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INSIDE COVER

SIX MONTHS

MARCH 2025

P. 11 Oklahoma Gazette’s

Alcoholmanac is back with information on the metro’s tastiest cocktails and mocktails, where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and how to find the city’s not-so-secret speakeasies.

By Gazette contributors Cover by Nick Hermes

NEWS 4 5

STATE Oklahoma boondoggles OK TRAILBLAZERS Myron

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Mayberry CITY April runoff elections COMMENTARY school vouchers

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CHICKEN-FRIED NEWS

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EAT & DRINK 10 FEATURE St. Patrick’s Day 11

FEATURE OKC cocktails

12 FEATURE metro speakeasies 15 REVIEW Elisabetta

16 GAZEDIBLES mocktails

ARTS & CULTURE 18 COMMUNITY OKANA Resort &

Indoor Waterpark

20 ARTS Allied Arts fundraising

campaign

21 FILM documentaries

23 COMMUNITY Sid Meier’s

Civilization VII 24 BOOKS Red Dirt Poetry anthology 26 CALENDAR

MUSIC 31 FEATURE 405 A Day for the City 32 FEATURE Meteorology album

release

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NEWS

S TAT E

Boondoggle capital While outrageously large developments that would rival the size of world landmarks are supposedly in the works across the state, so are sensible upgrades that should invite investors.

By Henry Nam Hardwick

In Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, cowboy Will Parker returns home and gathers everybody around to tell about the wonders of the “modren world” in the show tune “Kansas City,” singing that, “They went and built a skyscraper seven stories high / About as high as a buildin’ orta grow.” The Territory times are long gone. Nowadays, Oklahoma City is being made fit to lead the modern world through the proposal of Legends Tower. Standing at 1907 feet in reference to Oklahoma’s statehood, the building would crown the accompanying Boardwalk at Bricktown in what California-based architecture firm AO calls “a catalyst for urban evolution.”

Joined by the American Heartland Theme Park in Vinita, these recent mega projects suggest there could be much more on the Oklahoma horizon — if they can manage to make it off the ground.

A rendering of the proposed Boardwalk at Bricktown | Image provided

Oklahoma City is no stranger to change.

Through a penny tax, the 1990s Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) program transfigured Oklahoma City’s downtown and Bricktown area into the OKC we know today, with projects such as Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Bricktown Canal and Paycom Center.

Yet never in the city’s wildest dreams was the lofty proposal of the tallest skyscraper in the United States. Originally proposed at 1750 feet tall, Legends would have only been second to the 1776-foottall One World Trade Center Freedom Tower in New York. Of course, Oklahoma’s own Tower of Babel would be dwarfed by the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, standing at 2717 feet tall. At the same time, Legends’ 1907 feet would still make it over twice the size of the Devon Tower, which stands at 844 feet tall and utterly transformed the Oklahoma City skyline back in 2012. Not only towering over the Devon, the Legends would stand tall (all 4

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134 stories) over the proposed Boardwalk at Bricktown. Described by AO as “an exciting architectural tapestry of modern design,” this proposed mixeduse development accompanying the tower boasts nearly 5 million square feet of luxury residences, a Hyatt hotel, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, etc., along with a lagoon and three other towers: Dream, Emerald and Ruby.

Surprisingly, there has been no major opposition to Oklahoma’s own boardwalk empire, which has already secured over a billion dollars in financing. Back in June 2024, the Oklahoma City Council actually supported the development by clearing former height restrictions.

For a change of scene, in the northeast corner of the state lies Vinita. Called the “Crossroads to Green Country,” the town sits right between Tulsa and Joplin, Missouri, along Interstate 44 with a population list over 5,000. Thus, nowhere could be called a better home to the American Heartland Theme Park & Resort, a more than $2.5 billion entertainment complex that calls itself “the heart and soul of family entertainment.”

After all, its 1000 acres would boast a 125-acre theme park “the size of Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park and Disneyland Park” that would feature “Americana-themed environment with a variety of entertaining rides, live shows, family attractions, waterways.”

Describing itself on American Heartland’s website as “on the verge of becoming the most powerful entity in family entertainment,” Mansion Entertainment Group sees the park as offering “a unique visitor experience rivaling the world’s top resort destinations.” The park “is expected to attract more than 4.9 million guests per year,” and while it may not possess the powerful IPs of other theme parks such as Disney or Universal Studios, it does have six themed areas: Liberty Village, Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor and Electropolis. Preceding the theme park, however, is Three Ponies RV Park & Campground. As “the largest RV Park and campground in the region,” the sprawling campground would ambitiously feature “750 spaces and 300 cabins, a dinner theatre, amphitheater, swimming, clubhouse and more.”

“Would” being the key word, as continuous delays have plagued the project since its groundbreaking in late October 2023, with construction halting less than a year later in September 2024. While developers say that work on the park will con-

Aerial of American Heartland Theme Park, above, Three Ponies RV Park, below | Images provided

tinue, the original openings for Three Ponies in Spring 2025 and for the park in fall 2026 have been delayed with no realistic date in sight.

Recreation renaissance

While such major projects may not see the light of day for years to come, if ever, the wind of change has already come “sweepin’ down the plain.” In what may just become a renaissance of rest and recreation, the Oklahoma City metro has already entered a new stage of development. With the opening of the brand-new OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark right along the Oklahoma River and the OAK OKC development down the road from Penn Square Mall, luxuries once reserved for the likes of Dallas have now come to OKC. Furthermore, two recent approvals seek to transform Oklahoma’s pride and joy: sports. In Oklahoma City, a $900 million arena has been approved to replace Paycom Center, which has served the city since 2002. Before the Oklahoma City Thunder came in 2008, it was home to the Oklahoma City Blazers (CHL), Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (AF2) and the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (NBA). Another historic sports landmark will also be changing in Norman, with the 49-year-old Lloyd Noble Center at the University of Oklahoma (OU) being replaced by a new arena within the $1.2 billion Rock Creek Entertainment District recently approved by Norman City Council. Along with hosting OU basketball and gymnastics at the arena, the district will also offer shopping, restaurants, offices, a hotel and housing options.

Of course, the ultimate question is simply, “Why?” Why billions of dollars in sports arenas, an amusement park and the country’s largest skyscraper? Shouldn’t the state be focusing on more pressing matters? After all, who has the money to afford such frivolities, much less luxuries in the state that ranks sixth poorest in the nation? Yet even if the projects don’t come to fruition, the silver lining is that such developments may indicate the state’s potential desirability to outside investors.

Although Oklahoma has struggled to bring

in big businesses due to controversial state government policies that would effect employees despite various tax breaks, perhaps the state’s improvement in quality of life lies in those who are willing to help bring it to us. While we may no longer be in the oil and gas boom of yesteryear that made Chesapeake and Devon the titans of industry, individual investors willing to help revitalize our state’s struggling economy may prove to be a blessing in disguise. As much of a folly as the nation’s largest tower and a Disney-sized amusement park might seem, such opportunities would bring in tourism and employment while showing that Oklahoma is worth investing in after all. While these proposed projects may not address the deeply rooted socio-political struggles of the state, they may prove to offer more than just flights of fancy and a playground of welcome distraction. After all, what may seem at face value like ridiculous vanity projects and pipe dreams actually reveals a much more important hope that we all want to hear: “You’re doin’ fine, Oklahoma!”

Rendering of the proposed Legends Tower | Images provided

OKLAHOMA TRAILBLAZERS Last year, the Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma named Myron Mayberry its new executive director, replacing Georgie Rasco, who worked for the nonprofit for 24 years.

Mayberry and his wife have lived in Oklahoma City for 30 years. He recently spoke with Oklahoma Gazette about his career and new work at NACO.

Myron Mayberry

By Ben Felder

Oklahoma Gazette: After moving to the needs change with it. For example, OKC, what type of work did you do? when you see a neighborhood’s average age of 65 becomes 32, there’s a differMyron Mayberry: I always knew that ence in needs. It might be, “Hey, we’re I never wanted to sit in an office all day, about to start having kids in this neighand so finding different things to do was borhood again, and we need a better key for me. I did a lot of volunteerism. I park.” Well, how do you get a better park worked at Oklahoma City Community through the city of Oklahoma City? And College for about three and a half years. how do you get it successfully? And so At the same time, I was on the South that’s some of the things that we can Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce help our neighborhoods with. and did volunteer work with them. I did We also have a lot of renters. This is some work with the Latino Community the first year Central Oklahoma has Development Agency and got to meet more renters than actual homeowners. some folks in the juvenile justice space. So what we’re looking at now is in neighThat’s when I figured out what my borhood associations, if half of the neightrue calling was. I knew I didn’t want borhood is renters and they’re not invited to be a teacher in a classroom all day, into the process of making a better neighbut I wanted to make sure that those borhood, then you can’t complain about kids are still supported, that those them. You have to invite them, allow families have appropriate resources. them positions of leadership.

Maybe we couldn’t provide them with We are trying to help neighborevery resource they needed, but I hoods handle these types of transiwanted to at least provide some tions and be in a stronger place. quality resources and opportunities.

And so my wife and I set up a behav- Is there a particular NACO ioral health clinic. We had an after-school program you’d like to highlight? program and did a lot of juvenile justice We have one program I would love to work. We did workforce development for highlight, and it’s called donor desigyouth. A lot of our work was trying to be nated funds. We have different types preventative, reach kids before it was too of neighborhoods, neighborhood aslate. Writing grants and setting up con- sociations and homeowners associatracts became my side, and I let my wife tions. Some are voluntary, and then handle the actual hands-on work with you have some that are mandatory. the kids and a lot of the families. I would Many have a project that they want to work with the adults a little bit more. spend money on, but for many neighborhoods, they have to raise the money.

What brought you to NACO? We are 501(c)3, and these neighborThey were looking for someone to come hoods can send the check to us. We keep in and help them revamp the organiza- track of what the money is for, and when tion, take its strong background and the’ve reached the threshold of, you history and build upon it. And so I was know, having enough money to take care called by a dear friend, and he said, of whatever they need to take care of, “Can you talk to these people,” I came we will write that check back out to last year and talked to them, and I did them. This allows them to get donations consulting work with them through and give a tax write-off. It is a very cool the end of September. In October, they opportunity for folks who are trying to offered me the job of executive director. improve their own neighborhoods.

One of the things I found was that ev- What I’ve tried to do is make sure folks erything I had learned previously works really understand the benefit. here and is needed here. For example, maybe a neighborhood says, “The kids It really does seem like this new pokeep messing up our fence.” Well, let’s sit sition really fits your background. down, let’s negotiate, let’s figure it out and Oh yeah, this has been a natural prolet’s be good neighbors. I can also help gression for me. I went from working them with homeowners associations and with parents one at a time to now writing up bylaws and understanding working with groups of parents. How Robert’s Rules of Order so that your meet- can we get groups of neighbors togethings can be functional and effective. I get er to improve their own situations?

One of the big adages here is everyto use a lot of my tools working here, and it’s been a pretty good place. one deserves to live in a great neighborhood, and you shouldn’t have to move What are the biggest challenges to find it. You do have to work to make neighborhoods face? it a great neighborhood, so I stress that We’re seeing neighborhoods change and work side of it.

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 2 0 2 5

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NEWS

WA R D 7

CIT Y

April runoffs

Runoff elections for Oklahoma City’s Ward 7 council seat, Oklahoma County Board of Commissioners District 1 seat and Edmond mayor take place April 1.

By Henry Nam Hardwick

New leadership in the Oklahoma City metro will be determined on April 1.

While most may think of election season as being in November, the results of Oklahoma’s primary elections on Feb. 11 are now followed by a handful of runoffs for various local state and county positions where candidates did not receive over 50% of the popular vote amidst their opponents in the general election. Among these contested seats in the OKC area are Oklahoma City Council Ward 7, Oklahoma County Board of Commissioners District 1 and the Edmond mayorship.

Ward 7

First off is the general runoff election for OKC Council Ward 7 between Camal Pennington and John Pettis Jr. Encompassing much of northeast OKC, the district is one of the larger in the metro. The position was most recently held by current Oklahoma Senator Nikki Nice (District 48). With the election results coming in, the four candidates secured the following percentage of the vote: Camal Pennington (45.49%), Pettis (30.24%), Masood A. Haw (14.84%) and Andrea Holman (9.43%).

Pennington is an attorney and chair of the OKC Planning Commission along with being executive director of It’s My Community Initiative, a nonprofit organization that supports “financially vulnerable individuals and families.”

On his campaign website, he is described as “passionate about public safety, empowering families, job creation and economic development and affordable home ownership.”

Pettis is a pastor and former councilman for Ward 7 (2013 to 2018). However, he resigned in scandal from his Ward 7 seat due to charges of embezzlement that were later dropped in 2019 and failing to file state tax returns. Pleading guilty to a misdemeanor tax evasion charge, he paid $5,000 and agreed to not seek political office again. He has since countered the misdemeanor by saying that he was wrongfully charged due to his seeking election for the position of County Commissioner in 2018. Pettis is running on the platform of his previous experience in the office as councilman, and his campaign website describes him as “one of the nation’s leaders in community and economic development, urban and rural planning, diversity, equality and inclusion.” He also emphasizes “economic development and jobs, high quality and consistent public transportation, better streets and sidewalks, and safe parks for

our children to play in.” While both candidates have proven that they have their community’s interests at heart, Pennington has previously led the vote with hopes of greater promise than the experience that Pettis brings to the table.

Board of Commissioners

Next is a special county election for Ok la homa County Board of Commissioners District 1, which caters to central Oklahoma County. This general election will be between Representative Jason Lowe (Democrat) and Jed Green (Independent) after Rep. Lowe’s victory in a three-way primary that resulted in Representative Jason Lowe (40.63%) beating former Senator Anastasia Pittman (31.73%) and Councilwoman Sara Bana of Midwest City (27.64%). As the Democratic candidate, Lowe’s experience in criminal defense serves as his primary motivation for the election in which he hopes to reform the Oklahoma County Jail. Citing the horrific conditions that he witnesses during his frequent visits to the jail, he stated during a January 2025 forum, “It is a mess. It is a place where people are actually going to die.”

With his background as the founding attorney of The Lowe Law Firm, Lowe has also served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives since 2016, Representing District 97. His campaign message says, “In the Capitol, he advocates for change that improves the lives of every Oklahoman, including funding public education, access to health care, and rehabilitative criminal justice programs.”

Independent Jed Green is a political consultant and lobbyist who has “worked with both state leaders and grassroots organizers on both sides of the aisle.”

While Green does not have a background in criminal justice and has just “dialed in on the business of the county,” as he told commissioners at a recent meeting, he has continuously voiced dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. His focus has been on how a new Oklahoma County Jail would be practically financed through manners such as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the State Legislature to help negate the impact of financial burden through taxpayers, and he also wants to improve the conditions of the current jail. Green told The Oklahoman, it “has been a disaster from day one. … We were sent up for failure from the beginning,” and it will require a focus on “policy and procedures that affect our day-to-day jail population,” which he sees through “prioritiz[ing]

funding to infrastructure and community partnership programs.” Thus, the main issue for the County Commissioner will be both the present and the future of the Oklahoma County Jail, which indicates that both candidates both deeply care about the matters at hand even if they come from vastly different backgrounds with their own interpretations and approaches of reform and efficiency.

CAMAL PENNINGTON

Edmond mayor

The Edmond mayoral election is between Tom Robins and Mark Nash, who are running neck and neck. The results of the primary election were Mark Nash at 34.89%, Tom Robins at 34.25%, David Hornbeek at 27.33% and Leonard Scott at 3.52%. Nash’s slight lead was thanks to a mere 45 votes. While both Robins and Nash are aiming to sway Hornbeek’s former voters, both candidates also appear more similar than not in their visions for improving the City of Edmond.

Both are seeking to expand Edmond’s transportation infrastructure, calling for fiscal transparency from the city government and improving quality of life through public works such as parks.

However, Tom Robins is coming in as a former Edmond City Council member (Ward 1) who resigned from his seat as councilman to run for mayor in order to “tackle our city’s most pressing challenges,” which include improving traffic, education, public safety and recreation.

Ultimately, he describes his platform through the slogan, “I’m running to make Edmond the best place to call home.”

Mark Nash is a financial professional who is placing greater emphasis on budgeting and expenses, which he views as Edmond’s most pressing matter. On his campaign website, he states he wants “responsible spending, responsible street maintenance and improvement, responsible transparency and accountability for city programs and services, and responsible ‘quality of life’ through strategic community development.” Coming from vastly different backgrounds, both candidates offer a promise to face common problems that affect the common people.

As the final runoff elections take place, hopefully April showers will produce flowers in local leadership. As the newest leaders of local government, each of these candidates will be held accountable by their constituents for their campaign promises of helping build up their own communities. While Oklahoma politics are often scandalous and rife with national headlines of embarrassment, local governance is a different story where the immediate pressing matters take precedence and simply the act of genuine effort and boots on the ground can make all the difference for the quality of life in one’s community .

JOHN PETTIS JR. B OA R D O F COMMISSIONERS

JED GREEN

JA S O N LOW E E D M O N D M AYO R

MARK NASH

TOM ROBINS 6

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CO M M E N TA RY

NEWS

Opinions expressed on the commentary page, in letters to the editor and elsewhere in this newspaper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ownership or management.

Education promise

Preserving the promise of public education: The perils of vouchers

By Senator Carri Hicks

As a dedicated advocate for Oklahoma’s children and a firm believer in the power of public education, I am compelled to address a growing concern that threatens the very foundation of our educational system. The increasing push to expand school vouchers and tax credits poses significant risks to public schools and the students they serve. It is imperative that we examine these initiatives critically and understand how they undermine public education in Oklahoma.

Proponents of vouchers and similar mechanisms often argue that they provide families with greater choice, fostering competition that ostensibly leads to improved educational outcomes. However, this perspective overlooks the broader implications of diverting public funds to private institutions.

Such policies can exacerbate existing inequities and drain resources from the public schools that serve the majority of our children.

One of the most pressing concerns is the financial impact on public schools.

Vouchers effectively redirect taxpayer dollars from public to private schools, reducing the funding available for public education. When you total these funds for fiscal years 2024 through 2026, it’s $250 million for private school vouchers, and it is money that is earmarked, so it doesn’t go through the scrutiny of the appropriations process.

While backers of vouchers claimed the money would not be diverted from public school funding, the fact is these are all public dollars, and they should be used to fund public education.

According to the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, Oklahoma is last in the region in per-student investment.

The depletion of resources hampers the ability of public schools to provide

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS In-Person

• Attend town hall meetings or voter or legislative forums.

• During session, visit your legislators at the Oklahoma Capitol.

• Out of session, set up a meeting and bring like-minded friends.

Make a call

• You may reach a staffer or leave a message. State the issue(s) and what you want them to do about it.

Email or write a letter • Email your individual legislators or committee members.

quality education, maintain infrastructure and support extracurricular programs. As public schools struggle with diminished funding, the students who remain — often those from low-income families or with special needs — bear the brunt of these cuts.

Vouchers are frequently touted as tools to empower low-income families.

However, the reality is more complex.

