The New Music City by Oklahoma Gazette

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CONTENTS 31

LIFE

ON THE COVER

NEWS

Revelers get loud and loose with 2015 OKCFEST, which starts Friday and wraps up Saturday night. Learn more about what the artists think of the festival, who is playing when and much more in the official program on P.25 and check out the full story on the history of some of the performers on P.41. Story by Jennifer Chancellor.

Community: Downtown BID

OKG picks

City: transit authority

Election: Amy Palumbo

Education: teacher recruitment

Food & Drink: You’ve been served, Gyros by Ali, OKG eat: kale, Tamashii Ramen, The Sandwich Club, briefs

News briefs

Chicken-Fried News

Commentary, Letters

OKCFEST program

Culture: Think & Drink

Culture: SoonerCon

Health: dogs at work

History: Code Talkers

Visual Arts: arts and STEAM

Performing Arts: Oklahoma City Burlesque Festival, Company

Sudoku / Crossword

Cover: OKCFEST

Music: Young Readers, Doug Burr, Three Generations, First Year on Earth, listings

Film: The Veil, The Posthuman Project

Astrology

Classifieds

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.

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neWS COMMUnity

Downtown fabric Midtown is now officially part of the downtown OKC family, but some business owners are not happy about it.

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by ben felDer

Welcome, Midtown, to the downtown family. Oklahoma City Council voted unanimously last week to accept the annexation of the Midtown district into the official Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), which is already made up of seven neighborhoods, including Bricktown, Automobile Alley and Film Row. “I certainly believe it’s time that Midtown participates in the overall fabric of downtown,” said Councilwoman Meg Salyer, whose ward includes the downtown neighborhoods. In a presentation to the council, Jane Jenkins, president of Downtown OKC, Inc., said property owners had voted to join the Downtown BID at a rate of 64 percent. “Midtown needs to be a village, it needs to be a neighborhood,” Jenkins said. The Midtown neighborhood has experienced strong growth in recent years. St. Anthony Hospital has long been one of its core tenants, and the addition of new businesses near the 10th Street traffic circle brought new restaurants and retail to the district. However, in just the last few years, Midtown has seen the addition of dozens of new businesses, including Elemental Coffee Roasters, Midtown Vets, Fassler Hall and The Edge at Midtown apartments. Events like H&8th Night Market and Industry Flea have also brought new life to Midtown. The inclusion of Midtown into the Downtown BID means property

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owners will be charged a fee that will go toward various services, including marketing of neighborhood events and street-level maintenance on specific blocks. The Downtown BID also represents the downtown community on various boards and advocates for policy changes, such as the quiet zone along the railroad tracks. “We also do migratory bird control, which is very important because we have a lot of trees in downtown Oklahoma City,” Jenkins said. Jenkins also said the Downtown BID seeks additional funding through grants. “One that we are working on right now is the [Oklahoma Department of Transportation] walkability grant that will put bike racks in all areas of downtown,” Jenkins said. Two of the largest contributors in Midtown assessments will be Midtown Renaissance, which has opened several historic buildings as new apartments throughout Midtown, and St. Anthony. Each will contribute around $50,000 a year, Jenkins said. Before voting to approve the annexation, the city council heard some objection from Midtown property owners, including Anita Sanders, an attorney with property on 10th Street. “We believe that this is compared to a homeowner’s due or punishment to us to be in that area and we will not benefit from this Downtown Business Improvement District,” said Sanders, who estimated her annual payment to be $975.

Coming from a big picture, we can do so much more collectively than we can individually. — Meg Salyer

Sanders said she did not believe businesses like hers that are not retailor food-based will benefit from the BID but would have to deal with increased traffic and security concerns while having to pay more money. “The annexation ... will provide no benefit to us as owners and only increase our cost of operations,” said Kelly Work, an attorney representing two property owners in Midtown with professional service businesses. “[The BID] seems to me particularly warranted towards marking the retail, commercial and residential use of the areas.” Work noted that the Midtown OKC website did not currently list the businesses inside the Goldman Law Building or Charter Commons building, owned by his clients, which he saw as proof that professional services will see little to no benefit from the annexation into the Downtown BID. “The BID, in our view, is primarily designed to serve those residential and retail uses and will not benefit us,”

said Work, who requested that his two buildings be removed from the Midtown map. The council did not request any changes to the boundaries prior to approving the annexation. But Jenkins said she would work with some of the opposing property owners to see what could be done to better incorporate them in the BID services. In response to the objections, Salyer said she felt it was time to share the burden of investment in Midtown to all property owners, not just a few that had made the district what it is today. “Coming from a big picture, we can do so much more collectively than we can individually,” Salyer said. “What we have seen in each district is these types of services, putting on festivals, hosting events, are typically done by one or two large property owners that carry the burden of development of an entire district. Midtown is a perfect example of one that has been largely supported by St. Anthony hospital. “Layer on top of that the investment that the Midtown Renaissance Group has made and it has created a neighborhood but it has been supported largely by these two groups. As districts mature, it seems like the right time to bring in the property owners and share the opportunity to invest in the neighborhood among all of the property owners, and that is certainly what we have seen in all the other neighborhoods.”

GENDER EQUALITY

from glass slippers to glass ceilings, how equal are we—and does it matter?

A series of fun & informal conversations in local pubs on provocative topics and new ideas. Event entry fee is on us — drinks are on you!

P R E S E N T E D BY:

F E AT U R I N G :

ANDREA MASON OWNER OF BARRE3

DR. ROKSANA ALAVI

UNIV. OF OKLAHOMA PROFESSOR

Friday, June 26th at Fassler Hall OKC, 421 NW 10th Doors Open at 7:00 PM Program Starts at 7:30 PM more info: @ThinkAndDrinkOK, #ThinkAndDrinkOK, www.OkHumanities.org

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Okl ahOma Gazette | june 24, 2015 | 5 6/18/15 11:33 AM

John Johnson

Daniel O’Connor

Stepping stone Metro cities pony up cash and commit to regional transit lines. by ben felDer

Metro area cities have agreed to put up real dollars for the creation of a regional transit authority (RTA) that transit advocates say is the biggest step yet toward building a real regional system of commuter rail, streetcar lines and rapid bus service. “It’s huge,” said Daniel O’Connor, director of transportation for the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), the agency spearheading the RTA plans. As area cities finalize upcoming budgets, a total of $511,000 has been committed from Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Del City, Midwest City and Moore. Another $584,000 in federal funds has also been committed. “We are hopeful that we now have that depth and support and commitment for those six core cities who are now wanting to write checks to support the project,” said John Johnson, ACOG executive director. “When you can begin to put funding towards a planning concept, it moves off that drafting table into the real world.” Construction on commuter rail and streetcar lines to those six cities is likely at least a decade away. But the funding commitment to create an RTA that will continue the plans represents another significant step forward. Legislation passed last year will allow the RTA to draw taxing boundaries by precincts closest to the proposed rail lines, which is believed to increase the likelihood of voter approval. Oklahoma City’s redevelopment of Santa Fe Depot into a multi-transit hub was another key step, ACOG officials said. Public support for regional transit from the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce

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last year was also seen as a milestone. “[This] is no longer just fantasy talk,” said Marion Hutchison, a member of ACOG’s regional transit dialogue steering committee. “It’s pretty exciting because this isn’t just people talking about it ... all the cities are putting up the money to sit down and do this. This is the next thing.” A proposed regional transit system would connect Norman and Edmond with downtown Oklahoma City via commuter rail. Streetcars would also extend from downtown to Midwest City and Tinker Air Force Base to the east and north along Classen Avenue. Those plans are subject to change, especially as each city gets more involved in the planning. But ACOG has already completed significant work on developing possible routes. The next step is for each of the six cities to agree to a memorandum of understanding, which will spell out the process for creating an RTA task force. The recently committed funds will possibly be used to hire an RTA director and continue planning for a potential vote in a few years. The potential for MAPS 4 in a few years has been viewed by some transit advocates as a possible time to ask residents in the six cities to approve a sale tax increase for the RTA. There have also been early discussions among city and community leaders to include transit and placemaking features in the next MAPS project. “All of these six cities have their own agendas, sales tax, special elections ... will there be a MAPS 4? When will that be?” Johnson said. “I think all of those things turn the wheel on when a regional election

All you have to do is look at ... how many people are going down the Broadway Extension every morning and evening. We can only build so many roads. — Elizabeth Waner

might be. But fortunately, all of those folks involved will be at the table.” Oklahoma City consistently ranks as one of the nation’s least congested regions in America, including a Texas Transportation Institute ranking that put OKC as the seventh best city for daily commute times. But city and business leaders say that will change as the region continues to grow and follow patterns of sprawl. “All you have to do is look at the Broadway Extension and how many people are going down the Broadway Extension every morning and evening,” said Edmond Councilwoman Elizabeth Waner. “We can only build so many roads.” Waner has been involved in the regional transit discussions for years and encouraged her fellow councilors to approve the budget item, which she said wasn’t a tough sell. “This whole regional transit effort

that is going on is really big for the metropolitan area when you look at what is happening in any direction from Oklahoma City,” Waner said. “We need to be part of that growth and development.” On the other end of the metro, Tom Sherman, past chairman of the Norman Chamber of Commerce and member of ACOG’s transit steering committee, said the creation of a regional transit authority moves the region closer to rail-based transit and could bring about expanded bus service much quicker. “When you look at the bus service in Oklahoma City, Edmond and Norman, they don’t really tie together well,” Sherman said. “That is something that can happen relatively quickly. Everybody thinks about the real flashy pieces, which would be commuter rail, but there is a lot more to regional transit than just one piece.” A few hundred thousand dollars committed from city budgets to continue planning for a regional system might not excite too many people, Sherman admitted. But he joins ACOG and other city leaders in referring to the recent step as a milestone in the region’s quest to develop a sophisticated network of bus and rail that can already be found in cities like Denver and Salt Lake City. “One of the biggest things with transit is it’s one of those things you have to commit to well before you are going to see the results of it,” Sherman said. “If you want transit in 10 or 15 years, you have to do this stuff today. What we are in the middle of right now is extremely important.”

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neWS City

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NEWS election this, and next year, if you have an issue, you’ll be able to get a hold of me.

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OKG: Military and veteran issues are something you talk a lot about. AP: My very first memory when I was a little girl was every single day before my dad would go to work ... he would grab my hand, pull out our American flag and walk out on the front porch and put it up. Every night when he came home, after we ate dinner, we would go out and take it down. Every house in our neighborhood had a flag. I’m married to a Marine and am the wife, daughter and granddaughter of veterans. It absolutely is close to home for me on a daily basis that men and women are overseas dying and risking their lives for our freedom.

Amy Palumbo

Primary color As House District 85 heads into a primary vote on July 14, Republican candidate Amy Palumbo does an Oklahoma Gazette Q&A. by ben felder

A special election is underway in House District 85, which includes portions of northwest Oklahoma City. One Democratic candidate has filed for the September general election, but four Republican candidates will square off in a July 14 primary. In the lead-up to the primary election, Oklahoma Gazette will present Q&As with candidates vying for the open seat. This week’s conversation is with Amy Palumbo, a former criminal prosecutor. Oklahoma Gazette: Following your narrow loss in the Oklahoma County district judge race last year, how energized were you to run another campaign? Amy Palumbo: I challenged an incumbent district judge, and it was a countywide race where we had basically no outside help and not a lot of funding. But it was a phenomenal

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experience. We lost by half of one percent, but I thought it was a really rewarding experience. I really enjoyed it in the context of getting a chance to say, ‘Hey, I’m your neighbor. What would you like to see in your leadership?’ I had so many people say, ‘You’ve got to do this again.’ My friends would remind me that God’s timing is perfect and maybe I lost this election because he has something in store for me where I can help more folks. OKG: It sounds like you consider yourself to be a very open representative. AP: I think a lot of [lawmakers] forget they don’t own these seats; the taxpayers own the seat. If I win this, it is not going to be because I’m a political insider; it will be because voters like me and trust me because I’m genuine. I’ve got my cell phone number on all my literature, and that number won’t change. I’m telling folks to hold on to

OKG: Oklahoma has one of the worst ratios of female lawmakers in the nation. What would your election mean for the Republican Party and state when it comes to gender representation? AP: Oklahoma is 49th in the nation for female representation, and that doesn’t look good for not only our party but the state. I think that is an important facet that only I bring to the table. OKG: HD85 has elected a female representative before, including Odilia Dank and Gov. Mary Fallin. Another northwest OKC district also elected a female Senator in Stephanie Bice last year. AP: I think that shows that we have some very savvy voters who will be willing to look at the candidate’s qualifications and their demeanor and their experience and elect who they feel will best represent them. I think it’s really exciting to be running in District 85, which has that legacy of supporting women candidates. OKG: What issues are you uniquely qualified to address if elected? AP: Perhaps it’s because I’m a former prosecutor, but I have had many, many folks mention public safety to me as a concern in the district. Something that sets me apart from my competitors is I am a former prosecutor, and I’ve prosecuted hundreds and thousands of domestic violence cases. I’m used to having to go toe-to-toe and fight every single day for what’s right. I’m used to having to stand my ground, and I think that we definitely need that at the capitol. Very few people in our Legislature have any type of courtroom experience. I see every day how laws that were drafted with the best intentions are not working. I know what a law that works looks like. OKG: What is your view on public education and school choice?

AP: We have a little girl who started school this year, and we sent her to Harvest Hills Christian Academy, and we are thrilled with that. But we are very blessed to be in a position to make that choice. Most people in the state can’t do that, and it is imperative that we give all of our kids the best opportunity and the best education that we can and hopefully keep them here. In a nutshell, I support a plethora of diversity, and whether that is charter schools, vouchers, private schools, home schools, I think parents need to be able to have a say in what they feel the best options for educating their child is.

Oklahoma is 49th in the nation for female representation, and that doesn’t look good for not only our party but the state. I think that is an important facet that only I bring to the table. — Amy Palumbo OKG: There have been several local control issues Oklahoma City has fought the state on. How do you view some of these issues? AP: I’m going to be honest, and I’ve been honest with the voters on this. This is something I would need to look more into. But one of the Republican and conservative ideas is less government. I am going to approach every single issue ... through a conservative, Christian lens first and foremost, and I’m going to do the work and research to feel adequately prepared and talk to both sides. OKG: Back to the gender ratio issue. How special would it be, if you won the primary, for two women to be seeking the general election? AP: I think it would be incredible. I think that Cyndi [Munson] is working very, very hard, and I think of the four candidates, I am the one that stacks up toe-to-toe with her all the way across the board. One of her big platforms is women and girls, and I have helped hundreds of women and girls in Oklahoma, protecting them from domestic abusers. I’m a wife and a mother, I have owned my own business, I’ve got a lot of experience dealing with laws, and I think that it’s imperative that the voters take that into consideration because I do think that the Democrats are desperate to win the seat.

