N I G I AL R O
L M O A H N O A C C L A OKLAHOMA’S INDEPENDENT BIWEEKLY
MARCH 9, 2022
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INSIDE COVER The Alcoholmac heralds the beginning of the spring drinking season in Oklahoma, but it’s not like any of us need any extra reasons to pour one this year. By Matt Dinger Cover by Berlin Green
EAT & DRINK 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Homebrew St. Patty’s Day drinks New craft brew Private barrel bourbon OKC Brew Tours Core4 Spring beers Gazedibles
NEWS 14
Chicken Fried News
ARTS & CULTURE Distant Thunder The Toe Tag 2O Calendar 17
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MUSIC Live music Honeymoon Rock Fest 25 Five Year Gap 27 Soundcheck 21
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THE HIGH CULTURE 29
Strain reviews
FUN 29 30
Astrology Puzzles sudoku | crossword
VOL. XLIV NO. 5 PUBLISHER Bryan Hallman | bhallman@okgazette.com EDITOR Matt Dinger | mdinger@okgazette.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Berlin Green | bgreen@okgazette.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Kendall Bleakley ADVERTISING advertising@okgazette.com 405-528-6000 CIRCULATION MANAGER Patrick Hanscom | phanscom@okgazette.com CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Atwood-Cotton Jerry Bennett Brett Fieldcamp Evan Jarvicks Adrienne Proctor
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EAT & DRINK
Hop dreams THE BREW SHOP HAS BEEN AROUND FOR MORE THAN A QUARTER-CENTURY NOW, SUPPLYING MUCH OF THE CRAFT BREW TO TAPROOM PIPELINE THAT HAS EVOLVED IN RECENT YEARS. By Matt Dinger
Gail Shore had never brewed a beer until the year before she decided to take over The Brew Shop, but she’s still slinging hops and yeast more than a decade later. “It was actually opened in 1995. So this is our 26th year. Personally, I bought it in 2010. So this is my 12th year. But it’s been around the longest of any in Oklahoma for sure. Most of the other ones have come and gone,” Shore said. The former owner was planning to move to Colorado and Shore was looking for a new venture, so she learned the business and how to brew and then took over ownership. The learning curve for craft brew batches isn’t as steep as you might think. The basic equipment and your first batch of ingredients can be bought for between $150 and $200, Shore said. “After that is less than $50 a batch. It does brew about two cases of beer, so about 50 12-ounce bottles,” she said. For first-time brewers, Shore offers these tips: one, use your imagination; two, maintain temperature control; and three, take copious notes. “The easiest thing to brew would
be like a wheat beer. It’s a real simple recipe. It takes two weeks to ferment, two weeks to carbonate, and you’ve got your wheat beer ready in four Gail Shore. Photo Berlin Green. weeks. Just real simple. Not a lot of along. If you have those basic things hops. On the other side, some of the down, then it makes it a whole lot Belgians are more challenging. easier. A lot of it is fine tuning taste There’s more ingredients. You have to your flavor preference. to wait a little longer for fermentation to finish. If they’re high in alcohol, “I highly suggest you have to be careful about carbonjoining a club and ation and things like that, so they then always entering would probably be on the other end competitions will help of the spectrum. And then there’s better your beer. I lagers, which are cold fermented. think that we have And so whenever you ferment at a some of the best cold temperature, the yeast takes judges that give some longer to eat the sugar to produce the of the greatest alcohol. So the lagers are typically feedback right here in six to eight weeks. So it’s not that it’s this state. I know more difficult, but you have to have many brewers who good temperature control in the 50s. have just gotten way And then you also have to wait,” better very fast after Shore said. “As you’re doing it, as with joining the club and most hobbies, you learn as you go getting into it” -Nicholas Hodge
The Brew Shop. Photo Berlin Green.
Both fortunately and unfortunately, Shore said many of her customers have gone on to start breweries of their own. Roughtail, Lively, Core4, OK Cider, Skydance and several others are among the OKC Brew Shop alumni. But the shop isn’t the only nexus for Oklahoma City brewers that Shore is involved in. She was one of the founders of Red Earth Brewers, a grassroots collective of home brewers that now numbers nearly 100 people. Nicholas Hodge started brewing in 2011 and became a member of Red Earth Brewers in 2014 after meeting some other members at ZooBrew. He is currently serving his second term as club president. “I’ve seen some pretty big changes. They changed the law to where taprooms could serve on premises, and
then the higher alcohol content change. Home brewing was the scene, man. That’s where everybody was brewing the beers you couldn’t get here in Oklahoma unless you were willing to travel to Texas or whatever,” he said. Hodge said the club took a bit of an attendance hit during the pandemic but said that they are expecting their largest ever spring brew-off this year. Red Earth Brewers meets on the third Thursday of every month as a club and also does a happy hour the first Thursday of the month. Dues are $30 for the year, or $15 if you join after June, Hodge said. Aside from the friendly club competition, Shore said she helped organize another new event in Guthrie last year called Hoppy Camper. The second one will be held April 30. “The whole thing is a fundraiser for people of all ages with disabilities to go to this camp that’s in Guthrie called the Central Oklahoma Camp and Conference Center. And so this is a huge fundraising event that last year, we made $12,000, to give to these people to be able to come to this wonderful camp in Guthrie. And so we’re doing it again this year,” Shore said. “I highly suggest joining a club and then always entering competitions will help better your beer. I think that we have some of the best judges that give some of the greatest feedback right here in this state. I know many brewers who have just gotten way better very fast after joining the club and getting into it,” he said. Visit redearthbrewers.com and thebrewshopokc.com.
E AT & DRINK OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2
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EAT & DRINK
Irish springs EVERYONE IS A LITTLE IRISH ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY AND HERE ARE FOUR COCKTAILS TO TRY IN LIEU OF GREEN BEER.
THE JOINERY
The Dublin Rail 2 oz Bushmills whiskey .75 oz benedictine .75 oz lemon juice .75 oz simple 3 dashes vanilla bitters egg white
Orange You Glad It’s Not Green
Combine ingredients in tin except for vanilla bitters. Dry shake with 1 ice cube until it’s melted for frothy egg white. Double strain into coupe glass and garnish with lemon peel wheel.
2 oz sexton Irish whiskey .75 oz lemon juice .75 orgeat OKC orange cream soda Build in tin and shake. Pour over ice in Collins glass. top with orange cream soda and garnish with orange wedge or wheel.
THE HAMILTON Irish Punch -1.5oz Proper 12 1.5oz Grapefruit Juice .5oz Honey Syrup 1 egg white
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin and shake vigorously without ice for 5 seconds. Add ice and shake again until chilled. Strain into a Coupe glass. Served straight up (without ice)
Coffee of Kerry 1oz of Bushmills 1oz of Kahlua 1.5oz of half and half Maraschino Cherry Add Bushmills and Kahlua into a low ball with ice. Top with half and half. Stir and top with a cherry.
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EAT & DRINK
Tap in OKC’S TAPROOMS OFFER PATRONS FAMILIAR FLAVORS AS WELL AS ELUSIVE ONE-OFFS. By Matt Dinger
Alcohol laws have finally evolved in Oklahoma, paving the way for dozens of taprooms to serve their brews directly to the public. In addition to the design of each individual brewery, from the white and bright interiors of places like Vanessa House to the cozy stylings of Cross Timbers, each creates an ambience that marries the brewers to their brands. But the guest of honor is always the beers and trying to get your hands on the latest draft drops and bottle releases can be a frustrating game in and of itself. With certainty, several of the beers mentioned here will have come and gone (and many times, the reserves are tapped by the end of release day). The point is not to tease you with bygone beers but to showcase the burgeoning and experimental beer scene in the city. If you missed something in the Oklahoma craft beer scene, just wait a minute and it’ll change.
sour, is sure to make you pucker and is the perfect contrast to the tiny batch of boozy milkshakes (strawberry and caramel) that were crafted from the remnants of their d o u b l e - f u d g e Fair-Weather Friend. Photo, Berlin Green stout, I Fudging Love You. If you missed both, grab boasts a beausome cans of their Jam Jam line for tiful and exthe best of both worlds. These pastry pansive patio sours have shown up in all sorts of area, try the fruity flavors, from peach, cherry flagship and blackberry cobblers to a bananas Scottish ale, foster run. They move fast when they the malt-laden drop as well, so don’t sleep. Rusty Kiltpin.
