Oklahoma Magazine May 2020

MAY 2020

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The Film Landscape

The state’s rich cinematic history and vibrant industry

A Notable

LEGACY OKLAHOMA’S MUSICAL influence across a century

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

M AY 2 0 2 0

38

A Notable Legacy

O K L A H O M A M AG A Z I N E

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Oklahoma’s musical influence has cut a wide swath for more than a century. We explore some of the most significant moments in the state’s musical history, a collection of Oklahoma’s prolific artists, a lineup of venues and upcoming events.

10 12 14 16 17 18

21 22

44

26 28 35 36 37

Panning Oklahoma’s Film Landscape The Sooner State has a rich cinematic history and a vibrant industry that creates talent for export while importing works from around the world.

48

She’s the Boss

With state-sanctioned certifications, numerous nonprofits, networks, access to grants and a climate favorable to entrepreneurship, Oklahoma provides many ways for women to make their marks in the business world.

56 57 58 59

60 61 62

64

State

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics are ‘just a breed above’ in their selfless duties to save people’s lives.

People History Nature Community Business Insider

Life and Style Interiors

A new construction in OKC’s Nichols Hills neighborhood offers breathtaking views, a gorgeous backyard and a floating balcony.

Destinations FYI Health Scene Fashion You may be stuck at home, but

that doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish with an abundance of floral patterns.

Taste

Oklahoma restaurants were hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak, but stories of resiliency abound.

Local Flavor Chef Chat Tasty Tidbits

Where and When

While entertainment options are limited this month, Oklahoma still offers a bevy of ways to have fun.

In Tulsa/In OKC Film and Cinema

Closing Thoughts

MAY 2020

MAY 2020

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Lessons from the Masters

For this year’s barbecue feature, we take a philosophic approach and look at the literal art, science and education behind outdoor cooking. Experts also weigh in with the best wines and beers to go with those sumptuous meats.

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

V O L . X X I V, N O . 5

ON THE COVER:

The Film Landscape

The state’s rich cinematic history and vibrant industry

A Notable

LEGACY OKLAHOMA’S MUSICAL influence across a century

Oklahoma Magazine’s new music feature spotlights a variety of Oklahoma musicians who have changed the course of musical history.

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OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA™

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR I never expected to be writing an editor’s letter in the midst of a global pandemic, but here we are. Soon, hopefully, we’ll be able to return to the things we once took for granted: going out to dinner, hugging loved ones, enjoying group activities ... sweet, blissful normalcy. In the meantime, our May issue can tide you over with a variety of uplifting stories.

One of the activities you’ll be able to enjoy this summer? Grilling! In our outdoor cooking feature, we explore the art, science and education behind this delicious hobby starting on page 52.

We have two new features this month. The first is a spotlight on Oklahoma music, with 5 integral moments in Oklahoma music history, a breakdown of prolific musicians, and a helpful venue and event lineup (page 38). Our movies write-up (page 44) discusses Oklahoma’s varied depictions in film history, some resources for aspiring filmmakers, the relevancy of movie theaters and a summer blockbuster collection.

May also welcomes our piece on female entrepreneurs (page 48). We cover the struggles and triumphs of operating a women-owned business, the process of applying for certifications and grants, and reasons why our state is a great place to open shop.

We also touch on ways Oklahoma restaurants have remained resilient during the COVID-19 crisis (page 56); the bravery of the state’s first responders (page 7); and community gardens around the state (page 16).

Email me at editor@okmag.com, and stay healthy!

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THE STATE

ALL THINGS OKLAHOMA

ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE STREETS AND SKIES Emergency medical technicians and paramedics are ‘just a breed above’ in their selfless duties to save people’s lives.

Tulsa Community College offers training, degrees and certifications for emergency medical responders, EMTs and paramedics.

Photo courtesy Tulsa Community College

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rnell Dean made his career choice as a teenager, thanks to Emergency, which ran on NBC for six seasons in the 1970s. The show’s paramedics, Roy DeSoto and Johnny Gage with Los Angeles County’s fictonalized Squad 51, were Dean’s heroes.

“I watched it religiously,” says Dean, a 40-year emergency medical technician with EMSA in Oklahoma City.

“Every episode, they saved somebody’s life.”

Robert Painter, program director for Tulsa Community College’s emergency medical services and paramedic program, also got hooked when he was young. At 18, he was already teaching CPR classes for the American Red Cross.

The Tulsa native attended the University of Oklahoma his freshman year and drove home from Norman about once a month.

“I would come across a wreck and wish I could offer more help,” says Painter, who became an EMT in 1978.

First responders are “just a breed above,” says Jim Winham, president and chief executive officer of EMSA (Emergency Medical Services Authority), which provides pre-hospital emergency care in central and northeastern Oklahoma. “They are selfless people who really have a calling to try to take care of other people and make a difference.”

TCC trains emergency medical responders, EMTs and

MAY 2020 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

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T H E S TAT E | S TA R T I N G O F F

TOP TO BOTTOM: Medical helicopter flights are especially beneficial for rapid transport from rural areas of the state.

Photo courtesy Edward McConville EMSA OKC performs youth outreach to teach younger generations about the rigors of the job.

Photo courtesy EMSA

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paramedics with certificate and degree programs, Painter says, and all instructors are working paramedics. Students complete the paramedic program in three semesters.

“Some of our students already are employed by an ambulance service or fire department and are sponsored to take the course,” Painter says. “There’s a pretty good demand nationwide for nationally registered paramedics.”

Edward McConville, one of Painter’s adjunct instructors and a paramedic on a medical helicopter, says out of high school he “went into the Army National Guard and that kind of set the tone. My job in the reserves was

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

field medic. I really enjoyed that part of it. When I went back to school, I got my EMT.” McConville says he took to the air about nine years ago.

Helicopter flights allow rapid transport to specialized facilities, such as trauma centers and heart hospitals.

“They are really beneficial in the rural parts of any state,” he says.

McConville says today’s paramedic students are better prepared than he was.

“A lot of that has to do with the equipment and the technology available today,” he says. “We have gone from doing things just because we’ve done them that way to doing a protocol that is evidence-based, so there is some science behind what we are doing.”

Hope Lowry, a TCC paramedic student scheduled to graduate in July, reflects Winham’s observations about selflessness.

“I’ve always loved helping people,” Lowry says. “I originally wanted to be a pediatrician.”

Lowry says she got sidetracked and studied business, but life experiences brought her back to health care. Her sister died a few years ago in a traffic accident, and her youngest daughter nearly died four years ago from a medical condition.

“I found myself thrust back into the medical field wanting to play a bigger role in my daughter’s health care,” she says.

Lowry, already an EMT and a hospice caregiver, says she wants to work in a hospital surgical department as a paramedic and continue on to nursing school next year.

“The pre-hospital setting is vastly different from the hospital setting,” Lowry says of emergency-care training. “It’s going to help me be a better nurse. If I can stick an IV in somebody while we are rolling down the road, I

certainly can do it while we are sitting still.”

Painter says it’s not unusual for EMTs and paramedics to continue their educations. He earned a business administration degree and spent 26 years in Alaska, the last 18 as a fire chief and director of emergency services.

Emergency responders invariably say they love what they do, but Winham warns that stressors can take a toll.

“They have traffic to deal with and crowds at emergency scenes,” he says. “It’s a daily grind on them. You want to make a difference, but sometimes you can’t.

People are going to die on you.”

Winham says EMSA has chaplains, peer support groups and a contracted mental-health provider to support workers.

“Sometimes it’s just difficult to go on,” Winham says. “It’s important to be able to release your feelings.”

Dean says pediatric cases can break his heart.

“To see little kids traumatized in a car accident, that’s stressful,” he says.

Dean, an EMSA chaplain, was on duty the day of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. For weeks after, he awoke in the middle of the night remembering what he had seen. Several of his co-workers changed careers afterward.

“The bombing catapulted me into really doing the job of critical stress management for the other employees,” Dean says.

When he retires, Dean says he would like to travel the country and speak to students about how he became the first AfricanAmerican EMT in the back of an ambulance in Oklahoma City.

EMSA hired him when he was 18 to do non-emergency runs while he attended school at night.

His parents and grandparents were worried he might face hiring discrimination, Dean says, and tried to prepare him for disappointment.

“But I aced the interview,” he says. “They wanted me on the job. They did everything in their power to make sure I got hired.”

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T H E S TAT E | P E O P L E

IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL Born near Tahlequah, Wes Studi is the first Native actor to win an Academy Award – for lifetime achievement in Hollywood.

F

Wes Studi played the Huron chief Magua in 1992’s The Last of the Mohicans.

Photo by Maura Dhu Studi

ONLINE

FOR MORE ON WES STUDI, VISIT okmag.com/studi

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

rom Nofire to Nowhere, Oklahoma-born Wes Studi has a career that is anything but inconsequential.

Studi, who received a Governors Award in October for lifetime achievement in film, is the first Native American actor to win an Academy Award. For more than three decades, he has portrayed strong, complex characters and helped break stereotypes common in the days when anglos played Indians.

“I have a fondness for this work that keeps me in it,” he says. “I have some stamina to stay in this business for so long.”

Studi’s life today – on his ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico – is far different from his time at the Chilocco Indian School in Newkirk, where he graduated with a vocation in dry cleaning and wore a flattop haircut with fenders.

Born in Nofire Hollow, southeast of Tahlequah and Park Hill, Studi can’t quite grasp how quickly time has passed since his breakout role as a Pawnee warrior in Dances With Wolves, which won the Best Picture Oscar in 1990.

“I’m still wondering where those years went,” says Studi, who keeps fit with “a fairly active lifestyle. I don’t sit down a lot. I just check out my arms from time to time. When they get flabby, I go out and do some upper body work and some aerobic exercise.”

Studi’s acting career began in Tulsa community theater. His first professional gig was in a dramatic version of John Neihardt’s Black Elk Speaks with David Carradine and Will Sampson at the American Indian Theatre Company in 1984. The book is taught widely in English classes.

“Its central message holds true to this day; it’s universally true,” Studi says. “We are all related and

all in this together and we’re getting a damned good reminder of that today with this coronavirus pandemic.”

Studi’s current project, Nowhere, Arizona, was supposed to have started filming in April, but restrictions involving COVID-19 suspended production. Studi enacts Chuck Begay, a recently released prisoner.

“It’s a gritty film about life and the search for redemption,” he says. “It’s not a feel-good movie.”

(For trivia buffs, there really is/ was a Nowhere, a ghost town in western Arizona.)

Studi, whose first language is Cherokee, didn’t learn English until he was 5. He is an advocate for his mother tongue and other indigenous languages. In the 1970s, Studi worked for the Cherokee Nation to begin the bilingual Cherokee Phoenix. For 15 years, he has worked with the Indigenous Language Institute in Santa Fe. “Cherokee is a great part of my identity,” Studi says. “It’s important for it to continue as a language. Cherokees are constantly updating our language to fit our world today and things that have just been invented. If a language isn’t dynamic, it’s destined to lose out in the world – a death certificate so to speak.

“I have interest in where words come from, their roots and what they really mean – how words began on a human level and how we began communicating. It’s fascinating.”

Studi says he returns to Oklahoma several times a year; his mother, who turned 91 last month, lives in Collinsville and he has extended family throughout the state.

“I enjoy visiting Oklahoma when I can,” he says.

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T H E S TAT E | H I S T O R Y

SUBMARINERS ON ETERNAL PATROL Three Oklahomans aboard the USS Grayback are honored nearly 76 years after they perished during World War II.

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The USS Grayback was thought to be lost to history, but a team called the Lost 52 Project found it beneath the ocean in June.

Photos courtesy Naval History and Heritage Command

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hree Oklahoma submariners, who died with their shipmates during World War II, have been formally recognized for their ultimate sacrifices.

The full honors and memorial came after their submarine, the USS Grayback, was finally found last year off the coast of Okinawa, where it sank in the East China Sea after being struck by a Japanese plane and several ships Feb. 27, 1944.

On Jan. 14, the Yukon Veterans Museum and the U.S. Navy held a memorial service for Robert Vernon Hansen of Oklahoma City, a 21-year-old radio technician first class; Lee Carol Stanford of Ardmore, a 28-year-old machinist mate chief; and Ross Lillard Capshaw of Oklahoma City, a 25-year-old pharmacists’ mate. Each received a Purple Heart.

The diesel-powered Grayback, part of what was known as the Silent Service, held its own in the Pacific theater with 10 successful war patrols sinking 14 ships (ranked 24th among Navy subs) totaling 63,835 tons of military hardware (ranked 20th). The Grayback damaged numerous other vessels and was important in the Guadalcanal campaign, the first U.S. offensive in the Pacific during World War II. Even when damaged, the Grayback attacked the enemy and sometimes resorted to using its deck guns. The sub routinely dared to surface when it was seriously threatened. The vessel received two Navy Unit Commendations, plus eight Battle Stars.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

The Grayback was thought to be lost at sea. However, a group known as the Lost 52 Project, searching for 52 submarines that vanished during the war, discovered an error in the original translation of longitude where the Grayback sank. On June 5, 2019, after refocusing its efforts, the group found the Grayback (Lost 52’s seventh discovery) and 80-man crew 1,427 feet below the ocean surface.

The Grayback, officially SS-208, had 10 21-inch torpedo tubes, 24 torpedoes, one dual purpose deck gun, and two machine guns at its commissioning in June 1941. With Australia as its home base, the submarine menaced Japanese ships in the Pacific for years.

In January 1943, northeast of Australia, a B-26 aircraft crashed and left six survivors on an island.

Grayback submariners went ashore, located the aviators (three of whom were injured) and hid them in the jungle. The Grayback submerged to avoid enemy aircraft but later helped all get to safety. The rescue earned the Grayback’s commander a Navy Cross.

The Grayback was part of the submarine force’s first Wolfpack, so called because it included deadly, powerful vessels patrolling together. The Grayback teamed with the subs Cero and Shad in SeptemberOctober 1943 to sink ships totaling 38,000 tons and damaging ships weighing another 63,300 tons.

In January 1944, under Lt. Cmdr. John A. Moore, the Grayback headed toward the East China Sea for what would be its final war patrol; a month later, it sank two Japanese army cargo ships. A Japanese plane damaged the submarine Feb. 26, but the Grayback sank a naval transport the next day … just before it met its fate after surfacing a final time.

Silence came across the radio. Expected at Midway in March, the Grayback did not arrive. However, generations later, its crew is still remembered.

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T H E S TAT E | N AT U R E

DON’T GET BUGGED Insect-borne illnesses – widespread in warmer months – can be avoided with a few safety measures.

A

n increase in the prevalence of bugs during the spring and summer is a reality in Oklahoma. While encounters with insects and arachnids are usually harmless, one sting or bite can bring pain or long-term health problems to some.

Wasps, bees, mosquitoes, spiders and ticks are the most common bugs Oklahomans encounter. The mosquito is perhaps the most irritating of all … and the most likely to transmit disease. State and municipal governments trap and test mosquitoes to see what diseases they may carry, says Scott Meador,

14

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

the vector control programming coordinator for the Tulsa Health Department.

He says mosquitoes emerge in mid-spring and “can carry West Nile virus – that is our main vector with them right now as far as mosquito-borne disease. Zika has diminished in threat as far as this area, so that’s not something the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] focus on a lot in our area of the country.”

West Nile is the No. 1 cause of mosquito-borne disease in North America, according to the CDC. It can cause fever, body aches and a stiff neck, among other symptoms. About one in every 150 infected people develop serious complications.