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Learning curve As the state experiences a teacher shortage, some continue the necessary plight of educating its youth. by ben felder

Throughout her first few months as a teacher, Rebecca Wilkins would regularly have to stop teaching her second-grade class to manage a tantrum by one of her students who lacked anger management skills. “He would explode over the littlest thing,” said Wilkins, who teaches at Hawthorne Elementary in west Oklahoma City. Her first semester teaching since graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma was a challenging one with mountains of paperwork, evenings of grading student work and managing a class of 26 children, made even more challenging because of the young boy who would burst with anger. But a collection of small victories during the first few months began to give Wilkins the sense she was capable of becoming a good teacher, including a turning point with the boy. “The day that he came to me and told me he needed to take a break and sat down for five minutes and came back instead of throwing a tantrum, it was my proudest accomplishment,” said Wilkins. “I had worked so hard on that, and I was able to help him and give him some skills so that now he can learn more.” Wilkins’ victory reminded her why she decided to become a teacher. But in Oklahoma, it’s a profession that is becoming harder to recruit for, as trained teachers leave for neighboring

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states or college students decide the career isn’t worth it. The state issued over 500 emergency teacher certifications last school year in response to immediate openings that weren’t being filled by certified teachers, which is a 500 percent increase from just two years ago, according to the Oklahoma Department of Education. Education officials say a combination of low teacher pay and a lack of respect from the political establishment are largely to blame for the challenge districts across Oklahoma face in filling vacancies. “It hasn’t changed too much in the sense that our education program enrollment has dropped,” said Bryan Duke, an education sciences professor at the University of Central Oklahoma. “Students who express an interest in teaching ... once they complete that first clinical experience, once they are in the schools, we lose almost half of them to another profession. It’s not necessarily that it’s a bad experience in the sense that it was a bad teacher they were shadowing. Rather, it really was just a wake-up call to them that teaching is really tough.” While teaching positions are becoming harder to fill in some school districts, university enrollment data is not down across the board. Oklahoma State University graduated 295 education students in 2004 and

293 last year. However, the University of Oklahoma’s education training enrollment was at 661 last year, which is a drop of nearly 240 since 2004. The education organization Stand for Children recently released the results of its teacher listening tour that listed several reasons for teacher shortages, including consistent changes in curriculum, standards and policy. “After talking with teachers, it is clear that low morale is a key factor to the growing shortage of teachers,” said Amber England, Stand for Children’s Oklahoma director. Organizations like Stand for Children have supported wide reform efforts to increase teacher pay and education funding, which have been tough issues to find consensus on among state lawmakers. However, a handful of bills passed this last legislative session could bring some improvement, said Shawn Hime, executive director of the Oklahoma State School Board Association. “Senate Bill 20 would allow someone who has taught in another state for five years or more to come to Oklahoma [and teach] without having to pay for another teacher certification test,” Hime said. “They have already taken the test in another state. There is no reason for them to pay again for the test, especially when we have a teacher shortage.” House Bill 1521, also passed this year, gives school districts the ability

to pay for moving expenses to teachers recruited from another state. Hime said these types of bills help but do not address the largest problem. “Number one is teacher compensation,” Hime said. “We have to be able to compete with surrounding states in the market for teachers, and that comes down to compensation.” Oklahoma’s average starting salary for a teacher is the eighth lowest in the nation, according to the National Education Association. Oklahoma’s overall average is the third lowest. Oklahoma teacher salaries are lower than the national average, but so is the cost of living. Data compiled by the Missouri Economic Research & Information Center ranked Oklahoma with the third lowest cost of living rating in the nation, behind only Idaho and Mississippi. Some teacher educators say Texas, where the average yearly salary is $4,000 higher, has been drawing Oklahoma-trained teachers for years. “There aren’t many reasons that someone who doesn’t have ties in Oklahoma would stay in Oklahoma and teach,” Duke said. “At UCO, we seem to keep so many teachers [in state] because UCO has a high percentage of students from Oklahoma and they are going to return back to their community. I think that has been the saving grace for us.” A drive to make a difference motivates most teachers, Duke said. Back at Hawthorne Elementary, a motivation to change lives appears to be the driving force for Wilkins, who just finished her first year of teaching. “I’d say it was pretty stressful ... but I am finally starting to get the hang of it and feel like I can do this job,” Wilkins said. “I love coming up with different ways to solve problems, and I feel like teaching requires solving problems every single day. It’s hard work.”

Shawn Hime

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NEWS EDUCATION

NEWS Briefs by ben felder

Church honors

In a year that saw the state Legislature open the door to further charter school growth across the state, Oklahoma City Public Schools has hired Verna Martin as its new charter school instructional leadership director. Martin will help the district strengthen its relationship with the 13 charter schools and four enterprise schools across OKCPS. Martin is 20-year veteran of the district and was the associate director of secondary education and has worked as a teacher and principal. Martin was one of several new hires and placements announced by the district this month. Other changes include Nathalie MeansHenderson as an elementary instructional leadership director. “Nathalie has a proven track record of using leadership skills, community engagement and high expectations to turn struggling elementary schools into success stories,” Aurora Lora, associate superintendent of student achievement and accountability, said in a statement. “During her tenure as a principal in St. Louis, she moved a once-failing elementary school into the top percentile for student achievement. This is the type of improvement our students need and our community expects.” Several other administrators and principals were announced by the district this month. Pick up future copies of Oklahoma Gazette this summer for a closer look at new school leaders who have been hired or transferred within OKCPS.

ben fe lder

New hires

Tamia Taylor scribbled a message with a pink pen, picking the empty space inside a giant letter “o.” “I listened as your loved ones issued their message of forgiveness,” Taylor wrote. “At the end of the day, we must all remember forgiveness is a powerful thing.” Taylor’s message was just one of dozens written across a banner headed for Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where a young man expressed racial hatred as he gunned down nine people. On Sunday, the banner, which said “#okcforcharelston,” was spread across a table at Avery Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in east Oklahoma City as hundreds gathered for a prayer vigil to remember those killed in last week’s shooting. Members of Avery Chapel flooded the sanctuary Sunday night, along with dozens of clergy and elected officials from across the region. On the stage were portraits of each victim of the Charleston shooting.

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15. That’s how many homes will receive some type of rehabilitation this week thanks to the work of Catholic HEART Workcamp, Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma, the City of Oklahoma City, HIS Paint, Pelco Products, Orr Construction, Terracon and OG&E. Through Friday, crews will perform interior and exterior rehabilitations on 15 homes in the neighborhoods of Jefferson Park, Highland Park, and Classen’s North Highland Park. The homes will also receive weatherization repairs from OG&E. “These neighborhoods will benefit so greatly from this coalition of community and corporate partners who recognize the need to invest in beautiful, safe and healthy neighborhoods,” Barbie Smalley, community organizer at Neighborhood Alliance, said in a statement. “The transformative power of the services and coordination provided by these partners will help these neighborhoods thrive.” This will be the eighth year Catholic HEART Workcamp has brought volunteers and supervisors from across the country to Oklahoma City.

Barry remembered Oklahoma’s media and sports worlds were rocked with the news that acclaimed sportscaster Bob Barry Jr. died Saturday when his motorcycle was hit by a car. “Bob loved his family, and he loved Oklahoma,” KFOR News Director Carlton Houston said in a statement. “We would just ask that everyone say a prayer for his wife Gina and his family at this difficult time.” Barry, who was sports director at KFOR, was 58. Following news of his death, dozens of media organizations, sports teams and viewers expressed their grief. “The Thunder is saddened to hear of the death of Bob Barry Jr,” said Oklahoma City Thunder Chairman Clayton I. Bennett in a statement. “For decades, Bob covered sports with integrity, dedication and passion. We send our thoughts and prayers to the Barry family, his TV and radio colleagues and all who knew and loved him. Oklahoma sports broadcasting has lost one of its finest.” Barry replaced his father as KFOR sports director in 1997 and had also been the host of a sports radio program. Barry was survived by his wife Gina and four children.

Quotable “This is really amazing and not what I expected when we decided to come.” Those were the words of Arkansas resident Michael Nelson, who traveled to Oklahoma City last week with a group of friends to attend the annual OKC Pride festival and parade. Nelson said the tens of thousands who attended the week’s festivities were impressive and he was excited to see such support for the LGBT community in Oklahoma.

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By the numbers

Okl ahoma Gazette | june 24, 2015 | 11

CHiCKEN CKEN Good excuse

When college students are late, it’s usually because they lost track of time while binge-watching Netflix, or maybe they were finding it difficult to roll out of bed before noon. However, one soon-to-be college freshman had a valid excuse for being 30 minutes late to his freshman orientation: He was kind of busy cheating death. Kenneth Caubble and his son Harrison rented a plane to fly from Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for Harrison’s freshman orientation at Oklahoma State University. Everything was going well until they were 2,000 feet in the air and the engine began to stall, forcing the father-son pair to make an emergency landing in a nearby parking lot. As if free-falling from high altitudes wasn’t exciting enough, the plane caught on fire and flipped upside down before the two escaped. Miraculously, no Caubbles were harmed in the crash.

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FRiED NEWS If this happened to me (or any other sane person), you’d never catch me on a plane again. Almost immediately after the crash, Harrison caught a flight with another pilot friend and still made it in time to register for fall classes. He plans on majoring in aviation. You go, Harrison Caubble. We’ll be here, on the ground.

Founding folly

Some of Oklahoma’s biggest critics of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, are asking the president not to cut off Oklahoma’s own government supported insurance program. “The program is called Insure Oklahoma, and some state Republican officials — particularly Gov. Mary Fallin — have embraced it in the past few years and pushed the Obama administration to keep it alive,” wrote Chris Casteel of The Oklahoman “The Oklahoman. program is now threatened by the Affordable Care

Act, the health care law created by a Democratic president and Democratic Congress. And if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act’s system of tax subsidies this month, about 8,000 Oklahomans who had coverage through Insure Oklahoma but were forced into the federal program could be hurt.” Gov. Fallin has praised the program and urged the federal government to keep it alive. Insure Oklahoma helps small businesses offset the high cost of insurance, while Obamacare assists individuals. The moral of this story is that helping individuals pay for health insurance is government intrusion. But giving small businesses a break is what the Founding Fathers would have wanted.

High-rollin’

Don’t be in a rush to share your Route 44 slush with Kevin Durant. Something tells us Oklahoma’s own world-class baller can afford his own.

Forbes recently ranked the world’s highest paid athletes, and the Durantula has climbed his way to No. 7 with a whopping $54.1 million earned over the last year. (Those are only Earth athletes, though. Still no word on how Venutian hover-joust champion Gzerk &&&lingford would stack up.) The top 100 highest paid athletes last year pulled in $3.2 billion for their sports-balling and on-camera deodorant-using/drink-drinking/shoewearing. Durant socked away $19.1 million for playing, but his endorsement deals ponied up another $35 million for the all-star. The fight for the top spot on the list belongs to two men who got rich by fighting each other. Floyd Mayweather raked in $300 million while poor Manny Pacquiao got a paltry $160 million. Each athlete on the list pales in comparison to the payday of Oklahoma’s Sue Ann Arnall, however. You might remember that the former Mrs. Harold Hamm fought her way out of a marriage to the Continental Resources kingpin the

tune of $974.8 million. Kevin Durant-Hamm does have a nice ring to it.

Milk money

Some news about money is going to make a lot of student athletes really happy. Due to new rules passed last year, both the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) are going to be allowed to provide even more support to student athletes. The schools may provide athletes with unlimited meals and snacks to supplement their scholarships and help curb their out-of-pocket costs of attending college. Students who don’t have scholarships are also allowed to benefit from these extras. “The Chronicle of Higher Education estimates that Oklahoma will be able to provide an additional $4,614 under the new rules while Oklahoma State will be able to provide $4,560,” NewsOK.com reported. While some out-of-state schools are expecting to provide more money, OU isn’t doing too badly — Joe Castiglione, OU’s athletic director, said it will cost the

program about $1 million dollars. But there’s no chance the additional cost will hurt the program’s pocketbook. NewsOK.com said that OU’s athletic department is one of seven public programs across the country that don’t get money from universities — in other words, it makes enough to cover its bills and help its employ— uh … athletes out as much as it can. “It’s a trend that’s in the right direction for our student-athletes, and I’m excited about it,” Stoops told NewsOK.com.

Know-it-all

Clippers wunderkind Blake Griffin doesn’t just hit the boards for rebounds; he also recently hit the street with Clevver TV to explain Fetty Wap’s popular song “Trap Queen.” While others seemed befuddled by the track’s meaning, Griffin posterized the hosts with his encyclopedic knowledge of the drug game. A “trap queen” is the drug dealer’s girlfriend, he explained. And when he “introduced her to my stove,” it means he showed her how to cook up the drugs.

Hosts Jarrett Sleeper and Traci Stumpf seemed amazed that the pride of Oklahoma had all the information about a “bando” (abandoned house used to cook drugs) and “bands” (stacked of money held together by rubber bands) at the ready. Little did they know that Griffin likely spent his childhood trying to decipher OKC’s ubiquitous country music. She thinks my tractor’s sexy? What does that even mean? Only Blake Griffin knows.

Mall wreck

Some people like a Serta pillow-top mattress and a teddy bear. But Oklahoma City Police said 23-year-old Justin Allen Brown prefers catching a few Zs in a Honda Accord, snuggled up to a handgun. According to reports, when an officer approached Brown sleeping in his parked car Thursday morning near NW Third Street and Klein Avenue in Oklahoma City, it startled the erstwhile napper and the officer saw he had a gun.

Brown allegedly drove off, instigating a car chase that lead north to Penn Square Mall and the Belle Isle WalMart, where he “swerved in and out of traffic and fired multiple rounds at pursuing officers,” said Police Capt. Paco Balderrama. “We are recovering, literally, shell casings all over the city,” he said. Despite firing multiple shots, police say they apprehended Brown without ever firing on him — probably because the chase ended when the Accord plowed into a storage container. No police or bystanders were injured in the chase. Brown, meanwhile, has been able to get his slumber inside the Oklahoma County Jail, albeit without the comforting embrace of his gun.

OKL AHOMA GAZETTE | JUNE 24, 2015 | 13

COMMENTARY S HA n n On CORn M A n / FI L e

The blindness of privilege BY JENNIFER CHANCELLOR

I am a white female, and I am privileged. I got my first job before I was old enough to have a driver’s license, and I’ve worked ever since. I graduated from an excellent public high school and then a public college. I’m fortunate to work full-time, with benefits, in my chosen career field. My life is amazing. But I am white, female, well-educated and privileged. I benefit from special rights and advantages that most people don’t. It’s ridiculous to me that any man or woman — or parent — can believe their family and children are entitled to the fundamental right of quality public education while also believing that their “specialness,” or privilege, somehow allows them to withhold that fundamental right from others. For years, my privilege didn’t register. My family is and was middle-class, and the fact that both my mother and stepfather taught in Edmond Public Schools allowed my brother and I fantastic educations. We all worked hard and went to school, and we assumed it was natural and right that any other family that works as hard deserves a quality education, too. It is common sense, right? Because of my privilege, I didn’t

realize “affluent suburb” for some also meant “more deserving” of a quality education. Being poor or a minority or both is not a blame-worthy offense. A proven and well-documented, community-wide lack of income mobility isn’t synonymous with the unsupported — and damaging, privilege-laden — assumption that cyclic poverty is somehow an earned and deserved punishment for poor life choices or substandard parenting. If urban parents don’t have the luck, education or the in-district teaching job that affords them the privilege of moving out of the urban core and into a “better” (better funded and run) school district, that does not equate to them being irresponsible, inadequate or lazy human beings. An urban parent wants his children to succeed as much as every other good parent does. They work hard to set good examples. Their focus and lives are dedicated to raising their children, just like everyone else. Federal government guidelines show a family of four lives in poverty if it earns less than about $24,000 a year. Research shows, and the National Center for Children in Poverty agrees, that on

average, a four-person home must earn twice that amount in order to meet basic cost-of-living needs such as rent, groceries, utility payments and transportation to and from work and school. That’s almost $48,000 a year. Zooming in further, Oklahoma minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. If both parents work full-time, together, they earn about $30,000 a year before taxes. That’s a reality many people face if they are denied quality educations from childhood onward. When compared to 2013 census numbers that show Edmond’s median household income is over $71,000, the $41,000 income difference is staggering. A more accurate representation is to compare Edmond’s median household income with OKC’s, which is less than $46,000. That’s still a $25,000 difference. Also, about 10 percent of Edmond residents age 25 and over live below the poverty line, compared to about 18 percent of OKC residents. About 50 percent of Edmond residents have college degrees. Close to 30 percent of Oklahoma City’s population does. Quality education is essential to improving income mobility, lifetime earning potential and quality of life.

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.

Yet our urban schools are in crisis, and most of the metro — individuals, families, communities, lawmakers, leaders and business owners — has disengaged from its collective conscience. We have a civic responsibility to address and improve our urban schools. Too many of us drive in from suburbs each day to work for much-higher pay than the residents of this city who devote their lives and families to maintaining and improving it. We are hypocrites and idiots when we say, “Well, urban schools are bad everywhere,” and then fail to act in our own city and state to change it. Oklahoma City’s public schools grossly miss marks regarding essential early childhood achievement, the disproportionate rate of AfricanAmerican suspensions and suspensions overall, reading, math and arts. Not all urban schools are as dire as our urban schools. As a community, all people — especially our youth — require and deserve access to quality public education. It’s a fundamental right. Jennifer Chancellor is editor-in-chief of Oklahoma Gazette.

