Alcoholmanac

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INSIDE COVER P. 16 Oklahoma Gazette’s annual

Alcoholmanac issue is back! In this issue, we raise our glasses to liquor sales on Sunday (in select counties), local brewer COOP Ale Works’ new seltzer line and more! Cheers! Sláinte! Prost! Cin cin!

By Gazette staff Cover by Ingvard Ashby

NEWS 4 6

STATE anti-conversion therapy bill ALCOHOLMANAC

Sunday liquor sales

8 BRIEFS

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S TAT E

NEWS

Conversion ban

A bill that would ban conversion therapy for minors passed out of committee this year after not receiving a hearing last session. By Miguel Rios

For the first time ever, Freedom Oklahoma lobbied at the capitol in support of a bill with momentum that would protect LGBTQ+ individuals.

Historically, the nonprofit organization has had to play defense and oppose a slew of bills that would discriminate against the community.

The Youth Mental Health Protection Act (House Bill 3872) passed out of a House of Representatives committee last month.

“We’ve supported bills in the past, of course. We have many allies in the Legislature that have filed pro-LGBTQ issues,” Allie Shinn, Freedom Oklahoma executive director, told Oklahoma Gazette. “This is the first time, however, that we really have a shot of moving the legislation along. Having gotten this out of committee, we know that the first step to a more equal world for LGBTQ folks is to help people understand that sexual orientation and gender identity are not a choice. Regardless of how the bill turns out this session, we’ve taken

“We can stop that by ending this horrible practice in the state of Oklahoma, and we can only do that when we all fight together. … We’d never get there if it wasn’t for organizations that have been engaged for decades now. It’s just getting to a point where we’re finally getting traction.”

The bill must be voted on again and passed by Thursday to continue.

“We’re excited about the opportunity of moving that important legislation forward for all the young people in our state,” Dunnington said to a group of LGBTQ+ members and allies. “It’s important that as an advocate for the LGBTQ community, we have even more advocates, more people that understand that maybe someone in our family is gay or our neighbor is gay or someone we went to church with or maybe one of our parents and that’s OK. The more that we have advocates that also say, ‘That’s OK,’ and, ‘All people are just people,’ the further we’re going to get on issues like this.”

myth-buster that we’re having to do,” lobbyist Gwendolyn Caldwell told advocates. “This bill in no way stops someone from having a conversation, working their way through it like any other life issues, trying to figure out who they are. … What this bill really does is it stops people from trying to fundamentally change who another person is.”

If passed, Oklahoma would join 20 other states in enacting statewide bans against conversion therapy. When Gazette first covered this bill in February 2019, only 15 states had passed conversion therapy bans. After that, three more states banned the practice through Legislative statute. Virginia

above Rep. Jason Dunnington refiled the bill that did not receive a hearing last year. It passed out of committee last month. right Rev. Lori Walke hands Sara Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs, an “LGBTQ+ Representation Matters” sign. | Photos Miguel Rios

incredible steps forward on that.”

Authored by Rep. Jason Dunnington, HB3872 would ban conversion therapy for minors. The bill did not get a hearing when it was first introduced last year, but it was refiled this session. The only change in the language from last session is that it now also protects individuals who are appointed a guardian regardless of their age.

“Especially when it comes to conversion therapy, kids under the age of 18 are three or four times more likely to attempt suicide or to abuse substances … not just when you’re a teenager but many for the rest of their lives,” he said.

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Protecting youth

HB3872 defines conversion therapy as “any practice or treatment that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.” This includes attempts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce attraction toward persons of the same sex.

The bill would allow licensing boards to revoke a professional’s license if they attempted conversion therapy on individuals. Because of that, the bill would not affect anyone without a license.

“Whether this will keep a person from being able to visit with their therapist about being gay is probably the No. 1

already banned the practice this year in the same way.

Utah also banned conversion therapy this year, but Republican Gov. Gary Herbert did so through an executive order after a similar bill failed to pass in the Utah Senate.

Most national health and medical organizations have warned against the use of conversion therapy. An estimated 698,000 LGBTQ+ adults have received conversion therapy, and about half received it as minors, according to a 2018 study by The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law.

LGBTQ+ advocates urged their legislators to support a bill banning conversion therapy for minors last week during Freedom Oklahoma’s lobby day. | Photo Miguel Rios

Advocacy day

Part of a Freedom Oklahoma lobby day, several advocates for LGBTQ+ rights came together to learn how to lobby and urge legislators to support HB3872.

“It was such an exciting and inspiring day. We had LGBTQ folks and their allies from across the state come and advocate for the world that we believe in,” Shinn said. “We heard from several people who had never even spoken to a legislator before, who had never been to the capitol before. They said that they really felt empowered to learn that they’re the expert on LGBTQ issues and that they have a real and meaningful impact to make at the capitol.”

Reps. Chelsey Branham and Kelly Albright were present for a portion of the advocacy training to show their support as well. As the only openly LGBTQ+ member of the Oklahoma House, Branham said it was crucial to lobby on behalf of everyone and have allies fighting alongside.

“It’s rare that we have a bill that is good for us coming through this building, and it’s rare that if it is a good bill, it goes very far,” Branham said. “Until there are more of us in those places making these decisions, we will continue to struggle in these areas. … We have to not only make sure that we maintain ground but continue to ramp up our representation.”

Several people told Oklahoma Gazette they had productive conversations with their legislators. Some said their representative had no idea conversion therapy was even happening in the state.

“Overall, it was just an incredibly beautiful and successful day regardless of where legislators landed. Our folks were so excited to be an important part of the civic process,” Shinn said. “Whether it gets off the House floor this year or whether we’re looking into next year to really make an impact, we know we had countless conversations with legislators who were previously unfamiliar with this issue. This year has been an incredible step in the right direction.”

Visit freedomoklahoma.org and oklegislature.gov.

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NEWS

S TAT E

In Oklahoma County, an overwhelming 70 percent of the more than 90,000 voters approved Sunday liquor store sales. | Photo Gazette / file

Sunday spirits

Many liquor stores were open for the first time this past Sunday after seven counties across the state voted to approve Sunday liquor sales. By Miguel Rios

Oklahoma’s liquor laws have come a long way in a matter of years. In October 2018, State Question 792 changed the game for Oklahoma breweries and liquor stores.

The alcohol law reform went into effect that month and allowed breweries to sell their full-strength beers in grocery and convenience stores. It also allowed accompanied guests under the age of 21 in taprooms, which could also stay open until 2 a.m.

For liquor stores, it meant finally being able to sell refrigerated drinks and things other than alcohol.

Up until that point, Oklahoma had among the most restrictive alcohol laws in the nation. The state question was one way to modernize Prohibition-era laws.

But because it allowed grocery and convenience stores to sell full-strength beer and wine, many local liquor stores struggled to compete.

Bryan Kerr, president of Retail Liquor Association of Oklahoma (RLAO), previously told Oklahoma Gazette that the state has been losing about two local liquor stores each month because they can’t grapple with the competition. Not only did liquor stores have to invest capital money into refrigeration systems initially, but they struggle to offer what the convenience grocery stores do.

“I would guess 90 percent of the people who shop at Walmart do so simply because they don’t want to make another stop,” Kerr said.

However, other laws have passed to modernize liquor laws even further, like House Bill 2325, which went into effect 6

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last November and allowed Oklahomans to bring their underage children into liquor stores.

Consumer convenience

Continuing the trend of modernizing liquor laws, seven counties approved Sunday liquor store sales on the Super Tuesday ballot.

“I’m hoping that Sunday sales increases local liquor store revenues enough so that we stop losing so many stores,” Kerr said. “It’d be nice not to be losing so many local businesses so quickly. We kind of knew that would happen. It’s almost three a month since the new laws were passed, including mom-and-pop shops and some even bigger ones that just can’t do it anymore because they’re not making any money.”

Despite not being able to sell liquor, convenience and grocery stores could sell beer and wine on Sundays while local liquor stores couldn’t make any sales at all. That changed with the passage of Sunday liquor store sales, which took effect last Sunday after election results were certified. Many liquor stores like Moore Liquor already took advantage of the extra day in sales.

“It’s a novelty for people, so we had some come in just so they could say they could shop on Sunday,” said Kerr, who owns the store. “Generally speaking, it looks like it’s going to be a nice extra day for people to shop. Numberswise, we had about the same number of people as we’d have on a weekday. We were open for seven hours, noon to 7. … I imagine by the end of March

or the middle of April, we will know. My expectation is a 5 percent increase in revenue which would be great.”

Kerr said studies in other states show about a 5 percent increase in liquor store sales if they are able to operate on Sundays, but he said time will tell how the local market interacts with an additional shopping day.

“Time will tell on that, whether there will be extra sales or spread-out sales. If we make the same amount of money in seven days that we made in six days, we’re really looking money because we’ve got labor costs. But we don’t think that will happen,” he said.

“I really think the extra day of convenience, especially since it’s a Sunday when most people are off work, will result in a slight increase in revenue. … I’m happy to be up here and be available to customers.”

Most counties passed the measure with overwhelming support. Oklahoma County (90,596 votes) had nearly 71 percent support, Tulsa County (78,103 votes) had 73 percent support and Cleveland County (37,756 votes) had nearly 73 percent support.

Muskogee County (5,648) had the least support with only 56 percent.

“We were happy to see that there was good voter turnout and that it passed,” said Lisette Barnes, president of Oklahoma Beer Alliance. “We were very happy to see that that happened but weren’t really surprised. … We’re a supporter of the modernization of liquor laws, and we’re always very supportive of anything that improves responsible drinking. We always support measures in that respect too.”

Oklahoma Beer Alliance is an organization of beer distributors and brewers with a mission to “support responsible and safe alcohol laws for Oklahomans.”

“That was our vested interest in this issue and why we wanted to see it,” Barnes said. “We just felt like it was a fairness issue and something consumers wanted to see as well. We were working through

social media and press releases and speaking to folks to get the word out. … We wanted as many people as possible to vote first of all and to vote yes on this measure to provide some equality for those retailers because their competitors could stay open on Sundays and they couldn’t. It was one of those laws left over from the Prohibition days.”

Though many are hesitant to say this measure will level the playing field for local liquor stores and their competition with big convenience chains, Barnes said it will definitely help many struggling stores.

“That’s why we were very supportive of the issue going on the ballot. … What’s great about this is that this gives local liquor stores an option to be open on Sunday. Certainly if it doesn’t make sense for their business model, I don’t expect all liquor stores to be open on Sunday because it might not make sense for them,” Barnes said. “But it certainly allows them as a business owner the best step for their business model, and it gives consumers another option of another place to buy their favorite beer, which is what we’re all for: consumer choice.”

Barnes said Beer Alliance hopes more counties follow suit.

“We had some counties reach out to us … asking, ‘How do we do this? What is the language like?’” Barnes said. “We’re hoping by getting the word out in the seven counties, hopefully some other counties will have it on their next ballot.

Maybe their county commissioners will put it on there.

“I’m just glad that this is moving in the same direction as consumers showed their preference for when they supported State Question 792 to modernize our liquor laws. I think this is all moving in the same direction: providing consumers with more choice, providing businesses better opportunities. … You saw that too when they allowed consumers to take their children in liquor stores. … In this case, it’s something that also benefited local liquor stores. It’s a win there for those businesses and for consumers.”

Seven counties voted in favor of Sunday liquor store sales

7

1

3

Cleveland County

72.83% (37,756 votes)

2

Creek County

3

Kingfisher County

4

Muskogee County

5

Oklahoma County

2

6 4

5 1

60.75% (7,472 votes)

68.21% (1,974 votes)

56.02% (5,648 votes)

70.73% (90,596 votes)

6

Tulsa County

73.27% (78,103 votes)

7

Washington County 59.12% (5,597 votes)

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BRIEFS

NEWS

News briefs

Oklahoma City Council approves resolutions, Oklahoma County jail trust moves forward with a jail transition and residents lobby at the Capitol.

By Miguel Rios

CITY Resolutions approved

Oklahoma City Council approved several resolutions during last week’s meeting.

The council unanimously approved an ordinance to be introduced and set for two additional hearings. Jason Ferbrache, director of Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority (COTPA), presented the ordinance that essentially proposed an increase in fines for cars that obstruct the Streetcar’s path.

“The ordinance that you have here is intended to help us further encourage people to park correctly along the Streetcar route,” Ferbrache said. “One of our biggest obstacles in terms of operations is blockages along the route when individuals that are parallel parking are not parking properly –

they’re too far away from the curb or over the designated parking line — and it brings the system to a stop.”

The ordinance would amend some parking codes to consider cars parked over the designated line or in the lane of traffic an “obstruction.”

“We’re specifying that if an individual is parallel parking along the Streetcar route, they must park within 18 inches of the curb or closer. There are no exceptions. Previous language referenced some exceptions,” Ferbrache said. “We’re recommending amending the fine section to increase the fine for illegally parking along the Streetcar route alignment to $130 from the standard illegal parking fine currently of $50. These changes are really being made in trying to encourage people to park correctly.”

Ferbrache said the reason for the increase in fines is because illegally parking along the Streetcar route causes signifi-

cantly more issues than illegally parking in other places since it shuts down the transit system while they locate the car’s owner. He said on average it takes 15-20 minutes to identify the owner and get them to move their vehicle.

Ward 6 councilwoman JoBeth Hamon expressed concerns about the high fines, saying it could “sour” some people’s experience of downtown OKC. “It feels like we as a city could be more proactive and just not have parking along the Streetcar route because then we’re taking the burden of that and not putting it on individuals,” she said.

Ferbrache acknowledged that they are in a reactionary mode but don’t want to encourage towing or citations.

“They’re going to be judicious in the way they enforce this and use this, but it’s just another tool for us,” said city manager Craig Freeman. “I don’t think

Together Oklahoma delivered a petition to the governor asking him to put Medicaid expansion on the ballot. | Photo Bigstock.com

it’s going to be where we’re all of a sudden out there writing a lot of $130 tickets.”

A public hearing is set for March 17 with a final hearing on March 31.

Council unanimously passed another resolution to be introduced and set for a public hearing that would provide $200,000 for the renovation of the former Marcus Garvey Leadership Academy in northeast OKC. If passed after the next two hearings, One Red Oak LLC would receive tax increment finance funds as they become available to redevelop the building into Harmony School Apartments, which are intended to be affordable housing for seniors.

Ward 7 councilwoman Nikki Nice emphasized that there have been several

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meetings with developers and the community to make sure they’re intentional about the community being reflected in the future residents.

“We’re all fearful of what gentrification has brought and what it will continue to do. We’re all fearful of that, but until we as a community understand our empowerment for ourselves ... and are educating ourselves about what has happened, what took place and how we move forward for ourselves and our community, we’re going to continue to be fearful,” Nice said.

Anita Bridges with One Red Oak said one of the changes they made after those community meetings was to open up the residences for inter-generational families. This means only one member of the household has to be 50 years or older to qualify for housing.

It is set for public hearing and approval March 17.

Council also unanimously approved a public hearing March 17 to approve an allocation of nearly $6 million for renovation of Myriad Botanical Gardens’ Crystal Bridge.

within the next two weeks. The sheriff’s office continues to work on finalizing the inventory to transfer over once you take over,” said David B. Hooten, Oklahoma County clerk. “Several items that are on our agenda that are incomplete are reduction of force cost, payroll time table, computer, phone and other tech needs and insurance policies and surety bonds. Until we have a definite date that the trust will take over the operation of the jail, we won’t be able to make some recommendations.”

