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INSIDE COVER P. 14 Oklahoma Gazette checks in

with writers, directors, technicians and film festival organizers to see how Oklahoma’s film industry is changing and growing.

By Jeremy Martin Cover by Ingvard Ashby

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CITY OKC metro retail

6 STATE Kendra Horn update

8 STATE permitless carry update 9

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EAT & DRINK 10 REVIEW The Lokal Yukon

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ARTS & CULTURE 14 COVER Oklahoma film industry

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NEWS

CIT Y

Oak is one of several developments attracting new retailers to the metro area. | Image Wakefield Beasley & Associates / provided

Retail Oklahoma

The Oklahoma City metro is seeing an influx of new-to-market retailers. By Miguel Rios

While traditional retail appears to be on a decline in some markets, Oklahoma is seeing various new retailers throughout the metro. About a dozen new-tomarket stores have opened recently, and more are coming soon.

Tammy Fate, senior manager of retail development and recruitment for Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, said the metro’s growing population, which is now about 1.3 million according to a 2010 U.S. Census estimate, helps draw retailers.

“When you hit that 1.5 million in your population, you kind of become more on people’s radar, and we’re getting closer to that threshold,” Fate said. “People are also seeing the success that other retailers are having. All these retailers talk, and it’s becoming more about being part of a master plan development, not just coming out here and setting up shop by yourself. … Like Chisholm Creek had a 180-acre master plan development. There’s so many retailers, and they kind of play off of each other in that development.”

Chisholm Creek is a mixed-use development offering dining, shopping and entertainment on Memorial Road and Western Avenue. In May, it announced the next phase of development, which would include five-story buildings with office space, more apartments, additional retail and a boutique hotel.

On the other side of Western Avenue stands Oklahoma City’s first Costco Wholesale, which hosted a grand opening in early May at which store managers estimated nearly 8,000 people had already signed up for memberships.

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The Half is another development Fate said serves as an example of retailers playing off each other. The 52-acre development, which is named for being the halfway point between downtown OKC and Edmond, is the future home of two more new-to-market retailers opening in 2020: Texas-based Flix Brewhouse, a microbrewery and movie theater, and Chicken N Pickle, an indoor-outdoor entertainment complex with a restaurant, a sports bar and pickleball courts.

There’s a lot of momentum and lot of positive growth that it makes it attractive.

Tammy Fate Oak, a third development attracting retailers to the area, was announced in July. Formerly known as Penn Central, the new 20-acre development just south of Nichols Hills will have a 4-star hotel, 12 bars and restaurants and 250,000 square feet of retail and office space.

Officials hope for a 2020 groundbreaking.

When recruiting retailers, Fate said her role is to sell the market in general, so she doesn’t necessarily favor one development over another.

“We’ve worked with some of the retailers that are looking at going into the Oak,” she said. “We showcase the entire market. I’ve done driving tours and met with several of the tenants that are

looking at Oak, but at the end of the day, it comes down to the cost of the lease and terms and location and all those things. Our job is to make sure they are aware of the opportunities and possibilities within our market. At that point, as long as they locate to Oklahoma City, my goal was accomplished.”

New to Oklahoma

One of the most recent store openings was REI in the former Babies R Us space at Belle Isle Station. The Seattle-based outdoor retailer hosted a two-day grand opening celebration at its newest location, a 23,000 square-foot facility next to Nordstrom Rack. Fate said REI is one of her favorite stores and was elated to have a hand in finally bringing it to Oklahoma City. Before officially committing to open a location in OKC, she had been selling the market for years and it is a good example of the fact that they have to customize recruitment strategies from retailer to retailer.

“Pushing that one over the edge was really trying to get them to understand that even though we don’t have mountains here or the type of topography that they typically like to locate in — like a Colorado or a Washington, where their headquarters are — there’s still a lot of active people here from hiking and biking and some climbing opportunities,” she said. “It takes years to really build that relationship. I’ve been doing retail development for about 15 years now total, and it’s always been on my target list. I’ve toured with them many times, and … really just continued to reach out and make sure that we stayed in the forefront of being on their agenda and their mind.”

Penn Square Mall also saw new-tomarket retailers like Untuckit and Dry Goods, two clothing stores, open earlier this year. The Container Store also opened its first Oklahoma location just northwest

of Penn Square Mall last September.

“We worked on [The Container Store] for many years, and then they had to get approval through the neighborhood to even build there because it had to be rezoned,” Fate said. “Even though a retailer wants to be here, some of them have such specifics in terms of the demographics that they’re willing to locate in. I think that’s the thing that a lot of people don’t understand. They know who their customer is, and they know their disposable income, who the shopper is and what their target is.”

At Classen Curve, national developer Washington Prime Group has brought several new retailers and restaurants to Oklahoma City since acquiring the shopping center. Trader Joe’s, Drybar, Sur la Table, Warby Parker and Bonobos are among the already-open, new-to-Oklahoma retailers in Classen Curve. The next one comes this weekend when western wear brand Tecovas hosts its grand opening.

“You’re seeing ecommerce sites that are opening brick-and-mortar locations now. Warby Parker is an example of an ecommerce store that just opened at Classen Curve, and even Bonobos,” she said. “There’s a lot of these different stores that started out online. But then they realized they needed to have that brickand-mortar presence and that Oklahoma City kind of fits that opportunity.”

Other new-to-market retailers across the metro area include recently opened Duluth Trading Co., Cost Plus World Market in Norman and ShowBiz Cinemas in Edmond. Round 1, a big Japan-based entertainment complex, is set to open in Quail Springs Mall in 2020 or 2021.

Retail outlook

Through her role, Fate spends a lot of time at trade shows, pitching Oklahoma City. She said MAPS is one of the big things that sets OKC apart, along with some of the unique districts and the fact that the city is 620 square miles.

“The future looks positive,” she said.

“From our traditional economic development team, we have like over 90 projects in the pipeline, so showing a very healthy economy and showing that there’s companies that want to be here and move here. The traditional economic development team has had such a successful year. Last year alone, it was 7,355 new jobs that were added to the metro, and the capital investment was $495 million. That was either a project that was announced or opened in 2018.

“When people see those companies locating here and seeing the housing market as well as the growth that’s happening and those kinds of things, it really helps kind of move the needle for retail as well. … It’s a fun city to promote. There’s so much happening here, and there’s a lot of momentum and lot of positive growth that it makes it attractive for people to consider our market.”

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District days

Rep. Kendra Horn spent several days this month meeting with constituents in her district and discussing big issues. By Miguel Rios

Rep. Kendra Horn spent her district work period in Oklahoma attending various events and hosting gatherings with constituents. In fact, Horn just hosted her 10th town hall this year and hosts another gathering Saturday.

Health care

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While in her district, Horn took the opportunity to speak about one of her latest legislative efforts, the Capping Drug Costs for Seniors Act. “One of the things that I hear about the most is the high cost of health care and the need to address that. I authored a bill with one of my colleagues to cap the out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D patients for prescription drug prices at $2,000,” she said. “Right now, [the cap is] $5,100, so it would save our seniors under Medicare Part D $3,100 out-of-pocket.

This is important because it would have an effect on people’s lives on a day-to-day basis. It’s only part of the solution. It doesn’t do everything, but it does help people. We’re continuing to work on some other legislation for prescription drug pricing and working on increasing access to mental health [care].”

She said it’s going to take addressing health care through various avenues to provide people with the care they deserve. One of those ways could be through Medicaid expansion, which Horn has been a staunch supporter of and could be headed to the November 2020 ballot after a successful ballot initiative campaign.

“It is one of the most important

things we can do to expand access to quality, affordable health care for Oklahomans because far too many working Oklahomans are falling through the cracks, and Medicaid expansion would address that,” she said.

“Our refusal to accept [federal funds], which are our taxpayer dollars, … has resulted in the closure of at least six rural hospitals, and other facilities are on the brink. This is good governance.

It is responsible policy, and those are the kinds of things that I’m working on on a day-to-day basis. Those are the things we should be talking about.”

Immigration

While in the district, Horn was also the guest speaker at a naturalization ceremony Nov. 8 during which a number of people became U.S. citizens.

“E pluribus unum: out of many, one,” she said during her speech. “That is the foundation of our country, your chosen home that you have worked hard to become a citizen of, that you have studied, that you have sacrificed for, that you value so deeply the thing that many of us who were born into this place, I think, far too often take for granted. … So as a congressperson who represents many of you if you live in the 5th Congressional District, I want to encourage you to speak up, to reach out to me, to reach out to my office.

If I don’t represent you, to reach out to your elected officials, to follow what’s happening, to understand why our systems are important and understand your role and responsibility and to vote

Rep. Kendra Horn was the guest speaker at a naturalization ceremony Nov. 8. | Photo Miguel Rios

in city elections, in state elections, in federal elections.”

At the same time Horn was addressing new citizens, high school and college students nationwide — including students at University of Oklahoma and three Oklahoma City Public Schools — walked out in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Horn told Oklahoma Gazette immediately after the ceremony that she will continue to advocate for a permanent solution.

We’re going to keep fighting for increased access to quality affordable health care, education and growing our communities with strong jobs.

Kendra Horn “I have always supported DACA. I had a number of DACA students that worked on my campaign. I think that for young people, this is their home,” she said. “This is the only home they know, and they’re building lives here. They’re business owners and teachers and contributing members of our communities.

We made a promise to them, and we have to uphold it. That’s why I voted for the DREAM Act, and that’s why I’ll continue to advocate for a permanent solution to DACA until it happens.”

Impeachment

Impeachment hearings began last week, but Horn wants to get all the information before making any decision.

“Open hearings give the public a transparent window into the House’s investigations. As the inquiry continues, I am reserving judgment until I have all the facts,” she said in a statement.

“Every decision I make in Congress is about doing what’s right for Oklahoma, and in this case, that means listening to my constituents at town halls, reviewing the investigation’s findings and fighting for a process that values transparency, fairness and deliberation.”

When she voted on a resolution setting the procedure for the impeachment inquiry, some believed she had voted to impeach president Donald Trump, which was not the case.

“It’s not just here; it’s all over that there’s a lot of confusion,” she told Gazette earlier this month. “What I voted for was to formalize the process for the public phase of the investigation.

It was not a vote for impeachment; it was a vote to have on paper a public process that ensured a fair and transparent process for everybody involved. That’s important because the process matters.

Making sure that everybody understands it is also important because it’s easy to get misinformation about what has actually happened.”

Initially, Horn was among few Democrats who resisted the idea of an impeachment inquiry.

“I have always thought that the whistleblower complaint was serious and should be investigated. However, I thought the investigation could have taken place outside of an impeachment inquiry,” she said. “Nonetheless, that was what was declared. … On the other side of that, any investigation needs to have a thoughtful and thorough and fair process, and that has been the case. The resolution that talked about the transition from closed-door investigation to public hearings set that out very clearly.”

The resolution passed with no Republican voting in favor and only two Democrats voting against. The eightpage resolution aims to ensure transparency, enable effective public hearings and provide the president opportunities to participate.

“I just flatly will not make any decisions about how I will or will not vote until I see all of the information in front of me,” she said. “I don’t make decisions about how I vote on bills — big or small — until I know what’s in them, until they’re in front of me. And this is even bigger than that.”

Horn’s seat has been a top target by the National Republican Congressional Committee since she defeated Republican incumbent Steve Russell. According to the Federal Election Commission, eight Republicans have already filed as candidates to challenge Horn. The primary will happen June 30 and the general election Nov. 3.

“We’re going to keep working hard,” she said. “We’re going to keep fighting for increased access to quality affordable health care, education and growing our communities with strong jobs.”

Horn hosts a community gathering 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday at Aspen Coffee, 180 W. 15th St., in Edmond.

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NEWS Several members of Moms Demand Action Oklahoma are gun owners but still advocate for “common sense” gun legislation. | Photo provided

Rep. Lowe made several efforts to prevent the law from going into effect, but all were unsuccessful. He has said he will continue fighting for the safety of Oklahomans and against the law.

Nov. 18, there was a shooting at a Walmart in Duncan. Three people were killed, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The shooting was still under investigation at press time. Walmart stopped allowing customers to opencarry in its stores earlier this year following pressure from the public.

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Preventing violence

Gun sense

Gun violence prevention advocates say a few recent incidents prove permitless carry is a reckless policy. By Miguel Rios

It has been about three weeks since permitless carry went into effect. The law, which some call “constitutional carry,” was the first law signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Cacky Poarch, a Moms Demand Action volunteer, was an active advocate against the law. She said enough incidents have already happened to prove the law is dangerous.

“I listened to discussions on the Senate floor and the House floor, and we were really disappointed, of course, that it passed and that the governor signed it,” she said. “It’s proven to be a reckless, dangerous policy.”