LETTERS 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. Family tragedy

On November 18, 2013, our family, piece by piece, began to unravel — first by accident and then by design. After cooking dinner for our granddaughters, our daughter Miashah Moses changed 18-month old Nylah’s diaper, leaving her and her 4-year-old sister, Noni, in the apartment while she took out the garbage. As she left, Miashah locked the door behind her. After taking out the trash and briefly

14 | June 24, 2015 | Okl ahOma Gazette

talking to a neighbor, Miashah returned to discover the apartment on fire. She was unable to reenter the apartment, even with the help of neighbors. In the blink of an eye, our baby girls were gone and our hearts were broken. Miashah was charged with child neglect in the deaths of her nieces. A week later, the district attorney raised the charge to second-degree murder. While the district attorney is within the limits of the law to charge our daughter in the manner that he did, it being legal doesn’t make it right. This is a family tragedy, not a crime. In America, people of color, and African-Americans especially, experience criminal charges and prison sentences far more severe than their white counterparts involved in similar incidents. This fact is no less true in Tulsa County. In the year that our daughter has been in jail, awaiting trial, more and

more evidence has come to light that the owner of the London Square Apartments was and remains aware of the dangerous conditions that helped put into motion the events that our family has endured. The complex owner has implied that the fires, and future fires, were good for his general contractors’ business, writing in an email to a contractor, “As you had warned me in the past, I am going to

have another fire at the London Square apartments. I would hope that you can be a trusted contractor to be considered for future work.” Since November 2013, we know of least seven more fires at the London Square Apartments. — Miashah Moses’ family Tulsa

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BOOKS Lucinda Thierry and Made By Me Publication Group Signing, an organization that encourages publishing books of encouragement and empowerment while teaching writing and self-publishing to the masses, 3 p.m., Jun. 27. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. SAT John Hadley Poetry Reading, Norman writer/ songwriter/artist John Hadley will share anecdotes, word play, goofy poems and stories at a reading from his book, Son of Boogers and Hangnails, 7:30 p.m., Jul. 1. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 307-9320, pasnorman.org. WED

FILM Hard to be a God, (RU, 2013, dir. Aleksey German) a group of scientists is sent to the planet Arkanar to help the local civilization but cannot interfere violently or kill, 7 p.m., Jun. 25. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 236-3100, okcmoa.com. THU Coming to America, (US, 1988, dir. John Landis) Movie Night at the Market presents the comedy staring Eddie Murphy in which an African prince travels to Queens, NYC to find a wife; best costume wins a premium bucket of beer and tix for the next show, 8:15 p.m., Jul. 1. Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., 232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. WED

HAPPENINGS Flower School, Modern Monochrome; explore the contemporary geometric of curves and angles pairing greenery and succulents with flowers, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jun. 25. The Fleuriste, 1020 NW 82nd St., 843-8700, thefleuriste.com. THU think & DRINK, a fun and informal conversation over gender equality featuring panelists and audience engagement, 7 p.m., Jun. 26. Fassler Hall, 421 NW 10th St. - Oklahoma City, 609-3300, fasslerhall.com. SAT Industry Flea, an open-air market of artisans, shops and vintage finds, 5-10 p.m., Jun. 26; 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Jun. 27. Industry Flea, 399 NW 10th St., industryflea.com. FRI-SAT

Guys and Dolls University of Central Oklahoma’s Summerstock Productions presents the 1950s classic musical Guys and Dolls at Mitchell Hall Theatre, 100 N. University Drive, in Edmond. Summerstock showcases its most talented current and alumni actors in this comedic love story of gambler Nathan Detroit’s quest to win a bet placed on love. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15-$20. Visit mitchellhalltheater.com or call 974-3375.

Friday-Sunday

The Verdigris Flea, market bringing together a mix of unique and unusual vintage, antiques and locallycrafted items, 11 a.m., Jun. 27-28. Verdigris, 415 NW 7th St., 602-8986, verdigrisokc.net. SAT-SUN

Uptown Farmers Market, event established to engage local communities, promote sustainability, and provide a family-friendly atmosphere; vendors and artisans selling goods along with family friend activities, live music, workshops and other fun activities, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Jun. 28. Uptown 23rd Farmers Market, Walker Ave. & 23rd St., uptown23rd.com/farmers-market. SUN

FOOD

Super Hero Sunday, enjoy a’fantastic four’-course fondue meal fit to fuel your inner power; pose with a real Super Hero and take home a cape & super hero mask, noon-4 p.m., Jun. 28. The Melting Pot, 4 E. Sheridan Ave., 235-1000, meltingpot.com/oklahoma-city. SUN

Wine for the People: Italy, sample Italian wines presented by Thirst Wine Merchants and enjoy Italian cuisine prepared by the Vast culinary team, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Jun. 25. V2 at Vast, 333 W. Sheridan Ave., 2084347, vastokc.com. THU

Classic Radio Theatre, enjoy beverages and hors d’oeuvres and travel back in time to the golden days of radio; live performance of scripts from various radio shows from the 1930’s to 1960’s, 2:30 p.m., Jun. 28. Actor’s Casting & Talent Services, 30 NE 52nd St., 7020400, actorscasting.com. SUN

H&8th Night Market, family-and-pet-friendly street festival built around a lineup of the city’s top gourmet food trucks and live music, 7 p.m., Jun. 26. H&8th Night Market, 900 N. Hudson Ave., h8thokc.com. FRI

BiGSToCKpH oToS.CoM

Classics Cars & Vintage Bikes, vintage car show in conjunction with the current exhibit, America’s Road: The Journey of Route 66, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jun. 27. Oklahoma Country-Western Museum & Hall of Fame, 3929 SE 29th St., 677-3174. SAT

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Wine for the People Vast presents its second Wine for the People event 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Vast, located on the 50th floor of Devon Tower, 333 W. Sheridan Ave. Enjoy Italian cuisine prepared by the Vast culinary team and Italian wines from Thirst Wine Merchants. Tickets are $30-$35 at vastokc.com/special-events.

thursday

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Enriched Animals are artists too! The Enriched exhibit in the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library’s atrium, 300 Park Ave., proves that you don’t need hands in order to create. Through the summer, as part of the library’s ZooZeum display, families can enjoy nine original works created by Oklahoma City Zoo animals. The OKC Zoo brings other educational events — such as an informative class on zoo animal training 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 24 at Southern Oaks Library, 6900 S. Walker Ave., and Zooperheroes 1010:45 a.m. Monday at Midwest City Library, 8143 E. Reno Ave., in Midwest City — to metro libraries this season. Visit metrolibrary.org.

Wednesday-Wednesday, ongoing

YOUTH Bug Out!, lady bug release and insect safari; learn about butterflies, lady bugs, beetles and more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jun. 26. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. FRI Family Overnight Sleepover, find out how animals use their amazing senses to survive at night; enjoy an up-close animal encounter, a guided night hike, snack, and light breakfast, 7 p.m.-9 a.m., Jun. 26. Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Pl., 424-3344, okczoo.com. FRI-SAT Family Space Camp, explore the space exhibit, use hands-on space gadgets, and create their your own rocket, 2-5 p.m., Jun. 27. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 521-2491, okhistory.org/historycenter. SAT

Our drivers are independent contractors who deliver Oklahoma Gazettes each Wednesday. Drivers are paid by the drop with significant hourly-equivalent earnings. Minivans and trucks work best. Insurance and good driving record required. To be out on your own, earning money in the fresh air, call our Circulation Department, (405) 605-6790 or come by our offices at 3 701 N Shartel Avenue, OKC to apply.

Little Big Chefs, cooking class for parents and kids; learn to make pizza, ages 5-8, 2-3 p.m., ages 9-12, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Jun. 28. Uptown Grocery Co., 1230 W. Covell Road, Edmond, 509-2700, uptowngroceryco.com. SUN continued on next page

FIerCely lOCAl AND INDepeNDeNT! Okl ahoma Gazette | june 24, 2015 | 17

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continued

My Brother’s Wedding The Oklahoma City Museum of Art Film Program gives the independent black film industry the recognition it deserves with special presentations of three films at the museum theater, 415 Couch Drive. Make plans to see My Brother’s Wedding 7:30 p.m. July 2, She’s Gotta Have It 8 p.m. July 3 and Losing Ground 5:30 p.m. July 3 and 2 p.m. July 5. Tickets are $5-$9 for each film screening. Visit okcmoa.com.

July 2-3 and July 5 Stage Combat Workshop, free hour-long classes by Reduxion Theatre Company teaches the basics of hand-to-hand stage combat to teens and kids, 1 p.m., Jul. 1. The Village Library, 10307 N. Pennsylvania Ave., 755-0710, metrolibrary.org. WED

PERFORMING ARTS Oklahoma!, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first collaboration and classic musical telling the love story between a handsome cowboy and a farm girl, 7:30 p.m., Jun. 24-25; 8 p.m., Jun. 26; 2 & 8 p.m., Jun. 27. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. WED-SAT Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, experience epic family fun as legendary circus artists from around the globe perform awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder, 7:30 p.m., Jun. 25-26; 2:30 & 6:30 p.m., Jun. 27; 3 p.m., Jun. 28. Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave., 602-8700, chesapeakearena.com. THU-SUN OKCFEST, music festival featuring Sammy Hagar & the Circle, Grace Potter, Better than Ezra, Rascal Flatts, Graham Colton and other talented artists, 4 p.m., Jun. 26-27. Downtown Oklahoma City, 220 W. Reno Ave., okcfest.com. FRI-SAT

1 8 9 0 - 2 0 1 5 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA w w w. u c o . ed u / 1 2 5 • ( 4 0 5 ) 9 7 4 - 2 0 0 0 18 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahOma Gazette

Exit, Pursued By a Bear, with the help of two friends, Nan duct tapes her abusive husband to his easy chair to teach him a lesson; they force him to watch as they reenact scenes from the couple’s painful past, and their theatrics includes meat, honey, and a wild bear, 8 p.m., Jun. 26-27. Carpenter Square Theatre, 806 W. Main St., 232-6500, carpentersquare.com. FRI-SAT Company, show following an anti-hero bachelor Robert as he makes his way through a series of encounters with single women as well as his married friends and in the end realizes being alone is alone, not alive, 8 p.m., Jun. 26-27; 2 p.m., Jun. 28. The Pollard Theatre, 120 W. Harrison Ave., Guthrie, 282-2800, thepollard.org. FRI-SAT

ACTIVE OKC Dodgers vs. Colorado Springs Sky Sox, professional baseball game, 11:05 a.m., Jun. 24; 7:05 p.m., Jun. 25. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, 218-1000. WED Riversport Challenge, multi-sport race event beginning with a 500m kayak or paddleboard race, then a 5K on the Oklahoma River Trails, 8 a.m., Jun. 27. Boathouse District, 725 S. Lincoln Blvd., 552-4040, boathousedistrict.org. SAT Conquer The Gauntlet, a 4 mile race through muddy and grueling terrain with over 25 of the largest, most unique and challenging obstacles, 8 a.m., Jun. 27. John Nichols Scout Ranch, 12104 S. County Line Road, Mustang. SAT Rage in the Cage 38, Garret Queen, a man living with Cerebral Palsy lives out his dream of becoming an MMA Fighter, 8 p.m., Jun. 27. Choctaw Creek Park, 14098 NE 21st St., Choctaw. SAT

VISUAL ARTS ALTERNATIVE, a Norman-based photographer who goes by studio1409, keeps the art of film alive in a digital age, presenting a series of shots of ‚Äúalternative‚Äù models taken using ‚Äúalternative‚Äù methods and printed using ‘alternative’ù materials. Mainsite Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main St., Norman, 360-1162, mainsite-art.com. America’s Road: The Journey of Route 66, exhibit shares the history of one of the world’s most famous highways including photographs, narrative, music and objects from the highway’s heyday. Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Drive, 2354458, oklahomaheritage.com.

Best Of The West, JRB Art at The Elms hosting art exhibition of nationally recognized artists, Joe Andoe, Billy Schenck, and Bert Seabourn, who paint the essence of the American Southwest. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave., 528-6336, jrbartgallery. com. Black Towns Then... Black Towns Now, panel discussion and the public’s last chance to see the exhibit Colored Memories: Historic Colorized Photos of Life in Boley, Oklahoma panelists will include a mixture of black town government representatives and scholars, 7-9 p.m., Jun. 30. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 521-2491, okhistory. org/historycenter. TUE Catch A Painted Pony, art show featuring a collaboration of ten award-winning Oklahoma artists in celebration of the American Paint Horse. Paseo Art Space, 3022 Paseo St., 525-2688, thepaseo.com. D.G. Smalling Exhibit, showcase of his newest ‘single-line’ artwork, in which he creates an image drawn from a continues line. Exhibit C, 1 E. Sheridan Ave., Ste. 100, 767-8900, exhibitcgallery.com. THU Enter the Matrix: Indigenous Printmakers, exhibition exploring how printmaking has become a matrix for cultural and key figures of artistic exchange. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 3253272, ou.edu/fjjma.

If I Were, artist Holly Wilson creates one of a kind figures cast in bronze; the figures capture moments of our vulnerabilities and strengths. Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 601-7474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.com. Sticks and Stones and Glass and Bones, mosaic works by artist Jenny Perry. Governor’s Gallery, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., 521-2931, arts.ok.gov. The Kitchen Sink, new works in photography, ceramics and abstract paintings by gallery artists Jean Keil, Caroline Cohenour and Chad Woolbright. In Your Eye Studio & Gallery, 3005-A Paseo St., 525-2161, inyoureyegallery.com. Vitrum Novus Exhibit, the exhibit Vitrum Novus introduces modern approaches and collaborative concepts in illuminated glass art; New works by Christopher Pendleton and Collaborative Works by Guest Artists Angela Slack and Katherine Reynolds. Kasum Contemporary Fine Arts, 1706 NW 16th St., 604-6602, kasumcontemporary.com. Warhol: The Athletes, a series of ten portraits of famous athletes commissioned by Andy Warhol’s friend and collector Richard Weisman; exhibit represents represents Warhol’s career and the interactions that would occur between the arts and sport worlds in the decades to follow. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 236-3100, okcmoa.com.

Ghost Towns: A Photographic Exploration of Claudette Torneden, photographer fascinated with history through art records images of the social climb and disappearing generations; she explores many of the state’s historical sites and ghost towns documenting remaining history. Red Dirt Gallery, 13100 N. Colony Pointe Blvd. #113, Yukon, 657-6207, reddirtartists.com.

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LIFE FOOD & DRINK

You’ve been served New Saints head chef Mitchell Dunzy strives for originality.

BY GREG ELWELL

The life of a chef can be simultaneously nerve-wracking and mind-numbing. Great restaurants must serve hundreds or thousands of the same dish with consistent quality. As fast and as often as one must cook, he or she is still cooking the same thing over, and over and over again. “I can’t enjoy myself doing that,” said Mitchell Dunzy, 31, who recently became the head chef at Saints, 1715 NW 16th St. Dunzy has no formal training; instead, he traveled the route of so many chefs before him: a busboy, a dishwasher, slowly working his way up through the bowels of the restaurant industry, learning about how it works from the bottom to the top. His resume reads like an Oklahoma City restaurant history lesson. He tried to get work at Deep Fork in the early aughts before catching on at Olé. He went to the Museum Cafe at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. “I had the fortune to work under a lot of good chefs,” he said. “Then I got to work at Ludivine when they first opened up. That’s where I picked up 85 percent of what I know.” After spending time in the kitchens at both Packard’s New American Kitchen and, most recently, The Barrel, Dunzy was contacted by Guy Romo, who was consulting on changes to the staff and menu at Saints. “He told me about the gig, and I spoke with [owner] Patrick [Ireland] and signed on,” Dunzy said. What attracted him to the job was the ability to cook different foods, change the menu with the seasons and availability and forge a solid team in the kitchen. “We are doing seasonal Irish food. That’s what Patrick wants, and we don’t stray from that too much,” he said. “So what we’re going to cook are the sorts of dishes you would get seasonally in Ireland.” If that sounds like a headache, it is.

20 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahOma Gazette

“Trying to find whatever grains are being used there at the time isn’t easy. Trying to find the proteins we’d eat if we were there isn’t easy,” Dunzy said. “Add on to that there’s no gas in the kitchen. It’s all electric. Everything we’re doing is with convection and induction.” And he’s hooked. Because easy is fine for everybody else, but to keep his edge, he wants to continually challenge himself and his staff. “If you’re not evolving, you’re not moving,” he said. “The challenge is to do something different than anyone else is doing.” That’s a feat that gets harder every day in Oklahoma City, where the restaurant boom has rapidly expanded the city’s roster of eateries. Not every style and culture is represented, but those empty niches are quickly being filled. Dunzy said it’s a shocking transformation

MItchell Dunzy

from his youth, when he and his friends got a house on the north side of the city at age 17. Neighborhoods that were once dangerous are now walkable. The Paseo Arts District, the Asian District, Uptown 23rd and the Plaza District were all “scary.” Now, they’re some of the city’s most frequented corridors. Restaurants are at the vanguard. People are willing to travel into unknown areas for food, which pushes the culinary bar ever higher. “Everyone is aiming in the same direction with a different spin,” he said, “and it’s tough. It’s tough to be original when MARK HAnCOCK

Editor’s note: You’ve been served is an occasional feature spotlighting chefs, bartenders and others involved in making and serving food in Oklahoma City.

everything has been done. How do you make it your own?” Dunzy said he and Romo share a connection in their efforts to push the boundaries and explore new territories in the Oklahoma City market. “It’s especially competitive in the Plaza District,” he said. “Look around and you’ll find a couple of vacant spots. So all Saints can do is grow. Because if we don’t grow, we lose everything.” The footprint of the building won’t grow in size, but its diner base has to. One thing Dunzy hopes will resonate with customers is Saints’ efforts to minimize waste. “I just want to make sure we use everything. There’s so much waste going on everywhere. Everything needs to be used,” he said. “That’s how you do justice to the animals, the ranchers, the farmers and the crops, to respect the time that goes into what they create.” It’s not only responsible, it’s also good business. Using everything can lead to experimental, breakthrough dishes, but it also impacts profit by wringing all the worth out of each ingredient without sacrificing the guests’ enjoyment. The menu is still in flux, though Dunzy is certain the steamed blue mussels — a new crowd favorite — will stay. Using pork belly diced like lardons and finished with Guinness and serving it with a baconrye sourdough baguette from Prairie Thunder has rendered it the restaurant’s newest hit. Dunzy tries to keep the lines of creativity with his staff open. Romo helped bring on a solid staff, including Wes Cochran from Republic Gastropub, and Dunzy wants them to have a hand in the restaurant’s future. Staff “family” meals and snacks give everyone an opportunity to experiment and cook with the best items eyed as specials or permanent additions. “It’s a small staff, but we’re tightknit,” he said. “Everyone works really well together.” And with Ireland handing over the reins of the kitchen, Dunzy said it’s up to him to make it successful. “Patrick handed me the torch and said it’s my kitchen,” he said. “It’s the next best thing to having your own place. I don’t have to pay the bills — I just have to make it run well.”

