NEWSLETTER vol. 1 | issue 1
EXPERIENCE LOCAL
EXPERIENCE 16TH
Keep it local all year round Lyric raises money for Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
In the Spotlight
Picture Puzzle
“Plaza Quotes”
Upcoming Events
Who are we?
This newsletter is provided by the Plaza District Association to inform, motivate and inspire the community around it.
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Keep it local all year round Many of you have seen the little plastic “Keep it Local” cards being used at places like Cuppies and Joe, Iguana Mexican Grill, Collected Thread, Iron Starr Urban BBQ and so many more. Here’s a little scoop on how it works and why you should start keepin’ it local! I had the pleasure of meeting the brains behind the operation, Keep it Local co-founder, Bryce Bandy. Bandy, along with his business partner Chris Branson launched the Keep it Local OK idea in early 2010 to promote growth within Oklahoma City and bring attention to all the amazing creative minds we have right here! Since it’s birth, the small business has grown to gain national attention. The vision of Keep it Local is to encourage consumers to shop, eat at local, independent businesses to keep our economy strong and productive. Brandy and Branson saw the idea of promoting local businesses in cities such as, Austin, Texas and wanted to bring the same concept to Oklahoma City.
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Keep it Local has over 130 local businesses that have partnered with them which include stores in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman and Midwest City. “We give people the tools and incentives to shop local�, said Bandy. A one time purchase of $10.00 in turn will save you hundreds of dollars by using your card at all your favorite OKC hot spots. You can purchase a Keep it Local card at Elemental Coffee Co, Blue 7, and several other locations. The 2012 card was designed by local artist Mauricio Cremer. This year Keep it Local is launching some new tools to make shopping even easier! A free iPhone app is now available which was built by local developer Steve Baranski of Komorka Technology. And early next month a gift registry to register for all your gift needs such as birthday, house warming, graduation, wedding, baby etc.. will also be available to let all your friends and family know which local store they can find your perfect gift. Article & Photos by: Maria Dru
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Lyric raises money for Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Lyric’s Executive Director, Paula Stover & Artistic Director, Michael Baron with Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Executive Director, Rodney
During the first run of LYRIC’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL, presented by Devon Energy last December, Lyric and its generous patrons raised over $18,000 for Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s mission is “Fighting Hunger... Feeding Hope.” Hope is what inspired Lyric audiences to help the food bank last month. In Oklahoma, one in four children struggles with hunger every day and Oklahoma is the fifth hungriest state in the
nation, where more than 600,000 Oklahomans are unsure about where their next meal will come from. During the 20 performance run in Lyric’s 279 seat Plaza Theatre this past holiday season, Lyric invited patrons attending the show to donate monetarily what they wish to help this important and vital organization. After each show, actors stood at the theatre doors offering their Victorian wool top hats as a way to accept donations from Lyric’s generous patrons on their way out to the Plaza Theatre lobby.
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Lyric’s patron’s raised $18,002.38 for Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, equaling the amount of 90,000 meals for hungry Oklahomans. “I chose the Regional Food Bank as LYRIC’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL holiday beneficiary this year because their mission is deeply tied to the production’s message of helping those in need,” says Lyric’s Artistic Director, Michael Baron. “I’m truly thankful for the generous spirit of our audiences and the entire Lyric staff for making this holiday season a better one for those Oklahomans who needlessly face hunger every day.” Before the final performance of LYRIC’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL on December 31, 2011, with the entire cast of the show on stage,
Paula Stover, Lyric’s Executive Director, and Baron presented Rodney Bivens, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Executive Director, a check for the full amount of $18,002.38. “Lyric’s generous patrons helped provide countless Oklahomans with two of life’s most basic needs- food and hope,” says Bivens. “I can’t think of no more meaningful gift. Thank you to Lyric and its patrons.”