Angry Scotsman Angry Scotsman is another brewery that came in hot during the early days of craft beers. This will be the third
Broke Brewing Co. Photo, Berlin Green
Stonecloud One of the city’s earliest successes and most lauded breweries is Stonecloud. Tucked inside the old Sunshine Cleaners building right off Classen Boulevard, the brewery is well known for its core beers like the Astrodog, a strong IPA, and Havana Affair, a breezy pilsner, but spontaneity abounds within the walls as well. The Feel The Rhythm, a spontaneous
spring for the taproom and their seasonal hefeweizen, or wheat beer, is making the rounds again. Founder Ross Harper is no stranger to collaborative beers and, for the hops fans out there, a very limited release for International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day. A New England IPA, which is the cloudy and citrus-laden variety of the notoriously bitter ale, Angry Scotsman’s Queen of Scots is a heavy dose of double dry-hopped flavor. If you’re new to the brewery, which
is already gone) as well as two runs of their Big B u d g e t Barleywine (the 2021 one went fast but there might be some of the 2022 variety left — maybe). Skydance Fo r t u n a t e l y, Brewing their Manhattan is still around if Skydance you’re looking Brewing for a good strong became a fan beer. Made with favorite along Belgian candy the beer festis u g a r, this val circuit. quadrupel also The Nativehas a bourbon o w n e d f lavor and a brewery re- Skydance Brewing. Photo, Berlin Green strong cherry cently opened finish that makes its taproom near Automobile Alley, for a very unique excursion off the so now you can enjoy their awardbeaten beer path. winning Fancy Dance hazy IPA on the spot. And, if hazy IPAs are your Fair-Weather Friend thing, you have to try the Floral Freak Out made from a New Mexico Fair-Weather Friend specializes hop named Zappa. Hopefully, they’ll in producing eyebrow-raising brews be bringing out another Juice Wolves made with some curious ingredients. release this season — their pineapple It’s not uncommon to find peanut and strawberry milkshake IPAs were butter, marshmallows, pineapple or attention-getting to say the least, as French toast in your draft. Those was the extremely limited run of flavorful concoctions aren’t the only Paisley, their double black IPA retrick up Fair-Weather Friend’s leased last month. sleeves, with a winter full of stouts (and okay, some of those had weird Broke Brewing things in them too) as well as a diverse lineup of revolving IPAs. One Broke tends to specialize in what of the best beers they’ve crafted, could be called “beer-flavored beer” Sweet Afters, has just gotten a and they do it well. Their pilsner, limited bottle release re-run featurPocket Change, won the Oklahoma ing label design by acclaimed local Craft Beer Festival last year in that artist and brewery bartender Kalee category. Fresh off their “half-anniJones W. The fruited slushy sour also versary” (the brewery opened on Feb. happens to have some of that toasted 29, 2020) where they released marshmallow mentioned earlier in Banambers Foster (which came and it. Take a chance — you’ll like it. E AT & DRINK OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2
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EAT & DRINK
Private stock THE SELECTION OF PRIVATE BARREL SPIRITS AT THE WINSTON IN NORMAN WILL MAKE YOUR HEAD SPIN. By Brett Fieldcamp
As the “Bourbon Boom” wears on and on, it’s getting harder every day to get your hands on the good stuff. With producers and distillers blasting through their stock of mature barrels for blending and bottling, even the best and most respected bars and restaurants are struggling to stock all the great whiskies and spirits that discerning drinkers want. The solution? Buy your own full barrels. By calling dibs on an entire single barrel at the distillery before it gets dumped and blended, it guarantees that your bar or store shelf will get a full stock of the brand, usually uncut and “barrel strength.” Not everyone is willing to take the risk of buying a full barrel, which can put you on the hook to buy more than 20 cases of one product, but fans and regulars of Norman’s premiere whiskey bar and competition-crushing restaurant The Winston have come to expect the best. General Manager Rick Patino is noted in whiskey circles for his uncanny ability to seek out and lay claim to the best barrels from the best producers, and his willingness to partner with other bars and retail stores to bring the most delicious booze to the masses means that the metro doesn’t have to run dry. I stopped by The Winston to taste a selection of the staff’s favorites from their ever-expanding selection of private bottlings. Wilderness Trail Rye: The Winston Single Barrel
L’Encantada XO Armangac: The Winston Select
Patino calls this the best private barrel he’s ever picked, and it’s immediately clear why. Sporting nearly 5 full years of age and a normally blazing 118 proof, this rye is soft and buttery on the palate with shockingly little heat. There’s a hint of the dry rye spice and a surprising, semi-sweet fruitiness normally reserved for the best sherry-aged malt whiskies. Might very well rank among the most perfect rye whiskies you’ll find anywhere in the state.
Speaking of European brandy, this show-stopping French Armangac (the drier, spicier cousin to Cognac) is actually not a single barrel bottling, but a blending of three barrels, two of which were distilled back in the 80’s. This absolute beauty presents with expected fruit right up front, but a little air adds a rich maple element and more than a little chocolatey Black Forest cake. Bar Manager Carl Mitchell singles this one out as his personal favorite and points out that it’s also available by the bottle down the street at Norman’s legendary Spirit Shop.
Weller A ntique 107: The Winston Single Barrel Select One of the first barrel picks that put Patino firmly on the whiskey fanatic radar, this is a strong contender for the best bottling of one of the best bourbons in the country. The classic Weller “high-wheat” recipe shines through with loads of caramel and slight cinnamon spice, but it boasts a wonderfully rich, non-chill filtered body that keeps it creamy and hefty in all the best ways. Wilderness Trail Bourbon: George’s Liquors Single Barrel Also available in-store at OKC’s George’s Liquors, this bold, dry bourbon actually drinks more like a rye than the Wilderness Trail rye. Loads of spice, tanned leather, and a touch more heat, even at only 115 proof, means that this top-shelf drinker stands up to ice or water better than any softer, sweeter bourbon. Stellum Serpens Rye: The Winston 2021 Single Barrel Stellum is a recent addition to Oklahoma’s growing whiskey world, and this Indiana-distilled offering kicks the door down.Easily one of the most unique and explosively flavorful pours on The Winston’s backbar, this bottling boasts brine, bitter tea, and a beautifully balanced fruitiness on par with a rich European brandy. 8
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Old Forester Barrel Strength: Pub W 2022 Single Barrel Patino is a devout Old Forester fan and seems to never miss an opportunity to get his hands on a great barrel for his bars. By far the hottest offering of the day, with a monstrous proof of more than 131, but it holds it shockingly well and remains pleasant and massively flavorful all through the burn. As with any great Old Forester product, the key here is loads of ripe cherry. Even with the heavy body and dark, bold, lingering spice, the cherry notes stay bright and welcoming from start to finish. All of these bottlings, and many more, are available right now at The Winston on Main Street in Norman, alongside a truly remarkable selection of scotch, brandy, rum, cocktails, and beer. Whatever you decide to drink, however, always remember the most important thing: order the Buffalo Chicken Wontons.
EAT & DRINK
Brew cruise OKC BREW TOURS ESCORTS BEER FANS RIGHT TO THE SOURCE. By Brett Fieldcamp
Lloyd Vines believes in the power of good beer to bring people together. When he took over as the owner, manager, driver, tour guide, and sole employee of OKC Brew Tours in April of 2021, he’d only been with the business for about four months. After coming on board as a part-time driver and host for the local brewerycentric, curated taproom-crawl-onwheels, Vines quickly found himself being offered ownership of the entire operation when the original owner decided that it wasn’t for him. “It just wasn’t really working out originally,” Vines said. “Back then it was just an unmarked, black van pulling up to the breweries with a load of people and asking for pours. It really needed to have some input and some collaboration from the
breweries themselves or it wasn’t going to work.” That push for more collaboration with the breweries, and for more legitimacy among the Lloyd VInes. Photo provided. greater brewing comtending the bar at The Big Friendly munity, became Vines’ top priority part-time (a gig that he’s kept up even from day one. since taking over the brew tours) and “I knew that it needed to be benhe’s known a number of OKC’s head eficial for them as well. There needed brewers for years as part of the comto be some synergy,” he said. “At the munity’s beer fandom. end of the day, for this to be profitable Vines has parlayed that fandom at all, I have to know that the brewerinto a needed service for a city ies have my back, and they need to that suddenly has more than two know that I have theirs.” dozen taprooms. Proving himself to be a friend of “I always try to give them a call the brewers hasn’t been too difficult and a head’s up when I’m bringing a for Vines. He’s had a long stint group over. You don’t ever want to
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
just show up and blindside them with a vanload of people,” he said. For St. Patrick’s Day, he’s considering a move into the “drunk taxi” space, helping to shuttle drinkers to and from bars and breweries to help reduce drunk driving. And, hey, if all goes well, he might even get a second van and a second employee. To check out tour times, or to book a private tour or event, visit okcbrewtour.com.
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EAT & DRINK
Core audience CORE4 IS CELEBRATING ITS SECOND YEAR IN BUSINESS WITH ONE OF ITS SIGNATURE EVENTS. By Matt Dinger
It’s the night before a winter storm is expected to hit Oklahoma City and the wind hacks and slashes at anyone or anything in its path. But inside a slice of the Paramount Building, the taproom at Core 4, 7 N. Lee Ave., is packed. It’s board game night, so the regular crowd is there for that. But, about a week prior, a chili cook-off was announced, prompting 17 entries to be judged and awarded that night by their peers. “We’re very small. We’re very community focused. We are your neighborhood brewery,” co-owner Buck Buchanan said. A simple and small bar setup with tables inside, picnic tables and games outside where live music is often performed, the brewery is taproom-for-
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ward and lends its space to gatherings and fundraisers. The hall leading to the bathroom is adorned with art for sale. And while the ideas have evolved over the past two years since they’ve opened, the spirit remains the same. “The second Friday of every month, we do what we call “Pints of Pride” and it’s a nonprofit fundraiser night. And so when we first started out, it was very LGBTQ-influenced, so all of our nonprofits were some sort of LGBTQ nonprofit organization,” Buchanan said. In addition to cash donations and an art auction, the brewery donates 10 percent of its sales back to the cause. “So now, it’s not so LGBTQ-forward anymore, not that we don’t want that or we don’t push that, but we’ve just
M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM E AT & DRINK
Buck Buchanan of Core 4. Photo, Berlin Green
kind of looked outside of the LGBTQ community as far as our nonprofits go. We really just wanted to let everybody know that we are a safe space, that we’re open. We’re nonjudgmental. Anybody can come here and hang out and that was kind of our plan,” Buchanan said. While they do batches on tap and in bottle releases, the brewery remains dedicated to the roots of craft brewing. “Core 4 is based off the four main ingredients in beer. That’s where it comes from. Yeast, water, barley, and hops. But then there are four of us that are involved too. We were talking about
what we’re going to name the brewery, we were wanting to know what our core four beers are going to be and then it just became a name that we just started seeing a whole bunch,” Buchanan said. It stuck. They claimed the name on all the social media platforms and moved forward, with the second anniversary party kicking off at noon on March 12. While the diversity of local craft beer is great, he said, sometimes you just want to get back to your roots. Your core. “Our mantra is just bringing back beer to the basics,” Buchanan said.