Greg Williams, who was recently hired as the new CEO of the jail trust, reported that he hired three former Department of Corrections (DOC) employees for the jail’s new administrative team.

Former DOC HR attorney Michele Minietta was hired by Williams as the HR director and has already began.

Former DOC regional training director Don Givens will lead personnel training for the trust starting March 15. And DOC regional director William Monday begins April 1 as Williams’ second in command.

Williams said they all have a vast amount of experience and will bring a high level of expertise to the trust.

The trust also approved moving forward with properly using the domain name okcountydc.net in official capacities.

The next meeting is 1 p.m. April 6 in Room 204 of Oklahoma County Office Building, 320 Robert S. Kerr Ave.

CAPITOL Capitol advocacy

Oklahoma County Jail Trust continues moving toward a full transition of the jail operations. | Photo Miguel Rios

Myriad Gardens Foundation raises money to help supplement the maintenance and operations dollars from the Parks & Recreation budget. According to the presentation, the renovation is expected to cost $8.6 million, and just under $2.7 million of that will come from private funds.

The next meeting is 8:30 a.m. March 17 on the third floor of City Hall, 200 N. Walker Ave.

COUNTY Jail employees

At the county level, Oklahoma County Jail Trust last week continued working through the transition from the county sheriff operating the jail to the jail trust and its administrator taking over.

“The transportation [memorandum of understanding] should be done

At the state Capitol, various groups hosted advocacy days last week.

Freedom Oklahoma and LGBTQ+ advocates were urging lawmakers to support a bill that would ban conversion therapy for minors.

Oklahoma Policy Institute’s grassroots advocacy arm, Together Oklahoma, delivered a petition to the governor’s office to officially put Medicaid expansion on a ballot. The petition had more than 1,000 signatures.

Supporters of the Medicaid expansion ballot initiative, or State Question 802, made history by turning in more than 300,000 signatures for the proposal that would expand Medicaid through a constitutional amendment.

Stitt has said he opposes expanding Medicaid through a constitutional amendment. He said he has been working on an alternative plan, initially expressing interest in a block grant program but most recently saying the state will submit what he’s calling SoonerCare 2.0 to the federal government for consideration.

“People are tired of waiting,” House Minority Leader Emily Virgin said in a statement. “The governor wants to do everything he can to keep Medicaid expansion out of the state constitution because he knows he can’t touch it once it’s constitutional law, which means he can’t take away health coverage from hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans who need it.”

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chicken

friedNEWS

Almost worst

The countless web surfers who will surely ask Jeeves about Oklahoma after encountering our spiffy new “Imagine That” advertising campaign might uncover some less than flattering imaginative fodder.

For example, a recent study by financial advice site WalletHub rated Oklahoma the 47th best state for women, ranking it 44th in economic and social well-being and 50th in health and safety.

The study considered factors including women’s life expectancy from birth (Oklahoma was ranked 48th) female uninsured rate (50th) and percentage of women who voted in the 2016 presidential election (47th).

But lest you think rampant systematic sexism is the state’s only issue, a recent study by career advice site Zippia named Oklahoma the eighth worst state to be a man based on suicide, imprisonment and unemployment rates, number of work fatalities and percentage of men

with bachelor’s degrees.

“In the Sooner State, men face a higher than average chance of imprisonment and lower t ha n average chance of receiving a college education,” the study said.

Searches for best states to be nonbinary didn’t return a similar study, but somehow we don’t like Oklahoma’s odds in the power rankings there either.

In 2015, the website Refinery29 did, however, rate Oklahoma’s livability for trans people as “unacceptable,” concluding, “Across the board, Oklahoma offers zero or next-to zero support for transgender individuals when it comes to seeking employment, housing, or access to education and health care.”

Of course all these studies are incredibly human-centric, and that’s not necessarily our state’s strong suit. If they were ranking the best states to be a pair of Bibleverse-inscribed truck nuts or a machine gun mounted on a riding lawnmower, the numbers might tell a far different story.

that the three tenants on which Donald Trump spent his father’s money to become a reality television star and president are present in Tulsa’s own Trump superfan.

Tulsa businessman Steve “Lambro” Currington made the news last week, just as Oklahoma participated in Super Tuesday, for getting an outlandish wrap of his $240 thousand Lamborghini featuring multiple photos of Donald Trump and plenty of phrases designed to stoke people’s support or fury.

The hood of the car features a mural of Trump holding a giant gun in front of an American flag and an explosion under the words “total acquittal,” in reference to the Senate’s pre-determined impeachment decision. The back window features the phrase “Powered by: coal, big oil and the tears of liberals.”

It gets even more unnerving: Trump’s eyes and swirled hair sit just above the windshield.

“His head is on the roof because I wanted people as I come up behind you to be able to

see that Trump is watching you,” Currington told KTUL. “The President is watching you.”

Currington told KTUL that he has driven the car around Oklahoma and will take it to Dallas and eventually California. He’s no stranger to making headlines for himself. In 2015, he posted a hoax video of his truck getting “stolen” to draw attention to his mortgage company.

Everything about the story makes sense. “Making expensive things gaudy” is the alternative slogan to “Make America great again.” It’s like a solid gold bidet.

Easter kitty

Remember Lunchbox the cat? We recently dubbed him the “Most Oklahoma cat ever” for sharing a name with Edna’s popular cocktail and being quite overweight, something too many Oklahomans struggle with.

Oklahoma Humane Society posted

Lambro Steve

Expensive? Check.

Gaudy? Check.

Gauche? You know it. It makes sense

connect

to

Opportunity at

Central

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA TM

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TM

uco.edu

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ucobronchos

uco.bronchos

UCOBronchos

about the nearly 24-pound cat back in January, saying he was its newest Weight Watchers member. Before being put up for adoption, the Humane Society said Lunchbox would receive special care to help him achieve his New Year’s resolution of shedding some of those extra pounds.

Despite going viral for being incredibly endearing and huggable, Lunchbox isn’t done with the spotlight quite yet. The “chonky kitty” that weighs roughly twice as much as an average cat, was named a finalist in the Cadbury Bunny Tryouts. That’s right, as if Lunchbox wasn’t extremely adorable already, he could be appearing in national commercials as this Easter’s Cadbury Bunny!

Lunchbox appears in his video entry sniffing candy, rolling around, sauntering and being generally cute against a pink background — all while wearing white bunny ears.

“After coming into the program as a whopping 24lb stray cat, he quickly became a beloved local celebrity,” according to the entry. “He’s garnered local media attention for his XL size, and

equally impressive purr. Best of all, he’s been a wonderful ambassador for rescue animals in our state.”

Lunchbox seems like a shoo-in to win, but the competition is tough. He’s up against some adorable animals, including a two-legged dog, a Pomeranian, a hamster, a duck, a llama and a mini horse.

Help Lunchbox and the state win something fun and positive by voting online! Voting is open through March 18 at bunnytryouts.cadburyusa.com.

2020 definitely needs a drink.

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REVIEW

EAT & DRINK

Stockyards Saloon

McClintock Saloon & Chop House offers a unique atmosphere and setting in historic Stockyards City.

By Jacob Threadgill

McClintock Saloon & Chop House 2227 Exchange Ave. mcclintocksaloon.com | 405-232-0151 WHAT WORKS: The fresh sauce with shrimp cocktail and gravy with chicken-fried steak are highlights.

WHAT NEEDS WORK: The steak is cooked to-order but benefits from sauce additions.

Impressive taxidermy like a 16-point buck and a longhorn hang near the bar while the second half of the restaurant gets a little more fancy with huge booths lined with leather and crushed red velvet underneath chandeliers.

Even the bar and wait staff are in on the time-warp atmosphere. When I

TIP: Don’t ring the bell unless you’re in a giving mood.

The 50-foot solid oak bar underneath ornate wood carvings and opulent oil portraits are among the first indications that McClintock Saloon & Chop House in Oklahoma City’s Stockyards City isn’t a dusty watering hole where patrons might see a gun duel break out.

Instead, McClintock is the kind of place where bankers, attorneys and business people might’ve hung out, had it existed in post-land run Oklahoma. The bar is also a mechanism for bringing strangers together, beyond the whiskey-soaked introductions that it normally does.

Behind a velvet rope and a set of stairs and just beyond a stained-glass Coca-Cola sign originally from a Chicago building hangs a brass bell where enthusiasts can make friends for life (or the night) by ringing the bell. Every patron touching the bar when the bell rings get a mixed whiskey shot courtesy of the bell ringer’s tab.

The “I rang the bell at McClintock” T-shirts for sale are one of the few modern conventions at this bar and eatery that does an excellent job transporting guests to a bygone era despite the fact that it’s not even three years old.

McClintock Saloon & Chop House, 2227 Exchange Ave., is the result of a partnership between veteran restaurateur Michel Buthion (La Baguette Bistro), storeowner Lindsay Ocker and business partner Alan Green. Ocker ran McClintock (named after the 1963 John Wayne movie) as a boot store since 2000, but Buthion — who grew up in France watching American Westerns — had other ideas for Ocker’s store.

While on a trip to Nashville, touring a few Western saloons, Buthion wondered why there wasn’t something similar in Oklahoma City. He burst into Ocker’s store with a bottle of whiskey and laid the groundwork for what has become a unique and much-needed watering hole and eatery in the heart of the largest national stockyard and the only one within a historic district in the world.

“The design of the bar started that night,” Ocker told me in 2018. “It’s a good thing we ran out of whiskey because there is no telling what we would’ve come up with.”

above The bar at McClintock features more than 200 kinds of whiskey. left Lunch sirloin with dauphinois potatoes | Photos Jacob Threadgill and Gazette / file

stopped in for lunch last week, the bartender was dressed in an outfit I’d expect to find in old-timey photos. The whiskey selection is absolutely huge; there are more than 200 offerings, and Buthion is a fan of Woodford Reserve, bringing in rare varieties, which include bottles stamped with his southside “Stockyards Mitch” nickname.

McClintock’s position as a chophouse in addition to a saloon might seem a little odd since it’s only a stone’s throw from Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, which is the city’s most venerable and well-established steakhouse. There is room enough for both of them to thrive and survive without needing to duel on Exchange Avenue.

The steak offerings at McClintock range from the 16-ounce bone-in rib-eye ($65) to the $20 filet. They cooked over an open flame with grill marks for extra charred flavor. In addition to steak, it

also has pork chops, racks of lamb and a variety of other entrees like chicken pot pie ($12), fried chicken ($16), chicken-fried steak ($16), fried quail and spaghetti with Bolognese and meatballs.

Sandwiches like Monte Cristo and meatloaf ($10-$14) and burgers ($10-$13) round out the lunch and dinner offerings.

Appetizers include crispy chicken livers ($9), crab cake ($16) deep-fried frog legs and braised-steak nachos ($12).

There’s also an oyster bar (six for $14, 12 for $27) and a jumbo shrimp cocktail.

From friends, I’ve heard McClintock’s brunch menu offers an excellent chicken and waffle ($15) while the rest of its menu is filled with multiple takes on Benedict, biscuits and other offerings on both Saturday and Sunday.

I’ve eaten at McClintock on multiple occasions and received good service.

The bartender is ready to answer any Shrimp cocktail with a side salad at McClintock | Photo Jacob Threadgill

alcohol questions that might arise, and the kitchen turnaround times won’t leave you hungry.

My first trip featured a meal of Buthion’s Mitch Burger with mushrooms, caramelized onions and Swiss cheese that wasn’t a mind-blowing experience but very much hit the spot.

A recent visit for lunch provided a budget-friendly way to experience its steak menu. A 5-ounce sirloin steak with a side and salad will set you back only $14.

The steak arrived medium-rare, just as I ordered. It was coated with seasoning salt and perhaps some chile power for a slight kick and crunchy spice coating. I should’ve requested some cracked pepper brandy cream ($5) or blue cheese butter ($4) to add some contrast to the dish.

The dauphinois potatoes were wellexecuted, but my favorite bites of the meal were the jumbo shrimp cocktail and the balsamic vinaigrette on the side salad. The three huge shrimp were enhanced by fresh cocktail sauce, and the balsamic vinaigrette was made in-house and balanced sweetness with acidity.

A lunch portion of the chicken-fried steak ($11) was plenty large enough. It wasn’t my favorite breading, but it had plenty of seasoning and the steak was pounded so thin that it melted in my mouth. The accompanying white pepper gravy was an excellent interpretation that should also be ordered on its brunch menu with biscuits.

McClintock is the kind of place visitors to Oklahoma City would expect to find here but didn’t until a few years ago. The food is better than it needs to be for a restaurant with a unique setting and atmosphere. Combine McClintock with Rodeo Cinema becoming a true destination for independent cinema, breakfast tacos at Los Comales and Cattlemen’s wide-ranging appeal, and Stockyards City is a mustvisit for anyone who thinks of it as only a place to buy Western wear.

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F E AT U R E

EAT & DRINK

Will and way

COOP Ale Works taps into the growing hard seltzer market with the first local brand to distribution, Will & Wiley. By Jacob Threadgill

The largest-ever product launch for Oklahoma City’s largest brewery is not an IPA or lager. Building off trends in the market that have catapulted alcoholic seltzers into huge sales growth, COOP Ale Work’s Will & Wiley is the first local hard seltzer distributed to retail and restaurant locations.

Led by market share leaders like White Claw, which is owned by the company that makes Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and Boston Beer Companyowned Truly, hard seltzers sales exploded in 2019. White Claw and Truly combine to represent about 85 percent of the market, according to Vox, and its total sales experienced a 200 percent increase from 2018, according to Nielsen.

An analysis by investment banking company UBS predicts the hard seltzer market is only beginning to explode. It predicts the market can boom as much as $2.5 billion by 2021.

COOP management watched the summer of 2019 become dominated by social media hashtags like #AintNo LawsWhenYoureDrinkingClaws and kept that in mind when work began in earnest to develop their own brand of hard seltzer.

The name Will & Wiley is designed to be memorable because of alliteration and promote easy shares on social media.

“It’s easy, fun to say and rolls off the tongue,” said Maggie Sylke, COOP’s brand marketing specialist. “We went through all of these naming brainstorming sessions where we would have all of these other ones, and this was one of the last ones we came up with.”

She said the brand name easily builds into potential hashtags like “Where there’s a Will, there is a way” or “getting Wiley with it.”

COOP also offers and unflavored hard seltzer to restaurants that have the option to add their own syrups and flavors for a drink or cocktail. | Photo provided

Will & Wiley hit retail and restaurant locations in the Oklahoma City metro March 1 with four-flavor 12-packs or individual flavor six-packs. Initial launch flavors include cherry lime, mango guava, pineapple and grapefruit. Restaurants also have the option of having a tap with unflavored hard seltzer that can be mixed with their own syrups and flavorings. Two additional flavors will hit shelves in June.

Sylke said COOP’s brewers kept its focus group of flavor tasting in-house and invited a few friends and family to sample their own products as well as both major and regional competitors’.

“The overwhelming takeaway was that [other brand’s] syrupy or artificial-tasting fruit flavors were not well liked,” she said.

“They were aiming for natural flavor and authentic, not too strong but not too sweet. Grapefruit was an obvious choice from what we’ve seen in the market.”