Poarch cited three incidents that happened since permitless carry took effect Nov. 1.

On Nov. 5, a 3-year-old found a semiautomatic handgun in a La Baguette bathroom stall despite the restaurant having a sign that reads, “No handguns.”

The man who left the gun in the stall admitted it was his fault, and no charges were pressed.

On Nov. 11, Stillwater Police Department responded to a call at a Walmart where a pistol had been accidentally discharged. Officials believe a strap on the holster got hung up on the trigger. Walmart has a no-firearms policy, so they immediately asked him to leave.

On Nov. 12, Timothy Harper was arrested for carrying a weapon where alcohol is consumed after bringing a rifle into Twin Peaks. Though the law makes exceptions for handguns, Harper broke the law by bringing his rifle.

“He has a Self-Defense Act permit, so that permit does allow him to carry a handgun into a restaurant of that 8

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nature,” said Capt. Larry Withrow, Oklahoma City Police Department spokesman. “It does not allow you to carry a rifle. Constitutional carry does not allow you to carry a rifle into an establishment that sells alcohol.”

Harper is one of many so-called 2nd Amendment “auditors.” He visits public spaces carrying various visible firearms and films the reaction he gets from the public and police. Harper typically uploads his interactions on YouTube, where he has more than 20,000 subscribers, 230 uploads and 3 million video views.

If you grew up with guns and you have a respect for firearms, that’s very different than what we’re seeing now.

Cacky Poarch Though Withrow didn’t want to generalize about Harper’s motives, he said at times it seems like auditors simply want to get a rise out of people. He said as long as they’re not actually breaking a law, they’re free to conduct the audits.

“They have the exact same rights as every other citizen, and they would also be prohibited from doing anything like any other citizen,” Withrow said. “Any time somebody calls the police to report a suspected crime or suspicious activity, we’re going to respond and investigate. That doesn’t mean that any offense has occurred. It could be that someone’s

actions were just suspicious to the caller. … If a citizen believed that their actions were suspicious or criminal in nature, then absolutely call. If they recognize, ‘Oh, this is just someone performing what we’re calling an audit,’ but they don’t see any crime or offense or danger to the public, I wouldn’t see the need to call. But if they perceive a threat or danger, then absolutely call.”

After Harper’s arrest, Oklahoma Second Amendment Association (OK2A) released a statement distancing itself from him.

“Harper is NOT a member of OK2A and has never had any authority to use or represent OK2A at any time,” the statement by board chairman Tom Vineyard reads. “His actions draw attention to himself while escalating tensions for profit of a social media platform is uncalled for, unwise, and does not hold to the values of … OK2A or the majority of Oklahomans.”

The statement goes on to mention that for more than six months, the organization has asked Harper to stop conducting the audits, calling them “unwarranted unless there has been a previously established problem.”

“OK2A has kind of distanced themselves from him, but they were very encouraging of him when he was doing audits before the policy went into effect,” Poarch said. “Timothy Harper has gotten a lot of notoriety out of this.

Right now, he has 20,000 YouTube subscribers because he does these audits. … It’s scary to see someone with something that looks like an AR-15 or an AK-47. It’s intimidating, and it’s really disturbing to see that at a park when you’re playing with your kids.

“If the 2nd Amendment is meant to protect yourself, that’s not what these gentlemen are doing. They’re using force of intimidation. After permitless carry passed, Harper went to Rep. [Jason] Lowe’s district, which is on the east side of Oklahoma. He went to a place of worship, and he went there to intimidate them.”

Various churches and local businesses have started putting up signs that say firearms are not allowed. Withrow said businesses have the right to create and enforce those policies.

“They can make whatever house rules they like. They can totally ban weapons in their establishments, and if they saw that you had a weapon, they could ask you to leave,” he said. “If you refuse to leave, then it’s not necessarily a weapons violation. If someone had a handgun and the owner asked him to leave and he refused, we don’t have a gun violation, but we would have trespassing if the owner wanted to press charges.”

The Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action provides free stickers to indicate firearms are not allowed. Poarch said the organization is not against guns — in fact, many of its members are gun owners — but advocate for “common sense” legislation that can help prevent gun violence.

“We live in Oklahoma. There are a lot of people that grew up with guns, but that’s a little different. If you grew up with guns and you have a respect for firearms, that’s very different than what we’re seeing now,” she said. “We feel like the cornerstone of responsible gun ownership is permitting. You should be trained before you carry a firearm. To me, that is common sense, and that has been eliminated, which is really too bad. … One program that we do is our Be Smart program, which is how to store your firearms responsibly. That is our most visible advocacy effort. … That’s one of those things that I feel like everyone can agree on. It’s a reasonable thing to engage in, to responsibly store your firearm.”

Harper isn’t the only 2nd Amendment advocate that conducts audits in the state. Some of the main targets for the audits are places like parks, libraries and even some government buildings. His bond was set for $100,000, and a judge denied a bond reduction Nov. 15. He also added stipulations to the bond that if Harper bonds out, he must wear an ankle monitor and surrender his weapons.

“It’s a change for everyone,” Withrow said. “It’s something entirely new, and I think it’s just going to take some time for people to get accustomed to it.”

Visit momsdemandaction.org.

chicken

friedNEWS

McDonald’s: Better than hospital food

We all know that hospital food usually isn’t the greatest, but a man in Tulsa took extreme steps to avoid eating there when he went to a fast food restaurant after getting shot in the leg but before proceeding to the hospital.

Tulsa police believe a man was shot in the leg with a .357 Magnum revolver during a domestic dispute, according to Tulsa World, but an ambulance was dispatched to pick up the injured man at a local McDonald’s.

The ambulance was called around 5:30 p.m., which means it’s possible that the McDonald’s ice cream machine was still working. There’s no indication what, if anything, the man ordered while waiting for assistance. We like to think that the man was chilling, using some napkins to stop the bleeding while munching on a Quarter Pounder to get protein for strength.

It’s not like McDonald’s employees haven’t seen worse violence. Remember the outrage from Rick and Morty fans when the chain brought back its Szechuan Sauce after two decades and struggled to meet the demand?

The report says the man and the woman at the home provided different versions of events, and no charges have been filed as of early last week. We hope that it was an accidental shooting and everything turns out to be OK. If nothing else, maybe the man can turn the incident into a sponsorship opportunity. They can use the tagline “McDonald’s: It’s way better than hospital food.”

Free at last

In accordance with journalism’s “Man Bites Dog” rule, Oklahoma has been making national

history. Gov. Kevin Stitt told the newly free Oklahomans, “We really want you to have a successful future,” and we really hope he means it. The number of people released en masse equals about 1 percent of the 43,000 Oklahomans the Prison Policy Initiative estimates are currently incarcerated.

Then, on Nov. 8, CNN reported another almost-kind-of-in-a-sad-way-positive Oklahoma story when Tondalao Hall, 35, was released from prison after serving 15 years of a 30-year sentence for “failure to protect” her 3-month-old daughter from child abuse.

“In 2004, Hall and her then-boyfriend, Robert Braxton, were arrested on child abuse charges after she took two of her youngest children to the hospital,” CNN reported. “In 2006, after serving two years in county jail, Braxton pleaded guilty to two counts of abuse. He was sentenced but given probation and released from custody.”

Meanwhile, Hall, who pleaded guilty to enabling child abuse, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. In a statement released before she was, Hall thanked God for keeping her “safe and sane” during the time she has already served, but to give you an idea of how long 15 years is, here’s an incomplete list of things that have happened while Hall was in prison: We’ve had three different presidents and popes; five Star Wars films were released; Kanye West went from telling a live national audience that the president doesn’t care about black people to wearing a MAGA hat in the Oval Office; and Hall’s children have aged 15 years.

something about it ourselves. As reported earlier this year, proponents of Medicaid expansion garnered the most signatures in Oklahoma history for a ballot initiative. This means no other initiative has ever been so heavily supported before actually making it on the ballot — not even modern alcohol laws or medical cannabis.

Despite only needing 178,000 signatures, proponents of the expansion, aka State Question 802, collected more than 300,000, essentially ensuring it will appear on the November 2020 ballot.

So naturally, state leadership thinks all those people are wrong.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has presumably been unsuccessfully scrambling with his Republican colleagues all year to come up with a better alternative, said on KOKC’s The Ride with Mac & Chad that “the solution for Oklahoma is a block grant.”

“I readily admit that I’ve to come out and tell Oklahomans, ‘Here’s Plan A, and this is Plan F.’ We cannot let it be part of our constitution. Do we want more federal dollars in our system?” he said. “Absolutely, and I’m going to show Oklahomans a plan to get there.”

Stitt has been promising to show us a plan to get there, yet vaguely mentioning the block grant is the most information we’ve ever received about his plan.

An article in The Oklahoman revealed that his office declined to elaborate on his comments further, which will

surely give Oklahomans immense trust in his totally real, not made up at all plan.

“At this time it’s not clear exactly what the governor is going to propose, but I’m not sure it matters in the eyes of voters,” Amber England, Yes on 802 campaign manager, told The Oklahoman. “They simply don’t trust politicians to actually fix the problem. That’s why they overwhelmingly signed the petition to put Medicaid expansion on the ballot so they can decide this issue for themselves.”

Either way, Oklahomans will likely have the final say in 2020.

Too little, too late

headlines recently for — get this — actually letting people out of prison. First, as reported on Nov. 4 by CNN, the state released more than 460 nonviolent inmates before their original sentences were completed in the largest single-day mass commutation in U.S.

It’s been nearly a decade since the Affordable Care Act provided Oklahoma the opportunity to receive a 9 to 1 match in federal dollars for expanding Medicaid, and still the Republican-led Legislature has done nothing. Oklahoma remains one of only 14 states holding out on expanding Medicaid. Expansion would cover more than 200,000 currently uninsured lowincome, working-age adults in the state, which sounds like something a “pro-life” party should want.

Oklahomans are so sick — pun unfortunately intended — of lawmakers doing nothing about health care, we finally did O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | N OV E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 9

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EAT & DRINK

REVIEW

Bacon-wrapped bison meatloaf with green beans and mashed potatoes | Photo Jacob Threadgill

Keeping it simple

The Lokal Yukon excels at serving elevated Okie cuisine. By Jacob Threadgill

The Lokal Yukon

10 W. Main St., Suite 165, Yukon thelokalyukon.com | 405-494-9870 WHAT WORKS: The bacon-wrapped bison meatloaf is crispy and juicy.

WHAT NEEDS WORK: There are not many options for vegeterians.

TIP: Save room for dessert.

For someone who lives in the heart of Oklahoma City, trips out to Yukon only happen a few times a year. I scheduled an interview out there with someone who requested we meet at their favorite restaurant in town, The Lokal Yukon, which is located at 10 W. Main St., Suite 165 in the shadow of the Yukon’s Best Flour Mill.

During the interview, the person asked if I wanted to try the restaurant’s fried deviled eggs. The answer to that question is always going to be yes. The dish is indulgent and an elevated take on comfort food, which encompasses the ethos of the restaurant.

Randall Williams, Lokal Yukon’s general manager and executive chef, began working there weeks after it opened in February 2017 as the day manager and was quickly elevated to the top role and helped write its current menu. He credits the fried deviled egg with helping put the restaurant on the proverbial map.

“Discover Oklahoma came out and did a segment on them, and our sales doubled overnight,” Williams said of the dish. “I didn’t invent them, but I perfected them.

[The hardest thing] is getting the batter to stick to the egg white.”

Eggs are hard-boiled and cut in half and the yolks are removed. The eggs 10

N OV E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

whites are dusted in flour, covered with egg wash, finished with panko breadcrumbs and dumped in the fryer and the mixture of egg yolks, and then relish and mustard are piped back into the fried egg white.

I enjoy the update of a classic dish but ultimately felt like the frying process makes the egg white a little too rubbery for me. I fully recognize that other people will love the greasy, crispy exterior and rich, savory yolk, but it’s not for me; that’s OK because The Lokal Yukon is successful and there are many happy diners. The best thing a restaurant can do is execute what it sets out to do in a friendly and expedited manner, and The Lokal does all of that with flying colors.

It opened in the space where the former operators tried a fine-dining concept, complete with sous-vide-cooked steaks and other fancy dishes, and it didn’t connect with the local audience.

“I’ve been in the industry for 20-plus years, and I’ve learned that you have to cater to your surroundings,” Williams said.

He worked for Texas Roadhouse, opening restaurants around the country, and the former Deep Fork Grill and Bellini’s at the Waterford, a mong

others here locally before finding his home at The Lokal.

“They had a smaller menu started, and they called it Okie cuisine,” Williams said of when he started at The Lokal. “To me, it’s exactly what I wanted to do in life: upscale comfort food. I like fine dining, but I’m not a meticulous person.