EAT & DRINK
Irish goodbye (to winter) STRADDLING THE STARK WINTER AND THE RENEWAL OF SPRING, HERE ARE TWO HEAVY BREWS AS WELL AS A COUPLE HERALDS OF THE SPRING THAW AS WE APPROACH ST. PATRICK’S DAY.
Stonecloud — Danny Boi A returning favorite this spring, Stonecloud’s Danny Boi is a solid seasonal rotator. Neither too sweet nor too bitter, this Irish red ale is low in alcohol and high in malt flavor, which makes it perfect for a long haul like St. Patrick’s Day. Stonecloud consistently knocks it out of the park with their core beer lineup and rotators, more than proficient at any style that they attempt. This one is worth buying by the case as an easy spring drinker through the season’s duration.
Magners Irish Cider Magners is a goldilocks cider in that it’s neither too sugary nor too dry. The label says it’s made from the juices of 17 different apple varieties and that’s cool, but all that really matters here is that it’s well-balanced between tartness and sweetness. An issue with many American ciders is that they taste like apple juice with alcohol tossed in, but this 4.5 percent ABV concoction doesn’t.
Fuller’s — Vintage Ale When a pint beer bottle comes packaged in a box, there’s either going to be something special or a lipsticked pig contained within. If there’s one wintry beer to bid adieu to the frost with this season, it’s 2020’s Vintage Ale release from Fuller’s. As it’s bottle-conditioned, this one is best served poured slowly into a glass after it’s been chilled. Definitely rich in malt and sweetness that borders on a Belgian ale with both f lavor and alcohol content at 8.5 percent ABV, here’s to bottle number 1,573 of this limited edition.
Rahr & Sons — S’more Pug Always keeping tabs on our neighbors to the south, the S’More Pug is likely to be the last winterish flavor to sneak across state lines. This sweet black lager is flavored with vanilla, cinnamon and cocoa and you can taste every bit of all three, but the 5.5 ABV is easily disguised. As painful as it is to admit, Rahr & Sons consistently delivers seasonal flavors that are worth the curiosity.
E AT & DRINK OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2
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GAZEDIBLES
Bar Bites It is the Alcoholmanac, and what goes better with a tasty beverage than delicious bar snacks? Oklahoma City has a plethora of amazing places to choose from, but here are seven spots we can guarantee you’ll find something delicious to accompany whatever spirits you choose. By Berlin Green
Photos provided.
Good Times
3Cubed
Ponyboy
Good Times is a fantastic place to grab a cold craft brew or a tasty cocktail, and they’re 420 friendly. Chat it up with friends on their spacious outdoor patio, and when you get the munchies, they’ve got a great menu to satisfy those cravings. The Doritos-encrusted chicken quesadilla is a personal favorite.
3Cubed is a relatively new player on the scene, opening in 2021. Here you’ll find delicious new-age cuisine and specialty cocktails all packed with flavor. Try the loaded chicken taco or the porch chop brisket with fries, or take a dive into their slow-cooked BBQ. If you’re vegan, they’ve got some tasty options you’re going to love, like mushwings and portobello burgers.
If you’re catching a show at Tower Theatre or Ponyboy, make sure to dance your way over to a table and enjoy their menu. It’s filled with hamburgers, sandwiches, soups, salads and more, all with a deliciously unique twist. Try the Bruiser burger with a side of the mac and cheese balls — they’re some of the best in town.
4 05-609-3647 • 1234 N. Western Ave. www.facebook.com/GoodTimesOK
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405-242-3333 • 800 NW 4th St. www.3333cubed.com
405-896-2037 • 423 NW 23rd St. www.ponyboyokc.com
O Bar
The Jones Asssembly
Oak & Ore
Sean Cummings Irish Pub
Take in a breathtaking view of the OKC skyline with handcrafted cocktails and an incredible curated menu. Whether you keep it simple with Mediterranean tapas or a charcuterie and cheese board or choose to go all-in with dishes like their duck à l’orange or pan-seared scallops, you’re in for a treat.
You might go in for the fabulous atmo-
Oak and Ore is passionate about craft beer, with over 36 beers from Oklahoma and around the world on tap, and they’ve got a curated menu of bar snacks to help to soak it all up. Try their perfectly cooked wings paired with flavorful sauces like PB&J and chili lime. If wings aren’t your thing, try their ahi tuna nachos or the Cubano sandwich.
If you’ve got a hankering for traditional Celtic music and food, Sean Cummings is the place to find authentic Irish pub fare in OKC. Whether you start with their Guinness wings, a main dish of bangers and mash, or try their delectable fish and chips, every dish here is worthy of enjoying with a cold pint.
405-898-8170 • 1200 N Walker Ave. www.obarokc.com
405-212-2378 • 901 W Sheridan Ave. www.thejonesassembly.com
sphere, the delicious drinks, or the live music, but don’t pass up The Jones Assembly’s fantastic menu. Enjoy amazing soups, salads, wood-fired pizzas, or take a taste of their steak frites or the cacio e pepe, a house-made spaghetti with crushed peppercorn, pecorino romano, and grana padano.
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E AT & DRINK OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2 13
Illustrations by Jerry Bennett national headlines and tell The bad news make Marjorie Taylor Greene to hold their beers. is that U.S. Inhofe has already endorsed his top aide, Luke Holland, to Senator Jim assume his seat when he calls it quits after this year’s legislaInhofe still tive session. “Luke is proud to have the represents endorsement of Senator with whom he’s worked Oklahoma. The Inhofe, alongside for years fighting in Washington, standgood news is socialists ing up for our freedoms, and to pass the Trump that this is the working agenda,” his website states. Just great. last year any of Great. For the first time in decades, has a chance to change us can say that. Oklahoma up its national representation and
To those of us who have lived with his name in our local headlines all of our lives, it feels like hell has frozen over. His retirement will trigger a special election this year, which sounds like a good thing until you remember that the Trump Party candidates in this state are a special breed of batshit crazy, the kind that
bring some fresh ideas to the table. Unfortunately, he’s drinking from the same tepid, stagnant bog that has helped keep Oklahoma rising in the top tens of the bottom of the barrel. “As a fourth generation Oklahoman, I know America is the greatest country in the world. It’s a gift from God, and that’s why we must
d o ev-
erything we can to stop t he march toward socialism, stand up to China, and get President Trump’s agenda back on track,” according to Holland’s snooze of a campaign pledge. His website doesn’t have a campaign slogan yet, so we’re offering
one free of charge: “Luke Holland for U.S. Senate: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
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M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM CHICKEN FRIED NEWS
Conservatives sure are doubling down on banning books no one would ever accuse them of reading. Given, Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor has since rescinded his plan to investigate 51 books found on library shelves, as originally reported by The Frontier. But the fact that he even considered it should send shivers down all of our spines. And it wasn’t just contemporary books that have gone without thorough review or discussion. Also included on O’Connor’s hit list were classics like Of Mice and Men, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and The Lord of the Flies. There are also some real headscratchers on the list like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. And while it’s hilarious to think about some befuddled censor trying to digest Michel Houellebecq’s Whatever, how that even managed to make it onto the list is a mystery unto itself. “We have to also look at things and decide for our community standards
what is pornography?... And usually if a number of parents are shocked that a given photo or diagram is inappropriate, that should be reviewed and they should look at removing the use of that book or whatever,” O’Connor told The Frontier. “A lot of the effort seems to be, in some circles it’s considered cool to expose kids to drawings of, say, homosexual sex in a diagram. And many parents, including me, disagree with that, whether it’s homosexual or heterosexual sex,” he said. What? Also, who’s going to be the one to tell O’Connor that the vast majority of books on his list are chapter books, not picture books? And while O’Connor’s list may have been scrapped, as previously discussed here, Senate Bill 1142, proposed by state Sen. Rob
Standridge, which prohibits any discussion of sexual or gender identity on school library shelves and may result in up to a $10,000 fine if not pulled from them, is very
much still on the books. And that’s a scarier story than anything Alvin Schwartz ever penned.
