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How a classic Oklahoma City dive has been revamped to serve the needs of the new era.
by Brett Fieldcamp
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INSIDE COVER When the lights went out on the Blue Note last year, Chris Simon and Jerry Redd promised a facelift of the iconic Uptown venue. This month, they make good on it. By Brett Fieldcamp Cover by Berlin Green
NEWS 5 6 7 8
Blue Note Uptown Strip Citizen Spotlight: Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City Chicken Fried News COVER COVER
EAT & DRINK Summer sipping Milo @ The Ellison 16 Gazedibles 11
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ARTS & CULTURE 19 20
Daft Punk art show Calendar
NOW PLAYING
WATCHPLAYITLOUD.COM
MUSIC 23 25
Soundcheck: Cliffdiver Live music
THE HIGH CULTURE 27 30
Recreational ballot initiative Strain reviews
FUN 30 31
Astrology Puzzles sudoku | crossword
Queensrÿche with great white
VOL. XLIV NO. 10 PUBLISHER Bryan Hallman | bhallman@okgazette.com
JUNE 4
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 Jerry Bennett Brett Fieldcamp Evan Jarvicks NonDoc — Matt Patterson
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M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM COVER STORY
COVER STORY
Born to be Blue OKC’S HISTORIC BLUE NOTE LOUNGE READIES A FRESH START IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING CITY. By Brett Fieldcamp
When the Blue Note shuttered unexpectedly last October, just a few days after new owner Chris Simon took control, no one realized quite how different Oklahoma City would look by the time they were ready to open the doors again. For years, maybe even decades, the Blue Note, 2408 N. Robinson Ave., was the city’s premiere destination for catching cheap drink specials alongside the barely-controlled chaos of the underground punk and metal scenes. The place wore the smoke in its rafters, the spilled drinks on its floors, and the countless years of ripped posters and stickers along its walls all like badges of honor, a grizzled, veteran character actor down the street from Tower Theatre and Ponyboy’s more refined, “ready-for-primetime” aesthetic. But even in just the handful of months since going dark for some deep, major renovations under the new ownership, the city has changed. 89th Street has given the punk community a firm home. The Sanctuary has launched with an eye on the metal and hardcore scenes. Beer City has already started changing the entire scope and scale of what the OKC music world can be. And of course, we lost the Hi-Lo Club, that legendary queen of the dives. It was Simon’s first baby and the countercultural hub for much of the community that sustained rooms like the Note in Oklahoma City. Relaunching Blue Note straight into this city’s current identity crisis, and right at the outset of the wild summer season, will be no easy task, but Simon is confident in his vision of a simple, welcoming bar and venue where cultures can mingle without pretense. “I really want to mix up the genre of this place,” he said. “I don’t want to pigeonhole it one way or another.” A little bit stronger The Blue Note’s exterior has plenty of fresh paint, and a beautiful new neon up top to welcome guests, but the renovations inside have been extensive. The goal, however, is for it to still be recognizable and comfortable to patrons past. “The main room hasn’t changed too much,” Simon said. “We’re doing a
whole series of booths around the wall. There’s some wallpaper and painting the ceiling a dark blue. We rebuilt the stage and we’re running it about six feet out. There’s space in the back for A peek at the Blue Note’s renovation reveals details old and new. Photo by Berlin Green. storage now, which we didn’t have before.” come and play here and people want to his hopes of that bar’s displaced comAll of these new features and considcome and see music here.” munity finding a new hotspot. That erations are obvious and clear, but the It’s clear from every conversation could be Blue Note or even his other layout hasn’t changed. The bar is still that to realize that goal, the new opbar, Lost Highway, which has had its in the same place (and is actually altoerators intend to dramatically widen own expansion effort partially stalled gether the same bar, albeit cleaned the Note’s scope. by the time and capital required to pretty heavily). Simon even made sure “If there’s really any quote you can overhaul the Note and also by its imto keep the slants and orientation of the take from me on how we’re approachpending expansion space currently ceiling the same just to retain the spirit. ing music, it’s simply that we are going being used to store everything he could Most importantly, the stage is intact. to give a shit. That’s what we want. salvage from Hi-Lo. For all of the new wood, new conWhether it’s the blues and jazz that “It’s really going to be the people crete, new everything, they’ve seen fit we’re trying to get back in here, or that come to the bar that make it what to truly retain the minor local legend whether it’s rap, punk, doom, psych, it is,” he said. “I’m just giving you the that is the Blue Note stage. metal, country, rockabilly, we just want raw platform. It’ll be the people that “We rebuilt the stage with the same to give a shit about the bands and the come in here that want to do brunch, lumber,” Simon said. “We just took it music,” Redd said. or that say, ‘Hey, here’s this show that apart and rebuilt it, but we built it back Both Redd and Simon openly sing would be really cool,’ or even ‘Here’s a a little bit stronger.” the praises of music booker and prepiece of artwork I did of the Blue Note.’ All of these renovations — and the renovation holdover Jon Jackson, And that becomes a piece for the ages.” constantly inflating costs and time whose excitement and dedication to He’s already set on bring the kind requirements that come with them fostering a tighter music community of burlesque and drag shows that the — are integral to Simon’s vision of profor OKC through the Note, they say, Hi-Lo Club had become known for over tecting the space’s viability going will be one of their greatest resources. to the new Note, and he even admits forward and dragging this historic “We’re not going to be everything that some of the new 50s-era jazz venue into the increasingly saturated to everybody,” Redd says, “but we want lounge design had that partially in new millennium. to bring as much different good music mind, but beyond that, Simon knows “I’m just trying to make it better,” into the place as we can.” that a bar has to create its own legacy. he said. “I’m trying to give it another “Things like that happen organithirty years of life.” A piece for the ages cally,” he says. “Hi-Lo started with a little cult following and grew from Anchored to the stage With Simon at the helm, it’s easy to there, and I anticipate this doing the wonder if the Blue Note is being set up same thing.” The key to everything, it seems, is to fill the void left by the untimely For now, Simon isn’t looking too far still the music. demise of the beloved Hi-Lo Club, arinto the future, keeping his focus on Though Simon and co-owner Jerry guably the city’s nexus of all marginalrealizing his vision for what the Blue Redd are quick to reiterate that there ized countercultures, in particular the Note can be, not only for itself and the likely won’t be shows every night of LGBTQIA+ community that claimed underground music fans waiting for the week, and that the space is being the dive as its own so many years ago. the doors to reopen, but for this designed and considered with at least The quick and largely unexpected strange, changing city and its still una touch of casual bar culture in mind, closure of the Hi-Lo, following hot on certain future. they said that their intention is to keep the heels of a major development group “My head is spinning,” he tells me. the focus on Blue Note as a venue first. snatching up the Donnay Building, is “I need to get this place open so I can “We want this place anchored to the still something of an open wound for breathe a little bit and figure out my stage,” Redd said. “We want it to be relSimon. He said he can’t speak too much next move.” evant to 23rd Street and to Oklahoma about it, mainly because of potential City, a place where musicians want to legal proceedings, but he’s open about COVER STORY OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2
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COVER STORY
Down the block The Black Goat It takes a certain amount of confidence to open an occult bookstore in the buckle of the Bible Belt. Specializing equally in both dark and the lighter sides of esoteric knowledge, a tome about Satanic cultural influences can be found a shelf away from Terence McKenna’s most important works and alongside casual and expert knowledge of folk magick (and magick). In their midst, the best selection of tarot decks in the stat resides under lock here, and key along with many rare and obscure selections (even for esoterica) but there’s also a self-serve herb station and a private area for divinations as well. The soundtrack is as curated, with the sultry pop hooks of Lana Del Rey bumping into the sharp guitars of Mayhem with some ambient and classic goth-industrial tracks in between. In addition to stocking hundreds of unique titles from a variety of writers, owner Jeremy Christner also keeps on hand numerous copies of his own pub-
lished work. Christner contends that there is a growing occult movement in central Oklahoma and hosts events regularly to connect its disparate practitioners. Brandon Weston, author of Ozark Folk Magic will be in late June for a reading and a workshop. The Black Goat is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. If you prefer to shop after hours or on Sunday (yes, they’re closed Sunday) or Monday, the bookstore’s inventory is available for purchase online. Visit theblackgoatokc.com or stop by 2420b N Robinson Ave.
Toast and Coffee Nothing goes better with coffee than toast and in Toast and Coffee you’ll find just that pairing, but better than you imagined. Entrepreneurs Richard and Matt Bond teamed up with building owners Shawn Churchman and Tom Spector to welcome visitors to the block with the new concept, which opened in April. Flanked by a trendy and comfortable atmosphere, the curated menu is filled with nine gourmet toasts, baked treats and locally-roasted coffee (currently served 15 ways). Both sides of the toast coin are available. The Lox riff on familiar recipes, swapping pickled cucumber,
onion and fresh dill for the more traditional capers while the Banana Brûlée is another notable with mascarpone cheese, Nutella, housemade granola, orange zest sliced brûlée and banana, then finished with chocolate ganache and powdered sugar. Told you it was better than you imagined. Whether the weather or the coffee is hot or cold, the aesthetic inside and out is bright and cheery with a spacious, covered patio set for all seasons. Coffee and Toast opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Visit toastandcoffeeokc.com or stop by 2416 N Robinson Ave.
KEEP SICK KIDS AT HOME Make healthy choices to keep everyone safe.
