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CONTENTS 43

ON THE COVER

Millennials are making the choice to live and work in Oklahoma City, putting us on par with cities like Dallas, Nashville and Houston. Do millennials love prosperous cities, or are they integral to building our city’s longterm future? P. 4. IN THIS ISSUE

Look for this logo to learn more about fun winter activities!

NEWS

LIFE

Cover: new face of OKC

OKG picks

Active: belly dancing

City: parks

Sudoku / Crossword

State: Jason Dunnington

Food & Drink: winter food trucks, Hollie’s Flatiron Steakhouse, OKG eat: healthy choices

City: urban renewal

OKG shop: self-improvement

Music: Southern Sound Concert Series, Shameless Friend, Limp Wizurdz, event listings

Metro briefs

Culture: Punk Rock Karaoke

Shape UP!

Chicken-Fried News

Film: best of 2014

Commentary

Culture: Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show Visual Arts: ArtNow Gala, Growing Cities

Astrology

Classifieds

Letters

MISSION STATEMENT Oklahoma Gazette’s mission is to stimulate, examine and inform the public on local quality of life issues and social needs, to recognize community accomplishments, and to provide a forum for inspiration, participation and interaction across all media.

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NEWS COVER

A fresh look

OKC works hard to attract young professionals, and they are changing the city forever.

The new face of Oklahoma City is young, well-educated and reinventing the American Dream. Cities across the country covet millennials, young adults born from around 1980 to the early 2000s, who boost local economies when they arrive and destroy them when they leave. Look at cities where the economy is growing the fastest, according to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, over the past 2 years: Nashville, Tennessee; Dallas; Houston; Orlando, Florida; and OKC. These cities enjoyed double-digit percentage millennial growth, according to Census data analyzed by real estate information company RealtyTrac. Cities that saw the biggest GDP declines — Detroit, Chicago, Boston and Cleveland — also experienced at least 10 percent drops of millennial residents. This data shows that this group, typically defined as between 20 and 35 years old, boosts an economy, but a growing economy also attracts more millennials, creating a chicken-or-the-egg scenario. “Naturally, millennials are attracted to markets with good job prospects and low unemployment,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president of RealtyTrac. Whatever the cause and effect might be, city leaders across the nation understand that it’s better to have more young adults living in their cities. It is a goal OKC’s leaders embraced in the past several years. “Every city out there is trying to recruit highly educated 20-somethings,” Mayor Mick Cornett told Fast Company Magazine in an October article about the city’s recent transformation. “That’s how you drive the economy in this digital age.” While OKC succeeds in encouraging growth of businesses and infrastructure to attract young adults, it faces many challenges when it comes to keeping them here as they age. OKC competes with Austin, Texas; New York; and Denver to attract millennials. It also will compete with Edmond, Yukon and Piedmont to keep them as they get older and start families.

Oklahoma?

“I literally got my degree, shook the dean’s hand, walked off the stage and got on the plane,” said Catherine Anadu about graduating from the University of

4 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

M A RK HA N COC K

BY BEN FELDER

“They thought I was joking when I said I wanted to live within walking distance of work,” Anadu said. “[Devon] finally connected me with a realtor that got it.”

Growth

Catherine Anadu

Oklahoma in 2000. “I never thought I would see the state of Oklahoma again.” Anadu’s story was a common one, as students who either grew up here or studied at a local university fled for the greener pastures of big cities that have reputations as young adult culture meccas. Anadu, who has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Nigeria and spent her high school years in Houston, worked in New Orleans and Denver before moving to New York. Anadu has a degree in petroleum engineering and received a call from a Devon recruiter asking her to interview for a job in Oklahoma City. “I was like ‘click,’” Anadu said, mimicking hanging up a telephone. But the position was intriguing even if the location was not. She decided to visit the city to see what Devon had to offer.

I never thought I would see the state of Oklahoma again. — Catherine Anadu

“I took some time to research,” Anadu said. “Even though I am all about being corporate, I read where Oklahoma City was one of the top cities for entrepreneurs and how there were young people like myself doing great things in Oklahoma City, and that was important to me. Something about that entrepreneur thing really got me.” Anadu accepted Devon’s offer last summer and began looking for housing within walking distance of her new downtown office.

There are numerous ways to track millennial growth, but comparing the number of 20- to 34-year-olds in 2000 with 2013, using Census data, OKC boasted one of the largest regional young adult gains. While the millennial share of OKC’s population — 23.9 percent — is less than Dallas, Denver and Austin, its growth rate since 2000 has outpaced every major city in the region. Since 2000, its millennial population grew by 21.3 percent, a larger growth rate than Austin (18.3 percent), Denver (10.8 percent) and Dallas (-5.8 percent). “Over the past five years, I think the culture of our city is kind of catching up to match the appeal of other cities,” said Rachel Hinderman, who moved back to Oklahoma five years ago, after working in New Jersey. “We’ve got more local restaurants and more local shops, and there are a lot of new cool options to be invested in.” Hinderman, who works for Saxum in OKC, said she believes there is also an appeal to being here because of the low cost of living. “The economy and the cost of living has always been better here in the Midwest than in other parts of the country,” Hinderman said. “You add in all the changes and it really makes a difference.” In August, reporter Shaila Dewan highlighted in a piece for The New York Times that the low cost of living in middle America is an attraction for many young adults. “The country’s fastest-growing cities are now those where housing is more affordable than average, a decisive reversal from the early years of the millennium, when easy credit allowed cities to grow without regard to housing cost and when the fastest-growing cities had housing that was less affordable than the national average,” Dewan wrote. “Among people who have moved long distances, the number of those who cite housing as CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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NEWS COVER their primary motivation for doing so has more than doubled since 2007.” Dewan’s article also highlighted OKC’s 7 percent growth rate since 2006, making it No. 12 on the list of fastest growing cities in the nation.

Keeping talent

While OKC is the state’s creativity and entertainment hub, its low cost of living is not confined to city limits. Affordable housing, at least compared to the national average, is found in its many suburbs. As millennials age, there is concern that the city will lose residents to the suburbs. In fact, OKC’s population of 35- to 45-year-olds has declined by 4.2 percent over the past decade, indicating it has not yet become an attractive place for middle-aged adults and families. “I think the schools could be a huge deterrent for young professionals who might be looking to have kids,” said Dustin Akers, a young professional who moved here from the East Coast three years ago. “That may be what prevents them from staying in urban Oklahoma City.” Like many urban school systems, Oklahoma City Public Schools battles negative perceptions as it deals with poverty and diversity issues often not found in suburban districts. “I don’t think we have done what we intended to do, which is move the needle on city schools,” Ward 8 Councilman Pat Ryan said at a council workshop last year. “In my area, there are a lot of new subdivisions being built with signs that read ‘Piedmont Schools’ and ‘Deer Creek Schools,’ but I haven’t seen one sign that says ‘Oklahoma City Schools.’” The Oklahoma City Council agrees that the school system’s success also will determine the city’s long-term success. City Hall joined forces

with the district to help fund afterschool programs, student transit and other programs. Momentum also is building around the new superintendent as community leaders say they believe positive change is coming. The new John Rex Charter Elementary School downtown makes living there more feasible. “[The school] makes downtown more attractive for families and makes living downtown more of a realistic achievement for families,” said Daniel Chae, PTA secretary at John Rex and a parent of two students. While OKC has reinvented itself in the past several years, it lacks many other items often found on millennial wish lists. “I think some of the key neighborhood characteristics that are desirable [are] still lacking,” Akers said. “Walkability and [public] transit are very important.” OKC has recently increased its investment in sidewalks, and it plans to build a new downtown streetcar system, projects city leaders say are designed to attract young adults. There is also talk about a regional transit plan to help OKC compete with cities like Denver and Dallas, which already have strong regional rail and bus systems. “I had a pedestrian lifestyle in Denver, a pedestrian lifestyle in Houston and in Brooklyn,” said Anadu, remarking that her new neighborhood downtown is a walkable community. “I think I would be really unhappy and wanting to resign already if I lived where I have to drive.”

Meeting expectations

A growth in millennials results in a need to adapt city services to a new era of technology and collaboration, Cornett said. “We have a new generation of 20-somethings moving to the city with higher expectations of how they communicate with each other and how they are

MARK H ANCOCK

Dustin Akers

6 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

MILLENNIAL GROWTH Based on U.S. Census data, this chart shows the current percentage of the population aged 20 to 34 and the percentage growth of that population since 2000.

CURRENT | GROWTH SINCE 2000 28.5%Denver | 10.8%

23.5% | 4.6% Kansas City 22.8% | 0% Tulsa 23.9% | 21.3% Oklahoma City 26.3% | -5.8% Dallas

31.4%Austin | 18.3% going to communicate with government,” he said. “If we’re going to embrace them and try to help them feel like they are part of the success story, we’ve got to meet them halfway.” Cornett said the city is examining and harnessing new technology for its younger residents, including a new City Hall mobile app. Young adults also want a city with quality public transit, according to an April survey by The Rockefeller Foundation. It showed that 54 percent of millennials would consider moving to another city because of better public transit. Sixty-six percent say public transit is a “top three” reason for choosing where to live. “Young people are the key to advancing innovation and economic competitiveness in our urban areas, and this survey reinforces that cities that don’t invest in effective transportation options stand to lose out in the longrun,” said Michael Myers, a managing director at The Rockefeller Foundation. “As we move from a car-centric model of mobility to a nation that embraces more equitable and sustainable transportation options, millennials are leading the way.” Beyond technology and transit, young adults also have high expectations when it comes to cultural activities, such as music, art and theater. “Oklahoma City has really taken off,” said Kathryn McGill, who founded

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park in 1985. “A lot of young people from outside of Oklahoma from larger cities have moved here, and their expectations of what a city should be is different than what Oklahoma City has been.” OKC’s cultural options have expanded in recent years with new theater groups, art galleries and even the arrival of a new pro sports team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. A city’s cultural environment also includes local dining options. “Millennials eat in restaurants far more than non-millennials and spend an average of $21 more per month eating out,” wrote Jeff Fromm of the Millennial Marketing website, referencing a Barkley consulting group survey. While OKC strives to replicate the cultural offerings and infrastructure of places like New York, Austin and San Francisco, what it lacks in population and endless entertainment options it makes up for with relatively low traffic, affordability and a less intimidating environment for entrepreneurs. “The diversity of things to do in New York is almost overwhelming,” Anadu said. “But when 30,000 people show up for a food truck [festival] here, clearly there is a thirst here for more stuff to do. But Oklahoma City has its own charm, and that’s cool.”

