SPILLING THE BEANS 2YO6 UPRL ACC OEFSF ETOE FGI XE T W H E R E T O D I N E | W H AT T O D O | W H E R E T O F I N D I T | W H E N I T ’ S H A P P E N I N G
2016
JANUARY 2016
WINTER
SURVIVAL GUIDE
9 WAYS TO PERK UP YOUR JANUARY ON THE CHEAP
HERO WORSHIP MORE THAN 25 SUPERHEROES AND VILLAINS TRADE PUNCHES IN MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE!
DOWNTOWN AFTER DARK
HOT SPOTS FOR SPARKING ROMANCE, CHEERING THE TEAM, LIVING IT UP OR JUST HANGING
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU PREVIEW918.COM
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HAPPY “GRILL”MORE MEET ERIK REYNOLDS, THE MASTER OF FLAVOR BEHIND SMOKE.’S UNIQUE TASTES, AROMAS
A CHORUS LINE CHILI BOWL LEATHER WEATHER MANDARIN TASTE XTREME RACING GETTING INTO YOGA ESCAPE TO STATE PARKS SINBAD’S ROTISSERIE CHICKEN KINKY BOOTS
JUST VISITING? LIVING LOCAL? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.
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81st & Lewis
Wayne & Neda S.
acting F.A.S.T. When Neda’s son tried to wake her, he and his dad knew something was wrong. Her arm was limp and she wasn’t able to speak. Neda’s husband, Wayne, immediately knew she was having a stroke. Within 25 minutes, she was at The Emergency Center at Hillcrest Medical Center being treated with a clot-busting drug that can reduce long-term disability. According to Wayne, everyone at The Emergency Center was on high alert and knew the clock was ticking. Today, Neda is on the road to a full recovery thanks to the life-saving teams at The Emergency Center at Hillcrest and the Oklahoma Stroke & Neurological Institute at Hillcrest Medical Center. To learn more about Neda’s life-changing experience, visit Hillcrest.com. SignS of a Stroke
f - Face Drooping a - Arm Weakness
Hillcrest.com | 918.585.8000 “Like” us on Facebook.
S - Speech Difficulty t - Time to Call 911
A
s the mayor of this beautiful city and as a native Tulsan, I invite you to enjoy my hometown. Whether you’re just visiting or you already live here, there’s something for everyone. VOL. 30, NO. 1 PREVIEW918.COM
For over 30 years, Preview magazine has been offering Tulsans and/or its visitors this comprehensive guide about everything from area restaurants to local attractions, events, tourist destinations, lifestyles, lodging and one-of-a-kind extraordinary shopping venues.
For over 30 years, Preview magazine has been the best resource for discovering Tulsa, Green Country and locating the perfect place to eat, visit, shop and be entertained, whether you are here on business or just enjoying a few days away from the grind. Located in the heart of Oklahoma, Tulsa is a year-round destination for shopping, dining, entertainment, scenic views, hikes and adventure. The rich history of Tulsa and its surrounding areas is reflected in the diversity of its museums, landmarks, history, wildlife, attractions, fine dining and friendly locals. In Tulsa, situated on the Arkansas River at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, enjoy a performance or sporting event at the BOK Center, fish in one of the area’s many lakes, check out the sharks in the state’s only freestanding aquarium, explore any of the lush parks or break out the clubs and tackle any of the 16 public golf courses. Considered by many to be the cultural and arts center of Oklahoma, Tulsa offers full-time professional opera and ballet companies and one of the nation’s largest concentrations of art deco architecture. Regardless of your personal tastes or budget, Tulsa offers a down-home, yet cultured experience for all ages.
No matter where you turn, Tulsa offers great restaurants — everything from barbecue to sushi — tons of unique shopping venues, world-class museums, and entertainment options that are second to none. Tulsa is well known for its art, music and culture. It is home to world-class ballet and opera, as well as the Gilcrease and Philbrook museums, where displays of Western art and Italian Renaissance will capture your heart and imagination. Downtown Tulsa is home to one of the finest collections of art deco architecture in the country, ranking with cities such as Miami and Chicago. Our iconic beacon, the BOK Center, is a major catalyst for drawing visitors and Tulsans alike for concerts, sporting events and more. ONEOK Field, home of our city’s baseball team — the Tulsa Drillers — has proven to be one of the major players in the revitalization of downtown along with the Philbrook Downtown and the Woody Guthrie Center. These new developments mesh well with already established entertainment venues such as Cain’s Ballroom, Brady Theater and the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. If you’re looking for outdoor activities, Tulsa offers plenty of exciting opportunities for outdoor fun and recreation. Take a stroll down the scenic paths winding along the Arkansas River and take in the beauty of our famed River Parks. If you’re looking for more of a wild time, then head over to “America’s Favorite Zoo” and tour the Tulsa Zoo, our city-owned gem that’s located at Mohawk Park. It’s truly a great experience for the whole family. I am pleased that you have chosen to call Tulsa your home, or if you’re just visiting, we sure hope you enjoy your stay in our beautiful city. You can always find out more about Tulsa by visiting our website: www. CityOfTulsa.org.
EDITOR: Chris Greer chrisg@previewgreencountry.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Sally Roper sally@previewgreencountry.com
GRAPHIC PRODUCTION: Jared Hood, Beth Rose CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: C hris Greer, Michele Chiappetta, Maria Weller, Richard Linihan, Rachel Wright, Julie Werner, Donna Leahey, Tiffany Duncan, Ryann Gordon, Greg Maus, Sarah Herrera, Rob Harmon, TravelOK.com, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Mark Deming, Steve Huey
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LOCAL ADVERTISING AND BUSINESS INQUIRIES: 918.745.1190 Copyright 2016 by Preview magazine. All rights reserved. Preview magazine is published 12 times a year. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Preview magazine’s right to edit. While Preview magazine makes every reasonable effort to provide accurate and errorless information, it can’t be responsible for the consequences of any erratum or inadvertence. Preview magazine is proudly displayed in the rooms, lobbies and/or front desks of over 100 hotels and motels in the Tulsa and surrounding Green Country communities. Copies are also available at Oklahoma travel information centers, Tulsa International Airport visitor displays, convention packets, Expo Square, 18 Reasor’s, office complexes, hospitals, 68 area QuikTrip locations, Walgreens, 15 CVS Pharmacies, Kum & Go, Panera, Starbucks, Cancer Treatment Centers of America and over 200 restaurants.
FIND US AT THESE PARTICIPATING PARTNERS: In over 100 area Hotels and Motels
Sincerely,
PRODUCED BY
Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr. Mayor of Tulsa Your One-Stop Design Shop! CreativePixel.solutions | 918.280.9127 | sally@creativepixel.solutions LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK.COM/PREVIEWTULSA READ US ONLINE: WWW.ISSUU.COM/PREVIEWMAGAZINETULSA FOLLOW US ONLINE: @PREVIEWTULSA
4 January 2016
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CONTENTS January 2016
ON THE COVER
In every aspect of our lives, we’re inadvertently doing ourselves harm. But the new year is here, which means it’s the perfect time to start turning things around. This month we’re providing helpful, easy-toimplement solutions for your new healthy lifestyle. And don’t let the weather do you in. We’ve compiled ideas for surviving cabin fever including heading out to one of our state parks.
ONE SINGULAR SENSATION | 22
Celebrate the individual stories of hope, sacrifice, soul-searching and dreams as 17 dancers’ tales unfold onstage during a New York audition in Tulsa Theatre’s production of A Chorus Line.
TITANS OF THE TOOL BELT | 27
It’s not exactly spring yet, but it’s never too early to start those home improvement projects you’ve put off. And the Green Country Home & Garden Show can help you hammer out some solutions.
HERO WORSHIP | 30
More than 25 superheroes and villains — including Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor and Loki — trade punches, aerial acrobatics and large-scale theatrics in a race to possess the shattered pieces of the Cosmic Cube in the live-action production Marvel Universe Live!
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU | 34
You’re probably setting goals to become a better friend, parent, sibling, employee — and the list goes on. Before you prioritize that list, why not start with yourself? You can’t fully help someone else if you’re not the best version of you. We promise, those around you will thank us later.
DOWNTOWN AFTER DARK | 42
Not every night owl is created equal. So, here’s a varied rundown of 10 slices of local downtown nightlife, from bro bars and lounge life to ‘hood bars and hipster havens … and most everything in between.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE | 52
Life is hectic but yoga can be a haven of peace and healing, a 6 January 2016
retreat from all the stress of the working world and everything else we find ourselves in the middle of daily.
WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE | 54
The holidays are in the rearview mirror, but now you’re probably broke, it’s cold outside and cabin fever is setting in. But hope of enduring the weeks ahead is not lost: There are still plenty of ways to perk up your January, all of which can be done on the cheap, and none of which requires leaving town.
LEATHER WEATHER | 62
Leather used to be considered a harsh, difficult look to pull off. Now, with endless options, leather has become easy-to-wear and appropriate for almost any occasion. We’re to the rescue providing helpful, easy-toimplement solutions for your new healthy lifestyle.
WINTER ESCAPES | 66
The wide-open spaces and breathtaking scenery in Oklahoma’s state parks present the perfect backdrop to enjoy favorite winter activities such as hiking, camping, animal watching and devouring s’mores under the stars.
MIDGET MADNESS | 71
Nearly 300 drivers will tackle the quarter-mile clay track inside the River Spirit Expo Square looking for bragging rights among some of racing’s elite and $10,000.
COMMON GROUNDS | 74
Wake up and smell the coffee. Whether you’re looking for a caffeine fix, a sweet treat, or just a break from work, skip the ordinary and indulge in these 26 local coffee shops that are good to the last drop.
FLAVOR TO SPARE | 80
Immerse all of your senses in the delightful flavors of the Mediterranean region with Sinbad’s tantalizing dishes — including kebabs, gyros, falafel, shawarma and chicken — that are distinctly bold, healthy and delicious.
42
ASIAN PERSUASION | 84
The food and flavor combinations at Mandarin Taste — one of the best not-so-well-kept secrets in T-town — are both surprising and delightful, well worth branching out of your comfort zone for a little experimentation.
HAPPY “GRILL”MORE | 88
With the aid of a signature flavor that comes from cooking most of SMOKE.’s proteins over a live wood fire grill, chef Erik Reynolds serves the kind of food that silences table conversation, everybody’s senses too entranced by aroma and taste.
30 74
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING | 90
Xtreme Racing and Entertainment is providing a nuanced definition of recreational racing to anyone who gets behind the wheel of the “whoa! karts” that can approach 50 mph on the indoor asphalt tracks.
DEPARTMENTS
$91.80 in 48 Challenge | 8 Happenings | 10 Street Talk | 21 Downtown Locator | 47 Tulsa Locator | 48 Spree & Style | 62 Green Country Scene | 66 Sports Central | 71 Masters of Flavor | 88 Get to Know | 90 Showtime | 92 Sneak Peek | 94
90
Fine dining … at an affordable price! Open For Lunch And Dinner At Two Locations To Serve You Better! Open On Event Nights At The BOK Center 6024-A S. Sheridan • South Tulsa
219 S. Cheyenne • Downtown
918.499.1919
918.592.5151
Gourmet Quality Food with Friendly Service!
POLO GRILL
A Tradition of Excellence for Three Decades! 918.296.9889 | bluestonesteakhouse.com 10032 South Sheridan Road, Suite J
NEW HOURS: Mon-Thurs 4pm-9pm; Fri-Sat 3pm-10pm Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm; Sunday Dinner 2pm-9pm
Live music 6 nights a week!
Award Winning Chef Robert Merrifield
STEAK • SEAFOOD • LOBSTER
918.744.4280 www.pologrill.com 2038 Utica Square \ Tulsa, OK 74114 Preview918.com 7
$91.80
IN 48
CHALLENGE
So providing an envelope of cash and telling people to spend it in 48 hours isn’t exactly a challenge, but it makes this assignment sound a lot more interesting. The mission posed to Matthew Newcomer and Kara Wisner was to spend $91.80 (we used the local area code for the amount) in two days. And if they could find fun and free activities … bonus. THE ONLY CATCH WAS THAT THEY HAD TO SPEND IT AT PLACES, EVENTS OR SHOPS PROFILED IN THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF PREVIEW.
Stop #1
Stop #2
Cost: $36.98
Next, we ventured over to Bedlam Sports at 44th and Memorial in Tulsa where I purchased a long-sleeve OSU shirt for the Sugar Bowl showdown with Ole Miss. The store had a lot of options for several different teams. It was hard not to spend all of my $91.80 challenge money there.
Stop #3
Cost: $25.68
I took my girlfriend to Los Cabos Mexican Grill and Cantina in Broken Arrow. We enjoyed a Sunday afternoon lunch complete with a Red Bull frozen margarita.
Cost: $22
My girlfriend and I headed over to Dave & Buster’s to spend the rest of our afternoon playing arcade games. I used a coupon from the December Preview issue that got us $20 of free game play with the purchase of a $20 game play card. A few of the games we played were Jeopardy, air hockey, Guitar Hero and basketball.
Stop #4
Think you can blow our cash in interesting ways? Like us on Facebook and drop a message with some of your ideas. We might just lace your pockets with green and turn you loose. 8 January 2016
Cost: $15.88
After a busy and fun-filled day participating in the challenge, my girlfriend and I were exhausted. So we decided for our last stop that we would order sushi to go from In the Raw in Broken Arrow. I ordered two Dunwell rolls.
JUMBO LUMP CRAB MEAT TOSSED IN REMOULADE SAUCE, AVOCADO & FRESH MANGO.
A Dining Experience You Don’t Want To Miss! 918-518-6300 120 Aquarium Dr. Jenks, OK 74037
www.waterfrontgrilljenks.com Preview918.com 9
happenings
01-02 JAN
TULSA SHOOT-OUT Expo Square (Tulsa)
21-24 JAN
01-17 DEC
22 JAN
JAN
28
27
JAN
JAN
KENNY ROGERS
JAN
JANET JACKSON
21
VANESSA WILLIAMS
JAN
JAN
MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE
16
14
SMOKEY ROBINSON
MONSTER JAM
MADONNA
JAN
TOOL
14
JAN
FRANK CALIENDO
02
WINTERFEST Downtown Tulsa
The Tulsa Shootout is the largest micro sprint racing event in the country. With up to 1,000 participants, it promises to be an exciting four days of fierce competition. There is something for everyone with eight different classes ranging from Winged and Non-Wing 600cc Outlaw Micros to the Jr. Sprint class. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of the Tulsa Shootout and see who brings home the Golden Driller.
Downtown Tulsa is transformed into a festive wonderland during Winterfest, an annual holiday tradition. Experience the thrill of outdoor ice skating, see Oklahoma’s tallest outdoor Christmas tree, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, listen to live entertainment and browse beautiful holiday light displays. Surrounded by festive nutcrackers, twinkling lights and a 44-foot tree decked out with 35,700 lights, the outdoor ice rink is located adjacent to the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa. Free entertainment will be provided each Friday and Saturday at the ONEOK stage. Winterfest visitors will also be treated to concessions with all your holiday favorites and a market with unique Made-in-Oklahoma gifts. 10 January 2016
happenings
02 JAN
MONSTER JAM BOK Center (Tulsa)
This showcase of endurance will feature the best Monster Jam truck lineup ever highlighted by more racing, more freestyle, more doughnuts, more wheelies and more action. Fans will also be treated to competition vehicles such as thrilling speedsters and ATVs as they rip through the arena during aggressive head-to-head racing action. Headlining the tour will be eight of Monster Jam’s fiercest athletes competing against one another to earn valuable points during each new event discipline. These athletes will be contending for a bid to the prestigious Monster Jam World Finals held at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium March 17-19. Teams scheduled to compete include Grave Digger, Max-D, Scooby-Doo, El Toro Loco, Monster Energy, Zombie and New Earth Authority.
14 JAN
MADONNA BOK Center (Tulsa)
After stars reach a certain point, it’s easy to forget what they became famous for and concentrate solely on their personas. Madonna is such a star. She rocketed to stardom so quickly in 1984 that it obscured most of her musical virtues. Appreciating her music became even more difficult as the decade wore on, as discussing her lifestyle became more common. However, one of Madonna’s greatest achievements is how she has manipulated the media and the public with her music, her videos, her publicity and her sexuality. Arguably, Madonna was the first female pop star to have complete control of her music and image. Madonna’s self-titled debut album was released in 1983 on the strength of “Holiday,” her first Top 40 hit. “Borderline” became her first Top 10 hit in 1984, beginning a remarkable string of 17 consecutive Top 10 hits. While “Lucky Star” was climbing to No. 4, Madonna began working on her first starring role in a feature film, Desperately Seeking Susan. Madonna’s second album, the Nile Rodgers-produced Like a Virgin, was released at the end of 1984. The title track hit No. 1 in December, staying at the top of the charts for six weeks; it was the start of a whirlwind year for the singer. During 1985, Madonna became an international celebrity, selling millions of records on the strength of her stylish, sexy videos and forceful personality. After “Material Girl” became a No. 2 hit, Madonna began her first tour, supported by the Beastie Boys. “Crazy for You” became her second No. 1 single. At the beginning of 1987, she had her fifth No. 1 single with “Open Your Heart,” the third No. 1 from True Blue alone. The title cut from the soundtrack of her third feature film, Who’s That Girl?, was another chart-topping hit, although the film itself was another box office bomb. Like a Prayer, released in the spring of 1989, was her most ambitious and farreaching album, incorporating elements of pop, rock and dance. It was another No. 1 hit and launched the tracks “Express Yourself,” “Cherish” and “Keep It Together.” Madonna returned to the charts in the summer of 1992 with “This Used to Be My Playground,” a single featured in the film A League of Their Own, which featured the singer in a small part. Bedtime Stories (1994) was a more subdued affair than Erotica (1992). Initially, it didn’t chart as impressively, prompting some critics to label her a has-been, yet the album spawned her biggest hit, “Take a Bow,” which spent seven weeks at No. 1. During 1997, she worked with producer William Orbit on her first album of new material since Bedtime Stories. The resulting release, Ray of Light, was heavily
influenced by electronica, techno and trip-hop, thereby updating her classic dance-pop sound for the late ‘90s. Ray of Light received uniformly excellent reviews upon its March 1998 release and debuted at No. 2. Within a month, the record was shaping up to be her biggest album since Like a Prayer. Two years later she returned with Music. Confessions on a Dance Floor marked her return to dance-oriented material that had made her a star. Released in late 2005, the album topped the Billboard 200 chart and was accompanied by a worldwide tour in 2006. She inched closer to the completion of her Warner Bros. contract with 2008’s Hard Candy, featuring collaborations with the Neptunes and Timbaland. As poorly received as it was, the bold album boasted a Top 5 hit in “4 Minutes.” Madonna began work on her 12th album midway through 2011, with the goal of releasing it early in 2012. The subsequent full-length, MDNA, featured production from French electronic musician and DJ Martin Solveig, as well as longtime collaborator Orbit. The album’s title, an abbreviation of Madonna’s name, appeared on the heels of her performance at the 2012 Super Bowl. Rebel Heart came in March 2015. Preview918.com 11
happenings
12-16 JAN
CHILI BOWL Expo Square (Tulsa)
The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals at Tulsa Expo Square’s River Spirit Expo is an annual competition for Midget Sprint Car racing. Held each year for nearly 30 years, these races attract over 200 talented drivers from around the world. Four qualifying nights lead up to the championship competition Saturday. See cars zoom around the quarter-mile clay oval track and perform stunts that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Come be part of the excitement in Tulsa.