Many private schools have selective admission processes and may not offer the necessary support for students with disabilities or those requiring specialized services. Consequently, these programs can lead to increased segregation, leaving the most vulnerable students in underfunded public schools. Further, we recently learned that more than 70 percent of the voucher money spent this spring semester went to families making $75,000 a year and up, with nearly 21 percent of the vouchers going to families making more than $250,000. How is that empowering low-income families?

The program lacks the necessary guardrails such an investment should demand. Just last month, we learned that the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) was attempting to claw back about $5 million in private school vouchers providing for individuals whose kids did not attend private schools for the entire period the money was supposed to cover.

Tulsa World also reported OTC was ending its contract with an out-of-state company that was supposed to be operating the voucher program after numerous problems — that company was getting paid close to $4 million a year.

Instances of financial mismanagement and fraud have been documented in states with expansive voucher programs, highlighting the risks associated with insufficient oversight.

Public schools are held to rigorous

standards of accountability, ensuring that they meet specific educational benchmarks and adhere to nondiscriminatory practices. In contrast, private schools receiving voucher funds often operate with minimal to no oversight.

This lack of accountability raises concerns about the quality of education provided and the potential misuse of public funds.

In rural areas, public schools often serve as essential community hubs, providing not only education but also social services and a sense of identity.

The introduction of voucher programs threatens the viability of these schools by siphoning off critical funding. As resources dwindle, rural schools may be forced to consolidate or close, disrupting communities and limiting educational opportunities for students who may not have access to alternative schooling options.

Advocates claim that vouchers lead to better educational outcomes by fostering competition. However, research indicates that students utilizing vouchers often experience similar or worse academic performance compared to their public school counterparts. A study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that voucher programs do not consistently lead to improved academic achievement and may, in some cases, harm student learning.

The push for vouchers is part of a broader agenda to privatize education, undermining the public school system that has been the bedrock of our democracy. Public education is a public good, essential for fostering an informed citizenry and promoting social cohesion. Diverting funds to private institutions threatens this foundation and jeopardizes the principle of equal opportunity for all students.

As legislators, educators and citizens, we must reaffirm our commitment to strengthening public education. This involves investing in our public schools, supporting teachers and ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have access to high-quality education. Rather than diverting resources to privatization efforts, we should focus on policies that address the root challenges facing our public schools, such as inadequate funding, overcrowded classrooms, an ongoing shortage of highly qualified teachers and the need for comprehensive support services.

The allure of vouchers is based on the promise of choice and improved outcomes. However, the evidence suggests that these mechanisms often exacerbate inequities, drain public resources and fail to deliver on their promises.

Oklahoma’s future depends on a robust public education system that serves all students. It is our collective responsibility to protect and strengthen this vital institution, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, represents District 40 in the Oklahoma State Senate and is a former public school teacher committed to advocating for quality public education.

It may only take a couple dozen phone calls, emails, or other contact from constituents to get an issue on your legislators’ radar.

OKLAHOMA DELEGATION US Senator Markwayne Mullin Dist 5: Stephanie Bice (OKC) Dist 2: Josh Brecheen DC Tel: (202) 224-4721 DC Tel: (202) 225-2132 (Muskogee, NE Oklahoma) DC Fax: No Fax DCFax NOFAX DC Tel: (202) 225-2701 OKC tel: (405) 246-0025; OKC Ofc: ( 405) 300-6890 DC Fax: (202) 225-3038 Claremore: (918) 283-6262 Tulsa tel: (918) 921-8520 Dist 4: Tom Cole (NOR,SW OK) US Senator James Lankford DC Tel: (202) 225-6165 Dist 1: Kevin Hern (Tulsa) DC Tel: (202) 224-5754 DC Fax: (202) 225-3512 DC Tel: (202) 225-2211 DC Fax: (202) 228-1015 Norman Ofc: (405) 329-6500 DC Fax: (202) 225-9178 Tulsa: (918) 935-3222 OKC Ofc Tel: (405) 231-4941; Tulsa Ofc: (918) 581-7651 Dist 3: Frank Lucas (W. OK) DC Tel: (202) 225-5565 DC Fax: (202) 225-8698 OKC Ofc: (405) 373-1958

(405) 528-9900

John Kord Hammert Attorney at Law

The Cedars at Kelley Lake 909 Cedar Lake Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73144 O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 2 0 2 5

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chicken

friedNEWS

Fra-gee-lay

For the last two years, the town of Chickasha has attracted visitors to see its 40-foot replica of the Leg Lamp from the movie A Christmas Story. But like the mom in the movie who was determined to bring the lamp down, Warner Bros., the studio behind the movie, has ordered that the lamp be removed.

“It says cease and desist and tear it down,” Jim Cowman w it h t he Chickasha Community Foundation said about a letter he received from the studio last year.

The foundation, which constructed the lamp, said it plans to keep the statue in place. So far, there haven’t been any lawsuits filed.

It would be a shame if the lamp had to come down. As the movie’s star, Ralphie, said, the lamp was the “soft glow of electric sex.” As small-town roadside attractions go, electric sex is much more appealing than the word’s largest ball of yarn or just another statue to a dead white man.

Stitt-Walters feud

Gov. Kevin Stitt, who essentially gifted Ryan Walters to Oklahoma, is now criticizing him for creating “political drama” in the state Department of Education. The governor recently replaced three members of the state board of education who have provided some resistance to Walters’ agenda.

Walters has desperately tried to become a mini Donald Trump, and his feud with the governor is the most Trump thing he’s done so far. Trump has a way of alienating himself from those he once considered close. The fact that the Walters and Stitt bromance is now dissolving into a public squabble is very Trumpian.

Even though Walters is the Frankenstein’s monster that Stitt created, it’s nice to see the governor take somewhat of a stand against him now.

Beyond Stitt’s additions to the board of education, he also rebuked Walters for targeting undocumented students.

The best thing Stitt might do for Oklahoma is give Walters a new villain to focus on. For the past few years, former President Joe Biden was often Walters’ target. The more time Walters spent in his car recording “own the libs” videos, the less time he had to actually damage the state’s school system.

Veto threatened

Legalized sports betting is sweeping the nation,

8

but like most new trends, it isn’t likely to hit Oklahoma for several more years.

That’s largely because Gov. Kevin Stitt has opposed any sports betting effort that includes the state’s tribal governments.

Yes, the governor’s feud with Native Americans is still going on.

“We need more of a free market accountable system,” Stitt recently said. “[The tribes are] big businesses.”

More than 30 states have already legalized sports betting, which is quickly becoming America’s new pastime. Oklahoma already allows casino gambling through agreements with tribal governments across t he st ate.

Those agreements would give tribes a piece of any future sports betting action.

One would think sports betting would be a big hit in Oklahoma, a state that loves its vices.

But legalization doesn’t appear to be likely anytime

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soon, at least not while Stitt remains in office.

CHK campus

Chesapeake Energy was once one of Oklahoma City’s corporate titans, and it had the office campus to prove it. Its Chesapeake Bay-inspired architecture, babbling creek, and restaurant and fitness center amenities made it a cuttingedge office park.

However, after years of cuts and a recent merger and name change, Chesapeake Energy, now Expand Energy, is selling a large portion of its campus. There would seem to be many suitors for the newly available office space.

Oklahoma’s private school business is booming thanks to the state’s handout of free tuition to wealthy families. The former Chesapeake campus might offer the perfect opportunity for one of these schools to expand.

Maybe some of the office buildings could serve as a new Oklahoma County jail.

Then again, the region’s housing crisis could be partly resolved by converting some office buildings into affordable housing.

But let’s be honest: As Oklahoma City’s cycle of life continues, the most likely tenant is another oil and gas company.

91.7 FM

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Rockin’ green

From block parties to pub crawls and live music, OKC is the place for epic St. Patrick’s Day fun.

By Kimberly Walker

Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day with the best events in OKC! From epic street parties to bar crawls and festivals, the city has it all. Grab your crew, wear your best green, and dive into the celebrations—you won’t want to miss this weekend!

Stockyards City St. Patrick’s Parade

Stockyards City 2303 Exchange Ave. Get ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Stockyards-style, where Irish heritage meets Western flair! Head to Historic Stockyards City on Saturday, March 15, for a high-energy parade blending Oklahoma’s Irish roots with the rugged Stockyards spirit. Kicking off at 10 a.m., the iconic Slash O Ranch Longhorns lead the charge down Exchange Avenue, followed by St. Patrick himself, bagpipers, Irish dancers, rowdy Shriners, classic cars, pageant royalty, and equestrian crews.

Whether you’re here for the history,the fun, or the unbeatable St. Paddy’s spirit,

this is one celebration you won’t want to miss!

Sham-ROCK the Gardens

Myriad Botanical Gardens 301 W. Reno Ave. Get in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with family-friendly fun along the green-dyed waters of Myriad Botanical Gardens’ pond at Sham-ROCK the Gardens.

Explore kid-friendly activities like shamrock face-painting while enjoying green beer and tasty eats from Irish-themed food trucks. Gather around the Band Shell for live Celtic folk music, performances by the Oklahoma Scottish Pipe and Drums, and professional Irish dancers.

You can even learn to dance a jig with help from Irish clubs on-site!

O’Connell’s Irish Pub

769 Asp Ave., Norman Just minutes south of OKC, Norman knows how to throw down for St. Patrick’s Day. At O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille, the vibe is loud, wild, and any-

thing goes. This college-town hotspot serves up endless brews, live music, and rowdy karaoke, keeping the party raging all day long. Whether you’re throwing back a pint, a pitcher, or one of their towering “rockets” of bold Irish stouts like Guinness or Smithwick’s, you’re in for a full-throttle St. Paddy’s celebration.

McNellie’s St. Patrick’s Day

James E. McNellie’s Public House 1100 Classen Dr. McNellie’s 16th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Block Party is coming in hot, and it’s going to be an all-weekend street takeover! Kicking off at noon on Saturday, March 15th, this high-energy bash brings live music, vendor tents, and nonstop Irish revelry straight to North Walker— they’re shutting it down to bring the party outside. But don’t worry, all three floors of McNellie’s will be open, so you can celebrate however you like—inside, outside, or all over.

The Plaza District bar crawl

1745 NW 16th St. The Plaza is turning up the energy with a district-wide bar crawl Sunday, March 16th. A shamrock-fueled adventure through some of the best spots in town.

With support from local Plaza businesses, this bar crawl is hitting all the must-

Party goers enjoy the revelry at The Jones Assembly 2024 Paddy O’ Party. | Photo provided

visit stops, including Empire Slice House, Grand Royale, Radbar, The Margarita Garden, The Mule, OKC Improv, The Press, Up-Down, and more. Whether you’re crawling for the pints, the prizes, or just the unbeatable St. Paddy’s vibes, this is one party you don’t want to miss!

The Jones Assembly Paddy O’ Pary

The Jones Assembly 901 W. Sheridan Ave. Get ready for an all-day St. Patrick’s Day bash at The Jones Assembly with Paddy O’ Party, the ultimate celebration in OKC’s West Village District. This free event is packed with everything you need to keep the party going—festive food and drink specials, live music, and plenty of games to keep you and your crew entertained. Feast on colossal pretzels, bangers and mash, and loaded frites, while throwing back green beer, Irish car bombs, Guinness, and a specialty frosé.

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City cocktails Explore eight cocktails from around the city and the bars that proudly serve them.

By Daniel Bokemper

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you survived February’s frozen hellscape, and with any luck, March will be politely temperate. It’s unclear what else 2025 will throw at us, but just three incredibly long months in, at least one thing’s for certain: You deserve a drink.

In a city like ours, you’ve got your pick of the litter. Moscow Mules?

They’re a dime a dozen. Old Fashioneds?

Yeah, of course. Tokyo Highballs? In the Paseo, you’ll have one in your hand faster than you can say “Gorō Ramen.”

But if you’re in for something a little more unique with a story to boot, it’ll take just a bit of bar crawling. Luckily, you don’t have to go it alone. Let us be your guide as you book your preferred rideshare, pop a probiotic and prepare to responsibly drink these eight unique cocktails.

Bunker Club’s Manhattan Project Bacardi 4 aged rum, sweet and dry vermouth, sassafras bitters To kickstart your evening, you can find our first two entries within a few yards of each other. A staple of the 23rd Street strip, Oklahomans love to hunker down at Bunker Club, 433 NW 23rd St., for its cozy, Cold War aesthetic. But beyond the familiar Fallout vibes, you’ll notice its drinks pack an atomic punch, too.

Perhaps its most iconic cocktail, the Manhattan Project, is a perfect bold and smooth concoction to take with you as you sink into one of the bar’s many padded booths and wait out doomsday.

Unlike a typical Manhattan, the Bunker Mr. Rogers at Good for a Few | Photo provided

Club mixes its version with rum, which adds a slightly spicy sensation. To no surprise, this drink pairs especially well with the bar’s periodic burlesque performances or yet another discussion with some cinephiles about Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.

Ponyboy’s Ponyboy Paloma Coconut-washed tequila blanco, grapefruit oleo, lime Looking to dance yourself clean … and then immediately booze yourself back up with another cocktail? Ponyboy, 423 NW 23rd St., connected to the historic Tower Theatre, has got your back.

The close-quarter dance club is perfect for meeting new friends, embarrassing yourself with moves you should’ve definitely saved for a wedding reception and enjoying the bar’s namesake: the Ponyboy Paloma.

Tropical, citrusy and undeniably refreshing, this paloma introduces a hint of coconut to the traditional Mexican mixed drink. The Ponyboy Paloma is flavorful yet still light enough to enjoy while breaking a sweat. Or order three or four of them if you want anchor yourself in a corner and spend the night people-watching. You do you.

Library of Distilled Spirits’ Please to Matcha Matcha-infused gin, lavender-honey syrup, pineapple juice, lime juice, coconut cream, lavender bitters For something a little more laid back and subterranean, head over to Library of Distilled Spirits, 120 N. Robinson Ave., located below First National Center. This bar’s undeniable mystique immediately hits you as you pass through its entrance: a giant vault door. As the name implies, the Library maintains a catalogue of over 200 cocktails.

However, we’re looking for something one-of-a-kind, and one of the Library’s most unique concoctions is a greeting in and of itself: the Please to Matcha. This extremely sweet, ginbased drink is rich in flavor and packs the punch of a dessert. Even so, it isn’t so overwhelming or heavy that it will slow down your night.

Lunar Lounge’s Snake Bite Kit Aguardiente, Aperol, Amaro Montenegro, sumac orgeat, lime, Peychaud’s Bitters If you’re still in for something mysterious but tired of the underground, Lunar Lounge speakeasy, 1114 Classen

Drive, is an obvious choice for your next sip. But with its frequently cycling menu, you could benefit from advanced notice. Fortunately, we were able to secure an early tip about a cocktail the speakeasy will debut after March 16.

Meet the cure to what ails you: the Snake Bite Kit. You might be familiar with the Snake Bite — a mix of lager and cider — but Lunar Lounge’s Snake Bit Kit is all parts liquor. It’s hard to guess how this interesting mix might go down, but chances are, you’ll go down, too, after just a few rounds. Given the blend of lime and aguardiente, it’s reasonable to suspect this cocktail will bring a citrusy curve to something with a slight, peppery kick.

However it tastes, we happily welcome this antivenom.

Good for a Few’s Mr. Rogers Pie Junkie key lime pie rum blend, lime, macadamia, Caribbean pineapple Don’t miss this not-quite-speakeasy nestled snuggly in the Plaza District.

Hidden behind a bookshelf, Good for a Few, 1705 NW 16th St., Suite B, is the perfect bar to catch up, reminisce and otherwise get lost in chatter. It’s also home to several cocktails that are the equivalent of alcoholic comfort food, including the unforgettable Mr. Rogers.

Like a hug from a longtime friend, this delicious mixture will easily satisfy your sweet tooth, thanks to a key ingredient courtesy of the Plaza’s own Pie Junkie, 1711 NW 16th St. Still, even this drink isn’t overwhelming, as the lime and pineapple give it a refreshingly smooth finish. The appropriately named Mr. Rogers is perfect for striking up a conversation and washing away the day’s worries.

Flamingo TIKI Room’s Mai Tai Blanco Rhum Agricole, aged Jamaican rum, orange curaçao, lime, orgeat OK, maybe a Mai Tai isn’t the most unique drink under the sun. But you’d be hard-pressed to find an authentic one in the middle of Oklahoma, let alone a Tiki bar itself. No matter the time of year, the Historic Paseo Arts District’s Flamingo TIKI Room is ready to serve you with the flavors of an island. (Yes, even in a land-locked state.)

Sweet, fruity and a little bit nutty, Flamingo’s Mai Tai strikes all the familiar chords, including the palate cleanser that is its delicious, white-rum base. Just remember it doesn’t take many of these cocktails before you’re stumbling over to FRIDA Southwest, 500 Paseo, to demand a reservation.

Manhattan Project at the Bunker Club | Photo provided

signature drink, the Vitamin G. The pure, slightly sweeter gin drink drops the frills for just a direct punch of flavor.

Not overbearing or so straightforward its boring, the Vitamin G is one of the best ways to wrap up the night. That and maybe one of the bar and grill’s ohso-delectable cheeseburgers.

Good Times’ juice pouches Yasss Bitch, Rum Punch and Tequila Blues You’re not down for the count yet.

We’ve still got enough time in the night to be children again … except we can legally drink and have day jobs. The outdoor patio at Good Times, 1234 N. Western Ave., is great for, well, a good time — especially during the spring and summer.

And there’s no better way to chill than with one of its three juice pouches, each with its own twist. The Tequila Blues is sort of like a Capri Sun but way more exciting. The Yasss Bitch, on the other hand, is a classic blend of vodka and cranberry juice that’s hard to quit.

Finally, the Rum Punch offers a tropical blend that rises above all three in terms of bright, fruity flavor. But let’s be real.

You should really try all three.

Snake Bite Kit at Lunar Lounge | Photo provided

Bar Arbolada’s Vitamin G Gin, celery, green apple, lime, sugar If some of these cocktails have gotten a little too complicated for your liking, there’s nothing wrong with something simple. On Film Row, Bar Arbolada, 637 W. Main St., is happy to oblige with its O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 2 0 2 5

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Speaking easy

While speakeasies got their name because you had to speak about them “easy” (quietly) since they were illegal, you can talk about these five metro gems (plus two bonus bars) as loudly as you’d like.

By Julie Porter Scott

Tucked away behind unmarked doors, hidden inside restaurants or just otherwise elusive, these sneaky bars bring a touch of Prohibition-era mystery to the prairie. Whether you’re searching for cocktail culture, an intimate setting or a unique spot for a night out with friends, we’ve got the codeword.

those who appreciate quality over quantity. The bartenders there are some of the best in the biz; when you don’t know what you want, they do. The tiny space keeps things organically exclusive, meaning the menu does not need to bow to trends or gimmicks.