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M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM ART S & CULTURE
ARTS & CULTURE
Native homecoming LYRIC THEATRE PREMIERES NATIVE AMERICAN MUSICAL DISTANT THUNDER. by Adrienne Proctor
Distant Thunder, the latest in Lyric Theatre’s New Works Initiative, is a world-premiere musical that has already had a life and story before it ever made it to opening night. Broadway alum Shaun Taylor-Corbett first experienced the Blackfeet Nation, a Native community in Montana, when he was fifteen years old. On a trip with his mother, famed choreographer and director Lynne Taylor-Corbett, he says he “experienced magic,” learning about his heritage for the first time. After discovering a culture that was alive and thriving, Taylor-Corbett was inspired to begin work on a story that reflected his own life experiences. Distant Thunder tells the story of Darrell Waters, a young lawyer who returns to his childhood home in Montana with a business deal to make. When that lucrative opportunity means certain death for the language and culture of his people, worlds collide and consequences are faced. Prior to writing the show with his mother Lynne, Taylor-Corbett performed on Broadway as an original cast member of In the Heights and then starred as Frankie Valli in the national tour of Jersey Boys. After eight years of development and workshops, Distant Thunder was finally ready for a full production. In collaboration with Lyric, rehearsals were in full swing and the show was slated for a world premiere in March 2020 when the COVID pandemic hit and the performing arts industry completely shut down. Lyric promised to revisit the show whenever their doors opened again, and since that time, the First Americans Museum opened and serves as the perfect backdrop for this unique new work. Lyric premieres this new musical on the grounds in partnership with FAM’s Executive Director James Pepper Henry and Cultural Ambassador Ace Greenwood. When discussing the plot, TaylorCorbett said “Distant Thunder explores what happens when a community is torn between their language and culture and the promise of economic opportunity. Especially considering the rich Native cultures here, I think Distant Thunder will resonate with all Oklahomans.” Taylor-Corbett is also starring in the
role as Darrell, and spoke recently with Oklahoma Gazette about that process. “Playing Darrell is a real honor because he is named after my mentor, Darrell Robes Kipp.” Taylor-Corbett said. “There are a lot of aspects of the character’s life and mannerisms that are very similar to my own. The journey of my life over the last 10 years is very similar to Darrell’s. Lynne and I wanted to create a character who had been taken away from his home and his culture, but who ends up finding his way back with the help of his family, friends and community. I think many audience members who are new to Native culture will follow his journey as a bit of an outsider in the beginning of the show, and learn about contemporary Native life and culture as Darrell learns about it.” When discussing how Native audiences will view the show, TaylorCorbett said, “The Indigenous audiences will recognize Darrell in the many relatives that move away from their tribal nations, only to come back years later to connect to their communities again. Many Native people will also see themselves in Darrell, those who had to walk in the White world to survive but who also want to reconnect to their indigenous homelands.”
“Distant Thunder explores what happens when a community is torn between their language and culture and the promise of economic opportunity. Especially considering the rich Native cultures here, I think Distant Thunder will resonate with all Oklahomans.” -Shaun Taylor-Corbett
He continued, “I think I fully realize how vulnerable it is when the show is going on and I’m hearing every word and song that pertains to something very important in my life. It is vulnerable, but also so rewarding. I’ve wanted to bring the magic of my experience from Browning, Montana to the world. This show also feels very authentic and
Shaun Taylor-Corbett, left, as Darrell and Ryan Duncan as Hector/Sam Silver. Photo by K. Talley Photography.
represents so much of my journey that I know it will impact audiences. “Distant Thunder started off as a specific story in Browning, but it has become a unifying story that resonates with many different communities. So many different Native nations are also represented in the cast, and they have added so much to the show that it feels like it is a story that could take place in many communities around the Americas. I have a lot of family seeing the show, so I think it is also a truly healing journey for us all. I think after so much time working on it, I have also developed a strength in sharing the personal sides of the story.” When asked about his favorite aspects of the creative process so far, Taylor-Corbett said, “I think my favorite part of the process has been seeing how big of an effect it has been having on all of the people who come into contact with the show. Native people who see the show are so proud to see themselves represented on stage in a contemporary pop musical. Young people have been getting in touch to ask if they could use some of the songs in their showcases, and I’m hoping that they are inspired to write their own stories now that the door is opening for Native theatre. Having this group of incredible human beings to work with for the last 8-plus years, becoming a community that believes in something so much that we keep getting
together to tell this story. “And finally, I also have to say, getting to work with my mother who really has been a guiding light for me throughout my life. This is as much about our journey that she took me on when I was 15 and how that changed my life.” Taylor-Corbett is playing dual roles as both actor and writer to bring this show to life. When asked if he had to choose between the two, he said, “I believe that this show has opened so many doors for me as a writer and creative collaborator that I want to continue this work moving forward. I have had such a great acting career, and I plan on continuing, but I think it will be a combination of both writing and acting that I will be doing. It’s really about how interesting each project is for me to do at this point. I’ve been so spoiled that I want everything I do to really mean something for our society. I also think I’m going to get back to writing pop songs with Chris Wiseman, my music and lyrics collaborator on Distant Thunder. Let’s see what else inspires us.” Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s world premiere musical Distant Thunder runs March 23 – 27 at the First Americans Museum, 659 First Americans Blvd. For tickets, visit lyrictheatreokc.com or call the box office at 405-524-9312.
ART S & CULTURE OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2 17
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THE TOE TAG
Photo: ShutterStock
Put your finger on it HUMAN FINGERPRINTS HAVE LONG BEEN A FORENSIC TOOL INVESTIGATORS USE TO IDENTIFY CRIMINALS AND BODIES. By Sarah Atwood-Cotton
Fingerprinting has come a long way since the days of the detective with his trusty magnifying glass. Madeupoffrictionridgesinskinfound on fingers, toes, palms and feet, they are unique to the individual. Even identical twins have different fingerprints. Ours are developed during the first trimester of pregnancy by the baby’s movements within the womb and their purpose is to help us grasp and hold onto items. Fingerprints do not change as we age and can only be destroyed or altered by scarring due to chemicals and/or trauma, but those unique injuries and/or scars can actually further assist in making an identification of an individual. Fingerprints are most commonly associated with criminal investigations due to their uniqueness and persistence, and fingerprinting has been dated as far back as 300 B.C. In China and 702 A.D. in Japan Historically, they were used for identification purposes, but the United States began utilizing fingerprinting in criminal investigation in 1902 and the FBI’s Identification Division was formed in 1924. There are 3 types of prints that can be recovered from a scene: latent, patent and plastic. Latent prints are invisible to the naked eye and fingerprint powders are used to make visible and lift the print from its surface. Patent prints are two-dimensional — an example of this type would be a fingerprint in blood. Plastic prints are three-dimensional and can typically be found in wax, plastic or clay. Depending on the type of print and the surface, there are many ways to preserve and maintain a quality print for
lifting by utilizing powders, dyes, and casting materials. Additionally, there are three levels of analysis that can be used to assist in making an identification. Level one details include the three primary fingerprint patterns: loops, whorls, and arches. Level two details, also known as Galton characteristics, include more detailed features, and level three details include things like scarring and ridge width. Level one details alone are not enough for an identification — at least one second-level detail is required for identification, though only a quarter-inch of a print is required to conduct an analysis. ACE-V is the name for a method in which fingerprints are examined. A stands for analysis, which means the examiner always starts with the unknown print first and then the known. C is for comparison where the unknown and known prints are compared. E stands for evaluation, which is determining if a match or print is inconclusive, eliminated or an identification. V is for verification which means another examiner will conduct the analysis again and come to their own conclusion. Alas, not every fingerprint left at a crime scene is perfect and examiners deal with many incomplete and smudged prints that can make examination quite difficult and Known fingerprints or suspect fingerprints aren’t always on file or available. The kicker? Toe- and footprints can also be used to identify the deceased or suspects? But you don’t see that one on CSI very often, do you?
TOE TAG OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2 19
OKG PICKS are events recommended by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staff members For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.