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M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM COVER STORY
CITIZEN SPOTLIGHT
Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City CANDACE BEATY AND THE TEAM AT THE PET PANTRY OF OKLAHOMA CITY ENSURE EVERY PET HAS A MEAL. Story and photos by Berlin Green
Pets are beloved members of the family, and no one knows that better than the team at the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City. When down on their luck and experiencing food insecurity, many feed their pets before they eat, but the team at the Pet Food Pantry makes it their mission to bridge the gap and ensures pets in food-insecure families get a good meal. “We have all the supplies that people will need in order to make sure their pets are happy and healthy,” said Candace Beaty, executive director of the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City. “Our main goal is to make sure pets are fed so people can focus on their other needs.” The Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City was founded in 2010 by Kim Pempin, who saw the need in the community and wanted to do more. “She saw these homeless people
Volunteers pass out pet food at a donation site.
with their dogs, so she started going out and handing out food,” Beaty said. “Then, one night at bingo, she noticed the senior citizens were more excited about the bingo prize of dog food than the other prizes, and it stuck with her. They’re on a limited income, and these people are going to choose between their needs, their utilities, their medical, their own food, or their pet’s food, especially right now, as expensive as pet food is. We team up with Meals on Wheels, and they’ll tell you that they will deliver one meal a day, and the first thing these people do is divide it in half between their pet and themselves.” When Candace joined the program
as a volunteer in 2015, she knew it would become her permanent home. She later joined the board, and by 2019, she took over as executive director. “I’ve always loved pets,” Beaty said. “I joined the Pet Food Pantry because of Norman Chaichankanchang and Candace Beaty Junior League. It was my 600 pets through home deliveries with placement and where I got my volunabout 30 drivers who take the food to teer hours. But then when I got here, them once a month. Then we have our on that first day that I went to go volother program, which is where we load unteer and I saw what it was, I knew up our box truck and travel throughout this was it. My pets are so important the metro to give out pet food to to me that I’m going to feed them and anybody in need. In that we do smaller take care of them before I do myself. quantities, typically a five- to tenThat’s when I knew this was the place pound bag of food, just enough to try for me. There’s a big need for what we to get them through a little bit of time. do, and it’s important.” Through that program, we’re serving The need for the Pet Food Pantry over a thousand pets a month. So far, has grown at a rapid pace over the last we’ve done about 170,000 pounds this couple of years. The COVID-19 panyear and it’s only May. Back in 2018, for the whole year we did 117,000 pounds, so we’re already significantly further than we used to be.” The Pet Food Pantry has about 200 volunteers who help the small nonprofit continue its mission. The donations come from businesses big and small and individuals who simply want to help. With rising pet food costs and product shortages, the need for specific items has increased. “Dry cat food is a huge need right now,” Beaty said. “Wet cat and dog food are very important, and those are things that don’t get donated often. We give out dry food first, enough to cover the whole month, but if they have an old dog, they can’t eat dry kibble as well, so wet food becomes very important. And it moves quickly, all the food demic and rising food costs have only you see on the shelves right now will exacerbated issues of food insecurity be gone by this month.” and homelessness throughout The Pet Food Pantry does more Oklahoma, which already has the fifththan focus on pet food, the volunteers highest food insecurity rate in the and drivers build relationships with nation. The Pet Food Pantry gives out the people they serve, often filling a pet food at homeless outreach sites void for both parties. across the city and offers home deliver“A lot of the seniors that we serve ies to those in need. don’t have relatives nearby, so their “Right now, we’re experiencing a lot pets are their family, that’s all they of growth,” said Beaty. “We have two have,” Beaty told me. “One of the different programs. Our primary reasons we do these deliveries is so program is home deliveries. We serve they have a connection. Every home low-income seniors, veterans, the delivery has a dedicated driver, so homeless and the disabled, and we also every month, the same person will deliver to domestic violence shelters. come by to check on them when they With that program, we are currently deliver pet supplies. And they start serving about 200 people and close to developing a relationship. We have
some drivers who say they’ve become like their grandma or an extended family member. They’ll go celebrate birthdays, holidays, and whatever highs and lows life brings them.” Whatever is in store for the future of the Pet Food Pantry, it doesn’t include slowing down. “Right now we’ve got two programs going on and we’ve been trying to decide if there is one we want to focus on more than the other,” Beaty said. “We would love to go heavier on our home deliveries because we’re able to give people better service, connect one on one about their needs, versus our outreaches because those are more of a temporary service, not permanent. At those, we aren’t giving you flea medicine, leashes or other supplies. It’s just a small bag of pet food. But with our home clients, we can focus on your personal needs and make sure that your pets are fully taken care of, that they have their vaccinations, and are spayed and neutered. If you need something else, like your utilities aren’t on, we can connect you with people who can help with that. It’s more of a social service kind of aspect. But the thing is that we don’t have enough drivers. So it’s like what comes first: the chicken or the egg? Do I hire more drivers and then beef up the clientele, or beef up the clientele and then find the drivers? But we want some more growth in that area. When I joined the board, I said that my goal for this place was to be as big as Regional Food Bank. That’s still where I want us to be, not Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City but Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma. I want us to cover the whole state and help as many pets and people as we can. We have started to do that in the last year. Any food that we can’t use we give to rescues and we were able to cover the whole state doing that. The need is definitely there. We can do it. We just have to figure out the logistics.” To learn more about the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City, to donate or volunteer, visit www.pfpokc.org.
CITIZEN SPOTLIGHT OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2
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Illustrations by Jerry Bennett
The plot is thickening faster than Low-Country Queso in the Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen saga. Out of the way is Jerry Winchester, the former executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Restaurant Department, who tendered his resignation last month. No word on whether his burger will remain on the menu. But chain restaurant owner Brent Swadley is serving up heaping helpings of pathos after Kevin gave him the old Trumpian “never knew him” treatment. “Let me be clear, I do not have any sort of relationship with Brent Swadley. I don’t know Brent Swadley. I have no involvement in this contract,” Stitt told reporters. The test results are in and that’s definitely another lie. He serves up
so many of them it’s a wonder they’re not a menu item at Foggy Bottom. Even though there’s a plaque at the Roman Nose State Park location from Kevin that reads, “I had a special time with my two boys at beautiful Roman Nose State Park and the food, wow, the food was fantastic,” he doesn’t know anything about the restaurant. Oh, and let’s not forget the photo with Swadley and Stitt that surfaced as well. “What Kevin Stitt said, I mean, I was in tears, I couldn’t believe he was going to act like he doesn’t know me,” Swadley told KOKH, the Fox affiliate in Oklahoma City
(though poor Brent might have mistaken it for Fox News considering how gullible he at least pretends to be). Here are some of Swadley’s other dishes: • “We are as shocked as can be.” • “I would love for someone to start to consider that we might be the victims here.” • “We may be the ones who’ve been corrupted against.” • “I didn’t even know there was a state fire marshal.” Former President Donald Trump
once famously said, “What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening.” Stitt is happy to take a play from the same book knowing that Republicans don’t mind being served a heaping plate of bullshit.
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M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM CHICKEN FRIED NEWS
It’s only a handout when the government squanders or gives away money freely and without oversight. When Oklahoma’s incompetent Stitt administration hands the reins to an intermediary software company, it’s touted as a new model of private and public cooperation. “Other states used federal money to train new teachers or support programs for deaf and blind students. But in Oklahoma, a history teacher with political ambitions helped a Florida tech company win a no-bid state contract to rapidly distribute $8 million to families with little government oversight. Another $10 million went to private school vouchers. With few guardrails, some families used Oklahoma’s share of federal Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Funds to buy Christmas trees, gaming consoles, electric fireplaces and outdoor grills, an investigation by Oklahoma Watch and The Frontier has found.” While apparently most of the money did go towards education-
related purchases, the investigation also found “at least 548 TVs purchased through ClassWallet worth $191,000. Families also bought pressure washers, car stereo equipment, coffee makers, exercise gear and smart watches.” At the risk of sounding like a broken record issue after issue in Chicken Fried News, Kevin is shocked, shocked we tell you, that such a thing ever occurred, especially under his watchful eye. “During the COVID pandemic, Governor Stitt had a duty to get federal relief funds to students and families in Oklahoma as quickly as possible and he accomplished just that,” Stitt’s information minister Carly Atchison wrote in a statement.
We’r
And it should be no surprise that star substitute teacher Ryan Walters was behind it all. “Even before Stitt named Walters Secretary of Education in September 2020, Walters had worked to secure the contract with ClassWallet, according to emails obtained by Oklahoma Watch and The Frontier.” When Kevin announced his plans to run the state government like a business, voters should have anticipated that it would be as poorly
r u o g n i t e celebra
managed as his own company (that’s what you get for favoring him over tried-and-true former OKC Mayor Mick Cornett). Guess you get what you pay for. Or at least what the government pays for anyway.
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M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM E AT & DRINK
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EAT & DRINK
Spring sipping WITH SUMMER TEMPERATURES ARRIVING EARLY, IT’S TIME FOR LIGHT EATS AND LIGHTER LIBATIONS TO KEEP THE SEASONAL ENERGY GOING.
Jose Cuervo and 1800 pre-mixed margaritas There’s nothing better than a freshly-made margarita as the thermometer creeps towards the century mark, but in a pinch, it’s time to call in a bartender in a bottle. Enter two of the preeminent tequila brands and their ready-to-drink margarita mixes. If sugar overdoses aren’t to your palate’s liking (and these all are very candied), we recommend serving them over
crushed ice with a little salt on the rim to balance out the sweet sting. With all of the above registering at just under 10 percent alcohol by volume, they make for a light yet satisfying cocktail with none of the work. While the fruity flavors add flair, there’s nothing wrong with staying with the tried and true concoction of tequila, triple sec and lime.