Pg. 6 In the SPOTLIGHT: Kelli & J.D. Epperson JD and Kelli Epperson have been a huge part of the Plaza community, supporting all the local shops and volunteering when help is needed. They began attending Plaza Live in 2008 shortly after they started dating, admitting to only missing two since they fell into the scene. “I remember when the cool thing was heading to the east or west coast, for me the people who stuck around is what makes up this community,” Kelli said. “We are just in love with Oklahoma City!” Art covers the Epperson’s home and they would happily name off the local artist that did it. This one is by Dylan Bradway (DNA Galleries), that one’s by Dusty Gilpin (LIVE), oh and Tanner Frady (LIVE); the list could go on from there. Lets not forget the tattoos the couple received from No Regrets or the shirt JD was wearing from Warpaint and of course, the huge spray paint piece Kelli did during a graffiti class by Collected Thread. Their involvement doesn’t stop there; together they have attended many shows at the Lyric and the Society, were models in two fashion shows by the Velvet Monkey and volunteering at booths for Plaza Live. “I really hope the Plaza brings new life to the community and draws people of all types together even if they’re not into the ‘art scene’ per se,” Kelli said.
Picture Puzzle: Where was this photo taken? E-mail Lauren Reasor at info@plazadistrict.org with the correct answer and you will be entered into a drawing to win a Plaza District T-shirt. About Picture Puzzle: A collection of pictures within the Plaza District. Guess the location. Win a prize.
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“PLAZA QUOTES” What is your favorite thing about the Plaza District?
Tyler Boren, 25 “Oklahoma needs places for artists like me to show their work and have the opportunity to be seen.”
Robin Chase, 36 “It’s built up into this great neighborhood, this whole place feels so alive.”
Shayla Hall, 20 “No Regrates, I got my tattoo there, love that place!”
Kenny Deason, 34 “The community and friends, everyone is like family, it builds the core around here.”
Chris Memmert, 31 “It’s a very eclectic group of people, it brings all these amazing things together.”
Tricia Dameron “It’s one of the few pet friendly communities.”
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March EVENTS Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
4
5
6
7
2
8
3
Shelton Pool
DAVE/Kiltro
Film Night
Learn to knit
9
10
Dead End Alaska
LIVE
on the
PLAZA!
Tokophobia
12
11
13
15
14
Saturday
16
Fashion Show Vintage Jewelry Class
17
Partner & Friends
Saint Patty’s at SAINTS A Book Affair
18
19
20
21
22
Community Meal
Parlor Art Show
Life Drawing
Custom Toy Show
25
26
27
28
29
23
24 Photography
30
Opening of “Spring Awakening”
31 Songwriting
ART FUSION STUDIO
DNA GALLERIES
LYRIC THEATRE OF OK
STUDIO FJ
BAD GRANNY’S BAZAAR
EVERYTHING GOES
MAYA TRADING CO.
THE SOCIETY
BLUE STAGE STUDIOS
FINCH CREATIVE GROUP
MIDWESTMEDIA
URBANOLOGY
COLE DEWEY DESIGNS
GALLERY 1612
NO REGRETS TATTOO
URBAN WINE WORKS
COLLECTED THREAD
GUATEMALAN IMPORTS
PAULA & CO.
VELVET MONKEY
CONVERGENCE
ISTVAN GALLERY
RETROKC
WARPAINT CLOTHING
DIG IT!
KEEP IT LOCAL OK
SAINTS
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Mission Statement: The Plaza District Association works to develop the Plaza District as a vibrant commercial district where arts, local business and neighborhood community thrives.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President, Aimee Ahpeatone Vice President, Jeff Stuble Secretary, Amanda Bradway Treasurer, Stephen Kovash Lou Kerr Deborah Minard Keith Rinearson Gene Voth Lindsay Zodrow
STAFF Kristen Vails, Executive Director Lauren Reasor, District Relations and Marketing Coordinator Grace Hancock, Bookkeeper
INTERNS Maria Atkinson, Blog Amber Pyle, Newsletter
1618 Gatewood | Oklahoma City, OK 73107 | 405.367.9403 email us | follow us @plazadistrict