I’m a country person; didn’t grow up on a farm or anything, but redneck deep down inside. I like good comfort food. I wanted to do it where it wasn’t fine dining and it wasn’t diner food.”

If I sold you a straight 9-ounce bison burger, I’d have to charge $25 for it.

Randall Williams In true Oklahoma fashion, the most popular dish on the menu is the chicken-fried steak, and other familiar items like catfish, rib-eye, grilled salmon and burgers join it on the menu. Williams’ favorite dish is the bone-in pork chop with the blueberry bourbon barbecue sauce, which the restaurant recent-

ly bottled and is available for purchase or next door at Lokal by Design.

The most interesting items on the menu are the inclusion of bison, which shows up in the form of a bison meatball appetizer served with blueberry bourbon barbecue sauce, a bison burger and bison meatloaf. Williams gets all of his bison meat from Comanche Buffalo in Lawton.

The meatloaf is mixed with ground pork, and the burger and meatballs are mixed with ground beef to give the extremely lean (only 8 percent fat content) bison meat some additional juiciness.

“Bison is so expensive that you can’t sell it by itself; it’s $9.30 per pound. If I sold you a straight 9-ounce bison burger, I’d have to charge $25 for it,” Williams said. “For a game meat, it’s not very gamey, as most of them are.”

He said the bison meatloaf is perhaps second to the chicken-fried steak in terms of overall sales, and I couldn’t resist it during a second trip to the restaurant. It’s bacon-wrapped, served with mashed potatoes and topped with traditional brown gravy.

Williams is right about the lack of gaminess provided by the bison, and the mixture of ground beef keeps the meatloaf moist. What impressed me the most about the meatloaf is that it’s possibly the first time I’ve ever thought a baconwrapped dish lived up to its full potential. Quite often, the bacon is chewy and sad, but it was crispy and smoky. The mashed potatoes still had some chunks in there, which I enjoy, and the green beans were blanched and sautéed until they received a little char, which added extra flavor.

The Lokal is popular for serving a wide selection of cheesecakes, which come from a Yukon local, Denise Mitchell, who used to operate Caramel Monkey Bakery and now only bakes cheesecakes for The Lokal.

Williams said he buys about 14 cheesecakes per week. Creative flavors include banana pudding, snickerdoodle, caramel apple, Snickers, Samoa and many more.

I chose a slice of lemon blueberry, and it’s worth the visit to The Lokal Yukon for dessert alone, but there are many reasons to visit. The cheesecake was topped with a lemon glaze, blueberry and whipped cream. The acidity of the fruit helped brighten the heavy dessert.

Lemon and blueberry cheesecake at The Lokal Yukon | Photo Jacob Threadgill

F E AT U R E

Cities Ice Cream is decked out in a Christmas theme for its holiday pop-up. | Photo Alexa Ace

Ice cream cheer

Cities Ice Cream brings holiday cheer with a Christmas-themed pop-up before a grand opening in 2020. By Jacob Threadgill

It might seem counterintuitive to open an ice cream shop just as temperatures dip below freezing, but the owners of Cities Ice Cream, which is an extension of the Capitals brand that opened in Midtown in 2018, are leaning into the holiday season with a Christmas-themed pop-up at its new location in Edmond.

A giant inflatable Santa Claus and Christmas tree, a ceiling lined with garlands and walls decorated like giant gifts greet guests entering the Cities Ice Cream Shop located in Edmond Railyard, 23 W. First St.

We want to be about the city we’re in.

Landon Ferguson “Ice cream and cold weather don’t mix that well, so let’s make it fun,” Capitals Ice Cream CEO Landon Ferguson said.

“It’s a Christmas extravaganza, and we decked the place out.”

The Christmastime in the Cities holiday pop-up runs through the end of the year. The store will close for a few weeks in early January to convert back into Cities Ice Cream that will coincide with the grand opening of Edmond Railyard — a 20,000 square-foot building that will be home to five restaurants, a craft bar and office space.

Special holiday flavors of Cities Ice Cream include Santa’s Cookies and Crème made with chocolate chip cookies, Oreos and Cookie Crisps; Okla Ho Ho

Homa that features gingerbread cookies, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, icing and gumdrops; and Hippopotamus for Christmas with frosted animal crackers, blueberries and sprinkles all blended together.

Cities and Capitals use a machine they refer simply as “The Swirler.” It’s a special blending machine that traces its origins to New Zealand, where the country’s abundance of fresh fruit made it popular to blend into ice cream. The machine whips all of the mix-ins with vanilla, chocolate or non-dairy coconut milk base supplied by Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe and extrudes the creamy concoction into a swirl that looks like soft-serve but without an artificial flavor.

“It’s kind of ruined the taste of regular ice cream for me,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson, who founded Capitals Ice Cream with his brother Layne, Connor Cox, Ibsen Crespo and Eric Gilbert, said the group was looking to open a second location with a void for ice cream and found it in downtown Edmond.

“There’s a charm to downtown Edmond. It’s fun to be part of a revitalization of the downtown area and bring something that’s cool and different,” Ferguson said.

“It’s different than what we’ve done in Midtown.”

The group founded the company with the brand Capitals with a builtThe Polar Express is mocha frosting, banana and graham cracker blended into vanilla ice cream. | Photo Alexa Ace

in expansion plan into the name. They hope to one day open a Capitals Ice Cream store in every capital city in the country that will feature ice cream combinations and products from the local area.

It’s the group’s first business, but it has expanded to add Sincerely Coffee Roasters, which supplies coffee to both stores. Instead of opening up a second location outside the state while the young group is still learning the ropes, they eyed Edmond under the “Cities” brand.

“Calling it Cities really breathes new life into the Capitals name and gets more people to understand why we called that

[in the first place],” Ferguson said. “We want it to feel different, too. We love being part of the downtown growth of Edmond. The demographic is totally different in Edmond than Capitals. We want to be about the city we’re in.”

At Cities, they’ve added fresh, instore baked cookies like salted chocolate chip, peanut butter with mocha chocolate drizzle and Reese’s crumbles and a chocolate cookie with white chocolate icing, Rolo candy crumbles and caramel. The Edmond location will also add communal dining options like a cookie log — a giant soft-baked cookie topped with ice cream. It will also have adult milkshakes mixed with liquor.

Ferguson said a possible milkshake mixture could be banana-flavored whiskey with Cinnamon Toast Crunch mix-ins.

Currently, Capitals pairs ice cream and craft beer, but Ferguson said the alcoholic milkshakes will be an Edmond exclusive.

The company refers to its employees as “Daymakers,” and the store is designed with taking photos of ice cream on social media in mind. After getting their order of ice cream, employees direct customers to perfect locations in the store to frame shots to upload to Instagram and Facebook.

“A big thing we talk about internally is we want to create an experience,” Ferguson said. “We’re serving ice cream, cookies, beer and coffee. People want to celebrate with them or enjoy after a bad day, and there’s nothing that will make you sad when you leave. … We want to take this job seriously, and at the same time, we’re here to make people’s day and have fun.”

For a business model that is all about high volume of sales to make up for its thin profit margins, Ferguson said that adding an additional store nearby is important for their overall growth.

“To make it a sustainable business, it almost makes more sense to keep growing rather than operating one thing,” he said. “It sounds almost counterintuitive, but it’s almost weird that in our vision, it’s easier to have two rather than one.”

He said they’re eyeing a location in Tulsa before taking the concept out of the state.

“It’s rewarding to be part of the city and creating something people enjoy going to in Oklahoma City,” Ferguson said. “That’s why we wanted Edmond too, and we love being part of the growth of the city.

I’d love to be a company from Oklahoma and grow out of state so that we can continue to rep from our flagship store in OKC and keep growing. It could be a long ways down the road, and we’re taking it one day at a time and see where it takes us.”

Visit capitalsicecream.com.

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EAT & DRINK GAZEDIBLES

Holiday showcases

With visitors coming to town for the holidays, you want to show off the best the city has to offer. Check out some of these new restaurants or ones that offer a unique experience that will impress people for the first time or highlight how much the city has changed since they left.

New State Burgers & Spirits

1705 NW 16th St., Suite A newstateburgers.com | 405-724-7524

By Jacob Threadgill with provided and Gazette / file photos

Since opening this summer, New State has quickly vaulted itself into the highly competitive conversation for the best burger in Oklahoma City. But it’s New State’s commitment to being an “elevated diner” that makes it a must-see for visitors. Not many other diners offer expertly made cocktails or top burgers with thick-cut bacon or have a roast beef sandwich as good as what New State is offering.

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Magasin Table

The entire ethos of Gun Izakaya is about having fun with friends and family over food. Guests are encouraged to share meats grilled at one of the centrally located yakitori grills in the restaurant’s dining room as they swap stories and friendship.

Stories will only get more animated with Gun’s huge selection of sake, imported beer and a drink poured from Oklahoma’s first Toki Highball machine.

Magasin Table hits all of the notes of a traditional Vietnamese restaurant but also adds special touches for an elevated influence. It’s the only place in the city that offers short-rib pho and has other dishes like prawn and mushroom udon noodle soup. It’s a relaxed environment in which visitors can also grab a drink from Prairie Artisan Ales or Prelude Coffee Roasters inside 8th Street Market.

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Bar Cicchetti

Wagyu Japanese BBQ

The Cellar at Castle Falls

Café Cuvée

Whether you want to grab a quick bite and drink on the way to a Thunder game or have a full-course meal to take advantage of a large wine list, visit this new offering from local chef Jonathon Stranger and celebrity chef Fabio Vivani, which follows last year’s Osteria.

The menu is a range of influence from Mediterranean countries, including the Nishyobi Askaushi steak with smoked paprika caramel, sweet potato chorizo and blue cheese.

The centrally located Yakiniku grills in the booths at Wagyu are the perfect place to have a fun meal with friends and family. You can grill choice cuts of Japanese Wagyu beef or American Prime beef that are marinated in sweet and savory flavors to your liking. If you want a prepared item, there are plenty from which to choose, including ramen, Korean bibimbap and udon noodles.

The grounds at Castle Falls are a unique experience; its centerpiece is a replica French castle built with salvaged material from some of the landmarks that were destroyed during Oklahoma City’s early urban renewal. The bottom level is The Cellar, a nine-seat restaurant that features a seasonal menu bolstered by French and American classics like a charred baby romaine Caesar. The Cellar is at its busiest during the holidays, so make arrangements as soon as possible.

A true French experience in Oklahoma City has not felt as simultaneously relaxed and fancy as it does at Café Cuvée, which is located in the bottom floor of the Ambassador hotel in Midtown.

Guests can be wowed by watching staff filet Dover Sole tableside or the tasty and simple dish poutine pomme — duck confit over fries with gravy and melted Swiss cheese. It’s also home to one of the best brunches in the city.

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13

ARTS & CULTURE

COV E R

Cate Jones’ She’s the Eldest is currently in postproduction. | Photo Cate Jones / provided

Gone Hollywood

Local filmmakers find encouragement in Oklahoma’s recent rising star status.

By Jeremy Martin

Casting notices for Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and Jesse Eisenberg watching a Thunder home game with Mayor David Holt seem to indicate Oklahoma’s status in the film world has noticeably improved from the days when the state served as the launchpad for Twister’s flying cow.

Earlier this month, Oklahoma County Sherriff’s Department’s Facebook page posted photos of a deputy posing with Eisenberg and Matt Damon and declared, “Oklahoma’s looking like Hollywood East,” and a Fox 25 story on the state’s “booming” film industry quoted Oklahoma Film and Music Office director Tava Maloy-Sofsky counting 35 films shooting in Oklahoma in 2019, spending a total of $40 million.

Fox 25 credited the recent upswing to the fact that the “Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program offers a 35 percent cash rebate, which is now the highest in the nation.” The rebate — which applies to films with budgets of at least $50,000 that spend at least $25,000 in state but has an annual cap of $8 million total distributed on a first come, first served basis — offers an incentive for big Hollywood films such as Killers of the Flower Moon (starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro) and Stillwater (starring Damon and Abigail Breslin) to shoot in Oklahoma, but these headline-grabbing productions setting up in the state gives local filmmakers incentive to keep shooting here.

“It’s bringing more attention to filmmaking in Oklahoma in general, just the idea,” said Jacob Leighton Burns, cofounder of Planet Thunder Productions 14

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and writer and director of upcoming sci-fi feature Shifter. “While the film industry here is definitely growing and thriving, there’s a lot of people who don’t even realize movies are made here at all.

So whenever these really, really big guys come through, Scorsese or Matt Damon, it just brings a lot more attention to it, and people can actually see how it can benefit the economy and businesses and how much money it brings in for them.