14 JAN
COREY SMITH Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)
Growing up with country music, Smith developed a writing style that steered clear of the genre tropes of trucks and back road bonfire parties and pointed toward a less idealized but more natural view of what it was to be country in the 21st century. He began to release his own self-produced albums beginning with 2003’s Undertones, followed a year later by In the Mood. He released three more albums (2005’s The Good Life, 2007’s Hard-Headed Fool and 2009’s Keeping Up with the Joneses) on his own Undertone imprint before finally breaking into the country charts with 2011’s The Broken Record, which came out on the Nashville label Average Joe’s Entertainment. He quickly followed up with Live in Chattanooga (2012) and the acoustic Maysville in the Meantime (2014), gaining new fans and admirers with each release. Working with an outside producer for the first time, he teamed up with Keith Stegall, whose work with the Zac Brown Band comes close to Smith’s feel and approach to country music. He signed with prominent roots label Sugar Hill in early 2015 and delivered While the Gettin’ Is Good a few months later.
14 JAN
FRANK CALIENDO Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Tulsa/Catoosa)
Put on your game face and get ready to listen as comedian Frank Caliendo takes on presidential contender Donald Trump; Al Pacino; Robin Williams; Robert DeNiro; former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton; sports figures John Madden, Charles Barkley, John Gruden and Mel Kiper Jr.; and talk show hosts Dr. Phil, Jay Leno and David Letterman. Caliendo starred in shows including MADtv, Mike & Mike, Hot in Cleveland, SportsCenter and his own series on TBS, Frank TV. From 2003-12, Caliendo was a fixture on the FOX NFL Sunday pregame show, where he worked with Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long, even impersonating them.
12 January 2016
happenings
15-16 JAN
19-23 JAN
A Chorus Line examines one day in the lives of 17 dancers, all vying for a spot in the “chorus line” of Tulsa Performing Arts Center a Broadway musical. After the first round of cuts, Zach, the director and choreographer, asks each dancer to speak about themselves. Discomfort opens into revelation, confession leads to redemption, and within the bright, outwardly homogenous chorus, the audience begins to see each dancer’s individuality. From Cassie, the star who just needs the “music and the mirror and the chance to dance,” to Val, a small-town girl with a brand-new big-town body, to Mike, who took his sister’s place in dance class, saying “I can do that.”
A CHORUS LINE
16 JAN
TOOL
BOK Center (Tulsa)
Tool’s greatest breakthrough was to meld dark underground metal with the ambition of art rock. Although Metallica wrote their multi-sectioned, layered songs as if they were composers, they kept their musical attack ferociously at street level. Tool didn’t. They embraced the artsy, bohemian preoccupations of Jane’s Addiction while they simultaneously paid musical homage to the relentlessly bleak visions of grindcore, death metal and thrash. Even with their post-punk influences, they executed their music with the aesthetic of prog rock, alternating between long, detailed instrumental interludes and lyrical rants in their songs.
Based on real Broadway dancers’ stories, as told to fellow dancer and choreographer Michael Bennett, A Chorus Line is funny, heartbreaking, and refreshingly honest. Following several workshops and an off-Broadway production, A Chorus Line opened at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway July 25, 1975, directed and choreographed by Bennett. An unprecedented box office and critical hit, the musical received 12 Tony Award nominations and won nine, in addition to the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Tool had a knack for conveying the strangled, oppressive angst that the alternative nation of the early ‘90s claimed as its own. So, Tool were able to slip into the definition of alternative rock during the post-Nirvana era, landing a slot on the third Lollapalooza tour in 1993, which helped their first full-length debut album, Undertow, rocket to platinum status. By the time the band delivered its belated follow-up, Ænima, in 1996, alternative rock had lost its grip on the mainstream of America, and Tool’s audience had shaped up as essentially metal-oriented, which meant that the group and the record didn’t capture as big an audience as their first album, despite debuting at No. 2 on the charts. After a co-headlining slot with Korn on Lollapalooza ‘97 wrapped up, Tool remained on the road, supporting Ænima until well into the next year.
The original Broadway production ran for 6,137 performances, becoming the longest-running production in Broadway history until surpassed by Cats in 1997, and the longest-running Broadway musical originally produced in the United States, until surpassed in 2011 by Chicago. It remains the sixth longest-running Broadway show ever. A Chorus Line’s success has spawned many successful productions worldwide.
With Tool breakup rumors swirling, the band put the speculation to rest by reentering the recording studio and releasing Lateralus, which debuted at No. 1 and became the band’s biggest hit in 2001. After the obligatory several-year sabbatical to pursue other projects, the group returned with another charttopper, 10,000 Days, in 2006. Preview918.com 13
14 January 2016
VILLAGE CENTER (68TH AND MEMORIAL)
3 OFF an ice cream cake with this ad.
$
Minimum $15 purchase
918.505.5780 • www.BaskinRobbins.com 6808 S. Memorial Drive, Suite 338, Tulsa, OK 74133 (Across from Woodland Hills Mall)
Hours: M-TH 11am-10pm • F-SAT 11am-10:30pm • SUN 12pm-10pm
COMEDY CLUB TULSA'S DISCOUNT CINEMA Second-Run Movies With First-Run Amenities!
Fully Remodeled with New Seats, Screens and Digital Projection and Sound!
918.286.1900 www.village8movies.com
$2 Thursday
(68TH AND MEMORIAL)
NOW OPEN
VILLAGE CENTER
We have seasonal cakes!
68th & Memorial at Village Shopping Center
918.392.JOKE
To make reservations, visit us at
www.loonybincomedy.com
6808 South Memorial Drive Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133 Preview918.com 15
happenings
21-24 JAN
MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE BOK Center (Tulsa)
Take your love of super heroes and their nemeses to a new level during Marvel Universe Live. Come feel the energy and see cutting-edge special effects, pyrotechnics, aerial stunts, martial arts, motorcycles and more.
21 JAN
SMOKEY ROBINSON
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Tulsa/Catoosa)
Berry Gordy founded Motown Records, but one could argue that Smokey Robinson was the man who first pushed America’s most iconic soul music label toward greatness. As the leader of the Miracles, Robinson was one of the very first artists signed to the fledgling label in 1959, and while he racked up many hits for it with the Miracles and as a solo act, Robinson was also an invaluable behind-the-scenes talent who wrote songs, produced records, scouted and groomed talent, and served as a vice president at Motown from 1961-88. Robinson is one of the most iconic figures in American R&B; his work helped defined pop-oriented soul, his lush, romantic R&B ballads literally gave quiet storm its name, and no less an authority than Bob Dylan has called Robinson “America’s greatest living poet.” In 1958, Robinson met Gordy, a Detroit-based songwriter who had penned several hits for Jackie Wilson and was looking to make a name for himself in the music business. Gordy was impressed with the Robinson’s talents as a songwriter; he helped the band land a deal with End Records, and the Miracles released their first single, “Got a Job” (an answer song to the Silhouettes’ hit “Get a Job”) later that year. While the single sold well in Detroit, it didn’t make much noise nationally, and follow-ups on End and Chess fared no better. Robinson believed he and Gordy could do better themselves, and he urged Gordy to follow through on his idea of forming his own label. The Miracles became the first act signed to Gordy’s record company, Motown, and in 1960, their song “Shop Around,” written by Robinson, was the first Motown single to become a nationwide hit. Through the ‘60s, the Miracles were a frequent presence on the pop and R&B charts, scoring hits with such songs as “Tracks of My Tears,” “Mickey’s Monkey,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Going to a Go-Go,” “Ooo Baby Baby” and many more. As Robinson became recognized as the creative force behind the group, their name was changed to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles in 1966. Robinson also shared his talents with many other Motown acts — he wrote “My Guy” and “The One Who Really Loves You” for Mary Wells; “My Girl,” “Get Ready” and “The Way You Do the Things You Do” for the Temptations; “Ain’t That Peculiar” and “I’ll Be Doggone” for Marvin Gaye; and “The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game” for the Marvelettes, among many others. Robinson’s first solo album, Smokey (1973), focused on midtempo romantic numbers as well as more mature and personal themes, which would carryover to his second solo effort, 1974’s Pure Smokey. Robinson scored a pair of major R&B hits with 1975’s A Quiet Storm including “Baby That’s Backatcha.” Robinson was no longer as consistent a hitmaker as he once was, but he continued to make his presence known on the charts with tunes such as “Cruisin’” (from 1979’s Where There’s Smoke) and “Being with You” (from the 1981 album of the same name). In 2004, Robinson recorded a contemporary gospel album, Food for the Spirit, and a collection of standards, Timeless Love, followed in 2006. Robinson returned to the smooth soul sounds of his ‘70s and ‘80s solo work with 2009’s Time Flies When You’re Having Fun. In 2014, he released Smokey & Friends, for which he remade 11 of his most popular compositions with a roster of duet partners that included Elton John, James Taylor, Mary J. Blige and Jessie J. 16 January 2016
Classic crusaders and fan favorites including Spider-Man and The Avengers as well as threatening villains come to life in an action-packed extravaganza. Marvel Universe Live’s authentic and original story brings more than 25 Marvel icons together on one epic quest. It all begins with the Cosmic Cube, a source of ultimate power and one of the most feared and coveted treasures in the Marvel Universe. The Mighty Thor shattered it into pieces out of fear it would fall into the wrong hands. The pieces are scattered across the globe. Then, Thor’s villainous brother Loki devised a scheme to clone the cube’s powers. It is a threat that could not only decimate Earth but also obliterate the universe.
happenings
22 JAN
VANESSA WILLIAMS River Spirit Event Center (Tulsa)
When Vanessa Williams began her singing career, she was known chiefly as the Miss America pageant winner who’d been forced to renounce her title for posing in Penthouse magazine. Williams not only put the scandal behind her, she all but obliterated it, turning out a series of slick, sophisticated hits that made her one of the most popular adult contemporary R&B singers of her time. In addition to her broad crossover appeal, she established a parallel acting career in both film and television, ending the ‘90s as a highly successful all-around entertainer. Williams loved performing musical theater as a teenager, and won a scholarship to study it at Syracuse University in 1981. In the meantime, she began entering beauty pageants, with considerable success; in 1983, she represented New York in the Miss America pageant and became the first African-American woman ever to be crowned the winner. She backed George Clinton on his 1986 album R&B Skeletons in the Closet, including the single “Do Fries Go With That Shake?” Williams also returned to acting, making her feature film debut with a small role in The Pickup Artist in 1987. Williams’ debut album, The Right Stuff, was released in 1988, featuring a mix of urban dance-pop and adult contemporary balladry. The title track was a decent-sized hit, and the ballad “Dreamin’” became Williams’ first Top 10 single, going all the way to No. 1 on the R&B charts. The Right Stuff went gold, and Williams subsequently appeared in several TV movies. Her 1991 sophomore set The Comfort Zone was a star-maker; it spawned another R&B chart-topper in “Running Back to You,” but the real story was the ballad “Save the Best for Last,” a ubiquitous across-the-board smash that became Williams’ first No. 1 hit on the pop charts. The title track solidified Williams’ growing reputation for smooth, sexy adult pop, and the album went on to sell over 2 million copies. In 1993, Williams’ duet with Brian McKnight, “Love Is,” became another huge hit when it was featured on the soundtrack of Beverly Hills 90210.
23 JAN
In 1994, Williams returned to her roots by accepting her first starring role on Broadway, taking over the lead in Kiss of the Spider Woman; she also appeared on a re-recorded version of the cast album. Late that year, she also released her third album, The Sweetest Days, which found her branching out into jazzy pop and torch songs in addition to her usual urban and adult contemporary fare. It also featured material by Babyface and Sting, and its upscale, sophisticated ambience gave Williams her second platinum album. In 1995, Williams was tabbed to sing the commercial version of “Colors of the Wind,” the theme to the Disney film Pocahontas. Not only was it a huge hit, it also won an Academy Award.
DISNEY LIVE! MICKEY AND MINNIE’S DOORWAY TO MAGIC Expo Square (Tulsa)
Open the door to reveal mesmerizing worlds of unforgettable Disney moments and grand illusions with Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic. Join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and the comical duo of Donald and Goofy as 25 of your favorite Disney characters surprise and captivate at every turn of the knob. See the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella’s rags into a beautiful ball gown in a split second; the Toy Story gang defy the dimensions of Andy’s toy box with the help of the green army men; and the spectacular stage debut of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider as they rise into the sky amid the floating lanterns. With special appearances by Snow White, Tinker Bell and Aladdin’s Genie, you never know what to expect or who might join in the fun. Preview918.com 17
happenings
27 JAN
JANET JACKSON BOK Center (Tulsa)
Janet Jackson didn’t merely emerge from the shadows of her famous brothers to become a superstar in her own right. Starting with her breakout 1986 album Control, she became one of the biggest pop stars of the ‘80s. Through the early 2000s, she was able to maintain her stature with impeccable quality control and stylistic evolution. Her singles, expertly crafted with indelible pop hooks and stateof-the-art production, consistently set or kept up with trends in contemporary R&B, demonstrated by an exceptional run of Top 20 R&B singles that spans over 30 years. From platinum album to platinum album, Jackson’s image smoothly shifted as it projected power and independence. In turn, she inspired the likes of TLC, Aaliyah, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Rihanna, all of whom learned a few things from her recordings, videos and performances. Bitten by the performing bug, she first appeared onstage with the Jackson 5 at age 7, and began a sitcom acting career at the age of 10 in 1977, when producer Norman Lear selected her to join the cast of Good Times. She remained there until 1979, and subsequently appeared on Diff’rent Strokes and A New Kind of Family. By 1986, Jackson had hooked up with producers/writers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, whom she’d seen perform as members of the Minneapolis funk outfit the Time. Jackson collaborated with the duo on most of the tracks for Control, which presented her as a confident and tough-minded artist (with a soft side and a sense of humor) taking charge of her life for the first time. In support of Jackson’s new persona, Jam and Lewis crafted a set of polished, computerized backing tracks with slamming beats that owed more to hard, hip-hop-tinged funk and urban R&B than Janet’s older brother Michael’s music. Control became an out-of-the-box hit, and eventually spun off six singles — “What Have You
18 January 2016
Done for Me Lately,” the catch phrase-inspiring “Nasty,” the No. 1 “When I Think of You,” the title track, and the ballad “Let’s Wait Awhile.” Jackson was hailed as a role model and Control eventually sold over 5 million copies, establishing her as a pop star. It also made Jam and Lewis, whose considerable accomplishments were previously limited to the R&B world, a monstrously in-demand pop production team. For the hotly anticipated follow-up, she began collaborating with Jam and Lewis on more socially conscious material, which formed the backbone of 1989’s Rhythm Nation 1814. Actually, save for the title track, most of the album’s singles were bright and romantically themed. Four of them — “Miss You Much,” “Escapade,” “Black Cat” and “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” — hit No. 1, and three more — “Rhythm Nation,” “Alright” and “Come Back to Me” — reached the Top 5, making Jackson the first artist ever to produce seven Top 5 hits off one album (something not even her brother Michael had accomplished). Aside from a greater use of samples, Rhythm Nation’s sound largely resembled that of Control, but was just as well-crafted, and listeners embraced it enthusiastically. Musically, Jam and Lewis set aside the synthesized funk of their first two albums with Jackson in favor of warm, inviting, gently undulating grooves for 1993’s janet.. The album’s lead single, the slinky “That’s the Way Love Goes,” became Jackson’s biggest hit ever, spending eight weeks at No. 1. It was followed by a predictably long parade of Top 10 hits —”If,” “Again,” “Because of You,” “Any Time, Any Place” and “You Want This.” In 2015, she released “No Sleep,” a slow-jam Jam and Lewis collaboration that hit the R&B Top 20. It primed her audience for a tour, as well as her 11th studio album, Unbreakable — another No. 1 hit.
happenings
28 JAN
KENNY ROGERS
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Tulsa/Catoosa)
It took several tries before Kenny Rogers became a star. As a member of the First Edition (and the New Christy Minstrels before that), he shared in some millionsellers, among them “Reuben James” and “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” an excellent Mel Tillis song about a disabled veteran. But superstardom lay ahead for this Texan, and it arrived in the late ‘70s. His experience with the two previous pop groups had prepared him well: he knew the easy listening audience was out there, and he supplied them with well-done middle-of-the-road songs with a country flavor. Having gone solo, in 1976 Rogers charted with “Love Lifted Me.” But it was with an outstanding song by writers Roger Bowling and Hal Bynum, “Lucille,” that his star shot upward. The rest (as they say) is history — award-winning duets with Dottie West and Dolly Parton, 12 TV specials, another song of the year with “The Gambler,” “Daytime Friends,” “Coward of the County,” “We’ve Got Tonight,” “Crazy,” “Lady” (his first pop No. 1), etc., etc., etc. And that’s just the musical side of Rogers. In 1980, the made-for-TV movie The Gambler blasted the competition, followed quickly by Coward of the County, then enough sequels to The Gambler to get him to Roman numeral IV. Throughout the ‘80s, Rogers remained a celebrity, even when his sales were declining. Even during the ‘90s, when he rarely charted, his name, face and music were recognizable in a series of concerts, television specials, films, and even fast-food restaurants. During the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, much of country radio was dominated either by urban cowboy or country-pop in the vein of Rogers’ own singles. Between 1978 and 1980, he had five straight No. 1 country singles — “Love or Something Like It,” “The Gambler,” “She Believes in Me,” “You Decorated My Life,” “Coward of the County” — most of which also reached the pop Top 10. In addition to his solo hits, he had a series of Top 10 duets with Dottie West, including the No. 1 hits “Every Time Two Fools Collide” (1978), “All I Ever Need Is You” (1979), and “What Are We Doin’ in Love” (1981). Not only did his singles sell well, but so did his albums, with every record he released between 1976’s Kenny Rogers and 1984’s Once Upon a Christmas going gold or platinum. By the beginning of the ‘80s, Rogers’ audience was as much pop as it was country, and singles like his cover of Lionel Richie’s “Lady” confirmed that fact, spending six weeks at the top of the pop charts. Rogers also began performing duets with pop singers like Kim Carnes (“Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer,” 1980) and Sheena Easton (“We’ve Got Tonight,” 1983). Rogers also began making inroads into television and film, appearing in a number of TV specials and made-for-TV movies, including 1982’s Six Pack.
