purple Sash generates much-needed funds to help women, children and men heal from abuse while also giving them tools to design a new future free from violence.”

Billed as an “evening of elegance,” Purple Sash features dinner, a runway show presented

by Ruth Meyers boutique and live and silent auctions.

Last year’s event netted more than $250,000. For more information on ticket prices and the event, visit purplesash.org.

victims are put in positions to weigh the risks and benefits of leaving their partner,” Mitchell said. “Victims will leave when they are faced with no other solution and when the community makes it safe for them to do so. Victims are harshly judged, and they are too often held accountable for the abuse they experience.”

More often than not, Mitchell said, they rarely hear the situation got better. Most episodes of violence escalate in frequency and severity over time. She challenges everyone to ask, “What gives abusers the idea they have the right to abuse their partners?”

What is it about the community that allows domestic violence to exist?

“If someone tells you they are afraid of their partner or ex-partner, that they are being abused or controlled — believe them without judgment,” she said. “Let them know there is help and hope available and connect them with YWCA. I also encourage … [the community] to join us in our efforts to create safety for adult and child victims by giving your time, talents and monetary donations. If we want domestic violence to stop, it takes an investment from all of us.”

For more information, call YWCA Oklahoma City’s Domestic Abuse Hotline at 405-917-9922 or visit ywcaokc.org.

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

7

cit y

NEWS

Shaping growth

The Nature Conservancy Oklahoma works with local leaders to determine what OKC’s sustainable future looks like. By Laura Eastes

The United Nations estimates the world’s population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. In Oklahoma City, about 300,000 more people will inhabit the state’s largest city 34 years from now.

Population growth can place a heavy strain on public and private infrastructure.

Oklahoma City isn’t alone in facing challenges and opportunities associated with population growth. Efforts like the City of Oklahoma City’s PlanOKC call for strategic measures to help meet the city’s continuing infrastructure and growth needs.

Now, a complimentary effort focused on informing leaders about sustainability issues is underway with the newly established Oklahoma City Conservation Leadership Academy (OCLA), created by the Oklahoma chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

“If we do the math right, by 2050, there will be more people living in the [world’s] cities than currently alive on the plant today,” said Cody Pepper, OCLA coordinator. “That is mind-boggling. … The cities that are going to flourish are the ones prepared for that kind of growth and development. … Between now and 2050, Oklahoma City has the opportunity to really grow in a sustainable way and take its place on a national stage as a leading city, if we are thinking ahead right. That’s why it is important to engage developers, architects, philanthropists and community leaders on conservation ideas.”

The 12-month leadership program with an emphasis on Oklahoma’s environment and sustainability issues kicked off April 21. Fifteen members gathered at Watonga’s Roman Nose State Park for two days of orientation. Through a series of lunch-andlearn lectures, workshops and field trips, members will discuss issues and become better conservation stewards.

“This is really designed for the civic leader who is conservation-minded but doesn’t

have a background in Oklahoma conservation,” Pepper said. “They believe there is a place for conservation and they want to increase their ecological IQ. This gives them the opportunity to meet with scientists here in Oklahoma who are managing the functions that make up the ecological regions, like grassland and fresh water management.”

The Oklahoma chapter of The Nature Conservancy works to protect and restore forests, rivers and prairies throughout the state. Mike Fuhr, state director, said the nonprofit takes a “businesslike and entrepreneurial approach to conservation with nature and people in mind.” The leadership program is the first of its kind for the national organization and could serve as a model for future state chapters to replicate.

“It makes a lot of sense for us to be reaching out and working with leaders in the urban communities,” Fuhr said. “That helps us make sure people stay connected to nature in urban areas. Nature is really everywhere. We hope to open people’s eyes to opportunities to do conservation on a large scale out in our urban areas.”

Leadership framework

Benjamin Franklin’s secret society, Junto Club & Lending Library, founded in 1727, inspired Pepper to create OCLA. The Founding Father called upon community stakeholders and leaders to gather and discuss politics, economics, finances and more. Junto is credited with establishing the first public library and developing the idea for a volunteer firefighter system.

In a way, OCLA is a modern Junto, collectively discussing community issues and potentially proposing solutions. It operates similarly to yearly civic leadership programs but is more heavily academic, Pepper said.

At the most recent lunch-and-learn, T.O. Bowman, Oklahoma City sustainability manager, spoke about sustainability planning and outreach efforts by the city.

Cody Pepper pauses for a photo at the Oklahoma chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Pepper is coordinator for Oklahoma City Conservation Leadership Academy. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Bowman’s presentation referenced PlanOKC and issues city leaders face, such as urban heat and near-capacity landfills.

The Nature Conservancy’s Bob Hamilton discussed Oklahoma tallgrass prairies, specifically citing the conservancy’s work on Barnard Ranch in Osage County. Members will travel to the ranch later this year to explore the preserve.

The lectures and field trips will give rise to the public forum developed by OCLA members. In March, members will present a forum geared toward an issue of sustainability and invite speakers to present.

Pepper said the public event will be similar to the popular TED Talks videos.

OCLA is designed to bring knowledge about sustainability issues to members who

can share it with their work, worship community, family or organizations. The success of the program is based on members’ capacity to influence others to change their behaviors to match sustainability efforts.

“My hope is we both learn from each other,” Fuhr said. “That the conservancy learns from this diverse set of perspectives and the participants learn more about the conservation challenges faced in the Oklahoma City area, across the state and the world. We are trying to develop solutions to conservation problems, which are getting more and more complex. It is going to take us thinking outside of the box. The more people we have participating and identifying opportunities where we can all work together, the more successful we will be.”

2 t i c k e t s to

act of

defiance DIAMOND ballroom

sat. june 8, 2016

enter to win okgazette.com/gWW

Go to okGazette.com/GWW to enter to Win a pair of tickets

gazette’s weekly winner will be announced each week in the table of contents.

Printed winners have 7 days to claim tickets. must Provide email, full name & Phone number.

8

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

cit y

Through MAPS 4 Neighborhoods community meetings, the public has called for repairing broken sidewalks and building cover shelter at bus stops like those along Kelly Avenue in northeast Oklahoma City. | Photo Laura Eastes

Moving forward

City leaders are committed to a 2017 GO bond election, while MAPS 4 Neighborhoods continues pushing for community improvements. By Laura Eastes

When Oklahoma City Council member Ed Shadid opened the floor for public comments at a recent Ward 2 town hall meeting, a majority of speakers called for quality-of-life improvements and new facilities miles away from the city’s northwest quadrant.

One speaker explained the area was left behind as the city directed its attention to sales tax and general obligation (GO) bondfunded projects too often focused on other communities, most notably those north of the river, downtown.

Another person spoke of no progress in the south or northeast areas of Oklahoma City. The city’s “priorities were out of whack,” the longtime resident said.

The May 24 meeting focused on the next potential GO bonds and their impact on Ward 2 neighborhoods. It featured presentations by five city department leaders and ended with few suggestions for the 19-squaremile council district.

City leaders plan to bring a GO bond proposition to voters in late 2017. Council members and staff are beginning a list of projects and priorities for the next vote.

Oklahoma City voters last approved an $835.5 million GO bond in December 2007.

Cities use GO bonds as a mechanism to fund capital improvement projects, such as streets, drainage, bridges, sidewalks, libraries and parks. The last round of GO bonds brought the new downtown police station, renovations to Myriad Botanical Gardens and the Capitol Hill Library remodel project, just to name a few. The city reports the 2007 bond program is 50 percent complete with all projects on track for completion in 2020.

The city’s upcoming bond election comes at an interesting time, as a grassroots group has spent the last several months discussing the possibility of the next Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) plan focusing on strengthening neighborhoods. Comments from the town hall meeting mimic those heard at MAPS 4 Neighborhoods gatherings held across the city’s wards.

“We have this great inheritance of MAPS and its economic development, but not everyone has gotten to experience it,” Jonathan

Dodson, MAPS 4 Neighborhoods member, said during the meeting. “They still struggle to get to work. The bus transit lines go to their house once in the morning and once in the evening. The sidewalks are not connected to where they need to go.”

During the MAPS 4 Neighborhood meetings, which were not affiliated with the city, community members called for protected bike lanes, bus stop shelters, renovations to parks and revitalizing neighborhood streets and sidewalks. Some argued such projects could be included in a bond election instead of a MAPS program.

Dodson emphasized the benefits to neighborhood projects included in a MAPS plan. Specifically, he believes neighborhood improvement projects paid for by sales tax dollars would be completed quicker than interest-bearing bond projects.

It is possible city leaders could move forward with the MAPS 4 Neighborhood plan during the November general election.

City leaders must turn in ballot language in August, which leaves a couple of months to finalize projects and decide how much would be collected from the 1-cent sales tax.

City officials laid out their plans for communicating with the public about needs for the upcoming bond election at the Ward 2 town hall. One process is for neighborhood associations or groups of concerned neighbors to develop three priority projects that are then communicated to their council representative and city officials.

Ward 4 Council member Pete White, who didn’t attend the Ward 2 meeting, is committed to reviewing past city reports on sidewalk and street needs and setting priorities in his council area. The southside ward is the city’s largest with 157.3 square miles. Ward 4 includes the historic Capitol Hill district, a portion of the popular business district along SW 29th Street and rural land in the eastern part of Oklahoma County.

“I think my interest is going to be the same as everybody’s: We need better streets and sidewalks,” White said. “I think that is the citizens’ top priority, and I suspect it is the council’s top priority.”

Congratulations Francy Palmer Recipient of the 2016

Stanley Draper Award for outstanding contributions to the community.

Congratulations for this most deserving honor. We are proud to call you an RCB Banker!

Community banker for more than 41 years, Vice President at RCB Bank’s downtown location.

Treasurer of the Automobile Alley Board of Directors for 16 years.

Raised close to $400,000 for improvement and beautification projects with the historic downtown district’s annual fundraiser, Chocolate Decadence.

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

9

chicken

friedNEWS

Grandma’s guidance

Every morning, a particularly existential Oklahoman wakes up somewhere in the state, looks out the window and thinks, “How in the world is Reba McEntire 61 years old and a grandmother?”

It can be a hard fact to grasp, but that doesn’t make it any less true. The McAlester-born country music diva defies natural aging.

Maybe that happens naturally for all redheads.

Whatever the case may be, McEntire has been reflecting on her motherly and grandmotherly influences. She recently told CountryLiving.com that the most important lesson her grandmother (also named Reba) taught her was “the love of Jesus.”

“To me, that’s the most important thing she could’ve ever taught me,” she said.

It sounds like Reba’s grandmother was a sweet lady. In terms of life lessons that grandparents must teach, there are certainly worse options, like how to fall asleep at a high school graduation or how to suggest to the bank teller that she date her grandson even though he’s standing just 2 feet away.

We appreciate all grandparents! Keep dropping those crumbs of wisdom and we’ll keep lapping them up like the eager pups we are.

Meth math

When you hear that hotline bling, it can only mean one thing: meth.

At least that was the case in the improbably pronounced Miami, Oklahoma (pronounced My-AM-uh), where police recently took down the biggest and most elaborate meth trafficking ring they’ve seen in the area in 15 years.

The man authorities believe was in charge is 33-year-old Slint Tate, who is already serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole in Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester for the 1999 murder of Delaware County Sheriff’s reserve deputy Vernie Roberts, reported NewsOn6.com.

A joint operation of Miami Police, tribal police and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the case involved Tate allegedly pulling the strings via a contraband cellphone inside prison, moving 5 pounds of meth worth $1 million each week.

Ottawa County district attorney Kenny Wright said Tate was selling $300 worth of meth for the low, low price of $100. (ChickenFried Newshounds are now imagining a TV commercial: “The prices are so good you’d almost be crazy not to do meth!” … Pass.)

At least 12 people were arrested in Delaware, Ottawa and Oklahoma counties

in connection to the meth ring and up to 20 more could be arrested, the Tulsa news outlet reported.

When authorities began tracking activity on Tate’s cellphone, they said he received 300 communications in the first hour. We wondered which carrier Tate was using. Data costs are so high, he might have to turn to selling me— oh, right.

Failing fitness

The American College of Sports Medicine and the Anthem Foundation recently released their annual American Fitness Index report on the health of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the country.

Oklahoma City didn’t exactly come out with a clean bill of health. OKC’s overall rank is No. 49 and our overall score is 29.5, down from No. 48 and an overall score of 29.6 in 2015, despite new walking and bike trails and continuing updates to city parks and pedestrian infrastructure.

The study took into account health behaviors and problems and environmental factors such as access to parks, recreational facilities and walking trails.

It even looked at physical education requirements in schools.

The truth is OKC’s car culture is slowly

Kick- off party at TAP Architecture

tickets: $25 EACH | $4 0 COUPLE MUST BE 21

Purchase tickets today at gazettetickets.com PARTICIPATING V ENUES: IN THE RAW BRICKTOWN LUDIVINE O BAR PATRONO PUMP BAR R & J LOUNGE AND SUPPER CLUB ROCKFORD COCKTAIL DEN SCRATCH KITCHEN AND COCKTAILS NORMAN SIDECAR SLAUGHTER'S HALL W HISKEY CAKE WSKY

OKLAHOMA FILM

MUSIC

OKFILMMUSIC.ORG

10

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

killing us — or at least greatly contributing to our unhealthy lifestyles. According to USA Today, “residents in the top three fittest cities all tend to walk more because they use public transportation.”

They also have better access to parks and a lower number of residents with cardiovascular and diabetes-related issues.

A good example of the failures in OKC’s lifestyle is its city’s Walk Score, which is 31.6.

The study group has set the city’s target goal at 51.1. The most disconcerting score is the number of deaths per 100,000 citizens due to cardiovascular disease. We’re at 214.4, 47.3 points over our target goal of 167.1. Our smoking scores and the number of us consuming needed fruits and vegetables is also nothing to brag about.

Washington, D.C. is the fittest city, followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, and Denver, Colorado.

Maybe Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett should put us on a citywide diet again, or maybe we just need to put the fast food down, eat some fruit and go take a walk on one of our new trails or sidewalks.

Legal aid

Another one strikes a bust. Oklahoma City attorney Jay Silvernail got himself arrested again. This time, he allegedly shot a man after a “scuffle” outside an Oklahoma City bar.

The victim was taken to a hospital in

critical condition, according to a NewsOK. com story citing Oklahoma City police.

This isn’t the first time Silvernail has been accused of shooting someone. Police say he fatally shot a former client last year in self-defense after being attacked outside his area home.

Several weeks ago, police arrived at Groovy’s bar to find Silvernail held at gunpoint by another person, according to NewsOK.com, though police confirmed the suspect didn’t attempt to flee the scene.

Oklahoma City Police Master Sgt. Gary Knight claimed Silvernail and the victim were in a “scuffle or a fight” before the shooting.

News9.com reported that a woman with Silvernail said the attorney was attempting to protect a friend who might have been drugged.

“I tried to get her to go with me, and the people that she was standing there with didn’t want her to, and so Jay came to the rescue,” Marsha Weaver told News9.com.

Police said Silvernail was questioned at the scene and police headquarters.

According to NewsOK.com, the attorney posted a $7,500 bail.

All in all, Silvernail didn’t seem too concerned. He even flashed a grin in his mugshot.

We at Chicken-Fried News think Al Capone might have said it best: “You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun.”

Deputy groove

If you are like us at Chicken-Fried News, you couldn’t wait for So You Think You Can Dance to return for its 13th season in late May. The competition show presents the right amount of street moves mixed with ballet, tap and jazz. Sure, there is Dancing with the Stars, but who really wants to watch Olympic athletes, B-list actors or former boy band members bust moves?

However, if you are looking for locals saving their street moves for Funkytown, Chicken FriedNews recommends “OCPD Running Man Video.”

Yup, Oklahoma City law enforcement officers can Le Freak.

Don’t believe us? Check the YouTube video. More than 37,000 people watched the two-minute video within 24 hours of it being posted online.

As part of the Running Man Challenge, officers, cadets and a bomb squad member showcased their Stayin’ Alive skills. One officer even moonwalked.

Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow

told Fox 25 the video was all for fun.

“Sometimes people don’t get to see the more lighthearted, fun side of officers,” Wardlow told the TV station. “So we thought this was a great opportunity to showcase that side.”

Next time police make a traffic stop, remember OKC police recognize a disco inferno when they see it.

Arresting kindness

While dining at a Bricktown restaurant earlier this month, Capt. Bill Patten used quick judgment to save a baby’s life.

A 16-month-old girl let out a cry and fell to the ground near the officer. Mia Perales’ mother panicked as she realized her daughter was choking on a piece of candy, according to a post by Oklahoma City Police Department to its Facebook page.

Patten briefly spoke to Rosa Perales before patting Mia hard on her back to dislodge a mint stuck in the toddler’s airway, reported KOCO.com.

Rosa was thankful for the officer’s quick response and told KFOR.com, “Oh, I was so lucky, so blessed that he was there.” Like any mother knows, Rosa’s baby means everything to her.

“I just want to say thank you so much.

You saved my daughter’s life, and she’s everything to me,” she said.

Kudos to Patten for using his quick wits to save a life.

unmatched value confidence innovation

connect to

opportunities community unmatched value

Central

confidence innovation opportunities

community unmatched value confidence

innovation opportunities community unmatched value confidence innovation

innovation opportunities community

unmatched value confidence innovation

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA opportunities communityuco.bronchos unmatched value uco.edu ucobronchos UCOBronchos TM

confidence innovation opportunities O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

11

co m m en ta ry

NEWS

Opinions expressed on the commentary page, in letters to the editor and elsewhere in this newspaper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ownership or management.

In support of KIPP charter school expansion

letters

The Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education votes this Monday on an expansion proposal submitted by KIPP OKC, an Oklahoma City charter school.

Approval will favorably impact the lives and wellbeing of many current and future students in the northeast portion of the district.

KIPP wants to expand its presence in the school district by establishing an elementary school and a high school to augment its highly successful middle school, KIPP (Knowledge is Power Preparatory) Reach College Preparatory.

The school opened in 2002 to serve fifth- to eighthgraders in a middle school setting. It has been fostered and supported by the national KIPP Foundation, which now supports 183 KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Colombia.

KIPP OKC has enrolled students regardless of their prior academic record, conduct or socioeconomic background. The middle school, located in northeast Oklahoma City, primarily serves students from lowincome families.

KIPP has demonstrated phenomenal success in providing educational opportunities to its students.

Making significant academic gains while attending KIPP, its students have exceptionally high graduation and college entrance rates.

KIPP OKC has enrolled students regardless of their prior academic record, conduct or socioeconomic background.

On Oklahoma’s 2014-15 A-F School Report Card, KIPP scored a grade of A+ and a rating of 99. KIPP’s performance record has been recognized by its selection as a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School, as one of the 50 Best Middle Schools in the U.S. in 2014 and as one of the top four Oklahoma middle schools in 2014.

The proposal requests a portion of the Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School facility to house KIPP’s prekindergarten through fourthgrade elementary school and a portion of the Douglass High School facility to house its ninththrough twelfth-grade high school. This initial expansion enables students to attend a KIPP school from prekindergarten throughout high school.

Approval of something this exceptionally good for northeast Oklahoma City children sounds like a forgone conclusion, right? Don’t be so sure.

The district is in the midst of an administrative crisis with the departure of Superintendent Rob Neu. The ability of the administration to act decisively and favorably on the proposal is uncertain.