Jose Cuervo Playa mar Even though these seltzers tout to be blended with signature Jose Cuer vo tequila, those tell-tale f lavors are muted in their seltzer line, instead favoring the natura l black cherr y, grapefruit, lime and mango f lavorings. Even though mostselt-
zer lines average 5 percent ABV a nd 10 0 c a lor ie s e ac h , t he Cuer vo Playa mar line shaves of f h a l f a p oi nt i n a lcohol content as well as 10 calories per can if you’re trying to convince yourself you’re living lean.
E AT & DRINK OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2
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S ’ T I E WHER O C A T Y A D S TUE
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M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM E AT & DRINK
Clubby Touting themselves as “the #1 seltzer in golf,” Oklahoma City represents itself well in the seltzer game with the Clubby line. Originally showing up at the beer festival circuit in the state last year, the brand broke through the overstimulated taste buds of the second and third hours of the events with
the crisp grape, lemon-lime, orange and raspberry-lime varieties. These seltzers pack the standard two grams of sugar each but, as an added bonus, also contain electrolytes which keep you replenished whether you’re on the golf course or just having a marathon drinking session.
GG’s Hard Seltzer Vanessa House comes out strong with both its flagship beers as well as its one-offs, but their line of GG’s Hard Seltzers can compete with any of the aforementioned. A lready available in six-packs are the blue raspberry, lemon-lime and orange dreamsicle flavors, but the stellar “POG” (pineap-
Ranch Water
Easily the most easy-going seltzer currently on the market, Ranch Water also gets its flavoring by adding a modicum of fruit juices into the mix (meaning the lime flavor contains lime juice, watermelon has watermelon and both the tangerine and grapefruit flavors also are infused with just enough of their name-
ple-orange-guava) flavor is currently only available at the taproom but set to ship to liquor stores this spring. Coming in at 5 grams of sugar per can, they hit the spot for those seeking a seltzer that doesn’t taste like a diet drink.
sakes to please the palate). If you’re looking for the elusive non-sweet seltzer flavor, the pickle back packs a stronger flavor punch than just about any seltzer on the market with only an additional 30 milligrams of sodium per can over the other Ranch Waters.
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M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM E AT & DRINK
EAT & DRINK
Homegrown THE NEW MENU AT MILO INSIDE THE ELLISON HOTEL BRINGS TOGETHER HISTORIC AND CONTEMPORARY FLAVORS FOR A NEW, BUT CLASSIC OKLAHOMA CUISINE. By Matt Dinger Photos by Berlin Green
If you’ve ever considered dipping your toes in fine dining but have been intimidated by an etiquette faux pas or the cost, Milo is the spot for you. Oklahoma Gazette was invited to sample Executive Chef Josh Valentine’s new seasonal dinner menu at the restaurant, located inside the Ellison Hotel, 6201 N. Western Ave. The hotel and restaurant were both closed in February for extensive renovations after the raging fire at The Canton apartment complex next door. Both are now open for business. “I want to try and stay seasonal as much as possible as I can versus a typical hotel restaurant where it just kind of has the same menu all year long and then a few specials thrown in there,” Valentine said. A Del City High School wrestler, he started reading Food & Wine magazine as a freshman and cooking for himself to make weight. “That was about the time that I started cooking for myself at dinners and things like that. After high school, I ended up going to the Cordon Bleu in Minneapolis for culinary school. And then, from there, I just worked around,” he said. The Coach House, The Metro, The George and Cultivar Mexican Kitchen are just a few of the places he’s worked. Also a finalist on the tenth season of Top Chef, Valentine returned home from Dallas during the pandemic where he took over at Milo.
“Contemporary Oklahoma cuisine is what I call the food that I cook. I like to celebrate some of the cultures that have migrated here and now call Oklahoma home as well. I want to Bison tartare put an elevated comfort food kind of thing on the map. I feel like Oklahoma kind of gets a bad rap when it comes to food. It’s not just chicken fried steak. It’s not just steak in general and potatoes. I try to use as much local product and all of that stuff as I can to also keep it Oklahoman … It’s not something that’s super challenging for people. I’m not trying to be super intellectual with the plating and the concept of a dish or something like that. Usually what I try to do is I take the memory of a dish that I grew up eating or something that has been in Oklahoma forever and then I just tried to update it and tweak it and give it a little chef’s perspective,” Valentine said. He said among his personal favorites on the dinner menu are the bison tartare appetizer ($16 — “It’s really hot out, so that’s a very nice cool, refreshing kind of appetizer to get started”) and roasted boudin stuffed quail ($36 — “Boudin sausage is like one of the best things ever, so all those flavor profiles on that dish really, for me, just
really pull on the heart”). Grand Cattle Co., Prairie Earth Gardens, Scissortail Farms and WH Yardbirds supply many of the ingredients Milo serves. Valentine said that he is able to purchase large amounts of each to keep costs down, which means a dinner with appetizer, middle, entree, dessert and a couple of cocktails come out to about a Benjamin per
Restaurant) are definitely increasing exposure, Valentine said. “I think the more eyes that we can get on the scene here, the better it is for everybody. I’ve always been a big believer in ‘high tides raise all boats.’ I don’t want to leave anybody behind because I’ve always celebrated the other chefs in Oklahoma City. I’ve always tried to go out to those restau-
Roasted boudin stuffed quail
Pan seared trout
person before gratuity. There is also a poolside menu that is open to the public from 4 p.m. until late Thursday through Saturday. “My favorite thing that we do upstairs on the pool is the bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dog. We make a hot dog in house with bison and local Wagyu beef then wrap it all in bacon and deepfried it and then make a hot dog out of it. It’s very good,” he said. Oklahoma is starting to come onto the food scene in its own right. Valentine’s television exposure helped usher that in, but accolades from Bon Appetit magazine for Nonesuch and the recent James Beard Foundation nominees and winner (Florence’s
rants and support my friends and do those things. To see some of them become successful and get the recognition that I feel like they deserve, I think is cool. Some of me is a little jealous because I haven’t gotten nominated myself, but I don’t usually stay in one spot long enough,” Valentine said. Milo serves breakfast starting at 6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday with lunch on weekdays beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m. (as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays). Dinner at Milo is served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day of the week.
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Burger season Whether single or stacked with patties, caramelized or charbroiled, crowned with crazy toppings or simply a slice of cheese, the hamburger in its endless variations stands the test of time to remain a steadfast American favorite. May 28, which falls during Memorial Day weekend, is National Hamburger Day, and kicks off the summer barbecue season. When you don’t feel like firing up your own grill, there are too many incredible OKC burger joints to fit on these pages, but here are six classics and a newcomer all serving mean patties. By Berlin Green
Photos provided.
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Big Ed’s Hamburgers
Geronimo’s Bakery
Bunny’s Onion Burgers
Big Ed’s has been etched in the minds of OKC locals since 1974, and for good reason — it’s family-owned, consistent and the opposite of pretentious. It’s a simple, classic diner known for a good burger made with fresh ingredients and served with fries that are hand-cut daily. Spice things up with the Flamingo Ed, a quarter-pound beef burger topped with a hotlink, or go buck wild with the Big Ed, a massive burger with all the fixings made to feed eight people.
You might be surprised to find hamburgers in a donut shop, but along the northeastern stretch of Martin Luther King Boulevard, you’ll discover Geronimo’s Bakery serving up both and more. Their delicious burgers are served the oldfashioned way with the usual topping assortment. Their namesake burger is a huge draw, with a slice of grilled ham atop a large beef patty with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and the condiments of your choice. Don’t forget to snag some sweet baked treats on the way out.
Bunny’s is the place for onion burger excellence, and whether you want a single patty or a double, these burgers are dripping with flavor and piled high with toppings. Go with a classic or try one of the specialties. The aptly named egg burger is stacked high with sizzling smashburger-style beef patties, grilled onions, pickles, tomatoes and lettuce, then balanced with an oozy fried egg and similarly oozy cheese.
12209 N Pennsylvania Ave. • 405-755-2108 facebook.com/bigedshamburgers7
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1817 N Martin Luther King Ave. • 405-427-5893 facebook.com/Geronimos-Bakery-Burgers
1023 S Meridian Ave. • 405-949-2949 www.bunnysonionburgers.com
Chuck House
Richey’s Grill
Ron’s Hamburgers and Chili Spark Multiple locations statewide. www.ronsburgersandchili.com
300 Oklahoma City Blvd. • 405-900-5921 www.eatatspark.com
Chuck House isn’t known just as the “home of the best chicken fry in the universe,” it’s also known for a fantastic selection of hamburgers. The quarter-pound pure beef Okie Burger is double meat patties draped in American cheese, topped with lettuce and raw onion and mustard, then finished with an assertive relish on a soft bun for a taste that is pure, unadulterated burger Americana.
Whether you’re downtown for work or play, Richey’s is worth a stop for great food at a great price. Burgers aren’t the only stars at this hidden gem where the menu also features breakfast, sandwiches, salads, spuds and Lebanese fare. Make sure to consider the hickory Swiss or the double bacon burger, but don’t miss out on their version of our state’s own Theta burger. It’s made with hickory sauce, mayonnaise, slices of dill pickles and cheddar cheese.
For more than 40 years, Ron’s has been serving up sizzling made-fromscratch burgers and chili packed with spice and flavor. Get the best of bot h w it h Ron’s Fa mous Cheeseburger, an old-fashioned cheeseburger with onions fried right into the meat then smothered in ‘Oklahoma’s finest chili’ complete with mustard and pickles. There are 16 locations throughout Oklahoma, so there’s always one near you.