Unlike beer, which is made by fermenting grain, hard seltzers have gained a strong foothold by offering an alcoholic drink made without gluten. For a long time, customers with a gluten intolerance were largely relegated to drinking ciders, which have a high sugar content.

Will & Wiley is made by fermenting simple sugars with water compared to complex sugars when making beer, Sylke said. Every flavor of Will & Wiley’s 19.2-ounce cans are 100 calories, 5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) and have 2 grams of sugar.

“We do make products that are not gluten-free, so there is some caveat to that, but the product is gluten-free, low-calorie and provides something to people trying to stay a little more healthier,” she said.

Will & Wiley is available at retailers like OnCue, Homeland, Crest and many others year-round. Sylke said that hard seltzer sales continued strong nationally, even during colder months, and that COOP is aiming to slice a 3 to 5 percent

market share compared to larger brands.

“I think our main focal point is that it’s local, especially in Oklahoma where it’s different and we can reel in people that care about supporting local businesses but aren’t beer drinkers,” she said.

COOP hosted a cocktail contest prior to product launch in which The Jones Assembly won for cocktail creation made using Will & Wiley, while Gun Izakaya won for a drink made with the unflavored hard seltzer and syrups of its choosing. At press time, Scott Marsh, Jones Assembly director of operations, said they are still determining its spring cocktail menu, which will likely feature a drink made with COOP’s hard seltzer.

Other bars like Ponyboy, 423 NW 23rd St., said they will offer standard Will & Wiley flavors instead of adding things to the unflavored seltzer.

“The flavor combinations they put together at the plant are so strong already,” Alex Larrea, Tower Theatre and Ponyboy beverage director, said.

Will & Wiley is available in individual flavor six-packs or variety 12-packs. The four flavors at launch are mango guava, pineapple, grapefruit and cherry. | Photo provided

Will & Wiley cans and taste-tests are available at COOP’s brewery taproom, 4745 Council Heights Road, which is open 4-8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 12-8 p.m.

Saturday. Free brewery tours are available 1-6 p.m. Saturday on a first-come, first-served basis. Distribution extends across Oklahoma into Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Arkansas.

“We’re excited to be the first local distributed,” Sylke said. “There’re some others in local taprooms. We’re excited to expand our audience and bring in a new group of people that might not be familiar with COOP because they’re not big beer drinkers.”

She said COOP will unveil its summer seasonal Fly Me Away, a New England Style IPA, this May. Its Id No. 2, a peach Berliner Weisse, will be released in April or May. Visit coopaleworks.com.

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EAT & DRINK

F E AT U R E

from left Mario Long, Carl Kemp Jr. and Carl Kemp Sr. are three generations involved with Elmer’s Uptown. | Photo Phillip Danner

Legacy continues

With touches of its history, Elmer’s Uptown provides live music, drinks and food for generations of fans. By Jacob Threadgill

The legacy founder Elmer Kemp established throughout the decades and locations of Elmer’s Uptown is still felt, even after his death in 2018.

Walk into the bar and grill, 3925 N. Lincoln Blvd., for one of the four nights a week it offers live music and there is likely to be a table with three generations enjoying the band.

The club Kemp started in his own name continues to thrive under the ownership of his nephew Carl Kemp Jr., and new co-owner Mario Long is making sure the venue reaches new generations — all while Elmer’s brother Carl Sr. dispenses wisdom and guidance.

“You never know who might walk through those doors,” Kemp Jr., who came on board in 2010 when Elmer’s Uptown moved from another location on Lincoln Boulevard, said. “We’ve got a pretty good venue for having a nice crowd. There are no worries. It’s really good when you have a place where your customers value their spot as much as you do.”

The tablecloth-lined tables, buffets by request and orders written on paper tickets for menu items cooked in a seasoned cast-iron skillet are all remnants of the hospitality that Elmer Kemp learned while working in a local country club in the 1950s and ’60s that live on for new generations at Elmer’s Uptown.

There are a few other traits like never charging a cover at the door and a commitment to an orderly atmosphere. “[Elmer] had some tough ways; he was really strict about the bar. If you got out of line, he’d sweep you out of here. … You had to look presentable,” Kemp Sr. said. “[Kemp Jr. and Long] came in later and kept it going. They’re not as tough as he was. He was mean, but he was good to his help; he respect-

ed them and they respected him.”

There are many longtime employees, like bar manager Teresa Black. Elmer Kemp hired her at the original Elmer’s Uptown in the early 1980s.

“He took me under his wing and did everything with me, showed me the bar, how to wait tables and how to interact with the customers,” Black said.

“Customers love me, and I’m just me; I’m not doing anything special, and he’d tell me all the time, ‘I told you you’d be a hit.’

“He could also hit that nerve. He’d tell me that I’m fired, and I’d say, ‘No; I quit.’

I’d leave, and the next day he’d call and ask why I was late to work. When he passed, it was hard for me because he was so good with me and got to know my family, mom and dad. He was a family man and every-

one loved him, but everyone might have something bad to say too because he’d speak his mind. People would come in and ask for water. ‘Water? We serve whiskey.

I can’t make no money off of water.’”

If walls could talk

Kemp Sr., 82, is also a longtime veteran of Oklahoma City’s nightclub scene. He managed famous Lincoln Plaza for years and helped manage Elmer’s Uptown until stepping away a few years ago around the time Long came in as partner. Kemp Sr. remains as host emeritus, ready to regale customers with history and stories.

“If those walls could talk, they’d have a lot to say,” Long said of Kemp Sr.’s time at Lincoln Plaza.

“Elvis Presley, everyone came here,” Kemp Sr. replied.

After working as beverage director at the Hilton, Elmer Kemp set out on his own and opened his first club on 23rd Street, The Top Hat Club, in the early 1960s, when Oklahoma City was still segregated.

While at The Top Hat, Kemp brought in acts like Lou Rawls and Bobby Bland

Band to the city. He organized what was known as “blue Monday,” a coordinated effort to support other black-owned clubs on the slowest night of the week.

The regular customers and owners from other clubs would go to a different club every week.

“He was a visionary type of person, and he was ahead of his time,” Long said.

Elmer Kemp ran The Top Hat until the original Elmer’s Uptown opened in the late 1970s at the corner of NW 25th Street and Walker Avenue, which is now a vacant corner across from The Pump Bar. The location moved to Lincoln Boulevard and then across the street to its current location about 10 years ago, which is when Kemp Jr. got involved.

“When we first started to move the business across the street, he asked, ‘What are we going to do about a name?’

I looked at him like, ‘What do you mean what are we going to do about a name?

It’s going to stay Elmer’s Uptown,’” Kemp Jr. said. “We’ve been a pillar in the community. Why would we want to change something that everyone knows the name? It’s epic. There are people whose grandkids are coming in now, and it just keeps going down. Those are the type of people that we have come in an understand the value of having a good place and not have any problems.”

New generation

Elmer’s Uptown opens daily at 5 p.m. and hosts live music every Wednesday and Sunday, a DJ plays music every Saturday and house bands perform every other Friday.

Long and Kemp Jr. have begun experimenting adding events on Tuesday once per quarter, building off a successful Fat Tuesday event and look forward to continued on page 19

Elmer’s Uptown hosts live bands every Wednesday and Sunday and every other Friday. | Photo Phillip Danner O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 1 1 , 2 0 2 0

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EAT & DRINK continued from page 17

F E AT U R E

hosting a St. Patrick’s Day event March 17.

“Right now, they’re doing a fantastic job,” Kemp Sr. said.

“Elmer’s name was out there, but now with Mario, he’s come in and done a wonderful too. Keeping a good crowd is what makes it work.”

Whether it is using social media or thinking about adding a Sunday car and motorcycle show that ties into Lincoln Boulevard’s history as a carcruising hotspot, Long is up for bridging the generation gap.

“We’ve been able to incorporate new ideas, and you have to change with the times, but we haven’t lost the fabric that this places exists because of,” Long said.

The kitchen at Elmer’s Uptown opens daily at 6 p.m. It’s a set menu featuring burgers, rib-eye and T-bone steaks and chicken wing baskets. Its secret is using seasoned cast-iron skillets to fry its chicken and catfish, which is served as

recent years, they’ve been experimenting with his recipe, adding peach and blue Hawaiian varieties.

Elmer Kemp’s favorite drink, J&B scotch whiskey, remains a bar favorite, and it gets extra pours every July 4 during a party honoring the founder on his birthday.

If those walls could talk, they’d have a lot to say.

Mario Long Family is important for Kemp Jr. His son is three-time Major League Baseball all-star Matt Kemp. His signed poster in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform greets customers next to a photo of Elmer Kemp.

“It means everything to me because of course my last name is Kemp,” Kemp Jr. said. “I’ve had people come to me and say, ‘I like what you and Mario have done with Elmer’s, doing what needs to be

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a filet, and it’s also one of the few restaurants serving whole catfish on the bone.

It also offers buffet service on request.

“When Mario came on, he said, ‘Why don’t we put it in the fryer?’ It’s a whole different taste,” Kemp Jr. said.

“Nothing precooked, and it can get hectic if people order at once. You have to say, ‘Do you want the chicken done?

Have another drink and wait.’”

Black and the bar still serve Elmer Kemp’s own recipe for a margarita invented long before frozen drink machines were an option. She said in

A portrait of Elmer’s Uptown’s founder Elmer Kemp hangs by the entrance. | Photo Phillip Danner

done to make this place popular.’”

“When you think about the history that [Elmer] had in this business, the history Pop (Kemp Sr.) had in this business, then what Carl Jr. has brought to it, we share the sentiment that failure is not an option,” Long said. “The brand is a great brand, and it will continue forever.”

Visit facebook.com/elmersuptownbarandgrill.

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Social Deck + Dining 1933 NW 23rd St. 405.602.8705 besocialokc.com

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Join us on Bossa Nova Bar rooftop patio for a traditional Brazillian Caipirinha. Bossa Nova Bar features a full bar with a beautiful Midtown view, along with an extensive caipirinha menu and live music every Friday and Saturday evening, and Sunday during brunch.

McNellie’s Pub is a brewery-style bar serving classic pub-grub and over 350 beers. Join us for pre-Pats on March 14 with a live Irish band, and on St. Pat’s, March 17, the annual block party starts at 11am and will include a live DJ and music by Mike Hosty.

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O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 1 1 , 2 0 2 0

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GAZEDIBLES

EAT & DRINK

Signature cocktails

In honor of Alcoholmanac 2020, we’re honoring seven signature drinks you can only order at the restaurant or bar that made them famous.

By Jacob Threadgill with provided and Gazette / file photos

Edna’s

Junior’s

Gun Izakaya

Oklahoma City’s most popular alcoholic drink has been served over 2 million times and featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The Lunchbox was a happy accident made by the bar’s namesake Edna Scott by mistake, but the combination of Coors Light, orange juice and amaretto is often imitated but never replicated.

Junior’s has survived boom and bust in the basement of the Oil Center building, and it has many traditions like the tableside Caesar salad that will never die, but its Brandy Ice with cacao, ice cream and nutmeg featuring the distilled wine is smooth and creamy like a milkshake.

Gun encourages camaraderie in its ode to Japanese pub culture with its two bars at the center of the restaurant. The yakitori bar allows customers to strike up discussion while watching grilled meats sizzle while the “bar bar” features Oklahoma’s only Japanese highball machine. The machine infuses carbonation into soda and whiskey for a unique drink that is available in traditional, charred grapefruit or featured varieties.

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COBB SALAD w/ ham, turkey, egg, bacon, blue cheese crumbles and your choice of dressing

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Crudoolandia

641 SW 29th St. crudoolandia.com | 405-432-4352 This drive-thru location takes the Mexican beachside tradition of combining spicy michelada (clamato, lime and either beer or mineral water) with seafood up a notch. The El Rey tops the drink with shrimp, cucumber, celery, Mexican beef jerky and spices, and it’s the most popular item at Crudoolandia, which recently expanded to a second location.

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Oso’s eight Baja Tiki drinks are so unique that owner Shaun Fiaccone has trademarked the phrase. The tropical drinks are served with fun garnishes, like a banana dolphin for its daiquiri or the Formidable Dragon with three kinds of rum that is served in a hollowed pineapple.

This Norman institution has been serving customers since 1967, but it’s a menu addition in the 1980s that has become a must-order: The Sooner Swirl. The cocktail is a mixture of tangy frozen margarita and sweet and sour sangria that makes it the perfect drink on a spring or summer’s day on the patio.

Bossa Nova Caipirinha Lounge

440 NW 11th St. bossanovaokc.com | 405-525-9779 The caipirinha is the national cocktail of Brazil and features Cachaça—a distilled spirit made from sugar cane juice.

It’s only fitting that Bossa Nova, located above Oklahoma City’s best Brazilian restaurant Cafe do Brasil, is the only place to enjoy a variety of caipirinhas, which are sweet, citrusy and unique — especially when combined with its Midtown view of the downtown skyline.

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Momentum emerging curator Madison Moody second from left with spotlight artists from left Emma Difani, Daniel Helm and Spencer Plumlee | Photo Aaron Morvan / provided

Moving forward

Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition’s Momentum exhibition gives emerging artists a helpful push.

By Jeremy Martin

Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition’s annual exhibition Momentum “focuses on everything emerging and first,” said executive director Krystle Brewer.

“We have the emerging artists who participate,” Brewer said. “We have the emerging curator that’s learning how to curate, and then also, for a lot of people, it’s the first time ever going to an art exhibition because it’s also a party. … It really appeals to young people that maybe don’t feel comfortable going to a typical white cube gallery. This is different. … We have people that start buying their art collections at Momentum, too, so it’s cultivating artists, art supporters, art buyers, curators, all of that in one.”

Momentum is 7-10 p.m. March 20-21 and 2-7 p.m. March 22 at Dead People’s Stuff, 1900 Linwood Blvd. The exhibition, now in its 19th year, features works

by Oklahoma artists age 30 or younger selected this year by Jade Powers, assistant curator at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, and emerging curator Madison Moody.

“We start by picking a regional curator that we think is doing really interesting work and would be interested in doing a nontraditional art exhibition,” Brewer said. “Then from a pool of applicants, that curator selects the emerging curator, and from there, the two of them work together to select the three spotlight artists and the [other artists.] … They also work together to lay out the exhibition, where all the pieces are going to go, and they spend time one-on-one with the spotlight artists to help them work through their projects, answer any questions that they have, help guide them in their thoughts if they have any problems along the way, help problem solve.”

In a joint curatorial statement, Powers and Moody wrote that their “goal throughout this curatorial process has purely been

to present a diverse and engaging show full of different artistic media.”

“Many of the statements presented within these works are those of selfexpression, reflection and inner dialogue,” Powers and Moody wrote.

“Every piece is one that viewers can easily lose themselves in. … Walking from piece to piece is like walking from environment to environment. … This exhibition reminds us that you and the environments you create are important and appreciated.”

The first step for attracting a diverse pool of artist applicants, Brewer said, is to select diverse curators. True to its name, Momentum can help boost an emerging artist’s career.

“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable submitting to be a part of Momentum,” Brewer said. “A lot of the artists when they first start applying to Momentum, that’s the first exhibition that they’ve been in before. With Momentum, we offer a free workshop on how to prepare your work to be installed, so there’s a learning component to it as well. And once they’ve participated in Momentum once or several times, they have more experience and people start to see their work. … People have gotten exhibitions directly from their work being seen in Momentum. … People will come to see who was selected and who keeps getting selected year after year.”

