High-Tech Heartland by Oklahoma Gazette

FREE EVERY WEDNESDAY | METRO OKCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT WEEKLY | DECEMBER 6, 2017

BY LAURA

EASTES P.4

D E C e m b e r 6 , 2 0 1 7 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

inside COVER P.4 Oklahoma City is growing its tech industry by supporting developers and training new coders to create and innovate.

By Laura Eastes Cover illustration by Christopher Street

NEWS 4 State backlogged maintenance

plagues Oklahomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Parks

6 City proposed charter school hopes

to incorporate Native culture into its curriculum

10 Chicken-Fried News 12 Letters

FOOD 13 Review Patrono

14 Feature The Ruins Bar & Grille 16 Gazedibles gyros

ARTS & CULTURE 18 OKG Shop local Christmas 20 Holiday Gift Guide

24 Art Bricktownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new mural 27 Art new OKCMOA curator

Roja Najafi

28 Theater songwriters session at

The Root

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31 Film Tower Theatre brings the

movies back to Uptown

32 Community nonprofit helps

children of incarcerate parents

33 Community Destination Oklahoma

offers tours of downtown OKC

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34 Youth Star Wars Science Overnight 35 Active snow tubing at Chickasaw

Bricktown Ballpark

36 Calendar

MUSIC 39 Event Cindy Wilson at Opolis 40 Event San Holo at Farmers

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41 Live music

FUN 42 Puzzles sudoku | crossword 43 Astrology OKG Classifieds 43

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NEWS StarSpace46 co-founder Tommy Yi believes Oklahoma City “has all the makings of what could be the next

COV E R

major tech city.” | Photo Laura Eastes

Tech rich

Oklahoma City is fostering a community for tech entrepreneurs and startups. By Laura Eastes

In the early days of Twitter – one of the world’s most popular social networking sites – there were no @ replies, no retweets, no hashtags and no photos. In February 2008, when web-based application TwitPic went live, Twitter users began to point, click and share their life through photos. As TwitPic came to prominence, founder Noah Everett arrived at okcCoco – Oklahoma City’s first co-working facility – for Open Beta, a conference attracting the city’s small but growing tech community. Soon after Everett began presenting, a wave of astonishment swept over the crowd, said Tommy Yi, one of the co-founders of okcCoCo. “People assumed that TwitPic was out of Silicon Valley,” Yi said. “Noah Everett was a 24-year-old kid who lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma and built TwitPic with two of his friends in Oklahoma City. TwitPic was an Oklahoma company and everyone in the world was using it.” The okcCoCo space opened shortly before Everett’s speech in 2009. Reaction was mixed, mostly because “people didn’t think you could do tech startups in Oklahoma,” Yi said. Such was the impetus behind the co-working space, which strived to encourage more startups and entrepreneurs, as well as keep talent in the Sooner State. Nearly a decade later, OKC has come to embrace the startup culture and is now a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurs. Not only does OKC have the bigname tech companies like WeGoLook, Spiers New Technologies, Paycom and more to show for it, but also signs show that the tech cluster is here to stay. “Five years ago, it didn’t exist,” said Yi from StarSpace46, his third co-working space for OKC. “Now, we have tech companies people look up to here.” Located west of downtown OKC, StarSpace46 serves as a hub for small startups and strives to be a “digital bridge” connecting OKC with other tech communities in the state through its close ties with Techlahoma, a nonprofit supporting the tech community. StarSpace46 members vary from individuals with a laptop and 4

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an idea leasing a desk to established companies leasing suites like Go Engineer, a 3D printing resource, and Nodecraft, which began as a server-hosting company for the popular game Minecraft. “They all could have easily made the

Some people like to call us Silicon Prairie. We don’t need to be Silicon anything. We can be the best of us. Amanda Harlin choice to leave Oklahoma, but they didn’t,” Yi said speaking about startups sharing space at StarSpace46 as well as other local tech-based companies. “I think they are passionate and believe that Oklahoma City has all the makings of what could be the next major tech city.”

Location, location

OKC is far from becoming the next Silicon Valley, home to the world’s largest hightech cluster and trendsetters like Apple, Facebook and Google. There is, however, an emerging tech hub in OKC and Tulsa that shares characteristics similar to Silicon Valley, explained Scott Meacham, president and CEO of i2E, Inc. As the leader of a statewide nonprofit responsible for supporting technologybased startups, Meacham contends that OKC is entering the era of the “highgrowth entrepreneur.” “There’s a cluster emerging,” Meacham said. “If you want a big example, go to Paycom, which started out as nothing and has exploded into a huge company. Then, there is WeGoLook, which grew up to be bought by the largest claims company in the world. The question is why? Why are these successes happening here? I think one is infrastructure.” Amanda Harlin, a co-founder of Techlahoma, works in the coworking space of StarSpace46 west of downtown Oklahoma City. | Photo Laura Eastes

OKC can lure tech companies, as well as keep startups local, with its lower cost of living and a talent pool fed by nearby colleges. Another factor adding to OKC’s small tech boom is the city’s current renaissance, which connects to the major MAPS projects. Now, OKC has emerged as a culturally vibrant place where affording a home and raising a family are possible, but so is starting a business. “If you start adding, real estate costs are less, energy costs are less, talent costs are less, and the environment is supportive and attractive to employees, you have a pretty good recipe for success,” Meacham said.

Tech grit

This coming January will mark six years of the Oklahoma City Javascript Usergroup started by Vance Lucas and Jesse Harlin as a way for those fluent in the high-level programming language to come together but also encourage others to learn. “If you wanted to learn tech, it felt like a wild garden,” said Amanda Harlin, an early volunteer in the group who later married Jesse Harlin. “We were kind of nerdy people but weren’t in the industry. How do you get started? How do you go for jobs? How do you negotiate? What is a fair rate? We had all these questions, but we didn’t have a community.” More than 70 people attended the first meeting, hinting to the founders they were on to something. Three years later, Techlahoma launched as an organization providing mentoring and support and creating a central learning hub for the city’s tech community. From inside StarSpace46, Techlahoma oversees 33 user groups, which meet on

topics like HTML, open source software and JavaScript. While all groups’ welcome beginners, some are specifically tailored to females interested in tech, like SheCodes and Django Girls. Annually, Techlahoma hosts Thunder Plains Code Development Conference, which welcomes tech gurus to OKC to connect with Oklahomans in tech. Techlahoma’s effort to grow the state’s tech presence paid off. “I’ve seen a lot of developers who were good. Now they are really great and competing for contracts and tech gigs with coastal companies,” Harlin said. “The way we think about ourselves has changed. We don’t see ourselves as rinky-dink. We are competing. Some people like to call us Silicon Prairie. We don’t need to be Silicon anything. We can be the best of us.”

Our backyard

OKC’s flourishing tech community is rooted in the state’s long history of producing entrepreneurs and innovative ideas, like the shopping cart, parking meter, voicemail and more. “The spirit goes forward,” Meacham said. “We tend to be independent thinkers. We tend to be the kind of people who roll up their sleeves and fix the problem.” At StarSpace46, Yi hears innovative ideas every day. What’s to come from OKC’s tech community wouldn’t likely be the next Snapchat or dating app, Yi said. Instead, he expects new technologies for oil and natural gas, alternative energy and agriculture. “I think what Oklahomans are really good at is using technology to solve problems in our own backyard,” Yi said. “We can solve these issues and make a greater impact than a swipe-left or swipe-right app ever would.”

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Backlog troubles In Oklahoma, the National Park Service estimates there are $19.9 million in deferred maintenance for sites. By Laura Eastes

Commemorating the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary, travelers flocked to what is hailed as America’s “best idea” with a record-breaking 331 million visits in 2016. In Oklahoma, where there are three National Park Service sites, that total exceeded 1.6 million. According to National Park Service, Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Washita Battlefield National Historic Site and Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum welcomed 1.6 million visitors, who spent an estimated $27 million in OKC and across the state. While national park sites rightly caught the nation’s attention in 2016 by offering a wide range of activities for visitors, another aspect of the parks earned the spotlight. At the end of the federal fiscal year in 2016, National Park Service reported an $11.3 billion “deferred maintenance” backlog affecting 417 sites, including two in Oklahoma. Overdue repairs ranged from crumbling roads, rotting historic buildings, eroding trails, outdated public buildings and deteriorating water and electrical systems. The backlog includes $555 million in needed repairs at Yosemite National Park, one of the nation’s most iconic parks. Grand Canyon National Park requires $353 million in maintenance. In Oklahoma, Chickasaw National Recreation Area, located in the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains in Sulphur, requires $19.7 million in repairs. Cheyenne’s Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, which marks the location of Lt. Col. George Custer’s 1868 surprise

attack on the Southern Cheyenne village, lists $196,027 in needed repairs. After the most recent deferred maintenance list was delivered to the U.S. Congress, 1,800 leaders – a cross-section of business and community leaders from across the nation – sent key Congressmen a letter urging a funding source for repairing national parks. Simultaneously, local governments raised concerns about federal leaders’ commitment to maintaining park sites. Nearly 130 municipalities passed resolutions asking Congress to create a reliable and predictable stream of resources to begin conquering the overdue park repairs. In November, Oklahoma City Council joined the cause by passing a resolution to “strongly encourage” federal leaders to find a funding source to address maintenance needs. In the resolution proposed by Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid, the council states, “it is the responsibility of Congress to maintain America’s national parks to ensure our natural sites and our history is preserved and documented for this and future generations.”

Solutions

National Park Service’s backlog of deferred maintenance has been an ongoing issue. In recent years, lawmakers proposed legislative solutions to address repair challenges with support but limited movement at the U.S. Capitol. In 2015, Pew Charitable Trusts, a widely recognized nonpartisan research organization, launched its Restore America’s Parks initiative to raise awareness around the park’s more than $11

ANTI-AGING SERvICES

MICRODERMABRASION

lative proposal as part of the solution, said Argust, who stated park supporters also see an opportunity with future national infrastructure initiatives. To cut down on nearly $12 billion in maintenance projects, the solution could include federal appropriations, fees, endowments and publicprivate partnerships. “This campaign isn’t about just restoring the physical integrity of our national parks,” Argust said. “It is really about ensuring the public visitors have access to the park’s resources. It is also about preserving our nation’s history. The park service maintains 28,000 buildings, many of those buildings are historic structures. We want to make sure those structures are maintained for future generations to enjoy and learn from.”

A public-private example

According to National Park Service, Chickasaw National Recreation Area requires about $19.7 million in maintenance. | Photo Laura Eastes

billion infrastructure repair backlog. According to Marcia Argust, director of Pew Charitable Trusts’ Restore America’s Parks Project, there are several contributing factors to the backlog, including aging infrastructure, but also increased wear and tear caused by growing visitor numbers. Key to the mounting maintenance backlog is inconsistent federal appropriations to the National Park Service. “That is one of the primary reasons why the park service is struggling to keep up with the repairs,” she said. The issue has gained traction among the American public, but also with federal leaders. A bipartisan bill in Congress calls for diverting $12 billion in federal oil and gas royalties from the national treasury to fund the parks’ maintenance backlog over 30 years. U.S. Rep. Tom Cole is the only member of Oklahoma’s Congressional Delegation to co-sponsor the legislation, titled The National Park Service Legacy Act. The legislation was introduced just months following President Donald Trump’s 2018 budget proposal to cut nearly $400 million from the parks. Pew Charitable Trusts views the legis-

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, where visitors are educated about the impact of violence from the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, serves as an affiliate of the National Park Service with ownership by the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation. The public-private partnership between the federal government and the foundation was by design, said Kari Watkins, the executive director of the memorial and museum. During initial discussions about creating a national memorial and museum, it was well known that the National Park Service carried a backlog of deferred maintenance. With a private entity overseeing operations, maintenance needs could be addressed quicker. Watkins said museum admission fees, along with private donations, cover operating and maintenance costs of the memorial, which is open to the public at no cost. The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum serves as a leader for publicprivate collaboration among park sites, Watkins said. Not only does private museum staff work hand in hand with park rangers to tell the story of April 19, 1995, but have developed programs together. Most recently, a program for local fourth graders brings students to the memorial and museum with a park ranger visiting their classrooms ahead of the visit to share about the OKC site and why national parks are important. “It’s an example of what we can do together,” Watkins said.

Deferred maintenance at national parks in Oklahoma Washita Battlefield National Historic Site

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Infusing culture

A pending charter school application with Oklahoma City schools looks to incorporate Native culture into curriculum. By Laura Eastes

About a decade ago, as an Ivy League recruiter for Native American students, Phil Grover arrived on an Albuquerque, New Mexico middle school campus and followed signs for Native American Community Academy. The small public charter school was in its third year of offering a viable schooling option to meet the unique needs of Native American students, their families and the greater community. Within five minutes of sitting down with the academy’s founder and later visiting a classroom, Grover learned the academy was no ordinary middle and high school, or charter school. Designed by the local Native American community, the school’s leaders offered reliable cultural education for its students. All required classes were taught through a Native American lens, as social studies lessons focused on Native American history and literature classes included Native American writing. Additionally, the Academy’s leaders strived to increase the likelihood of its students graduating high school and enrolling in college. Traditionally in the United States, Native American students as a group have the highest high school dropout rate and the lowest college enrollment rate in the country. Seeing how the local community came together to tailor education as they saw fit, including integrating language, culture and wellness into the educa-

tional experiences planted the seeds for Grover, who grew up on a reservation in Reno, Nevada’s Hungry Valley. Now, Grover leads efforts to bring a new, innovative charter school grounded in both academic excellence and cultural relevance to serve Native American and non-Native students and their families in Oklahoma City. This fall, the Sovereign Community School applied for charter school sponsorship with Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS), and the district’s board will weigh in on the request in January.

We have to take it seriously and do it right. For these kids, we are setting them up to be leaders and defenders of their nations. Phil Grover Sovereign Community School proposes operating a middle and high school, which would open in the fall of 2019. As a public nonprofit charter school, the school would receive per-pupil state funding, but also be supported by donations and grants. The school’s location is

Phil Grover leads efforts to establish Sovereign Community School, a charter designed to meet the needs of Native American students. | Photo Laura Eastes

not finalized, but it could be located in a rented facility space in south OKC. The school would bring a unique opportunity to OKC’s Native American and nonNative students, Grover said. “We can design a whole school curriculum around the notion that we can be rigorous and culturally relevant,” Grover said in an interview with Oklahoma Gazette. “NACA [Native American Community Academy] proved you can do it. You can prepare students for college and teach them the culture from where they come.”

By design

The notion of a charter school established to serve a majority Native Americans is not new. In recent years, charter schools numbers have grown on Native American reservations. Under the Oklahoma Charter School Act, a federally recognized Indian tribe, along with school districts and institutes of higher education, can establish charter schools. So far, the Cherokee Nation is the only Oklahoma tribe to operate a charter school with its Cherokee Immersion Charter School in Tahlequah, where students are taught the curriculum in both English and the Cherokee language. Sovereign Community School stands to become the first of its kind in Oklahoma. As proposed, the school would support 525 students, who could come from any of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations as well as other ethnicities, in an academic program that includes engagement in Native American culture, language and tradition, not specific to any tribe. Sovereign Community School is tied

to Native American Community Academy. Following the initial success of the Albuquerque school where graduation rates increased and its college engagement program was hailed for helped seniors apply to college and attend some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, Native American Community Academy Inspired Schools Network was launched in 2011. The organization aims to create schools based on the academy’s alternative education style, drawing on the local community to design the school and infusing Native American culture into lessons. Grover is a fellow of the network, which is attempting to establish a foothold in Oklahoma with the local proposal and a proposed charter elementary school in Ardmore. “We design schools to meet the community’s needs,” Grover said. “Our successes have been driven by the parents and community members who have turned out and told us what they wanted.” He arrived in OKC three years ago and immediately began meeting with Native American families and tribal leaders. In early discussions, the community responded with major concerns that some Native American students begin “slipping between the cracks in middle school.” While adolescence can be tough for anyone, higher rates of Native American youth have been found to suffer from alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy and thoughts of suicide than other ethnicities. There was a strong desire to see a tailored investment in Native Americans to respond those national ills, Grover said. Those community conversations produced the school’s “indigenous wellness” curriculum. By adding prevention strategies into the school’s curriculum and culture, a community member responded the school will “save lives.” “I take that to heart,” Grover said of the comment. “We have to be successful because there is nothing like this in the state and the city. We are bringing hope.”

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The process

Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education is expected to review the school’s application at its Jan. 8 meeting, where board members will vote to approve or deny the application. If it is denied, Sovereign Community Schools could re-file the application. If denied a second time by the local board, the schools’ leader could appeal the decision to the Oklahoma State Board of Education. Grover said they have delivered a strong application designing a school with the community and for the community, dedicated to welcoming everyone. They are doing their part to promote the charter proposal, speaking to as many students, parents and community members to explain what Sovereign Community Schools could mean for OKC. “We have to take it seriously and do it right,” Grover said. “For these kids, we are setting them up to be leaders and defenders of their nations.”