Since opening in the fall of 2021, Spark — the latest concept from The Social Order Dining Collective — has drawn hordes to the northern edge of Scissortail Park for its unique burgers and baskets of piled-high fries and shakes. Each burger here comes with a unique twist that will leave you salivating for more. The Shaka Spark is a real show stopper with Swiss cheese, spiced pineapple, candied jalapeños, lettuce and ‘Hang Loose’ sauce.
4430 NW 10th St. • 405-942-0852 www.chuckhouseok.com
210 Park Ave #130 • 405-235-3663 www.richeysgrillokc.com
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We’re Up All Night to Get Artsy 51ST STREET SPEAKEASY IS HOSTING ART SHOW DEDICATED TO HISTORY’S GREATEST ROBOTIC DANCE-MUSIC DUO: DAFT PUNK. By Brett Fieldcamp
[Editor’s note: It was announced on May 15 that the show has been p o s t p o n e d u n t i l Jul y 2 .] It’s safe to say that there are few musical artists in the history of pop culture with a more defined or recognizable visual character than Daft Punk. The persistent robotic persona, complete with their iconic and intricately designed helmets, are as much a part of the duo’s legacy as their groundbreaking, infinitely acclaimed albums, and arguably helped to spawn the trend of DJ’s and EDM performers putting as much effort into their visual image as their music. Little wonder then why James Nghien and Mike Allen decided that Daft Punk would be the perfect theme for the next installment of their longrunning pop-centric art showcase at 51st Street Speakeasy this summer. The original date, set for the first week of June, has been postponed to July 2 due to unforeseen circumstances. “We’ve been talking about it for a really long time,” Allen said. “I think since even before they announced they were breaking up.” With more than a dozen of these shows at the Speakeasy under their belts, each with a different, sometimes wacky, pop culture theme, Nghiem and Allen have built a reputation for curating some serious can’t-miss pop-art celebrations. In addition to more than 70 bespoke artworks on display (and for sale,) you can expect live music, costumes, films, and even custom cocktail creations from the bar in honor of the night’s theme. “We’re always trying to make them almost like festivals in a sense, or just total celebrations,” Nghiem said. “It’s like mixedmultimedia art shows, full of things specific to each show. Like in the past we’ve had things like writers doing live readings or we’ve screened movies. For this one, we’ll have some DJ’s and we’ll be showing some of Daft Punk’s videos and films.”
Where some of the past themes have been darker or exceptionally niche (like the Kanye West/Metal Gear Solid mashup show “808’s and Solid Snake”), this time around the aim was to do something a little more fun and lively. “Part of the reason we wanted to do Daft Punk this time was
love of Daft Punk. “I feel like a lot of new or firsttime artists join our shows because it’s not a traditional gallery space where you have to already be established,” Allen said. “With a lot of the artists at our shows, sometimes this is the only time they ever show their art.”
Over It by artist Maurice Perez, photo provided.
because the last one we did, last year, still in the middle of the pandemic, was Haruki Murakami, so it was a very introspective and very insular show,” Nghiem explains. “So now for this one, it’s like, things are more open. Let’s party!” That “music’s got me feelin’ so free” attitude is set to be the driving force behind the night, with Nghiem and Allen looking forward to showcasing art from some established Oklahoman artists, but also from a number of more amateur creators just looking to have fun and make something to celebrate their own
The guys say that fostering that kind of encouraging, ground-level community among amateur artists was part of what kicked off the idea of these pop culture art shows all the way back in 2015 when Nghiem partnered with Speakeasy on a lark for a local art showcase all about “Street Fighter.” “These ideas just get people excited,” Nghiem said. “It gets people making art who maybe haven’t made anything in a long time, and it just puts people in the same room together where they can talk and share a beer and just discuss their art and what they
like about these themes that we put out there.” Award-winning local painter Maurice Perez jumped at the chance to memoria lize his musical idols with his piece “Over It,” presenting the robots as classic Disney-esque cartoon characters. “It feels really great to just make something quick and fun,” Perez said. “And it’s Daft Punk. I couldn’t pass that up.” The appeal for these shows reaches far beyond just the artists, though, with some of the events bringing nearly 1,500 people through the Speak’s doors in just one night, many looking to drop a little money on some cool, locally-made art of a subject they know and love. That’s a huge plus when it’s all for charity. “Every show, we partner with the Regional Food Bank of Ok l a hom a ,” Ng h iem s a id . “Feeding people is something pretty much everyone can get behind, and dollars go a long way over there. The money we raise at these shows can go to pay for something like 7,000 meals.” This time around, as the night is set to honor one of the biggest, most influential, and most crowdpleasing acts of the past few decades, the expectations are high for a major turnout, and not just from people looking to get their hands on some awesome artworks. The festivities will be geared fully toward the party spirit that the band’s music was always built around, and you just might be surprised how far they’re willing to go to do it right. “The Speakeasy guys keep telling me that Daft Punk is going to be performing,” Nghiem said with a wink. “I mean, I really doubt it, but we’ll see.”
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are events recommended by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staff members For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.
FILM Continuum Premiere Join Norman Arts for the premiere of Continuum, a documentary short on architect and artist Herb Greene. Filmed during Greene’s return to Oklahoma, where his work as an artist and architect began to take off, the documentary brings Greene back to some his most iconic structures in Oklahoma, exploring Greene’s work, ongoing legacy of creativity and impact on the state and beyond. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the documentary beginning at 7 p.m. with a reception to follow. The premiere is free and open to all to attend. MAINSITE Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main St., 405-3601162, normanarts.org. THU, MAY 19
HAPPENINGS Calderón Dance Festival A festival celebrating the life of Shannon Calderón and her vision for building a community with inclusive, diverse and equitable opportunities in dance. Dance classes, performances, artist panels and more!, Sat., May 21. Plaza District, 1618 N. Gatewood Ave., 405-426-7812, plazadistrict.org/calderon. SAT, MAY 21 Farmers Market at Scissortail Park Park guests will be able to choose from close to 60 market members each Saturday from 9am to 1pm from April through October. Customers can expect to see options for local, pasture-raised meats, fresh produce and cultivated mushrooms, plants, eggs, raw honey, breads and baked goods, assortments of specialty prepared food and beverage producers, as well as high-quality artisans. Make this market part of your weekly routine to procure your locally-sourced grocery items., Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. through Oct. 29. Scissortail Park, 300 SW Seventh St., 405-445-7080, scissortailpark. org. SATURDAYS Make Ready Market The Make Ready Market is an all-makers market held every 4th Saturday of the month in Midtown OKC. Artists and makers offer a range of handmade goods including clothing, jewelry, body care, soap, original art, plants, and vintage. Plus, food and live music. Follow us on Instagram @ makereadymarket or find us on Facebook for more details. FREE, Sat., May 28, 11 a.m. Make Ready Buildings, 220 NW 13th St., 4053990097, fb.me/e/1idHQHt9v.