Meador says mosquito season in Oklahoma fades in October, but the threat of ticks can last longer. Many ticks carry Lyme disease, an illness that can have lifelong health consequences, including loss of mobility, weakness and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be deadly if not treated quickly.

“Lyme disease is here in Oklahoma and also Rocky Mountain spotted fever, both of which can be treated with antibiotics,” he says. “Ticks can [also] carry alpha-gal syndrome, which is essentially a situation where you develop [an allergy] to all red

meat. That really gets people’s attention. Because of what they can carry, there is a lot of research around ticks right now.”

Meador says wasps and bee stings can cause people with preexisting allergies to have potentially life threatening reactions, but these insects don’t typically carry diseases. If you believe you have been bitten by a tick or mosquito and show symptoms like a fever, it’s important to contact a physician immediately, he says.

Avoiding contact with insects that can pose health questions is a good way to ensure you don’t get sick while you’re outdoors.

“Prevention is always the key, and there are steps you can take to make sure you don’t get stung or bitten by an insect that might make you sick,” says Tom Creider, program manager for Oklahoma State Parks. “An insect repellent with at least 25% DEET is a good bet for mosquitoes [and] is effective if you use it right – and be sure to put some more on after a period of time when it starts to wear off.”

Ticks are especially prevalent in heavily wooded areas.

“Always check yourself for ticks when you’re hiking or spending a lot of time outdoors where you might come into contact with them,” Creider says.

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T H E S TAT E | C O M M U N I T Y

PLANTS AND PARTNERSHIPS Community gardens grow sustenance and inspire pride and community involvement across Oklahoma.

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RIGHT: Benito Santillan adds a plant to a garden in Oklahoma City.

Photo courtesy SomethingSpiritual BELOW: Students in Norman get ready to plant. All the schools in the district have some type of community garden through efforts between the schools and the Earth Rebirth nonprofit.

Photo courtesy Earth Rebirth

16

ommunity gardens offer more than a bounty of fruits and vegetables.

They also produce a sense of belonging for neighbors, an appreciation of nature for students, and partnerships between civic organizations and groups.

Oklahoma has a range of such gardens, from spaces at schools and plots in parks to neighborhood farms. They are used for educational purposes, business opportunities, community engagement, and sources for healthy food.

Allen Parleir of Oklahoma City says a community garden offers health and therapeutic benefits, social connections and knowledge about nutrition and “invites people to spend more of their lives outside.”

A community garden also “just makes for a neighborhood that feels a little more proud of itself,” says Parleir, who works

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

with OKC’s Central Park Community Garden and is a co-founder of CommonWealth Urban Farms of Oklahoma City. “A community garden is any garden that is benefiting a community. There are lots of ways to structure it.”

Residents in a neighborhood often begin a community garden to produce healthy food. Tyler Black has helped for four years with Tulsa’s PH Community Garden, which has yielded tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, onions, apple trees, watermelons and “all the herbs you can think of,” he says.

“Community gardens really click for people when they’ve eaten what they’ve grown.”

Along with a desire among residents to rejuvenate the 100-plusyear-old Crosbie Heights neighborhood near downtown, the PH Community Garden is a place to relax, reflect, recharge and learn about gardening.

Community gardens can serve as a classroom for students with hands-on lessons on how to grow flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables. In Norman, each public school has a community garden; the Earth Rebirth organization, a nonprofit focusing on food, energy and water programs, fostered this initiative.

“All of these gardens are

succeeding in some way,” says Andrew Sartain, founder of the nonprofit.

The gardens have also produced entrepreneurial opportunities, such as students selling produce at farmers markets or hosting photoshoots amid the plants and vines as fundraisers, Sartain says.

Parleir says the keys to a successful community garden are “a few folks committed to being there no matter what.”

Dedicated volunteers and groups can expand their gardening into broader missions, such as CommonWealth. Co-founder and farm manager Candace Woods says the group formed when residents wanted to turn vacant lots into productive green spaces to benefit the community.

“People like being involved with something bigger than themselves,” Woods says. “You can see the results of what we’re doing together.”

For information about gardening, visit Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service at extension.okstate.edu.

SHARLA BARDIN

T H E S TAT E | B U S I N E S S

TENACITY, PECANS AND COWBOY HATS The Hamilton family, seated in the hamlet of Coleman, draws from upheavals during the Civil War to create healthy foods today.

T

This undated 19th century tintype shows Rebecca Null Hamilton holding her infant. The photo was taken at Boggy Depot, Indian Territory, in today’s far southeastern Oklahoma.

Photo courtesy Mark Hamilton

he grit and gumption of two Alabamans displaced by the Civil War continues with their southern Oklahoma descendants, whose heart-healthy products have a global following.

Dan Hamilton, his sons Mark and Paul and grandson Jacob run a pair of Johnson County businesses – Tri-Agri Farm Center and Native American Specialty Products – that account for one of the largest pecan operations in Oklahoma.

“We are defining wellness properties of pecans, finding better product usage for health-conscious consumers [and] experimenting with snack combinations and other products, like pecan butter.”

The Hamilton family’s circuitous route to the unincorporated town of Coleman can be traced to a 14-year-old Alabama cavalry courier during the Civil War. Union soldiers captured J.O. Hamilton and sent him to prisoner-of-war Camp Chase, Ohio. Facing a grim outcome, the boy dressed himself in a Yankee uniform, walked out the gate and vanished for a while.

Back in Alabama, John Null and his Choctaw wife, Sarah, gave up their home and went to Smith County, Texas, where they established a cattle operation. By 1870, Hamilton had turned up as a laborer

for the Nulls and his brother married one of the Nulls’ daughters.

In March 1872, the Nulls moved their cattle business across the Red River to bustling Boggy Depot in the Choctaw Nation near Atoka. Later that year, the Nulls’ 15-year-old daughter, Rebecca, married 23-year-old J.O. Hamilton and the young family expanded with the births of Mary, Vercy and Rufus Hamilton.

The Hamiltons headed to Grapevine, Texas, to buy their own cattle. On their way back, rustlers from Marietta, in Indian Territory, ambushed them, took their cattle, and shot J.O. Hamilton, who eventually died from the injuries.

Rebecca Hamilton, a woman just 5-foot-2 and 100 pounds, returned to Texas and bought a new herd.

With hired guns, she moved her cattle north and established her ranch three miles west of the Choctaw town of Caddo in what is now Bryan County. The lands of her children eventually dotted the area west to the Blue River.

Today, about 17 miles away from Caddo in Coleman, J.O. and Rebecca Hamilton’s great-great-grandson, Mark Hamilton, says his 81-year-old father, Dan, works daily in the company he founded in 1981.

“Tri-Agri Farm Center cleans and markets inshell pecans for Oklahoma and Texas farmers and harvesters [by] providing best-value solutions for farmers’ products,” Mark Hamilton says. “We also pelletize feed for ranching, primarily cattle feed, and provide fertilizer and weed spray services to the industry.”

Dan Hamilton also spearheaded Native American Specialty Products. His wife, Sonja, named their heart-healthy pecan oil Achukma. The product, with an international presence online at achukma.com, is found at about 50 Oklahoma and Texas retailers.

Achukma is Choctaw for good, beautiful and pure.

The Hamiltons cold-press unrefined, 100% pure, virgin pecan oil with no chemicals to maintain its healthy properties. It’s low in saturated fats, contains zinc and Vitamin E, and is a good source of omega-3s and -6s.

“Our business expands as we better define products and marketing,” Mark Hamilton says. “We’re now roasting and flavoring pecans, utilizing pecan oil for the roasting process [and] maintaining a pure pecan product. This part of our business expanded 250% over the past two years and looks to maintain that increase again this year.”

Returning from an international trade show, he adds that it’s “amazing how many people want to have their picture taken with someone wearing a cowboy hat.”

CAROL MOWDY BOND

MAY 2020 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

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T H E S TAT E | I N S I D E R

FOREVER THE BOYS OF SUMMER Softball leagues for those in the autumns and winters of their lives keep perpetual ideals of youth intact, even with the occasional pulled muscle.

I

ABOVE: David Adams pitches for the Tulsa Senior Softball League team 80-Plus.

BELOW: John Wooley (right) high-fives John Harris during a game.

Photos by Megan Ross courtesy Tulsa World

18

’ve long thought that one of the secrets of life is always looking forward to something. For the past several years, one of the things I’ve been looking forward to is being in an over-70 softball league.

Like a lot of baby boomer kids, I grew up loving and playing baseball, even though I wasn’t much good at it. By the time I got to high school, I tried to be a pitcher, but, because I couldn’t throw hard enough to break glass, I developed a little fluttery knuckleball, which was my go-to pitch during my days as a Chelsea Green Dragon.

Whatever good results I experienced came largely because our top two pitchers at the time, Doug Payne and Philip Fink, were farm boys whose regimen of chores had given them the strength to throw hard; most of my time in real games came after one or the other of those gentlemen had spent several innings blowing fastballs by the opposition and coach Rupert Cross called me in as a closer.

I’m convinced it was the sudden drop in velocity coming from the mound that led to whatever limited success I had as a high school hurler. I relied mightily on the element of surprise. Our catcher, Roy Morrison, once told me that an opposing hitter, after flailing unsuccess-

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

fully at my first offering, asked, “What’s that guy trying to do?

Break my back?”

It wasn’t until I attended Oklahoma State University, and made a switch to first base in an intramural softball league, that I sort of blossomed. And that momentum carried me through a lot of years: my time in the Navy, where I played beerfueled triple-headers in the boiling, tropical heat of the Philippines on stops between San Diego and Vietnam; as a faculty member at what was then Oscar Rose Junior College in Midwest City; and, for more than 20 years in various media leagues, during my stint as a Tulsa World entertainment writer.

At the World one day, my friend and colleague David MacKenzie showed me a wonderful New York Times story about an over-70 game, and that was when I decided that once I got close to becoming a septuagenarian, I’d start looking around to see if there were any of those kinds of softball opportunities in the area.

As it turned out, I could’ve kept playing after my age-58 retirement from the World. I know now that Tulsa offers senior-league play at two levels: ages 45-60, and 60 and over. Because I didn’t find that out until recently, I did little more than occasionally throw the ball around or shag flies in the dozen-plus years between my leaving the World and now.

The rustiness certainly showed when I took the diamond for the first time with player-coach Butch Webb’s team, called 80-Plus. I found that group through an ad in the World calling for “wiry old men” who wanted to play softball. (If you happen to be of the right age and interested in playing, that 24-hour number is 918-836-6767.)

Holding down second base, I watched as a batter connected and the ball shot in my general direction.

Unfortunately for me, my brain didn’t have time to transmit my actual age to my body, so I dove for it.

Even as the ball skittered past, pain exploded like shrapnel up and down my right leg, and I suddenly understood what a teammate had told me about playing at this time in our lives.

“The secret,” he’d said, “is to ease into it.”

I hadn’t, and my error cost me about six weeks away from the field. During that time, I gimped around in agonizingly slow motion like Arte Johnson’s old-man character, Tyrone F. Horneigh, on

Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In. Once, as I was on my way to do my radio show at the University of Tulsa’s Kendall Hall, I had the sensation of being frozen like an iceberg – moving at a glacial pace – as students flowed around me on their way to classes. It was disconcerting, to say the least.

When I returned to action, I heeded my teammate’s advice and took it a lot slower – learning as I went along.

I learned that some of the rules are different at this level. In order to avoid collisions, for instance, the 60-plus players run past bases – including home plate – rather than to them. The pitcher wears a face mask for protection from line drives, two strikes (including foul balls) and a batter’s out, and three balls and he walks. Generally speaking, batters jog rather than run around the bases, and there’s not a lot of diving for grounders.

I also realized that the arm is the last part of the body to come back to life. I found this out one night when the opposing team had the bases loaded and I was playing second. Mike Little, a fine offensive and defensive ballplayer, was behind the plate, and I made up my mind that if a ground ball came my way, I’d throw to him to get the lead runner.

Sure enough, that’s what happened. Making a good grab, I gloved the ball and heaved it toward Little with all the strength I could muster – and then watched as it made a pitiful little arc, hit the ground just in front of the pitcher’s mound and rolled ineffectually to a stop as our opponents jogged merrily around the bases.

Another note about this league: when you make a good catch or hit the ball solidly, you get a lot of affirmation – not just from your teammates, but from the other side as well. Sure, there’s the occasional conflict that springs up when people play competitively,

but far more frequent is a feeling of comradeship, of all being in this together, of somehow cheating time and playing the sandlot game we first latched onto many decades ago.

Webb (aka Supercoach) has changed the name of our team this year. We’re now 85-Plus, the oldest team in the league. The name has always reflected his age, in increments of five years; some of the guys have been with him so long that they proudly wear their original jerseys from a time when they were collectively known as 60-Plus.

Besides Supercoach, several of my other teammates are approaching, or beyond, 80 years of life on this planet. And even if they have a tendency to sometimes let screaming liners get past them or misjudge fly balls, they still play like they’re kids. All of us do.

Sometimes, standing out there in the infield under the lights, I think about something my dear, departed friend Steve Ripley said about music (and I hope my paraphrasing does him justice). His theory was that you started out playing real simple stuff for fun and then, as you got better and better, your music became more complex and much deeper. But if you stayed with it, at some point it became simple again. At that point, it was different. It had the weight of years behind it.

It seems to me that’s a lot like playing softball at my age and the ages of my teammates. We know that we’re not going to get any better – it’s just the opposite – but we’re not spending too much time lamenting our eroding skills or recalling our dazzling feats on the field. Instead, we’re showing up a couple of times a week – happy to be on a diamond once again, knowing how blessed we are to still be playing this beautiful spring and summer game in the autumns and winters of our lives.

JOHN WOOLEY

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LIFE & STYLE

A M A P TO L I V I N G W E L L

MID-CENTURY AND PRAIRIE-CHIC One of the most inventive and architecturally interesting features of this home is the bridge-like balcony overlooking the main living areas.

Photo by Emily Hart

A new construction in OKC’s Nichols Hills neighborhood offers breathtaking views, a gorgeous backyard and a ‘floating balcony.’

By M.J. Van Deventer

MAY 2020 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

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L I F E & S T Y L E | I NT ER I O R S

C

an a thoroughly modern home exist gracefully in a traditional, historic neighborhood like Nichols Hills in Oklahoma City? Thanks to the inventive talents of an architect and interior designer duo, the answer is a resounding yes.

The first hurdle in creating this home was building on an angular-shaped lot, along with preserving some mature trees on the land. The owners also wanted to take advantage of the stunning views of the park that winds through the neighborhood, as well as capitalize on natural sunlight while still preserving privacy.

Architect Steve Bothell of Bockus Payne and interior designer Dustin Dorr claimed the challenge and rose to the occasion.

Designed with pitched-face stone, the exterior of the home is complemented by smooth stone accent bands and a synthetic, slate-like roof. At key locations, the stone veneer extends into the landscape, further connecting the residence to its impressive site.

The home’s south-facing façade has a characteristically modern appeal, featuring a sculptural roof overhang that seems to float above the main entry roof.

Strategically placed fins are angled precisely to provide an unobstructed, yet private, view from the home’s front door. From this vantage point, the homeowners have a magnificent view of the park.

The first impression of the interior is breathtaking.

Visitors to the stately home are greeted by an impressive chandelier, an elegant staircase and a contemporary glass bridge that spans the interior of the formal entrance. Bothell calls this feature “a floating balcony.”