In addition to curatorial direction, the exhibition’s three spotlight artists receive a $1,000 honorarium to help them create new works.

AI art

Spotlight artist Daniel Giles Helm creates experimental pieces utilizing emerging technology. For Momentum, Helm is using artificial intelligence software to create a portrait of Oklahoma through a

“really strange lens,” examining “the people that have been in power and who are potentially going to be coming into power in our state.”

“I worked with an archivist at University of Oklahoma to amass, I don’t remember the exact number, but a couple thousand political TV ads from the state going all the way back to the ’60s,” Helm said. “And then I’ve written software to basically transcribe what they say and generate its own political ads and stitch them together using their political ads. … Really it’s just kind of an onslaught of the kind of catch phrases and clichés and stereotypes that you get out of political advertisements across 60 years.”

We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable submitting to be a part of Momentum.

Krystle Brewer Helm also used artificial intelligence to create images of new “leaders, movers and shakers of the future” from photos of winners of Oklahoma’s NextGen Under 30 award.

“Basically, I’m thinking about who gives these awards and why they give these awards and the recipients of these awards,” Helm said. “But the actual thing that you’ll be seeing in the gallery space is some animations that I made … using that technology to generate the closest thing I can to the actual images of these people. I’m generating really similar images to images that these people post on social media, that their company posts on their website or whatever else, and then using that software to create transitions between them from face to face to face. Sometimes those are flattering portrayals, and some of them are kind of strange and grotesque.”

Making space

Spotlight artist Emma Difani uses printmaking techniques as a drawing tool to create layers of “endless repetition and variation” inspired by the places natural

and urban environments intersect and overlap. Difani’s Momentum piece is “a miniature screen-printed fabric forest” of recycled scraps sewn together to create a “substrate for screenprints and wood cuts” on 8-foot-tall panels that form “a little room, essentially, within the larger space.”

Difani first became interested in these spaces-within-spaces after moving to Oklahoma City from New Mexico.

“I grew up like living five minutes from the river and forest and 20 minutes from the mountains and all these things,” Difani said. “That kind of changed when I moved to Oklahoma City. … I had to get much more intentional about how I sought out those natural spaces within that urban environment. … The first year and a half I was living in Oklahoma City, I didn’t have a car, so I had to walk or bike everywhere. It was definitely a challenge.

Oklahoma City is not a super bike- or walk-friendly place. Even downtown it’s a little bit of a struggle. … Luckily, I work and live like within a mile so I can walk or bike, and even just that 10 minutes a day is a kind of nice. I stop and have a refreshing moment of, like, ‘Look at those crazy plants that are just finding a crack in the sidewalk and are like, “I’m going to live here.”’”

Teaching printmaking at Artspace at Untitled has also influenced Difani creatively.

“I really love working in kind of communal spaces like that because you just get to learn from and react to what other artists are making,” Difani said. “I’ve learned a lot of things from the other artists who are there teaching, and then, coming up with new interesting things to teach … prompts you to explore a little bit more.”

In addition to nearly 100 works of art, Momentum also features live music and dance, drag and aerial performances. Brewer said that after nearly two decades, it remains an event intentionally unlike a typical art show.

“One thing that hasn’t changed about Momentum, that we’ve tried very hard to keep, is the edginess or the grit,” Brewer said. “It’s always in these unexpected locations. … It’s an experience. It’s there for the weekend, and then it’s gone.”

Tickets to Friday and Saturday’s shows are $10-$15. Admission on Sunday is free. Following Momentum, the artists’ works will be on display at Modella Art Gallery in Stillwater May 7-June 6. Visit ovac-ok.org.

Momentum 7-10 p.m. March 20-21 and 2-7 p.m. March 22 Dead People’s Stuff 1900 Linwood Blvd. ovac-ok.org | 405-879-2400 Free-$15

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ARTS & CULTURE

New direction

deadCenter selects Alyx Picard Davis to replace Lance McDaniel as executive director.

By Jeremy Martin

deadCenter’s recently named new executive director Alyx Picard Davis began volunteering at the film festival in 2006. Studying screenwriting at University of Central Oklahoma at the time, Picard Davis heard about the festival from her French professor.

“I just I loved it,” Picard Davis said.

“I fell in love with the people; I fell in love with the films, so I came back next year as an intern. … It just kind of became the thing that I did every summer. We joke that it’s like summer camp for adults. I found myself taking off work every year and showing up at the office and doing whatever needed to be done.”

She became co-chair of the host committee, which meets visiting filmmakers at the airport and shows them around Oklahoma City.

“It was a really great way to introduce a lot of people who hadn’t been to Oklahoma City before to the fact that we’re not just tumbleweeds and cowboys,” Picard Davis said. “That is a part of a very rich history, but there’s a lot of really cool things that, at the time — we’re talking 2007 — were still not being promoted as actively as we see today. We didn’t have all of the things that we have today, but we had a really cool kind of fringe culture.

There was an art presence here. … It was a really great way to get people plugged in.”

As programming coordinator, Picard Davis began working to update the festival’s submission process.

“Everything was on DVDs and videotapes,” Picard Dav is said.

“Filmmakers would send physical things in, and at the time, we had a screening committee of about 20 to 30 people that would watch the films, but that process was all very physical. We had to meet once a week. You got a bag of DVDs; you wrote your review on a paper, and then you would swap the DVDs out for the next week.”

The festival completely digitized its submission process in 2013, the same year Picard Davis became deadCenter’s director of festival and operations. The festival has evolved and expanded since Picard Davis first volunteered, she said, but its mission statement has only been changed by a couple of words.

Prior to 2016, deadCenter’s mission was to “promote, celebrate and encourage independent film.”

After 2016, its mission is to “promote, celebrate and encourage creativity through independent film.”

“We do that every day,” Picard Davis said. “The festival is the key piece of that,

but even year-round through special events and education, we really are encouraging that creativity and inspiring students to make films and to think, in different ways, how they’re communicating. It’s been an exciting journey to be on as we’ve grown from the 50 people who attended the very first year to the 35,000 that we now have.”

Part of encouraging creativity, Picard Davis said, is considering the applications of new technology through programs such as Virtual Cinema and the annual techCenter technology conference, which features virtual reality and interactive films and demonstrations.

It’s been an exciting journey to be on as we’ve grown from the 50 people who attended the very first year to the 35,000 that we now have.

Alyx Picard Davis “How are we thinking about independent film as we move forward?”

Picard Davis said. “We want to expand it to accommodate and not exclude new forms using filmmaking. … We’re still really pioneering a lot of what you see, and a lot of it changes immensely. Someone will come out with a new device and everybody will rush to play with it.”

New perspective

Picard Davis will be promoted to executive director at the conclusion of this year’s festival, scheduled for June 11-14. She said the transition will not be drastic.

“I have been the one really running the parts of the festival that people are experiencing, the logistical pieces,” Picard Davis said. “I don’t see it changing that much. I would like to continue the growth that we’ve been having. I would like to continue expanding into areas where we’ve had curiosity, but it’s not a crazy departure because I’ve been involved in all of the steps up until this point, so I see the rhyme and reason behind certain things. I have been privileged to be a part of those conversations.”

The biggest difference, Picard Davis said, might be the contrast between her personality and that of outgoing

Currently deadCenter’s director of festival and operations, Alyx Picard Davis will become deadCenter’s executive director following the festival in June. | Photo provided

executive director Lance McDaniel.

“He’s so outgoing, so charismatic, such a figure and such a huge chunk of deadCenter history,” Picard Davis said. “I’ve worked alongside him; I love him, but I do think it’s important to know that we’re two different people. We just are. He has taught me a lot about everything in this industry. … I’ve been very lucky to have him as a mentor and hope to do some justice to filling his shoes.”

She is also sure McDaniel will return in some way.

“Nobody’s ever done with deadCenter,” Picard Davis said. “Once you attend, you’re kind of in it for life.”

In a press release, McDaniel called Picard Davis “the perfect choice.” deadCenter will be hiring a new director of festival and operations, and Picard Davis said she thinks the festival will benefit from having someone else in the role.

“I have been in it for such a long time now,” Picard Davis said. “There are things that a new perspective, someone who’s looking at everything with fresh eyes, they’re going to ask different questions. They’re going to have different ideas, and to continue our growth, that input is necessary. So I see it as a very healthy step forward.”

Picard Davis has also used her organizational skills to produce films.

“I get geeked out by spreadsheets,” she said. “I love the film schedule and a film budget, the stuff that a lot of a lot of cre-

ative people don’t gravitate toward. I can see the creativity in that.”

She credits deadCenter with showing her a path to the film industry that was closer to home.

“I still thought I was going to go to LA, but I realized that I could make movies here,” Picard Davis said. “I didn’t have to go to film school. There were people here I could network with to gain those skills. I knew it was probably going to be a little bit of a longer journey, but I didn’t want to leave here. I fell in love with Oklahoma and Oklahoma City. I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to go be challenged in the way that LA challenges people, and ultimately, I saw the ability to have an impact here at home. … It was really clear that this was the place that I needed to be.”

This year, deadCenter Film Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with several events, including a filmmaker boot camp presented in partnership with Oklahoma Contemporary on April 4. The festival will announce its schedule April 22 and hold its kickoff party and fundraiser May 16.

Picard Davis is very aware that the June festival is getting closer all the time.

“Mark your calendars, plan your sleep schedule, get hydrated,” Picard Davis said. “It’s coming, and it’ll be here before you know it.”

Visit deadcenterfilm.org.

Spring Break Sneak Peek Week Themed Activity Days The Cowboy • March 14 - 20

You’re invited to experience hands-on learning in a new space for people of all ages.

Visit nationalcowboymuseum.org for a detailed schedule of Spring Break Sneak Peek Week!

1700 Northeast 63rd Street Oklahoma City, OK 73111 (405) 478-2250

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 1 1 , 2 0 2 0

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ARTS & CULTURE

St. Patty’s Block Party is 3 p.m.-midnight Saturday in Bricktown. | Photo provided

CO M M U N I T Y

Spirited tradition

The 30th anniversary of St. Patrick’s Day Block Party is this Saturday. Jim D. Brewer, called “the father of Bricktown,” started the party in 1990.

By Matt Dinger

The landscape of Bricktown might look different than it did when Jim Brewer began buying vacant buildings on the eastern side of downtown Oklahoma City, but the spirit remains the same.

This year, Bricktown hosts its 30th annual block party on St. Patrick’s Day and dedicates the festivities to district pioneer Jim D. Brewer, who died in November 2008.

Jim Brewer, who has been called “the father of Bricktown” was a lifetime resident of south Oklahoma City, and what is known as Bricktown today would not have been without his vision for the district.

Every year is just a huge celebration.

Everybody wants to be Irish for that day or that weekend.

Brent Brewer Jim Brewer had a number of businesses before venturing into downtown real estate development, including Jim Dandy’s Transmissions and four nightclubs in the 1970s. He tried his hand in the oil business, but when there was a downturn in the 1980s, he moved into real estate development.

His businesses have been carried on by his two sons, Brent and Brett. Brent

Brewer, 50, was coming of age as Bricktown was being birthed.

“He got out of the oil business and invested some of his earnings into some old buildings in Bricktown. They were all foreclosed on. There was nothing going on; transients, no lights, that sort of thing,” Brent Brewer said. “He basically helped develop Bricktown, and me and my brother Brett — he’s 43 — have kind of worked with him all of our lives and are trying to continue his legacy in what we’re doing.”

Now, the Brewers own a number of Bricktown properties, including Bricktown Events Center and a number of nightclub, restaurant and bar buildings as well as area parking lots. But decades ago, the area was a ghost town.

“Spaghetti Warehouse came in, and they were basically the only business at the time, and he started the Bricktown Haunted Warehouse and was trying to get some other restaurants and bars to come into Bricktown but wasn’t having too much success,” Brent Brewer said.

“He’d been in the nightclub business before, so he wanted to open an Irish pub called O’Brien’s. The plan was to open O’Brien’s, and we were going to do it on March 17th. The St. Patrick’s Day

parade coordinator got in touch with us, and so we had meetings with them and they decided to bring the parade that they were already doing to Bricktown, so we coincided the opening of O’Brien’s with the St. Patrick Day Parade and then we developed the Bricktown St. Patrick’s Day Block Party, which we did out front in the parking lot on March 17th, 1990.

Basically, we’ve been doing it every year. O’Brien’s lasted for seven years.”

Though the pub is gone, Bricktown St. Patrick’s Day Block Party has continued on.

The first one drew about 500 people to the area, but they routinely see between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors a year now.

“Every year is just a huge celebration. Everybody wants to be Irish for that day or that weekend. We do it on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day if it’s not on a Saturday,” Brent Brewer said.

Admission is free, and the event, which is family- and pet-friendly, runs 3 p.m.-midnight March 14 at 123 S. Oklahoma Ave. This year’s event is dedicated to the legacy of Jim D. Brewer.

“He was a great father.

Always an entrepreneur, a risk taker,” Brent Brewer said.

St. Patty’s Block Party 3 p.m.-midnight Saturday Bricktown 123 S. Oklahoma Ave. facebook.com/bricktown.okc | 405-236-4143 Free

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The Brewers’ St. Patrick’s Day Block Party was started 30 years ago.| Photos provided

OKG Lifestyle

OKG’s Picks EAT Coolgreens’ Harvest Salad WATCH The Good Place (Hulu and Netflix) LISTEN Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast READ Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your

American History Teacher Got Wrong

by James W. Loewen

LOVE Bon Appétit’s Gourmet Makes (YouTube) EXPERIENCE Stockyards City

Donald’s Picks EAT beef tenderloin salad at Iron Star WATCH Live theater — Oklahoma City

Repertory Theatre, OKC Broadway, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Shakespeare, Pollard Theatre Company, Carpenter Square Theatre.

So many great shows, so little time!

LISTEN Painted Sky Opera, Oklahoma City

Philharmonic, Canterbury Choral Society

READ The New York Times online LOVE kindness, collaboration, creativity EXPERIENCE Live performance — great theater

can entertain, enlighten, educate and inspire. There is nothing like it!

Donald Jordan is the artistic director of Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre, Oklahoma’s award-winning, nationally recognized professional regional theater.

THE GOOD PLACE (HULU) | IMAGE HULU / PROVIDED • BON APPÉTIT’S GOURMET MAKES (YOUTUBE) | IMAGE BON APPÉTIT’S GOURMET MAKES / YOUTUBE / PROVIDED STOCKYARDS CITY | PHOTO ALEXA ACE • DONALD JORDAN | PHOTO WENDY MUTZ • OKLAHOMA CITY REPERTORY THEATRE | IMAGE WENDY MUTZ / PROVIDED OKLAHOMA CITY PHILHARMONIC | PHOTO SHEVAUN WILLIAMS AND ASSOCIATES / PROVIDED O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 1 1 , 2 0 2 0

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CALENDAR are events recommended

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

BOOKS Anne Bishop book signing the author will sign copes of The Queen’s Bargain, a novel about an aristocrat who unknowingly courts a witch, 6:30 p.m.

March 11. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. WED

FILM Greed (2020, UK, Michael Winterbottom) a billionaire prepares for his lavish 60th birthday party in this satirical comedy, through March 12. Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., 405-235-3456. MON-THU An evening with Kevin Willmott the Oscarwinning filmmaker will discuss his work following a screening of his retro-sci-fi film Destination: Planet Negro!, 8 p.m. March 13. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com.