M A RK HA n COC K

Prince Ali The Sultan

Boy, does that guy know how to prepare a gyro. BY GREG ELWELL

Gyros by ali

When you think about it, eating any meat is pretty 3214 n. Classen Blvd. decadent. facebook.com/gyrosbyaliokc | 606-4499 What is meat, really, but What WORkS: Gyro meat and chicken saying, “My hunger is more cooked perfectly, excellent tzatziki important than that thing being alive”? Which is no What NeeDS WORk: The falafel is bland. knock against meat. I love meat. I eat a lot of meat. tIP: The parking lot is behind the restaurant, not at the Subway next door. But I also try to understand exactly what that entails. Perhaps that is why I was so drawn to The Sultan should also try the Big Bird ($5.99 at Gyros by Ali, 3214 N. Classen sandwich, $7.99 combo), which Blvd. At least a couple animals replaces gyro meat with seasoned made the ultimate sacrifice for this chicken. sandwich: gyro meat and seasoned The quality of the french fries chicken wrapped up in a pita and varies from day to day. They’re never slathered with a thick, flavorful amazing and are sometimes a bit tzatziki sauce that might just be the salty, but they’re usually just fine. best anywhere. The hummus, which you can The Sultan ($8.49 for a combo substitute for fries in a combo meal with fries and a drink) is my favorite for 99 cents, is better. sandwich at Gyros by Ali, and not Not quite a gyro is the Philly Ali just because I’m a morbid weirdo. ($8.49 combo), which kicks the pita This restaurant does a tremendous to the curb and uses a 6-inch hoagie job cooking its meats. bun. Here, the meat is married with Believe it or not, there is an art to grilled onions and bell peppers with cooking a gyro cone. The thickness cheese melted into every crevice. of the cuts makes a difference in the One thing I recommend: Ask for moistness of the sandwich. If it is tzatziki sauce on the side. The cheese shaved too early, the meat is pale and is wonderful, but there’s nothing limp. Shave it too late and it’s crispy that goes so well with gyro meat as and near burnt (which isn’t a bad tzatziki sauce. snack, honestly). For those who are less inclined Gyros by Ali packs its sandwiches toward sandwiches, Gyros by Ali with meat that is deep brown and does have a few platters. Mostly, the glistening with all the tasty fat that meat that would normally go in a makes gyros so irresistible. sandwich instead goes on a plate with But don’t give short shrift to the rice. The gyro plate ($8.99) puts that chicken. It’s seasoned then moved glorious meat on top of a Greek salad around a sizzling griddle to unlock with some pita slices. flavor while retaining tenderness. But are you really coming here Wrapped in a pita with lettuce, for a salad? When I walk into Gyros tomato, onion and tzatziki, the end by Ali, I want expertly seasoned product is The Sultan, a sandwich so meat haphazardly folded into a pita tasty you will scarcely want to take a with a tangy cucumber yogurt sauce, breath while plowing through it. wrapped in foil, aimed at my face. If you’re not keen on mixing Because this food might be delicious gyro meat with chicken, the decadent, but nobody said that was a Prince Ali ($5.99 sandwich, $7.99 bad thing. combo) is Ali’s traditional gyro. You

Okl ahOma Gazette | june 24, 2015 | 21

Kale yeah! They say kale is a “superfood” ... for now. But Superman used to smoke cigarettes, and things change. What we’re saying is, be sure to eat all the kale you can before it’s ruled a public health menace. Then you can join a classaction lawsuit and get rich off that sweet kale money. Secure your future now! We’re kidding! It’s delicious and healthy. Start eating kale at some of these local restaurants today. — by Greg Elwell, photos by Mark Hancock and Garett Fisbeck

The Islands

Park Avenue Grill

Organic Squeeze

117-119 N. Robinson Ave. 524-3354

1 Park Ave. | 702-8444 parkavegrill.com

6434 Avondale Drive | 796-7793 organic-squeeze.com

Callaloo? More like kale-hallelujah! Haha, but seriously, this dish has found its way to Oklahoma City thanks to The Islands, where you can get a variety of Caribbean favorites. This one is chockfull of the green stuff, which gives a nice balance to that gorgeous grilled chicken with mango.

Short ribs do not come from miniature cows, Uncle Andy. Way to make me look stupid at the science fair. But if you, too, missed out on a participation ribbon, soothe your ego with Park Avenue Grill’s tender and tasty braised short rib Benedict with kale. Your taste buds will graduate to the next level when they hit pickled red onion and blue cheese hollandaise, even if you’re stuck repeating the fourth grade.

Chewing — it has to stop. I mean, really. Where are these miracle pills that replace our meals? When will the future finally arrive and relieve our jaws from the tyranny of mastication? Until that day comes, at least there’s Organic Squeeze’s Joe’s Mean Green. This bottle of juice is filled to the brim with kale, apple, cucumber, ginger, celery and lemon. Drink it down and gnash your teeth no more.

Best Bread under the sky

Plus cookies & granola

6606 N. Western Ave. • 879-0330 • www.bigskybreadokc.com

LIKE US ON

Athens Greek & American

900 NW 150th St. • Edmond • 150th & Western 405.286.1440 • Mon-Fri 6:30-6:00 Sat. 8:00-5:00

RESTAURANT WEEKLY SPECIAL

Fresh Grilled Tilapia, Onions & Tomatoes ** COMING SOON ** 1909 S DOUGLAS BLVD MWC 7745 S WALKER (I-240 & WALKER) • 405-631-0783 SANDBBURGERS.COM 20 NW 9TH • 405-270-0516 5929 N MAY • 405-843-8777 14020 N MAY • 405-418-8477 22 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahoma Gazette

With Rice

$7.99

E VOT US

BEST THAI RESTAURANT

7700 NW. 23rd St. Bethany, OK

405.787.4414

MON - SAT 11-8:30

500 NW 23rd St.

405.524.0503

Nourished Food Bar

Cheever’s Cafe

131 Dean A. McGee Ave., Suite 115 nourishedfood.co | 740-7299

2409 N. Hudson Ave. | 525-7007 cheeverscafe.com

Drinking — it has to stop. When did we get so lazy that we couldn’t chew anymore? Dedicate your mouth to its true purpose and munch on the kale chips from Nourished Food Bar. A blend of kale, sunflower seeds, bell peppers, carrots and seasoning, this crisp and crunchy chip is healthier than a potato and tastier, too. Open wide and get to chewing.

Do you remember when Brussels sprouts were a punch line, right up there with garlic and Limburger cheese on the list of foods only weirdos enjoy? And now those tiny cabbage things are everywhere, including this top-notch shaved Brussels sprouts and kale salad from Cheever’s Cafe. This is one mighty bowl of greens, and it comes with some powerful toppings: pistachios, chile lime corn, grapefruit, and bleu cheese. It’s pretty fantastic.

Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar

Urban Johnnie Bar & Grille

1845 Northwest Expressway | 582-2253 whiskeycakeokc.com

121 NE Second St. | 208-4477 urbanjohnnie.com

Another salad? Yes. It’s kale. What did you think people did with this stuff? They put it into salads with frisée, sliced apples, fried chickpeas, country ham, pomegranate seeds and a breaded and fried poached egg. Not enough kale for you? Then gulp down a glass of fresh Popeye juice with liquefied spinach, kale, cilantro, cucumber, lime, green apple, ginger, carrot and lemon. Still not enough? Too bad.

Urban Johnnie owners went through a bunch of potential names before they settled on this one. City Johnnie. Johnnie Near Downtown. Hey, This Johnnie Is Clearly Not in the Suburbs. And Johnnie Kale Emporium. The last one was nixed, but they decided to keep the kale salad with lemon, shaved Parmesan and garbanzo beans. (Add in shrimp to make it a meal.) Yeah, I made most of that up, but the salad is truly awesome.

Okl ahoma Gazette | june 24, 2015 | 23

GA ReTT FI S BeC K

LIFE FOOD & DRINK

Top ramen

Tonkotsu ramen

Tamashii Ramen’s noodle bowl overflows with a delicious recipe that draws hundreds of patrons to the new restaurant. BY GREG ELWELL

KABOB ON DOWN for mouthwatering Mediterranean

6014 N MAY 947-7788 zorbasokc.com

24 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahOma Gazette

Even without a sign, diners have found their way to newly opened Tamashii Ramen. In its first few weeks, the eatery at 321 NW Eighth St., owned and operated by Matthew and Wakana Sebacher, saw a massive influx of customers. People are hungry for a sit-down ramen restaurant. “We just got our sign up yesterday,” Wakana said. “Some customers have had trouble finding us because from the outside, we don’t look like a restaurant.” But that didn’t stop anyone from crowding in, gorging on broth and necessitating the hire of more cooks and wait staff. “That first week was really hard,” she said. “We didn’t anticipate so many customers right away. We didn’t even advertise because we wanted to make sure the kitchen wasn’t overwhelmed.” Still, word quickly spread online, leading to a few days when they simply sold out of the tasty noodle soup. “When we sell out of our broth, we’re out,” Sebacher said. “It takes more than 10 hours to fix the broth. Now, we’re figuring out how to make more in our small kitchen. We might need to work a few longer days on prep work.” Speaking of prep work, initially, only Matthew made the broth, but demand has been so high that Tamashii hired three new cooks to help out.

We didn’t even advertise because we wanted to make sure the kitchen wasn’t overwhelmed. — Wakana Sebacher

It’s a wonderful problem to have, Wakana said. And with good feedback, it doesn’t look like Tamashii will slow down anytime soon. Though they now have a better idea of the number of bowls that might sell during a service, the Sebachers also added alternatives to the menu. The chashu don (braised pork belly over rice with brown sauce and Japanese mayo) was on the starting menu, but now they also serve yakisoba, a traditional stir-fried noodle dish. Wakana said she was a little surprised to see how many people ordered the garlic-fried rice and towering Fuji Toast dessert, but it’s gratifying to see new faces enjoying their food. Tamashii Ramen is open 11 a.m.2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 5-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

SPONSORE D PROG RAM

JUNE 26-27, 2015

LIVE DOWNTOWN

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

• OKC •

MUSIC PERFORMANCES

W W W.OKCF E S T.C OM

Okl ahOma Gazette | june 24, 2015 | 25

SPONSORE D PROG RAM

OKCFEST ™ 2015 OKCFEST™ 2015 is a music festival celebrating Oklahoma City's ever-growing vibrancy and vitality. OKCFEST™ 2015 will bring 10 amazing artists to downtown OKC over two amazing nights, June 26 and June 27.

which includes Michael Anthony (bassist and vocalist who has played with Sammy for over 30 years in bands including Van Halen and Chickenfoot), Jason Bonham (acclaimed drummer and son of iconic Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham) and Vic Johnson (Sammy's longtime guitarist virtuoso). Sammy's set will span his 40-year career and include songs from Van Halen, Montrose, his solo career and some Zeppelin classics!

Friday night's headliner is none other than rock legend Sammy Hagar. For OKCFEST™, Sammy will be bringing his all-star band The Circle,

PARTICIPATING ACTS

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS

GRAHAM COLTON

GRACE POTTER

BETTER THAN EZRA

SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE

FRIDAY, JUNE 26

5:00 - GRAHAM COLTON

*BAND APPEARANCES ARE APPROXIMATE & SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

7:00 - BETTER THAN EZRA

5:50 - DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS 8:20 - GRACE POTTER 10:00 - SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE

26 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahOma Gazette

W W W.OKCF E S T.C OM

SPONSORE D PROG RAM

CLARE DUNN

LUCAS HOGE

COREY KENT WHITE

RASCAL FLATTS

Saturday night's headliner is platinum-selling country superstars Rascal Flatts. Since releasing its first record in 2000, Rascal Flatts has sold over 20 million records in the U.S. alone and has had 12 of its songs, including the hits "Bless the Broken Road," "What Hurts the Most," and "Take Me There" reach # 1 at Billboard. Their OKCFEST â&#x201E;˘ appearance is part of its 2015 Riot Tour supporting its

HANK WILLIAMS JR.

most recent record, Rewind, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Other artists at OKCFEST will include country icon Hank Williams Jr., singer Grace Potter, Southern rockers Drive-By Truckers, The Voice singing sensation Corey Kent White and so many more!

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

5:00 - COREY KENT WHITE

*BAND APPEARANCES ARE APPROXIMATE & SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

7:00 - CLARE DUNN

5:50 - LUCAS HOGE 8:20 - HANK WILLIAMS, JR. 10:00 - RASCAL FLATTS

W W W.OKCF E S T.C OM

Okl ahOma Gazette | june 24, 2015 | 27

DOORS OPEN AT 4PM - RAIN OR SHINE CONCESSIONS AVAILABLE - NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

DAVE & CORY LE NORMAN

KOKO

OKC FEST PARKING W RENO AVE

THUN DER DR

NO:

S HARVEY AVE

SW 2ND ST

TENTS, CHAIRS, PETS, RE-ENTRY, VIDEO CAMERAS, FIREARMS OR WEAPONS. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.

28 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahOma Gazette

CENTURY CENTER

100 W. MAIN

COX CONVENTION CENTER

1 MYRIAD GARDENS

SANTA FE

2 SANTA FE PLAZA

SHERIDAN/WALKER

501 W. SHERIDAN

ARTS DISTRICT

431 W MAIN

OKCFEST ™ 2015 IS PRODUCED BY ROKCFEST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PRODIGAL FULL-SERVICE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT AGENCY.

W W W.OKCF E S T.C OM

LIFE FOOD & DRINK BY M AR K HA nC OC

Edible ’80s

PH OT OS

In true retro-fantastic fashion, these two techheads dumped their corporate day jobs and moved to middle America in their quest to find a perfect sandwich. BY GREG ELWELL

How did two techheads from San Francisco end up making sandwiches in Oklahoma City? Just ask. Alan Grande and Isaac Barton opened The Sandwich Club, 3703 N. Western Ave., last week and are happy to talk to customers while slathering down slices of Big Sky Bread and piling on toppings. Grande made good money working for giants Cisco Systems and HewlettPackard, but he knew no one in that industry has true job security. “Everyone is replaceable,” he said. “But when you start your own business, you have to be there, and it’s up to you to make it work.” Barton is a self-described Food Network addict who spent 15 years

working for VMware, but toward the end, his heart wasn’t in it. “I was never a guy who could work someplace for 30 years. I wasn’t happy,” he said. “I want to work for myself.” They scouted locations in different cities, finally narrowing it down to Portland or Oklahoma City. With rents low and Barton having family nearby, they chose to set up shop here. Originally, they planned on a food truck, but as they examined the market, they saw a need for a great brick-andmortar sandwich shop. Using local suppliers as much as possible, they built a menu that is fun, inventive and easy to eat. With sandwiches named Spaulding!, Snake Plissken and Cousin Eddie

Snake Plissken sandwich

(and plenty more 1980s-specific references) and a creative ingredient list (artichoke hearts, jalapeño potato chips, red pepper hummus), the pair are sating appetites Monday through Saturday. If making sandwiches sounds like a step down from the high-stakes world of West Coast tech firms, Barton has an answer for you. “I don’t need to be rich,” he said. “I just want to pay the bills and do something I enjoy.” If the early reviews of The Sandwich

Isaac Barton makes sandwiches behind the counter during the soft opening of his new shop The Sandwich Club. Club hold true, paying the bills won’t be a problem. The old-school sliced bread sandwich shop has drawn in plenty of customers and good feedback so far — though business slows down considerably after lunch, Grande said. Still, Barton said it has already been a fun ride. And they’ve had plenty of people stop in, lean into the counter and enjoy membership in a very tasty club. The Sandwich Club is open 10 a.m.4 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

FOOD BRIEFS BY GREG ELWELL

Edible odyssey Odyssey de Culinaire returns for a 13th year in July, with funds raised from the dualcity dinner going to Oklahoma Restaurant Association’s (ORA) Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation. The annual five-course meal is the only ORA event that is open to the public. Each year, a team of local chefs team up with high school students in the kitchen to prepare a decadent feast. On July 30, Boulevard Steakhouse chef Jonas Favela, Skirvin Hilton Hotel chef Theron Jessop, OSU-IT instructor Bill Leib, Ambassador Hotel chef Leonard Novak and Aravalli and Nebu chef Mark Vannasdall will create enticing dishes for attendees at the Skirvin, 1 Park Ave. The event’s lead coordinating chef is Christopher Pope of the Skirvin. A champagne reception begins at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. A week before, Tulsa will host a similar event with chefs from The Tavern, The Renaissance Hotel, The Culinary Institute of Platt College, SMOKE on Cherry Street and Juniper Restaurant & Martini Lounge at Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center, 6808 S. 107th E. Ave. Tickets are $125 per event. Registration is online at okrestaurants.com, or call Skye Davis at (800) 375-8181. Seating is limited, and reservations will be taken on a firstcome, first-served basis.