This bar could be anywhere, and across all five senses, you could easily convince yourself you’re in another city entirely. If you’re lucky enough to find your way inside, you’ll be rewarded with a thoughtful menu of inventive drinks, each made with equal parts precision and creativity. the daley 500 NW 28th St. fridasouthwest.com 405-683-7432

Enjoy the full FRIDA menu along with cocktails at the daley. | Photo Humankind Hospitatlity

Lunar Lounge 1114 Classen Drive lunarloungeokc.com For those who love the thrill of uncovering a secret, Lunar Lounge absolutely delivers. Look for an unmarked glass door near James E. McNellie’s Public House, 1100 Classen Drive, and lean into your sense of adventure. This is maybe the speakeasiset of the speakeasies in OKC, not just because it’s well and truly tucked away, but because it’s so cool. The brainchild of Julia McLish of nearby Barkeep Supply fame, Lunar Lounge has become an industry hangout, but all are welcome. In addition to killer seasonal cocktail menus, McLish and partner Zach Armfield have established an excellent content calendar featuring vinyl-only nights, emo rabbit holes, cocktail competitions, pop-ups by local foodie favorites and more. Don’t take our word for it: Follow @lunarloungeokc on Instagram for the insider info.

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7408 North May Avenue | LaBaguetteBistro.com (405) 840-3047 @labaguettebistro

Good For a Few 1705 NW 16th St., Suite B goodforafew.com As the name suggests, Good For a Few is a small, intimate bar designed for

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The jewel in the crown of Paseo’s Humankind Hospitality, FRIDA Southwest, has been challenging the status quo since it opened in 2019. In simultaneously creating the daley, Humankind really outdid itself.

Thanks to a carefully curated menu of handcrafted cocktails, a whiskey library and stunning interiors by Emily Fiaccone, you’re already ahead of the game when you belly up to this bar. Add the fact that the full FRIDA menu is served at the daley, and we’re hard pressed to think of a better night on the town. This is an especially good choice when you want to be out, but don’t necessarily want to see everyone and their dog.

The Hamilton Supperette & Lounge 12232 N. May Ave. thehamiltonokc.com 405-849-5115 Tucked away inside Northpark Mall (but only accessible from an otherwise empty parking lot ’round the back), The Hamilton already feels like a bit of a classified file, and it’s also home to a speakeasy-style lounge located toward the back of the restaurant. If you’ve watched Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen, this will all feel familiar: Framed portraiture meets leather furniture, an entire wall of spirits and the occasional taxidermied mammal.

The drinks are on point, the food is wonderful, and the Fridayland people watching is always chef’s kiss.

THE ULTIMATE DINING EXPERIENCE SINCE 1973

Library of Distilled Spirits 120 N. Robinson Ave. Iibraryofdistilledspiritsokc.com 405-900-6835 Tucked away inside The National, one of Oklahoma City’s most iconic historic buildings, Library of Distilled Spirits is worth seeking out. While not exactly top secret, it gets a mention for being located inside an actual vault.

Library of Distilled Spirits is more than just a clever name; the bar houses more than 1,500 unique spirits and has 200 classic cocktails on the menu. Be sure to check out the Library’s Encyclopedia, which highlights the history of making liquor. After a Thunder game or before a gala in the hotel’s ballroom, there’s nothing incognito about this gin joint; it’s a place to sip, see and be seen.

Honorable mentions Later Bye 301 NW 13th St., Suite 101 laterbyeokc.com 405-768-3208 Later Bye is absolutely not a speakeasy.

There’s no password, but there is a sign, and the team behind the concept that opened last November would absolutely love for their wonderful bar to no longer be the city’s best kept secret.

All are welcome, and if you like delicious bites with your handcrafted drinks, this may very well become your

CELEBRATING 52 YEARS IN OKLAHOMA CITY

The ambiance of The Hamilton Supperette & Lounge in Northpark Mall provides the perfect speakeasy experience. | Photo provided

new favorite bar. (It’s seriously maybe one of the best menus in the 405 right now.) On the drinks front, from its low-ABV cocktails to classics (admittedly, classics made with a bit of liberty), the main thing this lovely little spot has in common with speakeasies is it’s the kind of place you feel lucky to have found.

51st Street Speakeasy 1114 NW 51st St. 51stspeakeasy.com 405-463-0470 Finally, while it’s technically not a speakeasy (the giant sign announcing it as such pretty much disqualifies it from the category), we’d be remiss not to mention OKC mainstay 51st Street Speakeasy. It opened in 2007 and has since outlived dozens of competitors by keeping it real: $5 burgers, live music and an extensive list of local beers. The big house it calls home has lots of different rooms for cozying up with a drink and friend, including the nod to its name: a hidden room worth taking the time to find. As the city has grown up around it, The Speak abides.

Handcrafted drinks from low-ABV cocktails to the classics can be had at Later Bye. | Photo Steven Idlet

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Fresh Italian

84 Hospitality Group’s newest restaurant is a light but cozy taste of Italian-American cuisine.

By Brittany Pickering

Elisabetta Fine Italian & Wine 7300 N. Western Ave. elisabettaokc.com 405-849-9281 WHAT WORKS: The risotto Milanese is perfect.

WHAT NEEDS WORK: The pasta was slightly too al dente.

TIP: Order the ice cream; it’s more intricate than the menu makes it seem.

Publisher Kimberly Walker and I received the invitation to attend the soft opening of new fine Italian-American concept Elisabetta on a quiet Thursday morning and couldn’t pass up the chance to see 84 Hospitality Group’s newest creation. (I never say no to Italian food.)

84 Hospitality partnered with Austin, Texas, group Excelsior Hospitality for Elisabetta, and the inspiration for this restaurant is less a single Italian region or chef’s vision and more an ode to finding what’s possible in Italian American cooking.

Fresh Beef tartare with crispy Carta di Musica | Photo 84 Hospitality

Elisabetta is located in the former Chae Cafe space in Nichols Hills at NW 72nd Street and N. Western Avenue. My husband and I ate brunch at Chae Cafe regularly and spent many hours there, relaxing and talking with friends.

Walking into the completely transformed space with mood lighting and stunning clean wood finishes was a bit surreal. The restaurant’s vibe has completely changed from bright and relaxing to upscale, warm and cozy, which is not a bad thing. Instead of lazy Sunday afternoons, Elisabetta offers an intimate atmosphere perfect for intimate conversations lingering over wine and rich comfort food.

Lemon theme

We started the evening with the recommended drinks: Rum Lemon-Berry Milk Punch and Amici Chardonnay. The rum lemon-berry milk punch was beautifully fruity and lemony, and Kimberly said the Amici Chardonnay was fruity and dry.

Elisabetta’s menu is large and broken out into five sections: starters, pasta, entrées, sides and dessert. The waiter recommended we order an appetizer and pasta to share and then have separate entrées and sides. While we were deciding, we snacked on crunchy breadsticks that also served as an artful table centerpiece.

The breadsticks were herby, but the Parmesan cheese gave them the perfect amount of nuttiness. The only downside to the breadsticks is that they’re very long and crunchy, so when I tried to snap one in two, pieces of breadstick flew through the air.

For our appetizer, we ordered beef tartare, which came with some delicious peppery crackers that I could have snacked on all night. I’m not a huge fan of beef, but it was mixed with cilantro and was a fresh, light introduction to the menu. There was also an accompanying spicy sauce which had a nice flavor that wasn’t too strong, but definitely steer clear if spice is not your jam. One taste had me reaching for my drink with tears in my eyes. It just kept getting spicier even though I hadn’t had any more.

We shared the Mezzaluna pasta stuffed with whipped ricotta, beech mushrooms, hazelnuts and barre noisette. Despite the edges of the pasta being a little too al dente for my taste, it had a fresh, lemony flavor and a creamy texture, and I couldn’t get enough of the delicious mushrooms.

For my entrée and side, I ordered panseared sea bass and risotto Milanese.

The sea bass was one of the best fish dishes I’ve ever ordered in a restaurant, flaky but still moist and flavorful. It was served with marinated artichokes and salsa verde. I love artichokes and don’t get to eat them very often at home, as my husband is not a fan. These contraband artichokes were tender with a slightly lemony flavor. I’m a big fan of the bright freshness lemon adds to a dish, and it was a subtle thread running through each course. I’m not sure if it’s a purposeful theme or if I just gravitated to all the dishes that included it, but it’s there for the taking if you’re into it. Though less of a lemon lover, Kimberly said it felt classy and refined, not heavy handed.

Risotto Milanese is a saffron-infused risotto cooked in beef stock with onions, shallots, butter, white wine and

Parmesan cheese. Elisabetta’s version was perfectly cheesy and with a hint of lemon and had a nice amount of garlic, and I was relieved that it was not overly mushy. I could eat that risotto multiple times a week.

Kimberly ordered the grilled half chicken with capers, lemon and herb butter and olive oil crushed potatoes.

The chicken was super moist, with the perfect amount of crispiness and flavor. Chicken is probably one of America’s most cooked entrées, but it’s surprisingly easy to mess up. I steer clear from it on its own in restaurants most of the time, but I was happy to try it and find that it wasn’t dry at all. The most surprising standout of the main course were the crushed potatoes, which were super crispy on the outside but still soft on the inside and had the perfect amount of seasoning.

By this point in the evening, we had definitely eaten too much, but the dessert menu was too enticing to pass up. We decided to order two and share.

The chocolate budino tart — crème fraîche caramel, brown sugar chocolate budino (milk and egg custard thickened with cornstarch) and torched meringue — was so popular that they were already sold out, but we were intrigued by the zeppole, a funnel cake crossed with a cheesecake with a sweet lemon curd that seemed like the perfect tart, zesty ending to my lemon-themed meal. They were nice — sugary and chewy — but a

top, pan seared sea bass, bottom, Mezzaluna | Photo 84 Hospitality

little lackluster in comparison to everything else. They were a bit too big to eat much of after we had just eaten three full courses. In lieu of the budino tart, we ordered the sweet cream soft serve with Sicilian pistachios and pistachio oil. It was a beautiful, creamy ice cream with the perfect amount of vanilla topped with crunchy pistachios that seemed a lot like caramel praline. We did not want to stop eating it and kept going back for bites even after we said we were finished.

Overall, I think Elisabetta is a cozy, upscale Italian restaurant perfect for special occasions. I’ll definitely be back for more.

Elisabetta is reservation-only at the moment and is closed on Sundays. Visit elisabettaokc.com.

above, sweet cream soft serve with Sicilian pistachios, right, delightfully sugary zeppole | Photo 84 Hospitality

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Metro mocktails

Local establisments have expanded their drink menus to accomodate a wider demographic, so if you’ve extended your Dry January into a Sober Spring (or you have other reasons you’re not currently imbibing), check out one of these local mocktails.

By Lauren Thomas-Martin with photos by Quit Nguyen and provided

Vices Bar and Venue

1701 State Highway 66, El Reno facebook.com/vicesbar 405-295-6426­ Bailey’s Drink with strawberry puree and pineapple and orange juices was crafted specifically for a Vices regular who needed to reduce their alcohol intake but wanted to still feel included in the night life. If you like piña coladas, try The Mermaid with lime, orange and pineapple juices, piña colada mix and a splash of grenadine. Hot tip: These are best enjoyed on a summer night while vibing on one of Vices’ backyard couches.

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The R&J Lounge and Supper Club 320 NW 10th St. rjsupperclub.com 405-602-5066

Grabbing brunch just became a little less painful. R&J’s nonalcoholic Painkiller made with pineapple and orange juices and coconut, is a vitamin-infused refresher perfect for the morning after your late night before. Chef Russ Johnson’s nextgen supper club offers swanky decor and family-favorite recipes, and you can bring your dog to the climate-controlled patio!

OK Cider Co.

705 W. Sheridan Ave. okciderco.com 405-501-8877 OK Cider Co. on Film Row provides over a dozen gluten-free ciders on tap, including its nonalcoholic Kinder Cider. Kinder as in child, not kinder as in nicer, the Kinder Cider is the base juice used to make all of OK Cider’s alcoholic ciders.

Tim King with OK Cider Co. said, “By volume, our Kinder Cider is always in our top 5 sellers on tap.” At just $1 per glass, you really can’t go wrong — unless you’re allergic to apples.

Ma Der Lao Kitchen

1634 N. Blackwelder Ave., Suite 102 maderlaokitchen.com 405-900-5503 Ma Der invites you to spice up your life with Chef Jeff Chanchaleune’s family-style dishes in the Plaza District. Ma Der’s Spice Girls mocktail combines vibrant flavors of tarragon and lavender (we think of it as the Posh Spice of the drink), orange (Baby Spice), ginger (Scary Spice), tonic (Sporty Spice) and lemon (Ginger Spice) in a beautiful martini glass to help you not feel like a wannabe when you get with your friends for drinks and a delicious meal.

Resonant Head

400 SW 25th St., Suite A resonanthead.com Resonant Head’s warm and psychedelic-fair atmosphere in the heart of Capitol Hill includes comfortable perimeter booths and plenty of standing room, making it a gem for catching a concert.

Its Flask of Wondrous Physick featuring Fever Tree ginger beer, chai simple syrup and lemon juice is a fun and fizzy nonalcoholic option to rock out with.

Republic Gastropub 5830 N. Classen Blvd. republicgastropub.com 405-286-4577

Add a little intrigue to your evening with Republic Gastropub’s newest Pretty Little Liars-inspired mocktails made with Lyre’s nonalcoholic spirits. Hanna features zero-proof white wine and bitters, lemon, simple syrup and soda. Spencer is its vegan riff on a Tom Collins with hibiscus ginger beer, simple syrup, nonalcoholic gin and Fee Foam, an egg-white substitute that creates the signature fizz.

Stonecloud Brewing Company 1012 NW First St., Suite 101 stonecloudbrewing.com 405-602-3966

If electrolytes are what you crave, Stonecloud Brewing Company has them.

Its Fuzzy Rabbit Sparkling Hops come in classic mocktail flavors like Prickly Pear Mule and its version of a Mojito.

Each of the five available Fuzzy Rabbit options have added antioxidants and electrolytes to keep you fuelled. If you need a little cognitive function help, try the Lion’s Mane Limeade made with 300mg of the focus-supporting fungi.

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ARTS & CULTURE

Grand achievement

The new OKANA resort in Oklahoma boasts impressive slides, food and views and promises a unique experience.

By Julie Porter Scott

If you’ve lived in Oklahoma long enough, especially if you grew up here, you can pinpoint a few experiences where you just really didn’t feel like you were in Oklahoma anymore. Your first Thunder home game, you probably had to remind yourself once or twice, “Yes, I’m still in Oklahoma.” The first few times you wandered through Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, you might have pinched yourself.

OKANA is that feeling writ large. Even after a full staycation there, I still couldn’t quite shake the feeling that we weren’t in Oklahoma anymore. At least not any Oklahoma we’ve ever known — which is, perhaps, exactly the point.

At the end of a bitterly cold week in February, as huge chunks of ice floated in the Oklahoma River through the Horizons District, the decision was made to move the ribbon-cutting indoors. It did nothing to dampen the mood; it seemed fitting to have the celebration inside, where the weather would be pleasant and the water 82 degrees, no matter the season.

During the celebration, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said the $400 million project continues the Chickasaw Nation’s commitment to create opportunities for tourism growth and economic momentum in the state.

“Cultural tourism has long been integral to our investment and enterprise strategy. We recognize the significance of the tourism industry for Oklahoma, given its inherent appeal as a destination for cultural tourism, showcasing both First American heritage and world-class attractions,” Governor Anoatubby stated. “We are confident that OKANA, First Americans Museum and Horizons District will attract increased visitation to Oklahoma, functioning as both a destination and a hub for those interested in exploring other regional attractions.”

Additionally, Exhibit C Gallery, also owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation, has moved its location next to First Americans Museum (FAM) and OKANA. The reimagined 10,000-squarefoot First Americans retail gallery features a multi-use gallery space and seven rental art studios for First American artists. The gallery space will work collaboratively to partner with FAM to complement the museum’s programs and activities.

“We are excited for this momentous opening of OKANA,” said Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Commerce Dan Boren.

“OKANA is a testament to Governor Anoatubby’s visionary leadership. His foresight, coupled with the strong collab18

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orative relationship we share with the City of Oklahoma City, has been instrumental in realizing the OKANA project. This resort will not only serve as a prominent landmark for Oklahoma and Oklahoma City but will also function as a substantial economic catalyst, driving job growth and generating opportunities for all residents of this region.”

The conference and convention traffic that will be generated means growth and development for the entire area, and the job creation is an economic developer’s dream.

According to the Chickasaw Nation, OKANA’s construction phase generated 1,404 annual jobs. The employee count at opening is more than 400, and OKANA is expected to make an annualized economic impact of about $98 million in its first year of operation. Over the next decade, OKANA is projected to drive $1.3 billion in spending and generate nearly $214 million in tax revenue for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County and the state. Full-time employment is projected to expand to as many as 625 direct and indirect jobs annually.

The economic impact is staggering, but perhaps even more important is the impact the resort will have on how the city is perceived, especially on a national stage. With OKC as an Olympics location already within view, an icon like OKANA is suddenly the only way you can imagine any of that working well. It provides an ecosystem for something as robustly complicated as hosting any part of the Olympics. It gives us new language for how we would even handle the scope of such an event, much less do so with something approaching aplomb.

“We believe OKANA is not only a source of joy and recreation for travelers but also a valuable asset for our community, offering exhilarating water adventures, elevated dining and entertainment,” Managing Director Ken Leone shared. “We’re thrilled to open our doors to both guests and locals to experience the magic of OKANA.” The operative word in that sentiment is magic. It’s easy to be cynical, but OKANA really is magic, from the jaw-dropping achievement of it all down to the smallest, most thoughtful details. As an adult, it’s rare to be so excited for something, but I’ve been excited about OKANA for a long time.

The project broke ground in October 2022, and I’ve watched it go up during my commute. Over the last few months, I found myself unable to look away, quite literally. Several times, I almost missed my exit as I passed OKANA on my right.

Finally, one evening around dusk, when all the letters were finally lit, I really did miss it. As I looped back around to get

headed in the right direction, I continued to marvel at the sheer achievement of it all. Hopes were high, to say the least.

Impressive space

Pulling up to OKANA for our stay, our kids were absolutely overwhelmed by the size. The waterslides that twist and turn outside the building before charging back in have been the subject of much discussion in our household for months now, but it’s easy to forget just how cool this is for kids to see up close.

The imagination of it all, the colors, the scale — it’s a gift to give them such a tangible example of creativity personified in their hometown. We’ve taken our kids to Grapevine, Texas, for both The Gaylord Texan and Great Wolf Lodge; OKANA is like both of those had a bigger, better, bolder baby. You can just imagine the team that spent thousands of hours finding the newest technology, the top examples to emulate, the problems to overcome, the best use of the grand spaces, the smallest details of the guest rooms. We’ve been told for a while that OKANA would redefine family entertainment and luxury. It is a thrill when these great claims are not only met, but exceeded by far.

Four hundred million dollars is a hard number for most of us to quantify, but as you make your way through OKANA, that tally begins to make sense. Obviously, we’ve all thought about the resort and the waterpark, but this is so much more than that. Oklahoma City didn’t just get a gorgeous new hotel and a massive new water

park; these are brand-new places to go out, meet up with friends, go on a date.

