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F E AT U R ES
VOLU ME EIGHT ISSU E S E VE N
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Creative Cocktails
Jazz up your drink decisions in some of OKC’s outstanding bars
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D E PA R T M E N T S
VOLU ME EIGHT I S S U E S E VE N
Trending 14
STYLE Looks that light up July
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PERSON OF INTEREST OKC Ballet’s power couple Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye and Racheal Nye
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SOCIAL HOUR People and events in the 405
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FASHION Bright whites for a clean, cool summer
Dining 54 GOOD TASTE Eastside Pizza kneads art and heritage into a premium pie 56
THE DISH It’s okay to still dream of ice cream
60 LOCAL FLAVOR Roll down to the 405’s top sushi stops
Culture Home
68 ARTS Live from the Myriad Gardens: a free concert series 70
30 ENTERTAINING 101 Flair, flowers and a throne for this quinceañera 32 DESIGN Christina and Justin Hiersche kept their friends close to their home design
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TRAVEL Don’t overlook Pensacola as a vibrant, historic Florida beach getaway SPORTS The OKC Dodgers are a minor-league team but a major deal
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IN CONVO WITH Talking wood tables with Marking Tree Design’s Zac Hammack
76 LOOKING BACK The boom and boon of the Oklahoma National Stockyards 78 ONE MORE THING Edmond’s LibertyFest sparks Independence celebration
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FROM THE EDITOR
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WHAT’S ONLINE
ON THE COVER The Habanero Pisco Punch at Palo Santo. Photo by Lexi Hoebing.
CORRECTIONS: In the June issue we incorrectly named Dr. Andy Weyrich as “Anthony” and Len Cason as “Carson.” We also identified Mike Hearne as an “English native” but he is a “Welsh native.” We regret the errors.
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VOLUME 8 • NUMBER 7
OWNER | PUBLISHER
SENIOR WRITER
CONTRIBUTING
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Jordan Regas
Greg Horton
PHOTOGRAPHERS
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SENIOR WRITER
Kaley Regas
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Dale Carty II, Jake Durham, Lexi Hoebing, Steve Johnson, Kimberly Martin, Charlie Neuenschwander, Christina Waters, Shevaun Williams
Heather Ellison
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EDITOR IN CHIEF
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Julie Partin julie.partin@405magazine.com ART DIRECTOR
Christopher Lee christopher.lee@405magazine.com
Lavinia Creswa, Jake Durham, Addam M. Francisco, Kristen Grace, Bennett Hill, Melissa Mercer Howell, Linda Miller, Annabella Potts
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405 Magazine Volume 8, Number 7, July 2022. 405 Magazine is published monthly by Hilltop Media Group at 1613 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73103, 405.842.2266. ©Copyright 2022 Hilltop Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of 405 Magazine content, in whole or part by any means, without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. 405 Magazine is not responsible for the care of and/or return of unsolicited materials. 405 Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed detrimental to the community’s best interest or in questionable taste. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ownership or management. Basic annual subscription rate is $14.95. U.S. single-copy price is $4.95. Back issues are $9.50 each
F R O M
T H E
ED I TO R
4 0 5 TE A M ME MB E RS ’ FAVO RITE CO CK TA IL S
Savor the Summer S U M M E R I N OK L A HOM A is a mixed bag for me. I cherish the calmer mornings and vacations, but loathe the extreme heat. Luckily, there are a few things we Okies have found that complement the 98% humidity: Boating around the lake, splashing in the pool and a refreshing cool beverage. When it comes to food and drink knowledge in Oklahoma City, senior writer Greg Horton is in a class of his own. His expertise and passion for the topic never cease to amaze. On assignment late last year, I toured a distillery in Memphis, and the staff gave me samples of some of their most popular products. I brought one back to Greg and challenged him: I asked if he could name the two fruits in the Old Dominick Honeybell Citrus Vodka. After one sip he replied “tangerine,” then after the second sip “grapefruit.” He was correct. “I can’t believe you guessed that!” I exclaimed. He replied, “I did not guess. I know.” When you read our cover story this month, have the confidence that you are in expert hands. We round up five top spirits along with their corresponding work-of-art cocktails in Oklahoma City (pg. 40). Don’t miss the hilarious and helpful flow chart at the end of the spread (pg. 50). In this issue, you will also get the scoop on the power couple taking the OKC dance scene by storm (pg. 16), a bright fashion spread that will
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Drew: Orange You Glad from Pizzeria Gusto
inspire your next “White Party” look (pg. 22), a breathtaking quinceañera like nothing you have ever seen and a friendly interior design spread (pg. 32). Additionally, we drop the top sushi stops (pg. 60) and highlight the Eastside pizza joint everyone is talking about (pg. 54). You will also find plenty of activities to keep you busy these summer nights, such as the free outdoor concert series in the Myriad Gardens (pg. 68), OKC Dodgers games (pg. 72), and Edmond’s LibertyFest which lights up the sky every year in a massive way (pg. 78). 405 Magazine is thrilled to welcome several new team members, including Managing Editor Evan Musil (a recent transplant with an impressive magazine journalism
resume), and Production Director Meagan Matthews and Client Coordinator Leesa Neidel, who are both already taking our processes to the next level. In my imagination, you are reading this on a poolside lounge chair shaded by a cabana from the Oklahoma sun, and — if at all possible — it makes your day even brighter. Here’s to enjoying the season.
Leesa: Tipsy Mermaid from Dust Bowl
Julie Partin EDITOR IN CHIEF
Evie: Gin and Jam from Bradford House
4 2 0 0 W M E M O R I A L R OA D, S U I T E 1 0 1 , O K L A H O M A C I T Y
P H YS I C I A N S - O P T I C A L .C O M
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TRENDING STYLE 14
PERSON OF
INTEREST 16
SOCIAL HOUR 18
FASHION 22
More Than a Blank Canvas
SHE VAUN WILLIA MS AND A SSOCIATIE S
Keep your style sleek and minimal this summer. p.22
Milly blazer and pants and Sara Roka belt, all from CK & Co. and top from Habit.
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Red, White and Hues Fashion and accessories to make July pop BY B E N N E T T H I L L 5
T H E R E IS S OM ET H I NG A BOU T T H E MON T H of July that just seems to spark something inside of people, pun intended! This month has always been a favorite of ours: From backyard barbecues to endless lake days and nights on the back porch, July is the perfect mix of social gatherings and intimate moments. While the fireworks may be the star of the show, don’t let them steal your shine with these radiant pieces that are sure to make this July your most stylish yet.
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1. Frame, High Rise Bermuda Short; Edit & Co 2. MacKenzie-Childs, Flower Market Pedestal Platter; BC Clark 3. Scout Curated Wears, Howlite/ Gold Dipped Stone Studs; Blue Seven 4. Amano Studio, Japanese Seed Bead Necklace; Blue Seven 5. Seychelles, Made for This Wedge; Betsy King Shoes 6. Rag & Bone, Priya Linen Vest; Edit & Co. 7. Madden Girl, Studded Roam Sandal; Silver Accents 8. Oklahoma City Market Bag; Shop Good 9. Jonathan Simkhai, Aulora Cut-Out Mini Dress; Cayman’s 9
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T R E N D I N G
Drivers of the Dance OKC Ballet luminaries Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye and Racheal Nye BY K R I S T E N G R A C E P H O T O S BY C H A R L I E N E U E N S C H WA N D E R
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P E R S O N
O F
I N T E R E S T
“We work in tandem together to make sure young people have opportunities that could potentially change their lives. I recognize passion in young students who may not have a financial way forward in their pathway [to] following their dreams.”