29 JAN
PATTI LUPONE
Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center
Actress and singer Patti LuPone performed with her twin brothers, William and Robert, as the LuPone Trio before attending the Juilliard School, studying under Maria Callas and counting among her classmates Kevin Kline and Mandy Patinkin. A founding member of John Houseman’s The Acting Company, LuPone starred on Broadway and on tour in productions including The Three Sisters, The School for Scandal and Edward II, and in 1976 she earned Tony and Drama Desk nominations for her work in the musical The Robber Bridegroom. After making her film debut in 1978’s The King of the Gypsies, LuPone rose to international stardom portraying the title role in the smash Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita, a role which earned her both Tony and Drama Desk honors in 1980. She also played the role of Fantine in 1985 for Les Miserables, a performance that (combined with her work in a revival of The Cradle Will Rock) won her an Olivier Award, the first ever given to an American actress. After winning her second Drama Desk Award in 1988 for her work in Anything Goes, LuPone turned to television, starring for four seasons in the ABC drama Life Goes On. In 1993, she starred in the London production of Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, but in a highly controversial and much-publicized move Glenn Close replaced her for the show’s Broadway run. Her one-woman show Patti LuPone on Broadway earned an Outer Critics Circle Award in 1996.
Preview918.com 19
happenings
also in 1
JAN
8
JAN
9
JAN
HANGOVER BALL Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)
BOBBY JONES & THE RAGING IDIOTS Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)
JANUARY 17 JAN
19 JAN
RAGTIME FAMILY CONCERT WITH DONALD RYAN Tulsa Performing Arts Center
27 JAN
THE EXPENDABLES Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)
THE RUNWAY RUN Tulsa International Airport
29 JAN
9
JAN
JAN
21 JAN
JAN
15 JAN
RACERS FOR AUTISM Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)
22-24 JAN
THE KELLER WILLIAMS KWAHTRO Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)
WESTERN HILLS WINTER BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Sequoyah State Park (Wagoner)
29 JAN
Expo Square (Tulsa)
DAVID BOREN Tulsa Performing Arts Center JAN
23 JAN
JAN
20 January 2016
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING SOUL FOOD COOK-OFF Muskogee Civic Center
RED DIRT ROUND-UP BOK Center (Tulsa)
USA BMX SOONER NATIONALS
29-31
16
MADEON Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)
WINTER WATERFOWL AND EAGLE WATCH Greenleaf State Park (Braggs)
21
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OLD DOMINION Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)
MAD DOG DEMOLITION DERBY Claremore Expo Center
30 JAN
GREEN COUNTRY HOME AND GARDEN SHOW Tulsa Fairgrounds
SAVOY Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)
street talk
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WANT TO JOIN THE DISCUSSION? WE’LL POST A QUESTION ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE EACH MONTH. GIVE US AN ANSWER AND PHOTO, AND YOU MIGHT END UP IN OUR MAGAZINE. Preview918.com 21
ONE SINGULAR
Sensation WRITTEN BY: Greg Maus
Celebrate the individual stories of hope, sacrifice, soul-searching and dreams as 17 dancers’ tales unfold onstage during a New York audition in Tulsa Theatre’s production of A Chorus Line.
H
ow many people do you pass each day whose names you don’t know? How many faces have you forgotten? As far as you’re concerned, all of those people were just background scenery in your life. You’ll never know the stories of all these tens of thousands of people, and they’ll probably never know yours. And to them, you’re probably just forgettable background as well. In nearly everyone’s hearts is the desire to “be someone” —
22 January 2016
that is, someone who stands out, who isn’t just part of the crowd. But A Chorus Line is the story of people trying desperately to get a job as just another interchangeable part of that background. Some of the dancers view it as a steppingstone to becoming someone on Broadway. Others have been reduced to looking for minor roles just to survive or because they can’t bring themselves to give up on their identities as dancers. And some are just hoping for a bright future, even as they know that their physical prime is irreversibly slipping away.
The audience gets to hear all of the dancers’ individual stories: the hopes, regrets, triumphs and failures that have defined them as people over the years, even as the casting director molds their performances into ones that completely lack individuality. The personal stories all feel genuine and poignant because they’re all real; they’re based on real dancers whom A Chorus Line’s writers knew when they created the show back in the early 1970s. Perhaps this raw, honest reality is why the show has won 10 Tony Awards and a Pulitzer, as
Some of the dancers view it as a steppingstone to becoming someone on Broadway.
Exceptional
well as remaining the longestrunning Broadway musical in history until surpassed by Cats in 1997. Director of the Tulsa Theatre’s production Sara Phoenix (herself a winner of national director and choreography awards) notes that not only are the show’s
themes timeless, but that it resonates in new ways in the modern age of social media. The dancers fret about who they are, wondering if they’re anything more than the pictures and texts on the resumes they show to the world — an anxiety all the stronger today as people devote so much of their lives to defining themselves through what they share on their Facebook pages. Given today’s overcrowded job market, many will also sympathize with the struggles of characters trying so hard to fit themselves into a mold of what they think the director wants just to get mediocre work that they know probably won’t advance their careers meaningfully — and most of them will fail to even get that. Phoenix’s history with the show goes back to before she was even born. Her parents went to New York to see the original Broadway
production and then again when it came to Tulsa, loving it so much that they purchased a cassette of the show’s music. That cassette became an integral part of Phoenix’s childhood road trips, and she remembers it teaching her many mature lessons that she carries with her to this day. The show means a lot to the cast too. It’s not normally performed by community theaters because it requires exceptional dancing, singing and acting talent for 17 characters — each of whom get time in the spotlight. But after Tulsa Theatre’s successful production of Chicago, they were confident that they had it. The casting call proved them right, as nearly a hundred dancers came to try out, drawn by their love of the production. Fittingly, many of the actors trying out had stories just as compelling as the characters.
Phoenix tells of a dancer who had halted her active musical theater career for 20 years to focus on raising her three children. When she found out that she had gotten the part, she gushed with how much it meant for her to be in the show. Another cast member is so devoted to the show that she is happily driving a threehour nightly commute to get to rehearsals. The enthusiasm is especially understandable considering that there hasn’t been a production in Tulsa in nearly two decades — the last time was when the Broadway tour came through in 1997.
A CHORUS LINE
Tulsa Performing Arts Center
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Jan. 15-16: 8 p.m. Jan. 16: 2 p.m. Jan. 21-23: 8 p.m. Jan. 23-24: 2 p.m. Preview918.com 23
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Titansof the WRITTEN BY: Julie Werner
I
t may be cold outside but Tulsa is gearing up for one of its favorite spring shows, the annual Green Country Home & Garden Show. The show, celebrating 13 years this year, is always a favorite around Green Country. The show takes place in the Exchange Center at Expo Square and the best part of all is that it’s free. Admission and parking are both offered free at the Home & Garden show.
TOOL It’s not exactly spring yet, but it’s never too early to start those home improvement projects you’ve put off. And the Green Country Home & Garden Show can help you hammer out some solutions.
For three days, Tulsans can enjoy the perfect place to find experts and see what’s new in innovative trends. You can also find inspiration for your home and garden. The advantage of attending the Home & Garden show is that you have all of the wonderful resources under one roof. Whether you’re looking at a storm shelter so that you can
safely prepare your family for spring weather or trying out a massage chair, everyone in the family will be entertained. Steve McDonald, who serves as the event coordinator for the show, says that there are many handson exhibits such as being able to try out mattresses and massage chairs. There are also things to see and watch such as the cooking demonstrations. You can sample
the food, get decorating ideas and browse the more than 170 exhibitors at the show. “We have them (exhibitors) from Washington state, Kentucky, Florida and then some from a little closer like Texas and Arkansas,” says McDonald. Normally, to get all of this under one roof, you would have to travel to dozens of stores, outlet malls and surf the Web. Preview918.com 27
The Home & Garden Show, celebrating 13 years this year, is always a favorite around Green Country. your problem plants or questions and ask him. Storjohann is a local horticultural expert and hosts the weekly program.
These exhibitors are displaying and demonstrating the newest and hottest products and services for home improvement and repairs, remodeling, gardening, landscaping, lawn care, home insulation and energy conservation, home security, furnishings and much more. McDonald explains that 90
percent of the exhibitors come back every year but there is always room for more. One highlight of this year’s show is that KRMG Gardening Show host, Allan Storjohann, will broadcast his live weekly radio show Saturday, Jan. 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can bring out
Each year, Tulsa, has many things to do and see in the fall. McDonald says that the unique thing about the show is that it takes place the end of January but it gets everyone geared up for the spring season. “It is sort of a bright spot in the middle of winter,” he explains. A lot of places take a break after the holiday season and there isn’t a whole lot going on, so this is the perfect time to get Tulsans ready to make their home and garden ready for the warmer weather. Because the admission is free, this allows a lot more people to attend. McDonald estimates that last year, they saw crowds
in attendance of 25,000 over the three-day period. “We sure get a better turnout because we are able to offer the free admission,” he says. Along with free admission, there is a $500 cash giveaway each day. You can also pick up money-saving coupons, free samples and make purchases.
GREEN COUNTRY HOME AND GARDEN SHOW
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HeroWorship WRITTEN BY: Rachel Wright
T More than 25 superheroes and villains — including Captain America, SpiderMan, Iron Man, Thor and Loki — trade punches, aerial acrobatics and largescale theatrics in a race to possess the shattered pieces of the Cosmic Cube in the live-action production Marvel Universe Live! 30 January 2016
he stuntfilled Marvel Universe Live! touring theatrical show is bringing dozens of the most iconic Marvel characters to life before a 360-degree audience. Thor, Iron Man, Storm, Captain America, SpiderMan, Black Widow, Wolverine and Captain Marvel do battle with a nasty band of villains like Electro, Green Goblin, Rhino, Aldrich Killian, Madame Hydra and Doctor Octopus, led by Loki. The show also assembles heroes who have never before worked together in any Marvel book or show, and has
some heroes fighting villains they’ve never fought before. The two-act, two-hour show centers on the battle over the Cosmic Cube, the source of ultimate power in the Marvel world. The cube has been shattered into pieces by Thor in order to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands since the cube allows whoever possesses it to reshape reality around them, with the ability to raise mountains, control natural elements, open dimensional portals and transform enemies. However, Thor’s conniving brother Loki has a dastardly plan to
clone the cube’s powers to end Earth and all of mankind. “This is the first time Marvel has ever done a live tour,” says Spencer Davis, fight captain, stunt expert and Marvel Universe Live! cast member. “It’s a completely original story written by Disney, Marvel and Feld Entertainment. Not to belittle movies, but this is an experience unlike any other. It’s just like seeing an action movie, but it’s live — right in front of you.” The first live production of the Marvel brand, the show was two years in development. It included intense training for the 55-person cast, which includes not only traditional actors, but also former X Games athletes. Louise Forsley, an X Games silver medalist at Endurocross and a seven-time North American Women’s Trials Champion, plays Black Widow, who is among several characters who ride motorcycles during the show. Davis isn’t exaggerating when he says it’s just like seeing an action movie. Marvel Universe Live! packs all the punches a Marvel movie does, complete with tons of hand-to-hand combat, pyrotechnics, suspended catwalks, motorcycle stunts, a car chase and more. “I don’t want to give too much away, but we have a car that flips over onstage,” Davis says. “The performers jump out of the car and immediately go to battle.” Marvel Universe Live! also holds the Guinness World Record for the
largest motorcycle splatter jump. “Red Skull and Captain America go up a large metal motorcycle ramp and fly across the stage, landing against a wall,” Davis says. “They have to go over the wall just to slow down the momentum because they’re riding at such high speeds.” The big stunts will surely bring the wow factor, but Davis says it’s the ongoing combat that keeps the high-energy entertainment going throughout the show. “The quality of the fighting is great,” Davis says. “The performers work really hard to embody their characters, and it’s really satisfying to see them grow and succeed at hand-to-hand combat. It’s not easy to portray such iconic characters, but our cast is incredible.” Transforming mere mortals into superheroes and villains takes a village of experts’ support. The touring team of set and costume designers have its hands full to say the least. The pieces of the Cosmic Cube the good guys are in search of are scattered across the globe, so scenes take place in iconic locations like the Statue of Liberty, where Thor and Spiderman team up to battle the Sinister Six in one act. “All credit goes to our costume designers and wardrobe department for keeping the costumes in such great shape, especially considering the abuse we inflict on them with all of the stunts and combat,” Davis says. Preview918.com 31
long horns. He looks like the ultimate bad guy. When you see him, you know he means business.” Another of Davis’ favorite things about Marvel Universe Live! is the audience interaction. Many attendees dress in Marvel character The movie-quality costumes, and respond costume inventory with boos and cheers includes more than 3,000 throughout the show. complex pieces, many At one point, audience of which are specially members use devices designed stunt costumes, to empower some built with safety in mind superheroes. without sparing theatrics. “Loki’s costume is my “Because the audience favorite,” Davis says. “He surrounds the stage, we has a long flowing cape, can absolutely feel the a staff and a helmet with energy of the crowd,” Davis says. “The audience is very much a part of the show, which is why I think this live show brings a new level of entertainment over movies. We can feel the
energy even before the show starts, and we feed off that energy.” Davis, admittedly biased, says catching Marvel Universe Live! at the BOK Center might be a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity, so anyone who enjoys top-notch action entertainment shouldn’t delay in making plans to attend one of the seven shows in Tulsa this year. “If you’ve ever enjoyed going to see an action movie, superheroes or storylines about good versus evil, you should come and see this show,” Davis says. “You can’t see it anywhere else like this. You could go and see a movie, or you could go and be a part of the movie. It’s going to be a unique experience you’ll remember for a long time.”
MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE
BOK Center | Tulsa
918-894-4200 marveluniverselive.com Jan. 21-22: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23: 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m. Jan. 24: 1:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. 32 January 2016
Tulsa's #1 Antique Mall Since 1996! Since 1916
The Largest Selections of Indian Goods & Oklahoma Souvenirs in Tulsa! • Indian Art • Indian Jewelry • T-Shirts I-44 Antique and Collectibles Mall has been Tulsa's #1 Antique Store since 1996. Come and see what our more than 50 vendors have to offer in our 9,000 square feet of dealer space.
• Moccasins • Rugs • Pottery
• Bronze Statues • Frankoma Pottery • Pendleton Blankets • Brighton Jewerly
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sunday 12-5pm 5111 S. Peoria Tulsa, Oklahoma
918.712.2222 \ www.i44antiquemall.com
918.582.6372 • 111 S. Detroit (Blue Dome District) Mon-Fri: 10-5:30 • Sat: 10-4:30 • Closed Sunday Preview918.com 33
New Year,
NEW YOU WRITTEN BY: Ryann Gordon
You’re probably setting goals to become a better friend, parent, sibling, employee — and the list goes on. Before you prioritize that list, why not start with yourself? You can’t fully help someone else if you’re not the best version of you. We promise, those around you will thank us later.
A
fter a busy holiday season of surprising, gifting and thinking only of others, this is the time to focus on you for a bit. Before you start planning how to make the world around you better, take some time to pamper yourself and make you better. So take that spin class that you’ve been dying to try. Book that full-body massage that will make you feel amazing. Rather than setting a New Year’s resolution and stressing
34 January 2016
for weeks until you mess up, think about the things you want to be different in your life and change them all, starting with your mindset. Forget a resolution and skip the weight-loss goal this year — start thinking about your health and happiness, get rid of all your old baggage and find a few new hobbies. Don’t settle with being stagnant in life and aim for something big; take new approaches to your goals and revamp your style, attitude, body and mind. Jump into the New Year with confidence and make 2016 the year of YOU.
CHANGE SOMETHING
Set the tone for the New Year by changing at least one, either big or small, aspect of your life. Whether it’s rearranging a room in your home or getting a new hairdo, do something fun and bold that will make you feel a change internally. Express yourself in some way and make a statement in 2016; play around with your look, shake up your life and start looking in directions that you might not have seen before. The options are endless, and your reasons to stay put are next to none.
OUT WITH THE OLD
Before you can clean up your life, you have to take out the trash. Start with cleaning your house, deep cleaning and cleaning some more, then get to emptying out those closets. Literally clean your closets — get rid of anything you don’t really need — and then start with the big stuff. Cut out any destructive aspects of your life, bad habits or toxic relationships, and create a clean slate for you to focus on you.
PICK UP A (BETTER) HABIT
When asked what you do for hobbies, what do you say? “Uhh… Watching TV?” In this day and age, it’s really easy to get caught up in technology and find ourselves spending hours in front of the screen or on our phones. Although most of our phone time is dominated by social media, download a few new apps and start utilizing technology to create healthy habits. If the first thing you do in the morning is check your phone, switch out the social media run-through for a more constructive habit. From world and local news, and online reading to health and exercise apps, use your phone to find a hobby that doesn’t include switching from Facebook to Instagram and back again.
IN WITH THE NEW
Once you’ve taken out the trash, you’ll have all the room in the world to pamper yourself and spend some time with yours truly — starting with refilling those closets. Take yourself on a shopping spree and hit up some thrift shops to revamp your wardrobe without spending all of your holiday money at once. Once you’ve found a few new, signature pieces, really spoil yourself with an at-home spa treatment that includes things like a bubble bath, manicure, pedicure, and facial to revitalize and polish the new you. Spend a day doing you, even if that is just binging on Netflix, and find your calm before you take 2016 by storm.
CHANGE YOUR WAYS
Or kind of at least. Rather than restricting yourself to a rigid diet plan, vow to eat out less and monitor your food more. Once again, forget about weight loss and start thinking more about what you are putting in your body and where it is coming from. It’s easy to stay away from processed foodsjust make a list of meals and plan a day every week or so to go to the grocery store. Seriously, cooking at home is easy, and a lot of stores, like the new Reasor’s on Brookside, have premade meat dishes to cook. Grab a few meat dishes and some different vegetable options for the week and you’ll have meals for days, upgrading your diet and saving money at the same time. Preview918.com 35
GET MOVING
Forget about losing weight this New Year, because 2016 is not about how you look or how you want to be perceived — it’s about you. But there’s still no denying that exercise is good for the body and that a hard workout can leave you feeling fresh and rejuvenated. The trick is to just quit thinking of exercise as a chore; don’t push yourself and try out new ways of working out to find what suits you best. If you’ve always been one to work out at the gym, try running or playing a sport, and there’s nothing like sweating it all out in hot yoga class on a cold, winter day.
START SAVING
Saving isn’t something that comes natural to all of us, but the truth is, it’s actually really easy. Open a savings account and start transferring over all of the money you don’t use — as soon as you get it. Take a percentage out of each check you receive, whether it is 10-50 percent, and immediately deposit it in your savings. Now, start looking at your checking account as a wallet and don’t keep any more money in there than you need. Once your checking account gets above your designated amount, transfer money over to your savings and forget about it.
