Not The First Rodeo

Rob Watkins

By Berlin Green

Helping doesn’t have to be compli cated—sometimes the simplest of actions can have a substantial impact.

Rob Watkins knows what it’s like to be on the street and how quickly a change in circumstances can land someone there.

Rob found himself homeless in Oklahoma City after a difficult divorce was followed by the false promise of work in Dallas. It was the Homeless Alliance themselves that helped Rob get back on his feet. He worked as a Curbside Chronicle vendor before securing housing and loved the organization so much that they created a position for him. He now serves as a referral specialist at the Homeless Alliance. In his free time, Watkins started a Facebook group to help connect those struggling with homelessness find the resources they need often simply to survive.

“I got here in July 2014 and was on the street and eventually got a job as a vendor with the Curbside Chronicle,” Watkins said. “I got housing in 2019, so I made the OKC Homeless Resource Group as a way to give back to the community that has given so much to me. Because one thing I found when I was home less is there are a lot of resources here in the city, but a lot of people don’t know about them. So then they go away because nobody’s using them, and they aren’t using them because nobody knew about them. I just made this page as a way to help people network and get what they need.”

It didn’t take long for the group to build a substantial following. Since its inception, nearly 3,000 have joined. Watkins has made connec tions with city and state agencies, council people and many of the grass roots organizations that work with the homeless in the metro area, al lowing him to direct those in need to their services.

“People make Facebook pages for all kinds of silly stuff. I thought this would be something that would be beneficial to anybody because the main focus is homeless people and those in need. If someone wants to know when they’re doing free meals or when the buses are free, they can

find it there. And it’s really grown. There’s almost 3,000 people that follow the group now. And they’re not all homeless people. There’s people from the city government, churches, people that work at DHS. What’s been great is times like when somebody has a ques tion about food stamps or ser vices, not all the time, but some times people from DHS or from Oklahoma housing or whatever will interact with these people. They’ll tell them, ‘Hey, if you have a question about your food stamps, here’s my name, here’s my number, call me,’ and that’s been really helpful, especially when people are looking for housing. We’ve got people that own properties and reach out and say, ‘Hey, I’m a landlord. Call me.’ And that was kind of always my goal, I never wanted it to be about me. I want it to be a community thing, for people who need it.”

The feedback Watkins receives continues to fuel him and give him some purpose.

“I have a lot of people that tell me, ‘Your page is really important, because people can go on there and get connected with exactly what they need’ and that’s how I wanted it to be,” Watkins said. “I talked to Jared Shadid who is over the homeless planning for all of Oklahoma City. He added me to their email list so that I can tell people when the shel ters are going to be open. Because 3,000 people is no joke. There are people from all kinds of agencies, so the people at the city level are start ing to see the value. I never would have thought a city or government agency would follow me. I was just trying to create a central hub for homeless people. Because of the way it’s grown, if you’re new to the city or if you’re new to homelessness, you can just go there—it’s kind of a one stop shop. Someone is going to try to help. You’ll know when the buses are free. You’ll know when people are giving away clothes, who’s having a free meal, where and when. People are always sharing and posting stuff on there. I talk to people almost every day, especially when the cold weather rolls in. The shelters are going to be

open, people will be out with food, coats and sleeping bags and other resources and people need to know about them.”

More than just resources, the group allows Watkins and others to help families keep tabs on members living in homelessness, giving them peace of mind that their loved one is okay, despite the often very complicated and unfor tunate circumstances.

“When I was on the street, parents would find out that I was friends with their kids and they would reach out to me and be like, ‘I just want to thank you for looking out for my son or my daughter’ or whatever. And about a month ago, I had a lady call looking for her son. Now her son is like, 35, but you would think he was 15 the way she was talking about him. But I was able to tell her, ‘Your son is doing fine. I saw him two days ago at the bus terminal. He came over to me, we talked and he hugged me and he’s doing okay,’ which helped her because she’s been legitimately worried about him because she hasn’t seen him in six months. So it’s good that I can have those relation ships with people, if their parents or family call I can let them know what’s going on,” he said.

Rob attends monthly meetings focused on homeless issues and works with city leaders to bring focus to the needs of the homeless com munity whenever possible. When looking towards the future, Watkins sees instability in social media, so he’s working on a website solely

dedicated to the cause.

“With things like the layoffs, you don’t know what’s going on with Facebook from one day to the next, so I’m working on a website,” Watkins said. “It’s called OKCStreetSheet. com. I chose the name because it doesn’t reference homelessness, it doesn’t reference anything, so there’s no stigma attached. I haven’t really done a whole lot with it yet, but it’s there because eventually I’d kind of like to migrate off of Facebook. People need a way to share informa tion. There needs to be an easy to access central hub where people in the community can know about what’s happening on the streets, where the feedings are and where to get clothes and when housing or jobs become available.”

Rob’s actions show that helping doesn’t have to cost anything, just a bit of time. Simply taking action and doing what you can, when you can, that can create exponential reach.

“I don’t have a lot of money. I don’t think I’ll ever be the guy that donates $100 million or whatever,” Watkins said. “But I can make a Facebook page where people can interact and share resources and help that way.”

To connect with Rob and the OKC Homeless Resource Group visit their Facebook page.

AFTER EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, ROB WATKINS FOUND A WAY TO CONNECT THOSE STILL STRUGGLING WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SURVIVE LIFE ON THE STREETS.

Rob Watkins. | Photo by Berlin Green

Thank you, poll workers

THIS ELECTION SEASON, A TIP OF THE HAT IS IN ORDER TO ALL WHO DEDICATE THEIR TIME MAKING SURE OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS CONTINUES.

By Robin Meyers

On the Friday before election day, I returned to my favorite place to vote, the Oklahoma County Election Board headquar ters on Lincoln Boulevard. It con jured memories of standing in a long line with an ebullient crowd in 2008 to vote for Barack Obama. I was certain that the world was about to change, and that we would become a better country. Today I learned that a survey re vealed that 88 percent of Americans fear political violence during this election and in the days that follow. Political vio lence? Are we talking about Venezuela? Brazil? Belarus? What happens if close election results are not accepted by election deniers? What if American de mocracy grinds to a halt under the weight of conspiracy theories spread by those with no regard for the truth? What if half of us won’t agree to lose?

I remember John McCain’s gra cious concession speech to President-elect Obama, even when some of his followers booed the idea of wishing him well. Repeatedly he stopped them, as if to say, No. This is not what we do. This is not who we are. Mr. Obama is our president now, and America’s strength and genius can only endure through the peaceful transfer of power. McCain let it be known that it was an historic election and that he was aware of how much it must mean to African Americans so long denied a seat at the table. Now all of us must do everything we can, he said, to make our new president, and America, successful.

Go to YouTube and watch that speech. It’s just a few minutes long. It will remind you what virtue looks like. Remember virtue? Remember grace?

On the day I voted, the atmo sphere was different, with more police officers and more poll workers who looked nervous but resolute. They greeted everyone warmly, instructed us on how to retrieve our ballots, and then thanked each one of us as we left.

I picked up my favorite accessory of all time, the “I VOTED” sticker, and wore it for days. It would be hard to overstate the debt we owe to those who work at the polls. Many are volunteers, many are elderly and, unfortunately, many have left their jobs over concern for their own safety.

When a tornado tore through Idabel that same day and de stroyed Trinity Baptist Church, the only polling place, it was moved by emergency decree to the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church across town because, well, this is America. The poll workers in Idabel packed up and moved their voter rolls, ballots, pencils and, of course, those iconic stick ers as if there was nothing to it. Idabel took a direct hit. Democracy did not.

Standing inside that polling place on Lincoln Boulevard, I looked around the room and studied the faces of my neighbors: young, old, able, disabled, black, white, brown, straight, gay, rich, poor—you name it. Republicans and Democrats voting straight tickets. Independents making their independent choices. People trying to figure out who the judges were and whether they should be retained. Grandmothers smiling as they carefully fed their com pleted ballots into the scanning machines. There. Done. Now we’ll see if “We the People” can long endure. There. Done. Now I go home back to work or go home, knowing that I have done what I can, where I am, with what I have.

None of this is possible without poll workers. What we should all do when we vote is to thank them, tell them how much we appreciate their service to our country. Put up a parking sign at Lowe’s that says, “RESERVED FOR POLL WORKERS.” Because, across all our differences, we know that nothing is more important than making our voices heard, even if we lose. Perhaps especially when we lose.

Indeed, there was a strange and palpable joy that day as people

performed a simple but revolu tionary act. As if they knew that it was the one thing that could not be taken away from them, espe cially from the poor, although we have tried, and we are still trying. Watching people from every walk of life mark a ballot and leave it behind to be counted—trusting those who count it because they have proven again and again to be trustworthy—this is the most powerful political act of all. This is our thunderous retort to the Divine Right of Kings. This is the exclamation mark for women so long denied the right to vote. This is part of Dr. King’s Dream, yet to be fully realized.

This ritual, so easy to take for granted, is all that stands between all of us and a world full of au thoritarian egomaniacs. We do not serve them. They serve us. Full stop.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, poll workers. Our deep grat itude goes out to you—the amazing women and men who get up, make the coffee, bring the donuts, pa tiently explain how to vote, and then stay late to clean up. Because of you, we still have a democracy.

Shame, shame, shame, everlast ing shame on those who have made them afraid to report for duty. Our prayer is that you will not destroy what so many have

worked so long and hard to build and so many have died to defend. Go ahead, sing it…

My country ‘tis of thee Sweet land of liberty Of thee I sing Land where my fathers died Land of the pilgrims’ pride From every mountainside Let freedom ring

The Rev. Dr. Robin Meyers is pastor of First Congregational Church UCC in Norman and retired senior minister of Mayflower Congregational UCC in Oklahoma City. He is currently Professor of Public Speaking, and Distinguished Professor of Social Justice Emeritus in the Philosophy Department at Oklahoma City University, and the author of eight books on religion and American culture, the most recent of which is, Saving God from Religion: A Minister’s Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age. Visit robinmeyers.com

The Rev. Dr. Robin Meyers. | Photo provided

BY CHARLES DICKENS ADAPTED BY MICHAEL BARON DIRECTED BY MICHAEL BARON & ASHLEY WELLS

CHARLES DICKENS BY BARON WELLS

OKC Tree Lighting Festival

NOVEMBER 17 • 5-7PM • BRICKTOWN

Kickoff the holiday season and Downtown in December at this year’s Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival! One of the season’s most anticipated events will take place in Bricktown on Thursday, November 17th, 2022, from 5-7pm on the Mickey Mantle Plaza of the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The festival, which is free and open to everyone, will include family-friendly activities such as photos with Santa Claus, face painting, caricatures, a Magic Elf, a Letters to Santa station, and a showcase of diverse holiday performances leading up to and following the countdown to the lighting of the Christmas tree by Mayor David Holt. For more information, visit downtownindecember.com.

Okc Tree Lighting Virtual Holiday Special

PRESENTED BY HEARTLAND

NOV 25 • 5PM DEBUT • FOX 25 & ONLINE

Following the festival, gather with your friends and family on Friday, November 25th, 2022, to watch the debut of the Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Virtual Holiday Special presented by Heartland. Experience the excitement of the tree lighting along with special program-only performances and guests. The program will have something for everyone, featuring much-loved, familiar sights as well as new favorites. It will be available for viewing on television on FOX 25, and streamed on the FOX 25 Facebook page, website, and On-Demand app, as well as Downtown OKC's YouTube channel, Facebook page, and Downtown in December website. For more information, visit downtownindecember.com.

Saints Santa Run

DECEMBER 3 • 8-11AM • MIDTOWN

Grab your costumes and running shoes, the Saints Santa Run is coming to Midtown on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022! Our family-friendly winter run is bringing all ages, and even pets, to downtown Oklahoma City for a festive 5K. It is a great way to stay active and spread cheer during the holiday season. All are invited to enjoy free activities like face painting and balloon art, complimentary snacks and drinks, holiday music and more at our start/finish line celebration on the SSM Health – St. Anthony Hospital campus. The run also includes a free Kids’ Dash for kids 8 and under, a costume contest, and cash prizes! For more information, visit downtownindecember.com.

Lights On Broadway

DEC. 3 & 10 • 4-7PM • AUTOMOBILE ALLEY

Cruise down historic Automobile Alley for the district’s holiday open house and experience its stunning light display during the 7th annual Lights On Broadway event! The fun returns for 2 Saturdays this season: December 3rd and December 10th, 2022. Each evening from 4-7pm, various retail shops and restaurants will feature buzz-worthy window displays, pop-up activities, special promotions, and giveaways. Attendees will also enjoy family-friendly programming along the sidewalks such as live music, balloon art, performances, photos with Santa Claus, and more. For more information, visit downtownindecember.com.