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Slur talker

Several Oklahomans have weighed in on President Donald Trump’s recent use of a racial slur while speaking at an event honoring World War II Navajo code talkers. Unsurprisingly, they were not fans of the remark. Rep. Tom Cole, the Oklahoma congressman and one of two Native American House members, said Trump mocking Oklahoma-born Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren by calling her Pocahontas was “insensitive and unnecessary.” “This sort of language offends a much larger group of people and should be avoided,” Cole said in a recent interview with NewsOK.com. “It is my hope that in the future we can all remain mindful of our native communities and continue to respect their heritage and rights as fellow citizens of the United States. It is also my hope that we can dial back the rhetoric in Washington, D.C., and refer to our partisan counterparts in language that is respectful and courteous.” Trump has referred to Warren as Pocahontas in the past for allegedly misrepresenting her Native heritage. Trump made his remarks while standing under a large portrait of President Andrew Jackson, who was responsible for the forced removal of Natives from their homelands to Oklahoma. Chicken-Fried News wonders what Jackson’s stance on large border walls might have been. Through a spokesperson, Sen. James Lankford also spoke out against Trump’s comments. “Pocahontas is a historical figure and more than a cartoon character or nickname; she is a hero to her people, and her name deserves respect,” Lankford spokeswoman Aly Beley said in a statement to NewsOK. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president’s use of the Pocahontas name was not a slur and the real offense is Warren “lying about her heritage to advance her career.” It is a good thing we all have the Trump administration here to tell us what is and what is not offensive. Say what you want in Trump’s America. Well, as long as it’s not “Happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”

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Catch a tiger by the toe

Travelers along Interstate 35 can’t miss the billboards advertising the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in south-central Oklahoma. Those big signs along the highway always picture Joseph “Joe Exotic” Maldonado either closely holding a tiger cub or standing with an adult tiger, welcoming the public to the unique park. Those travelers who Google the animal park or its controversial entertainment director will find a real treat. One can watch YouTube endorsement videos for a Joe Exotic presidency or listen to Joe Exotic music hits like “I Saw a Tiger” and “Here Kitty Kitty.” No matter what one watches or listens to, there are tigers! It seems safe to say that tigers are more than just a hobby or a career choice for Joe Exotic. (Although, it is worth noting that Exotic is a Libertarian candidate for Oklahoma governor in 2018.) After reading NewsOK’s article “Tigers at the center of animal welfare lawsuit sent to wildlife refuge,” we at Chicken-Fried News got to thinking. Will Joe Exotic’s next song be “Where Have All the Tigers Gone?” An out-of-court agreement between Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) shows that 19 tigers were sent to a Colorado refugee for rescued animals last month, NewsOK reported.

The agreement originated from a federal lawsuit filed by the animal rights organization. A year ago, when the 19 tigers were owned by Dade City’s Wild Things in Florida, PETA filed suit alleging that the facility was violating the federal Endangered Species Act. Specifically, PETA alleged that Dade City staff separated tiger cubs from their mothers for paid photo sessions with customers and allowed customers to swim with tiger cubs in a pool. On the day a federal judge issued an order for the tigers to stay in Florida, the tigers began travel to Wynnewood, NewsOK reported. Neither Joe Exotic nor a PETA spokesman could comment further on the outof-court agreement. However, NewsOK noted that the agreement was reached on the eve of a Nov. 11 inspection of the tigers.

The agreement is not likely to end Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park’s tiger program, which includes services like a Tiger Wedding and a Tiger Birthday Party. According to the park’s website, more than 230 tigers and lions call Wynnewood home. That’s plenty of reason to keep the billboards as they are.

Marijuana waiting game

At some point in 2018, Oklahomans will have an answer for State Question 788, the legalization of medical marijuana, but no one knows if it will be in the June primary or the November general election. Gov. Mary Fallin has until March to make a decision on the date, according to The Oklahoman, but some pro-medical marijuana groups are wondering if the waiting game is an intentional delay tactic. It has been a long process even to get this far. The petition received enough signatures to qualify in 2016, but a pending lawsuit over the ballot title did not get resolved until March of this year. O k l a h om a n s f or Health, one of the promedical marijuana groups responsible for getting signatures, said it wants the vote on the June ballot because it would

allow the question, if passed, to go into law sooner. “It’s extremely disingenuous and effectively suppressing the vote by advertising this on the November ballot,” Frank Grove, Oklahomans for Health’s co-founder, told The Oklahoman. “We are fully confident it’s going to pass on either day. Fallin needs to set the date and stop playing political games with people’s lives.” Fallin’s spokesperson said the governor is more focused on “more pressing issues, such as adjusting the budget for the fiscal year.” Ah, yes, who can forget about the budget when the 2017 special session is threatening to continue until the regular 2018 session? If only there was a potential tax windfall on the horizon, like — we’re just spitballing here — medical marijuana.

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letters

NEWS 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 editor@okgazette.com or sent online at okgazette.com. Include a city of residence and contact number for verification.

‘Unchecked demagoguery’

The White House held an event to honor the service of the Navajo code talkers of World War II. Our very own Representative Tom Cole attended. Lost in the noise of Mr. Trump’s antics were some remarks given at the ceremony by Peter MacDonald, president of the Navajo Code Talkers Association: “America, we know, is composed of diverse community. We have different languages, different skills, different talents and different religion. But when our way of life is threatened, like the freedom and liberty that we all cherish, we come together as one. And when we come together as one, we are invincible We cannot be defeated.” Afterward, the president of the United States referred to a sitting U.S. senator with a derisive racial slur in front of Native American elders that he invited into the Oval Office.

D E C E M B E R 6 , 2 0 1 7 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

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.

Attacks by government officials directed at minority groups and our free press are alarming warning signs; these attacks grow worse every week. Unchecked demagoguery precedes authoritarianism and autocracy. Our way of life is being threatened. And yet Mr. Cole stands in the Oval Office with President Pocahontas, President Fake News, President LongForm Birth Certificate, President Many Sides, Comrade Trump. I suspect that Elder MacDonald’s remarks were directed not at Mr. Trump, but squarely at Mr. Cole. I hope that he heeds them. Nicholles Brooke Oklahoma City

Keeping quiet

How can we introduce legislation that would encourage the news media not to say the names or show the pictures of mass murders and very violent crimes that are against masses of people? When you put a name and show the picture of someone who has committed a crime like the one that happened in the church in Texas [Nov. 5], you are given the perpetrator exactly what they wanted: fame for at least one moment in time; they have achieved a name. Now, I realize everyone is searching for a motive, but for someone who is not mentally stable, this is their reason, as crazy as it might seem to someone who is sane. And the shooter in Texas and lunatic in Las

Vegas show very clear signs of being manic depressant. All they want is a moment of fame and to prove their point. Just look at all the video games that highlight this type of fame. They win the game and they are champion, at least for a day. These very depressed individuals unfortunately do not realize the difference between the video game and real life. Please, please, please introduce legislation to encourage media to stop showing pictures and naming names of these mass murders. How many times have you heard the name of the person from Texas? It probably [was] aired over 1,000 times in just 24 hours. How many times did you see the face and hear the name of the lunatic in Las Vegas? Please, please, please do something. Rev. Patrick McAndrew Oklahoma City

Flag treading

Don’t tread on my flag! MSgt Daley (Letters, Kenneth L. Daley, “Meaning of the flag,” Nov. 15, Oklahoma Gazette), it is very sad and scary having men like you in our military, who do not feel our flag should be honored and protected. How many have died for what our flag represents? You and the spoiled, kneeling athletes only hold honor for their own selfish values and self-admiration. In time of danger to our nation, you would defect to another flag because your president is a Constitution-loving Republican?

I suppose you would better enjoy the miserly “freedoms” of communism, socialism, totalitarianism or maybe even radical theocracy? MSgt Daley, remember when you were in our military and were not free to express your distorted interpretations of the words freedom, opportunity, respect, honor, injustice, etc.? Would you have fought for our safety and honor under President Trump? Your personal failures to obtain the equal opportunities you listed do not nullify the guarantees when applicable. The opportunities are there. We never promised you a rose garden. Myself, a 38-year E-7 USMC/Army retired, my 95-year-old WWII/Korea retired Navy pilot dad, and my four-tour Iraq/ Afghanistan disabled son will enjoy our American freedoms and opportunities. Michael Moberly Oklahoma City

Correction

A Nov. 29 Oklahoma Gazette story (News, “Oil and education,” Laura Eastes, Nov. 29) incorrectly stated that the top five members of the Oklahoma Oil and Gas Association (OKOGA) poured in $5.5 million for new oil and gas exploration in the state in 2017. The organization’s top members poured in $5.5 billion in capital investment in Oklahoma in 2017.

EAT & DRINK The meatball sandwich is one of the new additions to

Review

the Patrono lunch menu. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

Pranzo italiano

Patrono has delighted residents with authentic Southern Italian food, but its flavorful lunch menu leaves you wanting more. By Jacob Threadgill

Patrono Italian Restaurant 305 N. Walker Ave. patronookc.com | 405-702-7660 What works: The meatballs are succulent, and the Peruvian sweet peppers are a revelation. What needs work: Lunch portions are small. TIP: Look for free lunchtime parking on Dewey Avenue.

For two years, Patrono has been the quintessential neighborhood Southern Italian restaurant. Located in the bottom floor of the Avana Arts District apartments, 305 N. Walker Ave, the classy but small restaurant has been a dinner lifeline for apartment residents and recent additions to the burgeoning downtown and Midtown neighborhoods. Founded by chef Robert DeCoste in 2015, who followed his wife Amanda Yaun, a pediatric neurosurgeon, to Oklahoma City from Washington D.C. DeCoste put the restaurant up for sale as his wife’s career took them to New York City. The move led to an expansion at Patrono. Veteran restaurant operator Robert Painter (Iguana Lounge) enlisted Gary and Melinda Billings to purchase Patrono and lured chef Jonathan Krell (Stella Modern Italian Cuisine, Park House) to streamline and elevate DeCoste’s original concept.

Scaled-down menu

Krell has been on the job for about a year, but his effect on the menu has taken full

form — first with the unveiling of a scrumptious fall / winter dinner menu and then the debut of its 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. lunch service last month. Pasta only makes up a third of the new menu, which includes such inspired appetizer additions as pan-seared diver scallops ($19), grilled octopus and suppli al telefono ($8), which is panko-crusted fried risotto with a mozzarella center. (Just inject it straight into my veins, already!) The braised lamb shank ($36) and grilled bone-in pork chop ($26), a brined 12 ounce porterhouse served with cheese polenta, pancetta greens beans and smoked mushrooms are dinner entrée crowd-pleasers. The winter months call for slow-braised meat to warm the soul. I’m pretty sure I read that in a Scientific American at some point.

Digging in

I was intrigued by the addition of the lunch menu at Patrono because let’s face it; the restaurant’s dinner menu is a high price point. It’s the type of restaurant I’d eat at for a special occasion where you spend a few hours with a bottle of wine or two from its great selection. The pared-down lunch menu featuring sandwiches and smaller portions of pasta is much more prudent decision for hungry eaters, especially those in nearby downtown. The most expensive thing on the lunch menu is the luxurious

gnocchi with duck ragout ($18), and the larger portion of ricotta gnocchi with wild mushrooms and tomato sauce goes for $27 on the dinner menu. On my recent visit, I was able to find free street parking on N. Dewey Avenue and walked around the corner to the restaurant to find a couple of other guests enjoying their lunch. I opted for the meatball sandwich ($13) and the oreccehiette with salsa verde and seasonal vegetables ($11), another new menu addition.

It should be forbidden to serve a meatball that is all-beef or all-pork. There were more opulent pasta dishes available for lunch, like the bucatini (a thick but hollow spaghetti) carbonara, which is a sauce thickened with egg yolk, but I opted for the orecchiette because the ear-shaped pasta native to southern Italy makes for optimum sauce coverage with its nooks. The orecchiette is topped with Italian salsa verde, which might look similar to pesto, but it’s a more savory sauce compared to its floral cousin, traditionally using capers and anchovy fillets to pack a salty punch. The sauce is nicely com-

plemented with roasted seasonal vegetables including broccoli, mushrooms and pleasantly surprising Peruvian teardrop peppers. As first, I thought the tiny red peppers were a pimento or a small sweet tomato, but they are a revelation. Hailing from the highlands of Peru, they are filled with flavor that exponentially outclasses their size. They were a highlight of a very tasty meal. There are a few dishes I use as a baseline because they’re a personal favorite; it’s usually carnitas or al pastor at a Latin restaurant, biscuits and gravy at a diner and meatballs at an Italian restaurant. It should be forbidden to serve a meatball that is all-beef or all-pork. The nirvana of a perfect meatball comes with the confluence of different fats and meats melding with dairy and breadcrumbs into a succulent treat. Patrono’s meatballs certainly pass the test; they’re moist and flavorful without being heavy on garlic. The soft Italian roll is topped with arugula, basil aioli (a fancy word for mayonnaise) and mozzarella shipped from Krebs, the Little Italy of Oklahoma. I found the addition of the arugula a nice touch. Far too often is a meatball sandwich served without a texture contrast. The arugula adds its peppery taste and a nice crunch, while I thought the basil aioli wasn’t needed. The cheese already provides creaminess, and the house tomato basil sauce served on the side is the superior sandwich lubricant. The sandwiches are served with house-made pickles, and there is an option to add sausage, meatballs, shrimp or scallops to pasta dishes. Bread service with balsamic whipped butter and salsa verde is an additional $3. Perhaps I could’ve used some of those additions. I ordered two entrees with the intention of eating half of each and saving the rest for later, but I easily finished both portions and was still hungry afterward. While the meal was flavorful and a great execution of southern Italian food, I couldn’t help but be disappointed in the size of the portions. The restaurant operators have scaled down the menu to make its prices a little more palatable, which is nice, but I shouldn’t leave hungry. I’ll definitely return, but maybe I’ll ask for a side of polenta with a sandwich next time.

Orecchiette is served with salsa verde and seasonal vegetables, including Peruvian teardrop peppers. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | D E C E M B E R 6 , 2 0 1 7

F E AT U R E

EAT & DRINK

Wow factor

The Ruins Bar & Grille is the latest addition to The Sanctuary OKC, which combines haunted fun and escape rooms. By Jacob Threadgill

From the outside The Ruins Bar & Grille at 12101 N. Interstate 35 Service Road, just north of Frontier City amusement park, it’s pretty clear that it isn’t your average neighborhood watering hole with its ominous façade inspired by the Cambodian ruins of Angkor Wat. Walk inside and it’s even clearer that the entire 35,000 square foot complex might be unlike anything else in the state. Owners Tino and Cathleen Pascuzzi said it’s a family entertainment center where bar and grill turns into a concert venue, two state-of-the-art escape rooms and a seasonal haunted attraction all under one roof. The Ruins Bar & Grille opened at the beginning of November, but the building has been in use by the Pascuzzis as home to their popular haunted attraction The Sanctuary OKC, which began in 2011 in a four-story building behind Chesapeake Energy Arena, for the last two years.

Journey to Oklahoma

Tino and Cathleen Pascuzzi met in Los Angeles on the set of Melrose Place while pursing acting careers. Once they got married, acting took a backseat to raising a family. Tino opened a personal training business that eventually led him to developing an audio-visual installation company. When the economy crashed in 2009, personal referrals began to dry up. The Pascuzzis’ neighbor in Los Angeles just happened to be from Edmond, where his father was in need of an electrician after 14

december 6 , 2 0 1 7 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

purchasing a company that worked with assisted living facilities across the region. The Pascuzzis moved to Oklahoma in 2010. “We were only going to be here for a year and fell in love with Oklahoma,” Tino Pascuzzi said. “Edmond is an amazing place to raise children, and everything fell into place. We set up roots here.”

We want to give people that wow factor. Tino Pascuzzi The family was close to opening a haunted attraction in Los Angeles before the deal fell apart in the final stages. The Pascuzzis had a variety of friends in the entertainment industry, including premiere makeup company Cinema Secrets, which helped them throw elaborate Halloween parties.