Unusual for most homes, the entry staircase offers compelling views of both the front and back lawns.

LEFT TO RIGHT: A mini putting green on the second floor balcony is just another delightful accent in this home.

State-of-the-art appliances accent the kitchen. The center island is perfect for informal dining.

Photos by Emily Hart

22

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

ABOVE: A contemporary home with a gorgeous view overlooking Nichols Hills Park was designed with a traditional exterior, nestled among numerous homes in this exclusive neighborhood.

Well-placed furnishings with minimal color accents make the main living area an inviting gathering place for the owners and guests.

Photos by Emily Hart

LEFT TO RIGHT: This Nichols Hills home oers intricate landscaping and plenty of outdoor seating.

Photo by Justin Miers Photography Pops of color including lemon yellow, red and turquoise accent the downstairs master bedroom. An unusual wood chest is a conversation piece in this setting.

Photo by Emily Hart

MAY 2020 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

23

L I F E & S T Y L E | I NT ER I O R S The owners view the dwelling as more than a well-designated home base, but as a setting for friends and family to enjoy. Bothell, who describes the space as “a mid-century prairie style residence with a slight reference to ... Frank Lloyd Wright,” says the entire home was conceived as a versatile area for entertainment. This was accomplished with sliding glass doors along the back of the home, making the outdoors a natural part of the home’s environment with minimal effort. These transparent sliding doors also appear or vanish like magic with just the flip of a switch.

“The glass walls give the owners flexibility to utilize the home’s distinctive spaces together or separately,” says Bothell. When necessary, the walls can connect the great room, kitchen, wet bar and game room with the outdoor pool and living area.

The great room opens to an impressive kitchen, highlighted by a transparent wine feature that creates a unique accent within the formal dining room. This area offers a pleasing view of the home’s spacious back lawn, which may be the crown jewel of the construction. Along with a large, rectangular pool, an abundance of outdoor fire features creates a special evening ambiance. A cozy outdoor hangout spot offers ample seating and a large flat screen TV for even more entertainment.

Overlooking the back lawn and pool on the lower level is the master suite, which includes separate his and hers closets and baths with a shared shower.

Nearby, an office features a hidden bed that can accommodate overnight guests.

On the home’s second floor, there are two additional bedrooms and a state-ofthe-art exercise area, equipped with a putting green. Each room has access to an outdoor terrace, taking advantage of incredible views that stretch from Nichols Hills to downtown OKC. Truly, this is a home designed for all seasons and occasions.

TOP TO BOTTOM: A soothing environment envelops the master bath. A large window brings nature inside.

The home office offers rich color accents and a simple, streamlined design.

The expansive backyard includes a pool, outdoor relaxation area and fire features.

Photos by Emily Hart

24

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

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L I F E & S T Y L E | D E S T I NAT I O NS Bus tour

IN THE GLOW OF QUITO Ecuador’s capital city offers an adventurous mixture of activities for an energetic yet relaxing sojourn.

Q An alpaca perches in front of Quilotoa Lake, a body of water inside a volcano's caldera.

Photos by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

26

uito, Ecuador, is an ideal base for cultural and ecological day trips around the country.

The charming boutique hotel Portal del Cantuña is 50 feet from a prime area, Plaza de San Francisco. Once a 19th-century Franciscan convent, the hotel retains its original columns, relics and chapel. The colonial furniture, stained glass and greenhouse lobby exude Ecuadorean style, and the ornate parlor beckons you to drink tea as the 5 a.m. church bells chime.

Every morning, cyclonic flocks of doves swoop off plaza rooftops, and taxi brigades are ready to transport anyone. Nearby is the luxurious Casa Gangostena hotel, a re-purposed mansion where you can stop for cocktails or dinner.

Following are other excursions to enjoy in and around Quito.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

Tours are available in the capital city, where many buildings have a fusion of Flemish, Renaissance and Mudéjar styles. Significant sites include the gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional and the modern Virgen de El Panecillo overlooking the city.

That 135-foot-tall depiction of the Virgin Mary with wings – radiating auspicious grace, especially when lighted at night – is one of South America’s tallest statues and the world’s tallest statue made of aluminum.

The basilica is modeled after the iconic Notre Dame cathedral, except it has indigenous animal sculptures instead of gargoyles. Once you disembark the bus and head inside, take the elevator to the steeple and ascend the ladder to reach the spires. On the panoramic ledge, you view the world’s secondhighest capital (after La Paz, Bolivia). Afterward, take a break in the cathedral’s café.

Old Quito

Calle La Ronda is the cobbled, bohemian alley of galleries, cafés and music. With a canelazo (a local treat) in hand, stroll in the calm afternoon or bustling evening. Be alert in Quito; police circulate to warn about safety.

Mitad del Mundo

This equatorial landmark, whose name means the middle of the world, is 45 minutes away from Quito.

The 18th-century French geodesic mission measured the earth’s latitude and roundness, and the country’s name derived from this. The nearby Intiñan Museum

is the GPS-determined equator, where you can participate in hands-on experiments.

Otavalo

It’s easy to find a driver to Otavalo, the textile market in northern Ecuador about 2 hours from Quito. On enchanting back roads, you encounter cornfields and villages where farmers herd cows and cowgirls break in ponies. Indigenous women wash quinoa in San Pablo Lake.

Enjoy seeing aloe vera plants and tussock grasses, which make the drive sublime.

Quilotoa

Carve out a full day for an excursion to this lake in a volcano’s caldera.

On your 3-hour journey to the destination, you pass Cotopaxi, the world’s

highest active volcano. Interact with an indigenous Sasquisili family in their earthen dwelling and see cuy (Guinea pig) roasting roadside. The patchwork of pastoral scenes includes herds of sheep and farmers descending mountainsides.

Eventually, you reach the stunning, teal lake. The hike is rigorous, so consider riding a donkey, guided by an energetic, fit native. Indulge in the comfort of locro de papa, a cheesy potato soup, afterward.

Mindo cloud forest

About 90 minutes from Quito is a verdant ecosystem that transitions from forest to jungle. Stop at Pululahua Crater, a geo-botanical reserve with billowing clouds filling the vista. Mindo’s adventurous ziplines and tubing experiences are balanced by easy tours of coffee and

chocolate plantations. The exhilarating basket ride over the ravine is the way to enjoy Ecuador’s essence.

Quito diet

Dine at Pim’s, which features virtual aerial views. At one moment, you see a glowing city at night, then you’re ensconced in cloud mist and the view disappears. Los Geranios and La Pizca are also recommended restaurants.

After day excursions, return nightly to Quito to enjoy shimmering streets and sauntering crowds under a canopy of umbrellas. Illuminated buildings reflect dewy roads as you walk in the glow of Quito, a city that reminds people, “We travel not to escape life … but for life to escape us.”

GINA MICHALOPULOS KINGSLEY

Cross Timbers Brewing Co. got its start at the Brewers Union.

Photo by Carol Mowdy Bond

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Experience the Earth's equator at Mitad del Mundo, or middle of the world, just 45 minutes from Quito.

Cotopaxi is the world's highest active volcano.

On a bus tour of Quito, visitors can experience a Gothic basilica modeled after Notre Dame.

The Mindo cloud forest offers stunning views and numerous outdoor activities.

MAY 2020| WWW.OKMAG.COM

27

L I F E & S T Y L E | F YI

HAILING A RIDE WITH SAFETY IN MIND Uber and Lyft work to keep riders and drivers secure with advanced features on their apps.

R

idesharing services have become the norm for many Oklahomans. As the popularity of Uber and Lyft increases, so do concerns about safety, so both companies have worked to provide secure experiences for riders and drivers alike.

Kayla Whaling, with Uber media relations, says riders and drivers can call 911 through the emergency assistance feature in the Uber app. The company also added the option to text 911 with information that can include the vehicle’s make, model, license plate and location.

In January, Uber added a unique, four-digit PIN for each ride. The customer gives it to the driver, who enters the numbers into the application. If everything matches, the ride is verified. The PIN is an opt-in feature.

Uber riders can soon designate up to five family members or friends as trusted contacts, who can receive details of every ride.

PUBLIC OPTIONS Oklahoma’s two largest cities have public

transit options that might fit your needs.

In Oklahoma City, “the great thing about Embark’s family of public transportation services is that they are safe, accessible, lowcost and sustainable,” spokesman Michael Scroggins says. “Ensuring our community has access to a wide variety of safe mobility options is at the heart of Embark’s mission. It is encouraging to see the marketplace innovate and support even more mobility solutions for

28

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

Ashley Adams of Lyft’s media relations department says: “Safety is fundamental. Since day one, we’ve invested in policies, products and features to protect both riders and drivers, and we are continuously working to make Lyft an even safer platform for our community.”

Adams says that in 2019, Lyft launched more than 15 safety features, including in-app emergency assistance, increased antifraud measures and mandatory feedback for any ride rated less than four stars.

“We know that safety is not a destination,” Adams says, “and when it comes to the safety of our riders and drivers, both on the road or in the car, our work will never be done.”

Before getting into an Uber, Lyft or other rideshare vehicle, make sure the license plate, driver profile and the vehicle’s make, model and color match the information you receive. If it is your first time using such a service, research additional safety features before scheduling a ride.

DEBI TURLEY

our communities.”

Liann Alfaro, the City of Tulsa’s planning and marketing director, says city buses let “a person have the freedom to relax, have fun and get some exercise, all while taking in what Tulsa offers.”

Alfaro says Tulsa has many options, including scooters, a bike-sharing program, Tulsa Transit with fixed bus routes and the Aero Bus Rapid Transit line. These services are typically less expensive than Uber or Lyft and reduce a rider’s carbon footprint, she says.

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Views expressed in the Professionals do not necessarily represent the views of Oklahoma Magazine, Schuman Publishing Co. or its affiliates.

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Dee Ann Wicks

Sherri Wise

#TulsaGoRed Not Pictured: Byron Bighorse, Jennifer Bighorse, Lisa Cameron, Mike Case, John Clawson, Amanda Clinton, Dr. Sharolyn Cook, Kat Farrow, Brant Gamble, Cindy Giddings, Spring Gray, Mary Ann Hille, Angela Kouplen, Caron Lawhorn, Paula Marshall, Marcia MacLeod, Dr. Mrudula Munagala, Darren Mundell, Kristin Nylander, Stacie Nutt, Dr. Saran Oliver, Cyndy Phillips, Frauke Quiroga, Susan Rogers, Kimberly Scrivner, Dr. Sarah Shaw-Dressler, Rachel Tallent, Dr. Tatsiana Valasiuk, Dr. David Wilkett

May rest inrest the care of others, Mayyouyoufind find in the care of others, In the knowledge of your worth, knowledge of your worth, InInthethevalue of your service.

In the value of your service.

May the One who gives rest Bless you and hold you close.

Maymaytheyou,One whoverygives And in your being, rest Be a place of rest for others.

Bless you and hold you close.

And may you, in your very being, Be a place of rest for others.

— From “A Blessing for Nurses”

CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES

— From “A Blessing for Nurses” CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES

saintfrancis.com SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL | THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS | WARREN CLINIC | HEART HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS | SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL SOUTH | LAUREATE PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC AND HOSPITAL

IN GRATITUDE TO ALL NURSES. Every day, in every Saint Francis Health System location, nurses embody our mission: To extend the presence and healing ministry of Christ in all we do.

Especially in our current healthcare climate, we count our blessings each day for this extraordinarily talented and compassionate team of women and men.

To all nurses within Saint Francis Health System and throughout Oklahoma, thank you for your skill, your wisdom, your kindness and your courage.

SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL MUSKOGEE | SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL VINITA | SAINT FRANCIS BROKEN ARROW | SAINT FRANCIS CANCER CENTER | SAINT FRANCIS HOME CARE COMPANIES | SAINT FRANCIS GLENPOOL

Exceptional Care & Character

Character is rarely forged in comfort and quiet. Character is often revealed on the front lines, especially now, when facing and fighting an unprecedented crisis.

The courage and compassion of our caregivers has always been on display, each day, sometimes in quieter ways. But in these uncertain times, their warmth, wisdom, comfort and care is more treasured than ever.

To all the heroes who put on a mask, then rise to the challenge, we thank you.

integrisok.com

L I F E & S T Y L E | HE ALT H

MAINTAINING FLEXIBILITY Important for joints and muscles, stretching and balance exercises can help people stay active and mobile as they age.

F

lexibility is more than just being able to touch your toes; it’s about keeping your body balanced and in motion.

“The human body can be similar to a pendulum,” says Chris Cox, a physical therapist with OU Medical Center in Edmond. “At rest, the end of the pendulum faces straight downward, and during movement it travels forward and backward various distances. If muscles or tendons become tight in one direction, the pendulum favors that direction and the body lacks the required balance to move properly or without stressing other regions.

“Flexibility training may help a person maintain balance in specific areas – joints – or multiple areas – back and hips – by decreasing tightness.”

When stretching, a person should not push too far too fast because of the risk of straining a muscle, Cox says.

“I always tell patients to avoid

any sharp sensations when performing the activity,” he says. “If a person is a beginner, then they would want to stretch with slow movements and holds [or static stretching].

“On the other hand, there is evidence that suggests … a sprinter should avoid slow stretching with holds as it will slow the muscle activation time. In this case, the sprinter would want to perform dynamic stretching, where they actually move their thighs and hips in a progressively faster manner, while vying for more motion. This allows the muscle temperature and muscle activation speed to increase, acting as a primer for the sport.”

Some people are naturally more flexible than others, but everyone can improve flexibility and reap the benefits, says Anna Smith, owner of Pure Barre Tulsa Midtown, a certified personal trainer and a corrective exercise specialist.

“Increased flexibility allows your body to respond to physical stresses easier, which in turn reduces the risk of injury during physical activities,” Smith says.

“Also, when flexibility improves, muscles lengthen, causing less frequent muscle cramps and/or body aches. When muscles are lengthened, your body and mind

can also become more relaxed, decreasing overall stress and anxiety.”

As people age, their bodies can lose flexibility and mobility.

“Over a lifetime, tendons, ligaments, joint cartilage and spine disks lose water,” Cox says.

“This causes increased rigidity of those structures, which results in decreased flexibility and changes in posture.”

He says flexibility training, such as yoga, can help aging individuals maintain movement in joints and potentially prevent poor posture. However, he adds that anyone who has joint issues should consult a licensed physical therapist for an individualized plan.

To help make stretching a daily routine, Smith suggests adding it to a checklist, like brushing teeth or taking a shower.

“Stretching first thing in the morning is not only an excellent way to wake your body up and prepare for the day, but will also over time increase your body’s ability to move without difficulty or discomfort,” Smith says. “There are many apps and resources out there that can give daily stretching guides, as well as yoga and barre studios with trained professionals who can help.”

REBECCA FAST

MAY 2020 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

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L I F E & S T Y L E | SCENE

David & Aimee Harlow; Donor Gala, Oklahoma Contemporary, OKC

Kim & Steve Bruno; Donor Gala, Oklahoma Contemporary, OKC

Matt Riggin, Lee & Tiffany Egdorf, Nita & Jay Foley, Shelley Holmes, Toni Griffey; Different Strokes, Town and Country School, Tulsa

Kimberley Worrell, Elizabeth Tower, Lauden Baker; Omelette Party, OKC Museum of Art

Judy Kishner, Bill Major; Celebrate Life, LIFE Senior Services, Tulsa

Ken Underwood, Leslie Paris; Celebrate Life, LIFE Senior Services, Tulsa

Sarah & John Graves; Brainiac Ball, Family and Children’s Services, Tulsa

Tom & Brenda McDaniel; Donor Gala, Oklahoma Contemporary, OKC

Jessi & Kris Murray; season reveal party, OKC Ballet

Amber Robbins, Phil & Lorel Bruce, Sami & Robin Khalaf; Memory Gala, Alzheimer’s Association, Tulsa

Todd & Rhonda Hoffman, Mary & Joseph Cunningham; Memory Gala, Alzheimer’s Association, Tulsa

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

Keith Austin, Missy Barron, Wanda Sanders, Tad Jones; fish fry event, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore

L I F E & S T Y L E | FA SHION

BLOOMING FASHION

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You may be stuck at home this month, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish with an abundance of florals.

