Live and Let Love by Oklahoma Gazette

FREEEVERYOTHER W EDNESDAY|METRO OKC’ SI NDEPENDENTBI W EEKLY|JUNE23,2021

June 26, 2021 Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark

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INSIDE COVER The return of Pride celebrations to Oklahoma City are marked by a shift to Scissortail Park this spring while the 39th Street tradition will resume this fall. By Miguel Rios Cover by Phillip Danner

NEWS COVER Pride OKC Pride Alliance award winners 10 Gary Mize 12 Chicken-Fried News 5 8

EAT & DRINK 15

Oklahoma Brewer’s Fest

16 Gazedibles

ARTS & CULTURE 19

Oklahoma Contemporary

23 Calendar

MUSIC 26

Live music

THE HIGH CULTURE 28 29

Relax Park Strain review

FUN 30 31

Puzzles sudoku | crossword Astrology

VOL. XLIII NO. 03 PUBLISHER | Bryan Hallman bhallman@okgazette.com EDITOR | Matt Dinger mdinger@okgazette.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Phillip Danner DIGITAL MEDIA & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR | Kendall Bleakley ADVERTISING advertising@okgazette.com 405-528-6000 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Saundra Godwin | sgodwin@okgazette.com Christy Duane | cduane@okgazette.com Jonathon Simms | jsimms@okgazette.com Melissa Griffin | mgriffin@okgazette.com ACCOUNTING/HR MANAGER Monique Dodd | mdodd@okgazette.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Patrick Hanscom | phanscom@okgazette.com CONTRIBUTORS Miguel Rios Jacob Threadgill Josh Wallace Jerry Bennett Garry Mize Berlin Green

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Post-Pandemic

Photos Nick Marek Photography

By Miguel Rios

After a year of social distancing with no traditional Pride events, organizations prepare to celebrate with in-person events. hosts their official Pride festivities downtown the weekend of June 25-27. OKC Pride Inc. will host their events in September because of

OKLAHOMA CITY PRIDE ALLIANCE This year’s theme is “Rainbow Revolution.” This will mark the first time a Pride parade and celebration takes place in the heart of OKC, which Pride Alliance President Hannah Royce said fits well with their theme. “It is a revolutionary act that we’re taking it downtown and out of a street that was coined to be the only place for us,” Royce said. “Truthfully, we exist everywhere, and we always have existed everywhere – from Deep Deuce to the east side to the south side – we are in every crack and crevice.” The three-day festival kicks off at 5 p.m. June 25 at Scissortail Park with a performance at 9pm by headliner Greyson Chance, a singer-songwriter and Oklahoma native who went viral in 2010 for his performance of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” at a middle school talent show. “This is sort of Greyson’s homecoming,” Royce said. “This is really important for our youth – to see that even though you can grow, and you can stretch beyond our city, there’s nothing wrong with being so proud of this place that you call it home forever, and that we invest our time and love in it. That’s really the message that Pride Alliance and Greyson are ready to give on Friday night.” The parade will be at 10 a.m. June 26, starting at the corner of Sheridan and Shartel avenues, continuing east until Hudson Avenue, then going south

until reaching Scissortail Park. The farmer’s market will also be happening from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 26 in the park. “Scissortail Park’s tagline is that it’s a park for everyone, and it’s a really neutral territory in the heartbeat of the city,” Royce said. “Making waves and taking up space in this way is something I know Greyson’s ready to do. We’re ready to do, and I think a lot of the city is ready to do with us.” After the parade, Royce said they will be hosting a “town hall” to honor this year’s grand marshals. Pride Alliance will continue a theme they set in 2019 to honor a legend and a rebel. This year’s legend is Paula Sophia, a transgender woman and LGBTQ+ activist who previously ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The rebel is Mauree Turner, who made history in 2020 for becoming the first nonbinary state legislator in US history and the first Muslim lawmaker in Oklahoma. Throughout the weekend, there will be 40 vendors along the park’s main walkway along Robinson Avenue. The Sky Rink at Scissortail Park will also have a full schedule of events all weekend, including a drag-on-wheels show with Shalula and opportunities for people to skate. Sunbeam will sponsor the Family Zone in the park’s Play Pavilion, bringing activities and resources for children and families all weekend. “A lot of volunteers have come together to make that Family Zone super special,” Royce said. “They’ll have other family resources from Sunbeam and some of their partners. … We’re really excited because we know queer families exist, and they’re worthy of a whole Family Zone that’s just for them.” Sunday, June 27 will be a wellness day, beginning with yoga on the park’s Great Lawn, and wrapping up with closing ceremonies at 3 p.m. Royce hopes to be able to leverage the expected economic impact into ways to be better funded and provide o p p o r t u n it i e s f o r L GB T Q + Oklahomans. Pride Alliance is already committing to giving 5 percent of their annual budget out through various micro grants to local queer artists.

They hope to announce the full program in the fall. The Festival of the Arts will also be ongoing through the same weekend, but Royce said they’ve been working with that group and the city to ensure there is synergy between the events. In terms of parking, Royce said they will be helping people navigate where to park through social media and marketing efforts. She encourages people to take advantage of the OKC Streetcar, which will be free. “Unless you are queer, and you have been to a Pride surrounded by people for the first time or the first time in a long time, and you finally feel that internalized homophobia go away; that’s salvation,” Royce said. “It’s hard for us to actually pinpoint it because it’s so intrinsic. Pride is a feeling, and everyone wants that feeling. There’s a hunger for it, a desire for it. That’s why, it doesn’t matter where it is because Pride is a people. Pride is us.” Visit okcpridealliance.org. Scan QR Code with your smart phone.

OKC PRIDE INC.

Due to ongoing street enhancements on NW 39th Street, the city’s historic LGBTQ+ district, OKC Pride Inc. will host their celebrations Sept. 24-26, though they do plan to return to June events in the future. Adam Reese, OKC Pride Inc. president, said they don’t expect the street enhancements to interfere with their events.

“Hopefully they’ll be 100 percent done, but at the minimum, they may just have some bushes and plants and trees to finish up after Pride,” he said. “But they will come to a stopping point, let us do our celebration for the weekend, and come back and finish up if they have anything to finish up.” The street enhancements are being made to the area bounded by NW 39th Street on the south, NW 40th Street on the north, Pennsylvania Avenue to the east and Youngs Boulevard to the west. The street will be widened with added on-street parking, lighting and a sidewalk. “It will make the area well-lit, extremely safe for pedestrians and cars, and it’s going to add more parking than it will take away. It’s going to be phenomenal when it’s done,” Reese said. “We’re super excited that the city has invested in this area.” OKC Pride’s theme came from suggestions via Facebook, “There’s No Place Like Home… Respecting Our Past, Welcoming Our Future.” The three-day celebration includes a festival with vendors, entertainment, and the parade. “We’re making sure that this year is the best it possibly can be in the short amount of time that we have,” he said. “We have some amazing talent that we’re lining up, but I can’t announce that until we actually have the binding contract. I’m chomping at the bit, ready to announce that, though, because I think it’s going to be one of the best Prides that 39th Street District has seen. We’ve got one big headliner that I am so excited to announce.” Reese encourages people who want to be involved with OKC Pride Inc. to attend their open meeting, which happens on the second Monday of each month at Hilton Garden Inn. The organization’s Facebook page and website will be updated with more

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information leading up to September. “Pride is about the community. Pride is about all of us and everyone’s identity. I want us to all play nice together,” he said. “There’s room for more than one Pride in this community.” Visit okcpride.org. Scan QR Code with your smart phone.

Rocky relationship Despite both organizations working on Pride events for LGBTQ+ Oklahomans and even collaborating in the past, their relationship has soured. In December 2020, John Gibbons, president of 39th Street District and former member of OKC Pride Inc., filed a lawsuit against Pride Alliance. The

basis of the lawsuit was on the “unlawful dissolution of OKC Pride” and the “transfer of all of OKC Pride’s assets to OKC Pride Alliance” in late 2019. In early 2019, Pride Inc. was dealing with the fallout of an embezzlement scandal that ultimately caused the group to fall apart. Lauren Zuniga, former director of 39th Street, previously told Oklahoma Gazette that the district almost hosted the Pride festivities, but due to the group’s status as a 501(c)(4) status, she decided to step down to form the 501(c) (3) nonprofit Pride Alliance, which fully organized the official Pride events in 2019. Those events were touted by city and LGBTQ+ leaders as the most attended and successful Pride celebrations in city history. Court records in the lawsuit filed by Gibbons allege that Zuniga was asked to resign for taking those actions “without permission or consent.” Court records also allege that because the Pride Alliance events were “much larger” than what 39th Street District Association had envisioned, they severed ties with Zuniga and Pride Alliance. Pride Alliance denies these claims.

Photos Nick Marek Photography

Photos Nick Marek Photography 6

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However, both groups agree that in 2019 three members of the board of directors of OKC Pride Inc. held a special meeting and decided to dissolve the group and transfer any remaining assets to Pride Alliance shortly after. Judge Aletia Haynes Timmons ruled that the special meeting and the “attempted dissolution” were both against the group’s own bylaws. She ordered that OKC Pride Inc. be reinstated, that Pride Alliance return all property of OKC Pride Inc, and that Pride Alliance are no longer allowed to use the term “‘OKC Pride’ or any other confusingly similar variation” without the use of any other modifiers. Pride Alliance was also ordered to no longer use “OKC Pride” or “Oklahoma City Pride” domains. Royce said that no assets were ever actually transferred from OKC Pride Inc. to Pride Alliance because the funds were restitution money from the lawsuit against the former president that embezzled money from the group. That restitution money was held by the Oklahoma County District Attorney. “So everything that the Pride Alliance utilized or built in 2019 when we formed was ours. Nothing was given back to them other than we took down

our domain,” Royce said. “We are still in litigation. … My last update was that they are willing to wind that down because they have been able to reorganize the former OKC Pride Inc.” Reese said the lawsuit was important because it was about OKC Pride Inc. being recognized as the historic organization it is. “It has been the official Pride of 39th Street District for over 30 years, and that was the whole purpose of the lawsuit. Saying, ‘We’re here. We’re still here, and we continue to exist. You can’t just dissolve a 30+ year organization,’” Reese said. “The biggest part of it is the history of the organization, and the level of support that we’ve had has been tremendous from the community.” Both organizations have expressed interest in moving on from the lawsuit. “We’re not giving up on 39th Street, our relationships, or any of that. Every beating heart is a part of the collective, and that’s what this work is about,” Royce said. “We don’t cancel people. We don’t kick people out…. We bring them in. We have those tough conversations, and then we get back to work.”