Plus it’s just exciting to go to a theater and see locations that you drive by every day on the screen.”

Writer and director Mickey Reece, whose film Climate of the Hunter premiered at Austin’s Fantastic Fest in September, said seeing bigger films shooting in the state encourages local filmmakers to work harder.

“I think it makes everyone, crew and cast, a little hungrier than we would be if we didn’t have that stuff coming through,” said Reece, who plans to begin shooting another film in January.

“You’re not just spinning your wheels.

Something’s happening here, and what you’re doing is legitimate.”

Writer and director Cate Jones, whose film She’s the Eldest is currently in post-production, said the local film scene, which has improved in quality in recent years, could use that additional encouragement and attention.

“I still feel like there’s a lot of people who have no idea that there are local films being made, and I don’t really know what we’re needing to bridge that Jacob Leighton Burns’ Shifter was financed by an Indiegogo campaign. | Photo Jacob Leighton Burns / provided

gap between the audiences and the filmmakers,” Jones said. “Theaters are kind of not a central part of people’s schedules anymore because everyone’s so busy all the time.”

Festival eyes

Burns — who also wrote and directed 2016 deadCenter Film Festival’s Best Oklahoma Narrative award winner Electric Nostalgia and 2012 short film “Broken Boy” — credits advances in technology for making filming more accessible and local festivals for getting more eyes on the growing scene.

“Once digital hit, I think our local scene kind of really took off, just like a lot of local scenes did,” Burns said. “It just kind of exploded. The production quality has gone up. I’ve been going to deadCenter almost every year, since film school for sure, and it’s kind of amazing just seeing the bar being raised in the quality of films that are coming through there, especially the ones

coming from Oklahoma. It’s really exciting. It’s just getting bigger, and the filmmakers are getting better. … Things like deadCenter and other film festivals have really kind of opened up the general populous’ eyes to the cool stuff that’s happening here in the industry.”

Alyx Picard Davis, deadCenter’s director of festival and operations, said the festival, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, has expanded along with Oklahoma’s film and arts scenes.

“We went from 50 people watching a film at Oklahoma Contemporary at the state fairgrounds to 35,000 people who get together for a crazy weekend downtown,” Davis said. “The film scene, the art scene, pretty much everywhere, we’ve seen that growth, that community engagement. Downtown is much more alive today than it was even 15 years ago. We’re very lucky that we partnered with the Film + Music Office and we get to see what they’re doing and we get to help, and they get to see what we’re doing and they can come in and help.

They have been very, very actively working to cultivate a film industry here in Oklahoma, and I think we’ve seen some of the fruits of that labor right now. … It’s really exciting to see some of that pay off, and it’s even more exciting to dream about what those opportunities are going to do for us in the future.”

In 2019, Davis said, the festival featured more than 130 films, including an increased number of state premieres, a record number of short films and expanded high-tech offerings such as virtual reality in its ongoing effort to answer “the eternal question of, ‘When you’re able to watch just about anything on Netflix or Disney+ or whatever, how is a film festival relevant?’” As the number and quality of submissions to the festival increases, Davis said “it’s getting harder as an Oklahoma filmmaker to get into deadCenter.”

Mickey Reece’s Climate of the Hunter premiered at Austin’s Fantastic Fest in September. | Photo Mickey Reece / provided

“We definitely make it one of our goals to highlight the best in Oklahoma film during the festival,” Davis said.

“We’re not the Oklahoma Film Festival, so we’re not just going to only show Oklahoma films, but we do consider them with a similar lens to any submission, and as much as we can spotlight, we want to. What I will say is the quality of those films, the quality of that storytelling, has really gone up tremendously, even in just the past five years.”

Increasing diversity

Reece credits some of the increased quality in recent local films to an increasing diversity in local filmmakers.

“I think the difference now, just within the past few years, is that we’re seeing different kinds of films from different kinds of people,” Reece said. “It’s not all just white Christians making PG-rated content. There are different kinds of movies being made here.

They’re not all shitty.”

Writer and producer Nicole Jocleen — whose production company Devoted Media Group is currently working on “Get Over It,” director Jay “Videohero” Rid’s short thriller about the negative effects of unprocessed trauma — said she has seen more African American Oklahomans become involved in film in recent years.

“Now there’s avenues for it, and there’s actually more of a scene,” Jocleen said.

“I know there were people doing film before, but now I can see people taking it more seriously and willing to give that credit back to Oklahoma City and spotlight their city through their work.”

The 48 Hour Film Project and local screenings hosted by Oklahoma Film Society provided Jocleen and Devoted Media with networking opportunities that have helped establish them on the scene.

Davis, who was working to help set up last week’s Oklahoma Film + Music Conference at the time of this interview, said putting local filmmakers together is vital for the scene’s evolution.

“Getting people who are interested in the same thing in the room together creates such great ideas,” Davis said.

“That’s something that I love about Oklahoma in particular is you can put five people in a room, and they’re not just going to have shallow conversations. They’re going to talk about, ‘How can we change the face of the city?’”

Burns, who feels a sense of “friendly competition” with Reece, said the increased quantity and quality of local films serves as motivation.

“Other people doing great work makes me feel like I need to work harder and pushes me to, hopefully, make my own work better,” Burns said. “It’s inspiring to me to see a lot of the kids in film school now who are making things way better than any of the things I was making in film school, so it’s just exciting because who knows what they’re going to be making 10 years from now?

Hopefully some really, really cool stuff.”

Technical talent

But more films being made in the state can also mean more competition for crew.

While filming Shifter, Burns experienced scheduling conflicts with his 10-person crew. Jones reported similar issues, but neither was prevented from filming.

It’s not all just white Christians making PG-rated content.

There are different kinds of movies being made here.

Mickey Reece Brian Gililland, who has worked in the sound department for local and larger-budget films, said Oklahoma has more technical crew positions opening than it can fill with local talent.

“We have enough infrastructure to be able to support about two full-scale feature films at the same time,” Gililland said. “Currently, we have five major feature films being shot in Oklahoma at the same time. … They’re bringing in a lot of people from out of state, unfortunately. It is what it is. We need more workers, but we need more films to support the workers.”

Davis expressed a similar sentiment, highlighting the need to make more training opportunities available.

“We want to keep our filmmakers here,” Davis said. “We want them to work here, which means we have to bring projects here, but we also have to make sure that we have enough filmmakers here to support projects that are coming in.”

The recent influx of high-profile films has given local filmmakers more reason to remain in the state. Jones, who is currently attending film school in Atlanta, said the increased opportunities available in Oklahoma make her consider moving back, and Gililland — who also makes films, sketches and The Okie Show Show podcast — said the “pretty steady uptick in work” allows local profession-

als to continue living in Oklahoma while working on their own creative projects.

“The fact that you can not just make a living but actually make a decent living now as a freelance filmmaker is really something,” Gililland said. “When you freelance, you go a million miles per hour, and then you finish a feature, and then you’ll have all this free time until the next job comes in. So I’m always working on my own stuff. I have a podcast and films that I produce and all that, and a lot of people do the same thing.”

Creating adversity

In addition to the need for more local crew, Gililland said the film rebate program’s annual $8 million cap might discourage big-budget films from shooting in Oklahoma.

“Right now, we’re kind of a hotbed for low-budget features, which is good and

dandy,” Gililland said, “but if we could raise the cap on the rebate, then that would free up more rebate money that would help support larger scale projects, which in turn gives us more union work experience. It gives us more of a place to build soundstages and expand.”

While multimillion-dollar movie studios weigh the benefits of different states’ rebate programs, Burns said local lower budget films like Shifter — financed by an Indiegogo campaign that

raised $25,396 — are still having difficultly finding money.

“It’s always a struggle when you’re looking for funding,” Burns said. While we did raise more money for Shifter on our Indiegogo than for Electric Nostalgia, it’s still just as much of a struggle to get there. In some ways, I think, people are burned out on crowdfunding. … You just have to build a body of work and hopefully attract the attention of someone with money who’s willing to invest.

That’s the hardest part.”

While more attention on Oklahoma’s film scene is good for local filmmakers, Reece warned against elevating the stakes for projects to anxiety-inducing heights.

“A lot of filmmakers come from film school, and the way they teach you how to do it is the opposite of making art projects with your friends,” Reece said. “That was my film school — making art projects with my friends, and then they became movies at some point. I definitely always hammer that home to other filmmakers whenever they’re talking about making a movie and they’re having trouble at some stage of getting the movie made.

I’m always just like, ‘What’s the problem?

You’re just making an art project with your friends.’ I think simplifying it is probably my strong suit, so I spread that to everyone else if I can.”

Burns said seeing Oklahoma filmmakers Reece and Sterlin Harjo (Barking Water, Four Sheets to the Wind) — who is currently working on the upcoming Oklahoma-set series Reservation Dogs with Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok) — return to the state after finding success outside of it is encouraging.

Devoted Media Group’s “Get Over It” was directed

by Jay “Videohero” Rid and written by Nicole Jocleen. | Photo Devoted Media Group / provided

“It’s cool that these filmmakers, these Okies, are breaking out, and then even if they go elsewhere, they end up coming back, which is very exciting,” Burns said. “Hopefully that continues.

It’s kind of inspiring to me. It is possible.

We can do this. If they can do it, hopefully we can do it, too.”

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | N OV E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 9

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CO M E DY

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Discomfort zone

Comic, author and television host Chelsea Handler stops at The Criterion on her Life Will Be the Death of Me tour. By Jeremy Martin

When we spoke to Chelsea Handler on Oct. 28, her Chow-Chow Bert was in the process of “peeing all over” her cousin’s house after a wildfire forced Handler to evacuate from her California home.

Just before she stopped mid-thought to briefly scold her urinating dog, Handler said she originally wasn’t sure her latest book, Life Will Be the Death of Me ... and You Too!, made appropriate fodder for a stand-up tour. The book, published in April, details a year of therapy-induced self-discovery prompted by her anxiety over the Trump presidency, and while considering the subject in the context of a more traditional book tour, Handler realized she could mine laughter from the material.

“Once you get a little distance from anything, I think, it becomes funnier and funnier,” Handler said just before she caught Bert peeing.

Handler performs 8 p.m. Saturday at The Criterion, 500 E. Sheridan Ave. The comic (Uganda Be Kidding Me), author (Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea) and television host (Chelsea Lately, Chelsea Does) said creating a stand-up tour from a personal memoir made her reconsider her approach to comedy.

“It just made me look at it in a different way,” Handler said. “It was more of a challenge. It’s not like getting up and telling jokes about whatever. It’s like there’s a narrative; there’s a story behind it. I’ve always kind of just thrown things at a wall and saw what stuck. I never really had an agenda with my stand-up,

I guess. I never really wanted to get a message out, and I didn’t feel like I had anything new to say in that medium, so it’s nice to finally be able to get back to that because it’s been so many years since I’ve done a tour.”

Handler — who recently performed dates in Australia and New Zealand and is currently on the second part of a North American tour — said her quest for personal growth has given her new material a slightly different tone, but fans will still recognize her comedic voice.

Thinking we’re not part of the problem is naive.

Chelsea Handler “I think it’s much more inspirational,” Handler said, but added, “I’m still as dirty as I’ve always been, and I’m still as silly and self-deprecating, but some of the bits and the stories are very personal. They’re all very true. Some of them are highly embarrassing.”

Hot seat

In the documentary Hello, Privilege.

It’s Me, Chelsea, which premiered on Netflix in September, Handler discusses white privilege and examines the ways it benefitted her own career.

She said white people are typically more uncomfortable discussing white privilege because they’re afraid to dis-

Chelsea Handler performs 8 p.m. Saturday at The Criterion. | Photo provided

cover they’re making mistakes, but not talking about it at all is also a mistake.

“Just ignoring the problem is doing something wrong,” Handler said.

“Pretending privilege doesn’t exist is also being part of the problem rather than being part of the solution. So in order to move a conversation forward, you have to admit something is wrong, and something is wrong.”

Though she is far from a fan, Handler said she doubts her own journey toward greater self-discovery and determination to take more personal responsibility would have happened without Trump.

“I think a lot of things good things came out of him being elected,” Handler said. “Unfortunately, he’s the president, so that’s the worst part, but the women’s movement and the climate movement, all of these things are happening in direct contrast to the fact that we have somebody in office who’s ignoring all of it. So if Hillary Clinton had become the president, I don’t think we would have had a #MeToo movement. I don’t think we would have a lot of these movements. But the important thing about having all of these conversations is to keep having them, because by not having them, we’re not solving anything, and we’re not growing or learning. … White people could afford to be a little bit uncomfortable asking questions so that we’re not making as many mistakes as we’ve made in the past.”

The trailer for Hello, Privilege shows Handler discussing her whiteness in front of an audience of unresponsive African Americans.