Sanctuary rising

Eventually, a designer asked if they’d consider opening a haunted attraction in Oklahoma, and before they knew it, they were signing a lease to open The Sanctuary in a 55,000 square foot building downtown off S. Broadway Avenue. “It was great, but the building was 103 years old,” Pascuzzi said. “It was great; the building was its own character, but it was horrible when it rained.” Business at The Sanctuary took off in its second year, tripling, and doubling again

A giant plane hangs suspended in The Ruins Bar & Grille. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

in its third year, but that also led to congestion issues, which limited customer turnover. The four-story building with narrow stairwells led to long queue waits, sometimes topping four hours during the October rush. “People would still stand in it, which is crazy but a testament to what we built. I would never stand in a four-hour line,” Pascuzzi said. One of those die-hard fans was Louie Hernandez, who said he’d been to a few haunted attractions and they were always the same — a hodgepodge of Freddy Krueger and some clowns — until he went to The Sanctuary. “I was blown away by the story and set design,” Hernandez said, adding that he pestered The Sanctuary’s Facebook account for a chance to work until Pascuzzi replied. He was hired as an actor for a season and moved his way up to being in charge of building sets and running the escape rooms. The haunted attractions, which also have Christmas and Valentine’s Day themes, are a seasonal business. When the

made froM scratch

ION

from a Halloween setting for Christmas-themed events like Santa’s Lair. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

Classic deli food,

• CR

The Haunted Attraction space was recently changed

Pascuzzis moved The Sanctuary to its current location — a building constructed by General Motors in the 1950s, complete with showroom and industrial kitchen — they wanted to add escape rooms as a way to attract people year-round. The popularity of escape rooms has boomed in the last half decade. Most are centered around the same premise: A group has 60 minutes to figure out puzzles and find clues to get out of a locked room. “Most of them are plain office room settings, Pascuzzi said. “We’ve taken it to another level. As soon as you step foot through the door, it becomes an adventure where you’re living and breathing the environment.” Hernandez helped build two separate and immersive escape rooms: The Lost Dutchman’s Mine, an 1800s Western theme, and La Famiglia, a 1970s New York mobster setting. “People walk in here and are completely caught off guard because their senses are automatically hit. They smell cedar, hear gravel crunching under your feet and see everything on the wall,” Hernandez said inside the opening room of The Lost Dutchman’s Mine. The first room of the La Famiglia set takes place in a deli that is so committed to authenticity that Pascuzzi and Hernandez drove to Krebs to buy meats and cheeses. The most recent addition to the property is The Ruins Bar & Grille, which opened at the beginning of November. The aesthetic is inspired by Indiana Jones and the Angkor Wat ruins, complete with fake bones in the bar, and is connected to 500-person capacity auditorium called Ruins Live!, which hosted its first concert at the end of November. The Ruins Bar & Grille features seasonal cocktails and local beer. The restaurant is open at lunch and dinner with a variety of sandwiches, entrees, pasta and tacos. Operating a full-service bar, escape rooms and seasonal haunted attractions under one roof might seem like too much to handle, but not for the Pascuzzis and Hernandez, who has the Walt Disney quote “It’s fun to do the impossible” tattooed on his arm. “We want to give people that wow factor,” Pascuzzi said. Visit thesanctuaryokc.com.

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eat & DRINK

Super gyros

For the sake of clarity, Oklahoma Gazette begins this rundown of city eateries with the proper pronunciation of gyro, the popular burgerlike food item featuring shaved lamb, beef or chicken with tomato, onion and tzatziki yogurt sauce on a folded piece of pita or flatbread found on the menus of many Greek and Mediterranean restaurants. It’s “YEE-ro,” closely rhyming with “Euro.” Not “GUY-ro” or “JY-ro,” as in “gyroscope.” But don’t let the pressure to say the name correctly stop you from visiting any of these cherished local restaurants. By Ben Luschen Photos Jacob Threadgill and Gazette / file

Akropolis Greek Restaurant

Cous Cous Cafe

Fusion Charcoal Grill

In Greece and the ancient world, an acropolis is the fortified core of a city — its protected citadel and vital nucleus. In the world of OKC metro area eats, Akropolis is a fresh and time-efficient Greek restaurant that has become a favorite of those who work in and around Tinker Air Force Base. Akropolis and Tinker are a perfect match made by Zeus himself, but it is highly recommended that curious diners from outside Midwest City make the short drive to sample the community staple.

Many people have, at some point, pondered the timeless philosophical quandary “Is a hotdog a sandwich?” and if you’re a real, red-blooded American, you probably have a strong opinion on the matter. But ask yourself this: Is the gyro a sandwich? We can’t say for sure if the loosely wrapped pita can be correctly categorized with sandwiches, but we can say that some gyros can be called a burrito. And we can say this because Couscous actually makes a gyro burrito with shaved meat enclosed entirely in a flour tortilla. It is as good as it sounds.

The menu includes burgers and pizzas, but don’t be fooled. Fusion is one of the top destinations in the city for authentic Turkish, Mediterranean and South Asian cuisine. Its gyro plate — basically a deconstructed pita gyro with rice — is as flavorful as it is filling. The great thing about Fusion is that the kitchen is mostly open to diners’ view, meaning one can literally watch the preparer shave bits of meat onto their plate from the succulent, rotating cone of lamb.

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D E C E M B E r 6 , 2 0 1 7 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Let’s Do Greek

Ole Town Gyros & Kabob

Star’s Pizza Cafe & Grill

Sweis’ Greek Cafe

Gyros are great, but Let’s Do Greek actually brings them to another level with its Thunder Gyro, which comes with a special, house-made spicy sauce. The restaurant gets fairly creative with its offerings, also selling a gyro with meat drenched in barbecue sauce and one made in the vein of a Philly cheesesteak. Those craving one of Let’s Do Greek’s trademark gyros but are out of the vicinity might still be in luck, as the restaurant also has a food truck that can often be spotted at street festivals and other events throughout the city.

The ancient Grecians got their athletic kicks in by watching the first Olympic games. Their champions were heroes chronicled for the ages. Similarly, Normanites of today gather on fall Saturdays to watch their own champions compete on the football field for timeless honor. Thanks to Ole Town Gyros & Kabob, athletes and fans alike can fuel before or after a game in a way that honors their Olympic forerunners.

For years, those coming off an exciting night of drinking in OKC’s historic 39th District LGBTQ bar scene have made a point to stop by Star’s for a late-night pizza slice, calzone or gyro. Post-bar and club spots are not always known for their quality, but Star’s never fails to please. Its gyro menu is impressively extensive, and the restaurant also makes Mediterranean gyro meat varieties of its pizzas and calzones.

Need a quick lunch but not in the mood for the standard fast-food burger? Sweis’ is a staple for hungry Oklahoma Citians through the workweek. Whether it’s dine-in or through the drive-thru window, patrons are sure to enjoy their overstuffed gyro pita and piping-hot fries straight out of the fryer. Don’t leave without ordering a piece of baklava, a cheap and sweet way to cap off any dining experience.

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What do you buy for that person on your Christmas list who already owns everything? There are a few locally owned stores — some new and some old — that have a fun gift for someone who has it all. Oklahoma Gazette has put together a list of some of the city’s more quirky gifts to give for Christmas or get people in the holiday spirit. By Jacob Threadgill

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• OSU-OKC Poinsettia Sale 400 N. Portland Ave. hortla.okstate.edu | 405-744-5414

Liven up the holiday spirit by taking part in OSU-OKC’s annual poinsettia sale. The sale runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday at the John E. Kirkpatrick Horticulture Center. Poinsettias in 4.5-inch ($5), 6-inch ($10) and 8-inch containers are available in a variety of colors including red, orange and pink. Proceeds provide scholarships to the university’s study abroad and horticulture teaching programs.

• Toy Base 10

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Do you know someone who is a fan of comic books and action figures? The store run by Steve Siemens has something for everyone, from kids to the young at heart. Siemen s ’ f r iend ly service is only matched by his wide variety that includes everything from vintage large G.I. Joe action figures to playfully modern POP! vinyl characters. You can also pursue a healthy board game and comic book collection at the store.

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D E C E M b e r 6 , 2 0 1 7 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

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Quirky goes to the extreme at the Museum Store at OKCMOA. Do you

want to buy a mug featuring Andy Warhol or Frida Kahlo? How about a collection of Italianmade ties? The museum has you covered. It even boasts what it says is the best gift for the person who has everything: artistic and colorful Pendleton blankets by artist Dave Chihuly. Museum members receive 10 percent off all merchandise through Monday.

• Smash Bangles 607 NW 28th St., Suite F smashbangles.com 405-628-7621

Founded by Cindy Cornelsen, Smash Bangles is the newest addition to The Paseo Arts District’s many interesting boutiques. With the tagline “Jewelry, gifts and whimsy,” Smash Bangles carries everything from Cornelsen’s handmade necklaces, bracelets and fun knickknacks like an airplane clock and robot-themed coasters.

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• Herban Mother

607 NW 28th St., Suite A herbangardensllc.com | 405-509-3183

Since the state allowed the sale of cannabidiol this year, stores selling the hemp-based products, which do not contain the psychoactive chemical found in marijuana, have popped up all over the city. Herban Mother, run by Hector and Mary Najar, puts an emphasis on being organically grown. Herban Mother offers gift baskets in a variety of balms, tinctures and gel-caps that have benefits as pain relievers and more.

• Oklahoma Contemporary

3000 General Pershing Blvd. oklahomacontemporary.org 405-951-0000

Home to more than just the city’s avant-garde and contemporary art, Oklahoma Contemporary’s annual ceramics sale offers the chance to support local artists while also getting something uniquely useful. The work is chosen by curator Jennifer Scanlan and the sale runs through Dec. 23. Tim Sullivan (Dec. 4-9), Kara Lane (Dec. 11-15) and Jeff Duerksen (Dec. 18-23) are featured artists. All proceeds benefit the center’s ceramics program, which had six instructors.

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Have you thought of everything for your human loved ones? Don’t forget about man’s best friend and their owner. Bone offers a chance to give your dog a spa-like experience while they get groomed. The store sells a variety of all-natural prepackaged treats, but the show-stopper is looking over its bakery case of freshly made cookies and biscuits that look so good you might take a bite yourself.

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | D E C E M b e r 6 , 2 0 1 7

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Lush Fashion Lounge 14101 N. May Ave. Suite 114 lushfashionlounge.com | 405-936-0680

Poinsettia Ba sk et s

Make this holiday fabulous! Select from a wide assortment of arrangements for home, family and friends to deck the halls. Add a touch of color with poinsettias, garland, mini holiday trees and more! They’re sure to look great and add a special touch to every holiday gathering.

Schelly’s Aesthetics Shoppes at Northpark 12028 N. May Ave. skincareokc.com | 405-751-8930

Tony Foss Flowers

T he Per fec t Gift for E v eryone in the Fa mily

7610 N. May Ave. tonyfossflowers.com 405-843-4113

Personalized or customized stainless steel tumblers make memorable gifts. Create your own design or use your company logo. Several styles and colors available, or you can bring your own YETI. $20-$40 on average. Artwork and design services are available. Stop in Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Person al Protec tion I tems

Visit Karen’s Flea Market for pocket knives and other personal protection items along with hundreds of other products ranging from holiday decor, clothing, housewares, custom framing, records, clocks, video games and more!

Walker Companies 121 N W Sixth St. walkercompanies.com 405-235-5319

Karen’s Flea Market 4700 S. Bryant Ave., Del City facebook.com/4700s.bryant 405-550-2689

A r t-Inspir ed Pillows

T he Hilo Club Pat ch

Pillows inspired by Leon Gaspard’s 1936 oil painting, “Falconry in Central Asia,” a hallmark of the museum’s Eugene B. Adkins Collection (exclusive to Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art)

You know how I know you’re cool? You have a HiLo Club patch. Wait; you don’t? Well, you can remedy that immediately by picking one up at HiLo Club or visit us on Etsy.

Muse, the Museum Store at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art

HiLo Club

555 Elm Ave., Norman fjjma.ou.edu 405-325-5017

1221 N W 50th St. hilookc.com 405-843-1722

Cus tom Home Decor

Beauty, comfort and function! Update your home’s look with pieces that are not only elegant but also provide comfort for family. Choose from several styles and options to impress your guests this holiday!

K&N Interiors 3704 N. Western Ave. facebook.com/kninteriorconsignment 405-521-0012

Fa mily Sk i Wea r

Sam’s Best Buy is the headquarters for family ski wear! All your winter clothing needs from children’s sizes to big and tall in the latest styles. This is your one-stop shop for everything at prices that are hard to beat.

Sam’s Best Buy 2409 S. Agnew Ave. samsbestbuys.com 405-636-1486

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Buy This!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE unique and local ideas for holiday gifts

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HANGOVER SUNDAYS EVERYY! SUNDA DJ Bourbon Cowboy | 4pm Live Music | 6pm 12/10 RT & The 44’s 12/17 Nellie Clay 12/31 HTH Birthday Show featuring Damien Christian of The Blind Staggers & Jeremy Johnson 1/7 Cody Wood 1/14 Jerry Red

1613 N May Ave. 405.601.5606

MAKE YOUR HOLIDAYS C.C. Beanies, Scarves & Gloves,

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Shop.LushFashionLounge.com 14101 N. May Ave. Suite 114 405 936 0680 Mon-Sat 10am-7pm Open Sundays Nov. 26-Dec. 31 12-5 pm

Pr e-ha rv e s ted Noble Fir

Ma nscape Supply Co. H air Gel

Before buying gifts this year, buy a tree to put your gifts under! Choose that special tree from 15 varieties starting the day after Thanksgiving until Dec. 23rd; Mon.-Fri. 1 p.m.-7 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

This hair gel is noticeably light, leaving hair looking natural while under control. It has an organic base primarily made of aloe with other hair-healthy vegan essential oils. The Lumberjack fragrance is captivating and masculine.

Sorghum Mill Christmas Tree Farm

Manscape and Massage Clinic

7121 Midwest Lane, Edmond christmas-tree.com/real/ok/sorghum 405-340-5488

714 N. Broadway Ave. Suite 201 manscapemassageclinic.com 405-531-2910

Explore the limited and special edition Pendleton blankets by Dale Chihuly! Each design is based on his Navajo Blanket Cylinders with four styles available. Dimensions are 64x80 inches. The blanket comes with a complimentary Fire hardback ($41.95 value) by the artist. $510.

Opal , Pea r l a nd Dia mond E a r r ings

Look stunning in these boulder opal and Tahitian pearl earrings with diamonds by Valerie Naifeh for Naifeh Fine Jewelry! Hand-fabricated in 22kt yellow gold, these beauties can be worn with blue jeans or black-tie. One of a kind. $6,000.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art Museum Store

Naifeh Fine Jewelry 9203 N. Pennsylvania Ave. naifehfinejewelry.com 405-607-4323

Chihuly Pendleton Bla nk et

Pendleton Woole n Mill s Crib Bla nk et s

415 Couch Drive okcmoa.com/museum-storeholiday-gift-guide 405-278-8233

Made in America, soft wool baby blankets from Pendleton are just the thing for story time and nap time alike.

The Museum Store at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St. store.nationalcowboymuseum.org 405 478-2250 ext. 228

Book T ins

Fa r mhouse Table

“10ft bowling alley wood farmhouse tables with a K base and 1 1/4” all thread. Great for family gatherings and outdoor get-togethers.

Old Plantation Antiques 2717 W. Reno Ave. oldplantationantiques.com 405-435-0061

Is it a book? Is it a box? It’s a tin! Wrap your gifts in these vintage book-inspired tins. Assorted sizes and titled book tins, handmade and custom jewelry, gifts and whimsy all at Smash Bangles in Paseo!

Smash Bangles 607 N W 28th St., Suite F smashbangles.com 405-628-7261

Flavor ed Popcor n a nd Fudge

We make gift boxes with a variety of anything you want to put in them: popcorn, fudge, candy, chocolates and sodas. We offer delivery and shipping too!

Kernels & Kandies 7640 Northwest Expressway, Suite 205 kernelsandkandies.com 405-470-7446

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | D E C e m b e r 6 , 2 0 1 7

ARTS & CULTURE

Buy This!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE unique and local ideas for holiday gifts

designs that inspire art

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locally owned and operated

Abstract impact A mural by artist Kris Kanaly challenges perceptions going into Bricktown. by Jacob Threadgill

Adorned in a yellow safety vest, spray can in hand, when Kris Kanaly set out to add to his family’s art legacy that began almost a century ago, it happened one lane of traffic at a time. Kanaly first put his own mark on Oklahoma City by establishing Plaza Walls, the curated rotating mural project in 16th Street Plaza District, but his mural “Abstract Passages” under the Santa Fe Railroad overpass on Main Street will have his most lasting impact. Kanaly’s mural, for which an opening ceremony was held in early November, is another product of Downtown OKC Inc.’s A rtist Invitational program, now in its third year. Kanaly was chosen by the organization after he wowed members with his unique artistic style that blends improvisation with abstract art.

said, noting that each of his parents was also involved in the arts. “Abstract Passages” was devised during an initial pitch to Downtown OKC, but Kanaly’s style is improvisational. He begins each mural with a mock-up of a previous one and draws a series of squiggles, squares, rectangles and circles over it. “I look at those and see a river there, a house here and a sun over there,” Kanaly said. “I start embellishing, and each little space becomes its own world.” The mural goes from bright pink adobe homes and the mesas of south-

OKC connection

“It’s a huge honor, and it’s the largest mural I’ve painted anywhere,” Kanaly said. “For it to be a monumental step in my career and done in the city that I was raised is a huge honor.” His maternal great-grandfather founded Colonial Art Gallery in 1919 — it was handed down to his grandfather and served Oklahoma City for over 90 years. “It’s what I was meant to do,” Kanaly 24

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“Abstract Passages” is filled w

Kris Kanaly’s “Abstract Passages” contrasts with much of Bricktown’s public art. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

western Oklahoma to the Bricktown Canal water taxis with psychedelic rainbows and UFOs thrown in for good measure. “We love the fluidity of Kris’ process and the hidden images that he added as the mural developed,” said Staci Sanger, director of marketing and placemaking at Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc. “He created a truly interactive piece of art in addition to adding color and beauty to what was previously an uninteresting underpass.”