Photos Nick Marek Photography

Ousted Democratic Rep. Kendra Horn celebrates Pride in 2019. Horn lost her seat in 2020 to Republican Stephanie Bice. Photos Nick Marek Photography

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The Oklahoma City Pride Alliance will also present the 2021 Rainbow Awards. Each award is named after a color in the Pride flag. Recipients will be honored in person during the Pridefest town hall June 26 at 12:30 p.m. Here is the full list of the award winners and the reasons they were chosen to represent each particular stripe.

Hot Pink (Sex/Liberation) — Adele Wolf (she/her) Adele started the Oklahoma Burlesque Festival and has shown extreme liberation and body positivity through her expressions in burlesque and other talents.

Red (Life) — Cynthia Garcia (she/Ella) Cynthia Garcia is receiving the color Red for Life because of her tireless work through United We Dream for our undocumented community members locally and globally.

Orange (Healing) — The Center at the University of Central Oklahoma The Center serves as a site of information, research, grant funding and advocacy for issues regarding women, gender and sexuality. The Center also acts as a resource for the BGLTQ+ community, a crucial community meeting place and an educational resource.

Yellow (Sunlight/Visibility) — Tyreke Baker and The Black Times (he/him) Ty and his team at The Black Times have been showing us what activism through journalism looks like the last year and we’re so proud of all they’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time.

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Green (Nature/ Environmentalism/ Conservation) — Katrina Ward (she/her) and the 23rd Street Community Garden Katrina Ward started the 23rd Street Community Garden last year. It is queer, neurodivergent, disabled, multi-genterational, anti-capitalist, gender non-confirming, trans, Indigenous, and a lot of fun.

Turquoise (Magic/Art - Drag/ Creatives/Artists) ̶ Am’re Ford (he/him) of Arts in Action and Fire in Little Africa

Indigo (Serenity) — Dr. Kate Arnold and Phil Burke at Variety Care This team at Variety Care are working hard to build out real safety for queer people and provide gender affirming health resources for them.

Violet (Spirit) ̶ Adriana Laws (she/ her) at the Collegiate Freedom and Justice Society Brought the true meaning of Pride to every protest and direct action she planned last summer and continues to show her spirit through activism as a Black queer woman.

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our best foot forward nor are we headed down a path of finding real solutions leading us towards life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Make no mistake, I am under no misconceptions about the number of differing opinions and ideas of how to move forward. I would argue that those individuals that helped to create the government under which we live and breathe designed it in such a manner. Those differences in opinion help to produce best practices while helping as many people as possible. In a word, utilitarianism. However, one thing I don’t think we disagree with is that the hatred and disgust seems to negate any good that could come from those disagreements. Instead, what seems to be playing out now on a federal and state level is the swinging of the pendulum back and forth creating an environment of exhaustion, political unrest, encroachment into personal preferences and a growing hatred for those that might disagree. Folks, this is a losing strategy and one that will never produce the desired unity reflected in the name of our country. So what is the path forward? How do we get better, be better, do better given the current state of unrest and dissension in our country? I will pose two potential solutions as a jumping off point. First, I believe it would benefit us to remember that differences are part of who we are as a people and country. Many people of different backgrounds, religious beliefs, skin colors and ideologies came to this country in its early days. I believe this reality made our country great and still can today. We must remember that it was this di-

Editor’s note: When Rep. G a r r y M i z e , R-Guthr i e, l ear ned that Oklahoma Gazette woul d r esume pr i nt ing , h e exte nded an ol i ve br anch and of f e r e d to pe n a s e m i - r e g u l ar c o l u m n i n an a t te mp t to br i dg e t h e eve r- de e pe n i n g po l i t i c a l di v i de i n o u r c u l t u r e b e t we e n t h e l e f t an d r i g h t . I n t h e s p i r i t o f t h e t r u e c o mmuni ty paper we hope to m o r ph Oklahoma Gazette i nto over th e nex t f ew months, af ter a f ew backgr o u n d ch e ck s , we took him up on his of f e r. When I was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2018, I was very new to the political environment. There were many things (and still are, for that matter) that I did not know. As with any new endeavor, especially those with steep learning curves, you become a quick learner. Holding public office is no exception. Decorum, caucus politics, continued fundraising, resources both inside and outside the Capitol, constituent relations, county resources, city resources … the list goes on. Contrary to popular belief, they do not hand you a board of fix-it buttons that you can push for every problem that you encounter (how nice would that be). That said, one of the most difficult problems to solve, especially in the last year, has been navigating my way as an elected official in an environment riddled with political discourse that in no way, shape or form resembles civility. I don’t believe I am alone in this opinion and I don’t think we have to look very far to find truth in it. Is it just an age-old struggle that has lain dormant, or am I just now so keenly aware because of my position? Regardless, it saddens me, and I don’t believe that we as a society are putting 10

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versity that led to the ingenuity and creativity which helped pave the way to present-day America. These differences can be appreciated and even respected if we weren’t so offended all the time, so fragile and insecure in our own skin. That goes for both sides. Secondly, I say this often and will say it again: We should try walking a mile in someone else’s shoes. I don’t mean we have to buy into all of the ideas that are being thrown at us, some of which I disagree with wholeheartedly, but that doesn’t stop me from listening, I am not so closed off that I can’t try to understand someone’s experience and how that idea may have led them down a totally different life path producing a very different result than even my neighbor across the street. If we are so unwilling to entertain t he s e si mple ideas, how are we to ever have a community? A good example that we need to come together and discuss is in the arena of mental health and substance abuse. As a state, we have a huge need in both of these areas and would benefit from collaborative efforts at conversations and real solutions. This is a simple example of an opportunity to work in a bi-partisan manner because when these issues touch an individual or family, it does not reveal itself as red or blue. This isn’t easy to do and I’m not saying it will be easy to change our current state of unrest. You can be firm in your beliefs and stand up for what you think is right and the best path forward. But ask yourself: Do I have to turn my

back on my neighbor in an effort to convince them I’m right? What if we actually appreciated some of the differences afforded us by the First Amendment? The worst that could happen is that we start the conversation.

Re p. G a r r y M i ze, R-Guthri e P h oto p rov i d e d

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chicken friedNEWS

Williams then does the city council equivalent of “I’m not racist, but…” explaining how everyone can live side-by-side with her on Lapwing Road, presumably as long as they keep their gay mouths shut and don’t do any queer stuff. If you’d like to see all the other “tolerant” citizens and straight rights advocates boast about how inclusive they and their city are before spewing their Fox News talking points, the whole sordid affair is online. While Edmond struggles desperately to rebrand itself as something resembling a city that isn’t called Stepford, it’s also fitting that one of the “hip” bars in the town is called The Patriarch with no semblance of irony. Nothing against the fine selection of beers on tap there and I’m sure the employees are wonderful, but while Edmond is still the home of these bigots, it’s going to be incredibly hard to convince us to sit beside them at the lunch counter.

Edmond may have just elected its first black mayor, but some residents are apparently still pining for the days when it was a sundown town. A reading of the proclamation for the first recognized Pride month in the city by Mayor Darrell Davis was interrupted by Karen … errr … Cheryl Williams. “I am deeply offended because someone on this council felt like he could speak for all of you without your vote and most likely without your input and then shove it down my throat. That’s not the America I live in,” Williams said. She goes on to name the ship her ancestors arrived in America aboard. I wonder what the name of the ship Davis’s ancestors arrived on was. Anyway…

Nothing induces a craving for a waffle cone from Braum’s like reading the alleged antics of Dippin’ Dots “C.E.O” Stephen S. Fischer towards his ex-girlfriend. We put the title in quotation marks because it’s obvious from reading the civil petition filed against this silverspooned fuckboi that he wouldn’t have made shift manager in one of his own ice cream shops without “an ownership group principally comprising his father” which “bought the company out of bankruptcy in and around 2012,” according to the petition against Fischer, filed June 10 in Oklahoma County District Court. On a minor note and for what it’s worth, this landed on Chicken Fried News’ desk shortly after the petition was filed. Damn these two-week publication windows. The court filing is particularly horrendous, claiming that not only had Fischer threatened on multiple occasions to send out sexually

chicken friedNEWS SPECIAL

Last month, former editorial page editor for The Oklahoman J.E. McReynolds finally caught on to something the rest of the state has known for decades: Oklahoma City’s daily newspaper is an atrocity. Unfortunately, for McReynolds, “Contempt of cus-

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tomer: The Oklahoman has lost its way,” did not land the way he had hoped with some people, including former co-workers whose reporting he formerly twisted into his bent little screeds. One such reporter went out of his way to tell McReynolds what he thought of his piece, penning from his personal email on his personal time. The ex-colleague concluded his first correspondence with the following: “It’s good that you retired, because whatever skills you may have previously possessed have either withered entirely or are so irrelevant in 2021 as to be worthless. Educate yourself before you

compromising photos of his ex, but on one occasion had actually done so. To her mother. There are also numerous references to the possible repoing of a dog as well as vague threats involving Dippin’ Dots corporate counsel. Yikes, yikes and yikes again. We see why Fischer’s attorneys tried (and failed) to seal the petition. Even if only a tenth of what is purported turns out to be true, Fischer seems like nothing if not a bouquet of red flags. The problem with an attempted boycott of Dippin’ Dots in Oklahoma is that the product is mostly found frozen into congealed, waxy chunks stuffed into out-of-the-way freezers in dimly-lit convenience stores. It turns out Dippin’ Dots isn’t the only loser Fischer’s daddy is bankrolling.

finish rotting from the inside out.” Ouch. But hell hath no fury like a boomer scorned. El oh el. McReynolds, shielded for decades from criticism by the buffer zone of a post office box, couldn’t take the heat of receiving opinions he so gladly dished out to those of us unfortunate enough not to flip past The Oklahoman’s editorial pages before catching an eyeful of McReynolds’ intellectual pretzel-making. In an email to Oklahoma City Manager Craig Freeman and the mayor, McReynold once again twisted facts in an attempt to convince the former reporter’s em-

chicken friedNEWS CO LO R I N G PAG E

Former Opinion Page Editor for The Oklahoman J.E. McReynolds

ployers to take action to defend little old him. “You need to deal with this employee or I’ll have to explore other options. This man is out of control. The fact that he tracked me down to my home is borderline stalking. The messages he keeps sending cross a line that should not be crossed. His extant anger, with which I had nothing to do, seems to be building.” First, by his “home,” McReynolds means his Gmail address, because not only does McReynolds no longer live in The Oklahoman’s distribution area, he doesn’t even live in the state. Why do we know that? Because the idiot signs his emails with his … you guessed it, physical home

address. And how do we know that? Because once you send an email from your “home” to a public institution, that email becomes public, something someone proclaiming themselves to be a “journalist” should certainly know. So while our first instinct is to publish his Eureka Springs, Ark. address so our readers can stuff his mailbox with the adjacent coloring page, we’ll take the high ground (and save our readers 55 cents) and just let you send them to his “home” where we tracked him. Just kidding. But open records requests sent to Oklahoma City are free when fulfilled by email, so if you wanted to read the rest of the correspondence,

you can just request items from “James McReynolds from May 29 onward. Oh, and the city employee? He’s still on the job. Because, unlike McReynolds, our city government actually believes in the First Amendment.