FILM Free Film Screening: The Conformist Join us for a FREE screening of Bernardo Bertolucci’s feature film ‘The Conformist’ (1970). When Marcello, a member of the fascist secret police, is assigned to assassinate an outspoken political critic who also happens to be his former professor, his own past traumas come to bear, as he becomes entangled with his target’s wife. Running time: 107 mins. This event is FREE and open to the public! In cooperation with OCU’s Event Policies, face masks are required for all attendees. Free!, Sun., March 13, 2-4:30 p.m. OCU Norick Art Center, 1608 NW 26th Street, (405) 208-5707, okcu.edu/film-literature/home. SUN, MAR 13
HAPPENINGS Core4 Two Year Anniversary Celebration Please join us on Saturday March 12th as we celebrate our Two Year Anniversary. That’s Right Turning Two in ‘22. We will have beer releases, games, pop ups, food, music, and more., Sat., March 12, 12 p.m. Core4 Brewing, 7 N. Lee Ave., 405-620-4513, core4brewing. square.site. SAT, MAR 12 The History & Significance of OKC ParksHistorically Local Speaker Series Learn about the history of the American Parks movement and how it influenced early Oklahoma City development and the “beginning” of our parks system., This is a Free Event and open to the public–registration is required here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/historicallylocal-series-the-history-significance-of-our-parkstickets-246744157417, Light Appetizers & Cash Bar Available, Brian Dougherty–Presenter/ OCCF Director of Parks & Public Spaces No Charge, Thu., March 10, 7-8:30 p.m. Castle Falls Restaurant & Event Center, 820 N. MacArthur Blvd., 405.942.6133, eventbrite.com/e/ historically-local-series-the-history-significance-ofour-parks-tickets-246744157417. THU, MAR 10 LIVE! on the Plaza Join the Plaza District every second Friday for an art walk featuring artists, live music, shopping and more, 6-10 p.m. second Friday of every month. Plaza District, 1618 N. Gatewood Ave., 405-426-7812, plazadistrict.org. FRI, MAR 11 ShamROCK The Gardens, A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Join Myriad Botanical Gardens for ShamROCK the Gardens, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the heart downtown at Myriad Botanical Gardens. Enjoy music and dancing by some of Oklahoma’s best Irish bands. Face painters and crafts will be onsite for the kids and maybe... just maybe they’ll find a pot of gold! Will the lake get dyed green? YES! Totally., Thu., March 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-
7080, myriadgardens.org/events/st-patricks-day-inthe-gardens. THU, MAR 17 St. Patrick’s Parade Come to Historic Stockyards City, in Oklahoma City, on Saturday, March 12th for the annual St. Patrick’s Parade! It is a celebration of Oklahoma Irish heritage and the western culture of Stockyards City! This family friendly event begins at 10:00 a.m. You won’t want to miss this! The parade will be led by the Slash O Ranch Longhorns. You can see St. Patrick, marching bands, bagpipes, Irish dancers, the Shriners, cool cars, community groups, equestrian entries and much more! Admission to the event is free. Free Admission. Stockyards City, 1307 S. Agnew Ave., 4052357267, stockyardscity.org. SAT, MAR 12
FOOD Veggie Dinner at Picasso Cafe Join Picasso Cafe the third Tuesday of each month for a four to fivecourse menu; featuring a fresh and creative take on vegetarian-inspired fare. Enjoy with or without wine pairings. Dinner begins at 6:30. March 15, TUESDAY. Seating is limited. Reservations 405.602.2002, Tue., March 15. Picasso Cafe, 3009 Paseo St., 405-6022002, picassosonpaseo.com. TUE, MAR 15
YOUTH Spring Break Drop-In Activities It is Spring Break! Drop by the Museum and participate in family-friendly activities and create a different make-and-take craft each day. No reservations required. Activities are available while supplies last. Free for Museum members or with Museum admission. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. MON-FRI, MAR 14-19
PERFORMING ARTS 3rd Act Theatre Company presents The Shakespeare Conspiracy The Shakespeare Conspiracy, written by Ted Bacino and Rufus Cadigan and directed by Kris Kuss, as the third Noire production of Season 3: UNKNOWN. 3rd Act’s Noire productions introduce plays that push boundaries for adult-only audiences. The Shakespeare Conspiracy contains mature language and themes such as murder, espionage, and persecution, and is suitable for audience members 17 years of age and older. $25.00/$20.00, Fri., March 11, 8-10 p.m., Sat., March 12, 8-10 p.m., Sun., March 13, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Fri., March 18, 8-10 p.m. and Sat., March 19, 8-10 p.m. 3rd Act Theatre Company, 12040 N May Ave., 4055938093, 3rdacttheatreco.com. VARIOUS DATES
Distant Thunder Darrell Waters, a brash young attorney, returns to his childhood home in Montana to broker a deal between a large energy company and the Blackfeet Nation. In the process, he is forced to confront his reclusive father about their painful past., March 23-27. First Americans Museum, 659 First Americans Blvd., 405.594.2100. OPENING MAR 23
Future of Sound Fest Join Factory Obscura for an outdoor music festival featuring local
female musicians and poets celebrating the return of Spring! A spectacle of creative collaboration to 9th Street in Automobile Alley is free and open to all ages. Rock out to 6 live bands and 2 poets in Artist Alley, performing original songs inspired by the Mix-Tape experience. Bands perform on the hour from 3-9PM., Sat., March 12. Factory Obscura, 25 NW 9th St., factoryobscura. com/events/futureofsoundfest22. SATURDAY, MAR 12 Photo by Berlin Green
GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR MORE LISTINGS 20 M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM ART S & CULTURE
DRUM TAO This high-octane performance of the Wadaiko drum tradition has reached over 8 million people all over the world and consistently sold out their off-Broadway shows. See why millions of people race to the theater to experience the Wadaiko drum tradition, a Japanese drum art that requires expert musicality, power and athleticism., “Supernaturally fit and superbly trained…Stunning…Fully deserving of the standing ovation that the company receives.” -Herald Prices Vary, Tue., March 22, 7:30 p.m. OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater, 7777 S. May Ave., 405-682-7579, occc.edu/pas. TUE, MAR 22
TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION LIVE MUSIC Andres w/ Makari, 89th Street OKC. Dead Horses w/ Chloe-Beth, Ponyboy
Neil Simon’s “Rumors” At a large, tastefully-appointed Sneden’s Landing townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of Farce. Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room, and his wife is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken, and wife, Chris, must get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and mis-communications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity. $10 - $25, Thu., March 17, 8-10 p.m., Fri., March 18, 8-10 p.m., Sat., March 19, 8-10 p.m. and Sun., March 20, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Jewel Box Theatre, 321 NW 36th St., 405-521-1786, jewelboxokc.com. VARIOUS
Deeper & Psychic Baths, Opolis.
DATES
SATURDAY, MAR. 12
Oklahoma City Ballet’s “Future Voices” Oklahoma City Ballet presents the third annual Future Voices. The showcase will feature eight short world-premiere ballets in a small, intimate setting. The Ballet’s Inasmuch Theater seats 190, and guests will have an up-close view of dancers in the, same studio where they rehearse. March 17-20. Inasmuch Theater at the Ballet’s Susan E. Brackett Dance Center, 6900 N Classen, 405.843.9898, okcballet.org. THU-SUN, MAR 17-20
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. TUE
VISUAL ARTS
Hippie Sabotage, The Criterion.
THURSDAY, MAR. 10 LEYA with Sarah Reid & Anvil Salute, Opolis. Thursday Jazz Nights, Bradford House. Pears, 89th Street OKC.
FRIDAY, MAR. 11 Midas 13, Bandee’s Barbecue. COVER Stepmom & Keathley, Opolis.
411, Remington Park.
Together Together is a collaborative art show that seeks to foster an environment of positive communication and empathetic understanding. Thirty four artists will present work created as part of an art relay team., Through March 31. The Art Hall, 519 NW 23rd St., 405-231-5700, okartguild.com. THROUGH MAR 31
LOCAL ARTISTS Ciara C. Cassandra Elaine Chelsea Kilburn Elizabeth Haden Zach Taylor Nicholas Ridiculous Shattee Robinson
POP-UPS Moist your silas salsa FOOD TRUCKS
12
MARCH
7 N. Lee Ave Oklahoma City All ages welcome!
12
P.M.
Kate Kirby & Sun June, 89th Street OKC. The Lost End & Merry Walkers, Opolis. MAMMOTH WVH & DIRTY HONEY, Diamond Ballroom. Pineapple Willows @ Josey Records, Josey Records. Tow’rs, Ponyboy
SUNDAY, MAR. 13 Hosty, The Deli. Electric Night Moves w/ The Odyssey, Heartspace, Ponyboy
THURSDAY, MAR. 17
MAR 11
LIVE MUSIC 1:00: Mcteggart Irish Dancers 2:00: Mitch Williams 3:00: Dylan Hackney 4:00: Tom Markowski 5:00: War N Peace 6:00: Tornead O’Malley 7:30: Jack Waters And The Unemployed
Zero Turned Green
Jon Pardi, River Spirit Casino Resort. COUNTRY
The Mom and Son Show: Art by Sharon and Logan Burchett The Pepe Delgados Artist Series. Opening reception 6:30 - 7:30, Through March 12. Pepe Delgados, 786 Asp Ave, 405.321.6232. SAT
Second Friday Art Walk 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk is a free celebration of arts & creativity held monthly starting at 6 p.m. in the Walker Arts District of Downtown Norman. Downtown Norman, 122 E. Main St., 405-637-6225, downtownnorman.com. FRI,
Unimpeachable
The Happy Fits, Tower Theatre.
Schaffer The Darklord, 89th Street OKC.
THRIOUGH JUNE 20
Emerald City
KODY WEST & AUSTIN MEADE, Diamond Ballroom. COUNTRY
Art Moves Art Moves artists perform and demonstrate their artistry daily from popular downtown locations or live streaming from their studio or homes! Art Moves is an Arts Council OKC initiative that provides free arts events each workday from Noon-1:00. The daily line-up features a wide range of artistic mediums including musical and theater performances, live art demonstrations, short film selections, and more, Mondays-Fridays, noon. artscouncilokc.com/ art-moves. WED-FRI
Off the Wall Off the Wall introduces visitors to site-responsive installations untethered from the walls in Oklahoma Contemporary’s Mary LeFlore Clements Oklahoma Gallery., The exhibition features artworks by three Oklahoma artists — Sarah Ahmad, romy owens and Marium Rana — who mix traditional techniques with modern machinery to create unexpected, large-scale forms. Ahmad, owens and Rana work in fiber, textiles and mixed media, using methods that range from sewing and quilting to the intricate application of paint and the exploration of new technologies., Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays. through June 20. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org.
BEER RELEASES
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 9
TUESDAY, MAR. 15 Kaleo, The Jones Assembly Escape From The Zoo, 89th Street OKC.
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 16 Alicia Blue, Ponyboy Convictions with Earth Groans, 89th Street OKC.
Thursday Jazz Nights, Bradford House.
FRIDAY, MAR. 18 Blackberry Smoke, The Criterion.
SATURDAY, MAR. 19 Carom Leon, The Criterion. Grady Spencer & The Work w/ Volk, Ponyboy Husbands w/ Ken Pomeroy, Labrys, Tower Theatre MSSV, 89th Street OKC.