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“No golfing,” reads one of eight prohibitions on an Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation Department sign standing ironically on the lip of McNabb Park in northeast Oklahoma City. McNabb Park is not listed on the Oklahoma City Parks Department website, and if it were, it would not feature any of the corresponding abbreviations attached to other parks: “P” for playground, “BB” for basketball court, “WP” for walking path. Instead, McNabb Park features two picnic tables, a tiny charcoal grill and its aforementioned sign. “We used to call it The Field because we didn’t even consider it a park,” said Coletta Brewer, who has lived next to McNabb Park off and on since 1968. “There’s nothing out there. You could take your lawn chairs, I guess.” While Oklahoma Gazette spoke to several OKC residents who are proud and satisfied with their neighborhood parks, many individuals expressed hopes for an improved and better-funded parks system. Douglas Kupper once worked as a National Park Service interpretive ranger in the Florida Everglades. Now he is the first new director of OKC’s Parks & Recreation Department in 18 years. “Everything is so dynamic here in Oklahoma City,” Kupper said recently, six months after accepting the job and leaving the same position in Wichita, Kansas. “The single greatest opportunity is that everybody is on the same page and it’s all about quality of life.” That’s how Kupper hopes to improve McNabb Park and others like it. “We’re ready to come meet with neighborhoods adjacent to parks to get their ideas on improving quality of life through their park,” he said. That sounds like music to the ears of David Starks, president of the Capitol View Neighborhood Association, which covers more than a square mile from N. Lincoln Boulevard to N. Martin Luther King Ave. and from NE 23rd Street to NE 36th Street. “It is such a neglected park,” said Starks, who lives only a couple of blocks from McNabb. “We want that to be a thriving park where kids, adults and senior citizens can come and feel safe. I believe that’s critical.” As it stands, mice and other vermin

MARK HA N COC K

BY WILLIAM W. SAVAGE III

Eight restrictions accompany a couple of picnic benches and a small grill, but not much else encourages gatherings at McNabb Park in OKC. likely feel quite safe in McNabb Park, west of N. Kelly Avenue along NE 34th Street. Starks, Brewer and other nearby residents all confirmed the park is rarely occupied by people, has no programming and is regularly overgrown. “It needs a haircut on a frequent basis. Let’s put it that way,” said Starks, who is also pushing for sidewalks, lighting and other neighborhood improvements. “A park has to have life in it: beautiful trees, cut grass, equipment in it. We’ve had discussions about this, but it never seems to go anywhere. We’ve got all kinds of issues that we often try to get city officials’ attention about.” Georgie Rasco is the executive director of Neighborhood Alliance of Oklahoma City, and she also has high hopes for all OKC parks. “It’s a really important time for parks,” Rasco said. “My No. 1 goal is for (our parks) to be maintained at a level that would make us all very proud of them. Currently, the Parks Department budget hasn’t allowed them to do that. There are all sorts of problems I know our Parks Department are aware of and would love to fix, but they don’t have the funds or the people power.” Rasco said the department has seen many success stories of late, mostly involving neighborhoods working with the city to improve and develop parks like Belle Isle Park (formerly Ross Park) and Tulsa Park in southwest OKC. She

praised Kupper’s fresh leadership at the department, and she reiterated the need for discussions with neighborhoods that can foster park development and innovation. “My wish would be that our next MAPS would be a MAPS for neighborhoods, and the core of that would be parks,” Rasco said. “Do you want art in it? Do you want an art walk? Do you want it to represent the cultural part of town you live in? Having those neighborhood plans would be timeintensive but so worth it for the legacy it would leave.” Kupper believes that is his job, and he hopes to provide “better programming for all ages” at parks and city recreation centers, one of which — Northeast Center Park — is about half a mile from McNabb Park. To do these things, Kupper and the city will need funding. That will likely come from municipal bond issues, assuming voters continue to support them, something the OKC electorate did not do from 1974 to 1995. Kupper said that lack of bond funding resulted in deferred maintenance and little investment in OKC parks for more than two decades. “Consequently, the 1995 bond, a lot of that went into trying to repair things that went unrepaired for those 20 years, so you really don’t get ahead of the game,” he said.

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Progressive heart A freshman lawmaker from an urban district authors a slate of progressive bills. BY BEN FELDER

Following a narrow, and sometimes contentious, campaign, Rep. Jason Dunnington, who won a primary runoff in August to take the House District 88 seat, and Paula Sophia, who fell just 21 votes short, met for coffee. “We talked for three hours, got to know each other fairly well,” Sophia said. “There is a lot that we agree on. I think, despite impressions of the election cycle, he does have a progressive heart.” The race in House District 88, one of the state’s most liberal clusters, featured four candidates for the Democratic ticket last year. While many Oklahoma races included candidates attempting to promote their conservative credentials, District 88, which lacked any Republican candidate, was a race for one of Oklahoma City’s progressive hubs. Dunnington won the open seat and will enter his first legislative session with a series of progressive bills that he believes represents his constituents well. “I think these are bills that make sense for Oklahoma,” Dunnington said about his proposed legislation. “But this is also a fight that makes sense for a representative from House District 88.” Dunnington’s bills include legislation to raise the state minimum wage and give cities the choice of raising local minimum wages, something the state Legislature banned last year. “Republicans want to talk all the time about local control issues, but when they had the chance to stand up to bills taking away local control, they didn’t,” Dunnington said. He also has legislation to ticket drivers smoking in a car with a minor, extend maternity and paternity leave, provide public schools with additional financial flexibility and extend workplace discrimination protections to same-sex and transgender workers. “I really support his nondiscrimination employment [bill]

Jason Dunnington pauses in the House of Representatives gallery at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Dunnington, a Democrat, has a series of bills he hopes to get through a Republican-controlled congress. that is trans[gender] inclusive,” Sophia said. “That is something that we did talk about when we met in November, and I’m glad he is putting that forward.” Dunnington said the need to extend protections to LGBT workers is especially important following the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2014. “It’s going to become a bigger issue now,” Dunnington said. Sophia made national headlines in her bid for the House seat because it was believed she would have become the nation’s first transgender state legislator. As a former Oklahoma City police officer, she also brought a focus on community issues and law enforcement to the campaign. “I don’t have anything with law enforcement this [session],” Dunnington said. “But I hope to continue talking with Paula about that.” Dunnington admits many of his bills, if not all, could be a tough sell for a freshman lawmaker in the minority party. But he is hopeful he can reach across the aisle to find co-sponsors on some of his proposed laws, including the bill to ban smoking in cars with minors and a bill that would extend energy conservation opportunities to schools. For other bills that might be more challenging to pass through a Republican-controlled state house, Dunnington said he is willing to defend his legislation in committee. Dunnington also believes that despite a sometimes-heated primary campaign in 2014, his legislation represents the issues important to constituents in his district, no matter who they voted for last year.

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“Minimum wage was a big deal for Mark Faulk,” Dunnington said, referring to one of the 2014 candidates. “But it was a big deal for all of us. Nondiscrimination in the workplace was a big deal for Paula, but it was important to all of us.” Dunnington believes his legislation is also aimed at issues important to the middle class, which is a theme Democrats have echoed headed into the new session. At a state chamber event last month, Rep. Scott Inman, the Democratic leader in the House, said his party was using a “new yard stick” focused on the middle class. “These are issues Democrats need to fight for for middle-class Oklahomans,” Dunnington said about his own bills. In the final weeks of the primary runoff last year, Sophia’s supporters accused Dunnington of not being progressive enough for the district, and there were other typical campaign tactics that could have created bad blood between each side. But both Sophia and Dunnington say they have a strong relationship and both look to advance the policies of House District 88. “We’ve gotten to know each other more, and it doesn’t seem like much, but we became Facebook friends and now we can follow stuff that is going on with each other’s families,” Dunnington said. “I think Paula’s got a unique voice and one that needs to be heard in our district, and I look forward to working with her.”

Next for Sophia

Sophia said she might be interested in seeking political office again but has not set plans. “I don’t want to run unless I can win,” Sophia said. “I’m just going to see what bears out.” An active writer, Sophia has a collection of short stories scheduled to be published this year and is working on another novel. She will also be teaching at Rose State College and Oklahoma City Community College. Sophia said she remains interested in politics as a means for change and is hopeful Democrats can see some gains in the coming years. “We need to get on our core message,” Sophia said. “Income inequality, criminal justice reform, public education, those are issues [Democrats] can get in line on. We need to see some common-sense progress made on these issues in Oklahoma.”

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NEWS CITY

Infrastructure GA RE TT FI S BE C K

Recent Northeast Renaissance Redevelopment district designation means that some of OKC’s most in-need neighborhoods might soon get the attention they deserve. BY BEN FELDER

Most nights, he’s home after 7 p.m. Kenneth Barnes works eight-hour days, then rides the No. 22 bus for nearly an hour — as far as he can — before another seven-block walk to his house near Edwards Park. “It’s a job,” Barnes said when asked if the commute bothers him. “I’m happy to have a job.” Nearly 1 in 5 residents in the 73117 ZIP code — where Barnes lives — are without work. The area east of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center medical complex might be one of the city’s largest employment hubs, but its residents suffer with the metro’s highest unemployment rate. With a median household income half the state average, this mostly African-American community is an economic desert in a city that frequently makes headlines for its recent economic growth. However, after years of public investment in downtown and midtown communities, the city is preparing to use urban renewal and tax-break tools in the northeast. “This is the first true major economic development plan for northeast Oklahoma City,” said Ward 7 Councilman John Pettis Jr. “Years ago, there were different, smaller plans, but this is the first plan that actually lays out true economic development for northeast Oklahoma City, using the plan the city has used in other neighborhoods.” The Oklahoma City Council recently approved the creation of the

Northeast Renaissance Redevelopment district. It opens stretches of 23rd and 36th streets, Martin Luther King Avenue and other northeast OKC thoroughfares to urban renewal plans and policies. This month, the council also will be asked to approve a new tax increment financing (TIF) district to encourage development through property tax revenue. “The neighborhood could use some help,” Barnes said in front of a doughnut shop sandwiched between two vacant storefronts.

Eminent domain

Some residents say they are happy about the city’s drive to improve the area. However, they also have many questions and concerns. Many longtime district residents say that prior development plans and promises of blight removal ended without meaningful results. “The plan is apparently a good plan, but there are some areas we identified that need to be more specific,” said David Sparks, president of the Capitol View Neighborhood Association. “We were not informed about most of the meetings held over the past year on this.” Gina Blaylock, another northeast resident, wants to know why some neighborhoods were omitted from the new district. “We do have a lot of vacant property around there,” Blaylock said about her neighborhood. The approved district gives the

A community development plan could soon help improve areas in the 73117 ZIP code, including this abandoned gas station near NE 15th Street and Martin Luther King Avenue. city’s Urban Renewal Authority power to enforce building policies and redevelopment requirements, along with the ability to use eminent domain to acquire properties that do not fit neighborhood development goals. As one example, Pettis cited a recent need for eminent domain with a proposed grocery store at 23rd Street and Martin Luther King Ave. “Sadly, just east of their proposed development, [there is] a crack prostitution hotel where the owner refuses to turn it into something that is good,” Pettis said. “That’s what eminent domain will be used for.” Many residents who spoke with Oklahoma Gazette said they wanted dilapidated and crime-tied businesses cleaned up or removed. However, they’re also concerned about what eminent domain enforcement could mean for residents. During a discussion of the plan at last week’s council meeting, Ward 1 Councilman James Greiner said he was not comfortable expanding eminent power for the Urban Renewal Authority. Also, Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid asked that the council be allowed to make final eminent domain decisions. “[Eminent domain] shouldn’t be [decided by] just five unelected people,” Shadid said, referring to the Urban Renewal Authority. “It looks like we

are going to be using eminent domain as a law enforcement mechanism or a means for retribution for those who won’t play ball.” Shadid’s proposal to require the area’s eminent domain decisions to come before the council was voted down by the council 6-3. This month, the council also will be asked to approve the creation of a new TIF district to further encourage development in the new district. South of the new district, the city has another existing renewal district in the area. However, urban renewal officials said the absence of TIF funds prevents redevelopment in the older district and also will inhibit growth of the new area. “We really didn’t have any additional resources that we might be able to use to make redevelopment happen,” Cathy O’Connor, director of The Alliance for Economic Development, told the council in her presentation about northeast TIF use. City officials said they want to inject new economic life into the northeast, which, if successful, could improve income levels, access to retail and employment opportunities in a community that ranks low in each area. “I feel pretty excited about what is getting ready to take place,” Pettis said. “This is a new day for the northeast.”

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METRO BRIEFS

Nice racks!

