Curiouser and curiouser

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Curiouser &curiouser

R adioLab's Jad Abumr a d headlines Okl ahom a H uman ities Council's Cur ios ity Fest.

By Jeremy Martin, P. 21

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INSIDE COVER P. 21 Oklahoma Humanities hosts its first Curiosity Fest with Radiolab co-host Jad Abumrad.

By Jeremy Martin Cover by Tiffany McKnight

NEWS 4 6 8

ELECTION race for governor

ELECTION Marsy’s Law

EDUCATION The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools

10 CHICKEN-FRIED NEWS

EAT & DRINK 13 REVIEW Mi Tierra Restaurant Sabor

GRAMMY AWARD WINNER

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ARTS & CULTURE 21 COVER Curiosity Fest

22 ART Victorian Radicals: From the

Pre-Raphaelites to the Arts and Crafts Movement at OKCMOA

23 ART Jerry Bennett, new artist-in-

residence at The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City

24 THEATER Oklahoma Indigenous

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27 COMEDY Kyle Kinane at

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29 BOOKS The Next American City and

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31 CULTURE The Literati Variety Show 32 CALENDAR

MUSIC

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35 EVENT Puddles Pity Party at

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36 EVENT The New Tribe at The Root 37 LIVE MUSIC

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I-40 EXIT 178 | SHAWNEE, OK | 405-964-7263 O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | O C TO B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 8

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ELECTION

NEWS

Top job Drew Edmondson and Kevin Stitt compete for the keys to the governor’s mansion. By Nazarene Harris

The veteran

Drew Edmondson is a happy man. He has the kind of genuine happiness, it seems, that comes from being comfortable in one’s own skin and basking in the blissful state where age meets peace of mind. His years of making thought-out and difficult but morally sound decisions have resulted in what appears to be few regrets.

Oklahoma Gazette caught up with the 71-year-old former teacher, attorney general, lawyer and Vietnam-era U.S. Navy veteran on his drive from Tulsa to Oklahoma City during his campaign, a little over 30 days before Election Day. His wife, Linda, was riding shotgun.

The son of a United States congressman, Edmondson spent most of his life in the spotlight, leaving few details of his life unknown to Oklahomans. Many are aware of the love story behind the couple’s marriage of over 50 years and Edmondson’s romantic confession that he knew he wanted to marry Linda after their first date.

“She was and is a remarkable lady,” he said. “From the get-go, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed our conversations. We were both passionate about social causes and politics.”

The Democratic candidate for Oklahoma’s 28th governor is proud of his involvement in state politics and government.

“We all enjoyed political discussions,” Edmondson said of the family.

Edmondson is the son of late U.S. Rep. Ed Edmondson, who served Oklahoma’s second congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives Republican Kevin Stitt is running for governor. | Photo provided

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from 1953 to 1973. He is also the nephew of J. Howard Edmondson, Oklahoma’s 16th governor. Edmondson’s older brother, Jim, serves on Oklahoma’s Supreme Court. His younger brother is a therapist, and his younger sister is an attorney. When he was 26 years old, a third brother was killed in a motorcycle accident. It was an incident that made the family lean on one another.

Edmondson remembers vividly meeting presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson as a teen. He remembers passionately tackling policy issues as a member of the debate team at Muskogee Central High School before studying speech education at Northeastern State University and law at University of Tulsa.

After receiving his undergraduate degree, Edmondson enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. Upon returning to Muskogee, he became a speech and debate teacher at Muskogee High School.

The 16 years Edmondson served as Oklahoma’s attorney general lent him a better understanding of the intricacies of state government and allowed him to assess the damage that has taken place at the state level in recent years.

“I can tell you what’s changed since 2011,” Edmondson said. “Our chickens came home to roost. Even before 2011, the Legislature started making deductions from the state income tax. Sevenand 5-percent deductions took $150,000 out of the state’s budget each quarter.”

Today, there is a $1 billion hole in the state budget. It’s a deficit, he said, that has no doubt led to cuts in funding for health care and education.

His top priorities include restoring

the state’s budget, improving education, enhancing the physical and mental health of all Oklahomans and reducing the state’s prison population.

To restore Oklahoma’s budget, Edmondson said he will use a threepronged approach. First, he would restore the gross production tax (GPT) to 7 percent. Next, he would do away with the capital gains exemption. Lastly, he said, he would add a 50-cent tax to the purchase of every pack of cigarettes.

His strategy, he said, isn’t a hypothetical approach. Rather, it’s a solid and strategic plan he has contemplated for years while doing the very thing his adversaries criticize him for most: working in politics.

The optimist

Entrepreneur and Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Stitt, 45, has plans for Oklahoma that are almost as big as he is.

Standing over 6 feet, 4 inches tall, Stitt’s voice booms throughout the debate halls and over the podiums he uses while campaigning as the Republican nominee for Oklahoma’s next governor.

It’s a position he might have always subconsciously held onto but never actually contemplated.

“I wanted to be a professional football player,” said Stitt, a former football captain at Norman High School, “or a businessman.”

In 2000, he launched Gateway Mortgage Group. The company now serves over 100,000 customers and operates in more than four dozen U.S. cities.

Stitt and his team found themselves in hot water after the subprime mortgage crisis contributed to the Great Recession in the late 2000s. As economists began zeroing in on mortgage lenders to determine which companies sold defective mortgages, Stitt’s company received intense scrutiny.

“I am proud of my employees,” Stitt said. “But we are a large company and we had two employees who made some mistakes during those early years who were

Democrat Drew Edmondson is running for governor. | Photo provided

let go. I believe in my employees, but I also believe in holding people accountable.”

Stitt said his faith and his wife, Sarah, kept him going.

“The Bible says that he that finds a wife finds a good thing and favor with the Lord,” he said. “I’m reminded of that truth constantly.”

Stitt watched the governor’s race in 2010 with fascination and focus. He started asking questions. Why aren’t government agencies audited the same way private businesses are? Why is there so little transparency in state government? How do state agencies just happen to lose millions of dollars worth of revenue?

He said he realized that for Oklahoma to turn around, the state needed a businessman to deal the cards.

“I don’t just want a safe state and a healthy state. I want those things and then some,” Stitt said. “Why can’t we be a state that leads in quality education and also one that attracts major businesses?”

In August, Stitt received an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

Despite the encouragement, Stitt said he continues to pray over his life choices, including his decision to run for governor.

“I know it sounds cliché, but I truly believe that God put this on my heart,” he said.

He remains close with his mother and father, who live on a cattle farm in Maud.

While Stitt, Sarah and their six children live on the outskirts of Tulsa, the family visits John and Joyce regularly. During a recent family gathering, Stitt said his mother pulled out an old baby book from when he was about 5 years old.

“Look here,” she told Stitt while pointing to the ‘interests and aspirations’ section. Beneath the section that asked what Stitt wanted to be when he grew up, Joyce had written “future governor of Oklahoma.”

“Believe me,” she told him. “There’s no way I would have written that had you not told me to way back then.”

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O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | O C TO B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 8

ELECTION

NEWS

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Victims unite

Victims’ rights advocates hope to enforce state laws designed to protect them with State Question 794, also known as Marsy’s Law. By Nazarene Harris

When 45-year-old Oklahoma City mortgage loan officer Lauren Layman finally laid eyes on the man who raped and murdered her great-grandmother 35 years ago, she felt a little sorry for him.

Lester Blackbear was 27 years old when he allegedly broke into 77-yearold Ola Kirk’s apartment one summer night in 1983. He was accused of savagely beating the great-grandmother — a stranger to him — to death.

Three decades later and after a relentless pursuit to find her greatgrandmother’s killer, Layman sat in a courtroom and took in the sight of Blackbear, who had grown weak and frail with age and who had supposedly given his life to God as a means to repent for other crimes he committed.

Despite DNA testing that linked him to Kirk’s murder, Blackbear pleaded not guilty, Layman said.

She never sought revenge, she said, just justice.

“A life’s a life,” she said. “There’s victims on both sides. I lost my greatgrandmother, and they (Blackbear’s family) lost their brother, even if he was a killer and the black sheep of their family.”

In the years following Kirk’s murder, Layman discovered that Blackbear lived in her great-grandmother’s neighborhood during the time she was murdered and had a reputation of being what Layman called “Chester the child molester.”

“He tried to get in bed with his roommate’s girlfriend and was kicked out of the apartment when his roommate found out,” Layman said. “So he went to my great-grandma’s house, broke into her window, killed her and raped her.”

Cold case

The family was scared, devastated and, for the most part, completely unaware of any rights they had as family members of a victim.

They paid six months’ worth of rent, Layman said, to clean up the crime scene — a service Layman now knows can be paid for upon request through the state’s Crime Victims’ Compensation Program.

For years, the family remained hopeful of finding Kirk’s killer, but half a decade later, when Kirk’s death was deemed a cold case by investigators, hope turned to defeat.

“It became a dark cloud that hung around our heads,” Layman said. “It was the thing we were supposed to move past and not talk about.”

In 2010, Layman saw her greatgrandmother’s name featured in a newspaper story about how state investigators were reopening cold cases.

She went to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), where she hoped to speak with investigators.

What she got instead were countless hours spent alone in a waiting room.

Layman’s frustration over an unresponsive court system foreshadowed a two-year battle she would face to finally put her great-grandmother’s murder to rest.

Calls Layman made to her district attorney were never returned, she said.

Staff workers at her county DA’s office would direct her to OSBI, whose staffers would redirect her back to her DA’s office.

Eventually, Layman said, a former Blaine County DA told her to stop calling altogether.

“SPARKLING, FRESH AND LIVELY.” Lauren Layman looks through the criminal records of her great-grandmother’s suspected killer. | Photo Alexa Ace

Through her own devices, Layman discovered that Blackbear was a convicted sex offender who fled Oklahoma and was living in Arizona. Layman orchestrated Blackbear’s arrest since he failed to register as a sex offender in Arizona, a state that has a zero-tolerance policy for not doing so.

Voting against Marsy’s Law could spare law enforcement months of planning, but voting for it could spare crime victims a lifetime of heartache.

Lauren Layman In what felt like the fight of her life, she said, Layman pushed Oklahoma law enforcement to transport Blackbear to the Blaine County Jail.

After a DNA test positively linked Blackbear to Kirk’s murder, prosecutors charged him with her death.

It was only then, Layman said, that investigators began taking her seriously. The new district attorney in Blaine County, Mike Fields, introduced himself to victims as friend, not foe.

“He told me he was sorry for my loss,” Layman said. “No one in the system had said that before. He said he couldn’t promise me anything other than that he would do everything in his power to seek justice for my greatgrandmother and our family.”

Two weeks before a preliminary hearing, when the court would agree upon a time to start trial, Blackbear suffered cardiac arrest in jail and died shortly afterward. Layman felt robbed.

“I wanted him to die in jail, and that’s what happened,” Layman said.

“But I didn’t get an apology, a testimony … it just didn’t feel like closure.”

Fields called Layman the night of Blackbear’s death and told her that while she might never get the closure she longed for, the journey she took to find it was nothing short of remarkable. An OSBI investigator, she said, asked if she’d ever consider a career in law enforcement.

Layman was flattered but focused instead on fixing a tangle in the criminal justice system.

Muddy water

State Question 794, also known as Marsy’s Law, is one way, Layman said, of preventing crime victims and their families from suffering in vain.

The law would enforce victims’ rights already established within the Oklahoma Crime Victims Bill of Rights

- Los Angeles Times by elevating them from statutory recommendations to constitutional mandates, Marsy’s Law state director Kim Moyer said.

“Some of the resistance we’ve seen has to do with concerns of duplicity,” Moyer said.

Appellate defense attorney Katrina Conrad-Legler echoed those concerns in a debate hosted by the nonprofit news organization Oklahoma Watch earlier this month.

“These rights restate the ones already in existence,” Conrad-Legler said. “There are many rights already enshrined in the state statue. Why add additional language to an already-complicated system?

Why muddy the water?”

The passage of Marsy’s Law by voters during November’s general election would actually simplify the process of supplying victims with their rights, Moyer said.

“Miranda rights are issued to the accused without fail,” Moyer said.

“Because the constitution mandates that Miranda rights be issued and because officers face repercussions if those rights are not issued, they are given every time with due diligence.”

While Oklahoma’s constitution mentions victims’ rights and while Oklahoma’s Crime Victims Bill of Rights elaborates on them, Moyer said neither document makes issuing victims their rights a requirement under the law.

The specific language in Marsy’s Law, Kay County district attorney Brian Hermanson said, will require investigators to issue crime victims their rights and will make not doing so punishable.

If voted into law, Marsy’s Law supporters say it will guarantee victims the right to receive timely notification of proceedings and of the accused’s status within the court system. The law will also guarantee victims the right to be present during court proceedings, the right to provide input to the prosecutor before a plea agreement is finalized, the right to be testify at all proceedings that might result in the offender’s release and the right to restitution.

“There is always room for improvement,” Hermanson said. “There’s no law out there that can’t be made better.”

“Voting against Marsy’s Law could spare law enforcement months of planning,” Layman said, “but voting for it could spare crime victims a lifetime of heartache.”

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NEWS OKCU PRESENTS

Dane & Associates Electric Company purchased school supplies for Pierce Elementary School students through The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools’ Kit-A-Kid program. | Photo The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools / provided

2018-19

FILM SERIES

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E D U C AT I O N

Community contribution

Strong foundation The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools ignites change with community collaboration.

By Nazarene Harris

Mary Golda Ross Elementary School bilingual assistant Elizabeth Claudio, 26, had never met the president of The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools when she received an email from her a few years ago. But the email, she said, led her to believe that the woman must be an angel.

It basically asked Oklahoma City Public Schools employees who were not teachers if they wanted to go to college to earn a teaching degree — all expenses paid.

“I jumped on it,” Claudio said. “I could not believe that someone would want to do that for me. Mary is wonderful.”

The foundation’s president and CEO, Mary Mélon, and its board members developed the program they titled Bilingual Teacher Pipeline Project in an effort to recruit and maintain qualified bilingual teachers in a diverse district with high turnover and retention issues.

“We have realtors who tell families to move so that their kids don’t have to go to Oklahoma City Public Schools,” Mélon said. “These kids are amazing, and there’s 45,000 of them … that’s too many kids to leave behind.”

With 60 percent of Oklahoma City Public Schools students being Hispanic, Mélon said the need for bilingual teachers is immense.

“I can’t imagine trying to learn science and math in a language I could barely understand,” Mélon said.

“I would be terrified.”

The preschoolers who enter Ross Elementary for the first time are terrified, Parks Elementary School students strike a pose after receiving new gloves, beanies and winter coats through The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools’ Coat-A-Kid program. | Photo The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools / provided

Claudio said.

“Most preschoolers who start school here only speak Spanish,” Claudio said.

“They’re nervous, and so are their parents, but when I welcome them in Spanish, everything changes. Their faces light up, and the parents are so appreciative. They are so relieved that the person here who will teach them how to read and write in English also speaks Spanish.”

Every school in the district has at least one bilingual assistant, Claudio said. Their job is to translate what teachers say in English into Spanish for Spanish-speaking students and, likewise, translate into Spanish what teachers want to convey to parents.

Having a teacher who is bilingual, Mélon said, removes the need for the district to hire both a teacher and a bilingual assistant and makes learning English easier for students. Mélon said offering bilingual school employees the chance to earn a teaching degree debt free makes them loyal employees.

The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools is not only interested in maintaining qualified teachers. The foundation’s main purpose is to build

Some harsh realities of Oklahoma City public schools include the fact that 90 percent of students live in poverty and nearly 1,900 are homeless.

“Wealthy school districts get a lot of support from their communities, and that is wonderful,” Claudio said. “But poor districts should also get support.

They are the ones that need it most.”

The foundation works to recruit community businesses that are willing to donate to schools within the district.

Current and past donors include Cox Communications, Bank of America, OG&E, Sonic Corp., Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Devon Energy, Verizon, Paycom and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma.

Cox Communications senior vice president and regional manager Percy Kirk said he was looking for a way to get to know Oklahoma City when he stumbled on the foundation.

Kirk, along with his wife and two sons, moved to Oklahoma City in 2010 with the notion that the city would be their forever home. Getting to know the community was a top priority, and volunteering was a sure-fire way to get caught up fast.

“I went to my predecessor and asked him what our company does for the community,” Kirk said. “We had this big warehouse we called the ‘teachers warehouse.’ Everyone was enthusiastic about helping out. We’d fill the warehouse with crayons, pencils and calculators. One day, we asked ourselves, ‘What if we are wrong in what we assume our schools need?’”

In an effort to determine what students and teachers within the district actually need, Kirk became heavily involved with the foundation and ultimately became vice chairman.

Kirk, Mélon and fellow board members incorporated DonorsChoose. org into the foundation.

DonorsChoose.org is an online platform on which verified public school teachers post their specific school needs along with the amount they are hoping to raise. When businesses are looking to donate to a school, Mélon directs them to DonorsChoose.org and guides them through the donation process.

Donations have gone toward the purchase of beanbags, sports uniforms, flashcards, classroom snacks, writing pads, Google Chromebooks, headphones and more.

Needs that cannot be filled online are filled in person. One fundraiser in particular is close to Mélon’s heart.

Coat-A-Kid is an initiative the foundation operates each year to ensure that Oklahoma City Public Schools students in need receive new winter coats.

It’s where Mélon’s motherly instincts kick in most. When Mélon was asked if the district would accept used coats for its students, she refused.

“The look these kids have on their faces when they get a brand-new coat with a tag still on it is priceless,” she said.

“My kids got brand-new coats each year when they were growing up. Why shouldn’t these kids?”

Donations for the Coat-A-Kid project can be made on the foundation’s website.

Coat-A-Kid, DonorsChoose.org and the Bilingual Teacher Pipeline Project are only a few initiatives the foundation takes in its effort to make lasting change in the district.

Prime example

Claudio’s life is an example of how a supportive community can change the life of an Oklahoma City Public Schools student.

Several years ago, when Claudio thought she wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, she stopped by the school she now works at to say hello to her former teachers, one of whom told her the school was looking to hire a bilingual assistant and that Claudio should apply. When she saw the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children at the school, Claudio put pursuing a college degree on hold and began helping students in her old classroom instead.

Her dreams began to change with each child she met.

“Pursuing a medical degree seemed like a good idea,” she said. “But it wasn’t where my heart was. There’s no way I could leave these kids.”