Even one of these restaurants opening would be a big deal all over social media for weeks, but OKANA boasts 13 different food and drink outlets. Beyond that, there is a 20,000-square-foot family entertainment center with interactive arcade games, two-story laser tag and an escape room. Don’t forget 27,000 square feet of conference center space, a full-service day spa and retail. As I roamed the staggeringly impressive space, I came up with a dozen new ideas for the birthday parties, class reunions, family reunions and company retreats. As a parent, the math was simple and profound: I was watching my kids make core memories in real time.

A hundred thousand square feet is a huge number to process, but stepping into the expansive waterpark, you kind of get an idea. As you begin to experience the waterslides — 15 of them, all told — you start to wonder how they packed it all in. Body slides, tube slides and raft slides offer something for everyone. A state-of-the-art wave pool provides an unparalleled experience, and an immersive “lazy” river seems to warrant a more adventurous moniker, at least as you careen around corners and navigate tube traffic. Although we didn’t make it around to these areas, the kiddie pool and the adult section were buzzing with activity and seemed to offer something for everyone.

The food

Within the waterpark is an eclectic col-

OKANA water park provides the perfect staycation getaway. | Photo provided

lection of food and beverage options: Sliders, a fast-casual burger bar using quality ingredients; Kaya, bringing casual Asian street food inspired by Japanese pubs; Pizza Lab, serving Neapolitan-style pizzas and calzones from a stone hearth oven; The Dive Bar, a casual, indoor venue for guests looking to socialize while enjoying an adult beverage; and Frosty Flamingo, welcoming guests to cool down with Hawaiian-style shave ice complete with a variety of vibrant flavors and toppings. It’s worth noting that these concessions come with resort prices, so plan ahead if you’re on a budget or sending kids on their own. They could rack up some pretty serious damage if unleashed with their wristbands.

Beyond concessions, the culinary experience is shaping up nicely. We enjoyed Jack Rabbit, inspired by Oklahoma’s black-tailed jackrabbit.

Everything we had was fresh, expertly prepared and surprisingly priced, especially compared to the concessions pricing. The IPA fish and chips, with hand-cut fries, jalapeño tartar sauce, and fennel slaw ($23), was perfectly fried with a light, crispy crust on the outside and flaky whitefish inside. The

dishes, from a variety of signature mac ’n cheese dishes to elevated franks and patties. Guests are also welcome to perfect their pitch or swing for the fences with high-definition baseball simulators.

Video is a hip little taqueria offering freshly made tacos and premium tequila, more quick-service than the sit-down nature of neighboring Jack Rabbit.

Finally, Smokehouse Social will serve barbeque and craft cocktails alongside a variety of sports simulators.

starting at 4 p.m., followed by a full day Saturday before checking out on Sunday. To each their own, and I especially appreciate that there are ways to make lots of different plans work based on your budget (and your wherewithal for complicated logistics).

on a time that my grandparents and greatgrandparents were reluctant to revisit.

Man-made lakes became a central feature in Oklahoma’s topography following the Dust Bowl. These modern marvels helped reshape a region that survived the horrors of the worst eco-

The rooms

After a big time at the waterpark, it was time to see our room, which was really the Inkana suite, with two queen beds and one king bed with a semiprivate living area. The suite was welcoming and boasted both modern design and thoughtful touches of First American artistic expression. The suite had three 65-inch ultra-high-definition televisions, and it was very easy to log into our streaming apps. Not that we spent much time on screens. The suite features a balcony overlooking the impressive outdoor lagoon. We were excited to see the beach-style pool, complete with a sandy shore, cabanas and a swim-up bar. In total, the resort’s 11-story hotel comprises 404 well-appointed rooms, each offering modern amenities and stunning views of either the riverfront or the lagoon. With 10 distinct room and suite types available, there seems to be a range of options for different sizes of groups and different budgets. Waterpark passes are included for all registered guests.

Our little family of four stayed for one night only. We were pleased to learn hotel guests have access to the waterpark from open to close on both the day of your check-in and your checkout, which is cool.

The hard part is packing for such a scenario. Lockers are available for a fee, so you can bring the bare minimum with you if you want to get your waterpark on before the 4 The entertainment center boasts interactive arcade games, a two-story laser tag and an escape room. | Photo Julie Porter Scott p.m. check-in time. However, if you’ve parked your car with the Cobb salad, one of the menu’s glutenvalet, getting your luggage for check-in free options, was a good value, thanks will require some creativity. Similarly, to an Oklahoma-size portion ($17). The if you want to visit the waterpark on the bacon cheeseburger, served on a day of checkout, while you technically brioche bun with hand-cut fries ($23), have waterpark access all day, you’ll was one of the best burgers I’ve had in need to be out of your room by noon. a long time, and not much more expenMaximizing slide time is possible, but sive than you can find locally at a nonif you’d like to avoid the meticulous planning involved in all of that, the resort restaurant. We were also pleasantly surprised by the wine list and easiest plan is to book a minimum twococktail selection. I can see myself night stay, which would give you three going there beyond visits to the resort. full days to waterpark to your heart’s Other concepts include Curveball content. If it’s within your budget, the Kitchen, a baseball-inspired dining experfect plan is a Friday afternoon checkperience featuring twists on classic in with room and waterpark access

For those not staying overnight, day passes are available for purchase online or at the front desk, granting access to the waterpark and (when in season) lagoon facilities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the resort’s offerings. There is a 10% discount for both active-duty military and veterans, and evening passes are available for purchase, with rates starting at $24.99.

OKANA’s outdoor adventure lagoon is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and from what we could see from our ninth-floor balcony, it’s basically ready. This 4.5-acre area is home to an inflatable obstacle course that challenges agility and balance and a unique “fly pool” equipped with a zip line, allowing guests to soar above the water before making a splash. The lagoon’s design seamlessly integrates with the natural beauty of the Oklahoma River. Come for the sand, sun and splash, but stay for the luxury cabana.

Meaningful development

As we gathered up our exhausted, blissedout children for our 20-minute drive back to the real world to prepare for a full week of school, my thoughts finally landed on something I hadn’t been able to fully articulate until the fun was over. As we made promises to return as often as possible, I thought back on the time that led to this achievement. I’m not a member of one of the 39 tribes that call Oklahoma home; I wouldn’t dare call myself a native Oklahoman. I am merely a fourth-generation Oklahoman, and my progressive family raised me to understand this state in no way began with a land run. But as a fourth-generation Oklahoman, my greatgrandmother did raise her children, including my grandfather, during the Dust Bowl and the Depression near Lawton.

Books like The Worst Hard Time and, more recently, The Four Winds have shed light

OKANA’s outdoor adventure lagoon is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. | Photo Julie Porter Scott

logical disaster of our times. As I enjoyed the incredible fortune of spending the weekend at OKANA with my happy children, I couldn’t help but think of OKANA as another of Oklahoma’s many man-made water wonders. Would my great-grandparents have been able to fathom the North Canadian River, so alive and thriving that it would become an outpost for water sports in the Olympics? Would my great-grandmother, as she scrimped and saved, ever have imagined that one day we’d have acres upon acres of land turned into sea just for our enjoyment and entertainment?

And then I’m reminded that all this fun is just a cover for the real play. This is really about commerce, tourism and economic development. It’s about job creation and diversification, to create a more durable economy than the one before OKANA. It’s about the increased opportunity that comes from raising the bar, from creating opportunity out of thin air, or in this case, a lot of water. It’s about the resilience of the Chickasaw Nation and all 39 tribes that call Oklahoma home. So while I expect our kids will clock many fun days at OKANA and friends will come from all over to see it, and even as I may forget from time to time as I get caught up in the revelry of a girls’ night or the relaxation of a spa day, OKANA is an absolutely audacious play for our future.

In celebration of OKANA’s opening, the resort launched its “DOORSOPEN” booking promotion offering specialty rates of up to 30% off. The offer is valid for stays from February 21 through April 30, 2025, welcoming guests to make a splash this spring.

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ARTS

Sally and Jeff Starling, Christian Keesee and Larry Keigwin in front of Cloud City, by artist Tomás Saraceno | Photo Shevaun Williams

Grassroots arts

Local arts fundraiser Allied Arts is in the midst of its 2025 campaign to raise funds to support arts organizations across Oklahoma.

By Greg Horton

Allied Arts has hit the midway point of its 2025 campaign, and it has raised roughly half of its $3.9 million goal, according to president and CEO Sunny Cearley. The funds raised go to support more than 40 arts and culture organizations and agencies across Oklahoma.

“Three-point-nine million is a big number,” Cearley said. “I think about it every night when I’m getting ready for bed.

We have 25 member agencies, and Allied Arts’ contributions are as much as 15 percent of their annual budgets, and there are another 20-plus organizations and agencies we help fund as well. But we have a rockstar campaign team, and that gives me confidence that we’ll make it happen!”

The campaign team features chairs Sally and Jeff Starling and honorary chairs Christian Keesee and Larry Keigwin.

“I feel so lucky to have this team,” Cearley said. “Sally has raised millions for nonprofits through her efforts, and Christian is one of the great philanthropists for the arts in the history of the arts. They’ll be a great face of Allied Arts this year.”

The campaign kicked off Jan. 28 at Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, a partner organization where Jeff Starling has recently served on the board. It will conclude June 3 with a celebration party at Oklahoma City Ballet’s Susan E. Brackett Dance Center, 6800 N. Classen Blvd., where 20

M A R C H 2 0 2 5 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

Sally Starling was president of the board of trustees for seven years and remains a member at large for the board of trustees executive committee.

“We like to have our kickoff and celebration in venues associated with our partner organizations,” Cearley said.

The museum and ballet are two of the flagship organizations Allied Arts supports, but it also provides funding to many much smaller agencies and organizations.

“The ability to help the smaller organizations is really what attracted Jeff and me,” Sally Starling said. “Raising $3.9 million is a huge undertaking, so we’re counting on the support of the entire community to make it happen.”

To facilitate that, the Starlings and honorary chairs work with a network of volunteers that begins with a cabinet of volunteers of sorts. Representative members of various business communities — architects, engineers, attorneys, physicians, etc.

— reach out to members of their community to generate support. It’s been that way since Allied Arts began in 1971.

“When it started, Allied Arts was part of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce,” Cearley said. “The business leaders at the time recognized that for a city to grow and prosper, they needed to invest in arts and culture, and it was obviously a great investment, because we’re now the 20th largest city in the U.S. The fundraising then was all relational; the business leaders reached

out to others in their fields and friend groups to donate.”

The grassroots component of Allied Arts’ fundraising is still an important component. Starling notes that suggested donations begin at $60, an amount that earns the giver an OKCityCard that gives the bearer discounts at hundreds of businesses around Central Oklahoma.

“We have two other fundraising initiatives: OPUS and Artini,” Cearley said. “OPUS is our biennial cabaret with dinner, dancing and drinks. Artini is an annual event with a martini tasting featuring bartenders from local restaurants, entertainment and an art auction. Both these events are fun and great outreach for Allied Arts, but our signature fundraising initiative is still the campaign.”

The campaign relies heavily on the more than 20 volunteers comprising the cabinet.

“We look for people who have special knowledge or connections within a business community,” Cearley said. “It’s incredible that it’s still relational at that level after 50-plus years.

Many of our volunteers become enthusiastic supporters for decades. I like to tell people about James Pickel.”

Pickel was half of Smith & Pickel before selling the company — now Quad Construction — in 2013. He opted for farm life and has been instrumental in the success of Prairie Earth Gardens, but he’s also been volunteering with Allied Arts for 30 years.

“He just keeps finding us good people and great contributions every year,” Cearley said.

“We can’t do what we do without volunteers like James.”

rated exploration of the history, art, and reconciliation involving the experiences of the Cheyenne Ledger Artists of Fort Marion, and an examination of identity and artistic symbolism through Lighting Pathways: Matriarchs of Oklahoma Native Art, which featured seven indigenous female artists. These powerful representations of the West create an impressive lineup of special exhibitions, complemented by program offerings for local families that present a comprehensive mosaic of both the history and contemporary stories of the West.”

Beyond the partner agencies, Cearley said Allied Arts provides support to another 20-plus organizations to help with education, outreach and capacity building, and she noted that many of the flagship organizations have smaller initiatives that also benefit from the campaign.

“I love the Golden Swans,” she said.

“It’s a program through Oklahoma City Ballet that provides dance classes to people who consider themselves ‘golden.’

The classes for seniors help with movement and mobility issues, but it’s also a great place to socialize and interact with peers. Similar is the Dance for Parkinson’s, also a program of the ballet.

Dance has been proven to help with mobility and control over our bodies, two things that are critical for people suffering with Parkinson’s Disease. The ballet offers movement and dance classes three times a week, and many people show up

Golden partners

The 25 member agencies that benefit from the campaign include f lagships like Oklahoma City Ballet and Science Museum Oklahoma and other well-known organizations like the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City Museum of Art and Oklahoma City Philharmonic, but also smaller, lesserknown groups that enrich our state, like Prairie Dance Theatre, Firehouse Art Center and Ambassadors Concert Choir.

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum uses the donations to help fund multiple programs. It sent a brief statement about how the funds are used: “The Museum utilizes allocations to support a diverse range of temporary exhibitions and engaging programs. The 2024 exhibition lineup included a celebration of indigenous WWII veterans through Nations at War! Field Sketches of a Pawnee Warrior, a community co-cu-

Allied Arts president and CEO Sunny Cearley | Photo provided

for every class!”

The list of agencies and programs helped by Allied Arts is as diverse as Oklahoma itself, and many of the small organizations provide important services and programs to niche communities, meaning all Oklahomans are represented in the beneficiaries of the campaign.

“It’s a big task, but we have fun doing this!” Cearley said. “I was a donor for 12 years before taking this job, and one of my favorite parts of the job now is that we get to share in the thrill of being successful in achieving a huge goal every year.”

Visit alliedartsokc.com.

FILM

ARTS & CULTURE

Doc dose

This month’s local screenings include a healthy serving of renouned documentaries. By Phil Bacharach

For fans of groundbreaking documentaries, especially those concerning life and culture in the groovy (and not-sogroovy) 1960s, March in Oklahoma City offers an embarrassment of riches thanks to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and Rodeo Cinema Stockyards.

The museum docs will make you think and feel, while the Rodeo lineup will make you dance.

blood. Titicut Follies proved so upsetting that Massachusetts corrections officials successfully litigated to prevent it from being screened by the public, a court order that remained until 1991.

Ain’t that America?

Beginning March 13 and continuing each Thursday through April 24, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art presents Frederick Wiseman: Documenting American Life, a seven-film retrospective spotlighting arguably America’s greatest documentary maker. The Boston attorney-turned-moviemaker, who turned 95 earlier this year, pioneered the cinéma verité style that seeks to document its subject matter as realistically and honestly as possible. Eschewing voiceover narration, interviews and music cues in his docs, Wiseman has steadfastly refused to spoon-feed viewers over seven decades of landmark films.

HIGH SCHOOL Wiseman’s 1968 sophomore effort is a densely fascinating portrait of life in a Pennsylvania high school. High School exemplifies the richness of Wiseman’s ostensibly detached approach. Film critics of the time saw the doc as evidence of an oppressive education system that valued conformity and respect for authority above all else — and to be sure, High School features plenty of students being chewed out for

W E L FA R E sionate, such as when an officer tries consoling a lost and crying toddler.

Best of the lot is Welfare. Released in 1975, this epic work examines a maddening bureaucratic maze that would have given Kafka the shakes. Embedded in a windowless welfare office in New Yo r k ’s Lower Manhattan, Wiseman’s flyon-the-wall camera catches scene after scene of desperation and rage. Some of the welfare workers try hard to help the clients; others are jaded and confrontational.

Happy resolutions are nearly nonexistent. Welfare clocks in at nearly three hours, but it is continually riveting, such as a jaw-droppingly racist conversation between a mentally disabled veteran and a Black security guard. Like Titicut Follies, Welfare is a challenging watch, but a vital one.

While the institutions that interest Wiseman vary — an asylum, a school, a police department, the welfare system — common threads emerge. The allure of following rules. The diminution of critical thinking. The seemingly constant undercurrent of racism.

Wiseman’s approach is presumably objective, but he has a definite point of view. These films are meticulously structured, purposeful and tick along to a discreet inner rhythm.

this month: 1968’s Monterey Pop, 1970’s Woodstock and 2021’s Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised).

MONTEREY POP Monterey Pop spotlights the 1967 music festival in Monterey, California, but director D.A. Pennebaker delivers more than simply awesome tunes. Immersed in scenes of hippy-dippy bacchanalia, the film nails the charmingly naïve flowerpower vibe of the era. As one would expect, the music is superb. The concert made a star of Otis Redding and confirmed the preternatural soulfulness of Janis Joplin.

The Who, Jefferson Airplane and the Mamas and the Papas are among the memorable performances, but nothing can hold a candle next to the literal fire that Jimi Hendrix creates with his guitar.

And, yes, I’m using “literally” correctly.

T I T I C U T F O L LI E S His 1967 debut, Titicut Follies, details the environs of the Bridgewater State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in eastern Massachusetts. Its title comes from a talent show hosted at the facility — the film periodically dips back to scenes of stone-faced inmates/patients singing on a stage — but Titicut Follies is hardly whimsical. Shot in grainy 16mm black and white, it is a startling exposé of how Bridgewater guards and doctors mistreated the inmates. Asylum residents are paraded around naked, rarely allowed to bathe and subjected to verbal abuse. In one particularly horrific episode, guards relentlessly taunt a mentally ill inmate that he needs to clean his spotless and largely barren cell. Agitated, the inmate reacts by smacking his head repeatedly against a wall until he draws

mild offenses. “It’s nice to be individualistic,” a school administrator cautions a girl over the length of her prom dress, “but there are certain times to be individualistic.” And yet, considering how today’s culture wars largely play out in public schools, it can be jarring to see a female teacher in 1968 instructing an assembly of girls on how to use the pill.

If the age of reality TV has taken some of the bite out of Law and Order, this chronicle of a Kansas City police precinct offers a complexity that one never saw on Cops. Amassing hundreds of hours of footage, Wiseman captures some extraordinary incidents of racial profiling and police brutality, but the picture is not an indictment of law enforcement.

Law and Order also uncovers instances of police being exceptionally compas-

WO O D S T O C K

Rockin’ in the USA

Over at the Rodeo Cinema Stockyards, the rhythm of the movies is more overt.

A trio of all-time-great music documentaries — er, rockumentaries — screen

The Grand Poobah of concert flicks, Woodstock is a big, meaty and wildly entertaining time capsule of the August continued on page 22

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continued from page 21

1969 music festival held on a farm in Upstate New York. The stats of that music fest remain impressive — some 450,000 concertgoers, 32 music acts, 742 overdoses — but Woodstock the movie endures because it deftly illustrates why this event was a cultural mile-

stone, the apex (or nadir, depending on your point of view) of a generation that fervently believed peace and love could be a viable way of life. In 2025, flying cars and talking dogs seem more within reach.