OK L A HOM A C I T Y BA L L ET J UST completed its 50th anniversary season culminating in a lavish performance of Sleeping Beauty, and this glittering, golden triumph was led by the husband and wife team of Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye and Racheal Nye. Ryan is the acting artistic director and ballet master, and Racheal is the school director of the OKC Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School. Looking tired but content, they mention over coffee that they haven’t had a day off since January and are looking forward to taking a family vacation. When questioned about what drives them to commit so much energy and time to their art, Racheal answered: “For us, ballet is life. We are passionate about how we can add to it and bring it forward.” The two met when they were assigned as partners in 2012, dancing for Ballet Idaho. “I’m tall for a dancer and I didn’t think he could lift me,” Racheal said. “But he surprised me with his steady strength.” The two glanced at one another and smiled. Racheal and Ryan were drawn to OKC Ballet because they both had opportunities here to shine. “It is very rare to have two people in the same artistic field able to pursue their dreams the way we can here,” said Ryan. Racheal was thrilled to be offered her position at the Yvonne Chouteau School, saying, “When I retired from dance, I had no significant injuries, but I was starting to feel that my artistic capabilities and my physical capabilities were widening. It’s been 10 years since I have stopped dancing professionally to teach — and I feel limitless. There is no end now to what I can do with my effort and creativity.” When asked about his vision for moving the OKC Ballet forward, Ryan answered, “Dancers are capable of performing in more
athletic ways now than they were 100 years ago. Ballet has become more athletic over time. What we deem aesthetically pleasing and what we admire about art evolves. Art is a mirror and a reflection of the time we live in; it changes. As a choreographer, I am always trying to push boundaries. That evolution doesn’t have to only happen in New York City and Los Angeles — it can happen in Oklahoma City.” Racheal grew up taking ballet lessons from a young age. Ryan took his first ballet class at 16 in order to better perform as a football player. For the first year, he said, “I hid my ballet shoes under my bed like Billy Elliot. I would skip football class and go to ballet class instead. That one class changed the entire trajectory of my life.” At times, Ryan relied on donors to help him pursue ballet. The couple believe that coming from two different places socioeconomically makes them a better team for the Oklahoma community at large, and both are passionate about the OKC Ballet’s outreach program. Racheal said, “Ryan is very open about growing up with very few privileges and wanting to extend the opportunity to dance to other people as much as possible.” Ryan agrees. “We work in tandem together to make sure young people have opportunities that could potentially change their lives. I recognize passion in young students who may not have a financial way forward in their pathway [to] following their dreams.” From their innovation and creativity in choreography and performance to a passion for cultivating talent and finding new students in the community, Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye and Racheal Nye are a dynamic force in the arts and a gift to Oklahoma. We eagerly await the next season of OKC Ballet.
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S O C I A L
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H O U R
Gamechangers Tailgate P H O T O S BY J A K E D U R H A M
Cleats for Kids celebrated its 10th anniversary with the Gamechangers Tailgate event. Attendees came dressed to represent their favorite sports teams, and 100% of the proceeds go directly to programs intended to equip and empower kids. Cleats for Kids has provided over 180,000 items to kids in need, which helped over 40,000 in 2020.
Ribbon cutting
Gabi Noble, Liz McLaughlin, Katie Allen, Tommy Noble, Chelsea Sims, Jenni Carlson, Tim McLaughlin City Rescue Mission Board Estela Hernandez, Shelly Douglas, Alisa Trang-Green, Erin Goodin, Jon Higginbotham, Aimee Majoue, Jon Cargill Suzanne Rodden, Grace Sigler, Treina Castleberry, Shellie Holt
Dru Ann Neihaus, Seth Lewis, Scott Bartel, Lance McDaniel, Hui Cha Poos.
Mark McDaniel, Stacy McDaniel, co-founders of Cleats for Kids
City Rescue Mission Rise Café Grand Opening P H O T O S BY DA N I E L L E M AY E S
Exencial Wealth Advisors team Selena Klingelhoeffer, Alex Klingelhoeffer, John Burns, Stacey Baty, Jeff Baty, Lindsey Snider, Jared Snider, Kyle Partin
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In downtown OKC, City Rescue Mission officially held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for its newest venture, the Rise Café. The café is a social enterprise designed to equip individuals with the skills needed to rise above their current situation in life and reach their true potential, helping to break the cycle of homelessness by empowering individuals with real-world job skills and vocational training.
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S O C I A L
T R E N D I N G
Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame 20th Inductee Ceremony
Maestro’s Ball P H O T O S BY S I M O N H U R S T
The black-tie Maestro’s Ball benefiting the OKC Philharmonic was held at the OKC Golf & Country Club to support the OKCPHIL’s mission. Guests were treated to a red carpet, elegant dinner, live music and spirited afterparty while celebrating Mrs. Jane B. Harlow as the 2022 Maestro’s Circle inductee.
Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate, Maestro’s Circle Inductee Jane B. Harlow, OKCPHIL Executive Director Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev, OKCPHIL Board President Brent Hart
H O U R
P H O T O S BY J A K E D U R H A M
OKCPHIL Associate Board member Desiree Singer and Telana McCullough, Overture Society Member
The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women held its Women’s Hall of Fame inductee banquet at the Omni Hotel and Resort in Oklahoma City. The ceremony also included the presentation of awards to those who exemplify excellence in public service. This was the largest inductee banquet in Commission history.
(Front) George Nigh, Mary Fallin, (Back) Chair Victoria Woods, Carol Hefner, Sue Ann Arnall, Carleen Burger, Janice Dobbs, Dr. Roseline Nsikak, Dr. Kayse Shrum, Anna Belle Wiedemann, Wanda Jackson Gerald Gamble, Judy Love, Jane Jayroe Gamble
Judge Cindy Truong (Kate Barnard Award recipient), OCSW Chair Victoria Woods, and Sue Ann Arnall (WHOF inductee)
OCSW Commissioner Ollie Starr and former Indian Women’s Pochahontas Club President Debra West Peter Markes, Bob Blackburn, Mayor Darrell Davis, Kyle Dillingham, Brent Saulsbury
Edmond Historical Society Grand Opening Concert P H O T O BY J A K E D U R H A M
The Edmond Historical Society & Museum held a grand opening for its Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road exhibit, featuring donated items from band members including a plethora of musical instruments, articles, posters and memorabilia — and Dillingham’s skateboard. Mayor Darrell Davis presented the band with a proclamation naming the day “Kyle Dillingham, Peter Markes and Brent Saulsbury Day.” 20
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OSCW Commissioner Jana Gridley and Cindy Lankford
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Francie is a resident at Album Quail Springs 55+ Active Adult community with her pet “Will Rogers.” She enjoys oil painting and spending time with friends and family – especially her kids and grandchildren, whom she deems as her greatest accomplishment. At Album Quail Springs, she found a maintenance-free home that allowed her to meet other like-minded people in a similar chapter of life. Coming from a few acres with a garden at her previous home, Francie enjoys the community garden, walking, or relaxing by the pool. Evenings consist of entertaining guests in her home, often cooking her famous Oklahoma Baked Beans. Each of our 1- and 2-bedroom homes offer stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, espresso cabinetry, wood-style plank flooring, and a spacious layout designed with you in mind. Album Quail Springs connects people through shared passions by hosting various events including cooking demonstrations, Mix and Mingles, fitness classes, and more! When asked what advice Francie would give to others considering an Active Adult community, her reply is simply “DO IT… I knew I had made the right choice when I stopped [referring] to it as ‘my apartment’ and started calling it ‘home.’ ” Contact us today to make your move to this 55+ community.
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Crisp, Cool and Classic White is the right look for summer BY L I N DA M I L L E R P H O T O S BY S H E VA U N W I L L I A M S
W H I T E C L O T H E S A R E A LWA Y S right during a hot, humid Oklahoma summer. We’re embracing white this season since it oozes cool, in both look and feel. And our new favorite head-to-toe white look is intentional, modern and elevated in its simplicity. We’re jumping feet first into a minimal, clean approach. There’s no need for an armload of bracelets, layered necklaces or shoulder-grazing earrings. Less is more — and certainly makes it easy to get out the door in the morning for work or at night for a dinner date. All white lends itself to an athleisure aesthetic, but it can also come across with a strong and commanding vibe. A classic white crew-neck T-shirt is a wardrobe basic, but a white ribbed tank, cropped crochet sweater or one-shoulder top with white jeans, shorts, miniskirt or linen pants are more of the moment. And think seriously about a blazer with shorts for a sporty but chic look. Keep it interesting top to bottom by mixing fabrics and textures. Flowy, soft and romantic styles are fine, but consider garments with more structure or detail for a fresh take that’s effortless and fun. Anchor any white ensemble with easy-to-wear white slides, sandals or sneakers. So, who’s all in for all white?
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Etnia Barcelona sunglasses from Physician’s Optical; Karlie crochet top and TCEC pleather shorts, both from Refinery.
FA S H I O N
Mykita sunglasses from TSO Optical; jacket from Habit; Do+Be tie-front shirt and Pistola frayed shorts, both from Mode; and Nero Giardini white leather sneakers from Betsy King Shoes.
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FA S H I O N
Sunglasses and Envya swimsuit from Mode and sheer duster from Samia Moses Creative. 24
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T R E N D I N G
Traction Productions glasses from Physician’s Optical; Veronica Beard ribbed tank and Tela pants, both from Gretta Sloane. 26
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FA S H I O N
PHOTOGR APHY: SHE VAUN WILLIA MS & A SSOCIATE S S T YLIS T: SA MIA MOSE S CRE ATIVE MODEL : DE SIREE SANDER SFIELD, TABB AGENC Y
BETSY KING SHOES, 3001 PASEO, OKC, BETSYKINGSHOES.COM CK & CO., 6 429 AVONDALE DR., OKC, CK ANDCOMPANY.COM GRET TA SLOANE, 6 476 AVONDALE DR., OKC, GRET TASLOANE.COM HABIT, 3400 S. BRYANT AVE., EDMOND, MYHABITSHOP.COM J. LILLY’S, 10901 NE 23RD ST., OKC, JLILLYSBOUTIQUE.COM MODE, 1227 N. WALKER AVE., OKC, SHOPMODE.FASHION PHYSICIAN’S OPTICAL, 4200 W. MEMORIAL DR., OKC, PHYSICIANS-OPTICAL.COM REFINERY, 6900 N. WESTERN AVE., OKC, REFINERYST YLE.COM TSO OPTICAL, 38 40 S. BOULEVARD, EDMOND, TSOOPTICAL.COM
Karlie lace and ruffle dress from Refinery and braided slides from J. Lilly’s.