Merry Midtown

NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 24 • MIDTOWN

Midtown businesses are coming together to offer festive opportunities to eat, drink, and merry in their district this season. Beginning November 25th, 2022, make Midtown your destination for dining, holiday shopping, and general merriment with limited-time promotions and special holiday touches from one of your favorite local neighborhoods.

MERRY

MIDTOWN'S SANTA PAWS PHOTO OP | NOVEMBER 20 | 1-4PM

Bring your pups to the Midtown Bocce Court on Sunday, November 20th, 2022, for free photos of Santa with your furry friends. Santa will be available for DIY photos from 1-4pm and attendees will need to bring their own phones or cameras. An attendant will be on site to help take photos which will be perfect for your holiday cards and greetings! For more information, visit midtownokc.com.

Devon Ice Rink

NOVEMBER - JANUARY • MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS

The Devon Ice Rink returns this season in the Myriad Botanical Gardens and will be open through the end of January. Gather at the Gardens for another great season of outdoor ice skating at Downtown in December’s premier attraction. Open seven days a week, the Devon Ice Rink hosts daily public skating, private parties, and special events all winter long. The Devon Ice Rink is located in the Myriad Botanical Gardens at 100 S. Robinson Ave. (at the corner of S. Robinson Ave. and Sheridan Ave.) Please call (405) 708-6499 with questions. For the full schedule, daily hours of operation, and contact information, visit downtownindecember.com.

OKC Ballet's The Nutcracker PRESENTED BY DEVON ENERGY

DECEMBER 10

- 18 • CIVIC CENTER MUSIC HALL

Oklahoma City Ballet’s traditional version of The Nutcracker has been enchanting audiences for decades, and this year will feature all new choreography by Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye. Tchaikovsky’s spirited and familiar score evokes warm childlike memories in the most glorious way as this colorful and extravagant ballet takes the stage once again this holiday season. This holiday treat will include students from the OKC Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School, plus live music from Canterbury Voices and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit okcballet.com or call (405) 848-8637.

Lyric's A Christmas Carol PRESENTED BY DEVON ENERGY

HARN HOMESTEAD

NOVEMBER 16 - DECEMBER 23 •

The outdoor production of Lyric’s A Christmas Carol returns for its 12th season beginning November 16th, 2022. In Charles Dickens’ timeless tale, three magical ghosts whisk the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge away on an unforgettable adventure of transformation and redemption. Jacob Marley, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, The Fezziwigs and a host of unforgettable characters spring to life in Lyric’s spectacular production at the Harn Homestead, sparking the holiday spirit in audiences of all ages. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit lyrictheatreokc.com or call (405) 524-9312.

LifeShare WinterFest & Snow Tubing

NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 1 • CHICKASAW BRICKTOWN BALLPARK

LifeShare WinterFest at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark has returned and riding down the gigantic snow tubing slope is a thrill you won’t want to miss! From snow tubing and holiday movies on the video board, to sparkling lights and décor, these holiday festivities within the ballpark are perfect for creating memories for years to come. There’s something for the whole family, so bring everyone along for a ride in the snow, hot chocolate and snacks, and a festive holiday atmosphere. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-1000.

Curbside Chronicle's Wrap Up Homelessness & Holiday Wreaths

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER • DOWNTOWN-WIDE

Make the holidays extra bright and positively impact your community by supporting Curbside Chronicle's Wrap Up Homelessness Campaign and Holiday Wreaths. Each year, Curbside Chronicle and Curbside Flowers employs individuals transitioning out of homelessness to sell the unique gift wrap packages and create gorgeous wreaths of varying sizes and price points for all to enjoy. The gift wrap will be available for purchase streetside through their Curbside vendors in green vests, during the Holiday Pop-Up Shops in Midtown, and online at wrapuphomelessness.com. Purchase a festive wreath in store at Curbside Flowers and online at curbsideflowers.com. Wrapping paper and wreaths will be available November through December.

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Tis the Season at Scissortail Park

NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 1 • SCISSORTAIL PARK

Celebrate the season at Scissortail Park November 26th, 2022, through January 1st, 2023, with holiday festivities including the Union Station Illumination, 'Tis the Season Market, Cocoa Cottage, holiday lights and tours, the Menorah Lighting, visits with Santa Claus, and more. Everyone is invited to bundle up, stroll the grounds, enjoy the lights and soak in the holiday spirit at Scissortail Park! For more information, visit scissortailpark.org.

Holiday Pop Up Shops

NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 18 • CORNER OF 10TH & HUDSON

Support local this holiday season by visiting the Holiday Pop-Ups, returning to Midtown in downtown Oklahoma City. With local shops rotating weekly, you are sure to find a gift for everyone on your list. Discover dozens of local shops each weekend, enjoy treats from Katiebug’s hot chocolate and The Big Friendly, or buy your Christmas tree from the Bishop John Carroll tree lot. The event also features live music, surprise visits from Santa and Curbside Chronicle wrapping paper. The shops are open Friday-Sunday from November 25th, 2022, to December 18th, 2022. They are located on the corner of NW 10th & Hudson. Parking is available throughout Midtown or hop off the streetcar stop at 10th & Hudson. For more information, visit okcpopups.com.

Riversport winter glow

NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 30 • BOATHOUSE DISTRICT

RIVERSPORT's unique holiday experience, Winter Glow, returns this season with tons of cold weather fun! The attraction features ice skating and curling on their new synthetic ice surfaces, five covered climbing experiences–a cavern wall, leap of faith, adventure climb, speed wall and simulated ice climbing–all wrapped up in a holiday theme. The Winter Glow pass includes Ski OKC, ice skating, curling and climbing. There are also toasty treats for purchase from Big Water Grill. For more information and to purchase passes, visit riversportokc.org.

Katiebug’s Winter Wonderland

NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31 • 12-6PM

KATIEBUG’S SIPS & SWEETS

You’ll feel like you stepped into a Hallmark movie at Katiebug’s Winter Wonderland! Sip on their famous hot chocolate & homemade marshmallows while enjoying a sweet treat or two. Grab a cookie decorating kit to take home, boxes of sweets to drop off to loved ones, or homemade treats to stuff your stockings. The Winter Wonderland is open 12-6pm Wednesdays through Saturdays this season. For more information, visit katiebugsokc.com

Canterbury Christmas

DECEMBER 4 • 7:00 PM • CIVIC CENTER MUSIC HALL

An Oklahoma City holiday tradition, Canterbury will deck the halls and fill the Civic Center with joyful, holiday standards — with a visit from Santa and carols in the Civic Center lobby! Featuring John Rutter’s jubilant Gloria, this audience favorite will feature soloists Aubrey Chapin and Rod Porter, Canterbury Youth Voices Cantabile, members from the OKC Philharmonic and the Canterbury Chamber Voices. Celebrate the season with Canterbury on December 4th, 2022 at 7pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit canterburyokc.com.

Arts Council OKC's Opening Night

DECEMBER 31 • 7PM - 12AM • BICENTENNIAL PARK

Ring in the New Year at OKC’s largest family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration, Opening Night 2023, as it returns to Bicentennial Park on December 31st, 2022, at 7pm.

Wristbands cost just $8 in advance and grant access to live entertainment throughout the evening, including music, a mural competition, a children’s area, and the show-stopping midnight fireworks display.The finale begins about 20 minutes before midnight with live music, a light show, and plenty of excitement. You can kickstart the evening by participating in the Finale 5K at 3pm! For more information and to purchase wristbands, visit artscouncilokc.com.

OKC Streetcar Free Weekend Rides

NOVEMBER 18 - JANUARY 1 • DOWNTOWN-WIDE

Enjoy complimentary fares on the OKC Streetcar on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays as you take in all the destinations, events, and attractions that Downtown in December has to offer. Warm up, shop local, and love the loops for free this holiday season!

PRESENTED BY SSM HEALTH ST ANTHONY

Illustrations by Jerry Bennett

On the positive side, voter turnout in this election was some what impressive, with just over half of registered voters turning out to the polls (nevermind that means that half of them didn’t).

On the other hand, Kevin trounced Hofmeister, garnering nearly 200,000 more votes than she did and Ryan “Sactuary Cites” Walters taking Jena Nelson to task with more than 155,000 votes in his favor.

Sen. James Lankford dominat ed Madison Horn two-to-one at the polls and Kendra Horn earned 300,000-plus fewer votes than Rep. Markwayne Mullin for the other U.S. Senate seat, and the U.S. House of Representative races fol lowed a similar pattern, so it looks

like the expected nation al “red wave” was largely contained within Oklahoma state lines.

If there’s anything resem bling a tsunami on our horizon moving forward, it’s educated Oklahomans (and particularly educators) kicking up dust as they make a race for the state lines.

Kevin and Walters can rail about the “Biden party” and “radical leftists” all they want, but it’s been 12 years since Oklahoma had a Democrat as governor. The state Senate has been controlled by Republicans since 2004 and it’s been 18 years since Democrats had a House majority.

Oklahoma Republicans can call

top ten state an as pirational goal all they want, but being stuck in the bottom ten and sinking is a reality that they’re

in this century.

It’s old news that both Tesla and Panasonic have given a hard pass to the Sooner State, opting instead for Texas and Kansas, re spectively, but that’s not stopping Oklahomans from dreaming of electric sheep.

Canoo, which bills itself as “a leading high-tech advanced mo bility company,” this month an nounced its plans to build a man ufacturing facility in Oklahoma City, with claims that they intend to hire 500 people and push out

20,000 electric vehicles in 2023.

“[Canoo] delivers on our plan to bring high-paying light-blue collar jobs to Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City facility has sig nificant room for expansion and is a proven location for large scale production, with an established transportation ecosystem, in cluding rail,” Chairman and CEO Tony Aquila wrote in a press release that just about every news agency in the state bought hook, line and sinker.

to actually be involved in a pro gressive business venture like EVs, Canoo has yet to produce a single vehicle, regardless of how many jobs they promise or vehicles Walmart pledges to buy in advance.

Here’s hoping Oklahoma isn’t

industry for a future in the snake oil industry because it’s obvious that established companies want no part in this state’s promises from Republican leadership.

Canned heat

WITH THE HOLIDAYS BEARING DOWN ON US, THESE CANNED COCKTAILS COME IN HANDY WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE THE ENERGY LEFT TO MAKE ONE.

The KRAKEN

With a spiced rum as strongly-flavored as The Kraken, their line of canned cock tails is much subtler on the palate than you might expect.

The Cola variety doesn’t taste strong ly like one of the large soda companies, with less sugar that pairs well with the rum’s undertones.

The Ginger Beer is far less striking than ones you may have mixed at home with spiced rums, providing a subtle twist that’s cooling to the tongue.

The Rum Punch is the loudest of the bunch with a bold fruit flavor that comes on strong without being cloying.

These slim 12-ounce cans come in stout with strong flavors and an 8 percent ABV.

The Margarita is more lime than lemon and more sweet than sour, with a strong af tertaste that’s less acidic than you’d expect.

The Paloma definite ly has a hint of grape fruit but the sweetness keeps this from wander ing into true-to-form cocktail material.

The Rose Margarita is a fascinating twist, again strong with the sugary side of both the wine and the Triple Sec without much hint of the tequila

The sweetest of them all is the Strawberry Margarita that also provides enough sour to balance out the flavor without needing a glass of water afterward.

Jose Cuervo

Toast, but make it French

In the ranking of sweet breakfast dishes, French toast is always a winner. While syrup-soaked pancakes and waffles are great, a really good French toast knocks the rest out of the park. With National French Toast Day coming Nov. 28, it’s worth paying tribute to this brunch classic, so let your sweet tooth do the talking and check out the French toast at these seven spots.

By Berlin Green Photos provided

Hopscotch

405-286-4246 • 10909 N May Ave. hopscotchokc.com

Hopscotch certainly has a knack for serving up those childhood favorites. Their French toast is made the classic way with all the fixins that, well, bring out the kid in you — two slices of brioche topped with all the good stuff like a pudding glaze, fresh berries and whipped cream. It even comes with perfectly crisp potato puffs that add a bit more of a savory twist.

405-286-2974 • 13230 Pawnee Drive hatchearlymoodfood.com

Forget waiting for brunch, at Hatch you can find a delightful French toast and an array of other delicious breakfast items seven days a week. Their French toast features soaked brioche with a cream cheese an glaise, topped with fresh berries and finished with powdered sugar and warm syrup for a super sweet treat.

Sunnyside Diner

405-703-0011 • 824 SW 89th St. eatatsunnyside.com

At Sunnyside, you can go classic or get a little fancy. The classic is rem iniscent of what grandma would make — thick wedges of brioche French toast with butter, syrup and a bit of powdered sugar. If you’re feeling fruity, go for the Specialty French Toast which is piled with toppings and whipped cream in flavors like strawberry Nutella, lemon blueberry and raspberry cream cheese.