With a four-hour running time, Woodstock is the heartiest of rock ’n’ roll meals, from a Richie Havens appetizer to the after-dinner acid tab. There

are too many stellar performances to name, but suffice it to say highlights include Joe Cocker, Sly and the Family Stone, Jimi Hendrix and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Director Michael Wadleigh let loose a posse of scrappy camerapeople, including a 25-year-old Martin Scorsese, to roam throughout the three-day happening. What they collected is poignant, hilarious, sweet and weird, from hippies frolicking in mud to a guy tasked with cleaning out the portable toilets. And just to be clear, those scenes are not connected.

Woodstock wasn’t the only blockbuster concert festival in the summer of ’69. At Mt. Morris Park in New York City, the Harlem Cultural Festival encompassed soul, blues, gospel, Motown, funk and more. Footage of the show languished in a basement for 50 years until it was rescued

by Questlove, he of The Roots fame, who directorially shaped the celluloid treasure into Summer of Soul. The extraordinary lineup features Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, B.B. King, Mahalia Jackson and The 5th Dimension, to name but a few.

The resulting movie is an exhilarating celebration best described by the title of a surprise gospel hit from ’69 performed here by The Edwin Hawkins Singers: “Oh, Happy Day.”

Frederick Wiseman: Documenting American Life 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13 Titicut Follies 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 20 High School 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 27 Law and Order 7 p.m., Thursday, April 3 Welfare Later in April The Store, Central Park, Belfast, Maine Oklahoma City Museum of Art 415 Couch Drive okcmoa.com | 405-920-1759

Rodeo Cinema Stockyards 7 p.m., Friday, March 21 Monterey Pop 1 p.m., Saturday, March 22 Woodstock 7 p.m, Saturday, March 22 4 p.m. Sunday, March 23 Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) Rodeo Cinema Stockyards 2221 Exchange Ave. rodeocinema.org | 405-815-3251

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CO M M U N I T Y

ARTS & CULTURE

Preservation partners Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma lent its history, voice and language to the newest installment of worldfamous video game Sid Meier’s Civilization.

By Kaile Hultner

Players starting new games of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII have a chance to simulate — and remix — a little bit of Oklahoma and Native American history with one of the game’s featured leaders and historical societies.

Civilization VII is the latest in a series of historical grand strategy titles developed by Maryland-based studio Firaxis Games. In it, players can choose renowned world leaders to head up civilizations across different eras, referred to as “Ages.”

With this edition of Civilization, Firaxis has included legendary Native American leader Tecumseh and the Shawnee Tribe among its playable roster. (The Shawnee Tribe is currently headquartered in Ottawa County.)

While indigenous American nations have featured in Civilization games before, the studio worked in close partnership with the Shawnee Tribe, including Shawnee voice actor Dillon Dean, Chief Ben Barnes and the tribe’s dedicated Shawnee Language Immersion Program, to portray Tecumseh and the tribe accurately and respectfully.

opment. “There were a few possibilities there that I listed but realized that we needed buy-in from modern-day communities for ever y thing past Mississippian times.”

According to 2K Games, Firaxis began reaching out to the Shawnee Tribe in 2021. Chief Ben Barnes, who coincidentally loved Firaxis strategy titles like Civilization and XCOM, enthusiastically agreed to the partnership.

“Keeping language education going is something that I believe very strongly in, and I saw that that the Shawnee language was in a dangerous state,” Johnson said. “So I got Firaxis to offer to help fund their language revitalization programs; we came to them with that, too, and we were just absolutely blown away by the enthusiasm that Chief Barnes and Karl Meyer had for the idea.”

In the nearly four ensuing years, developers consulted with the tribe on everything from the Shawnees’ in-game aesthetics and architecture to the inclusion of Shawnee-language poetry and music and the tribe’s historic leader, Tecumseh.

“The inherent challenge in working with any nonNative individual or organization is overcoming the inherent biases that stem from Indigenous histories being overlooked or altogether erased for centuries,” Shawnee-language technical specialist and tribal Civilization VII project manager Karl Chief Ben Barnes (center-left), George “Fife” Blanchard (center- Meyer said. “However, right) and Civilization VII director Ed Beach (far-right) participate Firaxis made a real effort in a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside of the new yaatakciitonootto consider our perspeceeki (recording studio) renovated and equipped in part with help from the 2K Foundations and Firaxis Games | Photo Shawnee Tribe tives and let us influence the powers and functions In return, Firaxis and publisher 2K of the Shawnee and Tecumseh in the game.

Games have contributed to the Shawnee Patience on our part and their team’s Tribe’s “Decade of Shawnee,” a language empathy and genuine desire to understand revitalization initiative started by the led to a meaningful collaboration.” tribe in 2020, by helping renovate and According to Meyer, one of the main fully equip the George “Fife” Blanchard challenges of the collaboration was finding Yaatakciitonooteeki (recording studio), a suitable voice actor to portray Tecumseh. which celebrated its grand opening Feb. 3.

“We auditioned several folks and ini“We wanted some kind of indigenous tially hired a Native actor from a differNorth American representation but ent tribe who had a very commanding wanted to do it right,” said Andrew voice, but he just couldn’t quite wrap Johnson, Professor of Anthropology at his tongue around the Shawnee lanthe University of Stockholm and Firaxis guage in such a short amount of time,” historian during Civilization VII develMeyer said. “We were all sad to see him

go, but that opened an opportunity to search closer to home, and we started seeking someone who is primarily a Shawnee speaker with coachable voice acting skills. Luckily, we didn’t have to compromise on much, if anything, because Dillon Dean, a Shawnee screen and stage actor and part of our language program, had a great audition and secured the role of Tecumseh.”

For Dean, a Shawnee language class participant and experienced actor, playing Tecumseh was a chance to connect with his tribal history.

“I had a couple of weeks to learn the lines, and it was really a joy to get to dive into that character and to learn more about Tecumseh,” he said. “Growing up in Oklahoma, you hear stories about Indian leaders. And even being a Shawnee, you know, I’m ashamed to say that a lot of my understanding of Tecumseh came from stories I heard being in Boy Scouts.

We would go visit these places and hear about the ‘Indian Chief Tecumseh’. And, you know, so I had all of these sort of misconceptions about who Tecumseh was. So doing the research about this person, to get into the character and get into the mind of the character, it was a wonderful experience, getting to learn more about my own tribe and my own history and culture. And it was really special for me as an actor.”

Dean was impressed by Firaxis’s commitment to getting Tecumseh and the Shawnee correct.

“I had envisioned Tecumseh much in the same way as my audition: this powerful, bass-voiced warlord,” Dean said. “And [Firaxis] were like, ‘Actually, based on these historic interviews with Tecumseh, he’s intelligent, and he’s humorous and he’s unafraid, even in the face of great danger. He can be threatened, and he’ll respond with a chuckle, you know. And we want to really capture this spirit with with the performance of Tecumseh.’ And it was so cool to learn their vision through the character and how they had developed it by talking to tribe historians and looking at his literal words that we have written down from his speeches and different interactions with him. It was really, really, really cool all around.”

Language activists

Behind the partnership with Firaxis and in-game representation of the Shawnee Tribe lies a dedicated push to preserve and revitalize the Shawnee language orchestrated by Chief Barnes, language activist and first-language specialist George “Fife” Blanchard and the rest of the tribe’s expert language team. This effort is part of a wider

Shawnee voice actor Dillon Dean performs the role of Tecumseh in Civilization VII. | Photo Shawnee Tribe

movement to ensure indigenous languages and cultures around the world not only survive, but thrive into the latter half of the 21st century.

On a global scale, in 2019, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the years 2022 through 2032 to be the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, calling on participating nations to organize awarenessraising events and educational campaigns geared toward language preservation.

Chief Barnes issued an executive order in January 2020 declaring a State of Emergency for the Shawnee language in response to UNESCO’s call.

“I say this all the time but it’s important to continue repeating: I couldn’t be more proud of the work our language team has accomplished in such a short amount of time and how many Shawnee people we have attending weekly classes,” Chief Barnes said. “Our language is still officially in a state of emergency, but it’s inspiring to see how dedicated our staff, teachers and students are to strengthening the language and building a community with each other through that work.”

According to Barnes, in addition to the collaboration with Firaxis, the language team has been working on development of immersive language curricula for early childhood development all the way through advanced learners.

“We are not quite halfway through the decade of the Shawnee language, and they’ve done so much in the four short years they’ve had,” Barnes said. “I’m very excited to see where we are in another couple of years.”

Dean sees the fruits of the partnership as a sign for a bright future for the Shawnee language and the tribe writ large.

“Our language, in the face of everything that happened to our indigenous tribes in America, the Shawnee went through it very, very tough with relocation, and our language being wiped out through boarding schools and things like that,” Dean said. “But at a certain point, we were down to, I believe, around 50 speakers left living. And with the help of the language program, we’ve been able to turn it around pretty quickly. We’ve gone up to around 500 speakers now, which is just incredible. And with the help of this recording studio, this is our tool to ensure that we will never, ever again be in a position where our language is at risk of being wiped out.”

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at Metro Library Join us throughout March for a series of engaging events that highlight the creativity, resilience and impact of women throughout history. Whether you’re crafting, reading, solving puzzles or exploring history, there’s something for everyone.

Scan the QR code for a list of events.

metrolibrary.org | (405) 231-8650 24

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BOOKS

Women's History Month

ARTS & CULTURE

Poetic devices

Red Dirt Poetry’s first anthology can be found in all the cool local bookstores.

By Lauren Thomas-Martin

Damn! Is that a poetry book?

The eye-catching and pearl-clutchinducing title of Red Dirt Poetry’s first anthology comes from a familiar refrain at its Wednesday Open Mic Night.

Audience members are encouraged, if the words they hear move them to do so, to release a loud and uproarious, “Damn!”

The collection of poems from 31 poets in the Red Dirt Poetry community can be found in Second Story Books (718 Culbertson Drive), Literati Press (3022 Paseo), The Floating Bookshop (3 NW Ninth St.) and Bookish (1005 NW 36th St.) in Oklahoma City.

“I like to say ‘all the cool local bookstores,’” said Yoko Hill, departing Red Dirt Poetry chairperson.

Red Dirt Poetry has existed in some form or another since at least the 1990s.

Hill has seen the community go through a few identity changes since she became active in the Oklahoma City poetry community. When she first started attending, the group was known as Metro Poets, then later The Home for Wayward Poets, then around 2010, the group rebranded as Red Dirt Poetry.

Red Dirties, a self-styled nickname for those active in the community, talked about putting together a published anthology for years. After Hill took over as Red Dirt Poetry’s board chairperson, she made the anthology a priority.

“I really like the idea of having a thing you can look back on and be like, ‘In 2024 at Red Dirt Poetry, these are some poets you could find,’” Hill said.

one did a fantastic job,” Bullen said. “Matt Raney has experience with layout and editing, so he took that on. Rob Sturma does have experience with publishing, so he took that on and was talking to publishers; everyone had their own little things, and it worked out fabulously.”

The production of Damn! provided many learning opportunities. Incoming Red Dirt Poetry chairperson Rachel Waters appreciated the time and challenges it took to create the final product.

“It came together really beautifully, and it’s something we’re really proud of,” Waters said. “You can’t ultimately rush the good stuff sometimes.”

As a community that does not collect dues from its artists, the funding of the anthology also came as a challenge.

All hands on deck

In 2023, Hill recruited Kara Bullen to fill the newly created Director of Publishing role with two very specific goals in mind. The first was the creation of Red Dirt Edits, a peer editing session held the first Saturday of every month at 1 p.m. at Second Story Books.

Poets bring six copies of a poem and a healthy appreciation for constructive feedback. The second was the anthology, and though Bullen had no experience with publishing, she agreed.

“People do stuff they don’t know how to do all the time,” Bullen said. “It really was just a matter of, ‘We’ll just figure this out together,’ and we did.”

Bullen and Hill didn’t tackle the anthology alone. The concentrated effort of several members of the Red Dirt Poetry community is what finally brought the compilation to life.

“Each person had their own delegated tasks according to that project, and every-

Copies of Damn! can be found at independent OKC bookstores. | Photo Matt Raney

“It’s expensive to publish a run that you feel good about and looks nice and doesn’t feel like it came from a FedEx that someone stapled together,” Hill said.

Fortunately, support for the anthology was bountiful and the group was able to fully fund the anthology in 48 hours of its fundraising kickoff event.

“Our initial fundraiser was in July.

We started it on a Saturday, and by the end of that Sunday, we had completely funded the project,” Hill said.

“Our hearts are so full; our minds were so blown. We couldn’t believe it,” Bullen said.

Since the book’s release, Red Dirt

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Poetry has raised 70 percent of the funding for the next anthology.

“We’re on track for this to fully fund itself continually,” Waters said, “Each anthology, when we sell it, it just goes back into the next anthology.”

Red Dirt voices

With a large community, deciding who to include in the book took careful consideration.

“One of the only stipulations was that we wanted this to be the voices of Red Dirt Poetry. So it really is the people who have been consistently showing up,” Bullen said. “We didn’t plan on turning anyone away completely unless it didn’t fall under the traditional Red Dirt Poetry rules.”

Red Dirt Poetry’s Discord server spells out specific rules, including that no money will ever be taken from artists to participate, the group is not in competition with any other poetry group and an emphasis on inclusion.

“We do not tolerate racism, anti2SLGBTQIA+ sentiments, ableism, or sexism. We are willing to have conversations, help educate, and connect people who want to grow with resources but at the end of the day if you are harmful to our audience you will lose the privilege of having it,” the rule states on Discord.

Focusing on inclusion and community and fostering self-growth has kept Red Dirties coming back for years.

“I have made friends that I would have never made anywhere else. Friends with people who are much older than me, friends with people who are different religions, different races,” Hill said.

“There are elderly gentlemen who I hear their weird perspectives that I would never have heard anywhere else.”

“We write differently. We come from different backgrounds,” Waters said. “No one’s story is the same, but we found common ground in the ‘why,’ I feel like.”

Community collaborations

Red Dirt Poetry hosts a weekly open mic night 7 p.m. every Wednesday at Literati Press. While poetry is the main focus, artists of all kinds and skill levels

Red Dirt Poetry Anthology Fundraising Event at Bookish 1005 NW 36th Street. | Photo provided

are welcome. Hill has advice for those feeling trepidation about beginning their poetry journey.

“It’s like any other craft. When you learn to play an instrument, you learn to play ‘Row Row Row Your Boat’ and you learn to play ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ and you don’t expect for the first songs you learn to be Beethoven,” Hill said.

“But that’s kind of the art of it. We all start at that same place, and then how you take that craft and have that conversation with that craft becomes what kind of poet you are.”

If you still aren’t sure where to start, try attending the Red Dirt Writes writing workshop at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at Literati Press. This free event features a new guest leader each month to help you start the words flowing. Bring a pen and paper.

If taking in words is more your speed, Red Dirt Reads, a poetry book club, could be a good fit for you. The book club meets at 1 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of every month at The Floating Bookshop.

In addition to the weekly and monthly events, a new Red Dirt Poetry showcase as part of the Paseo District’s First Fridays hosted at Oklahoma Shakespeare is starting on a trial basis in March with a variety showcase of many of the Red Dirties, including poets, musicians and comedians as well as typewriter poets available for your on-the-spot poetry needs. April’s showcase will be more theme-focused.

“April, which is both National Poetry Month and the month of Shakespeare’s birthday, we’re going to be doing some sort of Shakespearean Slam event,” Waters said. “More info to come.”

Looking ahead, Waters has modest goals for Red Dirt Poetry.

“My goal as current chairperson is to grow our community in terms of our love for one another,” Waters said. “I don’t necessarily care about size, but I want people to feel connected to one another and keep honing in on our poetry.”

Come see the ones we have in stock or ask us to make one for you in your favorite colors!

Located at 1218 N Western Avenue. East of Plaza District.

EYES PEELED, IT’S A NEW PERSPECTIVE. Join us for the 25th Annual deadCenter Film Festival.

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JUNE 11-15, 2025!

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 2 0 2 5

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CALENDAR These are events recommended

by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staff members.

For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.

FOOD

BOOKS Let’s Talk About It: The Worst Hard Time Revisited this special series explores the

1930s Oklahoma Dust Bowl through five books.

Led by female scholars, it highlights overlooked perspectives and resilience, reexamining history’s relevance to future climate crises. FREE, Tue., April 8, 6-7p.m. Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave. (405) 231-8650, metrolibrary.org/events. TUE-THU

FILM Wide Open Experimental Film Festival: FREE MOVIES showcases over 50 short films

from around the world. From abstraction, chemical manipulation, observational essay films, personal documentaries, and playful experimentation with image and sound, these films offer a look into the wide variety of contemporary experimental/avant-garde film. On Saturday, April 5 at 7pm, the festival will host animator and filmmaker Kelly Gallagher for an in-person artist talk, showcase of work, and Q&A. FREE and open to the public, presented by Oklahoma City University Film Dept.

April 4-6. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. (405) 208-5958. wideopeneff.com.

EXPERIENCE FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK

Friday, April 4, 2025 | 6-9pm

FRI-SUN

COMEDY Preacher Lawson, originally from Portland

ARTS DISTRICT

In the Paseo Arts & Creativity Center at 3024 Paseo

Gallery I: Autism Oklahoma Gallery II: Autism Oklahoma Gallery III: PACC Studio Artists The Paseo Arts District has local and national art, great food, art classes & plenty of shopping!

but raised in Orlando, rose to fame on America’s Got Talent (2017) and its global spin-offs. He’s appeared on A Black Lady Sketch Show, The Tonight Show, and more. With millions of followers online, he tours nationwide, selling out venues. March 14 and 15, 7 & 9:45p.m. Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California Ave. (405) 594-0505, bricktowncomedy.com. THU-SAT

Put A Cork In It! Comedy Showcase

enjoy comedy from Matt Ferrell, hosted by Nick Campbell. $10, $15 door. March 14, 6:30p.m. Put A Cork In It Winery, 115 E. California Ave. (405) 6056656. nickcampbellcomedy.com. FRI

Big Bamboo Comedy Show enjoy a night of comedy in Midwest City. FREE. March 15, 9:30p.m. The Bamboo Room, 800 S. Air Depot, Midwest City. (405) 732-2523. SAT

The Dollop history buff and comedian Dave

Anthony launched The Dollop, while reading wild American history stories to comedian Gareth Reynolds, who reacts in real-time. Their chemistry clicked, and the show became a hit, drawing millions of downloads and selling out shows in the U.S. and Australia. $37-$52. March 18, 7p.m.

Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California Ave. (405) 594-0505. bricktowncomedy.com. TUE

John Caparulo best known from Chelsea Late-

#FirstFridayPaseo

405.525.2688 • thepaseo.org

Welcome back to Himari!

Drawing inspiration from our hyper-tropical haven trend, Himari is re-energized. Crafted using precision print technology for a unique 3-D look, the lush tropical floral blooms in all of the season’s key range colors.

Anattention-grabbing color palette of pretty pinks and vibrant greens pop against the contrasting Midnight ground.

Shoppes at Northpark | 122nd & N. May 405.936.0030 | Mon - Fri 9:30am-5pm 26

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Tom Segura: Come Together one of the biggest touring comedians brings his Come Together to OKC. This tour kicked off last year and has been selling out with stops across Asia and North America. April 4, 7:30p.m. Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Ave. (405) 602-8700. paycomcenter. com. FRI

ly, he has also appeared on The Tonight Show, Comedy Central Presents, and Wild West Comedy Show. John also created Caplets, monthly standup clips available on Hulu. March 20 & 21, 7p.m.

Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California Ave. (405) 594-0505. bricktowncomedy.com. THU-FRI

Moist Battle: Consenting Comics Catcall Competitively this is a good roast battle

that gets big laughs from creating a relatively consequence-free safe space for people to be hilariously mean to each other and release some of the tension created by societal pressure to not be a jerk. $5-$10. March 20, 7:30p.m. Mycelium Gallery, 2816 N. Pennsylvania Ave. (405) 519-6027. myceliumgallery.com. THU

Danae Hays is a comedian, actress, and content creator who brings The First Time Tour to OKC! Her cast of zany southern characters and parody country songs have pushed her to the top of the music charts.

March 21, 7p.m. Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St. (405) 708-6937. towertheatreokc.com. FRI Still Resisting: Comedy For The Radical Left Laugh with two national comedy headliners,

Stewart Huff and Arielle Isaac Norman, and OKC comedy’s favorite son, Spencer Hicks. March 27, 7p.m. Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St. (405) 7086937. towertheatreokc.com. THU

Open-Mic Night Make Oklahoma Weirder

hosts a one-of-a-kind open mic on the Factory Obscura’s Wonder Stage. All performers are welcome to take the stage, with a unique theme each month. Creativity thrives in this immersive experience. First Thursday monthly. 7:10p.m.

Factory Obscura, 25 NW 9th St. factoryobscura. com. THU

Making You Happy for Happy Hour log off work to enjoy these awesome specials to unwind, relax, and become HAPPY! Thursdays-Sundays, 4p.m. Twenty6 Lounge, 9622 N. May Ave. (405) 687-8739. twenty6lounge.net. THU-SUN Sunday Jazz Brunch Enjoy live jazz music

while sipping on a curated menu of sparkling and signature brunch cocktails. The menu also features a lavish brunch with classics like eggs benedict, lemon buttermilk pancakes and Italian favorites. Sundays, 11a.m.-3p.m. Tellers, 120 N. Robinson Ave. (405) 900-6789. tellersokc.com.

SUN

Taco Tuesday have fun at the most festive day of the week-Taco Tuesday! Enjoy $2 of tacos and $5 margaritas, cervezas, and sangrias. Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. El Coyote Bar & Cantina, 925 W. Britton Rd. (405) 849-5218. elcoyoteokc.com. TUE

YOUTH Spring Thing each day of Spring Thing will have a special theme, feature an Oklahoma Hall of Fame Member, and fun hands-on activities (while supplies last). Themes are: Wednesday, March 19-Oh, Beehive!; Thursday, March 20-Branching Out; and Friday, March 21-Winging It. March 19-21, 10a.m.-2p.m. Oklahoma Hall of Fame GaylordPickens Museum, 1400 Classen Drive. (405) 2354458. oklahomahof.com. WED-FRI

PERFORMING ARTS Sarah Chang Enjoy a captivating evening of classical music with OKC Philharmonic conductor Alexander Mickelthwate and renowned violinist Sarah Chang. Tickets start at $24. March 15, 8p.m.

Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. (405) 842-5387. okcphil.org. SAT STRANGER SINGS! The Parody Musical

this is a hilarious ‘upside down’ take on the hit Netflix series Stranger Things - and all its campy 1980s glory. Join Mike, Eleven, Lucas, Dustin, and the whole Hawkins gang for a night of adventure, thrills, pubescent angst, heavy synth, poor parenting, convoluted love triangles, cheap effects, dancing monsters, and maybe, just maybe... justice for everyone’s favorite missing ginger, Barb Holland. $30. Ends March 16. The Boom, 2218 NW 39th St. (405) 601-7200. facebook.com/ TheBoomOKC. FRI-SUN

Future Voices: A Choreographic Showcase experience raw and powerful dance in an

intimate setting inside the Inasmuch Foundation Theater at the OKC Ballet studio. This audiencefavorite showcase features short works by rising choreographers—all company dancers—stripped of elaborate sets and costumes. $20. March 2023, 2p.m. & 7p.m. OKC Ballet, 6800 North Classen.

(405) 843-9898. okcballet.org.

The SpongeBob Musical see this fun-filled musical for adults and kids with songs by Steven Tyler, David Bowie, Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, They Might Be Giants and Yolanda Adams! $10-$35 with discounts for seniors, military, teachers, student & groups. Thursday-Saturday, 8p.m., Sundays, 2p.m. through April 3. The Pollard Theatre, 120 W. Harrison Ave. (405) 282-2800. thepollard.org.

FRI-SAT

Best in Ten Play Festival and Fundraiser see four original ten-minute plays by

Oklahoma playwrights, performed by local actors.

Enjoy a reception featuring food from local restaurants, cash bar, browse a silent auction, and wine pull. $50. March 29, 7p.m. Carpenter Square Theatre, 1009 W. Reno. (405) 232-6500. carpentersquare.com. SAT

D’Aydrian Harding experience a fun, insane,

action-packed evening with D’Aydrian Harding & friends featuring eaturing live performances, active audience interactions, special guests, and more. The Stay Sober Spring Tour is an experience with your favorite YouTuber you’ll never forget!, Sat, April 5, 7p.m.

Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St. (405) 708-6937. towertheatreokc.com. SAT

A Sick Day for Amos McGee step

into the heartwarming world of Amos, a kind and caring zookeeper who always puts his animal friends first. Featuring giant puppets and heartfelt storytelling, this production beautifully highlights the power of kindness and the joy of being there for one another. Perfect for audiences of all ages! $12. March 29-April 6, 2p.m.

Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, 2505 N. Blackwelder Ave. (405) 208-6200. oklahomachildrenstheatre.org. SAT-SUN

GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR FULL LISTINGS!

Your ticket to unforgettable moments!

3.28.25 Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular The Music of Pink Floyd as You've Never Seen Before

3.29.25 Taylor Shines — The Laser Spectacular Get Ready to Sing and Dance

Future Voices: A Choreographic Showcase Each spring for the past six years,

Oklahoma City Ballet has featured short works choreographed by its company dancers.

This year’s Future Voices: A Choreographic Showcase features works by soloist Randolph Fernandez, soloist Joseph Hetzer, corps de ballet member Mickayla Carr, corps de ballet member Leonardo Celegato, corps de ballet member Alex Schooling and corps de ballet member Flannery Werner. Future Voices runs 7 p.m. March 20-21, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 22 an 2 p.m. March 23 in the Inasmuch Foundation Theatre at Susan E. Bracket Dance Center, 6800 N. Classen Blvd. Tickets are $20. Call 405-843-9898 or visit okcballet.org. MARCH 20-23 Photo provided Dope Poetry Night hosted by PraVurb, J.

Wiggins, and DJ D. Chappell. A space where authenticity thrives, voices are heard, and community is celebrated through poetry, laughter, and shared experiences—all for FREE. Sign-ups begin at 7p.m. first 20 poets. Show-8p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30p.m.

Ice Event Center & Grill, 1148 NE 36th St. (405) 2084240. instagram.com/dopepoetrynight. WED

Last Sunday Poetry poets gather in the

Garden Café to share their work. Meetings begin with a presentation by a featured poet and conclude with a moderated open mic segment. Last Sunday monthly, 2-4p.m. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway. (405) 842-2900. fullcirclebooks.com. SUN

Mother Road Acclaimed playwright Octavio

Solis crafts a powerful 21st-century story, a timely successor to The Grapes of Wrath. With folk-inspired music, poetry, and unforgettable characters along the way, Mother Road unveils long-buried family secrets. Wednesdays-Sundays, 2 & 7:30p.m. April 2-19. Lyric at the Plaza, 1725 NW 16th St. (405) 524-9312. lyrictheatreokc.com.

WED-SAT

Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson see the true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt that explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries when women’s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. Thursday-Sunday through March 16. Carpenter Square Theatre, 1009 W. Reno. (405) 232-6500. carpentersquare. com. FRI-SUN Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 300 Les

Arts Florissants are joined by fast-rising violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte commemorating the work’s original publication in 1725. From $40, Mon., March 17, 7:30p.m.

Armstrong Auditorium, 14400 S. Bryant Ave.

(405) 285-1010. armstrongauditorium.org. MON

The Sleeping Beauty by The State Ballet of Ukraine enjoy this must-see event pre-

sented by Classical Arts Entertainment. Features 55 of the brightest ballet stars of The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine. $45. Thu., April 3, 7:30p.m.

Rose State College Performing Arts Center, 6000 S Prosper Boulevard, Midwest City. (405) 5948300. classicalarts.net. THU

Voctave see this a cappella sensation’s 11-member vocal ensemble that brings incredible harmonies to some of the most beloved songs. From Disney showstoppers to Broadway masterpieces, their program “The Corner of Broadway and Main Street” is a treat for musical lovers of all ages.

From $55. Thu., March 27, 7:30p.m. Armstrong Auditorium, 14400 S. Bryant Ave. (405) 285-1010, armstrongauditorium.org. THU

4.12.25 R.E.S.P.E.C.T. A Tribute Concert Like No Other

HEALTH AND WELLNESS Full Moon Sound Bath participate in a sound bath on full moon nights monthly. This is a deeply immersive, full-body listening experience that uses crystal bowls, chimes and other instruments to invite gentle yet powerful therapeutic and restorative processes to nurture your mind and body. FREE. Fri., March 14, 6p.m. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., (405) 4739618. myriadgardens.org. FRI-WED

FIND SHOW INFORMATION HERE:

Yoga at The OKC Farmers Market Yoga with Libb is during market hours every other Saturday, starting March 15.

Four different sessions ranging from beginner to the master yogi. $15. Starts at 9am. OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 South Klein Ave. (405) 232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. SAT

occc.edu/tickets continued on page 28

GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR FULL LISTINGS!

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CALENDAR continued from page 27

C A L E N DA R

Kundalini Sound Immersion

participate in kundalini yoga by Tina Hilbert with live music and a sound bath by MARKANNA Wellness. Release, revive, building breath and end with a restorative sound bath. $22.22. First Saturday monthly, 4:30p.m. Studio on Western, 3710 N Western, (405) 5241489 pilatesonwestern.com. SAT

Move Your ScissorTAIL Block Party enjoy this event that features

sporting and wellness; vendors; wellness classes every hour-Zumba, yoga, pilates, pickleball, and HIIT; Music/DJ Entertainment throughout the day and food trucks. FREE. Sat., March 22, 9 a.m.-noon. Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7th St. (405) 445-7080. scissortailpark.org. SAT Radiant Harmony: Reiki Infused Candle Making Workshop & Sound Bath make your own 100% soy candle from a variety of scents, which will be infused with Reiki to charge the candle with your intentions for spring with a sound bath meditation, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated to have a great season ahead. $60.

Sun., March 16, 2p.m. Studio on Western, 3710 N Western. (405) 524-1489. pilatesonwestern.com.

SUN

Radiant Living’s 3rd Annual Fun Fair this is a mind, body, spirit celebration that explores a vibrant marketplace filled with holistic vendors, intuitive readers, energy healers, and wellness experts. Engage in interactive workshops and thought-provoking presentations designed to uplift and empower. Enjoy raffles, door prizes, and a welcoming community of like-minded individuals. $10, Sat., March 15, 10a.m.-6p.m. Will Rogers Gardens, 3400 NW 36th St. (405) 907-8208. radiantlivingok.com/fun-fair. SAT

Regent Bank Center presents a 5K Run benefitting Anna’s House Run, walk, or jog

to support children and families in foster care. $40. Sat., March 29, 8:30-10 a.m. Regent Bank Center, 851 W I- 35 Frontage Rd. (405) 509-0551, onecau.se/_87vg41. SAT Oklahoma City Kidney Walk Sat., March 29, 9 a.m.-Noon. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive. (214) 351-2393. kidneywalk. org/okc. SAT

SPORTS OK State High School Basketball Championships March Madness is alive and well at the State Fairgrounds for the 60th Oklahoma State High School Basketball Championships. Times vary., through March 15. Oklahoma State Fair Arena, 333 Gordon Cooper St., 405-948-6700, ossaa.com/OSSAA. TUE-SAT Harlem Globetrotters witness the world recordbreaking, trick-shot stars of basketball LIVE in the 405 as the world famous Harlem Globetrotters bring their signature spins, dunks, and slams to the court, taking on their determined rivals, the Washington Generals. Sat., March 22, 2p.m. Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Ave. (405) 602-8700. paycomcenter.com. SAT

Barrel Bash & Barrel Racing Prepare for an action-packed barrel racing event during Barrel Bash in Shawnee. FREE. Fri., April 4-6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Heart of OK Expo Center, 1700 W Independence St. (405) 275-9780. visitshawnee.com.

FRI-SUN

OKC Comets vs. El Paso watch the OKC Comets take on El Paseo Chihuahuas, April 1-6.

Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive. (405) 218-1000. milb.com/oklahoma-city.

TUE-SUN

OKC Thunder vs. Charlotte Hornets Fri., March 21, 7p.m.

OKC Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls Mon., March 31, 7p.m.

OKC Thunder vs. Detroit Pistons Wed., April 2, 7p.m.

OKC Thunder vs. LA Lakers Sun., April 6, 2:30p.m. & Tue., April 8, 7p.m.

OKC Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies Thu., March 27, 7p.m.

OKC Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers Wed., March 19, 7 p.m. Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Ave. (405) 602-8700. nba.com/thunder/.

VISUAL ARTS “From the Vault: The 80th Anniversary Exhibition” Organized in honor of OKCMOA’s 80th anniversary in 2025, see more than 150 paintings, prints, photographs, drawings, and sculptures from the Museum’s permanent collection. The works in the exhibition have not been exhibited previously or on display in the last five years, allowing

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Emergence: Explorations of New Horizons Exhibit C Gallery, The Chickasaw Nation’s art gallery in Oklahoma City, celebrates

its relocation next to the First Americans Museum in the Horizons District with Emergence: Explorations of New Horizons. This art show features the work of 11 artists — Addison Karl, Billy Hensley, Brenda Kingery, Brent Greenwood, Dustin Mater, Erin Shaw, Joanna Underwood Blackburn, Lance Straughn, Lisa Hudson, Margaret Roach Wheeler and Mike Larsen — and reflects on “the sacredness if life, learning and hope towards a new horizon.” The exhibit runs through July 15. The gallery is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Wednesday-Monday. Call 405-767-8900 or visit exhibitcgallery.com. THROUGH JULY 15 Photo Exhibit C Gallery

OKCMOA to share more of its collection with the community. Through April 27. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, (405) 236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT-SUN “Cowboy Boots: From Roundups to Runways, Presented by Lucchese Bootmaker” this temporary exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship, history and enduring appeal of these timeless boots. The exhibition will delve into the fascinating transformation of riding boots from the 1860s — drawing inspiration from European styles and Civil War-era cavalry boots — to the revolutionary designs mass-produced by Hyer and Justin. $20. Daily through May 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., (405) 478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org/exhibitions/cowboy-boots/.

FRI-MON

Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered visit this exhibit that includes three dozen artifacts from the period of the united monarchy in biblical Israel. Presented and funded by the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation in association with Jerusalem’s Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology, Israel Museum, Israel Antiquities Authority and Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Extended through April 10. FREE. Armstrong Auditorium, 14400 S. Bryant Ave. (405) 285-1010. armstrongauditorium. org. TUE-THU

HAPPENINGS Free to Live Art Auction This free event will feature artwork from renowned local artists and unique creations from Free To Live sanctuary’s own rescue animals. All proceeds support the nearly 300 dogs and cats at Oklahoma’s largest no-kill sanctuary, providing food, medical care, and shelter. Enjoy complimentary wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres. FREE. Thurs., March 13. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St. (405) 951-0000, freetoliveok.org/artauction/. THU Paseo Arts District’s First Friday Gallery Walk peruse art from over 80 artists with 25 participating businesses for a night of special themed exhibits, refreshments and a variety of entertainment opportunities, 6-9p.m. first Friday of every month. Paseo Arts District, 3024 Paseo St. (405) 525-2688, thepaseo. org. FRI Adult Night at Mix-Tape Every third Thursday, Factory Obscura opens late for an 18+ exclusive experience at Mix-Tape. The March 20 event features a Spring-Themed Craft Night, providing materials for wearable creations—no experience needed. Wear them to Future of Sound Fest on March 29. A perfect night to explore, unwind, and enjoy. $24, Thu., March 20, 7-9 p.m. Factory Obscura, 25

NW 9th St. (405) 367-1578. factoryobscura.com.

THU

LIVE! on The Plaza: Plazacon dust off your capes, polish your lightsabers, and suit up for an unforgettable night of all things pop culture.

Whether you’re a superhero superfan, a game master, or just love the energy of the culture, PlazaCon is the place to let your inner nerd shine!, March 14, 6p.m. Plaza District, 1618 N. Gatewood Ave. (405) 426-7812. plazadistrict.org/eventcalendar. FRI

Oklahoma Texas Longhorn Association Spring Founded in the 1980s, the OTLA

promotes and showcases Texas Longhorns in Oklahoma, one of two key locations for preserving the breed. FREE. March 14, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Heart of OK Expo Center, 1700 W Independence St. (405) 275-9780, visitshawnee.com/. FRI-SUN

Almost Ready to Cruise Car Club Swap Meet FREE. March 15, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Heart of OK

Expo Center, 1700 W Independence St,, (405) 2759780, visitshawnee.com FRI-SAT

Oklahoma Texas Longhorn Association Spring FREE. March 15, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Heart of OK Expo Center, 1700 W Independence St,, 4052759780, visitshawnee.com. FRI-SUN

Oklahoma’s Best St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Bar Crawl this pub crawl is filled

comaraderie, laughter, and exploration. Participants will have the chance to experience the best spots that Oklahoma has to offer, each renowned for its unique ambiance and signature green beer delights. $0- $30, March 15, 4-10p.m. Josh D, Various locations in Oklahoma City. (312) 300-0476. paddyhard.com/events. SAT-SUN

Sham-ROCK the Gardens enjoy music and

dancing by some of Oklahoma’s best Irish bands and performers. Face painters and crafts will be onsite for the kids and maybe… just maybe they’ll find a pot of gold!, March 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., (405) 4457080. myriadgardens.org. MON

Three Sisters Celebration Celebrate

spring and the planting of essential crops like corn, beans, and squash—the “three sisters” vital to Chickasaw culture. Enjoy language, demonstrations, and activities showcasing this traditional method seen in campus gardens. FREE, March 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Chickasaw Cultural Center, 867 Cooper Memorial Dr., 580-622-7130, chickasawculturalcenter.com/experience/2025/ events/three-sisters-celebration/. TUE-SAT

OKC Home + Outdoor Living presented

by Communication Federal Credit Union, this show features hundreds of exhibitors for guests to get questions answered and get help with home improvement projects. HGTV stars of Unsellable Houses and twin sisters Leslie Davis and Lyndsay

GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR FULL LISTINGS!

Lamb will appear live at the show on the Fresh Ideas Stage. $11. March 21-22. Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. (877) 871-7469, homeshowokc.com.