Handler said that before filming the documentary, performing to a silent room was something she hadn’t experienced in a long time, but putting herself into more difficult situations was part of the point of the film.

“I welcome that discomfort,” Handler said. “I think it’s important. That was a great representation of how a lot of black people feel about white people asking questions like this or taking, taking, taking. If you’re in a position where you’re a beneficiary, then somebody is getting less than you, and that’s just science and physics and all of that … so it’s important to acknowledge it and not to just be stuck in your own lane. It’s also something that we can eventually laugh at about ourselves, being as naive as we are. Thinking we’re not part of the problem is naive.”

While Handler is proud of her ability to find humor in difficult subjects, she realizes she has to treat some topics more thoughtfully.

“Anything that you don’t know a lot about, you have to approach in a more serious way,” Handler said. “You have to be respectful of the people who know more than you about any subject matter in order to really take it in.”

Her new act has “more of a narrative” with a beginning, middle and end.

Though the stories about her life as a famous multimedia personality are far from common, Handler thinks the material is “totally relatable” to audiences.

“We all run out of patience,” Handler said. “We all don’t know how to deal with it. I’m from New Jersey, so the idea of meditation and self-discovery all sounded just like vagina words to me.

It’s like, ‘Get away from me with the kale and the chakras,’ so there’s this fine line.

It’s definitely the point of view of a cynic getting into all of it. I have a very kind of cynical way of looking at that stuff, which has definitely changed, but I’m still not 100 percent. I’m not ready to go to a silent retreat is what I’m saying.”

The common theme throughout, Handler said, is “it doesn’t matter what happens; you can get past it.”

Buy This!

GR EG BUR NS FINE A R T

Visit my website gregburns-fineart.com to find that extraordinary gift. I have one-of-a-kind original paintings, high-quality giclees and reproductions. There is a special holiday offer.

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Life Will Be the Death of Me was published in April. | Image provided

“You can become a better person,” Handler said. “You can become more patient. I needed to get to a place where I wasn’t running into airport lounges in the Fox News section, getting in fights with 7-year-old Trump supporters. I needed to get to a calmer place in my life, which I finally did. And then, through that, comedy just comes. All of the stuff that makes you crazy, the things that are dramatic or traumatic end up being really funny storytelling later in life. And that’s always been kind of how I’ve looked at stand-up, is making fun of the things that you’re not supposed to make fun of.”

Tickets are $48-$113. Call 405-8405500 or visit criterionokc.com.

Chelsea Handler 8 p.m. Saturday The Criterion 500 E. Sheridan Ave. criterionokc.com | 405-840-5500

C.C. BE A NIE S, SCA RV E S A ND GLOV E S

Staying warm has never been cuter! Shop today to find a wide selection of C.C. beanies, scarves and gloves. We offer a wide variety of colors, styles and sizes sure to please you and the ones on your holiday list!

Lush Fashion Lounge 14101 N. May Ave., Suite 114 lushfashionlounge.com | 405-936-0680

$48-$113

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | N OV E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 9

17

OKG Lifestyle

Around OKC EAT

The Mayan

WATCH One Strange Rock (Netflix) LISTEN Down to Dunk OKC Thunder podcast READ The Greatest Love Story Ever Told byMegan Mullally and Nick Offerman LOVE Trader Joe’s pizza dough ball EXPERIENCE 21c Museum Hotel

Outside OKC chupe de camaron at Don Jose Mexican EAT Restaurant in Wichita Falls, Texas Daybreak (Netflix) WATCH Adulting podcast with Michelle Buteau LISTEN and Jordan Carlos Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James READ cozy knit sweaters LOVE café con leche from D Taino Bakery EXPERIENCE

Hui Cha Poos’ Picks EAT Breakfast Hash at Plant in Midtown WATCH The Rocky Horror Show

at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma

LISTEN

Zhu

READ The Art of Racing in the

Rain by Garth Stein

LOVE Scissortail Park EXPERIENCE

dance class at RACE the Space

Hui Cha Poos is an experienced teacher, choreographer and dancer; a dance instructor at University of Central Oklahoma; and founder and executive director of RACE Dance Company.

THE MAYAN | PHOTO JACOB THREADGILL • THE GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER TOLD BY MEGAN MULLALLY AND NICK OFFERMAN | IMAGE PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE / PROVIDED BLACK LEOPARD, RED WOLF BY MARLON JAMES | IMAGE PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE / PROVIDED • DAYBREAK (NETFLIX) | IMAGE NETFLIX / PROVIDED THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW AT LYRIC THEATRE OF OKLAHOMA | PHOTO K. TALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY / PROVIDED • SCISSORTAIL PARK | PHOTO ALEXA ACE • HUI CHA POOS | PHOTO PROVIDED 18

N OV E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

CALENDAR are events recommended

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

BOOKS Brunching with Books a book club meeting every other week, with reading selections chosen by group preference, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.

Buttermilk Paseo, 605 NW 28th St., 405-605-6660, buttermilkokc.com. SAT Fred Staff book signing the author of Quantrill’s Revenge, Indomitable: The Lacerna Pennington Story and the Bass Reeves trilogy and more will autograph copies of his books, 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 20. Best of Books, 1313 E. Danforth Road, Edmond, 405-340-9202, bestofbooksok.com. WED Last Sunday Poetry Reading a poetry reading followed by an open mic, 2 p.m. last Sunday of every month. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. SUN

FILM Gift (2018, Canada, Robin McKenna) a creative essay documentary based on Lewis Hyde’s The Gift, which challenges the fundamental logic of global capitalism, Nov. 21-24. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com.

THU-SUN

The Irishman (2019, USA, Martin Scorsese) a mob hitman recalls his mob career and possible involvement in the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, Nov. 22-28. Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., 405-2353456. FRI-THU Sundance Institute Indigenous Shorts Program a collection of short films created by indigenous storytellers, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20. Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., 405-235-3456. WED

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 Banquet Cinema Bingo Night buy a card for a chance to win cash prizes, 7-8:45 p.m. Wednesdays.

The Banquet Cinema Pub, 800 NW Fourth St., banquetcinema.com. WED Board Game Brunch play board games while enjoying a variety of food and beverage options, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. last Sunday of the month. The R & J Lounge and Supper Club, 320 NW 10th St., 405-6025066, rjsupperclub.com. SUN 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

Remembering the Holocaust Holocaust survivor and Anne Frank’s stepsister Eva Schloss will make a presentation recounting her experiences during World War II, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21. OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater, 7777 S. May Ave., 405-682-7579, tickets.occc.edu. 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., 405-364-7555, bisonwitchesok.com. SUN The Santa Market a shop featuring 200 craft vendors and photos with Santa Claus and benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association of Oklahoma, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 23. Cox Pavilion State Fairgrounds, 3001 General Pershing Blvd., 405-948-6700, okstatefair. com. SAT Take a Bite Out of Hunger the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City invites members of the Jewish community to help pack and sort food; children who are too young to help and adults who are unable to do heavy lifting will have alternative duties to perform, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 24. Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, 3355 S Purdue St., 405-972-1111, regionalfoodbank.org. SUN 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 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

Articulation Work, collaborate, communicate and commune with other creators at this weekly meetup and studio session “open to everyone looking to actively develop themselves and their craft.” Bring your own food and supplies, and clean up after yourself. Start articulating 6:30-10 p.m. Thursday at Little D Gallery, 3003 Paseo St. Admission is free. Call 720-773-1064 or visit facebook.com/littledgallery. THURSDAY Photo Emily Blood / provided 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

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

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

A Doll’s House Part 2 Nora Helmer returns to the family she left behind in playwright Lucas Hnath’s sequel to Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 play, through Nov. 24.

CitySpace Theatre, Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave, 405-594-8300. FRI-SUN

Signing Time Sign Language Class children can learn American Sign Language at this class taught

by Mrs. Stacy, 4-5 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 19.

We Rock the Spectrum, 64 E 33rd St., 405-657-1108, werockthespectrumoklahomacity.com. THU

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

Vegan | Vegetarian Dinner enjoy vegan soups, salads, sandwiches and deserts, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 21. Opolis, 113 N. Crawford Ave., 405-673-4931, opolis.org. THU

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

Drunken Fry Comedy an evening of comedy hosted by Cameron Buchholtz and featuring performances by Brian Blackwood, Parker Slavens, Joey Johnson and more, 10 p.m. Nov. 23. The Drunken Fry, 1201 N. Western Ave. SAT

YOUTH

PERFORMING ARTS

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

Chad Daniels the comic performs on his New Hip Tour, 8-11 p.m. Nov. 22. The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-887-3327, theparamountroom.com. FRI

FOOD Autumn Harvest a Thanksgiving-themed dinner featuring a charcuterie board, braised short ribs, sweet potato gnocchi, pumpkin tiramisu and more, Nov. 21. Café 501, 501 S Boulevard, 405-359-1501, cafe501.com/. THU 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

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

Colin and Brad: Scared Scriptless Whose Line is it Anyway? stars Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood perform a live improv show, 7 p.m. Nov. 24. Cox Business Center/Tulsa Convention Center, 100 Civic Center, 918-894-4506, coxcentertulsa.com. SUN

Central Oklahoma Cactus & Succulent Society Adam Sarmiento, owner of Eco Landscaping in Norman, will discuss growing cacti, succulents and water-wise plants in central Oklahoma, 7-9 p.m. Nov. 21. Will Rogers Garden Center, 3400 NW 36th St., 405-943-0827, okc.gov. THU

Dustin Sims/Rocky Dale Davis the standup comics will perform, 7:30-9 p.m. Nov. 23. The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-887-3327, theparamountroom.com. 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 Kaleidoscope Dance Company fall concert a program of diverse dance styles including aerial, modern, jazz and contemporary ballet, Nov. 21-23. Mitchell Hall Theatre, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, 405-974-2000, uco.edu. THU-SAT Mannheim Steamroller Christmas the musical artists celebrates its 35th anniversary on this holiday tour, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. TUE 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

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

The Nutcracker the Oklahoma Festival Ballet presents Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic Christmas ballet, Nov. 22-Dec. 8. Elsie C. Brackett Theatre, 563 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-4101, theatre.ou.edu. FRI-SUN

Devon Ice Rink ice stake in the Myriad Botanical Gardens and enjoy seasonal food and beverages., Mondays-Sundays. through Feb. 2. Devon Ice Rink, 100 N. Robinson Ave., 405-708-6499, downtownindecember.com/devon-ice-rink. FRI-SUN 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

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

Illuminations: Starry Starry Night an immersive light installation inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s famous painting, Nov. 27-Jan. 1, Nov. 27-Jan. 1. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. WED

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

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

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

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., Moore. SUN PAMBE Ghana Global Market shop for handmade and artisanal crafts, clothing and other items at this holiday pop-up shop benefitting bilingual education, through Dec. 24. 50 Penn Place Gallery, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-848-5567, 50pennplacegallery.com. TUE Queen Mariah’s Variety Show a monthly stage show featuring various drag performers, 10:30 p.m.

Saturdays. Frankie’s, 2807 NW 36th St., 405-6022030, facebook.com/frankiesokc. SAT

Learn to Curl If you’ve ever wished shuffleboard was a lot bigger and colder, try your

hand at everyone’s favorite Olympic sport played with a broom at a class taught by Oklahoma Curling Club. Wear rubber-soled shoes and dress warm. Classes scheduled for Saturday and Dec. 7 are full, but there might still be time to register for a spot on Dec. 21, Jan. 4 or Jan. 18 at Devon Ice Rink at Myriad Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave. Registration is $20-$25 per person. Call 405-445-7080 or visit myriadgardens.org. DEC. 21 Photo bigstock.com / provided

GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR FULL LISTINGS!

A Powerful Utterance the Oklahoma City Philharmonic with guest conductor Gerard Schwarz and cellist Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt perform works

by Hector Berlioz, Dmitri Shostakovich and Maurice Ravel, 8 p.m. Nov. 23. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. SAT 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 Blvd., 405-774-9991. THU

continued on page 20

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CALENDAR Wheeler Criterium a weekly nighttime cycling event with criterium races, food trucks and family activities, 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays. Wheeler Park, 1120 S. Western Ave., 405-297-2211, wheelerdistrict.com. TUE

C A L E N DA R

continued from page 19 Shelly Phelps Blues Revue a monthly variety show featuring music, comedy, performance art, drag and more, 7-10 p.m.

Sundays. Frankie’s, 2807 NW 36th St., 405602-2030, facebook.com/frankiesokc. SUN

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

Surfin’ the Web II an

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

internet-themed comedy show hosted by Alex Sanchez, 8-10 p.m. Nov. 23. The Paramount Room, 701 W.