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Soon, key districts will be more bike-friendly as maintenance stations and racks go in.

iner e w e i l r cha JAN 21-24

BY BEN FELDER

Pastor in race

Dozens of bike racks and a few bike repair stations are coming to many of the city’s most popular urban districts. The additions give cyclists places to air up tires and perform maintenance. The racks and stations will cost nearly $40,000. Most funding comes from an Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (AGOC) grant and $7,000 from local business districts. “The bike racks that we have are about 10 years old, so this will allow us to replace some broken ones and have more places for bike parking,” said Kristen Vails, executive director of the Plaza District Association, which will get new racks and a repair station. “We are really excited about the bike repair station.” Repair stations also will be located in Deep Deuce. Each station includes an air pump, a bike hanger and tools for basic upkeep, such as brake adjustments and flat repairs. Other neighborhoods to see bike racks include downtown, Film Row, Bricktown, Uptown 23rd Street and the Paseo Arts District. “We definitely want to encourage walkability and bike riding … and also have a place where they can lock their bike up,” said Paseo Arts Association Executive Director Amanda Bleakley.

GARETT F ISBECK

Elementary crosswalks

The ACOG grant mentioned above also helps fund new crosswalks at Eugene

Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid might have two challengers to his March reelection bid. Activist and professor James Cooper recently Major Lewis announced his plan to Jemison run, and Major Lewis Jemison, a pastor at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in OKC, has filed a campaign finance report with the city for the Ward 2 race. Waldrop considers run

Bob Waldrop, a 21-year OKC resident, is using his blog to promote himself while he considers a run at city council. Bob Waldrop “While many have prospered, others have been left behind,” Waldrop wrote on his website about his interest in running for the Ward 6 seat. “The plunge in oil prices may have serious negative economic impacts on the community. Our streets are not as safe as they should and can be. This City continues to have a problem misallocation of resources.” The post and an accompanying Facebook page launched Dec. 31. Waldrop confirmed the site’s authenticity with Oklahoma Gazette last week. Waldrop advocates for social rights and environmental sustainability, and he established the Oscar Romero Catholic Worker House and other organizations to help provide food to those in need. He also wrote a book about permaculture lifestyle. Last year, Waldrop helped organize a petition campaign to fight the state’s new

solar tax, which lets utility companies charge higher fees to users of solar panels. If he runs, Waldrop’s opponent would be Meg Salyer, who joined the council in 2008 and has announced her plan to seek reelection in March. Salyer is well connected in the city’s business and downtown community, and Waldrop admits she would be a tough opponent. “There is no way that I can outspend my opposition,” Waldrop wrote on his website. “But I am betting that I can outorganize them.” Ward 6 includes downtown and midtown neighborhoods south of 23rd Street, as well as a large portion of south OKC and parts of Capitol Hill. Filing for OKC council races in wards 2, 5, 6 and 8 opens Jan. 28-30 at the Oklahoma County Election Board, 4201 N. Lincoln Blvd. The primary election is March 3, and the general election, if needed, is April 7. Weekly council meetings

OKC council meetings are back to a weekly schedule, 8:30 a.m. each Tuesday. The council met every other week during its summer schedule, which will resume after the June 23 meeting. Oklahoma Gazette reporter Ben Felder (@benfelder_okg) tweets live updates from meetings. Meetings are aired live on City Channel 20 with episodes archived on the city’s YouTube page. Learn more at okc.gov/ch_20. Say what? MARK HANCOCK

Elementary School and pedestrian signage at Hayes Elementary School. The city kicked in $1,300 for the school projects. The Oklahoma City Council approved an agreement with ACOG and the business districts during last week’s meeting. Work should begin shortly. “I’ve lived here 23 years, and we are definitely becoming more pedestrian and bike-friendly all the way around,” Bleakley said. “This is another step in that.”

“People really felt empowered by the process. They see how they really impacted public policy. It was wonderful to witness.” Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid commented following Pedestal Oil Co.’s decision to withdraw its proposal to drill near Lake Hefner. Shadid helped organize public opposition to the project, which included a large protest last month at a city-hosted public meeting.

u1 ss a m e n 3 a sh JAN 28 & E ERVIC AND LSAR SHOW E IK M PEN REGU HT IGHT- O & THE WED TNRY N IGHT -LADIES N IG INDUS URS N IGHT TH

replaces need for iTunes App! Readers now have access to an improved, responsive, interactive website, removing the need for the iTunes app. The new okgazette. com features a smashing flipbook and easier search capability. All smartphone and tablet users will love how adaptable it is for their on-the-go lifestyle. So go check out okgazette.com for all your news, arts and entertainment needs. O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | 1 3

CHiCKEN CKEN

FRiED NEWS

Grandmaster laugh

Even if you dislike him on the court, you have to admit that Blake Griffin is one funny dude. Recently, while filling out a questionnaire for Derek Jeter’s website, ThePlayersTribune.com, the Oklahoma City native revealed that his favorite athlete is competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who has won Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest for the past eight years. Chestnut has defended his title numerous times, each time consuming upward of 65 hot dogs in under 12 minutes. Because professional athletes push their bodies to extremes every day, it only makes sense that they’d admire others who push their bodies in oddly different and extreme ways. Speaking of pushing himself, Griffin has been killing it comedically in new Kia car commercials. He has also managed to find enough time in between advancing the Los Angeles

Clippers in the NBA’s Pacific Division to be senior editor for The Players’ Tribune website. He is also a great whistler, loves Scooby-Doo and is terrified about people possibly discovering his Internet search history, according to FoxSports.com. At Oklahoma Gazette, we are curious about what would happen if Griffin were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, we also believe that a more important — and likely — development for our city would be a Steven Adams and Griffin comedy improv team.

Sooner diamond

Is Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops on the hot seat? “The shine is off Bob Stoops’ star,” wrote Berry Tramel, a columnist for The Oklahoman. “His Sooners this season went from top-four in the nation to not even topfour in the Big 12.” An Athletic Bowl bid was less than desired for Sooner fans who

enter each year with championship aspirations, but a win would have at least given the program some momentum headed into the offseason. Instead, a 40-6 loss to Clemson reminded us all that Stoops has a tall task before him. Less than a year since picking fights with Alabama coach Nick Saban, Stoops’ squad is not only not on the same level as Bama but many wonder if it’s even in the top half of the Big 12. These are not easy days to be the OU football coach, except perhaps for the millions of dollars in salary this year and next. “They’re in total support of everything that I’ve done here for the last 16 years,” Stoops said about his tenure at the school, “and that’ll continue.”

Call us surprised

In the last few months, the obscure local social blog that once graced the cover of this paper has waged an ugly, malicious attack on the very core of our existence. First, we were labeled uncool for

publishing a Wayne Coyne mask, meant to scare the kids on Halloween, on our cover. Next, we were called unfunny because we wouldn’t let the blog’s publisher appear on yet another cover in a turkey suit wearing that same so-called uncool mask. Total bummer, man. Most recently, we found out we’re suffering from a tragic decline of intellect. (Oh wait. The Lost Ogle didn’t write that! It was written by the blog publisher’s former University of Central Oklahoma professor. TLO linked to it because its publisher thought it was amusing.) OK; that last one is funny. We’ll admit it. TLO is cooler, funnier and intellectual-ier. Every week, it features a “hot girl” — in a bikini, underwear, ’80s prom dress, whatever — and that’s clever. TLO makes the time to feature its completely original version of the Page Three girl, sort of like how The Sun tabloid across the pond has done since 1970. Now that’s … progressive! Every year, TLO also holds a

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massive contest to find the fattest, most tattooed and mullet-headed white people to grace its site, too. Plus, there’s the biting satire — you know, like fetishes with Gov. Mary Fallin’s open-toed shoes — that shows the level of intellect to which we can only aspire. You’re on the road to full success, TLO! With love, from the most obviously mature, intellectually better-er and nonshit-eating-grin-having alternative news source on, well, this block. High-five. Or perhaps we just need a hug.

Gaudy list

With the New Year comes new moves and new news. No, not new dance moves — though we are excited to see what this year provides in dance routines — but TEEMCO, the company behind Gold Dome restorations, says it plans to move about 40 employees into the iconic building this month. Hence, new moves. Despite the fantastic Christmas lighting that adorned the dome this

holiday season, things have admittedly been a little rocky for TEEMCO, CEO Greg Lorson told NewsOK.com. Fewer employees will move than expected (down 25 employees from its early estimate of 65 people). However, despite its ups and downs, the company will transfer employees, as well as the world’s largest salt crystal lamp, Lorson said. That’s a new and unexpected move, right? It’s definitely almost as awesome as choreographed dance. Mined in the Himalayas, the salt crystal was shipped from Pakistan to New York and now resides in a TEEMCO warehouse somewhere in OKC. Its new home will soon be the Gold Dome lobby. It’s a fitting decoration for OKC’s gaudiest and possibly most talked-about building.

Sexy friends

It turns out veteran Oklahoma country superstar Garth Brooks has friends in unlikely places.

Brooks was a surprise guest at Justin Timberlake’s sold-out concert Dec. 19 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. A 10-minute video on Time.com shows Timberlake stopping in the middle of his cover of Brooks’ super hit “Friends in Low Places” then inviting him to the stage. “Hold on. Now something don’t feel right, something don’t feel right, Nashville. I mean, if you’re going to do this — Garth?” Timberlake said. However, it’s unclear whether the guest appearance was planned, as Brooks was wearing ill-fitting jeans, a plaid shirt, a hoodie and a baseball cap and was almost unrecognizable. It was definitely a far cry from his famous skin-tight Wranglers, flashy western shirts and cowboy hats. Maybe next time Timberlake will help Brooks bring sexy back to one of his concerts. You can catch Brooks in a historymaking performance on NBC’s Today show tomorrow morning when

Brooks appears in all four hours of the show to promote his first album in 13 years, Man Against Machine. It’s the first time in the 62-year history of Today that a guest will appear in all segments.

Adorable and chic

It’s official. Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton are the world’s cutest down-to-earth country music couple ever. For proof, look no further than the impromptu $5 concert the pair performed recently at the The Ladysmith Bed & Breakfast, Lambert’s latest venture in Tishomingo, where the pair lives. TasteofCountry.com reported that Lambert announced the gig mere hours before on the venue’s social media accounts. The couple took the stage in baseball caps and sweatshirts and then worked through an acoustic set. Afterward, they met and talked to about 80 fans. Management said it hopes it’s the first of many live shows for the bed and breakfast.

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COMMENTARY

Giving thanks BY JAMES ROLLER

Oklahoma energy is much more than producing from our state’s resources. It’s a broader reach into our community. During this time of year, Oklahoma energy companies from across the state chip in, step up and work to make a lasting difference in the broader Oklahoma community. Here at the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, we recently completed our annual Future Leaders Christmas party where the next generation of oil and gas leadership has shown they understand the value of community and giving back. This one evening collected almost $5,000 to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County. This is just one example of the Oklahoma energy community giving back. Here in the season of giving,

it’s more apparent than ever that Oklahoma energy companies are reaching out to support their communities across the state. From east to west and north to south, Oklahoma energy is making a difference. Some collect warm clothing to give jackets and gloves to those who need that support through cold winter months. Other companies focus on toy collection so no child goes through these months without joy. Even further, many lend support by mentoring local children and preparing meals for those less fortunate. It’s part of who we are as Oklahomans to give back. Oklahoma’s energy leadership in our community is seen through the positions we hold among local city councils, school boards, rotary clubs and charitable campaigns. Our

community leadership generates millions of personal and corporate dollars to local charity. As we dig deeper into their level of impact, we see that the oil and gas industry formed 16 of the 25 largest charitable foundations in Oklahoma. Looking at state foundations, oil and gas professionals created the state’s three largest foundations and 10 of the top 15. There is no doubt that Oklahoma’s energy leadership puts its money where its heart is. During these months, there are many things for us to be thankful for. As we gather with our families, friends and faiths to celebrate our blessings, we also can be thankful for Oklahoma energy. In Oklahoma, energy companies help build a stronger economy through job creation, income

growth and overall wealth generation. We count our blessings for plentiful energy deposits and low-cost energy resources that we will use to cook our food and warm our homes. We also thank Oklahoma energy leadership for chipping in, stepping up and working to make a difference in this community. As we celebrate previous achievements and look back at 2014 for our goal-setting into 2015, let’s take a moment to appreciate the blessings of Oklahoma energy in our state. James Roller is the vice president of legislative affairs for the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. He is a native of Clinton and an Oklahoma State University graduate.