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5 1

4 6

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Oscar de la Renta

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Miu Miu; photo by

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Monica Feudi

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12 13 1: Silk twill scarf, Hermes. 2: Raffia mini Tro bag, Oscar de la Renta. 3: Platform sandals, Miu Miu. 4: Kathy mini dress, Alice and Olivia. 5: Floral pin, Versace. 6: Printed enamel bracelets, Hermes. 7: Elisa small crossbody bag, Louboutin.

8: Cheryl tropical blue dress, Melissa Odabash (photo by Adam Hinton). 9: Pump in printed cotton canvas, Hermes.

10: Floral earrings, Versace. 11: Floral aquamarine earrings, Oscar de la Renta. 12: Massivatac spike-heeled sandals, Louboutin. 13: Pensee belt, Louboutin. 14: Byzantine stone cluster earrings, Alexis Bittar.

ONLINE

FOR MORE SEASONAL LOOKS, VISIT okmag.com/bloomingfashion

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MAY 2020 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

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Hard Rock Live, Catoosa

Photo courtesy Hard Rock Hotel and and Casino

A

Notable LEGACY

By John Wooley and Henry Dolive

Oklahoma’s musical influence has cut a wide swath for more than a century. Here are some of the most significant moments in the state’s musical history, a collection of some of Oklahoma’s prolific artists, a lineup of venues and upcoming events.

Editor’s note: John Wooley has written about music and Oklahoma musicians for more than 50 years. He was the first journalist inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

Five

Moments that Changed Musical History

There’s a fundamental question about whether Oklahoma is musically different from any other state.

Maybe people in Springfield, Missouri, or Little Rock, Arkansas, or, say, Bangor, Maine, also feel that their homegrown artists deserve more respect than they’ve received.

Regardless, one assertion has been made hundreds or thousands of times, especially by people familiar with Tulsa’s musical history: Oklahoma’s musicians don’t get enough credit for what they’ve done and what they continue to do.

This collection of big moments is a bit of home cooking – a little argument for Oklahoma as a state that’s influenced popular music in a far bigger way than its size would indicate. Anyone can come up with more than five examples to support that thesis, but these are arguably the most persuasive.

1

Count Basie hears the Oklahoma City Blue Devils for the first time.

In 1927, New Jersey native Bill Basie played piano for Gonzell White and Her Jazz Band, a touring act on the African-American vaudeville circuit known as the Theatre Owners Booking Association. At the same time, the Oklahoma City Blue Devils, jazz players under the leadership of bassist Walter Page, worked regularly in Oklahoma and surrounding states as a “territory band” that rarely traveled far from home.

Then, one morning around Tulsa’s Greenwood Avenue, the two collided.

“Basie had been out the night before and had gotten introduced to Choc beer,” jazz historian, writer and musician John Hamill says. “Apparently, he was desperately overserved. He woke up the next day in his room at the Red Wing Hotel on Greenwood, and he heard this music.

It was something new to him. It was wonderful. He had to find out who it was. So he got dressed, ran downstairs and found out it was the Oklahoma City Blue Devils, out on a flatbed truck, playing to promote one of their gigs.

“As Basie writes in his autobiography, that’s when he had his epiphany. He saw his future.

He knew then what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.”

TOP TO BOTTOM: Homegrown artists Reba McEntire, Jay McShann and Garth Brooks influenced both local and global music.

Photos courtesy John Wooley Archives

A year or so after that encounter, Basie was a Blue Devil. Eventually, he joined the Bennie Moten band in Kansas City, which featured a number of ex-Blue Devils. Several years later, following Moten’s death from a failed tonsillectomy, Basie combined members of that outfit and the Blue Devils – including Page – into his own group, the Count Basie Orchestra, the most famous and influential of all the acts to perform in the distinct Kansas City jazz style.

2

Bob Wills talks his way onto Tulsa radio station KVOO. On the morning of Feb. 9, 1934, a dispirited trio headed down the highway to Tulsa from Oklahoma City. In the car were bandleaderfiddler Bob Wills, announcer-trumpeter Everett Stover and business manager O.W. Mayo, looking for a new radio station home for their band.

The group of Texas expats known as Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys had thought they’d found a place to hang their hats at Oklahoma City station WKY. However, a vengeful ex-employer named W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel had gotten them canned by dangling the offer of another music program and increased ad revenue to WKY management.

Rocklahoma, Pryor

Photo courtesy Rocklahoma

MAY 2020| WWW.OKMAG.COM

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The three then aimed at KTUL, a small Tulsa station suggested to them by a sympathetic executive at WKY. But something happened, as Mayo said in a 1986 interview: “On our way over, I said, ‘Bob, KVOO radio is over there, and they’re a 25,000-watt station.

This station we’re going to is only a 500-watt station. Let’s go see KVOO first, and we might get a chance to get on that station.’”

After stopping at a downtown Tulsa barber shop for shaves, they managed to give station manager William B. Way “a song and dance,” Mayo said, and Way agreed to put the band on at midnight for a trial broadcast.

An immediate hit, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys quickly earned a regular slot and from there – and, later, from their Cain’s Ballroom headquarters – popularized the eminently danceable hybrid of country, blues, Dixieland, pop and fiddle music that became known as western swing.

3

Joe Cocker asks Leon Russell to put Together a band, leading to Mad Dogs & Englishmen.

Lawton native and former Tulsan Leon Russell had been a first-call Los Angeles studio musician for several years when he made the acquaintance of vocalist Joe Cocker and his manager, Denny Cordell, who’d both traveled from England to record on the West Coast. Russell ended up playing on, as well as co-producing, the subsequent LP, Joe Cocker!, released in late 1969.

In March of the next year, Cocker and Cordell hired Russell to put a band together for a series of already booked Cocker dates.

Russell assembled Mad Dogs & Englishmen, a

ABOVE: Hard Rock Live in Catoosa brings in a bevy of world-famous acts.

Photo courtesy Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

LEFT TO RIGHT: Roy Clark, the Great Divide, Wanda Jackson and David Gates are just a few members of Oklahoma music royalty.

Photos courtesy John Wooley archives

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

huge touring aggregation made up of British and American players, including Tulsa-linked musicians like bassist Carl Radle and drummers Jim Keltner and Chuck Blackwell, in addition to Russell himself on keyboards and guitar.

The tour, two-disc album and subsequent documentary made a considerable impact on audiences of the time and launched Russell into the rarified atmosphere of rock ’n’ roll stardom.

“I don’t think anyone knew who Leon was before that,” says veteran Tulsa musician Jim Downing, who was later signed to Shelter Records, the label established by Russell and Cordell. “They didn’t know he’d played on all those sessions. But then Mad Dogs & Englishmen came along, and his first solo album was released while the tour was going on.”

By the time George Harrison enlisted Russell as a headliner for the Concert for Bangladesh, which took place Aug. 1, 1971, at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the former session man was a genuine superstar.

“The moment Leon opened his mouth on that stage,” Downing says, “the crowd began singing his songs with him.”

Not long afterward, Russell returned to his old hometown to run the Church Studio and Shelter Records out of Tulsa with partner Cordell. In those magical few years, Tulsa became a crossroads of international rock ’n’ roll – and Mad Dogs & Englishmen was the catalyst for it all.

4

Garth Brooks signs with Capitol Records.

The 1990s are remembered as the decade when Oklahoma acts took over the country music airwaves. Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Dunn, Joe Diffie, Ricochet, Wade Hayes and Toby Keith,

among others, regularly landed singles in the upper reaches of the national country charts.

Some of these acts, along with such trailblazers as Becky Hobbs and Mel McDaniel, had been making major-label noise since the early ’80s, but it was Garth Brooks’ runaway success that brought renewed attention to country artists from our state.

“He’s really the one who opened up the door and let everybody through,” says longtime country music booking agent and producer Ray Bingham, who logged Brooks’ very first solo job back in the late ’80s. “He was just so humble and such a good guy that it reflected on all the others.”

Brooks signed his deal with Capitol – after initially being turned down – on June 17, 1988, with a $10,000 advance. His first single, “Much Too Young (to Feel This Damn Old),” hit the Billboard magazine country Top 10 a few months later, and he was on his way to becoming the top-selling solo album artist of all time.

5

The Great Divide cracks the national country music charts.

Although the band hardly had the chart impact of Brooks, with only two songs (“Pour Me A Vacation” and “Never Could”) landing in the lower reaches of the Billboard country chart during 1998, the Great Divide was the first of the Stillwater-based Red Dirt acts to see some mainstream success – without sacrificing the fiercely independent spirit that characterizes the genre.

“They went after the Top 40 country places,” says John Cooper of the pioneering group the Red Dirt Rangers. “They decided, ‘We’re going to go head-on, against the grain of what’s happening,’ and so they went into those boot-scootin’ joints and said, ‘Look, we’re not going to play cover songs. We’re going to play our stuff.’

“Until then, it had been like, ‘If you play 75% covers and 25% of your own, we can put you to work on the circuit.’ That’s what we were told, anyway, and we didn’t do it. The true Red Dirt guys didn’t go the country-cover angle.”

The rise of the Red Dirt movement corresponds in some ways to the proliferation of Oklahomans on the national country charts. But the Red Dirt acts took, and still take, pride in doing music their way instead of chasing mainstream stardom.

However, as Cooper notes, at least one big-name act will always have a foot in Red Dirt.

“I’ve seen Garth quoted as saying he wouldn’t sound like he did if he didn’t come from Stillwater,” he says. “And if you came from Stillwater, Oklahoma, in the ’70s, ’80s or ’90s, you were and are Red Dirt.

There’s no getting around it, man. Garth is one of us, and I think he likes it.”

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Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa has hosted numerous music legends over the years.

Photo courtesy Cain’s Ballroom

Other Musicians to Remember

Reba McEntire The daughter

Chet Baker This trumpeter and

Jay McShann One of the many great jazz players to come out of Muskogee, McShann was a pianist, vocalist and bandleader who, like his slightly older contemporary Count Basie, was one of the leading lights of Kansas City jazz.

In addition to those mentioned in Oklahoma’s greatest musical moments are 16 other influential figures from our state, listed in alphabetical order. There are many more where these came from. vocalist from Yale had a detached, whispery style that helped make him the epitome of West Coast-cool jazz in the 1950s.

J.J. Cale One of the original Tulsa rock ’n’ roll musicians, this guitarist, vocalist and songwriter had a laid-back, deep-groove style that came to be associated with the classic Tulsa Sound.

Roy Clark Although this Virginia native didn’t make Oklahoma his home until the 1970s, when he settled in Tulsa (home of his longtime manager, Jim Halsey), he was a wonderful ambassador for our state, an engaging personality and a great talent who helped bring country music to mainstream America.

David Gates One of the original Tulsa Sound figures of the 1950s, he went on to front the popular pop group Bread and write hit songs for that group, himself and others.

Woody Guthrie A hugely influential musical and political figure from Okemah, he stood up for the American underclass during the Great Depression by penning and performing hundreds of songs, including the iconic “This Land Is Your Land.”

Hanson Since their first hit single,

1997’s “MMMBop,” Tulsa-based brothers Isaac, Taylor, and Zac Hanson have sold more than 16 million records worldwide and continue to tour successfully.

Wanda Jackson Known as the

First Lady of Rockabilly, this Maud native toured with Elvis Presley in the mid1950s, cut rock and country crossover hits (“Right or Wrong” and “In the Middle of a Heartache”), and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

Barney Kessel Honing his chops in his hometown of Muskogee, guitarist Kessel became one of the top jazz and session players on the West Coast in the ’50s and ’60s and often joined fellow Oklahoman Leon Russell in the group of first-call studio musicians known as the Wrecking Crew.

of a Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame roper, this megastar-to-be came out of the hills around Chockie, first attracting attention as a member of the Singing McEntires (with brother Pake and sister Susie, who would both go on to significant music careers themselves) before landing her first majorlabel deal in the mid-1970s.

Leona Mitchell A Grammy Awardwinning operatic soprano, Mitchell began her vocal career as a member of the Antioch Baptist Church choir in Enid; she went on to be featured for 18 seasons at New York’s Metropolitan Opera.

Patti Page The former Clara Ann

Fowler, born in Claremore, was the top female pop vocalist of the 1950s, with No. 1 hits like “Tennessee Waltz” and “(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window.”

Sandi Patty A top name in

contemporary-Christian music since the early 1980s, Oklahoma City native Patty has won multiple Grammys, in addition to earning the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year for 11 consecutive years.

Steve Ripley Considered by many to be the father of Red Dirt music, Ripley went from the Stillwater-based band Moses to stints as Russell’s engineer and Bob Dylan’s guitarist. He founded the multi-platinumselling country-rock band the Tractors in Tulsa in the early 1990s.

Blake Shelton From Ada, Shelton

broke out at the turn of this century with his first country music hit, “Austin,” which led to million-selling records, successful tours and, for the past several years, a starring role on the NBC-TV vocal-competition series The Voice.

Carrie Underwood Parlaying

her 2005 win on American Idol into superstardom, Checotah native Underwood saw her debut single, “Inside Your Heaven,” become the first of a long string of No. 1 hits and multiplatinum-selling albums. Billboard magazine named her the top female country music artist of the 2000s.

- JW MAY 2020 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

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Tower Theatre, OKC Refurbished in 2014, it opened in 1927 and is one of Oklahoma City’s last original movie houses with an intact auditorium and neon marquee.

425 N.W. 23rd St. towertheatreokc.com

Mabee Center, Tulsa An 11,300-seat multipurpose arena on the campus of Oral Roberts University, it hosts entertainment events and is the home of ORU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.

7777 S. Lewis Ave. mabeecenter.com

Venues

Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC can host over 16,500 guests for concerts.

Photo courtesy Chesapeake Energy Arena

From giant arenas and mid-sized halls to small, intimate settings, music lovers around Oklahoma have their pick of entertainment venues to catch famous or lesser-known musical acts.

Major Acts BOK Center, Tulsa This 19,199-seat, multipurpose arena opened in 2008; it was built with $196 million in public and private funds and is home ice for the Tulsa Oilers minor league hockey team.

200 S. Denver Ave. bokcenter.com

Chesapeake Energy Arena, OKC The Oklahoma City Thunder’s home court, Chesapeake Energy Arena has hosted the likes of Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and George Strait. Opened in 2002, it cost $89 million, funded by Oklahoma City’s initial MAPS capital improvements sales tax.

It seats up to 16,501 for concerts.

100 W Reno Ave. chesapeakearena.com

Hard Rock Live, Catoosa Formerly known as The Joint, this 45,000-square-foot room offers amphitheater-style seating for 2,700 and top-notch sound and lighting.

77 W. Cherokee St. hardrockcasinotulsa.com/entertainment

Choctaw Grand Theater, Durant This 100,000-square-foot multipurpose facility at Choctaw Casino and Resort seats 3,000 for concerts, conventions, trade shows, banquets, receptions and corporate events.