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J U N E 2 3 , 2 0 2 1 | OKGA Z E T TE .COM E AT & DRINK

BEER ME BRO!

Vanessa House Photos Josh Wallace

byJOSH WALLACE

just the community aspect of it. Craft beer is kind of an amazing little industry because it’s so fun and friendly.” That community feel is what separates the craft brew industry from other industries that hold events, which Langford described as typically more business-driven and generally less fun. Patrick Lively, founder of Lively Beerworks in Oklahoma City, said he’s looking forward to engaging with festival-goers. “I think we’re really optimistic on the turnout. Early ticket sales have been really good, above expectations,”

The inaugural Oklahoma Brewer’s Fest will allow drinkers to sample from more than 100 beers, including many never before released from many of Oklahoma’s best breweries. The festival, held June 26 at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will feature more than 40 breweries, ranging from large scale breweries to homebrewers just breaking into the industry. Two sessions are planned. The first runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the second from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For smaller and brand-new breweries, the festival will be one of the first great opportunities in a long while to engage with beer lovers from across the state, Executive Director of the Craft Brewers A ssociation of Ok la homa Tabbi Burwell said. “First, they ’re getting their name out there, so the public is seeing them maybe for the first time, or they see them maybe on social media but now they get to try their beer. I think it also gives the brewers this oppor t unit y of knowing what the festival world is like,” Burwell said. “We’re estimating 2,000 people can be at this event, so having an event of that magnitude and keeping up with an event of that magnitude, I think Top Left: FairWeather Friends Top Right: Broken Bow Brewery Bottom: Lively that’s important to Beerworks Photos Josh Wallace them.” Charn Lang ford, CEO of Broke Brewing Co. in Oklahoma Lively said. “We see a great opportuCity, agreed that it’s important to have nity to put our beer into people’s hands that exposure, especially as his that maybe have never tried it. Just brewery opened just before last year’s sort of get that process of doing beer shutdown in March due COVID-19. events and bringing the beer commu“Getting back out, it’s great from a nity together in Oklahoma.” business perspective, the marketing For Evan Smith, Co-founder and and getting in front of fresh faces that Operations Manager for Vanessa House may not have heard of you,” Langford Beer Company, he’s ready to get back said. “The other side of it is definitely out after well over a year without

having participated in a festival. “We’re really excited just to get out and doing tastings again. We haven’t done a festival, because they usually start in April and May and we shut down right about that time last year, and they end in like October or November, so it’s been 18 months,” Smith said. In addition to being able to gain exposure for his brewery and to create new fans of their beers, Smith said he’s always excited to bring the “latest and greatest” of their offerings, many of which don’t leave the taproom. Although many breweries will be

Smith said they’re participating and will be releasing a new variation of their recent “Slush Fund” beers, sour and smoothie-style beers, several of which are available at their taproom currently. Langford said his brewery will be releasing a spontaneous fermentation beer, a process where wild yeast and bacteria is introduced through open air contact as opposed to selecting a domesticated yeast strain to start the fermentation process. “It’s a one-off. It’ll probably run out when we’re at the festival,” Langford said. “If you’re not there then you’re probably not going to get to try it.” A lso participating, Lively said he’d prefer to keep the beer they’re bringing under wraps until its release at the festival. Genera l admission tickets a re $45 a nd include a souvenir plastic taster. VIP tickets are $90 and include a commemorative glass taster, 30-minute early access before scheduled opening time, a festival T-shirt and a parking voucher for the Joe Carter Lot, just east of the ballpark. The festival is for those 21 years old and older, and guests are subject to the ballpark’s clear bag policy. For more information about Brewfest, scanthe QR Code below with your smart phone.

bringing fan favorites, organizers tasked most with coming up with something special for the inaugural festival. “We have about 35 breweries out of the 42 that we have coming who are going to be brewing a beer just for the festival,” said Burwell. “The people coming to this event, the patrons, will be trying beer they’ve never had before and then there’ll also be some of their favorite beers.” E AT & DRINK OKGA Z E T TE .COM | J U N E 2 3 , 2 0 2 1

GAZEDIBLES

Birria Buzz No dish gained in popularity across the country over the 18 months like birria tacos. According to Eater New York, in 2018 the birria hashtag received only around 1,000 views on TikTok, the year of the social media platform’s entry to the U.S., to 3.2 million views by 2019, and 284 million in 2020. By March of this year, the same hashtag already received over 148 million views. From restaurants serving the dish long before its viral popularity, to others taking the dish and all of its social media incarnations, these seven metro area locations offer their own renditions of birria. Photos Provided

Birrieria El Guero 1441 SW 25th Street 405-768-3470

This food truck popped up at this South OKC location at the end of 2019, and advertises as offering Tijuana-style street quesabirria tacos, but also has a few options not found elsewhere in the city. Birrieria El Guero offers birria served over crispy fries, and has in the past paired with another food truck, Hot Rod Dogs, to offer a birriatopped hot dog.

Birrieria Diaz

El Birrias Restaurant

This home to Jailisco-style stewed birria has been one of the best Mexican restaurants in the metro since its opening in 2011. Your choice of beef or lamb is slow cooked until impossibly tender, served with housemade tortillas, salsas and accoutrements. The restaurant has expanded its dining room over the years, and its menu with it, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

This western Oklahoma City restaurant operates under the same ownership as Birrieria Diaz, but offers a slightly different menu, where quesabirria tacos have been available as the off-the-menu item “drowned tacos” long before their viral explosion. El Birrias also offers the Jailisco stew with either beef or lamb and breakfast, like its sister restaurant, but its menu has additional burrito options than the Bethany location.

6700 NW 39th Expressway Birrieriadiaz.com 405-603-1304

1933 N. MacArthur Blvd. Facebook.com/El-Birrias-Restaurant 405-495-8700

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Birrieria El Rancho

1300 SW 44th Street Facebook.com/Rancho-VillageFood-Mart | 405-688-6000

Located inside the Rancho Village Food Mart, Birrieria El Rancho stands out from the pack by offering a viral variation, Birria ramen, as consommé and chunks of birria meat are poured into Tapatio-brand ramen styrofoam cup. Customers can also try a baked potato topped with birria, cheese and sour cream, in addition to birria tacos

Pla Kong’s Cantina and Chill 1016 N. Walker Ave. Kongstavern.com 405-602-2074

This midtown hang offers an elevated version of the street food. Braised brisket serves as the basis of Kong’s birria tacos and ramen. The tacos are served with sides of cilantro rice, black beans and fried plantains. The ramen is topped with a softboiled egg, fried shallots and garlic. They pair well with Kong’s Mexican fusion pizza, which uses a scallion pancake for the crust.

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Sinaloa’s location at Edmond’s Conscious Community Co-Op is the perfect pairing with the eatery’s philosophy of offering as many local products in all of menu items as possible. For a small location, it has a big menu that begins with breakfast and expands to include many coastal Mexican offerings like 11 types of shrimp, in addition to other seafood. Its birria tacos ($3.99 each) are the best of its kind in Edmond.

Slow-cooked meat is the name of the game at this South OKC restaurant. Birria’s low and slow cousin, barbacoa , which is traditionally made with beef cheek or head, is the star at KR Tacos. The restaurant has offered Jailisco-style birria de res for years, but has hopped on the viral trend by offering quesabirra tacos that take on a bright orange hue when dipped in the consommé.

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By Matt Dinger

I n s i d e a j ag g e d a l u m i n u m h u l k lo o m i n g n e a r the northeastern edge o f d ow ntow n O k l a h o m a C it y, a n a m o r p h o u s h i v e o f c r e at i v i t y r e s i d e s .

Like nearly everything else on the planet, the opening of the new Oklahoma Contemporary building, 11 NW 11th St., was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. But you couldn’t tell it while paying a visit, with each floor of the building buzzing with sound and people endlessly entering and leaving the exhibits. Access to the exhibits at Oklahoma Contemporary are always free. Visitors are granted admittance to the art center at 15-minute intervals during the day. Slots can be reserved online. Pressing matters first: The Ed Ruscha: OKLA exhibit closes July 5.

nt s e r r tion Cu ur r ibeint h ex xhibit ions Ruscha, an American art legend, spent his formative years in Oklahoma City before moving to Los Angeles when he was 18. Oklahoma Contemporary’s exhibit is the first to focus on his Oklahoma influence, from small sketches to a continuous loop of “Miracle,” one of two films Ruscha made during his career. A variation of the “shaggy dog tale,” “Miracle” follows the transformation of a mechanic’s coveralls as he works on an old car. There are five sections to Ed Ruscha: OKLA, including Pop Origins, which focuses on the American cultural influences on his work and 51% Angel, 49% Devil, in which Ruscha’s Catholic up-

bringing is examined. The nearly 75 pieces of art span this entire career and multiple mediums. Of particular interest is the “Chocolate Room” installation, which still holds faint notes of the cocoa in which it’s covered. Another exhibit not to sleep on during the last month and a half it’s on display is We Believed in the Sun, a collaborative exhibit between Ron Tarver, an established artist, and Ebony Iman Dallas, an emerging Oklahoma artist whose work can be seen in several places locally, including a new mural on the western side of The Market at Eastpointe in northeast Oklahoma City. — Jaime Thompson The exhibit closes Aug. 9. Crystal Z. Campbell’s installation “Flight” is also on display until November. It examines the aftermath of the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921. Through the summer, the Friday night series allows visitors 21 and older to drink while attending an art workshop. The program will shift to Thursday nights late in the summer.

Ed Ruscha Exhibit goes til July 5th Photos Phillip Danner

“Understand that contemporary art and arts is for everyone. If you’re part of the world that exists right now, you get contemporary art, because that’s what it is. It’s just a response to our world. So we just want to show people how accessible art making is. It’s not making a Rembrandt.”