FRI-MON

Red Earth Festival celebrate the

richness and diversity of Native American heritage at Red Earth Festival. Festival guests will experience the artistic creations of some of America’s most celebrated Native artists as they offer their creations for sale. There will also be hands-on arts and craft stations, artist demonstrations, live music and special presentations of tribal dance. March 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., (405) 478-2250. redearth.org.

FRI-SUN

Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular Experience

the original master recordings of Pink Floyd with mind-blowing visuals in the ultimate laser light show! A multi-generational experience and a rite of passage for any Floyd fan, Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular sets classics from Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall to an impressive display of cutting-edge effects, including high-powered lasers and large-screen video projection. $35-60.

March 28, 7:30p.m. Visual and Performing Arts Center at Oklahoma City Community College, 7777 S May Ave. (405) 682-759. occc.edu/events/pinkfloyd-laser. FRI

Taylor Swift Laser Spectacular this family - friendly event , designed exclusively for Swifties of all ages, promises an evening like no other., The show features an epic laser display, large screen video projection, and a live performance by the talented Jexxa. You’ll be serenaded with performances of Taylor’s greatest hits, including fan favorites like Anti-Hero, Love Story, You Belong with Me, and Shake It Off. $35-60, March 29, 7:30 p.m. Visual and Performing Arts Center at Oklahoma City Community College, 7777 S May Ave. (405) 682-7595. occc.edu/events. SAT Tulip Festival The Tulip Festival returns

for its biggest year yet! Enjoy a weekend of performances, vendors, food, and endless tulips. Capture perfect photo ops and explore the Tulip Mania exhibit inside the Crystal Bridge. March 29-30, 9 a.m.-6p.m.. Sponsored by Rapp Foundation, OG+E, and Renewal by Andersen., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave. (405) 445-7080, myriadgardens.org. SAT-SUN

Corporate Partner Spring Social Join us for the Corporate Partner Spring Social on Wednesday, April 2! With drinks, networking, and the opportunity to visit “From the Vault: The 80th Anniversary Exhibition,” enjoy connecting with other local professionals and learning about how to support the arts at OKCMOA., April 2, 5-7 p.m. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com/visit/

events/corporate-partner-spring-social/. WED

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Opening Weekend for Public Ferry Open-

ing Weekend |April 4-6 | Free Koozie for the first 50 guests | All Public Ferry Trips $12 Adults, $6 Seniore and Kids 7-17, Free for children 6 and under, April 4, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Oklahoma River Cruises Stockyards Landing, 800 S. Agnew Avenue, 405-702-7755, embarkok.com/ferry/public-ferry. FRI

Ferris Wheel Opening Day Gather

TOP-10 BILLBOARD ARTIST

your friends and family for a day filled with scenic views, good vibes, and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s your first ride or your hundredth, there’s no better way to welcome spring than with a spin over the OKC skyline!, April 5, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Wheeler Ferris Wheel, 1701 S. Western Ave. (405) 655-8455. wheelerdistrict.com/ ferris-wheel. SAT

OKC Farmers Market District Spring Festival enjoy day of local shopping, live music,

delicious food, face painting, kids games, a bounce house, and community fun in the heart of OKC’s Farmers Market District! We’ve even partnered up with Pets and People Humane society to host an on site adoption event! FREE. April 5, 12-6p.m. OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 South Klein Ave., (405) 232.6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. SAT

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Saturday Farmers Market at Scissortail Park Producer-Only market, featuring homegrown,

A CAPPELL A POPS

handmade, and locally made products from Oklahoma vendors. Free parking is available around the park and in the northwest lot. No market on April 26 for the OKC Memorial Marathon!, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. through Oct. 25. Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7th St. (405) 445-7080, scissortailpark.org. SAT

Wind and Kite Festival 2025 A celebration of Oklahoma skies in motion! Blustery days create great energy to power kites, paper airplanes, bottle rockets, pinwheels, wind chimes, sailboats and more. Join us to celebrate the marvels of wind and motion, compliments of Mother Nature!, This event is free and open to the public. April 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7th St. (405) 445-7080, scissortailpark.org. SAT

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311 S.Klein Ave Oklahoma City okcfarmersmarket

7:30 PM THURSDAY, MAR. 27 A cappella sensation Voctave’s 11-member vocal ensemble brings incredible harmonies to some of the most beloved songs and have been inspiring their millions of social media fans since 2015. From Disney showstoppers to Broadway masterpieces, their Armstrong Auditorium program “The Corner of Broadway and Main Street” is a treat for musical lovers of all ages. The group has performed with GRAMMY, Dove and American Music Award recipients including Sandi Patty, Pentatonix’s Kirstin Maldonado, Mark Lowry, David Phelps, and Jody McBrayer. Join us for an upbeat, soulful and earpleasing night of phenomenal singing!

BUY TICKETS NOW! 1-888-378-7979 (M-F, 8-5) ArmstrongAuditorium.org 14400 S. Bryant (at Waterloo), Edmond, OK 73034

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 2 0 2 5

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2 4 - 2 6 ,

2025 2025 CONCERT ASSEMBLY 3/16 ROBERT EARL KEEN 3/20 THE WALLFLOWERS

WITH JACKOPIERCE

3/27 SHANE SMITH & THE SAINTS 4/17 SISTER HAZEL 4/23 JUDAH & THE LION 5/1 MAT KEARNEY WITH AUGUSTANA

2 0 2 5

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La Luz jabee apollo brown BEING DEAD levitation room the mystery lights jw francis ken pomeroy THE IVY cliffdiver sierra spirit corridor mary shelley casii stephan branjae mallory eagle RED SUN the muffled siren SCA N T H E QR C O D E HE L P K E E P NMF FREE!

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5/15 KALEO 5/24 HIPPO CAMPUS 10/16 CHASE RICE

SCAN FOR TICKETS OR VISIT THEJONESASSEMBLY.COM 30

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GET YOUR SHOW IN FRONT SUBMIT YOUR LISING OF GAZETTE READERS AT OKGAZETTE.COM

F E AT U R E

MUSIC

Honor code

Jaw/Line, Money and more rep the 405 and raise funds for Freedom Oklahoma at Resonant Head.

By Jeremy Martin

By the time you read this, the band might have changed the description again, but at the time of this interview, OKC/Norman band Jaw/Line’s Instagram profile described its music as “emotional hardcore.”

“You can have emotions about all sorts of things,” guitarist and vocalist A.B. Hill said. “It doesn’t have to be all about breakups and going to the mall. Going on social media and having to deal with constant ads and robots talking to you and the inability to reliably find legitimate information about what’s going on in your world is something that makes me highly emotional.”

Jaw/Line joins Money, Lust Online, Heavytrip, Honor Choir and So Much Heaven for 405 A Day for the City on Saturday, April 5 at Resonant Head, 400 SW 25th St. A showcase of local musicians hosted by S. Reidy and deliberately scheduled for 4/05 in honor of the OKC metro area code, A Day for the City is also a fundraiser for Freedom Oklahoma. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the nonprofit

Jaw/Line is a three-pieve post-hardcore band from Norman and OKC. | Photo Punch Cut Media

and social welfare organization, which “provides education and advocacy to build a future where all 2SLGBTQ+ Oklahomans have the safety to thrive,” according to its website (freedomoklahoma.org).

Jaw/Line released six-song EP Maybe I Wouldn’t Feel So Angry in September.

In addition to anger, bassist and vocalist Blake Starr said the album’s songs also describe the confusion and desperation he’s felt in the last several years.

“It’s so hard to really know if you’re even looking North — what’s your emotional, true compass?” Starr said. “We don’t know what we’re reading. We don’t know where we’re headed. We don’t know where we want to go. we don’t know what our options are. ... If you’re asking somebody for directions and they give you directions, you have to trust that person and trust yourself to trust them. So I think part of the album, at least for me when I was writing, is just ‘Tell me which way to go. Tell me which way is the right way. Tell me where the truth is.’”

Hill agreed.

“You can’t even identify politically as a Democrat or left or anything like that because you zoom out and it’s all just the same thing and you feel almost a little bit hopeless,” Hill said. “It’s like they want you to fight with people that you have more in common with than you think you do, and it almost feels deliberate.”

To avoid further confusion, many of the song titles on the album read like thesis statements. Tracks include “The Great Labor of Exalting Yourself,” “Purity as a Form of Social Capital” and “Compartmentalizing a Strange Grief.”

Jaw/Line formed in 2022 and released its self-titled debut in 2023. | Photo Nicole French

“Sometimes I get in my own head about it,” Hill said. “I’m like, ‘I want people to know what the song is about, so maybe I should title the song as specifically as I possibly can.’”

Self-identification

Jaw/Line formed in 2022, but Hill and Starr have been friends for about 15 years and playing in other bands for more than a decade. If hardcore were a college, Starr said, they would be faculty members and not students at this point.

“We’re almost at an age where the social observance is more important to us than being like, ‘Hey, we’re from the 580. We’ll beat your ass,’” Starr said.

“We’re not young enough to go start beef with hardcore bands in Arkansas.”

Hill and Starr met in North Texas but didn’t play in a band together until they formed Jaw/Line.

“It just took one rehearsal together,” Starr said. “We had known each other and what we liked for years, but we never got to put it in practice and see what happens.”

Drummer John Bindel completes the three-piece.

“I like to think the band’s a democracy more or less,” Hill said. “If I write something someone doesn’t like or vice versa, if we can’t make it work, we won’t force it. … If I bring a simple concept or a skeleton for a song, they are both incredible at taking that and added something to it rhythmically that makes it kind of a different thing almost entirely. … I came in to this like, ‘I wanna do a hardcore band,’ but hardcore is so homogeneous, or it can be at least. ... We kind of try to break up that homogeneity with our own flair.”

Jaw/Line’s Bandcamp page (jawlinesux.bandcamp.com) describes its music as “post-hardcore,” but Hill said this genre label has been applied to so many different kinds of music that it’s basically meaningless at this point.

Starr said emo has also gone through so many variations in the decades since the emotional hardcore label was first applied to bands such as Rites of Spring and Embrace.

“When you start talking about the ‘emo’ definition, it takes on many shapes, and there’s all these new waves,”

Starr said. “We’ve already lived through three waves, I think. It is constantly changing as far as terminology goes, and it is almost impossible to define. ...

You almost want to pick the genre to help pick your fans, too. … Influentially, we take a lot from first-wave and second-wave emo as part of this melting pot of sounds that we have.”

OKC band Money (moneykills.bandcamp.com), meanwhile self-identifies as “alternative rock.”

“We get a lot of labels,” said Money’s guitarist Tanner Watkins. “We get called ‘shoegaze’ and stuff all the time, but I just like rock.”

Watkins also plays guitar in cursetheknife with Money bassist Severin Olsen. While Olsen and cursetheknife bassist Branden Palesano are the primary songwriters in cursetheknife, Watkins, who cited ’90s alt-rock acts Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and Smashing Pumpkins as influences, has a larger role in writing Money’s riff-based material.

“It’s just different tastes, pulling from different inspirations,” Watkins said.

“Cursetheknife is not as noisy. … In Money, we just play loud rock music. That’s what we want to do with that band.”

Money can be a problem for the band, Watkins said both because “music don’t pay like it used to,” requiring the band members to work demanding jobs that can make scheduling recording and rehearsal difficult, and because choosing it as a band name was “probably not the best idea.”

“We’ve gotten a lot of complaints about not being able to find us on the internet and stuff like that,” Watkins said. “There’s, like, a million artists named Money … but I don’t know, I like it.”

Jaw/Line released Maybe I Wouldn’t Feel So Angry in September. | Photo xthadx

405 A Day for the City featuring Jaw/Line, Money, Lust Online, Heavytrip, Honor Choir, So Much Heaven 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Resonant Head 400 SW 25th St. resonanthead.com $12-$15

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F E AT U R E

MUSIC

­Weather report Meteorology celebrates its debut album and previews its new direction at Mycelium Gallery’s Dark Mode.

By Jeremy Martin

Named in honor of his “crippling storm anxiety,” Brett Fieldcamp’s “guitar and loop-y kind of experimental stuff” project Meteorology had a gig booked before he had any songs to play.

Seeing a social media post seeking experimental musicians for a new showcase, Fieldcamp took the opportunity to launch a project he’d been planning but hadn’t really started.

art and colorful lighting.

Fieldcamp, who previously played in Saturn and The Echowire, had a vision for his new solo project: short, poly-rhythmic songs with vocals. “Start Where You Are,” the first Meteorology track, is a 16-minute instrumental track featuring guitar, keyboard and electronic samples.

“I have a pedal board that’s made out of four electronic kick drum triggers, and

Brett Fieldcamp makes experimental post-rock as Meterology. | Photo Jesse Edgar

“I might have been the first person to respond,” Fieldcamp said. “I was like, ‘Well I haven’t actually done any of it yet, but I’ve been working on an experimental solo project.’ … Then I said, ‘Oh shit. I guess I better actually, like, develop some music of some kind.’”

Fieldcamp celebrates the release of Meteorology’s debut album Every Last Monday on Saturday, April 12 at Mycelium Gallery. The show will be the latest in Mycelium Gallery’s Dark Mode concert series pairing live music with projection 32

M A R C H 2 0 2 5 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

those all run to a Roland sample pad that I have loaded up with either synth chords and stuff that I’ve recorded off my synth or just bass notes,” Fieldcamp said. “I went through with my bass guitar and recorded individual notes and loaded up the sampling pad with that so I can assign bass notes from a bass guitar to the pedals and play bass with my feet while I’m playing guitar. But then I also pull a lot of beats and percussive stuff from GarageBand. I just sit around and play with GarageBand on my phone until

I land on a cool beat.”

Every Last Monday is named in honor of Mental Mondaze, the experimental showcase where Fieldcamp first played “Start Where You Are” and other tracks from the album. The showcase, hosted

by Make Oklahoma Weirder founder Jarvix, is now Weirder Wednesday at Opolis in Norman. Fieldcamp said he originally recorded the songs on Meteorology’s debut in order to learn them for these showcases.

“I never really intended, originally, for these to be released,” Fieldcamp said.

“Part of writing for me is always recording because something can sound fine when I play it or it can sound cool in my head, but I have to have it recorded so that I can listen back. Especially with these pieces, as they got longer and longer and started ballooning and becoming these big, epic things, I needed to record them so that I could listen back and commit them to memory.”

Meteorology’s longest track to date, “Competitive Martyrdom” might also be the most popular. Clocking in at more than 26 minutes, the song combines Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s epic post-rock with David Gilmour’s ringing guitar solos.

“I haven’t had anything like a hit, obviously, and it’s hard for anything that’s a half-hour instrument experimental track to be, but that’s the one that I’ve had the biggest response from,” Fieldcamp said. “That piece was essentially me trying to be as experimental as I could, and for me, that’s usually about rerouting my pedals. ... I sat down, and I started just experimenting with plugging different things in to different things and plugging them in strangely until eventually I landed on this thing that was just texture, just this weird wash of texture to start it. …

“There’s a lot going on in that track, but that whole thing, for 27 minutes, is one single live take. … Every single thing in that entire track you hear is me by myself playing one guitar in one take, and to me, that was experimental. I was able to figure out how to layer the guitars and how to create the texture and how to make sounds that I had never made before. The big kind of climax at the end is this weird finger-tapping thing where I’m finger-tapping on the guitar in beat to the delay that’s repeating it so the whole thing ends up sounding like a synthesizer. It sounds like the score to Blade Runner, but it’s all guitar and it’s all just me playing it.”

Experimental boundaries

Every Last Monday also includes “Where the Walls Are Thin” and “A Bird With Six Wings.”

“I like phrases that have rhythm to them,” Fieldcamp said. “’A Bird with Six Wings’ is in actually meter; there’s Shakespearian meter, I think, to that. ...

I’m feeding one delay into an entirely different separate delay so it kind of has this weird flapping, building quality to it.”

Fieldcamp is still not sure how ex-

Every Last Monday is Meteorology’s debut album. | Photo provided

perimental his music really is.

“I’ve always had this weird complex about playing these experimental showcases because, even doing 27-minutelong solo guitar wackiness, I’ve never felt like I was experimental enough to stand up to what these other artists are doing,” Fieldcamp said.

To him, fellow Weirder Wednesday alum Chazlen Rook is truly pushing the boundaries of music.

“She once brought a hotplate and a bunch of ingredients and she made a pot of chili on stage,” Fieldcamp said. “She miked everything … and I don’t know if she ran it through effect pedals, but then she served chili to the audience. That, to me, is genuinely experimental music.”

Fieldcamp is continually pushing the boundaries of what his own music can be. He plans to play the entire album live for the first time at the release show.

“Not only have I never performed all four of them together, I’ve never performed any two together,” Fieldcamp said. “So that’s a new experiment for me because I’m not even a hundred percent sure how to do it yet. In between pieces, I’m going to have to be rerouting my whole pedal board.”

Following the album tracks, Fieldcamp will play some newer songs that are closer to the vision he originally had for Meteorology: songs with “vocals and energy.”

“It’s a weird transition between halfhour instrumental experimental stuff to all the sudden going, ‘Hey, but I also have these songs, and they’ve got guitar solos and they’re fun,” Fieldcamp said.

“Everywhere that I go tends to be the opposite of what I’ve been doing. … I get bored. I get restless, I guess. After a while, it finally dawned on me that Meteorology is anything that I want it to be. If it’s me, that’s what it is.’”

Dark Mode: Meteorology album release 7 p.m. Saturday, April 12 Mycelium Gallery 2816 N. Pennsylvania Ave. myceliumgallery.com $10

LIVE MUSIC

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

These are events recommended

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

OKLAHOMA CITY METRO RESOURCES Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma 3355 S. Purdue Ave. regionalfoodbank.org regionalfoodbank.org/get-help 405-972-1111

WEDNESDAYS Live Blues Music, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES Amarillo Junction, JJ’s Alley Bricktown Pub.

YWCA 2460 NW 39th St. ywcaokc.org 405-948-1770

ROCK

Jazz Jam, 51st Street Speakeasy. JAZZ Jazz Night at the Bradford, Bradford House. JAZZ Trett Charles, River Spirit Casino Resort.

COUNTRY

City Rescue Mission 800 W. California Ave. cityrescue.org 405-232-2709

Kendrick McKinney Trio, 51st Street Speakeasy. JAZZ

THURSDAYS Live Blues Music, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES Music Over Midtown, O Bar. VARIOUS

FRIDAYS Live Blues Music, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES Live Jazz!, Hefner Grill. JAZZ McKee Brother Jazz Band, Bourbon Street Bar. JAZZ Mojo’s Blues Revue, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES

SATURDAYS Live Blues Music, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES Bedlam Live Local Bands, Bedlam Bar-B-Q.