4216 S. U.S. Highway 69/75 choctawcasinos.com

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

Global Events Center, Thackerville This 3,500-seat concert and event venue, located in the Rome Gaming Plaza at Winstar Casino, has hosted Sting, Blake Shelton, Kiss, Jerry Seinfeld and James Taylor.

777 Casino Ave. winstar.com/entertain/global-eventcenter

Mid-Sized Acts Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa Known as the Carnegie Hall of Western Swing, Cain’s was built in 1924 and, from 1935 to 1942, was the home of western swing giant Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.

423 N. Main St. cainsballroom.com

Tulsa Theater Opened in 1914, this four-story edifice was designed as a municipal auditorium and convention hall. The venue changed its name from Brady Theater in January.

105 W. Reconciliation Way bradytheater.com

The Criterion, OKC This newcomer to the Bricktown District is one of Oklahoma’s eminent live music and entertainment venues.

500 E. Sheridan Ave. criterionokc.com

Small Acts The Vanguard, Tulsa Located in the historic Arts District, this hall features independent artists and bands on their way up.

222 N. Main St. thevanguardtulsa.com

Blue Door, OKC This intimate setting near Oklahoma City University is billed as the “best listening room in Oklahoma.”

2805 N. McKinley Ave. bluedoorokc.com

89th Street, OKC This all-ages music venue and events center is in north Oklahoma City.

8911 N. Western Ave. 89thstreetokc.com

Diamond Ballroom, OKC Opened in 1964, the Diamond has hosted many country and swing bands, and once boasted the largest dance floor in the southwestern United States.

8001 S. Eastern Ave. diamondballroom.com

Opolis, Norman This bar and micro-entertainment venue offers vegan, organic and gluten-free food.

113 N. Crawford Ave. opolis.org

Nestled near Oklahoma City University, Blue Door is one of OKC’s hidden gems.

Photo courtesy Blue Door

Summer Events Whatever your musical taste – jazz, blues, rock, folk, country, classical – Oklahoma has festivals to satisfy nearly any musical appetite this summer. The following dates are those posted when this publication went to press; organizers may change or postpone dates due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Tallgrass Music Festival, Skiatook June 4-6 3020 W. 133rd St. N. tallgrassmusicfestival.com BBQ ’n’ Blues Festival, Cushing June 13 305 W. Grandstaff Road cushingchamberofcommerce.org The late Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols punched a hole in what was then Cain’s Ballroom’s green room. The hole has been carefully preserved over the years.

Photo courtesy Cain’s Ballroom

Oklahoma Music Archives Matthew Wallace, a Tulsa musician and sound-video technician, started the Oklahoma Music Archives in 2019 to be, in his words, a “collaborative community website,” dedicated to preserving “the past, present, and future of Oklahoma music.”

Visitors are encouraged to add information to paint as complete a picture of the state’s musical scene as possible.

Wallace, 35, says he wants to include bands and musicians ranging from nationally recognized groups to obscure, unsigned artists.

“Whether the band is still rocking out shows or has been disbanded for decades, we want people to know about them,” Wallace says.

When he was a stay-at-home dad, Wallace says he pulled out an old CD of Between Shadows & Sunrise, by Tulsa touring rock group Congress of a Crow. Wallace loved it and wondered whether others still listened to it or other Oklahoma artists.

With free time and needing a creative outlet, Wallace formed the Oklahoma Music Archives at okmusicarchives.org. There’s also a Facebook page.

Wallace sees the website as a way to create a picture of the history and current state of Oklahoma music.

“We then want to take that information to help educate the public and support the artists,” he says.

American Heritage Music Festival, Grove June 11-13 Grove Civic Center and Snider’s Camp grandlakefestivals.com/ahmf.htm OKM Music Festival, Bartlesville (Formerly the OK Mozart International Festival) June 12-18 Ambler Hall, 415 Dewey Ave. okmmusic.org Jazz in June Festival, Norman June 18-20 Brookhaven Village and Andrews Park jazzinjune.org Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, Okemah July 15-19 Brick Street Café, Crystal Theatre and Pastures of Plenty woodyfest.com AquaPalooza Grand Lake, Afton July 18 Grand Lake RV Resort, 31527 S. 4510 Road 360grandlake.com - HD

Rocklahoma, canceled this year due to COVID-19, welcomes some of rock music’s most legendary artists to Pryor.

Photo courtesy Rocklahoma

MAY 2020| WWW.OKMAG.COM

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PA N N I N G O K L A H O M A’ S FILM LANDSCAPE

BY ASHER GELZER-GOVATOS

The Sooner State has a rich cinematic history and a vibrant industry that creates talent for export while importing cinematic works from around the world. Just as active in the state are movie houses (which go beyond providing popcorn and a seat), in-home theater retailers and film festivals. We also explore upcoming summer blockbusters and some options on local and national film schools.

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

OKLAHOMA ON FILM

If there’s one popular concept that people from other states have learned about Oklahoma, it’s that the wind comes sweeping down our plains. Even though the cinematic version of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein’s musical Oklahoma! was filmed in Arizona, the movies that are shot entirely or primarily here often reinforce a wide-open image of Oklahoma, where nature reigns.

Take one of the earliest great films shot in Oklahoma, John Ford’s adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath. Known for shooting his Westerns in Arizona, Ford went straight to the source by capturing real images of Oklahoma to bring John Steinbeck’s novel of a struggling Dust Bowl family to life. More recent films have provided equally grinding depictions of natural disasters – most famously Jan de Bont’s Twister. That film’s terrifying tornados bring home the raw power of nature’s destructive potential in our state.

Despite this reputation for natural settings, Oklahoma’s cities have also provided the backdrop for many films. Tulsa, in particular, has proved popular, most notably in Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptations of S.E. Hinton’s books The Outsiders and Rumblefish. Those films use 1980s Tulsa to fill in for 1950s Tulsa, creating a sense of layered history on screen.

Films shot here can also be deeply personal. Film giant Terrence Malick, who spent part of his childhood in Bartlesville, captures that city in haunting specificity in his enigmatic, lyrical To the Wonder, which turns ordinary Oklahoma spaces (including a Sonic drive-in) into beautiful spectacles. Given the state’s demographics, it’s no surprise that it has also become a hub for Native American filmmaking, with important works like The Cherokee Word for Water.

The future looks bright for Oklahoma on film. According to Tava Sofksy, director of the Oklahoma Film and Music Office, filmmakers are drawn here for many reasons, including diverse locations, financial incentive programs, and heartland hospitality – all of which often set it apart from other states.

Many films soon to be shot here try to capture a sense of Oklahoma’s history and topography. These include Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, which takes place in the 1920s, and Thirteen Minutes, a new take on the tornado thriller. With these films and many others in production, Oklahomans look to be well represented on the big screen.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Portions of Trolls 2 were filmed in Oklahoma.

Photo courtesy Reckless Abandonment Pictures

The Blue Whale acts as an interesting backdrop for local filmmakers.

Photo courtesy Oklahoma Film and Music Office

The film In the Gap utilized the Tulsa skyline.

Photo by Johnny Graham

KEEPING THEATERS RELEVANT

Since the advent of television (and probably before), movie houses have experimented with different ways of convincing patrons to keep coming out to theaters.

Unlike some notorious marketing flops of the 1950s, such as Smellovision and Cinerama, recent innovations have found sustained favor with moviegoers. The distinct advantage that theaters have over home-viewing is the full experience they offer – a fact theaters have leaned into in the last decade by moving beyond basic concessions and stadium seating to providing a luxurious night out.

By now, it is fairly standard for major theater chains to offer deluxe seating that re-creates the feeling of your favorite easy chair at home.

But theaters also pursue true pampering with cocktail bars and full meals, with some even providing servers who deliver food right to your seat. Theaters have even started to make date night as easy as possible for parents. Instead of staying in or hiring a babysitter, parents can drop their young children at play centers while they catch a flick – a service provided by Harkins Bricktown theater in Oklahoma City.

For small theaters showing what has traditionally been labeled art house fair, their very niche acts as a bonus. Circle Cinema in Tulsa, Rodeo Cinema in Oklahoma City and others bring in many foreign and independent films that otherwise would not play in Oklahoma, including some that are unavailable for streaming at home anytime soon. These include special screenings of hard-to-find films.

The Samuel Roberts Noble Theater at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art recently held a screening of Sátántangó, a Romanian cult classic that rarely runs in theaters due to its grueling 7½-hour length. Films like this never draw blockbuster crowds, but their unique appeal continues to bring seasoned cinephiles into theater seats.

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HOME THEATERS

If you love movies but hate going to the theater, you’re in luck, because advances in technology mean there has never been a better time to create a viable, deluxe moviegoing experience in the comfort of your own home.

“It’s night and day,” says Austin Morton, project manager at Tulsa’s Video Revolution, which specializes in home theater furnishings.

A decade ago, home theaters were a luxury reserved for the wealthy; now, the typical market is the middle-class family of four, Morton says.

Thanks to cross-compatibility, customizing is popular with consumers, who can piece together a home theater from multiple brands, instead of buying full sets of a single brand. Customers now pick the products that fit their exact needs, from wide-screen TVs or projectors with screens to full surround sound or a compact system.

Stores like Video Revolution can even help with lighting options like dimmers or window shades.

For Morton, the key element of home theaters that often gets overlooked is control. He sees the shift to voice control and the ability to condense devices to a single remote as indicative of the power given to those who prefer theater life at home.

RESOURCES FOR ASPIRING FILMMAKERS

TOP TO BOTTOM: Film instructors at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain introduce students to technology they would not otherwise encounter.

Photo by Evan Beasley/Oklahoma Arts Institute The horror movie The Killer Inside Me utilized several Oklahoma venues during filming.

Te Ata was shot primarily in Oklahoma.

Photos courtesy Oklahoma Film and Music Office Abby Vaughn, a film and video student at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, shoots a scene in downtown Mangum.

Photo by Andrew Williams/Oklahoma Arts Institute

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

Making home movies is a time-honored part of American childhood.

While most children phase out this ritual, some keep at it and are drawn irresistibly to the filmmaking life. For those sorts of Oklahoma children and teens, the state offers many options for pursuing filmmaking as a career.

Most of the major universities in Oklahoma offer some sort of film degree. Oklahoma City University and the University of Tulsa have the most robust options for film production with bachelor’s degrees that emphasize writing, shooting and editing films. The University of Oklahoma has a film studies degree, which skews more toward criticism than production, and the University of Central Oklahoma has a degree in professional media, useful for students interested in film alongside other media, like music.

Precocious producers can get a head start by pursuing opportunities available to high school students. These include a film festival run by Oklahoma City University and summer camps put on by the University of Tulsa and the Oklahoma Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain.

The arts institute provides an especially intense, hands-on experience. Twenty students, selected on the quality of short films they submit, spend two weeks learning about filmmaking and producing short films in collaboration with other students, overseen by industry professionals.

“We really want them to focus on storytelling,” says Julie Cohen, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Arts Institute, adding that the camp integrates learning the nuts and bolts of technical filmmaking with a broad approach to narrative.

Several students from the arts institute have had their shorts accepted into Oklahoma film festivals; alumni have premiered works at major festivals like Sundance. With so many opportunities, hopeful directors have reason to get to work.

TOP TO BOTTOM: The deadCenter Film Festival offers Q&A sessions with talented filmmakers.

The deadCenter festival is popular with film buffs across the region.

Photos by J. Wiggins courtesy deadCenter Film Festival

Movie screenings in Oklahoma can be found in unlikely places, like Myriad Botanical Gardens.

Photo courtesy Oklahoma Tourism Floating films at OKC’s RiverSport Adventures offers on-the-water viewing.

Photo by Lori Duckworth/ Oklahoma Tourism

FESTIVALS

Film festivals have blossomed across the United States in recent years.

Two notable upcoming events in this region are in Oklahoma City and Telluride, Colorado.

OKC’s deadCenter Film Festival, from June 11 to 14, is Oklahoma’s premier event, with shorts, full-length features and a good number of documentaries. Indie films from all over the country also run. Everything is accompanied by parties and music galore. deadcenterfilm.org The Telluride Film Festival, from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, is the most accessible major film festival for Oklahomans. Telluride frequently hosts world premieres of films that go on to win Oscars. telluridefilmfestival.org

SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS

Summer is prime moviegoing time, with plenty of big releases in every genre. Here are a few to keep an eye (or both) on.

• Artemis Fowl (May 29) – Artemis, a 12-year-old criminal mastermind, battles his fairy nemeses in this action piece for the younger set. This film will forgo theatrical release and stream on Disney Plus.

• Wonder Woman 1984 (June 5) – Superheroes go camp in this DC sequel. Wonder Woman kicks butt – possibly in shoulder pads.

• Soul (June 19) – Pixar returns with the story of a band teacher with a passion for jazz who is forced to consider what it means to have a soul. Soul should provide humor for kids and pathos for adults in equal measure.

• Tenet (July 17) – Another mind-bender from Christopher Nolan, in the mold of Inception, Tenet features time travel and espionage.

• Candyman (Sept. 25) – Candyman was pushed from a June release date due to COVID-19. Writer/producer Jordan Peele (Get Out) updates this urban horror classic about a killer who appears when you say his name. Expect scares with a side of social commentary.

FILM SCHOOL

For those who know without a doubt that they want to work in the industry, film school can provide a nitro boost to their careers.

While some major film schools come attached to universities like the University of Southern California and Columbia University, others, including the prestigious American Film Institute, are freestanding and offer exclusive training in film production. Students can expect an intense few years of hands-on production, from writing and editing to cinematography and directing.

Film schools often hire faculty with industry experience, so students learn from those who have navigated Hollywood firsthand.

The intense nature of film school means that students are expected to arrive with some filmmaking experience – most schools require each applicant to submit a short. Once there, students should anticipate rigorous courses of study; a few schools even simulate industry life by holding classes at scattered times, including late at night.

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he s ’ S THE

Michele Campbell Hockersmith, state director of the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center Network, says her group has programs targeted towards female entrepreneurs.

“We’ve partnered on an event at Southeastern Oklahoma State University with the John Massey School of Business in conjunction with Women’s Entrepreneurship Week,” Hockersmith says. “That included a panel of female small-business owners to discuss their experiences in the businesses they started or purchased. They talked about challenges – obtaining a loan, marketing strategies, as well as encouragement to utilize our services but also to take the risk.”

Connie Nance, commerical banking relationship manager at Bank of Oklahoma and a member of the leadership committee of BOK’s Outstanding Women Leaders Program, says women in management gather twice a year to hear speakers share their personal journeys.

“Women crave the opportunity to meet With state-sanctioned certifications, with others in their position, whether it numerous nonprofits, networks, access is in or out of their industry, because they face many of the same challenges,” Nance to grants and a climate favorable to says. entrepreneurship, Oklahoma provides Annette White-Klososky, a business consultant and state chair of the Women many ways for women to make their marks Presidents Organization, organizes monthly meetings of women in key company in the business world. roles. The organization is for second-stage businesses generating $1 million annually

By Kimberly Burk in services or $2 million in product sales.

Meetings are held in video-enabled conference rooms in Oklahoma City so that Women Helping Women members from other cities can participate.

Melena Keeth relied on advice from people who Recent topics have included recruiting, had been there when she opened her chiropractic product pricing, company growing pains practice in Oklahoma City six years ago. Now she and relationships with co-workers. has a few tips to offer other female entrepreneurs.