Left & Above “We Believed in the Sun”Oklahoma Born Ron Tarver & Oklahoma City based artist Ebony Iman Dallas will be on display til Sept 20 Photos Phillip Danner

Continued on pg 20

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Continued from pg 20

Sum sch mer r o e o m l m l Su For those who want ongoing education and not a one-off night at the center, Studio School sessions are in full swing this year. Individual registrations vary, but offerings range from learning to write a personal essay to a DJ class that is unparalleled in the nation. “We actually have been doing studio school for some time and we have moved to the new building, though, and I think that’s going to mark the change further

grams and expanded the program quite a bit. We also really took a look at how we approached, or I should say, titling our programs, the length of our programs and how we can make them more compelling to the audience,” she said. Thompson worked for t he Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati before coming to Oklahoma. She brings more than a decade of education and leadership experience in the art world with her. “Understand that contemporary art and arts is for everyone. If you’re part of the world that exists right now, you get contemporary art, because that’s what it is. It’s just a response to our world. So we just want to show people how accessible art making is. It’s not making a Rembrandt or realistic painting. It can often be just learning how to paint while using your pet as your influence, or learning about fibers and doing one of those really cool wall hangings instead of

for the community’s understanding of who we are,” Director of Education and Public Programs Jaime Thompson said. “We were at the fairgrounds. And there we were known for our ceramic programs, as well as our fiber programs that we were offering to adults, we moved to this location, we did an extensive case study for the city and research into other museums that offer studio school pro-

buying it from Target,” she said. Tony Tee AKA Nymasis has been teaching kids how to DJ for years. “It’s been great to be a part of. These kids are attracted to DJing the same reason I am because I’m a big kid, and it’s a great toy to play with,” Tee said. “They might like music more than any other thing. They might not be good at basketball, at soccer, at gaming, at any-

o o sch

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thing that they know of so, you know, walking down the hall, they’re just kind of head down and stuff but when they’re DJ whatever their name is, their confidence boost that they get that we hear from their teachers, from their parents is really where it’s at … They really can start doing DJing at a really young age. There’s world [Disco Mix Club] champions that are 12, 13 years old at this point. Breakdancing has made it into the Olympics, so it’s just a matter of time before DJing does too. But also, at the Olympics, there’s DJs playing for the B-boy, so they kind of already are,” he said. Tee said his class is getting a big boost this year with a dream buy of equipment for kids to try their hand at spinning. “They have several DJ schools around the country and there’s only so much budget for these things, but this Oklahoma Contemporary is a different monster. It’s a different type of donor

gets more kinetic as the year wears on, with a street art exhibition called Abstract Remix and a video game exhibition entitled Open Worlds slated to open this autumn, Thompson said. For more information about Oklahoma Contemporary’s summer classes or tickets to view exhibits, scan QR code with your smart phone.

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O klahoma Contempory offers a large collection of unique classes to enroll in. Photos Provided

situation, so the art production that they put on is up in the hundreds of thousands instead of like the tens of thousands that we might be accustomed to working with. So these great donors put together what I know as the biggest DJs school equipment buy in the country, which is, I believe, eight full stations,” he said. Oklahoma Contemporary’s slate only

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

BOOKS John Albedo to sign Nutshell During Dust Bowl days in west Texas, a country doctor with shaky credentials delivers a baby, a so-called “monster”; acceptable parlance of that era indicating a newborn with multiple birth defects. John Albedo is an awardwinning novelist whose stories take place in the south-central U.S., often colored by a decade spent in Los Angeles., Thu., June 24, 6:30 p.m. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-8422900, fullcirclebooks.com. THU, JUNE 24 Last Sunday Poetry Reading a poetry reading followed by an open mic, 2 p.m. last Sunday of every month. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. SUN, JUNE 27

FILM SoonerCon 29 SoonerCon is Oklahoma’s premier pop culture, fantasy, sci-fi, gaming, cosplay and anime convention. Join us for a weekend with special guests: Award-winning author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Award-winning illustrator Charles Vess Comic artist James O’Barr Anime voice actors J. Michael Tatum and Jamie Marchi Cosplayer Ginny Di You Tuber Red Bard And more Activities include massive art show, costume contests, tabletop and video games, kids programming, film screenings, live workshops and panels, performances, all-ages dance, and much more! Attendees gain access to unique shopping experiences and our charity art auction. Don’t miss this weekend of fun for the whole family! Children, June 25-27, 12-10 p.m. Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, 2501 Conference Drive, (800) 745-0398, soonercon.com. FRI - SUN, JUNE 25 - 27

HAPPENINGS Close Encounters: Western Wildlife The animals of the American West are as iconic as the landscapes they inhabit. Among boulders, forests, rivers, and lakes, they burrow, forage, soar, hunt, and ultimately, inspire. They inspire conservationists to protect and preserve their habitats. They inspire traffic jams at Yellowstone and other national parks with their rock star celebrity; and they inspire artists as they have for centuries. $12.50 * Senior and Children discounts available, Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through July 11. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., (405) 478-2250,

4th of July in Bricktown Spend the afternoon cruising the Canal with Bricktown Water Taxi or putt your

way around the 18 hole mini-golf course at Brickopolis. Then, cool off with a cold beverage and grab a bite to eat at your favorite restaurant., When the sun goes down the real fun begins! Bricktown will be hosting a block party on Mickey Mantle Dr. with live music, games, food, and fun beginning at 7PM. This will all lead up to the fireworks finale at 9:45PM, Downtown Oklahoma City’s ONLY public 4th of July fireworks display., Sun., July 4. Downtown OKC, 211 N. Robinson Ave., 405-235-3500, welcometobricktown.com. SUN, JULY 4 | Photo unsplash.com nationalcowboymuseum.org/exhibition/close-encounters-western-wildlife. THROUGH JULY 11 Coffee & Cars Coffee and Cars OKC is the largest monthly gathering of car enthusiasts across the state of Oklahoma! Head to Chisholm Creek on the first Saturday morning of each month to share your passion for automotives. The event will be held at the property just north of Pawnee Drive and Cabela Road. Everyone is welcome and there are no fees!, first Saturday of every month, 8 p.m. Chisholm Creek, 13230 Pawnee Dr., 405-728-2780, chisholmcreek.com. SAT, JULY 3

Dino Safari Be in awe as you trek through the Zoo’s Pollinator Garden to discover life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that demonstrate movement and sounds like the prehistoric creatures. See them roaring and breathing right before your eyes! This new immersive experience connects guests to many of their favorite dinosaurs through 15 one-of-a-kind animatronic displays and 8 skeleton replicas. Learn how dinosaurs evolved over time and where they roamed as well as what the OKC Zoo is doing to fight extinction of Oklahoma’s beloved lizard, the horny toad, also known as the Texas horned lizard., Through Oct. 31.

The Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Place, 405424-3344, okczoo.org/our-events#collection=1556. THROUGH OCTOBER 31

EYEwitness Tour - Albert Ashwood and Cindy Ferrell Ashwood Experience the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum through stories from those most affected by the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Albert Ashwood served in the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management in various positions from 1988 until he retired as Director in 1997. Ashwood was the first on the scene from his department and had the difficult task of leading through the crisis while waiting on word of his sister-in-laws fate. Albert’s wife Cindy Ferrell Ashwood’s sister Susan Ferrell was an attorney for HUD and was one of 168 innocent victims killed in the bombing. $25.00 per person, Fri., June 25, 8-10 a.m. Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, 620 N. Harvey Ave., 405-235-3313, MemorialMuseum.com/eyewitness. FRI, JUNE 25 Festival of the Arts The Oklahoma City Art’s Council kicks off their annual Festival of the Arts next week! This community celebration of the visual and performing arts brings a variety of talented artists together in downtown OKC, from Bicentennial Park to the east lawn of City Hall. The festival will take place June 22-27 and will bring 144 visual artists, 80+ performing artists, and 20 food trucks., Through June 27. Bicentennial Park, 500 Couch drive, 405-297-3882, artscouncilokc.com. THROUGH JUNE 27 Freedom Fest Yukon has a long-standing tradition of celebrating Independence Day with a blast. As always, admission is FREE!, This year, Freedom Fest starts July 3, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and concludes July 4, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., The annual celebration is held at Chisholm Trail Park (evening activities), 500 W. Vandament and City Park (daytime activities), 2200 S. Holly Ave., Four FREE live outdoor concerts are on the Freedom Fest agenda, as well as food trucks, contests, kids activities and more. Giant fireworks shows start at 10 p.m. both nights! FREE. Chisholm Trail Park, 500 W. Vandament Ave., 405-350-8937, yukonok.gov/freedom-fesT. SAT-SUN, JULY 3 & 4

Friends of Will Rogers Gardens Foundation day of festivities Come party like it’s 1936! Celebrate the 85th anniversary of the naming of Will Rogers Park with activities for the whole family: food trucks, kids’ fishing, live music and more., Sat., June 26, 10 a.m. Will Rogers Garden Center, 3400 NW 36th St., 405-943-0827, friendsofwillrogersgardens. org. SAT, JUNE 26

SMO21’s The Worst-Case Scenario Based on the book series “The Worst-Case Scenario: An Ultimate

Survival Experience,” and integrating the museum’s traveling exhibit. This kid-free evening will challenge guests’ survival skills as they learn such daring acts as how to perform a tracheotomy, escape if buried alive or, worse yet, evade creepy clowns that look eerily familiar. To encourage bravery, the event will include cash bars featuring wine, beer and signature cocktails and the museum’s café will be open for guests who work up an appetite. Guests will also be able to enjoy all of the museum’s exhibits throughout the evening as well as other special activities. All activities are included in the price of admission and guests must be 21+ years old to attend., Fri., June 25. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Pl., 405-602-3760, .sciencemuseumok.org/smo21. FRI, JUNE 25| Photo provided

Nutella “Breakfast with Animals” A 10-event series occurring across the nation from June until September, will allow families to start their day off right by eating a delicious meal alongside spectacular animals like hippos, giraffes and cheetahs. The star of the menu with be pancakes with Nutella, which will be complimented with other menu items that vary by zoo, including fruit, breakfast pizza, hash browns and more. Guests will be able to have private chats with Zookeepers at various exhibits to hear anecdotes, exciting facts, and what their furry, scaly or feathery friend might eat to start their own day. 50$, Saturdays, 8-11 a.m. through Aug. 31. The Oklahoma

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City Zoo, 2000 Remington Place, 405-424-3344, okczoo.org/our-events#collection=1564. SATURDAYS THROUGH AUG 31