It’s up to the Board of Education to assume leadership and act favorably on this issue now so

Unfurling f---s

Legal conversations

It really is silly, as in your latest publication, to talk about the teen birth rate (News, “Conversation starter,” Laura Eastes, May 12

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Bill Bleakley is publisher of Oklahoma Gazette.

ported their campaigns and their special projects. And, not surprisingly, after Oklahomans have already paid the price in losing their jobs and already pay state income and sales taxes, alleged conservatives want to tax us more by closing “sales tax loopholes.” Since when do conservatives support more taxation, especially of constituents?

It’s socialism for big business and Oklahoma’s elected officials, and it’s capitalism for the rest of us. Oklahomans need to wake up and work toward removing the failing leadership from their posts.

Ryan Lawson Choctaw

Oklahoma Gazette provides an open forum for the discussion of all points of view in its Letters to the Editor section. The Gazette reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Letters can be mailed, faxed, emailed to jchancellor@okgazette.com or sent online at okgazette.com.

Include a city of residence and contact number for verification.

On April 14, I was sitting at the City of OKC permit office and saw a copy of your magazine (Music, “Unfurling Folds,” Ben Luschen, March 23, Oklahoma Gazette). The cover showed a story about Ben Folds, so I flipped to the story and started reading. Not far into the story, I came across the “f” word completely typed out. I stopped reading the story and scanned to see if this was something throughout the article. To my disappointment, it was. I do not use this type of language and do not enjoy reading it. It saddens me to think this is the day and age we live in where this vulgarity has become the norm. This is just my opinion, and I know you are not able to please everyone.

Joshua Vaughn Newcastle

it can be implemented as soon as possible.

To delay the acceptance of this proposal will forestall the educational opportunities of hundreds of children who deserve a better education than what they are currently provided.

No legitimate reason comes to mind for the Board of Education to not vote for the KIPP expansion. Money is not an issue. The only funding KIPP receives from Oklahoma’s general fund appropriation is the per-student allocation for each student who attends.

Because of KIPP’s demonstrated ability to enhance the education of students in northeast Oklahoma City, Inasmuch Foundation and The Walton Family Foundation have committed $1.5 million to support KIPP’s expansion into the additional grades.

I urge community groups such as the Hispanic, black and OKC chambers of commerce as well as ministerial and professional groups to take supportive stands for board approval of KIPP’s proposal. The future of our city will be shaped by the quality of the education we provide our youth.

Quintuple exposure 18, Gazette). The teen birth rate includes a lot of folks who get married at an earlier age in this part of the country. (A reason our numbers are in the higher category.) My brother had three children before he was 21 due to his taking a bride at a young age, all perfectly legal and above-board. Many teens are young, married mothers. The Gazette and its liberal readers are always looking for something to boo-hoo about.

Thomas L. Furlong Oklahoma City

What leadership?

It feels like nobody has genuinely investigated the Oklahoma budget crisis. Hard questions haven’t been asked by the media.

Better yet, when a challenging question is made to a political official, all the official has to do is refuse to comment. I guess that’s

their right. However, it’s the media’s right (I argue duty) to press that refusal and question it. When it comes to the budget crisis, I have to quote the first season of True Detective: “I can’t decide if it’s a cover-up or the garden variety incompetence here.”

When will our elected “leaders” be held accountable? A gap of over $1 billion is no accident. The governor stands in front of the media and patronizes the citizenry, stating that she understands it’s a hard time for Oklahoma families. That’s big talk for someone living in a state-run mansion.

Businesses in the energy industry have been preparing for low oil prices for over a year, yet Oklahoma political leaders feign surprise. Instead of accepting their responsibilities and admitting their ineptitude, the state’s elected officials choose to pass the blame onto the same industry that has sup-

Why isn’t anyone doing a story on the five strip clubs in Valley Brook? A year ago there were two, now there are five. That is a major entertainment mecca that no one knows about, and why are they are opening in Valley Brook and not the city?

I’ve visited them all, and they each have something different to offer, which is odd for clubs like that.

Little Darlings is great; they definitely have the corporate backing, and it shows.

Everything is so nice, and it has a classy feel.

The other notable club on the strip is Whispers. It’s owned by a girl who actually works there. She sat down and introduced herself to me when I went in. She’ll actually play a game of pool with you, and she’s not half-bad. These clubs are beating out the more popular clubs around the city.

Kyle Raley Oklahoma City

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

13

14

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

EAT & DRINK

cov e r

Meat Market Refectory co-owner and executive chef Steve Spitz sears off an entree in his restaurant’s kitchen. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Edible ambitions

An event brings great new dishes to your favorite restaurants for a great cause. By Greg Elwell

One of the biggest hurdles to trying a new restaurant is a fear of the unknown. We are used to having our food a certain way, even if we don’t realize it. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

No one wants to head out for the evening only to return home hungry, dissatisfied and with less money to boot. It’s why we tend to eat at the same places, sit at the same tables and order the same entrees week in and week out. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. But it’s also kind of boring.

Running June 6-12, Oklahoma City Restaurant Week helps shake up that routine in a way that is easy on the wallet and advantageous to the palate.

This year’s event expanded Restaurant Week to include dozens more venues and multiple districts across the metro, said Oklahoma Gazette publisher Bill Bleakley.

“Oklahoma Gazette a downtown restaurant week for several years with great success,” Bleakley explained. “After hearing from restaurants outside of the downtown area that wanted to be part of a restaurant week, Oklahoma Gazette decided to take the plunge and invest the time and resourc-

Oklahoma City Restaurant Week June 6-12 See our guide in this issue or visit okcrestaurantweek.com.

es to make its restaurant week a citywide culinary event. Thanks to this exciting group of participating restaurants along with support from great sponsors this year, it should be fun and rewarding experience for everyone who enjoys dining out.”

Chefs at venues across the city (and into the hinterlands of Edmond and Norman)

have put together prix fixe menus of favorites and some this-week-only new dishes to introduce customers to what they’ve been missing.

“We’re looking to make new friends,” said Rococo owner and executive chef Bruce Rinehart. “As attractive as the dishes are on the special menu, especially for firsttimers, I think they’re going to look at the features on top of the Restaurant Week menu and say, ‘I can’t wait to come back and try some more stuff.’”

Kitchen manager Josh Partain embraced Rinehart’s concept, creating a shrimp gnocchi lunch entree and a steak tips and pasta dinner entree using housemade spinach fettuccine.

“We want something fun, not necessarily easy to execute, but something we can do alongside our usual menu,” Partain said.

Head chef Jovanny Monreal created a daring prix fixe menu for Oklahoma City Restaurant Week at Saints Pub. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Prix fixe?

Watch out, anti-francophiles, because here’s some French coming at you. Prix fixe translates to “fixed price,” and it’s a popular way for restaurants to give diners the biggest bang for their buck.

By creating a set menu with a smaller selection than the norm, chefs can ensure customers a better price on some items by buying in larger quantities, prepping ingredients more efficiently and streamlining the ordering and serving processes.

Usually consisting of an appetizer, an entree and a dessert, prix fixe menus are a staple of holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas.

For Oklahoma City Restaurant Week, Oklahoma Gazette gathered 46 restaurants to create one or more prix fixe menus, each at a set price. They’ll still serve their regular menus, but those in the know can get special dishes at a special price by asking for the prix fixe menu.

The routine

Restaurant Week is an easy game to play.

Check out menus in our guide to Restaurant Week in this issue or visit okcrestaurantweek.com. Look over the delectable options spanning different cuisines, price ranges and comfort levels.

Once a few (dozen) places are selected, call and see if reservations are required.

Restaurants will get booked fast, so it’s best to ensure there’s a table available. Some don’t take reservations at all, so decide when Rock & Brews executive chef Deallo Frazier is excited to unveil his jalapeño bacon mac & cheese balls during restaurant week. | Photo Garret Fisbeck

continued on page 16

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

15

EAT & DRINK continued from page 15

cov e r

to stop by with friends.

Prices vary among venues. Onefork restaurants run $10-$15 for a two-course lunch and $15-$25 for a three-course dinner. Two-fork restaurants are slightly more expensive at $16-$20 for a two-course lunch and $26-$49 for a three-course dinner.

When visiting, be sure to ask for the prix fixe menu. Not only do diners receive a great price, but Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma receives $1 for each lunch and $2 for each dinner sold. (See “Healthy eating” on page 17 for more details.)

Let us prepare your next meaL! Party Subs • Sandwiches Chef Salads • Party Trays Lean Meats • Pastries Cookie Trays

M-F 7am-6:30pm • Sat 9:30am-4pm 2310 N Western 524-0887

Culinary arts

It can get boring making the same dishes every night. The secret of most chefs is that they are trapped by their successes. Just like U2 no doubt gets tired of performing “With or Without You,” so too do kitchen staffs chafe at the prospect of cooking the same steak, potato and salad items at every service.

That’s part of the impetus behind specials. They take advantage of good pricing on seasonal ingredients and give cooks opportunities to create something original.

Rock & Brews executive chef Deallo Frazier said there’s nothing he loves more than experimenting with food.

“It’s something I really enjoy doing. It’s relaxing to create different dishes for people,” he said. “I like to do my research, see what people like and put my own twist on it. I’m just happy around food.”

For Oklahoma City Restaurant Week, he’s prepping bacon jalapeño mac & cheese bites rolled in crispy Panko breadcrumbs and served with a creamy roasted poblano ranch sauce.

The best part is those who fall in love with the appetizer during Restaurant Week won’t be abandoned once it’s over.

“Everything I need to make it is in my kitchen,” Frazier said. “If they love it, it’s something I can do upon request. I can make it anytime.”

Restaurant Week’s menu at Saints Pub is an adventure and a risk, said head chef Jovanny Monreal.

“We are much more than just a pub,” he said. “Most of the menu are things I’d never tried before, but I wanted to be creative and really put myself out there.”

His chicken fried portobello with cauliflower puree and greens is a nod to Plaza District’s healthy population of vegetarians and vegans, and it’s also his audition for new diners.

“Half the time, when I tell people I’m head chef here, they say, ‘What? There’s a kitchen there?’” he said. “Yes. There is.

And we’re passionate about it.”

Giving back

Frazier spent five and one-half years in the military, so he understands the importance of community service.

“Being able to help the food bank, I love doing that,” he said.

Monreal said his experience with RFBO is personal. He has friends who work there, and he has volunteered. He also has been on the other side of the exchange.

“I remember eating quesadillas every day and every night for months,” he said.

“Everybody needs some help now and again.”

To him, being able to give back, especially by cooking food he’s excited to share with the city, “feels amazing.”

Sharing love

Hopefully, everybody feels amazing during Oklahoma City Restaurant Week. Please share prix fixe menu reviews on okcrestaurantweek.com, and let people kndow (and see) what’s cooking on social media with the hashtag #OKCRW2016.

Remind friends and family that this is an opportunity to explore Oklahoma City’s blossoming food scene at a great price while helping the shocking number of Oklahomans who are food insecure.

Most of all, enjoy it. Restaurant weeks all over the country help support regional cuisines, expose diners to their new favorite dishes and draw attention to the great food that’s available.

There’s nothing wrong with going to a favorite place, but this is Oklahoma City Restaurant Week.

Take a bite out of the city.

This year’s Restaurant Week sponsors are US Foods CHEF’STORE, The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City, Blue Moon Brewing Compa ny, Smithwork s Vod ka, Jägermeister, Maker’s Mark, Tom Gore Vineyards, Oklahoma Shirt Company and Total Beverage Services LLC.

1909 S douglaS blvd MWC • 405-741-9494 7745 S Walker (I-240 & Walker) • 405-631-0783 20 nW 9th • 405-270-0516 5929 n May • 405-843-8777 14020 n May • 405-418-8477 7640 nW expreSSWay • 405-603-8116 123 e State hWy 152 • MuStang

www.sandbburgers.com 16

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Owner and executive chef Bruce Rinehart plates a dish at Rococo. He and kitchen manager Josh Partain created a “restaurant within a restaurant” for Restaurant Week. | Photo Garett Fisbeck / file

cov e r

A group donates time packing food for the hungry at Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Last year, 34,000 volunteers saved the organization $2.8 million in labor costs. | Photo Gazette / file

Healthy eating

With help from Oklahoma City Restaurant Week donations, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma hopes to sate state hunger insecurities.

By Greg Elwell

Oklahomans are hungry. Get beyond the statistics about how much our residents weigh and the glut of fast food chains clogging our corners and you’ll find a disturbing number of Oklahomans who go to bed hungry at night. Last year, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma (RFBO) distributed almost 50 million pounds of food.

And it wasn’t enough.

Every day, more than 656,000 Oklahomans struggle with food insecurity. A quarter of the children in the state have inconsistent access to food.

A challenge this big takes a lot of planning and help to address, said Angie Doss, RFBO marketing and communications director. Providing enough food to feed 116,000 people each week means finding ways to stretch every dollar.

“We have software that tracks everything coming in and out of the warehouse,” she said.

The system ensures food goes out before it expires. Another system helps workers pack boxes with maximum efficiency.

Administrative costs are a huge drain for many nonprofits, taking up 15-20 percent of their budgets.

RFBO’s administration and fundraising costs are less than 4 percent, Doss said, so giving to the food bank means donations help hungry people.

“We have a baler for cardboard, and we get financial donations back for that and

recycling plastic,” she said. “We’re always looking for cost savings.”

Food donations are always welcome, but RFBO does best with monetary gifts. The organization has learned to leverage funds better than the most seasoned shoppers.

“We have one gentleman who helps us work with other food banks to buy in bulk,” Doss said. “Every dollar we receive [from Oklahoma City Restaurant Week] can provide the equivalent of five meals.”

So those taking part in Oklahoma City Restaurant Week — in which participating restaurants donate $1 from every prix fixe lunch and $2 from every prix fixe dinner sold to the food bank — can quickly rack up the equivalent of 10 or 20 meals for hungry Oklahomans with a few dinners.

(Read more about Oklahoma City Restaurant Week on page 15.)

Who receives?

The political climate is chilly for those receiving food aid, but Doss said there are

a lot of misconceptions about who RFBO feeds.

“The clients we serve are mostly children, seniors and families,” she said. “A lot of our clients had jobs, but when they lost them, they went through their savings and now they need help.”

Seniors in the program are likely living off as little as $500 a month and have to choose between eating and taking the right medications.

To help tamp down on some of the stigma attached to receiving food help, Doss said, the food bank is opening pantries that look more like grocery stores.

“It helps with a number of things,” she said. “Rather than a one-meal-fits-all solution, choosing foods themselves can address dietary needs, allergies and diabetes.”

For the parents of picky eaters, it’s a great relief to be able to choose foods the kids will eat.

“It also makes the clients feel good,” she said. “They’re treated with dignity.”

The pantry also puts a focus on fresh vegetables, fruits and meats, giving those in need healthier options.

Helping hands

Those who want to help but can’t afford to donate financially — either directly or through Oklahoma City Restaurant Week — can still make an enormous difference with their time, Doss said.

Every dollar we receive [from Oklahoma City Restaurant Week] can provide the equivalent of five meals.

Angie Doss

Almost 34,000 people volunteered for the nonprofit in the last fiscal year, tallying up 130,000 hours of work, the equivalent of $2.8 million in labor costs. Simply sorting and packing makes a big difference, she said. About 20 percent of the food processed by Regional Food Bank is put together by volunteers.

Those interested in donating time can sign up at regionalfoodbank.org.

Some of that work goes into packing backpacks full of food for hungry students as well. Though youths might qualify for free school lunch, many continue struggling to stay fed during evenings and weekends.

Last fiscal year, the Backpack Program helped almost 18,500 elementary school students across the state.

Helping mouths

Doss said everyone at RFBO is excited to be a part of Oklahoma City Restaurant Week, and she’s already planning her culinary itinerary in celebration.

“Rococo has one of the best crabcakes in the city,” she said. “And Panang is my favorite Thai food. I haven’t tried the new location yet.”

Local heavy hitters such as A Good Egg Dining Group restaurants Cheever’s Cafe and Tucker’s Onion Burgers as well as new eateries Eggington’s and KISS-themed Rock & Brews also are participating.

At the end of the week, almost four dozen participating venues will donate the allotted funds from prix fixe meals sold to RFBO. For an organization that helps feed more than 100,000 Oklahomans a week, Oklahoma City Restaurant Week might just be the cherry on top.

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

17

EAT & DRINK

review

Iron bibimbap | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Selfish satisfaction

Chae Modern Korean offers a menu so delicious, you won’t want to share. By Greg Elwell Ask me where I want to go to dinner. Go ahead. Nobody cares that you’re talking to a newspaper. Just ask.

“Uh, fine. Hey, Greg, where do you want to go to dinn—” Chae! I want to go to Chae. Are we ready to go now, or do you need to get dressed?

What’s up? What is taking you so long?

Let’s go!

Ahem. My apologies. I get a little “turnt,” as the kids say (but not to me) when I think about Chae Modern Korean, 1933 NW 23rd St. It’s one of my favorite places to eat.

Oklahoma City’s food scene has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, and Chae absolutely is a product of that.

Pork belly bun | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Owner Daniel Chae brought together a dream team of hungry young chefs, bar staff and servers to create an experience that is only getting better after a pretty spectacular start.

Speaking of starts, prepare to order some appetizers. Actually, prepare to want to order every appetizer but know that you shouldn’t.

I would tell you to try the buns, but that’s a lot like asking someone to try a highly addictive narcotic. Once you have a pork belly bun ($7), it will become your default order every time. I don’t even think I ask for one anymore. The staff just sees my car drive past and puts the order in because there’s no way I’m not getting one.

The bun is a beautiful, tender, sticky little piece of taut bread ever so gently folded around a stack of roasted pork belly that aches to disintegrate in your mouth. Pickled onions and green onion slices stick to the meat with a glue of spicy sauce.

Some of the other appetizers are a bit more mundane but no less delightful.

Mandoo ($5) are fried dumplings good enough to

is to leave without wearing the remnants on your shirt. I failed that challenge many times.

Oxtail soup ($12) is a revelation. The consommé broth is luxuriously creamy with a flavor so rich, you’ll fight the twin impulses of feeling full and desperately wanting to keep eating. It’s infuriating how tasty it is because — like the pork belly bun — you’ll be hard-pressed not to order it every time.

For the meat-averse, soondubu ($11) is an intoxicatingly spicy blend of broth, silky tofu and rice. It’s hot but so good, you will slurp through the pain.

And as long as we’re talking about hot stuff, the iron bibimbap ($24) is a meal that is meant to be shared. I won’t share it — please stop asking me — but that’s how it was meant to be served. It’s a giant pile of perfectly cooked rice sizzling inside a cast-iron skillet and covered in beef short ribs, vegetables and eggs. Take your pictures first because once it’s stirred up, it’s not as beautiful. But it’s still so delicious it’s almost unfair to other foods start and end fights. Kimchi arancini ($8) cooked in cast iron. combine the spicy pluck of kimchi, the Pancakes? Bacon? Chili? Take that weak creamy allure of risotto and the crispiness stuff to a nonstick skillet. After the iron of the fryer. bibimbap, nothing else deserves to share Shishito peppers ($8) are gorgeous the cast-iron spotlight. grilled peppers in a tart poke sauce. This Bulgogi ($22) is similar but not quite as is greedy food. Mine, mine, mine. Get your good. It feels ridiculous to ding Chae over own. this later addition to the menu because it’s But the chicken wings ($7) are the real good. At any other restaurant, bulgogi MVP. Don’t expect hot wings. Just expect would be the bulgo-to dish. But this blend wings that are hot. They’re sauced after of marinated beef, vegetables and rice is the whole wing is fried, and the challenge incomparable to bibimbap, oxtail soup, buns, wings and soondubu.