Hockersmith says it’s been exciting to “Don’t give up,” Keeth says. “The hardest part see women involved in the growth of techis hanging in there long enough to see it come to industry firms, including products essenfruition.” tial to the military and homeland security.

Keeth worked with REI Oklahoma’s Women’s She cites Kathy Martin, president and Business Center, where Jennifer Edwards is promajority owner of Red Hawk Construction gram manager. of Oklahoma City, which created the “Jennifer’s group gave me moral Nomad Security Fence System used support and advice,” Keeth says. in Texas to protect Federal Aviation REI, an economic development The hardest part Administration equipment. organization with offices throughis hanging in there Hockersmith has also worked out the state, offered Keeth a netlong enough to see with Jenn Stephens, chief operating working opportunity with women’s it come to fruition. officer of Stillwater’s Cowboy Barribreakfasts every month and classes ers, which creates portable devices on taxes and bookkeeping. to protect facilities and people from “We’ve grown by adding highrogue vehicles. impact programs for Oklahoma’s “We help potential business owners entrepreneurs, including a federal contract with with putting business plans in front of the U.S. Small Business Administration, to offer lenders,” Hockersmith says. “We don’t loan business development training, free one-on-one money, but we help them be more marketbusiness counseling, and networking and referral able to the banker.” assistance,” Edwards says.

BOSS

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“

“

Entrepreneurial Struggles

Annette White-Klososky is a consultant and the state chair for the Women Presidents Organization.

Photo by AJ Stegall

– all of which can frustrate an entrepreneur.

“The [REI Oklahoma’s Women’s Business Center] offers assistance in navigating the financing process, from training on how to develop strong financials and projections to providing counseling on developing a business plan and overcoming challenges to securing capital.”

Hockersmith adds that other situational factors can take a toll.

“A lot of times, women are trying to transition out of regular jobs into self-employment, so they might be juggling both jobs. She might be a single parent.”

With technology businesses, women face social perceptions that men are leaders in fields such as engineering, Hockersmith says.

Edwards adds, “Women also express the barrier of ‘doing it alone,’ meaning they fear a lack of support once they start and run their own business.”

“

Starting a business is never easy, and women can face additional challenges, according to nonprofits that serve female entrepreneurs.

“Securing capital is something that we often hear from our clients, as well as potential entrepreneurs, as a hindrance to their startup,” says Edwards. “It can be difficult for some women to find an investor or banker, overcome credit challenges and provide collateral to secure funding

“

Oklahoma is business-friendly, the cost of living is good, and we’re in a central location. There is a lot of opportunity right now.

Oklahoma Incentives

Oklahoma is a great place to open a business, says Hockersmith.

“Oklahoma is business-friendly, the cost of living is good, and we’re in a central location,” she says. “There is a lot of opportunity right now.”

Agri-tourism is one of the industries where women are taking advantage of demand as well as the favorable business climate, says Hockersmith, citing such ventures as wineries, berry farms and countryside wedding venues.

“Women need to not allow themselves to get caught up in a stereotype that all the CEOS need to be men,” she says, adding that the time has never been better in Oklahoma for a woman to start a business and noting that in the eastern part of the state “there is explosive growth in lodging, restaurants, entertainment and agri-tourism.”

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Women-Owned Business Certifications

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce certifies women-owned businesses in the state.

The program may benefit businesses that have faced barriers to market entry or participation, according to the department’s website.

Some companies and state agencies use certifications to ensure diversity in the selection of contractors, vendors and suppliers.

Benefits of this certification include expanded opportunities when competing for contracts with public and private sector entities, according to the Department of Commerce.

The REI Women’s Business Center helps female business owners navigate the certification process, says Edwards.

“The federal government’s goal is to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses each year,” she says.

Once the certification is granted, Edwards says her organization provides guidance on how to bid on and secure federal contracts.

Any woman-owned small business is eligible to apply for certification. The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women. The application is found on the Department of Commerce website.

Industries eligible for the certification include food service, accommodations, agriculture, arts, entertainment, recreation, construction, education services, finance, insurance, health care, information management, manufacturing, real estate, retail, transportation and warehousing.

ABOVE: The Oklahoma Small Business Development Center hosts numerous events with female business owners as panelists.

Photo courtesy Oklahoma Small Business Development Center RIGHT: Annette WhiteKlososky hosts a variety of events for aspiring and successful female business owners.

Photo courtesy Annette White-Klososky

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

Grants for Women

Many people are pulling for entrepreneurs who want to take their dreams to the next level, including corporations and nonprofits offering grants.

The Girlboss Foundation, dedicated to millennials, tries to help women redefine success for themselves, according to the group’s website. Twice a year, the foundation awards a $15,000 grant to a woman who owns an established business in the field of design, fashion, music or the arts. The project should be a creative endeavor benefitting women that is achievable in 12 months.

The nationwide Amber Grant awards a $4,000 grant every month to a woman. At the end of the year, one of the 12 recipients receives an additional $25,000. WomensNet launched the Amber Grant in 1998 in memory of Amber Wigdahl, a Californian who died at age 19 before she could realize her entrepreneurial aspirations, according to the group’s website.

The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest picks 12 such firms across the country each year for grants of up to $50,000 and up to $7,500 in FedEx Office print and business services.

The National Association for the Self-Employed awards grants of up to $5,000 to micro-business owners who have specific needs, such as equipment, software, advertising materials or training.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

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A professional Realtor since 1991 and Broker Associate with Keller Williams Preferred since 2003, McMurray consistently achieves Top Agent in production volume for properties sold – often outproducing entire realty teams. A leader in sales across the metro market places her in the top ten local Realtors.

McMurray, raised in the construction business, offers a unique point of view and incomparable experience to sellers and buyers. McMurray’s 30 year history with new construction, renovation specialties and interior design go hand-in-hand when assessing clients’ dreams and ideas.

With a bachelor’s degree in business from ORU and executive experience launching a national advertising franchise, Heidi knows what it takes to negotiate successfully and provide innovative strategies to procure buyers.

“We’ll begin as partners in real estate. My goal is to end as friends.”

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Lessons from the Masters

By Brian Wilson

Those who relish

Swadley’s Bar-B-Q, with several locations in Oklahoma, offers a variety of smoked meats and sides for the barbecue enthusiast.

Photo by Joe Glyda Photography courtesy Swadley’s

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

grilling, barbecuing and smoking know the drill: Get the meat ready with a rub, brine or marinade, go outside, prepare the coals, add the wood, think about the process and revel in the concept and practice of our oldest form of cooking. This year, we take a philosophic approach and look at the literal art, science and education behind outdoor cooking. Experts also weigh in with the best wines and beers to go with those sumptuous meats.

utdoor cooking isn’t alone in appealing to aficionados.

Ernest Hemingway, after all, writes in his 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises that those with passion and knowledge about any activity share common traits; he equates the matador of a bullfight with the conductor of a classic symphony.

Given the popularity of grilling, smoking and barbecuing in Oklahoma, it’s easy to find people who speak with aficion – the combination of art, science and knowledge – about outdoor cooking.

The Art

When considering the art of outdoor cooking, those who know their ways around smokers and grills become mesmerized … not because they are stumped by the concept but because they see the essence of their craft.

“Barbecue is in the eye of the beholder,” says Curt Breuklander, vice president of Oklahoma City-based Swadley’s Bar-B-Q. “Everyone is different and literally has different tastes.”

His colleague James Leighton, Swadley’s area director, adds: “It’s like a Picasso or Rembrandt painting. You know what you like and you want to make it a masterpiece.”

He chuckles.

“Plus, most artists don’t want other artists’ opinions – just like with barbecue,” Leighton says.

Tulsa lawyer Brad Beasley, who has won several prestigious barbecue contests, says the variables involved in outdoor cooking require artistic adaptation.

“No two pieces of meat are alike,” he says. “You can have two briskets, but they have come from two different head of cattle. Once you recognize that difference, you have to adjust the cooking time and heat.

I’m looking for a certain temperature and tenderness and I might be checking the meat every five minutes toward the end.

“Like an artist with a fine brush, the attention is in the details and being precise with rubs, spices, injections and

marinades.”

Ryan Gray, director of operations with Billy Sims Barbecue, says the outdoor cooking artist “looks at color, at feel, at tenderness. You can’t just say, ‘Do this, this and this,’ and expect everything to come out perfect.”

The Science

Much of the science behind outdoor cooking lies in a molecular reaction named for French chemist Louis-Camille Maillard, who, in 1912, found that the breakdown of amino acids and sugars in foods (especially meats) as they heat up leads to their Ryan Gray of Billy Sims Barbecue becoming brown. encourages those looking for a new hobby to try outdoor cooking, which “When you put something on the grill, can be done any time of year. you are doing two things,” says Keith SymPhoto courtesy Billy Sims Barbecue cox, an instructor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Tulsa, where The University of Tulsa offers a Chemistry of Cooking he teaches a class called the Chemistry of class that mixes culinary arts with science.

Photo by Erik Campos courtesy the University of Tulsa Cooking. “First, you are searing the outside of the food, which quickly evaporates the water in the food and allows the temperature to rise past the boiling point of water.

Second, this high temperature allows for the proteins and sugars in the food to [undergo] a huge series of very complex reactions – so complex that after studying them for over 100 years, we still don’t have them all figured out.”

Kanika Bhargava, an associate professor of food science and human environmental science at the University of Central Oklahoma, says controlling moisture and temperature – manipulating the Maillard reaction – is an ancient practice, one begun about 2 million years ago, when human forebears began sizzling food to make it easier to eat and digest.

“Our ancestors used simple fire cooking to sustain themselves,” she says. “Any food is a mixture of organic compounds – carbohydrates, proteins, fat and water. Any type of heat exposure involves thermodynamics. The food absorbs heat.

Joe Leighton of Swadley’s Bar-B-Q describes outWith meats, the heat door cooking as “uplifting, joyous. It’s like football season all year round.” is transferred and the Photo by Joe Glyda Photography courtesy Swadley’s organic compounds

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OUTSIDE

ALL THE TIME

Billy Sims Barbecue has multiple locations in the Tulsa and OKC metros.

Photo courtesy Billy Sims Barbecue

Hankering for some sides to go along with your barbecue?

Swadley’s has you covered.

Photo by Joe Glyda Photography courtesy Swadley’s

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

Many see smoking, grilling and barbecuing as warmweather pursuits, but those passionate about outdoor cooking say it should be a year-round activity, especially since Oklahoma has mild winters.

“When you grill, the method is healthy because you’re not cooking something in its own fat,” says Curt Breuklander, vice president of Swadley’s Bar-B-Q. James Leighton, Swadley’s area manager, says cooking outside “is uplifting, joyous. You get a dose of vitamin D. It’s like football season all year round.”

Brad Beasley, a Tulsa lawyer who has won notable barbecuing championships around the country, says the tastes from grilling and smoking can’t be duplicated in the oven or on the stove.

“The only impact that temperature has is on socializing,” he says. “You can’t stand outside with a cold beer in the winter. OK, maybe you can. But grilling is the only way to get that flavor – outside the kitchen.”

Ryan Gray, director of operations at Billy Sims Barbecue, says people shut in from the COVID-19 pandemic can go into their backyards, learn a different method and do it all year.

He suggests cold smoking as a healthy way to preserve foods.

“People can always be doing new stuff,” he says.

“It’s a great hobby.”

break down naturally. As the temperature in the meat increases, it gets brown and gains flavor because the reduction sugars combine with amino acids to give it aromatic compounds. That’s what a good chef looks for in the experience.”

Master sommelier Randa Warren knows the right wine to pair with grilled, barbecued and smoked meats.

Photo courtesy Randa Warren

The Education

Failure is often the best teacher. Instructors of outdoor cooking embrace that educational philosophy.

Brenda Nimmo, a culinary instructor for eight years at the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, dares her students to take risks and learn from mistakes.

Her outdoor kitchen provides the perfect classroom for this method.

“You can bring any recipe outdoors that you do indoors,” she says. “For instance, we do brazing in a Dutch oven outside. A lot of the challenge is getting students to see that it’s a whole other level of craftsmanship. It’s overcoming fears and not worrying about messing up. You learn from messing up.”

Not all of her students take to grilling, smoking and barbecuing, but she recalls a few who have embraced the variables and chosen to prepare their final exam projects on the wood-fired grill outside.

“I wanted them to plan on how to keep the coals at the right temperature,” Nimmo says. “They needed to build on their heat management knowledge and how each protein gets treated differently, and consider flavors, seasonings and rubs, and getting your caramelization.

“They rose to the challenge.”

She is often amused when some of her charges get into the process.

“It’s funny when they come early to light the charcoal and have it ready before class begins,” she says. “It’s almost always guys. I guess that falls into a gender stereotype, doesn’t it?”

OSU Institute of Technology professor Brenda Nimmo (left) offers courses with a focus on the art of outdoor cooking.

Photo courtesy OSUIT Marketing and Communications

WHAT TO DRINK

Master sommelier Randa Warren and beer expert Tim Brown of Parkhill’s Liquors, both from Tulsa, provide their respective insights on which alcoholic beverages go best with grilled, barbecued and smoked meats.

The Wines

Burgers, hot dogs and ribs – “Rose, chardonnay, viognier, merlot and a grenache/syrah/mourvedre blend let the meat be the star, and the wine washes it down.”

Chicken – “Chardonnay with oak-aging plays off the smokiness from the grill. Light red wines also work well – beaujolais, tempranillo, grenache, sangiovese.”

Salmon and tuna – “Pinot noir won’t overpower the fish. Cru beaujolais, with the right amount of acid, gives a nice balance between the food and wine.”

Steak – “Big wines love big foods. Cabernet sauvignon, red Bordeaux blends, merlot, syrah, petite sirah, amarone, super Tuscans and nebbiolo are among my favorites.”

The Beers

In general – “Ice cold lagers pair well with anything.”

Meats with a char, like brisket – “With IPAs [India pale ales], the citrus plays well with the smoky taste.”

Burgers – “Amber ales are good because they’re low on hops and maltier and more forward. They don’t have a bitter after-taste.”

Chicken – “Blonde ales are crispy and provide a nice complement to the meat.”

Sauced meats – “A porter, which is usually sweet with chocolate overtones, goes with the brown, sugary coatings.”

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TASTE

FOOD, DRINK AND OTHER PLEASURES

BEAUTY JUST BENEATH THE NOISE Oklahoma restaurants were hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak, but stories of resiliency abound.

F Tulsa’s JTR Restaurant Group operates Juniper, Prhyme Steakhouse and Farrell Family Bread. Marketing director Evan Wei-Haas says many restaurants will need government assistance during and after the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo by Valerie Wei-Haas

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ebruary 25 was one of those bright and sunny days that made you glad to be alive.

The streets of the Tulsa Arts District were crowded, and over at Duet, co-owner Kate Curren had a smile on her face. The line cooks joked around as they helped create a special Mardi Gras menu.

A bit farther south, Johnna Hayes was in a fine mood. It was the second anniversary of her flagship restaurant, Bird and Bottle.

“I have had some of my happiest times in there, and some of my saddest,” she wrote that afternoon, “and that’s because it’s like a home.

We have the most amazing regulars, the staff is so giving and dedicated, and let me tell you – normally your visions don’t come true, but this one did for me.”

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

Later that day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced – though most people ignored it – that a novel disease which had infected a few people near Seattle had the potential to become a widespread outbreak.