Sheridan Ave., 405-887-3327, theparamountroom.com. SAT

VISUAL ARTS

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

brown, carmine, and blue an exhibition of visual, installation and performance art about blackness, queerness, and femininity by artist Le’Andra LeSeur, through Nov. 21. Melton Gallery, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, 405-525-3603, uco.edu. THU

We Are Family: An OKC StorySLAM an openmic storytelling show where all stories must relate in some way to the theme of family, 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 24. 51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51st St., 405-4630470, 51stspeakeasy.com. SUN

Death by Art an art show featuring works

by Mack Smith, Elijah Tate, Mary Jane Pearson, and Daniel Acuna and live music by Bedtime the Band, Amon & The Creatures and Death

By Knowledge, 7-11 p.m. Nov. 24. Resonator Institute, 325 E. Main St., Norman, resonator.space. SUN

ACTIVE 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 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 Stars and Stripes Spin Jam a weekly meetup for jugglers, hula hoopers and unicyclers, 6-8 p.m.

Wednesdays. Stars & Stripes Park, 3701 S. Lake Hefner Drive, 405-297-2756, okc.gov/parks. WED 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

Adult Beadwork Class Learn new tech-

niques from Kiowa beadwork artist Richard Aitson and create a beaded medallion at this workshop for intermediate skill levels. Some materials and lunch will be provided, but students should bring a good pair of scissors, bobbin-sized zero beading thread, five colors 13/0 cut beads and an ultrasuede beading mat. Get crafty 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Red Earth Art Center, 100 N. Broadway Ave., Suite 2750.

Registration is $95 per person. Call 405427-5228 or visit facebook.com/redearthinc. SATURDAY | Photo provided

Exhibit 4 opening reception an art show featuring works by Behnaz Sohrabian, Christie Owen, Klint Schor, Marilyn Artus and more as well as pop-up shops and hors d’oeuvres and drinks, 6-9 p.m. Nov. 21. Verbode, 415 N. Broadway Ave., 405-757-7001, verbodegroup.com. THU Harold Stevenson: The Great Society a collection of 98 large-scale portraits of residents of Idabel, Oklahoma, through Dec. 29. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/ fjjma. TUE-SUN Postcard Perspectives an exhibition featuring thousands of postcards created by artists from across the U.S. and 37 other countries, 7-10 p.m. through Dec. 28. Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-9995, 1ne3.org. FRI-SAT

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NOW OPEN See downtownindecember.com for information.

@devonicerinkokc @devonicerink

20

N OV E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

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, 2020. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT Seeing Now an exhibit of multimedia art works

by Hank Willis Thomas, Ken Gonzales-Day, Travis Somerville, Paul Rucker, Graciela Sacco, Terence Hammonds and Michael Waugh, through Dec. 31.

21c Museum Hotel, 900 W. Main St., 405-982-6900, 21cmuseumhotels.com. THU-TUE Until We Organize: The Struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment an exhibition of photographs chronicling Oklahoma’s battle over the ERA, through Nov. 30, 2020. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 405-521-2491, okhistory.org. MON-SAT

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

see page 24

MUSIC Rainbows Are Free plays 9 p.m. Nov. 29 at Blue Note Lounge. | Photo provided

EVENT

kind of soundscapes,” Tarver said. “In some cases, they’re very moody and eerie and atmospheric. Joey and I now have a pretty dialed-in plan of attack.

He does a lot of the atmosphere, and I do a lot of the traditional lead work and things like that. It’s a pretty good complement, and then you add that synth element and you start to get a pretty robust, colorful canvas start to emerge.”

Full spectrum

Four albums and 12 years in, Norman’s Rainbows Are Free broadens its musical palette. By Jeremy Martin

Lead guitarist Richie Tarver doesn’t know what you’ll hear when you listen to Head Pains, but to him, it sounds more like Rainbows Are Free and less like doom-metal standard-bearers Black Sabbath.

“I think we finally kind of found our voice,” Tarver said. “We kind of broke out of this Sabbath-worship-type thing that seems to be pretty saturated in the whole community, so we were trying to branch out a little bit and find our niche within that sub-genre. … I don’t know to what extent, externally, that will be recognized, but for us, it definitely is. There’s a little more of a heavy psychedelic angle than just the doom-y kind of metal tones. … We branched out, got a little more musical, focused on the songwriting, and for us, there’s a definite shift. … There’s truly a point of departure in finding whatever it is our sound is in the landscape of heavy music.”

Rainbows Are Free plays 9 p.m. Nov. 29 at Blue Note Lounge, 2408 N. Robinson Ave. The band celebrates the release of its fourth album, Head Pains, the follow-up to 2014’s Waves Ahead of the Ocean.

“We went on a little bit of a hiatus between our last album and this one, so it was a real struggle to maintain continuity of sound, and frankly, there was a bit of a lineup change,” Tarver said.

“Everything really emerged for the better, and hopefully some of that comes across in the music. It was a kind of a weird era for us as a band in our personal lives and everything, but we fought through it all and emerged triumphantly.”

In addition to Tarver, Rainbows Are Free currently features lead vocalist Brandon Kistler, rhythm guitarist Joey Powell, bassist Jason Smith, drummer Bobby Onspaugh and synth player Josh Elam, the band’s most recent recruit.

“It fills out the sound and allows us to do some kind of fun, more experi-

mental-type stuff,” Tarver said of Elam’s contribution. “By virtue of creating a new sonic landscape, I’m sure that opened up some doorways.”

Fitting a six-person band through those doorways can sometimes be complicated, but Tarver said the new dynamic is worth making adjustments for.

“It makes things a little more crowded during load-in and load-out, but honestly, it’s all for the better,” Tarver said.

“When you’ve been a band for 12 years, changing things can be treacherous, but luckily, it’s the right person, someone we’ve known personally throughout our musical careers, so it’s been a great fit.”

Shapeshifter

Encountering countless “fashionable hipster stoner bands” on tour has inspired Rainbows Are Free to work toward a more complex and singular sound on Head Pains.

“It’s definitely within the canon,” Tarver said, “but there’s a certain element of maturation and experimenting with a couple of new things just to stay relevant to our own ears. Going out on the road earlier this year, and as we age in this subgenre, we realize really how saturated and kind of, in some ways, two-dimensional some of these bands … that are now all over the landscape are.

It’s a very healthy thing for heavy music overall and metal communities and things like that, but there’s kind of a limited dimensionality, I think, and we were trying to distance ourselves from that … change it up a little bit, not just for the sake of changing it up. It was definitely a natural, organic progression.”

He said Head Pains takes inspiration from “early heavy ’70s progressive bands” such as The Alan Parsons Project, Uriah Heep and King Crimson.

“We did a lot more crafting those

It was a kind of a weird era for us as a band in our personal lives and everything, but we fought through it all and emerged triumphantly.

Richie Tarver Like Rainbows Are Free’s previous releases, Trent Bell mixed and recorded Head Pains at Bell Labs Studios in Norman, but the new album is the band’s first to be released by Genoa, Italy-based Argonauta Records after, Tarver said, local label Guestroom Records “kicked us out of nest.” The band secured the deal with Argonauta after months of “grinding,” passing out download codes and cards at South by Southwest and, of course, hearing “some healthy rejection.”

“I feel like I’ve got an honorary bachelor’s degree in cold-calling,” Tarver said. “It’s definitely a tedious process.”

The band approached the label with a completed album, including psychedelic cover art by Tony Roberts, which Tarver said probably sweetened the deal.

“I’m not sure I’d recommend this process to anybody who’s looking to find a new label, but we were pretty confident — or maybe just kind of desperate confident — that we had something decent, and it was just about finding the right fit,” Tarver said. “So we had it mastered, actually; we already had the art; I mean,

it was the full package. I think in some ways that kind of helped because I don’t know if you’ve seen the album art, but it’s pretty undeniable. … Labels usually like to be in the demo process and being able to have a guiding hand there, but we didn’t really account for much of that. But fortunately, there was somebody that was interested, and they swooped in and saved the day.”

For a band that formed in 2007, tangible proof that resilience can pay off has been inspiring.

“It’s hard to maintain some kind of connection with five other individuals in a nonromantic relationship,” Tarver said. “It’s an undertaking. I think that’s one of the key things, to just stay in the band together, and eventually, if you’re persistent about what you want, I think good things will happen, or at least you’ll be true to your interests. A lot of it is just maintaining. I know a lot of very talented people who have a lot of promise, but they just can’t keep it together for whatever reason.”

Hitting a growth spurt a dozen years into its existence, Tarver said, is the result of Rainbows Are Free refusing to chase trends in favor of following its own developmental arc.

“It’s kind of an organic evolution of who we are as people and, on a more broad scale, as a band,” Tarver said, “letting ourselves do what we wanted to do and not worrying about how other people would perceive it, not that that was ever really a factor. … Our music isn’t very marketable. It’s not commercial, but there’s definitely some integrity to maintaining your vision. And that’s what we, ultimately, try to focus on.”

Klamz and Snowchild share the bill.

Tickets are $10-$12. Call 405-600-1166 or visit facebook.com/bluenoteokc.

Rainbows Are Free 9 p.m. Nov. 29 Blue Note Lounge 2408 N. Robinson Ave. facebook.com/bluenoteokc | 405-600-1166 $10-$12

Genoa, Italy-based Argonauta Records releases Head Pains on Nov. 29. | Image Tony Roberts / provided O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | N OV E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 9

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Bass invaders

Masked and anonymous EDM duo ATLiens lands in OKC. By Jeremy Martin

If ATLien’s warped bass-forward electronic dance music sounds otherworldy, that’s entirely the point.

“We try to eliminate the ‘human’ aspect in our live shows and try to keep it all about the music,” said the anonymous Atlanta-based production duo in an email interview. “When it comes to our music, we really just make what we are feeling creatively. We would like to think that our music is pretty recognizable to listeners, but that’s kind of up to them to interpret.”

ATLiens, who keep their faces hidden behind glowing metallic masks during all public appearances, perform 7-11:45 p.m. Nov. 29 at OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave. Reviewing ATLiens’ EP Ghost Planet, released in July, Your EDM critic Matthew Meadow detected a signature sound.

“The cohesion within the EP is one of the first things that I noticed about it,” Meadow wrote. “Each track follows a similar sonic theme and pushes it to the limit, all while keeping the creativity and style of the brand. For the most part, this boils down to two elements: minimalism, and weird bass. This could effectively classify a swath of artists, but ATLiens easily make it their own.”

ATLiens, meanwhile, won’t admit to having a predetermined plan of attack for creating extraterrestrial tracks such as “Exterminate,” “Invasion” and “Fuck That.”

“We have zero approach to making music,” ATLiens said.

“Every time we start a new Ghost Planet was released in July. | Image provided 22

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ATLiens plays OKC Farmers Public Market Nov. 29. | Photo provided

tune, it’s an open canvas, and whatever comes to mind comes to mind!

Being a duo helps our process. A lot of times, if one of us begins an idea and gets stuck on it, we pass it on to the other and then the idea evolves into so much more.”

Even when collaborating with other artists such as Party Thieves (ATLien’s 2015 debut track “Chief,” later featured in a Samsung Galaxy commercial) Oklahoma City’s Tynan (2018’s “Malfunction”) and influential low-end veteran Bassnectar (“Interlock”), requires “nothing different, really,” from the duo.

“Bassnectar is a great guy and was an absolute pleasure to work with,” ATLiens said, describing the recording process for “Interlock.” “That song came together so quickly. We had it signed and ready to release after just a few weeks.”

Reviewing the track for EDM.com, Simrat Pal praised its “hard hitting 808s and vocal chops.”

“‘Interlock’ is the best example of how a track can be made to sound full by using as little elements that work together perfectly to create a big sound,” Pal wrote. “The clean 808s, properly mixed drums, the crazy pitched down vocal chops, and a consistent groove throughout the song show how two different artists can come together to work on something that in the end still showcases their unique traits.”

Every time we start a new tune, it’s an open canvas.

ATLiens As an internationally touring act, ATLiens does seem to take a more intentional approach to building a setlist.

“Creating a live set is much different than creating songs,” ATLiens said. “A live set typically consists of about 70 to 80 songs: a lot of our tunes, remixes of our tunes, and tunes from our friends.

It’s very fast-moving and all about the energy. We spend many hours a day going through our promo emails, looking for what’s the next big song!”

Maintaining anonymity

In August, the members of ATLiens announced they would unmask and uncover their true identities.

“The world of bass music has one well-known, anonymous DJ/producer duo — and despite what they recently led fans to believe, it will stay that way,” reported EDM.com. “ATLiens tweeted plans to show their faces later in the evening. When it came time for the big reveal, the video clip showed [Shaun Bacus, aka Hekler] and [Hamish Prasad, The members of ATLiens keep their identities hidden behind glowing metallic masks. | Photo provided

aka Marauda] taking the duo’s iconic masks off instead.”