Chae’s menu is like the 1992 Dream Team; Christian Chae Modern Korean Laettner and John Stockton 1933 NW 23rd St. | 405-600-9040 were great basketball players, www.chaeokc.com but on a team with Michael What works: The oxtail soup, pork belly Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic bun and iron bibimbap are essential.

Johnson and Karl Malone, they look downright inessential.

What needs work: The lack of banchan is disappointing.

Now ask me where I want to go to dinner. Hello? Did you Tip: Soju is delicious and dangerous. close this review so you could Drink up and get an Uber. go to Chae right now? Good choice.

Oxtail soup | Photo Garett Fisbeck 18

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

b r i e f s By Greg Elwell

• Nightly nosh

Photo Gazette / file

Beautiful flowers and gourmet treats await those seeking a Taste of Oklahoma.

Chefs Kamala Gamble and Barbara Mock present a Taste of Oklahoma Dinner 7-9 p.m. June 18 at Meinders Terrace at Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave. The evening starts with an appetizer-making demonstration by Gamble and Mock using foods that are easy to grow in home gardens. Then the culinary experts treat guests to a farm-to-table dinner featuring fresh ingredients grown at Guilford Gardens, Gamble’s urban farm.

Tickets are $65-$70. A cash bar will be available. Registration deadline is June 15.

Visit myriadgardens.org.

Smooth moves

Photo Citizens Bank of Edmond / provided

• Hurd that

Edmond street festival Heard on Hurd continues to draw record numbers, organizers said. May 21, about 22,000 people visited the street festival, held the third Saturday of each month.

Since starting the 2016 season, Heard on Hurd generated upward of $1.5 million in economic impact from 60,000 guests.

“On Saturday, the crowds were jiving to the beat, the smell of a variety of different foods were in the air, the sound of children laughing was prevalent everywhere and the city of Edmond’s fire department was even giving kids a chance to sit in a fire truck,” said Jill Castilla, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond, which sponsors the event. “It’s an amazing night all around.”

St. Paddy Cakes food truck owner Doug Riddles reported selling out of its food supply by 9 p.m.

Heard on Hurd returns June 18 to the corner of Broadway Avenue and Hurd Street. Admission is free.

Anybody hungry for a smoothie? Joseph Downs, owner of the Oklahoma City Smoothie King franchise, is celebrating his first year in business by giving away 12 oz.

Strawberry Extreme Smoothies.

The anniversary party is 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday at the restaurant, 5921 SW Third St. Each guest receives one free smoothie and no purchase is necessary.

Downs said there will be other small giveaways throughout the day.

Smoothie King is a New Orleans-based company offering meal replacement smoothies and other healthy snacks. There are more than 700 Smoothie King stores worldwide and three in Oklahoma.

Mary Eddy’s

Long-awaited Mary Eddy’s Kitchen x Lounge, 900 W. Main St., opened May 24 inside Oklahoma City’s new 21c Museum Hotel.

Executive chef Jason Campbell trained at Le Cordon Bleu before becoming chef de cuisine at Cincinnati’s 21c restaurant Metropole. Now at the helm of Mary Eddy’s, he has created a New American menu including porchetta, spit-roasted chicken and grilled trout.

Rather than simply change the menu seasonally, Campbell said he’ll focus on using local, sustainable foods and knowing the people who produce the ingredients to make a better meal for guests.

The entrance to Mary Eddy’s runs through what was once a Model T showroom space and is now the restaurant’s bar and lounge.

Currently open for dinner, Mary Eddy’s plans to open for breakfast, lunch and brunch in the near future.

EXPERIENCE FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK

ARTS DISTRICT

Friday, June 3, 2016 • 6-10pm

LIVE MUSIC - STEPHEN SALEWON In the Paseo Art Space: “Culture and The Human Condition”

By Ryan Christopher Exhibit June 3 through June 25.

Local and national art, great food, art classes and plenty of shopping!

#FirstFridayPaseo

405.525.2688 • www.thepaseo.org

Feeling like an extrovert?

See you on our patio!

open daily 11am - 2 am

Corner oF Classen & Boyd, norman 405.329.3330 | themont.Com O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

19

g a z e di b l e s

eat & DRINK

Saucy sensations

Sauces run the gamut from sweet to savory, thin to thick, fancy red wine reductions with shallots and crushed rosemary to “fancy” ketchup in little packets from the drive-thru. But they all have one thing in common: People look at you weird if you eat them with a spoon. These restaurants save you the embarrassment by giving you delicious foods on which to eat their delectable sauces.

By Greg Elwell Photos Garett Fisbeck

Papa Dio’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar 10712 N. May Ave. papadiosokc.com | 405-755-2255

All pasta really needs is a little olive oil or butter and a good crank of fresh pepper, but if you’re going out for a bowl of noodles, you probably want something a little more advanced. That’s why Papa Dio’s has been delighting spaghetti slurpers and linguine lovers with its sour cream-based Alfredo sauce for decades. Want more? The trieste has Alfredo, marinara and pesto on one plate.

Ted’s Cafe Escondido

Hillbilly’s

“Hidden?” C’mon, Ted’s. Your restaurant hasn’t been hidden in a long time. No matter how much it expands, this Oklahoma City Tex-Mex staple is easy to find because there’s always a line of people waiting to get in. Maybe it’s the fresh flour tortillas or the endless servings of queso.

More likely, it’s hungry patrons chomping at the bit to start chomping on a sizzlinghot plate of sour cream chicken enchiladas.

Wear a bib. You might not think of yourself as a messy eater, but there’s something that happens at Hillbilly’s. With bright orange and yellow remoulade sauces — which are dynamite when combined with pan-seared shrimp or fried oysters — and access to a few moonshine cocktails, it’s a fair bet that you’ll be wearing at least a little bit of sauce on your way out the door. Until Hillbilly’s lifts its “You have to wear a shirt, Greg” policy, a bib is your best bet.

2836 NW 68th St. tedscafe.com | 405-848-8337

1 NW Ninth St. fullhillbilly.com | 405-702-9805

Now CATERING

20

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 2800 NW 63rd St., Suite 500 dickeys.com | 405-848-4200

A little sweet and a little tangy, the sauce at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, based regionally in Texas, is anything but the pits. Whether it’s gingerly applied to a pile of chopped brisket or slathered onto a rack of St. Louisstyle ribs as a final barrier desperately trying to keep meat from falling off the bones, Dickey’s barbecue sauce really ties the meal together. And if, somehow, you save room for dessert, the blondie brownie is a must.

The Barrel

4308 N. Western Ave. barrelokc.com | 405-525-6682 When will so-called “Western medicine” wake up to the healing powers of Guinness?

The porterhouse steak of beers makes everything better, from beer cheese to The Barrel’s Guinness toffee sauce on its bread pudding dessert. So why not start applying it topically to rashes, giving a pint to settle nausea or using it as a sunscreen/mosquito repellant? Until doctors finally start using this miracle drug correctly, you’ll just have to spend more time at The Barrel.

Back Door Barbecue

315 NW 23rd St. backdoorbarbecue.com | 405-525-7427 Find a need and fill it, they say, and the geniuses at Back Door Barbecue did just that. Maybe the greatest innovation in American history, its espresso barbecue sauce perfectly answers the question “What should I put on this pulled pork that will also keep me awake after I eat all of this pulled pork?” But the really saucy secret at Back Door is that none of the meats on the menu actually need sauce.

Tommy’s Italian American Grill

5516 W. Memorial Road tommysitaliangrill.com | 405-470-5577 Few dishes do more to encourage the “eat your colors” philosophy than cilantro pesto linguine at Tommy’s Italian American Grill.

It’s a flavor-packed plate of pasta that’s almost as much a feast for the eyes as it is a feast for the stomach. But the real fireworks will go off when you spin a forkful of roasted red peppers, smoked corn and tender, pestocoated noodles into your mouth.

$10.30

Every day

lunch buffet

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

authentic thai weekly specials!

Monday-Friday | 11am-2pm

EGGINGTONS-HUB.COM 737 W. Danforth Road, Edmond | 405. 285.1580

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

21

SHOP

Griffin

Summer’s here!

Pool, lake, Parties!

CheCk out our Cabinet for

Spirits, Wine & Beer to a y e K d e t i r i sp ! life

r e ta i l

SolutionS

personal assistant personal driver private armed security private limousine available

Get cookin’ Things are heating up across the metro. Grills are fired up, kitchens are cookin’ and backyards have come alive with laughter, family and plates filled with fresh-off-the-fire goodness. This summer, make your eating spaces the best they can be with some help from these local professionals. By Gazette staff

Catering to Your Personal & last Minute needs Short & Long Term

Photo Garett Fisbeck

405.888.9066 | griffinsolutions405@yahoo.com OSBI background checked. Confidentiality is our priority.

H H H H H H H H H H H H HH H H H H H H H H H H H H H thunder shirts H up to 6xl • latest styles H H H we Are A men'S big & tAll H clothing store up to 10xl H H quality goods • personal service prices hard to beat H H H Sam’S BeSt BuyS H H 2409 S. Agnew 636-1486 H H mONDay - SatuRDay 9-5:45 H FAMILY OWNED 71 YEARS H H H H H H H H H H H H H H HH

•Culinary Kitchen

7222 N. Western Ave. culinarykitchen.com 405-418-4884 Culinary Kitchen’s galleries feature flatware, glassware, dishes, drink and serving accessories and anything you might need to help prepare the delicious meal you’ll serve on them. Owners Claude and Lindy Rappaport and their attentive and knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect appliances, cookware, in-home wood-fired ovens and more.

Photo provided

•The International Pantry

1618 W. Lindsey St., Norman intlpantry.com 405-360-0765 The International P a nt r y of f er s weekly hands-on and observation cooking classes to the public.

•Everything Barbeque

13833 N. May Ave. everythingbbq.com 405-463-3227 Everything Barbeque will help you create that dream kitchen you’ve always wanted in your backyard.

Custom outdoor kitchen islands can be designed to incorporate just about any want and need, including smokers, grills, patio heaters, bar and drink prep areas, sinks, warming drawers, refrigeration and storage.

Photo provided

22

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

COMPETITIvE PRICING

MICRODERMABRASION $30 First Treatment $200 Package of 5 MICRODERMABRASION ADD-ONS $10 Glycolic Peel $20 Jessner’s Peel

June 8, Charles Richardson, director of food and beverage and chef at The Trails Golf Club in Norman, leads an observation class featuring a menu of red snapper ceviche, fish en papillote, sous vide beef with shrimp and carrot cake.

The best part might be that guests get a full meal by the end of each class.

Class starts at 6:30 p.m., and registration is $45. Guests also receive a storewide 10 percent discount on items purchased during class.

PERMANENT MAKEUP • $250 Eyeliner • $250 Eyebrows • $350 Full Lips • $250 Lip Liner

JUVEDERM • RADIESSE

BOTOX Always $10 Per Unit

Schelly’s Aesthetics

Schelly Hill, R.N. 405-751-8930

Shoppes at Northpark, 12028 May Ave.

Open Mon-Sat • www.SkincareOKC.com

Photo provided

•Urban Kitchens of Oklahoma

616 NW 21st St., Suite 101 urbankitchensok.com 405-702-7747 Jo Meacham, the principal of Urban Kitchens, launched her career preserving and restoring homes in Oklahoma City.

She founded Urban Kitchens in 1999 and has since built hundreds of European-style, innovative kitchens in historic homes, lofts and apartments in neighborhoods such as Mesta Park, Edgemere Park, Crown Heights and in cities throughout the state.

Photo Garett Fisbeck

Gift Certificates Available

KC’s #1 Explore O age Shop Vint

essories Clothing • Accot her & s Record curious goods

in the Plaza 1759 NW 16th • Oklahoma City • 405-528-4585 Open Tues-Sat 12-7 • Like us on Facebook

The Indigo Attic

a colorful little hippie store, & so much more 5012 n. meridian mon-Sat: 10am-7pm | Sun:1pm-5pm fb.com/theindigoattic

tues-fri 11am-7pm

saturday 12pm-6pm

•Organics OKC Garden Supply

2800 N. Pennsylvania Ave. organicsokc.com 405-528-4769 Owners Marc and Janine Bradley want you to love the outdoors as much as they do. If you’ve been thinking about planting a home garden, now’s the time.

They offer planting tips and guidance as well as organic and pesticideand GMO-free garden plants, seeds and products.

The Bradleys also specialize in hydroponics and love to talk shop because they’re passionate about sustainability and healthy living.

art classes, jewelry, crafts, handmade art, furniture, gifts with an edge! fOllOW us!

5924 NW 38th | OklahOma City

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

23

ARTS & CULTURE

v i sua l a r t s

Charles Martin discusses The Paseo Plunge, which first opened in 1933 as the state’s first community pool. It now houses Paseo Arts District visual and performing artists. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Dive in The Paseo Plunge makes a splash as it transforms from a disused community pool into a creative oasis. By Ben Luschen

Charles Martin led a tour through the workin-process innards of The Paseo Plunge, which opened in 1933 as Oklahoma’s first community pool.

Martin manages the 28,000-square-foot building, located at 3010 Paseo Drive. He’s on a long list of people excited about the building’s potential in the neighborhood, and seeing the cavernous layers of space unavailable to the public at this time makes it easy to see why.

The tenant walked down a dark, concrete hall guided only by the light of an iPhone.

He said as much time as he spends here, he still finds unexplainable surprises all the time in the building that once sat unused for more than 30 years.

Martin pointed to a wall with the graffiti-emblazoned words “HELLO HOTDOG.” In one room, he found an enormous devil costume. He can’t explain any of it, but random surprises like that have endeared the place to him.

“Whenever I have a moment, I always try to go through the building and through all those little corners, take a picture, put it on Instagram and create a little false story about where it came from,” he said. “There’s just so many little treasures around this place.”

24

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Early look

Only a fraction of Plunge’s vast space is open to the public at this time, separated from the rest of the venue by a temporary wall.

Three temporary rooms have been developed and will transform as the project progresses. The building also provides studio space for local visual artists like Rick Sinnett and George Oswalt.

The short-term goal, Martin explained, is to introduce the public to the project now so they can watch it evolve.

“A lot of projects like this, the owner fills up the building and the public outside just has to wait until the whole thing is finished,” he said. “Then there’s a grand reveal.”

One of those temporary spaces houses Transient Gallery, in which each month, a local artist runs a storefront before it rotates to another artist. It is open through at least September.

“They can hang their art, they can have the doors open as much as they want and they’re able to sell to the public,” Martin said.

Plunge’s main Exchange Gallery now occupies the venue’s largest space. A series of guest-curated shows and traveling exhibits showcase a variety of art typically on display one to two months. Martin said the intent is to ensure guests always have new and fresh things to see at Plunge as it continues to grow.

Then there’s a tiny nook near the main entrance. It holds Martin’s Literati Press Bookshop, which is curated by local writers and will expand as renovations continue.

He said he also hopes a coffee shop will

eventually move in on the first floor.

However, he’s wary of setting firm timetables as owners and occupants juggle major renovations, zoning ordinances and other legal requirements.

The good thing, Martin said, is there is time to get it all done right.

“I’m used to working on very small levels, so whenever I decide to do something, it’s just execute,” he said. “This is a chance where I’m like, ‘OK; patience is an incredible virtue right now.’”

She enlisted Martin’s management help after he became entranced with the couple’s dream for the space. Earlier, Martin, who already knew of the Belts’ grand vision for the building, shot a short film and hosted an artist talk in the building. He immediately fell in love with it and wanted to see those goals come to fruition. “[John Belt] saw it as a very long-term investment but something that would eventually build a vibrant community,” Martin said.

Vibrant vision

‘Something significant’

It is impossible to talk about Plunge’s history without discussing John Belt, the attorney who dedicated his life to revitalizing the bohemian arts district. Belt purchased nearly every building on Paseo Drive, his last and biggest purchase being Plunge.

Belt labored to acquire the structure even as it sat unused. Its former owner was ill, and property rights were tied up in his estate.

In 2009, Belt finally closed on the last piece to the Paseo puzzle. His vision was to transform the venue into a multidisciplinary art space and district hub. His wife, Joy Reed Belt, picked up where her husband left off after his 2013 death from cancer. “[Plunge] has a lot of potential, and it’s the biggest structure on Paseo,” she said.

“We have a goal, and we’re moving very slowly toward it.”

Joy Belt described the structure as compelling but eccentric. Its almost entirely concrete frame does not make for easy renovations.

[Plunge] has a lot of potential, and it’s the biggest structure on Paseo.

Joy Reed Belt

Joy Belt said community interest in Paseo Plunge has been enormous.

“We have some artists in there now on a temporary basis, pop-up galleries and things,” she said. “That seems to be something that’s very needed in the community, and we certainly have infinitely more inquiries than we can handle.”

Plunge will be an important piece in efforts to transform Paseo Arts District from an area that comes alive each First Friday Gallery Art Walk into a district that always buzzes with activity.

Martin said foot traffic throughout the district should increase once a facility like this is complete.

“We’re trying to make it into a place where you just come,” he said. “It’s always a happening place.”

Martin is thankful the building’s owner is dedicated to enriching the community.

In the long run, he said, Plunge will offer the area much more than additional cash flow.