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Open Invitation
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Christina and Justin Hiersche called on friends to create their dream home in Nichols Hills. p.32
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A Festive 15 Celebrating a lovely lady BY PIL AR ESPARZA
GLITZ A ND GLA M W ER E THE theme for Zoe’s quinceañera. It was bright and colorful, with flowers spilling across the room — truly a night to remember. Event planning/styling: Balandra Events Grazing table: Balandra Charcuterie Floral for main table: LaFlorDesigns by Claudia Juarez Rentals: Balandra Events & Karlina León Cake: Amy Cakes Cupcakes and cookies: Sarah Sweets DJ: DJ Takiri Photographer and video: JG Films
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Distinctive designs. Exceptional home furnishings.
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H O M E
Located just off the entry, the dining room stands ready for a party.
A Welcoming Home Surrounded by familiar faces, the Hiersches have the friendliest of homes BY E V I E K LO P P H O L Z E R P H O T O S BY C H R I S T I N A WAT E R S S T Y L E D BY A N N A COV I N G T O N
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O C C ASIONA L LY, W H E N T H E G O OD F R I E N DS GAT H E R , Kimberly Smith asks Christina Hiersche, “How’s Tilda doing?” and the two share a laugh. “Tilda” — that is, the Arteriors Tilda chandelier in the dining room — is a piece Smith knows well. After all, she helped the Hiersches choose it, along with other interior design decisions. Today, the fixture is a favorite purchase. It’s artsy, yet approachable, just like the rest of the Nichols Hills home. “We made compromises here and there, so things like ‘Tilda’ could happen,” Smith said. “I love how Christina knew where every penny was going. They splurged on their lighting and wood floors, but not their kids’ rooms since those will probably change.” Almost every aspect of the Hiersches’ newly constructed home has a friend behind it. Mike Anderson sold them the lot. Architect Isaac Hines drew up the plans. Jason Gudell was their builder and contractor. That combination made for a great start. “You have an innate trust in your friends that they are going to want to do what’s best,” Justin Hiersche said. “There’s no issue [about] if you’re going to pay them or if they’re going to complete the job. You just know they are going to do it right and do it well.”
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H O M E
“You have an innate trust in your friends that they are going to want to do what’s best. There’s no issue [about] if you’re going to pay them or if they’re going to complete the job. You just know they are going to do it right and do it well.”
Trey Hiersche — Justin’s brother — helped build the outdoor kitchen. He also bricked the exterior and fireplace, offering expert advice along the way. “He helped us figure out what we should do in this great room for a kind of centerpiece fireplace,” Justin Hiersche said. The Winfield Kansas limestone, which reaches up to the 20-foot-high ceiling, was just the right choice. When it came to making interior design decisions, Christina Hiersche recruited talented neighbors whose homes she admired. Most recently, interior designer Anna Covington has introduced furniture, rugs and accents that complement the Hiersches’ colorful collection of local and Southwest art. During construction, Smith — a previous neighbor in Belle Isle — helped select lighting, countertops, hardware, paint colors and wallpaper. The storytelling Poem d’Amour Folk print in the powder bath is another highlight in the home. 34
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The home showcases local art like this Mona Lisa-inspired piece by Bob Kenworthy.
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D E S I G N
Large glass doors, opening up to the pool, extend the open-concept aesthetic of the home even farther.
LEFT:
Neighbors helped design this powder bath; Kimberly Smith chose the wallpaper and Anna Covington chose the decor.
BELOW:
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The primary suite includes a Bernhardt bed, a pair of Heenan’s Home Furnishings lamps and a Southwestern-style throw from Round Top, Texas.
Interior designer Anna Covington finished out the entry area with a collection of baskets the Hiersches found in Santa Fe.
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“I knew I could trust Kimberly so much because she was a friend,” Christina Hiersche said. “It’s one thing to have a beautiful home, but you have to live in it, too. I just thought she made great choices.” The back wall of the living room has floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open up to the backyard pool, a concept the Heirsches saw and loved while living in San Diego. “I liked the idea of water around our house and the sound of water fountains, so I knew that these [doors] were a non-negotiable item, something we just had to have,” Justin Hiersche said. “People think you live in Oklahoma and you can’t use them because it’s 100 degrees in the summer and 35 in the winter, but you don’t realize how often you can use these doors. I open them a lot of mornings and evenings.” “We’ll sit in the [living room] chairs and open those doors on a Friday night and — while the kids are upstairs playing — we’ll sit and have a cocktail,” Christina Hiersche added. “It’s really nice.” To maximize space for the open-concept living room and kitchen, the Hiersches decided on a floorplan with a smaller primary suite. Accommodating togetherness took priority. The kitchen features two large islands, one for cooking and one for dining — a unique and practical idea presented by Hines, their friend and architect. Eight wicker barstools surrounding the island seat a steady rotation of friends and family. For the Heirsches, sharing their beautiful home with others is a dream come true. “Sometimes I can’t believe we live here,” said Christina Hiersche. “We are crazy happy, and working with so many friends made it fun.”
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A recent series of popular memes posed the question: What does your favorite cocktail say about you? The answers ran the gamut from funny to eye-rolling, but its popularity is an indication of how much we tend to adopt signature cocktails as an object that says something about what makes us ourselves, even as we realize “Guys named Gary order gin neat because they want to feel sophisticated in spite of their choice paralysis issue” probably doesn’t adequately capture who orders gin neat. But pleasingness to the palate isn’t the only consideration. There is a sense among bartenders that anyone who orders a Ramos Gin Fizz on a busy night — Gary or not — is, to quote at least a few local bartenders, “a monster.” Why? Because a proper Ramos needs seven minutes of shaking minimum. Imagine being behind that person in line, and you feel the other side of the coin of the bartender’s ire. Our summer cocktails
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What — besides a Ramos Gin Fizz —
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A martini might as well be the default emblem of sophistication. No other cocktail has been mentioned as often in popular culture; from television to classic movies to novels and essays, it’s been the choice of sophisticates since its invention. One quick point before getting to OKC’s best martini: A martini has gin and vermouth as its base. No gin and no vermouth? No martini. A vodka martini is not; it’s just chilled vodka. When Kyle Kern took over as the food and beverage director of the new iteration of Mary Eddy’s (900 W. Main St., OKC), he said he wanted Oklahoma City’s best martini at his bar. Young rockstar bartender Nathan Cover answered the call. His velvety smooth, complex creation involves Wanderfolk gin fat-washed with avocado oil, dry vermouth, a bar spoon of QuinQuina (a bitter amaro), and two types of bitters – lemon and orange. The result is a martini that makes a trip to Mary Eddy’s – already an easy yes – an even better experience. Cover’s twist succeeded because he respected the classic by preserving key original ingredients while updating them with a modern, craft sensibility.
Gin
Martini Mastery
D E FIN IT E LY T H E G R E AT E ST FO O D and beverage
item to hail from England (really, The Netherlands is more likely, but England needs a win), gin is now one of the most popular spirits in the world, with styles and ingredients multiplying as new nations and distillers get involved in gin production. (The best in the world are from Japan now, but Oklahoma has an award-winning example in Wanderfolk’s Garden Club Gin from just up the road in Guthrie.) With the exception of Old Tom style, which has added sugar, gin is meant to be dry. The flavor variations come from botanicals and other additions, and while juniper was central to the flavor profile for centuries, it’s less prominent in modern versions. For the purpose of cocktails, less is more with gin. Monkey 47, for example, should be ordered neat or with a cube, because 47 botanicals are not going to sit quietly for the fruit juice component. The featured gin cocktail is the beautiful and popular Butterfly Effect at Jimmy B’s (1225 N. Broadway Ave., OKC), a floral, barely sweet concoction that relies on pea flower extract for the stunning color variations. The drink has a subtle earthiness to it thanks to the use of sparkling sake, which also adds acid to balance the lavender and simple syrup. As the lavender foam warms, the pea flower extract seeps into the glass, turning the Butterfly Effect into increasingly vivid shades of lavender and violet.