LETTERS Oklahoma Gazette provides an open forum for the discussion of all points of view in its Letters to the Editor section. The Gazette reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Letters can be mailed, faxed, emailed to jchancellor@okgazette.com or sent online at okgazette.com. Include a city of residence and contact number for verification.

All about bias

A few months ago, I started reading your paper, as it began being delivered to the hotel I work at. I have to admit, I found it refreshing compared to the “other” alternative Oklahoma paper in OKC. As a political blogger, I’m what letter writer Pete Lepo from Edmond would surely consider “liberal.” I really enjoy reading your ChickenFried News section. When I read his comments about the paper’s “liberal bias” (Commentary, Letters, Dec. 3, Oklahoma Gazette), I had to wonder if he had ever written to that other Oklahoma paper to tell them how much of a conservative bias it has. I have, off and on, read that paper over the years, and I am surprised that in its opinion section, it lacks any opinions from those with less-than-conservative opinions.

1 6 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

Personally, I would not send comments to that paper because I doubt very seriously if its editors would publish what I had to say, and with this paper, I have at least a little confidence that your editors will. All I have to say to old Pete is at least this paper publishes his letters and doesn’t toss them, as I suppose the other Oklahoma paper does with liberal opinions they don’t agree with. Living in a state where I am overwhelmed with conservative opinions in my everyday life, it is refreshing to know that there are still a few Oklahomans out there who share my views when it comes to climate change, income inequality, marijuana legalization, the Affordable Care Act, etc. So thanks Gazette. Your non-bias is really refreshing and appreciated. — James Fidlerten Oklahoma City Rape issues

I have a modest suggestion for the YWCA’s Teen Sexual Assault Program described by Janet Peery (Commentary, “Reduce teen rapes, assaults,” Dec. 24, Gazette), who believes Oklahoma’s kindly, welcoming image is contradicted by “teen rapes (and) assaults” and grownups who “ignore and condone what is happening.” I suggest teens in the program research what is really happening.

» Begin with the FBI’s “Crime in the United States,” whose crime clearances show teenaged youths commit 8 percent of all rapes and serious assaults. » Oklahoma’s latest “Uniform Crime Report” likewise shows youth under age 18 comprise 8 percent of rape and serious assault arrests. Add 18-19 year-olds, and around 13 percent of Oklahoma’s rapes and assaults are by teens under age 20. Who commits the other 87 percent? The Oklahoma report shows adults commit more rapes and serious assaults than teens do. Supposedly mature 40-49-year-olds commit 16 percent of Oklahoma’s rapes and assaults. And it gets more disturbing. “Child Maltreatment” by the Administration for Children and Families reports that every day in Oklahoma, 17 children and teens are

victims of violent and sexual assaults, and 6 of criminal psychological abuse. The perpetrators’ average age is over 35. Rape and assault are not just “teen” problems. Adults who victimize youth greatly increase their risk of later violence and victimization. Yet, amid the finger-pointing and lecturing from the White House and advocacy groups that teenagers and college students confront peer sexual assault, violence and bullying, are older leaders confronting the larger realities of sexual, physical and psychological violence perpetrated by our grownup peers? Grownups certainly have no standing to accuse teenagers of ruining the state’s reputation. — Mike Males Oklahoma City

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OKG picks are events

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

BOOKS A Course in Weight Loss: An Intro to Marianne Williamson’s Book, led by Living Cuisine Coach Lynda Toney-Bahr who will teach guests to explore spiritual lessons to shift their relationship with food, body and self, 6-7:30 p.m., Jan. 8. Barnes & Noble, 6100 N. May Ave., 843-9300, barnesandnoble.com. THU Poetry Reading, featuring J.C. Mahan, aka local OKC street poet Johnie Catfish, 2-3 p.m., Jan. 11. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 307-9320, pasnorman. org. SUN Let’s Talk About It, book discussion over Joe by Larry Brown; part of the five-part book discussion series, 7 p.m., Jan. 13. Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., 208-5000, okcu.edu. TUE

FOOD Weekly Farmers Market, shop goods from local produce, bakers and artisans, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., Jan. 10. Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., 232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. SAT

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Brunch, The Paleo Way, learn about the Paleo diet along with recipes perfect for brunch, 1-3 p.m., Jan. 11. Natural Grocers, 7001 N. May Ave., 840-0300, naturalgrocers.com. SUN The ABC’s of What You Eat: Oranges, learn facts about oranges, including nutritional benefits, how to select the perfect orange, and serving ideas, 10 a.m., Jan. 13. Buy For Less, 3501 Northwest Expressway, 946-6342, buyforlessok.com. TUE

Elise Paschen

Red Earth Author Readings If you don’t like to read, well, OCU’s faculty will help do it for you. As part of its Red Earth Creative Writing MFA program, the school is hosting a reading with nationally recognized authors in a key art district on Friday. At 7 p.m. Thursday, catch Red Earth resident authors Rilla Askew (Kind of Kin, Harpsong, Fire in Beulah) and Osage author Elise Paschen (Poetry Speaks to Children and Poetry Speaks Who I Am) at The Paramount OKC on Film Row, 7 N. Lee Ave. Admission is free. Visit okcu.edu/ English/redearthmfa.

Friday

YOUTH Kids Club Craft Event, make your own stitched felt bag, 10 a.m.-noon, Jan. 10. Michaels, 5012 N. May Ave., 9428920, michaels.com. SAT

PROVID ED

Free Crafts for Kids, make a crafty catapult, 11 a.m.-3 p.m, Jan. 10. Lakeshore Learning Store, 6300 N. May Ave., 858-8778, lakeshorelearning.com. SAT

Art Adventures, young artists are invited to experience art through the book Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh, 10:30 a.m., Jan. 13. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma. TUE

Please, Mr. Panda Storytime, stories and activities for children featuring the book Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony, a story about manners, 11 a.m., Jan. 10. Barnes & Noble, Quail Springs, 13800 N. May Ave., 755-1155, barnesandnoble.com. SAT

PERFORMING ARTS Wit, Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama; a renowned English professor learns she has cancer which leads her to reassess her live in a profound yet humorous way, 8 p.m., Jan. 8-10; 2 p.m., Jan. 11. Civic Center Music Hall, CitySpace, 201 N. Walker Ave., 297-2264, okcciviccenter. com. THU-SUN Common Thread: Woven, a continuation of Love, Life and Friendship; a contemporary jazz dance concert performed by a collaborative group of dance artists, 7 & 9 p.m., Jan. 9. Oklahoma City Community College, 7777 S. May Ave., 682-1611, occc.edu. FRI Kris Shaw, standup comedy show; quick witted storyteller and comedian, 8 p.m., Jan. 7-8; 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m., Jan. 9-10. Loony Bin Comedy Club, 8503 N. Rockwell Ave., 239-4242, loonybincomedy.com. WED-SAT

Artsy Fartsy Special Olympics Oklahoma 19th Annual Winter Games

read

Art | Film | music | theAter in this issue

1 8 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

More than 2,200 athletes from 14 areas across the state participate in the Special Olympics Oklahoma’s 19th Annual Winter Games Thursday-Saturday on the Oklahoma City Community College campus and area locations, including OU’s Huston Huffman Center and Holiday Lanes in Oklahoma City. Sports include aquatics, basketball, bowling and volleyball. Opening ceremonies are 7-10 p.m. Thursday at Journey Church, 3801 Journey Pkwy, in Norman. Admission is free, but donations from individuals, companies and foundations support the program. Find schedules and locations at sook.org.

Thursday-Saturday

A Little Romance, performance by the OKC Philharmonic featuring French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, who will perform “Piano Concerto No. 5” by Camille Saint-Saens, 8 p.m., Jan. 10. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. SAT Beethoven the Creator, musical presentation performed by classical pianist Wayne McEvilly honoring the music and life of Beethoven, 2 p.m., Jan. 11. Belle Isle Library, 5501 N. Villa Ave., 843-9601, metrolibrary.org. SUN Once, winner of eight Tony Awards; story of a Dublin street musician who meets a young woman who encourages and inspires him to continue his music, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 13-14. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. TUE-WED Jen Kirkman, comedian and author of I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life Without Kids, regular appearances on Comedy Central @midnight and Chelsea Lately and also seen on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, performs 8-10 p.m., Jan. 14. Oklahoma Contemporary, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org. WED

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Friday | 5:30 p.m. Saturday | 5:30 p.m. Sunday | 2 p.m.

Eric Rohmer’s A Tale of Summer One Night Only! Saturday | 8 p.m.

World Traveling Violin Guest violinist Cyrus Beroukhim, an associate professor of music at New York University, leads two nights of a “trio extravaganza” with World Traveling Violin and pieces for strings, clarinet and piano. Night one begins 7:30 p.m. Monday at All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Night two kicks off 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 127 NW Seventh St. Tickets are $15, and students are admitted free. Visit brightmusic.org.

For movie descriptions and ticket sales visit okcmoa.com

January s e r u t a e F

Monday-Tuesday

ACTIVE OKC Thunder vs. Utah Jazz, NBA basketball game, 7 p.m., Jan. 9. Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave., 602-8700, chesapeakearena. com. FRI OKC Blue vs. Reno Bighorns, Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA D-League affiliate hosts the Reno Bighorns, the D-League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, 7 p.m., Jan. 10. Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens, 602-8500, coxconventioncenter.com. SAT Special Skate Night: The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway, ice skate with your favorite characters from the movie Frozen, 6-8 p.m., Jan. 14. Devon Ice Rink, 100 N. Robinson Ave. WED OU Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns, women’s college basketball, 7 p.m., Jan. 14. Lloyd Noble Center, 2900 S. Jenkins Ave., Norman, 325-4666, lloydnoblecenter.com. WED

VISUAL ARTS Beyond the Battlefield: Depictions of War, paintings, prints and photos that examine and depict war and conflict of the modern world with a focus on World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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Strike a Pose for Hunger

JANUARY 18 through 24 $12 LUNCH PER PERSON $35 DINNER PER PERSON (at participating restaurants)

BROADWAY 10 BAR & CHOPHOUSE CHELINO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT (Bricktown location)

FLINT HILLBILLIES PO BOY & OYSTER BAR IN THE RAW SUSHI PACKARD’S NEW AMERICAN KITCHEN RED PIN BOWLING LOUNGE/ BASEMENT MODERN DINER S & B’S BURGER JOINT (9th St. location)

presented by

THE MELTING POT THE WEDGE PIZZERIA (Deep Deuce)

URBAN JOHNNIE BAR & GRILLE VAST See the Dish issue of Oklahoma Gazette JANUARY 14 for the complete list. 2 0 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

On Saturday, 20 metro yoga studios participate in Strike a Pose for Hunger, organized by local Martha McQuaid of Spirit House Yoga, 5107 N. Shartel Ave. Proceeds from Strike a Pose for Hunger go to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. In Oklahoma City, check class times with Spirit House Yoga, The Bend, Balance Yoga Barre, Beyond Yoga, Bikram Yoga OKC, Hidden Dragon Yoga, Ignite Yoga, Soul Yoga, This Land Yoga, Cardinal Yoga, Yoga at Tiffany’s and Yoga Nest. Other metro locations also are participating. Visit spirithouseyoga.com, regionalfoodbank.org or call 528-4288.