“You could sell this whole thing to Red Robin or a restaurant chain and make life so much simpler,” he said. “Instead of doing that, we’re trying to build something significant that’s going to help enrich the Paseo community for the sake of this legacy that we’re lucky enough to be involved in.”

sponsored program

F E S T I VA L 2 0 1 6

JOIN US JUNE 5TH 2016 MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS / 10A - 9P / DOWNTOWN OKC

FESTIVAL OVERVIEW INSPIRED BY OUR COMMUNITY AND A COLLECTIVE DESIRE TO POSITIVELY IMPACT OUR CITY, THE PEACE LOVE & GOODWILL FESTIVAL IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A ONE-OF-A-KIND EXTRA-SENSORY EXPERIENCE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. LISTEN, EAT, SHOP AND EXPLORE THE VERY BEST OKLAHOMA HAS TO OFFER DURING THIS ONE-DAY EVENT. THE FESTIVAL BENEFITS GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S YOUTH PROGRAMS AND WILL BE HELD AT THE BEAUTIFUL MYRIAD GARDENS IN DOWNTOWN OKC.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

PEACELOVEGOODWILL.ORG PLGFEST OKGOODWILL

OKGOODWILL O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

25

sponsored program

MUSIC SHOWCASE SPONSORED BY 10:30 AM Stephen Salewon 12:00 PM Willow Way 1:20 PM Shane Henry 2:40 PM Vastye 4:00 PM Chase Kerby 5:20 PM Annie Oakley 6:40 PM Beau Jennings & The Tigers 8:00 PM Matt Stansberry & The Romance

LAWN STAGE

COMMUNITY STAGE

11:40AM Olivia Kay 1:00PM Spaghetti Eddie 2:20PM Spaghetti Eddie 3:40PM Darci Jenkins 5:00PM Sugar Free All Stars 6:40PM Sugar Free All Stars 7:40PM Lucas Ross

10:30 AM Yoga Fairy 11:30 AM Story Book Reader 12:00 PM Steve Crawford Magic Show and Balloon Sculptures 1:30 PM Yumare Mexican Folk Dancers 2:30 PM DJ Josh Tullis Karaoke 3:30 PM Juggle Whatever (Hoola hoops, juggling) 4:30 PM Sheltered Reality Drum 5:30 PM SquishBAND 6:30 PM Jahruba Drums and Dancing

MYRIAD GARDENS / FREE EVENT / 10A - 9P / PEACELOVEGOODWILL.ORG

Trevino’s Mexican Street Eats

The Saucee Sicilian

Back Door BBQ

Metro Mini’s Donuts OKC

Rolling Café

OKCity Grill

Cutie Pies

Kona Ice

Murphy’s Cookshack

Mim’s Bakery & Nosh

Wicked Hangry

Bacon’n Cakin’

Holey Rollers

Macarena’s Street Cafe

Yum Yum Bites

The Fried Taco

Mutt’s Amazing Hotdogs

Mutt’s Amazing Hotdogs

Cornish Smokehouse

The Healthy Hippo

OKC Street Eats

Czech Delights

A Latte Love Coffee House

Phill Me Up Cheesesteaks

Big Truck Taco’s

St. Paddy Cakes

GOODWILL MARKET PLACE SPONSORED BY

26

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

FOOD TRUCK ROW SPONSORED BY

Handmade by Heather Hewett

Kindly Written

Bekah Sometimes

Brockus ArtWorks and Creations

JRK Studios

The Blue Cricket/The Plant Shoppe

Vacant Wheel

Designs By Jewelee

Goodwill

The Purple Manikin

Stadium Memories

Jacqui’s lil bit of everything

NiLa Designs

Sweet Organic Scrubs

This, That, and Some Bling

KWKollars

Doogles Restored Decor

Oklahoma Shirt Company

Dusty Lens Photography

Usborne Books &More

Recordtime Clocks and Bags

Cheri’s Custom Creations

Matilda Jane Clothes

Caron’s Embroidery

The Goat Farmer’s Wife

Roger’s Vintage

Bratt Designs Bow-tique

Struggle Bus Art & Clothing Co

Character Tales

Scentsy

Prairie Thyme Farm and Scentmelt

Jaxx+Hill

Local Lather

Cargo Room

Crystal Clover

Make it Snappy! Jewelry

sponsored program

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES OVER 20 CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES - FREE & WRISTBAND REQUIRED

WRISTBANDS

$10

FESTIVAL BENEFITS GOODWILL’S YOUTH PROGRAMS / ALL DAY EVENT

ONCE !

T U O UPON A D L O S PRINCESS 10:00 AM 1:00 PM

Melt My Heart – Frozen

A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes - Cinderella

4:00 PM

Forever After – Princess Medley

7:00 PM

Princess & Pirate Party

SPONSORED BY

VOLUNTEER

3 HOUR SHIFTS

FREE T-SHIRT

ONLINE SIGN UP PEACELOVEGOODWILL.ORG/VOLUNTEER O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

27

sponsored program

F E S T I VA L 2 0 1 6 R O N N O R I C K B L V D . F O R M E R LY S R O B I N S O N

Myriad Gardens W R E N O AV E

W S H E R I DA N AV E

R O N N O R I C K B L V D . F O R M E R LY S R O B I N S O N Main Stage

10:30 AM Stephen Salewon

4:00 PM Chase Kerby

12:00 PM Willow Way

5:20 PM Annie Oakley

1:20 PM Shane Henry

6:40 PM Beau Jennings & The Tigers

2:40 PM Vastye

8:00 PM Matt Stansberry & The Romance

Once Upon a Princess

Goodwill Marketplace

Lawn Stage Kid’s Activities Kid’s Activities

Community Stage 9 Restrooms + 1 Handicap Accesible

LAWN STAGE

Eating Area

Eating Area

S H U D S O N AV E

Water’s Edge Winery Anthem Brewing

W R E N O AV E

W S H E R I DA N AV E

Nestle Purina Pet Adoption

Main Stage

11:40AM Olivia Kay

5:00PM Sugar Free All Stars

1:00PM Spaghetti Eddie

6:40PM Sugar Free All Stars

2:20PM Spaghetti Eddie

7:40PM Lucas Ross

3:40PM Darci Jenkins

COMMUNITY STAGE

Goodwill Marketplace

Lawn Stage Kid’s Activities Kid’s Activities

Community Stage 9 Restrooms + 1 Handicap Accesible

Eating Area

Eating Area

S H U D S O N AV E

10:30 AM Yoga Fairy

3:30 PM Juggle Whatever (Hoola hoops, juggling)

11:30 AM Story Book Reader

4:30 PM Sheltered Reality Drum

12:00 PM Steve Crawford Magic Show and Balloon Sculptures

5:30 PM SquishBAND

1:30 PM Yumare Mexican Folk Dancers

6:30 PM Jahruba Drums and Dancing

2:30 PM DJ Josh Tullis Karaoke

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS

ADVANCED INTEGRATORS, INC. • ARLINGTON CENTER • BRUCKNER LEASING COMPANY • COX BUSINESS • LEDBETTER INSURANCE • OG&E • WATER’S EDGE WINERY • SOONER LIFT DAVE & BUSTER’S • EC GOOD OKC LLC • LOU HARGRAVE • HERITAGE TRUST COMPANY • HSPG & ASSOCIATES • IRWIN BUSINESS MACHINES • SHAWVER & SONS • INSIGNIA SIGNS MAXI-MOVERS BY CHEM-TRAINED IND. • PAPER N’ MORE • SUPPLIER SOLUTIONS • SONIC, AMERICA’S DRIVE IN • REPUBLIC SERVICES • RUEBENSTEIN & PITTS, PLLC • DDDD LLC. ANTHEM BREWING • VERITIV CORPORATION • UNITED MECHANICAL • TERRACON • PRICE EDWARDS & COMPANY • OKLAHOMA SHIRT COMPANY • COMPLETE ALARM TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

www.metrolibrary.org

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

29

TRY RESEARCH CALL HILLCREST CLINICAL RESEARCH

405-208-8989

v i sual arts

GOT LOW BACK PAIN? DON’T LIKE TAKING PAIN PILLS?

ARTS & CULTURE

Past presence The Prix de West Invitational Exhibition & Sale returns for its 44th year.

By Adam Holt

Defining the American West is not easy.

“Frontier,” “dangerous” and “inspirational” describe the phrase that is both a land mass and an ever-changing idea, as the West was once thought to be anything across the Appalachian Mountains.

The one word most agree with is “big.”

It also is largely untamed. Nighttime satellite photos of the United States depict large swaths of land unadulterated by artificial light.

The American West is truly continental.

Cowboys roam the lands of British Columbia and south of the Rio Grande just as they do the grass of Wyoming. The concept, like the geography, of the American West is so varied and large, maybe the best way to defining is not with words, but art.

The 44th edition of Prix de West Invitational Exhibition & Sale returns this month to National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and offers an array of American West interpretations. Ninetyeight of the country’s finest contemporary Western artists participate in the celebration featuring seminars and demonstrations, luncheons, a fixed-price draw for art, a live auction and an awards dinner.

More than 300 works are part of the exhibition, which is on display through Aug. 7.

Prix de West addresses the relevance of the American West and its art.

Prix de West Invitational Exhibition & Sale Events scheduled Tuesday

ComiNg sooN!

through June 11 Exhibition runs through Aug. 7 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St. nationalcowboymuseum.org 405-478-2250 Free-$450

20 16 NomiNatioN Ballots PuBlish June 8 & June 15 RuNoff Ballots PuBlish July 13 & July 20 Results PuBlish August 24 thaNk You PuBlishes August 31 30

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

“There’s this sense very often that the West is a subject of the past, when really the West is very much a front-and-center conversation for our nation and our even our continent today and into the future,” said Steven Karr, museum president and CEO. “It’s the idea behind the art — representational art, landscape art, figurative art. It’s speaking to Western traditions that still live.”

Prestige

Prix de West represents prestige like few other events in the American Western art world and are red-letter days for those working in the genre.

Landscape artist Andrew Peters of Council Bluffs, Iowa, a 10-year exhibition participant and 2015 Prix de West Purchase Award winner, praised the event and the museum for its efforts.

“Everything about the National Cowboy Museum represents what’s good in the world,” he said. “That award is something that is the highest expectation I could have had, and I don’t know what would be better than this. It is something I cherish and I’m humbly grateful for.”

As winner of the Purchase Award, Peter’s piece “The Lake of Glass,” an oil on canvas painting depicting a scene in Rocky Mountain National Park, is now part of the museum’s permanent collec-

tion. He received the purchase price for the piece, an award of $5,000 and the Prix de West medallion.

Peters shares a 45-minute seminar presentation, What the Traveller Saw: A Circuitous Route to Prix de West, 10 a.m.

June 11 at the museum. It revolves around what he has learned throughout his career, particularly painting outdoors and traveling with equipment through foreign countries.

Oklahoma City artist and 22-year veteran of the event Sherrie McGraw moderates a seminar panel, Figurative Art: A Conversation Among Friends, 1 p.m. June 10 at the museum.

“I think we’ll probably find out a lot about why they have been attracted to [painting] the figure,” McGraw said.

“Probably more about their process about how they do what they do.”

McGraw said the exhibition also is a key event for artists to meet the country’s top collectors. Along with Peters, McGraw spoke of the museum’s professionalism and her appreciation.

“The museum really does run a firstrate show,” she said. “They treat the artists royally and the collectors as well. … I can’t sing their praises enough.”

Fundraising

Prix de West also serves as a premier fundraising event for the museum. Each year, the exhibition raises an average of $1 million for the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Approximately 1,000 tickets are sold for the event.

Describing Prix de West as a fly-in event, Karr said it showcases the best of the city to people from all over the United States.

“Guelaguetza” by Daniel F. Gerhartz | Photo National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum / provided

“It’s an opportunity for people to visit our fair city,” he said, “an opportunity to see how our city has evolved, how it’s grown and how it is seeking to create its own place on the national stage. As a leader in things like downtown redevelopment, and as a state and city to define itself beyond simply the energy sector.”

For more information on the seminars, sale and exhibition, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org.

“The Last Three Yards” by Kyle Sims | Photo National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum / provided

Oklahoma’s Upscale Roadshow

Now Taking Vendor Applications Show: July 22-24, 2016 at cox convention center Deadline for Vendors: June 29

Products We’re Looking for:

Upscale boutique items • Women’s clothing • Baby and children’s clothing Men’s clothing and gift items • Boots and shoes • Jewelry and accessories Hair accessories • Bath and body products • Home scents and accessories On-site monogramming • Unique home décor • Unique yard and garden décor • Pet items

Apply online at oklahomagypsyglam.com • (405) 602-1851 O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

31

Join the Cross Timbers, Norman & Sooner Rotary Clubs for

Benefiting THE STUDIO OF THE SOONER THEATER & OTHER ROTARY PROGRAMS

THURSDAY, JUNE 9 7:00PM Artiste et le Vin

An evening of Painting & Wine Assistance League Norman Building 809 Wall Street

Limited Seating

FRIDAY, JUNE 10TH 6:30 PM Wine & Dine

F E AT U R IN G A M A Z IN G W IN ES & PHENOMENA L FOOD

Featuring exceptional cuisine courtesy of Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse, fine wines and scintillating conversation at the elegant urban home of Becky and Jason Willeford, 4315 Hillside Drive, Norman

Reservations Limited

SATURDAY, JUNE 11 6:30PM Le Tour de Vin

Our grand festival of delectable and collectible wines and exquisite foods.

6:30................. Silent Auction Opens 8:30..................... Live Auction Starts Lifestyle and collectible wines auction at the new Marriott NCED Conference Center and Hotel, 2801 East State Hightway 9, Norman

WINES PRESENTED BY: Republic National Distributing Co. RESTAURANTS: Hollies Flat Iron Steakhouse • Interurban • Midway Deli • Misal of India • Museum Café Native Roots Market • Panda Express • Toby’s American Grill • Sooner Legends • Sweet Basil 2016 Sponsors: CHAMPAGNE Big Red Sports & Imports | PINOT NOIR Havenbrook Funeral Home-Primrose Funeral Service Steve and Barbara Owens | CABERNET Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. • Joe Gil & Margaret Cullins Marylou & Melissa Mahaffey • Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse • Riverwind Casino • Markie & Craig Stephens Tribute Memorial Care • Ward & Glass, LLP | MERLOT Edward & Sumya Adwon • Arvest Bank John Bradenburg • Dental Design Studio, LLC • First United Bank • Ideal Homes • Knippelmeir Chevrolet LiqueColor Inc. • MidFirst Bank • Mitchell’s Jewelry • Physical Therapy Central • Republic Bank & Trust Sports Talk 98.5 FM & 1400 AM • The Spirit Shop • Valliance Bank • Waggoner’s Heating & Air Conditioning CHARDONNAY Aria Development • Bailey & Poarch • Eide Bailley, LLP • Lewis Beckett • Jack J Beller, MD Keith Busking • Cleveland County Abstract • Craig & Streight Orthodontics • Firehouse Subs Joe’s Wine & Spirits • JT & Lori Johnson • Krittenbrink Architecture, LLC • Mallard Construction & Roofing Mason’s Pecans & Peanuts, LLC • Mazzio’s • McClain Bank • Lynne Miller • 9East Liquor Physicians & Surgeons Pharmacy, Inc. • Renew You, PLLC • RSM US, LLP D5 Architecture/Andrew Seamans • Sigmon Pilkington Wealth Management Senator John & Elizabeth Sparks • Sooner Traditions • The International Pantry • Top of the World, LLC Adam C Woods, DC • Yeaman Signature Health Clinic

Please visit WWW.LETOURDEVIN.COM or call 405-321-0016 32

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

All three events require advance registration All participants must be 21

p er f o r m i n g arts

ARTS & CULTURE

Cast members rehearse Reduxion Theatre Company’s In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play), which runs Friday through June 25 at Civic Center Music Hall. | Photo Ryan West Photography for Reduxion Theatre Company / provided

Risque buzz

Reduxion Theatre Company premieres In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) to Oklahoma City audiences Wednesday. By Jack Fowler

Oklahoma City might not be known for try his new, untested therapy, Givings’ young risque, sex-themed theater, but the latest wife, tending to their newborn daughter next critically acclaimed play to grace the to the lab, can’t help but wonder what’s going Reduxion Theatre Company stage is sure to on in the next room. When a hysterical have local audiences buzzing. patient and her husband bring a wet nurse In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play), and their own complicated relationship into the Tony and Pulitzer-nominated comedy the equation, Givings must examine his own about “marriage, intimacy and electricity,” marriage and the nature of love itself.

Even after 130 years, the subject matter premieres Friday at City Space Theatre at is a bit risqué, and the comedy is rated R for Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. The play is based on a bizarre historical nudity and themes of sexuality. However, In fact: In the late 1800s, doctors treated “hysthe Next Room is no juvenile sex romp or terical” women with vibrators. From the bawdy pun-fest. Playwright Sarah Ruhl has Greek work for “uterus,” documented cases been compared to Henrik Ibsen and Oscar Wilde, and critics praised her latest work as of so-called female hysteria (a long-since smart, funny and poignant. discarded medical idea) date to the 13th “In the Next Room is a true novelty,” said century. From horseback riding, wooden dildos and applying vegetable oil to afflicted The New York Times. “A sex comedy designed regions, there was always a latest cure for not for sniggering teenage boys — or grown the mysterious ailment. None addressed the men who wish they were still sniggering teenage boys — but for adults with open problem’s root cause: sexual frustration.

Female hysteria manifested itself in hearts and minds.” myriad socially unacceptable ways: irritabilThe Hollywood Reporter also agreed Ruhl ity, erotic fantasies, “wetness between the balanced the humorous subject matter perleg.” Until the 19th century, it was widely fectly with deeper themes: “The playwright believed that women didn’t have a sex drive, mines her subject for suitably bawdy humor so it was not only considered inappropriate without resorting to vulgarity.” to label the affliction what it was, but scienOklahoma City actor Keegan tifically unfounded. It wasn’t until technolZimmerman portrays Dr. Givings, and his ogy caught up with demand wife Catherine is played by that hysteria finally met its Lia Oldham. Jennifer Farley, match. Homemade tools are David Pasto, Mariah In the Next Warren, Chase Bradshaw one thing; batteries are Room (or The quite another. and Rodonna Carter round Vibrator Play) out the small cast.

In the Next Room is set in the 1880s in the Victorian Directed by nationally 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday home of well-to-do Dr. renowned intimacy coach and June 9-12, 16-18 and Givings. The dawn of the age and choreographer Tonia 23-25; 2 p.m. Sunday of electricity has led the Sina Ellis, the OKC premiere and June 12, 19 and 25 good doctor to innocently of In the Next Room runs CitySpace Theatre invent something extraorthrough June 25.

Civic Center Music Hall dinary in his home laboraVisit okcciviccenter.com 201 N. Walker Ave. tory: the vibrator. As eager or call 405-297-2264. okcciviccenter.com patients begin arriving to 405-297-2264 $15-$35

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

33

ARTS & CULTURE

p er f o r m i n g arts

The cast of American Idiot from left features Jessica Higgs, Jennifer Teel (Extraordinary Girl), Ellie Valdez (Whatsername), Emily Pace (Heather), Lindsey Somers and Sarah Henry. | Photo Josh McGowen / provided

New mania

American Idiot brings the sound of hysteria to Guthrie’s Pollard Theatre stage.

By Ben Luschen

OPEN HOUSE

GRADUATE ARTS & SCIENCES TUESDAY, JUNE 14 5:00 - 7:00pm (come & go) Kramer School of Nursing PROGRAMS THAT MEET YOUR INTERESTS: creative writing | poetry | criminology | mental and behavioral health | counseling | nonprofit leadership | montessori | TESOL

okcu.edu/GraduateOpenHouse

34

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

When The Pollard Theatre Company put out its American Idiot casting call for the musical based on the landmark 2004 Green Day album of the same name, it was flooded with hopeful responders. The production has generated a kind of excitement distinct from any other play at Guthrie’s Pollard Theatre, 120 W. Harrison Ave. The show begins June 10 and runs through July 2.

Artistic Director W. Jerome Stevenson said whether that excitement will translate into ticket sales remains to be seen.

The musical debuted in 2009 at Berkley Repertory Theatre before moving to Broadway the following year. Billy Joe Armstrong, Green Day’s lead singer and guitarist, occasionally played the role of St. Jimmy throughout that run.

Very little dialogue is used. Instead, song lyrics guide the narrative as Johnny (aka “Jesus of Suburbia”) and his close circle of friends deal with the very real problems of a post-9/11 world.

The project the show is based on is a six-time platinum-selling concept album

by Green Day. It became the soundtrack for many within a young generation frustrated by a world of war and terror.

Stevenson, who also directs Pollard’s production, said the album’s popularity contributed to the strong community response.

“I was blown away by the number of people who showed up when we auditioned for the show,” he said. “There were so many talented people that immediately, you start to say, ‘OK; we’ve got to whittle this down.’”

Stevenson said it was a priority to make sure the cast was familiar with the material and had a deep, emotional understanding of the record. This performance calls for banging and thrashing, not delicate choreography.

Matthew Allen Brown is a natural fit to portray Johnny’s drug-dealing alter ego St. Jimmy, Stevenson said. Brown has been in a number of Pollard productions and shown the charm to remain likable even as the antihero dastardly stirs the pot.