Marking Tree Design 5 Year Anniversary Open House This month’s Third Saturdays in WesTen includes the 5 year anniversary open house of Marking Tree Design at 1633 N. Portland on Saturday, May 21, 12Noon-4:00PM. There will be snacks, drinks, raffle drinks and the opportunity to see some of their beautiful wood creations., Registration is not required. No Charge, Sat., May 21, 12-4 p.m. Marking Tree Design, 1633 N Portland Ave, 4059198705, westendistrictokc. com/event/marking-tree-5-year-anniversary-openhouse. SAT, MAY 21 Of A Mind: Oklahoma City Guided by a live narrator and set to a score of local voices, stories, sounds, and music, the participants gather as a group for an outdoor site-specific walking experience. Using your own mobile device and headphones, come for a one-mile journey through parts of OKC often missed in an exploration of mindfulness, urban ecology and social interactions. Of A Mind: Oklahoma City is an original commissioned project made specifically for Oklahoma City Repertory Theater. This work is a collaboration with artists from Ireland, New Orleans, New York, and Oklahoma City., Thursdays-Sundays. through May 29. Downtown OKC, 211 N. Robinson Ave., 405-235-3500, okcrep.org/of-a-mind-oklahomacity. VARIOUS DATES OKC Brew Tours Join us every Friday evening and Saturday day on OKC Brew Tours! The ultimate craft beer experience. Take a ride in the bus as we visit three local breweries within the OKC metro area where we will try and explore multiple tasters at each stop as well as take a behind the scenes tour and learn how beer is made. Its a perfect way to get to know new people and drink OKC’s tastiest beer offerings! $69.50, Fridays, 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. through Jan. 31. Core4 Brewing, 7 N. Lee Ave, 405-822-0285, okcbrewtour.com. FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS Red Forever: Roller Derby Returns to the OKC Metro Roller Derby returns to the OKC metro in this action-packed doubleheader!, Our first bout, The Derby Debut, will feature a mix of veterans and brand new skaters, freshly graduated and ready to roll!, Game two, “X’s Exes,” is dedicated to former OKVD president, long-time leagumate and dear friend Cathy Wright, a.k.a. X-rae, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in March 2022, and left this world on April 21st, 2022. This game will feature current and retired skaters from around the state who played with or against X-Rae. A portion of the proceeds for this event will go to X-rae’s family. $10 in advance, $15 at the door, kids 12 and under free with an adult, Sat., May 21, 5:30-10 p.m. Arctic Edge Ice Arena, 14613 N. Kelly, 405-748-5454, facebook.com/ev ents/383867070272764/?ref=newsfeed. SAT, MAY 21
SAT, MAY 28
COOP Ale Works Beats & Bites Festival The popular COOP Ale Works Beats
& Bites Festival, featuring live music and local food trucks, makes its return to Riverwind Casino this summer. The series kicks off May 28 with Night Ranger and Starship with Mickey Thomas. Time Machine opens. Nearly 20 food trucks will serve delicious fare. Face painting, clothing and jewelry vendors will also be available. Visit Riverwind.com for full schedule. Riverwind Casino, 1544 W. State Highway 9, 405-322-6000, Riverwind.com. SATURDAY, MAY 28 Photo provided
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OKC Broadway & Disney’s The Lion King Disney’s The Lion King makes a
triumphant return to the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall with shows taking place from Wednesday, May 11 through Sunday, May 29., Tuesdays-Sundays. through May 29. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, okcbroadway.com/thelionking. THROUGH MAY 29 Brandon A. McCall as Simba. ©Disney. Photo by Deen van Meer Storytime Science At Storytime Science children read a story and follow it up with a fun, hands-on scientific activity related to the book. Included in general admission to museum, Tuesdays, Saturdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. through July 26. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. TUESDAYS
YOUTH OCT Summer Camps Join us for our “Bright Lights, Big Stories” Summer camps 2022! Each summer hundreds of kids choose to spend their summer with Oklahoma Children’s Theatre. Its start to finish endless fun as we present weekly sessions filled with creative visual and performing arts opportunities. Varies, Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. through Aug. 5. Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, NW 25th & Blackwelder Ave, (405) 208-6200, summercamps.oklahomachildrenstheatre. org. WEEKDAYS Teen Night Teen Night is a TEENS-ONLY event created by the Teen Arts Council! Join us for a fun evening: Hang out with other high school students, listen to sets from DJs Kora Waves and Bengineer, enjoy food, make art, see a performance and check out the art in our exhibitions., All teens who attend must agree to a code of conduct before entering. Want to skip the check-in line? Fill out the Teen Night Pre-Registration Form now. Be sure to bring an ID with proof of age, leave your parents and your bags at home, be respectful and have fun. Free, tickets required, Fri., May 20, 6-9 p.m. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, okcontemp.org/TeenNight. FRI, MAY 20
PERFORMING ARTS The Amen Corner James Baldwin’s first play, about the female pastor of a Harlem church in 1954, grapples with issues of racism, poverty, and the role of the church in the lives of Black Americans. $10 - $25, Thu., May 19, 8-10:30 p.m., Fri., May 20, 8-10:30 p.m., Sat., May 21, 8-10:30 p.m. and Sun., May 22, 2:30-5 p.m. Jewel Box Theatre, 321 NW 36th St., 405-521-1786, jewelboxokc.com. VARIOUS DATES 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.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-CenterGrill-384104648334867. WEDNESDAYS Hamlet by William Shakespeare, reimagined and adapted by Dakota Lee Bryant Young Hamlet returns home from university to discover that her father is dead and her
mother has married Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle - making Claudius King. Late one night, the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears to her, accusing Claudius of his murder and urging Hamlet to revenge, setting into motion a train of events that destroys the royal family and nation of Denmark., Content Advisory: This production contains mature language and themes such as murder, death, sexuality, talk of suicide, gaslighting, and the loss of a parent, child, or sibling. The sound of a gunshot will take place. $25/$20, Fri., May 20, 8-10 p.m., Sat., May 21, 8-10 p.m., Sun., May 22, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Fri., May 27, 8-10 p.m., Sat., May 28, 8-10 p.m. and Sun., May 29, 2:30-4:30 p.m. 3rd Act Theatre Company, 12040 N May Ave., 405.593.8093, 3rdacttheatreco.com/productions/ hamlet. VARIOUS DATES Lungs: a dramatic play Southern Plains Productions, in partnership with Factory Obscura, is excited to present the dramatic play, Lungs., Join us for this artful & imaginative performance in one of Oklahoma’s premier creative spaces! This incredibly moving show will capture your heart & mind as you follow one couple through their lifelong journey together. This is a show you won’t want to miss! $30, Thu., May 19, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Factory Obscura, 25 NW 9th St., southernplainsproductions. org/lungs. THU, MAY 19
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You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Happiness is great musical theatre! With charm, wit, and heart, ‘You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown’ explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown and his friends in the Peanuts gang. This revue of songs and vignettes, based on the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, is ideal for the whole family. Make a trip to historic downtown Guthrie, and see one of Oklahoma’s favorite theaters! $17 - $35, Fridays, Saturdays, 8-9:45 p.m., Thu., May 19, 8-9:45 p.m., Sun., May 22, 2-3:45 p.m. and Thu., May 26, 8-9:45 p.m. through May 28. The Pollard Theatre, 120 W. Harrison Ave., 4052822800, thepollard.org/youre-a-good-man-charlie-brown. VARIOUS DATES
ACTIVE Free Yoga in the Park an all-levels class on the Devon Lawn; bring your own water and yoga mat., Tuesdays, 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. TUESDAYS & SATURDAYS
VISUAL ARTS ‘Domestic Inquiries’ photography exhibit Oklahoma City University’s Norick Art Center hosts “Domestic Inquiries” featuring the photography of Sam Charboneau Feb. 23 through Aug. 12, with an artist talk at 6 p.m. March 24. Charboneau pulls inspiration from stop-motion animators, building puppets and sets to bring her serious yet lighthearted dreams into reality. As a self-taught artist, she uses the traditional methods of trial and error, evolving her sets along the
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The 45th Annual Paseo Arts Festival The long-awaited 45th Annual Paseo Arts Festival is back on Memorial Day Weekend, May
28 and May 29 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. with live music until 10 p.m., and May 30 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Visitors will enjoy over 100 nationally acclaimed visual artists, more than 50 performers and 18 food and drink vendors. Plus, check out the Children’s tent, featuring the popular spin art machine along with other new and fun crafts free to be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Paseo Arts District, 3024 Paseo St., 405-525-2688, thepaseo. org/festival. SATURDAY - MONDAY, MAY 28-30 Photo by Josh Vaughn way. OCU Norick Art Center, 1608 NW 26th Street, (405) 208-5707, okcu.edu. WED-THU
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Art Moves Art Moves is an Arts Council OKC initiative that provides free arts events each workday from Noon-1:00. Art Moves artists perform and demonstrate their artistry daily from popular downtown locations or live streaming from their studio or homes! Help us support our local artist by joining us weekdays at Arts Council Oklahoma City’s facebook page for live-streaming performances and check out the weekly line up below., Art Moves is an Arts Council OKC initiative that provides free arts events each workday from Noon-1:00. Events took place in various downtown locations and may include artist demonstrations or musical performances. 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-TUE Chakaia Booker: Shaved Portions Commissioned specifically for Campbell Art Park, Shaved Portions is among the most recent additions to Booker’s body of work marked by her distinct ability to radically transform her signature material — salvaged rubber tires — into an incredible array of biomorphic sculptures. Free, Through Aug. 31. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org/exhibitions/upcoming/chakaia-booker-shaved-portions. THU-WED
Cindy Mason Exhibition The show is centered around nature capturing a moment or memory that in just seconds transforms our hectic, high-tech society into a world of peaceful beauty and majesty. Mason is intrigued with the process of different formats and materials on which to paint – as experimenting to see if it’s possible to make acrylics have the same feel and look of charcoal. An opening reception will be held on Friday, May 6, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Paseo Arts and Creativity Center, 3024 Paseo St., 405-525-2688, thepaseo.org. FRI-MON Exhibition: John Newsom: Nature’s Course Focusing on the artist’s body of work over the last 20 years, John Newsom: Nature’s Course presents large-scale, richly textured, oil on canvas paintings of flora and fauna. The exhibition will include the brand-new, 9 x 18 foot Nature’s Course and Homecoming, another new painting referencing Oklahoma., Newsom’s work layers and combines elements of Abstract Expressionism, minimalist geometric shapes and hyperrealistic representations of animals to create complex allegories of the natural world. The mid-career retrospective of the
Oklahoma-raised and New York-based artist runs March 24 to Aug. 15., Free timed ticket required, Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays. through Aug. 15. Join us for a free, guided public tour every Saturday at 1 p.m. Gallery guides lead inclusive, conversational tours that encourage curiosity., Reserve your spot here: okcontemp.org/PublicTours Free. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-9510000, oklahomacontemporary.org/exhibitions/ upcoming/newsom. THU-MON Maren Hassinger: Nature, Sweet Nature Traveling from Aspen Art Museum, the exhibition Nature, Sweet Nature, by renowned artist Maren Hassinger, has been reconfigured to respond to the grounds of Oklahoma Contemporary., Nature, Sweet Nature is comprised of two installations constructed with galvanized wire rope. Garden and Paradise Regained will each stand in rows at relative human scale; one near the entrance to the art center and the other within the Sculpture Garden. Free, Through Aug. 31. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org/exhibitions/upcoming/maren-hassinger-nature-sweetnature. THU-WED Off the Wall Off the Wall features three Oklahomabased artists — Sarah Ahmad, romy owens and Marium Rana — who create large-scale works that come in stunning and unexpected forms. These artists work in fiber, textiles and mixed media, using techniques that range from sewing and quilting to the intricate application of paint and the exploration of cutting-edge technology., Ahmad, owens and Rana have transformed the Mary Leflore Clements Oklahoma Gallery with immersive and interactive installations. Rather than being confined to the walls, their artworks extend into the air and explore the physical, vertical volume of the gallery. Free timed ticket required, Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m. through June 20. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org/exhibitions/current/off-the-wall. MON The Paint Pushers Exhibition The Paint Pushers is a group show by eight Oklahoman artists – Charlotte New, Diane Goldschmidt, Jay Holobach, Clay Moore, Glen Thomas, Diana Robinson, William Lentz, and Debby Kaspari. These eight artists have had their work shown in a variety of exhibits and juried shows in Oklahoma and many surrounding states. The Paint Pushers will showcase captivating three- and two-dimensional pieces and paintings ranging from portraits and stilllife, to figures and landscapes. An opening reception will be held on Friday, May 6, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Paseo Arts and Creativity Center, 3024 Paseo St.,
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405-525-2688, thepaseo.org. FRI-MON Spirit in Color Collection - Art Gallery Showing at Social Stop by to view the latest artist to grace The Gallery walls at Social Deck and Dining in Oklahoma City, Cara Elaine from Edmond, Oklahoma., Cara creates beautifully crafted abstract paintings exuding the life spirit she holds so dear. Stop by and be inspired by the collection open now at Social Deck and Dining through July 11th, 2022. Art curated and managed by Nicole Lowry. free, Through June 30. Social Deck + Dining, 1933 NW 23rd St., 4054305779, socialdeckanddining.com/ the-gallery/. TUE-THU 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. American Banjo Museum, 9 E. Sheridan Ave., 405-604-2793, americanbanjomuseum.com/current-exhibits/ special-exhibits/. WED-TUE
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.