FRI

Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band (2019, USA, Daniel Roher) a documentary about Robbie Robertson’s early days and the forming of The Band, through March 12. Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., 405-235-3456. MON-THU

HAPPENINGS Afro Beats a dance party with soca, hip-hop, Caribbean, dancehall and other genres of music provided

by DJ Sinz, 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays. Glass Lounge, 5929 N. May Ave., 405-835-8077, glasshouseokc.com. FRI Board Game Day enjoy local craft beer while playing old-school board and arcade games with friends, 5-8 p.m. Sundays. FlashBack RetroPub, 814 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-633-3604, flashbackretropub. com. SUN Conversational Spanish Group Meetup an opportunity for all experience levels to practice speaking Spanish, 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. TUE

In the Direction of the Sun See works by Oklahoma City artists Kyndall Rainey and Danny Joe Rose III at this exhibition.

Though both artists’ paintings draw inspiration from nature, Rainey’s brightly colored mixed-media works incorporate recycled materials and Rose’s minimalist paintings are titled after natural features but are made up of boxes and lines. On display through March 23 in Crystal Bridge visitors center at Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave. Admission is free-$8. Call 405-445-7080 or visit myriadgardens.org. THROUGH MARCH 23 Photos provided Drag Me to Bingo bingo night hosted by Teabaggin Betsy, 9 p.m. Tuesdays. Partners, 2805 NW 36th St., 405-942-2199, partners4club.com. TUE Earth Optimism Teen Event teens age 13-17 can learn from environmental scientists and organizers at this Earth Day event presented by the Smithsonian and museum affiliates, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 14.

Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. SAT EYEwitness Tour hear first responder Richard A. Kelley’s personal account of the the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, 8-9:30 a.m. March 13.

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, 620 N. Harvey Ave., 405-235-3313, oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org. FRI Futsal Factory Workshop learn to play futsal at this workshop series, 5-7 p.m. March 16, 18 and 20.

Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405445-7080, myriadgardens.com. MON-FRI

Dealing with the Shade learn how to grow healthy plants in shady places at this lecture presented by Oklahoma County Master Gardeners, 6 p.m. March 11. Will Rogers Garden Center, 3400 NW 36th St., 405-943-0827, okc.gov. WED

Governor’s Club Toastmasters lose your fear of public speaking and gain leadership skills by practicing in a fun and low-stakes environment, noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays. Oklahoma Farm Bureau Building, 2501 N. Stiles Ave., 405-523-2300, okfarmbureau. org. WED

Downtown Recyclers Toastmasters practice your public speaking skills at this ongoing weekly meeting, noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays. Department of Environmental Quality, 707 N. Robinson Ave., 405702-0100, deq.state.ok.us. WED

The Happy Hour a monthly meet up and networking event for professional women with guest presenters and drinks from Anthem Brewing Company, 5-6:30 p.m. second Wednesday of every month. The Treasury, 10 N. Lee Ave., Suite 100, 325-660-2264.

WED

VHS & CHILL Presents: Leprechaun 3 Before he went to space and “the Hood,” the homicidal limerick-loving Leprechaun (Warwick Davis) hit Las Vegas to violently murder a pawnshop owner, grant wishes with a sadistic monkey’s-paw twist and, according to director Brian Trenchard-Smith, ship 55,000 copies and become the “highest-selling direct-to-video of 1995.” Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by watching an intensely ridiculous movie in the way that it was maybe meant to be seen at some point, on the big screen. The screening is 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday at Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave. Tickets are $7.50. Call 405-235-3456 or visit rodeocinema.org.

TUESDAY Photo provided

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Jackbox.tv Game Night play interactive party games with host Alex Sanchez, 8-10 p.m. Mondays.

Oak & Ore, 1732 NW. 16th St., 405-606-2030, oakandore.com. MON Jurassic Quest see animatronic dinosaurs and sea creatures at this dinosaur-themed carnival, March 13-15, March 13-15. Oklahoma State Fair Park, 3220 Great Plains Walk, 405-948-6700, okstatefair.com.

FRI-SUN

Karaoke Night perform your favorite songs on a stage with a light display and professional sound system, 8 p.m. Dec. 25. Bison Witches Bar & Deli, 211 E. Main St., Norman, 405-364-7555, bisonwitchesok. com. WED 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 Master Wellness Volunteer training program learn to teach health and wellness strategies, give food demonstrations and more at this training session, Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through March 31. OSU Extension, 2500 NE 63rd Street, 405-713-1125, oces. okstate.edu/oklahoma. TUE Moore Chess Club play in tournaments and learn about the popular board game at this weekly event where all ages and skill levels are welcome, 1-4 p.m.

Sundays. Moore Library, 225 S. Howard Ave. SUN Pooches on the Patio bring your best friend to this dog-friendly happy hour with drink specials, appetizers and free pet treats, 4-7 p.m. Saturdays.

Café 501 Classen Curve, 5825 NW Grand Blvd., 405844-1501, cafe501.com. SAT

OKC Farmers Market a year round farmers market featuring fresh produce, honey, baked goods, meat, hand made goods and more., Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. OKC Farmers Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., 4054860701, okcfarmersmarket.com. SAT St. Patrick’s Day Veggie Dinner enjoy an inventive plant-based dinner, 6:30 p.m. March 17. Picasso Cafe, 3009 Paseo St., 405-602-2002, picassosonpaseo.com. TUE St. Patty’s Day Celebration Patrono executive chef Jonathan Krell demonstrates how to cook house-made chips, horseradish cheddar dip, brined corned beef and other Irish-inspired dishes at this cooking class, 6:30 p.m. March 17. International Pantry, 1618 W. Lindsey St., Norman, 405-360-0765, intipantry.com. TUE

YOUTH Art Adventures children can enjoy story time and related activities, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-3253272, ou.edu/fjjma. TUE Beginning Martial Arts Classes students ages 7 and older can learn martial arts from instructor Darrell Sarjeant at this weekly class, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Thursdays. Nappy Roots, 3705 Springlake Drive, 405-896-0203, facebook.com/pg/nappyrootsbooks.

THU

Early Explorers toddlers and preschoolers can participate in fun scientific activities they can repeat later at home, 10-11 a.m. Thursdays. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. THU

Renegade Poker compete in a 2-3 hour tournament with cash prizes, 3 p.m. Sundays. Bison Witches Bar & Deli, 211 E Main St., Norman, 405-3647555, bisonwitchesok.com. SUN

Family Workshop: Spring Terrariums create an 8-inch glass planter for succulents at this workshop for children age 6-10, 6-7:30 p.m. March 13. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. FRI

Safe Flying With Drones learn about the best practices for operating drones and the most recent federal rules and regulations at this class for hobbyists, 10-11:30 a.m. March 14. Rose State College, 6420 SE 15th St., 405-733-7673, rose.edu. SAT

Little Saplings a hands-on gardening class for toddlers and parents with crafts, songs a sensory bin and more, Every other Tuesday, 10-11 a.m. through June 9. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. TUE

St. Pat’s in the Park see live music and dance performances at this St. Patrick’s Day celebration, 2 p.m. March 14. Scissortail Park, 300 SW Seventh St., 405-445-7080, scissortailpark.org. SAT

OKC Drag Queen Story Hour children and their families are invited to a story and craft time lead by Ms. Shantel and followed by a dance party, 4 p.m. second Saturday of every month. Sunnyside Diner, 916 NW Sixth St., 405.778.8861. SAT

Toastmasters Meeting hone public speaking and leadership skills in a move-at-your own pace environment, 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. McFarlin United Methodist Church, 419 S. University Drive, Norman, 623-810-0295. THU

Reading Wednesdays a weekly storytime with hands-on activities, goody bags and reading-themed photo ops, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. WED

Trivia Night at Black Mesa Brewing test your knowledge at this weekly competition hosted by BanjoBug Trivia, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Black Mesa Brewing Company, 1354 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-7781865, blackmesabrewing.com. TUE

Sankofa Chess Club children 7 and older are invited to learn chess in this club meeting weekly, 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Nappy Roots, 3705 Springlake Drive, 405-896-0203, facebook.com/pg/nappyrootsbooks. WED

Trivia Night at Matty McMillen’s answer questions for a chance to win prizes at this weekly trivia night, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Matty McMillen’s Irish Pub, 2201 NW 150th St., 405-607-8822, mattymcmillens. com. TUE

Spring Break Drop-In children can create a different art or craft project every day during spring break, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 16-20. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. MON-FRI

White Privilege: Let’s Talk a series of workshops examining white privilege, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. March 2.

Church of the Open Arms, 3131 N. Pennsylvania Ave., 405-525-9555, openarms.org. MON

Spring Break in the Park enjoy outdoor games and activities daily throughout spring break, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. March 16. Scissortail Park, 300 SW Seventh St., 405-445-7080, scissortailpark.org. MON-SAT

FOOD Beer, Bratwurst and Board Games play games and enjoy food and beer at this event hosted by Oklahoma Board Game Community, 7-11 p.m. March 11. Fassler Hall, 421 NW 10th St., 405-609-3300, fasslerhall.com. WED

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Storytime Science the museum invites children age 6 and younger to hear a story and participate in a related scientific activity, 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok. org. TUE-SAT

PERFORMING ARTS Broadway Revue a celebration of Hollywood and Broadway entertainment presented by American Spirit Dance Company. March 12-14. Kirkpatrick Auditorium, Oklahoma City University Campus, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., 405-208-5000, okcu.edu.

THU-SAT

Category Is a monthly variety show hosted by Tilly Screams and Robin Banks, 10 p.m.-midnight second Saturday of every month. Frankie’s, 2807 NW 36th St., 405-602-2030, facebook.com/frankiesokc. SAT Divine Comedy a weekly local showcase hosted

by CJ Lance and Josh Lathe and featuring a variety of comedians from OKC and beyond, 9 p.m.

Wednesdays. 51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51st St., 405-463-0470, 51stspeakeasy.com. WED Don Quixote Open Mic a weekly comedy show followed by karaoke, 7:30-9 p.m. Fridays. Don Quixote Club, 3030 N. Portland Ave., 405-947-0011. FRI Dope Poetry Night read your poems or just go to listen to others at this open mic hosted by J. Wiggins and Proverb, 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Ice Event Center & Grill, 1148 NE 36th St., 405-208-4240, iceeventcentergrill.eat24hour.com. WED Future Voices: A Choreographic Showcase Oklahoma City Ballet dancers will perform works by 11 locale choreographers, March 12-15. Susan E. Brackett Dance Center, 6800 N. Classen Boulevard, okcballet.org. THU-SUN Hari Kondabolu the comedian, podcaster and filmmaker will perform with support from local standup Cameron Brewer, 8-11 p.m. March 12. The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-8873327, theparamountroom.com. THU Heartsongs: Choral Tales and Witticisms University of Oklahoma Women’s Chorus and Men’s Glee Club perform works by Francesca Caccini, Leoš Janáček, Eleanor Daley and Billy Joel, 7:30 p.m.

March 12. Sharp Concert Hall, 500 W. Boyd St., Norman, 405-325-4101, music.ou.edu. THU

Sanctuary Karaoke Service don a choir robe and sing your favorite song, 9 p.m.-midnight Wednesdays and Thursdays. Sanctuary Barsilica, 814 W. Sheridan Ave., facebook.com/sanctuarybarokc.

WED-THU

The Trailer-Hood Hootenanny join Rayna Over and friends for a night of comedy, music and drag performances, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. the second Friday of every month. Frankie’s, 2807 NW 36th St., 405-6022030, facebook.com/frankiesokc. FRI Valery Kuleshov the pianist will perform as part of Virginia Campbell’s 37th Annual Piano Artist Series, 2:30 p.m. March 15. All Souls Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Pennsylvania Ave., 405-842-1461, allsoulsokc.com. SUN VZD’s Open Mic Night a weekly music mic hosted by Joe Hopkins, 7 p.m. Wednesdays. VZD’s Restaurant & Bar, 4200 N. Western Ave., 405-6023006, vzds.com. WED Weekly Jams bring an instrument and play along with others at this open-invitation weekly jam session, 9:30 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays. Saints, 1715 NW 16th St., 405-602-6308, saintspubokc.com. TUE

ACTIVE Co-ed Open Adult Volleyball enjoy a game of friendly yet competitive volleyball while making new friends, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays. Jackie Cooper Gymnasium, 1024 E. Main St., Yukon, 405-350-8920, cityofyukon.gov. WED Go Green Run run a leisurely paced 5K through downtown and finish with a green beer, 8-10 a.m.

March 14. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. SAT Monday Night Group Ride meet up for a weekly 25-30 minute bicycle ride at about 18 miles per hour through east Oklahoma City, 6 p.m. Mondays. The Bike Lab OKC, 2200 W. Hefner Road, 405-603-7655.

MON

The Illusionists several magicians perform in this nationally touring stage show, March 13-14, March 13-14. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. FRI-SAT

Open Badminton hit some birdies in some morning pick-up games of badminton with friends, 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays. Jackie Cooper Gymnasium, 1024 E. Main St., Yukon, 405-350-8920, cityofyukon. gov. SAT

Iron Horse Open Mic and Showcase perform music on stage at this show open to all experience levels, 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays. Iron Horse Bar & Grill, 9501 S. Shields Blvd., 405-735-1801. WED

Run the Alley a three-mile social run for athletes of all abilities ending with beers at The Yard, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. OK Runner, 708 N. Broadway Ave., 405-702-9291, myokrunner.com. THU

Joel Forlenza: The Piano Man the pianist performs variety of songs made famous by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and, of course, Billy Joel, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Othello’s Italian Restaurant, 434 Buchanan Ave., Norman, 405-701-4900, othellos.us. TUE-WED

Spring Bocce Ball League a four-week tournament for 16 teams, 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays March 10-31.

Kerr Park, 102 Robert S. Kerr Ave., 405-235-3500, downtownokc.com/kerr-park. TUE

Kendell’s Open Mic play up to four songs at this weekly music open mic, 8-11 p.m. Tuesdays. Kendell’s, 110 S. May Ave., kendellsbar.com. TUE Lumpy’s Open Mic Night play a song of your own or just listen to the performers at this weekly show hosted by John Riley Willingham, 9 p.m.

Wednesdays. Lumpy’s Sports Grill, 12325 N. May Ave., 405-286-3300, lumpyssportsgrill.com. WED Magic Mic four magicians present close-up magic for a small audience, 7:30-9 p.m. March 12. The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-887-3327, theparamountroom.com. THU Monday Night Blues Jam Session bring your own instrument to this open-stage jam hosted by Wess McMichael, 7-9 p.m. Mondays. Othello’s Italian Restaurant, 434 Buchanan Ave., Norman, 405-7014900, othellos.us. MON OKC Comedy Open Mic Night get some stage time or just go to listen and laugh at this open mic hosted by Travis Phillips, 7 p.m. Mondays. The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-887-3327, theparamountroom.com. MON OKC Improv performers create original scenes in the moment based on suggestions from the audience, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Oklahoma City Improv, 1757 NW 16th St., 405-4569858, okcimprov.com. FRI-SAT Triple’s Open Mic a music and comedy open mic hosted by Amanda Howle, 7:30 p.m. every other Wednesday. Triple’s, 8023 NW 23rd St., 405-7893031. WED Open Mic at The P share your musical talent or just come to listen at this weekly open mic, 7 p.m.