Oklahoma Railway Museum Train Ride Come take a ride at the Oklahoma Railway Museum on our historic MKT mainline track. You will enjoy a train ride in our historic passenger coaches pulled by our vintage diesel locomotives. Train Rides are available for kids of all ages (0 to 99+) every 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, April through September. Train rides last approximately 40 minutes. $5.00-$12.00, first Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 4. Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 NE Grand Blvd., 4054248222, oklahomarailwaymuseum.org. SAT, JULY 3 Perpetual Motion Dance & Factory Obscura present: “REWIND” REWIND is the first fully immersive dance event in Oklahoma letting the audience choose their own journey and encounter dancers sharing meaningful stories inspired by sounds of their youth. The event will culminate in the newly renovated east bay of Factory Obscura highlighted by aerial performances and a dynamic modular set piece, taking an unexpected turn for the audience to experience. Overall, the collaboration takes on the influential energy of the 80’s and 90’s MTV videos ranging from playful and sexy to dark and mysterious., June 24-27. Factory Obscura, 25 NW 9th St., factoryobscura.fun. THU-SUN, JUNE 24-27

Pride: An OKCStorySLAM Join us for the June OKC StorySLAM as we celebrate Pride Month! We continue our partnership with the Metro Library and dedicate this month’s virtual community storytelling event to amplifying and honoring stories from the LGBTQIA members of our community. Please note that StorySLAM is an uncensored event and intended for adults., free, Sun., June 27, 7 p.m. facebook.com/ metrolibrary. SUN, JUNE 27 Sherlock Holmes - The Exhibition The great Sherlock Holmes has summoned you – and his is an invitation not to be refused. In Sherlock Holmes – The Exhibition you will be transported into Sherlock Holmes’ London to solve a mystery in a world newly introduced to his groundbreaking methods. This interactive experience will delight audiences of all ages as it showcases areas of forensic science that enabled Sherlock Holmes to solve crimes, and brings to life the historic underpinnings of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s rich and vibrant stories., Through Sept. 6. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org/sherlockholmes. THROUGH SEPT 6 Sip & Stroll This once a week evening experience invites up to 1200 guests ages 21 and up on an outdoor path to adventure through the OKC Zoo and the natural world of our animals! Guests will experience wildlife from around the world as well as featured drinks inspired by Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Belize and more!, Thursdays. through June 24. The Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Place, 405-424-3344, okczoo. org. THU, JUNE 24

FOOD #EatNorman Restaurant Week #EatNorman Restaurant Week RETURNS! The event will take place July 2-11 during which time Norman residents and visitors will be encouraged to dine-in and order-out from participating restaurants who will feature price-fixed menu options including chef specials, local favorites, creative cocktails and other offerings. A portion of all proceeds made from Restaurant Week-related menus will be donated to a Norman-based non-profit (Pantry Partners is the 2021 beneficiary). Price-fixed menu options ranging from $11, $22 or $33 per person, July 2-11, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Various Locations in Norman, Oklahoma, N/A, 405-366-8095, eatnormanrestaurantweek. com. JULY 2 - 11 COOP Ale Works Beats & Bites Festival, The popular COOP Ale Works Beats & Bites Festival, featuring live music and local food trucks, will make its return to Riverwind Casino this summer. Nearly 25 food trucks will serve delicious fare at each event, including barbeque, desserts, wine, shaved ice, as well as Greek, American, Mexican favorites and more. Face painting, clothing and jewelry vendors will also be available. Also making appearances will be Rumble the Bison, the OG&E ThunderBolt and the Goldsby Fire Department., Sat., June 26. Riverwind Casino, 1544 W. State Highway 9, 405-322-6000, riverwind.com. SAT, JUNE 26

Oklahoma Brewer’s Fest The Craft Brewers Association of Oklahoma is teaming up with the state’s finest breweries for the 2021 inaugural Oklahoma Brewer’s Fest., Sat., June 26. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, 405-218-1000, okcballparkevents.com. SAT, JUNE 26 OSU-OKC Farmers Market at Scissortail Park Oklahoma City’s largest outdoor market features an all-made and grown-in Oklahoma producer-only marketplace providing access to more fresh products to serve the community. Located at the corner of Oklahoma City Boulevard and South Robinson Avenue, the Scissortail Park Farmers Market will be open, rain or shine, every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. through October. Scissortail Park, 300 SW Seventh St., 405445-7080, cissortailpark.org/osu-okc-farmers-marketat-scissortail-park. SATURDAYS

YOUTH Better Conversations Session for Teens - State History Join your peers in lively interactive conversation as we navigate challenging topics facing our world today. Sessions will be held at the Oklahoma City National Memorial under the Survivor Tree every Tuesday in June from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. The sessions are geared toward teens (14-18 yrs) and will be facilitated by teens. It’s free to participate but spots are limited, so register online today at MemorialMuseum. com. Free. Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, 620 N. Harvey Ave., 405-235-3313, MemorialMuseum.com. TUESDAYS

Mooby’s Up-Down OKC Mooby’s, the fictional restaurant from Kevin Smith’s movies, is headed to OKC!

Taking over Up-Down in Plaza District, guests can book their time in advance and upgrade their meal with soda, Mooby’s beer courtesy of Vanessa House Beer Company, additional sides, and desserts. Up-Down OKC, 1629 NW 16th St., 405-673-7792, www.moobyspopup.com THROUGH JUNE 28 | Photo provided

PERFORMING ARTS

VISUAL ARTS

Art AfloatShowboat Concert Series Art Afloat is bringing local artists together to take over the Bricktown Canal every Thursday night, to be called the Art Afloat Showboat Concert Series., Thursdays. Bricktown Water Taxi, 111 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, bricktownwatertaxi.com. THURSDAYS

Crystal Z Campbell: Flight Using light, sound and digital film projection, Flight explores the physical, architectural and cultural residue of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre into the present. Timed with the 100-year commemoration of the massacre, Flight incorporates archival material with digital video, digitized 35-mm film footage, three-channel sound, and vinyl. The artist provides multiple points of entry and angles of refraction, offering an unfixed sense of what is varying parts history, impressions, analysis, and reverie. Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays. through Oct. 28. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org

Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show Anyone in the room can end up being a part of the show, including YOU! $59.95, Sat., June 26, 6-9 p.m. Skirvin Hilton Hotel, 1 Park Ave., (866) 496-0535, eventvesta.com/events/4665. SAT, JUNE 26 Dope Poetry Night Dope Poetry Night at the Ice Event Center Bar and Grill is every Wednesday starting at 7:30 p.m. Sign-ups begin at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m.. Only the first 25 poets., Come to experience a place where you can be you unapologetically, a place where your voice and presence matter, a place where you’re accepted and loved, where smiles, laughter, thoughts, and feelings are shared, and it’s all free. Just remember to wear a mask. Ice Event Center & Grill, 1148 NE 36th St., 405-208-4240, facebook. com/Ice-Event-Center-Grill. WEDNESDAYS Lyric’s Grease Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma invites you to be a fan in the stands this summer when it presents the hit musical Grease at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Pribil Football Stadium., TuesdaysSundays. through June 27. Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, 801 NW 50th St., 405-842-6638, bmchs. org. THROUGH JUNE 27 A Midsummer Night’s Dream What is better than Shakespeare’s whimsical comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream under the stars? Spread a blanket outside, in the brand new Shakespeare Gardens performance space. Good for all ages this summer!, first Thursday-Sunday of every month. through Aug. 15. Shakespeare on Paseo, 2920 Paseo St., 405-235-3700, oklahomashakespeare.org. THROUGH AUGUST 15 Patio Peepshow by Terre Rouge Patio time at 51st Street Speakeasy!, Thursdays 8:30p-11:30P., Come & go private performances., A true carnival red light style, vintage private peepshow with all local cast members!, Responsibly see your favorite local artists behind the glass in a social distanced, contact free, outdoor, environment., $2 Tokens sold walk up at event., $5 weekly burger special., No tickets needed, come and go. 2, Thursdays, 8:30-11:30 p.m. through Aug. 27. 51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51st St., 405463-0470, fb.me/e/48rXuc7Q3. THU

Print on Paseo The Paseo Art Association’s annual juried printmaking exhibition will display a wide variety of

printmaking of all styles and mediums in a fantastic display of the talent within the Oklahoma printmaking community. Juried by Kathleen Blake, the seventh annual Print on Paseo exhibition will open on July 2 First Friday and will be on display through July 31. Paseo Arts & Creativity Center, 3024 Paseo St., 405-525-2688, thepaseo.org. OPENING JULY 2 | Jesse Warne/ Photo provided 24

J U N E 2 3 , 2 0 2 1 | O KGA Z E T TE .CO M O KG P IC KS

ACTIVE Yoga Tuesdays an all-levels class; bring your own water and yoga mat, 5:45 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405445-7080, myriadgardens.com. TUESDAYS

THROUGH OCT 28

Ed Ruscha: OKLA Ed Ruscha: OKLA is the first exhibition to focus on the artist’s Oklahoma roots — his family, his upbringing and his discovery of his calling as an artist. It is also, remarkably, his first solo museum exhibition in his home state., Mondays, WednesdaysSundays. through July 5. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org/exhibitions/current/ed-ruscha-okla. THROUGH JULY 5

Fever Dreams: The Remedy to Your Reality “Fever Dreams: The Remedy to Your Reality” combines technology and art. Come explore your reality in a new way and get a dose of multidimensional experiences designed by Nicholi Noah and Mat Miller by exploring different dimensions in the virtual world., With new paintings by Ruth Loveland and Jamie Pettis and music by Niven Quaye, along with virtual drawings by Julius the Robot. Explore the Metaverse, discover NFT art by Clinton Avery Tharp and others. Journey through portals/windows to the 4th dimension. Talk with one of Oklahoma’s new gaming companies http:// www.plusonegames.com Free, Fri., June 25, 7-11 p.m., Sat., June 26, 7-11 p.m. and Sun., June 27, 7-11 p.m. 1984 Studios, 203 SW 25th street, (405) 714-4592, 1984studios.com. FRI-SUN, JUNE 25 - 27 Fritz Scholder: Beyond Stereotypes After relocating to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a teaching position, American artist Fritz Scholder (Luiseño) stated he saw one too many over-romanticized and generalized depictions of Indigenous people “looking at the sunset.” With his Indian series, started in 1967, Scholder sought to replace the tourist-approved narratives perpetuated by white artists with the realities he witnessed every day. By combining realism and spirituality with vivid colors and expressive brushstrokes, Scholder created radical new imagery of modern-day Indigenous life., Wednesdays-Sundays. through Nov. 7. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405236-3100, okcmoa.com. THROUGH NOV 7 Lawrence Naff Exhibit Pieces by artist Lawrence Naff will be featured in the Press Gallery. Lawrence Naff is a visual artist and jewelry designer based in Okla-

homa City. Using techniques learned in Osaka, Japan, Naff creates mosaics by individually placing crystal rhinestones and gemstones on 2D and 3D substrates., June 23-30. Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405815-9995, 1ne3.org. THROUGH JUNE 30 A Life in Looking: The Creighton Gilbert Collection Through themes of religion, architecture, allegory, portraiture, and humor, A Life in Looking: The Creighton Gilbert Collection explores a collection built on seven decades of expertise by this impressive scholar, educator, and connoisseur., first Tuesday-Sunday. through Dec. 31. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., 405-325-3272, ou.edu/ fjjma/exhibitions1/CreightonGilbert. THROUGH DEC 31