Years later, the district and community now provide Claudio the chance to earn a degree in the field she is most passionate about.

She teaches Spanish and English to her 10-month-old son Leo while her husband and father work together in the construction business. Her mother watches Leo while the aspiring teacher attends education courses at University of Central Oklahoma or works at Ross Elementary.

“Without their help, there’s no way I could do this,” Claudio said. “Without everybody’s help, really.”

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chicken

friedNEWS

The thin wooden line

Oklahoma is one of 19 states in the country that still allows corporal punishment to be used to discipline school students, but when does a paddling become full-on child abuse?

We at Chicken-Fried News — call us hippies if you want — think it’s as soon as the paddle comes off the wall, but an elementary school principal in McAlester is facing child abuse charges after he swatted two children, ages 10 and 11, and allegedly left the students with welts and bruises.

Indianola Elementary School Principal Gary Gunckel is on administrative leave as he faces two counts of child abuse for using “unreasonable force” by spanking two students with a wooden paddle, according to McAlester News-Capital.

Corporal punishment is banned in most Oklahoma school districts, but Indianola Public Schools allows for action to be taken when parents approve it. According to the newspaper, Gunckel took action after parents of two students approved swats from the paddle because the two children were involved in an argument and included threats.

What better way to correct violent threats than with violent actions? We just had to clean up the mess in CFN World Headquarters when our sarcasm detector blew up.

Both sets of parents said the children had bruising after the walloping. Go figure! The principal reportedly apologized for “busting the boys,” according to court documents seen by the newspaper.

According to an affidavit, Gunckel told the children that the swats “were supposed to hurt so that he would remember not to do what he was doing anymore.”

Maybe instead of having law enforcement officials examine and re-examine photos of children’s private areas to determine whether or not a good old fashioned paddling constitutes abuse — and we’re just spitballing here — you ban the practice outright?

The same person who thinks paddling will produce the grit and toughness that defeated the Germans and “made America great” is the same person that will eat an entire birthday cake meant for their child’s birthday like Don Draper because they can’t effectively process their emotions.

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Wild showdown

A showdown of sorts took place recently within the parameters of Oklahoma City Zoo. Lions, tigers and bears were not involved. Instead, a Second Amendment advocate challenged the zoo’s no-gun policy by bringing his gun in and openly carrying.

Zoo officials said they believe that their policy does not violate any laws, but Don Spencer, a member of the Oklahoma 2nd Amendment Association, said the zoo is on public grounds and citizens, therefore, have the right to bring in firearms.

Thankfully, no shots were fired in a showdown between Spencer and zoo security, and a Wild West scenario was avoided in a place that’s plenty wild enough.

A zoo spokesman later told a news reporter at KOCO that the zoo is meant to be a fun and safe place where guns don’t belong.

All the fuss has ChickenFried News staffers wonder-

ing what threats exist within the 110acre lot that families have frequented since 1902 that makes a grown man insist on carrying his weapon in with him. Perhaps he believes that a “fun and safe” place void of risk from other humans does not exist.

Handmaid University

Intolerance doesn’t always march on Southern cities bearing tiki torches while chanting, “You will not replace us.” Sometimes it toils quietly, seemingly benign, in quiet places of authority and trust.

And in a recent story broken by OU Daily, sometimes it is responsible for shaping tomorrow’s legal minds.

On Sept. 30, OU Daily reported that Brian McCall, a University of Oklahoma law professor, associate dean for academic affairs at OU College of Law and associate director of OU Law Center, authored a book in 2014 arguing that women should never wear pants and should not vote.

In To Build the City of God: Living as Catholics in a Secular Age, McCall wrote that European cultural institu-

tions and writings are far superior to other cultures’ great works and the U.S. Constitution was the product of erroneous thought brought on by Enlightenment-era liberalism.

Yes, Chicken-Fried News readers, McCall is a law professor who appears not to fully believe in the Constitution and that “the only sovereign in any political system is Christ the King.”

The CFN News Team collectively wondered, "What in Christ the King is going on at OU Law?" and careened for our high-point beer cooler after we read the part about women and pants.

McCall wrote that women and girls in the McCall household have to wear skirts or, most likely, anklelength prairie dresses or red tunics with white bonnets because pants draw men’s attention to a woman’s “creative sanctuary.”

We’re all really drunk now.

Four days after the report, Joseph Harroz, dean of OU College of Law, announced in a letter to the “OU Law Community” that McCall had voluntarily resigned his administrative duties.

“The OU College of Law is a place of inclusion,” Harroz wrote. “Beyond ensuring the college is free from illegal

harassment or discrimination, the college must prepare tomorrow’s leaders — our students — for the world in which they will serve. It would be a disservice to them if we did not provide an educational experience that presents diverse subject matter, encourages thoughtful conversation and debate, and prepares them to practice in an increasingly diverse world.”

In that “increasingly diverse world,” McCall is a member of the International Fatima Rosary Crusade and a contributor to The Remnant newspaper, two organizations identified by Southern Poverty Law Center as hate groups for their Holocaust denial and a cornucopia of anti-gay and pro-Mel Gibson ideas.

Despite his resignation from his administrative jobs, McCall is still a law professor at OU and still a visage from one of Margaret Atwood’s nightmares. Therefore, CFN calls for all OU law students, men and women, to wear the tightest pants possible in McCall’s classes. All creative sanctuaries should be free.

THINK PINK. PTC and Susan G. Komen are teaming up to raise $15,000.

From October 8–20, visit PTCentral.org to donate and enter to win prizes.

Join us at Race for the Cure on October 20.

| PTCentral.org | 866.866.3893

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | O C TO B E R 3 , 2 0 1 8

11

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145th & N. PENNSYLVANIA

EAT & DRINK

REVIEW

Mi Tierra is located at 3043 NW 16th St. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

Honduran flavor

Mi Tierra offers a delicious taste of Central American food not found elsewhere in the city.

By Jacob Threadgill

Mi Tierra Restaurant Sabor Catracho 3043 NW 16th St. 405-839-8051 WHAT WORKS: Fried green plantains are like a cross between potato chip and french fry.

WHAT NEEDS WORK: The chicken was slightly overcooked.

TIP: Get traditional seafood stew on the weekends.

As I’m driving around Oklahoma City, I’m always looking for small and unassuming restaurants because not everyone can afford over-the-top marketing efforts.

I’m just as likely to enjoy a meal in a restaurant connected to a gas station as I am going to one with incessant television advertisements. I can feel a tinge of excitement when I notice a new restaurant, especially when it’s offering a type of cuisine not already highlighted in the metro area.

I first noticed Mi Tierra Restaurant Sabor Catracho, 3043 NW 16th St., a few months ago while traveling east along 16th Street after an afternoon of looking for deals at consignment and antique shops.

Since OKC’s city limits are so large and I’m still a relatively new resident (I celebrated a year with Oklahoma Gazette in July), I took the scenic route one afternoon.

I enjoyed a long drive along 16th Street mostly because I’ve heard the tale about the development and gentrification of the Plaza District, so I wanted to get a sense of what the area looked like before it became the hot new spot for developers.

I was intrigued to find that there were patches along the street that felt like I was out in the country. Large yards

with big animals and overgrown vegetation around neighborhood churches gave me flashbacks to driving down county roads in Mississippi, but I was still very much in OKC city limits.

As urban sprawl became more apparent, passing through the Royal Oaks neighborhood and advancing closer to the Plaza District, I noticed Mi Tierra at the intersection of 16th Street and N. Drexel Boulevard because it advertised Honduran cuisine.

It must’ve been serendipity because a few weeks later, a caller to the office implored me to check out the restaurant.

“The food is excellent, and the staff is very friendly,” she said. “We’ve enjoyed everything we’ve tried.”

Located in a small space formerly occupied by Taqueria La Mejor, Mi Tierra is adjacent to a Guatemalan convenience store and the Latin market El Mariachi.

In the weeks since my first visit, the restaurant has played up its Honduran roots by adding the country’s flag to t he w indows because you don’t want to be confused for another taqueria. In fact, there are no tacos on the menu at Mi Tierra.

The closest taco ana-

logue is the baleada, which is a street food staple and popular breakfast item in Honduras. It’s an oversized flour tortilla stuffed with refried beans, cheese and sour cream to which avocado, eggs and meat can be added.

I began my first visit to Mi Tierra with a standard baleada and very much enjoyed the obviously fresh flour tortilla that gave me very strong sense memories of eating fresh tortillas made by my mom, except the baleada is much larger — the size of a tortilla used for an oversized burritos, but instead folded horizontally like a quesadilla.

I could eat a version with eggs for breakfast every day, but unfortunately, Mi Tierra doesn’t open until 11 a.m. The restaurant does offer desayuno tipico ($10.50), a large collection of fried sweet plantains with avocado, Honduran cheese, eggs and refried black beans.

Much of Mi Tierra’s menu is variations of your choice of meat with fried

green plantains, which differ from the yellow variety by being much less sweet and holding firm after being fried instead of becoming mushy.

Customers can pair fried chicken, pork, ground beef, chicharron (fresh pork rinds), yucca root and steak with the green plantains. It offers fried chicken and pork as standard and special varieties for an extra dollar that includes additional sides like cabbage with salsa and the meat covered in a variety of sauces.

For my main entrée, it was very hard to ignore the special fried chicken ($10.75, $11.25 for white meat) because everyone one around me was ordering it. It’s a pretty good rule of thumb that if all of the other customers are ordering the same thing, you shouldn’t break the trend.

The chicken arrived in less than 20 minutes and was piping-hot. It was covered in a crema-based sauce with a translucent glow of hot sauce underneath, but the freshly fried skin retained its crispy texture under the slightly sour sauce. I liked the marinade on the chicken and had much more depth of flavor than my one previous encounter with pollo con tajadas. I was happy to see the restaurant eschewed a pink sauce that is basically ketchup and mayonnaise in favor of the crema-based one.

The real star was the fried green plantains. Much different than tostones, the green variety was firm and crispy without being sweet. It felt like eating a cross between a potato chip and a french fry.

The restaurant isn’t very big, less than 10 tables, and you might have to park in the market across the street, but it’s worth seeking out if you’re in the mood for something other than Tex-Mex. I’m a sucker for a well-made pupusas and will be back to sample its take on the dish in addition to the sopa de carcoal.

Pollo con tajadas tops fried green plantains with fried chicken and serves sides of beans, cabbage and pickled onions. | Photo Jacob Threadgill O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | O C TO B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 8

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F E AT U R E

EAT & DRINK

Fast pasta

By offering affordable and eclectic pasta, Pasta 2 Go aims to fill a takeout void in Oklahoma City market. By Jacob Threadgill

With extensive experience in fast food and fast-casual concepts both here in the United States and the Middle East, entrepreneur Bassam Saleh moved to Oklahoma City about a year ago and immediately began surveying the city to look for a void in the restaurant market.

While going through school in the U.S., Saleh started out delivering pizza for Domino’s, worked for Godfather’s Pizza in many different aspects and eventually became a restaurant general manager in the Kansas City area with over 60 restaurants under his leadership. Then Saleh returned to his native Kuwait, where he continued to strengthen his restaurant experience.

I looked around and saw that burgers are everywhere.

Same with pizza and chicken. The only thing missing here is pasta.

Bassam Saleh “From the day I graduated to now, I’ve worked in a lot of restaurants. I started from the bottom; I’ve done everything,” Saleh said.

He followed his sister Heyam to Oklahoma City about a year ago and began to look for a restaurant opportunity.

“I looked around and saw that burgers are everywhere. Same with pizza and chicken. The only thing missing here is pasta,” Saleh said.

Saleh opened Pasta 2 Go in a former barbershop converted into a kitchen at 7755 W. Hefner Road in April, with a focus on takeout pasta. Saleh is helped in the kitchen by his two sons Shadi and Omar and wife Lina, who makes sauces fresh each day.

The numeral “2” was included in the name because originally, they offered two pasta dishes for the price of one, but have had to refocus their business model with an eye toward profitability.

They now offer two pasta dishes for $10 every Tuesday. Saleh said that he hopes to bring back the two-for-one deal before the end of the year.

“We’ve improved our sales,” Saleh said. “It’s going to take time. For any business, you have to wait for a year.

The reaction I’ve gotten from people is that they like the food and the portions are good. The prices are good. It’s just a matter of time.”

Pasta 2 Go’s most popular dishes are 14

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the classics: chicken Alfredo ($7.99), spaghetti with meatballs ($7.99) and lasagna ($7.99). Spaghetti or Alfredo are offered in baked or stovetop preparations, as the pasta finishes cooking in the sauce.

Saleh said that when customers come into the store for the first time, they tend to stick to what they know but are more willing to explore the menu upon subsequent trips. Combinations like the prawn and mushroom spaghetti ($8.99) and spicy chicken ($6.99) that pairs red sauce, choice of pasta, chicken and Thai chili and Gambretti, a dish with red sauce, cream, choice of pasta with shrimp, oregano, artichoke and black pepper ($8.99), have been some of the most popular nontraditional items on the menu.

Stay focused

Pasta 2 Go also has a few sandwiches in the menu, including a gyro, two grilled chicken sandwiches and a meatball, but its main focus is pasta.

“If you sell chicken like KFC, I’ll buy chicken from you, but if they start selling pasta or pizza, I won’t,” Saleh said. “If you are an expert in one field, stick with it. That’s what I try to do. I know you can go to Domino’s or Pizza Hut and get a lasagna or simple pasta.

Here, we h a v e more than 20

options. I’m trying to add more and more to the menu.”

A build-your-own pasta option expands choices on the menu by allowing customers to choose from three pasta types ( fusilli, penne and linguine) three toppings and sauces that include marinara, Alfredo and pink (a mixture of the two). The country bake pasta with chicken, bell peppers, sauce and cheese with the addition of jalapeños became such a popular build-your-own option that it will be added to the menu full-time.

Baked spicy chicken sausage in a takeout container from Pasta 2 Go. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

At an affordable price, Pasta 2 Go doesn’t use fresh pasta made in-house in order to focus on consistency.

“I don’t want to mess with making our own,” Saleh said. “I can do it, but I run the risk one day won’t be as good as another and then I might run out.”

Unfortunately, meatballs are not freshly made, which is the tradeoff for an affordable price, but all of Pasta 2 Go’s sauces are prepared by its all-inthe-family staff.

“It’s a unique concept, and we’re completely a family-owned business,” Saleh said. “It’s fun to work with my wife and sons. I like Oklahoma a lot. I’ve lived in a lot of other states, and I think this is the best place for a family.”

Saleh has many future plans for Pasta 2 Go, including adding to its dessert and appetizer menu, while also wanting to add a family meal that would have multiple containers to try different types of pasta. He also has his eyes set on another location called Pizza 2 Go, which he will focus on in 2019.

Pasta 2 Go delivers within a two-mile radius but also has delivery options through mobile apps like GrubHub and Postmates.

Visit okpasta2go.com.

Lina, Shadi and Omar Saleh run Pasta 2 Go along with Bassam Saleh. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

F E AT U R E

Soulful vegan

Chef-driven Health Koncious wants to make your holiday meals delicious and nutritious.

By Jacob Threadgill

Oklahoma City chef Nicole Asali is fully aware of the preconceived notions surrounding a plant-based diet.

Asali, a culinary arts graduate from Francis Tuttle Technology Center and chef at Oak Tree National, founded the vegan soul food meal planning company Health Koncious about two years ago.

“I wanted to see if it was possible to have a [plant-based] lifestyle and not have it taste like tree bark,” Asali said.

“I went through this journey and had a whole new way of looking at food and fell in love with food in a completely different way.”

In advance of the holiday season, Health Koncious wants to make sure meals in the months of November and December will be both delicious and nutritious. For November, the delivery service is offering a family feast that includes a lentil loaf, Cajun seitan bites, green bean casserole, candied yams, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, collard greens with black-eyed peas, baked macaroni and cheese, coconut cabbage and a choice of either fresh yeast rolls or cornbread.

“I don’t know how most people’s holidays are, but we have a feast at our house. We easily spend 400-plus dollars on our food,” Asali said.

A full family feast plan is enough food to serve at least 20 people, and its $339.99 cost can be made over payments, Asali said, but Health Koncious offers multiple meal sizes all the way down to a single meal with either a lentil loaf or seitan bites, two sides and bread for $21.25 (delivery in OKC included).

Asali’s journey to a plant-based diet began while helping a friend battle the A Health Koncious plate featuring Cajun seitan bites, candied yams, collard greens, macaroni and cheese and cornbread. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

autoimmune disease lupus. Her friend asked if she could prep meals based around the stringent alkaline diet.

“I realized that even though I was a chef, I didn’t know much about food in general and what it does to your body,” she said. “What is good and bad for you?

There are so many idiosyncrasies to know what you should eat and how you should eat. We ate salads for three days and gave up.”

Her friend died due to complications from the disease a few months later, and it sparked Asali to learn more about plant-based cooking.

“I was serving her death bed because it was comforting,” she said. “Food is where we go when we’re going through something like that. I decided that I wanted to play with it more. … I just wanted people to be interested in a lifestyle change. I think it has a really bad rap, especially in the AfricanAmerican community, where if you talk about not eating meat, that’s blasphemy if you’re not putting ham hock in your collard greens.”

Asali replaces the ham hock with either black-eyed or purple whole peas because she liked the way its natural umami flavor mimicked ham in the greens.

Health Koncious’ candied yams are coconut oil-based, but based on a technique used by h e r grand-

mother. The yams are stewed with maple syrup and amber agave on low heat until the mixture reduces down into almost a compote texture but gets a nice caramelization on the bottom.

Seitan is protein-dense wheat dough that has been removed of starch and been used as a meat substitute for more than a thousand years. A 100-gram serving of seitan has 75 grams of protein, 150 percent of the recommended daily intake. Asali is sure to pack her Cajun seitan bites with plenty of nutrient-rich organic herbs and spices from Savory Spice Shop, 4400 N. Western Ave. “[Seitan] can usually mask the texture, but the flavor is usually missing in the food [in other preparations]. It blows my mind because seasonings are great for you,” Asali said, noting that capsaicin found in cayenne pepper and other chili-based spices has a va-riety of health benefits, including a boost to metabolism and blood vessels.

With Hea lth Koncious, Asali hosts pop-up dinners and cooking demonstrations and does educational outreach to children.