Saturday

VISUAL ARTS Black and White, painters, photographers and twoand three-dimensional artists explored the visual impact of value and created a body of work ranging from rich, deep blacks to stark, bright whites. In Your Eye Studio & Gallery, 3005-A Paseo St., 525-2161, inyoureyegallery.com. City of Lights, exhibit of Polish-born artist now living in Yukon, Andre Tutak; he created his artwork to make it feel like the viewer was walking along the streets in France. Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., 521-3356, ok.gov. espongo i miei sentimenti, exhibition of new work by Oklahoma City-based artist, designer, architect and builder Larry Dean Pickering. Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., 208-5229, okcu.edu/visualart/gallery.aspx. Fragments of Recognition, exhibit of artwork by Oklahoma artist Gayle Canada, who specializes in printmaking and painting. Jann Jeffrey Gallery, 3018 Paseo St., 607-0406, jannjeffrey.com. Goddess/Anti-Goddess, artists Deborah Brackenbury, Elyse Bogart, Douglas Shaw Elder and Karyn Gilman explore the history of deification and vilification the female form and psyche have faced. IAO Art Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan Ave., 232-6060, iaogallery.org. Home and Heart Community Art Show, exhibit features artists who are experiencing homelessness and are part of the fresh stART art program, which enables them to express themselves creatively, manage emotional issues, develop social skills and skills transferable to employment, noon-9 p.m., Jan. 9. Homeless Alliance, 1724 NW Fourth St., 415-8410, homelessalliance.org. FRI

Intro to Natural Paint Making, learn how to prepare your own pigment and create your own painting with the pigments you make, 6-8 p.m., Jan. 7. Paseo School of Art, 3110-A N. Paseo St., 205-8990, paseoschoolofart.com. WED My Generation: Young Chinese Artists, a new generations of artists examine their homeland from a global perspective; painters, video artists, installation artists and more. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 236-3100, okcmoa.com. Natural Penomena, artist Linda Hiller creates Natural Penomena in art: nebulas, oceanography and ions. The Summer Wine Art Gallery, 2928-B Paseo St., 831-3279, summerwinegallery.com. New Year, New Art, new works from gallery artists. Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 601-7474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.com. OKC125, 125 artists were given a disposable camera and 125 minutes to make photos of anything they wanted within the boundaries of downtown Oklahoma City. The Underground, 101 Park Ave., 235-3500, downtownokc.com. Paul Walsh, exhibit by former art educator and professional painter; landscape paintings that describe rural south central Oklahoma. Firehouse Art Center, 444 S. Flood Ave., Norman, 329-4523, normanfirehouse.com. RARE: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species, well-known endangered species like bald eagles and sea turtles are showcased alongside less familiar species; the exhibit also gives light to species making a comeback such as the American alligator. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu. Small Towns & Quiet Places, exhibit by artist Gregory Booker; a photography exhibit of small rural towns with a purpose of bringing attention to forgotten parts

ASSEMBLY • PACKAGING • FULFILLMENT • SHRINK WRAPPING

A N DRE TUTA K

YOU HAVE WORK, WE HAVE WORKERS!

Artists’ Reception Join artists from across the state for a free Capitol Exhibitions reception 4-6 p.m. Tuesday. See drawings by Angela Piehl of Stillwater, 1920s France-themed paintings from Andre Tutak of Yukon, sky paintings by David J. Holland of Oklahoma City and bronze sculpture from Chiricahua Apache artist Allan Houser. All of their exhibits are now on display in the Oklahoma State Capitol’s galleries. Parking is available on the south side of the Capitol building. Visit arts.ok.gov.

Thunderheads, oil paintings of dramatic storm clouds in the Oklahoma skies by artist David Holland. Governor’s Gallery, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., 521-2931, arts.ok.gov. Unnatural Order, exhibit of drawings by Angela Piehl who addresses luxury, accumulation and alienation from nature from a females perspective; combines elaborately decorative elements with images of organic forms. North Gallery, state Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., 521-2931, arts.ok.gov.

local

Tuesday of our country. The Lightwell Gallery, 520 Parrington Oval, Room 202, Norman, 325-2691, art.ou.edu.

Dale Rogers Training Center, Inc. (DRTC) supports people with disabilities, in-house programs and work opportunities.

okgazette•com

Wanderlust: Nomadic Interpretations of Contemporary Africa, a group art show highlighting the diversity of Africa through eyes in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Somaliland/Somalia and the United States of America. The Project Box, 3003 Paseo St., 609-3969, theprojectboxokc.com. White II, exhibit features the work of 25 different artists who have created artwork of various mediums in different shades and tonalities of white. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave., 528-6336, jrbartgallery.com.

FEATURING MUSIC OF MOZART, KHACHATURIAN AND RAVEL

JANUARY 12 AT 7:30 ALL SOULS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH MARK HANCOCK

JANUARY 13 AT 7:30 ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

50 Penn Place Art Gallery 50 Penn Place Art Gallery Manager Bert Seabourn presents his acrylic paintings in an opening reception 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at 1900 Northwest Expressway. The gallery is co-owned by a dozen local, award-winning artists, and their work rotates in two-month intervals. Check in often and meet the artists, as art and displays frequently change. An original Seabourn piece will be awarded during the reception, where you can also meet the artist. Admission is free. Visit 50pennplacegallery.com or call 848-5567.

Tuesday

For OKG music picks

NEW YORK CITY CONCERT VIOLINIST

ADULTS $15, STUDENTS FREE W/I.D. • TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

see page 41

O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | 2 1

LIFE FOOD & DRINK

Ignore the weather

With plenty of events and The Bleu Garten’s warm ambiance, OKC food trucks plow through what used to be the offseason. BY DEVON GREEN

The trendsetter

H&8th Night Market, a monthly celebration of meals on wheels open through summer and fall, deserves much of the credit for the public’s piping-hot reception to the concept. Larry Starns, owner of Smokin’ Okies food truck, attended and experienced the festival’s explosive growth. “We were there at the first H&8th. It started with three trucks,” he said. At the time, there were only a handful of trucks in the metro that weren’t taquerias, mobile taco and burrito vendors. Starns and his wife, Nancy, put up their post-retirement savings to get the barbecue trailer going. They’ve only missed one H&8th Night Market. But the truck has a life outside of We talked with Hunter Wheat, owner of The Bleu Garten, and Josh DeLozier and Travis Stephens, creators of the Truck It OKC app, about trucks that are open through the winter. All three reassured us that there are plenty to choose from.

Kaiteki Ramen

the festival. For the past few years, it has stayed open by catering private events. For Starns, that’s a hallmark of success. As the winter set in and customers weren’t as keen to travel far for a meal indoors, even fewer waited in line in the chilly air. But they still wait in lines. Indeed, food trucks are multiplying across the city, and there are more than enough events to keep them mobile through spring and summer. Last spring and summer, H&8th’s popularity hit record attendance highs as it expanded its boundaries from N. Hudson Avenue and Eighth Street. Brian Bergman, who created the market, said that it grew beyond all expectations. “Most truck owners tell me that they make the revenue for their overhead in that one night,” he said.

Food wagons

Katiebug’s

A true test of food truck success takes place during the months that H&8th is on hiatus. Between November and March, many trucks would simply close or do a few small, private bookings. However, with the success of all-season events that welcome the vendors, it’s no longer a fair-weather game. Premiere on Film Row, a monthly

festival in the historic arts and entertainment district downtown, is one example. Year-round, on the third Friday of each month, trucks line Sheridan Avenue. For a bigger picture, the impact of The Bleu Garten, 377 NW 10th St., cannot be understated. The food truck park offers shelter, heating, seating, live music and television in a communal space shared by food vendors.

La Gumbo Ya Ya

Truckburger

Frank’s Wurst

Off the Hook Seafood & More @OffTheHookOKC 812-1137

The Crepe Brewers facebook.com/crepe.brewers @thecrepebrewers

facebook.com/phillmeupcheesesteaks 863-2202

Burrito Bandido @bandido_burrito

2 2 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

lagumboyaya.com @LaGumboYaYa 226-0746

@frankswurst 596-2699

Phill Me Up Cheesesteaks

Gannon Mendez, owner of The Saucee Sicilian, said that The Bleu Garten was a major consideration when he decided to stay open through winter. “A lot of people don’t want to travel very far in the winter,” Mendez said. “The great thing about Bleu Garten is that it’s centrally located and set up for

Katiebug’s Shaved Ice and Hot Chocolate @katiebugsokc

Kaiteki Ramen kaitekiramen.com @kaitekiramen

Klemm’s Smoke Haus

Truckburger

Klemm’s Smoke Haus

bricktownbrewery.com @truckburger 232-2739

@KlemmsSmokeHaus 562-8616

Smokin’ Okies

@2brothersbistro

thesmokinokies.com @SmokinOkies 305-4768

The Saucee Sicilian thesauceesicilian.com @SauceeSicilian 412-0789

2 Brothers Bistro Twist Gourmet Pretzels twistok.com @TwistPretzelsOK

Kosmo’s BBQ kosmosq.com @KosmosBBQ

PHOTOS BY MARK H ANCOCK

Food trucks are no passing fad. The ubiquitous mobile vendor and longtime staple of major cities like New York City and Chicago moved into Oklahoma City about 5 years ago. It has rolled from trend to dining staple. Trucks now stay open year-round, through what many call the offseason, because they’re always in demand.

The Bleu Garten

O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | 2 3

LIFE FOOD & DRINK the weather.” He said it’s not just a blank parking lot in the frigid cold. And, indeed, business catering takes up much of food truck’s time during off-hours.

Burrito Bandido food truck.

Mendez is in his first year with The Saucee Sicilian, and since his primary challenge is marketing his fare, he said that his main tools are The Blue Garten, social media and the Truck It OKC app. He is experimenting with different ways to adapt to the weather, including car delivery and partnerships with retailers. “Since we have our three TVs, we tell them they’re more than welcome to sit there,” Mendez said. “But they can stay warm in their car, or they can go inside wherever we’re parked and shop around.” Mendez recently parked the truck at A Date With Iris, 4201 N. Western Ave., and encouraged customers to go in and peruse the shop while he prepared their orders. All parties enjoyed the arrangement, and Mendez said he looks forward to trying it with more retailers. Currently, he’s working out details for a partnership with Waters Edge Winery, 712 N. Broadway Ave., during January’s Auto Alley Shop Hop on Broadway Avenue

M A RK HA N COC K

Adapting

between NW Fourth and 10th streets. Some trucks even adapt by adding menu items to fit the seasons. Some, like Katiebug’s Shaved Ice, change things up completely. Rather than serve shaved ice like it does in the summer, Katiebug’s becomes a hot chocolate truck with natural, organic hot chocolate (both dark and regular) and handmade marshmallows in flavors like salted caramel and snickerdoodle. The truck made its menu switch public during the Holiday Pop-Up Shops that blanketed Midtown in November. Katiebug’s will be around town all winter,

serving up its signature Hug in a Mug (classic hot cocoa) as well as a list of rotating specialties. Annaleigha Harris, owner of The Crepe Brewers, is another owner who has seen the city embrace the food truck movement.

Her menu changes with the seasons, and she has no trouble staying busy. “I’m working through the winter this year without taking a break and really glad to be able to do it,” she said. “It seems like there’s a lot more opportunities for food trucks this winter season.”

Pinot and pie

owner of The Bleu Garten, found that extremely cold temperatures can drive even the most dedicated trucks and customers inside. “What we’re seeing is that any day it’s under 40 degrees, business is too slow to stay open,” Wheat said. Wheat isn’t closing shop, though. He said that he and the trucks are taking things one day at a time. “Generally, if it’s over 40 degrees, we’re open,” Wheat said. Check with The Blue Garten’s social media pages and the Truck It OKC app to learn which food trucks are there. In the meantime, The Blue Garten gets a toasty update: Due to safety issues and city codes, the park cannot have open-flame heaters inside covered seating areas, so Wheat will install new, outdoor heaters. But it will keep its blazing fire pit, perfect for warming your backside or toasting marshmallows.