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Rum 44
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ONE
OF
T HE
E AR L I E ST base
spirits for cocktails, rum is slightly sweet, as it’s a distillate of sugar, especially sugar cane or molasses. The best rums use sugar cane, but excellent examples abound in both categories. Most associated with tropical drinks like tikis, rum is versatile in its own right, and premium brands like Maggie’s Farm, Privateer and Hampden can be enjoyed neat like good bourbon. Humankind Hospitality (Frida, Oso, etc.) is about to address one of the glaring vacuums in Oklahoma City’s cocktail scene: the lack of a bar that specializes in classic tiki cocktails, like Tulsa’s spectacular Saturn Room. Scheduled to open this month, Flamingo will occupy the space at 605 NW 28th St. next door to Scratch – Paseo, and the bright pink paint job will make it hard to miss on Paseo’s main strip. The beverage program will include popular tiki drinks like Dark and Stormy, Mai Tai and Painkiller, and its Jungle Bird is our featured Rum cocktail. 1.5 ounces Hamilton Jamaican Black Pot Still Rum
TEQUILA
.75 ounce Campari .5 ounce Turbinado simple syrup
W E B EG IN W IT H A pro tip: You don’t get “crazy” on tequila because
.5 ounce fresh lime juice
it metabolizes differently — no shots, no “crazy.” It’s the shot that dumps
4 ounces pineapple juice
all that booze into your bloodstream, upsetting the delicate balance of
Serve in a Collins glass over ice,
your pleasant buzz and sending you into “I should definitely dance on
garnished with a pineapple
this table” territory.
frond (assuming you have those lying about)
Tequila — at least the good stuff — is a distillate of blue agave from one of five Mexican regions, the best known of which is Jalisco, and it’s really the name for a subset of the mezcal family of spirits, which are always
Pro tip: Turbinado sugar is a min-
distillates of agave. The flavors range from sweet to earthy to smoky, and
imally refined sugar that retains
you’ll even find floral and fruity if you want to pay for the really good
some of the molasses from the
stuff. (The recent trend toward additives to change color and flavor is a
sugar cane, meaning you get more
gimmick, as the best way to add flavor and color is by making a cocktail.)
caramel color and flavor. It’s easy
When it comes to tequila and mezcal, the primo OKC destination is
to make. Just add equal parts
Palo Santo, 1203 SW 2nd St. in the Farmer’s Market District. Co-owner
sugar and water, heat on the stove
and cocktail yogini Bailey Butler is the established master of mezcal in
until the sugar is dissolved, then
the 405, likely because she loves the smoky stuff — although for those
allow to cool before bottling. It
who prefer less blunt force on the palate, she’s a genius with tequila, too.
keeps well in the refrigerator for
For the featured tequila cocktail, Butler made one from Palo Santo’s new
up to two weeks.
summer menu: "Napping House." 405MAGAZINE.COM
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vodka VODK A , WITHOU T THE F L AVOR I N G or sugar some companies
Muddle a small strawberry in a mixing tin. Add: 1.5 ounces Garden Club Vodka .75 ounce basil syrup .75 ounce fresh lemon juice .5 ounce Giffard Rhubarb Liqueur Ice
add to make it less “medicinal," is a neutral spirit. It’s what is left at the end of the distillation process before anything else is added. (Gin is essentially vodka with botanicals.) The nearly antiseptic flavor profile makes it an excellent candidate for mixing, and while some bars and bartenders refuse to use it for various reasons based primarily on snobbery, vodka makes a versatile base spirit.
Shake until blended, and strain into a coupe glass, or a rocks glass if you’re prone to spills (like me).
(A vodka-soda or vodka-tonic is a one-and-one, not technically a cocktail. Think Jack and Coke or scotch and soda, and one-and-ones are pretty clear.)
Pro tip: Always use fresh juice, not sweet and sour. Fresh juice is the difference between a well-crafted cocktail and sugary blah.
For our vodka cocktail, Julia McLish at Barkeep (1121 N. Walker Ave., OKC) made the Strawberry-Basil Lemon Drop, a fruity refresher with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Great cocktails begin and end with balance among the components, and
For the garnish, McLish used beautiful purple basil from Prairie Earth Gardens.
that is one of the primary strengths of Barkeep’s cocktail program.
Tools for Your Home Bar When setting up a home bar, a few tools are – if not essential – useful for making the process easier. Starter kits are very affordable, and retailers like Barkeep and Parks Distributing Company keep a large inventory on hand and can assist with questions and suggestions. 1. Strainer. For pouring the cocktail from the mixing glass or tin into a glass without having to deal with the ice. 2. Bar spoon. For stirring and adding small quantities of syrups, liqueurs, etc. 3. Shaker tin. For cocktails that need to be shaken, which usually means anything with citrus as an ingredient. 4 5 3 1 2
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4. Jigger. Most have hash marks for precise measuring from 1/4 ounce to 2 ounces. 5. Mixing glass. For mixing multiple cocktails that need to be stirred.
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king of sales, whiskey dominates the super premium category, thanks largely to scotch and allocated bourbons. It also dominates the favorite cocktails list on survey after survey, with the Old Fashioned in the number one spot for the past seven years in the U.S. For American palates, shaped as they are by soft drinks and sugar, bourbon’s corny sweetness strikes the perfect chord. Bourbon is a subset of the whiskey family, made distinct by the legal requirement that its mash bill (the grain mix for distillation) contain at least 51 percent corn. Prices for the allocated versions — those for which demand
Cocktail Destinations
far outstrips supply — can run into the thousands of dollars, but programs like the federally defined “Bottled in Bond” and the relative affordability of its ingredients makes it easy to find delicious, affordable options like Elijah Craig Small Batch, Wild Turkey 101 and Evan Williams Bottled in Bond.
The Library of Distilled Spirits, located in the repurposed vault of the The National Hotel downtown, is Oklahoma City’s newest upscale cocktail destination. With a menu of 1,500 spirits, an extensive cocktail menu and stunning surroundings, it’s an easy yes for a happy hour, after-dinner drink or nightcap. The main bar is in the vault proper, and two other bars allow for overflow, but shouldn’t be considered “less than.” The blue bar is funky, fun and perfect for happy hour festivities. The light installations throughout are beautiful, the lounge and bar furniture super comfortable and the service excellent. For the serious cocktail drinker, The Library of Distilled Spirits is a must, as are these other metro locations, and we’ve included a favorite cocktail to get you started.
Rye, named for the majority rye in the mash bill, is another popular choice with whiskey enthusiasts. Spicier and sharper than bourbon, rye makes an excellent Old Fashioned and can be used in many classic and craft cocktails. (The difference between classic and craft here is that craft cocktails tend to be modern twists on classics — pre-Prohibition cocktails — or unique modern creations.) Rye is the base for our featured whiskey cocktail, the High Horse from Charles Friedrichs at The Jones Assembly, 901 W. Sheridan in OKC. The High Horse relies on Jones’ private barrel selection of High West Double Rye, which was aged in peated scotch barrels, so it’s a smoky, spicy blend that’s tamed a bit by the addition of yellow chartreuse, a heavily botanical liqueur originally created as a medicinal cure. It’s rounded out with a trio of fruit flavors — mango, peach and lemon — and given high-toned aromatics with thyme. It’s a serious drink for people who love complex cocktails.
LIBRARY OF DISTILLED SPIRITS: PHOTO PROVIDED
whiskey
W HI LE VOD K A I S ST IL L the overall
1884 at The Railyard. Red Dirt Road Bar Arbolada. El Diablo The Hamilton. Humuhumunukunukuapua'a Milo. Nichols Hills Garden Tour Ponyboy. Flower Power R & J Lounge. Aloe Can You Go Scratch - Norman. Flatliner Scratch - Paseo. Teaches of Peaches Sidecar. Midnight in Oaxaca Vast. Sheridan Sour 405MAGAZINE.COM
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What Cocktail Do You Need For Your Evening Activities? (Or afternoon. We’re here to help, not judge.)
W H E R E W I L L T H E E V E N I N G TA K E YO U ?
Going out with my girlfriends? Will this involve chips and queso?
Nowhere. I’m staying in. What will you be watching?
We’re going to a show/ballet/symphony at the Civic Center.
Netflix
Of course!
We’re trying to eat lighter.
Classic Margarita
Hulu
You’ll want low ABV to be able to read the subtitles so Aperol Spritz
Dinner and drinks. Pre-dinner drink or night cap? French 75 No explanation? I don’t make the rules. It’s French 75.
With all the choices, keep it simple, so Old Fashioned
Probably happy hour and then dinner. Do you like carbonation?
We have friends coming over for game night. Will it be a fun game or something like Settlers of Catan?
Bramble
Uhhh, the former, I think. I mean it’s fun for us, but yeah, it’s a little obscure.
Night cap Yes
Easy. A little boozy to wind down, so Sazerac
I hate carbonation.
Gimlet
Gin & Tonic
We’re off to a concert. What genre of music?
Country and Western
Pick a beer
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In honor of your complexity, we suggest Mezcal Old Fashioned
Easy, Sidecar
Hip Hop show
Make it easy with a batched cocktail like Madras
Alt rock band
Beer and a shot.