SUNDAY, MAR. 20 Hosty, The Deli. ELECTRIC
MONDAY, MAR. 21 Leif Vollebekk w/ Dosh, Tower Theatre. Nunslaughter, 89th Street OKC.
TUESDAY, MAR. 22 Incubus, The Criterion. Stuck, 89th Street OKC.
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 23 Dave Mason, Tower Theatre. Steel Panther, Cain’s Ballroom. ROCK
YOUR DAILY INTEL BRIEFING
ON-AIR, ONLINE AND ON-DEMAND
Visit okgazette.com/Events/AddEvent to submit your event. Submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date.Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible.
MUSIC OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2 21
MUSIC
Happily ever after THE HONEYMOON ROCK FEST IS THE BIGGEST WEDDING RECEPTION OF 2022, WITH MORE THAN TWO DOZEN BANDS PERFORMING OVER THREE DAYS. by Matt Dinger
Most people go on honeymoons, but the founders of the Honeymoon Rock Fest are bringing the honeymoon to themselves. The festival’s founder will be wedding her husband on March 17, the day the three-day event kicks off. A who’s who of 90s mainstream rock acts, the festival runs March 18 - 20 at Remington Park. Art Alexakis, the singer-songwriter and guitarist of the multiplatinum alternative rock band Everclear spoke with Oklahoma Gazette from his California home. Alexakis turns 60 later this month and has been with his wife for more than two decades. He shared lots of insights about life, love and rock ‘n’ roll. Here are some of the highlights. Oklahoma Gazette: What in the hell kind of guy who named his band after the hardest liquor in the world, pure grain alcohol, wants to talk at 9 in the morning. Art Alexakis: The sober guy … [Honeymoon Rock Fest] was supposed to be last summer and COVID pushed it back. So it’s us and a whole bunch of alternative bands from the 90s and it’s a passion project for the people putting it on and I find it very fascinating to see how they’re gonna pull this off. For me, it’s a chance to see friends I haven’t seen for a while and also a chance to just to go out and play rock and roll, which is a blessing. And being a guy who has been clean and sober for almost 33 years. I’m very much present about gratitude and about the good things that I have in my life right now. Any chance to play music with my band, and to, to hang out with them and to hang out with other people and to play music for people who like my music, man, it’s just a win-win-win. OKG: You’ve been doing this so long. I’ve always wondered, do people who play music for a living ever get sick of it? You’ve been doing this like literally your entire adult life. Alexakis: No. [laughs] There’s times when, like anything, if I’m on tour for a while, yeah, I’d like to be at home. I went through a period when I was doing a bunch of flyaway dates and my
wife came to me and said, “Man, you OKG: You had some very, very popular know, it seems like you’re phoning it songs early on that now, 30 years later, in. It seems like you’re just there people are wanting are gonna want to because we need the money to live on hear. As far as those songs go, do you and you’re not feeling passionate about ever just go, “Damn, I do not want to it.” And, at first, I was kind of pissy play song X, Y or Z today? about that, I got all indignant and stuff but I started thinking about it. And I Alexakis: Never. And I get really pissy was. I wasn’t being present. I’ve said with bands that will not play their hits. this a thousand times: the kind of I think it’s disrespectful. Dig this — Not music I write that is very much storyjust disrespectful to the fans that want telling, songs like “Father of Mine” and to hear it, but being disrespectful to “Wonderful,” which really emotionthemselves, because they wrote that ally touch people, I can’t phone those songs in or people aren’t going to buy it. I have to connect with them. There has to be a level of passion and emphasis and intimacy that I have to put out as a singer when I perform those songs, and for my wife to tell me that was really the catalyst, what I needed, to take a couple of days and just think about it and just connect it. And that was about 10 years ago, and I haven’t experienced that since … I’ve talked to other musicians who are gone through this kind of experience, especially when you’re Everclear. Photo provided, by Paul Brown. clean and sober. When you’re not clean and sober, it’s easy to song or they made that song what it not connect with yourself and be was and secondly, they’re being disrepresent. It’s hard to be present when spectful to the song as an entity. And you’re self-medicated, regardless of I’m very, very grateful to the songs and what that medication is. to the ability that I’ve been able to do that because it’s transformed my life. I grew up in a fucking housing project, man. I was a drug addict. I was fuckin’ “I’m very, very shit broke my whole life. I looked like grateful to the songs a musician. I played in bands. But I and to the ability wasn’t doing it. And when I got clean that I’ve been able and sober, I got focused. I was already to do that because damn near 40. And I knew I had to it’s transformed my either do this or do something else. life. I grew up in a And I’m very grateful that these songs fucking housing have bought me houses and divorces project, man. I was a and a different life. I say that on stage, drug addict.” I go, “Here’s the song that changed my life, introduced me to the world and, -Art Alexakis let’s be honest, a couple of divorces too.” Maybe I’ll go into stand-up, who
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the fuck knows? … Man, stand-up comedians, that is the hardest gig in the world. It’s just got to be the hardest gig in the world where you can go out and just kill one night and then the next day, do the same thing and just bomb. OKG: Given your life experience and obviously a happy and successful marriage for you now, What advice would you give to people who are just opening that door, maybe for the first time?
Alexakis: Don’t lie. Don’t do anything that makes you have to lie. Don’t say, do or act in a way at any time when you’re not with your partner that you wouldn’t act if they were sitting right next to you. Seriously. And that’s hard, but that’s how it works. And I wasn’t willing to do those in my previous relationships. And now, not only am I willing, I look forward to it. It makes us closer. Adversarial things that happen make you stronger after you get over it. The one thing I would say is, if you get into a relationship where you fall in love, get into couples therapy then before the baggage, to reduce the baggage, all the other reasons why you’re not with your ex, both because of what you’ve done and what they did. Anyway, this is turning into life coaching, I’m gonna send you a bill.
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MUSIC
Family ties TONKAWA’S TIE-DYE SIBLING ROCK DUO FIVE YEAR GAP TAKES ON THE WORLD TOGETHER. by Evan Jarvicks
Ciara Brooke and Brody Farrow go together like peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, macaroni and cheese. As a two-person brother/sister band, they are snack-size compared to some music groups, but for a new project rooted in sibling camaraderie, there is no need for a third ingredient. “You’d think we were twins,” said Brooke, who is five and a half years older than Farrow. “I’d say we share 90 percent of the same personality traits, strengths, and flaws. That could be a disaster from a compatibility standpoint. However, we are both really good at observing how the other person is feeling and then complementing that.” Five Year Gap is a powerful combo in pop-rock. Brooke plays keys and guitar, sings, writes most of the lyrics and melodies, and handles some production. Farrow also produces, plays drums, runs Ableton Live on stage, and contributes guitar in the studio. Their creative chemistry is evidenced by how naturally cohesive their debut music sounds. Recorded at Cardinal Song and released March 4, the band’s self-titled EP is a tribute to adolescence and the sanctuary that can be found in another person. While the six original songs draw from Brooke and Fa r row ’s history as bestfriend siblings, they speak to broader interpersonal dyn a m i c s between friends Five Year Gap. Photo provided. and family. Whether bonding in shared memories or seeking refuge from the less welcoming parts of life, having someone to share in the experience is cause for celebration. Not everyone has such a companion, but music can often be the next best alternative to being understood. “We have a heart for kids and adults alike whoever feel like they don’t
belong or have a place in this world,” the band said. “We want to make music for them, music that helps them feel less alone and gives them hope.” The songs on Five Year Gap deal with topics ranging from the plight of not fitting in to the pressure that comes with getting older. Not every story gets a happy ending. Lead single “Chalk Houses”, for example, reminisces fondly on a playtime childhood friendship that drifts apart in later years. However, the siblings find silver linings in these themes of adolescent insecurity, prevailing on the strength of each other, and this is not merely a source of topicality for the band’s songwriting. It is in the DNA of the band’s shared creative mindset. “I’m not sure where my insecurities come from. They’ve just always been there,” said Farrow. “I struggle a lot with comparing myself to other musicians, and at its worst, I feel like I’m lying when I say ‘I’m a drummer’ or ‘I play guitar’...Thankfully, I know Ciara feels the same way.” “For me, I’ve always been an entertainer and performer, and with that comes a lot of perfectionism and people-pleasing,” said Brooke. “I also felt like an outcast g row ing up because I wasn’t into sports or ‘normal’ teen things like so many of my classmates and friends were. I was into dance and music and a bit anti-social, reading a book during lunch while my friends chatted around me.” The two are from Tonkawa, a small town of about 3,000 people in northern Oklahoma, and that has heavily shaped Five Year Gap. “Growing up, we had a lot of freedom to just be kids,” said Brooke. “Lots of summers riding bikes every day around town from sunup to sundown. Knowing everyone in your high school -- not just your grade, but literally the entire school.”
Ciara Brooke and Cody Farrow of Five Year Gap. Photo provided.
Five Year Gap reflects this background in not just the new EP but its visual presentation as well. The duo has released four music videos in the past year. While the newest one was shot at Tonkawa’s The Hub, a swanky entertainment complex connected to the town’s nearby hotel and casino, the other three visuals favor more relaxed open spaces and blue skies. It is a fine pairing with the band’s tie-dye aesthetic.