During this month’s Auto Alley Shop Hop, 6-9 p.m. Jan. 15 on Broadway Avenue between NW Fourth and 10th streets, The Saucee Sicilian food truck pairs with Waters Edge Winery to offer pizzas and wines that complement them. Owner Gannon Mendez said he has created several special pies for the event. Keep track of The Saucee Sicilian on Twitter (@sauceesicilian), and learn more about Waters Edge Winery at wewokc. net. Auto Alley Shop Hop takes place the third Thursday of each month. Learn more at automobilealley.org.

Ice trucks The city’s love for mobile food is clear when fans line up in the wind, rain and snow to get their favorite handheld foods. There is, however, a limit to the extremes that even the most diehard truck fans will endure. Hunter Wheat,

The Steak & Roasted Yard Bird combo at Hollie’s Flatiron Steakhouse.

Swell sirloin

GARE TT FISBE CK

Hollie’s Flatiron Steakhouse serves a perfect medium-rare steak. Pair it with the subtle heat of Pascual’s Chile Rellenos.

BY GREG ELWELL

Hollie’s Flatiron Steakhouse 1199 SOUTH I-35 SERVICE ROAD, MOORE HOLLIESSTEAKHOUSE.COM 799-0300 WHAT WORKS: Flatiron-seared steaks and moist roast chicken. WHAT NEEDS WORK: Side dishes are a bit lacking in flavor. TIP: Hit Hollie’s up for lunch if you’re looking for smaller portions.

Sirloin don’t get no respect. The filet and the rib eye are always battling for steak primacy. Prime rib is the old-school choice. Strip steak is what you order when you don’t know what to get but you’re not going to get a sirloin because … nobody gets the sirloin. Is it because you can get ground sirloin at the grocery store? Is it because too many cafeterias turned out gray, chewy sirloins 2 4 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

that made us question our belief in God? I order the sirloin for the same reason I order mackerel at sushi restaurants: See how a chef treats a sirloin and you’ll know if you can trust the menu. Hollie’s Flatiron Steakhouse, 1199 S. Service Road, in Moore treats a sirloin like a lady. Does cooking steaks on the flatiron grill “sear in the flavor”? No, but it allows the chefs at Hollie’s to precisely cook their well-seasoned cuts of beef to the customer’s specifications. My medium-rare sirloin (6 oz. for $16, 8 oz. for $22 with two sides) was actually served medium-rare, a feat not every steakhouse can replicate, sadly. Prepared correctly, a sirloin has a bold flavor and a tender texture — not to the extremes of the rib eye (generally the fattiest, most flavorful cut) or the filet (the softest of steaks), but a wonderful middle ground.

I recommend the Steak & Roasted Yard Bird combo ($24), which includes a 6-oz. sirloin or prime rib with roasted chicken and a side. The chicken had a mild seasoning that let the perfectly cooked breast and leg meat shine through. If you go the rib eye (10 oz. for $22, 12 oz. for $26, with two sides) route, you won’t be disappointed. This is a big steak like a cartoon cowboy would eat. Feel free to grow a mustache and feud with an indestructible rabbit. Before the main course arrives, I recommend Pascual’s Chile Rellenos ($10 for two) as an appetizer. These big, cheesestuffed peppers are breaded, fried up crisp and topped with a smoky tomato and corn salsa. It’s a subtle heat, so you don’t have to be a chilehead to enjoy them, but they will set your mouth watering for the rest of the meal. Hollie’s has a soup and chili of the

day, both of which can be substituted for a side, so keep that in mind when you’re ordering. The chicken-fried steak ($16) is a massive pound of meat. While tender, it wasn’t particularly flavorful, and the gravy lacked the kind of peppery kick I hoped for. Not a bad choice, but there’s better to be had on this menu. And if you’re the kind of weirdo who gets fish at a steakhouse, give the catfish ($15) a shot. The lightly breaded meat has a clean, fresh taste that’s not too heavy. It’s the perfect dish if you’re determined to stay awake during the feature at nearby Moore Warren Theatre. Whatever you treat yourself to, it’s nice to know that Hollie’s is treating its steaks (and other ingredients) kindly. All the better to catch them by surprise, which just makes them taste better, in my opinion.

O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | 2 5

Healthier alternatives The new year is here, you’re struggling to make it past this first week of resolutions and eating better tops the list. Here are healthy alternatives that’ll make keeping those personal promises a little bit easier on the taste buds. — by Louis Fowler, photos by Mark Hancock and Garett Fisbeck

Local 2262 W. Main St., Norman eatatlocal.com 928-5600

Norman’s Local continues to win palates not only for its farm-to-fork freshness but also for the creative and tasty ways it crafts meals to make them both healthy for you and for the environment. The Farmer’s Market salad is the perfect example, with locally sourced vegetables, mixed greens and herbed goat cheese. A seasonal favorite is the kale Caesar salad, especially when paired with one of Local’s wines.

La Brasa Peruvian Kitchen

Green Goodies

No one brings the taste of the tropics home quite like La Brasa with its diverse selection of ceviches. La Brasa puts its own spin on the classics, from the Ceviche Leche de Tigre, containing an “aphrodisiac ceviche sauce” with lime juice, onions and chiles, to the Ceviche Mixto, a unique seafood mix with sweet potatoes, avocado and Peruvian rocoto chiles.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean eating boring. Case in point: the plethora of good-for-you cupcakes at Green Goodies. Preservative-free and with no trans fats, cupcakes include sugar-free options such as the Happy Birthday Chocolate and Sopapilla Cheesecake and gluten-free choices like the Banana Pudding or Coconut Cream Cheese. Order a dozen without shame. Sharing is optional.

1310 NW 25th St. labrasaokc.com 524-2251

5840 N. Classen Blvd. No. 5 greengoodiesokc.com 842-2288

Jim’s

Dine

Jim’s Diner

Jim’s

Dine

WEEKLY SPECIAL • breakfast • “DEUCES”2 PANCAKES, 2 EGGS,2 PIECES OF BACON...$4.99

• Lunch • CHICKEN FRIED STEAK SANDWICH WITH FRIES...$5.99

VALID ON DINNERS UP TO $1199 ONLY. DISCOUNT TAKEN OFF EQUAL OR LESSER PURCHASE. LIMIT 2 COUPONS PER PERSON. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES 1/14/15.

11AM-9PM | MON-SAT • 11AM-4PM | SUN

NW 50TH & MERIDIAN OKLAHOMASTATIONBBQ.COM 947.7277

2 6 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

M O N D AY-S U N D AY 6 A M - 10 P M 7950 NW 39TH EXPWY • 405.495.5105

Green & Grilled

Saturn Grill

Coolgreens

8547 N. Rockwell Ave. greenandgrilled.com 563-2605

6432 Avondale Drive saturngrill.com 843-7114

6475 Avondale Drive coolgreens.com 841-2665

Basil Mediterranean Restaurant

Green & Grilled’s high-quality, healthy eating served in a fast and casual atmosphere is unique to OKC’s food scene. With a selection of grilled meats and tofu designed to perfectly complement salads such as the apple spinach or the sauteed seasonal veggies, it offers meals guaranteed to fill anyone up without the guilt — so much so that perhaps a slice of its pineapple zucchini cake for dessert wouldn’t be out of the question.

Saturn Grill is a lunchtime hotspot, and patrons clamor for its healthy sandwich offerings like the Seared Caribbean Jerk Chicken, portabella mushroom or the grilled veggie. Ask for the No. 57. It’s a half sandwich with a soup or salad, such as Saturn’s mixed green salad with goat cheese topped with herbed vinaigrette or the seasonal fresh fruit and spinach salad with lime poppy seed dressing.

Coolgreens is passionate about its ingredients and it shows. Everything is prepared fresh daily by executive chef Trey Ferguson, who makes low-fat and low-calorie options. The Southwest Spicy salad has south-of-the-border flair. Its companion piece, the chipotle ranch salad or wrap, gussies things up for those who love the tangy topping.

211 NW 23rd St. basilmediterraneanrestaurant.com 602-3030

The scent of Basil is intoxicating. Fresh spices and ingredients work together to form a fresh, healthy and, most importantly, authentic Mediterranean meal. The smell of the saffron on the tender chicken shish-kabob, the marinating rosemary on the beef shish-kabob or the fresh garlic sauce on the chicken Bandarri are all tantalizing travelogues for the senses. It’s impossible not to shout “Opa!” before walking out the door.

Bringing the magic to OKC.

Belly Dancing Saturdays • 8:30

Steaks • Seafood • Lobster • Rack of Lamb

Celebrating 50 years at this romantic country estate. RESERVATIONS PREFERRED

HAUNTED HOUSE 6014 N. May • 947-7788 www.zorbasokc.com

NOW OPEN!

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478-1417 • 7101 N MIRAMAR BLVD

IN OKC • ONE MILE EAST OF NATIONAL COWBOY MUSEUM

HAUNTEDHOUSERESTARAUNT.COM

NW St. NOW 421 OPEN IN10th MIDTOWN OKC!

dustbowlok.com

NOW OPEN IN MIDTOWN OKC! HOUSEMADE SAUSAGE / GERMAN BEERS BAVARIAN PRETZELS / BEER GARDEN HAND CUT FRIES / LIVE MUSIC

421 NW 10TH STREET / FASSLERHALL.COM O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | 2 7

Restaurant & Brewery

EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY IN JANUARY

LIVE WIN ROAST OOM PAH GREAT SUCKLING BAND PRIZES PIG

3401 S. Sooner Rd - Moore, OK Just south of OKC - RESERVATIONS 799-7666

www.royal-bavaria.com - Mon-Sat 5:00-9:30 Sun 5:00-8:30

It only happens once a year...

For ONE WEEK ONLY Jan 2 - Jan 10

A new you New Year’s most often means taking stock of what can be improved on in one’s life. Self-improvement is not simply a goal; it’s a journey, one in which you will learn a lot about yourself while creating a better you. The goals can be concrete, such as giving up tobacco, or broad, like improving one’s overall outlook. Whatever the resolution is, we’ve rounded up a few local merchants and service providers that can help. — By Devon Green

PHOTOS BY M A RK HA N COC K

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT

Cardinal Yoga

BCBGeneration

7632 N. WESTERN AVE.

NOW AVAILABLE

413-2724

IN STORE

CARDINALYOGAOK.COM

Big changes are underway in 2015 for owners Trinity Mays and Natalia Callard. When the two became owners of This Pose Yoga in Nichols Hills, they wanted to reflect the new change as well as their philosophy. The renamed studio is ready to embrace 2015 with new classes for all levels. It has a new schedule and is looking forward to helping anyone achieve his or her best health and wellness. BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma 1400 S. BOSTON AVE., TULSA BCBSOK.COM (918) 551-3500 800-942-5837

At 75 years old, BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) is the state’s oldest private health insurer that offers services in every part of the state. For those of you who think of BCBSOK as just insurance that comes with an employer, think again. It offers a wealth of services for families and individuals as well. BCBSOK is currently in open enrollment through Feb. 15, giving you plenty of time to choose the right health coverage for you and your family. Don’t worry about any confusion; the knowledgeable staff is happy to guide you. 23rd Street Vapes 131 NW 23RD ST. FACEBOOK.COM/23RDSTREETVAPES 600-6610

www.shopbowandarrow.com 617 N. Broadway Ave. • 601-0605 Hours: Mon-Fri 11-6 • Sat 11-4 2 8 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

Looking to kick those cigarettes to the curb this year? Using vapor cigarettes, also called e-cigarettes, is a way to help you unchain yourself from that tobacco monkey on your back. Vaporizers (vapes)

use a liquid formula that includes adjustable amounts of nicotine and flavoring. Not only are you kicking that nasty smoke smell out of your clothes and your life, you can look forward to being less of a social pariah. By quitting smoking, you also kiss harmful additives in cigarettes — tar and more than 4,000 other chemicals — goodbye. The Loaded Bowl THELOADEDBOWLTRUCK.COM 820-9599

For those who are only familiar with The Loaded Bowl from local events such as H&8th Night Market, there is another aspect to the business. The Loaded Bowl also provides meal planning and pre-order food through its website. You can pick it up or even have it delivered for a small fee. With food delicious enough to convert even the most die-hard meateater, Loaded Bowl is a great way to introduce yourself to environmena healthier, more environmen mindful way of eating. tally And you don’t even have to do the cooking.