Hatch

405-601-1354 • 1501 NW 23rd St. syrupbreakfast.com

Syrup has become a popular spot for breakfast and brunch serving up delicious coffee and a thoughtfully curated menu. Here you’ll find a unique version of French toast worth stopping in for — the Crunchy French Toast features cornflake-dipped challah bread, topped with strawberries and powdered sugar for a divinely sweet breakfast treat.

405-898-8811 • 301 NW 13th St. STE 100 theharveybakery.com

The Harvey features an incredible assortment of pastries as well as sandwiches and salads, but you came here for the French toast. You’ll have to wait for the weekend, but their brunch menu features a baked French toast with berries and whipped cream then served with slab bacon. It seems simple enough, but it’s absolutely divine.

405-605-4395 • 429 NW 23rd St. hunnybunnybiscuitco.com

Hunny Bunny has made a name for itself making delicious meals all with a biscuit base including biscuit sand wiches, classic biscuits and gravy and more. That said, you won’t find your traditional French toast here. Instead their version features warm, fluffy, made-from-scratch biscuits topped with maple syrup, whipped cream, candied pecans, fresh berries and powdered sugar.

405-609-1960 • 1704 NW 16th St. shinewithaurora.com

At Aurora, you’ll find an incredible made-from-scratch menu you can enjoy in a stylish and comfortable at mosphere nestled in the heart of the Plaza District. Their French toast is simple but delicious and made the classic way then topped with fresh berries and thick whipped cream. Add your choice of protein on the side for a filling brunch.

Syrup

The Harvey Bakery & Kitchen Hunny Bunny Biscuit Co. Aurora

ARTS & CULTURE

Blood pact

By Brett Fieldcamp

Choate House’s portfolio is a stunning collection of wedding and family photography, but Blood Relative Films’ Tenkiller is a gritty and profanity-laden crime flick.

Both entities were born from the minds of husband-and-wife duo Jeremy Choate and Kara Choate.

The couple met in art school at Oklahoma University and Choate House was a way for them to explore a shared love of photogra phy and support their own growing family with something creative and fulfilling. But it wasn’t enough.

Kara kept prodding Jeremy to produce a script, and he wrote Tenkiller in about a month’s time, he said. Since then, the faucet hasn’t stopped running with a second feature already shot and a third slated to begin shooting next summer. A stack of unrealized scripts await them.

“For Jeremy, this came out of his head,” Kara said. “And I have kind of a dark side too.”

The COVID-19 pandemic pro vided an opportunity and princi pal photography on the 90-minute feature completed over the course of summer 2020.

What crawled out of the dark side of their minds is a sobering look at small-town violence and grief propelled by an original soundtrack from Oklahoma’s own brutal buzzmakers Chat Pile.

“We appreciate the beauty of things that are both dark and light, so this has just been a real oppor tunity. When you’re documenting other people’s lives, you’re not the creative director of what you’re shooting. You’re just capturing what ‘is.’ So really the movie world is the first time we’ve been able to create something from nothing. It’s just complete freedom,” Kara said.

The couple’s first step into that complete freedom was to lock down the kind of gritty, unapolo getic tonal character they envi sioned for the story.

And that meant Chat Pile.

“Right after I had just started writing Tenkiller, I saw this little article about Chat Pile, and I got on their Bandcamp and listened

to them and just thought ‘Man, these guys are going to be huge.’ I told Kara that it would be so cool to get somebody local like that to do the score for this movie, and she was like, ‘Well, I’ll just DM

that comes from making your vision come to life against all con ceivable odds.”

In addition to finding that kind of tight, mutual creative partner ship with the band, the Choates

well. We spent weeks just impro vising with wildly untraditional instrument arrangements and re cording the room. It was really fun getting out of our dumb heavy metal box a little and doing some thing people may not necessarily expect from us. In traditional Chat Pile fashion, the results are still pretty unsettling.”

Not content to ever pigeonhole themselves into an easy “metal” box, the band even strayed way outside of their comfort zone for the soundtrack cut “Lake Time.”

“It’s a country song, and it’s hi larious,” Kara said.

“The most fun we had was writing that song. We wrote the lyrics together in one setting and we were laughing until we were crying at points, particularly when we had to start Googling the Kid Rock discography,” Stin said.

them on Instagram,’” Jeremy said.

To their surprise, the band was immediately interested and came out together to check out the script.

“We had them come over to the house and they all sat in our living room and read it. That was prob ably the coolest part of the whole thing for me, just having them work with us,” Jeremy said.

For the band, it was an oppor tunity to work with people that not only shared their uniquely skewed, cynical perspective – equal parts darkly comic and near-nihilistic – but that also shared a similar creative process.

“We really appreciate the Choates’ DIY attitude about making art and relate strongly to their ‘pick up a camera and make it work’ approach to getting things done,” Chat Pile bassist Stin said.

“The results are raw and at times weird, but therein lies the beauty of what they’re able to do. There’s a scrappiness to their work ethic

also found an unexpected acting talent in singer Raygun Busch, who ended up clinching the role of Toy in the film.

“He plays one of the bad guys, and he just took off. We really opened up that character because he’s just so much fun. Everyone loves him. Everyone is like ‘Oh my God, my favorite character is actu ally Toy,’” Kara said.

Being so intimately and person ally involved in a film is a rare ex perience for a band handling a score and soundtrack, but it offered the Chat Pile boys a chance to get deeper into the world of Tenkiller and to fine-tune the ominous musical mood throughout.

“We wrote the song ‘Tenkiller’ for the movie and used the melodic structure of that song as a throughline for a good portion of the score,” Stin said. “But the movie relies heavily on improvised per formances and we wanted to bring that same energy as a theme as

Add up all of these unexpected turns and contradictions – the family photographers embracing the buried darkness of their home state, the breakout noise-metal stars zeroing in on a refined tonal palette and country shenanigans, even the unhinged, howling front man exploring his thespian side – and the result is undeniable.

So undeniable, in fact, that the little micro-budget film struck streaming gold in its search for distribution, premiering on Amazon on Nov. 18 with the soundtrack hitting music stream ers the same day.

But now that the Choates are stepping into the bigger, more in timidating world of national streaming, distributor deals, and widespread, Chat Pile-led atten tion, they have no intention of playing it safe or toning down their weirdo, left-field tendencies for the masses going forward.

“This next one that we’re working on is really wild and strange, so we’ll see what happens,” Kara said.

KARA AND JEREMY CHOATE STEP AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILY PHOTO GIG FOR THE DARK, GRITTY TENKILLER, WITH HELP FROM METAL MONSTERS CHAT PILE.

A behind the scenes shot of the cast and crew of Tenkiller | Photo provided.

ARTS

&

including paintings, multi-media artwork and other forms.

“We’ve got several jewelry makers. We have a leather artist, photogra phers, and several ceramicists that will be out there,” Whitehead said.

She said she’s been happy to see the response to the new event from Edmond’s arts community.

“This past year, each artist that set up averaged $350 of sales at each event which is pretty incredible—for four hours of their time,” Whitehead said. “We love to see that that money is going straight back into artists’ pockets that are working in our community. We don’t take any commission. They pay a one time application fee of $50, but really our goal is to help the arts thrive in our community.”

More than a dozen local businesses are planning to join in on the festivities as well, and the timing of the event coincides with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce and Edmond Economic Development Authority’s holiday rebate program.

According to the Chamber’s website, “For every $50 you spend (rounded down) from Nov. 25 through Dec. 4 at an Edmond restaurant or retailer, you will earn a $10 gift card to the business/businesses you support. This offer is good for up to $250 in spending, which results in a maximum of $50 gift card.”

Whitehead said that the VIBES event becoming an annual event, “is definitely in the realm of possibility,” and may depend in part upon how this year’s holiday downtown festivities go.

To submit receipts for the rebate, visit edmondchamber.com.

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Oklahoma City’s original and longest-running readers’ poll, Best of OKC, is back for its 38th year!

You nominated your favorites last month and we tallied them up, so now we need you to tell us who is the Best of OKC in print or at bestofoklahomacity.com until Monday, November 28th.

STAY TUNED FOR THE RESULTS ISSUE PUBLISHING DECEMBER 14!

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Christmas future

By Adrienne Proctor

The Territorial Christmas Celebration, with the Pollard Theatre sitting right in the middle of histor ic downtown Guthrie, is the highlight of the city’s holiday season.

In 1987, The Pollard Theatre’s original company sought to produce a Christmas play that would align with the territorial timeframe and Christmas festivities. They commis sioned Oklahoma-based playwright Stephen P. Scott to produce some thing Oklahoma and Guthrie audi ences would relate to, and above all, enjoy. Scott adapted Charles Dickens’ novella “A Christmas Carol” into a localized, statehood-era play, and thus A Territorial Christmas Carol was born. For 30 years, the play ran every holiday season on the Pollard stage.

In this reimagined telling, a young settler family in Indian Territory is sitting down to a lonely Christmas Eve dinner. The setting is just four years after the Land Run of 1889, and Oklahoma is not yet a state. When a mysterious traveler knocks on their door, they welcome him in and offer him a meal in exchange for a story. The story he tells is one we all know. Ebenezer Scrooge, the would-be villain of his own tale, faces ghostly visitations and timely reparations as he is forced to look at his own life on a fateful Christmas Eve. The addition of the localized setting and the family on the prairie gives this production a unique and personal touch. Suddenly, Scrooge is not so far away, removed

from the audience in Victorian London. He is here, one of us.

Original Pollard company member James Ong played the role of Ebenezer Scrooge for 15 years. An entire generation of actors, technicians and theatre patrons alike grew up with Ong as their Scrooge and looked forward to his performance every year. Patrons — more than 150,000 over the past three decades — have traveled from all over the state to make the perfor mance part of their own family tradi tions. The untimely death of Ong in early 2018, followed by the death of Scott later that same year, led The Pollard company members to put the production on pause.

“We took a break after our final show in 2017 for many reasons, but at the center of the decision was the passing of our dear friend, James Ong,” Pollard Artistic Director Jared Blount said.

After over a thousand perfor mances, the set also needed a reboot.

“The bells and whistles weren’t just dusty, they were falling apart, and one set was there for nearly all of it.” Blount said.

Now with a newly redesigned set and props, a new cast, and a freshly invigorated production team, Blount and company are ready to produce the play again for the 2022 Christmas season.

Blount promised a fresh take on their most well-known production.

“We’re pulling out all the stops and bringing the show into the 21st century. We welcome families to see this production and set a new tradi tion; a tradition that honors what the show has always meant to our com munity, while reaching a new level of inspiration for our audience. We’re eager to bring Christmas back to the territory,” he said.

An entirely new experience, com plete with a revamped set and new costumes, is expected for their biggest production of the play to date.

“We had already been discussing revitalizing the show for several years,” Timothy Stewart, The Pollard Theatre’s director of development, said. “We asked ourselves, how can we improve it? What will serve the narrative? And how can we put the audience in Scrooge’s shoes? We finally landed on a fresh concept we believe will work,” Stewart said.

“A Territorial Christmas Carol has been a staple in our community for three decades.” said Pollard Technical Director Michael Long. “We knew when we decided to bring

the show back, we not only had to do it justice, but we also needed to show the audience something they’ve never seen before,” he said.

The new production is directed by Blount and Long, with costume design by The Pollard’s longtime costume designer Michael James. The show will also feature a new, original score by composer Louise Goldberg. The cast includes Richard Lemin stepping in to perform the iconic role of Scrooge. David Fletcher-Hall is Charles Dickens, while Jared Blount and Megan Montgomery are Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit.

The month-long run of A Territorial Christmas Carol is midway through The Pollard’s 35th season. The jade season continues in March with the murder-mystery play Clue, followed by the musical comedy romp Little Shop of Horrors in June.

Tickets are on sale for A Territorial Christmas Carol, which opens Nov. 25 and runs through Dec. 23.

Visit thepollard.org

Christmas corral

Downtown in December Nov. 3 - Jan. 29 Downtown OKC Various Locations downtownindecember.com | 405-235-3500 Celebrate the holiday season in Downtown OKC with an assortment of events and attractions from the annual Tree Lighting Festival to the Devon Ice Rink, holiday pop-up shops to snow tubing at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Lights on Broadway and visits with Santa there is something for everyone to help make the season merry and bright. Safari Lights 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Nov. 12 - Jan. 1 The Oklahoma City Zoo 2101 NE 50th St. okczoo.org | 405-424-3344 $15-$65 Walk or drive through this mesmerizing larger-than-life illuminated lantern light display featuring wildlife themed sculptures and animated displays showcasing sea turtles, pandas, peacocks and dinosaurs to name a few, along with a musical light show, interactive exhibits, festive treats and more. ‘Tis the Season at Scissortail Park Nov. 25 - Jan. 1 Scissortail Park 300 SW 7th St. scissortailpark.org | 405-445-6277 Explore Scissortail Park all season long with holiday lights throughout the park including a 40-foot tree, a giant menorah and the Union Station Illumination synchronized music and light display, as well as the Cocoa Cottage, which will be serving up coffee, hot cocoa and other sweet treats, along with a holiday market on Dec. 3 filled with local business and artisans along with other various holiday festivities and activities.