Hopscotch

Natural addition Natural Grocers opens its fourth Oklahoma store on June 30. Located at 3325 S. Boulevard in Edmond, it will celebrate by giving away gift cards worth between $5 and $100 to the first 60 customers in line for the opening. On July 3, the store hosts a block party and a Taste of Summer Fair from noon to 4 p.m. The Edmond store will have a nutritional health coach and offer free nutrition education classes to the public. The popular national chain has 97 stores in 17 states. “It’s more important to us that we execute everything perfectly rather than open before we’re ready,” she said.

Sauced on Paseo and Paseo Grill owner Joe Jungmann will soon open a new restaurant at 10909 N. May Ave. with partner Dale Cases. Hopscotch is taking over the space previously used by The Dugout sports bar, Jungmann said. Renovations include the addition of a fire pit and large patio area seating for more than 50 patrons. He described the concept as a laidback countertop service restaurant with a focus on a wide selection of beers and scotch and comforting menu items like burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. The name comes from a combination of beer (hops) and scotch, though it also will serve fresh milkshakes and beverages from a freestyle Coke machine. Jungmann said he hopes to open within six months “It’s more important to us that we execute everything perfectly rather than open before we’re ready,” he said.

Okl ahOma Gazette | june 24, 2015 | 29

TICKETS START AT $25 Running through June 27

JULY 7 - 11

JULY 21-25

AUGUST 4 - 8

405.524.9312 // LyricTheatreOKC.com Allied Arts | Oklahoma Arts Council | NEA

30 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahoma Gazette

life culture

Salon affair p Hotos bY Ga rett fi s bec k

Members of Oklahoma Humanities Council hope to create a social environment that encourages public dialogue.

By GreG hOrtOn

think & Drink: Gender equality 7 p.m. friday fassler hall 421 nW 10th Street okhumanities.org/think-drink free 21+

If you could combine beer with humanities while getting your Bachelor’s degree, chances are the state’s college graduation rate would be much higher. With a mandatory minimum of six hours of credit in the subject, just a few college students find many of the art appreciation classes an insufficient reason to get out of bed in the morning. Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) has found a way to foster interest in the arts by combining adult beverages with a social setting that fosters progressive discussions among the patrons and attendees with the second Think & Drink public forum. This one will cover issues related to gender equality. Oklahoma Humanities Council is one of 56 congressionally mandated humanities organizations in the states and territories of the U.S. They are federally mandated and federally funded. The various councils work together to create programs that bring the public together to experience the humanities (art, music, literature, architecture, history, philosophy and religion). Caroline Lowery, program officer for OHC, said one of the programs that have worked well in the Pacific Northwest is Think & Drink. Essentially, it’s what used to be called a salon. People come together

Caroline Lowery, program officer for Think & Drink, poses for a photo at her office in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City is now full of this burgeoning population of young adults who want to make the city a better place, and they are an information-seeking crowd. —Caroline Lowery

Think & Drink: Gender Equality is Friday at Fassler Hall. to discuss important ideas in a safe, nonconfrontational environment. “We are a tight-knit community within the states’ councils, so we talk about the programs that work around the country,” Lowery said. “Think & Drink has been offered in Washington and Oregon for years, and they have had great success offering a community forum in a low-key, informal setting.” The format is very straightforward. Two speakers address a topic from differing perspectives in a seven-minute introductory presentation. Then each speaker is given five minutes to respond. Afterward, the audience is asked to participate via a question-andanswer segment. Roksana Alavi, assistant professor of interdisciplinary studies at the University of Oklahoma, will take the position that gender equality is still an issue that affects us all. Her areas of study include identity formation, gender, race and stereotyping.

Andrea Mason is a business owner, wife and mother of two. The owner of barre3 locations in OKC, Edmond and Tulsa will take a position counter to that of Alavi, at least from the perspective that gender inequality does not necessarily prevent women from succeeding in our culture. Lowery will introduce the topic and candidates, and she will serve as the moderator for the evening. After the first Think & Drink, which covered privacy, Lowery polled attendees about which topic they would like to see next. Many of the respondents chose gender equality from a list of several topics. “We wanted to do these two pilot events first and then gauge audience responses,” Lowery said. “We haven’t made any definitive plans about more Think & Drinks because we want to see how well the program works.” More than fifty people showed up for the first event, and it is likely that more will show up this time. If so,

there will be plenty of space. OHC has rented the semi-private outdoor space at Fassler Hall to accommodate more people. Lowery said RSVPs are not necessary and that the event is free and open to the public. “The first event was a little heavy on the side of young people,” Lowery said. “That makes sense. Oklahoma City is now full of this burgeoning population of young adults who want to make the city a better place, and they are an information-seeking crowd. They will look for information about how to make that happen.” Lowery said drinking starts at 7 p.m. and thinking starts at 7:30 p.m. Because the event is at a bar, guests must be 21 and over to enter.

Okl ahOma Gazette | june 24, 2015 | 31

life culture

Scienthusiasts p rovi de d

Fanfare and fun will be available at SoonerCon this weekend. By Mark Beutler

SoonerCon 10 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday Reed Conference Center 5800 Will Rogers Road, Midwest City soonercon.com $20-$40

Fan-based conventions can be found almost anywhere at any time of the year. From Memphis, Tennessee’s Elvis Presley week each August to the biennial Cher convention in Las Vegas, fans use the time to come together and chat about their favorite artist, pastime or hobby. Oklahoma has its own convention, SoonerCon, a three-day expo focusing on writers and artists in the science fiction field. “In a sports-saturated environment like metro Oklahoma City, it’s important to let folks know there are options and a wider

variety of entertainment and cultural enrichments than they might have come to expect,” said Leonard Bishop, co-chair of this year’s SoonerCon event. Members of a local Star Trek revival fan club originally started SoonerCon in 1986. Through the years, it has expanded from a small, two-day convention with 600 attendees to a full, three-day expo with expected attendance in excess of 3,000. “One of the appeals of SoonerCon is the wide variety of activities,” Bishop said. “There’s both an Exhibitor’s Hall and an Artist’s Alley, so for shoppers, there are a lot of offerings, with many items you can’t typically find here locally.” There will also be indie film and anime screenings and around 100 other guests speaking on writing, art, science, popular television and movies. “There are tons of games running

each day in the Gaming Hall, plus kids’ activities on the patio and lawn and computer games and live-action role playing in the evenings,” he said. A champagne art reception will be held Friday evening with a dance to follow. On Saturday evening, a live art auction will be held, followed by a costume contest and live music. “People are surprised by just how much there is to do and how inclusive the offerings are,” Bishop said. An attendee can participate in almost all the activities as part of the price of admission. SoonerCon starts at 10 a.m. all three days and goes until late at night, closing at 4 p.m. on Sunday. While SoonerCon has strong roots in the science fiction genre, it has grown and become much broader in its scope to include more pop culture. This year’s special guest is actor Robert Picardo,

perhaps best known as the doctor from Star Trek: Voyager and as the base commander in Stargate: Atlantis. Picardo will be on hand to sign autographs and will also be part of a celebrity cocktail hour Saturday evening. “In a city and state where sports has always been king, I believe having options is very healthy, so I urge folks to come out for some locally produced entertainment,” Bishop said. SoonerCon is Friday-Sunday at Reed Convention Center in Midwest City. Advance admission tickets are $20 for a day or $40 for a weekend, and prices go up slightly if purchased at the door. Active duty members of the military receive free admission on Friday and weekend passes for the day rate of $25. Kids 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

life health

Dog day Lindsey Mulinix-Ewert with Nolla

By Gina A. Dabney

Some pets get nervous when their owners leave for the day. Are they worried about staying home alone, or is it that they want so badly to tag along with their owners, wherever the destination? On Friday, it won’t be a problem for some pet owners as national Take Your Dog to Work Day (TYDTW) can alleviate the entire situation. The event, which was created by Pet Sitters International (PSI), encourages employers to experience the joys of pets in the workplace and support pet adoption from local shelters, rescue organizations and humane societies. Oklahoma businesses see the benefits of having pets at work regularly. Lindsey Mulinix-Ewert lives and works in downtown Oklahoma City. Her schedule as an attorney requires additional office hours, long days that flow past 5 p.m. and 32 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahoma Gazette

G arett fisb eck

Some businesses are participating in Take Your Dog to Work Day because they see the benefits of having a four-legged friend around.

past Friday. During those nontraditional hours, Mulinix-Ewert’s dog, Nolla, always accompanies her. “The main reason I bring her is for protection,” she said. “I take her with me so I don’t have to walk home alone. Nolla, a boxer/Labrador retriever mix, was adopted from a shelter when MulinixEwert was in college in Arizona. With one ear straight and the other flopped over, Nolla was covered in ticks and was next to be euthanized before she was adopted. Now, she is healthy and happy in her forever home. “I’ve had her for 11 years,” said Mulinix-Ewert. “She’s really intelligent. She’s a lover. She’s playful.” Mulinix Edwards Rosell & Goerke, the law firm where MulinixEwert works, is supportive of her pet companion. Mulinix-Ewert, who is also

a board member of Urban Neighbors Oklahoma, talked about how downtown businesses like restaurants are becoming increasingly dog-friendly. This is important for single women living and working downtown, she said. The health benefits of having pets around is clear. Studies show that animals can reduce tension and improve mood, according to WebMD.com. Research has shown that owning a dog can reduce stress hormones, reduce blood pressure and raise levels of feel-good chemicals in the brain. Pets also help with social interaction, as they are natural icebreakers. Dani Lynch, who co-owns Thrifty Pharmacy with her husband, takes their two 5-month-old golden retrievers to work regularly. Lynch has witnessed how customers’ moods change when they see Baxter and Piper. Many times, clients

don’t feel well or are upset because their medications are expensive, but the dogs make them happy, she said. “The healing power of dogs is wonderful,” said Lynch. “I see it every day.” With summer here, pets need proper care and attention. The OKC Animal Shelter, SE 29th Street and S. Bryant Avenue, offers hot weather tips to keep people and pets safe. These include keeping your pet inside during the hottest part of the day, providing sufficient shade and fresh water outside, exercising your dog in the early morning or late evening, and not leaving your pet in a parked car, as their body temperature can rise to critical levels in seconds. If you see an animal in distress, call 297-2255 and an Animal Welfare officer will investigate.

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Tribal code

Native Americans are honored for their roles as code talkers in the American armed forces.

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Code Talkers: How Natives Saved the United States 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-friday through nov. 30 cherokee nation Veterans center 315 S. Boulder ave., tahlequah visitcherokeenation.com free

During World War I and II, Native Americans used their languages as codes to help the United States win. Now, an exhibit honoring those men is on display through November at Cherokee Nation Veterans Center in Tahlequah. Oklahoma Native Americans have the distinction of being the first American code talkers used in war, said Director of the Office of American Indian Culture and Preservation William Welge. “The use of their language to send messages, orders, etcetera for combat purposes was employed by Indians speaking the same language,” said Welge. “Their C.O. [commanding officer] saw that it would be advantageous, as the Germans had no idea what they were saying.” However, the two world wars are not the first instances of Native languages being used by the military. Travis Owens, the manager of cultural tourism for the Cherokee Nation, said the benefits of using Native languages during war have been employed since the beginning of European occupation in North America. “This continued through to World War I, when the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Choctaws, Cherokees and several other tribes were tasked with using their language for official capacities,” Owens said. “In those times, the native code talkers had to send sensitive messages, but they had no formal code written in their language. Using native languages in an organized, codebased form did not start until the Second World War.” The exhibit highlights Cherokees, Choctaws, Comanches, Navajos and other tribesmen who served as code talkers. “We do feel it is our responsibility to really highlight the contributions Cherokees made to code talking in the war and to honor their memories, “ Owens said. The first known messages transmitted under fire were by a group of Cherokee

troops that served alongside the British at the Second Battle of the Somme in September 1918. Nobody is sure how many lives were saved due to the code talkers’ efforts. However, historians do not dispute that the United States and many other countries benefited greatly from the code talkers’ ability to speak their native languages. “Knowing where your enemy was, where his supplies were located and how you could get the upper hand was life or death during war. But when Native Americans began to speak on tapped wire systems in their aboriginal languages, many of which were not written down, they created an unbreakable code,” Owens said. Owens admits that the outcome of the wars might not have changed without the service of native soldiers, particularly the code talkers. But he said it cannot be denied that their contributions saved thousands of lives and were a big factor in the allied victories. Despite Native Americans being subjected to cultural eradication in Indian boarding schools during the late 1800s and early 1900s, they still used their culture to save American lives and interests. However, several factors played into their desire to serve in the U.S. military. At the time of WWI, Native Americans were still not considered citizens, so part of the reason some joined the armed forces was to gain full citizenship. Congress then passed the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, and by the time WWII took place, Native Americans enlisted at a higher rate than all other U.S. citizens. It was during the Great Depression, and many joined because the military offered free room, board, clothing, food and pay to enlisted soldiers. It provided a job and a place to live while also providing the ability to send money home to families. “Serving in the military came naturally to many natives,” Owens said. “Unlike their counterparts, they had already completed several years of military-style discipline while attending government-run boarding schools as children.” Native traditional ideology also taught them to not complain during

Travis Owens, manager of cultural tourism for the Cherokee Nation minor discomfort, Owens said. During war, it was not uncommon for Native recruits to share their culture, particularly song and dance, with their fellow soldiers to help boost morale. “While it’s not to say Natives did not suffer mistreatment by the U.S. government, a resounding number are proud to have served their country and their tribal nation in defending them,” Owens said. Since the code talker programs were kept secret by the military for many years, identifying those who served as code talkers is difficult. The information is just now being declassified and released to help historians identify who was involved in this practice. Joseph Oklahombi is one of the better-known Native soldiers from Oklahoma. He served during World War I as a Choctaw code talker, becoming the most decorated solider from Oklahoma during WWI. Oklahombi was tragically killed in 1960 while walking along a road. Other known code talkers from Oklahoma include Forrest Kassanavoid, Charles Chibitty and Haddon Codynah, who were Comanche code talkers in WWII. Chibitty was the last of the Comanche code talkers when he died in 2005. Chibitty means “holding on good,” and he was also the last hereditary chief of the Comanches, having descended from Chief Ten Bears, who was one of the signers of the Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867, according to Chibitty’s obituary in The Washington Post. In 2013, only 40 to 70 code talkers were estimated to be living. The number is still unknown due to the information being classified. “This makes it difficult to track down stories of code talkers and to share them,” Owens said, “However, we do know there are no living Cherokee code talkers.” The last recorded time of code talking used in war is also unknown. There is a possibility that it was used during the Korean War, Welge said. Despite not knowing all the stories of code talkers, historians are still gathering information as the U.S. government slowly declassifies records.

life visual arts

p rovi ded

Teaching creativity Arts Council Oklahoma City is encouraging art in schools to help teach science and math. By Kaley Patterson

A couple of weeks ago during the Tony Awards, Kelli O’Hara won Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as Anna Leonowens in The King and I. O’Hara was born in Elk City, and she was up against another Oklahoma native, Kristin Chenoweth, for the award. This is a testament to the fact that Oklahoma has something to offer the arts community, and Arts Council Oklahoma City (ACO) is seeking to enhance that impact by starting art programs in elementary schools. One of the current curriculums used nationally in public schools is STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math. STEM seeks to improve student competitiveness in science and technology, but ACO is working to show that art is a key component to furthering STEM’s initiative by implementing art into the program, creating a STEAM curriculum in Oklahoma schools. ACO Director Christina Foss said the council has been working in two elementary schools — Eugene Field Elementary and F. D. Moon Elementary — over the last year to encourage STEAM. The initiative is part of the council’s All Access Arts program, which provides arts education to underserved schools and other agencies. Foss said when looking at professions that come from STEM, critical thinking and problem solving are vital assets. “How can we make sure these students are able to think creatively and have these real-world problem solving skills,” Foss said. “The answer is the arts. The arts keep students engaged, focused and motivated. It helps them develop creatively.” Foss and the arts council believe creativity can be taught and this

above Trami Nguyen teaches visual arts to students for the Oklahoma Afterschool Network. supports the integration of arts into STEM. While students are learning about science, they can draw pictures of the inside of cells or the sprouting of roots in the ground to help foster a better understanding. “The main objective of both subjects is discovery,” Foss said. “Artists and scientists both work creatively towards a project by using these creative thinking skills. We find it extremely important that arts be integrated into this platform.” ACO heard about the STEAM initiative from the Rhode Island School of Design. According to Foss, ACO’s pursuit of STEAM comes from the natural evolution of education. The focus on STEM produces engineers and mathematicians that are good for society, but Foss said there’s something missing. “The workforce is looking for creative minds in these fields,” she said. “To really prepare students to enter the workforce in this age now and to help the economy, they’re going to need a creative mind.” The two schools ACO is involved in have professional art teachers teaching students how to paint, sculpt, make collages, sing, play instruments, dance and a variety of other arts. The STEAM initiative is integrated into the school day, which allows all students the chance to participate instead of being an optional after school program. “It’s always interactive,” Foss said, “and I think that’s the main thing. It’s not just kids coloring on a piece of paper. Kids are actually learning about art.”