This is not the year for you to hold back, so start living out your hopes and dreams, and most importantly, start focusing on you.
36 January 2016
PLAN SOMETHING GREAT
Once you’ve started saving up money for no reason at all, plan something awesome to look forward to. Whether it’s something you’ve never done or always wanted to do, or just a cheap vacation to one of the surrounding states, there’s no better way to reward yourself than with the treat of excitement and something to look forward to. Go skydiving, see the Grand Canyon, or simply drive to Tenkiller Lake and take a hike — find a reason to get out of town and get your adrenaline pumping for a day. Then, starting planning your next getaway.
Papa Ganouj, located in the Pearl District, features classic Lebanese favorites made from the heart. The bar features wine, beer and spirits from the region as well as craft cocktails inspired by Mediterranean culture.
Open Tuesday-Saturday: Lunch 11:00am-2:00pm • Dinner 5:00pm-10:00pm
Call us at 918.794.8413 for reservations or questions about the menu.
Since 1925
100 ITEMS MADE FROM SCRATCH
918.494.5621
SavoyRestaurant.com Mon-Sat 6am-2pm
Mon-Fri Breakfast 6am-11pm • Lunch 11am-2pm Sat Breakfast 6am-2pm
Preview918.com 37
99¢
DRAFTS ALL DAY Burrito Baja California
KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAY WITH ADULT ENTREE PURCHASE Fajitas El Sombrero
Peanut Butter Cheesecake
918-893-3199 2001 W. Houston St. Broken Arrow, OK 74012 Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm Fri-Sat 11am-10pm Sun 11am-8pm
CHINESE BUFFET RESTAURANT
Braised Pork Legs on Friday’s Dinner. Salt and Pepper Frog Legs on Saturday’s Dinner. Craw Fish on Sundays. Crab Legs all times dinner.
Lunch Buffet $7.25!
918.664.2245 7837 E. 51st Street
www.royaldragontulsa.com 38 January 2016
Where the locals have been going since 1975!
Daily ls Lunch Specia am 11 Open at Saturday on M day thru ay nd u S d Close
918.622.2668
www.ricardostulsa.com 5629 E. 41st • Tulsa, OK
We’ve Been Serving Breakfast & Lunch Since 1929
IT HAS TO BE GOOD! Home of the
World Famous Chicken Fried Steak Parties & Events • Banquets • Weddings & Catering • Open at Night for Special Groups
918.236.4655 | NelsonsBuffeteria.com 4401 S. MEMORIAL DRIVE, SUITE H
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-2pm
$3
Import Beers!
5 OFF 20
$
$
Please present this coupon to your server when ordering. Cannot be combined with any additional coupons, specials or offers. Offer valid at the 3 Tulsa locations only. Expires 2-29-16.
3 Locations to serve you! 1304 East 15th 918.587.4411 5320 South Harvard 918.749.7755 6809 East 81st 918.960.2723
www.chimismexican.com
YOUR S R E T R A U HEADQ TCH TO WA
ONLY AT THE 81ST LOCATION! Preview918.com 39
E AT- D R I N K - S H O P - R E N E W
Voted Tulsa’s Best in Asian, Japanese and Sushi Restaurant
BEST PATIO OVERLOOKING DOWNTOWN TULSA! CHERRY STREET
“NEW” Hibachi Menu!
918.556.0200 | 1402 S. Peoria Suite 200 | ZanmaiOK.com Walk-ins are Welcome
40 January 2016
HOURS: Mon. -Thurs. 11AM-10PM | Fri. and Sat. 11AM-11PM | Sun. 11AM-9PM
LEARN MORE ON PAGE 88
CHERRY STREET
and made
fresh daily using
authentic Mexican cooking
techniques and the finest ingredients available.
E AT- D R I N K - S H O P - R E N E W
Our food is hand-crafted
918.599.8009 • 1342 E. 15th St. • Tulsa
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. • Friday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. • Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
www.MiCocinaRestaurants.com Preview918.com 41
AFTER DARK NOT EVERY NIGHT OWL IS CREATED EQUAL. SO, HERE’S A VARIED RUNDOWN OF 10 SLICES OF LOCAL DOWNTOWN NIGHTLIFE, FROM BRO BARS AND LOUNGE LIFE TO ‘HOOD BARS AND HIPSTER HAVENS … AND MOST EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.
D
WRITTEN BY: Ryann Gordon owntown Tulsa hasn’t always been the hot spot that it is today. But with the growing popularity and revitalization of historic districts like Blue Dome and Brady, downtown has never been a more exciting place to spend your night out. After a number of renovations and the addition of several new businesses, restaurants and bars, downtown has managed to grow from a collection of rundown buildings to a thriving arena for Tulsa nightlife. From the BOK Center to Cain’s Ballroom, Denver Avenue to Elgin and so forth, you can find the streets of downtown brimming with people of all ages every night of the weekend. Some want to nurse a $10 cocktail over stimulating conversation, while others prefer to dance under neon lights to whatever the DJ is spinning. Some like watching the big game on a Saturday night, while others might want to split pins on a lane. And, deep down, we always have room for the local neighborhood bars that line the city’s corners.
42 January 2016
CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON
If you’re looking for a place to sit down and sip on a beer, then Club Majestic is probably not for you. One of Tulsa’s only dance clubs, Majestic’s loud music, flashing lights and packed dance floor will have you on your feet in no time. This LGBTQ-friendly nightclub has some of the best music in town and an upbeat atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcome. With drag shows every Sunday night and live DJs on other nights of the weekend, Club Majestic will undoubtedly keep you entertained and dancing all night long.
107 N. BOULDER Want to get a nice drink at a bar with an upper-scale, downtown feel? Start your night out in the Brady Arts District at Bar 46 and snack on a cheese plate while you sip on wine or one of their craft cocktails. Within walking distance from the BOK Center, Brady Theater and Cain’s Ballroom, come here before or after your next show, or just to watch some ESPN. Don’t worry about your group size either — Bar 46 has more than enough open-space to keep you from feeling too crowded. Play pool or lounge on one of their leather couches, but definitely stop in this hidden gem the next time you’re downtown. Put a German twist on your night out and stop in Fassler Hall for a liter of beer and some table-stompin’ fun. Although I don’t advise you to actually stand on the tables, Fassler is a beer hall that gets rowdy like Oktoberfest all year long. This German-inspired bar has one of Tulsa’s finest selections of European draft beers and weekly live music and karaoke to keep you entertained, and a new Biergarten patio like their partner in Oklahoma City. And if you’re really looking to get in the spirit, make sure to try one of their homemade sausages — they’re half off Monday nights.
FASSLER HALL 304 S. ELGIN
CORNER BAR 325 E. 2ND ST.
LEGENDS DANCE HALL AND SALOON
If you’re looking to go out where you’re bound to run into someone, or many people that you know, Woody’s Corner Bar should be your first stop. You can expect this bar to be packed with young people every night from Thursday through Saturday, so get there early for the live music and you may be able to avoid the line. And if you’re not about the crowd, stop in Woody’s on a Wednesday night for karaoke, where you can sing your heart out and, if you’re a lady — double plus — free Michelob Ultra all night.
514 E. 2ND ST.
No Oklahoma nightlife scene is complete without a little dash of country, so when you’re needing your country music fix, walk down the street from Woody’s and Dust Bowl to Legends Dance Hall and Saloon. With three bars, more than enough room to move around and one of the biggest dance floors in Tulsa, you’re sure to be entertained from the moment you walk in. Whether you’re there for the swinging and stepping or to join in with the hundred-plus people line dancing, Legends is a boot-scootin’ boogie that you don’t want to miss. Preview918.com 43
R E S T A U R A N T
918.743.1800
3109 S Yale
www.CelebrityTulsa.com
wines AND patio bar BOUTIQUE
steaks AND fresh fish HAND-CUT
WOOD-FIRED
A Tulsa Favorite for over 50 years! • Steak • Lobster • Seafood • Chicken • Famous “World-Class” Caesar Salad made Tableside
pizza
918.948.6505
9912 SOUTH RIVERSIDE DR. | TULSA, OK 74137
www.napaflats.com
MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA
One of South Tulsa’s best patios!
FREE cup of
Queso on Saturday’s 11-4 With purchase of 2 entrees totaling $20 or more.
918-779-4600 | www.nypizzeria.com 8941 South Yale Ave | Tulsa, OK 74137 44 January 2016
or
$5 OFF any purchase of $25 or more One offer per table. Not valid with any other offer.
Lunch starting at $6.99 918.340.5520 // 6219 E. 61st St | Tulsa, OK
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm • Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
VODKA BAR
YETI
417 N. MAIN
Just feet from Cain’s Ballroom, the Yeti is a bar with a holein-the-wall feel and a contradictory large crowd. Known for their live music, club-style venue in a room separate from the bar and graffiti-covered patio, Yeti has an ambiance that is just about as unique as its name. Have one of their skilled bartenders make you a drink and jam out to one of the Yeti’s shows, or stop in before your next trip to Cain’s and enjoy their happy hour that lasts until 8 p.m.
410 N. MAIN
One of those bars you will never see empty on a Friday or Saturday night, Inner Circle Vodka Bar is one of the Brady District’s newest big hits. Across from Cain’s Ballroom, Inner Circle has quickly become renowned for their infused vodkas, which line the back of the bar in large, decorated dispensers that take the time and hassle out of getting a mixed drink. Along with fun cocktails, you can step out into their courtyard for games like cornhole. And if the weather’s too cold for outdoor activities, stay inside and play with one of their giant Jenga or Connect Four sets. With games for you to play like a kid and a classy setting that makes you feel mature and refined, Inner Circle is the type of bar anyone can appreciate.
THE MAX RETROPUB 114 S. ELGIN
THE HUNT CLUB 224 N. MAIN
Another bar that is known for their live music and eclectic atmosphere is The Hunt Club, where you can find bands and local artists performing most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. With taxidermied animals lining the walls, housemade barbecue and local beers that are difficult to find anywhere else, The Hunt Club says Oklahoma in a way that doesn’t involve country music or cowboy boots. Walk down after your next show at Cain’s Ballroom and snag a bite to eat on their double-decker patio. Don’t worry about the cold though; they’ve got outdoor heaters.
Similar to Dust Bowl’s retro-theme is another one of Blue Dome District’s old school-style bars, The Max Retropub. Just a couple doors down from Woody’s, The Max is a bar with a unique twist, as it is stacked with vintage arcade games that you can’t find in most joints. Not only do their drink prices seem from the past, but this ‘80s-themed “barcade” is equipped with all of your favorite arcade games, like Pac-Man, Skee Ball, Galaga and many more. If you’re looking for cheap drinks and some good, old-fashioned fun, The Max Retropub is the place for you.
DUST BOWL LANES AND LOUNGE 211 S. ELGIN
Another spot that seems to always attract the masses is Dust Bowl Lanes and Lounge, a trendy, retro-style lounge equipped with its very own bowling alley. Not only is Dust Bowl a hot spot in the late hours of the night, but it’s the perfect place to start out your evening with a little fun. Reserve their VIP room or walk in and snag a lane, and bowl a game or two while sipping on Colorado Bulldogs and snacking on some of their tasty tots. Preview918.com 45
locator
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Laser Tag Go-Karts
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www.TulsaIPC.com | 918-294-8671 8314 E. 71st Street Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133
46 January 2016
locator TULSA DOWNTOWNDOWNTOWN TULSA
16
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Courthouse
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Central Library
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SHOPPING
ENTERTAINMENT
Lyon’s Indian Store | 3D-22
Tulsa Performing Arts | 3D-15
DINING
BARS
Albert G’s Bar & Q | 3D-13 Baxter’s Grill | 2B-1 Caz’s Chowhouse | 2D-10 Chimi’s | 5A-2 Hey Mambo | 2D-9 Mexicali | 2D-11 Mi Cocina | 5A-5 Papa Ganouj | 5C-8 Smoke | 5A-32 Ti Amo | 2C-4 Zanmai | 4A-3
Bar 46 | 2D-20 Caz’s Pub | 2D-16 Club Majestic 2D-19
3
3
TH
2 4
51
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32
CHERRY 5
LOOK FOR THE YELLOW BOX! 2nd & Detroit Brady & Boston 1st & Elgin (McNellies) 1st & Elgin (Comedy Parlor) Elgin (Joe Mommas) Brady & Bob Will Archer & Elgin
2nd & Elgin (Blue Dome Bldg.) 3rd & Cincinnati 5th & Boston 5th & Main (Billy’s) 3rd & Boulder 3rd & Denver 6th & Boston
Preview918.com 47
locator
TULSA AND SURROUNDING AREAS
TULSA AND SURROUNDING AREAS SPERRY
40
86TH N
G
OWA
76TH N
56TH N
F
75
Mohawk Park
46TH N
Tulsa Botanic Garden
Crawford Park
29
45
59
Oklahoma Aquarium
101ST
28
10
60 70 4
111
TH
121ST
64
75
7
44 46
9
MEMORIAL
40
41
54
85 57
67 77 2
25 97
61ST
65
GARNETT
23
GARNETT
17
64
62
MINGO
Oral Roberts Univ. Mabee Ct.
43
32 22 24
49
SHERIDAN
48 January 2016
3
51
31ST
63
33
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79
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JENKS SAPULPA
St. Francis Hospital
Jones Airport
76
LaFortune 80 38 Park
81ST
91ST 20
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78
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36
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58
12
169
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56
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16
68
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9321
65 44
91 51
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B
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75
92
35 44
37
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21
18 MIDTOWN
3
66
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94
11
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SHERIDAN
19
RIVERSIDE
UNION
244
30 TH
Tulsa State Fairgrounds
Philbrook Museum of Art7 ARKANSAS RIVER
C
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26
39 27
2
13
53
Univ. Of Tulsa
Woodward Park St. John Med. Ctr.
50
1
75
APACH
YALE
OSU Tulsa
90
Chandler Park
169
26 N / APACHE
DOWNTOWN BOK Ctr.
SAND SPRINGS
11
HARVARD
D
36TH N
Tulsa Air & Space Museum
TH
LEWIS
412
GILCREASE EXPY
UTICA PEORIA
51
MARTIN LUTHER KING
Gilcrease Museum
GILCREASE MUSEUM
E
Tulsa Zoo
36TH N
KWY ALE P TISD
MINGO
Lake Yahola
6
locator
96TH N
SHOPPING
7
Antique NV | 4A-76 Bedlam Sports | 5C-33 Boomer’s Audio | 5C-16 Drysdales | 5C-65, 6B-65 Edible Arrangements 4C-7, 5A-7, 6G-7 I-44 Antique Mall | 4C-3 Ida Red | 4C-50 Miss McGillicutty’s Antiques | 4A-54 The Pink Lily | 4A-79 Tulsa Stained Glass | 5C-56 Vintage Pearl | 4B-34
ASSO
DINING Redbud Valley Nature Preserve
52
HE
CATOOSA 66 412
244
1
BROKEN 73 ARROW
209TH E.
COUNTY LINE / 193RD E.
177TH E.
161ST E.
145TH E.
129TH E. 51ST
40
71ST
81
ASPEN
23
COUNTY LINE
LYNN LANE
MAIN ELM
129TH E.
72
4
15th & Troost 15th & Quincy 15th & Trenton Fat Guys (Greenwood) 18th & Boston Peoria & 33rd Peoria & 35 (Doc’s)
48
55
7
Albert G’s Bar & Q | 4C-91 Apple Barrel Cafe | 7A-48 Baker St. Pub | 5B-24 Baskin-Robbins | 5B-57 Bellacinos | A4-97 BGB Burgers | 4D-92 Bluestone Steak House and Seafood | 5A-10 Bravos Mexican Grill | 5C-5 Brownie’s Burgers | 4D-29, 5B-29 Cafe Olé | 4C-35 Celebrity Restaurant | 5C-68 Mondo’s Ristorante Chimi’s | 5B-2, 4C-2, 4D-2 Italiano | 4C-94 Cork | 5A-9 Napa Flats | 4A-25 El Chico | 6D-93 Nelson’s Buffeteria | 5C-63 El Sombrero | 7B-72 Off The Cuff | 6A-6 Elmer’s BBQ | 4C-66 Polo Grill | 4D-19 Fat Daddy’s Pub and Ricardo’s | 5C-31 Grille | 5B-64 Rincón Mexican Grill & Flo’s Burger Diner | 8D-1 Cantina | 5B-47 French Hen | 5B-17 Rio Restaurant & Bar | 5D-21 Fuji | 5B-20 RoseRock Cafe | 6C-43 Hardens | 5D-30 Royal Dragon | 5C-36 Helen of Troy | 4B-14 Russo’s Coal Fired Italian The Hen Bistro & Kitchen | 5A-28 Wine | 4C-18 Savoy Restaurant | 5B-11 Hooters | 5B-49 Shiloh’s | 7B-73 Hop Bunz | 4C-13 Sinbad Rotisserie Chicken In The Raw | 4C-23, & Healthy Mediterranean 5B-23, 7B-23 Food | 7B-4 Incredible Pizza | 5B-46 Smoke | 4D-27 Jim’s Coney Island | 4D-26 Sonoma Bistro & Wine Bar | 4C-15 La Crepe Nanou | 5A-78 Ti Amo |5B-80 La Roma | 5B-38 Tres Amigos Grill & Lanna Thai | 5B-71 Cantina | 4B-74 Leena’s Mediterranean Treys Bar & Grill | 5A-75 Grill | 5B-45 The Tropical |5C-62 Los Cabos | 6G-40, Twin Peaks | 5B-85 4A-40, 7B-40 Waterfront Grill | 4A-70 Mandarin Taste | 5B-51 Western Country Diner | 5D-37 Wine Loft | 5A-42 Mi Cocina | 4D-39 Yutaka Grill & Sushi Buffet | 5C-32 Molly’s Landing | 8E-52
ENTERTAINMENT Air Port Trampoline | 5C-12 Dave and Buster’s | 6B-44 Eton Square Cinema | 5B-22 Hard Knocks | 5B-61 Loony Bin Comedy Club | 5B-67 Village 8 Movies | 5B-77 Xtreme Racing and Entertainment | 7B-81
MEDICAL Hillcrest | 4D-53
BARS Mercury Lounge | 3D-90 Whiskey Dog | 7A-55
CASINO River Spirit | 4B-58
EVERYTHING ELSE Blue Cottage | 4A-59 Cookie Doodle | 4A-60 Shears | 4A-41
LOOK FOR THE YELLOW BOX!
8
Preview918.com 49
B R O O KS I D E - T H E P L AC E TO B E
Serving Southwest Cuisine for 30 Years! Best patio dining and margaritas in Tulsa! cafeolebrookside.com | 918.745.6699 3509 S. Peoria Ave. | Tulsa, OK Tuesday - Thursday, 11am-9pm | Friday, 11am-10pm | Saturday, 9am-10pm | Sunday, 9am-9pm
sushi with a pulse! Since 1969 the Aloisio family has served family recipes from Napoli and Abruzzi Italy. Come and enjoy our home cooking paired with fine wine and crafted beers. Full service bar.