RACE Dance Company’s Hip-Hop Nutcracker

7 p.m. Dec. 2-3; 2 p.m. Dec. 10-11

Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater

Oklahoma City Community College 7777 S. May Ave. racedance.com | 405-259-5050

$23-$28

Back for its tenth season, this remastered production of Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet has been brought to the modern age by Executive Director Hui Cha Poos through updated choreography, soundtrack and cast of dancers to tell the coming-of-age story of Carlos on his journey of self-discovery and purpose as he learns how love comes from the diverse community that surrounds him.

Braum’s Holiday River Parade

6-8 p.m. Dec. 3 OKC Riversport 800 Riversport Dr. riversportokc.org | 405-552-4040

Free

Start the holidays off enjoying an evening in the Boathouse District with family and friends to watch boats decked out in festive decor and water skiing elves travel the Oklahoma River with a firework show to wrap the show up in a nice bow; for those wanting to partake in ice skating, snowboarding, skiing and more, come early for Riversport’s Nordic holiday experience, Winter Glow.

Canterbury Christmas

7 p.m., Dec. 4

Civic Center Music Hall 201 N. Walker Ave. canterburyokc.com | 405-232-7464

$23-$70

Canterbury Voices comes a-Wassailing with their annual holiday perfor mance with an evening of holiday carols and traditional choral staples, begin ning with the Canterbury Youth Voices caroling in the lobby before leading to the main event led by Artistic Director, Dr. Radni Van Ellefson, featuring Rutter’s Gloria, an expanded arrangement of Stroope’s Hodie and even a sing-along for the entire auditorium to join in on the season’s festivities.

Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker Dec. 9-11, 15-18, 21-23

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park 2920 Paseo Dr. okshakes.org | 405-235-3700 $12

Adapted from the works of Jane Austen by Erin Woods, this interactive play encourages the audience to socialize and celebrate the holiday season with Austen and some of her cherished characters through dancing, singing, and sweet treat eating. Patrons are welcome to come dressed in their periodappropriate attire.

Oklahoma City Ballet’s The Nutcracker

2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 10 and 17; 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18; 6 p.m. Dec. 15; 7 p.m., Dec. 16

Civic Center Music Hall 201 N. Walker Ave. okcballet.org | 405-848-8637 $38-$100

An American holiday classic that tells the story of young Clara as she is taken on a magical journey by the Nutcracker Prince to The Land of Snow and The Land of Sweets after helping defeat the Mouse King and saving the Nutcracker army, featuring all new choreography by Artistic Director, Rayn Jolicoeur-Nye and students from the OKC Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School accompanied by live music from the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and Canterbury Voices.

Experience the Charles Dickens holiday classic in a thrilling way this season as Lyric Theatre returns to Harn Homestead for an outdoor perfor mance under the stars, where patrons are guided from scene to scene to see the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge unfold as he is visited by three ghost that take him on an adventure to his past, present and future to warn of what his life holds if he does not change his ways.

Canterbury Voices presents their annual holiday show, Canterbury Christmas 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Civic Center Music Hall. | Photo Tapestry Photographs by Joy Neel / provided

Oklahoma City Ballet presents Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Dec. 10-18 at Civic Center Music Hall. | Photo Janna Carson / provided.

Lyric’s A Christmas Carol cast performs on outdoor stage Dec. 16-23 at Harn Homestead. | Photo Miki Galloway / provided.

Holiday cheers

UPTOWN’S NEIGHBORHOOD BAR IS TRANSFORMING INTO A WINTER WONDERLAND THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

By Matt Dinger

This holiday season, Ponyboy is transforming this season into an ag gressively festive pop-up called Miracle on 23rd Street.

The international concept was started by a popular barware brand held in high esteem in the bar service industry, Alex Larrea, food and bever age director, said.

“Miracle got started as a way for them to program this bar called Mace in the Lower East Side in New York City in 2014, and it just kind of blew up and

Christmas cookies and a really bomb pot roast that my kitchen has been working on,” Larrea said.

The music, which Ponyboy is also known for hosting, will also be pro grammed accordingly.

“We’re going to do a Christmasthemed trivia, Christmas-themed karaoke. There’s going to be a really awesome charity event with the Humane Society on Dec. 2 to kick it off and this whole thing kind of gets us through the whole Christmas season

took off and they decided to give other bars around the country the opportu nity to kind of franchise and do it,” Larrea said.

“We’re going to be the only bar in Oklahoma City where you can get this experience. So Miracle is very much like Christmas Vacation. Really cheesy, awesome decorations. Everything’s a sight to behold. We’re gonna be making some awesome eggnog, mulled wine, snowball old fashioneds, all kinds of neat drinks…Not everybody likes to just sit at home with the family, they want to get out and look at lights and kind of experience whatever the holi days or Christmas means to them, and being the neighborhood bar that we are, we felt that this was a really good fit this year for us,” he said.

In addition to the cocktail program, there will be holiday-themed food, in cluding “a leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwich with cranberry and cornbread dressing and some

all the way up until New Year’s and then we’ll go into our Uptown Getdown New Year’s Eve experience.

“Ponyboy has gotten really known for its live music. We really want people to come in and just drink cocktails and enjoy the food and beverage as much as all the other stuff…Ponyboy’s here all year round, and wants to be your favorite neighborhood bar. That’s what we’re after. We know we do the dancing and the music better than a lot of people, but we still want people coming in for the drinks too,” Larrea said.

Reservations for Miracle on 23rd St. are open online and are encouraged.

“Seating will be limited in order to give people the full experience of a sitdown cocktail service with holiday food and all of that…We do recommend that people prepare to make their reserva tions ahead of time to ensure that they can get seated when they want to be seated,” Larrea said.

Visit ponyboyokc.com

Santa’s Little Helper. | Photo by Melissa Hom provided.

ARTS & CULTURE

Christmas crescendo

THE MUSICAL JUGGERNAUT, KNOWN FOR ITS INTENSE HOLIDAY MUSIC PERFORMANCES, PLAY THE CIVIC CENTER MUSIC HALL NOV. 22.

By Dave Gil de Rubio

If you were to be asked what artist is the best-selling Christmas artist, answers would invariably range from Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby to Mariah Carey, Josh Groban or Kenny G.

But that honor actually goes to Mannheim Steamroller, whose dozen Christmas albums (and count ing) have racked up 31.5 million sales worldwide to date. And while Mannheim sounds like the name of a German heavy equipment appara tus, it is actually the nom de plume of Chip Davis, an Omaha-based com poser/producer who has been churn ing out neoclassical new age holiday and secular music under this stage name since 1974.

Mannheim Steamroller plays the Civic Center Music Hall Nov. 22.

Born Louis F. Davis, Jr., the Ohio native is a musical iconoclast and former child prodigy who went from writing his first piece of music at age six, eventually worked at an ad agency writing jingles before found ing this musical persona after nu merous labels shot down his neoclas sical music pitch.

“[Mannheim Steamroller] was just my notion of trying to create a sound that was different, but also at the same time had classical roots to it,” Davis said. “I see it as an eclectic mix of clas sical forms alongside modern-day rock and roll instruments and some older instruments from the 18th century like the harpsichord. [Those major label execs] said that there wasn’t a place on the shelf for some thing that was eclectic like that, but at the same time they wanted to know if I could send them a box of my debut album because they wanted to pass it around in their office.”

While it may have been a daunting proposition to go forward on his own, Davis was already experiencing con current success via CW McCall, a country music persona created by ad agency client and late friend Bill Fries. With the latter providing the voice, concept and lyrics for McCall, Davis wrote the music. In addition to scoring a number of chart-topping country hits, the duo recorded the global number one hit “Convoy” (and earned Davis the 1976 SESAC

Country Music Writer of the Year). With the meta phorical wind blowing at his back, Davis founded the independent label American Gramaphone and took the name of his new project from a play on the 18th-century musical technique known as the “Mannheim crescendo.”

The first in the Fresh Aire series of records was released in 1975 at a time when the new age genre was coming into being. Davis’ belief in Mannheim Steamroller found him taking out a loan to finance the first tour.

“On that initial tour, the money was used to cover the costs of playing those first three cities—Omaha, Denver and Salt Lake City,” he re called. “That was in 1975. Mannheim Steamroller was a five-piece with two keyboards, a bass player that also doubled on lute and other fretted instruments. I was playing percus sion and recorder and we had another percussionist. Then when we got to a city, we’d hire a small orchestra to play the orchestral parts that were on the record. Ironically, the band behind CW McCall are the same players that are the Mannheim Steamroller players.”

All this bootstrapping eventually led to Davis indulging his childhood adoration of the holiday season nearly a decade later via 1984’s Christmas

“I grew up in a pretty small town in Ohio of about 500 people when my grandmother was a piano teacher and my dad was a piano teacher at the school there,” he said. “Christmas music always had a special place in my heart for all the seasonal things that happened, which included my grandmother’s fabulous cooking and all of that. I decided to find out where some of the roots of Christmas music came from. Which is why on the first Christmas, there’s a song called ‘The Christmas Sweet,’ which is a suite of four pieces. I took songs like ‘I Saw Three Ships’ and went back to the origins and played it on instruments that would have been used at that time. Being a wind player, I could pretty much play all of those.”

That fascination with Christmas

music grew into a cottage industry for Mannheim Steamroller, leading to another 11 Noel releases. Further opportunities sprang up and includ ed performing at the White House for the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony three times under three different administra tions in addition to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Davis has also produced Mannheim Steamroller holiday ice-skating shows involving other well-known artists like the late Olivia Newton John, Martina McBride, Kristi Yamaguchi and Brian Boitano.

Currently, two traveling troupes of Mannheim Steamroller perform across the country every holiday season, with a third ensemble playing at Universal Orlando Resort during the holidays. Hip surgery a decade ago means Davis has hung up his touring shoes.

“It’s very tiring. When we first started with the Fresh Aire tours, the band was the crew,” Davis said. “We put the stage up and did everything. It was exhausting.”

These days, Davis hangs out on his 150-acre farm just north of Omaha. But rather than live the life of a country gentleman, the 75-year-old musician is still intimately involved with the stage shows he promises will tap into the Christmas spirit fans have come to expect.

“These tours are a combination of the live music and sound effects like in some cases where there is a thun derstorm happening with one of the pieces,” he said. “There is also a mul timedia show that includes slides and film. And then of course, the musi cians and the live orchestra.”

Davis’ restless creative spirit has continued to yield musical fruit in the past two decades ranging from

albums focusing on Disney music (1999’s Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse) and American heritage (2003’s American Spirit) to amassing a notable catalog of natural sounds, from the Tucson desert to the full sonic span of all four seasons in the Midwest highlighted in his Ambience series. His latest creation is Exotic Spaces, a series that finds him casting his musical net rather widely.

“What I did was I tried to musi cally describe places like the Taj Mahal, so that gave me an opportu nity to write using sitars and other really cool instruments like tabla and those sorts of things,” he said. “Then one of my favorite cuts on it has me using hydrophones (microphones designed to be used underwater for recording or listening to underwater sounds). I’ve been a scuba diver since I was in my 20s and with the hydro phones, I actually recorded the song of the whales. I have one of the songs—I say it’s in the ‘key of sea.’ I use the whale song as the melody and it really is in the key of C. I wrote background stuff around the whale song and I had a really fun time doing that because it lined up so perfectly with what I was composing.”

It’s just the latest leg in Davis’ life long journey of following his own musical star, a piece of advice he re ceived from a Nashville lawyer many moons ago.

“What I tell any budding young composer or musician is to follow your own star,” Davis said. “Don’t let anybody detract from what you’re doing because it’s you that’s doing it. It’s the only way I know how to do it.”

Visit okcciviccenter.com

Chip Davis. | Photo provided.