Okl ahoma Gazette | June 24, 2015 | 35

lIFe PerForMInG arts

Oklahoma City Burlesque Festival returns for a star-studded third year.

oops the Clown

By anGela BotZer

oklahoma City Burlesque Festival 8 p.m. Friday-saturday lyric theatre of oklahoma 1727 nW 16th st. okcburlesquefest.com oklahomaschoolofburlesque.com $25-$50 per night note: Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Burlesque stars from across the country descend on Lyric Theatre Friday and Saturday as Adèle Wolf presents Oklahoma City Burlesque Festival, now in its third year. Dancers such as Sizzle Dizzle, April Showers, Maxi Millions and Oops the Clown will perform vintage and modern burlesque, belly dance, aerial dance and contortion. “This festival is mostly burlesque, with a bit of the variety show arts added,” Wolf said. “We will have striptease burlesque, along with aerial hoop performances, tap dancing, belly dancing and an act with a circus dog.” Wolf, a local dancer and producer, emcees the event.

adèle Wolf

KAYLin idorA / provid ed

Maxi Millions

Sexy storytelling

Burlesque often mixes its celebration of the body and our sexuality with aspects of vaudevillian variety shows, camp and cabaret. “During the early origins of burlesque in the mid-late 1800s, the performance was mostly a form of satirical theater, a way for society to

36 | June 24, 2015 | Okl ahOma Gazette

lampoon current events,” Wolf told Oklahoma Gazette. As the art form established itself in American venues into the 1930s, Wolf said it grew to include racier aspects such as striptease. Today, how it’s presented also varies depending on where it’s performed. “There is burlesque that is more performance art, depending on what region you go to,” Wolf said. “In the Midwest, for example, classic style — the vintage traditional showgirl style — is prominent.” People often confuse burlesque striptease with plain ol’ stripping, she said, but it doesn’t bother her or most other dancers. But there are differences. “The emphasis is in the way the art is presented to the audience,” she said. “The costuming and music tell a story, and the attention to stripping and choreography are all things that make up burlesque.” Audiences also won’t see fully naked women at these types of shows, which generally cater to couples and women. “There are other places for that,”

Wolf said. Instead, dancers cover their bits with G-strings and pasties.

Artistic addiction

“Initially, I was struck by the over-thetop glamour of burlesque,” said featured festival performer Maxi Millions. Soon, she was entranced. “The costumes, the rhinestones, the women on stage slowly peeling off layer by layer with such power in that, it’s a part of your identity that you don’t always get to show to people,” she said. “I was struck by the power each performer holds on that stage.” Gritty, Brooklyn-based dancer Sizzle Dizzle, also a featured performer this weekend, sports a streetwise, shaved-head look and a punk rock attitude. For her, it’s not so much about glitter and glam as it is about individual expression. She will perform a fan dance that is inspired by her fascination with WWII in general and, more specifically, how ’30s and ’40s-era women “flexed their muscles outside of the home.” “I enjoy spinning ideal concepts

I enjoy spinning ideal concepts on their heads. —Sizzle Dizzle

on their heads,” she said. “Although it is technically a classic fan dance, the physical appearance is anything but classic and elegant.” Most burlesque dancers use stage names, and many give nods to names of dancers during burlesque’s golden era. However, that’s not quite the case for dancer April Showers, who also will perform. She took her first name back from the schoolyard hecklers of her youth while also making it a tribute to the old saying about weather. Learn more about the festival at okcburlesquefest.com.

Be C KY p L e XCo / p rovi de d

Wit, femininity

Good Company p rovi de d

A classic play at The Pollard Theatre offers a single man’s take on his married friends’ advice. By Kaley Patterson

Company 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Through July 11 The Pollard Theatre 120 W. Harrison Ave., Guthrie thepollard.org 282-2800 $16.25-$27.25

The Pollard Theatre Company raises the curtain on its production of Company through July 11 at The Pollard Theatre in Guthrie. Company is Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical featuring a cast of 14. The show is set in New York and follows bachelor Robert on his 35th birthday and his five married couple friends who join in the celebration by offering various aspects of relationship advice. Each interaction is presented through Robert’s point of view.

Timothy Stewart, the play’s director, believes the production will have audiences relating to each of the characters. “I think everyone can recognize themselves in Robert, in a way,” Stewart said, “especially from their single lives and his relationship to his married friends. Then again, someone can recognize themselves in the married couples, too.” Company is based on a book by George Furth with music and lyrics by Sondheim. It first opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on April 26, 1970. The show ran for 705 performances and received the 1971 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Music, Best Original Lyrics, Best Scenic Design and Best Direction of a Musical. Company returned in various revivals, the most recent U.S. production in 2006 at the Ethel

The cast of Pollard Theatre’s production of Company. Barrymore Theatre on Broadway. According to Stewart, Company is more of a mature show and is not for children. But he said audiences will recognize its tunes and have an enjoyable experience. “It’s not as known to the masses, but some of the songs they will recognize. I think the music is great, and also the story itself,” Stewart said. “It’s an incredible show.” The cast for the production of Company at The Pollard Theatre includes Renee Anderson, Elin Bhaird, Matthew Alvin Brown, Gwendolyn Evans, Scott Hynes, Cory King, Nekeisha McGee, Charlie Monnot, Matthew Morales, Harold Mortimer, Susan Riley, W. Jerome Stevenson,

Jennifer Teel and Lexi Windsor. All of the cast members are Oklahoma natives, and Stewart said they’re a closeknit group. “I’ve been in love with this show for a long time,” Stewart said, “and this particular production has a great cast. All of them are excited to do it and be here. They’re incredible talent, and they’re a joy to work with.” Tickets are $27.25 with senior, military and student discounts available. Performances will begin at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are available to purchase online at thepollard.org, by phone at 2822800 or at The Pollard box office, 120 W. Harrison Ave., in Guthrie.

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sudoku/crossword Sudoku Puzzle Medium

www.s udoku-p uzzles .n et

Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3-by-3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9.

New York Times Crossword Puzzle answers Puzzle No. 0614, which appeared in the June 17, issue.

U P C S T E A E A R L P H I L A O N T H I C E A S O M N E S P O B G U R U O H A R T U R N T R Y O A T A B V O T E I N T H A L O E L A O S S Y S T

D Y S L E X I C S A F L A N E

A S I S I E S T L E A D Y O S P O O U T S E S A R O S L O T H E S S G A I N O O R H O Y S I N E T E S C U S O V M O N E O B E R V I A G A T R E

T W I C E A S K M E M A Y O R S

I M P A G U I T A F L A F A D O L F D E C S F O B A R B A C K U S T G R O U L A V E K U K A L T U N A A K E S I L A I T N B Y A M C T S O

C A M I O R O S

T R E N C H A N T

N D O O D Z E A A C S K S A L D O S A

S U R G F L E O R S R E A C H D O U T O C C H A O R V I E N N A S

O N E A F T E R T H E O T H E R

D I D S T

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A T H O S

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P E T E

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ACROSS 1 Theoretically, at least 8 Social exchanges 13 Creator of Stupefyin’ Jones 19 It’s said to be “the mother of success” 20 Offshore sight 22 Painted amateurishly 23 Dispute between Loretta Lynch and her co-workers? 25 1994 movie based on an S.N.L. character 26 Nike competitor 27 Naval bases? 28 B’way buy 29 Manila moolah 30 Words before “Be” and “Go” in two hit songs 32 Option for a nongrad 33 Fowl pole? 35 Rank above bey 37 Army V.I.P. at a military parade? 41 Chemistry unit: Abbr. 44 System starter? 45 Early times, for short 46 “Voulez-____” (Mamma Mia! song) 47 Deck (out) 48 Smartest one to consider a case? 52 Ballet jumps 53 Suffix with Manhattan 54 Dreamboat 55 Org. that regulates arsenic and asbestos 56 Oscar Wilde poem “The Garden of ____” 57 Say for sure 58 “It brings tears to my eyes” 59 Loafer, e.g. 62 Winter coats 64 Municipal building located where major roads intersect? 68 The same as 71 Empty ____ 72 One fry short of a Happy Meal 76 Sally ____ (sweet bun) 77 Letter from the teacher 79 Religious title 80 Became enamored with

81 Dorm V.I.P.s 82 Sprays, with “down” 83 Nun for the defense? 85 Sch. in Norfolk, Va. 86 Abbr. on a town’s welcome sign 87 Dead-on 88 Attention getters 89 Dummkopf 90 G.I. dressed like a priest? 96 Exposed 97 Not look forward to at all 98 Play ____ with (harm) 99 Standard deviation symbol 103 Desiccate 105 W here It.’s at 106 Truman’s Missouri birthplace 108 Third class 109 Dick ____, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach who popularized the zone blitz 110 Felon at a campground? 113 Least active 114 In the future 115 New parent’s purchase 116 Early online forum 117 Night lights 118 Lowlifes DOWN 1 Slaughterhouse scraps 2 Green 3 Live in squalor, informally 4 Secretary of state after Ed Muskie 5 Wall Street order 6 Tenor in The Flying Dutchman 7 Back away from 8 Might have, informally 9 Blow off steam? 10 Flight stat. 11 Spiral seashells 12 Fed up with 13 Go for ____ (swim) 14 It might allow a student to avoid detention 15 Vituperate, informally 16 Best blood type for a transfusion recipient 17 Toy blowgun 18 Summer hours in L.A.

19 23

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p hoToS p rovi ded

cover music

Downtown sounds Sammy Hagar, Lucas Hoge and their friends are in town to throw down at OKCFEST.

Sammy Hagar returns to Oklahoma with The Circle.

By Jennifer cHancellor

OkCFeSt 4 p.m. friday and saturday 220 W. reno ave. okcfest.com $55-$165 note: viP ticket packages are sold out.

the players Friday Graham colton drive-By truckers Better than ezra Grace Potter sammy Hagar and the circle

Saturday corey Kent White lucas Hoge clare dunn Hank Williams Jr. rascal flatts learn more by checking out the official festival program in this issue.

A quick phone interview with Nebraska-born singer-songwriter Lucas Hoge developed into a real conversation on his love of homecomings recently as he chatted with Oklahoma Gazette about his return to OKCFEST. “I played last year, too,” he said. “It was amazing, especially for a first-year event. It sold out every night.” His sister also lives in Oklahoma City, and he’s friends with event founder Fred Hall and his wife, Karen. “This is my old stomping grounds,” he said. “It’s amazing what you have

downtown; it’s beautiful, and it has the infrastructure to present a festival like this.” Hoge said he’ll play a few old songs and a lot of new, such as “Halabamalujah” and his latest single, “The Power of Garth.” Now, y’all know what that second one is about. And yes, he’s a big fan of the Tulsaborn, Yukon-raised musician. Hoge said the tune is a poignant tribute to the impact the country star had on Hoge’s own career, but he didn’t say much more except that he wants fans to hear it live during his Saturday set.

Fest facts

Organizers expect this year’s festival attendance to top 30,000 as music fans converge at the intersection of Reno and Harvey avenues near Myriad Botanical Gardens. That’s a 50 percent increase over its inaugural year. Day and weekend passes are still available, but VIP tickets are sold out. Friday is filled with sounds of classic, roots, Southern country, alternative and pop rock as Sammy Hagar and The Circle, Grace Potter, Drive-By Truckers, Better Than Ezra and Graham Colton perform. Saturday, contemporary and classic country take center stage with music from Rascal Flatts, Hank Williams Jr., Clare Dunn, Lucas Hoge and Corey Kent White. In 2014, Hall launched his concept

It’s amazing what you have downtown; it’s beautiful, and it has the infrastructure to present a festival like this. — Lucas Hoge

lucas Hoge

a full year ahead of schedule after Mayor Mick Cornett, Downtown OKC Inc., Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and other city and business leaders rallied behind it. Event proceeds will benefit local music education incentives and local youth music programs, organizers announced at a press conference in April. Profits from the 2014 event went to Moore schools for education programs and music-related scholarships

Van Hagar

Sammy Hagar’s band, The Circle, includes former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, drummer Jason Bonham (son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham) and guitarist Vic Johnson.

Friday night’s set list spans each musician’s long and acclaimed career, Hagar told Oklahoma Gazette in a recent phone interview. “This is more than 40 years of rock ’n’ roll history,” he said. “We have the best set list in the world.” It’s no joke. On this tour, the quartet’s song list has included Montrose’s “Rock Candy,” a Hagar solo featuring “Heavy Metal” and “I Can’t Drive 55,” Van Halen’s “Poundcake” and “Right Now,” The Wabos’ “Mas Tequila” and Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and “Rock and Roll.” “It’s Van Hagar,” Hagar corrected himself, laughing. He was Van Halen’s frontman from continued on neXt PaGe

Okl ahOma Gaz ette | j u ne 24, 2015 | 41

cover music

Grace Potter continued from previous page

1986 to 1996 and reunited 20032005. He sounded cocky — and he was — especially as he proclaimed, “We serve the Van Hagar era better than Alex Van Halen.” If you haven’t followed the decades-long rolling battle between Van Halen (with frontman David Lee Roth) and Van Hagar, it is epic. But it’s also a fight largely perpetuated among fans. Hagar mischievously stoked that fire before moving on to add context. Jason Bonham’s rapid-fire bass drum triplets and richly toned, massive floor tom sound are resounding tributes to his father’s influential legacy with Led Zeppelin. In 2010, he formed Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience as a live homage to his father and toured the globe. By all accounts, he is fit to fill the role. “Alex would agree with me,” Hagar said. “John Bonham was Alex Van Halen’s hero.” Hagar also credits Zep tune “Good Times Bad Times” and Zep’s version of “When the Levee Breaks” as two reasons a young “Sam” Hagar joined hard rock act Montrose in the mid-’70s. “Oh, that’s easy,” he explained. “We wanted to be the American Led Zeppelin … The original drummer was a Bonham freak.” The first time Hagar truly

connected with the junior Bonham (now age 48) was at a festival show near where Bonham lives in Miami, Florida, in 2013. “He came down to see us and was sitting on the side of the stage,” Hagar said. “So I just walked over and gave him a hug and he joined us on stage.” They played together for 45 minutes. “It was so good,” he said. “Michael Anthony was there, and it became our first gig, too.” Hagar has been around long enough that his career has come full circle back to his roots, hence The Circle’s name. With almost 50 years in the music business, Hagar doesn’t tour for the money. He diversified his portfolio, so to speak, with his branded Cabo Wabo Tequila and associated eateries and Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum. “I play because I want to,” he said. “And I’m excited every time I step on stage.” Even if it’s on an eclectic festival bill with OKCFEST performers such as Potter, Hoge and Williams Jr. “I’ll put ’em all in the hospital with this set list,” he said, referencing his most recent festival gig show, where The Circle found itself wedged between Korn and Marilyn Manson. “We bust into ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and we have everyone’s attention. All ages, all demographics, all music fans, they yell ‘Mas Tequila!’”