One of her favorite activities is to demonstrate to

Nicole Asali founded plant-based soul food service Health Koncious two years ago. | Photo provided

children how to make vegan cheese sauce made from fermented almonds, nutritional yeast and other spices.

“I remember we made the lasagna and some of the kids didn’t even put it in the oven before they starting eating the cheese sauce,” Asali said. “A little girl goes, ‘It’s actually really good,’ so they’re dipping zucchini in cheese sauce and some of them were drinking the cheese sauce.”

After the holidays, Asali said that Health Koncious is aiming to be able to ship its weekly meals through FedEx to cut down on personal delivery routes from her team of drivers that have had to serve a growing clientele.

She said she gained a lot of potential clients after appearing at September’s inaugural OKC VegFest.

“VegFest was a huge impact,” she said, noting that more people — especially those in the millennial generation — are adopting a “flexitarian” diet and eating vegan multiple days per week.

“Sometimes you doubt if there is a demographic in Oklahoma, and the VegFest proved that there is a huge demand for it. … Most of my clientele aren’t [full-time] vegans. It’s people trying to transition, people who have diabetic problems, thyroid problems.”

Asali said that the hardest part of transitioning to a plant-based diet comes in the first few weeks, but slowly, the body begins to crave new types of food.

“My mind had shifted,” she said. “I would want a big ol’ plate of greens before I would want a big brontosaurus [steak]. I’m not a militant vegan. I just want people to be open to it or to go vegan three days of the week.”

Visit healthkonciousokc.com.

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | O C TO B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 8

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F E AT U R E

EAT & DRINK

“Kerry Ipema’s smart, hilarious sendup is more than a night of fandom – it’s a love letter to female relationships.”

— Los Angeles Daily News

New beginnings

Chae Café carries the rest of Chae Modern Korean’s legacy to a new independent eatery on Western Avenue. By Jacob Threadgill

After Chae Modern Korean surprisingly closed its highly successful 23rd Street location in April, fans were excited to see the restaurant’s popular oxtail soup and bibimbap appear on the menu at Ur/bun, also opened by Daniel Chae.

Now, Chae is bringing the rest of Chae Modern Korean’s menu to newly independent Chae Café, 7300 Western Ave., which breaks free from the All About Cha franchise in order to focus on all-day brunch and highlighting local purveyors.

We wanted to be able to keep up with everyone else, especially in the Western Avenue District.

Daniel Chae

8 p.m. Oct. 18-20 Fairgrounds Talkback with the artist after each performance

Buy tickets now: okcontemp.org. oklahomacontemporary.org | 405 951 0000 | @okcontemporary 3000 General Pershing Blvd. | Oklahoma City, OK 73107

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O C TO B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 8 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

The decision to close Chae Modern Korean was a difficult one for Chae, but it came as he and his wife were expecting their third child — their first in 10 years — and he announced a bid for Oklahoma County treasurer.

“People are really confused with our business decisions in a lot of ways, but I’m like this weirdo that is running for office, closing a really successful restaurant and also opening one,” Chae said with a laugh while seated in the new Chae space that is sporting a fresh coat of paint.

“It’s a constant evolution of what kind of life you want for yourself. I’m finding a better pace. When Chae [Modern Korean] closed, I got a good chunk of my schedule back that my family values.”

Chae Café is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and very well might be the only restaurant in the city offering everyday brunch items deep into the evening. Chae said that while operating his All About Cha location, he often heard from customers that they wanted more savory food options. He said the move from franchise to independent allows them to focus on small-batch locally made products rather than depending on a large supplier.

Big Oak Kombucha, KLLR Coffee, Signature Bakery and Heritage Grains Bread Company are among the Oklahoma City businesses highlighted in the cafe, which will add selected retail items available for purchase in the coming weeks.

“It is a dog-eat-dog world in the restaurant business,” Chae said. “You have to constantly evolve, and a franchise can’t pivot as quickly as an independent because there is a lot of coordinating involved. We wanted to be able to keep up with everyone else, especially in the Western Avenue District, where you have a lot of different restaurants opening up.”

Chae thinks he has found a niche in the market by offering late-night brunch items in addition to salads, wraps, sandwiches and tacos.

“It’s clear that brunch and breakfast is really hot right now,” Chae said. “Cafes will never go out of style. You mix the

EATERY & COCKTAIL OFFICE @ THE UNION

Poke at Chae Café tops either fish, spicy chicken or beef with Chae sauce. | Photo Alexa Ace

whole aspect with cafes and brunch.

While you see a ton of brunch concepts opening up downtown and in Midtown, there are only a handful on Western Avenue. … I’m really excited because you can’t get our dishes anywhere else. You can’t get Korean short rib Benedict anywhere else.”

The short rib Benedict is one of fives types on the menu, which is also highlighted by sandwiches served on housemade brioche bread and menu items that get a Korean twist.

Potato pancakes are stuffed with kimchi and topped with a bacon cream sauce. Biscuits and gravy is Chae Café’s take on the popular Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuit topped with pork belly gravy infused with kimchi. A poke bowl is available with tuna or salmon in traditional Japanese and Hawaiian preparation, but The California roll sandwich is served on housemade brioche bread. | Photo Alexa Ace

it can also be ordered with Korean spicy chicken or beef.

The poke is topped with Chae Sauce, which is the sweet, spicy and savory Korean chili paste gochujang cut with other secret ingredients to temper the spice and bring out savory aspects.

“People used to buy it in quarts [at Chae Modern Korean], and it’s also really great as a dipping sauce for home fries,” Chae said of his namesake sauce.

A DMZ Waffle (a nod to the Korean Demilitarized Zone) is a savory waffle topped with fried chicken, kimchi pork belly gravy and an egg.

“It’s probably one of the heartiest dishes in the entire city. That’s a lot to say in Oklahoma,” Chae said.

The brioche bread is highlighted in the French toast and a few sandwiches, including the California roll sandwich, which pairs imitation crab with avocado, housemade coleslaw and cucumber.

Chae was able to retain the bulk of his kitchen staff from Chae Modern Korean.

Two chefs work at Ur/bun while Nguyen Nguyen manages the Chae Café kitchen alongside Chae’s family members.

He said that during the day, Chae Café will have more of a counter-service restaurant feel, but it will transition to more of a cafe throughout the day, as baristas turn out lattes made with organic ingredients and other specialty coffee drinks.

“It is exciting to spend a little bit more on local and 100 percent organic products and to make it part of our new cafe,” Chae said.

A lavender latte is infused with housemade syrup made with organic flowers, and green tea matcha white chocolate chip cookies are an impulse item by the register.

“We want to continue what we did at Chae [Modern Korean] by doing traditional dishes and a hint of Korean flavors in an atmosphere that is very relaxing,” Chae said. “Students can come in and stay late without ordering food. They can order a coffee and study late.”

Visit instagram.com/chaeokc.

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Sat & Sun • 11am – 4pm $3 Mimosas >>>>>>>> 616 N. 5th St, Oklahoma City, OK 405.601.2857 | theunionokc.com M-W 11a-10p | Th-Sat 11-Midnight or Later | Sun 11a-9p

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17

GAZEDIBLES

EAT & DRINK

Gluten mindfulness

Although full-on celiac disease affects about 200,000 new cases every year in the country, there are many more that are gluteninsensitive. These seven restaurants not only make gluten-free substitutions on the menu, they have more than one option.

By Jacob Threadgill with photos by Alexa Ace and provided

Elemental Coffee Roasters 815 N. Hudson Ave. elementalcoffee.com | 405-633-1703

In addition to being one of the most relaxing hangout spots in the city, Elemental has one of the kitchens that other chefs in the city are known to frequent. All seven of its signature sandwiches can be ordered on fresh gluten-free bread and corn tortillas.

Kitchen at Commonplace Books

1325 N. Walker Ave., Suite 138 commonplacebooksokc.com/kitchen 405-534-4540

The menu at the new kitchen connected to Commonplace Books is simple and tasty. It offers five types of sweet and savory toast options served on gluten-free bread upon request. It also serves New Mexico-sourced polenta for both sweet and savory options like the chile and garlic polenta topped with a sous-vide egg.

Green Goodies

5840 N. Classen Blvd. greengoodiesokc.com | 405-842-2288

While most bakeries might be off-limits to those with dietary restrictions, Green Goodies makes sure to cover all of its bases by offering vegan, gluten-free and classic versions of most of its sweet treats. Be sure to get there early in the morning to check out its daily rotating menu of gluten-free cinnamon rolls.

We’re like a local, online version of ‘Schoolhouse Rock.’

(Minus all the catchy songs)

A P U B L I C S E R V I C E J O U R N A L I S M C O L L A B O R AT I O N

OklahomaEngaged.com

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Native Roots Market

Stone Sisters Pizza Bar

Waffle Champion

Chick N Beer

More than just a market, Native Roots offers 10 sandwiches that can be ordered on its fresh gluten-free bread. It offers tasty chicken and tuna salad in addition to classics like turkey and roast beef while a vegetarian hummus will be sure to give you the protein you need without weighing you down.

Thanks to the ancient grain sprouted spelt, which is processed by the body like a vegetable carbohydrate, Stone Sisters is able to offer all of its intriguing pizzas on gluten-free crust. You can also find its signature crust at Nebu. The Thanks Gramps pizza tops the sprouted spelt crust with green apple slaw and pulled chicken.

Everyone’s favorite Midtown brunch destination is more than brunch, having recently expanded its hours for dinner, and it’s also more than simply a wheatheavy indulgence. Any of its signature waffles and waffle sandwiches are available to be ordered in a gluten-free version, but it’s hard to go wrong with a classic like bacon, egg and cheese.

Thanks to the use of potato flour, the traditional bone-in double-fried wings at this Uptown 23rd District eatery are friendly for those with a gluten intolerance, and the same goes for its fries and pickles.

Seven of its 13 sauces are gluten-free, as noted by a symbol on the menu, so there is nothing stopping you from enjoying the tasty yellow curry or honey lemon pepper.

131 NE Second St. nativerootsmarket.com 405-310-6300

2124 N. Broadway Ave. stonesisterspizza.com | 405-609-6599

1212 N. Walker Ave., Suite 100 wafflechampion.com | 405-525-9235

715 NW 23rd St. chicknbeerokc.com | 405-604-6995

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Book Festival

STUDENTS ATTEMPTED SUICIDE last year.

Doing what’s right isn’t always what’s easiest. But as part of the United Way of Central Oklahoma, you’re not afraid of these questions. You’re part of the answer.

Raise your hand and stand with us.

Give today at

StandUnitedOKC.com

Boathouse District Oklahoma City

October 20 2018

10am–5pm Kim Ventrella

Come one, come all to Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District for a fun-filled day celebrating books!

The day will feature more than 50 authors from around the nation, plus panel discussions, presentations, story time and crafts activities, food trucks, and more! Oklahoma’s inaugural Book Festival is completely free to attend!

Brad McLelland

Oklahoma of Department

Libraries Laurie Williams

Attorney

Alexandra Ott 20

O C TO B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 8 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

klahoma

Center for the Book

Best of Books Bob Burke

Inasmuch Foundation

Chickasaw Nation

Love’s

Friends of the Oklahoma Center for the Book

News 9 The Oklahoman

Jayne Jayroe Gamble

Pioneer Library System

Oklahoma Gazette

okbookfest.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 FATHER JOHN MISTY

10.11.18

COLONY HOUSE

10.19.18

JONESTOBERFEST

10.20.18

ST. LUCIA

10.25.18

ANDY GRAMMER

10.28.18

HIPPO CAMPUS

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Curious Jad

Radiolab host Jad Abumrad headlines Oklahoma Humanities’ first-ever Curiosity Fest. By Jeremy Martin

Not knowing can make you feel sick, but maybe that isn’t a bad thing.

Jad Abumrad, creator and cohost of award-winning National Public Radio program and podcast Radiolab, is scheduled to make that argument when he delivers his multimedia presentation Gut Churn at Oklahoma Humanities’ inaugural Curiosity Fest, which features lectures and performances from educators, authors and artists 11 a.m.9:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. Gut Churn describes the physical discomfort that can come with uncertainty. Abumrad said he first heard the phrase after realizing he was altering Radiolab’s origin story in interviews to make the program’s beginnings seem easier than they were.

“I found that I would tell stories about the genesis of Radiolab that were total bullshit,” Abumrad said, “making it seem much more planned out and thought through than it actually was. So I called up Michael Elsesser, who was the guy who really gave me the break, and he cooked up the idea for the show with me, and I asked him, because I honestly couldn’t remember at this point, ‘What do you remember about the beginning?

The very beginning, how did it happen?’ and there was about a 10-second pause, and then he just said ‘Gut churn. That’s what I remember. Just not knowing what we were doing, how we were going to pay for it, all of these questions that we had no answer to, and we just had to sit there with a queasy, uncertain feeling.’ When he said that, it really stuck in my head. …

Those two words really capture pretty much the entire crazy journey of Radiolab. I was sort of haunted by those words.”

The phrase inspired Abumrad to investigate t he con nec t ion between the pain of not knowing and the creative drive in a kaleidoscopic examination familiar to listeners of Radiolab, which examines subjects from art, science and politics from

multiple angles and perspectives.

“In my talk, what I end up doing is sort of telling the story of my own journey, but also sort of thinking about, on a larger level, the role of uncertainty,” Abumrad said. “How do you sort of dance with doubt? And when is doubt a good thing and when is it a bad thing?

How do other people think of doubt? …

I’ve always felt there’s something a little bit too teeth-gnashy about my own process, and I wanted to get to a different place and a different sort of relationship to those feelings, which might simply lead to an understanding that they’re necessary.”

Ring bearer

Though Abumrad began producing radio documentaries in 2002, he said his most memorable experience with gut churn came in 2004. While he was stressed out about what he feared was his show’s imminent cancelation, his producers at radio station WNYC had him put together a show on composer Richard Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle, a project that intimidated and annoyed him.

“At this point, I had no choice; I was like, ‘Yeah, OK, I’ll do it,’” Abumrad recalled.

“Radiolab was about to disappear, and I think sort of the unspoken thing was, ‘Maybe if you do a good job on this, we’ll talk.’ And I had no idea of anything about Wagner or the Ring Cycle, and I said yes. The Ring Cycle is a fricking 20-hour marathon of an opera with, like, 60 characters encompassing thousands of years of mythology, and Wagner threw everything into this opera. He threw in all of literature and art.

Everything is in this stupid cycle of operas, and suddenly I was faced with the task of condensing t h a t into one hour of radio. I just could

not figure out how to do it … and I was being edited by an opera buff, a woman from the American Wagner Association — why would she be my editor, for Christ’s sake?

But somehow, she was. I could not make them happy, and I could not make myself happy. … There was a point at which I hadn’t slept in, like, three days, and I went to my boss and I was like, ‘You’ve got to give me more time.’ And he was like, ‘No. I can’t. You’ve blown it. You’ve blown it all.

I know you haven’t slept, but you can’t sleep till this is done.’ I just pushed myself right to the wall, and physically, it was horrible.”

How do you sort of dance with doubt?

And when is doubt a good thing and when is it a bad thing?

How do other people think of doubt?

Jad Abumrad Despite the physical and emotional drain producing “The Ring & I” caused Abumrad, he said he developed the format people now associate with Radiolab in the process.

“But the weird thing is that, for me, was very much the turning point,” Abumrad said. “I just kind of figured it all out. I don’t know if it had to be that painful in order for me to figure things out, but it was just crazy. I have a really weird relationship to that memory because I feel like a sense of allergic resistance to how hard that was, but at the same time, I feel a fondness because that was when I really figured out who I was on the radio.”

Abumrad’s memories of the experience aren’t entirely pleasant, but discomfort is sometimes a necessary part of the process of discovery.

Radiolab cohost Jad Abumrad is scheduled to deliver his multimedia presentation Gut Churn at the inaugural Curiosity Fest Oct. 20 at Civic Center Music Hall. | Photo Lizzy Johnston / provided

Musical duo Adam and Kizzie will discuss the roots of African-American music and present examples. | Photo provided

“This is the part where I feel like the pain is important,” Abumrad said.

“There’s this concept in therapy called the self-transcending structure. You build a structure that allows you to escape yourself and grow and become a new self. And I feel like the stories are these self-transcending structures. If you commit to them to such a degree, at the end of it, you are different. You are changed. There’s something very anti-internet about the process we go through.”

Wonderstruck

While the abundance of readily available information online can make finding answers less stressful, Abumrad said, it can also discourage people from seeking out more than a superficial understanding.

“It is easier to feel like you’ve satisfied your curiosity,” Abumrad said. “But there’s a difference between cheap wonder and earned wonder. I feel like it’s really easy these days to get cheap wonder, inexpensive wonder, inexpensive curiosity. It’s like, ‘Oh, I’ll see what Google says,’ and you kind of search it up and get to a cool fact, and you’re like ‘Wow,’ and then you can just kind of move on. So it’s really easy to get that feeling of surface-level knowing, surface-level awe. I think about that subconsciously a lot. … Are we trafficking right now in cheap wonder or in hardearned wonder?”

Visit okhumanities.org/curiosityfest.

Curiosity Fest 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Oct. 20 Civic Center Music Hall 201 N. Walker Ave. okhumanities.org/curiosityfest | 405-235-0280 $20-$100

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ARTS & CULTURE

ART

“The Death of Chatterton” by Henry Wallis | Image Oklahoma City Museum of Art / Birmingham Museums Trust / provided

Radical art

An exhibit at OKCMOA explores the ways the Pre-Raphaelites brought color and sincerity to art in the 19th century. By Joshua Blanco

On Saturday, Oklahoma City Museum of Art opens Victorian Radicals: From the Pre-Raphaelites to the Arts and Crafts Movement, its latest display featuring works from as early as the mid1800s. The display highlights a period of significant artistic transition and includes several works never seen outside Birmingham, England.

As Great Britain led the world as a global epicenter of industrialization in the mid-1700s, several of its people were beginning to ponder the social implications they witnessed unfolding before their eyes well into the mid-1800s. Among them were three young artists who, in a time of smoke-ridden factories and mechanistic artistic approaches, dreamed of bringing life to a world that appeared to be losing its expressive freedom.

In 1848, they founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a sort of artist co-op comprised of a group of seven men who, inspired by the ideals of Romanticism, understood the importance in the relationship between nature, beauty and art.