Balanced Wellness Chiropractic Physicians 6516 N. OLIE AVE. SUITE D BALANCEDWELLNESSOK.COM

IRON ROSE SALON

879-2263

Drs. Dustin and Angela Smith, the husband-and-wife team behind Balanced Wellness, have crafted their practice on the belief that listening is their most powerful tool. The practitioners at Balanced Wellness tailor every treatment based on the patient’s individual needs. The clinic offers traditional chiropractic treatments and traditional and modern acupuncture to help alleviate all manner of ailments, aches and pains.

130 NW 13th • 405-535-7637 WWW.IRONROSESALON.COM

Teaze Dance & Fitness 1112 N. BROADWAY AVE. TEAZEDANCE.COM 232-7653

One way to get in better shape for the New Year is to forget the conventional gym. Check out Teaze Dance & Fitness for an unforgettable workout based on pole dancing, among other things. Not only will you get one heck of a new fitness routine, you might actually enjoy it. The workouts are challenging, but owner Lynn Crowe and her team

of experts will soon have you mak making moves you didn’t know were possible. Classes are available for all levels and are drop-in only. For the full calendar with the usual favorites and cool new classes like aerial yoga, visit Teaze Dance & Fitness’ website at teazedance.com. Phoenix Medical Massage Therapy 5509 MAIN ST., DEL CITY

KC’s #1 Explore O age Shop Vint

ssories Clothing • Acce her ot & s rd co Re s od go s curiou

PHOENIXMEDICALMASSAGETHERAPY.COM 341-1361

This massage therapy group specializes in all types of treatment, from postinjury to relaxation. Phoenix’s trained professionals customize your treatment based on your needs. In addition to making you feel good in your body, Phoenix Medical Massage is dedicated to supporting the community. Part of the treatment center’s profits goes to local charities. It also honors the Keep It Local OK card with 20 percent off massages for walk-ins and 10 percent off packages. There is an additional Edmond location.

in the Plaza 1759 NW 16th • Oklahoma City • 405-528-4585 Open Tues -Sat 11-7 • Like us on Facebook

O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | 2 9

P HOTOS BY GA RETT FI S BEC K

LIFE CULTURE

Karaoke über alles A live band backs this city’s latest trend: Punk Rock Karaoke. BY LOUIS FOWLER

There was a time in the ’80s when karaoke, the Japanese import of singing popular tunes over studio-made backing tracks, was the after-work recreation of yuppies washing down their Perrier with tacky tracks from Jack Wagner or The Hooters. Times have changed. Now, karaoke has essentially become a musical art form, one in which every demographic is represented, including the very people who once spat on it: the punk rockers. Gaining in popularity every month, Punk Rock Karaoke is the brainchild of Chad and Misty Hunnicutt, a pair of old-school punks who have been in the scene since the ’80s. For years, they have wanted to craft a punk karaoke event for the metro, but until a fateful trip to Texas, they didn’t have the wherewithal to pull it off. “When you sing karaoke, there’s really not that many alternative choices for songs, so bringing in the live band and the punk rock songs to the forefront, it was something we were fascinated with,” Misty said. A trip to Dallas showed Misty that punk rock based karaoke was possible, and after taking a few months to put together the right band that had that combination, as she puts it, of “punk rock heart and soul,” they debuted at the Drunken Fry this past summer. Five shows later, it has become one of the premier outings for OKC’s aging alternative underground, where one can

3 0 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

above Bran Reese sings “Do What You Want” by Bad Religion during Punk Rock Karaoke at the Drunken Fry in Oklahoma City. left Lydia Taylor sings “Bad Reputation.”

Nobody ever wants to go first. — Misty Hunnicutt easily be a desk jockey by day and a punk rock superstar by night. The backing band consists of Chad on bass, Jeremy Hodson (Lost Empires) and Grant Tatum (Havana Affair) on guitar and Daniel Deason on drums. Misty is the backbone of the show, pulling all the different aspects together, from making sure everything is cued up and the lyrics are on the right page to singing when nobody else wants to. “Nobody ever wants to go first,” she joked. “In some ways, it’s more difficult playing with a live band because we’re not set up with a teleprompter that

scrolls through the mix, but the great thing about this audience is that it’s made up of people that are really into this music so they know the material well,” Chad said. “They don’t really need the prompting because it’s not just a song they’ve heard on the radio a couple of times and are trying to duplicate. We’ve been really fortunate in that almost everybody who’s gotten up and sang with us has done a really great job.” To date, the response has been great, with additional shows planned for January and beyond at the Drunken Fry and possible shows at HiLo Club and other venues to be named as word starts to spread across town. Both Misty and Chad attribute this success to the long history of the punk community being welcoming to outsiders who feel they don’t fit in. They believe the atmosphere is one of

support and allows everyone to be a part of the show, whether they are singing or not. They have received almost no backlash from the punk crowd, who would normally label things like this as a “poseur” activity. Chad said this might be because the band performs a set list of nearly 26 songs — with a goal to learn ten new ones each month — that run the entire gamut of the history of punk, allowing something for every style in the room. It’s a variance that has even influenced Misty’s own musical tastes. “Oddly enough, a song I never thought I would sing, Against Me, ‘Thrash Unreal,’ has turned out to be one of my favorite songs to get up there and sing,” Misty said. “It really gets the people involved. We have a lot of songs that have what I like to call ‘gang vocals’ that really call for people to join in and show some force. So you’ll look out into the audience and people grabbing each other around the neck and singing along with whoever is on stage. It’s fun.” Contrary to the Sex Pistols’ famed refrain of “no future,” the Hunnicutts are looking forward to the upcoming year, not just because of their expanding shows but because of the opportunity to welcome more people into their family.

LIFE HOME

M A RK HA N COC K

Planting ideas The Home + Garden Show promises to be a place where everyone can harvest ideas for their homes. A backyard pond with decorations, a water tower and water wheel, a small part of the landscaping on the grounds at Tony’s Tree Plantation, which will exhibit at this year’s Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show.

BY CARISSA STEVENS

OKC Home + Garden Show Jan. 16-18 State Fair Park 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd. oklahomacityhomeshow.com $10-$12

For lifestyle enthusiasts, the Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show has offered a reprieve from the winter blues for more than three decades. Now, in its 33rd year, the show hopes to remind some 38,000 who will attend that spring is just around the corner. Whether to brush up on cooking skills, gather home repair and

gardening tips or just see the latest in home design, there seems to be something for everyone. “My favorite part is seeing all of the new designs and ideas for the year,” said Lauren Eichler. “I love getting tips and tricks and finding new things for our home. The show will be a great way to expand on the ideas we already have and potentially find new ones.” The Eichlers and other DIYers will be able to gather tips on home improvement from several wellknown industry professionals. Kevin O’Connor of PBS’ This Old House and DIY Network’s This New House will share his expertise, and Don Engebretson, author and field editor for Better Homes and Gardens, plans to

Make a change. Start training for a New Career in the Health Care

be in attendance as well. Gardening enthusiasts who lack gardening skills but still appreciate a beautiful garden can attend the annual plant sale. Held at 5 p.m. on the final day, the sale will offer deals on plants from local growers. For the foodies, highlights include live cooking demonstrations throughout the event and a cook-off between some of our state’s finest fire, police and military personnel. The cook-off will take place on Hero Day, Sunday, Jan. 17. Current members of the military, fire department or police force can enter free on this day with a valid service ID. For the kids (and for the adults too), visit The Ultimate Tree House

created by Tony Mussatto, owner of Tony’s Tree Plantation. His booth will display an over-the-top tree house complete with a 12-foot suspended water feature. The event is a great opportunity for DIYers and those in the industry. “Every company that exhibits goes away saying that they gained enough sales or leads to last the whole year,” said RaeAnn Saunders of Marketplace Events, which puts on the show. “Their excitement for having seen so many people to talk to, explain their product to, sell to, get feedback from — that’s what excites me every year.”

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LIFE VISUAL ARTS

Speedy skill P HOTOS P ROVI DE D

The ArtNow sale and exhibit features more than two dozen local artists in its 26th Oklahoma Contemporary fundraiser.

BY DAVID DEAN

ArtNow Gala 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23, VIP reception 8 p.m. Jan. 23, general admission Oklahoma Contemporary 3000 General Pershing Blvd. oklahomacontemporary.org $75-$150

The annual ArtNow exhibit and sale marks its 26th year with a Jan. 23 event at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. With it comes a fresh look at 29 state artists, said Julia Kirt, this year’s co-curator. Each year offers something different and current, but one goal of this Oklahoma Contemporary (OC) fundraiser remains constant: to help keep OC exhibitions free to the public on a year-round basis. Kirt said the local art scene and its audience have expanded in recent years in ways that make her exited about the city’s future growth. “We’ve come a long way,” Kirt said. “More and more artists are active and have grown more professional in our community. There are more amazing venues for artwork.” Kirt, also executive director of Oklahomans for the Arts (a statewide arts advocacy nonprofit organization), co-curated ArtNow with John Seward, a local volunteer, artist and arts advocate.

“We wanted to be sure we had all types of materials and many different styles included,” Kirt said. “We considered more excellent artists and pared down the list to keep a variety of work.” They looked for artists who are actively creating and striving to make their best work and have a rigorous approach to their practice, which means they also have a willingness to explore ideas, techniques

Ruth Ann Borum’s “Loveland”

Purchasing points

It’s safe to say that guests can let Kirt and Seward navigate. If you’re a potential buyer, they have reliable and noteworthy tastes. Purchasing art for the first time, as an investment or for pure aesthetics, can be confusing. Don’t overthink it, and go in with your eyes wide open, Kirt said. “Buy what attracts you. Don’t question your preferences,” Kirt said. “I have never regretted an art purchase that I bought while in love with it. Any that were expensive, I can now average the cost over many years of living happily with the work.” The public can preview the ArtNow exhibit beginning Monday during regular gallery hours. However, Kirt said the pieces may only be bought at the event. Patrons can buy ArtBucks cards in $100 increments to gift for use toward gala admission and art purchases. After the event, any unredeemed ArtBucks automatically convert into charitable contributions to help keep the nonprofit arts center operating.

Buy what attracts you. Don’t question your preferences. — Julia Kirt

3 2 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

Participating artists Marwin Begaye Elyse Bogart Ruth Borum-Loveland David Crismon Christie Hackler Tim Hearne Skip Hill Kate Johnson Michael Litzau Michelle Martin Beatriz Mayorca Richard McKown Suzanne Mears Joseph Mills Ellen Moershel Caryl Morgan Romy Owens David Phelps Christina Pickard Haley Prestifilippo Sandy Schlezinger Barbara Scott Bert Seabourn Erin Shaw Joe Slack Jansen Sterba Michi Susan Cathryn Thomas Atlas Pine (Josh Webb & Andrea Wijkowski)

Sponsors

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This is Kirt’s first year on the organizing side of the event, but she brings with her experience and passion, having helped coordinate dozens of exhibitions through her previous roles, especially with Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition. “John and I work very well together and have built up lots of mutual respect over the years,” Kirt said. “It’s been a pleasure to visit the artists along with John and discuss the artwork and possible ArtNow audience in depth with him … We’ve always respected each other’s perspective.” It’s a daunting task to curate a show this size with thousands of talented local artists to choose from. Their goal was to bring together the best artwork that also appeals to the most potential buyers.