Johnny is portrayed by Pollard company member Jared Blount. Stevenson said he is the perfect choice to play the lead.

Pollard found myriad other talent to fill supporting roles.

“Finding everybody else was a breeze,” he said. “It was a long process because there were so many people to choose from, but we had so many options, it was in some ways the easiest but in other ways the most difficult casting process we’ve had.”

New challenges

American Idiot presents unique challenges for Stevenson and his team. Song lyrics propel the story. Additional tunes from Green Day’s canon, such as “21 Guns,” fill out story holes.

I was blown away by the number of people who showed up when we auditioned for the show.

W. Jerome Stevenson

The stage show remains loyal to the album in the sense that no lyrics were added or changed. While there is a storyline, Stevenson said there is not much direction given about how to perform it.

It is up to the cast and director to interpret each line, Stevenson explained.

“Yes, when you hear the album, you may not have that thought, but what we need to do is take the audience on a different kind of journey,” he said. “When they hear that lyric and see it accompanied by the visual we’re presenting, it immediately makes them say, ‘Oh my God. I just got another way that line is really smart.’”

American Idiot also offers a sonic escape from what Pollard’s cast of contributing musicians are used to playing. The band performs onstage with the cast.

Stevenson said many were excited by the prospect of doing something different.

“You say, ‘Hey, we’re doing American Idiot,’ and they’re like, ‘What? I want to play that show. I don’t care what other guitar player shows up,’” he said. “This is a generation of people who know these artists and were fans long before the musical happened.”

New audiences

This show is not for the stuffy or squeamish, Stevenson said. It is a grown-up production that tackles topics such as drug abuse, sex, war and fear. Pollard tries to get that message across through its posters and advertising.

“If what you want is a show that is bright and sunshiny and for the family and you can bring the kids along, you have got the wrong play,” he said. “This is just not what American Idiot is.”

Stevenson expects some audience

American Idiot 8 p.m. June 10-11, 17-18, 23-25, 30 and July 1-2; 2 p.m. June 19 and 26 The Pollard Theatre 120 W. Harrison Ave., Guthrie thepollard.org 405-282-2800 $15-$30

members will not understand what the musical is and Pollard is trying to do. But his real hope is to appeal to those who will relate to what they see onstage.

Countless musicals are based on literature. In a world where popular music has overtaken the written word in cultural conversation, Stevenson said it is appropriate to produce a theatrical show that speaks that language.

“It’s that sense that the media tells us what to think, and that’s not acceptable to us,” he said. “That’s what they’re saying in this show, and it really resonates.”

Stevenson recognizes there is some risk in putting on a production that does not fit a stereotypical theater crowd, but he added that people can influence what theaters routinely offer by supporting shows like this one.

“A lot of times, [other companies] assume, ‘Oh, they’re never going to come see a play, so we’ll just keep doing the same thing over and over and over again,’” he said. “We believe that you do those plays so that you can say to the audience, ‘Yes, we can do this too.’”

American Idiot cast members top to bottom Matthew Alvin Brown (St. Jimmy), Ellie Valdez (Whatsername) and Jared Blount (Johnny) prepare for the production’s June 10 debut. | Photo Josh McGowen / provided

Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954). L’Algérienne, 1909. Oil on canvas. Collection Centre Pompidou, Paris. MNAM-CCI. Legs du Victomte Guy de Cholet aux Musées nationaux, 1916, 2009. AM 2009-214. © 2016 Succession H. Matisse/Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

35

film

ARTS & CULTURE

Planetary vision

David West center fosters his love for filmmaking with Morabo: The Wandering Festival of Film with help from event assistant Wilson Powerz left and Power House owner Clay Berkes. | Photo Morabo Film Festival / provided

Morabo: The Wandering Festival of Film fosters a love for the craft and unites creatives. By Ben Luschen

David West perfected his filmmaking craft in countries like Italy and Czech Republic. These experiences further fanned the flames of creative cinema in the already-passionate artist.

It’s a spark he hopes to ignite in his hometown.

West is the mastermind behind Morabo: The Wandering Festival of Film, a unique venture in which all its featured projects are created during the event.

Morabo runs Tuesday through June 12 in Oklahoma City and then spreads outward to Prague, Czech Republic June 15-22 before joining with another festival in Italy.

While his affection for filmmaking was emboldened in Europe, culturally, West said it is an equally exciting time in Oklahoma City. The artist, who earned his film studies undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma, lives near the Plaza District and thinks the creative climate is right to spread his love for the craft stateside.

“They’ve got a lot of local artists doing really great things, so I think it’s a fairly easy concept to pull off,” he said.

Festival plans

ings can lead to other film events at Power House.

“I was like, ‘You guys, keep this [screening area] there. Do a weekly screening.

Get with The Paramount or some other local groups,’” he said. “I’m sure there are people who would love to use it and screen something outdoors.”

West and Morabo head to Europe shortly after Oklahoma City events conclude. Once there, they’ll lead a similar week of filming in Prague.

A few people from the U.S. will make the trip with West. The festival’s Czech chapter will feature mostly locals.

Morabo is a hybrid film school and festival. It launches Tuesday in OKC with a registration and orientation day.

West said the next day, it hosts a location tour and several workshops. That evening, participants can have digital headshots done. The day also features a production meeting to establish indiReliving memories vidual roles, assess equipment and form In many ways, Morabo enables West to teams. revisit his past and film roots. West lived Two more workshops will be held June in Czech Republic for several years before 8. Following that, June 9-11 are production moving back to Oklahoma. days for filming, editing and finishing The Morabo name is a reference to the group projects. West compared his Czech lands of Moravia and Bohemia. concept to the 48 Hour Film Project After Morabo finishes its week in Prague, West heads to Italy for the contest, except less frantic.

“You can shoot, you can edit, you can CinemadaMare Film Festival, where he edit on the fly and you can have a good will work as a production assistant. In film done in four or five 2010, he participated in days,” he said. the festival. The concept Final submissions are behind that event also Morabo: The due June 12. Public helped inspire Morabo.

Wandering screenings are 8 p.m. at CinemadaMare is in Festival of Film Power House, 1228 NW its 14th year and bills itself as “the biggest Second St. Organizers Tuesday through June 12 planned an outdoor gathering of young filmOklahoma City screening area at the bar, makers in the world.”

(June 15-22 in Prague, which West said is perfect Participants spend more Czech Republic) because there is not a lot than a month touring morabofestival.org of traffic in the area. He Italy as they create proj310-985-5319 hopes the Morabo screenects later screened for $45-$300

36

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

the public.

West said his time with CinemadaMare was as or more beneficial to him than his grad school film studies.

He traveled and met creatives and locals and found opportunities to regularly practice his film skills.

“I have to rank it up there as quite a huge learning experience because I made six of seven films in those weeks,” he said of the experience. “In my year of production for my masters, I did four films.”

Making connections

West said he realizes that Morabo is the same week as deadCenter Film Festival, which runs June 8-12. He does not view the timing as a conflict. Instead, he hopes it results in a larger celebration of film in Oklahoma City.

West wants to foster an overall love for his craft in Oklahoma City and across the globe.

Morabo is as much about teaching as it is about doing.

“Not everyone has the money or the opportunity to study film,” West said.

“People say, ‘Oh, I’m not a filmmaker.’

Well, you’re not a filmmaker until you try.”

Film is an innately collaborative medium, West said, and creative endeavors often bring people together. West made lifelong connections at CinemadaMare, and he wants to encourage others to do the same in Oklahoma City.

“I can help provide people who all have interest in being part of making a film, put them together and let them go do it,” he said.

film

Ace Denison (Zac Abbott) plays a lost soul — in more ways than one — in Oklahoma-made short The Foreverlands. | Photo Kyle Harris / provided

Forever first

Oklahoma filmmaker Kyle Kauwika Harris got into deadCenter his first time out with The Foreverlands. By Greg Elwell

When the script for The Foreverlands found its way to a few regional filmmakers who wanted to direct the short film, writer Kyle Kauwika Harris decided to do it himself.

“After seeing others gravitate toward it, I thought, ‘I want to do this,’” he said.

“We filmed it in six days for $6,000. I raised the money — well, I took out loans. My wife didn’t like it, but I did it anyway.”

The 27-minute short, filmed in Tuttle, Minco and Meers, follows a drifter named Ace (Zac Abbott) who meets a man on a deserted road.

Henry Bonneville (Mark Adam Goff) offers lost souls a chance for revenge, but it’s up to Ace to decide what to do with that chance.

Though it was nominated for best original concept, best cinematography and best actor at the Independent Horror Movie Awards in February, Harris said the film has more of a supernatural psychological suspense vibe.

“I don’t really like violence in my films, or at least not direct violence,” he said.

“I’d rather hide all of that, and the cursing and obscenities, through a more mature dialogue.”

Though Ace suffers a traumatic event early in his life, Harris said he chose to show it more subtly.

Much as Henry gives lost souls the means to do his will, Harris is more interested in giving the audience the pieces to put together the backstory, rather than just throw it all up on the screen.

It’s still not perfect, of course. He said an extra $1,000 and another day of shooting were on his wish list, just to deal with

a few unexpected troubles along the way.

“There were a lot of bumps in the road filming it,” he said. “You just can’t predict what’s going to happen. Driving down a dirt road in the middle of the night in November, you aren’t sure how cold it’s going to be or when other cars are going to come along. Little things like that.”

But he’s going to have an opportunity to make changes, as he’s already working on a feature-length film version of The Foreverlands loosely based on the book of Job. He wants to film it next year in Cimarron County, taking advantage of the dusty, haunting elements of the area.

“I’m really thrilled by imagery,” he said. “I want to explore the eerie atmospheres these people exist in. The feature will have more time to get into the dynamics of the relationship between Ace and Henry and we’ll get to touch on other characters a lot more.”

He hopes to marry the desolate horror tone with the reverence of Tommy Lee Jones in No Country for Old Men. The short film screens June 11 and 12 in the Not So Short Shorts program at deadCenter Film Festival. The festival runs June 8-12 in venues across downtown Oklahoma City.

This is the first year Harris applied to deadCenter, and he and his crew are excited to be included.

“It’s been nominated five times, and we’re going to six or seven festivals already,” he said, “but getting into deadCenter our first time is pretty exciting.”

I want to explore the eerie atmospheres these people exist in.

Kyle Kauwika Harris

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

37

Quality Since 2006

Lash TEChs NEEdEd

Licensed & Experienced 405.401.6688 1800 E. Memorial Rd. #101 OKC 73131

film

ARTS & CULTURE

Real People

Laron Chapman hopes his film shatters age-old Hollywood stereotypes. By Ben Luschen

The silver screen has flashed many characters in front of Laron Chapman’s eyes: Italian mobsters, black gangsters, turbanwearing terrorists, smart and mysterious Asians and fashion diva gay men.

One thing he rarely sees, though, is a minority that’s more than a one-dimensional typecast or any character that remotely reminds him of himself.

Chapman, a local filmmaker and screenwriter who has worked on most of the bigname projects shot in Oklahoma in the last three years, is planning his answer to decades of Hollywood stereotypes.

Chapman hopes to begin shooting You People, his writing and directing debut, in late fall. The satirical comedy follows the life of an adopted black college student and his well-to-do white family. In order to impress a girl, the lead reinvents himself to fit perceived black standards.

You People puts minorities in their opposite stereotypical roles. Chapman hopes the project will stand in stark contrast to the theatrical norm he grew up with.

“I saw films that weren’t really reflecting the world I came from,” he said. “I thought, ‘There’s definitely a whole community of people who are kind of underrepresented.’”

Script development

Chapman came up with the story idea soon after graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 2013 with a degree in film and media studies.

The movie is in its pre-production phase. Chapman currently has about

$10,000 toward his $50,000 goal and will fundraise through the end of summer. Social media and word-of-mouth are key as he promotes You People.

“Anyone I’ve exposed it to, they’re interested in it,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting it in the right person’s hands at the right time.”

Chapman submitted the first draft of the script to Austin Film Festival and Beverly Hills Film Festival shortly after its completion. Later, he entered his final draft in the Big Break Screenwriting Contest.

He received positive feedback from everyone, and his work was ranked a top quarter-finalist at Big Break.

“When they send you a critique of [the screenplay] and they don’t say anything bad about it, it’s like, ‘So make it,’” he said.

Building experience

August: Osage County is known locally as that 2013 movie starring Hollywood megaliths Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts that was shot in Oklahoma. For Chapman, the set is where he learned the business.

He applied to be a production assistant on the film shortly after graduating college and was lucky enough to be selected. Soon after, he found himself having a casual conversation with Streep, often looked at as the world’s best living actress.

“It was nerve-wracking at first, seeing the set pacing and how it works the first time,” he said. “You’re just kind of thrown into it. [You] definitely have to have tough skin.”

Screenwriter Laron Chapman hopes to begin filming his debut project, You People, this fall. | Photo Garett Fisbeck 38

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Since then, he has worked on the sets of 2013’s Rudderless and upcoming Hellraiser: Judgement. He also worked on the in-state sets of television’s American Idol and The Pioneer Woman.

Each job always led him to the next.

Chapman has always been interested in film because it’s a collaborative art form. Even so, he said he feels more at home as a writer than behind the camera.

He hopes to one day write regularly for a television drama.

“The reason I’ve settled on screenwriting mostly is that it’s just marrying my strength with what I’m passionate about doing,” he said.

Creating change

The issues Chapman addresses in You People are at the forefront of national consciousness. The lack of minority award nominees in this year’s Academy Awards ceremony spurred the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. Chapman said the program’s lack of diversity is a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself.

The overarching issue is that there aren’t enough quality roles for minority characters.

Laron Chapman

“[Academy voters] just kind of dealt with what they had,” he said. “Thinking on it, the overarching issue is that there aren’t enough quality roles for minority characters that would even warrant a nomination.”

However, Chapman is hopeful for the future. Aside from his film, he said recent movies like 2014’s Dear White People and 2015’s Dope portray minorities in imaginative ways. He also praised the series Empire for its more intricate black roles.

The writer has a group of local actors he’d like to work with on his project. He also filmed promotional ads (not trailers) that were posted to the project’s YouTube account. Everyone he speaks with about the movie says it’s something that needs to be made.

Now all that’s left is to do it.

Chapman said Oklahoma in particular needs a movie like You People to show off what the state has to offer.

“I’d like to see more films like this here that kind of showcase the diverse, underrated talent that we do have here,” he said.

To learn more about You People, visit its Indiegogo page or facebook.com/ youpeoplemovie.

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

39

ac t i v e

ARTS & CULTURE

SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2016 | 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.

CAFÉ DO BRASIL EVENT CENTER | 440 NW 11 STREET, MIDTOWN

Running free

A Guthrie race honors Chris Cowden’s memory and raises money for an animal sanctuary. By Mark Beutler

Chris Cowden worked in the oilfields near his hometown of Guthrie and usually carried around a big sack of dog food in his truck. Sometimes when he was out in the country for either work or recreation, he would come across a stray animal. He would give the animal a good meal before taking it back into town to find it a home.

One afternoon, Cowden went for a ride on his motorcycle and was involved in a fatal crash. In the aftermath, his siblings, Matt, Teri and Suzanne, turned their grief toward something productive. They knew their brother loved animals and running, so they established an annual race event in his honor.

Now in its eighth year, The See Spot Run is a 5K/10K race and kids’ fun run in downtown Guthrie benefiting Free to Live, one of the state’s largest no-kill animal sanctuaries.

“When I lost Chris, I didn’t just lose my brother,” Matt said. “I also lost my friend.

This event is a way of keeping his memory alive and also a way to help the animals he loved so much.”

Teri told Oklahoma Gazette that her brother Chris had a great sense of humor and a compassionate heart.

“Chris loved his family and took care of us at all times,” she said. “He loved life and lived it well. He was a dedicated father and family man and a friend to all he met.

This event gives us an opportunity to celebrate Chris in a way that involves something he loved to do and also benefit Free to Live.”

The event has grown through the years, attracting around 500 runners from across Oklahoma and the United States annually. More than $45,000 has been raised, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Free to Live.

The See Spot Run 6:15 p.m. June 11 W. Harrison Avenue and Second Street, Guthrie theseespotrun.com $15-$30

TASTE WINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD WHILE ENJOYING FOOD FROM: Café Do Brazil • 1492 • McNellie’s Pub • Brown’s Bakery • Fassler Hall Viceroy Grille • Stella’s • The Meat Market Refractory • VZD’s and more!

TICKETS $50 AT YMCAOKC.ORG or $65 AT THE DOOR

40

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

“One of my favorite memories of Chris was when we would go on our runs together,” Suzanne said. “He lived close by me, and we would run to a meeting point and jog side by side up the challenging hills in Guthrie. The See Spot Run route is actually the same course we would run together.”

Last year, the race switched from a morning run to an evening event, and organizers say the turnout was much better,

The See Spot Run was organized eight years ago in memory of Chris Cowden. | Photo provided

The See Spot Run raises money for Free to Live, a no-kill animal sanctuary. | Photo provided

with an even larger crowd expected this year.

This year’s event is June 11, with the youth fun run at 6:15 p.m. at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Second Street in Guthrie. Both the 5K and 10K race begin at 7 p.m. Runners and walkers are encouraged to bring four-legged friends but should remember Guthrie’s leash law is strictly enforced. Free to Live also will be on hand with some of its rescue dogs.

Those who may not necessarily want to work up a sweat can still come out and enjoy the festivities with food, beer and music filling the downtown streets.

“Chris was a dedicated father, and he and his daughter Mallory were incredibly close,” Teri said. “He actually got into running when she took up the sport in high school. Now, Mallory and her husband Trey are very involved with the planning and execution of the race. One of Chris’ favorite things to do was spend time with his family and friends, and he would have loved to have run this race. And that is why we started our event in the first place.”

For more information or to register, visit theseespotrun.com or freetolive.org.

calendar June 4. Natural Grocers, 7013 N. May Ave., 405-840-0300, naturalgrocers.com. SAT

These are events recommended

by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staff members. For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.

Turmeric, the Spice of Life, learn about turmeric and its health benefits, 3-4 p.m. June 5. Natural Grocers, 7013 N. May Ave., 405-840-0300, naturalgrocers.com. SUN A Taste of Culture 2016, sip on wines from around the world, enjoy appetizers from local restaurants, a jewelry pull, a wine pull and live entertainment, 6-9 p.m. June 5. Cafe do Brasil, 440 NW 11th St., 405-525-9779, cafedobrazilokc.com. SUN

FILM Fireworks Wednesday, (IS, 2006, dir. Asghar Farhadi) drama telling the story of marital intrigue and betrayal set against the backdrop of the Persian New Year, 5:30 and 8 p.m. June 2, 2 p.m. June 4. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. THU Weiner, (US, 2016, dir. Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg) film follows disgraced New York City Democrat Anthony Weiner as he seeks redemption in a familiar place: electoral politics, 5:30 and 8 p.m. June 3-4, 2 and 5:30 p.m. June 5.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. FRI-SUN Summer Movie Fun: The Peanuts Movie, (US, 2015, dir. Steve Martino) Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch nemesis while Charlie Brown begins his own quest to win the love of his life; $2 movies and concession discounts, 9:45 a.m. June 6-10. Harkins Theatre, 150 E. Reno Ave., 405-231-4747, harkinstheatres.com. MON-FRI Tuesday Night Classics: The Breakfast Club, (US, 1985, dir. John Hughes) five high school students meet in detention, where they pour their hearts out to each other and discover they have a lot more in common than they thought, 7 p.m. June 7. Harkins Theatre, 150 E. Reno Ave., 405-231-4747, harkinstheatres.com. TUE

HAPPENINGS Wine & Howl, fundraiser benefiting The Central Oklahoma Humane Society featuring refreshments from Broadway Wine Merchants, Coop Ale Works and Seven47 along with a silent auction; cocktail party open to anyone who wants to lend a hand to pets in need, 5:30-8 p.m. June 2. Dunlap Codding, 609 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-607-8600, dunlapcodding.com. THU

Bubble Wine Dinner, wine dinner featuring a selection of sparkling wines with food pairings prepared by the Vast culinary team; co-hosted by Ian Clark of Putnam Wines, 6:30-9:30 p.m. June 8. Vast, 333 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-702-7262, vastokc.com. WED

Summer Feeding Program Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma needs your help! The local hunger relief organization seeks volunteers to assist with its Summer Feeding program. The food bank expects to serve 200,000 breakfasts and lunches to children in low-income areas this summer through its production kitchen, Hope’s Kitchen. It needs at least 25 volunteers 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.