Wednesdays. The Patriarch Craft Beer House & Lawn, 9 E. Edwards St., Edmond, 405-285-6670, thepatriarchedmond.com. WED Othello’s Comedy Night see professionals and amateurs alike at this long-running weekly open mic for standup comics, 9 p.m. Tuesdays. Othello’s Italian Restaurant, 434 Buchanan Ave., Norman, 405-7014900, othellos.us. TUE Red Dirt Open Mic a weekly open mic hosted

by Red Dirt Poetry, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Sauced on Paseo, 2912 Paseo St., 405-521-9800, saucedonpaseo.com. WED Rhyme in Reasons share your talent or just watch other artists perform at this weekly open mic, 7:30-10 p.m. Thursdays. Reasons Lounge, 1140 N. MacArthur Boulevard, 405-774-9991. THU

Spring Break All Night Skate skate for 12 hours at this family-friendly event, 8 p.m. March 17-8 a.m.

March 18. Skate Galaxy, 5800 NW 36th St., 405-6052758, skategalaxyokc.com. TUE Stars and Stripes Spin Jam a weekly meetup for jugglers, hula hoopers and unicyclers, 6-8 p.m.

Tuesdays. Stars & Stripes Park, 3701 S. Lake Hefner Drive, 405-297-2756, okc.gov/parks. TUE Twisted Coyote Brew Crew a weekly 3-mile group run for all ability levels with a beer tasting to follow; bring your own safety lights, 6 p.m. Mondays.

Twisted Spike Brewing Co., 1 NW 10th St., 405-3013467, twistedspike.com. MON 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

Community Clothing Swap If spring cleaning has got you Marie Kondo-ing your closets, you could just dump the resultant clothes pile into one of those big streetside donation bins that goes who knows where — or you could take them to this “respectful free-for-all” and trade them out for something else that you might like better, at least for awhile. It’d be a shame for all that newly freed-up closet space to go to waste. Change clothes 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Resonator Institute, 325 E. Main St., in Norman. Admission is free. Visit resonator.space. SUNDAY Photo bigstockphoto.com 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. FRI-SUN Home on the Range an exhibition featuring 20 artists’ perspectives on the buffalo’s importance to Native culture and art, through June 30. Exhibit C, 1 E. Sheridan Ave., 405-767-8900, exhibitcgallery.com.

SUN-TUE

I Paint Music/Inside Outside view paintings by artists Karen Mosbacher and George Bogart at this double exhibition, through April 25. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave., 405-528-6336, jrbartgallery.com. FRI-SAT

O. Gail Poole’s Sideshow an exhibition of surreal and unusual paintings by the eclectic Oklahoma artist, through May 10. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma.

FRI-SUN

Oklahoma Landmarks an exhibition of artworks

by Kathy Buttry, through April 30. 50 Penn Place Gallery, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-848-5567, 50pennplacegallery.com. SUN-THU Renegades: Bruce Goff and the American School of Architecture an exhibition celebrating non-traditional architecture inspired by Native American designs, everyday objects and natural landscapes, through April 5. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/ fjjma. FRI-SUN

VISUAL ARTS

Seasons Turning an exhibition of works created by Lucas Simmons through four seasons, March 13-May 2. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org.

Bright Golden Haze view artworks inspired by Oklahoma’s light at the inaugural exhibition in Oklahoma Contemporary’s new space, March 13-Aug. 10.

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org.

FRI-TUE

Colors of Clay an exhibition of clay pots, bowls, pitchers and jars created by Native American artists, through May 10, 2021. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. FRI-TUE Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing an exhibition of photographs documenting the experiences of Dust Bowl migrants and Japanese American prisoners in World War II internment camps, through May 10. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum,

When Worn an exhibition featuring works by jewelers and metalsmiths from across the country, through March 26. Melton Gallery, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, 405-525-3603, uco.edu. MON-THU

Intro to Digital Printmaking learn how to bridge the gap between digital and analog printmaking at this workshop taught by Nathan Kent, 6-9 p.m.

March 18. Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405815-9995, 1ne3.org. WED

Renewing the American Spirit: The Art of the Great Depression an exhibition of paintings, prints, photographs and more created in the 1930s, Through April 26. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT-SUN

Articulation work on your art or craft project with other creators at this weekly meet-up; bring your own supplies and clean up after yourself, 6:30-10 p.m. Thursdays. Little D Gallery, 3003 Paseo, 720773-1064. THU

FRI-SUN

In the Direction of the Sun an exhibition of works by Kyndall Rainey and Danny Joe Rose III on display in the Crystal Bridge Visitor Center, through March 23. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. SAT-MON

Yoga with Art workout in an art-filled environment followed by a mimosa, 10:30 a.m. Saturdays.

21c Museum Hotel, 900 W. Main St., 405-982-6900, 21cmuseumhotels.com. SAT

40 Over 40: Women Artists of Oklahoma an exhibition highlighting works created by Oklahoman artists over the age over 40, through March 13, Through March 13. MAINSITE Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main St., Norman, 405-360-1162, mainsitecontemporaryart.com. FRI

from the American West, including his Cowboys and Indians print series, through May 10. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org.

FRI-SAT

Second Friday Art Walk tour shops studios, venues and galleries to view visual art exhibits, hear live music and more, 6 p.m. second Friday of every month. Downtown Norman, 122 E. Main St., 405-6376225, downtownnorman.com. FRI Tiny Little Fables: The Enchanted a multimedia art exhibition featuring works by Nonney Oddlokken, Nicole Moan and Aztrid Moan, through May 18. The Art Hall, 519 NW 23rd St., 405-231-5700, arthallokc. com. FRI-MON Undisclosed Image an exhibition featuring works by photographers Brenda Biondo, Carol Golemboski, Meggan Gould, Martin Venezky and Ariel Wilson, 5-8 p.m. March 11. Oklahoma City University School of Visual Arts, 1601 NW 26th St., 405-208-5226, okcu. edu/artsci/departments/visualart. WED Until We Organize: The Struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment an exhibition of photographs chronicling Oklahoma’s battle over the ERA, through Nov. 30. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 405-521-2491, okhistory.org.

MON-TUE

Warhol and the West an exhibition exploring Andy Warhol’s artwork featuring icons and imagery

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Submissions must be received

by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date.

Late submissions will not be included in the listings.

Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible. Fax your listings to 528-4600 or e-mail them to listings@okgazette.com.

Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

For OKG live music

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O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 1 1 , 2 0 2 0

29

ART IN A NEW LIGHT

INAUGURAL EXHIBITIONS OPEN THURSDAY

Experience contemporary art and creativity in a new and unforgettable setting.

OklahomaContemporary.org Free admission NW 11th and Broadway, Oklahoma City

30

M A R C H 1 1 , 2 0 2 0 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

EVENT

MUSIC

Eve’s daughter

Singer-songwriter and Highwoman Amanda Shires brings her substantial stories to OKC. By Jeremy Martin

Released in February, Amanda Shires’ “Deciphering Dreams” is an optimistic song about a tragedy.

“In some ways, it’s different for me because it’s a hopeful and kind of happy song,” Shires said. “I have a tendency sometimes to talk more about the heartache of living in songs rather than happy times, but it’s awesome when you get one that’s nice and happy.”

Shires plays 8 p.m. March 21 at Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St. Her most recent single was inspired by dream she had about guitar player Neal Casal, who died by suicide in August.

“It was sort of a closure dream because I had talked to him right before he had done that, and then I was just kind of lost,” Shires said. “What could I have done, or what did I not say? How was I not there for him? But then, like a week later, I had a dream and he appeared there and it seemed like it was cool, and then I made up a song about it.”

The song’s opening scene is surreal and a little ambiguous: “Last night I was standing with you in a purple falling fog / You opened your mouth, tried to speak, but your voice was just a flutter of moths … Maybe you were sending a message / Keep your faith, follow the flame / Could be you’re resting easy / Probably a combination of all of these things.”

“He spent a lot of time trying to figure out what his dreams meant and reading a lot of Jungian theory and stuff,” Shires said. “By the time I got into writing that song, I was like, ‘Well, I think when we’re trying to figure out what our dreams mean, we probably … make them mean what we need them to mean.’”

Shires second-guessing her actions following a friend’s death echoes the

lyrics of “Wasn’t I Paying Attention?” the gut-punch closer to 2018’s To the Sunset. In the chorus, the song’s stunned narrator repeats, “It was a regular morning / No red flags or warnings / No, nothing suspicious / Wasn’t I paying attention?”

“Some of our job as musicians and songwriters is to talk about hard things and try to let others know that they’re not alone in the world,” Shires said.

As a teenager, Shires played fiddle with The Texas Playboys, the former backing band for Western swing king Bob Wills, but as a solo artist, her sound has moved progressively further from country.

“I love that music, but when I started discovering that I wanted to write my own songs and perform them,” Shires said, “I feel like the things that are imporwomen inspired Shires to form The tant to me to talk about — mental health Highwomen with singer-songwriters and equality for all and stuff like that — I Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and feel like those are topics that do better in Maren Morris. The supergroup’s selfa sound that’s more modern. For me, I feel titled album, released in September, like it signals forward momentum and debuted at number one on Billboard’ s forward movement and positive change, US Top Country Albums chart. and different sounds “It’s such a good kind of make me feeling to feel like Some of our job as think of a different there are a lot of musicians and song- people out there that future.”

Her sound incorfeel the same ways as writers is to talk porates more rock ’n’ do, that want to about hard things and we roll now, but Shires’ effect change or feel time touring with try to let others know that same need to, The Texas Playboys that they’re not alone and not just within — which she demusic but within in the world. scribed in a Texas whatever fields or Monthly interview as industries anyone’s Amanda Shires “like hanging out working in,” Shires with eight grandsaid. “It just felt like, dads” — made a deep-rooted impression I guess, a collective-conscience-type on her. thing in the way that the record hap“Every band I’m ever in or playing pened and then the timing of where it with, I can’t help it; I compare it to the fits politically and within the music first band that I was ever in,” business. It was a surprise, a very big Shires said. “That’s where I surprise, in a happy way, because you learned a lot about professionalstart out thinking, ‘I don’t know if ism and respect for one another. anybody is going to care at all about this It was one of the best experior if people will like it,’ but then you ences of my life, and none really have to forget about all that and rememhas compared to playing with ber why you’re doing it.” them. They had this amazing The album’s title track is a rewrite of catalog of music, and they were Jimmy Webb’s “Highwayman,” made people that had played with famous in the 1980s by The women and would sing women Highwaymen, a supergroup featuring writers’ songs and stuff like that, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie so when I grew up, I didn’t really Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. Building know that it was going to be any on the original, which follows the difdifferent, and there along the ferent incarnations of a soul being way, you get shown what the reborn throughout history and into the world is really like.” future, “Highwomen” describes the deaths of women — a healer hung for Women’s stories witchcraft, a mother killed crossing the The way country music, speborder with her family, a civil rights cifically pop country radio, activist shot for riding a bus to seems resistant to diverse Mississippi to challenge segregation Amanda Shires plays 8 p.m. March 21 at Tower voices and perspectives from — punished for trying to improve the

Theatre. | Photo Elizaveta Porodina / provided

To the Sunset was released in 2018. | Image provided

world around them. It concludes with the promise, “We’ll come back again and again and again.” “My Name Can’t Be Mama” chronicles the internal struggle between maternal instincts and a hangover. “If She Ever Leaves Me” advises an amorous cowboy he’s barking up the wrong tree: “That’s too much cologne. She likes perfume. ... If she ever leaves me, it won’t be for you.”

“We came together to do this record with the intention of singing songs that are true to the domestic life of women,” Shires said. “There’s more to us than the needy ‘I need a man’ song or ‘I’m sad that my boyfriend left me’ or whatever. We’ve got stories about being a mom, stories about what it’s like to be a woman. We’ve got stories about how we’d like everybody, despite their differences within even our own families, to be able to sit down and eat dinner together without losing their shit. … We just wanted to keep it real without being preachy. We just wanted to show that we can sing all kinds of different songs and we have lessons that can be learned from. We all learn from our moms and sisters and aunts and grandmamas … so why can’t we hear them sing something substantial and more meaningful in a song?”

L.A. Edwards shares the bill. Tickets are $24-$100. Call 405-708-6937 or visit towertheatreokc.com.

Amanda Shires 8 p.m. March 21 Tower Theatre 425 NW 23rd St. towertheatreokc.com | 405-708-6937 $24-$100

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31

X factor

LCG & the X celebrates the release of its debut album at 51st Street Speakeasy. By Jeremy Martin

LCG & the X celebrates the album’s release 8:30 p.m. Friday at 51st street Speakeasy. | Image Lauren Mayhew / provided

Even longtime fans of local rock band LCG & the X might not recognize some of the songs on its self-titled debut.

LCG & the X celebrates the album’s release 8:30 p.m. Friday at 51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51st St. Vocalist and Moog player Morgan Hartman said the band, which formed in 2016, spent about a year and a half on the album, and many of the songs changed in the process.

“We ended up manipulating and kind of changing a lot of the songs and sound,” Hartman said.

Producer Jarod Evans at Blackwatch Studios gave the band helpful advice about songwriting structure, Hartman said.

“He helped a lot with, like, ‘Why is this song so long?’ ‘We’re going to cut this part.’ ‘This part that you have as a verse is actually a way better hook, so what if we tried to make that the chorus?’” Hartman said.

Singles “Part Time Lovin’” and “Runaway,” both released last year, are good indicators of album’s sound, Hartman said, but the band took the original demos of its songs offline because many of them were no longer representative of the finished products.

“They changed so significantly that it wasn’t even almost the same song — in a great way,” Harman said. “I’ve recorded stuff before and so has [guitarist Pilar V. Guarddon Pueyo] but this was pretty much its own new experience for us in a lot of ways, getting in the studio and having a producer that does this all the time on a larger scale and is really good at it and kind of like a studio doctor. …

Except for the singles that we have out now, I think they’re going to sound like 32

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brand-new songs to everyone, which is great.”

Part of the recording process was lea rning “what’s important and what’s not,” Hartman said.

“If you have a connection to a part and it’s not really relevant to anyone to listen to a billion times in a row, which is kind of what you want, you’ve got to kick it to the curb,” Hartman said. “If you have an intro that’s two measures too long, people are just going to skip, especially an out-of-state audience, people that literally don’t know who you are. We have friends, I’m sure, that would bear through it because they have a personal connection … but random people will just go to the next song.”

Thoughtful editing and structuring was important, but so was making sure the songs still have the LCG & the X sound and personality.

“These songs are very personal and very creative,” Hartman said. “They weren’t written for publishing or anything. They were written from a personal place, so there’s always the option to be more repetitive or whatever, but we’ve decided to make sure we kept our personal essence on it without making it too sterilized, which is easy to do. You can suck the character right out of it if you do too much to it or overthink it too much or start thinking that what you’re doing isn’t good enough, which is easy to do. You’ve got to be like, ‘Nope. This is OK. It’s OK that I said this. … We’re going to keep it. It might not be as pragmatic or make as much sense right now, but we’re going to do it.’”

Labrys and Twiggs share the bill.

Admission is $5. Call 405-463-0470 or visit 51stspeakeasy.com.