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THE DISH 56
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Piece of Northeast
LEXI HOEBING
Art, history and community are baked into Eastside Pizza House. p. 54
Activated coconut charcoal gives Eastside Pizza its black crust.
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D I N I N G
Eastside Story Jabee brings quality pizza and a slice of history to NE OKC BY G R E G H O R T O N
T H E DI F F E R E NC E BE T W E E N A GI M M IC K A N D a meaningful feature is often intent. The pizza crust at Eastside Pizza is black, thanks to the addition of activated charcoal from carbonized coconut shells. As part of owner Jabee Williams’ strategy to create an eatery that tells the story of where he grew up in Oklahoma City, black pizza crusts mesh neatly into the overall narrative of the evolving neighborhoods. “I wanted an educational component to Eastside, so I collaborated with artists to tell the story,” Williams said. “If someone comes in who doesn’t know who Clara Luper is, they’ll see a picture of her with her name and words. These are heritage pieces, and the subjects look like the things I learned as a kid.” As part of the ULI-award-winning EastPoint development, Williams has a space in the first new retail development in decades on the east side. He’s concerned about the changing landscape as large-scale development encroaches on historically Black neighborhoods. “Any trace of us was eliminated from Deep Deuce, and NE 4th St. is almost wiped of our history and presence,” Williams said. “I wanted Eastside to be a record of what the east side looked like when I was growing up and how it looks now, so if in 10 years everything around us has changed, people over here will still have this record.” The record is mostly included in the art, a collection of works from Jake Beeson, Steven Paul Judd, Jesse Warne and others. Williams even got photos from the Oklahoma History Center. “It’s been a very collaborative process,” he said, “and I’m grateful for everyone who took ownership of the vision. We’ve been very intentional. The east side neon hand sign is something kids around here start throwing up in elementary school. It’s not even a gang thing; it’s an east side thing. The colors in Jake’s (Beeson) mural were chosen to transcend gang culture, and then those colors were used throughout the restaurant.” Eastside was definitely going to happen — it and Kindred Spirits were the first to sign leases — but it wasn’t always going to be pizza. Williams said they considered burgers, poke, sushi and other things, but the pandemic brought him around to pizza, something that’s easy to deliver or carry out if people can’t gather in restaurants. 54
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Eastside Pizza House owner Jabee Williams
“I wanted an educational component to Eastside, so I collaborated with artists to tell the story. If someone comes in who doesn’t know who Clara Luper is, they’ll see a picture of her with her name and words. These are heritage pieces, and the subjects look like the things I learned as a kid.” “I had the names of the pizzas first,” Williams said. “I knew the Deep Deuce would be two meats, and I’d had an elotes pizza at Jones Assembly, and I loved it so much I knew we’d have one too. I just needed someone to guide the process.” To facilitate that, he collaborated with Chef Shelby Sieg, Oklahoma City’s star chef who beat Bobby Flay in the eponymous Food Network competition show. “I knew I couldn’t afford a Shelby full-time,” Williams said, “but I definitely had someone who could execute the recipes.” Sieg and Williams talked through his ideas and came up with workable solutions. The Deep Deuce would be shoulder bacon and sausage with red sauce. The elotes pizza? It’s the Jabee, appropriately. There are vegetarian options and a traditional crust option, and the black crust is airy, flavorful and soft. There is enough on the edge to make outstanding breadsticks, which come in handy if you start with the beer cheese bread bowl, also black bread. Williams said the restaurant team is working on personal size pizzas, desserts and a gluten-free crust for the near future.
G O O D
TA S T E
Two slices of the Jabee signature elote pizza
Eastside Pizza House uses art to tell the story of Northeast OKC.
You won’t find alcohol at Eastside. To keep the collaborative theme alive, and taking advantage of the relatively new common patio legislation that allows different concepts to share a single patio, Eastside partners with Kindred Spirits, owned by his long-time friends Chaya Pennington, Sandino Thompson and Quintin Hughes. “I wanted people to order our pizza and eat it on the patio with a cocktail or glass of wine from Kindred, and for Kindred customers to be able to order our pizzas,” Williams said. “We put QR codes on the tables so customers can order directly from both places.” The menu is rounded out by starters like the cheesy bread bowls, garlic knots and salads, including a delicious “pizza salad” with a deconstructed pizza on greens. Outside of the decor, one of the first things customers notice is how affordable the food is. 405MAGAZINE.COM
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D I S H
Frozen Treats and Timelessness We all still scream for ice cream BY G R E G H O R T O N P H O T O BY L E X I H O E B I N G
ON C E YOU S E E A PIC T U R E OF IC E cream, reading about it is almost redundant. The joy is programmed in from childhood: birthday treat, special occasion, homemade project in the summer, a bowl with grandpa for no reason but to spend time together immersed in the simple pleasure of a story accompanied by sugar, cream, milk and whatever flavor you prefer. If that isn’t enough, we learn the “scream for ice cream” chant when screaming is still considered normal behavior — children scream when the moment is too big for their rudimentary emotion control skills. We’re conditioned. When we were prepping the photo that accompanies this story, photographer Lexi Hoebing said, “Put the pistachio on top. The order of the other two doesn’t matter.” Why? “I just want the pistachio to be easier to eat,” she said, and the other customers in Roxy’s Ice Cream Social chuckled and nodded approvingly. Ice cream exists in the dessert category, but it’s a dessert that, like donuts or a candy bar, doesn’t have to be part of an actual meal. Perhaps “treats” is a better name for the category. Ice cream is also special in that it stands on its own. It doesn’t need help. If there are other ingredients with the ice cream, it’s kind of like winning a million dollars, and then being told you get a house and car in addition. They enhance; they don’t improve. Ice cream is already perfect. At Roxy’s, you can choose from more than 20 flavors, and that might be the hardest part of the process. Some customers always choose the same flavor: vanilla, pistachio, German 56
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Three scoops of ice cream from Roxy’s Ice Cream Social
chocolate, strawberry. Nothing wrong with that, nothing at all. Others will switch it up, and Roxy’s does offer rotating seasonal flavors at all locations so that everyone will find something they love. Ask anyone who grew up around Oklahoma, though, and they’re going to list Braum’s among their favorite ice cream joints. Braum’s has been there for us since childhood. Chocolate almond malt after tee-ball? Check. Birthday party with ice cream and cake? Yup. A shake and crinkle-cut fries after a break-up? Absolutely. For a composed ice cream dish, though, it’s hard to beat one of the new kids in town: the only dessert on the menu at Birdie’s Fried Chicken, Chef Kevin Lee’s Korean fried chicken concept. The Bananas Foster Sundae starts with vanilla ice cream. Of course it does, because when we
think about it, vanilla’s great contribution is its ability to enhance something delicious (cookies, lattes, cereal, yogurt parfaits, etc.) and to bind the whole thing together, like a bridge ingredient. Birdies adds banana pudding, sauteed bananas, cinnamon, caramel, whipped cream and a fresh churro to craft one of the best desserts in the metro. For creative blends — like blackberry pie or fudge brownies — Capitals in Midtown and Cities in Edmond offer locally themed frozen treats, as well as a build-your-own option. The pie is seasonal, so ask which you can have blended into your ice cream. It’s like being a kid all over again.
secret supper W I T H
4 0 5
M A G A Z I N E
Coming Soon
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PRODUCED BY 405 MAGAZINE I N PA RT N E R S H I P W I T H
GREY SWEATER’S ELEVATED ELEGANCE Chef Andrew Black has created the pinnacle of fine dining in Oklahoma City This spring, Cadillac sent 405 senior writer Greg Horton and blogger/influencer Sarah James on a culinary adventure around Oklahoma City to talk to chefs about their food, inspiration and hospitality. Grey Sweater is the creation of a brilliant, talented team, and the man leading that team is James Beard Award (Outstanding Chef) nominee Andrew Black. Born in Jamaica, Black grew up very poor, and food was an important part of time spent with family. He left home early and worked in kitchens from France to Memphis (Peabody Hotel), where he perfected his talents as a fine dining chef. Grey Sweater’s tasting menu and single seating per night attracts gourmands from all over the U.S. to sample dishes made with ingredients sourced from all over the world.
Sarah: This space is beautiful. I have to know how you came up with this concept. C H E F B L A C K : This started 15 years ago. I had a chef’s table at the Skirvin Hotel, but back then everyone was like, “No one wants to hear the chef yelling at everyone in the kitchen,” but I always knew I wanted to do it on a bigger scale. I’ve worked in enough corporate restaurants that I know they’ll only let you get so far out there, and then they think it’s too far, so I wanted a place where we could create food with no boundaries and no allegiance to a style or a dish or a corporate template. Sarah: The “no allegiance” means you aren’t tied to a supplier or a menu, but what’s the guest experience at Grey Sweater? C H E F B L A C K : At the end of the day, the food has to taste good. We don’t owe allegiance to a dish — even your
favorite dish — so we’ll eventually move on from it. That goes for wine and cocktails, too. We are constantly creating without barriers, and that means we want to constantly move on, but the food and wine and the cocktails have to be good. More than that, though, is how we make you feel. If you dine in this restaurant and somehow you don’t feel like you’re at home enjoying a great meal with friends, we’ve failed. Sarah: How do you decide what goes on such a creative, everchanging menu? C H E F B L A C K : I think chefs are artists, and we have a great team here. We ask questions of each other about the food we get from our suppliers. How do we prepare it? Highlight it? Do something different with it? The team talks through all these things, and then we start creating. I like the analogy of artists working, so the menu is whatever we choose to paint that day.