Hidden gems

It has hidden Easter eggs both Oklahoma-centric, like thunderbolts in honor of the NBA’s Thunder and random keys with corresponding locks. Kanaly, relying on his graphic design background, built a corresponding website (abstractpassages.com) that

includes a 13-item scavenger hunt for hidden items like a Bitcoin or Devon Tower. There are other Oklahoma icons that are a little more obvious, like an outline of the state with a heart in the center, which Kanaly said is in honor of the “heartland.” Bricks in honor of Bricktown also dot the mural, which covers the underpass on each side of traffic. “It’s called ‘Abstract Passages’ because it’s a passageway to Bricktown and it’s abstract painting,” Kanaly said. “There is an overarching theme of adventure and travel. Someone described it as worlds that we all want to vacation in.” The project took Kanaly and a crew of workers 25 days to complete. Kanaly is creative director at Staplegun advertising agency, and the firm not only gave him time to complete the mural but also sponsored the project and footed the bill for the 1,000 cans of spray paint needed to finish the project. “We couldn’t be happier with how it all tuned out,” Sanger said. “It’s a striking piece of art, and it’s more than a thoroughfare now; it’s a destination.” Downtown OKC Inc. is a nonprofit with a mission to combat community deterioration through public art. The Artist Invitational distributed $25,000 between three winners from central Oklahoma.

Welcome to Pet Gazette, a quarterly Glossy maGazine published by OklahOma Gazette.

PublishinG:

January 31, 2018 | aPril 24, 2018 auGust 1, 2018 | october 24, 2018

For more information call 405-528-6000 or email specialsections@okgazette.com

For people visiting Oklahoma City for the first time, they see something that is very abstract and different. Kris Kanaly “Abstract Passages” will be on display for a minimum of five years. “It’s had a great reception so far, so hopefully it’s around for decades,” Kanaly said. The mural stands in stark juxtaposition to an Oklahoma centennial painting on the west side of the overpass’s wall that features the exact kind of images a tourist might expect from Oklahoma art. “There are not trains or buffalo [in ‘Abstract Passages’],” Kanaly said. “For people visiting Oklahoma City for the first time, they see something that is very abstract and different. It’s great because it’s this big, colorful area, but it also has this weird concept with space portals were I try to break perceptions of Oklahoma art.”

ges” is filled with hidden Easter eggs like this key with a corresponding lock on the opposite end. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

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Home for the Holidays The American Spirit Dance Company Jo Rowan, Director presents

A Gift of American Dance

Spread the joy of the season in Gazette’s Holiday Festivities special sections. Publishes

December 13th December 20th

December 7-10

Box Office: 405-208-5227 | OKCU.EDU/TICKETS

A Territorial Christmas

Pioneer Woman’s Christmas

A Moment In Time

Take a journey back in time to historic Guthrie to tour the Victorian-inspired downtown, enjoy a savory culinary experience and an evening at the theatre with Pollard’s family classic, A Territorial Christmas Carol. A true Oklahoma tradition, this version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption and brotherly love is set in the days of the Oklahoma Land Run. The evening is topped with a drive back through neighborhood Christmas light displays. The perfect holiday date night!

Relish in the spirit of Pioneer Women during this exclusive, 10hour guided excursion. Your journey includes a tour of the spectacular Crystal Bridge and visits to the Pioneer Woman Museum & Statue and Marland Mansion & Estates. Next, it’s off to see The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, and shop at the Mercantile before enjoying an exclusive four-course culinary experience. Finish the day with a private wine tasting at StableRidge Winery on historic Route 66.

Two experiences. First, during the day, go beyond the experience at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and gain exclusive,VIP access to the archives. A Moment in Time Illuminated: Experience at night the magnificence of Oklahoma City and walk through time to experience the history, the progress, and a moment we will always remember, a moment that changed Oklahoma City forever. Our guide will take you through an illuminated guided tour of the Outdoor Symbolic Grounds.

Four tours to celebrate the holidays in Oklahoma!

www.okctours.com TOuRS START AT $22

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TOuR DETAiLS & TiCkETS ONLiNE

Call your Account Executive at 405.528.6000 or email specialsections@okgazette.com to reserve your space!

Hit the Bricks at the Holidays Celebrate holiday history, botanical beauty, and a taste of the holidays on a festive, guided stroll through downtown Oklahoma City this holiday season. Your journey includes a tour of the spectacular Crystal Bridge and stops at the historic Skirvin Hotel, BC Clark, Devon Energy Center, Red Earth Treefest, and a wine tasting at Waters Edge Winery!

art

ARTS & CULTURE

Art of teaching

New OKCMOA curatorial hire Roja Najafi makes active learning part of her mission.

By Ben Luschen

Roja Najafi was hired as a new curator at Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) at the beginning of September, but she is already immersing herself in work finalizing one of the museum’s coming exhibitions. OKCMOA hired Najafi from Texas, where she worked as a curator at Strake Jesuit Art Museum, which houses a collection of about 800 objects on the campus of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory high school in Houston. Before that, Najafi worked at Houston’s Menil Collection, a prominent collection of modern surrealism, postwar European art open to public for free. “They have a very significantly different curatorial vision,” Najafi said. “They don’t have extended labels at all, for instance. They believe that the information available should be kept to a minimum so that the experience of the work is accentuated.” OKCMOA, of course, did not wait long to put Najafi to work. Currently, she is working on the upcoming OKCMOA exhibition The New Art: A Milestone Collection 50 Years Later. The show, which highlights the museum’s collection of contemporary art once housed in the permanent collection of the nowdefunct Washington Gallery of Modern Art (WGMA), is set to begin Feb. 17. Oklahoma Art Center, OKCMOA’s predecessor, purchased WGMA’s 154piece permanent collection in 1968. Najafi’s work on the exhibit includes selecting which pieces will be displayed and where as well as developing the art labels for each work. Najafi said her work as a curator can be traced back to her interest in art history and working directly with objects. “I value research and academic achievements through research,” she said. Najafi has experience teaching art history in a traditional classroom setting, but she prefers facilitating the type of learning that museum self-discovery can impart. “Creating in a space where learning can happen in it equals teaching, rather than a lecture-based system where you’re sitting there and I’m telling you what this is and how you should experience it,” she said. “Yeah, I love teaching, but not in the way that most people think of it.”

Curating craft

Each OKCMOA exhibit begins as a proposal made to the museum staff and is approved by its board at least a couple of years in advance; the museum planned The New Art as an exhibit well before Najafi was hired. Organizing an exhibition is a group

effort. Aside from Najafi, OKCMOA’s curatorial staff includes director of curatorial affairs Michael Anderson, curator of modern and contemporary art Francesca Giani and curatorial assistant Jessica Provencher. Exhibit proposals are typically vague on which specific works will be displayed. When organizing an exhibit from pieces in OKCMOA’s permanent collection, one of the curatorial staff’s tallest tasks involves culling a large body of work down to a manageable size. “One of the biggest things is looking through this collection and sort of editing, saying, ‘This is what we should put out and for a certain reason,’” Anderson said. The key to selecting works for an exhibition is to not complicate the narrative. Curators must have a good idea of what messages to communicate to the observer. “It’s always good to find a couple of works that are central to that idea and then be flexible with the other works,” Najafi said. After selection, curators work to develop labels for each of the displayed works. Sometimes those labels are short and sweet; sometimes they are long and detailed, depending on the work and the goal of the exhibition. Najafi is also working to design the layout for the WGMA exhibit. The average museum visitor probably does not consider why something is placed where it is, but the museum considers this in great detail. Roja Najafi | Photo Oklahoma City

Yeah, I love teaching, but not in the way that most people think of it. Roja Najafi

“I personally like to give more choices rather than a narrow tunnel that you enter and exit,” she said. “I would like the visitor to come up upon these accidental moments on their own.” Najafi plans the exhibit hoping to facilitate active learning. “There is value in a sense of liberty,” she said. “I’m not saying it’s just randomly put up — even if it feels randomly put up, there is a control to it and a value in that control. Sometimes accidental discovery stays with people much more than a planned structure.” Learning isn’t just for museum guests

Museum of Art / provided

either. Because OKCMOA is so diverse in its offerings, Anderson said curators are often assigned to exhibits outside their areas of expertise. That variety, he said, makes the job challenging and even more exciting. “We’re still in an environment where we’re very much learning,” he said.

Empowering learners

Najafi said objects and works of art can be among the most useful teaching tools. “This is another dimension that you would never get by reading a book or an article — by looking at the work closely and by handling the work and objects in a collection,” she said. The best teachers, Najafi said, are not the ones that cram the most facts into their students’ heads, but the ones who put them in an environment most conducive to enthusiastic learning. Learning is something everyone does

all the time. Najafi likes that her job is an extension of that. “Every day, we learn something new,” she said. “It might be minimal, it might be something that is not significant to us today, but we learn by reading the news, by reading gossip, by looking and thinking and feeling the wind.” Najafi said she hopes people do not just leave OKCMOA having learned something, but with an appetite to learn more and a drive to seek out those opportunities. “That’s the type of teaching that has the impact we expect education to have,” she said. “Our museum not only values this, but also does this in a very sensitive way. If you are interested in the information you can get it, but it’s not shoved into your face. If you’re happy to just look and walk through or just listen or just sit, that’s a great part of this.”

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t h e at e r

ARTS & CULTURE

Studio secrets

Kali Ra and Elecktra host an intimate songwriter session at The Root. By Jacob Threadgill

The prevalence of streaming services over the last half-decade has turned into a utility that is taken for granted, one that can be turned on and off, like water or gas, according to veteran Oklahoma City musician David Goad. In an effort to fight the creeping trend, Goad has organized an intimate Inside the Songwriters Studio performance Saturday at The Root, 3012 N. Walker Ave., where his band Kali Ra and performer Elecktra will share songwriting secrets and divulge potentially embarrassing secrets with host Cassidy Queerface. “In 2017, it’s hard to get people to come to rock shows,” Goad said. “It seems like what they want is a night out with friends and to feel an intimate connection with performers. They will get to hear stories behind the songs, and I think providing context will make it so that it’s not just background music.” Goad got his start in the Oklahoma music scene with the avant-garde group Of the Tower. Since that group disbanded, his creative outlet has been Kali Ra. A mixture of pounding postpunk and Goad’s glam rock-inspired showmanship, Kali Ra expanded from Goad’s vision to eight members, including a string section. The songwriter’s performance will 28

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be more stripped down, he said, likely only featuring himself, strings and a keyboardist. He said that he’s excited to pair with Elecktra Stanislava, an acoustic performer who pushes the boundaries by incorporating alternative and blues. Cassidy Queerface is host of Bang Bang Queer Punk Variety Show at HiLo Club and Drunken Fry. “This show is quintessentially Oklahoman,” Goad said. “It’s a bunch of super artsy people who fall somewhere in the LGBTQ spectrum, especially the Q part. We could be the humanities department of UCO, the three of us.”

Songwriting process

Goad said that the best piece of songwriting advice he has ever received is that the song must still be enjoyable even if it is played on one instrument. He admitted that inspiration often comes from being at odds with his surroundings. “I’ve never written a song out of pure contentment,” Goad said. “I’ve faced tons of backlash as a teenager for developing my personality. I saw glam rock and I was into punk, so I wanted to wear makeup and play guitar, and no one encouraged it. They said, ‘I don’t think so, but 4H club is pretty nifty.’” He compared growing up in Oklahoma City to Manchester, England, which

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Musician David Goad of Kali Ra organized Songwriter’s Studio at The Root Dec. 9. | Photo provided

birthed the punk scene in the late 1970s. “Manchester was a factory town, a blank canvas. I grew up in Oklahoma City, and for nearly 30 years, we had nothing to do,” Goad said. “It’s only in the last few years that we’ve gotten stuff. A lot of people from my generation saw that canvas and made something out of it.” This is the first songwriters studio event, which Goad agreed is similar to the popular VH1 series Storytellers. Goad will debut one new song from an upcoming Kali Ra LP that will be released in mid2018, and his set will be comprised of new material that has only been performed over the last half year. As rock music becomes more marginalized in the mainstream — it’s no longer the most listened-to genre in the county — Goad is intrigued about where the bifurcation will go. “There is no revivalism or anachronism in anything I do,” he said. “I see it coming back around where the stuff I did and am doing now is going to become the norm. People shouldn’t think of me as some weirdo punky dude. This will be pop music one day, so you should pay attention.” Visit therootokc.com and officialkalira. com.

Inside the Songwriter’s Studio 9 p.m. Saturday The Root | 3012 N. Walker Ave. therootokc.com | 405-655-5889 $5 suggested donation

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | d e c e m b e r 6 , 2 0 1 7

ARTS & CULTURE

t h e at e r

Riders in the Sky | Photo Provided

Long ride

Western swing and comedy quartet Riders in the Sky brings its Christmas tour to OKC while celebrating 40 years. By Ben Luschen

Doug Green likes Christmas, but what he loves more is the chance to deliver seasonal joy to concertgoers around the country. And that is exactly what he and the Western swing band Riders in the Sky have been doing for the past quarter century. Riders in the Sky is a country string quartet and comedy group with appearances in everything from Hee Haw and the 1985 Patsy Cline biopic Sweet Dreams to Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 2 in its 40-year span. The band — guitarist “Ranger Doug” Green, bassist Fred “Too Slim” LaBour, fiddler “Woody” Paul Chrisman and Joey “The CowPolka King” Miskulin on accordion — is known for appealing as much to children as it does adults, with two Grammy wins for Best Musical Album for Children and 35 years as members of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. Tuesday, Riders in the Sky will bring its Christmas the Cowboy Way tour to Oklahoma City Community College’s Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater, 7777 S. May Ave. Green, in a recent interview with Oklahoma Gazette, said the band has had a Christmas tour for at least the last 25 years. The show will combine the group’s trademark jovial banter and storytelling with classic Christmas songs like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and 30

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“White Christmas” along with a few originals and some yodeling. “It’s always a happy time of year,” Green said. “It seems like people are just a little more open, a little more generous.” Many will recall the Riders’ role as stars of Western sketch comedy shows Tumbleweed Theater and the eponymous and short-lived Riders in the Sky. They also hosted the public radio show Riders Radio Theater for several years. The Riders’ famous humorous tagline is, “Bringing good beef to hungry people.” It is a good metaphor for the way the group rustles up laughs and nostalgia for its eager fanbase. “That’s been our mission for 40 years, and we’ve had a lot of fun doing it along the way,” Green said.

Keeping young

Following a Pixar storyboard meeting for Toy Story 2, the movie’s creative team knew they wanted to feature fictional Woody’s Roundup, a ’50s-style television show chronicling the adventures of cowboy doll Woody, somewhere in the film. Randy Newman, who had already had a long existing relationship with Disney and Pixar, wrote a theme song for the title sequence, but his voice didn’t fit the show aesthetic. The production team had to look elsewhere. “One of the producers was a fan of ours, and he said, ‘Well, I know just the guys,’”

Green said. “He downloaded some yodeling and showed them our sound, and they all looked at each other and said, ‘Those are our guys; give them a call.’” Green said the offer from Pixar came as a total surprise. “They called us,” he said, “and we thought about it for about an eighteenth of a second and said, ‘Yes!’” In addition to recording the Woody’s Roundup theme, the band worked with Pixar on the albums Woody’s Roundup: A Rootin’ Tootin’ Collection of Woody’s Favorite Songs and Monsters, Inc. Scream Factory Favorites, which won the 2001 and 2003 children’s album Grammys, respectively. Though children have long enjoyed the Riders’ music and comedic style, their experiences with Pixar helped them reach a whole new generation of fans. In 2003, the group made an in-show appearance on Duck Dodgers, following it in 2006 with an appearance on Stanley’s Dinosaur Round-Up. Since practically its inception, the band’s amicability and wholesomeness have made them family favorites. “Several times, people have come up to us after the show saying, ‘I sat between my dad and my kid, and you’re the favorite band of both of them,’” he said.

Success maintained

Green’s introduction to guitar came around age 11, when he used to play around on one his uncle owned. Years later, before his uncle died, he gifted the guitar to Green. “It was really sweet,” he said. “[The guitar] is nothing special; it’s just special to me.” Nashville-based Riders grew up in the shadow of the Grand Ole Opry, watching the long-tenured careers of Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Monroe and Roy Acuff. Green said when they started the band, they never dreamed it would last 40 years, but they also knew it wasn’t an impossibility. “We could see those guys still performing into their 70s, so we knew it was possible,” he said. “We knew we wanted to make a whole career of it if we could.” The Riders still perform just shy of 170 shows per year, many of them at the Opry. Green said of everything the band has had a chance to do over the years, nothing beats performing for an audience that really loves the music. “For senior citizens, we’re still out there rolling,” he said. “We often say we’d like to see these young kids do what we’re doing.” Visit ridersinthesky.com.