LCG & the X 8:30 p.m. Friday 51st Street Speakeasy 1114 NW 51st St. facebook.com/lcgandthex | 405-463-0470 $5

EVENT

EVENT

MUSIC

Electrical transformer

Trip G’s Trip Wire reveals another dimension of the OKC hip-hop artist. By Jeremy Martin

The third in a trilogy of releases, Trip G’s Trip Wire shows multiple sides of the OKC hip-hop artist’s sound and personality.

Trip G will perform songs from his latest release Thursday at his month ly Trip N Friends show at The Queen Lounge, 2306 N. MacArthur Blvd., and celebrate Trip Wire’s release March 18 at Seasoned Clothing & Apparel, 243 W. Wilshire Blvd., Suite E. Trip Wire is Trip G’s second 2020 release after Shoc Therapy, released in January.

Wired Up, the first in Trip G’s electric trilogy, was released in October.

“The first one is more up-tempo, fastpaced, hard-hitting more trap-style music,” Trip G said. “Shoc Therapy, there’s more chill and relax music. I was experimenting with different tunes, using Auto-Tune and singing and stuff like that. Trip Wire is both of those. It has that hard-hitting, aggressive 808s, and it also has some chill songs that you can vibe to, just cruising. … It kind of explains me completely. I feel like fans will get to know who I am based off of this project, if they didn’t know from the first two projects.”

Trip Wire also includes a sung “smoke break” interlude unlike anything he has attempted before.

“It’s just a little something with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony type melodies and harmonies,” Trip G said. “That’s one of my biggest experiments on this project. … With Shoc Therapy, I felt like I was finding the new sound, as far as with the melodies and experimenting with a different realm of music. And now with Trip Wire, I was able to execute it the way I want it to sound. It’s on-point. I don’t have to use Auto-Tune. I’ve actually learned a whole new sound of music with my voice, so it’s kind of crazy.”

To find this new sound, Trip G studied songs by Bone Thugs, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Uzi Vert and Roddy Rich and took vocal lessons.

“I don’t want to just be a rapper,” Trip G said. “I can actually make music, whether it is singing, harmonizing, anything like that.”

Shoc Therapy’s cover features Trip G in a hospital gown with wires attached

Trip Wire will be released March 18. | Image provided

to his face and neck, and it includes the songs “No Love” about how childhood exposure to poverty, drug addiction and crime affects his present mentality and “Dirty Game,” recounting a real-life home invasion. Trip Wire’s cover features an illustration of Trip G inspired

by DC Comics superhero Static, and features Austin Powers-referencing “Awesome Powers.”

“Shoc Therapy is more serious as far as in-depth feelings,” Trip G said, “because I do go into detail about myself and my upbringing. [Trip Wire] I would say is more fun. … It’s a different groove to it. It has a different bop to it.”

Trip G — who said he wrote his first song at the age of 6 or 7 after seeing his father rapping and producing his own songs — also plans to release a video for single “Boss Talk” March 18 and another four-song EP in May. “I don’t get burnt out,” Trip G said.

“To me, the writing and the recording part, it can be strenuous but it’s the easiest part because it’s something I like to do. I love to make music. … I’m adapting my entire life around music itself, not vice versa. … If it’s not my daughter or my music, it really is kind of counted out at this point.”

Visit facebook.com/tripgofficial.

Trip Wire release party March 18 Seasoned Clothing & Apparel 243 W. Wilshire Blvd., Suite E facebook.com/tripgofficial

LIVE MUSIC

Fea Self-defined “riot grrrl chicana punk” band Fea’s lyrics are multilingual, but lead vocalist Letty Martinez doesn’t mince words in any language. “I woke up and everyone was in my way,” Martinez sings on “Red” from 2019’s No Novelties. “Fuck that; I won’t put up with it.” Whether intensifying Mexican pop Icon Gloria Trevi’s “Pelo Suelto,” talking “Merde” en Français or sarcastically ripping into sexist “Girl Band” clichés, the San Antonio band’s lean, driving rock ’n’ roll sounds like the brake cable has been cut, so you better get onboard if you don’t want to get run over. Locals Kinda Creepy and The Splashbacks and Portland, Oregon’s BadxMouth share the bill. The show is 7-10 p.m. March 19 at 89th Street – OKC, 8911 N. Western Ave. Tickets are $8.

Visit 89thstreetokc.com. MARCH 19 Photo provided

These are events recommended

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

Shelly Phelps and the Storm, The Blue Door. ROCK Spunk Adams Experience, Sanctuary Barsilica. JAZZ White Reaper/Young Guv, 89th Street-OKC. ROCK

SUNDAY, MAR. 15 WEDNESDAY, MAR. 11

Bruce Benson, Othello’s Italian Restaurant. JAZZ

Dead Horses/Ken Pomeroy, Ponyboy. AMERICANA

The Ides of March/Death Sentience/Gavin Taylor, 89th Street-OKC. METAL

Excision/Wooli/PhaseOne, The Criterion. ELEC-

Mt. Joy, Tower Theatre. FOLK/ROCK

TRONIC

Trap Boy Freddy, Glass Lounge. HIP-HOP

MONDAY, MAR. 16

THURSDAY, MAR. 12

20 Watt Tombstone/ Doomstress, Blue Note Lounge. METAL

The Accidentals, The Depot. FOLK

BOYO/Tino Drima/Kodos, 89th Street-OKC.

Cher/Chic, Chesapeake Energy Arena. POP Grifters & Shills/Hog Feed/Clancy Jones, Opolis. ROCK/AMERICANA Off With Their Heads/Slingshot Dakota/Don’t Make Ghosts, 89th Street-OKC. PUNK

SINGER/SONGWRITER

Lauren Daigle/Johnnyswim, Chesapeake Energy Arena. POP Lee Bains III and The Glory Fires/Helen Kelter Skelter, The Deli. ROCK

Raul Malo/Whitney Rose, Tower Theatre. ROCK

TUESDAY, MAR. 17

SpaceCowboy/Call Boys, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar.

Mezzoa/ Graveyard Witch, The Drunken Fry. METAL

ROCK

FRIDAY, MAR. 13 Anarchy for Assholes/Normal C/Crucify Caroline, Unwired Records. PUNK

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 18 Had Enough/Oliver Re’ynd Benji/Patch Flowers, The Deli. HIP-HOP

Caleb Caudle, The Blue Door. COUNTRY

Rifflord/Rainbows Are Free/Gallivant, Blue Note Lounge. METAL

Doug Burr/Kyle Reid, Tower Theatre. FOLK

Soul Asylum/Local H/Oakville, Diamond Ballroom.

HeartWerk/Preethi/Sick Nick, Bison Witches Bar & Deli. ELECTRONIC Lilac Kings/Rubes/Like Before, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. ROCK The Odyssey/Cavern Company/Mad Honey, The Paramount Room. POP Orville Peck, The Jones Assembly. COUNTRY

SATURDAY, MAR. 14 Jane Mays & The Minnie Funk Band, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. ROCK Keller Williams, Tower Theatre. ACOUSTIC

ROCK

Live music submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date.

Late submissions will not be included in the listings. Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible.

Fax your listings to 528-4600 or e-mail to listings@okgazette.com.

Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR FULL LISTINGS!

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 1 1 , 2 0 2 0

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RAUL MALO March 12 SHINYRIBS March 13 KELLER WILLIAMS March 14 MT. JOY March 15 CROSS, RAGS & YOUNG March 20

The world’s leading MARCH 25 Queen Tribute!

AMANDA SHIRES March 21

MARCH 25

TOWER THEATRE Oklahoma City, OK

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BLUE OCTOBER March 29 TICKETS & INFO AT TOWERTHEATREOKC.COM @TOWERTHEATREOKC 405-70-TOWER | 425 NW 23rd Street

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3.10 THE HAPPY FITS with Audio Book Club 3.11 DEAD HORSES with Ken Pomeroy 3.12 JORDAN ROBERT KIRK 3.13 DOUG BURR with Kyle Reid 3.15 FREE MODE Mt. Joy After Party 3.19 MONTU with Olympus Mons 3.22 C.W. STONEKING 3.27 TYSON MOTSENBOCKER 3.29 THE MASTERSONS 4.1 NORDISTA FREEZE with WHOA DAKOTA 4.8 JOE PUG with Matthew Wright 4.9 PONY BRADSHAW

4.14 ACEYALONE, CAS MATAH , BLAST MEGA, AND MOUF WARREN 4.21 RDGDGRN with Little Stranger WWW.PONYBOYOKC.COM @ponyboyokc #StayGoldOKC 34

M A R C H 1 1 , 2 0 2 0 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

THE HIGH CULTURE

Ballots 806 807

808 811

Withdrawn Challenged

Unchallenged

gathering signatures

CANNABIS

812

Another proposal Two more ballot petition initiatives regarding cannabis were filed quietly with the Oklahoma Secretary of State last week. By Matt Dinger

Two new ballot initiative petitions regarding cannabis were filed this week without public fanfare.

State Question 811 is a constitutional amendment regarding the adult use of cannabis. The proposed ballot title reads, “This measure adds a new Article to the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma.

This article will heal State Question 788 which the Oklahoma State Legislatures, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Local Governments, has desecrated since 57% of Oklahoma voters passed SQ788 on the history day of June 26, 2018. This article will not only heal the damage created by those named above, it will responsibly legalize, regulate and tax Adult-Use Marijuana for persons aged 18 or older under state law.”

State Question 812 is another proposed constitutional amendment aimed at freeing all who have been convicted of cannabis crimes and expunging

cannabis-related criminal records. It reads, “This measure adds a new Article to the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma. This Article shall decriminalize the following offenses: a.

Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Marijuana); b. Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) with the Intent to Distribute; c.

Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Marijuana) within 2,000 feet of a School or Public Park; d.

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) in the Presence of a Minor Child; e. Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) without a Tax Stamp and f. Possession of Proceeds Derived from a Violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, to wit any of the crimes listed in sections a through e herein. This Article shall cause the release of all offenders who have been convicted of the crimes named in this Article from all Oklahoma state prisons, city, municipal, county, township jails, correctional facilities

Two more cannabis ballot petition initiatives were filed last week. | Image Phillip Danner

and detention centers immediately upon the passage of this Article. This Article shall cause the expungement of all criminal records within the State of Oklahoma for the named offenses.”

The constitutional amendment proposed in SQ811 is roughly 40 pages long.

SQ812 is two pages and is described succinctly in the proposed ballot title.

However, the language of SQ812 relies upon the article to the state constitution proposed in SQ811.

Both were signed by the same list of

Dozens more pages outline a myriad of other issues, such as business licensing, inventory tracking and tax revenue allocation. proponents: Danna Malone, R. Hendrix, Sherri Taylor, Monica Green, Chris McCoy, John Koumbis, Patrick Malone and Reese Lauren Childress. The individuals in the group each refer to themselves as “We Are 788” on the signature page. No attorney is listed in either filing.

The proposed amendment to the state constitution, Article 31, is summarized incompletely below.

It would place Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) outside the Oklahoma State Department of Health as well as employ a director who is “educated and knowledgeable on Medical Marijuana, this director shall not be anti-Medical Marijuana.”

It would require OMMA board to open six positions and fill them with a licensed dispensary owner, a licensed owner of a processing company, a licensed owner of a medical cannabis grow, an Oklahoma cannabis attorney, an Oklahoma cannabis tax accountant and a recommending physician.

SQ811 would disallow adding any new licensing categories beside dispensaries, processors, growers, testing laboratories and transportation. It would also remove the certificate of compliance requirement as well as any restrictions involving location. It would strip the requirements for a mop sink and food permit from dispensaries.

It would allow cannabis users to consume smokeable products anywhere cigarette smoking is allowed and prohibit the state and cities from banning any form of advertising medium.

Persons “shall not be denied parental rights, custody of, or visitation with a minor child … unless the persons behavior is such that it creates a danger to the minor child that can be clearly articulated and substantiated.”

No state or local government entity would be allowed to deny the right to own or possess firearms or ammunition based on cannabis usage.

Patients would be allowed to consume

cannabis products while as passengers inside a vehicle and keep the same possession limits from SQ788, while those 18 and older would be allowed to possess 1 ounce of cannabis, 4 grams of concentrated cannabis and 24 ounces of edible cannabis products on their person, in their home or in their vehicle.

Sharing of smokeable cannabis among adults in social settings would be permitted, as would donations from home growers and businesses to processors “to manufacture Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) to be provided to terminally ill patients at little or no cost” and also to allow the donation of products to “patients who are in need at the discretion of the licensed business owner.”

SQ811 would disallow drug testing for THC and its metabolites for employment for patients and prohibit employers to prohibit license holders from employment, but employers could still prohibit employees from being impaired on the job. “Impaired” is emphasized in the filing as well as a portion that reads, “A Safety-Sensitive job is any job that includes tasks or duties that the employer can articulate clearly and concisely and show the position is a dangerous position and can provide evidence that medicating while on the job could adversely affect the safety and health of the employee performing the task or others.”

Medical cannabis license holders from other states would be allowed to purchase from Oklahoma dispensaries, and it would exempt taxes on all medical cannabis while imposing a 25 percent tax on adult-use products.

Dozens more pages outline a myriad of other issues, such as business licensing, inventory tracking and tax revenue allocation.

State Question 807, a revised version of State Question 806, is still under review by Oklahoma Supreme Court justices following a hearing with a court referee on Feb. 26. Paul Tay challenged the petition on the grounds that it violates federal law. He appeared via teleconference from the Tulsa County jail.

Proponents Ryan Kiesel and Michelle Tilley appeared before the referee in person, along with attorneys D. Kent Meyers and Melanie Rughani from Crowe & Dunlevy. A request to file an amicus curiae, or friend of the court, brief was filed by Tulsa attorney Ron Durbin after the briefing deadline had passed. The defendants objected and the Supreme Court denied his application.

On Feb. 24, two days before the hearing, Tay filed a response to the denial.

Tay also filed State Question 808, his own version of an adult-use ballot petition. It was not challenged and the Oklahoma Secretary of State has given a deadline of 5 p.m. May 11 for the collection of signatures.

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 1 1 , 2 0 2 0

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Farming collective Fire Ranch Farms, a 2-acre property containing multiple cannabis farms with a “Farmacy” on the property, is now open for business. By Matt Dinger

Expect the Best.

Trust your cannabinoid testing to a NELAC Certified Environmental Lab — a team of degreed analysts with almost 100 years of combined experience.

The “Farmacy” only carries cannabis grown on

Fire Ranch is a new and unique brand the property. | Photo Neisha Ford of Oklahoma agriculture collective.