BOOKS

Read the West Book Club nonfiction and fiction Western author will be virtually joining the month’s book club to discuss her book, When Outlaws Wore Badges, as well as her inspiration and addition insight to some of the most famous outlaws and lawmen, 1-2:15 p.m.. Nov. 20. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. SUN, NOV 20

Rilla Askew Book Signing award-winning historical fiction author will be autographing her latest novel, Prize for the Fire that tells the story of 15-year-old Anne Askew who was forced into taking her dead sister’s place in an arranged marriage and must work to free herself from the abuse and harshness of her cruel marriage during the time of King Henry the VIII, 6:30-8 p.m., Nov. 17. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-8422900, fullcirclebooks.com. THU, NOV 17

FILM

Aftersun (2022, United Kingdom, Charlotte Wells)

As Sophie recalls a trip she took to the Turkish sea side resort with her father 20 years prior, memories both real and imagined begin to fill in the gaps as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she did not, 5:30 & 8 p.m., Nov, 25; 2 & 8 p.m., Nov. 26; 12:30 & 3 p.m., Nov. 27. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. FRI-SUN, NOV 25-27

American Psycho (2000, USA, Mary Harron) wealthy investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, has an alternate psychopathic ego that he hides from his co-workers and friends as he spirals deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies, 8 p.m., Nov. 17. Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., 405235-3456. THU, NOV 17

Death Becomes Her (1992, USA, Robert Semeckis) after recovering in a psychiatric hospital from a mental break down from losing her husband to a movie star and former friend, Helen discovers an immortality treatment that makes her look radiant and begins planning her revenge against the now married couple, 6 p.m., Nov. 17. Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., 405-235-3456. THU, NOV 17

Indigenous Film Series: Shorts Showcase features five short films followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, 7 p.m., Nov. 23. Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., 405-235-3456. WED, NOV 23

Stars at Noon (2022, France, Claire Denis) a young American journalist, who is stranded in pre

OKG PICKS

sent-day Nicaragua, falls for an enigmatic English man who seems to be her best chance of escaping, however she realizes that he might be in greater danger than she is, 5:30 p.m., Nov. 18; 8 p.m., Nov. 19; 3 p.m., Nov. 20. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. FRISUN, NOV 18-20

HAPPENINGS

Downs Family Christmas Lights a synchronized light display with over 280,000 lights, comprised of two mega trees that are 70 feet tall, 20-foot long arches and more, Nov. 24-Jan. 1. Downs Family Home, 2900 72nd Ave. SE, downsfamilychristmas. com. THU-SUN, NOV 24-JAN 1, 2023

Dungeons & Dragons & Brews join in on an afternoon of adventuring while playing the fantasy tabletop role-playing game and enjoying local craft beer, 1 p.m., Sundays. Vanessa House Beer Co., 118 NW 8th St., 405-517-0511, vanessahousebeerco. com. SUN, ONGOING

Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas Events celebrate Christmas with historical authenticity and holiday festivities featuring a parade, Victorian-themed night walks, historic home tours and more, Sat., Nov. 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. & 6-9 p.m. Downtown Guthrie, Wentz and Oklahoma Ave., 405-638-8995, guthriesterritorialchristmas. com. SAT, NOV 26

Holiday Pop-Up Shops shop for seasonal gifts, treats, and more at this annual market with rotating vendors, Fridays-Sundays. through Dec. 18. Holiday Pop-Up Shops, 399 N.W. 10th St., 405-514-5205, okcpopups.com. FRI-SUN, THROUGH DEC 18

Luminance: Merry Marketplace browse through different vendors, partake in family fun, festive singing and stroll through the lighted Christmas displays, 4-8 p.m., Nov. 18 & Dec. 17. Mitch Park, 1501 W. Covell Road, 405-359-4630, edmondlights.com. FRI & SAT, NOV 18 & DEC 17

The Oddities & Curiosities Expo an expo featuring all things weird with vendors, dealers, artists and small businesses showcasing taxidermy, preserved specimens, original artwork, antiques, handcrafted oddities, quack medical devices, creepy clothing, odd jewelry, bones, funeral collectibles and much more, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Nov. 19.

Oklahoma City Convention Center, 100 Mick Cornett Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73109, 405-768-4037, odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com. SAT, NOV 19

Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival kick off the holiday season with family-friendly activities, holiday performances and the countdown to the lighting of the Christmas tree by Mayor David Holt, Thu., Nov. 17, 5-7 p.m. Bricktown-Mickey Mantle Plaza, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Dr. THU, NOV 17

Red Earth Treefest features 16 Christmas trees

Oklahoma City The Polar Express Train Ride enjoy a magical re-creation of the classic story with hot chocolate and a treat by dancing chefs, story time, a gift from Santa, caroling, activities and more, Fridays-Sundays. through Dec. 27. Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 NE Grand Blvd., 405-424-8222, okcthepolarexpressride.com. FRI-SUN, THROUGH DEC 27 Photo provided

Crystal Bridge Conservatory Grand Re-opening

guests will be able to explore the redesigned conservatory with new features like a reflecting pool, new waterfall feature, new collections of plants and new educational signage, exhibits and programs for the tropical plants, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Nov. 18-19; 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Nov. 20. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. FRI-SUN, NOV 20

Photo by Doug Hoke / provided

decorated with handmade ornaments that show case the different Native cultures of Oklahoma, Nov. 21-Dec. 30. BancFirst Tower, 100 N. Broadway Ave., redearth.org. MON-FRI, NOV 21-DEC 30

Retromania shop toys, games, comics, apparel, video games and more with special guests like De nise Crosby, Kenn Scott, Austin St. John and others, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Nov. 19-20. Tulsa Expo Square, 4145 E 21st Street, Tulsa. SAT-SUN, NOV 19-20

Stockyards City Tree Lighting gather in the historic Stockyards for the annual tree lighting with entertainment, Cowboy Santa and hot chocolate, 6 p.m., Nov. 18. Stockyards City, 1307 S. Agnew Ave., 405-235-7267, stockyardscity.org. FRI, NOV 18

FOOD

Cocktail Masterclass learn how to make a classic cocktail using the evening’s featured liquor, dark rum, along with the Bradford’s twist on the drink, 6 p.m., Nov. 21. Bradford House, 1235 NW 38th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73118, 405-451-3693. MON, NOV 21

OKC Brew Tours jump on the bus and visit three local breweries within the OKC metro area with multiple tasters at each stop as well as take a behind the scenes tour and learn how beer is made, 6-9 p.m., Fridays and 2-5 p.m, Saturdays through Jan. 31. OKC Brew Tours, 701 W Sheridan Ave, 405-822-0285, okcbrewtour.com. FRI-SAT, THROUGH JAN 31

YOUTH

Myriad in Motion: Jump and Shout recom mended for ages 4-8, this morning class will teach kids different exercises to a fun playlist and the power of teamwork to complete relay races and an obstacle course, 8:30 and 9 a.m., Saturdays. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-4457080, myriadgardens.com. SAT, ONGOING Peppa Pig’s Adventure join Peppa on an exciting camping trip in the winter woods full of singing, dancing, games and surprises with George and her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe, 6 p.m., Nov. 16. The Tulsa Theater, 105 Reconciliation Way, Tulsa, 918-5827239, bit.ly/PeppaPigTul22. WED, NOV 16

Storytime with Miss Julie enjoy snacks, crafts and story time, 10:15-11:30 a.m., Saturdays, ongoing. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. SAT, ONGOING

PERFORMING ARTS

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) instead of the traditional holiday Dickens’ A Christmas Carol show, enjoy a performance of every Christmas story ever told, seasonal icons both new and old, traditions from around the world and, of course, every carol ever sung too, 7 p.m., Nov. 25-26, Dec. 2,3,9,10,16,17,22,23,29,30. The Boom, 2218 NW 39th St., 405-601-7200, theboomokc.com. FRI-SAT, THROUGH DEC 30

GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR MORE LISTINGS

The Great Leap an American basketball team travels to Beijing for an exhibition game in 1989, for two men with a past and one teen with a future, the game is a chance to claim personal victories on and off the court, driven by rapid-fire dialogue, this perceptive new play explores the cultural and political risks of raising your voice and standing your ground, presented in partnership with OKC Rep, 8 p.m., Nov 17-19; 2 p.m., Nov 19-20. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-9510000, okcontemp.org. FRI-SUN, NOV 17-20

Hari Kondabolu a live stand-up comedy performance, 7 p.m., Nov. 17. Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St., Tulsa, 918-584-2306, cainsballroom.com. THU, NOV 17

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas experience the neoclassical musical group that has become a staple in the holiday music scene, 7 p.m., Nov. 22. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. TUE, NOV 22

Marlon Wayans a live stand-up comedy per formance, Fri., Nov. 18, 8 p.m. River Spirit Casino Re sort, 8330 Riverside Parkway, Tulsa, 918-299-8518, riverspirittulsa.com. FRI, NOV 18

Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley a sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, tells the story of middle-sister Mary Bennet who is tired of her role as the dutiful sister when an unexpected guest at the family Christmas party sparks her interest for independence, intelligence and maybe even love, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 18-19, 25-26 & Dec. 2-3; 2p.m., Nov. 20, 27 & Dec. 4. Jewel Box Theatre, 321 NW 36th St., 405-521-1786, jewelboxokc.com. FRI-SUN, NOV 18-20, 25-27, DEC 2-4

OKC Phil: Home Alone in Concert enjoy this 1990 comedy of an 8-year-old boy who gets accidentally left behind and must protect his home from two burglars at Christmas with the score per formed live by Oklahoma City Philharmonic, 8 p.m., Nov. 26. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. SAT, NOV 26

Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular a five person a cappella group performing classical songs of the holiday season, 7 p.m., Nov. 23. BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave.,Tulsa, 918-894-4200, bok.centertulsa.com. WED, NOV 23

Tootsie a laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime., 7:30 p.m., Nov. 15-17; 8 p.m., Nov. 18; 2 p.m. & 8 p.m, Nov. 19; 1:30 p.m. & 7 p.m., Nov. 20. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405594-8300, okcciviccenter.com. TUE-SUN

Ukulele Open Jam a monthly jam session open to all to either participate or listen, hosted by Jeff Howard & the OKC Ukulele Group, third Saturday of every month, 1-4 p.m. through Dec. 17. American Banjo Museum, 9 E. Sheridan Ave., 405-604-2793, americanbanjomuseum.com. SAT, NOV 19

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

Spiritual House Cleansing

Ave., 405-354-1895, yukonok. gov. SUN-SAT, NOV 19-DEC 31

continued from page 29

ACTIVE

Devon Ice Rink enjoy outdoor ice skating with seasonal food and beverage offerings, through Jan. 29, 2023, Nov. 11-Jan. 29. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, downtowninde cember.com/devon-ice-rink. FRI-SUN, THROUGH JAN 29, 2023

Myriad in Motion: Tai Chi dress in your comfy clothes and flat shoes for an entry-level Tai Chi class led by Ling Miller, 4:30-5:30 p.m., every other Monday. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens. com. EVERY OTHER MON, ONGOING

Myriad in Motion: Yoga bring your mat and water for an all-levels yoga class with instructors from YMCA, 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. TUE & SAT, ONGOING Riversport Winter Glow participants will be able to enjoy Nordic adventures such as ice skating, cur ling, climbing walls, indoor skiing and more, all with a holiday theme, Nov. 25-Dec. 30. Riversport OKC, 800 Riversport Drive, 405-552-4040, riversportokc. org. FRI, NOV 25-DEC 30

Turkey Day 5K work up an appetite before a Thanksgiving meal in this annual 5K, Thu., Nov. 24. Norman High School, 911 W Main St, 405-837-8859, turkeyday5krun.com. THU, NOV 24

Wild About Health: Fit4Moms Stroller Strides a workout programmed for parents with kids in strol lers comprised of strength training, cardio and core restoration, all while keeping the child entertained and content, 9-10 a.m., Nov. 20. The Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Place, 405-424-3344, okczoo. com. SUN, NOV 20

VISUAL ARTS

Adult Night at Mix-Tape an after-hours event that allows those 18 and over a night to explore this immer sive experience, third Thursday of every month, 7-10 p.m. through Dec. 15. Factory Obscura, 25 NW 9th St., factoryobscura.fun. THU, THROUGH DEC 15

Art of the Northwest Coast features the artistic work of the northwest coast known throughout the world for its style and vibrant colors that tell stories, teach family history and express cultural views though prints, glass, totem poles and more, Through May 1, 2023. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymu seum.org. SAT-TUE, THROUGH MAY 1, 2023

The Elevate at 21c a program that presents exhibitions for local artists in the community which currently features works by Virginia Sitzes and a collaboration between Denise Duong and Gabriel Friedman, through Jan. 31, 2023. 21c Museum Hotel,

900 W. Main St., 405-982-6900, 21cmuseumhotels. com. THROUGH JAN 31

Exquisite Corpse Exhibition features work by 12 different artists who have carved three pieces of linoleum to create a corpse, each piece is then interchanged with the other artists to create a one of a kind collaborative piece, through Dec. 31. Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-9995, 1ne3.org. SAT, THROUGH DEC 31