Monday, two weeks later, was also a sunny day. But back at Duet, manager Jennie Lloyd realized that her staff ’s jobs would be lost in the COVID-19 outbreak as the restaurant closed up shop indefinitely.

“Texts were pouring in ... and people were emailing event cancellations,” she says. “I had to put my phone in another room because I was overwhelmed with grief.”

A few days later, Hayes had to make the same decision to close her restaurants down.

“For some of us, whose growing-

up homes and lives were so chaotic, this industry felt like home,” she says. “And to lose it like this, so abruptly, is absolutely heartwrenching.”

Throughout the state, many restaurants, which were scoured clean, disinfected and manned by skeleton crews, stayed open for delivery and curbside pickup. Over at Amelia’s Market and Brasserie, a tiny band led by owner Amelia Eesley worked overtime to keep the market stocked with delicious family meals. Chopping vegetables in back one day was Angie Faughtenberry, owner of 413 Farm in Adair.

Why had she volunteered to work after a long day at the farm?

“I’m willing to stand in the gap, to take the load, to be here through these difficult times so the staff has

a place to return to when restaurants open back up,” she replies. In Oklahoma, the restaurant community has each other’s back.

But for many of these places, takeout orders bring in only 10% of normal revenue, cautions Evan Wei-Haas with Justin Thompson Restaurants. It will take government help, he says, to keep these magical, exciting places alive.

“I don’t think most people realize how thin the profit margin is,” seconds Kurt Fleischfresser, one of Oklahoma City’s most respected chefs and restaurateurs who leads the Oklahoma Restaurant Association. “For most fine dining establishments, it’s in single digits. If a restaurant shuts its doors, there is still rent, mortgage and loan payments to be made, utility bills, property taxes, and pretty soon the restaurant is bankrupt and gone forever. And restaurants employ so many people, keep farms and food suppliers alive ... we’re a conduit, spreading cash through the whole community.”

Ryan Parrott, head chef for OKC’s Humankind Hospitality, is seeing that profit margin decimated.

“Business is down 80 to 85%,” he says, “and it’s just not sustainable.”

But he, along with many Oklahoma restaurateurs, has ideas to help.

“Gift cards, takeout – and most restaurants are offering great deals. Every little bit helps,” he says. “Whenever anyone in the community has a fundraiser, restaurants are always the first to donate time, food, money. Now we need your help, or the restaurant landscape will be a lot more desolate next year.”

Meanwhile, in northeast Oklahoma City, Florence’s Restaurant, in business for 60 years, struggles to survive.

“I have not laid anyone off,” says Victoria Kemp, owner alongside her mother, Florence Jones. “Weeks ago, I saw this coming and began to strategize.

I trimmed all the fat. I cancelled cable service, dumpster service. I’m watching my pennies. But my staff ? Even in normal times, these people depend on me. They have children to feed, rent, car payments. I will do this as long as I can, but business is only an eighth of what it used to be.”

So buy takeout, buy curbside, buy gift cards. Tip big if you can. Buy a big family meal from your favorite place and have it delivered to paramedics, nurses, firemen. Contribute to GoFundMe pages that supABOVE: Humankind Hospitality operates port staffs. When restaurants five restaurants in Oklahoma City. Chef reopen, go, enjoy, spend.

Ryan Parrott encourages patrons to keep supporting local businesses during and Though these times are after the pandemic. uncertain, there is still beauty Photo courtesy Humankind Hospitality to be found.

Leadership at downtown Tulsa’s Duet looks “Just in our community, forward to more themed dinner parties after the pandemic subsides. the people who have come Photo courtesy Duet out to try to help my staff, the outpouring of everyone trying to help their neighbor stay alive, is the resilience of the human spirit. It is happening all over the world,” says Eesley.

“I am very impressed with the beauty I am seeing in people right now. It is encouraging to know it was always there, lying just beneath the noise.”

BRIAN SCHWARTZ

TA S T E | L O C A L F L AV O R

Photo courtesy Trail’s End BBQ

TRAILS END BARBECUE

On a typical Tuesday night – before the COVID-19 restrictions on dine-in restaurants – you couldn’t find a free table at Owasso’s Trails End Barbecue with its all-you-can-eat ribs.

Owner John Cash would survey the crowd of families, moms with babies and guys who look like they work outside for a living.

“My mom was a great cook,” Cash says. “My friends used to bale our hay just to eat her food. My dad taught me barbecue, and by the time I was 16, he’d say, ‘You know how to do it; I’ll just sit and drink a beer.’ He’d do ribs instead of turkey for Thanksgiving. Our house was packed with happy eaters, and [Tuesday nights at Trails End] remind me of that.

“I know an awful lot of those people. It’s like a community center here.”

Thirty years ago, Cash entered a barbecue contest for fun. After coming in second, he was hooked. A few years later, he went into the business. He smokes briskets for 14 hours, ribs for five.

“It’s all based on the true smoking philosophy of low and slow,” he says.

Cash had surgery recently, so he should have been in bed resting, but he doesn’t know how to stop working. On this particular day, he closed early but chances are he went ahead and delivered a few free meals to the homebound and elderly before he finally made it home.

BRIAN SCHWARTZ

MAY 2020 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

57

TA S T E | CHEF CHAT

AN INHERITANCE OF ENTHUSIASM Carla Cousins focuses on nurturing and training her eager charges at Tulsa’s Cardinal Club.

E Carla Cousins earned her stripes at Platt College and now runs Cardinal Club in south Tulsa.

Photos by Josh New

ONLINE

SEE THE RECIPE FOR COUSINS’ CHIMICHURRI SAUCE AT okmag.com/ cousins

58

nter south Tulsa’s most elegant fine-dining destination, the Cardinal Club, and you see a suite of hushed, glamorous rooms with high ceilings, gilt cornices and overstuffed banquettes.

Turn left from the entrance and you’re in a gleaming, modern barroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and a grand staircase.

That’s where executive chef Carla Cousins posed recently for publicity photos (before the chaos of the COVID-19 outbreak). She looked supremely confident, like someone whose dreams have been fulfilled. It took awhile to get here. Cousins grew up in Detroit, where diversity informed her childhood.

“Our neighbors were Italians, Russians, Greeks, you name it,” she says. “My mother didn’t know how to cook when she was first married, so she learned from all these neighbors. She was very talented, and she cooked dinner every night for the family and whatever guests showed up. Every kid on the block loved getting invited to dinner at our house.”

Cousins inherited her mother’s enthusiasm in the kitchen, but she thought becoming a chef was unrealistic for a young woman, so she went to cosmetology school instead. Years later and living in Tulsa, she entered Platt College’s culinary arts program.

She excelled but remembers asking a fellow student,

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

“Who will give me a job?”

That classmate was Josh McClure, who became head chef at the Chalkboard. In those days, he worked as a waiter at Bodean.

“Josh came to me,” says Tim Richards, then Bodean’s executive chef, “and told me, ‘There is only one person you should hire and that’s Carla.’ I did, and the rest is history.”

After working at Bodean for three years, Cousins moved to The Tavern and the Bull in the Alley. Having now attained the role of executive chef, she is in charge of her own staff at the Cardinal Club.

“It’s hard to find experienced staff in south Tulsa,” she says, “and that can be a good thing. My staff is young and eager to learn. I want to help them grow.

Later, I’ll have them design recipes. For now, we have a very simple menu until they can master it.”

They all work hard – none more than Cousins.

“I come in at 8:30 a.m. and I leave when we’re done,” she says. “It could be 10 p.m. or it could be midnight. One night, my staff told me to leave early, get some rest … and when I left, I felt like a mother leaving her children for the first time.”

The menu is full of delights: shrimp scampi with bright flavors; perfect roast chicken; a huge, meaty pork chop with a tangy mustard sauce.

“I’ve had people who hate pork eat that chop and tell me they’ve become a believer,” Cousins says. “I love big, homey, rustic meals like that – comfort food.”

The pork chop is heritage Berkshire from Tulsa’s Prairie Creek Farms. Local food excites Cousins.

“It’s such a cool time to be in Tulsa,” she says, “and the local farm scene is exploding.”

Cousins says her culinary philosophy is to think more about others than herself when it comes to the menu.

“I’m always thinking about what the diners want,” she says. “If you’re cooking your own personal pieces of artwork, you’re not cooking for the people anymore. My favorite kind of food is whatever kind people want to come back for.”

BRIAN SCHWARTZ

TA S T E | TA S T Y T ID BIT S

FLORENCE’S RESTAURANT

Photo courtesy Margaret’s

Florence Jones, inspired by growing up on a farm near Boley in Okfuskee County, has served homemade family dishes at Florence’s Restaurant in OKC since 1969. Her recipes are country foods, good for the soul.

Fried chicken is the top-selling fan favorite. Time-tested side dishes include mashed potatoes, corn, macaroni and cheese, pinto beans, collard greens (in season), candied sweet potatoes, cabbage, green beans, spinach and corn.

Other popular choices are the vegetable plate, smothered chicken, fried chicken flavored with sweet potatoes, grilled hamburger steak covered in onions and beef gravy, and grilled beef liver. 1437 N.E. 23rd St., Oklahoma City; florences.restaurant

MARGARET’S GERMAN RESTAURANT

FIESTA MAMBO

Fiesta Mambo draws hungry patrons to Broken Arrow’s Rose District. Brunch choices include huevos rancheros – a flat corn tortilla with two fried eggs, doused with fire-roasted red salsa and served with rice, refried beans and warm flour tortillas. Choices at other times include tamales, tacos, burritos, salads, soups and enchiladas, such as suizas with chicken, topped with tomatillo sauce, sour cream and queso fresco crumbles.

Among the house specialties are chilaquiles de pollo, a dish of lightly fried tortilla pieces, shredded chicken, fire roasted salsa verde, two fried eggs, avocado, queso fresco and sour cream drizzle. 219 S. Main St., Broken Arrow; facebook.com/fiestamamborosedistrict

Photo courtesy Fiesta Mambo

Photo courtesy Florence’s Restaurant

Serving reasonably priced, authentic German food and other European dishes since 1989, Margaret’s German Restaurant and Deli at Tulsa’s Farm Shopping Center is the American dream come true for immigrant couple Margaret and Andrew Rzepcynski, who founded, own and run the joint. The Bavarian pretzel is sprinkled with sea salt and served with a rich German mustard. Any time is good for homemade potato pancakes and applesauce. A favored appetizer is the filet of herring in wine sauce, and a top tier entrée is the jager schnitzel, a breaded pork loin finished with mushroom sauce. Margaret’s is also a handy option for carry-out meals. 5107 S. Sheridan Road, Tulsa; margaretsgermanrestaurant.com

TRACY LEGRAND

MAY 2020 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

59

WHERE & WHEN G R E AT T H I N G S TO D O I N O K L A H O M A

PEACE, LOVE AND SYMPHONIC SOUNDS

2

With COVID-19 thwarting many early May events, you’ll have to wait a bit to get your performance fixes this month.

American folk artist Arlo Guthrie joins Tulsa Symphony Orchestra for Peace, Love and Arlo on May 15 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center with hits including “The Motorcycle Song” and “Coming into Los Angeles.”

OKC Broadway brings Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Civic Center Music Hall from May 12 to 17.

OKC Philharmonic fills Civic Center Music Hall with wonder on May 30 with the rescheduled performance of Gritty, Sweet and Hypnotic: Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky. Enjoy special guest Alain Lefevre on piano.

ART WITH A HISTORY

Photo courtesy OKC Broadway

LIGHT, LEGENDS AND ART

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

IN TULSA PERFORMANCES

TULSA SYMPHONY PRESENTS: PEACE, LOVE AND ARLO May 15 Tulsa PAC An icon of the 1960s counterculture, American folk artist Arlo Guthrie is known for his social activism and the powerful storytelling in his music. tulsasymphony.org

OKLAHOMA PERFORMING ARTS INC. PRESENTS: THE RITE, THE GIFT May 24 Tulsa PAC Allenato, the all-youth

performing arts company of Oklahoma Performing Arts, presents four complete works in one evening. tulsapac.com

60

CONCERTS NELLY May 15 River Spirit Casino Resort Rap and R&B

legend Nelly rocks the Paradise Cove stage.

riverspirittulsa.com

URBAN COWBOY: MICKEY GILLEY & JOHNNY LEE May 23 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa Two country

music legends take the stage together.

hardrockcasinotulsa.com

TONY BENNETT May 24 Hard

Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa As one of a handful of artists to have new albums charting in six decades, Tony Bennett has achieved legendary status and introduced a multitude

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

of songs to the public.

hardrockcasinotulsa.com

CANDLEBOX May 28 River

Spirit Casino Resort Emerging

from Seattle’s burgeoning mid-1990s grunge scene, Candlebox quickly found mainstream success with their deep, lyrically-driven melodies and big radio hooks.

riverspirittulsa.com

THE SCHWAG May 30 Cain’s

Ballroom The Schwag is a

band of musicians dedicated to carrying on the vibe and music of the legendary Grateful Dead. cainsballroom.com

ART I-WITNESS CULTURE: FRANK BUFFALO HYDE

Philbrook Museum’s ongoing full-scale log cabin exhibition entitled Slumgullion, the Venerate Outpost was built from the skeleton of a late1800s pioneer home, replete with colorful stained glass windows.

Continuing through August 16 at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, The Art of Light was inspired by the exploration of light as a tool to create space. The museum also offers Art with a History from May 21 to Aug. 16; the exhibition brings to the forefront several pieces from the museum’s permanent collection, telling their unique stories of ownership. OKC’s DNA Galleries presents the Support Local Art Show curated by Dylan Bradway from May 7 to June 7. The spiral toothed and elusive narwhal is explored in depth at Norman’s Sam Noble Museum during Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend through June 14.

Through May 10 Gilcrease

Artist Frank Buffalo Hyde, from the Onondaga and Nez Perce tribes, says artists are responsible to represent the times in which they live.

gilcrease.org

TULSA TREASURES: PRIVATE COLLECTIONS IN PUBLIC Through May 24

Philbrook This exhibition

unveils some of the most fascinating privately owned objects in the community and

sheds light on why people collect art. philbrook.org

MEXICAN MODERNISM: REVOLUTION AND RECKONING Through Aug.

MEMORIES AND INSPIRATION: THE KERRY AND C. BETTY DAVIS COLLECTION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ART

30 Gilcrease This exhibit

Inspired by previous African-American art collectors, Kerry and Betty Davis began gathering a wide variety of works by African-American artists. gilcrease.org

Ongoing Gilcrease Aether and Earth is how Mazen Abufadil describes his feelings behind the innovative process he developed – combining the ancient art of fresco with 21st-

Through July 26 Gilcrease

features a rotation of works representing a pivotal time in Mexico’s history. gilcrease.org

AETHER AND EARTH

Photo courtesy Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve

1

ART

PERFORMANCE

Giuseppe Maria Crespi (Italian, 1665-1747), Portrait of a Woman Holding a Mask, ca. 1700. Oil on canvas. Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. S.T. Fee, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Melton, Mrs. Omar Milligan, Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Sias, and Mr. and Mrs. John A. Taylor, 1978.046.

READY FOR AN EXCITING MAY? READ ON FOR OUR TOP CHOICES THIS MONTH. DUE TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS ARE CANCELED OR POSTPONED. CHECK INDIVIDUAL LISTINGS FOR UPDATES.

TIME TO RECONNECT

Spend some time at a variety of exciting community events this month.

In Tulsa, the Gem Faire runs from May 29-31 at Expo Square. Explore stunning gems, custom jewelry and beads at this exciting show.