The crops here are all grown inside land absolutely raw. Had to bring in metal buildings, with a small farmhouse, power, sewer. We had to bring water or “Farmacy,” at the entrance. A 1947 across Waterloo. So it’s completely unFord pickup acts as the sign to the propdeveloped and [I] decided it would be a erty at 3215 E. Waterloo Road. really smart idea to help the little guy,” “I work in oncology, so I’m very mediCunningham said. “I think there’s cally backgrounded. I had time in pharplenty of big money that’s coming from macy school. I’ve got a zoology degree and Cali, Colorado, Oregon. I’ve seen it. a chemistry degree. My time has been What I thought was missing is, What spent on the scientific side of pharmaceuabout the guy that has enough money to ticals,” founder Jason Cunningham said. put together a grow but doesn’t have Fire Ranch is his passion project. All enough money to do a 10,000 square foot of its buildings are currently contracted and doesn’t have enough money to do a out to growers, with development. So about a half dozen, If it’s not grown on- what I thought would including Goodfellas, good was to set site, indoor commer- be The Inner Circle something up for cial from my guys, I that guy, because I Grows and Jesella Gardens, already prothink that’s where don’t carry it. ducing flower. the best f lower’s “It happens to be I grown. So these guys Jason Cunningham have a passion for arare true phenotype chitectural development, residential, hunters. They don’t hire people to grow commercial and so, long story short, I for them. They are the grower, and think there’s a niche for what I built, they’ve always wanted to own their own commercially speaking. And since I’ve business, so it made sense to me to put done some development and I owned at together buildings. So what we have at one point probably a couple dozen resiFire Ranch is a total of 23 buildings. Half dential properties in Edmond, I thought of them are 1,200 square foot, half of commercial would be interesting. So them are 1,800 square foot. They were when I stopped and thought about comtaken immediately, but they were availmercial, I thought, ‘What would be something good to do?’ So I found some continued on page 38

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THE HIGH CULTURE

OKC’S ORIGINAL FOOD TRUCK PARK.

continued from page 37

CANNABIS

able for independent guys that want to own their own business as growers.”

He is also the owner of Fire Ranch Farms, which is located inside two of the buildings on the property.

“We brought in guys from Arizona and we do our own grow, so we got some cool strains. …

Right now we’re doing GMO Cookies, which is the Cannabis Cup winner that just happened.

We got that cut. We’re also running Kickflip #7, which is a sweet phenotype out of Tulsa.

We’ve got the Connoisseur Cup winner Peanut Butter and Jelly crossed with Sundae Driver. I have Watermelon Zkittles, which is a really crazy terpene mix and it looks sexy,” Cunningham said.

All of Fire Ranch Farms’ crops will be available inside Fire Ranch Farmacy. Cunningham has also worked out a little arrangement with the other growers on his property.

“It’s the best-looking dispensary period in the state. It’s small, it’s very boutique, it’s very different,” he said. “So I think that’s special, but what’s really special about it is I will only carry Fire Ranch. If it’s not grown on-site, indoor commercial from my guys, I don’t carry it. I don’t care if you bring me something that just blows everyone’s brains out. If it’s not absolutely grown under my supervision, I say under my supervision because I know what kind of water these guys use. I know they pH correctly. I know they don’t use pesticides. I know what my guys are doing. So that’s all I carry.”

They have partnered with Simple Cure to handle all of the processing for their flower into full-spectrum oil for cartridges and pods as well as an edibles company that is also located on the property. All products are uniformly tested by the same laboratory, F.A.S.T. Laboratories/Research, and the Farmacy will be a drop-off point for flower to be tested from other growers.

“After our seven-day cure, we go get it tested at F.A.S.T. Labs so I have consistent labbing, and then I turn around and they let me have the first take,” Cunningham said. “So I walk right into their grow and I look at it, and say someone has some popular cuts like Apple Jax, for example, which we’ve got some 31 percent Apple Jax on shelf. I walk in and Apple Jax is sitting there. He’s got 8 pounds of it. I go, ‘I think I’ll take a pound,’ and he goes, ‘That’s cool,’ and I literally walk through and hand-pick a pound out of the 8 pounds. I put that in my jar with my Bovedas and I take them to my dispensary. The top cut of the top

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Fire Ranch Farms includes 23 buildings and a truck that serves as a sign. | Photos Neisha Ford

cuts is on my shelves, and that’s why I say the best flower in the state is there.”

They also make their own prerolls as well as some that are kief-infused and kief-rolled.

“If there’s a preroll in my pharmacy, it’s not an 80/20. It’s not a blend. It is 100 percent flower. It is strain-specific, and it’s plus or minus kief,” Cunningham said.

“That’s it. We do moon rocks the same way. You don’t give me your shit nugs and cover them with kief. I want to know exactly what it’s coming from. ... It can’t get any cleaner.”

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$5 Grams $15 Eighths $30 Quarters $60 Halfs

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allows the entity togrow, harvest, and package medical cannabis for the purpose of selling medical cannabis to a dispensary, processor, or researcher

FLOWER REVIEW

Cannabis effects vary wildly from patient to patient based on a multitude of factors, including THC tolerance, brain chemistry and personal taste. This review is based on the subjective experience of one patient.

Strain name: Grapenstein Grown by: Private Reserve Gardens Acquired from: The Cannabis Refinery Date acquired: Feb. 20 THC/CBD percentages: 23.45 percent/.09 percent (per Express Toxicology) Physical traits: purple and light green with wiry orange stigmas and glittering trichomes

intense than your average Purple Punch cultivar, with a few hits of this one putting me through the roof. It’s definitely more of an indica high on this one, and though it made me sluggish, it did not make me tired. The effects also lasted a particularly lengthy amount of time, and I did not feel worn out when I came down, as I often do from strong indicas. While this was the only strain I picked up on my first visit, I’ll definitely be taking more Private Reserve s t r a i n s for test-drives in the near future.

Bouquet: fruity and sweet Review: I know everyone and their dog has been talking about or reviewed this strain, and finally that fear of missing out got too intense and I had to check it out. The budtender at The Cannabis Refinery, which grows the strain through its Private Reserve Gardens, told me this is an inverse Purple Punch, with the Larry OG and Grandaddy Purp male and female plants swapped, which makes sense considering its appearance. However, the aroma is far fruitier than most Purple Punch strains I’ve had, akin to a jar of grape jelly. The effects are also more Grapenstein | Photo Phillip Danner 40

M A R C H 1 1 , 2 0 2 0 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Homework: Don’t tolerate bullying from critical voices in your head or from supposedly “nice” people who are trying to guilt-trip you.

FreeWillAstrology.com ARIES (March 21-April 19)

But here’s where I disagree with Bourdain: I believe the body is also a temple that deserves our reverence and respect and protective tenderness. Your assignment in the coming weeks, Gemini, is to raise your commitment to treating your body as both an amusement park and a holy temple.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Early in his career, Cancerian painter Jean-BaptisteCamille Corot (1796–1875) sold only a few paintings. But eventually his luck improved. Once he was financially successful, he became very generous. He wielded his influence to get jobs for other artists, and mentored many artists, as well. Sometimes he added a few dabs of paint to the finished works of younger, struggling painters, then signed the canvases with his own name so that the works could more easily be sold. The coming weeks will be a favorable time to adopt your own version of Corot’s approach toward those around you who could benefit from your help and support. (P.S. It’s in your selfish interest to do so, although the reasons why may not be clear for a while.)

Giacomo Puccini’s famous opera Tosca premiered in 1900. It featured a heroine named Tosca. In 1914, Puccini’s favorite Tosca, a soprano singer named Maria Jeritza, was performing in a production at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. As she got ready to sing an aria entitled “I Live for Art,” she stumbled and fell. Rather than struggle awkwardly to rise, she pretended that this was all quite natural—called for in the script. She sang the entire piece while lying on the floor. Puccini loved it!

Ever since then, most of the singers who have played the role of Tosca have sung “I Live for Art” while prone. I suggest you regard this as an inspirational teaching. What lucky accidents could you make into permanent additions or enhancements?

Taurus poet Gary Snyder said, “Three-fourths of philosophy and literature is the talk of people trying to convince themselves that they really like the cage they were tricked into entering.” Personally, I think that many of us, not just philosophers and writers, do the same thing.

Are you one of us? Your first assignment during the next four weeks will be to explore whether you do indeed tend to convince yourself that you like the cage you were tricked into entering. Your second assignment: If you find that you are in a cage, do everything you can to stop liking it. Third assignment: Use all your ingenuity, call on all the favors you’re owed, and conjure up the necessary magic so that you can flee the cage.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

“Your body is not a temple,” declared author and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. “It’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.” I half-agree with him. I’m deeply devoted to regarding the body as an amusement park. It should be a source of endless fun and enjoyment. We have the right—indeed, I’d say a duty—to wield our bodies in ways that immerse us in the mysteries and miracles of pleasure.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Composer Brian Eno has testified that African music underlies and influences much of his work. He exults in the freedom and unpredictability it encourages. Why? Here’s one reason: In African songs, there are often multiple rhythms. And they’re not locked together; they float freely in relationship to each other. Eno says this is different from Western music, whose salient quality is that all the rhythmic elements are contained “in little boxes”—locked into a tyrannically mechanical clockwork pattern. According to my reading of the astrological omens, dear Leo, the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to experiment with Eno’s insight. How? Escape mechanical clockwork patterns and activate the “multiple, free-floating rhythm” metaphor in everything you do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Are you interested in enhancing your mastery of togetherness? Are you open to my suggestion that you should seek out practical education about the arts of

intimacy? Would you be willing to meditate on how you might bring additional creativity and flair into your close alliances? If you answered yes to those questions, the next six weeks will provide you with ample opportunities to dive in to all that fun work. “Collaboration” and “cooperation” will be words of power for you. “Synergy and symbiosis” should be your tender battle cry.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

As you come to the climax of your Season of Good Gaffes and Lucky Bloopers, I’ll remind you of folk singer Pete Seeger’s definition of a “productive mistake.” He said it had these five qualities: “1. made in the service of mission and vision; 2. acknowledged as a mistake; 3. learned from; 4. considered valuable; 5. shared for the benefit of all.”

Let’s hope, Libra, that your recent twists and turns fit at least some of these descriptions!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Would you consider making one more push, Scorpio?

Can I coax you to continue your half-confusing, halfrewarding quest? Are you willing to wander even further out into the frontier and take yet another smart risk and try one additional experiment? I hope so. You may not yet be fully convinced of the value of these forays outside of your comfort zone, but I suspect you will ultimately be glad that you have chosen what’s interesting over what’s convenient. P.S. In the coming weeks, you could permanently expand your reservoir of courage.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

A traditional astrologer might say that you Sagittarians typically spend less time at home than any other sign of the zodiac. Some of you folks even rebel against the idea that having a stable home is a health-giving essential.

You may feel that you can’t be totally free unless you always have your next jaunt or journey planned, or unless you always have a home-away-from-home to escape to.

I understand and appreciate these quirks about your tribe, but am also committed to coaxing you to boost your homebody quotient. Now would be a perfect time to do that. You’re more open than usual to the joy and power of cultivating a nurturing home.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

The more crooked the path, the faster you’ll get to where you’re going. Every apparent detour will in fact be at least a semi-valuable shortcut. Any obstacle that seems to block your way will inspire you to get smarter and more resourceful, thereby activating lucky breaks that bring unexpected grace. So don’t waste even a minute cursing outbreaks of inconvenience, my dear, because those outbreaks will ultimately save you time and make life easier. (P.S.: During the coming weeks, conventional wisdom will be even more irrelevant than it usually is.)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

When I was a young adult, I was unskilled and indigent.

Many restaurants exploited my feeble prowess at washing pots and pans and dishes, but the meager wage they paid me barely kept me fed and housed. You will perhaps understand why, now that I’m grown up, I am averse to cleaning pots and pans and dishes, including my own.

That’s why I pay a helper to do that job. Is there an equivalent theme in your own life? An onerous task or grueling responsibility that oppressed you or still oppresses you? Now is a good time to find a way to declare your independence from it.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

I suspect your fantasy life will be especially potent in the coming weeks. Your imagination will have an enhanced power to generate visions that could eventually manifest as actual events and situations. On the one hand, that could be dicey, because you can’t afford to over-indulge in fearful speculations and worried agitation. On the other hand, that could be dramatically empowering, because your good new ideas and budding dreams may start generating practical possibilities rather quickly.

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.

SEND PHOTOS TO

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PUZZLES NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE CROSSWORD PUZZLE LETTER DICTATION | 0315

By Sam Trabucco Puzzles edited by Will Shortz ACROSS

1 Magical healer 7 Maintain 11 Overseas landmark located in Elizabeth Tower 17 “Fa-a-ancy!”

18 Classic Mell Lazarus comic strip 19 Soaring performer 20 GAZACHO 22 Young antagonist in Super Mario games 23 Counterpart of the Roman Aurora 24 Jargon 25 John, to Lennon 26 Mythical archer 27 Suffix with Jumbo 29 SMEILL 34 Poet who wrote “For God’s sake hold your tongue, and let me love” 35 Chocolaty Post cereal 36 Org. for which Pelé once played 37 Something many an A-list celebrity has 38 Area with a half-dome 42 Noted Chinese-American fashion designer 44 Mystical ball 47 ENTURIES 51 Payment to a freelancer for unpublished work 53 ____ fixe 54 Informal “Ugh!” 55 Little thing to pick 56 Some p.m. times 57 China flaw 59 Familiar inits. in math 60 Original airer of The Office 61 Lapis lazuli shade 62 TECHNIQUEO 66 DEFINITEL 68 Romeo and Juliet, e.g.

69 Adam’s ____ 70 Air-traffic watchdog, for short 71 Literary protagonist named after a king of Israel 72 Violinist Leopold 73 “That’s show ____!”

74 Film character introduced in 1977 who died in a 2015 sequel 76 ____ Major 80 French compliment 82 INSTBANT 84 Ability that’s hard to explain 85 Hand-sewn toy 87 Derive (from) 88 Woman in Progressive ads 89 Book reviewers, for short 91 1910s flying star 94 James Garfield’s middle name 96 ENVIRONMENAL 101 Yuletide 102 Part of binoculars 103 Fireside-chat prez 104 “The United States is not, and never will be, at war with ____”: Obama 106 Home of the Sun Devils, familiarly 107 Subj. of Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution 110 RUMYSELF 114 Digitally IDs by location 115 Rock standard?

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Sam Trabucco, 27, is a cryptocurrency trader who divides his time between San Francisco and Hong Kong. He got into crosswords as a child by playing competitive Scrabble. He says, “My first attempt at making one was fueled by the (very wrong) assumption that making a crossword would be essentially the same as playing Scrabble.” This is Sam’s 24th puzzle for The Times since his debut in 2015. — W.S. NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

Puzzle No.0308, which appeared in the March 4 issue.

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43 Alpine lodging 1 Help line?

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2 “With any luck!”

46 Burdened 3 Uncompromising 48 Millennials 4 House of Burgundy?

49 Veil over a Muslim woman’s face 5 Keyboard key 50 ____-doke 6 Cabernet county 7 Land between Albania and Serbia 52 No go-getter 55 Org. to which Jordan once belonged 8 Histrionic sort 58 “____ complicated” 9 Bird Down Under 60 Grendel, e.g.

10 ____ smear 61 “I knew it was you!”

11 Play’s final act?

62 Take to the soapbox 12 Computer addresses, for short 13 Fraternity and sorority members 63 Store-sign info 64 Curse remover 14 Carnival or circus, so to speak 65 Diana Ross musical, with “The” 15 Delight in 16 Language from which “reindeer” 66 Life of Pi author Martel 67 Reply of faux innocence comes 70 Have no success with 18 Christmas-gift bearers 73 Speak with swagger 19 Annoyance for Santa 21 Rowing machine, in fitness lingo 74 Spiral 75 Words of wonder 22 ____ nova 77 Like some web pages and memories 25 Sierra ____ 78 Will Ferrell and Tina Fey 28 Peachy-keen 30 Like some hair and embarrassed 79 Chemist’s study 81 Muffin choice friends 82 Leafy shelter 31 Sweetums 83 U.S. ally in the Gulf War 32 First Nations people

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