T O W AT C H T H E C U L I N A R Y R O A D T R I P S E R I E S , GO TO 405MAGAZINE.COM
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Chef Andrew Black
Greg Horton senior writer for 405 Magazine
Sarah James blogger, whoorl.com
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D I N I N G
10 Sushi Joints You Need to Try Now Where in the 405 to roll with the flavors BY G R E G H O R T O N
Surfs Up roll from Go Go Sushi
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LO C A L
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MOR E T H A N A N Y OT H ER FOOD — E XCEP T V EGEtables, maybe — sushi is divisive. An entire outing can be derailed by one friend who doesn’t like “raw fish,” as if their understanding of sushi never exceeded a stereotype that is based on a fraction of a menu. For those of us who love nigiri, rolls, gyoza and yes, even steak in smaller-than-steakhouse portions, sushi is a nearly perfect meal. Here are 10 Sushi Joints You Need to Try Now, and the list includes a few places with non-sushi options for “that” person.
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Broadway 10 1101 N. Broadway Ave., OKC That’s right: a chophouse with good sushi. B10 was the first downtown spot to offer sushi at what is essentially a steak and chop destination, and it continues to work for parties of diners with varied tastes. Go Go Sushi gogosushinow.com Two locations — one in Moore, one in Midtown — make it convenient for much of the metro, and the happy hour and lunch specials make it an easy yes. Jimmy B’s 1225 N. Broadway Ave., OKC Like B10, this Auto Alley spot by Hal Smith Restaurant Group offers sushi and other Asian specialities (garlic noodles!) with American chop house fare. The Osaka-style is a must-try in OKC, and the house-made ponzu is incredible. Masa Ramen and Sushi 1001 W. Memorial Ave., OKC Likely the best omakase joint in the 405, Masa is the rare place that does several Japanese styles very well, making it an excellent choice for parties who have picky eaters. The Moon Sushi and Asian Bistro 326 E. Main St., Norman This Norman spot has a large selection of cooked and fresh rolls, as well as excellent non-sushi options, including poke.
Ninja Sushi Station 5529 SE 15th St., Midwest City Tell a friend that there is delicious, fresh sushi in a repurposed gas station in Midwest City, and they’re likely to think you’re joking, unless they’ve already been there. Ninja is one of the most pleasant surprises in the 405. The Sushi Bar 1201 NW 178th St., Edmond This Edmond restaurant is easily one of the very best choices in the city, and the presentation is as beautiful as the food is delicious. Sushi Neko 4318 N. Western Ave., OKC A perennial “Best of” winner, this Western Avenue institution is sushi with traditional and modern takes — and yes, you should get the Neko Fries.
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Tokyo Japanese Restaurant 7516 N. Western This is the place for nigiri, and when it’s available, hamachi kama. Tokyo is very traditional, and the service is as excellent as the food. Volcano Sushi Bar and Hibachi volcanook.com The sushi bistros across the metro feature a large selection of fresh and cooked rolls, and a section of the menu dedicated to vegetarian options.
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At Oklahoma Surgical Group, Dr. Svein “Matti” Holsaeter and Dr. Timothy Eldridge have combined their decades of expertise to provide patients with compassionate and competent care for a variety of medical needs. Located at 608 NW 9th Street, Suite 6200 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Surgical Group is a center of excellence for 405 residents in need of surgical care. For three decades, Dr. Holsaeter has practiced surgery with a focus on colon, gastrointestinal, gallbladder, mininally invasive laparoscopic, lap band procedures for weight loss, hernia and thyroid surgeries. Dr. Holsaeter is originally from Norway and received his medical degree from Eberhardt Karls University in Germany and completed his residency at Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center. Dr. Holsaeter also served in the 654th Medical Group at Tinker Air Force Base. He is a Fellow with the American College of Surgeons and is fluent in German, Norwegian and English. Dr. Eldridge focuses on hernia repair, laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery, minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery, gallbladder, robotic assisted surgery and surgical oncology. He was born in Chicago and grew up in the Midwest. After graduating summa cum laude with degrees in biology and philosophy at Wittenberg University in Ohio, he attended medical school at Georgetown University and graduated with honors. Completed residency at Wright State University in Dayton, OH and fellowship in surgical endoscopy at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Eldridge also served with the 49th med group at Holloman AirForce Base in New Mexico. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association and other professional and charitable organizations.
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The rooftop pool at Eldorado Hotel & Spa in Santa Fe.
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Out of the Woods
CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER
Inside Zac Hammack’s Marking Tree Design p.74
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Outdoor concert at Myriad Gardens Devon Lawn
Arts Council OKC’s free summer concert series BY L AV I N I A C R E S WA
F I N DI NG A F FOR DA BL E E V E N TS T H E W HOL E family can enjoy during the summer can be challenging. But here’s a great way to close out the week in style: Every Sunday night in June, July and August, Arts Council Oklahoma City and the Chickasaw Nation present the Summer Twilight Concert Series from 7:30-9pm on the Devon Lawn of the Myriad Gardens. This summer marks the 42nd year of these free Sunday night concerts. Arts Council OKC projects director Alyssa Flesher said, “The Chickasaw Nation has been the presenting sponsor of the Sunday Twilight Concert Series since 2017. We’re thrilled to carry on the celebration of live music in our community again this summer, which the Chickasaw Nation helps make possible. The Twilight Concert Series offers the opportunity to experience music in a fun, relaxed setting. It’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday evening in the summer. Whether you’re very familiar with an act or just hearing them for the first time, our concerts feature a superior level of talent that is sure to entertain.” A wide variety of genres and artists are presented over the summer, promoting cultural diversity in our community. Flesher said, “The artists are chosen through an application process, as well as general talent scouting throughout the year. Each diverse artist we bring to the stage will continue 68
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our legacy of providing culture and free music to all. We hope we are able to make an impact by providing an evening of family fun that all can enjoy at no cost.” In July, concerts include country artist Johnny Woods, The Vibro Kings playing rockabilly/surf & blues, indie rock singer Chloe-Beth and classical music by OK Virtuosi. August performances feature Latin music by The Latin Band, bluegrass by Cliff Top, Edgar & The Brave Amigos presenting a virtuoso variety and Shortt Dogg with R&B/smooth jazz/funk. Flesher encourages spectators to bring blankets and a picnic, so the crowd is relaxed, comfortable and ready to enjoy the evening. Don’t be surprised if dancing occurs during some of these concerts, which is definitely encouraged! Another popular aspect of the Summer Twilight Concert Series is the Twilight Raffle, which concertgoers can enter during intermission or online. The winners are announced during the second half of the concert, and prizes differ from week to week, but are always from local businesses the winners can enjoy at a later date. For more information on the Summer Twilight Concert Series, as well as other programming and events presented by Arts Council OKC, visit artscouncilokc.com.
VIRTUOSIC VOYAGE For more musical entertainment, check out ArtAfloatOKC on the Bricktown Water Taxi in the Bricktown Canal. Every Thursday through August 25, three 45-minute performances will be available at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. Tickets are $25 and available at ArtAfloatOKC. org. Concert boats will depart from the Bourbon Street Café dock on the Bricktown Canal. All net proceeds benefit ArtAfloatOKC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing more artistic interventions — visual and performing arts — to the Bricktown Canal area.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Step Into the Twilight for Music
John Newsom, Rogue Arena (detail), 2014. Photo: Alex Marks.