Monday-Friday through July 28.

Volunteers help pack meals and must be at least 12 years old. Visit regionalfoodbank. org or call 405-600-3160. WednesdayWednesday, ongoing Photo Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma / provided

Vintage Treasures’ Backyard Market and 23rd Street Block Party, a one-day open-air market and block party for all things vintage; entertainment, food trucks and plenty of shopping on the lawn, as well as vintage, antiques and art at Wash and Wares Vintage Treasures and neighbors, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 4. Wash and Wares Vintage Treasures, 3006 NW 23rd St., 405-705-5010, washandwaresestateliquidations.com. SAT

Wednesday Wax & Wine, two-hour workshop learning how to create beautiful encaustic monotypes by melting wax on a hot plate and pulling paper prints of luminous colors and bold shapes, all while sipping on your favorite beverage, 6-8 p.m. June 8. Paseo School of Art, 3110-A N. Paseo St., 405-205-8990, paseoschoolofart.com. WED

YOUTH Babysitting Workshop, fun and educational workshop designed for youths ages 11-19; learn how to be responsible for children of all ages, make babysitter bags, learn safety practices and become first aid and CPR certified, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 1-2. OSU-OKC Human Services Education Center, 3401 W. Reno Ave., 405-713-1125, osuokc.edu/humanservices. WED-THU Koo Koo Kanga Roo Performance, band, comedy duo and workout franchise known for making students laugh, dance and exercise as part of the GoNoodle program used in most area elementary schools, 6:30 p.m. June 2. University of Central Oklahoma, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, 405974-2000, uco.edu. THU Summer Scoops, summer-themed workshop creating a paper snow cone and using different tools to paint texture on the finish pieces. Ages 15-36 months 1010:45 a.m., ages 3-5 11 a.m.-noon June 4. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT Trucks for Tots, food trucks and family fun; children learn, touch and experience firsthand the trucks and other vehicles that make our city move, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

June 4. Lawn behind Whole Foods, 62nd St. and Western Ave. SAT

Chisholm Trail Crawfish Festival, Cajun western festival featuring the Kid’s Kreative Korral, cajun food, living history reenactments, crawfish races, live music, pony rides and more, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. June 4. Kirkpatrick Family Farm, 1001 Garth Brooks Blvd., Yukon, 405-350-8937. SAT

Photo Gazette / file

Spa Day, learn how to make your own beauty products using ingredients from every department in the store, including DIY beauty demos, take-home recipe cards, professional makeovers, mini facials and foot detoxes and more, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 4. GreenAcres Market, 7301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., 405-681-6060, greenacres.com. SAT

oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com. MON -WED Flute Camp, summer camp presented by UCO Fine Arts and Design for ages 13-18, June 6-9. University of Central Oklahoma, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, 405-974-2000, uco.edu. MON -THU Super Science Spectacular!, a week full of fantastic explorations and investigations that explore science’s most basic question: What if?, June 6-10. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52nd St., 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. MON - FRI

Big Hats for Bella, a night of food, fun and horse raising with proceeds benefiting The Bella Foundation SPCA, 4-9 p.m. June 4. Remington Park, 1 Remington Place , 405-424-9000, remingtonpark.com. SAT Red Brick Nights, enjoy music, food and shopping in downtown Guthrie, 7 p.m. June 4. Downtown Guthrie, Wentz and Oklahoma Ave., Guthrie. SAT Industry Flea, an open-air market of artisans, shops and vintage finds, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 5. Industry Flea, 399 NW 10th St., industryflea.com. SUN

FOOD

Her and Me As a way to deal with grief after losing her mother, local artist Marilyn Artus created a collection of works from the thousands of colorful beads her mom collected. Her and Me’s female forms comment on gender and color. The exhibit’s free opening reception begins 6 p.m. Friday at The Project Box, 3003 Paseo St. It runs through June 25.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. TuesdaysFridays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. Visit theprojectboxokc.com or call 405-6093969. Friday-Saturday, ongoing Photo The Project Box / provided

Eclairs, Crullers and Profiteroles Class, hands-on pastry couples class with the super versatile pâte à choux dough; create some amazing eclairs, crullers and profiteroles, 6-9 p.m., June 3. Belle Kitchen, 7509 N. May Ave., 405-430-5484, belle-kitchen.com. FRI Saintoberfest Beer Tasting, hosted by St. Anthony Foundation and Byron’s Liquor Warehouse, the event features more than 50 beers to sample, music, snacks, outdoor games and a raffle, all outdoors in the heart of Midtown, 6:30-9 p.m. June 3. St. Anthony Hospital ot, SW Corner of NW Ninth and Walker Ave., 405-2727000, saintsok.com. FRI Made in Oklahoma Wine, Beer and Food Festival, experience an extensive variety of wine and beer samples from local producers as well as food tastings and culinary delights from several of Oklahoma’s premier restaurants, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 4. Sheraton Midwest City Hotel, 5750 Will Rogers Road, Midwest City, 405-455-1800, sheratonmidwestcity.com. SAT Nourish & Heal the Paleo Way, Kevyn Kennedy teaches how to use the Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook to heal inflammation and autoimmune issues, 2-3 p.m.

OKC Spraygrounds and Family Aquatic Centers It’s already super hot. It’s OK to admit it. And it’s only going to get hotter as the summer burns on. Luckily, Oklahoma City is home to 16 spraygrounds and two aquatic centers. Gather outside at these community watering holes and cool down like our ancestors did — except the spraygrounds and pools are much cleaner and you don’t really have to worry about wild animals attacking you. Earlywine Family Aquatic Center, 3101 SW 119th St. is open noon-8 p.m. Sunday-Wednesdays and noon-9 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays through Aug. 14. Admission is $3-$7. Spraygrounds are open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through July 31. Admission is free. Visit okc.gov/parks for a list of spraygrounds and more information. Wednesday-Wednesday, ongoing

Blow Out We all need a little more early 1980s John Travolta in our lives.

Thankfully, 1981’s Blow Out exists for us to quench that thirst. Travolta stars in the thriller as a movie set sound guy who unwittingly records evidence of a murder.

OKC Film Club hosts a screening 7 p.m.

Tuesday at District House, 1755 NW 16th St. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/ okcfilmclub or call 405-633-1775. Tuesday Photo Filmways Pictures / provided

Edible Portraits, entertaining, informative and edible class making goofy portraits out of fruits and veggies followed by story time learning interesting facts about fruits and veggies; ages 6-10, 10 a.m.noon June 4. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. MON Weekly Walk-Ups, each day holds a new activity; make and take crafts on Monday, play with food on Tuesday, story time on Wednesday, crafts focusing on the environment on Thursday and a scavenger hunt on Friday, 10 a.m.-noon, June 6-8. Children’s Garden, 301 West Reno & Harvey, 405-445-7080,

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

Summer Art Camp: Still Life Summer, focusing on Oklahoma Contemporary’s exhibiting artist Summer Wheat, 5-6 year-old campers create a series of exciting pop-art still-life pieces; students work in the gallery and the studio to make art using pencils, watercolors, charcoal and oil pastels accented in black contour lines, just like Summer Wheat, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 6-10. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405-9510000, oklahomacontemporary.org. MON - FRI Summer Art Camp: Native Symbols, by discussing Native American symbols of the past and present, 7- to 9-year-olds explore symbols that represent our society today, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 6-10. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org.

MON - FRI Summer Art Camp: Good Times with Vermeer, with the direction of local artist G. Patrick Riley, campers ages 7-9 create visual art based on contemporary artist Summer Wheat and learn about her connection to famous historical artist Johannes Vermeer; students use paint, oil pastels, charcoal, paper and more, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 6-10.

Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 405-6017474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.com. MON - FRI

continued on page 43

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

41

Pa r t i ci Pat i n g r e s tau r a n t s

-

okcrestaurant week. com

benef iting

10 North Grille

musashi’s

1492 New world latiN CuisiNe

off the hook seafood & Bar

Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse

paNaNG 5 thai restaur aNt

Cafe aNtiGua

park aveNue Grill

Café do Br asil

paseo Grill

Cheever’s Cafe

patroNo

dave & Busters

poBlaNo Grill

the dr ake

puB w

eGGiNGtoN’s

the r & J louNGe aNd supper CluB

e.s. fouNders restaur aNt

red primesteak

fliNt

repuBliC GastropuB

GuerNsey park

roCk & Brews

hudsoNs

roCoCo

puBliC house

saiNts puB

iN the r aw BriCktowN

sak aNa sushi & Grill

iNGrid’s kitCheN

sauCed oN paseo

iroN star urBaN BBQ

sCr atCh kitCheN & CoCktails

J. BruNer’s at the hauNted house

BEVERAGE SERVICES LLC

Bottled Water

Coffee Service

Beverage Equipment

Private Label

taNa thai Bistro

kitCheN No. 324

tuCker’s oNioN BurGers

lottiNvilles Bar & Grill

the meltiNG pot

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

sushi Neko

Jamil's steakhouse

the meat market refeCtory

42

r aNGe Café

flatire BurGers

viCeroy Grille whiskey Cake kitCheN & Bar

calendar O KG pi c k s

continued from page 41 Summer Art Camp: Stop Motion Animation: Figurative Fun, stop-motion animation camp for students ages 10-12 teaches how to make animatable figures such as humans, animals and aliens; campers use figures and newly acquired knowledge of Dragonframe software to create a short film that will be shown in the theater on the last day of camp, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 6-10. Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 405-601-7474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.com. MON-FRI Summer Art Camp: Portraits that POP!, 5-6 year-old artists create colorful 2-D and 3-D portraits, focusing on color mixing and organic forms; use various mediums including paint, paper mâché, clay and cardboard to create their portraits, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

June 6-10. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org. MON-FRI Snow White Summer Camp, children’s summer camp held by Oklahoma Children’s Theatre; ages 11 and up, June 6-26. Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., 405-606-7003, oklahomachildrenstheatre.org.

The Frog Prince, summer performing arts day camp for boys and girls ages 6-17; campers put on a full musical production, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., June 7-17. Taylor Recreation Center, 1115 SW 70th St., 405-634-1120.

Fairy Tale Ballet Camp, a four-day dance camp that includes a daily dance class and introduces students to four famous fairy tale ballets: The Sleeping Beauty, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, May 31-June 3. Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet, 7421 N. Classen Blvd., 405-843-9898, okcballet.com. WED -FRI Summer Art Camp: Amazingly Abstract, young artists ages 5-6 explore a variety of artistic mediums and create multiple artworks all while learning about American painter and printmaker Jasper Johns, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 30-June 3. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org.

WED -FRI Summer Art Camp: From Ordinary to Extraordinary, children ages 7-9 learn to notice details and investigate new ways to create painted masterpieces; while experimenting with everyday items, students learn an appreciation for art and gain the confidence to create their own work, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 31-June 3. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org. WED -FRI

Summer Art Camp: Oh What a Relief!, students ages 10-12 engage in a variety of projects: unusual sculptures, abstract painting and designs as well as relief printmaking, all techniques made famous

by Jasper Johns himself, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 31June 3. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org. WED-FRI

June 5. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org. SUN

Camp Video, students in grades 2-8 participate in rehearsing and producing a full musical production of Press Start, a new 8-bit musical Inside the bright pixilated world of video games where famous characters we know and love run out of lives and decide to put on a musical fundraiser to raise gold rings and play on, June 6-18. Lyric Theatre, 1727 NW 16th St., 405-524-9312, lyrictheatreokc.com.

Contemporary West I, a feature of large format expressionism paintings by Mary Bechtol and Laurie Justus Pace. Kasum Contemporary Fine Arts, 1706 NW 16th St., 405-604-6602, kasumcontemporary.com.

Awake, exhibit featuring works by Christie Owen and Brandi Downham; a collection of works immersed in the language of unity and balance, May 13-June 4. Graphite Gallery, 1751 NW 16th St., 405-919-0578, graphiteokcart.com.

Dances With Brushes Gallery Opening, longtime Norman artist Mitsuno Ishii Reedy began her career in mid-1970s painting award-winning portraits, still lifes and landscapes for collectors throughout the United States. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org.

PERFORMING ARTS OKC Jazz Fest, featuring jazz, jazz rock, rhythm and blues along with other genres of music, June 1-June 4.

Deep Deuce District, 100 NE Third St. TUE-SAT Alex Reymundo, stand-up comedy performance; with two 1-hour specials on Showtime and Comedy Central, his latest Red-Nexican and previous award winning Hick-Spanic, Reymundo appeals to all, 8 p.m. June 1-2; 8 and 10:30 p.m. June 3-4. Loony Bin Comedy Club, 8503 N. Rockwell Ave., 405-239-4242, loonybincomedy.com. WED-SAT Much Ado About Nothing, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park presents Shakespeare’s classic play, 8-10 p.m. June 2-4. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/ events. THU-SAT Sordid Lives, when Peggy, a good Christian woman, hits her head on the sink and bleeds to death after tripping over her lover’s wooden legs in a motel room, chaos erupts in Winters, Texas, 7:30 p.m. June 3-4, 2:30 p.m. June 5. The Stage Door Theater, 601 Oak Ave., Yukon, 405-265-1590, stagedooryukon.com.

FRI-WED 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, award-winning play in which the widows of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein meet in the basement/ bomb shelter of a local church for their annual quiche breakfast; a sudden threat of an atomic bomb forces the women to share their deepest secrets, leading to some not-so-shocking confessions from the society’s leaders, 8 p.m. June 3-4. The Paramount Theatre, 11 N. Lee Ave., 405-637-9389, theparamountokc.com.

FRI-SAT In the Next Room, a comedy about marriage, intimacy and electricity; set in the 1880s and based on the bizarre historical fact that doctors used vibrators to treat “hysterical” women, the play centers on a doctor and his wife and how his new therapy affects their entire household, 8 p.m. June 3-4, 2 p.m. June 5. CitySpace Theatre, Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2584, okcciviccenter.com.

FRI-SUN Mamma Mia!, the ultimate feel-good smash-hit musical combines ABBA’s greatest hits and the story of a bride-to-be as she tries to find her real father, 7:30 p.m. June 7-8. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. TUE-WED

ACTIVE

GeoEthics, Ying Kit Chan uses a wide range of media and employs environmental ethics alongside Taoist and Buddhist ideologies to examine our relationship with nature, from the mental impact of contemplation to the actions resulting in environmental degradation.

[Artspace] at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-6665, artspaceatuntitled.org.

Hair of the Dog Summerfest Everyone likes dogs and beer, right? Well, a lot of people do, and those people will enjoy an event at Stash, 412 E. Main St., in Norman.

Hair of the Dog Summerfest, benefitting nonprofit animal advocacy group Safe Haven, is 6-9 p.m. June 10. The event features music, food trucks, pop-up shops and craft beer. Oklahoma breweries 405 Brewing Co., Anthem Brewing Company, Bricktown Brewery and others will be on hand. Tickets are $15-$20 and include seven beer tastings. Visit stashok.com or call 405-701-1016. June 10 Photo Safe Haven / Stash / provided

WWE Monday Night Raw, see your favorite WWE Superstars live in action, 6:30 p.m., June 6.

Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave., 405-405-602-8700, chesapeakearena.com. MON

VISUAL ARTS Artisans Present Public Art 101, an exclusive behindthe-scenes event explaining and showcasing public art using The Plaza District’s project, The Plaza Alley Walls; featuring two interactive art activities and Dylan Bradway, Kris Kanaly and Robbie Kienzle will discuss the ins and outs of creating street art, 6-9 p.m. June 2.

Plaza District, 1618 N. Gatewood Ave., 405-367-9403, plazadistrict.org. THU Artist Demonstration, artist Mitsuno Reedy discusses and demonstrates her oil painting techniques, 2 p.m.

Rayo OKC vs. OKC Energy FC, professional soccer game, 7 p.m. June 1. Miller Stadium, 1777 S. Yukon Pkwy., Yukon. WED

provided

OKC Relay for Life, a chance to celebrate cancer survivors and caregivers, remember loved ones and fight back against a disease that affects so many; teams camp out and take turns walking a track or path while enjoying entertainment for the entire family, silent auction, local food trucks and moving ceremonies, 6 p.m. June 3. OSU-OKC Campus, 900 N. Portland Ave., 405-947-4421, osuokc.edu. FRI Dancing in the Gardens: Swing Dance, the Seasonal Plaza is transformed into an urban dance space; instructors from 3Sixty Dance Studio give a dance demonstration followed by a free lesson for all, 7-10 p.m. June 3. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. FRI Limbs for Life 5K & Hero Homecoming, 5K and VA Hero Homecoming for returning veterans along with food trucks and activities for the family; proceeds help provide prosthetics for amputees who cannot afford them on their own, 6 p.m. June 4. Chesapeake Boathouse, 725 S. Lincoln Blvd., 405-552-4040, boathousedistrict.org. SAT Rayo OKC vs. Minnesota United FC, professional soccer game, 8 p.m. June 4. Miller Stadium, 1777 S. Yukon Pkwy., Yukon. SAT Scorcher Half Marathon & 5K, event hosted by the Junior Service League of Stillwater, 6:30 a.m. June 5.

Stillwater Pioneer Football Stadium, 1204 S. Husband St., Stillwater, 405-533-6450. SUN

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

Jerry Piper, mixed media artist focuses on texture, design and brilliant manipulation of color. The Purple Loft Art Gallery, 514 NW 28th St., Suite 400, 405-412-7066.

O. Gail Poole: Rediscovered Oklahoma Master, over the course of five decades, O. Gail Poole built, tore down and rebuilt his artistic style with breathtaking regularity, creating one of the most diverse bodies of work of his generation; a head-turning collection of the master’s portraiture and landscapes. GaylordPickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Drive, 405-235-4458, oklahomaheritage.com.

One-Day Artist Workshop, create colorful faux stained glass piece while working beside exhibiting artist Summer Wheat; hear from the artist and study the installation, Rainbow Arcade, 10 a.m.

June 4. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org. SAT Painting the Portrait, workshop with Mitsuno Reedy; learn how an image is built on a series of relationships and the process of painting the head from a live model along with the visual principles at each stage of development, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 8-9. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org. WED-THU Posed & Composed: Portraits of Women from the Permanent, exhibition of 12 portraits by 11 American artists covers the period from just before World War I through the early 1980s; the paintings are not arranged chronologically, but according to commonalities in pose, gesture, color, composition and subject matter.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405236-3100, okcmoa.com.