The Painters of Pompeii This historic presentation of the art of painting in ancient Rome will be presented exclusively at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art before returning to Europe., WednesdaysSundays. through Oct. 17. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. THROUGH OCT 17

Paseo Arts District’s First Friday Gallery Walk peruse art from over 80 artists with 25 participating business for a night of special themed exhibits, refreshments and a variety of entertainment opportunities, 6-10 p.m. first Friday of every month. Paseo Arts District, 3024 Paseo St., 405-525-2688, thepaseo.org. FRI, JULY 2

Or visit us at: www.parrishdevaughn.com Paid spokesperson. Office Address: 7 South Mickey Mantle Drive, Second Floor, Oklahoma City, OK 73104

A room with a View: Scenes of the Italian Countryside Artists from around the world have long been captured by the enduring appeal of the Italian countryside. Its sweeping vistas, at times sprinkled with ancient ruins, make for an enticing subject for artists in a variety of mediums. American artists in particular traveled to Italy throughout the nineteenth century to study not only the great masterpieces of ancient and Renaissance art, but also to sketch and paint the campagna, or countryside, basked in a beautiful glow., Wednesdays-Sundays. through Nov. 7. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405236-3100, okcmoa.com THROUGH NOV 7 We Believed in the Sun We Believed in the Sun pairs Ron Tarver, an Oklahoma born, nationally recognized artist and recent awardee of the 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship in photography, with Ebony Iman Dallas, an emerging artist based in Oklahoma City. The exhibition draws on Tarver’s and Dallas’ respective deep familial roots in the state, which have provided them with the critical intimacy to artistically explore both public and private perspectives on Black Oklahomans’ intergenerational struggle for equal opportunity and protection under the law. Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays. through Sept. 20. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org THROUGH SEPT 20

Women of the Banjo A special exhibit at the American Banjo Museum Women of the Banjo chronicles the contributions of women to the colorful past, vibrant present, and unlimited future of the banjo. From prominent contemporary performers such as Alison Brown and Rhiannon Giddens to pop icons Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and many others, historic insights, instruments, stage attire, and a glimpse of ever-changing fashion trends all help in the telling of this important aspect of banjo history., Through May 31, 2022. American Banjo Museum, 9 E. Sheridan Ave., 405-604-2793, americanbanjomuseum.com THROUGH MAY 31

Submissions must be received by For OKG Oklahoma Gazette no live music later than see page 26 noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date.Late submissions will not be included in the listings.Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible. Fax your listings to 528-4600 or e-mail them to Listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

O KGA Z E T TE .CO M | J U N E 2 3 , 2 0 2 1

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

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 Open Mic Night w/ Joe Hopkins & Hannah Edmondson, VZD’s. Steel Panther, Cain’s Ballroom. HEAVY METAL

Isaac McClung, The Jones Assembly. Karaoke Tuesdays, VZD’s.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30 Levi Parham, The Jones Assembly.

THURSDAY, JULY 1 Concert in the Park: Kerry Wayne Rockstar Band, E.C. Hafer Park Showboat Concert Series, Bricktown Water taxi

Charley Crockett, The Jones Assembly. with Gus Clark Greyson Chance presents The Official OKC Pridefest Afterparty, Tower Theatre.

Zac Wilkerson, VZD’s.

Pilgrim & Jesse Aycock, Cain’s Ballroom. Through Being Cool: Emo & Pop Punk Night w/ Live Band Karaoke, 89th Street.

SATURDAY, JUNE 26 Catherine Fuller, Full Circle Bookstore. ACOUSTIC Insider: A Tribute to Tom Petty, Diamond Ballroom. COVER Ja Rule and Ashanti, First Council Casino. Kody West, Cain’s Ballroom. Madama Butterfly, Hudiburg Chevrolet Center. WAR ENSEMBLE A Tribute to Slayer, 89th Street. COVER

SUNDAY, JUNE 27 Styx | Collective Soul, The Zoo Amphitheatre. ROCK

MONDAY, JUNE 28 Jason & Shawna of Ravens Three,

J U N E 2 3 , 2 0 2 1 | OKGA Z E T TE .COM

TUESDAY, JUNE 29

FRIDAY, JUNE 25

Pecos & The Rooftops, Cain’s Ballroom. TEXAS COUNTRY

Sean Cumming’s Irish Restaurant.

FRIDAY, JULY 2 Hanson, Cain’s Ballroom. Kodos, Feeves, & Swim Fan @ 89th St, 89th Street-OKC.

SATURDAY, JULY 3 Hanson, Cain’s Ballroom. Red, White & Boom with OKC Phil, Scissortail Park.

MONDAY, JULY 5 Ashley McBryde, Cain’s Ballroom. Jason & Shawna of Ravens Three, Sean Cumming’s Irish Restaurant.

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

JUST ANNOUNCED AUG 12, Jason Isbell, Cain’s Ballroom AUG 17, Kesha, The Criterion AUG 21, Samantha Crain, Tower Theatre AUG 26, Moon Taxi, The Jones Assembly SEP 9, Blue October, Tower theatre SEP 15, Toadies and Reverend Horton Heat, Cain’s Ballroom SEP 16, Toadies with Reverend Horton Heat, Diamond Ballroom SEP 19, The Wood Brothers, Tower Theatre SEP 20, The Wood Brothers, Cain’s Ballroom SEP 26, Pixies, Cain’s Ballroom SEP 26, Avatar, Diamond Ballroom SEP 28, Colony House, The Jones Assembly SEP 29, Dropkick Murphys and Rancid “Boston to Berkeley II”, Zoo Amphiteatre OCT 2, Koe Wetzel, Zoo Amphiteatre OCT 5, Omar Apollo, Tower Theatre OCT 13, Josh Abbott Band, The Jones Assembly OCT 18,X Ambassadors, Cain’s Ballroom OCT 19, Matt Kearney, The Jones Assembly OCT 22, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Cain’s Ballroom NOV 11, Dr. Dog, The Jones Assembly NOV 15, Chvrches with special guest Donnal Missal, Cain’s Ballroom NOV 17, Thunder cat with special guest Channel Tres, Cain’s Ballroom NOV 18, Black Label Society: Doom Trooping Over North America, Diamond Ballroom MAR 14, Kaleo, Cain’s Ballroom MAR 15, Kaleo, The Jones Assembly MAR 21, Leif Vollebekk, Tower Theatre

robot.house

saving the world from crappy cannabis packaging, one brand at a time.

OKGA Z E T TE .COM | J U N E 2 3 , 2 0 2 1

Would you just relax? Relax Park is currently Oklahoma City’s worst-kept secret. While the official grand opening was June 12, the park has already hosted numerous cannabis events, from the Green Grow Fest launch party and CannaCon afterparties before they were officially open to, most recently, the Toke ‘N Drag show. Relax Park is nestled in a quiet area just southwest of downtown. Passing a number of small and industrial businesses, the sound and lights from the venue hit you as you approach the intersection of SW 5th and Western Avenue. The park concept is simple: a mostly outdoor venue that offers food trucks, alcoholic beverages, an on-site dispensary and a full concert stage. The result is an inclusive, inviting atmosphere where multiple relaxation wants can be sated in a single 3.6-acre environment. Owner Jason Thomas said that what visitors to Relax Park see today is just the first stages of a much grander vision for the future. “This is a dream of mine,” Thomas said. The zoning of the surrounding area as commercial and industrial zones allows the party to rage without disrupting anyone as soon as the work day ends. “Everybody shuts their lights down at five, so we can turn music up all down this corridor, and so I’ve looked at this as the first mover of like that Austinlike hip vibe music experience, because if we don’t just have mine, we have the one down the street, this Beer City Music Hall, Anthem Brewery behind me is getting ready to put out this whole badass, nice patio off their tap room where it has deck space, and you hang

out. We literally talked two weeks ago about bringing in music and doing all these different things. And so if we could keep that kind of keep it weird slash keep it hip, like, welcome to the west side and here’s our music gig and then you come down here, and there’s five, six different bands playing all throughout this little corridor. Dude, you can’t do that anywhere in Oklahoma. You can’t,” Thomas said. To that end, Relax Park has already hosted Jim Belushi and his band for a CannaCon afterparty and Cross, Rags and Young headlined the grand opening party. An enormous amount of thought and effort went into crafting the Relax Park experience, Thomas said, but they are

The Garden of Weeden, Relax Park’s onsite dispensary, features a broad range of products, from fresh flower supplied by their in-house grower, True Heights Cultivation, and other curated Oklahoma farms as well as a range of concentrates, edibles and a wide selection of pre-rolls. Outside, The Hub Bar offers up local brews, national beer brands and mixed drinks with prices that match other local spots. The food trucks lining the back edge of the property are constantly revolving, with new options — Jason Thomas available each visit to the park. still fine-tuning the operation to make Some events have been ticketed and things as smooth as possible, the peril others have been free, but Thomas is of pioneering a new concept that has still weighing his options as to how to to be in strict compliance with mulhandle daily traffic to the park while tiple agencies’ requirements at the also sustaining a multimillion-dollar same time. operation. “We already know what we know but “I know the key to failure, and that’s we have to pressure test it in terms of trying to make everyone happy. We’re every little thing. You have the basics not in the business of trying to make of the element done, but when you bring everyone happy. I just think that’s a in forensic scientists, there might be failing effort. However, we’re in the something that you don’t know about. business of experience and making You’re gonna have to make changes, but something exist that didn’t before, literin terms of broadstroke, it is very ally, in the United States. There’s thought out and very strategic,” he said. nothing like this component where we

“ e’re in the business of experience and making something exist that didn’t before, literally, in the United States.”