Presenting Oklahoma-raised painter John Newsom's first mid-career retrospective. On view through Aug. 15 Admission is free.
okcontemp.org | @okcontemporary 11 NW 11th St., OKC, OK 73103
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Find a New Side of Florida in Pensacola Where dolphins and Blue Angels meet 450 years of American history BY M AT T K I R O U A C The Blue Angels flying over Pensacola Beach
F L O R I DA I N T H E S U M M E R M I G H T T Y P I C A L LY conjure visions of South Beach or family vacations to Disney World, but nestled on the western edge of the state’s panhandle, a seashell’s toss from the Alabama state line, Pensacola is a smaller, underrated city with a flavor, vibe and lore all its own. It ticks all the requisite summer road trip boxes — patio bars aplenty, adrenaline-pumping water sports, miles of sugar-white sandy beachfront — but beyond the sunbathing and dolphin-spotting, it still feels like the most un-Floridian of all of Florida’s beach towns. That’s largely due to its history as America’s first settlement, ahead of even St. Augustine — though later abandoned, it was founded in 1559 by Don Tristan de Luna. It’s such an old city that its nickname, “The City of Five Flags,” is indicative of the fact that Pensacola has been under five flags in its history: Spanish, French, British, Confederate and American. That lore is on full display in Historic Pensacola Village downtown, an 8.5-acre collection of colonial cottages, houses, and churches where old-timey homesteaders and historians offer museum tours, cooking demonstrations and a glimpse into another epoch. Today, though, Pensacola is the kind of singular place where one can step back in time in a historic village or a military fort, then drink a Bushwacker on the beach. Where to Stay
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BBQ Shrimp from Pearl & Horn
Where to Play
With 18 miles of shimmering shoreline, there’s no shortage of oceanic recreation to be found in Pensacola. The main part of the beach, most used for swimming, surfing and frisbee-flinging, is the area surrounding Pensacola Beach Pier, itself a destination for anglers. Lined with casual beach bars, like the nearby Bamboo Willie’s Beachside Bar, you’re also never too far from a mai tai. Farther west on the beach, where commercial development wanes to make way for nature, Gulf Islands National Seashore is a 25,000-acre national park site filled with naval history — especially at Fort Pickens, a brick garrison that remained under
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Pensacola is a tale of two cities, with Pensacola Beach — on the western end of Santa Rosa Island — offering more of that iconic Florida summertime vibe, while inland downtown feels more New Orleans, with its wrought-iron balconies and French Creole architecture. If it’s the former you’re after, the Hilton Pensacola Beach towers like a beachy beacon, rising 17 stories on the Gulf shoreline, with balconies and views from every vantage point — the ocean to the south, and Santa Rosa Sound to the north, with both indoor and outdoor pools in between. For something a bit more quaint, New World Inn is a boutique charmer on downtown’s historic Palafox Street, with 16 cozy rooms across two floors, in a building that once served as a box factory. After being repurposed and restored in 1983, the hotel now includes a French Quarter-like courtyard, a martini bar and an ornate wooden grand staircase lined with vintage Pensacola photography.
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Downtown Pensacola
through September, the big Pensacola Homecoming Air Show takes place in November this year. Beyond the beach, immerse yourself in Pensacola’s past with a guided tour of the Roaring Twenties-era Lear/Rocheblave House in Historic Pensacola Village, and a stroll through the Pensacola Museum of History, home to the anchor Don Tristan de Luna dropped way back in 1559. Where to Eat and Drink
PHOTOS PROVIDED
The blue waters of Pensacola Beach
Union control throughout the Civil War — and undeveloped beachfront prime for picnicking, swimming and dolphin-sighting. If you’re adamant about dolphins, your best bet is to hop on a jet ski (beachside rentals abound, at companies like Radical Rides and Key Sailing), or embark on a guided dolphin tour with Jolly Sailing and Dolphin Cruise or Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Tours. For a beachfront activity that’s more air- than water-based, look no further than the Blue Angels. The iconic Navy jets are based in Pensacola, and while they can be seen rocketing over the city on practice runs March
With its abundant seafood and affinity for Creole-style cookery, the dining scene in Pensacola is filled with fresh surprises. Chief among them is Seville Quarter, a sprawling dining, drinking and dancing complex downtown that’s been open since 1967. Today, the multi-tiered haunt contains several rooms and courtyards, each with its own style and character, but wherever you hole up, don’t sleep on the po’ boys and beignets. A bit newer, The Garden at Palafox + Main is an outdoor food hall anchored by several food trailers, like Calavera Tacos and MELT Gourmet Sandwiches, plus a rum-centric bar and a fast-casual seafood restaurant, Pearl & Horn, where buttery broiled oysters and BBQ shrimp are served in a turquoise-tinted space. The same folks who run the bar at The Garden also operate The Well, a Miami-chic cocktail bar on the opposite end of downtown, dolled up in tropical plants, neon lights and hot pink decor, with Instagram-ready drinks and snacks like raw oysters and spicy tuna tostones. For that quintessential Gulf Coast experience, drive 22 miles west along the shore to Flora-Bama, a rollicking relic of a restaurant that straddles the Florida-Alabama line. Nowadays, the company spans multiple buildings, but the original complex, The Flora-Bama Lounge right on the beach, is an old-timey institution home to live country music, bingo tables, multiple bars and nautical comfort food — the shrimp nachos are enough to feed a shark. Be sure to try its signature drink, the Bushwacker: a milkshake-like medley of rum, Kahlua and creme de cacao (plus a few secret ingredients) that goes down way too smooth. 405MAGAZINE.COM
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Utility player Omar Estévez
Dodgers players Jason Martin, Miguel Vargas, Ryan Noda, Max Muncy. Back: Stefen Romero
Diamond Days Take yourself out to an OKC Dodgers ball game BY A D DA M M . F R A N C I S CO
A R E YO U L O O K I N G F O R A F U N family evening out? Maybe a cool spot for a date night between two sports fans? The Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is the place to watch the Oklahoma City Dodgers swing the bat for a very reasonable price. The Los Angeles Dodgers is one of the most popular franchises in Major League Baseball, and its primary farm team is right here in OKC! For those that aren’t familiar with the term 72
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“farm team,” it’s where players that are considered on the cusp of joining the MLB showcase their talent with hopes of getting “called up” to the big leagues. There are three types of Minor League Baseball players: young guys, veterans and players that you might consider mainstays. The younger guys typically were drafted by a franchise and have to work up from rookie ball, A or AA ball. Baseball isn’t like basketball or football, in which draftees typically land on the team that drafted them immediately. It’s normally a process that can take several seasons. The OKC Dodgers is a AAA ballclub, which means it’s the last stop before players make the Major Leagues. Veterans that play in this league have often suffered injuries and missed a significant amount of time as a result. In many cases, they get bumped down from the Major Leagues to the Minor Leagues for a handful of games in order to get their feet back under them.
Lastly, there are “mainstays” — players that may have reached their ceiling in AAA baseball. While they’re always trying to play their best, they understand that, barring injuries or something unexpected, they will peak as a member of the Minor League affiliate of the Major League team. “I think people get turned off when they hear the words ‘Minor League Baseball,’ because the average citizen isn’t excited to watch 100-plus MLB games, let alone 100-plus MiLB games,” said Garen Wright, former Minor League baseball player. “It’s important to remember that AAA ball is one step away from the majors, and that some of the biggest names in the majors come through the minors either before their career blows up, or while they’re at the height of their career, rehabbing.” The point is, spend an evening or two — or more — at a Dodgers game. They’re inexpensive and fun for all ages, there’s good food and the Dodgers are at the top of the league standings, so the quality of product is very high. Play ball!
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ALEX FREEDMAN
Pitcher Andre Jackson
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Artist Zac Hammack with just a small sample of his live-edge slabs collection
Carving a Niche Marking Tree Design’s tables take on a natural edge
How did you first connect wood with art?
My dad owned Arrowhead Lumber. When I was 16, 17, 18, I worked at my dad’s lumber yard during the summers. We were resawing and cutting dimensional lumber, and I was always curious as a kid how we could do something with the waste. So that’s where it started, with the reclaimed stuff.
BY E V I E K LO P P H O L Z E R P H O T O S BY C H A R L I E N E U E N S C H WA N D E R
I T ’ S H A R D T O PI N P OI N T T H E S T Y L E OF TA BL E S sold at Marking Tree Design. Farmhouse? No. Rustic? Not really. Industrial? Modern? Perhaps — but we can table the label for now. In this conversation, Marking Tree Design founder and artist Zac Hammack discusses his handcrafted tables, in which the wood’s natural color, curves and grain inspire every design. His wood tables are solid works of art; no label needed. 74
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Is there a name connection between Arrowhead Lumber and Marking Tree Design?
An arrowhead is a form of Native American technology. So is a marking tree. Trees growing sideways — called marker trees or Indian marking trees — point toward a water source or a trail. They would take these saplings and tie them down to the ground, so they would grow sideways. Plus, we’ve found arrowheads and marking trees all along our family property. Whenever we were starting this business, I was trying to keep it in that same vein. It’s still kind of in the family tradition of lumber, but it’s creative at the same time.
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“We really want to make artistic stuff rather than run-of-themill stuff. We want each piece to be unique and one of a kind, so you can say, ‘I’m the only person that has this.’” Resin is poured around live-edge wood to create smooth lines.
Where do you source these large wooden slabs?
Everything is sourced and sustainably harvested from Oklahoma. We’ll have people call us and say, “Hey, I have a large tree in my front yard that needs to come down. Will you take it?” Besides that, I’ve got tree removal people that call me all the time with what they’ve got.
This 16-foot walnut bar is a custom project for Woodworks Distilling Co. in the Britton District.