“They’re sort of the hippies of the era,” Oklahoma City Museum of Art marketing and A claret jug designed by John Hardman Powell, manufactured by John Hardman & Co. | Photo Oklahoma City Museum of Art / Birmingham Museums Trust / provided

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communications associate Jessica Valentine said. “They were questioning the new industrial era that was being introduced to them.”

“This is really an important point, [as their goal was to] go back to simpler ways, closer to nature,” museum coordination coordinator Roja Najafi said.

The name was chosen based on their preference for the works that came before Raphael, which, among other creative elements, involved rich, vibrant color schemes. Paintings from that era also seemed to preserve a sense of sincerity, a quality the Pre-Raphaelites found particularly attractive.

The combination of Romanticism, color and sincerity are thoroughly expressed in their paintings, especially those involving women. Many of these girls, representative of a heroine, are colored with a melancholic countenance having “some kind of a romantic, sad tragedy that is happening to her,” Najafi said.

Many of the models who posed for the original Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood painters later became artists themselves.

Some of this work will be displayed at the upcoming event.

In one of Najafi’s favorite paintings, “Beauty and the Beast,” the beast’s representation alongside the woman demonstrates a distinctive blend of qualities that she describes as “violent but tame.”

“They are really a funky group of artists,” she said. “They still do all the subject matters from landscape to historic painting to religious painting as other painters do, but they do it in a different way.”

Contrasting colors

The ways in which these artists differ from others of their time will be clearly demonstrated for those who attend the

museum’s exhibit. In the first section, all displays will be dedicated to the art before the advent of the Pre-Raphaelites.

The second section will demonstrate their impact, offering a sharp contrast to the time preceding their own.

“When you go to the second section, you see the difference. You don’t need to know; you just feel the colors,” Najafi said, describing the exhibit’s layout.

“They came and broke the barriers that the Royal Art Academy had established for a long, long time.”

In doing so, they inspired generations to come. As a tribute to those who followed closely the path of the PreRaphaelite Brotherhood, the display will also include works by well-known figures within the Arts and Crafts Movement and William Morris and his associates.

144 different objects from the Brotherhood and those they influenced come together in a massive presentation encapsulating the avant-garde artistry manifested throughout the Victorian period. But these objects are not limited to paintings alone.

“Before, the status of a painting and a sculpture was much higher than decorative art. But these Arts and Crafts movements, they decide … there is no hierarchy in the art world,” Najafi recalled. “They are one in the same, and they have to find this unity.”

In addition to the paintings the PreRaphaelites produced over the course of their lives, these subsequent movements and the ideas they inspired were, at their time, considered nothing short of radical.

“Their ideas are very radical. They have the first artistic commune in England, in a way,” Najafi said. “Cool things are happening at the time in France, but these guys don’t care. Before Impressionists go outdoors and actually paint outdoors, these guys go outdoors and paint outdoors. But, you know, our history books sort of overlook them.”

Accessible art

Those interested in learning how their ideas shaped the artistic landscape that was to come are welcome to attend Julie Codell’s lecture Being a Radical Artist in Victorian England 6 p.m. Dec. 5.

Codell, professor of art history at Arizona State University, plans to discuss, “What it means for an artist to be radical or avant-garde in the Victorian period and perhaps the difference in the meaning of these terms then and now.”

“I want to help [attendees] not only to understand the exhibition but also to enjoy it as part of their art history education while they are in school,” she said. “I hope what they learn will inspire them later in their adult lives to become regular museumgoers.”

Considering the size of the exhibit, Oklahoma City seems like a great place for Codell to impart her wisdom. Najafi cites it as the largest event she has been involved with in the entirety of her cu-

ratorial career.

Fortunately, the steps leading up to the final presentation of the artists’ work have been running smoothly.

“That’s one of our museum’s missions, to bring things and make them accessible and available for our own community and for our own city,” Najafi said. “People have to travel a long way to see this in Birmingham, and we are very proud to be the first venue in the United States that is doing that.”

According to Michael Anderson, director of curatorial affairs at Oklahoma City Museum of Art, logistics seem to be the only real challenge his team has faced, mainly due to the fact that there are several pieces, all of which are being shipped from overseas.

“Musica” by Kate Bunce | Image Oklahoma City Museum of Art / Birmingham Museums Trust / provided

All is in working order, and he looks forward to the upcoming opening. “[I want people to] see the 19th century and its art in a whole new way, not the stodgy Victorian visual culture and morals with which we have long associated that period,” he said. “What’s so exciting about this exhibition is that it argues persuasively that these were the first modern artists in Britain and that they created a very different modern art, one that reflected the values of younger, bohemian generations. In many respects, I feel like Victorian Radicals is the perfect exhibition for our own time, of a century of enormous technological transformations and of younger generations who most face, negotiate and even stand in opposition to these changes.”

Visit okcmoa.com.

Victorian Radicals: From the Pre-Raphaelites to the Arts and Crafts Movement Saturday-Jan. 6 Oklahoma City Museum of Art 415 Couch Drive okcmoa.com | 405-236-3100 Free-$12

ART

Funny books Comic book artist and ambassador Jerry Bennett was awarded a one-year residency at The Skirvin Hilton Hotel to promote sequential art.

By Charles Martin

Jerry Bennett’s boisterous and bellowing laugh is a whale song within the region’s comic book community, guiding fans through perilous mobs of cosplayers and pop culture completionists packed into sprawling convention spaces. Armed with a print wall of whimsical, referential mashups from movies, comics and cartoons as well as a silver, bushy beard of local legend, Bennett has been steadily building a career through collaborations with other comic creators and hundreds of appearances at conventions, art shows and comic book shop events.

Bennett’s tireless work was recently rewarded by Paseo Arts Association and The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City when he received the 2018-19 Skirvin Paseo Artist Creativity Exposition (SPACE) on-site residency. The SPACE acronym will no doubt appear in the comic vignettes

that the admitted sci-fi fanatic will be creating in the year to come.

“My plans have completely changed since I got the artist residency,” Bennett said before being startled by his elderly cat hissing at an encroaching gang of kittens that had recently infested his home office.

Bennett’s resulting laugh frightened and dispersed the kittens to neighboring rooms while the older and wiser tomcat simply rose his head to Bennett in knowing appreciation before settling back to sleep.

“I really want to level up my game as far as gallery work is concerned,” Bennett said.

Trained as a fine artist, one of his early passions was pointillism, a technique using only small dots to create large-scale works. The slow, careful

process gave him an appreciation for detail that would serve him well later.

After college, Bennett said he was a week away from moving to San Diego, California, to pursue a career at The Walt Disney Company before fate intervened when the place he was moving into was suddenly not available anymore. He reassessed his options and decided to pursue comics instead in hopes that he would be afforded more creative freedom. Twenty-three years later, his love of pop culture and his classical training often merge in pieces like a beautifully detailed Swamp Thing and a Jennifer Connelly pointillism portrait using tiny bees instead of dots as a reference to the horror movie Creepers.

“Most of my work has to be digital right now, which is great and I love these tools, but I do want to stretch my skills creating comic book work with pen and ink,” Bennett said as he turned his attention back to his dual computer monitors showing early sketches of a comic book project. “I want to create comic stories that will be Oklahoma-centric, both fiction and nonfiction, and also do that with pen and ink. I’ve always wanted the time and opportunity to create more gallery work, and the Skirvin is going to throw me three receptions throughout the year to allow me to do just that.”

Like many other artists that went all-in on their careers, Bennett spends a significant amount of his time scrambling for freelance gigs, doing portrait work and commissions and creating licensed Topps sketch cards for The Walking Dead, Star Wars and Stranger Things. Bennett said the residency will allow him some breathing room so he can focus on his own stories and refine his creative method.

Panel discussion

This will be the seventh year for the ambitious collaboration between the historic Skirvin Hilton Hotel and Paseo Arts Association to promote the work of professional artists by providing a work and retail space. Diverse mediums have already been represented — encaustic art, portraiture, poetry and analog collage and resin pieces

by Marissa Raglin, who just wrapped up her residency in September. Executive director of PAA Amanda Bleakley said Bennett will be the first sequential artist represented in the SPACE residency.

“His artwork is very approachable.

There will be a mass appeal because it’s fun and immediately relatable,” Bleakley said. “It’s something that people can come in and experience, which is what the residency has been moving toward in the last few years.”

Bennett plans to offer workshops on character creation, layout and inking that will highlight the method behind the artistic and literary medium that is Jerry Bennett is the latest artist-in-residence at Skirvin Paseo Artist Creativity Exposition (SPACE) at The Skirvin Hilton Hotel Oklahoma City. | Photo Heather Bond / provided

often overlooked. But Bennett believes that is changing, and he attributes his residency partially to a wider acceptance for comics within the creative community.

“The fact that I’ve been able to do all these things, getting involved in the art community and being a part of gallery shows has given me the confidence to tell people how important the art of comics can be,” Bennett said. “Our comics culture has been really blossoming. We are seeing a lot of neat styles coming out of these grassroots efforts.

A lot of mid-level graphic novels are doing well right now because the creators are having to do a lot of work getting the book out there first in a webcomic or ’zine form and getting discovered that way.”

I want to create comic stories that will be Oklahomacentric, both fiction and nonfiction, and also do that with pen and ink.

Jerry Bennett Bennett’s work has also been seen in Okie Comics Magazine, a free print publication that can be picked up at libraries, restaurants and retail spaces throughout the metro area. Publisher and editor Jeff Provine has released three issues so far, with a fourth due in February. He is also a frequent collaborator with Bennett and admits to knowing the artist’s trademark laugh longer than he has known the man, having witnessed crowds drawn in by his exuberant spirit and relentless output which “makes jaws drop on the people walking by the ever-growing wall of prints he’s produced.”

For Okie Comics Magazine, Bennett and Provine have created stories about cowboys fighting a pteranodon on the Chisholm Trail and a giant possum wrecking downtown Oklahoma City in the 1960s as a reference to the disastrous urban renewal project known as the Pei Plan. They are currently laying the foundation for a retelling of the firstever Bedlam game.

“Jerry is important to the comics scene in Oklahoma through his talent, determination and friendliness,” Provine wrote in an email to Oklahoma Gazette. “He is truly a workhorse, one of the best guys I’ve ever met. He works incredibly hard to create good art, as he has done for years, representing not only himself but the whole spirit of the indie comics world. And on top of that, he has the biggest, sweetest heart of just about anyone, the kind of guy you want to see succeed in everything he does because he’s making the world a better place.”

Visit facebook.com/thejerrybennett and skirvinhilton.com.

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OKLAHOMA TIME: EROTICA REVISITED

Indigenous voices A new theater company plans to focus on individual Native American playwrights and theater crafters. By Jeremy Martin

In 2010, Oklahoma City Theatre Company launched the Native American New Play Festival to showcase the creative talents of indigenous playwrights.

In June, the festival staged Round Dance

by Arigon Starr, and the production was the company’s most financially successful in five years, according to a press release from the festival’s directors, and State Representative David Perryman awarded it a State Citation of Recognition. Last month, the festival announced its separation from Oklahoma City Theatre Company.

“We felt that we have proven that we’ve been able to do this operation on our own for the last two years, and we’ve been able to fundraise on our own as well,” said festival coordinator Maya Torralba, who is now serving as pro-tem president for newly formed Oklahoma Indigenous Theatre Company. “So we felt that we could go ahead and start on our own.”

The two theater companies are still on amicable terms with each other.

“We’re grateful for OKCTC and their hospitality,” Torralba said. “We’ve learned a lot from them. We look forward to having a good relationship with them in the future.”

Ongoing mission

Oklahoma City Theatre Company’s founding artistic director Rick Nelson launched the festival in order to “showcase stories for the stage authored by Native American, First Nations, Alaska Natives, Hawaiian Natives and Indigenous Mexico” especially “voices that honor and bring distinction to the Round Dance, written by Arigon Starr left, was the featured play at this year’s Native American New Play Festival. | Photo provided

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39 Native Nations who call Oklahoma home,” according to the festival’s mission statement. Torralba said Indigenous Theatre Company would continue to serve that purpose.

“Our mission and our values are still the same,” Torralba said. “We’re hoping we can bring in more tribal participation, more tribal funding and really stick to the mission and values that we had before.”

The page titled A Creation Story on the theater company’s website elaborates on these values.

“We value the artistry and passion of our performers whose presence and participation fearlessly bring our stories to life,” the statement reads.

“We value the skill and leadership of our directors, stage managers, designers, production and company personnel who guide and support us. We are inclusive to all audiences and all artists who share and contribute to our collective efforts.”

Torralba, along with Starr, Sarah d’Angelo, Misty Red Elk, David Briquet, Randi LeClair, Barbara Hobson, Wilson Daingkau, Carolyn Dunn and Cynthia Cunningham, will serve as Indigenous Theatre Company’s new board. By separating from Oklahoma City Theatre Company, Torralba said the newly formed company would be able to better highlight the accomplishments of indigenous people specifically.

“We’re able to grow a little bit faster and really showcase that it’s an allNative American company,” Torralba said. “We can put a little bit more of the tribal community up front.”

In recent years, the festival has worked to put more Native Americans in leadership and organizing roles and

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focused on getting more youth involved in theater arts by reaching out to schools in rural Oklahoma towns such as Anadarko. Moving forward, Torralba said, Indigenous Theatre Company plans to expand these programs.

We’re able to grow a little bit faster and really showcase that it’s an all-Native American company.

Maya Torralba

“In addition to having the youth come to the plays,” Torralba said, “we’re going to have sessions where board members and playwrights and directors can go to the schools and the youth clubs and do sessions with them about writing and acting and really integrate the Native American community.”

The theater company’s ongoing mission is still to increase the pool of local Native American talent available and showcase their efforts.

“We are always searching for Native American or indigenous talent, actors, writers, directors, especially stage crew, lighting people, makeup, costuming,” Torralba said. “We recruit any and all that we can.”

Finding Native American and Indigenous people to work in technical positions has remained a challenge for the organization.

“Perhaps they haven’t had the opportunity to be backstage and to break in to Oklahoma City theater,” she said.

By focusing exclusively on Native American and Indigenous talent, Torralba said the newly formed theater company hopes to increase the opportunities they can offer.

Oklahoma Indigenous Theatre Company will expand on the mission of Native American New Play Festival. | Photo provided

ings of several plays by Native American authors and a full production of a play chosen from those read at the previous year’s festival.

Round Dance, the story of a Native American veteran who moves from Oklahoma to Los Angeles after the Indian Relocation Act of 1956, was the first comedy the festival has produced.

Previous productions have included Ranell Collins’ Dirty Laundry, about a 54-year-old divorcee caring for her terminally ill mother; Diane Glancy’s Salvage, chronicling a tragic cycle of vengeance triggered by a fatal car accident; and Vicki Lynn Mooney’s Hoop Jumper, focusing on a man whose past mistakes come back to haunt him when he applies for a government land allotment. Mar y Kathr yn Nagle’s Manahatta, drawing a parallel between 17th-century fur traders and modernday stockbrokers, premiered at the festival in 2014 and is currently being staged by Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

While the winning play for 2019 will be either Neechie-itas by Jo MacDonald, Little Brother of War by Bret Jones, River of Blood by Ed Bourgeois or The Bone Picker by Carolyn Dunn, Torralba is currently uncertain about where the festival will be held. City Space Theatre at Civic Center Music Hall, the site for the 2018 festival, has been a good theater, she said, but the company would ideally like to find a larger venue. In addition to play readings, the festival also includes panel discussions, live musical performances, an exhibition of visual artworks and informational booths.

“We’re looking for anybody that has a space for us to work with us,” Torralba said. “We’re definitely inviting any and all of Oklahoma City and Norman.”

Visit okindigenoustheatre.com.

Friday 9:00A.M.-6:00P.M. Saturday 9:00A.M. - 9:00P.M.

FOOD TRUCKS WINE TASTINGS FINE CIGARS FISH RACES EVERYTHING ON SALE CHARITY RAFFLE CHARITY GAMES LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Come join us at our Annual Waterfall Festival to benefit the Central Oklahoma Humane Society.

Stroll through the decorative gardens taking in the soothing sound of 10 different waterfall displays.

Spin our discount wheel as you walk in. Literally everything will be on sale. Help us help the Central Oklahoma Humane Society!

Parade of Lights Saturday Oct. 13th, 2018 6:00P.M. - 9:00P.M. Take an evening stroll through our beautiful gardens and water features in a night time setting.

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Play festival

The 10th annual Native American New Play Festival is scheduled for June of 2019. The festival features staged readO KG A Z E T T E . C O M | O C TO B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 8

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ARTS & CULTURE Mary Buss descends a staircase in Strike, Dear Mistress, and Cure His Heart, screening 8 p.m. Oct. 18 at Rodeo Cinema. | Photo provided

FILM

Movie mishmash

Striking film Mickey Reece’s new film Strike, Dear Mistress, and Cure His Heart screens at Rodeo Cinema Oct. 18.

By Jeremy Martin

Online movie database IMDB credits Mickey Reece as writer and director on 30 films. The Oklahoma-based filmmaker — whose Strike, Dear Mistress, and Cure His Heart screens at Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., on Oct. 18 after debuting at Austin’s Fantastic Fest last month — said he doesn’t keep count that way.

“Of all the movies I’ve made, there’s really only like five good ones,” Reece said. “So I say this is number five. All the other ones, I just made. That was my film school, making a million movies. … People look at movies as commerce or an industry, but it was just me having fun with my friends. I didn’t mean to get here.”

Reece said he originally wanted to be an actor after watching Elia Kazan’s A Streetcar Named Desire, but he soon realized the limitations of having no budget or crew.

“It turns out that if I’m not holding the camera, then I’m out of focus,” Reece said. “I’ll make movies and have my friends act like Marlon Brando instead.”

Strike, Dear Mistress is inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film Autumn Sonata, which Reece decided to remake in his own way after he was confused by the audience reaction to Mickey Reece’s Alien. Despite its title, Alien, which debuted at deadCenter last year, isn’t a remake but a period piece about Elvis Presley.

“I guess I perceived my last movie differently than a lot of people did,” Reece said. “I don’t think that movie was that weird at all. It’s really just a bunch of people talking in a room about Elvis stuff. … The only thing that drives me crazy about this reputation I’m getting of me being this weird director is that primarily my films just consist of dialogue, of people sitting in rooms talking.”

By using a similar plot to Autumn Sonata (1978), in which an aging concert pianist tries to reconnect with one of her estranged daughters only to be confronted by the other, a disabled daughter she thought was still institutionalized, Reece hoped to give viewers an obvious framework for processing Strike, Dear Mistress.