Riders in the Sky 7:30 p.m. Tuesday OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center 7777 S. May Ave. tickets.occc.edu | 405-682-7579 $25-$30

f il m

History returns

Tower Theatre goes back to its roots and hopes to become a beacon of classic and independent films. By Jacob Threadgill

Tower Theater, 425 NW 23rd St., opened for the first time since 1999 this May with a series of concerts, but it did not fully return to its roots until a showing of 2001: A Space Odyssey in November. Operators Chad Whitehead and Stephen Tyler have brought the historic building back to life following a two-year renovation, but the plan is to make it not only one of the city’s premiere concert venues but also a beacon for classic and independent movies. “We want to take the role of the city’s independent movie house, like Circle Cinema in Tulsa,” Tyler said. “We want to branch into local films and independent movies starting next year.”

Pre-show events

Tyler has paired with Caleb Masters, who runs the local film blog The Cinematropolis, to host pre- or postshow events to provide extra context to classic movies. Masters hosted a preshow discussion for Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb on Dec. 1. Masters also hosted a pre-show interview with Oklahoma producer Gray Frederickson for his 1983 Oklahoma set and shot adaptation of The Outsiders last Tuesday. The Dec. 1 showing included a postshow party at nearby Bunker Club, which includes the quote “How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb” on its Cold War-era themed walls. The Outsiders showing concluded with drinks at The Ponyboy, a new bar nearby that takes its name from the film. “As much as we can, we want to turn these film screenings into little events to educate and get people excited about film,” Tyler said. Masters will host a discussion prior to a Dec. 12 showing of Guillermo del

Toro’s Pan’s Labryinth, which follows the release of del Toro’s latest film, The Shape of Water. “Pan’s Labyrinth is a personal film for Del Toro and takes the best things about him — passion for people, history, fantasy — and put into one masterpiece,” Masters said. “The second we all finish watching that, I think we will want to go watch [The] Shape of Water. Movie showings take place in the Tower’s upper balcony, using a 25-foot projection screen, advanced 4K digital projection system and a Christie Vive Audio surround sound system that is separate from the main audio of the full room. “At a big movie theater, the (price difference between 2K and 4K) is enough that it makes sense that not every room is in 4K, but we only have one screen and we’re already committed to high quality, so let’s not break stride,” Tyler said.

Theater history

Tyler said the plan is to one day restore the theater’s original Phillips Norelco DP70 projector, which was the first to have the ability to show both 35mm and 70mm films. The projectors were installed in the theater in 1963 and remained in use until 1986. By the time the theater closed, it was a far cry from showings of Doctor Zhivago and Cleopatra when it was used to show adult movies. “Whatever was the last thing played, I don’t think anyone cared about the name of it,” Tyler said. Tyler has taken responsibility for booking classic films, which sometimes means tracking down new distributors as films rights have transferred from studio to studio over the years. Tower pays a small licensing fee and

Tower Theatre operator Stephen Tyler shows the one of theater’s original projector. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

then splits ticket sales with the distributor. Tyler gets free rein to book the theater for movies about two months in advance, after the window has closed for it to be booked for concert.

We want to ... educate and get people excited about film. Stephen Tyler Sometimes films will be taken out of rotation. Tyler wanted the original Blade Runner to be Tower’s first showing, but the studio took it out of rotation until January to prevent it competing with the release of the sequel Blade Runner 2049. James Cameron’s Titanic is not available this year because a remastered version will receive a wide release for its 20th anniversary. Tower is showing The Blues Brothers Dec. 11, Pan’s Labyrinth Dec. 12, Batman Returns Dec. 13, Home Alone Dec. 17,

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Home Alone 2: Lost in New York Dec. 17, This Is Spinal Tap Dec. 18, Die Hard 2 Dec. 19 and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Dec. 22. During the process to open the theater, Tyler said he would be bombarded with stories of people around town who had a connection to seeing movies there. “It’s awesome to think that what we’re doing now will trigger people’s memories in 20 years,” Tyler said. “It’s cool to have this place and have people making memories.” Tyler sees a future where the theater is home to critically acclaimed independent movies that do receive a wide release, such as 2017’s Lady Bird. “There are a lot of films that cinemaphiles might now about, but I want to help people understand that there is more than just blockbusters and huge multiplex experience,” Masters said. Tickets to each showing are $10, and popcorn and drinks (including beer and liquor) are available for purchase. Visit towertheatreokc.com.

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ARTS & CULTURE Tony Williamson, a former TEEM participant and now employee, holds two holiday gifts donated to be distributed to Oklahoma children who have a parent in prison this holiday season. | Photo Laura Eastes

“He offered me a job, and I said, ‘I don’t want a job; I just want to help you for what you did for my granddaughters.’ My granddaughters are still affected by this toy drive.” Williamson finally agreed to take a job as building superintendent of TEEM’s Oklahoma City headquarters, an unexpected gift to the organization itself, said Courtnie Chaney, the organization’s communications and volunteer coordinator. “The toy drive has led to a lot of great things in our community,” Chaney said, “and one here is now a great employee.”

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Toyland

Kindness act

With the community’s help, a local nonprofit ensures children of incarcerated parents feel love at the holidays. By Jeremy Martin and Laura Eastes

Last Christmas, a small act of kindness had a significant impact on Tony Williamson, which ultimately set his path after being released from state prison. Christmas packages delivered to Williamson’s two granddaughters in south Oklahoma City became a sign of hope for Williamson, who at the time was incarcerated at Clara Waters Community Corrections Center. As a participant in a diversion program offered by The Education and Employment Ministry (TEEM), donated gifts through the nonprofit’s toy drive were distributed to his grandchildren. “I’d never had anybody offer to buy my granddaughters any thing,” 32

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Williamson said. “So I was amazed and thrilled that they made that suggestion, and I didn’t know if it would come true or not, but it did. And it touched my life so much that somebody reached out for my granddaughters that I told [TEEM executive director Kris Steele] that when I got out of prison, I was going to come and do something for him.” After his release in June, Williamson made good on his promise, and it eventually resulted in an unexpected opportunity for him. “I started dumping [Steele’s] trash and cleaning his floors and fixing his leaky faucets and doing everything I could do to help him,” Williamson said.

TEEM’s annual toy drive, called Act of Kindness Toy Drive, touches all impacted by incarceration, explained Steele, a former state lawmaker who serves as the organization’s executive director. TEEM, a faith-based organization, works to “break cycles of incarceration and poverty in Oklahoma through education, personal development and work readiness training.” “What we hope to achieve with our toy drive is to communicate through sharing gifts that these children are not forgotten,” Steele said. “They are valuable to our community, and the situation they are in is not their fault. We want these kiddos to know they are loved and cared for, that they matter. For the parents who might not get to see their children, this provides a piece of mind. They know that their child will at least have a present during Christmas. This helps reduce some of the anxiety and negative emotions with being separated from family.” The toy drive targets a population that often is underserved during the holidays, Chaney said. Having a parent imprisoned can be an isolating experience, especially at this time of year, and can lead to long-term problems if the children feel neglected by their families and ignored by society. According to the state’s Children of Incarcerated Parents Task Force, more than 26,000 Oklahoma children have a parent in state prison. “Children whose parents are away and incarcerated, if you look at statistics, they are more likely to have a troubled upbringing as well,” Chaney said. “So being able to step in for these parents in a time that is really needed and just be a connection between the parents and the children during this time so that these children are not feeling left out helps them to feel more connected to their community and helps them to feel cared about and keeps them on a straight and narrow path.” The drive collecting toys for infants to 18-year-olds continues until Dec. 13, and donors can purchase items from

TEEM’s Amazon wish list at teem.org or drop them off in person at the organization’s headquarters. Pickups can also be arranged. “We ask for electronics, books, art supplies, sports equipment, board games,” Chaney said. “Of course, the most favorite is the electronic items. Kids tend to love that. Smaller kids love stuff like the Hot Wheels, and little girls love the dolls.” The toys will be distributed according to age group at Santa’s Workshop. “We set up a little room with a Christmas tree and have all the gifts under there,” Chaney said. “Then caregivers will come here and shop. Some like [the children] to know it comes directly from the incarcerated parent, so they’ll have them come up here. Others like them to be able to open them on Christmas day, so they’ll keep them under wraps and a surprise until then.”

It touched my life so much that somebody reached out for my granddaughters. Tony Williamson

Lasting impact

There is a reason TEEM leaders called the toy drive Act of Kindness, explained Steele. Anyone who has ever shared an act of kindness knows just how much of an impact generosity can bring. Kindness can inspire small ripples. Donated gifts stand for more than just toys and enjoyment. These gifts can help incarcerated parents maintain contact with their children, which is especially difficult when imprisoned, Steele said. “The research tells us efforts to maintain the bond between the child and the parent in a positive, pro-social manner reduces the likelihood that the pattern will repeat itself in the next generation,” said Steele, acknowledging that some studies seem to show that children with a mom or dad or both parents in prison are more likely than their peers to end up behind bars. “A small act of kindness goes a long way.” These days, Williamson can be found around TEEM’s headquarters, making small repairs and keeping the six-decade-old building in good shape. As he replaced a door lock not far from the box collecting toy donations, Williamson said he and his granddaughters have even more to look forward to this Christmas. “They asked was they gonna get a present this year, and I said, ‘You’ll probably get two presents this year, one from me and TEEM because I have been working here for a while and it’s changed my life,” he said. “You just don’t understand how much it has changed my life.”

Destination Oklahoma offers tours focused on the history of the city and its current attractions.

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| Photo Destination Oklahoma / provided

History explored

Destination Oklahoma offers tours that shed light on the vibrant history of downtown OKC. By Jessica Williams

Some people think that Oklahomans only drive on dirt roads, cattle graze around the Will Rogers World Airport runways and our entire state is farmland. Those who have yet to visit Oklahoma City are in for a modern awakening. A branch of event management company factor 110, Destination Oklahoma has launched an array of daily walking tours celebrating downtown OKC’s rich history and exciting present. Folks should wear comfy shoes and prepare to be surprised by our dynamic city center. “Our tours are for both tourists and Oklahoma natives,” Destination Oklahoma manager Tyler Woods told Oklahoma Gazette. “Walking tours educate and entertain at the same time, and they’re a staple in any major city. Oklahoma City deserves to be on the map.” Inspired by his frequent travels, factor 110 president Brian Ferrell launched the recent expansion of Destination Oklahoma to instill a sense of pride in Oklahoma residents while helping visitors discover the city’s historical sites and stories. Museums, parks, buildings and venues only hit the tip of the city’s vast iceberg. “History plays an integral role in each tour,” Woods said. “Because so many original buildings and areas were torn down in the late 20th century, many people don’t have a sense for OKC’s rich but complicated past.” Destination Oklahoma employs the city’s current architecture to point to its history. The city’s modern land-

marks hold more history than meets the eye, proving that the state’s past encompasses much more than traditional education courses. “We love revealing unknown history facts,” said Woods. “A lot of people don’t know, for example, that below the Cox Convention Center, there was a threestory underground full of saloons and brothels or that the area surrounding the Oklahoma City Museum of Art was the first red light district in the city.” These tidbits of information make up downtown OKC’s prevailing legacy as a destination for contemporary cultural aficionados and history buffs alike. Like any proper Southern town, OKC also has its fair share of ghost stories. “Bricktown used to have a large cemetery and was moved to a different location when the area underwent renovations in the 1960s and ’70s,” Woods said. “However, we’re not sure if all of the bodies were successfully relocated. Since I write the scripts for each tour, detailed research goes into what people and sites are covered.” Tourists and residents might see the city a little differently after learning about these predominant historical figures and their seedy whereabouts in the city.

Modern travelers

OKC’s contemporary features will undoubtedly change outside perspectives. For example, visitors will learn that OKC has one of few contemporary music academies in the world, The

Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO), in Bricktown. Woods said present day-focused tours are perfect for architecture enthusiasts. “We start from 1970s urban renewal efforts and highlight this progress into each of the MAPS projects and end with the ongoing Project 180 efforts downtown,” he said. “Anyone interested in historical building restoration will learn a lot about how OKC achieved its modern look today.” Woods’ enthusiasm for OKC’s current accomplishments underlines his position a forerunner in our state’s modern tourism industry. “I could go on all day about OKC’s present achievements,” he said. “People are always fascinated by what’s currently happening in OKC and that we stack up to some of the U.S.’s major cities.” Curious walkers can choose from five different tours on Destination Oklahoma’s current roster. A Moment in Time guides guests around The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, with a night tour option for those who would like to experience the memorial’s serene lighting after dusk. Guests engage in both self-guided and structured tours during this program while receiving rare access to the museum’s archives. “Destination Oklahoma is very fortunate to give guests access to the museum’s archives, which are not open to the general public,” said Woods. “The archives contain information about the [Alfred P.] Murrah [Federal] Building bombing, the trial and the plans behind the memorial itself. It’s a truly unique and educational experience.” Hit the Bricks and Hit the Bricks at the Holidays start at Myriad Botanical Gardens, cover all of Bricktown and major corporations like Devon Energy and Chesapeake Energy and end at the downtown Oklahoma Land Run Monument. Those seeking a more festive atmosphere will enjoy the holiday option. All current tours are family-friendly, although some might have a PG-13 edge. “We try to keep them accessible to any age group,” he said. “Retired individuals or those with free time during the day would benefit from our day tours, while college students might enjoy our late-night tours. There’s a tour for everyone.” A long with sister company Scissortail Gifts, Destination Oklahoma is set to move into the historic Santa Fe Depot before the year ends. “Our new location opens a world of possibility for future tours,” said Woods. “Above anything, we want tourists to learn about and enjoy OKC, and we want residents to be inspired by the city in which they reside.” Visit okctours.com.

Live music, ball drops, champagne toasts, dancing, galas and more. This issue gives readers a head start on planning their New Year’s Eve festivities.

New Year’s Eve Guide Publishes December 20 Deadline December 13

Call your account executive at 528.6000 or email specialsections@okgazette.com today to reserve your space!

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ARTS & CULTURE

Padawan learners

Science Museum Oklahoma hosts Star Wars Science Overnight ahead of the space epic’s newest installment. By Ben Luschen

Science Museum Oklahoma’s Science Overnight series is intended to get children and young teenagers excited about science and engineering, but on its Star Wars-themed nights, there are plenty of parents as or more excited about the programming as the youngsters they bring along. Clint Stone, director of education and training at Science Museum Oklahoma (SMO), said everyone who attends the event — including the chaperoning adults — will likely be a devoted fan of the world’s premiere sciencefantasy film franchise. “Everyone is so into it, no one is going to look twice if you’re acting like a kid and you’re 55 years old,” Stone said. “This is the perfect place to be curious and to try new things, especially when it involves Star Wars.” A variety of science-based, Star Wars-inspired activities and demonstrations will keep all ages entertained during Star Wars Science Overnight, set to begin 7 p.m. Friday at SMO, 2020 Remington Place. Registration is $25$45. Stone said those interested in attending should register before Friday afternoon at sciencemuseumok.org. SMO has been hosting Science Overnight events for years, dating back to the days the facility was known as Those who attended Science Museum Oklahoma’s last Star Wars-themed Science Overnight got the chance to pose with several of their favorite characters. | Photo Science Museum Oklahoma / provided

Omniplex Science Museum. Many school, scout and family groups have relished the opportunity to have the museum complex to themselves as they engage in science- and engineeringbased programming. Children and accompanying adults can spend the night inside the museum if they choose, but those who prefer their own bed have the option to go home early, too.

Mind tricks

Many of SMO’s Science Overnight events are themed, and there is no more popular theme than its Star Wars nights. This year’s event comes just one week before the scheduled premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Dec. 15. Stone said the SMO staff is as excited for the new movie as any of the fans attending its Science Overnight. “When that first trailer [for The Last Jedi] came out, we all watched it like three times over and over,” he said. “Star Wars is just one of those things where we watch and we think, ‘Is that possible? What would that be like?’” Those who attend will be able to construct their own miniature lightsabers and replicate the powers of The Force, such as the dreaded Force lightning attack, with science. Stone said the museum also hopes to connect the dots in children’s minds between things they see on the screen to the nearest realworld equivalent, like droids to robotics or carbonite freezing to cryogenics. “We try to correlate what we do with

what is happening now and what we can do that is informed or inspired by Star Wars in some way,” he said. Stone said he has been a huge fan of the Star Wars franchise since his youth and is probably even more excited about the new movie than his son. Growing up, most of Stone’s toys were Star Warsrelated. He has particularly fond memories of using basic engineering skills to construct Ewoklike traps and weapons to combat his Imperial walker toys. A big part of Star Wars’ fandom has

A child participates in a DNA extraction activity during a CSI Science Overnight at Science Museum Oklahoma. | Photo Science Museum Oklahoma / provided

long been imagination and excitement. Harnessing that youthful enthusiasm can be a powerful tool for science education. “Sure, they’re out in outer space and they’re having these big adventures, but even as a kid, you can play along,” Stone said. The Science Overnight events are all about finding a good entry point to getting young minds excited about science and learning, even if they are not aware of it at the time. Stone said an environment in which one will be totally immersed in science and Star Wars fandom is an ideal place to spark new ideas. “There’s this wonderful thing that happens when you’re just a little out of the normal,” he said. “When things are just a little bit different than they normally are, our minds are so open to these new experiences and what we learn. We make these memories, and Science Overnight is a great way to make those memories.” Visit sciencemuseumok.org.