CALL FOR RESERVATIONS & CARRY OUT 918.561.6300 • 3410 S. Peoria Ave. 50 December January 2016 2015
fresh sushi + incredible kitchen entrees + great happy hour + live music (on Brookside) + sunset views (on the hill)
call 918.671.0606 for catering
B R O O KS I D E - T H E P L AC E TO B E
918.747.9463 | www.sonomatulsa.com 3523 South Peoria Avenue | Brookside | Tulsa, OK Preview918.com 51
Spiritual WRITTEN BY: Rob Harmon
52 January 2016
Life is hectic but yoga can be a haven of peace and healing, a retreat from all the stress of the working world and everything else we find ourselves in the middle of daily.
H
ow’s the New Year’s resolution coming? If you’re among the many that don’t play that game, one question: Why not yoga? It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that yoga is one of Tulsa’s fastest growing forms of exercise. Or would it? Did you see what I just did there? And it’s more than just exercise or a great way to lose weight. It’s relaxation of mind, body and soul. It’s detoxification through breathing and blood circulation. It can lower blood pressure, increase digestive health, improve mobility and strength, give better sleep and reduce stress and pain. It’s even been shown to help fibromyalgia, increasing cortisol levels in the body. A tradition in India for over a thousand years, yoga is a holistic exercise of awareness and harmony, a tried and true form of preventative medicine. And believe it or not, it’s something everyone can do. Tulsa’s studios are some of the most inviting, nurturing atmospheres in the country. We even have our own festival. This September is the sixth annual I AM YOGA festival, right here in Green Country. T-town’s yoga scene is a surprisingly conscious community of authentic people from all walks of life. And trust me, in spite of what you might think, all body types are welcome. Certified instructors at local studios provide nonjudgmental, positive attention, and lead classes in a way that students learn safely and grow at their own pace, with individual abilities, needs and goals in mind. Yoga is now incorporated as an evidence-based research supported approach to treatment for alcoholics and drug addicts by 12&12, an addiction recovery center in Tulsa.
Life is hectic but yoga can be a haven of peace and healing, a retreat from all the stress of the working world and everything else we find ourselves in the middle of. Gabrielle Howell, instructor at both the Pearl District and Broken Arrow branches of Be Love Yoga Studio, and other studios and gyms around town, believes yoga “gives you the ability to slow down and recognize what’s going on in your body on a different level than any other physical activity.” She loves it when she sees someone “breaking down that wall of thinking that they have to do everything” in order to do yoga. “The people who come in, in tune to themselves and don’t do everything, are the best yogis,” she says. The best advice she gives to anyone considering yoga is to “not be intimidated. Just come.” A yogi, by the way, is not some super human, amazing instructor who bends and flexes in the air, holding positions for hours at a time, but anyone who simply practices yoga. And that’s it. Yoga is a thing you practice. You do it for what it gives you in that moment. And of course, that’s the other thing yoga does. It teaches you to be in the moment, in the zone, to find your own flow and mindfulness. It gives you permission to use that mindset in all areas of your life. That old adage, “practice makes perfect,” doesn’t apply here. Because yoga isn’t about becoming perfect, it’s about practice. It’s more about showing up. About being aware of who you are and doing your best at that moment. Nothing more. Perfection isn’t the goal. Being is the goal. Being the best you is the goal.
Whether you have a nagging knee, chronic low back pain or any other physical limitation, you can still do a version of the poses that work for you. Of course, seek medical advice first, but telling instructors a specific challenge you have helps them help you modify your practice. In fact, yoga teachers love the opportunity to give personalized care. Though there are many types of yoga taught in Tulsa’s studios, the three basic aspects of yoga that tend to be found in most classes you’ll step into are awareness of breathing, a focus on meditation and practicing poses that bring strength and flexibility to muscles. Is stress giving you neck or back pain? Practicing these three proven skills, along with the exercise yoga provides, gives you an easy, effective, even sneaky way to combat headaches, poor sleeping habits, drug and alcohol abuse, and so many other bad habits.
LOCATOR Here are some of the pillars of Green Country’s yoga community
Be Love Yoga Studio 1310 E. 6th St. | Tulsa 4904 W. Kenosha | Broken Arrow
The Canebrake 33241 E. 732nd | Wagoner
Cozy Yoga Studio 10907 S. Memorial | Tulsa
The name, yoga, means “to join,” so naturally, a studio can sign you up for a monthly membership, but there are drop-in classes all over Tulsa around the $12 range. Studios have $10 for 10 days temporary memberships, perfect for out of towners or first timers. If that sounds a little much, some Green Country area studios offer free or donation classes once or twice a week that make it very affordable to “join” in on the fun and more importantly the community. There’s even a oneweek-free pass at the Health Zone at St. Francis that can help you move through your vinyasas. Recently, at one donation-only class at Be Love’s Pearl District studio, all of the proceeds went to a donation-based seven-week self-defense training program for women. What a great way to get a workout, practice mindfulness and give back to a worthy cause.
Health Zone at Saint Francis 6161 S. Yale | Tulsa
Inner Peace Yoga 7718 E. 91st | Tulsa
Life Time 10642 S. Memorial | Bixby
SALT Yoga 1708 Utica Square | Tulsa 8931 S. Yale | Tulsa
Tulsa Yoga Cooperative 5321 S. Sheridan | Tulsa
Tulsa Yoga Therapy 3315 E. 33rd St. | Tulsa
The Yoga Room 3403 S. Peoria | Tulsa
Yoga Quest 5539 E. 41st | Tulsa
Zen Body Yoga & Wellness 6024 S. Yale | Tulsa
Preview918.com 53
WINTER
GUIDE WRITTEN BY: Michele Chiappetta
The holidays are in the rearview mirror, but now you’re probably broke, it’s cold outside and cabin fever is setting in. But hope of enduring the weeks ahead is not lost: There are still plenty of ways to perk up your January, all of which can be done on the cheap, and none of which requires leaving town.
54 January 2016
Winter. Brrr.
It’s the cruelest time of the year. The sun sets too early. It’s cold, damp and icy. You miss the warmth and fun of summer. By now, with the holidays finally over, your wallet is probably a little light on the cash. And that means if you want to cure the winter blahs, you need a solution that doesn’t involve jetting off for a daiquirisoaked trip to the Caribbean. Fear not, faithful reader! All hope of enduring the potentially frostbitten weeks ahead is not lost. Your Preview team is here to help you find creative, affordable ways to perk up your January and entertain yourself, your family and friends until spring is in the air. Try some of these activities and see how much fun you can pack into this month without ever stepping a foot out of town.
Travel back to the past with a trip to the antique shop One thing about Tulsa — we have tons of collectibles, curios and gently used furniture. Peruse the area’s antique shops, and you’ll become enchanted by the memorabilia. It’s like a visit to the museum without the admission fee. Main Street in Jenks, the Cherry Street District, Broken Arrow’s Rose District, and the ever-popular I-44 Antique Mall in Midtown are great places to be entertained without spending a dime. Unless you must have that piece of Frankoma pottery. For that, you’re on your own!
a new restaurant and dig into some delicious food Some days, you just need to get out of the house for a while. Why not visit a new eatery? T-town offers scratch-made comfort food, like Brownie’s famous hamburger or Western Country Diner’s homemade pies. In the Raw and Zanmai serve up trendy Asian dishes along with a great view of the city. Or hit Fat Daddy’s for beer and sports on the big screen. Need ideas on where to go? Check out our dining recommendations on our website because we love to encourage you to eat. Preview918.com 55
Take in a morning
While we can’t exactly endorse playing hooky, we can certainly suggest you take a personal day midweek. Everyone else will be at work or school, which makes it a perfect time to hit the movie theater. Enjoy a flick starting as early as 10 a.m. at some locations and pay the matinee price, which is as low as a dollar at some theaters. If you’re up for a meal, hit someplace nearby for lunch after the show. Or just go for it and eat a full tub of popcorn and a soda. We won’t judge you.
Break out a Gaming is big. Celebrity big. Just do a Google search for Wil Wheaton, Felicia Day and tabletop games. But why watch others online when you can play in real life? If you don’t have a supply of board games at home, don’t worry. Tulsa can get you hooked up in no time. Visit a place like Wizards Asylum to join their Magic: The Gathering tournaments. Hit Barnes & Noble to invest in the popular party game Apples to Apples. Go on Meetup.com to sign up for Tulsa’s gaming group and join them for a fun time of talk and play. Or hit Cosmo Café with friends and family to drink coffee and use their supply of games.
Grab a and find a hill Why fight the snow when you can join in the fun? Outdoor playtime can be just the thing to freshen up your wintery outlook. Some of the area’s best hills are found behind Harwelden Mansion (2210 S. Main), on the northeast side of Woodland Hills Mall (71st Street and Memorial Drive), the soccer club field area to the east of Roy Clark Elementary School (3656 S. 103rd East Ave.), on the west side of Will Rogers High School (3909 E. Fifth Place), and Chandler Park (6500 W. 21st). Make snow angels or a snow fort while you’re outside, then go home for some hot chocolate and a warm fire. 56 January 2016
Lunch Specials Start at $5.60 Every Day! Chicken Enchiladas & Spinach
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It’s Time To Play‌
Watch all the games here!
From children to grandparents, from beginners to adepts, we have classes for everyone. Since 1975, we have been happy to share our stained glass knowledge with students of all talent levels. Come socialize, invite your friends and family, and make a thing of beauty. Enjoy a unique, creative adventure unlike anything else available in Tulsa today. Make and take classes are only 2 hours for $39 and includes materials. Schedule & enroll via our website
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918-664-8604 7976 East 41st Street Tulsa, OK 74145 Store Hours: 10-6 Mon-Sat info@tulsastainedglass.com
Now 58 January 2016 Celebrating
40 years in Tulsa
918-250-1498 www.hooters.com 8108 East 61st Tulsa OK, 74133
Learn how to brew
Get a
or wine T-town is rapidly becoming a hub of the brew-your-own movement. Every four weeks, High Gravity (7142 S. Memorial) offers winemaking and beer-brewing classes that last an hour and take you through the steps of using a DIY kit. The Brew Shack in Owasso offers classes too, and they share recipes on their website. If you’re willing to travel a little, check out places like Learn to Brew in Moore. Or have a chat with your neighbors, because chances are, someone you know is brewing their own and can give you tips to get you started.
yourself to the magic of books at the Tulsa City-County Library With numerous branches around town, the Tulsa City-Country Library system is a wonderful place to go and find some fun that is bound to stir your mind and get you thinking. If you haven’t visited the library lately, make it a must-do this January. Several area branches, like Hardesty, have been remodeled with the latest technology. You can browse through popular magazines in the comfortable lounge seating, surf on the library’s many free computers or browse the shelves for something fun to take home and read. The children’s areas have terrific options for those with families. Or borrow a classic movie from the library’s ample DVD section.
or take care of someone else’s pet If you have friends going out of town, offer to watch their pets. Statistics show that time with friendly animals is an effective stress reliever, just what you need in the winter months. Tulsa also has plenty of pet adoption organizations (such as ARF) that would love to help match you with a sweet dog or cat in need of a home. And if you’re living somewhere that doesn’t allow pets, consider volunteering at a local animal shelter. Shelters typically ask you for just two hours a week to walk the dogs and do other tasks that help keep the animals in good health.
Invest in some hardcore indoor playtime Sometimes, winter demands that you push back hard to fight off those unwanted pounds. Fortunately, Tulsa offers several indoor playgrounds for children and adults alike. If you have children in need of playtime, go to the Sky Zone Trampoline Park, where your children can bounce off someone else’s walls. If you’re an adult who wants to feel like a kid for a while, sign up for a laser tag mission at Hard Knocks. You’ll laugh, you’ll conquer and you’ll beat back those winter blues.
Preview918.com 59
"Upscale, Down Home Cooking"
THE BRADY ARTS DISTRICT
The most unique Tulsa downtown restaurant!
Patio, Private/Holiday Parties, Caterings JOIN US FOR HAPPY HOUR! Mon-Fri, 2-7pm and Fri-Sat 9-11pm Additional Brunch Menu - Sat and Sun, 10:30am-2pm
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Monday – Thursday, 11am-9pm • Friday, 11am-11pm Saturday, 10:30am-11pm • Sunday, 10:30am-9pm
918-588-CHOW(2469) | www.cazschowhouse.com 18 West Matthew Brady St. | Tulsa, OK 74103
Book your parties today so you won’t miss out on the fun!
Live Jazz on Wednesdays and Fridays! "Best Brick Oven Pizza in Tulsa"
107 N. Boulder, Suite B 918.398.7114 www.bar46tulsa.com Hours: 4pm-2am 60 January 2016
114 N Boston | Tulsa, OK 74103
918.508.7000
Serving Authentic Mexican Cuisine Since 1987
A Tulsa Tradition!
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www.mexicalibordercafe.com 14 West Matthew Brady St. Tulsa, OK 74103
TULSA'S
PREMIERE DANCE CLUB
Not Just an Ordinary Bar Located in the heart of the Brady Arts District of downtown Tulsa Caz's Pub 21 West Matthew Brady St. \ Tulsa, OK 74103
918.585.8587 www.cazspub.com
THE BRADY ARTS DISTRICT
• Dine-in or carry out • Delivery service available • Daily & weekly specials • Full catering services • Banquet facilities
We have dance floors and multiple bars that offer a great time. The club features high end lighting and sound, a positive, safe and comfortable atmosphere and an outdoor patio.
918.584.9494
124 N. Boston Ave.
ClubMajesticTulsa.com
Live DJ Entertainment! Preview918.com 61
Leather Weather
spree and style
Leather used to be considered a harsh, difficult look to pull off. Now, with endless options, leather has become easy-to-wear and appropriate for almost any occasion. WRITTEN BY: Ryann Gordon
62 January 2016
O
ne of the best parts of winter is getting to whip out our fluffiest sweaters and coats, layer up for warmth and stay cozy in the cold. How do you keep your fashion sense in mind though, when all you can think about is blocking out that winter wind? Save the layers of oversized sweaters, UGG boots and sock beanies for lounging around the house and add some leather into your ensemble for a quick fix to an icy night out on the town. Don’t let a little cold turn you into a hipster hobo this winter. Spice up your wardrobe with a few pieces that are bound to make you look fierce and feel on fire. Leather is one of our favorite winter pieces; it’s warm yet fashionable, cool yet surprisingly comfortable, timeless and modern, and it can make (or break) an outfit. Stay Kardashian sleek all winter long with one of the most fashionable and functional trends of the season, but make sure you know what you’re doing first — you don’t want to turn out looking like a bald cow or an overly zealous biker-dude. Stick with the staple pieces you know best or go for something a bit more daring and utilize this Oklahoma leather weather for the good of fashion. Play around when you’re sporting leather this season and try something new, then wait for the compliments to commence. When I’m talking about leather, I don’t mean that you need to go dig out your parents’ old, leather vests from the ‘80s, although that could be an option. If you’re not one to take chances, there is one place that leather can never go wrong — the shoe. Although leather shoes can be expensive, they are durable, long-lasting, and man do they look good. Whether it’s a pair of pumps or
kicks, or even some trendy, knee-high boots, leather shoes add an extra level of class to any outfit. Throw in a leather purse or briefcase and you’ll look like a million bucks, even if you spent next to none. Another timeless piece that you cannot go wrong with is the leather jacket. This is a staple that everyone should try at least once, even if edgy is not necessarily your style. Pair a tight, biker-style jacket with a floral or sequined dress to give your outfit a girly twist, or pull your hair back and throw on some skinny jeans for a fiercer look. The leather jacket is great for dressing up a casual t-shirt-and-jeans combo during the day, and even more perfect for those cold nights out when you need to dress up but don’t want to freeze. Go with a Matrix trenchcoat, biker jacket, even Bomber, Top Gun-style, and add a sleek touch to just about any outfit. Rather than sticking to the popular leather items only, branch out a little this year and try wearing it in new ways. Work your way into this trend and start with the cut-outs and patches that have become a staple in modern fashion. Anywhere from elbow patches to mesh-lined, leather cut-outs, this is a casual way of slipping leather into any wardrobe. Once you’ve dipped your toe into the leather pool, try revamping an oldfashion trend and utilizing some of those hand-me-down pieces. If you thought leather pants were done for, think again, because Olivia NewtonJohn’s skin-tight, greaser pants are back in style. Although this classic look may seem outdated, there’s something very modern about prominent, leather pieces, and Sandy’s off-the-shoulder, black tank and highwaisted pants are undeniably chic. If the fullon leather pants are too flashy for you, try looking for some pleather leggings instead; tie them in with a flowy top and blazer and you’ll have a look that says business up top,
Show the world your stylish side and don’t spend this winter wrapped up in grandma’s old sweaters. Preview918.com 63
Leather is one of our favorite winter pieces; it’s warm yet fashionable, cool yet surprisingly comfortable, timeless and modern. party on the bottom. For those of us who aren’t afraid of a little cold, there are the shorter options. Leather shorts are a risky pick for the winter, but pair them with some thick tights or knee-high socks, booties and a furry jacket, and you’ll look and feel the part of snow angel. If you’re feeling especially fashion forward and wanting to take your style to the next level, try going all-out with a leather dress. The leather dress is gaining popularity in the fashion world, where trends are taking a turn toward distinctly modern and even futuristic styles, so don’t be afraid to stand out with this look. Tone down your ensemble with some simple jewelry and classic heels, or edge it up with a pair of chunky booties and maybe even a colored, leather print. However, if you can’t find the right leather dress, swap it for a leather skirt or top — not both — and you’ve got the same idea. Pair a leather top with skinny jeans and pumps or opt for a leather skirt with a plain-colored top and blazer; just stay away from floor-length leather, because there is a thing called too much. There’s not many ways that leather can go wrong, but it’s not something to go unnoticed when it does. Too much leather is the first mistake, so if you go for Sandy’s look in Grease, switch out the leather jacket for something that doesn’t clash. This can be said for accessories as well, so leave the leather head wraps, chokers and gloves for the actual bikers. Also, try to steer clear from highly decorated leather — chains and spikes are just as much of a hazard to the eyes as they are to the people who run into them. Aim for natural looking leather, even if you are shopping for pleather, and go with colors that are either black, brown or some variation of tan, and the occasional, fun colored piece. Although there are conventions for wearing leather, there really are no rules when it comes to the way you dress. Wrap yourself in leather or just rock the leather boots, belts 64 January 2016
End less Options
spree and style
and purses that you know best, but add a little extra something to your winter get-up this year.