2014 OKCFEST

42 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahoma Gazette

Migratory patterns p rovi de d

Indie folk act Young Readers finds financial support from fans and friends in its effort to finish its album debut. By Brett fieldcamP

“It’s no secret that I’m constantly on the move,” Jordan Herrera admitted appropriately from the road. “It’s hard for me to sit somewhere for more than a month at a time.” That difficulty settling down was both an inspiration and an obstacle for the upcoming album Migrator, Herrera’s full-length debut under his Young Readers moniker. It’s an album full of the indie-folk cornerstones of Young Readers’ sound: sparse guitar, melancholy lyrics and Jordan’s own soft voice. But for his first full-scale album, Herrera and producer/ engineer Steve Boaz also experimented with new atmospheres and textures. They carved out a few weeks and locked themselves and a slew of local musicians inside Boaz’s Breathing Rhythm Studio in Norman to help realize their vision. They then started planning the long post-production, mixing, mastering process so they could release the album on vinyl. Unfortunately, all of those things cost money.

“I knew I had to turn to Kickstarter after adding up all the costs,” Herrera said. “It would take me over six months of work to save up enough for it myself. Maybe longer.” He didn’t want to put the project on hold, so he took a chance and asked his fans to financially support the project. “The responses were generally supportive,” he said, “but I did talk to a few people that were completely against it. I guess they pictured the Kickstarter platform more like a service for handouts.” Herrera is unique, however, in that he has a history of audience participation and interactivity in his work. In 2012, he released the first Young Readers EP, Family Trees, with a coloring-and-activity book motif. It even came with a pack of crayons and encouragement to color and manipulate the artwork. He said he wanted his friends and supporters to take active roles in his work, and the open-source approach paid off as he established a valuable roster of contacts and relationships. “I don’t think I would’ve met half the

people I know if my EP didn’t come with crayons,” he said. “It has helped start great conversations and ever better friendships.” He credits those connections as integral to the successful crowdfunding campaign for Migrator. Kickstarter donation perks also were designed to create unique experiences and interactions with his art, including personalized photos from the road, handwritten lyrics and notes and even an opportunity for Jordan to record a separate EP in a fan’s home. “Over 150 people from all over the United States and other parts of the world banded together to help raise all of the money,” he said. “It was refreshing to have so many friends and new fans support something that they hadn’t even listened to yet.” Boaz, Herrera’s main collaborator and sounding board for this project, also said he was excited about the support their project received. But he wasn’t surprised. “Like many artists I have so much respect for, he eats, lives and breathes for his music, and he has a lot of supporters

all over the country that believe in him,” Boaz said. “His music isn’t for everybody, but when it is for you, it crushes you like a bulldozer. It’s the people he’s reached that love being crushed that are giving him the key.” The next step for Herrera was to leave the album’s post-production in Boaz’s capable hands and head back out on tour. Playing live allows Young Readers to tighten and refine new songs before returning to OKC for an album release show sometime later this year. It also puts Herrera back in his comfort zone on the road. “I don’t think the Kickstarter would’ve reached the goal of $8,000 without the past three years of extensive touring,” Herrera said. “It was tough to be back in one spot again for a few months, but I knew that the time spent in the studio would be worthwhile and that it would lead to more time on the road and to new adventures.” The band is on tour now. Migrator is set for release later this summer.

is balanced rock ’n’ roll from a bygone republic that has all of the instruments a Southern gentleman can incorporate to embellish songs that would work well even if they were just a guy with a guitar. The songs explore rich and thoughtful emotions through solid songwriting. “On this record, the theme really is the violence woven into the human soul, or maybe DNA,” he said. “I don’t always have such a succinct theme ... but this one is fairly narrow. His influences range from Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young to Vigilantes of Love and Tom Waits. Bands like Gun Club and Blind Willie Johnson seemingly all rolled into one influence the newest record, while some songs like “Never Gonna Be Young Again” are somewhat reminiscent of Ryan Adams, only

smoother. Songs like “I See Satan Fall Like Lightning” offer riff-centric stories that build on themselves. The song includes a banjo that creates suspense and energy that persist for a solid four minutes, all without getting boring. However, the riff does seem like it is never fully realized and leaves the listener wanting more, which is a great thing. Burr will be giving more at the Blue Note Lounge at 10 p.m. on Friday. The show is his first in Oklahoma, and he is looking forward to it. “I surprisingly have never been through [Oklahoma]. I’ve threatened to for a long time, but I’ve never made it up,” he said. “We’re just kind of doing a couple of weekends … that was the idea.”

Southern Pale provid ed

Southern crooner Doug Burr celebrates a new album with a stop in OKC. By Kory B. osWald

doug Burr with Beau Jennings and the tigers and rachel Brashear 10 p.m. friday Blue note lounge 2408 n. robinson ave. thebluenotelounge.com 600-1166 $5

You can hear it in his music, the sound of accomplishment. Though you won’t know what it is specifically, you can hear it in the polished songs with walking bass lines, laid-back vocals and keys. And for a working musician, his accomplishments are many. The fact that Doug Burr has a family — four kids and a wife — and continues to put out albums won’t register sonically. That might be demonstrated

more in the way he carries himself. He has a full-time job; he has chosen to live where he grew up — a haven of central Texas called Denton — and he has been playing with a steady band for years, releasing music and playing shows. He has released five albums so far, which is one of his prouder accomplishments. “I’m just glad I can keep making records. That’s my triumphant victory that I can still make records,” Burr said, “I see that as a rare accomplishment, to be able to be this age (42) with a large family and consistently be putting out records for the last decade and a half.” Though Burr admits that juggling family life and a music career is not always easy, it is something he said is achieved by finding the right equilibrium. Pale White Dove, Burr’s latest album,

Okl ahOma Gazette | june 24, 2015 | 43

life music

ma rk ha n coc k

Family affair Three generations of musicians perform as one act for the whole family.

From left Robin Brooks, Montana Sullivan and Jody Miller

By Mark Beutler

Some incredible musical talent has come out of Oklahoma — Reba, Vince, Blake, Carrie and Garth, to name a few. More than 50 years ago, a young girl from Blanchard named Jody Miller set out for Hollywood to make her name in the music business. A short time after arriving on the West Coast, Miller became one of Oklahoma’s first Grammy Award winners. Throughout the 1960s and ’70s, Miller recorded and toured extensively, racking up an impressive number of hit singles. “Queen of the House,” “He’s So Fine” and a country version of “House of the Rising Sun” made her a fixture on country radio. In the 1980s, Miller semi-retired to the peace and quiet of her Blanchard ranch. Now, she has resurfaced with her daughter and grandson, three generations of music in one family. “I look over and there’s my daughter Robin and now my grandson Montana. It is so surreal; I really haven’t grasped it yet,” Miller said. “I feel so fortunate to have them both onstage with me.” Miller was only 25 when she won a Grammy Award for “Queen of the House,” a finger-snapping answer to

44 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahoma Gazette

Roger Miller’s “King of the Road.” It hit the charts in the spring of 1965 and quickly became her signature song. “Everyone thought Roger and I were married,” Miller said. “We were both from Oklahoma, both of us on the charts with basically the same song, so that just added to the mystique of the record.” Miller’s daughter, Robin BrooksSullivan, has made a name for herself as well. She was part of the 1980s band Maya and part of the original broadcast team that opened Remington Park in 1988, and she has been on countless television commercials throughout Oklahoma. In the late ’80s, Brooks-Sullivan and her mom teamed up professionally and recorded and toured together as Jody and Robin, with a Judds-like flair. Now, Brooks-Sullivan is happy to be back onstage with the new act. “Here in the last year or so, Mom and I had an opportunity to work together again, and now, with my son Montana in the act, I can see it really touches people,” Brooks-Sullivan said. “On our last gig we did together, the older folks loved seeing Mom with her grandson, and then people my age

loved it because they understand what it’s like for somebody my age to be there with their parents and to have the younger ones there too.” Montana Sullivan said he has been around music since he was born. “I was about 11 when I wrote my first song, and a couple of years ago, I looked back at it and thought, ‘That’s not very good,’” he said. “But over the years, I’ve just been practicing and practicing, and finally, I wrote a good one — at least in my opinion.” Sullivan plays the piano, guitar and bass and is trying to get a handle on the drums. He has also started singing onstage. The 16-year-old thinks he might follow in his family’s musical footsteps. “So I’m thinking music as a profession would be a good idea,” Sullivan said. “Nothing is set in stone because I also have a passion for filmmaking and cinematography and editing. Maybe I could combine the whole musician thing with filmmaking and see where that leads me.” Much of Miller’s Capitol and Epic catalog is available on iTunes, and some of Sullivan’s music is there as well. Blanchard is naming a street after

I look over, and there’s my daughter Robin and now my grandson Montana. It is so surreal, I really haven’t grasped it yet. — Jody Miller

Miller, an honor for which she said she is very humbled. Three Generations is planning to hit the circuit with more bookings soon and will travel to Wilson, Oklahoma, to headline its annual Fourth of July celebration. “It just seems so natural for us all to get together, and the music flows so easily. We joke and have fun, and the audience can see that. We really are having a ball,” Miller said.

Live ﬁrst BY Greg Horton

First Year on Earth With Bonafide Jones and Cosmostanza 10 p.m. Monday The Deli 309 White St., Norman thedeli.us 329-3534 $5

Ryan Murphy was tubing a river in Laos with a group of friends in 2012 with no idea how the day’s events would change his life. One of those friends, Lee, would die in a Laotian hospital later that day, a victim of drowning in the river. The loss caused Murphy, an Australia native, to reconsider his life. Murphy eventually made a list of things he would do if he were living his last year on Earth, and then he blogged about those events. The blog, Last Year on Earth, generated a faithful following, and a variation on that name later became the

Hard To Be A God

First Year on Earth

name of Murphy’s new band. First Year on Earth will perform at The Deli, 309 White St., in Norman in support of the release of its first selftitled EP, which features four new tracks that Murphy said will eventually be part of a full-length project. This will be the Austin-based band’s first show in Oklahoma, and it will be the first nonTexas show in support of the new project. One of the items on Murphy’s list was to record an album, and another was to live in New York City. It didn’t take long in New York for Murphy, a self-described small-town boy, to decide it was not for him. “I grew up in a country town in Australia, so the intense personalities I had to deal with on a daily basis in New York were just too much,” Murphy said. “Once I got to Texas, I realized immediately how much nicer the people are.” In Austin, Murphy met Kris

Afflerbaugh (stand-up bass), Jordan Birchill (guitar) and Jimmy Milner (drums). Murphy, who also plays guitar, is the only member of the band who did not pursue instrumental performance in college. His major was music production, and those skills came in handy when putting together the EP. “I recorded most of it in my home,” Murphy said. “I converted a closet into a vocal booth and modified other areas to make it a studio. We recorded drums and bass in a real studio.” The EP showcases the instrumental and songwriting skills of the band. Variously classified as roots, indie and pop, First Year on Earth moves between genres, and Murphy laughed when talking about classifying his music. “Yeah, roots/pop will work,” he said. “But we better throw indie in there, too. Categorizing is such a strange, hard thing to do.”

Murphy handles the majority of the songwriting, but he does bring the songs to the whole band for help. Philosophically, Murphy writes from a place of emotion and experience — he wants the song, when performed, to evoke the emotion or situation that inspired it in the first place. He said it has been his greatest challenge. “With the blog, I could ramble on for four or five pages, but you can’t do that with a song,” he said. “You have to say it quickly, and that has been difficult.” This leg of the tour will feature Murphy and Afflerbaugh as a duo, so Murhpy is calling it an acoustic tour of sorts. The band will play as far north as Michigan and then make its way back south, including a gig at Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe. After that, Murphy hopes to get back in the studio and complete the album or work on another EP.

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Okl ahoma Gazette | june 24, 2015 | 45

p rovi de d

Turning tragedy into triumph, an Australian-born musician makes his way to The Deli.

Summm Events watch the downtown fireworks

2nd Tuesday of the Month

7/18 - pizza truck cook off

more information @

www.bleugarten.com photo by choate house

46 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahOma Gazette

life music LIVE MUSIC WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24

Aluma/Good Culture, Lower Bricktown Live on the Green. ROCK

Drive/Tyler Smith Solo, Red Rock Canyon Grill. ROCK

Beau Jennings and the Tigers/Doug Burr/Rachel Brashear, Blue Note Lounge. FOLK

Anchor the Girl/The Zulus, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewery. ROCK

Big G, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. BLUES

Grant Wells, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Casey & Minna, Industry Flea. FOLK

Greg Northwood, Oklahoma City Museum of Art. ACOUSTIC

Christian Pearson/Gary Johnson, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Maurice Johnson, R&J Lounge and Supper Club. JAZZ

Corey Smith/Cody Bryan Band, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY

Phil Rodriguez, Five Star Grille. ACOUSTIC Replay/80’z Enuf, Baker Street Pub & Grill. COVER Scott Lowber/Will Galbraith/Ed VanBuskirk, Friends Restaurant & Club. COVER Town Hall Devils/The Easy Lovers, Opolis, Norman. ROCK

THURSDAY, JUNE 25 Aaron Newman Band, O Asian Fusion, Norman. ACOUSTIC Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Farmers Public Market. HIP-HOP Brent Saulsbury/Will Galbraith/Wayne Duncan, Friends Restaurant & Club. ROCK Clint Scholz Band, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY Corey Smith/Cody Bryan Band, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. COUNTRY David Morris, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO Drive, Red Rock Canyon Grill. ROCK IRV Wagner’s Jazz Combo, Chisholm Trail Park, Yukon. JAZZ John the Franklin, 9th Street Stage. ROCK LUCKY, Colcord Hotel. COVER

Forum/Elms, 51st Street Speakeasy. ROCK p rovi ded

Folklahoma/Gregory McKillop/Adult Mom, Bad Granny’s Bazaar. FOLK

Amy Downes, Full Circle Bookstore. ACOUSTIC

Gentry, Kendell’s Bar. VARIOUS

Pvris

Graham Colton/Grace Potter/Sammy Hagar & The Circle, OKCFEST. ROCK Gunpowder Junkies, Bourbon Street Bar. ROCK

OKG

Hayes Carll/Ryan Culwell, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. SINGER/SONGWRITER

vans Warped tour

music

pick

J.L. Jones and Friends, Five Star Grille. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

thursday

The iconic, 21-year old music festival makes a stop Thursday at Remington Park, 1 Remington Place. Over 40 bands such as Pvris, Night Riots and Senses Fail perform across five outdoor stages starting at 11 a.m. Stand-up comedians and plenty of merchandise vendors also are featured. Tickets are $32.75 at any Buy For Less in Oklahoma City or online at vanswarpedtour.com.