Star Wars Science Overnight 7 p.m. Friday-7:30 a.m. Saturday Science Museum Oklahoma 2020 Remington Place sciencemuseumok.org | 405-602-6664 $25-$45 34

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Unlimited snow tubing is available in two-hour sessions

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for $13. | Photo provided

Bricktown transformation

Holiday Fellowship Directory, inviting Gazette readers to houses of worship for holiday services

Much more than snow tubing, LifeShare WinterFest transforms Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark into a winter wonderland. By Jacob Threadgill

Snow tubing at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, has been a featured part of Downtown in December for the better part of a decade, but until last year, the slide was at the mercy of Mother Nature, much like the baseball games played on the field. The event received an overhaul last year as it was rebranded as LifeShare WinterFest, and it expanded to include a winter wonderland throughout the entire ballpark, complete with Santa’s workshop and a train for children age 12 and under. Separate slides were consolidated into one giant slide with three lanes at 145 feet in length, which requires riders to be at least 42 inches tall, and a lane at 75 feet in length. Organizers also made the decision to add a synthetic surface underneath the snow to ensure it could stay open. It previously had been snow-covered plywood. “We’re at the mercy of Oklahoma winters, where it is as likely to be 75 degrees as it is to be an ice storm,” said Alex Freedman, director of communications for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, noting that in previous years, the slide had to close two to four days due to inclement weather. It remained open every scheduled day last season, thanks to the synthetic surface. “It’s great for us and great for families that have planned this for a certain day,” Freedman said. “The new surface allowed us to be more predictable so that things will stay open.”

we were stewards of the slide for Downtown in December, but we’ve added life to encourage people to mill around. It’s no longer just a slide in an empty stadium.” Holiday-themed food and beverages will be available at the stadium’s concession stands. Children can write letters to Santa and participate in various winter activities around the stadium. Single-session tickets for snow tubing are $13 for a two-hour unlimited periods starting at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. General admission for other activities is $3. Group tickets are available for advanced purchase at $11 per tuber for desired dates and sessions by contacting 405-218-2115. WinterFest operates only on weekends Nov. 25-Dec. 10 and begins daily operations Dec. 16-Jan. 1 but will be closed Dec. 25. As sponsor of the event, LifeShare will have representatives on hand to sign people up for organ donation. Downtown in December began with a tree-lighting ceremony outside Bricktown Ballpark in 2001, but the origins of snow tubing are a little more fuzzy. “Snow tubing has been going on in some shape or form for at least 10 years, but it’s one of the those things that predates the longest tenured employee here, so no one is exactly sure,” Freedman said. Visit okcdodgers.com or downtownindecember.com.

Winter wonderland

LifeShare WinterFest attracts approximately 20,000 guests to the ballpark on an annual basis, where 25,000 feet worth of holiday lights, mostly in Dodgers white and blue, will welcome them. “Before last year, you pretty much just showed up for the slide and that was it,” Freedman said. “As an organization,

LifeShare WinterFest Friday-Jan. 1 Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive downtownindecember.com $3-$13

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CALENDAR 1st Annual Holiday Sparkle Toy Drive, bring a new unwrapped toy for a child age newborn to 15 years old for active duty military and veteran families as well as other families in our communities, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 9. Waters Edge Winery, 712 N. Broadway Ave., 405-232-9463, wewokc.net. SAT

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

Victorian Walk, windows come alive with scenes in shop windows depicting Christmas in Oklahoma Territorial Days with carolers, peanut vendors and more, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 9. Historic District Downtown, 114 W. Oklahoma Ave., Guthrie, 405-412-4132, guthriesterritorialchristmas.com. SAT

BOOKS Mel Odom, noted author of Rancho Diablo series and Faculty Member of the Year at OU 2016 speaks to Mid Oklahoma Writers at Rose State, 7-9 p.m. Dec. 12. Rose State College, 6420 SE 15th St., Midwest City, 405-7337673, rose.edu. TUE Read for Adventure, the OKC Zoo and Metropolitan Library Systems have partnered to publish the children’s book, “Our Day at the Zoo” and to create a community Read for Adventure program enabling readers to check out the new book from any of the 19 Metro Library locations, through March 31. Metropolitan Library System, 300 Park Ave., 405231-8650, metrolibrary.org. MON Reading Wednesdays, share your love for reading with your young children with seasonal, naturethemed books along with an interactive song and crafts, 10 a.m. Dec. 13. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens. com. WED

HAPPENINGS Grow with Google, digital literacy is key in today’s world and Google helps job seekers, students, teachers, entrepreneurs and small business owners be competitive in the tech industry, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 6. OKC Devon Boathouse District, 725 S. Lincoln Blvd , grow.google. WED Tax Incentives for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, learn about the federal and state investment tax credits for certified rehabilitation of a certified historic structure. A detailed discussion of the Historic Preservation Certification Application will guide owners and developers in successfully preparing the information needed, 10:30 a.m.-noon Dec. 6. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 405-521-2491, okhistory. org/historycenter. WED Working with the National Register of Historic Places, workshop providing detailed information about the National Register criteria, the rights of property owners in the nomination process, tips for preparing successful nominations and more, 10:30 a.m.-noon Dec. 6-8. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 405-521-2491, okhistory.org/ historycenter. WED Make it Yourself: Holiday Printmaking with Erin Latham, learn different ways to print unique holiday cards, tags and more, with great conversation and beer, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6. Twisted Spike Brewing Company, 1 NW 10th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org. WED

Fullscreen Live: Weston Koury, YouTube sensation Weston Koury is here for a unique one-on-one interactions with attendees to forge connections and inspire change, noon Dec. 10. Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St., 405-708-6937, towertheatreokc. com. SUN

Gingerbread House Workshop Learn about the flavorful ginger root and hunt for it in Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory to find it. Then decorate your fragrant gingerbread house with frosting and candy 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave. Tickets are $35-$40. Call 405-445-7080 or visit myriadgardens.com. SATURDAY Photo Myriad Botanical Gardens/provided Cards Against Humanity Tournament, good wine and dirty minds come together for the ultimate Cards Against Humanity tournament. Only two of the most horrible minds will win gift cards, Dec. 6, 8 p.m. The Pritchard Wine Bar, 1749 NW 16th St., 405601-4067, pritchardokc.com. WED Workshop for Agency Officials and Cultural Resource Management Consultants, topics addressed in the day-long workshop include the regulations which govern the process, how to determine National Register eligibility, what constitutes adverse effects, mitigating adverse effects and more, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 405-521-2491, okhistory.org/historycenter. THU Freezin’ Season Jingle Mingle, an opportunity for you and your industry colleagues to network and share the holiday spirit while supporting a great cause, The Dream Fund, 5-8 p.m. Dec. 7. McNeese Stills + Motion, 300 NW 62nd St., 405-840-0102, okcjinglemingle.com. THU Science Overnight: Star Wars, Padawans young and old are welcome at this exciting evening of Star Wars science, just in time for the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi! Explore the forces of our world and of the Star Wars universe. Make your own miniature lightsaber, feel the power of force lightning and much more, 6 p.m. Dec. 8. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. FRI Festive Fridays: Santa Paws, if you are in need of a Christmas Card photo with your fur baby this year join the Myriad Gardens for photos with Santa, mingle with other dogs or make a paw print stocking for your mantle, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405445-7080, myriadgardens.com. FRI Fashion Show, Stone and Harper’s first fashion features men and women of color as an embrace of our differences. Proceeds benefit mental health in Oklahoma, 7 p.m. Dec. 8. Holloway House, 700 W. Sheridan Ave., stoneandharper.com. FRI LIVE on the Plaza, join the Plaza District every second Friday of the month for an art walk featuring artists, live music, street pop-up shops, live performances, and more, 7-11 p.m., Dec. 8. Plaza District, 1618 N. Gatewood Ave., 405-367-9403, plazadistrict.org. FRI

Animaniacs Live! Rob Paulsen, known for his roles as Pinky in Pinky and the Brain, Raphael in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Yakko in Animaniacs, is back! Enjoy an evening of music, animation and stories with voice actor Rob Paulsen and composer Randy Rogel 7 p.m. Friday at Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St. Tickets are $45-$50. Visit towertheatreokc.com. FRIDAY Photo De Waal & Associates/provided

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Santa Fe Station Open House, interact with characters from the 1930s and explore the newly restored Santa Fe Station with a free, family-friendly open house, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 9. Santa Fe Station, 100 S. E.K. Gaylord Blvd., 405-297-2578, okc.gov. SAT Historic Homes Tour, step back in time to life of the Territorial days and visit historic homes, downtown apartments, churches and public buildings, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 9. Historic District Downtown, 114 W. Oklahoma Ave., Guthrie, 405-412-4132, guthriesterritorialchristmas.com. SAT Essentials of Raja Yoga Meditation, a day of peaceful and spiritual atmosphere ideal for reflecting upon the important factors governing our everyday experiences, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center, 2500 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 104, Edmond, 405-227-9618, brahmakumaris.org. SAT

Pet Photo Nights with Santa, your pets need a photo with Santa, too! Reserve your spot online to have a Christmas photo with your favorite family member, Dec. 10 7-8:30 p.m. Penn Square Mall, 1901 Northwest Expressway, 405-841-2696, simon.com/ petphoto. SUN Red Earth Tree Fest, features 25 Christmas Trees decorated with handmade ornaments and art objects created by Oklahoma Native Tribes, 10-3 p.m. weekdays, through Jan. 5. Red Earth Art Center, 6 Santa Fe Plaza, 405-427-5228, redearth. org. MON Photos with Santa, bring the kids for a photo with Santa and a chance to give him their Christmas wish list, through Dec. 24. Penn Square Mall, 1901 Northwest Expressway, 405-841-2696, simon.com/ mall/penn-square-mall. WED Winter Nights, immerse yourself in the smell, sights and sounds of Christmas with music, beautiful trees and a fire pit, 7-8:30, Dec. 8. Wells Family Christmas Tree Farm, 4091 E. Franklin Road, Norman, 405473-3300, wellschristmastrees.com. FRI OG&E Merry and Bright, enjoy charming holiday light displays and beautiful plant exhibits with free admission on Sundays 6-9 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 17. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. Holiday Pop-Up Shops, with over 40 shops rotating weekly, you can find something for everyone on your list, through Dec. 23. OKC Pop-Ups, 399 NW 10th St., okcpopups.com. Kingfisher Winter Nights, venture through over 200 lit trees, animated displays and over a completely light-covered then visit Santa and enjoy music, food trucks, ice skating and more, through Dec. 25, 6-9:30 p.m. Kingfisher City Park, Highway 33 and Park Road, Kingfisher, 405-375-3705, kingfisher.org. Free Holiday Water Taxi Rides, rides are narrated and holiday-themed along Bricktown canal decorated with beautiful Christmas lights, 6-9 p.m. Thu-Sun through Dec. 31. Bricktown Canal, 115 E. California Ave., 405-234-8263, downtownindecember.com.

YOUTH Holiday Happening, celebrate the holidays and enjoy music, photos with Santa Claus and special discounts during the community celebration features storybook time with librarians from the Pioneer Library System and special holiday activities with the museum’s education department, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 7. Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, samnoblemuseum.ou.edu. THU

Saturdays with Santa, enjoy an herbal Christmas display with floral arrangements and festive displays that adorn the Bridge while the outdoor grounds are decked with boughs of holly and greenery making a beautiful winter backdrop for your family photos, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec.9. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. SAT Breakfast with Santa, enjoy a pancake breakfast, story time, a Christmas craft, Christmas carols and photos with Santa Claus, 10 a.m.-noon, through Dec. 17. Orr Family Farm, 14400 S. Western Ave. , 405799-3276, orrfamilyfarm.com. SAT SMO Storytime Science, Kids six and under read a story and follow it up with a fun, scientific activity that is included with general admission, 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. TUE SMO Early Explorers, toddlers and preschoolers explore science through hands-on activities that can be easily replicated at home during a come-and-go weekly event, 10-11 a.m. every Wednesday. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. WED YES, a radically inclusive LGBTQ+ youth group for ages 13-21 featuring movies, music, dinner, monthly fandom nights with positive, knowledgeable staff and peers, 7 p.m. Thursdays. Expressions Community Center, 2245 NW 39th St., 405-5701638 bethechange.org. THU Christmas in the Park, a magical wonderland of visual entertainment. Drive, walk, or take the Yukon’s Best Express train through miles of illuminated fun in three inter-connected city parks, 6-11 p.m. through Dec. 31. Chisholm Trail Park, 500 W. Vandament Ave., Yukon, 405-350-8937, yukonok.gov. Explore Evolution, explore the evolution of life and learn about all of Earth’s organisms, from rapidly evolving viruses to whales that walked, through Dec. 31. Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, samnoblemuseum.ou.edu. When the Earth Shakes, Learn all about the science of earthquakes, tsunamis and tectonic plates while being immersed in interactive exhibits explaining the science behind earthquakes, through Jan. 2. Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, samnoblemuseum.ou.edu.

PERFORMING ARTS

Film Row Light Display, a location that once housed the offices of major Hollywood film studios is lit up this holiday season showcasing rich history and vibrance, through Jan. 1. Film Row, 700 W. Sheridan Ave., filmrowokc.com.

Home for the Holidays: A Gift of American Dance, American Spirit Dance Company presents a mix of new dances as well as audience favorites in a fast-paced, beautiful holiday production, 8-10 p.m. Dec. 7-9, 2 p.m. Dec. 9-10. Oklahoma City University Campus, Kirkpatrick Auditorium, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., 405-208-5000, okcu.edu.

Devon Ice Rink, bundle up, grab your friends and family and enjoy a great day of fresh air and skating in the prettiest spot in town, through Jan. 28. Monday-Thursday 3pm-9pm, Friday 3pm-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm Sunday 11am-7pm. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-200-1547, myriadgardens.com.

Penn & Teller, enjoy a show by two magicians that have defied labels, and at times physics and good taste, by redefining the genre of magic and inventing their own very distinct niche in comedy, 8 p.m. Dec. 8. WinStar World Casino, 777 Casino Ave., Thackerville, 580-276-4229, winstarworldcasino. com. FRI

Parlor Car Tours, take a guided walk through Science Museum Oklahoma’s fully-restored Pullman Parlor Car and get a glimpse of how people traveled in style during the early 20th century. Normally closed to the public, parlor car tours are available only during the holiday season, through Jan 1. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org.

Holiday Pipes at OU, John Schwandt, School of Music professor of organ and Director of the American Organ Institute, will perform improvised music from audience requests, 8-10 p.m. Dec. 8. Sharp Concert Hall, Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd St., Norman, 405-325-4101, music.ou.edu. FRI

Bricktown Canal Lights, enjoy festive Bricktown with holiday lights along the canal with dining and shopping, through Jan 1. Bricktown Canal, 115 E. California Ave., 405-234-8263, downtownindecember.com.

FOOD Drop Everything and Drop-in, a casual and informal time for moms and kids of any age to pop by the bakery for a fun Bake and Take with Christmas cookies, Dec. 7. Belle Kitchen, 7509 N. May Ave., 405-430-5484, belle-kitchen.com. Coffee Slingers Brew Better Workshop, a hands on laboratory that explores the six basic essentials of coffee brewing focusing on Chemex/Kone pour-overs, French presses and more, 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Coffee Slingers Roasters, 1005 North Broadway, 405-609-1662, cofeeslingers. com. SAT

Hip Hop Nutcraker, follows the journey of a young man who seeks to find something missing from his life with high-energy music and dance styles and many more twists and turns, 8-9:30 p.m. Dec. 8-9. Oklahoma City Community Foundation, 1000 N. Broadway Ave., 405-235-5603, occf.org. FRI Classen Sas Showcase, showcases talent acts of dance, vocal, instrumental, drama and more; proceeds go towards Classen SAS Fine Arts Department, 12:30-2 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 9. Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St., 405-708-6937, towertheatreokc.com. SAT Rodeo Opry, Oklahoma’s Official Country Music Show providing quality, family-friendly entertainment every Saturday night since 1977; support live music and the best performers representing country, folk, blues, gospel, rock, bluegrass and more, 7:30-10 p.m., through Dec. Centennial Rodeo Opry, 2221 Exchange Ave., 405297-9773, ohfo.org. SAT

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

Small Works VII, featuring works by local and regional artists Jim Cobb, Brad Price, Nathan Price, Connie Seabourn, Cletus Smith and CorazonWatkins during a reception in conjunction with Norman’s 2nd Friday Art Walk, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 8. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-3079320, pasnorman.org. FRI Hieroglyphics 2017: The Spirit of our People, showcasing the works of Ginna Dowling on what she calls ‘contemporary community hieroglyphs’ telling the unique stories of individual worth and empowerment in relation to creative thought, through Dec. 23. Oklahoma Contemporary Showroom, 1146 N. Broadway Drive , 405-951-000, oklahomacontemporary.org.