Show the world your stylish side and don’t spend this winter wrapped up in grandma’s old sweaters — look for grandpa’s vintage leather pieces instead. Most importantly though, do utilize others’ closets, because leather can be expensive. Dig through thrift stores, refurbish some hand-me-downs, or just go to your favorite retail stores where leather is bound to be stocked and find yourself a unique staple for the new year. From the classic, black jacket to more dramatic, modern looks, like leather pants or a dress, utilize Tulsa’s leather weather and rock a timeless piece that may just have your grandkids raiding your closet one day.
MODERN ELEGANCE A Romantic Neighborhood French Bistro
NEW LATER HOURS!
The Wine Loft Wine Bar is a new upscale nightlife venue serving a wide selection of wines, as well as beer, spirits and gourmet tapas.
918.970.4766 www.thewinelofttulsa.com 106th and S. Memorial (west side) Tues-Thurs 4pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-Midnight
NOW OPEN for Lunch Tues-Sat 11am-3pm
918.970.4767 / lacrepenanoutulsa.com 106th and S. Memorial (west side) Tues-Sun 11am-3pm, Tues-Sat 5pm-10pm
Preview918.com 65
green country scene
s e p a c s E r e t n i W WRITTEN BY: Donna Leahey
The wide-open spaces and breathtaking scenery in Oklahoma’s state parks present the perfect backdrop to enjoy favorite winter activities such as hiking, camping, animal watching and devouring s’mores under the stars.
W Eagle watching is more popular along the waterways, lakes and rivers. 66 January 2016
hen you think of visiting one of Oklahoma’s state parks in Green Country, you probably think of a hot summer day on the lake, boating or water skiing, or getting a good, deep tan. If you forget about our beautiful state parks in the winter though, you’re missing out on a whole season of fun and outdoor adventure. All you need is a daredevil spirit and strategically layered clothing. There are 17 state parks in Green Country and they are open yearround for you to enjoy. What is there to do in a state park in the winter? Keli Clark, marketing
director for Oklahoma State Parks has a list for you. “Of course, hiking is always great in the wintertime,” she says. “It’s not so hot. Wildlife watching is popular as well. You can see a variety of species including deer, wild turkey and beautiful songbirds such as cardinals and blue jays. Eagle watching are popular along the waterways, lakes and rivers.” Fishing is available on the lakes as well. In fact, as John Kilgore, manager of Greenleaf State Park points out, “We have a heated dock as part of the marina that’s open year-round, and a couple of open docks as well.”
green country scene
There are many benefits to camping in the winter in our state parks. Fishing can be enjoyed even in the winter, not just off the docks, but also out on the lake in a boat. “Fishing is very popular,” says Clark. “Especially trout fishing. The larger lakes like Eufaula and Grand are popular for bass and crappie fishing.” Greenleaf, like many state parks, has playgrounds for the children. “We have a Discovery Center,” Kilgore says, “And on Fridays, when it’s clear, we have a star watch with a telescope.” Clark also suggests visiting the nature centers while at the park. “The naturalists have programs for families and groups. The Nature Centers are wonderful locations to learn more about the environment and natural surroundings of the parks. In addition to the parks and their facilities. We also have wonderful golf courses and disc golf courses for outdoor recreation. The bicycle and equestrian trails are always available for outdoor lovers.” Some parks have ATV/ORV areas, children’s fishing areas, marinas, conference centers and full-service restaurants. Camping is another great option in the winter. Les Pulliam,
manager of Tenkiller State Park and Cherokee Landing explains, “The park is less crowded, it’s quiet. We have great views of the lake at Tenkiller, which are improved now that the foliage dropped.” One of the highlights at Greenleaf State Park is the 18-mile hiking trail. “We call it a primitive hiking trail,” says Kilgore. “It’s 9 miles up and 9 miles back. There’s a camping area on the backside, near the end of the trail, if you want to overnight.” No fires are allowed at the campsite, though, so check the weather before planning that trip. At most park campsites, however, firepits are available. There are many benefits to camping in the winter in our state parks. “Bugs are fewer and far between and snakes are dormant. Other wildlife is still active though, so be aware of raccoons or foxes,” says Kilgore. “There’s something about camping in winter. The solitude is nice. It’s a quiet and peaceful time to hike or fish or just enjoy a campfire.” Pulliam also relishes the quiet. “You’ve got a little space,” he says. “It’s less crowded. You’ve got those beautiful winter days and it’s cool and crisp at night.”
You can see a variety of species including deer, wild turkey and beautiful songbirds such as cardinals and blue jays. Besides peace, quiet, and solitude, other benefits of camping in winter include a reduced price, discounts, and, at some locations, a fourth night free. There are plenty of camping options at our state parks. For those not ready to brave a cold night, lodges and cabins offer wintertime lodging packages with affordable rates for the family. Pets are allowed in most cabins at Oklahoma state parks. Cabins
come with linens, pots and pans, plates, silverware and other amenities. However, for those who enjoy crisp, cool, fresh air, there is plenty to enjoy while camping our state parks. The season does bring extra challenges, though. “Ensure that you bring something like a tarp to cover your tent in case of rain or snow. Bring plenty of good, warm clothing and a Preview918.com 67
Free Wi-Fi Internet Access!
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918.259.8046 | 514 N. Elm Pl. Broken Arrow Open seven days a week 11am-9pm
With the purchase of one meal and two drinks, you get a second meal half off. Not valid with any other offers. Exp. 2-29-16.
68 January 2016
green country scene
Besides peace, quiet and solitude, other benefits of camping in winter include a reduced price.
good sleeping bag,” reminds Kilgore. “Bring a lantern, like a Coleman lantern. Battery powered will work, but one that uses propane or camping fuel is a good idea too. Don’t forget your trash bags and be sure to police your area. And finally, don’t forget to bring hot dogs and hamburgers, and fixings for s’mores. Charcoal and cooking utensils, too.”
Some parks have ATV/ORV areas, children’s fishing areas, marinas, conference centers and full-service restaurants.
Pulliam adds, “Dress in layers and be sure to stay hydrated. Have an ample water supply. Be careful with gas heaters and make sure you have ventilation in case of fumes. You should be sure to call ahead since some areas of the park may be winterized and
not available.” He also suggests camping at an RV site. “Some campers book an RV spot for the electricity.” “Be sure to know your trails,” Clark suggests for hikers. “Always know your surroundings and landmarks so you won’t get lost.” Most important of all, have a good time relaxing and exploring nature in our state parks. “Come out for a great family experience, or it’s great for one person, too,” says Kilgore. He loves seeing visitors enjoying their time exploring nature in a state park. “It’s neat to see families come together in today’s fast-paced life.” Preview918.com 69
We have NFL Ticket, Big Ten and SEC Network. Plus 17 HD TVs to view all of your favorite sports. 8056 S. Memorial Drive | Tulsa, OK 74133 Located in Paddington Square Northwest Corner of 81st & Memorial
918.872.6206
Best
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APPETIZERS DURING NFL GAMES www.albertgs.com 2748 S. Harvard Ave Downtown Tulsa • 421 E. 1st St. 918.747.4799 918.728.3650 70 January 2016
Midget MADNES
sports central Nearly 300 drivers will tackle the quarter-mile clay track inside the River Spirit Expo Square looking for bragging rights among some of racing’s elite and $10,000.
WRITTEN BY: Richard Linihan
B
lap, blap, blap, vroom. The noise begins to fill the huge arena and the first fumes of gasoline hover as fans’ hearts rev up as much as the engines of the midget cars on the indoor quarter-mile oval. Racers from every class line up to do battle for the crown to be worn by the next winner of the Chili Bowl in Tulsa. It happens Jan. 12-16 at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds and has been called the Super Bowl of midget racing. A prize of $10,000 goes to the winner, but something far more important to these drivers hangs in the balance — answering the question of who is the best of the best.
A-MAIN WINNERS It will be the 30th year for an event that has matched up the top drivers from NASCAR, midget racing, World of Outlaw sprint cars, NHRA drag racing, Indy Car and USAC. Guys like Sammy Swindell put the Chili Bowl on the map and NASCAR legend Tony Stewart cemented the race’s footing on the national scene when he not only threw his hat in the ring, but also won twice (2002 and ’07). Swindell, from the World of Outlaws racing, won the title five times in the race’s foundation days (1989, ‘92, ’96, ’98 and ‘09). In 2010, there was a changing of the guard, as Kevin Swindell (Sammy’s son) began his run of four Chili Bowl championship wins in a row something no one has ever done. In this year’s race, he will have a chance to match his dad’s five trophies. The first Chili Bowl took place in 1987. It was a two-day event back then with 52 midget racers competing. This year there are about 300 cars trying to qualify for the 24-car final A-Main over five days of racing. So to whom does the Chili Bowl owe its success of becoming a sold-out race months in advance? Was it the
2015 Rico Abreu 2014 Bryan Clauson 2013 Kevin Swindell 2012 Kevin Swindell 2011 Kevin Swindell 2010 Kevin Swindell 2009 Sammy Swindell 2008 Damion Gardner 2007 Tony Stewart 2006 Tim McCreadie 2005 Tracy Hines 2004 Cory Kruseman 2003 Dan Boorse 2002 Tony Stewart 2001 Jay Drake 2000 Cory Kruseman 1999 Dan Boorse 1998 Sammy Swindell 1997 Billy Boat 1996 Sammy Swindell 1995 Donnie Beechler 1994 Andy Hillenburg 1993 Dave Blaney 1992 Sammy Swindell 1991 Lealand McSpadden 1990 Jon Heydenreich 1989 Sammy Swindell 1988 Scott Hatton 1987 Rich Vogler
talent and personality of Stewart? Or is it the Swindells, who have been the class of the Chili Bowl the way Bobby and Barry Bonds became the father-son greats in Major League Baseball? “I’d have to say it is a combination of Stewart and the Swindells. Plus, Preview918.com 71
sports central it’s the time of the year when racing around the world is shut down and drivers come from six different countries to compete against the best to prove their type of racing is the greatest,” says Bryan Hulbert, publicist for the Chili Bowl. The A-Main Event is a 50-lap race on the final day of racing with the winner eventually raising a trophy called the Golden Driller toward the ceiling. The trophy was named after the 76-foot tall statue that stands with an oilrig outside the River Spirit Expo Center. Hulbert confirmed that 2015 winner Rico Abreu will return to defend his championship. He is a prime example that you don’t have to be built like LeBron James in a hulking, cut body to be an exceptional athlete at the top of your sport. Abreu is a giant in a tiny body, a fan favorite at 4-foot4, but measuring as qualified as any driver in this field.
Speedway at the age of 17, making him the youngest winner in series history. Rather than being content with his dirt success, however, Kevin continued to want more. In 2010, he transitioned to full-time pavement racing, competing in the NASCAR Xfinity (Nationwide) Series, NASCAR K&N Pro Series and ARCA Series.
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In 2013, Kevin earned two more Xfinity (Nationwide) Series top10 finishes, with a career-high eighth-place finish at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kevin also made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut that season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Kevin continues to turn heads in both sprint cars and stock cars, on dirt or on pavement. A racer’s racer, born to succeed at any level.
Does that make him the one to beat? And if not, then who is? “That is an unanswerable question,” Hulbert says. “There are more than 300 entries and 150 of those could win.” Kevin Swindell continues to chart his own path through the competitive world of motor sports and has to be one of the favorites. Rather than focus on one style of racing, however, as his father Sammy did, Kevin has searched for titles on diverse tracks. Like his father, Kevin has frequented victory lane on dirt tracks across the country, posting his first World of Outlaws win at the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor 72 January 2016
The time of the year also ensures a packed house every night with others outside, begging for a ticket as racing at most every other venue is on vacation. With the overflowing crowds anticipated each new edition of the Chili Bowl, one has to wonder if officials would move it to a larger venue. “As long as the Expo Center exits, that’s where we will be,” says Hulbert. “It’s Emmitt Hahn’s home and he loves it here. He created this event.”
CHILI BOWL
River Spirit Expo Center 4145 E. 21st | Tulsa
918-838-3777 chilibowl.com Jan. 12-16
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Calendar Oklahoma Basketball (Men’s)
Oklahoma State Basketball (Men’s)
Jan. 2 | vs Iowa State | 6p Jan. 4 | @ Kansas | 8p Jan. 9 | vs Kansas State | 3:30p Jan. 13 | @ Oklahoma State | 8p Jan. 16 | vs West Virginia | 3p Jan. 18 | @ Iowa State | 8p Jan. 23 | @ Baylor | 11a Jan. 26 | vs Texas Tech | 6p Jan. 30 | vs LSU* | TBA * Big 12/SEC Challenge (Baton Rouge, La.)
Jan. 2 | vs TCU | TBA Jan. 5 | @ Baylor | 7p Jan. 9 | @ West Virginia | Noon Jan. 13 | vs Oklahoma | 8p Jan. 16 | @ Texas | 5p Jan. 19 | vs Kansas | 6p Jan. 23 | @ Kansas State | 5p Jan. 27 | vs Baylor | 8p Jan. 30 | vs Auburn* | 7p * Big 12/SEC Challenge (Auburn, Ala.)
Home games are played at Lloyd Noble Center (Norman)
Tulsa Basketball (Men’s)
Home games are played at Reynolds Center (Tulsa, Okla.) Jan. 2 | @ Cincinnati | 3p Jan. 5 | vs East Carolina | 6p Jan. 10 | @ Tulane | 1p Jan. 14 | vs UConn | 6p Jan. 19 | @ East Carolina | 6p Jan. 24 | vs UCF | 2p Jan. 27 | @ Houston | 7p Jan. 30 | vs Tulane | 5p
Tulsa Basketball (Women’s)
Home games are played at Reynolds Center (Tulsa, Okla.) Jan. 2 | vs SMU | 2p Jan. 6 | @ UConn | 6p Jan. 8 | @ Temple | 4p Jan. 10 | @ Memphis | 1p Jan. 13 | vs Cincinnati | 7p Jan. 16 | vs Tulane | 1p Jan. 20 | @ Houston | 7p Jan. 23 | vs Memphis | 2p Jan. 27 | vs UConn | 7p Jan. 30 | @ UCF | Noon
Tulsa Oilers
Home games are played at the BOK Center (Tulsa) Jan. 2 | @ Rapid City Rush | 8:05p Jan. 5 | vs Missouri Mavericks | 7:05p Jan. 8 | @ Wichita Thunder | 7:05p Jan. 9 | vs Wichita Thunder | 7:05p Jan. 13 | @ Utah Grizzlies | 8:05p Jan. 15 | @ Idaho Steelheads | 8:10p Jan. 16 | @ Idaho Steelheads | 8:10p Jan. 22 | @ Missouri Mavericks | 7:05p Jan. 23 | @ Missouri Mavericks | 7:05p Jan. 26 | vs Allen Americans | 7:05p Jan. 29 | @ Allen Americans | 7:05p Jan. 30 | vs Allen Americans | 7:05p Jan. 31 | @ Allen Americans | 4:05p
Oklahoma Basketball (Women’s) Home games are played at Lloyd Noble Center (Norman) Jan. 3 | @ Baylor | 3:30p Jan. 6 | @ TCU | 6p Jan. 10 | vs Kansas State | 1p Jan. 16 | @ Oklahoma State | Noon Jan. 20 | vs Texas Tech | 10:30a Jan. 23 | @ Texas | 11a Jan. 27 | vs West Virginia | 7p Jan. 30 | @ Iowa State | 1p
Oklahoma City Thunder
Home games are played at Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City) Jan. 2 | @ Charlotte Hornets | 6p Jan. 4 | vs Sacramento Kings | 7p Jan. 6 | vs Memphis Grizzlies | 8:30p Jan. 8 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | 9:30p Jan. 10 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | 8p Jan. 12 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | 7p Jan. 13 | vs Dallas Mavericks | 7p Jan. 15 | vs Minnesota Timberwolves | 6p Jan. 17 | vs Miami Heat | 6p Jan. 19 | @ Denver Nuggets | 8p Jan. 20 | vs Charlotte Hornets | 7p Jan. 22 | @ Dallas Mavericks | 7:30p Jan. 24 | @ Brooklyn Nets | 2:30p Jan. 26 | @ New York Knicks | 6:30p Jan. 27 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | 7p Jan. 29 | vs Houston Rockets | 7p
Home games are played at Gallagher-Iba Arena (Stillwater)
Oklahoma State Basketball (Women’s) Home games are played at Gallagher-Iba Arena (Stillwater) Jan. 2 | @ Iowa State | 2p Jan. 6 | @ Texas Tech | 6:30p Jan. 9 | vs Texas | 5p Jan. 13 | @ Kansas State | 7p Jan. 16 | vs Oklahoma | Noon Jan. 20 | vs Iowa State | 7p Jan. 24 | @ Kansas | 2p Jan. 30 | vs TCU | 7p
Oral Roberts Basketball (Men’s) Home games are played at Mabee Center (Tulsa, Okla.) Jan. 3 | vs South Dakota | 7p Jan. 6 | @ Denver | 8p Jan. 9 | vs North Dakota State | 7p Jan. 14 | @ IUPUI | 6p Jan. 16 | @ Western Illinois | 7p Jan. 21 | vs South Dakota State | 7p Jan. 23 | vs Omaha | 7p Jan. 28 | vs IPFW | 7p
Oral Roberts Basketball (Women’s) Home games are played at Mabee Center (Tulsa, Okla.) Jan. 1 | @ Western Illinois | 7p Jan. 3 | @ IUPUI | 1p Jan. 6 | vs South Dakota | 7p Jan. 9 | @ North Dakota State | 7p Jan. 16 | vs IPFW | 2p Jan. 21 | @ Omaha | 7p Jan. 23 | vs Denver | 2p Jan. 27 | vs South Dakota State | 7p Jan. 30 | vs IUPUI | 2p
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Common
Grounds WRITTEN BY: Michele Chiappetta
Wake up and smell the coffee. Whether you’re looking for a caffeine fix, a sweet treat, or just a break from work, skip the ordinary and indulge in these 26 local coffee shops that are good to the last drop.
T
he coffee bean. A small, simple source of energy that makes the world go around. A good cup of java helps you start your day, but a great cup… that’s an art form worth savoring. It’s the black, ubiquitous liquid that makes mornings hurt less or brings the afternoon a caffeineladen second wind. Coffee has long been a beverage more mindlessly ingested than tasted and appreciated. But all that is changing now. As foodies move toward fresh, organic, local everything, it’s only natural that the coffee industry
74 January 2016
would catch on, as over 60 percent of Americans consume coffee daily. Finally, coffee is joining the upper ranks alongside craft beer, coldpressed juice, artisan cheese and other highbrow food and drinks.
So yes, if you’re having a lazy day at home you can brew your own. And yes, if you’re high-tailing it to work, you can swing through the drive-thru at McDonald’s, Sonic or Starbucks.
For many of us, it’s the first word we croak in the morning: coffee. Not a question, nor a command (though sometimes a plea), but most often a statement. And lately, our beloved local ritual of going for coffee (before work, during work, after work, to get some work done) has been enriched by several roasters that are paving the way for a coffee renaissance.