Writer-director Mickey Reece will be present for a Q&A following the screening. | Photo provided

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“I wanted to do something that there was absolutely no denying,” Reece said.

“You would have to compare it to Bergman because it’s a Bergman film, and I knew going into it that trying to make a Bergman film, it would end up completely different.”

Reece reimagined the film as a surreal horror movie with comedic elements.

“I also always thought that Bergman movies would work really well as horror films,” Reece said, “and I knew I wanted to do something that was along the lines of a horror film because with horror, anything goes. Everybody’s looking to put your movie in some kind of box — ‘That’s a drama, that’s a sci-fi, that’s a comedy’ — and horror is really one of those genres where you can do whatever you want. As long as you have some blood or some gore, people are still watching it as a horror film.”

In reviewing Strike, Dear Mistress, film site Birth. Movies. Death. critic Leigh Monson wrote that its “oblique symbolism” is “assuredly going to frustrate and anger many a viewing audience. … Reece, at best, doesn’t care what you think of his film, and at worst, is actively hostile to outside interpretation of his personal vision. Your tolerance for such egotism is likely the measuring stick by which you will enjoy it.”

Reece said he feels compelled to create films that overcome their low budgets by offering viewers novel experiences, even if he confuses them in the process.

“Because I don’t have that much money, I have to figure out ways to put something on the screen that no one has ever seen before,” Reece said. “That way they’re not going to relate it to a movie they’ve seen for $100 million. So I do have to be smarter in that way. … I guess I am a dick and I’m egotistical in the way that I most definitely want to alienate the audience a little bit, but that’s what I like.

I like to be alienated in a movie too. I like to walk out of a movie and be like, ‘Hmm … I don’t know about that one.’”

Mary Buss, who plays pianist Dianne Herbert in Reece’s film, said she immediately understood what Reece was doing after watching his 2014 film T-Rex. “I told him, ‘That was the first thing in Oklahoma that’s made sense to me,’” Buss said. “Clearly he has a vision and a voice and a very raw potential talent. … He’s continuing to find his own unique voice. That is so rare.”

Reece has since cast Buss in three movies.

“She’s amazing,” Reece said. “We’re pretty much like De Niro and Scorsese at this point. She just trusts me for some reason, and I don’t know why. She has insane talent.”

Buss was thrilled when Reece said he wanted her to star in a film inspired

by Autumn Sonata.

“He said he was writing me a movie, and he mentioned Bergman,” Buss said.

“I got excited. I’m not afraid of taking on characters that are messy, ugly, dark.

In my mind, those are the most interesting types of characters.”

To play the part of Dianne, Buss cut her long blonde hair and dyed it black.

Filming took place over a week at the Pollard Bed and Breakfast, which Buss said “really might be haunted itself.”

“It was a wild and strange experience,” Buss said. “It’s hard to put to words. … Mickey has a way of inspiring you to take artistic risks that you might not otherwise take.”

The result, which critics have called an “unclassifiable thing” (Crooked Marquee), “certainly something” (Birth.

Movies. Death.) and “at its best when most unhinged (Syfy),” is hard for even Reece to fully describe.

“It’s a mess,” Reece said. “It’s kind of all over the place. … I feel like all of my movies are a mishmash of stuff because I didn’t study film. I don’t know anything but making films based on films that I’ve seen, so obviously it’s going to be a big mishmash of other movies all combined into one.”

But he still doesn’t see what’s so strange about his work.

“If I had heard the stuff that’s being said about this movie,” Reece said, “I would be dying to see it, and then I think I would be disappointed. I would be like, ‘It’s not that weird.’”

The screening starts at 8 p.m., and the film will be preceded by a trailer for Reece’s upcoming Arrows of Outrageous Fortune and followed by a Q&A with the director and cast. Visit rodeocinema.org.

Strike, Dear Mistress, and Cure His Heart 8 p.m. Oct. 18 Rodeo Cinema 2221 Exchange Ave. rodeocinema.org | 405-815-3275 $10

Kyle Kinane returns to OKC with an Sunday show at The Paramount OKC. | Photo Mandee Johnson / Wikipedia Commons / provided

come there; I’ve got a little crew. I’m like, ‘Alright, what are we doin’?’” he said with the enthusiasm you’d expect when meeting an old friend. “I feel very welcome there; let’s put it that way.”

CO M E DY

OK Kinane

Loose in OKC

Comedian and voice of Comedy Central Kyle Kinane returns to one of his favorite tour stops.

By Joshua Blanco

“I’m 41, and my name is Kyle, which means I’m on borrowed time, man,” comedian Kyle Kinane told Conan O’Brien earlier this year. “Look, there’s no such thing as an old Kyle. … My name’s not in history books; there’s no ‘the Third.’”

Consider this a call for action.

Thanks to his self-described “shotgunblast” style of booking shows, Kinane will return to Oklahoma City 8 p.m. Sunday at The Paramount OKC, 11 N. Lee Ave., exchanging one night of his borrowed time for a chance to make you laugh.

Audience beware: He hasn’t failed yet.

The Los Angeles-based comedian, who is also the voice of Comedy Central on-air promotions, has been hard at work since his last time visiting the Sooner State. With a schedule full of tour dates, his Oklahoma stopover will be nothing short of a comedic treat.

“At this point, it’s not a tour anymore; it’s just my life,” Kinane said. “It’s just a vacation otherwise … running all over the place.”

Kinane started comedy in 1999 at his home in Chicago when he was 22. In 2003, he made the move to Los Angeles, hoping to make a name for himself.

“I was just going out with a case of CDs and kind of playing a show where anybody would let me,” he recalled of his early days.

Borrowing from the culture of DIY bands that relied on regular bookings in just about any place that would allow them to play, Kinane eventually hit the road. Traveling from show to show across the country, he built a repertoire in a process he described as “slow and steady.”

Kinane mentioned a comedy message board that “showed me some

love” in a series of reviews on local shows in Los Angeles, which helped him gain some initial recognition. It wasn’t long before he attracted the attention of big-name comedians, and he was soon among some of the greatest names in modern comedy.

In 2016, he earned his own special, Loose in Chicago. Perhaps slow and steady wins the race after all.

Still, he understands success is not guaranteed.

“I just think any overnight success — I think you could lose it just as quick as you get it,” Kinane said. “You could have overnight failure too. At least I know I earned my spot. I put the time in, you know? I think I earned my audience.”

He describes comedy as “one of the only things in my life that if it didn’t go well, I wanted to go back and try harder as opposed to giving up on it.”

A comedian for almost 20 years, he reminisces on what could have been an alternative fate had he not discovered his love of comedy.

“Back home, I get to drive past the industrial park that I’d probably still be working at if I didn’t start doing comedy, so I kind of like that this is my job,” he said. “I tell jokes, and that’s how my bills get paid. That’s pretty unbelievable.”

Oklahomans once again have an opportunity to help him pay those bills.

Though he already has a show at Cherokee Casino in West Siloam Springs after his show in Little Rock, Arkansas, he arranged for an OKC stop before migrating up to Colorado for a booking in Fort Collins.

In a sense, OKC seems to have become a sort of refuge for Kinane when on tour.

“I got a little crowd going when I

need lunch for a

large group?

“He said that it’s a lot like we’re a group of people in an office and he’s gone on vacation for like a year and every day at work is like the first day back and we all go out after and get trashed,” said BradChad Porter, local comedian and one of three individuals running OKC Comedy.

We got you covered According to Porter, OKC Comedy’s mission “is to provide a world class with our box lunches, comedy experience to our OKC audiparty trays & party subs ence while continuing to provide new opportunities for local comics.”

His colleague and fellow comedian Choose from any of our Cold sandwiChes Cameron Buchholtz said they “realized • Includes chIps & a cookIe • that no one else was gonna book the comics that [they] wanted to see, so [they] just started doing it [themselves].”

In 2010, OKC Comedy booked Kinane for the first time. He delivered a free show at 51st St. Speakeasy, where he was compensated with bar receipts.

Almost a decade has passed since that initial gig, and Kyle has been climbing since.

“He’s gotten more famous, and we’ve absolutely loved watching things work out for him. He’s one of our favorite people,” Porter said.

Due to booking complications at their usual venue, OKC Comedy decided to try The Paramount OKC, located in historic Film Row. Though the venue is smaller than what he’s used to, Kinane doesn’t seem to be bothered. Size doesn’t always matter. And if it does, sometimes smaller is better for these guys.

“I like small venues,” he said. “Comedy is, I think, best consumed in an intimate venue. You get too many people in one place, they stop paying attention and start talking to each other.”

“The space is a smaller venue and we’re excited about what that will mean for the show,” Porter said. “This show TAKE A TOUR OF ALL 3 will sell out. It always does.”

LOCATIONS ON OUR TOUR BUSES! Kinane suggested there was poten................................................................................ tial for another date before the Fort Collins engagement where the tour is scheduled to resume. Plans for this have yet to be confirmed, and no official announcement has been released.

Visit facebook.com/okccomedy.

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

OUR ANNUAL HALLOWEEN BUS TOUR! SATURDAY

Kyle Kinane’s ................................................................................

Shooting for Third tour 8 p.m. Sunday The Paramount OKC 11 N. Lee Ave. facebook.com/okccomedy $25-$30

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OKCU.edu/psyd

EST. 1904 l okcu.edu

Introducing the first Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology in Oklahoma.

Application for Fall 2019 open and due by January 7th.

Information sessions available October 9th, November 13th, and December 11th.

12456graduategazettead.indd 1

10/3/18 7:36 PM

IncludIng expanded coverage on oct. 24 of all thIngs halloween

Publishes - OctOber 17 & 24 DeaDlines - One week PriOr tO Publish Date

bOOk yOur aD sPace tODay! call 405.528.6000 Or email sPecialsectiOns@Okgazette.cOm 28

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BOOKS

ARTS & CULTURE

OKC rearview

A mayor and a New York Times writer release two books competing to find meaning in Oklahoma City’s tumultuous past. By Charles Martin

Mick Cornett beams amiability. In press conferences, in official city functions or while puttering around The Paseo Arts District, he projects likability. Within the bubble of Oklahoma City, many from both sides of the political divide viewed his ascension from mayor to governor as guaranteed, even destined. Cornett’s new book, The Next American City: The Big Promise of Our Midsize Metros, hit bookstores just in time for the gubernatorial election as an optimistic and enthusiastic treatise on the benefits of revenuesavvy Republicanism in midsize metros as opposed to tax-averse conservatism that dominates the political right. In tone and timing, the book serves as an approachable representation of his agenda platform to Republicans who live outside the OKC metro and might be suspect of Cornett’s conservative credentials.

Unfortunately for the author and the G. P. Putnam’s Sons publishing company, Cornett was denied his destiny when he lost in the primaries back in August.

In another interesting bit of happenstance, the release comes in the wake of Sam Anderson’s Boom Town: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City, Its Chaotic Founding… Its Purloined Basketball Team, and the Dream of Becoming a World-Class Metropolis, a thrilling rundown of OKC’s historical highlights from pre-Land Run era to modern day, all as an extended explanation of one of the most infamous trades in NBA history.

Both books present OKC as an idea.

One is an extended political speech full of affable and down-homey stories of bootstrap successes resulting from eager handshakes between motivated leadership and civic government. The other is an outsider’s exploration of the Mick Cornett, former mayor of Oklahoma City, published The Next American City with Jayson White in September. | Photo Casey Cornett / provided

state’s unlikely fortunes, a series of boom-and-bust cycles egged on by the citizenry’s manic obsession with growth at all costs.

Who does the job better, the rosy rearview of OKC’s rise from the ashes of oil busts and terrorism or the whimsical account of 129 years of psychedelic chaos and confetti guns with generous splashes of Thunder orange and blue? Of course, the book that tells the better stories.

Anderson portrayed a state seemingly populated by only towering and impossible characters, but Cornett’s reads as a flat missed opportunity rushed to print to align with the political campaign that wasn’t meant to be. Cornett fails to make the case for midsize cities being the future of America or cast himself as an “Aw, shucks! Can you believe those fat cats up in Washington?” legit conservative.

That’s a true shame because he does have a compelling story to tell, not just about his rise from cut-up sportscaster to genial mayor, but about how OKC is amongst a rank of middle-tier markets sprouting up above flyover country to lure major corporations and innovative professionals away from the traditional hubs.

There are some high points that really communicate the

unique sunshine optimism of Cornett, like, “When Oklahoma City plays your city on the basketball court or the baseball field, just know that while I might not be rooting for your team, I am certainly cheering for your city.”

But t hose moment s a re muffled by winking anti-ivory towerism, most notably in his reference to Queen Elizabeth’s take on the “Rome wasn’t built in a day” adage.

“I don’t know much about the circumstances of her address or why she quoted this grand idea from playwrights and proverbs…” he wrote, as if he simply didn’t have time to pursue the matter beyond a hurried skim of the Wikipedia page.

This resistance to being caught up in the details Cornett and his co-writer Jayson White proclaim to be experts of seemed to result from indecision on the book’s intended audience. It’s not wonkish enough to appeal to history and civic buffs nor colorful enough to appeal to pedestrian political readers. That lack of clarity has doomed The Next American City to the only-read-the-first-couplechapters stack on even his most ardent supporters’ bookshelves.

The primary failing of The Next American City is there was rarely any significant character work, and characters are the central component of any good story. When Cornett does forget he’s making a thinly disguised political speech and instead talks about the people he knows personally who’ve worked on good policy — Christy Counts walking away from a life of privilege to devote herself to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society and Mike Knopp looking out across the dead Oklahoma River and somehow seeing a future hotspot for competitive rowing — the book begins to finally feel vital.

It’s enough to hope that maybe Cornett will take a second swing at telling his

Sam Anderson published Boom Town in August. | Photo Jeff Bark / provided

Oklahoma City story from a more personal perspective.

He does scratch a little deeper on policy in a few places, such as his recounting of Oklahoma’s crippling struggle with brain drain, his laying out the underdog story of the MAPS initiatives and tracing his own line from a penny sales tax through the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing and on into our current climate of expansion. Then, in the very last chapter, Cornett finally reveals his own compelling path from to the mayor’s office including a beautiful encounter with a delivery guy/lifelong fan that changed Cornett’s entire trajectory. In an astonishing lapse in basic editing, Cornett and White managed to bury the lead by 200 pages.

Back in Boom Town, Anderson is skillfully sculpting the characters of severe weather sage Gary England and Thunder point predator Russell Westbrook who Shea Serrano once accused of injecting wolverine blood before then accusing wolverines of injecting Russell Westbrook blood. Anderson’s own take on Westbrook is as a mythological figure, a towering and misunderstood athlete that chases his destiny with an unswerving and inhuman ferocity, a chaotic force of nature within a state that prides itself with its snug proximity to both chaos and forces of nature.

True, we lost Kevin Durant, a champion and idealization of the 21st-century shooting big man. But we retained Westbrook, a legend, a 6-foot-3-inch army of one as beautiful and terrifying as anything our Oklahoma skies have ever birthed.

Rather than writing a sanitized civic tour of OKC, as Cornett did, Anderson presents a city through multiple perspectives such as Jabee’s east side advocacy and Wayne Coyne’s magical carpet ride through the paint-splattered 16th Street Plaza District. It is Anderson falling in love with OKC through the stories of its people.

Cornett is enough of a man of the people that he has surely heard these stories too, and if he tries his hand at another book, hopefully he will focus less on political expediency and more on his personal accounts of the city and its citizens.

Visit penguinrandomhouse.com.

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List your event in 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.

Submit your listings online at okgazette.com or email them to listings@okgazette.com.

Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION

Kate Bunce, Musica (detail), ca. 1895–97. Oil on canvas, 40 3/16 x 30 3/16 x 1 3/4 in., Birmingham Museums Trust (1897P17). Š Birmingham Museums Trust

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405.282.2800 . THEPOLLARD.ORG

C U LT U R E

ARTS & CULTURE

Off book

The first Literati Variety Show will feature local writers, comedians, music and community discussion. By Jo Light

The Paseo Arts District has long been a hub of art and creativity in Oklahoma City, and now a group of writers and performers are setting out on a new entertainment venture to showcase local talent.

The Literati Variety Show will be staged 7 p.m. Friday in The Paseo Plunge, 3010 Paseo St., and will feature a unique mix of storytellers.

Charles Martin, owner of Literati Press Comics & Novels, said he and longtime Literati collaborator and poet Kristen Grace came up with the idea while brainstorming potential ways to make book readings more entertaining.

“Because they really are kind of boring on the whole,” Martin said. “It’s the kind of thing that you go to because you’re socially obligated to go, versus, ‘Oh, this sounds like so much fun!’ So we had talked about various ways to make them more approachable and more fun, more of an event.”

Fellow writer and performer Stephen Kovash is helping organize, joining Martin’s team of self-proclaimed “community organizers” and “social innovators.”

“We were on parallel paths for the same thing, essentially,” Kovash said, referring to his hopes for the literary community. “I come from a performance storytelling background, so the way I used to write before I got into the [Oklahoma City University Red Earth MFA] program was for performance.”

Martin said the major goals of the show are bringing words to life off the page, engaging audiences in new ways and building a community and readership. He imagines the gatherings will be similar to the literary salons of old.

“There are a lot of good writers in Oklahoma,” Martin said. “And the literWriter and performer Stephen Kovash helped organize The Literati Variety Show. | Photo provided

ary community can’t grow unless we can convince Oklahomans to start reading us. So this is one of the ways that we’re trying to do that.”

Kovash agreed and said he hopes to create a new artistic family.

“Things are starting to coalesce in terms of Oklahoma writers,” he said.

“And so I think what Charles is doing here is perfect timing.”

Viva variety

Martin called The Literati Variety Show a five-act variety talk program.

The show is slated to begin with a performance from an Oklahoma City StorySLAM champion. StorySLAM is a monthly event at 51st Street Speakeasy in which participants take the stage to tell themed stories. The event draws professionals and improvisers alike.

Kovash, a regular StorySLAM participant, said he’ll be the featured storyteller for the first variety show and will tell a 15-minute story. For future shows, they will consider several past StorySLAM winners.

The show will also include a stand-up comedian chosen from the Public Access Open Mic that Martin holds in The Plunge every week. The first “comedian of note” will be local performer Alex Sanchez, who also hosts Public Access and will perform a 15-minute set.