Tuba Christmas Tuba and euphonium players of all ages from specific geographic areas gather to pay respect through William J. Bell to all the great artists and teachers who represent their heritage Saturday at Penn Square Mall, 1901 Northwest Expressway. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with rehearsal at noon, and the concert starts at 2 p.m. Participant registration is $10 and carol books are $20. Visit tubachristmas.com. SATURDAY Photo Oklahoma City University/provided Christmas at OU, features students and faculty performing classical and popular holiday favorites including sing-along Christmas carols, 3-5 p.m. Dec. 10. Sharp Concert Hall, 500 W. Boyd St., Norman, 405-325-4101, music.ou.edu. SUN Alcoholidays, a comedic stage play directed by Tim Berg, following married couple Meg and Jacob as they make their way through the usual list of obligatory holiday parties, 8-10 p.m. Dec. 8-9, 2-4 p.m. Dec. 10. [Artspace] at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-6665, artspaceatuntitled.org. Second Sunday Poetry, experience poetry by Nathan Brown, an award winning poet, author and singer-songwriter who recently served as the Poet Laureate of Oklahoma for 2013 and 2014, 2 p.m. Dec. 10. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org. SUN Me and Jezebel, this comedy captures the challenges of trying to please the queen of Hollywood, 7:30 Dec. 7, 8 p.m. Dec. 8-9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Carpenter Square Theatre, 806 W. Main St., 405-232-6500, carpentersquare.com. Riders In The Sky: Christmas The Cowboy Way, keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, while remaining true to the integrity of Western music. They have become modern-day icons by branding the genre with their own legendary wacky humor and way-out Western wit, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12. OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center, 7777 S. May Ave., 405-682-7579, occc.edu. TUE Junie B in Jingle Bells Batman Smells, in Junie B Jones’ world things are very clear: Christmas means you get presents, elf costumes are awesome and May is a blabbermouth tattletale. Things are going well until she pulls May as her Secret Santa, through Dec. 17. Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., 405-606-7003, oklahomachildrenstheatre.org. The Nutcracker, Oklahoma City Ballet’s stunning professional dancers are joined by over 100 children from The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet plus the Oklahoma City Philharmonic to complete this

dreamlike production the whole family will enjoy, Dec. 9-19. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. Lyric’s A Christmas Carol, experience the production of Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol with a stunning set and sparkling costumes. Go on a magical journey with Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, through Dec. 24. Lyric Theatre, 1727 NW 16th St., 405-524-9312, lyrictheatreokc.com.

ACTIVE Learn-to-Swim Program, giving residents of all ages and financial situations the opportunity to learn to swim with proper technique and basic water safety at their own pace offered by the King Marlin Swim Club, ongoing, Lighthouse Sports, Fitness and Health, 3333 W. Hefner Road, 405-8455672, marlinswimamerica.com. Barre3 with Art, flex those creative muscles as you work through a variety of barre3 poses; led by certified barre instructors from Barre3, 10-11 a.m. Dec. 9. 21c Museum Hotel, 900 W. Main St., 405-982-6900, 21cmuseumhotels.com. SAT Co-Ed Open Adult Volleyball, play volleyball with your friends in a competitive, but friendly, game. Lots of fun for couples and a great way to make new friends, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, ongoing. Jackie Cooper Gymnasium, 1024 E. Main St., Yukon, 405354-1895, yukonok.gov.

VISUAL ARTS Body, curated to examine how the body has been used to address the themes of movement, fragmentation and mechanization, geometry and identity, through Dec. 30. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/ fjjma. FRI Cartoons & Comics: The Early Art of Tom Ryan, the drawings of acclaimed Western artist Tom Ryan are displayed showcasing his creativity, talent, and humor from his teenage imagination, high school and coast guard years and his school paper’s sports page, through April 1, 2018. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. Ceramic Sale, get your holiday shopping done with these unique, hand-made pieces created by local artists, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. through Dec 21. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405-951-000, oklahomacontemporary.org.

39th Annual Christmas Vespers Concert Choral singers and orchestral musicians join forces for a seasonal celebration encompassing scripture reading, poetry and congregational singing of favorite carols 8 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City, 1001 NW 25th St. Tickets are $15. Call 405-208-5000 or visit okcu.edu. FRIDAY-SATURDAY Photo Oklahoma City University/provided

Distinguished Visiting Artist: Robert Taylor, view the works of the Tulsa-based artist combining significant symbolism with traditional and contemporary Native American themes in his evocative paintings burrowing from multiple styles and genres such as Surrealism and Magic Realism to create mystical and often enigmatic images of nature, tribal life and spiritual rituals, through Dec. 30. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma. Exhibit and Holiday Sale, several members of the Cotton County Art Council display their works and display pieces for sale, 1-5 p.m. through Dec. 23. Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, 1000 Chisholm Trail Pkwy, Duncan, 580-252-6692, onthechisholmtrail.com. Free Family Make + Take: Clay Tree Lantern, get the gift of creativity and create a beautiful tree lantern with air-dry clay and colorful sequins, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 9. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405-951-000, oklahomacontemporary.org. SAT

Life and Legacy: The Art of Jerome Tiger, one of Oklahoma’s most celebrated artists, Jerome Tiger, produced hundreds of works of art and won numerous awards throughout the country. Celebrate the life and legacy of this remarkable painter, through May 13, 2018. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. FRI Master Strokes: Dutch and Flemish Drawings from the Golden Age, showcasing 93 works from the 16th-20th centuries including masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt and Sir Anthony van Dyck. Works by lesser-known artists are also included as well as designs of architecture and the applied arts, through Jan. 21. 2018. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. Moderns Annual Holiday Party, Oklahoma City Museum of Art presents a night of glass ornament making and celebration with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 6. Blue Sage Studios, 1218 N. Western Ave., 405-601-2583, bluesagestudios.com. WED Reclamation Re-Creation, an exhibition celebrating 20 years of [Artspace] showing a timeline of major exhibitions and milestones, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Dec. 30. [Artspace] at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405815-6665, artspaceatuntitled.org. Sole Expression: The Art of the Shoe, features the creations of 25 local, national and international shoe designers and artists; guests examine how the shoe has been interpreted in art throughout history and the science and engineering behind specific shoe designs, through December. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. THU The Art of Oklahoma, celebrate the 110th anniversary of Oklahoma statehood with a diverse collection of art created by or about Oklahomans’ and the cities and landscapes they call home. Enjoy works by John Steuart Curry, Oscar Brousse Jacobson, Nellie Shepherd, David Fitzgerald and Woody Big Bow, through Sept. 2. 2018. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. The New Art: A Controversial Collection Fifty Years Later, the 150-piece permanent collection purchased from the Washington Gallery of Modern Art is dedicated to the collection of contemporary art and features abstract expressionism, postpainterly abstraction, color field painting and pop art, through May 13 2018. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. We the People: A Portrait of Early Oklahoma, enjoy a selection of Henry Wantland’s photography from his family’s arrival to Stillwater in 1891. Images documented over a two-decade span can be viewed during a temporary exhibition, through January 2018. Will Rogers World Airport, 7100 Terminal Drive, 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org.

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.

For okg live music

see page 37 O kg a z e t t e . c o m | D E C E M b e r 6 , 2 0 1 7

wed-Ladies Night & daNce LessoNs @7 Thurs- siN Night driNk speciaLs Fri & Sat - $10 bucketS during gameS

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The Missing Peace Tour 2017

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Tickets and Info TOWERTHEATREOKC.COM @towertheaterokc 405-70-TOWER | 425 NW 23rd St. OKC

D E C E M B E R 6 , 2 0 1 7 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

EVENT

MUSIC

Changing tunes

Cindy Wilson steps out from The B-52’s umbrella for her impressive solo debut. By Ben Luschen

Fred Armisen stood on a ladder far above The B-52’s, feeding them lines from up high like some kind of archangel. The actor and comedian is willing to go to literal great lengths for his sketch comedy series Portlandia, which also costars Carrie Brownstein. Armisen perched over the famous Athens, Georgia, new wave quartet to appear as a giant for a sketch in the show’s seventh season. In the skit, Armisen takes a few tonguein-cheek jabs at the superfluous items that make their way into some bands’ collector’s edition box sets. Armisen’s character unpacks his way through a variety of knickknacks and obscure recordings until finally coming across living, thimble-sized versions of The B-52’s three founding vocalists Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson. “[Armisen] was very hands-on,” Wilson said of her filming experience during a recent phone interview with Oklahoma Gazette. Wilson said Armisen — a skilled drummer and guitarist who can be seen as the bandleader for Late Night with Seth Meyers house performers The 8G Band

— is a real-life fan of The B-52’s. After filming the Portlandia sketch, Armisen even spent time jamming with the band. “We’ve known him for a little bit, and he comes to the shows,” Wilson said. “He came up with the idea, and it was so much fun.” The Portlandia appearance was just one highlight in what has been an eventful 2017 for The B-52’s and its members. This year marked 40 years since the fun-loving “Rock Lobster” and “Love Shack” band played its first gig. Last Friday, Wilson released Change, the 60-year-old vocalist’s first fulllength studio album as a solo artist. Far from a late-career vanity album, Change is a serious (and seriously good) psych-pop record that does little pandering to Wilson’s established fanbase of B-52’s loyalists. On Dec. 14, the singer and her accompanying band bring the solo project’s live version to the intimate confines of Opolis, 113 N. Crawford Ave., in Norman.

Making Change

It is not hard to pick up on Change’s Tame Impala influence, and Wilson is not shy about admitting her admiration for the Australian band. “I’m obsessed,” she said. “It’s almost a problem.” Wilson said she is a fan of the Kevin Parker-fronted psych-rock quintet’s entire catalogue. She called the music nostalgic, yet modern and “very well-written.” “I always felt like The B-52’s were a psychedelic band,” Wilson said. “So I’m totally onboard.” While The B-52’s brand of psychedelia is usually of an upbeat, party-friendly variety, Wilson’s Change features

Cindy Wilson and her touring band | Photo Sean Dunn / provided

more reflective themes over a synthdriven soundscape. Songs like “Mystic” and “No One Can Tell You” are dreamy but never dreary. Wilson said the recording process for Change took four years and traces its roots back to a time when The B-52’s was taking a break from performing or recording. Wilson teamed with friend Ryan Monahan for a string of one-off shows. Eventually, they decided to bring a few of their songs into Suny Lyons’ Popheart Productions studio in Athens for recording.

We’re starting over, but ... I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. Cindy Wilson They all had a lot of fun recording together and eventually decided to record an entire project of new material. “It was fabulous,” Wilson said. “I was really impressed with how relaxed the studio is and how fast Suny works. He’s like Billy the Kid on the board getting everything recorded. He has amazing ears.” The singer described their on-again, off-again studio sessions as “a great hang.” It is clear that recording Change was less of a check-off item on a list of career accomplishments and more an extension of Wilson’s undying determination to have a good time. “It was a stress reliever,” she said. “Being creative and doing music is the best, and I loved working with these people.”

Rediscovered self

A fan-favorite part of B-52’s lore is that the band played its first gig at a party for friends on Valentine’s Day 1977. No one could have imagined then that the group would still be going 40 years later with

enduring radio hits that will probably outlive each of its members. Wilson said the nature of The B-52’s music and live show helped them stay motivated. “You always say, ‘Well, one more year; one more year,’” she said. “But what’s so cool about it is that it’s a challenging set but it’s a fun set to do. I think we all enjoy doing it, and I think that’s what makes it so easy to keep going.” The B-52’s legacy is so strong that some might wonder why Wilson would want to step outside of its shadow at this point in her career. For one, she is not the first member to take a detour from the B-52 brand. Schneider and Pierson have both released albums as solo artists that are stylistically distant from their work in The B-52’s. But there is also a part of Wilson that has something personal to express. Solo performances with her road band are scaled-down from what The B-52’s would normally do. “It’s very inward and emotional that way,” she said. “It’s very magical, and there are so many great elements as far as harmonies.” Wilson travels with her band in a big van as she tours, traveling to smaller settings like Opolis and playing for crowds that are often college-aged. It reminds her of The B-52’s early days, and she’s excited to have a blank slate for herself. “There’s a lot of people who don’t even know who The B-52’s are, either,” she said. “We’re starting over, but at the same time, I wouldn’t want to have it any other way because that way you earn everything that’s coming. That’s a gift, really.”

Getting charged

It’s an exciting time for Wilson, who is scheduled to bring her solo tour to Europe early next year. But the travel demands are catching up with her. “I have to take lots of naps,” she said, “but it’s OK.” Still, Wilson is on cloud nine. What could be better than making music you like with people you like making it with? “I’m in a really good place right now, and I can’t believe how lucky I am to have such great people involved with the solo,” she said. “It’s really a misnomer — it’s really not a solo. These are my partners and my band members.” For Wilson, creativity has proven to be a prime source of refreshing energy. “It’s an adventure,” she said. “A lot of people ask me, ‘Aren’t you just tired all the time?’ because I have to do both The B-52’s and the solo stuff. I say no because it’s really kind of invigorating. I’m so into what I’m doing now that it’s not laborious; it’s just amazing.” Visit cindywilsonb52s.com.

Cindy Wilson from The B-52’s 8 p.m. Dec. 14 Opolis | 113 N. Crawford Ave., Norman opolis.org | 405-673-4931 $20-$35

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | D E C E M B E R 6 , 2 0 1 7

MUSIC to be doing what I do, but sometimes it’s more apparent than other times.

EVENT

OKG: “The Future” also seems to be about the challenges of getting caught up in what’s coming down the pipe. Would you call yourself a particularly reflective or introspective person? Holo: I think a lot about all types of things. The future is definitely one of those things. Where do I want to go? What do I want to achieve? That type of thing. Sometimes it can be very helpful, but it can also be stressful at times. You can make thoughts or problems bigger than they really are, which can make you feel self-doubt or frustrated or sad while there might be no need for it.

‘Future’ focus

San Holo blasts listener expectations ahead of his Farmers Public Market date. By Ben Luschen

The probability of a guitar-playing Dutch trap DJ finding wide-ranging success in the super-saturated United States electronic dance music market might seem a little unlikely. But, to borrow a famous phase from San Holo’s Star Wars namesake, never tell him the odds. San Holo, born Sander van Dijk in the western Netherlands, has carved a global following for himself by producing melodic and thoughtful songs that are still highly danceable. Holo is set to bring the Gouldian Finch 2 tour to Oklahoma City Dec. 13 at Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave. Australian DJ Just A Gent and Dutch duo DROLOE are also on the bill. Growing up playing guitar in bands with his friends, Holo switched to electronic production as a way to capture complete musical and creative autonomy. Holo built a following early on with remixes of popular rap songs like Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode,” Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson,” Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” and more. He has released a few EPs, including Victory in 2015 and New Sky in 2016. In 2017, he released a pair of popular singles, including “One Thing” and “The Future,” a collaboration with Irish indie folk and alternative singer James Vincent McMorrow. Oklahoma Gazette spoke with Holo ahead of his scheduled show in OKC.

onstage. How interested are you still in guitars? San Holo: Guitar is where it all started for me when I was about 13, so still very interested. I played guitar all through my teens and got admitted to Codarts [University for Arts] in Rotterdam (Netherlands) where I studied guitar after high school. I would always put a lot of time and energy in the bands I was playing in at the time, but they would always break up because of all the bandmates’ different opinions. That’s why I started the San Holo project, to have something that was completely mine and to have the freedom to do whatever I wanted to do. Although it started out with electronic music, it feels great to be incorporating guitar into my songs and live sets again.

Oklahoma Gazette: You’re known for sometimes bringing your guitar up

OKG: Do you think we will see more artists blending DJ skills with tra-

D E C E M B E R 6 , 2 0 1 7 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

OKG: How many do you own? Do you have a favorite? Holo: I have been very lucky with the support from Fender on this tour. My first guitar was a Squier Strat, and I have always been a Fender guy. It’s really nice of them to help me out. I own four guitars at the moment. I have a Mustang and Duo Sonic from their Offset series, which I tour with, and my absolute baby is my Fender Highway Strat, which was the main part of my guitar sound when I played in bands. I also have an acoustic Avalon. I don’t remember the series, but it just sounds amazing.

San Holo | Photo Thorwald van den Akker / provided

ditional instruments in the future? Holo: I have no idea, to be honest. Every producer has a different background. I started out with guitar, but there are also a lot of producers that just started out with no instrumental background. It’s also quite an undertaking to bring all the gear on tour, especially for up-and-coming artists/DJ’s. I could’ve never done this when I first started touring because of the logistics, for example. But I’m very happy that I get to do this now.