For fans familiar with the artists, the troll was easy to spot. Those unfamiliar with electronic dance music might have been confused, but being misunderstood by the uninitiated is nothing new for genre fans and artists.

“People outside the scene just don’t understand that we are one big family,” ATLiens said. “We look out for each other, and we have each other’s back.”

In an interview with EDM.com, manager Griffin Haddrill explained why maintaining ATLiens’ anonymity is “a huge priority” despite issues with security and fears that audience members will attempt to unmask the duo midcrowd-surf.

“It is truly about the fan and music experience,” Haddrill said. “When you come to an ATLiens show, fans are there to experience the music. ATLiens in their own way have a personality, but the human element isn’t there. It’s about the fans, the music and ATLiens all coming together to create an atmosphere you don’t get at other shows.”

The duo, meanwhile, had a single complaint about remaining incognito.

“Eating and drinking with this mask on is pretty difficult,” ATLiens said.

Los Angeles-based, self described “sad dubstep boy” Ray Volpe shares the bill. Tickets are $18-$22.

Visit subsonix.info.

PENNY & SPARROW | November 20 SHANE SMITH & THE SAINTS | November 22 GRYFFIN | December 1 PJ MORTON | December 4 CRISTELA ALONZO | Deceember 5 FLATLAND CAVALRY | December 6 OLD 97s HOLIDAY HOOPLA | December 8 YELLOW HOUSE REVISTED | Deemcber 13 BLACK JOE LEWIS | December 14 RIDERS IN THE SKY | December 15 IN FLAMES | December 18 CODY CANNON of Whiskey Myers | December 19 TICKETS & INFO AT TOWERTHEATREOKC.COM @TOWERTHEATREOKC 405-70-TOWER | 425 NW 23rd Street | Oklahoma City

ATLiens 7-11:45 p.m. Nov. 29 OKC Farmers Public Market 311 S. Klein Ave. subsonix.info $18-$22

11.20 CORB LUND with Jaida Dreyer 11.21 AUDIO BOOK CLUB 12.05 BUDDY SOUTH 12.11 DEE WHITE 12.12 GIFT RAPS 6 hosted by Jabee 1.18 JASON HAWK HARRIS 01.23 WILDERMISS 02.13 BROTHER MOSES 02.17 MOTHERFOLK

WWW.PONYBOYOKC.COM @ponyboyokc #StayGoldOKC

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | N OV E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 9

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LIVE MUSIC MANY OKLAHOMANS ARE STILL EXPOSED TO SECONDHAND SMOKE AT WORK.

THAT’S 100% clean indoor air laws are one of the simplest, cheapest and most effective ways to protect employees and patrons from dangerous secondhand smoke.

Lisa Prank Vocalist/guitarist/drum machinist Robin Edwards, aka Lisa Prank, is a one-person pop-punk band who’d sound at home brightening a mix-tape alongside Le Tigre and Liz Phair. Paste magazine, reviewing her latest album, Perfect Love Song, said, “Edwards makes the potentially trite feel fresh again with her lively lyrics, focusing as much on her own emotional journey as on her romantic relationships.” Hearing standout tracks “Truth About You,” “Telescope” and “IUD,” for example, feels something like opening a neon-leopard-seal Trapper Keeper filled with angry, confessional poems. Local powerpop relationship dissectionist Kat Lock shares the bill. The show is 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday at 89th Street – OKC, 8911 N. Western Ave. Tickets are $10-$12.

Call 866-966-1777 or visit 89thstreetokc.com. FRIDAY Photo Kelly O / provided

Let’s protect hardworking Oklahomans. Join the fight at These are events recommended

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

Ellis Paul, The Blue Door. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

Grim Gospels/The Lost End, The Deli. ROCK Jesse Dayton, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. SINGER/

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20 Corb Lund, Ponyboy. COUNTRY Courtney Patton/Alexa Masters/Colton Blake, ACM @ UCO. SINGER/SONGWRITER John Carlton & Kyle Reid, The Winston. SINGER/

MONDAY, NOV. 25 Ringo Deathstarr/Blushing/Lacey Elaine, Opolis.

THURSDAY, NOV. 21

The Savoy Trio, O Bar. JAZZ

Ashley Windham, Angry Scotsman Brewing.

TUESDAY, NOV. 26

Koodookoo/Electric Okie Test, The Deli. ROCK

Adam Miller Live, Robinson Renaissance. SINGER/

Tejon Street Corner Thieves/Yes Ma’am, Blue Note Lounge. AMERICANA

Country Clique, Friends Restaurant & Club. COUN-

Blake Pettigrove/Paxton Pennington/Bronte, The Deli. SINGER/SONGWRITER Breakup/RVRB, Opolis. POP Colby Hays, Bison Witches Bar & Deli. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

Delbert McClinton, The Auditorium at the Douglass.

ROCK

Husbands/Mad Honey/Gloom Cruise, 51st Street Speakeasy. ROCK

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Jason Hunt, Sean Cumming’s Irish Restaurant. FOLK

Rozlyn Zora/Mandias/Death by Knowledge, The Deli. SINGER/SONGWRITER

FRIDAY, NOV. 22

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Hosty, The Deli. ROCK Radoslav Lorkovic, The Depot. FOLK

Wood Willow, The Paseo Plunge. AMERICANA

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SUNDAY, NOV. 24

Judason Void/Dire Gnome, Red Brick Bar. ROCK

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Pigface, Tower Theatre. ROCK

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 27 John Carlton & Kyle Reid, The Winston. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

Kyle Reid & Noah Engh, The Blue Door. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

Montu/Olympus Mons, The Deli. ROCK/ELECTRONIC Tail Light Rebellion, Red Brick Bar. AMERICANA Third Eye Blind, The Criterion. POP

Jason Eady, The Blue Door. COUNTRY The Plainsmen/Elexa Dawson, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. COUNTRY Shane Smith & the Saints, Tower Theatre. COUNTRY Stephen Salewon, Sanctuary Barsilica. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

SATURDAY, NOV. 23 Ali Harter/Nellie Clay/Carter Sampson, Stockyards Central. COUNTRY Born in November, Sanctuary Barsilica. SOUL

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 | N OV E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 9

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CANNABIS

THE HIGH CULTURE

Likely culprit

The CDC has identified a substance common to all its tested “vaping illness” cases. By Matt Dinger

A prime suspect during the search for the cause of an outbreak of a lung disease commonly called “vaping illness” has been confirmed by a subsequent investigation.

On Nov. 8, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the results of a recent run of testing, announcing that vitamin E acetate had been found in the lungs of all 29 victims of the disease whose samples were tested.

The discovery was made by bronchoalveolar lavage, or BAL, injecting saline into the lungs of the patients, suctioning it out and testing the results.

The CDC refers to vaping illness as “e-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury,” or EVALI. “During August–October 2019, BAL fluid specimens were collected by clinical teams caring for hospitalized EVALI patients. Public health laboratories and health departments from 10 states (California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Mar yland, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin) … Vitamin E acetate was detected in all 29 patient BAL samples. Among 23 patients for whom self-reported THC use information was available, 20 reported using THC-containing products. THC or its metabolites were detected in 23 of 28 patient BAL samples, including in The CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as the culprit behind dozens of cases of vaping illness caused by black market vapes. | Photos provided

those of three patients who said they did not use THC products. Nicotine metabolites were detected in 16 of 26 patient BAL specimens. Results for plant oils, MCT oil, petroleum distillates, and diluent terpenes were all below analyte-specific levels of detection,” according to a CDC news release.

Vitamin E acetate was identified as a likely cause of the illness in September

by New York State Department of Health.

“Laboratory test results showed very high levels of vitamin E acetate in nearly all cannabis-containing samples analyzed by the Wadsworth Center as part of this investigation. At least one vitamin E acetate containing vape product has been linked to each patient who submitted a product for testing.

Vitamin E acetate is not an approved additive for New York State Medical Marijuana Program-authorized vape products and was not seen in the nicotine-based products that were tested.

As a result, vitamin E acetate is now a key focus of the Department’s investigation of potential causes of vaping-associated pulmonary illnesses. Vitamin E acetate is a commonly available nutritional supplement that is not known to cause harm when ingested as a vitamin supplement or applied to the skin.

However, the Department continues to investigate its health effects when inhaled because its oil-like properties could be associated with the observed symptoms,” according to a New York health department news release.

“Patients with EVALI had higher odds of reporting exclusive use of THCcontaining products, as well as reporting frequent use of these products, obtaining them through informal sources, and using a counterfeit T HC - c o nt a i n i n g product marketed as Dank Vapes,” according to the CDC.

Dank Vapes

Dank Vapes has been singled out as a primary carrier of the substances that led to the outbreak.

The packaging is available cheaply from many online wholesalers, most of which ship from 26

N OV E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

China. While the packaging looks sleek and often contains wording that makes it seem as if the product originated and was tested in California, there is no such brand. Instead, black-market suppliers fill the cartridges with fluid of dubious origin and sell them on the streets.

Morgan Tepsic decided to conduct his own experiment on the Dank Vape brand.

He purchased one from an Oklahoma City metro dispensary and submitted it to The Highgrade Testing Lab.

I was grateful that the CDC finally came out and kind of clearly stated what we’ve all suspected since the first few cases.

Lance Kimball Lead lab analyst Abigail Crutchmer developed a protocol to test for vitamin E acetate in the sample. While the sample did not show detectable levels of vitamin E acetate, there were numerous other substances that appeared in the sample that were not normal things that were being tested for, like microbes and pesticides.

Instead, the test results showed that the sample, which was purported to contain a high level of THC, instead only had 8.02 percent THC and 13.05 percent CBD. The Dank Vape also passed tests for microbes, mycotoxins, heavy metals and solvents.

“There’s so much misinformation out there. There’s so much education that needs to happen out here in Oklahoma,” Tepsic said. “I’ve lived out in Cali in the industry for a little bit, and so I’ve seen what quality should be and how things kind of should run to a certain extent, and when I see things like Dank Vapes, I just had to, I had to kind of shed a light on that, not necessarily to blow up the spot on dispensaries, but moreso just to kind of educate the people here.”

Lance Kimball owns Simple Cure and Flagship Vapor. | Photo Alexa Ace

Nicotine market

The vaping illness outbreak has had not only an effect on the medical cannabis vape industry in Oklahoma, but also the nicotine vaporizer market here.

Lance Kimball owns and operates both Simple Cure, a cannabis company, and Flagship Vapor, which sells nicotine vape juice.

“On the Simple Cure side, I haven’t seen a tremendous impact. I was grateful that the CDC finally came out and kind of clearly stated what we’ve all suspected since the first few cases, the vitamin E acetate from illicit street carts,” Kimball said. “On the Flagship site, it’s really been difficult, to be honest with you. We’ve lost a couple of our smaller orderers, but still a couple of clients that were, you know, important relationships to us out of New York.

One of our staple partners has a couple of locations in Atlanta. Their last day open will be November 23 because of a significant decline in business as a result of all of the news recently. Almost everybody that we talked to across the board is all of our retail partners are substantially down 40 percent, 70 percent down from what they were this time last year, so that is significant.

“We’re just over a year into this, and new patients still being added all of the time, and so I think that you’re constantly seeing new customers being turned on to our products. But in addition to that, because we were kind of first to market, I think a lot of people have grown to understand or appreciate the fact that our cartridges are 100 percent cannabis, and so that offers certainly some peace of mind. I think with all of this recent concern with compounding constituents, vitamin E acetate and stuff like that, I think a lot of people that are kind of aware of or got a little bit of an understanding of the products that are out there understand that they don’t have to worry about that with us.”

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The chefs at Guyutes have cooked up a bird that will definitely put a different spin on holiday gettogethers this season. By Matt Dinger and Jacob Threadgill

Your family, a smorgasbord of side dishes and a big ol’ turkey soaked through with cannabis butter — what could go wrong?

Each month, the chefs at Guyutes try their hands at a recipe that brings cannabis-infused cooking into the 21st century. This month’s dish is their largest (by weight) endeavor yet.

Jarrod Friedel and Matt Pryor took the same approach to their turkey as they did the Thai smoked hen back in July.

“Get a bunch of paper towels and dry it off. Pat-dry it as much as possible so that the rub sticks to it,” Friedel said.

“You’ve got to do the inside too.”

After removing the innards, take the roasted onions, carrots and, optionally, potatoes and stuff them inside the bird.

“Usually, turkey legs are long enough that you can wrap them around and stick them through this little hole and that seals that stuff up,” he said.

After applying the rub, inject the turkey with the infused budder.