Highlights from the Rose Family Glass Collection this private curated collection showcases a broader look at the Studio Glass movement that be gan in the 1950s in America and continues to present date, through Jan. 15, 2023. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. THROUGH JAN 15, 2023

Jose Dávila features sculptures in which the artist has balanced industrial materials in precarious ways off of fabricated construction, through May 2023. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org. THUSAT, THROUGH MAY 2023

Kiarostami: Beyond the Frame features a mul timedia collection of artwork by Iranian filmmaker, photographer and visual artist, Abbas Kiarostami, through April 9, 2023. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT-TUE, THROUGH APR 9, 2023

Leticia

an exhibition

works by three different artists, through Dec. 31. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave., 405-528-6336, jrbartgallery.com. FRI-SAT, THROUGH DEC 31

Looking Through the Windows to the West expands on the permanent exhibit, Windows to the West, with Wilson Hurley’s never before seen prep ma terials such as test canvases, sketches, color studies and mathematical diagrams and formulas used to create the five large scale triptychs, through Feb. 19, 2023. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. FRI-TUE, THROUGH FEB 19, 2023

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition Rome viewers can get a face-to-face experience with a reproduction of the original work, Thursdays-Sundays, through Dec. 5. Sail & The Dock, 617 W. Sheridan Ave., chapelsistine.com/exhibits/ oklahoma-city. FRI-SUN, THROUGH DEC 5

Monthly Art Opening a solo show exhibition featuring works by local artist, Micha Wesley, through Dec. 4. DNA Galleries, 1709 NW 16th St., 405-525-3499, dnagalleries.com. THU-SUN, THROUGH DEC 4

Nevertheless, She Persisted: Great Women Artists in History a three-session lecture series that will focus on women artists in Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Nov. 16. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. WED, NOV 16

Galizzi/Jim Keffer/Stella Thomas

featuring

Christmas in the Park drive-thru, walk or ride the Santa Express Train through an almost three-mile light display featuring over five million lights and over 500 one-of-a-kind lighted displays, Nov. 19-Dec. 31. Yukon City Park, 2200 Holly

Photo provided

Of the Earth: Creating First Americans Museum view the architectural history of the museum being constructed from the stage of construction to the people involved in its creation, ongoing. First Americans Museum, 659 First Americans Blvd., 405-594-2100. ONGOING

One Hundred Years of Revolution: French Art from 1850 to 1950 features works arranged in chronological order to show how the French artists changed from creating realistic depictions of the world to abstract compositions over a 100 year pe riod, through Feb. 19, 2023. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com.

THROUGH FEB 19, 2023

outLAWman showcasing the often thin-line between the lawmen and the outlaws in the American west featuring transcripts from the Osage murder trails, Virgil Earp’s Smith & Weston revolver, a purse allegedly belonging to Bonnie Parker and other items, Nov. 19 through May 7, 2023. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org.

MON-SUN, NOV 19 THROUGH MAY 7, 2023

Perception and Technique in Abstract Art fea tures works covering two different techniques of abstract styles through various artists, through Jan. 15, 2023.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405236-3100, okcmoa.com. THROUGH JAN 15, 2023

Sahara Sea Monsters features fossilized specimens of several famous dinosaurs and reptiles from the ancient Sahara, including spinosaurus, mosasaurus and more, through Feb. 12, 2023. Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chau tauqua Ave., 405-325-4712, samnoblemuseum.ou.edu.

SAT-TUE, THROUGH FEB 12, 2023

Selections from In Citizen’s Garb: Native Americans on the Southern Plains an exhibit displaying modern gelatin silver prints made from glass plate negatives of Indigenous people in the Lawton and Fort Sill area from 1889 to 1891, ongoing.

Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 405-521-2491, okhistory.org. TUE-MON, ONGOING

Small Works XII an exhibit of 12 artists’

small works featuring paintings, photos, sculpting and other modes of art, through Dec. 17. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org. FRI-SAT, THROUGH DEC 17 Sombreros Texanas and Bosses of the Plains explore the evolution of the cowboy hat from the woven sombreros to today’s working cowboy hats and highly decorated hats of rodeo riders and en tertainers featuring hats worn by John Wayne, Steve McQueen, Tom Selleck, Shirley Jauregui, Johnny Lee Wills and more, through Jan. 8, 2023. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org.

FRI-SUN, THROUGH JAN 8

The SuperNatural an exhibit features works from several artists focusing on a new world whose shape and matter will be determined by human activity. 21c Museum Hotel, 900 W. Main St., 405-982-6900, 21cmuseumhotels.com. THROUGH FEB 28, 2023

Traditional Cowboy Arts Exhibition and Sale a showcase of saddle making, bit and spur making, silversmithing and rawhide braiding, Sept. 30-Jan. 2. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum. org. FRI-SAT, THROUGH JAN 2

Visual Narratives: First American Photography features works by five First American photographers, Philip Busey Jr, Peggy Fontenot, Lester Harragarra, Kelly Langley and Jim Trosper who represent different tribes, including Cherokee, Chickasaw, Patawomeck, Kiowa and Otoe-Missouria, through Feb. 2023. Exhibit C, 1 E. Sheridan Ave., 405-767-8900, exhibitcgallery.com. MON-SUN, THROUGH FEB 2023

Hood makes good

By D. Collin Hudson

You may not be too fa miliar with Adam Hood just yet, but these days, a lot of movers and shakers in Nashville have come to know him well.

He started performing live shows at just 16 years of age in his hometown of Opelika, Ala., and hasn’t stopped writing, touring and recording music. For two decades, among fans of indepen dent Texas and Oklahoma Red Dirt and the larger Americana and outlaw country scenes, Hood has built up his fan base and earned the respect of both fans and peers.

He performs Dec. 10 at Belle Isle Brewing Co. with Jason Eady.

In January 2015, Rolling Stone mentioned Adam Hood in a list of top ten artists their readers should know. Now highly in demand as a songwriter—having re cently co-written a song with Jason Boland—he has had his songs cut by established artists like Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Travis Tritt, The Oak Ridge Boys, Whiskey Myers, Cody Jinks, Ashland Craft, Muscadine Bloodline, Drake White, Anderson East, Josh Abbott Band and Lee Ann Womack, among others.

He also spent three years as the opening act for Leon Russell and recently made his debut at the Grand Ol’ Opry Oct. 22.

“It was the fulfillment of the dream of a lifetime,” Hood said.

Hood had already met Lambert “in 2006 or so,” he said, at Tavern on the Gruene in New Braunfels, Texas by accident one night. Her van broke down, so she was stuck there for the night.

“She came in right around the middle of our show and she just hung around for the rest of the

night,” he said.

It turned out to be the beginning of a great professional working relationship for both, since country music is about both what you know as well as who. And one meeting lead to another for Hood, who also met Brent Cobb through famed Nashville producer Frank Liddell. Liddell had already pro duced records for his wife, Lee Ann Womack, and Lambert. He has worked closely with David Nail, Eli Young Band, and album credits include Brandi Carlile, Jewel and Kellie Pickler.

“I was writing for Carnival, Frank’s company, and Brent [Cobb] was being courted. I was his first co-write and we wrote ‘Go Outside & Dance’ together,” Hood said.

Cobb is a Georgia native who has toured the nation as a solo performer and he has had artists like Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Lambert, Womack and Little Big Town cut his songs.

Hood recently re leased his fifth studio album, Bad Days Better, which was re leased in September.

The record was re corded at the famed Capricorn Studios in Macon, Ga., which has put out some of the greatest Southern rock records in history. In fact, Capricorn Records and Capricorn Studios are known for building the Southern Rock genre.

The single “Harder Stuff’’ from the new record features Miranda Lambert on vocals.

“Miranda came in the studio to record her vocal parts and she just took the song to another level,” Hood said.

Bad Days Better was produced with the help of members of Blackberry Smoke with Cobb in the producer’s chair. The album offers ten new songs for Hood’s fans.

“It’s southern music,” Hood said. “That’s what it represents; the soulful side of southern music, the country side of Southern music, the genuine side of Southern culture, and the way I grew up. One of the T-shirts I sell at every show simply says ‘Southern songs,’ and that’s a good summary of what I do. It’s what I’ve always done.”

Visit belleislerestaurant.com

Adam Hood | Photo provided.

THE INFLUENTIAL SONGWRITER PLAYS BELLE ISLE BREWING CO. DEC. 10.

John Fullbright - The Liar

By Evan Jarvicks

Since its release at the end of September, John Fullbright’s longawaited The Liar has carried avid word of mouth amongst loyal fans and genre listen ers. Its 12 songs have gotten good marks in online music magazines, and the consen sus is clear. Even though it’s been eight years since his last album, a practical eter nity in the music industry, Fullbright still has it. His songwriting is sharp, his performances staggering, and his lyrics as ruminating as ever. All of the boxes are checked, but something in Fullbright has changed, something that sees him forking farther away from a music industry that has like wise moved on without him.

It isn’t that Fullbright took a vacation, per se. The recording process behind The Liar reveals that he has been building strong rela tionships in the Tulsa music com munity while taking on a series of supporting roles. Featuring a who’s who of area players, this is easily the most collaborative record of his career. That it was recorded en tirely in four days further indicates that he has kept his chops up all this time. Nonetheless, he has stepped from the spotlight in the years following his early 2010’s breakthrough, which saw a Grammy nomination for his debut studio LP, From the Ground Up, and significant chart numbers on his acclaimed follow-up, Songs.

He is still a big name, as proven by his sold-out back-to-back shows at The Blue Door in OKC in celebra tion of The Liar’s release. He could have easily booked a bigger venue, but he didn’t. His tour schedule is also somewhat light on dates this season, at least by industry stan dards. This echoes one of the big changes between 2014’s Songs and 2022’s The Liar. He is more relaxed and it shows.

Opening track “Bearden 1645” is a beautifully succinct bit of lyricism about why artistic cliches are worth

while, actually, but it also estab lishes that The Liar is John Fullbright at his funniest and

gets 30 seconds in before going full Cab Calloway call-and-response. From the Ground Up this is not.

Like the messaging in its opening track, The Liar admits to convention, and perhaps that is one interpre tation of the title. Since its announcement, writers have struggled to make sense of its meaning, suggesting that Fullbright calling himself a liar could be some new com mentary on the truthfulness of his stories. However, his songs have always mused the consequence of dishonesty. It isn’t a new concept for him. Rather, it could be that his great rise to relevance in the 2010s found him trying to fill shoes for which he didn’t ask. It could be that his strict adherence to song writing rules and concise expression led him to sacri fice his instincts.

loosest. Rather than subvert song writing tropes in meticulously sewn verbal threads like usual, he shows all of his seams here, joking about his preference for the white keys on a piano because they are easier to play. He quips about the key he is playing in, and when the song mod ulates to prove a point, its punchline would smack like a novelty song were it not so sparing and concise. It’s uproarious, yet it still complete ly works in the context of its theme of pragmatic art.

His former self would probably find it somewhat on the nose, though. While some songs are perfect little boxes that stand apart from their musical treatment — the gorgeous “Stars,” for instance, could easily be covered in a variety of ways as a new standard -- others find their way out with the aid of more indulgent arrangement, in cluding some inspired use of ac cordion. This approach makes for incredibly memorable musical moments, from the show stopping, choir-backed refrain of “Safe to Say” to the out-of-left-field turn that is “Poster Child,” which barely

One aspect of The Liar that, for all of its praises in recent weeks, has not been a point of conversation is that the album is decidedly not com pressed. Audio compression is almost universally used in every contempo rary music style of the modern indus try in the mastering process to max imize everything to the listener’s ear. It is a trend to which the public has grown accustomed. Where wave forms of most music appear as a mostly uninterrupted wall of sound, Fullbright’s final cuts are full of peaks and valleys.

This is a conscientious choice. It implies that John Fullbright isn’t so concerned with industry expec tations and is content with his Grammy nomination resting in the attic instead of staring at him from the mantle. The Liar is, for all of its undeniable entertainment value and down-to-earth good humor, a subversion. With the help of some new friends, it digs deep within Fullbright’s artistic methodology to rediscover what he has always been — independent.

Visit johnfullbrightmusic.com

Cover art for The Liar by John Fullbright| Photo provided.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16

Drayton Farley, Ponyboy. COUNTRY

Jazz Night, Bradford House. JAZZ

Sunset Patio Bar Karaoke Night, Sunset Patio.