I always feel grateful to be doing what I do, but sometimes it’s more apparent than other times. San Holo OKG: You recently put out a video for your single “One Thing,” which is a song about continually chasing after whatever the next big thing in life is and never being satisfied. How do you balance the desire to advance yourself and your career while still staying grounded and appreciating things as they come? Holo: I wouldn’t say I’m the best at this, especially on tour, because it’s such a rollercoaster. I don’t have a lot of time to reflect then because I usually only see the inside of a club and then it’s straight to the airport with no sleep to catch the next show. But when I’m not touring, I certainly take more time to reflect and appreciate the things that are happening. Making new songs at home is definitely a good way for me to rebalance again. I always feel grateful

OKG: How did you connect with James Vincent McMorrow? What was it like working with him? Holo: I’ve been a big fan of him for a long time. I was working on this idea, and it needed vocals. So I just sent him an email to ask if he would have any interest in working with me. I was really surprised when he replied! He wrote the lyrics and did some takes until we had the final song. He’s really inspiring to work with. Even though we come from totally different styles of music, we both think the same way about music. I think that’s why it worked so well. We just understood each other and respected each other’s backgrounds and tastes. OKG: A lot of people know you from the many hip-hop songs you’ve remixed. Do you remember your introduction to hip-hop? Holo: I remember being, like, really anti-electronic or hip-hop music when I was a teenager. I thought I could only like one style of music. For me, that was rock-related stuff because of the guitar playing. I liked scratching stuff like what Limp Bizkit did. And later, I started to like guys like the Beastie Boys. But they were still like a hybrid between hip-hop and rock. My first introduction to “real” hip-hop would have to be Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s “The Next Episode.” That’s when I thought to myself, “OK, now this is hip-hop and I freaking love it!” OKG: What do you have in store for 2018? Anything we should know about? Holo: I’m taking some time off in the beginning of the year to just work on music 24/7. And maybe even some album material — who knows? As for the rest of 2018, we’ll just have to wait and see.

San Holo

w/ Just A Gent and DROELOE 7 p.m. Dec. 13 Farmers Public Market | 311 S. Klein Ave. facebook.com/subsonixatm | 405-410-5416 $15-$20 | 16+

LIVE MUSIC These are events recommended by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staff members. For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.

WEDNESDAY, 12.6 Blake Lankford, Blue Bonnet Bar, Norman. COUNTRY Dan Martin/Ben Brock, JJ’s Alley. FOLK Elizabeth Speegle Band/Kalo, The Root. JAZZ Keep Flying, 89th Street - OKC. PUNK St Basic, Red Brick Bar, Norman. INDIE TFDI, The Blue Door. ACOUSTIC Tony Lucca/Jay Nash/Matt Duke, The Blue Door. SINGER/SONGWRITER

THURSDAY, 12.7 Buku/Luzcid/Sweettooth, OKC Farmer’s Market. HIP-HOP Christophe Murdock, Your Mom’s Place. COUNTRY Cody Canada and the Departed, Cowboys OKC. ROCK Dan Martin, Red Brick Bar, Norman. FOLK Jason Young Band, JJ’s Alley. COUNTRY Kane Brown/Maren Morris, Riverwind Casino, Norman. COUNTRY Kris Lager Band, Bison Witches Bar & Deli, Norman. VARIOUS Maggie McClure/Shane Henry, The Actor Factory, Norman. POP Savya Worldwide/Had Enough, The Hi Lo Club. HIP-HOP Stefan Prigmore/Brad Fielder, The Deli, Norman. COUNTRY

Robert Earl Keen’s Fam-O-Lee Back to the Country Jamboree Legendary Texas music singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen, who recently released Live Dinner Reunion, an album commemorating the 20th anniversary of his best-selling album, No. 2 Live Dinner, presents Fam-O-Lee Back to the Country Jamboree 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Jones Assembly, 901 W. Sheridan Ave. Tickets are $35-$150. Call 405-2122378 or visit thejonesassembly.com. TUESDAY Photo The Jones Assembly/provided

Kody West, Grady’s 66 Pub. COUNTRY Lady Gaga, Chesapeake Arena. POP Midas 13, Remington Park. POP Paxton Pennington/Two Piece Dalmation, The Deli, Norman. SINGER/SONGWRITER Raina Cobb, Blue Bonnet Bar, Norman. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Stephen Baker, Blue Bonnet Bar, Norman. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Swingin Hammers, Blue Note Lounge. FOLK

The Chad Todd Band, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. COUNTRY

The Remedy OKC Band, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK

TheAndreGraves, The Venue OKC. HIP-HOP

Wight Lighters, Hollywood Corners Station, Norman. ROCK

Traindodge/Demon Seeds/Plastic Smile, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK

Winds of Plague, 89th Street - OKC. ROCK

FRIDAY, 12.8 100 Bones, Oklahoma City Limits. REGGAE Adam Aguilar, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. ROCK Bobby Bones and The Raging Idiots, Diamond Ballroom. COUNTRY Broncho/Creep City, Opolis, Norman. INDIE Center of Disease/Exhumed/Arkaik, 89th Street - OKC. METAL Drive, Remington Park. VARIOUS

SUNDAY, 12.10 Celtic Jam, Full Circle Bookstore. INSTRUMENTAL Digisaurus, Red Brick Bar, Norman. INDIE Dirty Red & the SoulShakers, Friends Restaurant & Club. BLUES Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Chesapeake Arena. ROCK

MONDAY, 12.11 Sifting, 89th Street - OKC. ROCK

Kestral & Kite, Full Circle Bookstore. ACOUSTIC

Twain/Zach Winters/Sara Reid, Okay Yeah Co., VARIOUS

Mike Ryan, Graham’s Central Station. COUNTRY

TUESDAY, 12.12

Montu, The Deli, Norman. ELECTRONIC

Entheos, Diamond Ballroom. METAL

Neal McCoy, Riverwind Casino, Norman. COUNTRY

Roni Size, 89th Street - OKC. DJ

Psychotic Reaction/Danner Party/Fun Button, Blue Note Lounge. PUNK

Whitechapel/Carnifex/Rings of Saturn and more, Diamond Ballroom. METAL

The Big News, Earth Rebirth, Norman. PUNK The Bug, Warehouse B. PUNK

SATURDAY, 12.9 Chris Sullivan, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. POP Ginny Mac, JJ’s Alley. COUNTRY Hidden Agenda, Fuel Bar and Grill. ROCK Jamie Bramble, Full Circle Bookstore. FOLK John Fullbright, The Blue Door. SINGER/SONGWRITER Kent Fauss Duo, Heartland Pub & Grill, Piedmont. COUNTRY

Live music submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date. Late submissions will not be included in the listings. Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible. Fax your listings to 528-4600 or e-mail to listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

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puzzles New York Times Magazine Crossword Puzzle INSIDE OUT By Jeff Chen | Edited by Will Shortz | 1126 ACROSS 1 Per 7 Per ____ 11 Feature on the back of some pajamas 15 Conversation interrupter in a car, at times 18 Cured salmon 19 Jazzy Anita 20 Top-shelf 21 Go bad 22 Lists about a port on the Black Sea 24 Guaranteed to succeed 26 Auspice 27 Referring to this clue within this clue, e.g. 28 Neighborhoods surrounded by crime 30 1970s-’90s chess champion 33 Fill-in 35 ____ Store 36 Laura of “ER” 37 Provide cover for, say 39 Fad dance move of 2015 40 Blue-green hue 42 Style of Radio City Music Hall, informally 43 Metal pin stuck in parts of sinks 47 Figure skater Sonja 49 Shout after seeing Godzilla 50 Motorsports vehicle 51 ____ ammoniac 52 Good times 54 Capital of the world’s happiest country, per a 2017 U.N. survey 55 QB’s cry 56 Unpleasant 58 The dark side 59 One of the principal deities in Hinduism 61 Sliding item on a car 64 Carne ____ (taco option) 67 ____ Dimas, Calif. 68 Flourishes around monsoon events 71 Sample-collecting org. 73 Lush 75 React to a haymaker 76 Slack-jawed 78 Pot note 79 Heaters 80 Major investors in start-up cos. 82 Its filling contained lard until 1997 83 Dangerous vipers

86 Ka-boom! 87 1972 No. 1 hit with the lyric “No one’s ever gonna keep me down again” 89 Regret 90 Ranger’s wear 92 Fear among underground workers 95 It goes downhill 97 First name in 1950s comedy 98 Actor John of the “Harold & Kumar” films 99 Nordstrom competitor 100 Shades of tan 102 “Pimp My Ride” network 103 Curry of the N.B.A. 105 Moves, as a plant 109 Coming up in vetoes 112 Got 100 on 114 “I’ll get this done” 115 Licorice-flavored extract 116 Crew found inside again and again 120 Spy novelist Deighton 121 Poet ____ St. Vincent Millay 122 Kook 123 “Fawlty Towers” or “The Vicar of Dibley” 124 Need a lift? 125 Looking up 126 And others, for short 127 Gets fresh with DOWN 1 Nose of a wine 2 Single-____ (like a certain health care system) 3 Does his name ring a bell? 4 Pipe joint 5 “Cool” sort 6 Reason to pull an all-nighter 7 Partner of a crossed “t” 8 Creative sort 9 Something pressed against a conch 10 Game predecessor of Riven 11 Certain spa treatment 12 Baker’s container 13 The “I” of “The King and I” 14 ____ dish 15 Bad puns 16 Song with verses by four or more rappers 17 Mounties’ hats 18 Understand 23 “Go” preceder 25 Give for a while 29 Hindu exercise system

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63 Ardent 65 “Oh, heavens!” 66 Take off an invisibility cloak 69 Lit a fire under 70 Annual event viewed live by hundreds of millions of people, with “the” 72 Big stretches 74 With 57-Down, something filling fills 77 Graceful losers, e.g. 81 Besmirch 83 Magazine places 84 Don Quixote’s unseen beloved 85 Sign with an antlered pictogram 86 Award won by “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”

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88 Speedboat follower 91 Continues 92 Hosts, for short 93 Words of empathy 94 “You shouldn’t’ve done that” 96 The Blues Brothers and others 101 Emulate Snidely Whiplash 104 Hack down 106 Chilled 107 Costa Ricans, in slang 108 Modern education acronym 110 Brouhaha 111 Lid irritant 113 “I call that!” 117 Very in 118 Second Amendment org. 119 U.S.O. audience

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New York Times Crossword Puzzle answers Puzzle No. 1119, which appeared in the November 29 issue.

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31 “Do as I say!” 32 Climbing plant in the pea family 34 Broadcaster of many Ken Burns documentaries 38 Something to work through with a therapist 41 Benghazi native 43 Waste 44 Actress Phylicia of “Creed” 45 “Fighting” collegiate team 46 Stella ____ (beer) 48 Another name for Dido 51 Hybrid activewear 53 Santa ____ winds 56 Tailor’s measure 57 See 74-Down 60 Take in 62 Blood type of a “universal donor”

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Sudoku hard | n°30479386 Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3-by-3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9. www.printmysudoku.com

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free will astrology Homework: In your imagination, visit the person you’ll be in four years. What key messages do you have to convey? Freewillastrology.com ARIES (March 21-April 19) You may get richer

quicker in 2018, Aries -- especially if you refuse to sell out. You may accumulate more clout -- especially if you treat everyone as your equal and always wield your power responsibly. I bet you will also experience deeper, richer emotions -- especially if you avoid people who have low levels of emotional intelligence. Finally, I predict you will get the best sex of your life in the next 12 months -- especially if you cultivate the kind of peace of mind in which you’ll feel fine about yourself if you don’t get any sex at all. P.S.: You’d be wise to start working on these projects immediately

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) The members of the

fungus family, like mushrooms and molds, lack chlorophyll, so they can’t make food from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. To get the energy they need, they “eat” plants. That’s lucky for us. The fungi keep the earth fresh. Without them to decompose fallen leaves, piles of compost would continue to accumulate forever. Some forests would be so choked with dead matter that they couldn’t thrive. I invite you to take your inspiration from the heroic fungi, Taurus. Expedite the decay and dissolution of the worn-out and obsolete parts of your life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) I’m guessing you have

been hungrier than usual. At times you may have felt voracious, even insatiable. What’s going on? I don’t think this intense yearning is simply about food, although it’s possible your body is trying to compensate for a nutritional deficiency. At the very least, you’re also experiencing a heightened desire to be understood and appreciated. You may be aching for a particular quality of love that you haven’t been able to give or get. Here’s my theory: Your soul is famished for experiences that your ego doesn’t sufficiently value or seek out. If I’m correct, you should meditate on what your soul craves but isn’t getting enough of.

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CANCER (June 21-July 22) The brightly colored birds known as bee-eaters are especially fond of eating bees and wasps. How do they avoid getting stung? They snatch their prey in mid-air and then knock them repeatedly against a tree branch until the stinger falls off and the venom is flushed out. In the coming weeks, Cancerian, you could perhaps draw inspiration from the bee-eaters’ determination to get what they want. How might you be able to draw nourishment from sources that aren’t entirely benign? How could you extract value from influences that you have be careful with? LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) The coming months will be

a ripe time to revise and rework your past -- to reconfigure the consequences that emerged from what happened once upon a time. I’ll trust you to make the ultimate decisions about the best ways to do that, but here are some suggestions. 1. Revisit a memory that has haunted you, and do a ritual that resolves it and brings you peace. 2. Go back and finally do a crucial duty you left unfinished. 3. Return to a dream you wandered away from prematurely, and either recommit yourself to it, or else put it to rest for good.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) The astrological omens

suggest that now is a favorable time to deepen your roots and bolster your foundations and revitalize traditions that have nourished you. Oddly enough, the current planetary rhythms are also conducive to you and your family and friends playing soccer in the living room with a ball made from rolled-up socks, pretending to be fortune-telling psychics and giving each other past-life readings, and gathering around the kitchen table to formulate a conspiracy to achieve world domination. And no, the two sets of advice I just gave you are not contradictory.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) In accordance with the

long-term astrological omens, I invite you to make five long-term promises to yourself. They were formulated by the teacher Shannen Davis. Say them aloud a few times to get a feel for them. 1. “I will make myself eminently teachable through the cultivation of openness and humility.” 2. “I won’t wait around hoping that people will give me what I can give myself.” 3. “I’ll be a good sport about the consequences of my

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actions, whether they’re good, bad, or misunderstood.” 4. “As I walk out of a room where there are many people who know me, I won’t worry about what anyone will say about me.” 5. “I will only pray for the things I’m willing to be the answer to.”

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) To discuss a problem

is not the same as doing something practical to correct it. Many people don’t seem to realize this. They devote a great deal of energy to describing and analyzing their difficulties, and may even imagine possible solutions, but then neglect to follow through. And so nothing changes. The sad or bad situation persists. Of all the signs in the zodiac, you Scorpios are among the least prone to this disability. You specialize in taking action to fulfill your proposed fixes. Just this once, however, I urge you to engage in more inquiry and conversation than usual. Just talking about the problem could cure it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) As far back as

ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece, people staged ceremonies to mark the embarkation of a new ship. The intention was to bestow a blessing for the maiden voyage and ever thereafter. Good luck! Safe travels! Beginning in 18th-century Britain and America, such rituals often featured the smashing of a wine bottle on the ship’s bow. Later, a glass container of champagne became standard. In accordance with the current astrological indicators, I suggest that you come up with your own version of this celebratory gesture. It will soon be time for your launch.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You may feel quite

sure that you’ve gotten as tall as you’re ever going to be. But that may not be true. If you were ever going to add another half-inch or more to your height, the near future would be the time for it. You are in the midst of what we in the consciousness industry call a “growth spurt.” The blooming and ripening could occur in other ways, as well. Your hair and fingernails may become longer faster than usual, and even your breasts or penis might undergo spontaneous augmentation. There’s no doubt that new brain cells will propagate at a higher rate, and so will the white blood cells that guard your physical health. Four weeks from now, I bet you’ll be

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noticeably smarter, wiser, and more robust.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You come into a

delicatessen where you have to take a numbered ticket in order to get waited on. Oops. You draw 37 and the counter clerk has just called out number 17. That means 20 more people will have their turns before you. Damn! You settle in for a tedious vigil, putting down your bag and crossing your arms across your chest. But then what’s this? Two minutes later, the clerk calls out 37. That’s you! You go up to the counter and hand in your number, and amazingly enough, the clerk writes down your order. A few minutes later, you’ve got your food. Maybe it was a mistake, but who cares? All that matters is that your opportunity came earlier than you thought it would. Now apply this vignette as a metaphor for your life in the coming days.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) It’s one of those bizarre

times when what feels really good is in close alignment with what’s really good for you, and when taking the course of action that benefits you personally is probably what’s best for everyone else, too. I realize the onslaught of this strange grace may be difficult to believe. But it’s real and true, so don’t waste time questioning it. Relish and indulge in the freedom it offers you. Use it to shush the meddling voice in your head that informs you about what you supposedly SHOULD be doing instead of what you’re actually doing.

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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