Karen Khoury, Legend’s Restaurant, Norman. PIANO Kody Prewitt, Bricktown Brewery. VARIOUS Lip Service, Oklahoma City Limits. COVER Lost On Utica, Remington Park. ROCK Martina McBride, Enid Event Center, Enid. COUNTRY Nicnos, Buck Thomas Park, Moore. FOLK

Erick Oftedal, Bricktown Brewery. VARIOUS

Roy Lee Scott & The Flying Cowboys, Sliders. COUNTRY

Grant Stevens, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Screaming for Silence/Kirra/Sign of Lies/Drunk on Monday, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

Heath Jones, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. JAZZ

The Bright Light Social Hour/Wurly Birds, ACM@UCO Performance Lab. ROCK The Unlikely Blues Band, The Paramount. BLUES Turnpike Troubadours, Brady Theater, Tulsa. COUNTRY

MONDAY, JUNE 29 Brian Pounds, Back Alley Gallery. FOLK

Howard Brady, Sauced on Paseo. VARIOUS

First Year On Earth, The Deli, Norman. POP

Jackson, Colcord Hotel. VARIOUS

Jake Rennic Explosion, Blue Note Lounge. VARIOUS

Jeremy Phifer, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. COUNTRY

Pierce-Hart, Leadership Square. FOLK

Kalin and Myles/Baby Bash/Meant2B/Jabee, Frontier City. HIP-HOP

Rick Toops, Friends Restaurant & Club. ROCK

Mikah Young/Oh Johnny Girls/Hannah Wolff, 51st Street Speakeasy. ROCK

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

Lost On Utica, Russell’s, Tower Hotel. ROCK

Replay, Baker Street Pub & Grill. COVER

100 Bones, Tapwerks Ale House & Cafe. ROCK

LUCKY, Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse. COVER

The Heavenly States, Blue Note Lounge. POP

Aerosmith, Choctaw Casino Resort, Duncan. ROCK

Midas 13, Okie Tonk Cafe, Moore. ROCK

Grant Wells, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Vans Warped Tour, Remington Park. VARIOUS

Bandromeda, Bourbon Street Bar. ROCK

Roy Lee Scott & The Flying Cowboys, Sliders. COUNTRY

Wynonna & The Big Noise, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Catoosa. COUNTRY

BettySoo/Amelia White, Red Brick Bar, Norman. FOLK

Softaware/Soul Time, Blue Note Lounge. ELECTRONIC

Randy Cassimus, Captain Norm’s Dockside Bar. ACOUSTIC

Cory Kent White/Hank Williams, Jr/Rascal Flatts, OKCFEST. COUNTRY

Southpaw, Five Star Grille. VARIOUS

FRIDAY, JUNE 26 Aaron Newman Band, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. ACOUSTIC

Karen Khoury, Legend’s Restaurant, Norman. PIANO

Susan Herndon, The Blue Door. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Direct Connect, Bedlam Bar-B-Q. BLUES

Thieving Birds, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY

Dom McClenny Band, Riverwind Casino, Norman. ROCK

Tony Foster, The Paramount. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Don and Melodee Johnson, Twelve Oaks, Edmond. JAZZ

TUESDAY, JUNE 30 CES CRU/Joey Cool, Farmers Public Market. HIP-HOP

Sweet Jones, Red Brick Bar, Norman. FOLK

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1 Alec Johns, Five Star Grille. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Empire Grey, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewery. ROCK

SUNDAY, JUNE 28

Big G, uco Jazz lab, friday

Edgar Cruz, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. ACOUSTIC

Casey & Minna, Saints. VARIOUS Derek Harris, Baker Street Pub & Grill. ACOUSTIC Grant Wells, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Ian Moore, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY

Jon Dee Graham/Fighting Cocks, The Blue Door. SINGER/SONGWRITER

John Calvin Abney/Chris Porter, The Blue Door. FOLK

Maurice Johnson, R&J Lounge and Supper Club. JAZZ

Josh Qualls, Colcord Hotel. VARIOUS

Scott Lowber/Will Galbraith/Ed VanBuskirk, Friends Restaurant & Club. COVER

KALO, Myriad Botanical Gardens. BLUES Karen Khoury, Legend’s Restaurant, Norman. PIANO

Steve Crossley, Red Rock Canyon Grill. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Mama Sweet, Lions Park, Norman. COUNTRY Mike Hosty ‘One Man Band’, The Deli, Norman. ROCK Scott Lowber/Will Galbraith/Rick Toops, Friends Restaurant & Club. COVER

provided

Mama Sweet, The Blue Door. ROCK

The Appleseed Cast/Dads/The Coaster, Opolis, Norman. ROCK

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 528-4600 or e-mail them to listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

Okl ahOma Ga z et te | j u n e 24 , 2015 | 47

p r ovi de d

life film

Motion, pictures Brent Ryan Green talks to Oklahoma Gazette about the progress of his first full-length directorial debut, The Veil, and how important his home state is to its completion and success. The Veil

By Ben Felder and Taylor Duane

Earlier this month, Oklahoma native and acclaimed film director Brent Ryan Green debuted an in-the-works sneak peek of his upcoming sci-fi adventure film The Veil at deadCENTER Film Festival. The fest celebrated its 15th year as Green celebrated having so many of his films screened at deadCENTER through the years. Green said he scouted locations around the state before filming The Veil and wrote it specifically for Oklahoma. Here is the Oklahoma Gazette Q&A he participated in during the festival. Oklahoma Gazette: Tell us about your rough-cut film that showed at the festival. Brent Ryan Green: Lance [McDaniel, festival executive director] came to me and said, “Hey, we really want to have The Veil as part of the festival, but the movie isn’t done yet.” So, what we decided to do was show this sneakpeak, work-in-progress where I show scenes from the film [and] substantial portions of the movie. The movie was made here, and a lot of local actors and crew were in it, so I wanted them to be able to see it first. It’s a great opportunity. OKG: Tell us about The Veil. BRG: The Veil is a story of a warrior who turns against his own emperor and comes through the fence of an oppressed civilization. So, it’s a sci-fi, action film, real-fun-Friday-night type movie with a lot of good action. OKG: You said it was filmed in Oklahoma. BRG: Yeah. We filmed it all in Oklahoma last fall. Turner Falls and Red Rock Canyon were our main locations. I think people are going to be really pleased with how Oklahoma looks on screen. OKG: You live in LA part-time but grew up in Oklahoma City and went to school here. BRG: Yeah, born and raised here.

48 | june 24, 2015 | Okl ahoma Gazette

OKG: When you started the filmmaking process on The Veil, did you know it would film in Oklahoma? How influential were you in that decision? BRG: I live here and I’m from here, but I’d never shot anything here. I’ve been working in the film business for about eight years, and I’ve never done anything here. I developed the script for Oklahoma. I actually used locations to influence the script. We took the idea of making an action drama in budget range, and then I was like, “Hey, this is what Oklahoma has to offer scenically.” Some places we didn’t get to shoot but instead used them as inspiration. Wichita Mountains, Little Sahara, Turner Falls and Red Rock Canyon: We put together all these pictures, and we actually developed the film for Oklahoma. Because of that and the tax incentive program that Oklahoma Film and Music Office offers, we wanted to cater the film to Oklahoma, so it was always going to be shot here. OKG: You said this was your first feature to direct. What has that been like? BRG: It’s been amazing. I directed a short in Tokyo, I did one in South Africa and I did a short here in Oklahoma right before I started this feature. It’s been an incredible experience. I’ve got a great cast and crew. William Levy, who was on Dancing with the Stars, is the lead, and William Moseley, who was in The Chronicles of Narnia and he’s in the new show called Royals, which is E’s first scripted show. We have a lot of great talent involved. It’s been an amazing experience and a long one, so I’m ready to finish it up and show it to everyone. OKG: You talked about using tax credits to help fund the filmmaking process here, but how easy or hard was it filming here? BRG: Oklahoma is fairly easy. The state is easy to work with, the Film Office. They really want to curate projects here. So, getting permits to shoot at

Turner Falls or Red Rock, they were super helpful and accommodating about staying after hours or letting us in when tourism wasn’t going on. They made it one of the easier experiences as far as locations and getting along with the state or country. OKG: Is there a little bit about the early screening process and showing an unfinished film that makes you nervous? BRG: I’ve been regretting doing it ever since I said yes. I normally wouldn’t want to show something this early, but because some of the visual effects in the film are taking a really long time to complete, it’s a necessary evil. I have to get out there and show it. OKG: What did you do for the screening? BRG: [I handed] out cards asking the audience, “What’s your favorite scene?” “Was this too slow?” And I actually take that feedback and integrate it into the film. I’m [also] doing a lot of these little screenings with filmmaker friends and small audiences, testing how it’s playing. OKG: Did you do rough-cut viewings in your previous work? BRG: A couple films I’ve produced, I’ve done test screenings for, so I’m familiar with the process. It’s a great way to get feedback. You know, you’ve been locked away for two years, making this film, and it feels like it’s working for you, but you really have to show it to an audience. This is a chance to show it before it releases. When you put the final nail on the coffin, it’s too late to change anything. It’s great to get it out there and see how it’s playing before it becomes this definite, unchangeable piece of art. OKG: When you look at where deadCENTER was 10-12 years ago, it has changed and grown a lot. How special is it for you to see the growth of deadCENTER and continue to participate? BRG: It probably keeps me in Oklahoma and keeps me from moving

to LA full-time. I was in the festival in 2010, and I’ve had a film in every year either as a director or producer. Lance and Kim [Haywood, festival director of programming and education] have been supportive since the beginning. All my shorts have shown here. They did the educational tour and brought me out on that. They promoted my work and made me feel like I had a home here. That’s why I wanted to open up my movie to screen here. Things like that are key. deadCENTER Film Festival and Oklahoma Film and Music Office are key to keeping film going. They’re the cornerstone. Ten years ago, the festival was great, but it’s continued to improve and bring in more and more people. I feel like that momentum keeps going every year, and I hope it doesn’t stop. OKG: As someone who participates in a lot of festivals, what is unique about deadCENTER? BRG: I’ve participated in over 50 film festivals, including Cannes and Sundance. deadCENTER does a really good job of bringing in the community. It’s very walkable; a lot of the stuff is really close together. As well as the screenings, every festival has screenings and they do it just as well as any other festival. It’s the after-hour parties or the filmmaker lounge or the brunches that make it a different experience. And the free events, the outdoor screenings — most festivals don’t have stuff like that. OKG: You’re still working on The Veil, but what’s the remaining schedule for the film? BRG: I’m going back to edit right now, and hopefully, in the next month or two, I’ll be done. We’ll shop the festivals, and the plan is to sell the foreign rights to the film at the Toronto Film Festival. I’d love to have a premier here, either in the fall or winter, and do a big red carpet premier where we get all the actors back.

p r ovi de d

Postfilm project Filmmaker Kyle Roberts will be at Farmers Public Market to show a free viewing of his first film.

By Greg Elwell

The Posthuman Project 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 Farmers Public Market 311 S. Klein Ave. okcfarmersmarket.com 232-6506 Free

Tonight, Oklahoma filmmaker Kyle Roberts brings his inaugural feature film, The Posthuman Project to Oklahoma City Farmers Public Market, 311 S Klein Ave., for its first free public viewing and DVD/Blu-ray release party. “I’ve put in a ton of work on this project over the last three years, and it’s kind of taken on a life of its own,” said the local Emmy Award winner. “We partnered up with the Farmers Public

The Posthuman Project

Market, which has been showing classic movies, to do this free, special event.” The family-friendly film is a perfect fit for the fun, historic environment at the market. “It’ll have a little bit of everything,” he said. “Food trucks are coming out, and the band O Fidelis, which performed on the movie’s soundtrack, will be playing beforehand. Afterward, we’re hosting a Q&A with the actors and crew.” Roberts said he learned a lot from creating the film and he’s glad people are interested in the experience. “I mean, I could write a book,” he said. “The first rule to making a movie is: Have more money.” So much of moviemaking on a shoestring budget is asking favors and

relying on luck, he said. What makes big movies so expensive? They can pay for what they need when they need it. “One weird thing that came of The Posthuman Project is I learned to be more forgiving of blockbuster films,” Roberts said. “You ask these questions, like, ‘Why wasn’t this actor in that scene?’ When you’re making a movie, you realize so much is out of your control. There are a million reasons why you can’t do everything.” But that doesn’t mean he’s shying away from making more movies. “We are working on a six-year, three-feature plan,” he said. “Of course, that comes down to funding. It’s gone really well so far, but doing it like we did last time wouldn’t be fair to my family.”

Among those future plans is a Brat Pack-style sci-fi Western, a faith-based film and a sequel to The Posthuman Project. But that’s all in the future. The Farmers Public Market event is a celebration of what they’ve achieved, Roberts said. The Posthuman Project will be screened in the main ballroom, but the festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. Mim’s Bakery & Nosh, Smokin’ Okies BBQ and St. Paddy Cakes will be there selling food, and the bar inside the market will have local beers from Anthem Brewing Company and Coop Ale Works. Those eager to take the film home with them can buy DVDs and Blu-rays at the event.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Homework: You know what to do and you know when to do it. Provide the evidence that this is true. ARIES (March 21-April 19) During my regular hikes along my favorite trails, I've gotten to know the local boulders quite intimately. It might sound daft, but I've come to love them. I've even given some of them names. They symbolize stability and constancy to me. When I gaze at them or sit on them, I feel my own resolve grow stronger. They teach me about how to be steadfast and unflappable in all kinds of weather. I draw inspiration from the way they are so purely themselves, forever true to their own nature. Now would be an excellent time for you to hang out with your own stony allies, Aries. You could use a boost in your ability to express the qualities they embody.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) "Everyone is a genius at least once a year," wrote German aphorist Georg Christoph Lichtenberg. "The real geniuses simply have their bright ideas closer together." According to my astrological analysis, Taurus, your once-a-year explosion of genius is imminent. It's even possible you will experience a series of eruptions that continue for weeks. The latter scenario is most likely if you unleash the dormant parts of your intelligence through activities like these: having long, rambling conversations with big thinkers; taking long, rambling walks all over creation; enjoying long, rambling sex while listening to provocative music. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) "I think if we didn’t contradict ourselves, it would be awfully boring," says author Paul Auster. "It would be tedious to be alive." But he goes even further in his defense of inconsistency, adding, "Changing your mind is probably one of the most beautiful things people can do." This bold assertion may not apply to everyone all the time, but it does for you in the coming weeks, Gemini. You should feel free to explore and experiment with the high art of changing your mind. I dare you to use it to generate extravagant amounts of beauty.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) In its early days, the band Depeche Mode had the infinitely boring name Composition of Sound. Humphrey Bogart's and Ingrid Bergman's classic 1942 film *Casablanca* was dangerously close to being called *Everybody Come to Rick's.* And before Charles Dickens published his novel *Bleak House,* a scathing critique of the 19th-century British judicial system, he considered eleven other possible titles, including the unfortunate *Tom-all-Alone's. The Solitary House that was always shut up and never Lighted.* I bring this to your attention, Cancerian, as the seeding phase of your personal cycle gets underway. The imprints you put on your budding creations will have a major impact on their future. Name them well. Give them a potent start. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) One summer afternoon when I was seven years old, my friend Billy and I grabbed an empty jar from my kitchen and went looking for ants. Near the creek we found an anthill swarming with black ants, and scooped a bunch of them in the jar. A little later we came upon a caravan of red ants, and shoved many of them in with the black ants. Would they fight? Naturally. It was mayhem. Looking back now, I'm sorry I participated in that stunt. Why stir up a pointless war? In that spirit, Leo, I urge you to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Don't do anything remotely comparable to putting red ants and black ants in the same jar. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) In order for everyone in your sphere to meet their appointed destinies, you must cultivate your skills as a party animal. I'm only slightly joking. At least for now, it's your destiny to be the catalyst of conviviality, the ringleader of the festivities, the engineer of fun and games. To fulfill your assignment, you may have to instigate events that encourage your allies to leave their comfort zones and follow you into the frontiers of collaborative amusement. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Your symbolic object of the week is a magic wand. I recommend that you visualize yourself as the star of

a fairy tale in which you do indeed have a wand at your disposal. See yourself wielding it to carry out a series of fantastic tricks, like materializing a pile of gold coins or giving yourself an extraordinary power to concentrate or creating an enchanted drink that allows you to heal your toughest wound. I think this playful imaginative exercise will subtly enhance your ability to perform actual magic in the real world.

Capricorn, is that you're entering a time when you're more likely to rebel against the unconscious restrictions you have placed on yourself. You will have extra motivation to question and overrule the rationales that you used in the past to inhibit your primal energy. Won't it be fun to venture out of your basement nook and go explore the rest of your domain?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The taskmaster planet Saturn wove its way through the sign of Scorpio from October 2012 until the end of 2014. Now it has slipped back into your sign for a last hurrah. Between now and mid-September. I urge you to milk its rigorous help in every way you can imagine. For example, cut away any last residues of trivial desires and frivolous ambitions. Hone your focus and streamline your self-discipline. Once and for all, withdraw your precious energy from activities that waste your time and resist your full engagement. And if you're serious about capitalizing on Saturn's demanding gifts, try this ritual: Write either "I will never squander my riches" or "I will make full use of my riches" twenty times -- whichever motivates you most.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) "An obscure moth from Latin America saved Australia's pasture-land from the overgrowth of cactus," writes biologist Edward O. Wilson. "A Madagascar 'weed,' the rosy periwinkle, provided the cure for Hodgkin's disease and childhood leukemia," he adds, while "a chemical from the saliva of leeches dissolves blood clots during surgery," and a "Norwegian fungus made possible the organ transplant industry." I think these are all great metaphors for the kind of healing that will be available for you in the coming weeks, Aquarius: humble, simple, seemingly insignificant things whose power to bring transformation has, up until now, been secret or unknown.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) The advanced lessons on tap in the coming days are not for the squeamish, the timid, the lazy, or the stubborn. But then you're not any of those things, right? So there shouldn't be a major problem. The purpose of these subterranean adventures and divine interventions is to teach you to make nerve-racking leaps of faith, whether or not you believe you're ready. Here's one piece of advice that I think will help: Don't resist and resent the tests as they appear. Rather, welcome them as blessings you don't understand yet. Be alert for the liberations they will offer.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) "She is hard to tempt, as everything seems to please her equally," said artist Anne Raymo in describing a hedonistic acquaintance. A similar statement may soon apply to you, Pisces. You will have a talent for finding amusement in an unusually wide variety of phenomena. But more than that: You could become a connoisseur of feeling really good. You may even go so far as to break into a higher octave of pleasure, communing with exotic phenomena that we might call silken thrills and spicy bliss and succulent revelry.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) "Man's being is like a vast mansion," observed philosopher Colin Wilson, "yet he seems to prefer to live in a single room in the basement." Wilson wasn't just referring to Capricorns. He meant everybody. Most of us commit the sin of self-limitation on a regular basis. That's the bad news. The good news,

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.

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