You can sample meads, ciders and brews from around the world at OKC’s Oklahoma Craft Beer Festival on May 16 at the Oklahoma fairgrounds. With free seminars and exotic pets for sale, the Repticon Reptile and Exotic Animal Convention, also at the fairgrounds, is a can’t miss event from May 30 to 31.

In Idabel, enjoy the Dogwood Days Festival from May 15-16 and experience thousands of dogwood trees in bloom.

4

WOOLAROC SPRING TRAIL RIDE

FA M I LY / K I D S

FUN FOR ALL

Participants in the Woolaroc Spring Trail Ride are apt to see wild buffalo and longhorn cattle along the dazzling trails of Bartlesville’s Woolaroc Museum on May 16.

The Bethany 66 Festival offers family friendly fun, sidewalk sales, exhibi-

tions and children’s activities on May 23.

Durant’s Magnolia Festival runs from May 28-30 at the Choctaw Event Center. Offerings include vendors, delicious food, pageants, fireworks and an outdoor carnival.

century digital photography. gilcrease.org

SPORTS TULSA FC SOCCER MATCHES May 16, 30

ONEOK Field Tulsa FC,

formerly known as the Tulsa Roughnecks, continues regular-season play. fctulsa.com

COMMUNITY JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

May 27-30 John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation

Attend the John Hope Franklin National Symposium in Tulsa to learn about the role arts and culture can play in healing racial

divides in the United States and around the world.

jhfnationalsymposium.org

GEM FAIRE May 29-31 Expo

Square The Gem Faire is one

of the largest gem, jewelry and bead shows in the United States. gemfaire.com

CHARITABLE EVENTS OVERTURE: HIGH FIVES AND HIT TUNES ROCKIN’ THE FABULOUS ‘50S May 2 DoubleTree by

Hilton – Warren Place This

annual fundraiser of Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College supports arts entertainment in Tulsa and strengthens the group’s music education and community

outreach programs.

signaturesymphony.org/ overture

TBH FRANK RHOADES GOLF CLASSIC May 11

Southern Hills Country Club

This 40th annual event, with morning and afternoon tee times, supports Tulsa Boys’ Home. tulsaboyshome.org

SPECIAL OLYMPICS OKLAHOMA SUMMER GAMES May 13-15 Oklahoma

State University Stillwater Campus Cheer for athletes

3 Photo courtesy Dogwood Days Festival

COMMUNIT Y

DOGWOOD DAYS FESTIVAL

professionals at this benefit for RMHC Tulsa. rmhctulsa.org

IN OKC

PERFORMANCES

POR QUE LOS HOMBRES AMAN A LAS CABRONAS? May 8 Civic Center Music Hall In

this work, Sherry Argov demonstrates how to lose fear, be independent and get what you want.

okcciviccenter.com

OKC BROADWAY PRESENTS: ROALD DAHL’S CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY May 12-17 Civic Center Music Hall

Roald Dahl’s amazing tale is now Oklahoma City’s golden ticket. It’s the perfect recipe for a delectable treat: songs from the original film alongside a toe-tapping and ear-tickling new score from the songwriters of Hairspray. okcbroadway.com

LA SERVA PADRONA AND SERVICE PROVIDER May

14-17 Civic Center Music Hall

Two one-act comedies – one classic and one new – come together in this operatic romp exploring modern relationship dos and don’ts. okccivicenter.com

OKC PHIL PRESENTS: GRITTY, SWEET AND HYPNOTIC – TCHAIKOVSKY AND STRAVINSKY May 30 Civic Center Music Hall Hear

the tunes of the talented OKC Philharmonic with featured artist Alain Lefevre on piano.

okcphil.org

CONCERTS TIMOTHY HELLER May 13 Tower Theatre See this

indie artist with special guest Sophia Massad.

or volunteer at this event hosted by Special Olympics Oklahoma. sook.org/events/

towertheatreokc.com

FOURTH ANNUAL PRO-AM CLASSIC May 18 Cedar

Tower Theatre Chance

summer-games-2/

Ridge Country Club Tee off with touring and local

CHANCE ANDERSON AND THE TAKERS May 15 Anderson visits OKC with Damn Quails and the Aints.

towertheatreokc.com

KELLER WILLIAMS May

28 Tower Theatre Since he

first appeared on the scene in the early ’90s, Williams has defined the term independent artist. towertheatreokc.com

AMERICAN AQUARIUM

May 29 Tower Theatre

American Aquarium performs at the historic Tower Theatre. towertheatreokc.com

ART SUPPORT LOCAL ART SHOW May 7-June 7 DNA

Galleries The 2020 Support Local Art designer is Dylan Bradway, the original master mind behind the Support Local Art brand. dnagalleries.com

O. GAIL POOLE’S SIDESHOW Through May 10

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art,

Norman Sideshow surveys the satirical, often irreverent imagery of O. Gail Poole. ou.edu/fjjma

WARHOL AND THE WEST

Through May 10 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum This is the

first museum exhibition to explore Andy Warhol’s love of the West, represented in his art, movies, attire, travel and collecting.

nationalcowboymuseum.org

DOROTHEA LANGE: POLITICS OF SEEING

Through May 10 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Through

of the West through popular media have been a mainstay of culture.

nationalcowboymuseum.org

ART WITH A HISTORY May 21-Aug. 16 OKCMOA Art with a History delves into the provenance of a number of diverse works of art from the permanent collection. okcmoa.com

NARWHAL: REVEALING AN

ARCTIC LEGEND Through June 14 Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, Norman The elusive

narwhal with its magnificent spiral tooth has inspired art, legend and cultural practices for centuries. samnoblemuseum.ou.edu

SPORTS OKC ENERGY FC SOCCER

MATCHES May 12, 16 Taft Stadium Experience the

excitement of professional soccer as the Energy takes on other teams in the league. energyfc.com

OQHA REDBUD SPECTACULAR HORSE SHOW May 28-June 7 State

Fair Park See a variety

of talented equestrians at this community event.

statefairparkokc.com

COMMUNITY BOTANICAL BALANCE FREE YOGA May 2, 5, 9,

12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 Myriad

her camera lens, Dorothea Lange documented American life with riveting, intimate photographs reflecting some of the most powerful moments of the 20th century.

Botanical Gardens Practicing yoga in the gardens has the benefit of connecting with nature and offers a beautiful, tranquil space to help relieve stress and quiet the mind.

COLORS OF CLAY Through

REPTICON REPTILE AND EXOTIC ANIMAL CONVENTION May 30-31

nationalcowboymuseum.org

May 10 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Colors of Clay explores the cultural and regional diversity of indigenous ceramic vessel traditions in North America.

nationalcowboymuseum.org

FIND YOUR WESTERN

Through May 10 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Perceptions

myriadgardens.org

State Fair Park Meet new reptilian friends at this exciting expo. repticon.com

CHARITABLE EVENTS CELEBRATION OF HOPE May 14 National Cowboy

MAY 2020 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

61

W H E R E & W H E N | ENTER TAINMENT and Western Heritage Museum This year’s

event celebrates the 80th anniversary of the group’s Women’s Auxiliary and features Grammy-winning musician Amy Grant

salvationarmyokcac.org

SPLENDOR IN THE GARDENS May 21 Myriad

Botanical Gardens With a

multi-course meal featuring farm-to-table offerings prepared by local chefs, guests get an evening of spirited conversations and entertainment. myriadgardens.org

WALK TO CURE ARTHRITIS May 29 Stars

and Stripes Park Enjoy an active day in OKC to help find a cure for arthritis. arthritis.org

BRAINY BEASTS II May 29 Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens Enjoy a

fun night of trivia to benefit the OKC Zoo. zoofriends.org

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HEART WALK May 30

Bicentennial Park Walk for

heart health and support the American Heart Association. okcheartwalk.org

AROUND THE STATE PERFORMANCES

GASLIGHT THEATRE PRESENTS: NO EXIT May 8-10, 14-15 Gaslight Theatre,

Enid Two women and one man find themselves waiting in a mysterious room. gaslighttheatre.org

JIM JEFFERIES May 30

Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville Jim

Jefferies is one of the most popular comedians of his generation. winstar.com

CONCERTS

soundtrack of the 1970s.

winstar.com

ART STATE OF THE ART 2020

Through May 24 Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Ark. A team

of curators at Crystal Bridges traveled across the country to select a diverse group of 61 artists from varied backgrounds and at different points in their careers. crystalbridges.org

FINAL FRIDAY ART CRAWL May 29 Downtown Stillwater

Inspired by First Friday events in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, this lively art crawl is on the final Friday of every month and celebrates the art culture of the community.

museum.okstate.edu

TEMPERA Ongoing Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Ark. Tempera painting (also known as egg tempera) has a rich history as a medium for artists from ancient times to today, and is an older form of painting than oil. crystalbridges.org

SPORTS DUVALL’S STEER WRESTLING May

15-17 Checotah Round-Up Club Bring the family out

to enjoy one of the world’s largest steer wrestling events. travelok.com

WILL ROGERS STAMPEDE

PRCA RODEO May 22-24 Will Rogers Stampede Arena Rodeo events include bull riding, barrel racing, team roping and a dance following the nightly performance. rodeoticket.

com/will-rogers-stampede/ rodeo-information

HEARTLAND NATIONALS SAND DRAG RACE May 22-24 Atoka Motorsports Park Travel to the Atoka

AMY GRANT May 15

Motorsports Park to see some of the fastest sand races in the U.S. atokasanddrags.com

no question that Amy Grant put contemporary Christian music on the map.

HUGO PRCA RODEO May 29-30 Hugo Fairgrounds This

Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville There’s

winstar.com

THE BELLAMY BROTHERS

May 22 Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville

Come see three of the biggest names in country at the Winstar World Casino and Resort’s Global Event Center. winstar.com

STEELY DAN May 29

Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville Steely

Dan has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide while helping compose the

two-day rodeo event showcases Western heritage and small-town hospitality. hugoprorodeo.

com

COMMUNITY IDABEL DOGWOOD DAYS FESTIVAL May

15-16 Downtown Celebrate

the beautiful blooms of thousands of trees in the Idabel area with a visit to the springtime Dogwood Days Festival. theidabelchamber.

com/dogwooddaysfestival

FOR MORE EVENTS IN

TULSA, OKC AND AROUND THE STATE, HEAD TO OKMAG.COM.

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W H E R E & W H E N | F I L M AN D CI N EM A

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

ALTERNATIVES TO THE MAINSTREAM Crackle, Criterion and Kanopy have some out-of-the-way fare not typically seen on big at-home services such as Netflix.

A

t the time of this writing, America was trapped inside during the COVID-19 pandemic. With diligence, persistence and lots of luck, conditions might have improved by the time you pick this up in May. Regardless, it will be a long time before the movie industry gets back to normal.

With theaters closed, distributors hastened to move screenings online to recoup some costs, and large-scale film festivals have been canceled or postponed.

With that in mind, this month’s column is a bit different. Instead of a usual breakdown of Oklahoma events, DVD releases and theatrical debuts, the focus is on the streaming side of film-watching by highlighting services that are a little more out of the way. Most people have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and/or Disney Plus, but by now you’ve probably watched everything you want from those services.

Here are three more to tide you over.

Crackle

Cost: Free, but with ads Focus: Grab bag Crackle is an unusual entry in today’s streaming wars – the forgotten little brother of Hulu and Netflix. The site’s catalog comes larded with forgotten B-films and direct-to-DVD sequels (Lake Placid 3, anyone?). But if you dig a little deeper, the site has some classics – the sort you really should have watched by now – all at the small cost of sitting through advertisements.

Here are three quick picks: for wonder, Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind; for dark comedy, Sunset Boulevard, one of the greatest films about films; and, for not going anywhere, the

infamously long (but undeniably aweinspiring) epic Lawrence of Arabia.

Criterion

Cost: $10.99 per month Focus: Independent and world classics Regular readers notice the frequent touts for DVDs from the Criterion Collection for the simple reason that the company re-releases hard-to-find, excellent films from around the globe. The Criterion Channel allows you to stream the movies in its collection with a subscription.

Unlike bigger services, there’s no fat here; every film is worth watching.

Take an international tour with Criterion and catch up on some classic foreign films, like Federico Fellini’s 8½, Akira Kurosawa’s samurai classic Yojimbo, and Gabriel Axel’s hunger-inducing Babette’s Feast.

Kanopy

Cost: Free (with a central Oklahoma library card) Focus: Documentaries Kanopy has one big advantage: It’s free of ads and free, period, so long as you have a member card with a participating library (such as the Metropolitan system in and around OKC, and the Pioneer system in and around Moore and Norman).

The service shows all sorts of indie films, but its biggest draw is its treasure trove of documentaries.

Kanopy is the only place to find the films of Frederick Wiseman, such as his patient and structural Hospital and Ex Libris. Kanopy also houses films by the Maysles brothers, including Grey Gardens, a classic about shut-ins that is perfect for pandemic viewing.

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CLOSI N G T H O U G H T S

MAURIANNA ADAMS

E

xecutive director of Progress OKC, Maurianna Adams, has a decade of professional experience in public service, including the directorship of the Tulsa Community Foundation.

Progress OKC, of which Adams took the helm last August, is a nonprofit devoted to community development. The Putnam City West High School graduate has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and a master’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

We caught up with Adams and got her thoughts on …

… growing up in and around OKC.

Photo by Sike Images

A village raised me. That experience has been valuable in my career because I witnessed this city from diverse vantage points – areas of spurring growth, segments of opportunities, communities that have less access to sufficient resources.

… public service’s importance.

For several years, my grandfather was a social worker who helped youth experiencing homelessness. He later went on to become a teacher. His mother and relatives would always open their doors to individuals in need of food, shelter, understanding and dignity. The exposure of community service and neighbors helping neighbors inspired me at a young age to not hesitate but take action when it comes to giving. Throughout my career, I have [seen] how systems work and how to influence change that multiplies and positively affects the multitude. Public service is a passageway to shape the world – even if your world is defined by a neighborhood – through education, arts and culture, research, direct service, policy and advocacy.

… disinvestment and investment.

Disinvestment in a community can yield both immediate and long-term consequences. For example, the state of wealth today for many households in the United States can be traced back generations to public investments in

64

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2020

housing, the workforce and education.

Historically, there have been disparities as it pertains to economic opportunity; the gravity of disparities expands along the lines of race and gender. Today, many dual-earner households struggle to make ends meet or to get ahead, and often the broader neighborhood mirrors this hardship; thus, intergenerational poverty persists. There are downstream outcomes that affect everyone.

By reversing the cycle of disinvestment, we address economic inequality and improve existing physical, social and institutional structures for individuals and families. We also create opportunities for people to own assets, such as land, a home and a business, through education, service, development or capital, which benefits the community and its economy.

… energizing youth.

I often speak to young people about career planning, higher education and public service to ensure … a pipeline of

energized change agents, who are fully supported and connected. Our time exposes our priorities; time is the best investment we have. By investing time to volunteer – mentorship, membership associations, internships, professional learning communities – you produce a return. I discuss fulfilling public service objectives in both the private and public sectors. There are many pathways … that give back to communities; this is not exclusive to nonprofit jobs. Often, partnership between for-profit entities and community-based organizations lead to sustainable impact. I also encourage them to think outside of the box and bring creativity to the table. We need people who can identify problems and solutions, but who can also implement ideas in unimaginable ways. Never stop being curious, never stop being ONLINE engaged, because FOR MORE WITH something or ADAMS, VISIT someone is waitokmag.com/adams ing on your gift.