Martin said they are asking performers to do longer sets so they have an opportunity to step outside the traditional limitation of roughly five minutes.

And for comedians, it’s a move closer to true stand-up.

“We’re challenging people to develop their story and be able to maintain that entertainment level,” Martin said.

They expect to feature strong, exemplary performers who can tackle the time limit with ease.

“In front of the mic, if you don’t have some experience, those are like dog minutes,” Kovash said. “A three-minute thing seems like you’re up there for half an hour.”

Grace will also do a performance reading from her collection of poetry, After I Became a Tree. Martin said Grace’s writing is deeply rooted in Oklahoma, her relationships and a “fiery feminist” viewpoint.

Martin said that for the reading part of the show, performance art elements must be incorporated. He believes this engages the audience’s interest in new and different ways and inspires viewers to follow a reader to different events.

“We just don’t want somebody at a podium, no matter how good their work is,” he said.

The “sit-down conversation” aspect of the variety show will bring in journalists, activists and other community members who might not be considered “traditional” storytellers, Martin said.

For the first show, the guest will be city council candidate JoBeth Hamon.

Martin said her work with current community issues will likely be a focus of their discussion.

The show will finish with a music and book “pairing,” in this case music from Guthrie folk band Stranded at the Station paired with the 1992 novel The Brothers K by David Duncan.

Grace chose the book and music pairing, and during the show, she will discuss how the book’s themes and the band’s songwriting mirror each other.

“She’ll produce images for the audience, and then the band will bring them to life,” Kovash said.

For future iterations of the show, Martin and Kovash are discussing a possible partnership with University of Central Oklahoma to help target local bands and books.

Charles Martin is founder of Literati Press and co-founder of The Literati Variety Show. | Photo provided

All performers will be paid, and Martin said they hope to secure sponsors in the future. Even bigger plans include potentially recording and broadcasting the variety show on television.

“All the decisions that we’re making from this point forward are going to be about, ‘How can we make sure that the audience has a great time?’” Martin said.

“And [that] they are on fire for the possibility of storytelling in Oklahoma City.”

The show will be staged on the Holey Rollers patio, weather permitting. For now, it will be held quarterly, but Martin and Kovash said they are open to letting it grow and perhaps holding more frequent shows.

“The beautiful thing about Oklahoma right now is we are so hungry for ideas,” Martin said. “And there may not be a lot of money, but there is so much enthusiasm.”

“I’ll put an economic spin on it, too,” Kovash said. “There’s hunger for ideas, and there’s pent-up demand, but there’s also a supply that’s pent-up. So maybe if we can get those people together, it’s going to explode.”

Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.

Visit literatipressok.com.

Editor’s note: Charles Martin is a contributing writer for Oklahoma Gazette.

The Literati Variety Show 7 p.m. Friday The Paseo Plunge 3010 Paseo St. literatipressok.com | 405-882-7032 Free

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CALENDAR are events recommended

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

BOOKS Books & Brews browse for books while listening to live music and enjoying craft beer from COOP Ale Works, 7-9 p.m. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks. com. SAT-FRI Brunching with Books a book club meeting every other week, with reading selections chosen by group preference, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.

Buttermilk Paseo, 605 NW 28th St., 405-605-6660, buttermilkokc.com. SAT Jay C. Upchurch book signing the sportswriter will autograph copies of his book Tales from the Oklahoma Sooners Sideline: A Collection of the Greatest Sooners Stories Ever Told, noon-1:30 p.m Oct. 13. Best of Books, 1313 E. Danforth Road, Edmond, 405-340-9202, bestofbooksok.com. SAT Jeff Provine book signing the author will autograph copies of his book Haunted Oklahoma City, a collection of stories about ghosts said to haunt local buildings, 3-5 p.m. Oct. 13. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. SAT Oklahoma Observer Newsmakers a panel discussion about the November general elections featuring House Democratic Leader Scott Inman, University of Central Oklahoma political science professor John Wood and Observer editor Arnold Hamilton, 6-7 p.m. Oct. 11. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. THU Yousef Khanfar book signing the award-winning photographer will autograph copies of Invisible Eye, a collection of photos of women imprisoned for nonviolent crimes, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. WED

FILM Bonnie and Clyde (1967, USA, Arthur Penn) the infamous outlaw couple runs rampant in this American New Wave masterpiece, 1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 10.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum. org. WED Halloween (1978, USA, John Carpenter) celebrate the 40th anniversary of the classic slasher film that introduced the world to masked murderer Michael Myers, 7 p.m. Sept. 16. Harkins Theatre, 150 E. Reno Ave., 405-231-4747, harkinstheatres.com. TUE Movie in the Park: Hocus Pocus (1993, USA, Kenny Ortega) an outdoor screening of the Disney favorite about three resurrected mischief-making witches, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Mitch Park, 1501 W. Covell Road, Edmond, 405-359-4630, edmondok.com/parks. FRI Native America screening watch episodes of the new PBS series with producer Julianna Brannum and director Gary Glassman in attendance, 7 p.m.-midnight Oct 9-10. Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, samnoblemuseum. ou.edu. TUE-WED Tomorrow (1972, USA, Joseph Anthony) a farmer

(Robert Duvall) and a pregnant woman (Olga Bellin) bond in this film adaptation of a short-story by William Faulkner, 1 p.m. Oct. 17. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. WED VHS and Chill: Night of the Living Dead (1968, USA, George Romero) survivors of an apocalyptic zombie uprising barricade themselves in a farmhouse in this genre-defining classic, 8 p.m. Oct. 11.

51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51st St., 405-4630470, 51stspeakeasy.com. THU

HAPPENINGS 12th Annual Aviation Festival see radiocontrolled aerial demonstrations, take a tour of the control tower, experience a flight simulation and more, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 13. Max Westheimer Airport, 1700 Lexington Ave., 405-325-7233. SAT 6th Annual Oklahoma Wine Walk and Brew Fest taste locally brewed craft beer and wine, hear live music and shop vendors from throughout the state, 2-7 p.m. Oct. 13. Brookhaven Village, 3700 W. Robinson St., Norman, 405-321-7500, brookhavenvillage.com. SAT African Drumming and Dance Workshop a workshop for all skill levels led by Gordy and Zoe Ryan, who have toured with Babatunde Olatunji’s Drums of Passion, Oct. 12-14. Modern Dance Arts, 1423 24th Ave. S.W., 405-201-9991, normanculturalconnection.org/drumming-and-dance-workshop.

FRI-SUN

Best in Ten a fundraising event for the nonprofit theatre company with an international buffet, silent auction and wine pulls and staged readings of short plays, 7:10 p.m. Oct. 13. Carpenter Square Theatre, 806 W. Main St., 405-232-6500, carpentersquare. com. SAT Blood Bowl Tournament compete with other players in this football-themed fantasy strategy board game, noon-7 p.m. Oct. 13. New World Comics, 6219 N. Meridian Ave., 405-721-7634, newworldcomics.net. SAT Boozy Bingo no children allowed at this benefit for Oklahoma City Public School students featuring drinks, prizes and hors-d’oeuvres, 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 11.

Café 7 Delicatessen & Pastaria, 100 W. Main St., 4057483354, http:www.cafe7okc.com. THU Breaking Down The Ballot: State Questions learn more about the items on the November ballot from OK Policy’s Bailey perkins at this event hosted

by Women Lead Oklahoma, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 10, James E. McNellie’s Public House, 1100 Classen Drive. WED Bulldogs & Bloody Marys enjoy a boozy brunchtime to benefit Tornado Alley Bulldog Rescue, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 14. The Bleu Garten, 301 NW 10th St., 405-879-3808, bleugarten.com. SUN Central Park Arts & Crafts Marketplace shop for jewelry, wine, jellies, plants, seasonal items and artwork from a variety of vendors, 9 am.-3 p.m. Oct. 13. Moore Central Park, 700 S. Broadway St., Moore, 405-793-5090, centralpark.cityofmoore.com. SAT Cosmetology, Barbering & Wellness Expo Fall Show shop vendors, attend business seminars and classes and participate in competitions, at this trade show, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 14. Metro Technology Center, 1900 Springlake Drive, 405-844-8324, metrotech.edu. SUN EdFest a fundraiser for Edmond Mobile Meals, featuring food trucks, live music from Souled Out, kids activities and a wine and beer garden, 8-10 p.m. Oct. 12. Edmond Farmers Market, 24 W. First St., Edmond,

Adèle Wolf’s Halloween Spectacular Back for its seventh year, this burlesque and variety show puts the “howl” in Halloween, with cabaret, belly-dancing, aerial arts and more. Scheduled performers include Austin’s Ickymuffin, named Best Boylesque act of 2018 by the Burlesque hall of fame; Los Angeles’ Jessabelle Thunder, named Miss Exotic World 2017, and Oklahoma City’s own Wolf, an award-winning, internationally touring entertainer. The show starts at 9 p.m. Saturday at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd. Tickets are $25-$40. Visit adelewolf.com.

SATURDAY Photo/provided

405-359-4630, edmondparks.com. FRI Extra Life play board games, card games, RPGs and other tabletop games at this fundraising event for the Children’s Hospital Foundation, 8 p.m. Oct. 13.

Game HQ, 9118 S. Western Ave., Suite B, 580-7431494. SAT Fall Fashion Show a runway show benefitting the Susan G. Komen organizations fight against breast cancer, 2-4 p.m. Oct. 13. Penn Square Mall, 1901 Northwest Expressway, 405-841-2696, simon.com/ mall/penn-square-mall. SAT Free Mom Hugs Benefit a benefit supporting the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, 8-11 p.m. Oct. 13. Frankie’s, 2807 NW 36th St., 405-602-2030, facebook.com/frankiesokc. SAT Halloween Pet Party enjoy games, food trucks and a pet costume contest and meet animals up for adoption from several local rescue organizations, Oct. 13. EarthWise Pet Supply, 1710-G Belle Isle Blvd., 405-607-8965. SAT Haunt the River enjoy the decorated boat, haunted tunes, light snacks and cash bar on board with a cruise for adults only, 8-9:30 p.m. Oct. 12-13, Oklahoma River Cruises, 1503 Exchange Ave., 405702-7755, okrivercruises.com. FRI-SAT Herb Walk: Herbal Identification and Basic Healing Practices learn how to identify and use medicinal herbs at this workshop led by organic gardener Stephanie Holiman, 1-3 p.m. Oct. 13. SixTwelve, 612 NW 29th St., 405-208-8291, sixtwelve.org. SAT How to Get an Abortion in Oklahoma: A Review of the Barriers learn about the legal restrictions and practical obstacles limiting abortion access and how to overcome them at this educational panel discussion and Q&A hosted by the Oklahoma Call for Reproductive Justice and the Center for Reproductive Rights, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 17. IAO Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-232-6060, iaogallery.org. WED Indian Hills Fall Benefit enjoy gourd dances, food, competitions and more at this annual fundraiser, 2-11 p.m. Oct. 13. Oklahoma City Pow Wow Club, 9300 N. Sooner Road, 405-923-1254. SAT Infinity Farms Yappy Hour sip cocktails, enjoy food truck fare and meet dogs available for adoption at this fundraising event for the animal sanctuary and rescue; pets welcome, 5-8 p.m. Oct. 11. The Bleu Garten, 301 NW 10th St., 405-879-3808, bleugarten. com. THU Lighting of the Fireplaces an annual ceremony featuring traditional Native American flute music and a sage burning, noon-1 p.m. Oct. 13. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-8422900, fullcirclebooks.com. SAT

Coco When’s the last time you wept openly in a public park, possibly while surrounded by small children and their families? If the answer is, “Too long,” you’ll be dying to get to this outdoor screening of Pixar’s soulful reflection on the afterlife and family, which the London Evening Standard says will “make you want to cry at least once but possibly as many as three times.” The film starts at sundown, but activities and refreshments begin 6 p.m. Friday at Lions Park, 450 S. Flood Ave., in Norman. Admission is free. Visit normanok.gov.

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Lost Lakes Haunted Forest the theme-park adds a frightening attraction for the Halloween season, through Oct. 31. Lost Lakes Waterpark and Amphitheater, 3501 NE 10th St., 405-702-4040, lostlakeshauntedforest.com. FRI-WED

Central Park, 7209 SE 29th St., Midwest City, 405739-1293, midwestcity.org. SAT Mindful Yoga Happy Hour practice mindful meditation with Bhante Santhapiya, followed by coffee, tea and conversation, 5-7 p.m. Fridays.

Oklahoma Buddhist Vihara, 4820 N Portland Ave., 405-810-6528, okbv.org. FRI Mistletoe Market shop for holiday merchandise from more than 100 vendors at this fundraiser for the Junior League of Oklahoma City, Oct. 11-13. Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens, 405-602-8500, coxconventioncenter.com. THU-SAT Mix on Main enjoy food trucks, wine and beer gardens and live music from The Fitzgeralds Band, Rewind Band, The Nobodys and more, 4-7 p.m. Oct. 13. Downtown Norman, 101 E. Main St, 4056934545.

SAT

The Odyssey Project learn about the non-profit City Care’s mission in Oklahoma City, watch a short inspirational film and hear music from the Jeremy Thomas Quartet, 7-10 p.m. Oct. 13. Kerr Park, 102 Robert S. Kerr Ave., 405-235-3500, downtownokc. com. SAT OESC Job Fair employers meet with job hunters at this event hosted by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 12. Bricktown Events Center, 429 E. California Ave., 405-236-4143, chevyeventscenter.com. FRI OKC Pow Wow Club Benefit this fundraiser features gourd dances, contests and ceremonies, 2-11 p.m. Oct. 13. Oklahoma City Pow Wow Club, 9300 N. Sooner Road, 405-923-1254. SAT OKC Vintage Flea Market get your shopping done at the flea market with antiques, collectibles, vintage, crafts and more, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays through Dec. 9. Crossroads Event Center, 7000 Crossroads Blvd. SAT Oklahoma City Pagan Pride Day live music, children’s activities and ceremonial rituals commemorate the Autumn Equinox at this annual celebration, now in its sixth year, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 13. Wiley Post Park, 2021 S. Robinson Ave., 405-2972756, okc.gov. SAT OktoBEARfest a benefit for the Andean Bear Conservation Alliance featuring craft beer, barbecue, raffles and a silent auction, 5-9 p.m. Oct. 12. Anthem Brewing Company, 908 SW Fourth St., 405-6040446, anthembrewing.com. FRI Opus X: Club Cabaret see cabaret performances and bid on a live auction at this fundraiser for Allied Arts, 7 p.m.-midnight Oct. 12. The Criterion, 500 E. Sheridan Ave., 405-308-1803, criterionokc.com. FRI Paranormal Fest explore the supernatural at this event featuring psychic and tarot readings, a haunted escape rooms and lectures on metaphysical topics, noon-4 p.m. Oct. 13. Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave., 405-231-8650, metrolibrary.org. SAT

MarioKart 64 Tournament compete against other gamers in the popular Nintendo 64 racing game, noon-5 p.m. Oct. 13. FlashBack RetroPub, 814 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-633-3604, flashbackretropub. com. SAT

Pumkinville see the Children’s Garden transformed into a New England-inspired Pumpkin Town filled with fall foliage, games, crafts and other autumnal activities, through Oct. 22. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. FRI-MON

Mid-America Street Fest a fall festival with carnival games and rides, children’s activities, food trucks and more, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 13. Charles J. Johnson

Singing Meditation Circle: Creating Your New Story a workshop led by Stephanie Holiman intended to help women find their inner voices and

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Unlearning Racism a safe space for the discussion of struggling with racism and its impact, 6:15-7:30 p.m. Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2301 NE 23rd St., trinitypresbyterianchurchokc.wordpress. com. THU Wanderlust Pop Up Shops shop more than 80 vendors and food trucks, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 13.

Wheeler Ferris Wheel, 1701 S. Western Ave., 405655-8455, wheelerdistrict.com/ferris-wheel. SAT Waterfall Festival a Hawaiian-themed fundraiser with food trucks, wine tastings, raffles, massages and more benefitting Central Oklahoma Humane Society, Oct. 12-13. Garden Ponds & Aquariums Unlimited, 310 SW First St., 405-799-7663, gardenpondsunlimited.com. FRI-SAT

FOOD Automobile Alley Walking Food Tour take a guided food-centric tour through a district that was once home to early pioneers and evolved into an auto-dealership hub, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. every other Saturday, through Nov. 24. Automobile Alley, 1015 N. Broadway Ave., 405-488-2555, foodiefoottours. com. SAT Edmond Farmers Market buy fresh food from local vendors, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. Edmond Farmers Market, 24 W. First St., Edmond, 405-3594630, edmondparks.com. SAT Nexus Equine Wine & Dine sample wine and hors d’ oeuvres and bid in a silent auction to benefit the horses in the care of nonprofit Nexus Equine, 6 p.m. Oct. 11. Waters Edge Winery-OKC, 712 N. Broadway Ave., 405-232-9463, wewokc.com. THU Observation Cooking Classes watch a local chef create a variety of cuisines and sample each course as it’s prepared, 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays through Nov. 11. International Pantry, 1618 W. Lindsey St., Norman, 405-360-0765, intipantry.com.