But when you want to go out on the town, chat with friends or fire up the laptop and get to work, drive-thru coffee won’t cut it. So here are some of the best digs around T-town for those days when you want to enjoy a truly great cup of joe and get your Wi-Fi fix at the same time.
918
Coffee 2446 E. 11th | Tulsa
Around the corner from The University of Tulsa, this charming coffee house is a hot spot for students of all ages to hang out, have some java and get their study on. The staff is youthful and energetic, the interior modern and bright. Stay awhile to chill and get some work done. 918 Coffee has a supply of board games for customers to use. They even play music on vinyl records every evening at 9 p.m.
Foolish Things Coffee Company
Mod’s Coffee and Crepes 507 S. Boston Ave. | Tulsa
1001 S. Main | Tulsa Foolish? Oh, no. Coffee is certainly not that — not at this brightly lit, spacious hangout across the street from the downtown branch of Tulsa Community College. Foolish Things Coffee has broad wooden tables, casual seating and a warm vibe perfect for those times when you need to get work done in a relaxed space. And they mix it up with their roasters, so there’s always something new on the menu for caffeine connoisseurs to savor.
Located in the Philcade Building, Mod’s serves up classic hot and cold coffee drinks in the heart of downtown’s Deco District. They also serve up savory and sweet crepes. When you need to feel your caffeine hit fast, order their Espresso Shot or the bolder Espresso Slammer. Taste test their handcrafted, creatively designed specialty gelatos. You can even order gelato for your next party; just order at least a week or two ahead of time to give Mod’s time to craft your order. Preview918.com 75
The Coffee House Gypsy Coffee on Cherry Street House 303 M.L.K. Jr Blvd. | Tulsa
1502 E. 15th | Tulsa
Gypsy Coffee House is the oldest and the first late night coffee and teahouse in Tulsa. Its casual and comfortable, a good fit for the local students and artists who frequent their space. Gypsy bakes all their sweets in-house, and their coffee beans are roasted to precise specs and delivered the next day for guaranteed freshness. They serve a full deli menu that features Boar’s Head meats. It’s a great place to sit and work on your laptop, especially on a Sunday morning when it’s not yet busy.
Owner Cheri Asher started this hip, homey locale to give students a safe place to hang out. The Coffee House has since grown into a must-visit for all Tulsans. The coffee is roasted by Tulsa’s own Double Shot. Ingredients come from local vendors like Lomah Dairy, Farrell Family Bread and Fisher Eggs. The menu is chockfull of vegan and gluten-free options that taste so good, you’ll voluntarily go hippie. And they serve a bottomless cup of coffee for $3.25.
Double Shot Coffee Company 1730 S. Boston Ave. | Tulsa
Double Shot has been craft-roasting coffee beans in Tulsa since 2004, and it’s the local source for several coffee shops around town. So, if you’re doing a coffee hop around town, go right to the source with a visit here. Check out their coffee subscriptions and merchandise, and chat with the owner, who has a passion for the coffee bean that is unparalleled.
Topeca Coffee Roasters
115 W. 5th | Tulsa (Mayo Hotel) 100 E. 2nd | Tulsa (Hyatt Hotel)
Topeca is one of the few companies worldwide that handles its coffee beans from seed to cup. Their beans are harvested from farms they know intimately, in an environmentally and economically sustainable fashion. Topeca serves up one of the tastiest cups of joe in T-town, which is why they also supply several area coffee shops and restaurants. Each month, they host the Green Country Throwdown Series for baristas and latte artists. It’s free to the public, so add it to your schedule and get down there for some coffee and community fun. 76 January 2016
Shades of Brown 3302 S. Peoria Ave. | Tulsa
Eclectic, welcoming … Shades of Brown is a perfect place to stop for caffeine as you peruse the shops on Brookside. If you’re bold, take a seat in the comfy chairs just outside the front door — it feels like you’re having coffee with friends on your front porch. Check the shop’s calendar for live music events. And be sure to ask the baristas about Shades of Brown’s seasonal specialty drinks because the taste combinations are awesome.
Lu B nc re h ak & fa D st in ne r
Daily specials. Breakfast served all day. Fresh pies baked daily.
r
t er as n kf in ea D Br h & nc Lu
Country Din n r e t s e e W
Best “Reuben” in Oklahoma!
Sandwiches • Smoothies Coffee • Homemade Desserts 4417 S. Mingo Rd. Tulsa, OK
918.794.0522 www.roserockcafe.com Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm
With the purchase of one meal and two drinks, you get a second meal half off. Not valid with any other offers. Exp. 2/29/16.
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918.835.8862
www.westerncountrydiner.com
1905 S. Sheridan Rd. Tulsa, OK 74112
Mon-Sat 6am-9pm Sun 6am-3pm
Angus Steak • Ribs • Seafood Sandwiches • Burgers • Pasta Award-Winning Southwest Entrees
717 S. Houston • Downtown Tulsa
918.585.3134 www.baxtersgrill.com
www.frenchhentulsa.net 7143 S Yale Ave, Tulsa, OK (918) 492-2596
www.thehenbistro.com 3509 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK (918) 935-3420 Preview918.com 77
The Phoenix 1302 E. 6th | Tulsa
Ah, the Pearl District. This up-andcoming area just south of downtown, just north of Brookside is home to indie artists, made-in-Oklahoma products, yoga classes and the Phoenix. Open long hours, The Phoenix serves fabulous coffee alongside a menu of sandwiches, salads, sweets and a small bar. With wide windows, excellent lighting, an abundance of tables and couches and a quiet back-area library, The Phoenix is a mecca for students, writers, business travelers, downtowners and a hodgepodge of other locals.
Also Check Out Café Cubana
1340 E. 15th | Tulsa
Cosmo Café & Bar 3334 S. Peoria | Tulsa
Drip
Hodges Bend
403 N. Muskogee | Tahlequah
Espresso 911 1718 S. Muskogee | Tahlequah
823 E. 3rd | Tulsa
Hoot Owl Coffee
This trendily comfortable coffee house/ bar is named to honor Tulsa’s downtown heritage. Located at a bend in the road, Hodges Bend delivers a unique vibe with dark wooden shelves, bottleglass chandeliers, marble-top bar and cushy booth seating. Their baristas and sommeliers are experts in their craft. When you visit, order from their pourover coffee bar. It’s not only delicious — it’s also a blast to see the baristas’ technique as they serve you.
1 N. Lewis | Tulsa
Indian Coffee Company 116 SW Frank Phillips Blvd. | Bartlesville
Joe Bots Coffee Bar 119 S. Detroit | Tulsa
Kaffe Bona 4785 E. 91st | Tulsa 14002 E. 21st | Tulsa
Chimera Cafe
212 N. Main | Tulsa
Nestled in the heart of downtown, Chimera offers up unique coffee concoctions — some of them liquor infused specialties served up at their full bar. Coffee, drinks, then coffee again. You could easily stay here all night and work here all day. Chimera serves numerous vegan and gluten-free options on a menu that is locally sourced and affordable. Visit them before or after a night at Cain’s Ballroom and you’ll be hooked. This spot is intensely fun!
Mecca Coffee Company 1330 E. 41st | Tulsa
Nordaggio’s Coffee 8156 S. Lewis | Tulsa
Rocket Brothers 1021 N. 9th | Broken Arrow 9705 E. 61st | Tulsa
Romeo’s Espresso Café 521 N. Main | Broken Arrow
RoseRock Café 4417 S. Mingo | Tulsa
Scoops & Grinds 1023 W. Main | Owasso
Sumatra Coffee Shop 4244 S. Peoria | Tulsa
A final tip for all you coffee lovers out there: If what you want is a solid cup of coffee with a meal or dessert, hit up Tulsa’s great restaurants. Mondo’s on Brookside serves up a tasty Italian espresso. Western Country Diner’s ever-fresh coffee is great with their homemade pies. Shiloh’s serves a nice cup of coffee with bacon and eggs. Go get your coffee on … and make me proud! 78 January 2016
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Flavor
Spare
TO
COMBO KEBAB
80 January 2016
WRITTEN BY: Maria Weller PHOTOGRAPHY: Bill Roper
CHICKEN KEBAB
Immerse all your senses in the delightful flavors of the Mediterranean region with Sinbad’s tantalizing dishes — including kebabs, gyros, falafel, shawarma and chicken — that are distinctly bold, healthy and delicious.
G
rowing up on a farm in Syria, Ammar Albik and his family always had some of the freshest and most flavorful ingredients at their disposal. This even included the lambs they raised. So it’s no wonder that when Albik came to America that he brought know-how and a plan with him. While Sinbad Rotisserie Chicken has only been open for five years, Albik has 16 years of experience in the restaurant industry. With opening Sinbad’s, Albik’s goal was to allow the Tulsa area to have access to truly authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Armed with his family’s recipes, he was set up for success. At Sinbad’s you will find traditional Mediterranean items such as baba ganoush, hummus, tahini, falafel, tabbouleh, kebabs and gyros. According to Albik, one of the most important parts of his recipes are the spices. “It’s food done the right way, with the right spices as it is back home,” he says. Some of the most commonly used spices include allspice, white pepper, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, cardamom, ginger, coriander and curry. Many of these he has imported from Syria, Lebanon, Turkey or other Middle Eastern countries. For some of the dishes like hummus and falafel, the process begins the night before. The falafel begins with dry garbanzo beans that are soaked overnight. The following morning they are ground with cilantro, parsley, garlic, onion, cumin, salt and a little bit of water. This forms the delicious dough that is later fried to produce delicious falafel with a crispy outer part giving way to the tender, flavorful inside. Like the falafel, the hummus also begins with garbanzo beans soaking overnight. And with the addition of tahini, garlic, cumin and other spices, they produce the
smooth creamy dip many Americans have come to love. Falafel makes a great appetizer, but there are also some other choice items to begin your meal with or add on the side. Tabbouleh is one such light, refreshing side dish done right. It is a combination of wheat, fresh parsley, onion and mint that is made fresh every day. And the vibrant colors match the flavor of this crisp dish as well. “Spices don’t just taste good, they are very healthy too,” Albik says. The stuffed grape leaves are another fantastic starter. They are filled with rice and veggies and served with delicious pomegranate sauce that is also imported. The sauce is a very sweet, tangy and concentrated molasses that really adds something special.
LAMB GYRO WRAP
GYRO LAMB
Some of the entrees are served with baba ganoush — roasted eggplant with the skin peeled off, tahini, lemon juice, cumin, salt and olive oil. There are also the pickled turnips that more than likely will accompany your meal. “We add fresh beats while they are pickling to give it the bright fuchsia color, so there is no coloring,” Albik says. While the falafel makes a delicious vegetarian wrap, it is not to be outdone by any of the hartier menu brethren. All of the meat items like lamb, chicken and steak are cooked to order over a charcoal grill and never fried. The shish kebabs are combined with pieces of bell peppers and onions, seasoned with garlic and allspice, and then roasted to order. They are served with hummus and basmati rice and dipping sauces. The garlic sauce is absolutely amazing. Chances are slim that you’ve ever tried anything this fluffy and flavorful. The main ingredients for the dipping sauces are garlic and egg whites. The egg whites are beaten until they form fluffy white peaks and are then combined with the
WHOLE ROTISSERIE CHICKEN
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SHAWARMA WRAP
BAKLAVA
FALAFEL
garlic and other flavors to make a more savory, sauce-like version of a meringue. This sauce also goes great with Sinbad’s seasoned fries. The chicken is also roasted, and can be shredded to make the chicken tarna or the tarna wrap. If you are feeling like having a wrap but want something slightly more substantial than chicken or falafel, you can always go for the beef shawarma or a gyro plate. The gyro wraps include your choice of meat wrapped in pita with lettuce, tomato, onion, feta and tzatziki sauce. Tzatziki is a yogurtbased sauce with cucumber and mint that is a light and refreshing addition to the wrap. If you’re looking for something easy and financially responsible for the whole family, get the rotisserie chicken. Portion options
BABA GANOUSH
include whole, half or a quarter of the chicken. This is far more convenient than other restaurant options, because of the drive-thru, size options and the fact that Albik can name all the ingredients used to prepare it. And if you’re feeding more people than just your family, Sinbad’s has you covered there, too. They will cater to any size party and deliver any of their delicious menu items to you and your guests. A traditional Mediterranean dessert that Sinbad’s has also mastered is the baklava. There are three different kinds to choose from: walnut, pistachio or cashew. You can also special order their cream cheese baklava, which is highly encouraged. Albik’s wife, Rima, is the inspired creator of all things sweet at Sinbad’s. While her special desserts aren’t available for individual servings, you can order any of her European style dessert cakes, cookies or other pastries.
SINBAD’S ROTISSERIE CHICKEN
514 N. Elm | Broken Arrow
918-259-8046
Monday-Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 82 January 2016
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Asian The food and flavor combinations at Mandarin Taste — one of the best
Persuasion WRITTEN BY: Michele Chiappetta PHOTOGRAPHY: Bill Roper
not-so-well-kept secrets in T-town — are both surprising and delightful, well worth branching out of your comfort zone for a little experimentation.
84 January 2016
BLACK PEPPER BEEF
T
hink you know all you need to know about Chinese food? Well, the next time you’re in the mood for Asian, do yourself a favor and dine at Mandarin Taste. Known for serving up fresh, delicious and authentic homemade Chinese cuisine, Mandarin Taste will make your mouth water and taste buds sing with delight. You’ll be greeted with flavors and food combinations so pleasing, that you’ll want to go back again and again until you’ve sampled the entire menu. Mandarin Taste is a charmingly casual restaurant, tucked away in the nook of a small shopping center on the southeast corner of 61st Street and Sheridan Avenue. You could easily miss it if you’re not looking for it. It’s been open for only three years, and has already garnered a loyal following among Green Country’s Asian population. Chinese students frequent the restaurant throughout the week for a taste of home in the heart of the Midwest.
CILANTRO SHREDDED BEEF
Local foodies love Mandarin Taste too. In a word, this restaurant is one of the best not-so-well-kept secrets in T-town. If you’ve never been, make it your goal to get there this month. You will not regret learning what authentic Chinese cooking is all about. Trust me, it makes chain restaurant food pale sadly in comparison.
KUNG PAO CHICKEN
Mandarin Taste’s owner, Sally Yau, is originally from — where else? — Beijing, China. She first made her way to Tulsa as an international student around 16 years ago. It didn’t take her long to discover that what many Americans think of as “Chinese food” isn’t anything like the tasty concoctions she grew up eating. “If I wanted food from home,” Yau says, “I had to cook it myself.” To meet her hunger for traditional Chinese cooking, Yau called her mother for recipes and cooking tips and practiced at home on her family and friends. But it wasn’t until her children grew up that she thought, “I have some free time. I should do something. I liked cooking for friends and family, so why not open a restaurant?” Soon afterward, she did exactly that. Mandarin Taste opened its doors in January 2013 and has been going strong ever since. You might be surprised to find this out, but the dishes you’ve become used to seeing at casual Chinese chain restaurants are not found in Beijing. Dishes like sesame chicken and Mongolian beef are not served in China. By the same token,
the common and popular dishes Yau grew up on — such as home style noodle soup, dumplings, mu xu pork, and spicy and sour shredded potatoes — are not normally served in Green Country’s Asian restaurants. Some items on Yau’s menu are dishes you won’t find anywhere else in Tulsa. Have you encountered sour and spicy cucumbers elsewhere? How about tomato egg drop soup? The food and flavor combinations at Mandarin Taste are both surprising and delightful, well worth branching out of your comfort zone for a little experimentation.
HOT POT CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR ORDER
Mandarin Taste is a magical visit to China, all in the heart of
midtown Tulsa. Preview918.com 85
And Yau is dedicated to serving up only the best. “The Sichuan food that we provide is made from our own recipes and those of our chef. The chef is very important,” she says. That chef, by the way, is from Shanghai, a consummate professional with 20 years of experience.
SPICY CUMIN LAMB ON TOOTHPICKS
For those who may not be familiar with the variety and joys of Chinese cooking, there are several regional styles that you can enjoy. Mandarin Taste specializes in Sichuan style — a cuisine that originates out of southwestern China and is decidedly bold and occasionally spicy, characterized by a liberal use of garlic and a variety of peppers some hot. If you want a small taste of excellent Sichuan cooking, try Mandarin Taste’s hot and sour soup. It’s a broth-based soup with meat, bamboo shoots, spicy peppers and other ingredients that are satisfying and tasty. (If you’re an allergy sufferer, hot and sour soup is a must because it clears your sinuses in a deliciously healthy way.)
for different seasons,” Yau says. In spring and summer, they serve coconut tapioca. In winter, they make a Sichuan spicy sausage. They also serve traditional dishes related to Chinese holidays. In February, when Chinese New Year takes place, Mandarin Taste will serve free dumplings to customers, a traditional Chinese custom. In June to celebrate the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, the chef makes onigiri — a sticky rice ball filled with sweet or salty items depending on the region of China you’re from. Yau’s region serves onigiri with sweets inside them, like honey dates (also called jujube).
There are many Chinese dishes you’re familiar with that are on the menu too — cheese wontons, egg rolls, kung pao chicken and broccoli beef, to name just a few. Mandarin Taste’s menu is quite expansive and it’s always evolving. “We make unique things
SPICY KING OYSTER MUSHROOM
The great thing about Mandarin Taste is that you can get the best of both worlds on their menu — traditional Chinese fare for those who want it, alongside dishes that Americans are more used to. No matter what you order, every dish is made fresh in their kitchen, so the quality of the food they serve is a considerable cut above anything you can get at a quick-wok place.
If you’re going to try only one item on Yau’s menu, make sure it’s the hot pot. “It’s very popular in Asian cooking,” she says. This innovative traditional Chinese meal consists of steaming broth brought to your table in a metal pot. You choose the meats and vegetables you want and steam them to your liking with a grill set across the top of the pot. The dish is served with dipping sauces as well. Yau likes to call it Chinese fondue. It’s a fun way to eat, and perfect for warming up your belly on a cold winter evening. Prices are reasonable and the portions are generous. Diners with allergies can ask for MSG-free cooking. “There are a lot of gluten-free items on the menu, too,” says Yau. Mandarin Taste offers customers the option to dine in as well as take out. They also cater for personal parties and business events — just give them a week or two to prepare, especially for groups over 100. Ultimately, Mandarin Taste is a magical visit to China, all in the heart of midtown Tulsa. And Yau is living the magic gladly. “This is my fun dream business,” she says. “When I see our customers’ satisfied faces, I feel so successful.” It’s not hard to imagine why. The food is good, a taste of home, and for Yau that’s what it’s all about. Your taste buds will not disagree.
MANDARIN TASTE
6125 S. Sheridan | Tulsa
918-878-7998 mandarintaste.net Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday: 5-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 86 January 2016
918.485.1810
www.thecanebrake.com Only 45 minutes southeast of Tulsa!