KARAOKE

Kendrick McKinney Trio, 51st Street Speakeasy. JAZZ

Led Zeppelin IV, Tower Theatre. TRIBUTE

Sarafina Byrd, The Deli. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Trett Charles, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa. COUNTRY

The Wednesday Band, The Deli. COUNTRY

THURSDAY, NOV. 17

Cory Wong, Tower Theatre. FUNK

Country Music Group Therapy/Biscuits & Groovy, The Deli. COUNTRY

Dion Warlocke/Bailey Boy/Vehicles/Aztec Milk Temple, Blue Note. ROCK

Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge Karaoke Night, Dust Bowl. KARAOKE

Edgar Cruz, UCO Jazz Lab. ACOUSTIC

Guy Forsyth, The Blue Door. SINGER/SONG WRITER

Joel Forlenza, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Nor

man. INSTRUMENTALISTS

Pecos & the Rooftops with Logan Jahnke, Tumbleweed Dancehall. COUNTRY

Shelly Phelps and The Storm, Bourbon Street Bar.

BLUES

Short & Broke/The BlueRays/JL Jones, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES

Spencer Crandall, Beer City Music Hall. COUNTRY

FRIDAY, NOV. 18

Between Me and the Plants, Core4 Brewing.

REGGAE

Big As Love, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. ROCK

Blake Turner, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa.

COUNTRY

Cody Canada & the Departed/Dirty Roses/ Waves, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. ROCK

Denise Hoey, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa.

VARIETY

Eli Young Band, Riverwind Casino. COUNTRY

Emo Night Brooklyn, Beer City Music Hall. DJ

Golden Hour: Hannah Edmondson, Ponyboy. ALTERNATIVE

Heartbreak Rodeo, Grand Casino Hotel & Resort, Shawnee. ROCK

In Her Own Words/Capstan/Cherie Amour/Shal low Pools, 89th Street—OKC. ROCK

Indigo Girls, The Tulsa Theater, Tulsa. FOLK

Jessica Tate, The Deli. INSTRUMENTAL

Joel Forlenza, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Nor man. INSTRUMENTALISTS

K.C. Clifford, The Blue Door. SINGER/SONG

WRITER

Kyle Earhart/Chloe Beth/Jake Renick Simpson/Levi Walker/Kenna, Rodeo Opry.

SINGER/SONGWRITER

McKee Brother Jazz Band, Bourbon Street Bar. JAZZ

The Odyssey, The Vanguard, Tulsa. ROCK

Peter Cincotti, UCO Jazz Lab. SINGER/SONG WRITER

Shelly Phelps and The Storm, Belle Isle Restau rant & Brewing Company. ROCK

The Damn Quails, The Deli. FOLK

SATURDAY, NOV. 19

Chris Bower, Core4 Brewing. SINGER/SONG WRITER

Edgar Cruz, Bedlam Bar-B-Q. ACOUSTIC Flickerstick, Beer City Music Hall. ALTERNATIVE

Garrett “Big G” Jacobson, UCO Jazz Lab. BLUES

The Get Down, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa. PARTY

Hosty, The Deli. ELECTRIC Intocable, Civic Center Music Hall. REGIONAL MEXICAN

Joel Forlenza, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Tulsa. INSTRUMENTALISTS

Jon Wolfe/Cody Hibbard, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. SINGER/SONGWRITER

McKee Brother Jazz Band, Bourbon Street Bar. JAZZ

My So Called Band, The Vanguard, Tulsa. COVER Owen Pickard/Kelcie Pickard/Jake Simpson/ Haylie Bagwell/Cameron Randol/Zoey Butcher, Rodeo Opry. COUNTRY

Patrick Winslett, Grand Casino Hotel & Resort, Tulsa. ROCK

Paul Benjaman Band/Adam Faucett/William Blackart, Blue Note. AMERICANA

Puscifer, The Tulsa Theater, Tulsa. ROCK RedGrass String Band, Hollywood Corners. BLUEGRASS

The Southern Accents, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa. COUNTRY Starcrawler, Tower Theatre. ROCK Zach Williams, The Criterion. CHRISTIAN

SUNDAY, NOV. 20

Cloakroom/cursetheknife, 89th Street—OKC. ROCK

Hosty, The Deli. ELECTRIC Jazz Night!, Blue Note. JAZZ

Judas Priest, Paycom Center. METAL

No Whiners Aloud, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES Starcrawler, The Vanguard, Tulsa. ROCK Tin Can Gramophone/Hosty, The Deli. FOLK

MONDAY, NOV. 21

The Aints/Bailey Gilbert & Friends, The Deli. AMERICANA

TUESDAY, NOV. 22

Bruce Benson & Studio B, 51st Street Speakeasy. BLUES

Caleb McGee, The Deli. BLUES

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23

Alaska Thunderfuck, The Vanguard, Tulsa. POP Graham Colton, The Jones Assembly. ALTERNA TIVE

Jazz Night, Bradford House. JAZZ

Sunset Patio Bar Karaoke Night, Sunset Patio. KARAOKE

Kendrick McKinney Trio, 51st Street Speakeasy. JAZZ

Nikki Jackson, The Deli. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

Trett Charles, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa. COUNTRY

The Wednesday Band, The Deli. COUNTRY

THURSDAY, NOV. 24

Country Music Group Therapy/Biscuits & Groovy, The Deli. COUNTRY

Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge Karaoke Night, Dust Bowl. KARAOKE

Joel Forlenza, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Nor man. INSTRUMENTALISTS

Shelly Phelps and The Storm, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES

Short & Broke/The BlueRays/JL Jones, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES

FRIDAY, NOV. 25

Alaska Thunderfuck, Tower Theatre. POP

Big G/Bart Wielburg Band, Blue Note. BLUES Borderline with Kristen Stehr, Belle Isle Restau rant & Brewing Company. ROCK

Braden Jamison, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa. COUNTRY

Brent Giddens, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa. COUNTRY

Erik Oftedahl, Grand Casino Hotel & Resort, Shawnee. FOLK

Jason Boland & the Stragglers/Tanner Usrey, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. COUNTRY

Joel Forlenza, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Nor man. INSTRUMENTALISTS

King Cabbage Brass Band/The Odyssey/ Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards, Beer City Music Hall. COVER

McKee Brother Jazz Band, Bourbon Street Bar. JAZZ

MidWave/Brujo/Dayeater, The Deli. ROCK

Scott Keeton, Remington Park. ROCK

Taker/Caliber/Tell Lies/Gadgets Sons/KickdHo peless, The Vanguard, Tulsa. METAL

SATURDAY, NOV. 26

Andy Adams, Grand Casino Hotel & Resort, Shaw nee. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Casey West, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa. COUNTRY

G20 Funk, Belle Isle Brewery. COVER

Giovannie and the Hired Guns, Tower Theatre. COUNTRY

GloRilla, The Criterion, Tulsa. RAP

Jessica Audiffred, The Vanguard, Tulsa. ELEC TRIC

Joel Forlenza, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Nor man. INSTRUMENTALISTS

Local Man Ruins Everything, The Deli. ROCK

McKee Brother Jazz Band, Bourbon Street Bar. JAZZ

Stunna, Blue Note. ROCK

Texas Hippie Coalition/Aranda, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. METAL

Twiggs, Beer City Music Hall. ROCK

Weekend All Stars, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa. DANCE

SUNDAY, NOV. 27

Alabama, Red River Music Hall. COUNTRY Hosty, The Deli. ELECTRIC Jazz Night!, Blue Note. JAZZ

No Whiners Aloud, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES

Tin Can Gramophone/Hosty, The Deli. FOLK

MONDAY, NOV. 28

The Aints/Bailey Gilbert & Friends, The Deli. AMERICANA

Mental Mondaze, Hubbly Bubbly Hookah & Café. EXPERIMENTAL

TUESDAY, NOV. 29

Bruce Benson & Studio B, 51st Street Speakeasy. BLUES

Caleb McGee, The Deli. BLUES

Live music submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date. Late submissions will not be included in the listings. Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible. Visit okgazette.com to submit your lisitngs or email listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

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

The Hunt Brothers Band From a young age, brothers Jonathan and Andrew Hunt always wanted to create music together. This dream became a reality after moving to Oklahoma where they met their musical and personal mentors and eventually their current guitarist, Samuel Grounds. Officially forming their acoustic bluegrass band earlier this year, they will be recording the band’s first full length album live on Nov. 19 at Byron Berline’s Double Stop Fiddle Shop & Music Hall, 211 E. Oklahoma Ave., Guthrie, huntbrothersband. com. SAT. NOV. 19 Photo provided

Buckle up

By Matt Dinger

Cannabis competitions have come and gone, but The Cowboy Cup gains horsepower each year.

Before medical cannabis was legal here, Daniel Lewis had a vision for a competition in his home state. He trav eled the country to see how other medical and recreational states handled their festivals and competi tions, handpicking some best prac tices and trimming things he didn’t think would fit in the Sooner State.

“We work really hard to make it big enough and have enough different experiences that you want to stick around. Eventually, I want it to be like Disneyland. You can’t get through it all in one day,” founder and “THCEO” Lewis said.

This year’s Cowboy Cup will have multiple stages and lounges with live music along with more than 100 vendors participating, from cannabis growers and processors, dispen saries, grow supply stores, testing laboratories, doctors, lawyers, insurance agents, banks, seed and fertilizer companies as well as govern ment organizations.

For this year’s competition, he created two tiers of judging. The first round will occur as usual, with local judges hand-selected by Lewis analyz ing and ranking their top picks in the various categories that include mul tiple competitions for flower, concen trates and edibles as well as other products vying for a coveted “cup,” or in this instance, belt buckle.

Once the local winners are selected, a group of “Ganjiers” will be flying into the state to take the top finalists in the categories and put them to a rigorous and multifaceted test to determine the best of the best.

“A Ganjier is kind of in the essence of a wine sommelier, a chocolatier, a cigar aficionado, line of thinking…They have put together this program to start to train students to become certified,” Lewis said.

After online courses and quizzes, potential Ganjiers travel to Humboldt County for a weeklong training session that involves live training and a final evaluation before becoming certified.

Instead of looking at overall aspects of the flower for the judging, they’ll be breaking each entry down further and judging by their own ex panded criteria.

“Appearance, for example, you’re looking at trichome coverage, trichome density, trichome intactness, tri

THE HIGH CULTURE

chome fullness and brightness. You get into aroma, you’re talking complex ity, intensity, things of that nature,” Lewis said.

He is one of only two people living full-time in Oklahoma that has been certified, he said, so he knows how strict the standards are.

“It’s really good for the competition, because not only does it put the judging in the hands of arguably the people that are best equipped to judge can nabis, but the judging is taken away from Cowboy Cup again, so it’s this third-party blind verification that we didn’t get paid for you to win my com petition. We’ve said it from the begin ning—you can’t buy our buckle. We’re going to hold fast to that forever and I think without that, we really don’t have anything. It’s good for us for those reasons, but it’s also good for Ganjier because I think it gives them a good platform to put their skills to the test,” Lewis said.

“I think what that does, by having the Oklahoma patient judges, it gives us an idea of market trends. What are people looking for? What are the terpene profiles people are looking for in cannabis now? Did all the judges

really like the fruity? Did they like the GMO? Do they like the gas? We also want to know the consumer side of it too, what are the consumers looking for.”

The awards ceremonies will be split across two nights, with edibles, tinctures and topicals being awarded their buckles at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 2. Flower, concen trates, vape cartridges and prerolls will be announced at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, Lewis said.

After the awards ceremonies, bands will take the main stage inside the Tumbleweed, with Stoney Banks with SMO playing Friday night and AC/DC tribute band OKCDC wrapping up the Saturday festivities.

But there will be music running throughout the duration of the event, Lewis said, with live music beginning at noon and running until the awards ceremonies each night on the Oklahoma Shirt Company Festival Stage. Additionally, the Herbage Magazine/Lettuce Smoke Stage will feature 14 acoustic artists over two days.

If electronic music is more of your jam, the Smokin BRIXX Saloon Stage and DIME VIP Tent will be featuring DJs through the duration of the event.

In addition to the cannabis com petition and live music, there will be a glassblowing competition with more than 15 artists participating.

Glassblowers will bring their rigs and marbles to be judged, but the best pipe will be made and judged during the competition. There will also be a pool tournament and a joint/blunt rolling contest.

In addition to all the entertain ment, there will be seminars ongoing throughout the weekend as well as eight food trucks on site to curb the munchies.

For the second year, The Cowboy Cup will also feature its own on-site dispensary, The Lettuce Smoke Box.

“We took a 52-foot shipping con tainer and partnered with the Tumbleweed, but we’re going to have a dispensary there on site,” Chet Tucker, owner of the Lettuce Smoke Canna Co., which includes The Lettuce Bar in Choctaw where the judges pick up their packages for the competition.