TUE-THU

Paseo Farmers Market shop for fresh food from local vendors at this weekly outdoor event, 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays. SixTwelve, 612 NW 29th St., 405-208-8291, sixtwelve.org. SAT

YOUTH College JumpStart Workshop a training session offering high school students tips on transitioning to college with information about prerequisite classes, scholarships and more, noon-3 p.m. Oct. 13 and Oct. 27. Innovation Station, 133 W. Main St., 405-733-7333, rose.edu/innovationstation. SAT Gardening with Kids join county master gardener president and chair of the junior master gardener program for a lesson in teaching gardening methods to children, 6 p.m. October 10. Will Rogers Garden Center, 3400 NW 36th St., 405-943-0827, okc.gov. WED The Kids Talent Explosion a family show celebrating children’s abilities in the performing arts presented by Poetry and Chill OKC and Let’s Get Right, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 13. The Douglass at Page Woodson, 600 N. High Ave., 405-601-1989, facebook. com/thedouglasspagewoodson. SAT

Arts Center, 560 Parrington Oval, 405-325-7370, ou.edu. THU-SUN Battle of the Hardest Artist performers compete in the art of their choice to win cash prizes with the winner chosen by the audience, 9-11:30 p.m. third Monday of the month. Hubbly Bubbly Hookah & Café, 2900 N. Classen Blvd., Suite K, 405609-2930. MON Donation Drive & Benefit for Pine Pantry a benefit show featuring comics and musicians to collect donations for the community-supported free food pantry, 6-11 p.m. Oct. 14. The Root, 3012 N. Walker Ave., 405-655-5889, therootokc.com. SUN Flight of the Elephant an original score by Scott McAllister performed by the University of Central Oklahoma Wind Symphony, 7-9:30 p.m. Oct. 13. Mitchell Hall Theatre, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, 405-974-2000, uco.edu. SAT Ghost: The Musical a stage production based on the hit romantic film from 1990, Oct. 12-27, Oct. 12-27. The Pollard Theatre, 120 W. Harrison Ave., Guthrie, 405-282-2800, thepollard.org. FRI-SAT Project Dance a family-friendly outdoor dance concert intended to build community ties, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 13. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-219-1672. SAT Rob Lake the magician, seen on America’s Got Talent, will perform his award-winning illusions, Oct. 13, Sat., Oct. 13. Brady Theater, 105 W. Mathew Brady St., Tulsa, 918-582-7239, bradytheater.com. SAT The Trailer-Hood Hootenanny join Rayna Over and friends for a night of comedy, music and drag performances, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Fridays. Frankie’s, 2807 NW 36th St., 405-602-2030, facebook.com/ frankiesokc. FRI When We’re Gone a pop-punk musical set in London during the 14th century plague, through Oct. 14, Through Oct. 14. Lyric Theatre, 1727 NW 16th St., 405-524-9310, lyrictheatreokc.com. WED-SUN

ACTIVE Battle of the Bombshells Cardi B fans (wearing black) and Nicki Minaj fans (wearing white) face off in a yoga power flow followed with champagne, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Oct. 13. 405 Yoga, 1004 N. Hudson Ave., 405-778-8905, 405yoga.com. SAT Inaugural 4.20-mile Fun Run set your own pace on this jog around Lake Hefner, hosted by Oklahoma Women Cann Association, 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 13. Stars & Stripes Park, 3701 S. Lake Hefner Drive, 405-297-2756, okc.gov/parks. SAT

OKC Drag Queen Story Hour children and their families are invited to a story and craft time lead by Ms. Shantel and followed by a dance party, 4 p.m. second Saturday of every month. Sunnyside Diner, 916 NW Sixth St., 405-778-8861. SAT

Yoga Brunch Revival an all-levels class in Kundalini Yoga hosted by Tennille McCallister and followed by a potluck brunch, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 14.

The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave., 405887-3327, theparamountroom.com. SUN

PERFORMING ARTS Autumn Choral Concert the University Chorale and Ad Astra women’s chorus perform a selection of music, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., 405-2085000. THU Bang Bang Queer Punk Variety Show an evening of drag and burlesque performances with a rock ‘n’ roll attitude, 11 p.m. Oct. 12 and Nov. 9.

HiLo Club, 1221 NW 50th St., 405-843-1722, hilookc. com. FRI Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle and Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges students from the University of Oklahoma’s School of Music perform the classic operas, Oct. 11-14. Reynolds Performing

AUTOMOBILE ALLEY

Erwin Redl: Whiteout 10/11/18 - 03/31/19 Campbell Art Park | NW 11th and Broadway Presented by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation FREE opening event | 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday Oklahoma City Community Foundation 1000 N. Broadway Ave. Learn more at oklahomacontemporary.org. oklahomacontemporary.org | 405 951 0000 | @okcontemporary 3000 General Pershing Blvd. | Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Riverscream the Sky Trail is transformed in this zombie-themed adventure culminating in zombie laser tag, 5-11 p.m. Oct. 12-13. RIVERSPORT Rapids, 800 Riversport Drive, 405-552-4040, riversportokc. org. FRI-SAT

Mummy & Son Masquerade Ball a costume ball for mothers and their sons with dancing, games, snacks and crafts, 7-9 p.m. Oct. 12. Mustang Parks & Recreation, 1201 N. Mustang Road, Mustang, 405376-3411, cityofmustang.org. FRI

Storytime Science the museum invites children age 6 and younger to hear a story and participate in a related scientific activity, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52nd St., 405602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. TUE

ILLUMINATE

Pup Cup 5K-9 hosted by nonprofit Pastime with Purpose, this 5k race also features dog friendly and fitness oriented vendors, music, food trucks and more and benefits The Children’s’ Hospital at OU Medical Center Dog Therapy Program and Awareness Partners, Pet Angels Rescue and Fields and Futures, 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 14. Stars & Stripes Park, 3701 S. Lake Hefner Drive, 405-297-2756, okc.gov/ parks. SUN

Walk With Ease Program an Arthritis Foundation-certified program designed to motivate people to get in shape and improve flexibility and stamina, 8:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Nov. 9. Oklahoma County OSU Extension Center, 2500 NE 63rd St., 405-713-1125, okiemgs.okstate. edu. MON-FRI

Pumpkin Decorating with a Princess children can decorate a festive gourd with Cinderella, 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 15. We Rock the Spectrum, 64 E 33rd St., 405-657-1108, werockthespectrumoklahomacity. com. MON

ERWIN REDL

connect to one another, 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 13. Beautifully Connected, 13524 Railway Drive, Suite. J, 262753-6852, beautifullyconnectedwellness.com. SAT

VISUAL ARTS American Indian Artists: 20th Century Masters an exhibition of Native art from the Kiowa Six, Harrison Begay, Tonita Peña and more, through May 12, 2019. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. SAT-THU Art Deco and the American West the 10th iteration of this biennial art symposium features presentations on architecture and art in the American West created in the art deco style, 9 a.m.

Oct. 12. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma. FRI Autumn Pop-Up view new work from the studios of Anthony Dyke, Susan Morrison-Dyke, Suzanne Mears and Christie Owen, through Nov. 9. Nault Gallery, 816 N. Walker Ave., 405-604-7947. FRI Battle of Art local artists create live onstage, incorporating a theme chosen by the audience, which also chooses the winner, 9-11 p.m. Sundays. Hubbly Bubbly Hookah & Café, 2900 N. Classen Blvd. Suite K, 405-609-2930. SUN

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CALENDAR

Opera on Tap: Spirits and Spirits For what they’re calling OOTober Fest, the Oklahoma City chapter of performing arts collective Opera on Tap will present some of opera’s spookiest, ghostliest arias and, to make good on the “on Tap” part of the name, some drinking songs as well. Hof bräu meets highbrow 8-10 p.m. Saturday at The Root, 3012 N. Walker Ave., Suite B. Admission is $5. Call 405-697-0718 or visit facebook.com/therootokc.

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Education, Oct. 12-14. Northpark Mall, 12100 N. May Ave. FRI-SUN

The Blind Rooms a multimedia experience created by the artist Juliacks in collaboration with University of Oklahoma students and combining audio narratives with visual and performance art, through Nov. 2.

The Lightwell Gallery, 520 Parrington Oval, 405-325-2691, art.ou.edu. MON-FRI

One Thousand Tears multimedia artist Janet O’Neal combines photography, sculpture printmaking and painting in an exhibition of works exploring loss, grief and the healing process, through Oct. 13.

[Artspace] at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-6665, 1ne3.org. THU-SAT

Blurring the Lines of Possibilities wood and metal sculptor Morgan Robinson will deliver an interactive presentation about distortion and its impact on the world, 5-8 p.m. Oct. 11. Oklahoma City University School of Visual Arts, 1601 NW 26th St., 405-208-5226, okcu.edu/artsci/departments/ visualart. THU Chrome Chocolate an exhibition of paintings, mixed-media and video and digital art created by Vivian Beethe, Skip Hill, Keegan O’Keefe and more, through Oct. 14. IAO Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-232-6060, iaogallery.org. FRI-SUN Creating in Resins Workshop learn how to use high-gloss resins as a coating for acrylic collages and paintings at this workshop taught by awardwinning multimedia artist Janet O’Neal, Oct. 13-14.

[Artspace] at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-6665, 1ne3.org. SAT-SUN

Benefiting HONORING AMERICA’S WARRIORS

TYLER LEE BAND ♦ 4 PM MY SO CALLED BAND ♦ 6PM SUPER FREAK ♦ 8PM HINDER ♦ 10PM $25 General Admission ♦ $30 Day of Show $75 Meet, Greet & Eat w/ Hinder 6:30-7:30pm Tickets available at StubWire or Whiskey Chicks OU vs TCU indoors & on outdoor big screen West parking lot & Whiskey Chicks 115 E Reno ♦ 228.0087 ♦ Bricktown

Daren Kendall: Threshold With Me view seven sculptural thresholds based on the seven terraces of Dante’s purgatory, through Dec. 30. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma.

FRI-SUN

Edmond Art Association Art Fall Show & Sale shop for artworks at this family friendly event, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 13. Spring Creek Plaza, 777 E. 15th St., Edmond, 405-341-3932, springcreekplaza. com. SAT Erwin Redl artist talk the experimental visual artist will discuss his works, including the newly installed Whiteout, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 10. 21c Museum Hotel, 900 W. Main St., 405-982-6900, 21cmuseumhotels.com. WED The Garden Chronicles Plus an exhibition of paintings by artist George Bogart, through Nov. 2.

Norman Santa Fe Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org. FRI Horsepower a dual exhibition by artists Kristen Vails and Dusty Gilpin featuring works juxtaposing horses and automobiles, through Oct. 20. Firehouse Art Center, 444 S. Flood Ave., Norman, 405-3294523, normanfirehouse.com. FRI-SAT Lost in the Faraway an exhibition of spontaneously created acrylic works by KB Kueteman, through Oct. 28. Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 405-601-7474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.com. FRI-SUN National Geographic Photo Ark a collection of images captured by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore to preserve current species for future generations, through Dec. 16. The Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Place, 405-424-3344, okczoo.com. WED-SUN Oklahoma Artists Invitational Art Show & Benefit a juried art show and sale featuring paintings, jewelry, sculpture and mixed-media works and benefitting Mercy Foundation Stroke

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Pop Stars! Popular Culture and Contemporary Art an exploration of contemporary pop art inspired by Andy Warhol, Nick Cave, R. Luke DuBois and others, through Feb. 28. 21c Museum Hotel, 900 W. Main St., 405-982-6900, 21cmuseumhotels.com.

SUN-THU

Sandra Patterson and Paul White an exhibition of oils on canvas and porcelain and watercolor and acrylic paintings, through Nov. 30. Porcelain Art Museum, 2700 N. Portland Ave., 405-521-1234, wocp.org. MON-FRI Seeds of Being curated by students enrolled in the university’s Native American Art & Museum Studies Seminar, this exhibition examines the impact of art in indigenous communities, through Dec. 30. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma. TUE-SUN Still Looking: The Photography Collection of Carol Beesley Hennagin an exhibition of selections from Hennagin’s extensive collection, including works by Edward Weston, Frederick Sommer and more, through Dec. 30. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/ fjjma. TUE-SUN Studio Gallery’s Featured Show an exhibition featuring paintings, photography and handmade jewelry created by a variety of artists, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, through Oct. 31. The Studio Gallery, 2642 W. Britton Road, 405-752-2642, thestudiogallery.org. THU-WED Whiteout an outdoor artwork made by hundreds of transparent white spheres embedded with white LED lights and animated in large-scale patterns, Oct. 10-March 31. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405-951-000, oklahomacontemporary.org. WED-THU Wonderful Watercolors Workshop learn about paint manipulation and other techniques at this class taught by veteran artist Connie Seabourn, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 10-11. Norman Santa Fe Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org. WED-THU

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.

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EVENT

MUSIC

Class clown

Puddles Pity Party will perform with his signature dour flair at Tower Theatre. By Jo Light

There are some moments of reality TV that become iconic and help launch entire careers. Puddles Pity Party’s first appearance on America’s Got Talent in 2017 is one such moment.

On this particular episode, the nearly 7-foot-tall clown in a billowing white outfit and paper crown said nothing during his pre-audition interview.

Onstage, he radiated a vulnerable, silent sadness that at first confused viewers.

But then he sang a haunting cover of Sia’s “Chandelier,” his deep baritone voice visibly surprising judges Howie Mandel and Mel B. After the song, the audience was stunned to see real tears in the big clown’s eyes.

Following the exposure of the talent competition, he gained hundreds of thousands of online followers. They form a community that Puddles affectionately calls “P3ers.”

Now Puddles tours regularly with his friend, Big Mike Geier (a fellow singer who, conveniently, is never seen in the same room as Puddles).

Puddles still doesn’t speak, but he graciously agreed to an email interview before his upcoming show at the Tower Theatre.

Oklahoma Gazette: You choose not to speak at your live performances.

Why do you find it’s easier to sing your feelings?

Puddles Pity Party: I don’t talk much because I always seem to say the wrong thing. And I think there is so much talking in the world already. Words just sound better when put to music.

OKG: I heard that some of your early days were spent singing for crews on shrimp boats. What led you to decide to pursue performing more seriously as a career?

Puddles: That was my PawPaw’s boat.

I realized that working on a trawler wasn’t for me. I’m so big, and I was always in the way. Since I was basically singing for my supper, I thought, “Why not go sing for my supper where they serve more than just shrimp?”

OKG: What do you find most inspiring about the songs you cover?

Puddles: I gravitate mostly towards emotive pop anthems. Sometimes it’s the melody, and sometimes it’s that perfect chord change that puts just the right amount of air under me and I feel like I’m flying.

OKG: What are some of your other interests and pastimes besides singing?

Puddles: I love to travel and meet new people.

OKG: I’ve seen you quoted as saying you want “less conversation” and “more action.” What do you mean by that?

Puddles: More doing and less talking about doing. A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.

OKG: You got a lot of attention when you joined Postmodern Jukebox to sing a cover of Lorde’s “Royals” in a 2013 YouTube video, which went viral.

What’s it like being Internet-famous?

Puddles: Viral videos travel across all borders. The Internet is like some kind of infinite highway. I get to meet people from all over the world. Every corner of the globe. Just today, I chatted with a P3er in Siberia. Isn’t that incredible?

What a world!

OKG: A big part of your wider popularity grew out of your 2017 appearance on America’s Got Talent. What made you want to do the show?

Puddles: I put the question to the P3 community, and almost everybody said I should go for it. I’m glad I did. It was scary, but sometimes ya gotta follow your art into the deep end.

Those scary clowns can be intimidating.

Maybe they just need a hug.

Puddles Pity Party OKG: What was the best thing about performing for a broad television audience and judges like Simon Cowell?

Puddles: Well, the best part was making all kinds of new friends (backstage and around the world). It was nerve-wracking performing in front of judges, but they were really nice. Did you see Simon Cowell wink at me while I was on stage?

He did! I thought I would spontaneously combust on the spot. Is spontaneous combustion even a thing? I hope not, ’cause it almost happened to me in front of 14 million viewers!

OKG: Some friends of mine saw you recently in Salt Lake City and really enjoyed your show. I hear you use a lot of props and get the audience to participate in your performance.

Why do you think audience participation is important?

Puddles: Sometimes I need a helper with my show. So I ask someone in the audience to assist me and at first, they’re a little apprehensive. But they’re on stage, they knock it outta the park and the house goes bananas. There is no

better feeling than that. I get weepy just thinking about it.

OKG: You travel a lot with Big Mike Geier, and you’ve known him since 1998. What is your friendship with him like?

Puddles: Let me tell you, he talks a lot!

But I’m a good listener. And he always knows where to get a good cup of coffee.

He’s a good egg, I guess. And very handsome.

OKG: What are you looking forward to the most about your trip to Oklahoma City?

Puddles: Definitely want to visit the American Banjo Museum and The American Pigeon Museum [& Library].

But mostly just looking forward to singing and meeting the 650+ P3ers at the Tower Theatre. Oh, and maybe have a cuppa soup or something with local legend Wayne Coyne. My treat, Wayne!

OKG: You’re coming to the Tower Theatre just before Halloween. Do you have any Halloween traditions?

What’s it like to see more of your clown colleagues out in public around this time of year?

Puddles: I like to head down to my local Piggly Wiggly grocery store and smell the cinnamon brooms. I used to treat myself to a bag of mini Zagnuts and eat ’em in the car, but I don’t eat sugar anymore. So I’ll stick to sniffing cinnamon brooms. Clowns in public places? Of course, I’m all for it. Unless they’re the scary types. Those scary clowns can be intimidating. Maybe they just need a hug.

Puddles Pity Party performs pop like Pagliacci. | Photo Emily Butler / provided

OKG: What do you want the audience to take away (emotionally, not literally) from your show at the Tower Theatre?

Puddles: I’d like for them to come away with a sense of fellowship. We’re all in this together, even when we’re alone.

OKG: What advice would you give to other aspiring singers?

Puddles: Just keep going! The more you sing, the better you’ll get at finding your voice.

OKG: Do you have any big professional plans for the near future?

Puddles: Film! Television! Broadway!

Maybe even the Runway! (Working on a line of ThunderShirts for humans.)

OKG: Is there anything else you’d like Oklahomans to know about you or anything else you’d like to add?

Puddles: I refer to folks from Oklahoma as Oklahumans. I like to add black beans to my tossed salad and spinach to my morning oatmeal, and sometimes I’ll add an extra shot to my cortado!

Visit towertheatreokc.com.

Puddles Pity Party 8 p.m. Sunday Tower Theatre 425 NW 23rd St. towertheatreokc.com $35-$105

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EVENT

MUSIC

Up “Elevator” The New Tribe reunites with new music and fresh perspectives. By Jeremy Martin

Meet the new The New Tribe, (mostly) the same as the old The New Tribe.

Drummer Adam Sarmiento said the band started in Norman “like 25 years ago,” played for “three or four years,” then “called it quits” until a special fan asked that he and his brother, guitarist Eric Sarmiento, reunite with keyboardist Chris Gomez for a one-off show in October of 2016.

“Our mom was having kind of a significant birthday, and she requested it,” Adam Sarmiento said. “She was excited to hear those old tunes and feel the vibe again.”

The Sarmientos’ mother wasn’t the only one who enjoyed revisiting those vibes.

“We realized how much we liked playing with this particular group and the whole aesthetic of what the band was about,” Adam Sarmiento said.

“There’s something about the chemistry of the three of us that it was hard to replicate in other bands. That’s what we’ve been doing ever since, playing as much as we can and writing and recording as much as we can. … A lot of what the band is about is kind of being optimistic during adverse times and situations. So we found it to have a lot of power and resonance.”