For OKG
live music see page 25
SOUNDCHECK
Cliffdiver - Exercise Your Demons THE TRENDING TULSA EMO BAND COPES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS THROUGH RAW LYRICS, SURREAL HUMOR, AND LOTS OF SAXOPHONE ON ITS DEBUT FULL-LENGTH. By Evan Jarvicks
The light at the end of the tunnel is often portrayed as some pure, weightless clean slate, some sunny finish line to be accompanied by glorious choir and trumpet fanfare when reached. More reasonably, though, it probably sounds something like Cliffdiver. The Tulsa-based self-described “elevator emo pop” septet is a stirring blend of soul-scraping vocals, riffy skatepark guitars, and smooth jazz saxophone. On paper, it sounds a bit messy — and maybe it is — but it jells into a unique spectacle of fierce catharsis with wholesome overtones. It is the sound of repressed bad memories, acceptance of self-love, and the reflective space that bridges the two. For years, the band has earned a r e put at ion for writing songs that “get” the struggles of mental illness by baring emotional wounds and confronting uncomfor t able t r ut hs that nurture selfcare. Cliffdiver is also known for its sense of humor, with a track record of surreal, verbose song titles like “You Sir, Are Obviously Not a Golfer” and “The Water Temple Is Filled with My Tears and Now I Am Drowning in Sorrow.” That juxtaposition is key to what makes the band tick, even now that the titles are dialed back for it s l ab el debut w it h SideOneDummy Records. Exercise Your Demons is the band’s first proper LP following years of hyped EPs and singles, and it’s also the first album release since adding Nightingale’s Briana Wright on co-lead vocals. Joining the rougher full-throttle stylings of Joey Duffy, she matches his power while smoothing his edges and helping Thomas Dony Nickels’ saxophone feel even more at home than before.
All of the familiar themes of alcoholism, failure, and relationship problems are here, and it’s never sounded as good. The glimmering production and range in vocal mixing bring out new dynamics in the band’s songwriting. The performances are on-point, even when they stray from Cliffdiver’s musical center to sneak in mild shades of metal on “Dick Van Yikes,” ska on “New Vegas Bomb,” and alt-rock balladry on “We Saw the Same Sunset.” The tracking is noteworthy, too, with the nine songs rolling one into another with impeccable pacing.
Despite its musical coherence, Exercise Your Demons is quick to point out that it doesn’t have all the answers. Wright and Duffy even describe their lives as a “Wonka boat disaster” at one point. That is what makes Cliffdiver so immediately relatable to many though. It acknowledges that making it through a rough patch is not the finish line. There is often the residue of regret, the scars from pain to be revealed under the light at the end of the tunnel. Healing is a gritty process, but if it’s any consolation, there is a band in Tulsa that can empathize.
MUSIC OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 23
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24 M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM MUSIC
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Free Estimates JEFF RAY
405. 820.7466
RAYELECTRICOKC.COM These are events recommended by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staff members. For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.
WEDNESDAY, MAY. 18
Danielle Bradbery, Tinker Air Force Base Soccer Field Daryl Hall and the Daryl’s House Band, The Tulsa Theater. With Special Guest Todd Rundgren Robert Earl Keen, Cain’s Ballroom. AMERICANA Zac Brown Band, Paycom Center. COUNTRY
SATURDAY, MAY. 21
Chayce Beckham, Beer City Music Hall. COUNTRY
Acoustic Jam, Gator Alley Cafe & Lounge.
King of Heck, 89th Street OKC.
Afton, 89th Street OKC. BLUES
The Lively Concert Series: Blake O, The Jones Assembly.
LeAnn Rimes, Scissortail Park. COUNTRY
REIK - EN CAMBIO, The Criterion. LATIN POP
THURSDAY, MAY. 19 Adriel Favela, Beer City Music Hall. ArtAfloatOKC Showboat Concert Series, Bricktown Water Taxi. Bright Eyes, The Jones Assembly. ALT/INDIE Clay Coughlin, Angry Scotsman Brewing. Jazz Night, Bradford House. They Might Be Giants, Cain’s Ballroom. ALT ROCK
Midlake, Beer City Music Hall. ALT/INDIE Omar Apollo, Tower Theatre. R&B Rodeo Opry Armed Forces Show, Stockyards Central.
SUNDAY, MAY. 22 Bombino, Beer City Music Hall. SAHARAN ROCK Collective Soul, The Tulsa Theater. ROCK Hosty, The Deli. ELECTRIC
MONDAY, MAY. 23
FRIDAY, MAY. 27 Harpy Hour with Oklahannah, Ponyboy. Helen Kelter Skelter with Labrys, Ponyboy. ROCK
Kerry Wayne’s Rock Star Band, Remington Park. Old No. 7 Stage
The Lively Concert Series: Tanner Fields, The Jones Assembly. The Mean Hustle Concert Series, Stockyards Central. Featuring Carter Sampson, Rigby Summer, & Ali Harter.
Salt Creek, 89th Street OKC.
SATURDAY, MAY. 28 Acoustic Jam, Gator Alley Cafe & Lounge. Paseo Arts Festival - Various Performers, Paseo Arts District Stick to Your Guns, 89th Street OKC. METAL
SUNDAY, MAY. 29 Hosty, The Deli. ELECTRIC
Rex Orange County, The Criterion. ALT/INDIE
Paseo Arts Festival - Various Performers, Paseo Arts District
Adam Miller, JJ’s Alley.
Stand Atlantic & With Confidence, 89th Street OKC. ALT/INDIE
MONDAY, MAY. 30
Big Freedia, Beer City Music Hall.
TUESDAY, MAY. 24
FRIDAY, MAY. 20 Braden Hobbs, Core4 Brewing. Colourmusic, Ponyboy. ALT Cradle of Filth, Diamond Ballroom. METAL
Mental Mondaze, Hubbly Bubbly Hookah & Café.
Carla Morrison, Tower Theatre. ELECTRONIC
Paseo Arts Festival - Various Performers, Paseo Arts District
The Lively Concert Series: Josh Roberts, The Jones Assembly.
TUESDAY, MAY. 31
Papa Roach, The Tulsa Theater. ALT METAL PB&Jazz, Ponyboy.
WEDNESDAY, MAY. 25
The Plot in You, 89th Street OKC. METAL
WEDNESDAY, JUN. 1 Hellfury with Shaka, 89th Street OKC. METAL Thievery Corporation, Tower Theatre. DANCE/ ELECTRONIC
Halestorm, The Tulsa Theater. HARD ROCK
“Weird Al” Yankovic, The Tulsa Theater. COMEDY
The Lively Concert Series: Isaac McClung, The Jones Assembly.
Willie Nelson & Family, The Zoo Amphitheatre.
ROCK COUNTRY
Seether, Diamond Ballroom. HARD ROCK Todd Snider, Tower Theatre. FOLK
THURSDAY, MAY. 26 ArtAfloatOKC Showboat Concert Series, Bricktown Water Taxi. Mewithoutyou, Tower Theatre. ALT/INDIE The Iceman Special, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. Indigo Girls, The Tulsa Theater. FOLK ROCK
THE HU Critically celebrated Mongolian rock band THE HU
will return to the U.S. in April for a series of headlining dates on their “Black Thunder Tour”. Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St., towertheatreokc.com. FRI, MAY 27 Photo Provided / Enkhbat Nyamkhishig
Jazz Night, Bradford House. The Lively Concert Series: Elizabeth Speegle, The Jones Assembly. Spite, 89th Street OKC. METAL
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. Visit okgazette.com to submit your lisitngs or email listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.
GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR FULL LISTINGS! MUSIC OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 25
26 M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM HIGH CULTURE
THE HIGH CULTURE
Cardless cannabis STATE QUESTION 820, A BALLOT INITIATIVE PETITION FOR RECREATIONAL CANNABIS, BEGAN SIGNATURE COLLECTION THIS MONTH. By Matt Patterson — NonDoc.com
A new effort to legalize marijuana in Oklahoma for adult recreational use is underway as organizers behind State Question 820 begin gathering signatures that they hope will put the issue before voters in November. SQ 820 would allow adults age 21 and up to legally purchase marijuana from dispensaries without a medical license. It would not alter the rights of those currently in the state’s medical marijuana program. It would also impose a 15 percent excise tax on purchases to fund the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. That tax would also be divided up in several other ways, including some funds for schools, court systems and drug-addiction treatment programs. Medical marijuana patients would not be subject to the tax. SQ 820 would also provide judicial process for people to seek “modification, reversal, re-designation, or expungement of certain prior marijuana related judgments and sentences.” SQ 820 would be codified in Oklahoma statutes, but two other initiative petitions awaiting final approval to begin signature collec tion wou ld cha nge t he Oklahoma Constitution. State Question 818 would establish a State Cannabis Commission that would replace the OMMA and guarantee access to medical mariju a n a i n t he Ok l a hom a Constitution. State Question 819 would legalize marijuana for those 21 and up for medical and recreational use and guarantee access in the Constitution. It’s unclear when organizers behind those the SQ 818 and SQ 819 efforts can begin gathering signatures. The number of required signatures is based upon the total number of votes cast at the last general election for the office of governor. For initiative petitions like SQ 820 that change Oklahoma statute, 8 percent of the total number of votes cast is required: 94,911 this year. For
t hose t hat cha nge t he Constitution, 15 percent is required: 177,958 this year.
SQ 820 group optimistic it can get signatures Those behind the SQ 820 petition have 90 days to gather their 94,911 valid voter signatures. That equates to an Aug. 1 submission deadline to reach the November ballot. Proponents came close to launching an effort to gather signatures for a recreational marijuana pandemic in early 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Michelle Tilley, one of the SQ 820 organizers, said the pause allowed for language in her petition to be refined. “COVID hit, and it killed our last effort, but it also gave us time to work with the Legislature and others in the industry who didn’t like all of the provisions,” Tilley said. Tilley said the timing was right to start the effort again. “ We’ve seen nothing but growth and support behind the marijuana industry, and I think people realized after medical has come into place that it has the potential to be an area of economic growth in Oklahoma,” she said. “And we’ve also seen a lot of reform that has happened with the current medical system. We’ve been able to chip away at some of those issues, but we have a long way to go.” W hile some have said the state’s low barrier for entry makes the medical program serves akin to a recreational system, Tilley pushed back against that idea. “We understand and know that medical patients need to be recognized as patients and that there are many genuine health benefits that are alleviated with marijuana on the patient side,” Tilley said. “But we should have distinctions between those who use for medical reasons and those who are interested in recreational use. There are a lot of Oklahomans who are interested in recreational use but don’t want to go through
Rep. Scott Fetgatter (R-Okmulgee), photo provided.
the patient process.” Tilley said SQ 820 also addresses some criminal justice issues t h at c ont i nue t o i mpac t Oklahomans, even as some municipalities relax their laws about marijuana possession. “There is a very strong criminal justice component to it,” Tilley said of SQ 820. “It was one of the biggest driving forces behind the effort to start with. We are still seeing stories of people sitting in jail for small amounts of marijuana. It’s still being used to enhance sentences.” Tilley said signature collection will begin today. She said those wishing to sign can find more information at YesOn820.com. “We have until Aug. 1, but we hope to be done well before that,” she said.
Fetgatter: ‘What I do favor is legalization’ Rep. Scott Fe t g a t t e r (R-Okmulgee) has helped to craft much of Oklahoma’s medical m a r iju a n a p ol ic y i n t he Legislature. He said the problem with the state question proposals is that they come at a time when the public is frustrated with the state’s medical marijuana industry and what is a perceived as a
lack of enforcement. “There are a lot of people who are very discouraged about the way the medical marijuana industry ended up going and look at it as a recreational program already,” he said. “When I talk to constituents about this issue, they will tell me specifically that we already have recreational marijuana. So I think the problem with the state question being on the ballot — or potentially several state questions on marijuana being on the ballot — is the general population is not angry with marijuana, they are angry with lack of enforcement, and they are angry with people who are just blatantly disobeying the laws, and so they are requesting us to clamp down.” Fetgatter said the state questions also carry other risks. If they are not successful, he said that result would further complicate efforts to craft a legalization program through the Legislature. “I’ve made this statement before: Once a state question becomes law in the state of Oklahoma, it’s not owned by the people who voted ‘Yes,’” Fetgatter said. “That state question is now the business of every Oklahoma citizen in the state. So everybody has a say in it, and a lot of people are very frustrated. So if you put
HIGH CULTURE OKGA Z ET TE .COM | M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 27
a state question on the ballot and it passes, then you potentially unwind the things that we have done in the Legislature to try and reign it in and give OMMA more opportunities and more authority in the program. If it goes on the ballot and it fails, the Legislature will look at that as a mandate to crack down more on the industry. It will set that issue out several years.” While he personally said he does not favor decriminalization of marijuana because of its current federal status, Fetgatter does favor legalization. “I don’t favor decriminalization because until the federal government makes a move and legalizes cannabis, you are always going to have criminal activity, and I don’t favor decriminalizing that activity,” he said. “What I do favor is legalization so you can put more constraints around how the program works and you can stop worrying so much about who is smoking what and where on a park bench somewhere.” Fetgatter said the state questions — SQ 818 and SQ 819 — that alter the state’s Constitution offer the Legislature little flexibility. “The other two that are constitutional ballot measures, they g ive some le ew ay t o t he
Leg islature to leg islate the program,” he said. “However, anytime something goes into the Constitution, the Legislature either can’t do any thing to change any aspect of it or they are very limited. I would just encourage people to think about State Question 788. Had that been a constitutional state question, we wouldn’t have been able to do anything to what happened, and so if I had my druthers I would rather it be statutory so we can continue to work with industry to set the program up effectively and efficiently. But I think it’s a risk for any of those three to be on the ballot.”
Jed Green: ‘We believe in ballot access’ One of the organizers behind SQ 818 and SQ 819 said Monday that he hopes to be able to start gathering signatures by the end of the month, pending approval from the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s Office. Jed Green said the primary difference between his state questions and SQ 820 centers around guaranteed rights. “Rights and freedoms aren’t rights and freedoms until they are guaranteed by the Constitution,” Green said. “In ours, ultimately, while they are constitutional
amendments, we have sections that designate other sections that can be adjusted by the Legislature. It’s not an all or nothing proposition.” Green said he wouldn’t discourage people from signing a petition to put SQ 820 on the ballot, however. “We believe in ballot access,” he said. “Everyone go out and sign every petition there is.” Still, Green acknowledged it could be confusing for Oklahomans if three petitions are circulating at once regarding marijuana. “It may be, it may not be,” Green said. But he said he believes the process behind SQ 818 and SQ 819 was more transparent than the effort behind SQ 820. “They filed two months after we did and never got any of our input into their bill,” he said. “On the contrary, 818 and 819 were written in a public process over the course of four months. Everyone was invited. We reached out to state a genc ie s a nd le g i sl at or s . Community folks. Industry folks. It was a community effort.”
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THE HIGH CULTURE STRAIN REVIEWS
Strain name: Gas Truffle #2 Grown by: Black Sheep Cultivation Acquired from: Tegridy Market Date acquired: May 7 Physical traits: frosted purple
recently put out its first commercial run (with a second on its way, as per Instagram). This strain is easy on the eyes and easier on the brain, a heady, fragrant smoke that serves its purpose both day and night. This is a grower to watch.
Strain name: Divine Storm Grown by: Teagz Reserve Acquired from: Dank’s Wellness Emporium
hours indulgence. This one came from the top shelf, but several others from Teagz Reserve were available for more economical price points that would be worthy of experimentation.
Date acquired: May 7 Physical traits: frosted green and purple with wiry stigmas
Bouquet: gassy and bitter Review: Since the day they opened, Tegridy Market has consistently been a source of premium flower, especially coming from growers who are new to market. In the early days, Tegridy was an absolute kingmaker, carrying strains from cultivators whose names quickly exploded after connoisseurs made the rounds. Many came to the shelves with strong branding, but a few came in as dark horses (or in this case, black sheep). Little information is available about Black Sheep Cultivation except that they’re an Oklahoma City grower that
Bouquet: sweet and earthy Review: Shopping for cannabis these days can almost be like running errands and when you’re seeking new dispensaries for fresh reviews every couple of weeks, sometimes being in the right place at the right time is all that matters. Such was the impetus behind the visit to Dank’s Wellness Emporium location next to the Blue Note. This one was another followthe-nose acquisition from an unknown grower. The strikingly sweet aroma has a flavor to match. The effects are quite heady, more suited for an after-
FIND MORE STRAIN REVIEWS AT OKGAZETTE.COM/THEHIGHCULTURE
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY WEEK OF MAY 19 Homework: Is there a situation you’re being lazy about? Should you be more discerning? Newsletter. FreeWillAstrology.com ARIES (March 21-April 19)
“The only way to the truth is through blasphemy,” declared Aries author Flannery O’Connor. I appreciate the cheeky sentiment, but I don’t believe that *all* truth requires blasphemy. In many cases, rebellion, irreverence, and skepticism may be enough to pry loose hidden and buried information. Outright blasphemy isn’t necessary. What does this have to do with you? Well, I’m hoping you will be feisty and audacious in your quest for interesting truths. As you dig, I invite you to be less than perfectly polite. Don’t be rude or unkind, of course. Just be charmingly bold.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
“I am so beautiful, sometimes people weep when they see me,” declares comedian Margaret Cho. I would love for you to summon her level of self-esteem and bravado in the coming weeks. According to my interpretation of the astrological omens, you now have the right and duty to boost your self-worth. All of creation is conspiring with you to develop more faith in yourself. And if you do the work to deepen your confidence and self-esteem, there will be an added bonus: a health breakthrough. As spiritual author Caroline Myss says, “Belief in oneself is required for healing.” My prediction: You will rouse an enhanced power to get the soul medicine you need.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
According to the blogger Artemisiasea, “The grandeur of life is the attempt, not the solution. It’s about behaving as beautifully as one can under completely impossible circumstances; making room for what breathes in the presence of the attempt—in the coming-to-be.” I invite you to embrace that wisdom in the coming weeks, Gemini. You won’t be dealing with impossible circumstances, but you may have to navigate your way through fascinating brainteasers and heart riddles. Whatever your destination might turn out to be, enjoy the ride with all the verve you
can summon. At least for now, put aside your longing for particular results and instead simply live your life as if it were a magnificent work of art CANCER (June 21-July 22) It will be in your interest to change more than usual in the coming weeks. I suppose you could wait around passively and scramble to adjust as life flings challenges your way. But the better approach would be to make conscious decisions about how you want to transform. Identify the situations that would most benefit from modification and then initiate the transitions. Rather than depending on fate to provide you with random wake-up calls, choose constructive wake-up calls that are fun and invigorating.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
“If everyone likes you, it probably means you aren’t saying much,” declared politician Donna Brazile. I suspect you will disprove her theory in the coming weeks. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you will have a lot to say; your communications will be even more interesting than usual. And yet, I also expect you will receive extra respect and appreciation from others. While you may articulate ideas that are challenging to some, you will do so with enough charisma to disarm agitated reactions. A winning combination: expressiveness and approval.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Have you heard of Virgo adventurer Reinhold Messner? The man is a marvel, and not just because he’s a passionate environmental activist. He was the first mountaineer to reach the top of Mt. Everest alone, as well as the first to ascend Everest without supplemental oxygen. No one before him had ever climbed all 14 of the world’s peaks higher than 26,000 feet. He has transited Greenland and Antarctica without the aid of dog sleds or snowmobiles. He also completed a solo trip across the Gobi Desert. I propose we make Messner your inspirational role model for the next four weeks. You may not achieve historymaking triumphs like him, but you could surpass what you assumed were your limits. I trust that you will break at least one of your personal records.