Scattering Light: The Optics of Clouds, oil paintings

by David Holland focus on how light interacts with clouds and also features educational components.

Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Pl., 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org.

Spring 2016 Show, featuring works in oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media; handmade jewelry and ceramic sculptures will also be featured. The Studio Gallery, 2642 W. Britton Road, 405-752-2642, thestudiogallery.org.

All-Night Skate, skating from 8 p.m.-8 a.m.,June 1. Skate Galaxy, 5800 NW 36th St., 405-605-2758, skategalaxyokc.com. WED

H&8th Night Market There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Oklahoma TenaCity, a June 3-5 event spanning downtown Oklahoma City that includes a bike race, a beloved food truck festival and health and fitness activities. H&8th returns to Hudson Avenue and Eighth Street and kicks off the first evening of TenaCity with food trucks and fun 6-11 p.m. Friday. Live music includes Sugar Free Allstars, The Hideouts, Lincka, TJ Mayes and Travis Traps. H&8th revelers will also have a front-row seat to the first night of the OKC Pro-Am Classic 5:30-10 p.m. in a watch party zone at Red Andrews Park, 720 NW Eighth Street. Admission to H&8th Night Market is free. Visit okgazette.com for more info on TenaCity events. Friday Photo H&8th Night Market /

In a Circle, Vikki McGuire creates a new way of looking at nature through her colorful artwork. Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 405-601-7474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.com.

Then and Now, Lynden Wilcoxson recalls an image with a creative use of acrylics which has a watercolor look. Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 405601-7474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.com.

Lucinda WIlliams Grammy-winning Americana and country artist Lucinda Williams is featured in the documentary Two Trains Runnin’, which screens at deadCenter Film Festival June 9. Williams performs a benefit show supporting Historic Film Row, a nonprofit organization, 8 p.m. Tuesday at The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave. Tickets are $200. Visit eventbrite.com or call 405-8873327. Tuesday Photo All Eyes Media / provided

Calendar submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date. Late submissions will not be included in the listings. Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible. Fax your listings to 405528-4600 or e-mail them to listings@ okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

For okg live music

see page 48 O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

43

4 SHOWS

© LITTLESTAR

ONLY!

JUNE 7-10 I CIVIC CENTER MUSIC HALL (800) 869-1451 I (405) 297-2264 I CelebrityAttractions.com GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE SAVE, CALL (800) 869-1451 x220

www.MammaMiaOnTour.com 44

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

event

MUSIC

Friendly festivities

Peace, Love & Goodwill Festival features family-friendly activities, vendors and music in its fifth year. By Alissa Lindsey

Peace Love & Goodwill Festival, Goodwill and we hope we’re elevating some careers by having them perform,” Burgett said.

Industries of Central Oklahoma’s annual event and fundraiser for statewide youth Matt Stansberry & the Romance, an programs, runs 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday at Oklahoma City-based rock and soul act Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno formed in 2012, performs 8 p.m. June 5 on Ave. the main stage.The band played last year “The goal is definitely to give a big and enjoyed it so much they decided to thank-you to our community for their return. support every day by donating their used “It was a beautiful day, and the way it goods to us,” said Linda Burgett, event orwas set up with shops on the lawn and ganizer. “It’s also a way for us to tell our people hanging out, it was a casual, low-key, story and tell them about how we use the outdoor kind of thing,” Stansberry said. donations and the programs that they Stansberry, his older brother Joe and support within the community. So it’s also Myra Beasley comprise the band’s core. Up an educational opportunity for us.” to seven musicians often join them on Festival proceeds benefit Goodwill stage. youth programs like the GoodGuides menWith the release of its newest single toring program for at-risk “Heartbreaker,” Stansberry students and the work adjustsaid, the group took its sound ment program for high school in a new direction.

Peace, Love juniors and seniors with dis“It’s fun to push the enve& Goodwill abilities to help them transilope on what fits with this Festival tion to employment. band,” he said. “It’s funky and With a variety of musiends with a lot of energy, and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday cians, merchants and food it’s representative of our live Myriad Botanical trucks, fifth annual Peace show.”

Gardens Love & Goodwill Festival The act’s Oklahoma City 301 W. Reno Ave. organizers expect more than following is an eclectic one peacelovegoodwill.org 10,000 guests at this year’s that and encompasses young 405-278-7119 event. families to baby boomers.

Free “We have found that our “There’s a bit of a throwniche is really for families,” back element,” Stansberry Burgett said. “It’s all-inclusive from the explained. “But there’s some stuff we do youngest festivalgoers to the oldest. It is that’s more of a modern aesthetic. We start truly, probably the most family-friendly with the classic stuff of ’50s rock ’n’ roll festival out there.” and ’60s Motown and expand it from there Twenty music acts, including Sugar into our own thing.”

Free Allstars, Spaghetti Eddie, Matt Stansberry & The Romance and Beau Fun, games Jennings & The Tigers perform on three Guests of all ages can dine at any of the 27 stages throughout the festival. food trucks, such as Big Truck Tacos, Back “We want to provide a great venue for Door Barbecue and Phill Me Up Oklahoma artists and musicians to be paid, Cheesesteaks. New this year are Bacon N’

Matt Stansberry & The Romance headline Sunday’s Peace, Love & Goodwill Festival music lineup. | Photo Peace, Love & Goodwill Festival / provided

Peace, Love & Goodwill Festival includes vendor tents, family-friendly activities, food trucks and live music. | Photo Peace, Love & Goodwill Festival / provided

Once Upon a Princess is a popular Peace, Love & Goodwill Festival activity. | Photo Peace, Love & Goodwill Festival / provided

Cakin’ and Czech Delights.

The Kids Activity Lawn features stations for creating, coloring and playing with Play-Doh, bubbles, Hula-Hoops and beanbag toss.

With the purchase of a $10 wristband, children can also participate in 10 premium activities including a prize wheel, crafts, inflatables and face-painting.

Forty vendors, including Jaxx + Hill, Local Lather Laboratory & Soap Shop, Cargo Room and Struggle Bus Art & Clothing Co., also will sell wares.

“Some of the vendors are geared toward kids merchandise this year. That’s new for us,” Burgett said. “And we also have some that are more do-it-yourself, unusual and repurposed stuff. We love that because people buy stuff from our stores.”

Free puppy and kitty treats will promote pet adoptions with The Bella Foundation,

a nonprofit that assists pet owners with associated medical costs.

Continued growth

“I think the festival has gotten better every year; I’ve been to all of them,” Stansberry said. “I think it will be a notch better than the year before. Goodwill is doing a really good job of making this one of the community’s festivals that the city can embrace, and it’s all for a good cause.”

Goodwill needs 271 volunteers to help at the festival in three-hour time slots.

Spots are available at Once Upon a Princess events, which have already sold out. Other opportunities include helping at craft stations and with event cleanup. Each volunteer receives a T-shirt, snack, water and zipper bag.

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

45

MUSIC

event

Neo-soul artist Bilal returns June 11 to Ice Event Center & Grill.

Photo Kawai Matthews / provided

Soul search

Grammy-winner Bilal returns to Ice Event Center & Grill, highlighting its trend of inpressive bookings. By Ben Luschen

When neo-soul and R&B singer Bilal Bilal was one of the first acts Flemon returns June 11 to Ice Event Center & Grill, booked as he worked to create a space for it will be as a Grammy-winning artist. intimate and personable performances Bilal first played at Ice, 1148 NE 36th by big-name artists. His show in 2015 was St., in May 2015. In February, he won a successful, and Flemon kept in touch with Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Grammy for Bilal’s camp and hoped to invite the musihis work on Kendrick Lamar’s tune “These cian back.

“If you treat the artist with class and Walls” with Anna Wise and Thundercat. respect … they’ll support you and they’ll This time around, Bilal performs as help you get other artists,” he said. part of Ice’s 3xDope performance series.

Doors open at 9 p.m., and the show starts Flemon learned the business by at 10 p.m. booking entertainers like Katt Williams, Bilal has a long history producing creKevin Hart and Lil Wayne for campus atively challenging and critically praised shows while working at Langston music. His debut album dropped in 2001.

University’s Division of Student Affairs.

He has since stacked up a number of projHis higher education background is ects and appearances and worked with part of what informs his mission at Ice. artists such as Common, He wants his restaurant to Jay Z, Erykah Badu, The represent entertainment, Roots and Robert Glasper. cultural variety and educaBilal Ice owner Marc Flemon tion as much as it does said he has met few bigfood.

10 p.m. June 11 name entertainers who are “Most of the time you Ice Event Center & Grill as well grounded as Bilal. see event spaces here, it’s 1148 NE 36th St. “You talk about downpeople who want to have iceeventcentergrill.com to-earth,” Flemon said. parties or they have the ticketstorm.com “Sometimes you book semi-club experience,” he 405-409-5347 people; they’re in, they’re said. “At Ice, we’ve had $25-$40 out. This guy was extremeseminars, we’ve had health 21+ ly personable, and we had and wellness demonstraa lot of fans who showed up tions, I do poetry over for that show.” there, we do live music — it is truly a gumbo Against the odds, Flemon has turned of culture.”

There was a time when people would the small restaurant and venue into a northeast Oklahoma City destination spot have told Flemon that booking names like for high-profile artists from a variety of these was impossible. fields. Music acts Keyshia Cole, Dwele and Bringing in high-quality entertainChrisette Michelle have performed there, ment on a regular basis has become part of his feeling of purpose. as have comedians Tommy Davidson and Damon Williams.

“My soul won’t rest just serving food Flemon said his performer roster is and going home every day,” he said. “This something he has been able to build over infusion of culture for that part of town time simply because he sets his sights high. is truly a part of my mission and calling.”

“I’m kind of a bold person,” Flemon said. “You have to tell me no because I’m never afraid to ask.”

46

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Sun, June 5

GRACE POTTER Mon, June 13

BUCKETHEAD TueS, June 14

BRANDI CARLILE w/ KT TunSTall

wed, June 22

CITIzEN COPE (Solo/acouSTic) ThurS, June 23

BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY fri, June 24

CHASE RICE

f e at u r e

SaT, July 16

Collective art

A new gallery and artist cooperative aims to cultivate creativity in OKC. By Christine Eddington

Opening a new business, especially one in which revenue is dependent on the arts, is a risky, if not downright scary, proposition.

It takes far more than that to scare Richard “Dicky” Avants after what he has been through. In April, Avants opened an art gallery, live music and music production space called War-Torn Industries, 3130 N. May Ave. In January 2013, Avants learned he had end-stage kidney failure and spent the next month hospitalized, enduring procedure after procedure. Upon release, his condition required four-hour dialysis treatments every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to keep his blood clean. His kidneys were functioning at a scant 4 percent. He endured this regimen for a year and a half.

“My stepmother, Ginny Avants, took care of all the mountains of paperwork from insurance, hospital bills, dialysis bills, getting me registered with the American Kidney foundation and finally being one of the main reasons I made it through the acceptance of making the transplant list at OU [Medicine’s Oklahoma] Transplant Center,” Avants said.

“The OU Transplant team was the most amazing experience I have ever had. The care, love, discipline and humanity I was shown there was second to none. My sister, Christina Baer, also applied and qualified as a living kidney donor, meaning she went through a barrage of tests, meetings, diets

and counseling. She stepped up and was going to save my life.”

On the very morning of the surgery, a little more than a year ago, Avants received a call. OU had a kidney from a deceased donor, a young man who had died earlier that morning. His organs would go on to save the lives of five people, including Avants.

“My sister never had to donate, and I went in for my transplant surgery,” he said.

“I woke up later that evening with the greatest gift anyone could ever receive: a true second chance.”

Avants is seizing his chance, and WarTorn Industries is his vehicle.

“I’ve had bad luck with the art scene in Oklahoma City,” he said.

“It seems to be as much about who you know as it is about your art. I wanted a place for talented artists who may not be known, a true artists’ co-op dedicated to local art.”

That was where Clark Deal, owner of 3130 Studios, came in. Avants rents 3,500 square feet of space from Deal, whose business will continue to operate in the back of the building. 3130 Studios, established in 2007, is a film, video, photography and special effects production company Deal created. Its work is familiar to many and includes spots for Trixie’s adult novelty stores and Fowler Mitsubishi.

Avants is a musician and a painter.

“I play drums, bass and guitar,” he said.

There is no place that’s doing all of these things in the same space in Oklahoma.

Richard “Dicky” Avants

Dicky Avants | Photo R. Tolar / provided

“I started my interest in the arts when I was four or five. My grandfather was a sculptor, and he has pieces at the National Cowboy [& Western Heritage] Museum and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and I spent a lot of time with his as a kid. My mom’s mom was a pianist, and I have clear memories of listening to her play the piano.”

Cultural hub

EAGLES Of DEATH METAL Sun, July 17

vIOLENT fEMMES fri, July 22

fITz & THE TANTRUMS SaT, July 23

AARON LEwIS Tulsa, OK

★ 423 NOrTh MaiN sT.

TICKETS & INfO: caiNsballrOOM.cOM

Currently, there are about a dozen artists committed to showing their work at WarTorn, and Avants is on the hunt for more.

War-Torn is unique in that it will only collect a 20-percent commission, half of the standard 40 percent most galleries require. There is no cost to the artists showing at War-Torn.

Avants, Ashley Smith, Tanner Frady, J. Chris Johnson, Amanda Christine Shelton, Micah Moad, Kolby Purdham, Alyssa Graham, Nora Bisher, Ashley Forrest, Lili Covey, Gas Art and Christina Tankersley make up the current roster.

“We’ve got walls that are 15 feet tall,” Avants said. “We plan on doing as many large-scale installations as we can.”

The idea is to become an artistic hub for the community. War-Torn hosts gallery nights 5:30-9 p.m. or so the second Friday of each month. Guests can wander through the gallery, check out 3130 Studios, enjoy some live music and get to know one another.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and by appointment.

Avants is also opening Art, Inc., a recording studio. It will be available by appointment for recording demos and albums.

“There is no place that’s doing all of these things in the same space in Oklahoma,” Avants said. “Between what I’m doing with War-Torn and Art, Inc. and what Clark already has going with 3130 Studio, we cover almost every type of art you’d want to see and also everything you need to produce art, whether it’s music or a video or showing your paintings.”

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

47

live music These are events recommended

by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staff members. For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.

WEDNESDAY, 6.1 Bad Omens, 89th Street Collective. ROCK Count This Penny, The Blue Door. SINGER/

SONGWRITER

Gogol Bordello/Frank Turner/The Sleeping Souls, Diamond Ballroom. ROCK Scott Lowber/Will Galbraith/Ed VanBuskirk, Friends Restaurant & Club. COVER Whitesnake, Riverwind Casino, Norman. ROCK

THURSDAY, 6.2 Fabulous Minx/Joe Myside and The Sorrow/ Trap Queen, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK Justin Hayward/Mike Dawes, Hudson Performance Hall. SINGER/SONGWRITER Micky and the Motorcars, Wormy Dog Saloon.

COUNTRY

The Fabulous Miss Wendy, Your Mom’s Place. ROCK The Garage Band Jam, Bourbon Street Bar. ROCK WHAT SHE SAID, Baker St. Pub & Grill. ROCK

R. Kelly Are you a secret fan of R. Kelly?

Don’t keep yourself “Trapped in the Closet.”

This is your chance to show your love and blast off for a night in concert with the platinum-selling R&B crooner. No list of guilty pleasures is complete without “Ignition (Remix).” The iconic and controversial recording artist is also known for karaokenight staples such as “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Bump n’ Grind.” He performs 8 p.m.

Saturday at Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens. Tickets are $65-$105.

Visit coxconventioncenter.com or call 800-745-3000. Saturday Photo provided NoiseBleedsSound/Skytown, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK Push, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK

FRIDAY, 6.3

Randy Cassimus, JJ’s Alley. ACOUSTIC

Austin Nail Band, Bourbon Street Bar. ROCK

Rob Baird, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY

Beach Language/Moloko Litso, Opolis, Norman.

Smilin’ Vic, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. BLUES

ROCK

Black Water Bridge, Moore Central Park, Moore.

The Watts Up Band, Bedlam Bar-B-Q. ROCK

ROCK

Uncle Zep, The State Theatre, Harrah. COVER

Blind Date, Oklahoma City Limits. COVER

Victor & Penny, The Bottle Cap Barn, Edmond.

Elizabeth Speegle Band, Slaughter’s Hall. JAZZ Equilibrium, Belle Isle Brewery. ROCK Hannah Wolff/The Big News Annie Oakley, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK Hunter Hayes, Frontier City. COUNTRY If You are Going to Be a Bear, Red Brick Bar, Norman. FOLK Jacob Stiefel Band, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY LINCKA, Myriad Botanical Gardens.

POP

Martha Stallings, Lottinvilles Restaurant, Edmond.

PIANO

VARIOUS

Wino Browne, Newcastle Casino, Newcastle. ROCK

SUNDAY, 6.5 Ali Harter/Carter Sampson/Kierston White, Mustang Brewing Company.

SINGER/SONGWRITER

American Headcharge and Motograter/ Numbers Game/God In The Machine, 89th Street Collective. ROCK Blues Jam/Dirty Red and the Soulshakers, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES “Diamond on the Rocks” A Neil Diamond Tribute, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. COVER

Max Ridgeway Trio, Full Circle Bookstore. JAZZ

Orquesta D’Calle, The Depot, Norman. VARIOUS

Scott Keeton, Remington Park. ROCK

Scott Lowber/Will Galbraith/Rick Toops, Friends Restaurant & Club. COVER

Shortt Dogg, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. BLUES The Broke Brothers, The Patriarch, Edmond.

REGGAE

Tyler Lee/Open Jam, Oklahoma City Limits.

SINGER/SONGWRITER

Ugly Duck/Tonne/Harpa, Power House. ROCK

TUESDAY, 6.7

SATURDAY, 6.4

Hoods/Sledge/Justice Keeper, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

Bowie Tribute: Kali Ra/Tapestry, Back Alley Gallery.

Mothership/Turbowizard/DopeQuest, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK

Brian Wood/Keisha Lindsey/Keith Manns, Rodeo Opry. COUNTRY

Taking Dreams/Levels/CENSUS/BKR/Halfway Home, First Pastafarian Church of Norman, Norman. ROCK

ROCK

Cutter Elliot, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill.

COUNTRY

Danny Harp, Hillbilly’s. FOLK HERESTOFIGHTIN/The Nationaries, Belle Isle Brewery. ROCK

WEDNESDAY, 6.8 Samantha Crain/Nick Jaina, The Blue Door. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Joey Leon Band, Remington Park. VARIOUS KALO, Red Brick Bar, Norman.

BLUES

Kinda Creepy/Psychotic Reaction/Limp Wizurdz/ BOdaNGa, Snug Bar & Lounge. ROCK Longpig/Hostile/Blackthorn-Elite, 89th Street Collective. ROCK Miss Blues, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES Miss Brown to You, Full Circle Bookstore. BLUES

48

j u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Live music submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date. Late submissions will not be included in the listings. Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible. Fax your listings to 405528-4600 or e-mail them to listings@ okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

puzzles

VOL. XXXVIII No. 22

New York Times Magazine Crossword Puzzle Rise and Fall

1

By Victor Barocas & Andy Kravis | Edited by Will Shortz | 0529 ACROSS 1 “Hooked on Classics” record promoter 5 Japanese electronics giant 10 Swell locale?