“You’re going to look for any sort of openings you can without puncturing the skin itself. Stick it right up in there and just start filling it slightly,” Friedel said. “It’s pouring out a little bit as it fills. You won’t lose a lot of it, but you will lose a bit anyways. You’ll kind of see it puff up.”

Then put it in the smoker.

“Let it smoke 30 to 40 minutes per

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Cannabis-infused smoked turkey from the chefs at Guyutes | Photo Alexa Ace

pound. Make sure you keep your eye on the wood and the water so you always have water in there, so you’ve got moisture going and you want wood in there so you keep smoke going, the heat up, and the smoke flavor in there,” he said.

Re-inject the turkey after four hours while still inside the smoker.

“I don’t ever leave the smoker until I pull it out. I just stick my hand in there and find little openings,” Friedel said.

For this turkey, Friedel used a particular strain for its scent and taste.

“It was GMO, which is Garlic Mushroom Onion,” Friedel said. “And I chose it because it actually smelled like garlic, mushroom and onion, so I knew I didn’t have to use as much herbs and I was also hoping the herb from the medical marijuana actually came back out.”

Review

I’ve got a love-hate relationship with turkey. I tend to stick with dark meat on Turkey Day because it’s more flavorful and juicy than breast meat. It’s also a difficult meat to smoke because the low fat content provides less opportunity for the smoke flavor to infuse into continued on page 32

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the turkey. This recipe made me reconsider what I’ve thought about white meat turkey. It was juicy and flavorful while the smoke and seasoning rub added a nice blend of hickory flavor and some heat. Over three different doses, I didn’t receive any medical benefits of the budder infusion.

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with nonmedicinal butter or a flavored oil. (I personally use a garlic oil to baste my turkey.)

11) Watch the water to make sure it doesn’t evaporate, and add more mesquite to keep smoker smoking.

12) Inject the turkey again after four hours. Be careful; it will be hot.

Instructions

13) Start checking the temperature of the turkey at four hours and continue every hour until an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit is reached.

2) Peel and section off four carrots and two onions. Place them on foil, drizzle them with oil, sprinkle them with salt and roast them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-10 minutes.

14) Remove the turkey from the smoker and allow it to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.

1) Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Add water to the reservoir pan and add hickory wood. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

First time patients

I was concerned that the infusion would have too much of a high, so I went easy on the first dose but later ate an entire 6-ounce piece of breast and still didn’t feel much. It provided a little bit of a body high, which means that it’s possible to indulge in a true Danksgiving without falling asleep by dessert.

—Jacob Threadgill

15) Carve and enjoy.

3) Remove the neck and innards from the turkey. Wash the turkey inside and out with cold water.

Budder Ingredients

4) Dry the turkey as much as possible with paper towels. This will help the rub adhere to the turkey.

Instructions

5) Stuff the turkey with roasted onions and carrots.

6) In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and mix them with a fork. With your hands, rub the mixture all over the turkey, inside and out.

7) Set up a double boiler for budder.

Once the budder is melted, draw it into a syringe.

8) Inject the turkey with the budder, attempting to not break the skin. You should be able to find areas where the skin has peeled back to insert the syringe. Inject the budder slowly, and slowly remove the syringe as you are injecting. Try to inject all major meaty areas. (You will lose some budder in the process, so overdo the dosage slightly. Also keep in mind that you will be injecting the turkey again, so use the budder wisely.)

9) Place the turkey in the smoker, breast up, and set a timer. The general rule of thumb is 30 to 40 minutes per pound of turkey.

10) Baste the turkey every 2 hours

1 pound (four sticks) of butter 7-10 grams of decarboxylated cannabis 1. To clarify the butter, melt it in a 2-quart saucepan on low to medium heat, being careful not to scorch it.

Once melted, adjust the heat to maintain a low boil and cook off the milk solids and water.

2. After 45 minutes, the butter should be clear with a lot of foam on top. Place a cheesecloth over a jar and pour the butter into it. Do not squeeze.

3. After the butter has drained, remove the cheesecloth and pour the clarified butter into another saucepan. Add the decarboxylated marijuana.

4. Cook it on low heat between 140 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not exceed 200 degrees Fahrenheit or let the butter burn. Continue the infusion for 90-120 minutes.

5. Strain the butter over another cheesecloth back into the jar. Allow the budder to cool or use it immediately.

Garlic mushroom onion — GMO Grown by Cannabis Connoisseur Purchased at Sage Wellness THC 19.08 percent 7g x 1000 = 7000 7000 x 19.08% = 1335.6 1335.6mg/ 16tbsp = 83.475 per tbsp 83.475 x # tbsp used =?

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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: Silver Pearl Grown by: Pro Gro Farms Acquired from: GreenLove Compassionate Care + Wellness Center Date acquired: Nov. 7 THC/CBD percentages: 13.81 percent/0 percent (per Scissortail Laboratories) Physical traits: dark green and webbed with dull orange stigmas

want to be high but not stoned and also when you need a little jolt of energy but not a full lightning bolt. I also tried some of Pro Gro Farms’ Miss U.S.A. run due to its terpene profile but was pleasantly surprised to discover that I preferred Silver Pearl. This was one grower Kalli Keith recommended for review as well, and I understand why. According to Leafly, Silver Pearl is reported to have “strong mental effects that can verge on psychedelic,” but this sativa-dominant hybrid did not have that effect on me.

Bouquet: earthy and sweet Review: The buds of this one were large but light and thoroughly dry throughout but rather aromatic. It crumbled easily when ground but was not harsh on the throat when smoked and maintained its rich flavor.

While the effects were subtle enough not to feel weighed-down, they were without a sudden uplifting kick but rather a cool, calm high that intensified subtly over the course of several minutes before evening out into a mellow buzz. This is a strain that I would recommend when you

Silver Pearl | Photo Phillip Danner

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15 Raising Cain 66 Gander

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1 “Hooked on Classics” company 5 Christina of Monster 10 Skins, so to speak 15 Silent 18 Last Supper item 20 Case study in many business ethics classes 21 Call on 22 The Simpsons character who holds a Ph.D. in computer science 23 Low singers, short on money, draw idly 26 Place for a beer pump 27 Reaches a climax 28 High-class person?

29 Served in a certain cream sauce 31 Fleet runner: Abbr.

32 Boston’s Liberty Tree, e.g.

34 Tennis player with a record 377 cumulative weeks ranked No. 1 36 First-rate 37 Works as an accountant for a Swedish aerospace company 44 “Pearly Shells” singer 45 Like a llano 46 Put a stop to 49 Mlle., across the Pyrénées 50 Tangle 51 Airy areas of hotels 52 Urban intersectors: Abbr.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Homework: “How easy it is to make people happy when you don’t want or need anything from them,” said Gail Godwin. Give an example.

FreeWillAstrology.com ARIES (March 21-April 19)

“Beware of what disturbs the heart,” said Ibn Mas’ud, a companion of the prophet Mohammed. “If something unsettles your heart, then abandon it.” My wise Aries friend Artemisia has a different perspective. She advises, “Pay close attention to what disturbs the heart. Whatever has the power to unsettle your heart will show you a key lesson you must learn, a crucial task you’d be smart to undertake.” Here’s my synthesis of Ibn Mas’ud and Artemisia: Do your very best to fix the problem revealed by your unsettled heart. Learn all you can in the process.

Then, even if the fix isn’t totally perfect, move on.

Graduate from the problem for good.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Taurus social critic Bertrand Russell won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950. He’s regarded as the founder of analytic philosophy and one of the twentieth century’s premier intellectuals. But he went through a rough patch in 1940. He was adjudged “morally unfit” to accept his appointment as a professor at the City College of New York. The lawsuit that banned him from the job described him as being “libidinous, lustful, aphrodisiac, and irreverent.” Why? Simply because of his liberated opinions about sexuality, which he had conscientiously articulated in his book *Marriage and Morals*. In our modern era, we’re more likely to welcome libidinous, lustful, aphrodisiac, and irreverent ideas if they’re expressed respectfully, as Russell did. With that as a subtext, I invite you to update and deepen your relationship with your own sexuality in the coming weeks.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

In her poem “What the Light Teaches,” Anne Michaels describes herself arriving at a lover’s house soaked with rain, “dripping with new memory.” She’s ready for “one past to grow out of another.” In other words, she’s eager to leave behind the story that she and her lover have lived together up until now—and begin a new story. A similar

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blessing will be available for you in the coming weeks, Gemini: a chance for you and an intimate partner or close ally to launch a new chapter of your history together.

with where you came from and how you got to where you are now.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Some scientists deride astrology despite being ignorant about it. For example, they complain, “The miniscule gravitational forces beaming from the planets can’t possibly have any effect on our personal lives.” But the truth is that most astrologers don’t believe the planets exert influence on us with gravity or any other invisible force. Instead, we analyze planetary movements as evidence of a hidden order in the universe. It’s comparable to the way weather forecasters use a barometer to read atmospheric pressure but know that barometers don’t cause changes in atmospheric pressure.

I hope this inspires you, Cancerian, as you develop constructive critiques of situations in your own sphere.

Don’t rely on naive assumption and unwarranted biases.

Make sure you have the correct facts before you proceed.

If you do, you could generate remarkable transformations in the coming weeks.

It’s natural and healthy to feel both the longing to connect and the longing to be independent. Each of those urges deserves an honored place in your heart. But you may sometimes experience them as being contradictory; their opposing pulls may rouse tension. I bring this to your attention because I suspect that the coming weeks will be a test of your ability to not just abide in this tension, but to learn from and thrive on it. For inspiration, read these words by Jeanette Winterson. “What should I do about the wild heart that wants to be free and the tame heart that wants to come home? I want to be held.

I don’t want you to come too close. I want you to scoop me up and bring me home at night. I don’t want to tell you where I am. I want to be with you.”

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

As you glide into the Season of Love, I’d love you to soak up wise counsel from the author bell hooks. (She doesn’t capitalize her name.) “Many people want love to function like a drug, giving them an immediate and sustained high,” she cautions. “They want to do nothing, just passively receive the good feeling.” I trust you won’t do that, Leo. Here’s more from hooks: “Dreaming that love will save us, solve all our problems or provide a steady state of bliss or security only keeps us stuck in wishful fantasy, undermining the real power of the love—which is to transform us.” Are you ready to be transformed by love, Leo?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Burrow down as deep as you dare, Virgo. Give yourself pep talks as you descend toward the gritty core of every matter. Feel your way into the underground, where the roots meet the foundations. It’s time for you to explore the mysteries that are usually beneath your conscious awareness. You have a mandate to reacquaint yourself

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

The Louvre Museum in Paris displays 38,000 objects throughout its eighteen acres of floor space. Among its most treasured thirteenth-century artworks is *The Madonna and Child in Majesty Surrounded by Angels*, a huge painting by Italian painter Cimabue. When a museum representative first acquired it in the nineteenth century, its price was five francs, or less than a dollar. I urge you to be on the lookout for bargains like that in the coming weeks. Something that could be valuable in the future may be undervalued now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Sagittarian performance artist Marina Abramović observes that Muhammad, Buddha, Jesus, and Moses “all went to the desert as nobodies and came back as somebodies.” She herself spent a year in Australia’s Great Sandy Desert near Lake Disappointment, leading her to exclaim that the desert is “the most incredible place, because there is nothing there except yourself, and yourself is a big deal.” From what I can tell, Sagittarius, you’re just returning from your own metaphorical version of the desert, which is very good news. Welcome back! I can’t wait to see what marvels you spawn.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Upcoming events may bedevil your mind. They may mess with your certainties and agitate your self-doubts.

But if you want my view about those possibilities, they’re cause for celebration. According to my analysis of the astrological indicators, you will benefit from having your mind bedeviled and your certainties messed with and your self-doubts agitated. You may ultimately even thrive and exult and glow like a miniature sun. Why? Because you need life to gently but firmly kick your ass in just the right way so you’ll become alert to opportunities you have been ignoring or blind to.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Every writer I’ve ever known says that a key practice to becoming a good writer is to read a lot of books. So what are we to make of the fact that one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated novelists didn’t hew to that principle? In 1936, three years before the publication of his last book, Aquarian-born James Joyce confessed that he had “not read a novel in any language for many years.” Here’s my take on the subject: More than any other sign of the zodiac, you Aquarians have the potential to succeed despite not playing by conventional rules.

And I suspect your power to do that is even greater than usual these days.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

“If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it,” wrote Piscean novelist John Irving. In the coming weeks, Pisces, you will have the power to get clearer than ever before about knowing the way of life you love. As a bonus, I predict you will also have an expanded access to the courage necessary to actually live that way of life. Take full advantage!

Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes /daily text message horoscopes.

The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.

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The only thing more impressive than wearing an AR-15 out in public is literally anything else.