What is the best type of tree for your work?
Black walnut is my favorite. It gets really dark; we don’t put any stains. We just put a sealer on it and we try to use the natural color of the wood. Walnut has such a rich color that you don’t have to do very much. The wood does most of the work. Do you create custom pieces for commercial and residential use?
Marking Tree Design’s materials are used by other artists in various applications.
Yes. Mainly we do dining tables or large projects with resin and wood — the combination of the two is popular right now. We’ve been doing a lot more commercial work, like office desks. Right now, we’re working on a bar for Woodworks Distillery, which weighs about 600 pounds. When we started five years ago, we made a bunch of stuff for the Myriad Gardens using walnut and reclaimed wood from a bowling alley. Tell me how your style and materials have evolved.
When it comes to wood, Hammack says Oklahoma black walnut is king.
Some people want the live-edge look but they want a traditional shape. The resin does that. It’s also really cool looking, especially the black resin, which we’ve been using a lot lately. Once we started to build molds, we realized we could use the [live-edge] wood as the river and use the resin to make the circumference of the circle or the edge of a rectangle – to make things that were live edge and rustic fit into a more modern aesthetic. We really want to make artistic stuff rather than run-of-the-mill stuff. We want each piece to be unique and one of a kind, so you can say, “I’m the only person that has this.” 405MAGAZINE.COM
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B A C K
The precursor to the Oklahoma National Stockyards
Cowboy Culture and the Real West Oklahoma City’s cattle auction has grown into the world’s largest BY M E L I S S A M E R C E R H O W E L L
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Cattlemen at the stockyards
which was a sizable amount of money. With one roll of the dice, Gene Wade was in the restaurant business. The ‘33’ brand on the wall of Cattlemen’s Hereford Room became a well-known symbol of Wade’s good fortune,” according to the Cattlemen’s Steakhouse website. Ultimately, Oklahoma City grew around Packingtown, and the plants were forced to close in the 1960s and ’70s. However, the stockyards flourished, going to live auction in 1961. It has since grown into the largest live auction in the world, Payne said. “This is a testament to the resilience of farmers and ranchers. When you come here, you’re walking on history.”
COURTESY OF OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
I N 1 9 0 8 , SE V E R A L M E M BE R S OF T H E OK L A HOM A City Commercial Club, later the Chamber of Commerce, anxiously awaited the arrival of noted guest Thomas E. Wilson of Morris & Company, a meatpacking company based in Chicago. Wilson made the 800-mile trek at the invitation of business leaders Anton Classen, Sidney Brock and others including Charles Colcord. Wilson was intrigued by Oklahoma City’s central location, its proximity to several railroad lines and its considerable livestock market. Classen and the chamber were interested in the boost Morris & Co. could give to Oklahoma City’s flagging economy at the time. When he arrived, Wilson found an Oklahoma City that was a far cry from Chicago. “According to fable, there was one automobile in Oklahoma City. While driving it to the edge of town (just 5 miles), they got bogged down in quicksand and plum thickets. It took hours and a lot of pushing to get there,” said Kelli Payne, president of Oklahoma National Stockyards. Eventually a deal was struck for 200 acres of land on the south bank of the N. Canadian River, and Morris established a plant and the Oklahoma National Stockyards there in 1910. That same year, Schwarzchild and Sulzberger — later Armour and Company — established a packing plant near the Morris facility, and the area took on the moniker of “Packingtown.” “With the import of thousands of rugged cattlemen and ranchers, who had blazed a trail here with their cows, horses and other livestock, plus huge packing plants which employed one-eighth of the population of Oklahoma City, it was a prime situation for mayhem,” wrote Bonnie Stahlman Speer in her book, Historic Stockyards City and Oklahoma National Stock Yards. “Almost every business sheltered a house of prostitution on the top floor. Nearly everyone was involved in gambling and bootlegging, in one way or another,” she wrote. During a Christmas Eve incident in 1945, legend has it that Hank Frey, owner of local landmark Cattlemen’s Café, got into a high-stakes dice game with rancher Percy Wade. “In a smoke-filled room at the old Biltmore Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City … Frey put up Cattlemen’s as the pot if Wade could roll a ‘hard six,’ otherwise known as two 3s. Wade put up his life savings,
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LibertyFest Goes Gold Edmond’s must-see Independence Day celebration BY J A K E D U R H A M
I N D E P E N D E N C E DAY DI D N O T become a federal holiday until 1941. However, celebrating the holiday dates back to the 18th century. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Independence Day, and two days later, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Independence Day festivities began in Philadelphia in 1777 at the first formal 4th of July celebration. Since then, most cities and municipalities have observed the holiday with various activities, including concerts, parades, family gatherings and fireworks to celebrate the birth of American independence. Several locales have 78
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Marchers in Revolutionary Warera uniforms during the parade
been renowned for having among the country’s most spectacular celebrations — and Edmond, Oklahoma, is among them. “LibertyFest has a strong 50-year history in the Edmond community, which has spanned multiple generations,” said president-elect and publicity co-chair Eriech Tapia. “Not only is it a time to celebrate our great nation, but also a time of fun family festivals. No other festival in Oklahoma can claim the traditions that LibertyFest has created among families across our nation. People drive from surrounding states to come to LibertyFest events, and we take pride in knowing that we are creating memories for all generations.” Many celebrations garner a large turnout for their fireworks displays. However, LibertyFest has gained additional notoriety for the number of activities it hosts and its festival length. USA Today and CNN rated LibertyFest as one of the top 10 4th of July celebrations in the U.S. Ten events are at the heart of the festival, which spans a week and includes: - Flag Retirement Ceremony
- ParkFest
- Rodeo
- RoadRally
- Car Show
- Liberty Sprint
- Kite Fest
- Parade
- Concert in the Park
- Fireworks
“The parade has become one of the most popular events and has a positive reputation of quality entries, large crowds and a safe and secure staging area,” said parade chairman Jerry James. Over the years, costs to run the event have steadily increased along with its size. In 1973, LibertyFest required an investment of approximately $5,000. Today, $45,000 is spent on fireworks and $30,000 on insurance. Donations help support the festivities, with the most considerable contributions from the City of Edmond and the festival’s main sponsor, Citizens Bank of Edmond. Approximately 400 volunteers are also needed. “LibertyFest events represent the patriotism that is found in every American,” said Tapia. “Our events bring everybody from all walks of life together. It truly is a festival that any person can come to and enjoy. We pride ourselves in making sure that the majority of our events are free for families.” Festivities began on June 19 this year and continue through July 4. For more information, visit libertyfest.org.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
LibertyFest closes its annual festival with its fireworks show
M O R E
Strength, Knowledge, & Direction
FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE
LEGACY FINANCIAL ADVISORS JOHN V. SKURKEY
CFP®, MSFS, CLU, ChFC Accredited Estate Planner
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JACQUELYN SKURKEY Representative Associate
Legacy Financial Advisors, LLC 10005 N May Avenue, Suite 100, OKC, 73120
Securities and advisory services offered through Centaurus Financial, Inc. a registered broker/dealer, a member FINRA and SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Legacy Financial Advisors, LLC and Centaurus Financial, Inc. are not affiliated companies. Supervisory Branch Address: 2300 E. Katella Ave., Ste 200, Anaheim, CA 92806
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BEST SHOT @FLIGHT TIMEOKC BY STEVE JOHNSON Are you following us on Instagram? We post daily content from the magazine, as well as news and events happening in the 405. You can also tag us in your Best Shots of the 405 by using hashtag #your405
OVERHEARD New Breast Cancer Center Coming To OKC” @NEWS9 Located at Southwest 89th Street and Portland, Premier Breast Health Institute of Oklahoma offers 3D mammography, breast MRI, genetic cancer screenings and digital ultrasounds.
Big Gigantic at the OKC Farmers Market on July 13th” @ SU B SO N IXO K B ig Gigantic is an American instrumental electronic hiphop and jazz musical duo from Colorado.
“My two sisters and I went on the cocktail cruise (okrivercruises) and really enjoyed it! It was one of our favorite parts of a short weekend in OKC. Highly recommend.” @ C HR I S T YC A R R I E R on Facebook. Enjoy the sunset river cruise from June 3 to September 24 for just $30!
NEWSLETTER
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I’m not saying you should…but the OKC Museum of Art has actual art kits for kids (free). It’s marvelous.” @ M RSWEB B I E
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909 S Meridian Ave • Oklahoma City, OK 73108 • 405.949.7000 • Fax: 405.947.3795 DOWNTOWN: 115 Park Ave • Oklahoma City, OK 73102 • 405.946.2265 • Fax: 405.949.2600 NMLS #449326
T H E O N E . T H E O N LY.
A LEGACY OF FINE FURNITURE FOR 63 YEARS
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Est. 1958 • 109 East Main • Norman • 405.321.1818 • MisterRobert.com •