Preview918.com 87
masters of flavor
Happy
“Grill”more WRITTEN BY: Tiffany Duncan
With the aid of a signature flavor that comes from cooking most of SMOKE.’s proteins over a live wood fire grill, chef Erik Reynolds serves the kind of food that silences table conversation, everybody’s senses too entranced by aroma and taste.
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Erik Reynold 88 January 2016
masters of flavor
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veryone’s had a dining experience that was less than impressive — expectations were not met, food fell flat and disappointment reigned. A restaurant may be beautifully designed and cleverly marketed, but if the food is not good then it’s all wasted effort. This is because passion has a distinct taste, and even the average palate can discern a mediocre dish from a uniquely inspired one. The flavor of passion cannot be duplicated or fabricated in any way; it must come straight from the heart of someone who truly cares. And it is precisely from chef Erik Reynolds’s deep love of cooking that SMOKE. on Cherry Street has become a consistent dining destination for so many Tulsans.
All of the meat at SMOKE. is sustainably raised, hormone and antibiotic free, and hand cut in-house daily. This commitment to integrity and freshness also comes from those dreamy summers he spent in Rhode Island as a young boy. “Being on the coast, the seafood was amazing,” continues Reynolds. “When my grandparents would pick my brother and me up at the airport for our summer visits, the first stop was always to the docks in
to intricate sauces, bread making, handling fresh seafood and plate presentation. He received his first executive chef position at a highend gastro-pub in Colorado, and his successes only mounted from there. Reynolds has cooked for all kinds of social elites, like heads of state, musicians, celebrities, and even former President Bush and President Obama before finally setting his sights on Tulsa. “I moved to Tulsa five years ago from Austin, Texas, to help open SMOKE.,” Reynolds says. “With
SMOKE. serves the kind of food that silences table conversation, everybody’s senses so entranced by flavor that talking is forgotten. It only takes one trip to SMOKE. for guests to realize that Reynolds’s food is unlike anything they’ve encountered before. “I grew up knowing I wanted to be a chef,” Reynolds says. “From the time I was 15, I had my sights set on the restaurant business. My grandparents had a huge influence on me as a young child. I would spend the summers with them in Rhode Island working in their garden. They would also purchase a side of beef every year, so we were always eating great beef with the freshest produce straight from the garden.” Cooking meals with fresh garden fare became something that would always stick with Reynolds. He currently uses as many local ingredients as he can in SMOKE.’s kitchen, especially during the spring and summer months when veggies are abundant in the Tulsa farmer’s markets. On a continual basis, SMOKE. also sources from local places like Farrel Family Breads, Eden Veggies, Fisher’s Eggs and Scissortail Farms.
Warwick to pick out lobsters and steamer clams, which always became the first meal of summer vacation.” For Reynolds, his flourishing culinary career unknowingly began right there in his grandparents’ kitchen. “In high school, I took home economics my sophomore year and really fell in love. I knew I had found what I wanted to do,” he says. “My junior and senior year I took food and restaurant management classes at the local community college. My instructor was an old school chef who truly inspired me to follow this crazy dream.” Reynolds later apprenticed under renowned Sicilian chef, Vincent Giglia, learning invaluable culinary skills in everything from basic cooking techniques
the help of some great partners, I developed the concept, menu and brand of the restaurant.” Since opening in 2010, Reynolds and the staff at SMOKE. have wined, dined and wowed their way into awards like Best Restaurant in Tulsa in 2012 and 2013. Reynolds, himself, has claimed the Best Chef in Tulsa award in both 2011 and 2012. The signature smoked flavor that so many of SMOKE.’s patrons know and love comes from cooking most of their proteins over a live wood fire grill that uses logs of oak or pecan. And with it currently being right in the heart of winter, Reynold’s has created some hearty and homey dishes to warm the soul, like the baked smoked salmon pasta featuring grilled mushrooms,
caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes, fettuccini and Grana Padano cream. There’s also the cornmeal fried catfish, which includes smoked Gouda and jalapeno grits, bacon-braised collards and roasted pepper remoulade. “Seasonality is definitely the biggest inspiration for SMOKE. I do a menu twice a year — spring/ summer and fall/winter. I am a big fan of comfort food and always look forward to the fall and winter menu. One of my favorite new dishes is our chicken fried duck confit with butternut squash and sage risotto, sautéed cabbage, apples and Brussels sprouts, and a pepper-infused honey,” Reynolds says. “I also like to take classic dishes and reimagine them. For example our crispy quail legs with sambal honey sauce is a play on chicken wings. It’s garnished with a celery and carrot salad and blue cheese crumbles.” A true chef allows imagination and passion to intermingle while intuition acts as mediator, and Reynolds clearly knows this better than most. Nothing tastes better than the longevity of a dream realized, because each dish is infused with the knowledge of how much work it took to get there. And even though Reynolds’s culinary creations meet and excel far beyond guest’s expectations, he remains humble despite his success: “I just like to cook what I like to eat, and it seems the people of Tulsa also like what I like.”
SMOKE. ON CHERRY STREET
1542 E. 15th | Tulsa
918-949-4440 smoketulsa.com Monday-Friday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday: 4-10 p.m. Sunday: 4-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (Brunch): 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Preview918.com 89
get to know
GET YOUR
MOTOR Running WRITTEN BY: Tiffany Duncan
Xtreme Racing and Entertainment
F
is providing a nuanced definition of recreational racing to anyone who gets behind the wheel of the “whoa! karts” that approach 50 mph on the indoor asphalt tracks.
or most people, hearing the word “go-kart” probably brings to mind a series of tame images, like simple oval-shaped tracks, children’s birthday parties, and topping out at 25 miles per hour at best. But something new has come to Oklahoma, a concept so fast and innovative that all who visit will be forced to throw any previously supposed knowledge about go-karting out the window, including the actual term “gokart.” Xtreme Racing and Entertainment is the newest, most heart-punching, whiteknuckling outlet for thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies, and anyone just looking for a new entertainment option. Since opening its doors in July 2015, Xtreme has been providing a nuanced definition
90 January 2016
of recreational racing to anyone who gets behind the wheel, and visitors are getting hooked. Oddly enough, this large, indoor double track arena originally began as a space for a label stock converting business over 23 years ago. That business was owned and operated by Tim Wright and Steve Chambless, who also happen to be the current coowners of Xtreme Racing. So, what could two seemingly polar opposite businesses possibly have in common enough to retain the same owners? The answer is actually quite fitting — who would know a better way to blow off steam better than two people that spent years in the corporate business model and also have over 30 years of experience providing excellent customer service.
Jason Wright — son of Tim Wright and third co-owner of Xtreme — has been working with his father and Chambless since he was 14 years old, and he has been there to witness every step of the transitioning process. “After selling the original business, we knew we didn’t want to just let the space go. It’s completely unique, and it sits on one of the busiest intersections in the Tulsa area at 71st and Elm. We wanted to bring something new and exciting to town,
something that no one was currently offering,” Jason Wright says. Jason and his partners had the building data analyzed to see if the interior space could actually host an indoor track; intriguingly, it was a natural fit. “The next step was taking a large research trip around the country, where we visited nine different tracks and encountered various different business model operations,” says Wright. “We just knew this kind of thing would
get to know be a hit in Tulsa because racing is already hugely popular here, with events like the Chili Bowl drawing in thousands of people every year.” After conceptualizing the idea, things moved quickly from there. Literally. Xtreme’s go-karts — or race-karts, as they are more appropriately termed — are seriously no joke. With speeds approaching 50 miles per hour, Wright says some even refer to them as whoa! karts. “Our karts are made in Italy, right across the street from Ferrari. In fact, Ferrari actually partnered up to design the noise of the engine to create as authentic of a racing experience as possible,” Wright says. “The karts employ a fourpoint harness system, and racers must wear a helmet at all times.” And with race karts as mean as these, Xtreme engineered two tracks just as intense and authentic to fully display the karts’ capabilities. “The tracks are both Formula 1 design, with lots of turns and twists. They are also made of asphalt for a true racing experience, allowing the tires to grip the track for quick, clean turns. And the karts only sit one inch above the ground, making for extremely fast and aerodynamic movements.” Having an asphalt track is actually something that sets Xtreme apart from almost every other racing facility, as there are only four other operations in the country that boast an asphalt track rather than just concrete. “The benefit of having asphalt over concrete is it makes for a much smoother, tighter ride. Concrete can get dusty and slick, causing tires to slip and skid. Concrete tracks can also be full of divots and imperfections whereas
asphalt covers up all flaws,” explains Wright. The tracks at Xtreme were also engineered to be the safest in the country. If a racer does happen to lose control or hit another kart, the rim of the track employs shock absorbing springs to lessen the impact of a collision so racers can just keep on going. Since opening in July, Xtreme has seen wild success, with visitors coming back again and again. “There’s just a draw to the karts,” says Wright. “It’s so addictive.” Among Xtreme’s repeat visitors is professional Arca Racing driver, Russ Dugger. Wright says Dugger describes Xtreme as, “the closest you can get to real racing without actually putting on a fire suit.” Clearly, this is not your average go-karting experience. Xtreme also offers other entertainment options above average caliber as well. For those looking to improve their golf swing, they’ve got a golf simulator featuring 70 courses including the big names like Pebble Beach. The courses are exact digital
replicas of the real thing, and the simulator reports data about your swing speed and other variables. There’s also a unique shooting simulator written by former police and military personnel that utilizes exact size and weight replicas of Glocks, AK-47s and AR-15s for players to handle. Although Xtreme is an awesome place to go for weekend entertainment, it’s also the perfect place for corporate events, business meetings and general team building. “With private rooms for meetings, lunches and parties, we’ve hosted a lot of big business events because we provide such a nontraditional option to the norm, ” Wright says. “People just like to compete; it gets the testosterone and the competitive juices flowing. We also have wildly unique team building activities to stimulate and teach effective communication. One scenario, for example, is blindfolding the driver and having a team verbally guide him around the track.” Monday through Friday, Xtreme
also offers their version of a lunch special, which is two races for $20. Although Xtreme does not offer food at this time, participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch and blow off some steam in the karts before heading back to the office. So, grab that co-worker that’s been giving you a headache and use the track to vent out frustrations in a healthy way, or simply go by yourself to recharge for the rest of the workday. “Our karts provide a fast, intense, addictive thrill ride. You can’t do anything else like this in town,” says Wright. “It’s just a lot of fun, and anyone can do it.”
XTREME RACING AND ENTERTAINMENT
708 W. Kenosha Broken Arrow
918-286-6655 xtremetulsa.com Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-Midnight
Preview918.com 91
showtime
ESCAPE
TO THE
MOVIES!
8
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THE FOREST
Set in the Aokigahara Forest, a real-life place in Japan where people go to end their lives. Against this backdrop, a young American woman comes in search of her twin sister who has mysteriously disappeared. Despite everyone’s warnings not to “stray from the path,” Sara dares to enter the forest to discover the truth about her sister’s fate, only to be confronted by the angry and tormented souls of the dead who now prey on anyone who crosses their paths. Cast: Natalie Dormer, Taylor Kinney, Eoin Macken
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YOSEMITE
The intertwining tales of three fifth grade friends — Chris, Joe and Ted — unfolds in the suburban paradise of Palo Alto in 1985, as the threat of a mountain lion looms over the community. Cast: Barry Del Sherman, Henry Hopper, James Franco
THE MASKED SAINT
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Chris Samuels is a former professional wrestler who retires from the ring to settle down as a small town pastor. When the pastor witnesses rampant problems in the community, he decides to moonlight as a masked vigilante fighting the injustice. While facing crises at home and at the church, the pastor must evade the police and somehow reconcile his secret, violent identity with his calling as a pastor. Cast: Brett Granstaff, Lara Jean Chorostecki, T.J. McGibbon
ANESTHESIA
This ensemble drama set in New York City begins with a philosophy professor being stabbed after stopping to buy his wife, Marcia, flowers. Elsewhere, his daughter-in-law battles cancer, a student of his has self-harm issues, a childhood best friend drags a junkie to rehab and a suburban wife longs for the city. Cast: Sam Waterston, Kristen Stewart, Glenn Close
15
THE 5TH WAVE
Four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother. As she prepares for the fifth wave, Cassie teams up with a young man who may become her final hope — if she can only trust him. Cast: Chloe Grace Moretz, Liev Schreiber, Maria Bello
13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI
On the evening of Sept. 11, 2012, the 11th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, 92 January 2016
15
22
a group of Islamist militants attack the American diplomatic compound and a nearby CIA Annex in Benghazi, Libya. CIA security contractors — military veterans who served with the Navy SEALs, Marine Corps and Army Special Forces — take the initiative to make a desperate stand to defend the American Ambassador and his staff within the diplomatic compound. Cast: John Krasinski, James Badge Dale, Max Martini
RIDE ALONG 2
Ben Barber has graduated from the police academy and is now a full-fledged Atlanta cop who yearns to make detective. James — Ben’s soon to be brother-in-law — is bothered by his tactics. Ben is about to get married to James’ sister, Angela, but their boss assigns them to a huge case in Miami, where they will be working with the Miami Police Department. Cast: Kevin Hart, Ice Cube, Olivia Munn
NORM OF THE NORTH
A polar bear of many words, Norm’s greatest gripe is simple: there is no room for tourists in the Arctic. But, when a maniacal developer threatens to build luxury condos in his own backyard, Norm does what all normal polar bears would do — he heads to New York City to stop it. With a cast of ragtag lemmings at his side, Norm takes on the big apple, big business and a big identity crisis to save the day. Cast: Rob Schneider, Heather Graham, Gabriel Iglesias
MOONWALKERS
What if Apollo 11 never actually made it? What if, in reality, Stanley Kubrick secretly shot the famous images of the moon landing in a studio, working for the U.S. administration? This is the premise of a totally plausible conspiracy theory that takes us to swinging ‘60s London, where a stubborn CIA agent will never find Kubrick but instead is forced to team up with a lousy manager of a seedy rock band to develop the biggest con of all time. Cast: Ron Perlman, Rupert Grint, Robert Sheehan
RISEN
Follows the epic biblical story of the resurrection, as told through the eyes of a nonbeliever. Clavius, a powerful Roman military tribune, and his aide Lucius are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion, in order to disprove the rumors of a risen messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem. Cast: Tom Felton, Joseph Fiennes, Cliff Curtis
showtime 22
DIRTY GRANDPA
Right before his wedding, an uptight guy is tricked into driving his grandfather, a perverted former Army general, to Florida for spring break. Cast: Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Julianne Hough
29
THE FINEST HOURS
29
LIGHTS OUT
THE BOY
22
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Greta is a young American woman who takes a job as a nanny in a remote English village. She soon discovers that the family’s 8-year-old is a life-sized doll that the parents care for just like a real boy, as a way to cope with the death of their actual son 20 years prior. After violating a list of strict rules, a series of disturbing and inexplicable events bring Greta’s worst nightmare to life, leading her to believe that the doll is actually alive. Cast: Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans, Ben Robson
IP MAN 3
Donnie Yen ignites the screen in a return to the role that made him an icon — as Ip Man, the real-life Wing Chun grandmaster who mentored Bruce Lee. In this explosive third installment of the martial arts series, when a band of brutal gangsters led by a crooked property developer make a play to take over the city, Master Ip is forced to take a stand. Cast: Donnie Yen, Mike Tyson, Chan Kowk Kwan
KUNG FU PANDA 3
When Po’s long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travels to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters. But, when the supernatural villain Kai begins to sweep across China defeating all the kung fu masters, Po must do the impossible — learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of kung fu pandas. Cast: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman
ETON SQUARE CINEMA 8421 E. 61ST ST. SUITE V TULSA Movie Line: 918.286.2618 | Office: 918.286.0689 All showings before 6pm at $4; $7 after 6pm; Tuesdays at $4 all day; $4 for seniors and kids under 12. ALL NEW RELEASE MOVIES AT DISCOUNT PRICES ALL DAY, EVERY DAY! Lowest Concession Prices in Tulsa! Kid’s Meal: $3.75 (Drink, Popcorn and Candy). $5.50 Combo (Small Drink, Popcorn and Candy). $7 Combo (2 Small Drinks, Medium Popcorn). $9 Combo (2 Medium Drinks, Large Popcorn).
The rescue mission took place in 1952 off the Cape Cod coast after two oil tankers, SS Fort Mercer and SS Pendleton, were destroyed by treacherous winter winds and waves. The crew of motor lifeboat CG 36500 and the crew of a surfboat from the USCGC Yakutat heroically rescued nearly all the tankers’ crewmen. Cast: Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Eric Bana
When a bloodthirsty supernatural being that lurks in the shadows preys upon a family, a young woman must fight to protect herself, save her little half brother, and uncover a mystery about her family’s shadowy past. Cast: Teresa Palmer, Emily Alyn Lind, Alicia Vela-Bailey
JANE GOT A GUN
29
Jane Hammond has built a new life with her husband Bill “Ham” Hammond after being tormented by the Bishop Boys gang. She finds herself in the gang’s crosshairs once again when Ham stumbles home riddled with bullets after dueling with the boys and their relentless leader, Colin. With the vengeful crew hot on Ham’s trail, Jane has nowhere to turn but to her former fiancé Dan Frost for help in defending her family against certain death. Haunted by old memories, Jane’s past meets the present in a heartstopping battle for survival. Cast: Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Joel Edgerton
LOCATOR Admiral Twin Drive-In
Dickinson Starworld 20
7355 E. Easton Tulsa | 918.392.9959
10301 S. Memorial Drive Tulsa | 918.369.7469
AMC Southroads 20
Eton Square 6 Cinema
4923 E. 41st St. Tulsa | 888.AMC.4FUN
8421 E. 61st St. Tulsa | 918.286.2618
B&B Claremore 8
Regal Promenade Palace
1407 W. Country Club Claremore | 918.342.2422
4107 S. Yale Tulsa | 800.326.3264
B&B Cinema 8
Starplex Cinemas Owasso 12
1245 New Sapulpa Road Sapulpa | 918.227.7469
Cinemark Broken Arrow 1801 E. Hillside Drive Broken Arrow | 918.355.0427
Cinemark Sand Springs
12601 E. 86th St. N. Owasso | 918.376.9191
Starworld 20 10301 S Memorial Dr Tulsa | 918.369.7475
1112 E. Charles Page Blvd. Sand Springs 800.FAN.DANG (#1407)
Super Saver Cinema
Cinemark Tulsa
Village 8 Movies
10802 E. 71st S. Tulsa | 800.FAN.DANG (#1128)
6808 S. Memorial Tulsa | 918.286.1900
Circle Cinema 10 S. Lewis Ave. Tulsa | 918.592.3456
5970 E. 31st St. Tulsa | 918.551.7002
Warren Theatre 1700 W. Aspen Creek Drive Broken Arrow | 918.893.9798
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sneak preview
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