Fae Aptly named 2023 EP Take Cover features San Antonio punk band Fea’s engagingly aggro interpretations of songs by Iggy Pop (“Isolation”), Los Saicos (“Demolición”), X-Ray Spex (“I Am a Cliche”), and The Runaways en español (“I Wanna Be Where the Boys Are”). When Fea isn’t covering legends, they’re working with them: Alice Bag, Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace and Babes in Toyland’s Lori Barbero produced the band’s self-titled 2016 debut, and you can currently see Fea on tour supporting seminal UK anarcho punks Subhumans. Local hardcore act Primal Brain shares the bill. The show starts 7:30 p.m. April 9 at 89th Street OKC, 8911 N. Western Ave., in OKC. Tickets are $22. Visit 89thstreetokc.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 Photo provided Robert Earl Keen with Cole Chaney, The Jones Assembly. AMERICANA

Future of Sound Fest 2025, Factory Obscura.

TUESDAY, MAR. 18

J.R. Carroll w/ Gabriella Rose, Beer City Music Hall. COUNTRY

JM Stevens - Album Release Show, The Blue Door. AMERICANA

Run To You (Bryan Adams Tribute) w/ Pride In The Name Of U2, Tower Theatre. ROCK

Mojo’s Blues Revue, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 19

SUNDAY, MAR. 30

SUNDAYS

Edgar Cruz and Friends, Broke Brewing Company. ACOUSTIC

Drew & Ellie Holcomb, The Jones Assembly.

Live Blues Music, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES

THURSDAY, MAR. 20

Malford Milligan, The Blue Door. BLUES

VARIOUS

Joel Forlenza, Othello’s Italian Restaurant.

INSTURMENTALISTS

Live Jazz!, Hefner Grill. JAZZ McKee Brother Jazz Band, Bourbon Street Bar. JAZZ

Live Jazz!, Hefner Grill. JAZZ No Whiners Aloud, Mojo’s Blues Club. ROCK Jazz Night at the Blue Note, Blue Note. JAZZ Hösty, The Deli. AMERICANA

The Wallflowers with Jackopierce, The Jones Assembly. ROCK

FRIDAY, MAR. 21 Lorenzo Piccone, The Blue Door. GENRE Warbringer & Allegaeon, 89th Street. METAL

MONDAYS Live Blues Music, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES

SATURDAY, MAR. 22 CAVALERA W/ NECROT & DEAD HEAT, Beer City Music Hall. METAL

The Aints/Bailey Gilbert & Friends, The Deli.

AMERICANA

Blue’s Night Jam Session, Othello’s. BLUES

TUESDAYS Live Blues Music, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES

Marc Broussard w/ Kendra Morris, Tower Theatre. ROCK

SUNDAY, MAR. 23

Bruce Benson & Studio B, 51st Street Speakeasy.

The Dave Matthews Tribute Band, Beer City Music Hall. COVER

Caleb McGee, The Deli. BLUES

Matt Nathanson w/ KT Tunstall, Tower Theatre. ROCK

THURSDAY, MAR. 13

Violent Femmes, Criterion. ROCK

BLUES

Pet Sounds LIVE: A Recreation of The Beach Boys’ Iconic Album & Their Greatest Hits, Tower Theatre. ROCK Skating Polly + Gully Boys w/ Keathley, Factory Obscura. PUNK

Sorry Mom, 89th Street. PUNK

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 26 Steel Panther – Feel The Steel 15th Anniversary Tour, Diamond Ballroom. AMERICANA

FRIDAY, MAR. 14

THURSDAY, MAR. 27

Annie-Claude Deschênes w/ heartspace, Factory Obscura. ROCK

Shane Smith & The Saints, The Jones Assembly. ROCK

Boots ‘N Beats - A Night of Country & EDM, Beer City Music Hall. VARIOUS

Shordie Shordie, Beer City Music Hall.

SATURDAY, MAR. 15

FRIDAY, MAR. 28

Hinder w/ Saliva and Kelsey Hickman, Tower Theatre. ROCK

Dylan Gossett - The Back 40 Tour, Criterion.

Winter Jam 2025, Paycom Center. CHRISTIAN

GrungeFest w/ Pearl Gem & Nervana - Tributes to Pearl Jam & Nirvana, Tower Theatre.

SUNDAY, MAR. 16

COUNTRY

ROCK

O’ Summer Vacation (Japan) w/ Electric Sunrise, Factory Obscura.

ROCK

COUNTRY

Justin Bloss, Mallory Eagle, Dalton Mills, The Blue Door. AMERICANA

SATURDAY, MAR. 29

VARIOUS

AMERICANA

WEDNESDAY, APR. 2 Edgar Cruz and Friends, Broke Brewing Company. ACOUSTIC Sugar Lime Blue, The Blue Door. ROCK Belmont, 89th Street. ROCK

FRIDAY, APR. 4 Red Shahan, Beer City Music Hall. AMERICANA ZZ Ward w/ Liam St. John, Tower Theatre.

AMERICANA

Ducks Ltd. & The Bug Club, 89th Street. ROCK

SATURDAY, APR. 5 Lady Lamb at Factory Obscura, Factory Obscura. ROCK Sam Barber - Restless Mind Tour, Criterion.

City Care Night Shelter 6001 N. Classen Blvd. citycareokc.org 405-652-1112 NAMI Oklahoma namioklahoma.org/resources/oklahomaresources Oklahoma City Animal Shelter 2811 SE 29th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73129 www.okc.gov/departments/animal-welfare/programs-and-services/adoptions/ pets-available-for-adoption 405-297-3100 NATIONAL RESOURCES 988Lifeline 988lifeline.org National Domestic Violence Hotline thehotline.org 1-800-799-7233 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) www.samhsa.gov 1-800-662-4357 To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) twloha.com pleasestayalive.com Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860

COUNTRY

MONDAY, APR. 7 Tyler Childers: On The Road, Paycom Center.

COUNTRY

TUESDAY, APR. 8 Neal Francis w/ Improvement Movement, Beer City Music Hall. AMERICANA Ty Segall w/ Mikal Cronin (Solo), Tower Theatre. ROCK

Live music submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon the first Wednesday of the month. Late submissions will not be included in the listings.

Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible.

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

Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR FULL LISTINGS!

Veterans Crisis Line 800-273-8255 PFLAG pflag.org/find-resources The Trevor Project thetrevorproject.org/resources Text START to 678-678 Human Rights Campaign hrc.org Anti-Violence Project avp.org 212-714-1141 American Civil Liberties Union aclu.org

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | M A R C H 2 0 2 5

33

PUZZLES NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE CROSSWORD PUZZLE IN THE REARVIEW | 0202

By Daniel Grinberg and Rafael Musa Puzzles Edited by Will Shortz

VOL. XLVII NO. 3 PUBLISHER Kimberly Walker kwalker@okgazette.com

ACROSS

88 Coalesce Dazzling display 89 11, literally Tech giant based in Cupertino, 90 Occasions for self-indulgence Calif.

91 Completely change one’s 11 Plant with bugs? position . . . or what’s found in 14 Formation of rugby players 104-Across?

19 Queendom in the Bible 96 Intimidate 20 Hint at L.G.B.T.Q.+ story lines to 97 Wild goats of the Alps generate buzz 98 Delta hub: Abbr.

22 Give an address 99 Reality competition show with 23 What a tight deadline might quick-fire challenges require . . . or what’s found in 103 Smidgen 30-Across?

104 Gift-wrapping supplies 25 Viennese ‘‘please’’ 109 Formal ‘‘you,’’ in Uruguay 26 Attacked 110 Americans who live in their 27 Do perfectly own time zone 28 Hound or dog 111 Many a piece of writing by Joan 29 What’s-____-name Didion 30 Question when leaving a grocery 112 In a bashful mannerl store, perhaps 113 Sweetie 34 Inaugural 114 Part of a wheel 38 Unwanted event at a speakeasy 115 Detaches from a source of 39 Spot for a pin dependence 40 Lyricist Gershwin 41 Halls that may have glass ceilings DOWN 42 Improvise 1 Lawyer’s title: Abbr.

44 ‘‘Everything ____ Changed’’ 2 Fish bait (Taylor Swift song) 3 Leader of filmdom’s Rebel 45 Scheme Alliance 46 Tolerate misbehavior . . . or what’s 4 Options on some tests found in 56-Across?

5 Receive severe criticism 49 Collectors of signatures?

6 Blue-green shades 50 ____ of Cleves, wife of Henry 7 Sound of a smooth-running VIII engine 51 Newspaper section 8 Pig’s digs 52 Tuna variety 9 Locale where clovers bloom 53 Word with lock or pocket 10 Forget to finish writing a clue, 54 Second printings, e.g. mayb Physiology or Medicine (1902) 56 Source of some public funding 11 Secret ____ 35 Yom Kippur observers, e.g.

62 Boiling state 12 Felt longing (for) 36 Amusingly incongruous 63 Author of the 1964 artist’s book 13 Since Jan. 1 outcomes ‘‘Grapefruit’’ 14 ‘‘C’est la vie’’ 37 Flood preventers 64 Legal tender 15 Potato chip, to a Brit 38 Hoots 65 When doubled, a dance 16 Coiffure parts that are sometimes 42 ‘‘Don’t worry about us’’ 66 Home of the Sugarloaf Cable Car, braided 43 Lines of work informally 17 Complete nonsense 44 What locks are made of 67 Totally the wrong way . . . or 18 Small mongooses 45 Catherine ____, wife of Henry what’s found in 79-Across?

21 Creature that sounds like a VIII 70 ‘‘Really! Check for yourself!’’ snooze 47 Horse’s behind 72 Radar gun inits.

24 Scarlett Johansson, Rami Malek 48 Protein powder ingredient 73 Philosophy or Vin Diesel (did you know?)

49 Aetna alternative 74 It may be on the chopping block 28 PalmPilots, e.g., for short 53 ‘‘Unfortunately, that’s incorrect’’ 75 ‘‘Uh-huh, whatever you say!’’

30 Wish list items 55 Many long-running TV shows 76 Distorts 31 Like some heels and hopes 56 Word processing selection 79 ‘‘It’d be my pleasure’’ 32 Marriage equality activist 57 Close 83 Mates Windsor, familiarly 58 Director’s directive 84 1/96 of a pint: Abbr.

33 ‘‘Perhaps. That’s something that 59 Most common coffee bean 85 It comes with a hefty bill interests me’’ variety 86 Happen over and over 34 Disease that was the subject 60 Love interest in a Hallmark 87 Beehive State athlete of the second Nobel Prize in movie, maybe 1 6

Stumped? Call 1-900-285-5656 to get the answers to any three clues by phone ($1.20 a minute).

| N° 8680 Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3-by-3 box contains SUDOKU EASY Grid n°8680 easy the numbers 1 through 9. www.printmysudoku.com

8

9 1

1 2 6 7 4

9

4 9 7

2 3 8 9 6 2 4 3 1 1 3 9 8 4 9 6 34

M A R C H 2 0 2 5 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

EDITOR Brittany Pickering bpickering@okgazette.com MARKETING MANAGER Leslie A. Spears lspears@okgazette.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Patrick Hanscom phanscom@okgazette.com

ADVERTISING advertising@okgazette.com 405-528-6000 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Leslie A. Spears lspears@okgazette.com Beau Stephenson bstephenson@okgazette.com Gina Nichols gnichols@okgazette.com Angela Clark Little aclarklittle@okgazette.com

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITORIAL 61 Walks unsteadily 64 ‘‘Monster ____’’ (1962 No. 1 song) 68 i5 and X5 69 Fraidy-cat 70 Soupçons 71 Organized in a cabinet, say 74 School before l’université 76 Not to be relied upon 77 Singer whose 1985 song ‘‘Running Up That Hill’’ became a Top 10 hit in 2022 after being featured on ‘‘Stranger Things’’ 78 110, facetiously 79 Barbuda or Barbados 80 Shoddy 81 Most dad jokes 82 Nickname for Milwaukee’s baseball team 84 Ocean in ‘‘Ocean’s Eleven’’ 88 Like King Midas, notably 90 Have a pity party 92 Google Sheets alternative

93 Supply at the Hershey Company 94 City near Disney World, informally 95 ____ Beauty 96 Small wood 99 Fail ignominiously, as at the box office 100 Rip off 101 ‘‘Lohengrin’’ soprano 102 Custardy treat 104 ‘‘Quiet!’’

105 Gender identity prefix 106 With it 107 Confucian concept 108 Part of iOS: Abbr.

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS Puzzle No. 0202, which appeared in the February 2025 issue.

REPORTERS Phil Bacharach Daniel Bokemper Ben Felder Henry Nam Hardwick Greg Horton Kaile Hultner Jeremy Martin Julie Porter Scott Lauren Thomas-Martin

CREATIVE GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tim Buchanan ILLUSTRATORS Steve Hill Nick Hermes

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www.okgazette.com Copyright © 2025 Red Center Media, LLC All rights reserved.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Homework: Henry James said, “Excellence does not require perfection.” Give an example from your own life. Newsletter.

FreeWillAstrology.com ARIES (March 21-April 19): Cheetahs are the fastest land animals. From standing still, they can be running at 70 miles per hour three seconds later.

But they can’t sustain that intensity. After a 20-second burst, they need to relax and recover.

This approach serves them well, enabling them to prey on the small creatures they like to eat. I encourage you to be like a metaphorical cheetah in the coming weeks, Aries. Capitalize on the power of focused, energetic spurts. Aim for bursts of dedicated effort, followed by purposeful rest. You don’t need to pursue a relentless pace to succeed.

Recognize when it’s right to push hard and when it’s time to recharge.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Inside a kaleidoscope, the colored shards of glass are in an ever-shifting chaotic jumble. But internal mirrors present pleasing symmetrical designs to the person gazing into the kaleidoscope. I see a similar phenomenon going on in your life. Some deep intelligence within you (your higher self?) is creating intriguing patterns out of an apparent mess of fragments. I foresee this continuing for several weeks. So don’t be quick to jump to conclusions about your complicated life. A hidden order is there, and you can see its beauty if you’re patient and poised.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Spiders spin their webs with meticulous care, crafting structures that are delicate, strong, and useful. Their silk is five times more robust than steel of the same diameter.

It’s waterproof, can stretch 140 percent of its length without splitting, and maintains its sturdiness at temperatures as low as -40 degrees. With that in mind, Gemini, I bid you to work on fortifying and expanding your own web in the coming weeks—by which I mean your network of connections and support. It’s an excellent time to deepen and refine

your relationships with the resources and influences that help hold your world together.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Chichén Itzá was a large pre-Columbian city from around 600 to 1200 CE. It was built by Mayan people in what’s now Mexico.

At the city center was a pyramid, The Temple of Kukulcán. During the equinoxes, and only on the equinoxes, sunlight fell on its steps in such a way as to suggest a snake descending the stairs. The mathematical, architectural, and astronomical knowledge necessary to create this entertaining illusion was phenomenal. In that spirit, I am pleased to tell you that you are now capable of creating potent effects through careful planning. Your strategic thinking will be enhanced, especially in projects that require long-term vision. The coming weeks will be a favorable time for initiatives that coordinate multiple elements to generate fun and useful outcomes.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Fireflies produce very efficient light. Nearly all the energy expended in their internal chemical reactions is turned directly into their intense glow. By contrast, light bulbs are highly inefficient. In accordance with astrological omens, Leo, I urge you to be like a firefly in the coming weeks, not a light bulb. You will have dynamic power to convert your inner beauty into outer beauty. Be audacious! Be uninhibited! Shower the world with full doses of your radiant gifts.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Brazil nut trees grow in the Amazon—but if only they are in the vicinity of orchid bees, their sole pollinators. And orchid bees thrive in no other place except where there are lots of blooming orchids. So the Brazil nut tree has very specific requirements for its growth and well-being. You Virgos aren’t quite so picky about the influences that keep you fertile and flourishing— though sometimes I do worry about it. The good news is that in the coming months, you will be casting a wider net in quest of inspiration and support. I suspect you will gather most, maybe all, of the inspiration and support you need.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In 1858, businessperson James Miller Williams was digging a new water well on his land in Ontario, hoping to compensate for a local drought. He noticed oil was seeping out of the hole he had scooped. Soon, he became the first person in North America to develop a commercial oil well. I suspect that you, too, may soon stumble upon valuable fuels or resources, Libra—and they may be different from what you imagined you were looking for. Be alert and openminded for unexpected discoveries.

a mountain goat as it navigates along steep and rocky terrain: 1. It’s strong and vigorous; 2. it’s determined and unflappable; 3. it’s precise and disciplined; 4. it calls on enormous stamina and resilience. According to my astrological analysis, you Capricorns will have maximum access to all these capacities during the coming weeks. You can use them to either ascend to seemingly impossible heights or descend to fantastically interesting depths. Trust in your power to persevere. Love the interesting journey as much as the satisfaction of reaching the goal of the journey.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I’ve been through the US education system, and I can testify that our textbooks don’t give the French enough of the credit they deserve for helping our fledging nation gain independence from Great Britain. The 18th-century American Revolution would not have succeeded without extensive aid from France. So I’m a little late, but I am hereby showering France with praise and gratitude for its intervention. Now I encourage you, too, to compensate for your past lack of full appreciation for people and influences that have been essential to you becoming yourself. It’s a different kind of atonement: not apologizing for sins, but offering symbolic and even literal rewards to underestimated helpers and supporters.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The Swiss Army knife is a compact assemblage of tools. These may include a nail file, scissors, magnifying glass, screwdriver, pliers, blade, can opener, and many others. Is there a better symbol for adaptability and preparedness? I urge you to make it your metaphorical power object during the coming weeks, Aquarius.

Explore new frontiers of flexibility, please. Be ready to shift perspective and approach quickly and smoothly. Be as agile and multifaceted as you dare.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): As I survey the astrological aspects, I am tempted to encourage you to be extra expansive about love. I am curious to see the scintillating intimacy you might cultivate.

So, in the hope you’re as intrigued by the experimental possibilities as I am, I invite you to memorize the following words by author Maya Angelou and express them to a person with whom you want to play deeper and wilder: “You are my living poem, my symphony of the untold, my golden horizon stretched beyond what the eye can see. You rise in me like courage, fierce and unyielding, yet soft as a lullaby sung to a weary soul. You are my promise kept, my hope reborn, the infinite melody in the heart of silence. I hold you in the marrow of my joy, where you are home.”

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Four facts about

CLASSIFIEDS

CAT-TRACTOR

POSITION: OFFICIAL SNACK TASTER & VIBES COORDINATOR

ELECTRICAL WORK: If it has wires, I’ll swat it until it’s “fixed” (or at least slightly unplugged).

Paid in hugs, laughs, and no actual money.

Flexible hours and mandatory pajama Fridays.

How to Apply: Send your resume, top 5 snacks, and your best joke. *Sorry, this is not a real job posting.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Coast redwoods are the tallest trees on the planet. If, Goddess forbid, lumber harvesters cut down one of these beauties, it can be used to build more than 20 houses. And yet each mature tree begins as a seed the size of a coat button. Its monumental growth is steady and slow, relying on robust roots and a symbiotic relationship with a fungus that enables it to absorb water from fog.

I propose we make the redwood your power symbol for now, Pisces. Inspired by its process, I hope you implement the magic of persistent, incremental growth. Treasure the fact that a fertile possibility has the potential, with patience and nurturing, to ripen into a long-term asset. Trust that small efforts, fueled by collaboration, will lead to gratifying achievements.

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.

PLUMBING CHECKS: I’ll stare into your bathtub drain until the problem fixes itself.

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