30 M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 | OKGA Z ET TE .COM HIGH CULTURE
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
“The world is a very puzzling place. If you’re not willing to be puzzled, you just become a replica of someone else’s mind.” Author Noam Chomsky said that. It’s useful counsel for you right now. I’ll go even further. I will advise you to relish the healthy pleasures of being both mysterious and mystified. Seek out fertile enigmas and be a fertile enigma yourself. Explore the rejuvenating wisdom of being indefinable and uncategorizable. Exult in the quizzical joys of Eternal Paradox.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Have you ever contemplated the beauty of the people and animals you care for and thought, “I would love to give them the strongest blessings I have to give, the smartest love I can express, and the best listening I’m able to provide.” If so, Scorpio, the coming days will be an excellent time to do that. You will have an extra capacity to offer exceptional gifts that are useful and inspirational. You will be at the peak of your ability to home in on what your beloveds need.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Sagittarian author Madeleine L’Engle told us, “The discoveries don’t come when you’re looking for them. They come when for some reason you’ve let go conscious control.” That approach isn’t absolutely true, but it may be useful for you to deploy in the coming weeks. I invite you to relinquish at least a modicum of your conscious control. And if zesty discoveries start flowing in, consider relinquishing even a bit more conscious control.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Is it a legend or a true story? Scholars disagree about whether Capricorn scientist Isaac Newton really was spurred to formulate the theory of gravity when an apple fell from the tree he was sitting beneath. This much is certain: Newton lived in the home near the famous apple tree. And that tree is alive today, 380 years after his birth. Ripe apples still fall from it. Is there an equivalent landmark or keystone from your own past, Capricorn—where an important insight arose or pivotal event happened? The coming weeks would be a good time to revisit that power spot, at least in your imagination, in quest of fresh inspiration.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Aquarian poet Jack Gilbert devoted himself to soulful beauty. I swooned when I first read his line, “We must unlearn the constellations to see the stars.” I cried for joy when he said, “We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world.” On the other hand, I suspect Jack may have been overly consumed with his pursuit of lyrical moments. His girlfriend Linda Gregg said, “All Jack ever wanted to know was that he was awake—that the trees in bloom were almond trees—and to walk down the road to get breakfast. He never cared if he was poor or had to sleep on a park bench.” I bring this up, dear Aquarius, hoping you will avoid Gilbert’s lack of attention to practical matters. In the coming weeks, I invite you to be your extravagant, idiosyncratic, interesting self to the max. But also be sure to eat healthy food, engage in pleasurable exercise, and get plenty of rejuvenating sleep—preferably in a comfortable bed rather than on a park bench.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
The Uberfacts Twitter account informs me that if you were to consume the amount of food equivalent to what a hummingbird eats, you would eat 300 hamburgers or 7,800 cabbages per day. To match the amount of exercise a hummingbird gets while burning all those calories, you’d have to do approximately 37 bazillion jumping jacks. You will never do this, of course. But in the coming weeks, you may be more metaphorically hungry than usual. I predict you will be voracious for new information and novel experiences and fresh ideas. Not 300 hamburgers or 7,800 cabbages’ worth—but still, a lot. My advice: Have fun being insatiably curious and greedy for stimulation. 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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You say it when you ‘‘get it’’ Cell connection inits. Dope Sorta Writing tip Film critic with a cameo in 1978’s ‘‘Superman’’ Safe bets ‘‘Levitating’’ singer, 2020 Stuffed up, in a way Northern New Jersey town Literally, ‘‘father of many’’ 2020 No. 1 hit for Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion Longtime cooking show hosted by Alton Brown They may be classified
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Resident of the secondlargest U.S. city Like some bulls Dangerous part of a tour Fan of the album ‘‘Aoxomoxoa,’’ say Dress (up) Flings without strings Yogurt-based Indian drink The Blue Marble ‘‘Ditto!’’ Part of ‘‘fwiw’’ Sit in stir Good people to ask for directions Grok Clothing store sign Owed
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Parts of many skyscrapers Med. care option South ____ Wilson of film Loud and clear, as a call to action First name among billionaires Demean Woolly ma’am Chats over Twitter, for short ____ al-Fitr (holiday) Lump sum? Hawaiian home parts Grabbed the reins The barber of Seville Singer Grande, to fans Diverse ecosystem Christine of ‘‘The
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Blacklist’’ French 101 verb Mustangs’ sch. Back tracks? Made bubbly Not stop talking about Supreme Court appointee before Thurgood Marshall ‘‘Dios ____!’’ Firm Pin points? Spacecraft’s reflective attachment Ominous Flexible spade, say Like werewolves Hairsplitter Late actor Eisenberg In which belts are worn Ideal beta tester Gives a boost, informally Roger ____, first film critic to win a Pulitzer for criticism Boots Algebra I calculation Worries Calendar mo. Captain’s log entry, maybe Quinceañera feature 2013 Bong Joon Ho thriller Hear out, say N.Y.C. mayor after de Blasio Alien’s line of communication? Speedy travel option Precept John, abroad Young ’uns Cares for
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Pioneer in Dadaism ‘‘That’s amusing’’ Rose of Guns N’ Roses Passport, for one Vegan protein source made from fermented soybeans Big name in ice cream 1993 Salt-N-Pepa hit Heart-shaped, as leaves Entree with boiling broth Dash figure No. 1 N.B.A. draft pick in 1992 Journalist ____ B. Wells Outback, e.g. Stereotypical football
Stumped? Call 1-900-285-5656 to get the answers to any three clues by phone ($1.20 a minute).
SUDOKU MEDIUM | N° 100024269 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°100024269 medium
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coach Org. with grants It’s got hops, for short Superhero comics sound Ties another knot Bay Area airport code Tennis division Victor ____, role in ‘‘Casablanca’’ Professional saver? Fad accessory of the 1980s It comes off the top of one’s head ‘‘Cool beans!’’ Verbose The eighth of eight Feeling bad, in a way ‘‘August: ____ County’’ (Tracy Letts play) Site of Hercules’ first labor Ramps up or down? Leave it to beavers ____-Magnon Author Gaiman Plus Pablo Neruda wrote one ‘‘to a large tuna in the market’’ Has online? Slugger with 609 homers Bit of cosmic justice Unlikely feature for competitive swimmers Some trattoria offerings All tucked in Eccentric Top dog, for short Wedding-notice word Basket-weaving materials Home of Gulf State Park Behind-the-counter helper Licorice-flavored quaff ‘‘____ With Marc Maron’’ (popular podcast) Rage Main connection? Some antique furniture Like 100 vis-à-vis 99, say The Trojan priestess Cassandra, e.g. Two-syllable cheer Contest Softened expletive on ‘‘Battlestar Galactica’’ Cutesy ending with most Marijuana compound, for short Some coding statements
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United Having less vermouth, say Air or Ear ender, in tech ‘‘____ live and breathe!’’ No longer funny Jay with jokes Does the same as Blood typing, e.g. Runnin’ ____ (N.C.A.A. basketball team) In and of itself Shining brightly Former Jordanian queen Formal accessory Text file in a software package Inundate, as with work Runner Bolt Like some parking Attract while exploiting someone’s weakness Shades Cuts off the flow of ‘‘P.D.Q.’’ in the O.R. Way off the mark Flair Imbibe, old-style Scrooge McDuck, for one Last word of the New Testament ‘‘All ____ .?.?. ’’ Chapters in history ‘‘Hunh?’’ P
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS Puzzle No. 0501, which appeared in the May 4 issue.
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