J U N E 2 3 , 2 0 2 1 | OKGA Z E T TE .COM HIGH CULTURE

Photos Berlin Green

can freely express ourselves and do things from high-level talent to like what we did here, boots on the ground, with a local cause that gives a ton of a shit about how they’re accepted within the gay community, and so on and so forth. That platform, that movement of opportunity for everyone’s well being has to be protected and well preserved and so that is part of what my mission is, and we’re not going to get it right every time. I don’t want to mess with a company that can’t take their own criticism, because they’re never going to get good. In fact, they’re going to fail because they don’t listen to anybody,” Thomas said. For more information about Relax Park, scan QR Code with your smart phone

SATURDAY JULY 10TH • VIP 2-4PM • MAIN 4-10 PM Strain name: Planet of the Cakes

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For more information strain reviews scan QR code with your smart phone.

Grown by: Concentrated Genetics

Proudly Presents

Acquired from: Solace Meds

HEART AND MIND GLASS

Date acquired: June 13

LIVE GLASSBLOWING & REVEAL PARTY

Physical traits: light green with dull orange stigmas and blanketed lightly with trichomes Bouquet: dank and gassy Review: I’ve followed Concentrated Genetics for some time but hadn’t had a chance to sample any of their flower until now. My mistake. The strain that I think will excite most people is Planet of the Cakes, a cross between Wedding Cake and 12 Monkeys. While any regular smoker has had Wedding Cake and its offspring dozens of times at least, the cross with the mystery strain 12 Monkeys really gives it an extra punch. Sweet and rich on the inhale, gassy as hell on the exhale with an intense but calming result that stays strong for a protracted length of time. THC-hunters are going to sleep on this one, but flavor chasers will be impressed. Solace Meds’ “happy hour”

Strain name: Oreoz Grown by: Phresh Harvest Acquired from: Tegridy Market Date acquired: June 8 Physical traits: dark purple with light green and moderate trichome frost Bouquet: sweet and earthy

sale allowed me to walk out with eighths of this and the Orange Flambe (another flavorful Concentrated Genetics strain) for less than 50 bucks. A side note: a large amount of this might make your head swim a bit, a side effect I felt on several occasions with this strain. Shouldn’t affect you before bed, but be warned for daytime use.

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their flower, but my interest is piqued. A solidly purple strain that choked me up a little bit the first few pulls with a peppery note that hits you in the back of the throat. The ensuing high was intense and deep. Definitely a couch-lock strain, so plan this one for the end of the night. The effects also go on for an extended period of time which more than makes up for the bit of roughness to the inhale on takeoff (that’s likely the terpene combination anyway).

Review: Tegridy Market was a frequent haunt before COVID-19 shut down both Oklahoma Gazette and Extract, our monthly cannabis magazine. Tom Spanier became known as the smoker’s smoker, and the freshest drops of the best flower routinely hit Tegridy’s shelves first. Getting back into the loop after spending quarantine whittling down my enormous stash during quarantine, Tegridy was up at the top of my list. While the building itself and storage methods have changed, the quality of the flower selection was still stellar. Of multiple selections, the stand-out strain was the Oreoz from Phresh Harvest. My first taste of

HIGH CULTURE OKGA Z E T TE .COM | J U N E 2 3 , 2 0 2 1

PUZZLES NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE | OLIO

By Robyn Weintraub | Puzzles Edited by Will Shortz | 0620 1

74 75 76 77 78 79 80 82 83 87 89 90

100

ACROSS Earners of credits One selling airtime, informally Emulates a chipmunk, say Like a beaming smile Go out to get some juice? Pork-cutting option Ingredient in an Alabama slammer Revise Word with ‘‘two’’ or ‘‘three’’ to describe a sloth Small kitchen knife Abstract artist Mondrian Thomas Hardy title character Bottom part Traveled like Charon

34 Schedule keeper: Abbr. 35 One for whom underwear is pants 36 ‘‘Wait .?.?. what did you just say?!’’ 37 Fuse 39 Three-dimensional 43 ‘‘Have You Never Been ____,’’ No. 1 album for Olivia Newton-John 44 Origami designs thought to bring good fortune 45 One receiving a congratulatory email from eBay 47 Helps secure a loan 48 Recovery center 49 Refused to share 50 Scratch

51 52 53 57

91 92 94 97 98 99 100 101

support group Negotiate Some diners .?.?. and donors Provide a password Was rife (with) Matthew of ‘‘The Americans’’ Save for later, in a way Skewered Like Queen Anne’s lace? Traditional accounts Onetime hair removal brand Let out or take in Stage name for hip-hop’s Sandra Denton It’s all the rage ‘‘What-ever’’ reactions Post-distraction segue Light-filled room Way, way off Hitchcock’s forte Clearing Like bison vis-à-vis beef

DOWN

65 69

27 29 30 31 32

25 26

12 20 22 23 24

1 7

2 3 4 83 84 85 86 5 91 6 7 96 8 9 10 11 101 12 13 Tablet taken before going 14 15 to bed, maybe Portrayer of Marvel’s Hawkeye 16 17 Left the harbor Rapper who co-founded 18 19 Mass Appeal Records 21 Green liqueur

58 59 Dinosaur of kids’ TV 60 It’s nothing 61 Host 63 Signaled slyly 64 ____ Top (low-cal ice cream brand) 65 Camaro, for one 66 As one 67 Birth day presence? 68 ‘‘All in the Family’’ subject 71 ‘‘Don’t dwell on the past’’ 73 Families-and-friends

28 31 32 33 35 36 38 39 40 41

Key for Chopin’s ‘‘Heroic’’ Polonaise It might be organized Foundation options Eclipses and comets, perhaps Joy of MSNBC Parked it, so to speak Maximally Pacific birds? Bit of thatching Take sides? Catapulted, say Bird much seen in cities Reply to a ring Not in the dark Adriatique, e.g. Task for a sous-chef Like sirens Be considered perfect More than just clean Shopping in order to improve one’s mood Fire They might be wireless Desktop icon Surname of Harry Potter’s adoptive family Pop star nickname, with ‘‘the’’ Bet strategically Mythical nymph Reliquary Inspiration for the Frisbee Floored

42 Longtime Ohio State basketball coach Matta 43 Filet ____ 44 Stopped smoking?w 46 Half of a notorious outlaw duo 47 Added to the language 50 First little piggy’s destination 52 Key hit with a pinkie 53 It helps take the edge off 54 Just going through the motions 55 Complete, as a crossword 56 Creations for Mardi Gras 58 Particles composed of two up quarks and one down quark 59 Did a TV marathon, say 62 Start of some no-frills brand names 63 In a lather, with ‘‘up’’ 64 Happy ____ 66 Come back around 67 Bits of high jinks? 68 What Mr. Clean, Captain Picard and Michael Jordan have in common 69 Thought expressed in American Sign Language by extending the pinkie, thumb and index finger 70 Compilations of funny film faux pas 71 Soeur’s sibling 72 Warehouse loading areas 74 *shrug* 77 ‘‘We want all the juicy details!’’ 78 Maintain, in a way, as a highway 81 Michael whose initials match those of his famous comedy troupe 82 Cut through 83 ‘‘____ and Majnun’’ (Arabic story that inspired a Clapton hit) 84 One of the ‘‘holy trinity’’ ingredients in Cajun cuisine 85 Advice to one in a lather? 86 Very inclined (to) 88 Sting, perhaps 90 Taverna staple 91 Spice related to nutmeg 93 Argentite, e.g. 95 Fifth of eight 96 Show filmed at Rockefeller Ctr.

Stumped? Call 1-900-285-5656 to get the answers to any three clues by phone ($1.20 a minute).

SUDOKU HARD | N°602 Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3-by-3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9. www.printmysudoku.com Grid n°10825 medium

8 9 2

7 9 3 5 9 5 6

2 5 1

8 6 3

2 5

J U N E 2 3 , 2 0 2 1 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

8 2 7 6

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS Puzzle No. 0606, which appeared in the June 9 issue.

D I S C I C A R M E R Y D I F O C L A R H I G H A L I E T A L L S C E P H O O D S

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VOL. XLIII NO. 03 Oklahoma Gazette is circulated at its designated distribution points free of charge to readers for their individual use and by mail to subscribers. The cash value of this copy is $1. Persons taking copies of the Oklahoma Gazette from its distribution points for any reason other than their or others’ individual use for reading purposes are subject to prosecution. Please address all unsolicited news items (non-returnable) to the editor. For subscription inquiries, email kbleakley@okgazette.com

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY - WEEK OF JUNE 24 Homework: Describe what you’re doing to heal the world. Newsletter@freewillastrology.com ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Author Albert Camus advised everyone to “steal some time and give it freely and exclusively to your own self.” That’s excellent advice for you to heed in the coming days. The cosmos has authorized you to put yourself first and grab all the renewal you need. So please don’t scrimp as you shower blessings on yourself. One possible way to accomplish this goal is to go on a long stroll or two. Camus says, “It doesn’t have to be a walk during which you’ll have multiple life epiphanies and discover meanings no other brain ever managed to encounter.” But I think you are indeed likely to be visited by major epiphanies and fantastic new meanings.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Robert Mugabe was Zimbabwe’s leader for 37 years. In the eyes of some, he was a revolutionary hero. To others he was an oppressive dictator. He was also the chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe, where his wife Grace received her PhD just two months after she started classes. I suspect that you, too, will have an expansive capacity to advance your education in the coming weeks—although maybe not quite as much as Grace seems to have had. You’re entering a phase of super-learning.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

“We were clever enough to turn a laundry list into poetry,” wrote author Umberto Eco. Judging from astrological omens, I suspect you’re now capable of accomplishing comparable feats in your own sphere. Converting a chance encounter into a useful new business connection? Repurposing a seeming liability into an asset? Capitalizing on a minor blessing or breakthrough to transform it into a substantial blessing or breakthrough? All these and more are possible.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

“I was so flooded with yearning I thought it would drown me,” wrote Cancerian author Denis Johnson. I don’t expect that will be a problem for you anytime soon. You’re not in danger of getting swept away by a tsunami

of insatiable desire. However, you may get caught in a current of sweet, hot passion. You could be carried for a while by waves of aroused fascination. You might find yourself rushing along in a fast-moving stream of riled-up craving. But none of that will be a problem as long as you don’t think you have something better to do. In fact, your time in the cascading flow may prove to be quite intriguing—and ultimately useful.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

In my opinion, psychology innovator Carl Jung, born under the sign of Leo, was one of the 20th century’s greatest intellects. His original ideas about human nature are central to my philosophy. One of my favorite things about him is his appreciation for feelings. He wrote, “We should not pretend to understand the world only by the intellect; we apprehend it just as much by feeling. Therefore, the judgment of the intellect is, at best, only half of the truth, and must, if it be honest, also come to an understanding of its inadequacy.” I bring this to your attention, Leo, because the coming weeks will be a favorable time to upgrade your own appreciation for the power of your feelings to help you understand the world.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