“We have a heart for kids and adults alike whoever feel like they don’t belong or have a place in this world, we want to make music for them, music that helps them feel less alone and gives them hope.” -Five Year Gap
“We both like color and wanted to shy away from the all-black look that a lot of bands have,” said Brooke. “We both had some tie-dye pieces in our closets already, so it was just an easy way to get started without completely changing our wardrobe. I also had recently found a woman on Instagram, @rosiemoonapparel, who makes custom ice-dyed clothing out of her home in Long Beach, California. I fell in love with her pieces almost immediately, and her stuff was a great way for us to get matching pieces.”
Brooke and Farrow have long been a pair in music, even when it wasn’t obvious to the public. If the name Ciara Brooke sounds familiar, it is because she has spent the last four years forging a solo pop music career. While her brother only filled in on drums at first, he gradually became a more integral part of the creative process. Five Year Gap is a natural evolution of what the Ciara Brooke solo project was becoming — an Oklahoma rock band. “I used to think that I couldn’t be successful as an artist in Oklahoma because I wasn’t country. So wrong,” said Brooke. “The OK music scene, especially in OKC, is actually pretty diverse, and now that we are Five Year Gap, I feel like we are breaking out into the scene more and more.” “I used to think I would have to leave Oklahoma to be successful in the music industry, but I don’t think that’s the case anymore,” said Farrow. “Oklahoma’s my home, and people here have already been so receptive to the singles we’ve released as a band, so I can’t wait to share the full EP with everyone.” Five Year Gap will play the new EP in its entirety at its upcoming release show March 18 at 51st St. Speakeasy with support from One Two Ten and Shed Club. Admission is $5, and the venue is 21 and older. That age requirement, though, doesn’t necessarily apply to the proverbial inner child. To quote the EP’s opening track, “Karate”: “Let’s never grow up, at least not on the inside.”
MUSIC OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 2 25
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SOUNDCHECK
Jason Scott and The High Heat — Castle Rock THE SINGER-SONGWRITER’S GROUNDBREAKING FULL-BAND FULL-LENGTH IS A GOLDMINE OF LYRICAL NUGGETS. by Evan Jarvicks
Castle Rock knows it’s amazing. Filled to the brim with crafty songwriting and smart arrangements, it could dazzle. It could toot its horn, but it doesn’t. Will fresh listeners catch Jason Scott’s play on words describing a punchdrunk time clock in opening track “Quittin’ Time”? Will they follow that the “six ideas in rotation” on “Me a n d Marryanne” is describing a revolver, not conversation? Will they recognize that “A Little Good Music” grows out of the same opening chords a s Erik Satie’s Gymnopédie No.1? No, certainly not everyone, but Castle Rock trusts that the right ones will. The highly-anticipated new fulllength album from Jason Scott is his first, following 2017’s acclaimed Living Rooms EP, and this time, he rides with a band of major Oklahoma players called The High Heat. Together, they take Scott’s folk writing to unprecedented places. With heaps of country and rock influences in the mix, Castle Rock is a big, chiseled LP in capital letters. These songs don’t miss, and the more one dives into them, the more they impress. Scott does occasionally show off, like in his “Suffering Eyes” first verse fake-out (“I go jumpin’ into lovin’ just to land on my....Ask me how it is”). More often, though, he uses his cleverness to enrich the storytelling rather than talk over the story. Take the quaint “Ft. Worth,” which duets with Abbey Philbrick of Twiggs. Scott wrote the song for a wedding, something he sometimes does with his Sound and String music business. The second verse slides in unassuming turns of meaning on repeated words. “Hold my liquor” becomes “hold me like a child” becomes “hold onto the memories.” “Take me back to Texas”
becomes “Take me by the hand.” These bits of poetic songwriting are subtle in context, and for an occasion as overt as a wedding, they evidence Scott working over and above for the craft. “Ft. Worth” wasn’t intended to be recorded for the album. He just happened to write a song good enough for it. This song and most others on the album also understate their choruses through modest arrangement. If one isn’t paying attention to the chord changes, some choruses won’t reveal themselves until they c ome bac k around. Within the fringes of Scott’s half-spoken incidental conjunctive phrases, the casual procession disarms the listener so that when the album does decide to pull a surprise — “So It Goes” throws a doozy in its last minute, for example — it is played for maximum effect. A similar approach is taken to the record’s use of profanity. Another sly innovation is how Scott will sometimes carry past a 4/4 measure to finish a thought in the next one, like on the perky, ill-fated outlaw tale “Me and Marryanne.” There, he uses the phrase “the only time my Marryanne has ever missed” to transition from lively honky-tonk bar piano into a patch of blue tones without giving the listener a break in lyrics to anticipate it. The gentle off-guardedness develops and elevates the plot simply by how it writes across the downbeat. The album is full of brief but key moments like these, and they all add up to a unique style that can only be called Jason Scott and The High Heat. In writing to a musical bar, they think outside of it; in playing to a dive bar, they surpass expectations; and in terms of qualifying what a Jason Scott song is, the bar has never been higher.
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THE HIGH CULTURE STRAIN REVIEWS
Strain name: Garlotti Grown by: Crush Cannabis Acquired from: Eden Rose (Edmond) Date acquired: March 2 Physical traits: Light green and purple, densely frosted Bouquet: earthy and gassy
the Crush Cannabis run of Freshwater Taffy. Very different taste but also provides an extremely even high. Eden Rose produces their own pre-rolls, edibles, and just about every other product in house at their Oklahoma City store, but their flower curation has set them aside since they opened their doors (and continues now as they expand locations).
Review: This one is a Trojan horse. It smells super earthy until you start grinding it up and then that sickly sweet garlic stink rears its head. Great smoke with a euphorically alert yet relaxed effect, but it stinks before it’s lit. I know lots of people love that salty, pungent smoke but it evens out on the exhale. No saltiness on your tongue after, but a prolonged and pleasant experience. If you like this one, you should also definitely check out
Strain name: Ajo Grown by: The Hive Collective Acquired from: The Joint Cannabis Club
hour from a wide-awake state. For that reason, I’ve left it on my nightstand and haven’t risked loading this one up during daylight hours. .
Date acquired: March 3 Physical traits: light green with wiry orange stigmas Bouquet: light green with wiry orange stigmas Review: I certainly didn’t mean to end up with two garlic strains this round, but I don’t speak Spanish, so I didn’t learn that “ajo” literally means “garlic” until after I loaded my first bowl of this one. That being said, this one definitely has more gas on the inhale and exhale than garlic. I’m told that this run also has an apple cross of some kind in it, which explains the lower level of stink. Ajo was extremely relaxing at the end of a long day when I was still amped up from a marathon of productivity, putting me to sleep within about half an
FIND MORE STRAIN REVIEWS AT OKGAZETTE.COM/THEHIGHCULTURE
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY WEEK OF MARCH 10 Homework: Give yourself a blessing. Say why you’re wonderful and name a marvelous event that’s ahead for you. Newsletter. FreeWillAstrology.com
can you do to ensure you’re surrounded by influences like Rowlands’ parents? I hope you embark on a longterm project to get all the support you need.
“A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it,” wrote author G. K. Chesterton. Amen to that! Please regard his observation as the first part of your horoscope. Here’s the second part: It’s sometimes the right approach to move in harmony with the flow, to allow the momentum of elemental forces to carry you along. But now is not one of those times. I suggest you experiment with journeys against the flow. Go in quest of what the followers of easy options will never experience. Do it humbly, of course, and with your curiosity fully deployed.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) As you enter an astrological phase when vast, expansive ruminations will be fun and healthy for you, I will offer you some vast, expansive thoughts. Hopefully, they will inspire your own spacious musings. First, here’s artist M. C. Escher: “Wonder is the salt of the earth.” Next, author Salman Rushdie: “What’s real and what’s true aren’t necessarily the same.” Here’s poet Allen Ginsberg: “When you notice something clearly and see it vividly, it then becomes sacred.” A proverb from the Omaha people: “Ask questions from your heart, and you will be answered from the heart.” G. K. Chesterton: “Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair.” Finally, playwright Tony Kushner: “I’m not religious, but I like God, and he likes me.”
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
“You’re never allowed to step on people to get ahead,” said TV personality and author Star Jones, “but you can step over them if they’re in your way.” I suspect the coming months will be a time when you really should step over people who are in your way. There’s no need to be mad at them, criticize them, or gossip about them. That would sap your energy to follow your increasingly clear dreams. Your main task is to free yourself from influences that obstruct your ability to be the Royal Sovereign of Your Own Destiny.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
Gemini-born Gina Rowlands is retired now, but she had an award-winning six-decade career as an actor. At age 20, she decided what she wanted to do with her life, and her parents offered her their blessings. She testified: “I went home and I told my mom that I wanted to quit college and be an actress, and she said, ‘Huh, that sounds fascinating. It’s wonderful!’ And I told my father, and he literally said, ‘I don’t care if you want to be an elephant trainer if it makes you happy.’” Dear Gemini, in the coming months, I would love for you to receive similar encouragement for your budding ideas and plans. What
“Out of love, you can speak with straight fury,” wrote author Eudora Welty. Here’s how I interpret that in light of the current chapter of your life story: You have an opportunity to recalibrate some misaligned energy. You have the necessary insight to fix an imbalance or dissolve an illusion or correct a flow that has gone off-course. And by far the best way to do that is by wielding the power of love. It will need to be expressed with vehemence and intense clarity, however. It will require you to be both compassionate and firm. Your homework: Figure out how to express transformative truths with kindness.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Virgo political science professor Tatah Mentan was born and raised in the African country of Cameroon, which has never fully recovered from its grueling colonization by Germany, France, and England. The democratic tradition there is tenuous. When Mentan first taught at a university in the Cameroonian capital, authorities found his ideas too controversial. For the next 16 years, he attempted to be true to himself while avoiding governmental censorship, but the strain proved too stressful. Fearing for his safety, he fled to the US. I’m
turning to him for advice that will serve you well in the coming weeks. He tells us, “Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart.”