“It’s a separate address, so we’re good there, right where the entrances to the ticket booth and the waiting line are. We’re going to carry anybody that’s part of the cup that wants in and give the patients and the people that are attending the cup some really smoking deals,” Tucker said.

“This year, what we’ve done is we’ve reached out to all the vendors and sponsors that wanted to get in that dispensary…Basically you can get $10 eighths, two for $5 prerolls, $5 infused prerolls, $10 For edibles, $10 for ice water hash, whatever they put in there. It’s award-winning stuff too, so you could literally go buy an eighth of ALTVM for 10 bucks out the door. An $80 ounce of ALTVM? Come on. Give me a break,” Lewis said.

Visit cowboycup.com

THE FOURTH COWBOY CUP TAKES OVER THE TUMBLEWEED DANCE HALL IN STILLWATER FOR ITS LARGEST ITERATION YET ON DEC. 2 AND 3.

(Left) Daniel Lewis and SMO emcee the 2021 Cowboy Cup. (Above) A Cowboy Cup sign lights up a vendor area at the 2021 event. | Photos by Berlin Green.

Strain name: Gelato Cake

Strain name: Mint Doobie

Grown by: Stingers Cannabis Co.

Acquired from: WeedzStock

Date acquired: Nov. 9 Physical traits: green and orange Bouquet: floral and earthy

Review: When you step into the lime-green lobby of WeedzStock Dispensary, you’ll be met with vin tage vending machines filled with soda and games. The mom-and-pop shop places a great deal of empha sis on both patient and industry education. Its owner, Eddie Earnest, has tested everything in the shop personally. Being unfamiliar with infused flower and Stingers, I decided to give the Mint Doobie a shot. Stingers reportedly uses a thermal infusion process to open and expand the pores of the plant then infuse it with concentrate. With a strong aroma reminiscent of Mountain Dew, the dense buds break down into a fluffy bowl with smooth smoke. Be prepared though— this one will take you for a hell of a

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Virginia Woolf wrote a passage that I suspect will apply to you in the coming weeks. She said, “There is no denying the wild horse in us. To gallop intemperately; fall on the sand tired out; to feel the earth spin; to have — positively — a rush of friendship for stones and grasses — there is no getting over the fact that this desire seizes us.” Here’s my question for you, Aries: How will you harness your wild horse energy? I’m hoping that the self-possessed human in you will take command of the horse and direct it to serve you and yours with constructive actions. It’s fine to indulge in some intemperate galloping, too. But I’ll be rooting for a lot of temperate and disciplined galloping.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

“The failure of love might account for most of the suffering in the world,” writes poet Marie Howe. I agree with that statement. Many of us have had painful episodes revolving around people who no longer love us and people whose lack of love for us makes us feel hurt. That’s the bad news, Taurus. The good news is that you now have more power than usual to heal the failures of love you have endured in the past. You also have an expanded capacity to heal others who have suffered from the failures of love. I hope you will be generous in your ministrations!

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

Many Geminis tell me they are often partly awake as they sleep. In their dreams, they might work overtime trying to solve waking-life problems. Or they may lie in bed in the dark contemplating intricate ideas that fascinate them, or perhaps ruminating on the plot developments unfolding in a book they’ve been reading or a TV show they’ve been bingeing. If you are prone to such behavior, I will ask you to minimize it for a while. In my view, you need to relax your mind extra deeply

and allow it to play luxuriously with non-utilitarian fantasies and dreams. You have a sacred duty to yourself to explore mysterious and stirring feelings that bypass rational thought.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Here are my two key messages for you. 1. Remember where you hide important stuff. 2. Remember that you have indeed hidden some important stuff. Got that? Please note that I am not questioning your urge to lock away a secret or two. I am not criticizing you for wanting to store a treasure that you are not yet ready to use or reveal. It’s completely understandable if you want to keep a part of your inner world off-limits to certain people for the time being. But as you engage in any or all of these actions, make sure you don’t lose touch with your valuables. And don’t forget why you are stashing them.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

I know I don’t have to give you lessons in expressing your sensuality. Nor do you need prods and encouragement to do so. As a Leo, you most likely have abundant talent in the epicurean arts. But as you prepare to glide into the lush and lusty heart of the Sensuality Season, it can’t hurt to offer you a pep talk from your fellow Leo bon vivant, James Baldwin. He said: “To be sensual is to respect and rejoice in the force of life, of life itself, and to be present in all that one does, from the effort of loving to the breaking of bread.”

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Many Virgos are on a lifelong quest to cultivate a knack described by Sigmund Freud: “In the small matters, trust the mind. In the large ones, the heart.” And I suspect you are now at a pivotal point in your efforts to master that wisdom. Important decisions are looming in regards to both small and large matters. I believe you will do the right things as long as you empower your mind to do what it does best and your heart to do what it does best.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Social media like Facebook and Twitter feed on our outrage. Their algorithms are designed to stir up our disgust and indignation. I confess that I get semi-caught

ASTROLOGY

in their trap. I am sometimes seduced by the temptation to feel lots of umbrage and wrath, even though those feelings comprise a small minority of my total emotional range. As an antidote, I proactively seek experiences that rouse my wonder and sublimity and holiness. In the next two weeks, Libra, I invite you to cultivate a focus like mine. It’s high time for a phase of minimal anger and loathing—and maximum reverence and awe.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Scorpio author Sylvia Plath had a disturbing, melodramatic relationship with romance. In one of her short stories, for example, she has a woman character say, “His love is the twenty-story leap, the rope at the throat, the knife at the heart.” I urge you to avoid contact with people who think and feel like that—as glamorous as they might seem. In my view, your romantic destiny in the coming months can and should be uplifting, exciting in healthy ways, and conducive to your wellbeing. There’s no need to link yourself with shadowy renegades when there will be plenty of radiant helpers available.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

I like Sagittarian healer and author Caroline Myss because she’s both spiritual and practical, compassionate and fierce. Here’s a passage from her work that I think will be helpful for you in the coming weeks: “Get bored with your past. It’s over! Forgive yourself for what you think you did or didn’t do, and focus on what you will do, starting now.” To ensure you make the most of her counsel, I’ll add a further insight from author Augusten Burroughs: “You cannot be a prisoner of your past against your will—because you can only live in the past inside your mind.”

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

How would you respond if you learned that the $55 t-shirt you’re wearing was made by a Haitian kid who earned 10 cents for her work? Would you stop wearing the shirt? Donate it to a thrift store? Send money to the United Nations agency UNICEF, which works to protect Haitian child laborers? I recommend the latter option. I also suggest you use this as a prompt to engage in leisurely

meditations on what you might do to reduce the world’s suffering. It’s an excellent time to stretch your imagination to understand how your personal life is interwoven with the lives of countless others, many of whom you don’t even know. And I hope you will think about how to offer extra healings and blessings not just to your allies, but also to strangers. What’s in it for you? Would this bring any selfish benefits your way? You may be amazed at how it leads you to interesting connections that expand your world.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Aquarian philosopher Alfred North Whitehead wrote, “The silly question is the first intimation of some totally new development.” He also said, “Every really new idea looks crazy at first.” With these thoughts in mind, Aquarius, I will tell you that you are now in the Season of the Silly Question. I invite you to enjoy dreaming up such queries. And as you indulge in that fertile pleasure, include another: Celebrate the Season of Crazy Ideas.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

We all love to follow stories: the stories we live, the stories that unfold for people we know, and the stories told in movies, TV shows, and books. A disproportionately high percentage of the entertainment industry’s stories are sad or tormented or horrendously painful. They influence us to think such stories are the norm. They tend to darken our view of life. While I would never try to coax you to avoid all those stories, Pisces, I will encourage you to question whether maybe it’s wise to limit how many you absorb. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to explore this possibility. Be willing to say, “These sad, tormented, painful stories are not ones I want to invite into my imagination.” Try this experiment: For the next three weeks, seek out mostly uplifting tales.

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

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

PUZZLES

ACROSS

1 Flight path?

23

24

Pacific harbinger of wet West Coast weather

Bind 30 Part of a seat assignment

Leaf producer

25

40

44 Fission locales 46 Set of clubs

48

50

53 Connect with on social media, maybe 54 How some popcorn is popped 55 Gradually slid (into) 57 Lead-in to dermis 60 Location of the Chair of St. Peter within St. Peter’s Basilica 61 Thin porridges 63 Modern prefix with health 64 Appearance 66 “My dear man .?.?. “ 67 Civil rights leader Medgar 69 Troublesome engine sound

71 Hoover, for one 74 One way to segment demographic data 76 Tibia’s place 77 Sly plan 80 Space-oriented engineering discipline, informally 82 What “ .?.?. “ sometimes means 84 Troublesome engine sounds 86 Arrive at, as an idea 87 Ones without owners 89 What a “Wheel of Fortune” contestant might buy when looking for __NSP__RAT__ON 91 Startled squeal 92 Forthrightly asserts 93 Genghis Khan, notably 94 Herbert Hoover’s middle name 96 Many a maid of honor 98 W.W. II-era encoding device 101 Currant-flavored liqueur 103 Itsy-bitsy 104 Santa ____ (desert winds) 105 Wear for a Sufi scholar 107 Hello in S‹o Paulo 109 One with an inside job 111 Takes seemingly forever 114 Sort of encoded message found in this puzzle’s grid [SEE NOTE] 117 From long, long ago 119 Express momentary uncertainty over 121 Classified cost? 122 Icon to click for more icons 123 Eeyore’s creator 124 Tidy 125 Radial patterns 126 Failed to maintain a poker face, perhaps 127 Figure the worth of DOWN 1 Curse

2 Rat out 3 Longtime media figure suspected of being the inspiration for “The Devil Wears Prada” 4 Have ____ for 5 Wilbur is one, in “Charlotte’s Web” 6 Like some insurance benefits 7 Designer Versace 8 It’s for paper shapers 9 Cousin of Gomez Addams 10 Some quincea–era giftgivers 11 Send off 12 Moves from a table to a booth, say 13 Dunderhead 14 Ending with legal or Senegal 15 ____-service 16 Implies 17 Go over, as a cold case 18 When you should be off, in brief 20 Cosette, to Marius, in “Les Misérables” 26 Pull out 28 Comedian Wong 32 Soapbox rant 34 Polar expedition attire 36 Out of juice 38 Frequent victim of Calvin’s pranks in “Calvin and Hobbes” 39 Crew vessel 41 Add chocolate sauce and a cherry to, say 42 Pre-deal payment 43 Come to ____ 45 Rude way to break up with someone 48 Celebratory dances 49 Letters on a crucifix 51 One accepting the terms and conditions 56 Transports from Midway Airport to the Loop 58 Nose-dives 59 Na+, for one

62 Its in French 65 Rubber-stamps 68 Migration formation 69 Ho ____ Minh 70 Word after party or date 71 Worsen significantly 72 Emotion felt con el coraz—n 73 ____ Wearhouse (retail chain) 74 Alvin ____, first African American to be elected Manhattan’s district attorney 75 Cellist who performed at the Biden-Harris inauguration 76 Attitude 78 Some back-and-forths 79 They generate a lot of buzz 80 Makes right 81 Pulitzer Prize-winning W.W. II correspondent 83 Class for which trig is a prereq 85 Mountain cover 87 Bird of the Baltic 88 Runs down, in a way 90 “I’m good, thanks” 94 Honeydew relatives 95 One of 14 in a fist 97 Carlos in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 99 End of Q1, on co. reports 100 Bank run, perhaps 102 Some writing surfaces 106 Memory part 108 Affirmations from the congregation 110 Sci-fi character who was originally a puppet before C.G.I. 112 Rock subgenre associated with David Bowie and Elton John 113 ____ Valley, Calif. 115 Laudatory works 116 French for “fat” 117 O’er and o’er 118 Side in checkers 120 Love of soccer?

27

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Wish 19 Climbed, as 1-Across 20 TV-schedule info Stumped? Call 1-900-285-5656 to get the answers to any three clues by phone ($1.20 a minute). VOL. XLIV NO. 23 SUDOKU MEDIUM | N° 18410 Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3-by-3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9. www.printmysudoku.com 7 4 6 7 5 9 8 4 3 7 4 5 5 2 7 3 9 8 6 3 5 7 4 5 6 8 Grid n°18410 hard NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS Puzzle No. 1023 which appeared in the November 2nd issue. NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE | SENDING A MESSAGE By Addison Snell | Puzzles Edited by Will Shortz | 1106 Note: This completed puzzle contains a 114-Across, comprising the eight shaded answers. Put these in order, one after the other. Then use the following key to get a line spoken by 25-Across in “The 40-Across”: A = R, B = I, C = J, D = P, E = A, G = H, I = O, J = C, K = L, L = U, N = T, O = Z, P = Y, R = M, S = E, T = D, U = S, V = G, X = N, Y = K.