For the indigenous Ojibway people, the word Adizokan means both “story” and “spirit.” In fact, story and spirit are the same thing. Everything has a spirit and everything has a story, including people, animals, trees, lakes, rivers, and rocks. Inspired by these thoughts, and in accordance with cosmic omens, I invite you to meditate on how your life stories are central elements of your spirit. I further encourage you to spend some tender, luxurious time telling yourself the stories from your past that you love best. For extra delightful bonus fun, dream up two prospective stories about your future that you would like to create. (Info about Adizokan comes from Ann and John Mahan at SweetWaterVisions.com.)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Author Aslı Erdoğan writes, “It had been explained to me from my earliest childhood that I would know

love—or that thing called ‘love’—as long as I was smart and academically brilliant. But no one ever taught me how to get that knowledge.” I’m sorry to say that what was true for her has been true for most of us: No one ever showed us how to find and create and cultivate love. We may have received haphazard clues now and then from our parents and books and movies. But we never got a single day of formal instruction in school about the subject that is at the heart of our quest to live meaningful lives. That’s the bad news, Libra. The good news is that the rest of 2021 will be one of the best times ever for you to learn important truths about love.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Before he journeyed in a spaceship to the moon in 1971, Scorpio astronaut Alan Shepard didn’t think he’d get carried away with a momentous thrill once he arrive at his destination. He was a manly man not given to outward displays of emotion. But when he landed on the lunar surface and gazed upon the majestic sight of his home planet hanging in the sky, he broke into tears. I’m thinking you may have similar experiences in the coming weeks. Mind-opening, heart-awakening experiences may arrive. Your views of the Very Big Picture could bring healing upheavals.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Sagittarian author Clarice Lispector observed, “In a state of grace, one sometimes perceives the deep beauty, hitherto unattainable, of another person.” I suspect that this state of grace will visit you soon, Sagittarius—and probably more than once. I hope you will capitalize on it! Take your time as you tune in to the luminescent souls of the people you value. Become more deeply attuned to their uniquely gorgeous genius.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Trailblazing Capricorn psychoanalyst Ernest Jones (1879–1958) said, “There is no sense of contradiction within the unconscious; opposite ideas exist happily side by side.” In other words, it’s normal and natural to harbor paradoxical attitudes; it’s healthy and sane to be awash in seemingly incongruous blends. I hope you will use this astrologically propitious time to

celebrate your own inner dichotomies, dear Capricorn. If you welcome them as a robust aspect of your deepest, truest nature, they will serve you well. They’ll make you extra curious, expansive, and non-dogmatic. (PS: Here’s an example, courtesy of psychologically savvy author Stephen Levine: “For as long as I can remember the alternate antics of the wounded child and the investigations of the ageless Universal played through me.”)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Aquarian guitarist Django Reinhardt was a celebrated jazz musician in occupied France during World War II. Amazingly, he was able to earn good money by performing frequently—even though he fit descriptions that the rampaging Germans regarded as abhorrent. Nazis persecuted the Romani people, of which he was one. They didn’t ban jazz music, but they severely disapproved of it. And the Nazis hated Jews and Blacks, with whom Reinhardt loved to hang out. The obstacles you’re facing aren’t anywhere near as great as his, but I propose we make him your role model for the next four weeks. May he inspire you to persist and even thrive in the face of challenges!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Piscean author Richard Matheson believed we’ve become too tame and mild. “We’ve forgotten,” he wrote, about “how to rise to dizzy heights.” He mourned that we’re too eager to live inside narrow boundaries. “The full gamut of life is a shadowy continuum,” he continued, “that runs from gray to more gray. The rainbow is bleached.” If any sign of the zodiac has the power to escape blandness and averageness, it’s you Pisceans—especially in the coming weeks. I invite you to restore the rainbow to its full vivid swath: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Maybe even add a few colors. Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes /daily text message horoscopes. The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY - WEEK OF Homework: Send your suggestions about how I might be able to serve you better. Newsletter@ freewillastrology.com ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Columnist Linda Weltner says that there’s a dual purpose to cleaning your home, rearranging the furniture, adding new art to the walls, and doting on your potted plants. Taking good care of your environment is a primary way of taking good care of yourself. She writes, “The home upon which we have lavished so much attention is the embodiment of our own self love.” I invite you to make that your inspirational meditation for the next two weeks.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

“For peace of mind, I will lie about any thing at any time,” said author Amy Hempel. Hmmmm. I’m the opposite. To cultivate peace of mind, I try to speak and live the truth as much as I can. Lying makes me nervous. It also seems to make me dumber. It forces me to keep close track of my fibs so I can be sure to stick to my same deceitful story when the subject comes up later. What about you, Taurus? For your peace of mind, do you prefer to rely on dishonesty or honesty? I’m hoping that for the next four weeks, you will favor the latter. Cultivating judicious candor will heal you and boost your intelligence.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

In her essay about education, “Don’t Overthink It,” philosopher Agnes Callard reminds us, “No matter how much we increase our investment at the front end— perfecting our minds with thinking classes, long ruminations, novel-reading, and moral algebra—we cannot spare ourselves the agony of learning by doing.” That will be a key theme for you in the next four weeks, dear Gemini. You will need to make abundant use of empiricism: pursuing knowledge through direct experience, using your powers of observation and a willingness to experiment.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said that when our rational minds are working at their best, they inspire us to cultivate our most interesting and enlivening passions.

They also de-emphasize and suppress any energy-draining passions that might have a hold on us. I’m hoping you will take full advantage of this in the coming weeks, Cancerian. You will generate good fortune and sweet breakthroughs as you highlight desires that uplift you and downgrade desires that diminish you.

if mindfulness is there,” he adds. I think you Libras will have a special knack for this fun activity in the coming weeks. (Thich Nhat Hanh wrote a series of “Mindfulness Essentials” books that includes How to Eat, How to Walk, How to Relax, and How to Connect. I invite you to come up with your own such instructions.)

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Leo author Wendell Berry suggests, “It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work, and when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey.” Although there’s wisdom in that formulation, I don’t think it’s true a majority of the time. Far more often we are fed by the strong, clear intuitions that emerge from our secret depths—from the sacred gut feelings that give us accurate guidance about what to do and where to go. But I do suspect that right now may be one of those phases when Berry’s notion is true for you, Leo. What do you think?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

In 1750, more than 250 years after Columbus first visited the New World, Native Americans were still a majority of the continent’s population. But between 1776 and now, the United States government stole 1.5 billion acres of land from its original owners—25 times the size of the United Kingdom. Here’s another sad fact: Between 1778 and 1871, America’s federal administrations signed over 500 treaties with indigenous tribes—and broke every one of them. The possibility that these sins will eventually be remedied is very small. I bring them up only to serve as possible metaphors for your personal life. Is there anything you have unfairly gained from others? Is there anything others have unfairly gained from you? The next six months will be prime time to seek atonement and correction.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Libran Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh advises you and me and everyone else to “seek the spiritual in every ordinary thing that you do every day.” You have to work at it a bit, he says; you must have it as your firm intention. But it’s not really hard to do. “Sweeping the floor, watering the vegetables, and washing the dishes become holy and sacred

My unexpected interpretation of the current astrological omens suggests that you will be wise to go naked as much as possible in the coming weeks. Being skyclad, as the pagans say, will be healing for you. You will awaken dormant feelings that will help you see the world with enhanced understanding. The love that you experience for yourself will soften one of your hard edges, and increase your appreciation for all the magic that your life is blessed with. One important caveat: Of course, don’t impose your nakedness on anyone who doesn’t want to witness it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

If you analyzed the best-selling songs as measured by Billboard magazine, you’d think we were in the midst of a dangerous decline in population. The vast majority of those popular tunes feature lyrics with reproductive themes. It’s as if there’s some abject fear that humans aren’t going to make enough babies, and need to be constantly cajoled and incited to engage in love-making. But I don’t think you Sagittarians, whatever your sexual preference, will need any of that nagging in the coming days. Your Eros Quotient should be higher than it has been in a while.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Donna Tartt, born under the sign of Capricorn, writes, “Beauty is rarely soft or consolatory. Quite the contrary. Genuine beauty is always quite alarming.” In my view, that’s an unwarranted generalization. It may sometimes be true, but is often not. Genuine beauty may also be elegant, lyrical, inspiring, healing, and ennobling. Having said that, I will speculate that the beauty you encounter in the near future may indeed be disruptive or jolting, but mostly because it has the potential to remind you of what you’re missing—and motivate you to go after what you’ve been missing.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

On July 21, 1969, Aquarian astronaut Buzz Aldrin was the second human to walk on the moon. It happened during a spectacular astrological aspect, when transiting Jupiter and Uranus in Libra were trine to Aldrin’s natal Sun in Aquarius. But after this heroic event, following his return to earth, he found it hard to get his bearings again. He took a job as a car salesman, but had no talent for it. In six months, he didn’t sell a single car. Later, however, he found satisfaction as an advocate for space exploration, and he developed technology to make future trips to Mars more efficient. I hope that if you are now involved in any activity that resembles Aldrin’s stint as a car salesman—that is, a task you’re not skilled at and don’t like—you will spend the coming weeks making plans to escape to more engaging pursuits.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Astronomers say the Big Bang birthed the universe 13.8 billion years ago. But a star 190 light years away from Earth contradicts that theory. Its age seems to be 14.5 billion years, older than the universe itself. Its scientific name is HD 140283, but it’s informally referred to as Methuselah, named after the Biblical character who lived till age 969. Sometimes, like now, you remind me of that star. You seem to be an impossibly old soul—like you’ve been around so many thousands of lifetimes that, you, too, predate the Big Bang. But guess what: It’s time to take a break from that aspect of your destiny. In the next two weeks, you have cosmic permission to explore the mysteries of playful innocence. Be young and blithe and curious. Treasure your inner child.

Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes /daily text message horoscopes. The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | J U N E 2 3 , 2 0 2 1

Come visit the newest permanent exhibit,

Launch to Landing: Oklahomans and Space

This permanent exhibit was made possible by the generous support of

E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation, M.D. Jirous and Barbara Jirous Foundation, Inasmuch Foundation, Records-Johnston Family Foundation Inc., Bob Ford, James C. and Teresa K. Day Foundation, Friends of the Oklahoma History Center, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute,Washington, D.C. Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, Kansas, Thomas P. Stafford Air and Space Museum, Weatherford, Oklahoma Bill Moore, Cameron Eagle, Ink Ranch

For more information call 405.522.0765 or visit okhistory.org 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr. Oklahoma City, OK 73105