Released in April, Step Outside is The New Tribe’s first full-length album, which Adam Sarmiento said comprises “mostly the old tunes that we never got Formed in the early ’90s, The New Tribe reunited in 2016. | Image provided

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a chance to record in the old days.”

“That album is kind of unique in the sense that it’s all old material, but we were recording it new for the first time,” Adam Sarmiento said. “When you write songs 20 years prior, it’s almost like covering someone else’s songs by that point. You’re kind of a different person so many years later and so much has changed. You’ve learned a lot musically and just in life.”

Before Step Outside, the only recordings of The New Tribe were a four-song demo cassette, a single included on a compilation benefitting Amnesty International and whatever the band’s fans thought to tape in concert.

“We did kind of have a little following back in the day,” Adam Sarmiento said, “and there’s some amount of bootleg live recordings. There’s some fans out there that still have the old tapes and still know the old songs, but for the most part, given the amount of time between the two phases, we’re kind of considering this practically a new band for the majority of audiences.”

A “double A-side” single, available on 7-inch vinyl on Friday, features two new songs: “Elevator” and “Light One Candle,” based around the adage “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,” a favorite saying of the Sarmientos’ grandmother Hazel.

“She was a real cool lady,” Adam Sarmiento said. “She was kind of a suburban housewife, but she was really into a lot of this New Age-y stuff, far-out stuff

like listening to blank tapes and hearing voices, and we got books from her on psychedelic mushrooms and cooking with cannabis and all kinds of crazy stuff.”

The lyrics to “Elevator,” meanwhile, express the desire to reconnect with life. “I’m so low, but I want to be so high,” the song says. “I want to live before I start to die.”

“These new songs are more where want to be going and kind of our new direction, I guess you could say,” Adam Sarmiento said. “What we’re doing now is what we wished we had been doing back in the day. I feel like we’re kind of realizing the potential of what we wanted to be doing back then. We just didn’t have as much experience to translate our desired goals into a final product.”

Making music

Though the band, which currently also features bassist Sterling Finlay, is spread out between Norman, Dallas and San Marcos, Adam Sarmiento said they are playing and writing songs together every chance they get. The next New Tribe album might be a doubleLP. “We already have 11 tunes for that, and we’ll probably have more than 20 by the time we’re done,” Adam Sarmiento said.

“We’ve been blessed with some productive times on the songwriting front.

I think we’re kind of inspired by this whole experience.”

While certain aspects of making music have improved since the ’90s, Adam Sarmiento said, the local music scene has not exactly changed for the better.

“We have more access and ability,” Adam Sarmiento said. “It’s easier to make recordings and we have access to ways of distributing it, but at the same time, there’s kind of a flooded market.

People seem kind of cynical and jaded about music, like it’s really hard to get people out anymore at the local shows, I think, because there’s so many competing forms of entertainment.”

In the original days of The New

Brothers Eric and Adam Sarmiento share writing and vocal duties on The New Tribe’s new single, “Elevator.” | Image provided

Tribe, Adam Sarmiento said, music fans seemed to have more energy and enthusiasm.

“The scene in the ’90s around here was a little more vibrant, I would say, in Norman,” Adam Sarmiento said. “You had three or four venues on Campus Corner, and they were usually pretty well packed with lines out the door and stuff.

So that was kind of the original scene and it was sort of a ’90s kind of hippie renaissance and we were definitely in the mix of that. It was kind of a fun time to be playing shows. People had fun in those days; let’s put it that way. … I feel like we’re still searching to rebuild that community that we had back in the day because a lot of the old fans have moved on or they’ve got kids and they’re too busy to go to shows anymore.”

But the band is always thankful when longtime fans show up at gigs.

“The older fans kind of know the drill,” Adam Sarmiento said. “They’re the ones, usually, who s t a r t t he dancing and getting into it.

I feel like that’s not as common around here at shows anymore, so maybe the older fans can lead the way showing the young folks how to get into it more.”

The New Tribe celebrates the release of its new single 9 p.m.

F r id ay at The Root with Astral Planes and Jarvix and is scheduled to perform Saturday at Illinois River Jam in Tahlequah.

Visit newtribesounds.space.

The New Tribe 9 p.m. Friday The Root 3012 N. Walker Ave. facebook.com/therootokc | 405-697-0718 $5

LIVE MUSIC These are events recommended

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

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 10

Lincka/GWIZ/Saturn, Opolis. POP/ROCK Melinda Doolittle, Civic Center Music Hall. POP Midas 13, Remington Park. ROCK Ravens Three, Full Circle Bookstore. FOLK Thomas Rhett/Brett Young, Chesapeake Energy Arena. COUNTRY

Arctic Monkeys/Mini Mansions, The Criterion. ROCK

SATURDAY, OCT. 13

Cuco, Tower Theatre. POP

Aidin Hafezamini/Buala, Flux. ELECTRONIC

Doghouse Swine/WMD, Red Brick Bar. PUNK

Beth Lee/Chris Duarte/KALO, Red Brick Bar.

Emmylou Harris, Brady Theater. COUNTRY Katie & the Elements, The R & J Lounge and Supper Club. JAZZ Mipso/Jason Scott, ACM @ UCO Performance Lab. FOLK

THURSDAY, OCT. 11 Adam Aguilar, Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar. SINGER/

BLUES/ROCK

Blue Water Highway, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. ROCK Cameo, Riverwind Casino. ROCK Cody Jinks, The Criterion. COUNTRY Dustin Cooper, Full Circle Bookstore. FOLK Jahruba & the Jahmysticsz, Othello’s Italian Restaurant. REGGAE

SONGWRITER

Melinda Doolittle, Civic Center Music Hall.

POP

Elizabeth Speegle Band, Saints. JAZZ Father John Misty/Broncho, The Jones Assembly. ROCK Koolie High & the Tap Band, Ice Event Center & Grill. JAZZ Seepeoples/Spoonfed Tribe, Farmers Public Market. ROCK

FRIDAY, OCT. 12 13/KrewX/Fauxsia, Flux. ELECTRONIC Bad Influence, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK Cashmere Cat, Tower Theatre. HIP-HOP Dan Johnson, VFW Post 9265.

The SteelDrivers, Tower Theatre. BLUEGRASS Stone Tide/Useless Randy, HiLo Club. ROCK Uncle Blue, Lumpy’s Sports Grill. BLUES Vince Van & the Outlaws, Brewskey’s. COUNTRY Yoke Lore/Bay Ledges, 89th Street-OKC. POP

SUNDAY, OCT. 14 Celtic Jam, Full Circle Bookstore. FOLK John Gorka, The Blue Door. FOLK Reckless Kelly, Newcastle Casino. COUNTRY/ROCK

SINGER/SONGWRITER

Stryper, Diamond Ballroom. ROCK

Dresden Bombers, Guestroom Records. ROCK

MONDAY, OCT. 15

Lauren Daigle, Brady Theater. SINGER-SONGWRITER

Jason Hunt, Sean Cumming’s Irish Restaurant. FOLK Trevor Lindley, ACM @ UCO. ELECTRONIC

TUESDAY, OCT. 16 Andy Mineo/LeCrae, Tower Theatre. HIP-HOP Country Clique, Friends Restaurant & Club.

COUNTRY

Kosha Dillz/Jabee/Devmo, 89th Street-OKC. HIP-HOP Kyle Reid, Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails.

SINGER/SONGWRITER

Samantha Crain/John Calvin Abney, The Chouse.

SINGER/SONGWRITER

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 17 [Alexandros], Diamond Ballroom. ROCK Clutch/Sevendust, Cain’s Ballroom. ROCK Drive, Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar. ROCK Martha Odom, The R & J Lounge and Supper Club.

Seven Lions Judging by the epic covers of Seven Lions’ albums and singles, you might think that DJ/producer Jeff Montalvo is actually a prog-rock or fantasy metal band, but his sound, incorporating elements of trance, ambient, pop and dubstep, is still grandiose enough to live up to that ferocious name. His current 42-date tour, titled The Journey 2, promises to be appropriately trippy. MitiS, Jason Ross and Au5 are scheduled to support.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave. Tickets are $25. Visit discodonniepresents.com.

WEDNESDAY Photo Dove Shore / provided

JAZZ

Rome Hero Foxes/Brooding, 89th Street-OKC. ROCK

Sean C. Johnson/Stephen Salewon/Tony Foster Jr., Tower Theatre. FOLK/JAZZ/SOUL

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.

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PUZZLES 1

NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE CROSSWORD PUZZLE MIND THE GAP

By Tom McCoy | Puzzles Edited by Will Shortz | 1014

ACROSS 1 Experts 6 Accord 12 The Harry Potter novels, e.g.

18 External parasites 20 Minuscule, cutesily 21 Not yet packed, say 22 Another nickname for Old

Abe … or a description of the

circled letter?

24 Got fit 25 Funny Brooks 26 Eight: Prefix 27 Astronaut’s place …

29 Aves.

30 Let out, as a sigh 33 Venus, but not Serena 34 Truckful 35 A lid usually covers it at night 37 Naval rank: Abbr.

38 Counterpart of Venus 42 Screen or partition …

47 Kitchen-sink attachment 50 Much-disputed part of an airplane 51 Where decongestant spray

goes …

53 Animal with a snout 54 Candidate’s goal 57 “____ time” 58 Discontent 59 Alternatively 60 Kind 61 Cellular messenger 62 CBS drama beginning in 2018 63 Negative connector 64 Cyberexpert’s worry …

69 ____ Poke (caramel candy) 72 ____-rock 73 Each “O” of BOGO 74 ____ and the Real Girl

(2007 comedy) 75 “What have I done!”

79 Part of an auto garage’s business 81 Hawaiian mash-up?

82 Product much advertised

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mitts on 112 By birth 113 Away from work for a while 114 Store banner …

118 Early ____ 119 Scowling 120 Worry in East Africa 121 Something to chew on 122 Some see-through curtains 123 “Ni-i-i-ice!”

DOWN

1 Common phobia source 2 Overturn 3 Omani money 4 Powerful arm 5 What a “singleton” is, in

baseball lingo 6 City from which the U.S.

moved its embassy in 2018 7 Big retailer of camping gear 8 Middle-earth denizen 9 About 10 Keep busy 11 Dr. Seuss title animal 12 Be a lousy bedmate, say 13 Physicist Mach 14 Little protestation 15 “Ain’t I somethin’?!”

16 Cabinet dept.

17 Kind 19 Is on the up and up?

21 Part of a place setting 23 Mom-and-pop org.

28 Followers of talks 31 ____ tu (Verdi aria) 32 Chose not to 34 Whigs’ opponents 36 “Water, water, everywhere,”

per Coleridge 38 “You’re in my spot!”

39 Like an increasing amount of

immigration to the U.S. nowadays 40 Rizzo in Midnight Cowboy 41 More cunning 42 The “r” of r = d/t

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99 Expression of dismay 100 “Gah!” 102 Egg: Prefix

ACCOUNTING/HR MANAGER Marian Harrison ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Karen Holmes

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62 Containing iron 65 Gung-ho 66 Quick signatures, quickly 67 Grammy winner Corinne Bailey ____ 68 Poet who originated the

phrase “harmony in discord” 69 Apostle of Ireland, for short

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PUBLISHER Peter J. Brzycki

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103 Join 104 Have a feeling 105 Bring into the world 106 Truckful 107 Computer command 108 Problem for a plumber 109 Remained fresh 110 ____ chips (trendy snack food) 115 Scot’s refusal 116 Scottie’s warning 117 ____ Amsterdam (name on

colonial maps)

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NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS Puzzle No. 1007, which appeared in the October 3 issue.

B A R B Q

A D I E U

W E L F A R E

O N E U P O N

S H I R T

T R A I N O R

N G O R B E L L E E E N S PEA N C E E I A L L B PEA L S R S C T H P O H R O O I L W N T C O R E A U S T E S S

R I D S I S E N C O C A F A K O F M E R P O O B I M A I L E L L O D I E C A P H A C H I P E D S S E M U S O S C U B U N T E L T I M Z E T U S S

R E A N L E M A R A S D E P I D S F A A K R E A R

M A R S

A L O E

V O L T R H O F A N O D E A F A X E N T W I C S M E S A N N E I N G PEA H E T E S I T M A

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

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Homework: Name ten personal possessions you’d put in a time capsule to be opened by your descendants in 200 years. Testify at Freewillastrology.com.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

In his book The Snow Leopard, Peter Matthiessen describes his quest to glimpse the elusive and rarely seen creature in the Himalayas. “Its uncompromising yellow eyes, wired into the depths of its unfathomable spirit,” he writes, give it a “terrible beauty” that is “the very stuff of human longing.” He loves the snow leopard so much, he says, that it is the animal he “would most like to be eaten by.” I bring this up, Aries, because now would be a good time, astrologically speaking, for you to identify what animal you would most like to be eaten by. In other words, what creature would you most like to learn from and be inspired by? What beautiful beast has the most to give you?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Richard Nelson is an anthropologist who has lived for years with the indigenous Koyukon people of Alaska. He lauds their “careful watching of the same events in the same place” over long periods of time, noting how this enables them to cultivate a rich relationship with their surroundings that is incomprehensible to us civilized Westerners. He concludes, “There may be more to learn by climbing the same mountain a hundred times than by climbing a hundred different mountains.” I think that’s excellent counsel for you to employ in the coming weeks.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

“It is sad that unless you are born a god, your life, from its very beginning, is a mystery to you,” writes Gemini author Jamaica Kincaid. I disagree with her because she implies that if you’re human, your life is a complete and utter mystery; whereas my observation has been that for most of us, our lives are no more than eighty percent mystery. Some lucky ones have even deciphered as much as sixty-five percent, leaving only thirty-five percent mystery. What’s your percentage? I expect that between now and November 1, you can increase your understanding by at least ten percent.

CLASSIFIEDS

MUSIC

CANCER (June 21-July 22) You Cancerians may not possess the mental dexterity of Virgos or the acute cleverness of Geminis, but you have the most soulful intelligence in the zodiac. Your empathetic intuition is among your greatest treasures.

Your capacity to feel deeply gives you the ability to intensely understand the inner workings of life.

Sometimes you take this subtle acumen for granted. It may be hard for you to believe that others are stuck at a high-school level of emotional skill when you have the equivalent of a PhD. Everything I just said is a prelude to my advice. In the coming weeks, I doubt you can solve your big riddle through rational analysis. Your best strategy is to deeply experience all the interesting feelings that are rising up in you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Do you ever experience stress from having to be so interesting and attractive all the time? It may on occasion feel like an onerous responsibility to be the only artful egomaniac amidst swarms of amateur egomaniacs. I have a suggestion that might help. Twice a year, celebrate a holiday I call Dare to Be Boring Week. During these periods of release and relief, you won’t live up to people’s expectations that you keep them amused and excited.

You’ll be free to be solely focused on amusing and exciting yourself, even if that means they’ll think you’re dull. Now is an excellent time to observe Dare to Be Boring Week.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

A Chinese proverb says, “Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” I’m happy to let you know that you are currently more receptive to this truth than maybe you have ever been. Furthermore, you have more power than usual to change your life in ways that incorporate this truth. To get started, meditate on the hypothesis that you can get more good work done if you’re calm and composed than if you’re agitated and trying too hard.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

My astrological analysis suggests that life is conspiring to render you extra excited and unusually animated and highly motivated. I bet that if you cooperate with the natural

DAVE’S APPLIANCE REPAIR All makes washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, refrigerators, disposals.

rhythms, you will feel stirred, playful, and delighted. So how can you best use this gift? How might you take maximum advantage of the lucky breaks and bursts of grace that will be arriving? Here’s my opinion: be more focused on discovering possibilities than making final decisions. Feed your sense of wonder and awe rather than your drive to figure everything out. Give more power to what you can imagine than to what you already know. Being practical is fine as long as you’re idealistically practical.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

How far is it from the Land of the Lost to the Land of the Lost and Found? What’s the best route to take? Who and what are likely to provide the best help? If you approach those questions with a crisply optimistic attitude, you can gather a wealth of useful information in a relatively short time. The more research you do about the journey, the faster it will go and the more painless it will be. Here’s another fertile question to meditate on: is there a smart and kind way to give up your attachment to a supposedly important thing that is actually quite burdensome?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

In her only novel, Save Me the Waltz, Zelda Fitzgerald described her main character like this: “She quietly expected great things to happen to her, and no doubt that’s one of the reasons why they did.” That’s a bit too much like fairy-tale wisdom for me to endorse it unconditionally. But I do believe it may sometimes be a valid hypothesis—especially for you Sagittarians in the coming months. Your faith in yourself and your desire to have interesting fun will be even more important than usual in determining what adventures you will have. I suggest you start now to lay the groundwork for this exhilarating challenge.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Russian philosopher George Gurdjieff taught that most people are virtually sleepwalking even during the day.

He said we’re permanently stuck on automatic pilot, prone to reacting in mechanical ways to every event that comes our way. Psychology pioneer Sigmund Freud had an equally dim view of us humans. He believed that it’s our normal state to be neurotic; that most of us are chronically

CLASSIFIEDS

JOBS

out of sync with our surroundings. Now here’s the good news, Capricorn. You’re at least temporarily in a favorable position to refute both men’s theories. In fact, I’ll boldly predict that in the next three weeks you’ll be as authentic and awake and at peace as you’ve been in years.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

In the late 19th-century, American botanist George Washington Carver began to champion the nutritional value of peanuts. His influence led to the plant being grown and used more extensively. Although he accomplished many other innovations, including techniques for enhancing depleted soils, he became famous as the Peanut Man. Later in life, he told the story that while young he had prayed to God to show him the mystery of the universe, but God turned him down, saying, “That’s for me alone.” So George asked God to show him the mystery of the peanut, and God agreed, saying, “that’s more nearly your size.” The coming weeks will be a great time for you to seek a comparable revelation, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Every year, people discard 3.3 million pounds of chewing gum on the streets of Amsterdam. A company named Gumdrop has begun to harvest that waste and use it to make soles for its new brand of sneakers, Gumshoe. A spokesperson said the intention was to “create a product people actually want from something no one cares about.”

I’d love it if you were inspired by this visionary act of recycling, Pisces. According to my reading of the cosmic omens, you now have exceptional powers to transform something you don’t want into something you do want.

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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