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
“Anything you do from the heart enriches you, but sometimes not till years later,” wrote author Mignon McLaughlin. I’m pleased to inform you, Libra, that you will soon receive your rewards for generous actions you accomplished in the past. On behalf of the cosmic rhythms, I apologize for how long it has taken. But at least it’s finally here. Don’t underestimate how big this is. And don’t allow sadness about your earlier deprivation to inhibit your enthusiastic embrace of compensation.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
No matter how reasonable and analytical you are, Scorpio, you possess a robust attraction to magic. You yearn for the refreshing invigoration of non-rational mysteries. You nurture urges to be delighted by outbreaks of the raw, primal lust for life. According to my astrological assessment, you are especially inclined to want and need these feelings in the next few weeks. And that’s good and healthy and holy! At the same time, don’t abandon your powers of discernment. Keep them running in the background as you enjoy your rejuvenating communions with the enigmatic pleasures of the Great Unknown.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Author Diane Ackerman tells us, “In the absence of touching and being touched, people of all ages can sicken and grow touch starved. Touch seems to be as essential as sunlight.” This is always important to remember, but it will be extra crucial for you to keep in mind during the coming weeks. I advise you to be ingenious and humble and frank as you collect as much physical contact as you can. Be polite and respectful, of course. Never force yourself on anyone. Always seek permission. With those as your guidelines, be greedy for hugs and cuddling and caresses.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
“Education, fundamentally, is the increase of the
percentage of the conscious in relation to the unconscious.” Author and educator Sylvia AshtonWarner said that, and now I’m telling you—just in time for one of the most lesson-rich times of a year that will be full of rich lessons. In the next nine months, dear Capricorn, the proportion of your consciousness in relation to your unconsciousness should markedly increase. And the coming weeks will be a favorable phase to upgrade your educational ambitions.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You’re entering a phase of your cycle when your ability to boost your finances will be stronger than usual. You’ll be more likely to attract good luck with money and more apt to discover useful tips on how to generate greater abundance. To inspire your efforts, I offer you this observation by author Katharine Butler Hathaway: “To me, money is alive. It is almost human. If you treat it with real sympathy and kindness and consideration, it will be a good servant and work hard for you, and stay with you and take care of you.”
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Author Deb Caletti made the following observation: “You have ordinary moments and ordinary moments and more ordinary moments, and then, suddenly, there is something monumental right there. You have past and future colliding in the present, your own personal Big Bang, and nothing will ever be the same.” In my vision of your destiny in 2022, Pisces, there could be several of these personal Big Bangs, and one of them seems to be imminent. To prepare—that is, to ensure that the changes are primarily uplifting and enjoyable—I suggest you chant the following mantra at least five times every day: “I love and expect good changes.”
Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes /daily text message horoscopes. The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.
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PUZZLES NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE | PARDON MY FRENCH By Victor Barocas | Puzzles Edited by Will Shortz | 0306
77 One with pressing work 78 Feed the guests, maybe 79 Dish that’s cooked 18 19 20 21 underground 80 Feb. 14 22 23 24 25 81 673 parts of the Louvre Pyramid 26 27 28 29 30 82 ‘‘Old man’’ 83 Answer to ‘‘What is 31 32 33 34 35 Roquefort or Brie?’’ 86 Offed 36 37 38 39 40 87 Go the wrong way 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 88 Green-lit 90 Like drunken speech 51 52 53 54 91 Announcement on National Coming Out Day 55 56 57 58 59 60 93 Inappropriate 95 Early bird? 61 62 63 64 96 Spilled milk? 100 Front of a semi 65 66 67 68 69 102 Ubiquitous advertiser with an acronymic name 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 106 Seeing as 77 78 79 80 107 Weight of an empty container 81 82 83 84 85 108 What’s clothed in summer and naked in 86 87 88 89 90 winter, per an old riddle 110 China’s largest ethnic group 91 92 93 94 95 111 What BankAmericard became in 1976 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 112 The queen with her pets? 116 School where some of 106 107 108 109 110 ‘‘Shakespeare in Love’’ 111 112 113 114 115 was filmed 117 Annual Memorial Day 116 117 118 119 race, informally 118 Red Sox’ div. 120 121 122 123 119 Bit of sports equipment that may be electrified 120 Casino tool ACROSS alphabet 54 It matures quickly, in brief 121 Philippine money 28 It might be set at sea 55 Angled to get attention: 122 Fleas and flies 1 Tobacco plug 29 When a prime-time Abbr. 5 Manipulate 123 What’s left on a map? drama might air 56 Suffix with serpent or opal 10 Graduates of Quantico, 31 Reason-based belief in God 57 Offed DOWN informally 33 Repeated sound that’s 60 Reach quickly, as a 14 Taller roommate of 151 Obscure hard to get rid of conclusion Down 2 Windsor, e.g. 18 Showgirl in the 1978 hit 34 Means of becoming a god? 61 Perhaps 3 A criminal’s may be 36 ‘‘Call the Midwife’’ network 62 Doc. to ensure secrecy ‘‘Copacabana’’ unbelievable 38 Had something nice 63 A pupil may grow in it 19 Boomer’s kid, maybe 4 ‘‘Time ____ ... ’’ 40 Nonsense 64 United group, e.g. 20 Declare 5 Big name in jelly 41 Place in danger 65 Holy water? 21 Snack item with 6 Like mosaic tiles approximately 53 calories 45 Ernst and Young, e.g.: Abbr. 70 Excites 7 Lose possession? 72 ‘‘Salus populi suprema 22 Positive thinker’s motto? 46 Peroxide ____ 8 One of the books of the 47 It’s an affront lex ____’’ (motto of 25 Textbook section Torah: Abbr. 51 Where Rapunzel let Missouri) 26 FireWire alternative 9 Where Wagner’s down her hair? 73 Charade 27 Letter between November ‘‘Tannhäuser’’ was first 53 Quarrel 74 One of 17 in Monopoly: Abbr. and Papa in the NATO 1
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Stumped? Call 1-900-285-5656 to get the answers to any three clues by phone ($1.20 a minute).
SUDOKU EASY | N° 11820 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°11820 easy
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performed Prima ____ Word that becomes more dramatic when you add an ‘‘R’’ in front Caribbean land, at the Olympics Administer an oath to Echoes Shorter roommate of 14-Across Control, metaphorically Completely, in slang Pedal on the right Man of La Mancha Late-night trips to the fridge, e.g. Shirt or blouse Bit of magic Projecting front Temporarily replace Most likely to win at Trivia Night, maybe Long-billed wader Parent company of Facebook Game starter Home for Holmes One who sees what you’re saying? Berliner’s ‘‘old’’ Sight on winter roads Sign of overuse ‘‘All ____!’’ Prefix that’s mega mega? Not merely annoyed Split BuzzFeed staple Wide ties Netflix series set at Green Gables Manipulates Place to go on a ship Them’s the breaks! List in ‘‘The Idiot’s Guide to ... ’’ Neighbor of Siberia, in Risk Common still-life prop Looked at Architectural columns in the form of sculpted female figures Threshold Gunslinger’s command Schools Held tight A narcissist may go on one
88 Shockingly bizarre 89 What the quadriceps muscle connects to 92 N.Y.C. commuting inits. 94 Bugs 96 Where bile is produced 97 Loos who wrote ‘‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’’ 98 Casual response to an apology 99 Panasonic subsidiary 101 Orchestra section 103 ‘‘If my luck holds out ... ’’ 104 Pens 105 Beginning 109 Rhinitis treater, in brief 113 Phoenix-to-Albuquerque dir. 114 Bottle labeled ‘‘XXX’’ in the comics 115 ‘‘Do the ____’’ (soft drink slogan)
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS Puzzle No. 0220, which appeared in the February 23 issue.
P R E T A P E S
H I G H N O O N
S A S K
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I D B E T
M O L T E N
D O O R D O N O T T H E R E I S N O T R Y
P A R E E E R L S W M H E E A A R T S I E S L G T B A T U N T
A V E R S T A I K A W E R E T M I
L A C E A T A R B E L A L S S O R O E G H A N S O E E L N Y A R S M R O A S I A S T A R W H O S H E R P A R M S U T S I R I M M R S A D T S E L I H E F E D A R I N E T S B A D
A Y L A
C A I N
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S E C O N L O D A P P G D S A L E Y Y E A W E A R W/T A/R R/E S/K R I S E A S D I P T O M B I O S P O C K H U E Y O T P E R A T I I S I T D E C A
T H E
H I T L O N I N A S R A P S R A C L S H I N A N E S E E T S R E C D O N R I N O N O K L S
S P A C E T H E F I N A L F R O N T I E R
N O R U S H
VOL. XLIV NO. 5
S A S S Y
I R O N S
N O S Y
A E R I A L L Y
N A K E D L I E
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