13 Director Apatow 17 View from the Uffizi Gallery 18 Polo in the 13th century 19 Unyielding 20 Annual event at Pebble Beach 22 Like a well-off señora 23 Greek philosopher who wrote,

“Man is the measure of all things” 25 Tomato trouble 26 Harrison ____, last person to set

foot on the moon 28 Round of applause 29 One on a talk show couch, say 31 Argentine aunt 32 Like some brownies and towelettes 35 Brings out 37 Still 38 Country named for one of its patrons 40 Basic material 41 ____ Day (Nov. 19, in Brazil) 42 Identify, as in a Facebook photo 43 It’s never free of charge 44 Coin issued in values of 1 to 500 45 Tongue, anatomically 47 Largest labor union in the U.S. 49 Does a certain dog trick 52 Some iPods 54 “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” instrument 58 Howard Stern rival 61 “Jeez!”

65 L’____ del Cairo (unfinished

Mozart opera) 66 Prefix with lingual 68 With full attention 69 Gooey stuff 70 Classic song with the repeated

line “If you need me, I will be

nearby” … shown symbolically in

this puzzle 75 Ewoks’ home in sci-fi 76 Upstate SUNY campus site 77 Regret 78 Filbert, for one 79 Woman’s floral nickname 80 Common plastic base 82 Vocal cats

85 Part of Polynesia 87 It’s least palatable when raw 89 Little twisted part of us all?

90 Egg, for one 93 Bygone cable inits.

96 Main ingredient in a Tom Collins 98 Wenders who directed Buena

Vista Social Club 100 Santa ____ (some winds) 101 Close with a knot 104 Good thing to get from Moody’s 108 Disaster area, so to speak 109 Marked down 110 Six-time All-Star Garciaparra 111 Prefix for a revived style 112 French mime 115 Go off course 117 Use as a conclusion 119 Insurance giant 120 Find out about 124 Prefix with -plasm 125 Subject of an annual festival in

Holland, Mich.

126 French buds 127 Instrument at Rick’s Café 128 With 132-Across, place to get a date 129 Spew fire and brimstone, say 130 Dusk-____-dawn 131 Animal sought in 2016’s

Zootopia 132 See 128-Across

DOWN 1 Limestone areas with sinkholes and caverns

2 One of the Nixons 3 Captivate 4 Rich soil 5 Caveat ____ 6 Final installment of The Hangover 7 Sign of theatrical success 8 Fall mo.

9 Title biblical character played by

Russell Crowe 10 Hit from Songs in the Key of Life dedicated to Ellington 11 End of an ____ 12 Dutch beer brand 13 Compressed-file format 14 Language that gave us “cummerbund” 15 They impart an innocent look

2

3

4

5

6

17

18

22

23

26

27

31

32

38

9

48

34

66 72

79

80 85

45 52

100

101

108

109

68

87 94

102

82

6

9

2 3 5 1 8 1 6 5 3 4 9 2 4 5

83

103

97

Accounts receivable Karen Holmes 99 106

107

111

116

117 123

126

127

128

130

131

132

Account EXECUTIVES Stephanie Van Horn, Saundra Rinearson Godwin, Elizabeth Riddle, Sarah Brigance Nathan Ward, Joel Scott

124

54 Rising star 55 Money-saving brand prefix 56 Extols 57 Melodic passage 59 Galaxy rival 60 True Life airer 62 Now We Are Six author 63 Love, in the Louvre 64 Pond wrigglers 67 Establishes 71 They may keep you awake at night 72 Reward for Fido 73 It may take a toll: Abbr.

74 Certification for eco-friendly

buildings, for short 81 Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb 83 Direction of progress 84 “Hold it!”

New York Times Crossword Puzzle answers

EDITOR-in-chief Jennifer Palmer Chancellor jchancellor@okgazette.com

86 “Same here” 88 Chinese dynasty of 1,000 years ago 90 React to, as a shock 91 Like PETA 92 Bob Ewell’s daughter in To Kill a Mockingbird 94 Uselessly, after “to” 95 Texans, e.g.

97 “Oh yeah? Give an example!”

99 Subcompact 102 Because 103 A limerick has 13 105 Sought, as office 106 Irk 107 Order to a pest 113 It can come in sheets 114 ATM printout: Abbr.

116 Certain tow job, for short 118 Shed tears 121 Bygone record label 122 Sauced 123 Back muscle, briefly

2 4 1 5 3

8

A N G L E

R O G E R M C R U U N D B A D

L E A K

S I D L E

A L B I O N

C R O C

H I V E

A C I D

S T A T E N

R E S I Z E R O S T P A A T R E T A N N E I N G O H N E E D

C A R C E A V E R N V A T E D S R E S S O D O S K S N T A R A T A C K T E L L O U P A C T C H Y H E R O U S T P A R K A A T L A S R K S L A M E O F A D Y O U C A R N O L E A N

M E A S I S M A P T H E W K E L G I L A T I T A R R E A N D S

P L A T H

A L L I E

A T L I E A I V O R T E S T E E

C E C I L A S W A N

A S E T T R N G A A R T E U S A M O T R M B E A O P T I T A T E V A L O P W H O S C K E I N A F E N S E S

Assistant EDITOR Brittany Pickering Staff reporters Greg Elwell, Laura Eastes, Ben Luschen Contributors Mark Beutler, Christine Eddington Jack Fowler, Adadm Holt, Alissa Lindsey Photographer Garett Fisbeck Editorial & PHotography Interns Candice Macis, Erick Perry Marketing & Editorial Intern Ian Jayne Circulation Manager Chad Bleakley ASSISTANT Circulation Manager Duke Fleischer Art Director Chris Street Print Production Coordinator Ashley Parks

Puzzle No. 0522, which appeared in the May 25 issue.

C O A S T

Advertising Director Christy Duane, cduane@okgazette.com Account Executive / Advertising assistant Leah Roberts

118

125

16 Maidens 19 How good times are remembered 21 Country singer Kathy with the #1

“Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses” 24 Mother and wife of Uranus 27 Google heading 30 Churchill gesture 33 Supercilious sort 34 Muscular 36 Shaped like a tube 39 Long, flowing locks 41 In a luxurious manner 46 Untethered 48 Lead-in to boy 50 More bloody 51 Caught 53 Refugee’s request

Receptionist/calendar Arden Biard, Coordinator

105

110

122

Accounting/HR Manager Marian Harrison

84

98

104

121

Marketing Manager Kelsey Lowe

89

96

Associate Publisher James Bengfort VP, CORPORATE AFFAIRS Linda Meoli

78

88

95

115

129

64

74

81

114

63

69

120

Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3-by-3 box contains themedium numbers 1 through 9. www.printmysudoku.com Grid n°18373

5

62

119

Sudoku Puzzle Medium

4 3

publisher Bill Bleakley

61

Stumped? Call 1-900-285-5656 to get the answers to any three clues by phone ($1.20 a minute).

2

46

77

93

First-class mail subscriptions are $119 for one year, and most issues at this rate will arrive 1-2 days after publication.

53

60

Oklahoma Gazette is circulated at its designated distribution points free of charge to readers for their individual use and by mail to subscribers. The cash value of this copy is $1. Persons taking copies of the Oklahoma Gazette from its distribution points for any reason other than their or others’ individual use for reading purposes are subject to prosecution.

Please address all unsolicited news items (non-returnable) to the editor.

37 41

59

86

92

113

30

73 76

16 21

36

51

58 67

75

112

50

15

25

35

49

14

20

44

57

65

91

13

29

43

71

12

40

56

70

11

24

39

55

10 19

33

47

90

8

28

42

54

7

H A I R

A B L E

W O E S

L O S T

D O N A T E S

O R A T O R

R A M E N

A Y E S

S A B E R S A W S

A Y T E E T

D I S A R M

D E L I A

Advertising/Marketing Design Coordinator Erin DeMoss Graphic Designer Anna Shilling www.okgazette.com Order mounted or ready-to-frame prints of Oklahoma Gazette covers, articles and photos at okgazette.yourheadline.com 3701 N. Shartel Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73118-7102 Phone (405) 528-6000 Fax (405) 528-4600 Copyright © 2016 Tierra Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

S E L I G O kg a z e t t e . c o m | J u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

49

free will astrology Homework: Psychologists say that a good way to eliminate a bad habit is to replace it with a good one. How will you do that? Freewillastrology.com ARIES (March 21-April 19)

The voices in our heads are our constant companions.

They fill our inner sanctuary with streams of manic commentary. Often we're not fully cognizant of the bedlam, since the outer world dominates our focus. But as soon as we close our eyes and turn our attention inward, we're immersed in the jabbering babble. That's the bad news, Aries. Now here's the good news. In the coming weeks you will have far more power than usual to ignore, dodge, or even tamp down the jabbering babble. As a result, you may get a chance to spend unprecedented amounts of quality time with the still, small voice at your core — the wise guide that is often drowned out by all the noise.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

We are inclined to believe that the best way to see the whole picture or the complete story is from above. The eagle that soars overhead can survey a vast terrain in one long gaze. The mountaintop perspective affords a sweeping look at a vast landscape. But sometimes this perspective isn't perfectly useful. What we most need to see may be right next to us, or nearby, and it's only visible if our vision is narrowly focused. Here's how poet Charles Bernstein expresses it: "What's missing from the bird's eye view is plain to see on the ground." Use this clue in the coming weeks.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) I foresee fertile chaos in

your immediate future, Gemini. I predict lucky accidents and smoldering lucidity and disciplined spontaneity.

Do you catch the spirit of what I'm suggesting? Your experiences will not be describable by tidy theories.

Your intentions will not fit into neat categories. You will be a vivid embodiment of sweet paradoxes and crazy wisdom and confusing clarity. Simple souls may try to tone you down, but I hope you will evade their pressure as you explore the elegant contradictions you encounter.

Love your life exactly as it is! Methodical improvisations will be your specialty. Giving gifts that are both selfish

By Rob Brezny

and unselfish will be one of your best tricks. "Healing extremes" will be your code phrase of power.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) According to many sources on the Internet, "werifesteria" is an obscure word from Old English. But my research suggests it was in fact dreamed up within the last few years by a playful hoaxster. Regardless of its origins, I think it's an apt prescription to fix what's bugging you. Here's the definition: "to wander longingly through the forest in search of mystery and adventure." If you are not currently seeking out at least a metaphorical version of that state, I think you should be. Now is an excellent time to reap the catalytic benefits of being willingly lost in a wild, idyllic, relaxing setting.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

I'm debating about which of your astrological houses will be your featured hotspot in the coming days. I'm guessing it will come down to two options: your House of Valid Greed and your House of Obligatory Sharing.

The House of Valid Greed has a good chance to predominate, with its lush feasts and its expansive moods. But the House of Obligatory Sharing has an austere beauty that makes it a strong possibility, as well.

Now here's the trick ending, Leo: I'd like to see if you can emphasize both houses equally; I hope you'll try to inhabit them both at the same time. Together they will grant you a power that neither could bestow alone.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Between now and July 25, there's a chance you will reach the peak of a seemingly unclimbable mountain.

You could win a privilege that neither you nor anyone else ever dreamed was within your reach. It's possible you'll achieve a milestone you've been secretly preparing for since childhood. Think I'm exaggerating, Virgo? I'm not. You could break a record for the biggest or best or fastest, or you might finally sneak past an obstacle that has cast a shadow over your self-image for years. And even if none of these exact events comes to pass, the odds are excellent that you will accomplish another unlikely or monumental feat. Congratulations in advance!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) "My mother gave birth to me once, yeah yeah yeah," writes author Sara Levine.

"But I've redone myself a million times." I'm sure she is not demeaning her mom's hard work, but rather celebrating her own. When's the last time you gave birth to a fresh version of yourself? From where I stand, it looks like the next 12 to 15 months will be one of those fertile phases of reinvention. And right now is an excellent time to get a lightning-flash glimpse of what the New You might look like.

failure." Don't you dare illustrate that theory. Either instigate changes in the way you've been achieving success, or else initiate an entirely new way. Here's one more tip from Richardson: "Those who demand consideration for their sacrifices were making investments, not sacrifices." Don't you dare be guilty of that sin. Make sacrifices, not investments. If you do, your sacrifices will ultimately turn out to be good investments.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

to explore the archetype of the Ethical Interloper in the coming days. The archetype of the Helpful Transgressor may tempt you, as well, and even the Congenial Meddler or the Compassionate Trickster might look appealing. I urge you to consider experimenting with all of these. It will probably be both fun and productive to break taboos in friendly ways.

You could reconnoiter forbidden areas without freaking anyone out or causing a troublesome ruckus. If you're sufficiently polite and kind in expressing your subversive intentions, you might leave a trail of good deeds in your wake.

Author Rebecca Solnit offers some tough advice that I think you could use. "Pain serves a purpose," she says.

"Without it you are in danger. What you cannot feel you cannot take care of." With that in mind, Scorpio, I urge you to take full advantage of the suffering you're experiencing. Treat it as a gift that will motivate you to transform the situation that's causing you to hurt. Honor it as a blessing you can use to rise above the mediocre or abusive circumstances you have been tolerating.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Aphorist James Guida contemplates the good results that can come from not imposing expectations on the raw reality that's on its way. "Not to count chickens before they're hatched," he muses, "or eggs before they're laid, chickens who might possibly lay eggs, birds who from afar might be confused with chickens." I recommend this strategy for you in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. Experiment with the pleasure of being wide open to surprises. Cultivate a mood of welcoming oneof-a-kind people, things, and events. Be so empty you have ample room to accommodate an influx of new dispensations. As James Guida concludes: "Not to count or think of chickens."

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) "No gift is ever

exactly right for me," mourns Capricorn poet James Richardson. Don't you dare be like him in the coming days. Do whatever you must to ensure that you receive at least one gift that's exactly right for you. Two gifts would be better; three sublime. Here's another thought from Richardson: "Success repeats itself until it is a

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Life will invite you

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Your theme comes from the title of a poem by Fortesa Latifi: "I Am Still Learning How to Do the Easy Things."

During the next phase of your astrological cycle, I invite you to specialize in this study. You may imagine that you are already a master of the simple, obvious arts of life, but here's the news: Few of us are. And the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to refine your practice. Here's a good place to start: Eat when you're hungry, sleep when you're tired, and give love when you're lonely.

Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes /daily text message horoscopes.

The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.

cLASSIFIEDS

ETC.

Concierge Care in home assistance 24/7 Pete and Debbie Garrett

405-426-2627 EXCELLENT REFERENCES

cLASSIFIEDS

music need Gear? got gear to sell?

DOWNTOWN MUSIC BOX | 405-232-2099 DOWNTOWNMUSICBOX.COM

50

J u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

P h o n e (4 0 5 ) 5 2 8 - 6 0 0 0 | E - m a i l adv e r t i s i n g @t i e r r a m ed i ag r o u p. c o m

Kathy Christian

Tailored especially for you To make an appointment call OCC-24486

Body Massage $50/hr Foot Reflexology $30/hr 405-286-6885 Open 7 days • 10a-10p 6900 N. May Ave, OKC (6900 Plaza)

All makes washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, refrigerators, disposals.

24 years experience

314-3191

for the 2016 Class of fORTY UndeR 40

Help us recognize outstanding leaders.

$25 service calls

cLASSIFIEDS

HEALTH

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, preference or discrimination.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of this law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings in . our newspaper are available on an equal housing opportunity basis

cLASSIFIEDS

MASSAGE CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC

JOBS

deadline is fRidaY, jUlY 8, 2016.

subutex, suboxone, Bunavail & Zubsolv Make your appointment today

405.602.1024 | NO WAIT!

Royal Treatment Massage new client special!

mon-sat 10a-9p | sun 11a-7p edmondokmassage.com 1733 W 33rd st, ste. 120 edmond, ok | 340-0400

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Opiate addictiOn: MEdICally assIstEd trEatMEnt Bunavail • Suboxone Subutex • Zubsolv

northpark 12252 n may | penn 2824 n Penn

www.okc.biz

Parents! Prevent your child’s death.

Medical assisted treatMent:

Staff accountant, DaviD E. clampitt, c.p.a., inc., p.c.

(Job Site: Midwest City, OK) M.A. Req’d. Send resume to 9035 East Reno Ave. Midwest City, OK 73130

Heroin Kills!

We can help. Become a patient today!

cLASSIFIEDS

To nominate one of Oklahoma City’s brightest young leaders visit www.okc.biz

License No: BUS-24861

Tao Massage Asian Style

DAVE’S APPLIANCE REPAIR

Nominations Open

405.229.3351

ROCOCO-RESTAURANT.COM

405-528-8686 COPE. Inc.

cLASSIFIEDS

• Prevention • Education • Treatment

HOMES LIC # - OCC - 13270

2701 N OklahOma • OkC

er Spsteemc, chiaeclk Summ e up your sy We will fir lve, the backflow va d s an adjust the head x. bo l ro nt co e set th

80

$

*

*Prices may vary depending on zones

DOC SPRINKLER

IRRIGATION • INSTALLATION • REPAIR

Call to set up appt.

405.408.5181

Email:TommyKeith1964@hotmail.com “The Doctor is Making House Calls”

Mon-ThurS. 2-4pM

VOTED TOP 5 MASSAGE BUSINESS IN OKLAHOMA

$39 FOR 1 HOUR MASSAGE

AffordAble & PrivAte >> Pain management >> Long term medication management for addiction >> Outpatient medication assisted detox You may qualify for FREE treatment.

5641 N. Classen

3013 NW 63RD ST. CALL 205-4876 FOR APPOINTMENT

3033 N. Walnut Ave. West Building 73105

Classen Curve Now Hiring:

experienced ServerS & barTenderS Apply iN persoN

• Petra’s Massage •

405.230.1180

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | J u n e 1 , 2 0 1 6

51

BMW 6 Series

www.cooperbmw.com

IRRESISTIBLE POWER. UNPARALLELED PRESENCE. Introducing the pinnacle of driving indulgence. The breathtaking 445-horsepower* performance of the BMW 6 Series is matched only by a design that does more than impress — it seduces. So grip the wheel, and realize that sometimes you really can have everything. *445 horsepower claim based on the BMW 650i Gran Coupe.

2016 640i Gran Coupe | $869/month*

2016 X5 xDrive35i | $629/month*

2016 X3 xDrive28i | $439/month*

2016 320i Sedan | $320/month*

2016 528i Sedan | $499/month*

2016 Z4 sDrive28i | $499/month*

14145 North Broadway Extension Edmond, OK 73013 | 866.925.9885

Imports 2016 640i Gran Coupe, 36-month lease, $4500 down, MSRP $80,495, Standard Terms 2016 X3 xDrive28i, 36-month lease, $3000 down, MSRP $41,945, Standard Terms 2016 528i Sedan, 36-month lease, $3500 down, MSRP $51,195, Standard Terms

BmW

2016 X5 xDrive35i, 36-month lease, $3500 down, MSRP $57,995, Standard Terms 2016 320i Sedan, 36-month lease, $2750 down, MSRP $34,145, Standard Terms 2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 36-month lease, $3000 down, MSRP $50,695, Standard Terms

Web: www.cooperbmw.com Email: rkeitz@cooperautogroup.com Standard terms & Tag, Tax. 1st Payment, Aquisition fee, processing fee WAC *See dealership for details — offers subject to change without prior notice. *May prices subject to change.