Cathryn Thomas’ “The Trail”

and materials. Some included artists have long histories in the community, so they might have more name recognition while others use the gala to introduce themselves to other artists and collectors. It’s a perfect blend, Kirt said. What must be noted is that behind the exhibition are the studios, the laboratories and incubators of these working artists. They contain works in progress and indicate dedication and attention to their artmaking. “There is a perception that serious art practice occurs only in the major art centers of the East and West coasts,” Seward said. “Yet, that practice occurs here as well, and ArtNow only celebrates a small portion of working visual artists in Oklahoma.”

Romy Owens’ “Adam.” OC was founded in 1989 as City Arts Center as a way to share affordable, quality art, art exhibits and education programs. For this event, OC partnered with Uber rideshare service to offer a $25 discount for first-time riders headed to the ArtNow gala. Use promo code ARTNOW15 and learn more at oklahomacontemporary.org.

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Oklahoma Gazette needs a discerning A&E journalist with eclectic music tastes, a nose for arts and entertainment news and an experienced editing eye. We’re hiring someone who’s ready to coordinate diverse performing arts, visual arts, local music and film coverage for central Oklahoma’s fiercely independent arts and entertainment authority. At least two years journalism experience preferred. InDesign experience a plus.

Please send a cover letter, resume, clips and references to jchancellor@okgazette.com.

Birdhead (Chinese, founded 2004). The Light of Eternity No. 3 (detail), 2012. Black and white inkjet print. © Birdhead, courtesy of the artists and ShanghART Gallery, Shanghai.

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LIFE VISUAL ARTS

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BY TREVOR HULTNER

Growing Cities 7-11p.m. Friday. Through Feb. 9 DNA Galleries 1709 NW 16th St. dnagalleries.com 525-3499 Free

For as long as artist Jamie Pettis has been painting, she has focused primarily on portraiture. But as her forthcoming exhibit at DNA Galleries, Growing Cities, demonstrates, Pettis has become as interested in the aesthetics of metropolitan skylines as she is in the contours of her subjects’ faces. “Recently, it was suggested to me to bring something else into my work, rather than just faces,” she said. “So my upcoming show is an incorporation of city skylines with those faces.” Despite residing in another state, Pettis, who is Holdenville-born and Phoenix-based, said her mind keeps wandering back to Oklahoma. “I moved to Phoenix four or five years ago to be with my girlfriend,” she said. “And I moved during a period when Oklahoma City was starting to experience that cultural-artisticeconomic growth, and I wanted to be a part of that.” Pettis has pursued various disciplines, but painting has been her most sustained and successful pursuit as of late. “Off and on for most of my life, I’ve either done sports or something creative,” she said. “I’ve always been obsessed with acting and music and art, and I could never really make up my mind exactly what I wanted to put my full-time focus into.” Her family — including her father Clay, an attorney who is also an artist —

Jamie Pettis’ art once incorporated more faces, but lately, she focuses more on urban scenes, escpecially OKC’s. nurtured her pursuits early on. “My dad had this art studio in downtown Holdenville, which isn’t like Oklahoma City; it’s like a small, early-1900s-era downtown area,” she said. “Every Saturday, he used to take us down there and paint. He used oil pastels, and I watched him do that, and I just kind of picked it up from him.” Pettis majored in fashion design at Oklahoma State University, where she said she “hem-hawwed” around, trying to find a job and major to give her security while also following her dreams. “I don’t recommend ever doing that. If you know what you want to do, just go for it full-blown; major in it,” she said. “What happened with me is I did the fashion design thing and I actually got a great opportunity within it; I had an internship with Marc Jacobs in New York City and learned a lot of stuff there. And I actually got a lot of artistic influence in the fashion world, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do.” She ended up moving to Los Angeles and pursuing acting for a while, which is something she said she wants to go back to, and eventually began painting full-time. With Growing Cities, Pettis will have the chance to show off the culmination of that work in addition to the love she still has for her home state. “I’m over here, and I’m painting, and I’m thinking about our city a lot,” she said. “I found myself channeling this love for home through these cities.” Pettis’ show starts Friday during Live on the Plaza. It’s her second show at DNA Galleries and her fifth showing in Oklahoma.

LIFE ACTIVE

Beautiful belly GA RE TT FI S BE C K

Shimmy up to traditional belly dance — it’s easy to watch and learn.

BY ANGELA BOTZER

Belly dancing usually conjures up images of the exotic, of colorful costumes and mysterious dance movements. What many people might not know about this folkloric dance is that there are multiple versions of its origins. “The leading theory is that this was a type of dance created by women for women. It’s perfect no matter if one is young or old, or what size,” said Ayperi Al Jawahir, vice president of Aalim Bellydance Academy, 2520 N. Meridian Ave. With origins in the Middle East, each region had its own style and specific dances, including Egyptian, Lebanese and Turkish. Within these cultures, men and women led primarily segregated lives, and the women would often dance for each other as entertainment, for sheer fun. Today, belly dancing can be watched close to home every Friday during the 7:30-8:30 p.m. dinner show at Gopuram Taste of India, 4559 NW 23rd St. When you walk in the restaurant, you can hear the Middle-Eastern music but don’t see the dancers. They’re in the mysterioussounding back banquet room, surrounded by tables of families. (Yes, it’s popular with kids.) The audience encourages the dancers by clapping while the dancers perform in a swirl of chiffon and sequins. One of the dancers is Ayperi herself. Ayperi did not have belly dancing in her heritage growing up. “When I was a teenager, I wanted to take a class with my mother … pottery

WE GOT ART

Where to learn it

Moe’s Hookah Bar

A Mirage Dance Company 9110 Harmony Drive, Midwest City amiragedancecompany.wordpress.com 570-2661

117 N. Crawford Ave., Norman 321-0826 Fridays, 9 p.m.

Where to see it Cloud Hooka Lounge and Bar 3608 N. May Ave. 945-0009 Saturdays, 10-11:30 p.m.

or yoga, or something, and she came up with the idea of belly dancing. I was sure she was joking, so I said OK. And after the first class, I was hooked,” she said. It’s easy to get hooked at Aalim Belly Dance Academy, 2520 N. Meridian Ave. — the first class is free. All you need to wear is something comfortable to move in, such as yoga pants and tank tops. Shoes are not required. Here’s the fun part: Hip scarves can be purchased at the on-site belly dance boutique. Also in the boutique are consignment costumes of every quality, from handmade to top-of-the-line. “We get all types and sizes of students with different backgrounds, ages, cultures, including doctors, attorneys, stay-athome moms, everyone,” said Ayperi. “An introductory class begins with a warm-up to get the body moving. In belly dance, we use muscles that are sometimes neglected in our regular daily activities.” Basic introductory movements include hip shimmies, hip bumps, half circles and belly rolls. A traditional dance costume begins with a bra, but not just any bra. These are weighty, substantial and highly decorated

The Hubbly Bubbly Hookah and Cafe 2900 N. Classen Blvd. 609-2930 Alternating Tuesdays, 9-11 p.m.

with coins, beads, sequins and fringes. Next is the hip belt, a snug belt or scarf fitting around the hips to showcase the belly rolls and undulations. Then, either long, gauzy skirts or chiffon harem pants with slits are worn, gathered at the ankle. Scarves accompany the costume and are used for swirling. Zorba’s Mediterranean Cuisine, 6014 N. May Ave., offers belly dancing entertainment every Saturday night from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., featuring three talented Aalim dancers. Dancer Shira Amar was born in the Philippines and came from a performing arts background. “I love sharing the joy I feel when performing,” she said. She danced using small, flirty finger cymbals called zills in Turkish. “Belly dancing is highly addictive,” said dancer Sevi Amar. Sevi did a flowing dance routine while she balanced a tray of four candles on her head, no small feat. “It’s a beautiful, feminine and fun way to exercise your core; it’s a perfect workout,” said Aini Amar, who did an elaborate dance with a sword balanced

on her head. Are Sevi, Aini and Shira related? No, these are all their Aalim academy belly dance names. “Almost everyone has the same last name in Aalim, except a few of us who became known dancers when we studied with other studios,” explained Ayperi. “It adds to the mystique of becoming a belly dancer.” Amar is Arabic for “moon.” “Everyone learns at a different pace and everyone’s bodies are different, so one step may come very naturally for one lady while it may be really difficult for another. Emotionally, letting go of one’s day might be the easiest thing to learn in belly dance,” said Ayperi. “But as class starts and we start moving, we let go of that stress and start enjoying ourselves. We’re a community of women who are there for each other. And if someone is feeling down, we’re there to reach out and help that woman up. We’re sisters.” The most difficult thing to learn in belly dance might be stage presence and eye contact; it’s what really pulls the dance together. “Eye contact is a way of engaging the audience by creating a connection and lets the audience know that we appreciate them,” said Ayperi. And by the wild applause at these performances, the audience both young and old clearly appreciates belly dancing.

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MidFirst Bank, one of Oklahoma’s largest employers, is seeking candidates for a variety of call center opportunities in our home loan servicing operation:

Loss Mitigation Follow Up Associates Loss Mitigation Plan Administrators Loan Counselors Customer Service Representatives We are looking for individuals who possess strong communications skills, a positive attitude and a desire to help others. These positions require extensive phone contact (inbound/outbound calls) with mortgagors and require someone who has excellent multi-tasking skills to assist with file documentation. Candidates must be dependable and have strong PC skills. Some of the many reasons to join our team include: • Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Bilingual candidates fluent in Spanish and English earn an additional $1.00 per hour • Competitive salaries and excellent benefits • Classroom-style and on-the-job training programs • Business casual atmosphere For additional information about these exciting career opportunities and to complete an on-line application, please visit our website. All candidates must complete an on-line application. If you are unable to attend or have previously submitted an application or were interviewed, please send us an e-mail to hr@midfirst.com to let us know that you are interested.

3 6 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

AA/Equal Opportunity Employer-M/F/Disability/Vets

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J A N U A R Y

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS Puzzle No. 1221, which appeared in the December 31 issue.

A C H E

D O O R

O B E S E

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A B C I U T B U I C K S

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R A T E U S I N H U M D I R C A T B O S S H O O H A C K E Y U C S O L E S G S M I A D E S P O U T T O R C A S A H N E N E A P G S O R E S T E S I S M O S S H O D G L O V A T E P E

N A N C Y P E L O S I A N N E S B E N

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B A R W I N E H O K E A A L P I R E S A C I S T S U I E E N R F I E H O M O T O O N E P E C S E Y H O L L Y O G L O C E A K U M T L S T A T E

S C E N E L A B E L Y W O R D E L E E N A I R B V D S H A I O G R E S L A U R A L M S E T I E E C O P S K A T E U P O N E D O W N V O N N E E S N M O P O P A P A U A R E G T R A D E

ACROSS 1 Where it’s lonely at, it’s said 7 Semi parts 11 Powder holder 14 It shrinks in the light 19 Pass on, as stories 20 Modern juice ingredient 22 Striped beast 23 Mrs. King on TV’s Scarecrow and Mrs. King 24 Imports 25 Host Jay and family 26 Su____ic 28 Political capital? 30 Antimalarial agent 31 Result of a burn 32 Ob____ly 35 Game of Thrones airer 37 Din 40 Italian tourist destination 41 Sultanate next to an emirate 42 Friday the 13th sequel subtitled ‘‘Jason Lives’’ 44 Bad-tempered, in Shakespeare 48 Something banned by international treaty 50 ____t 53 Sign of summer 54 Fish-and-chips fish 55 Bygone sports cars 56 Call for 57 Arrive casually, informally 59 They may be checked for checks 61 Opposite of ‘‘Brr!’’ 63 Grp. with auditors 65 Checkout headache 66 Pack, as a car 70 D-Day locale 71 Lo____y 74 Soave, e.g. 75 Last 77 Masked ‘‘bandit’’ 78 W.W. II domain: Abbr. 79 They start in middle school 80 Ransom specification 81 Soda nuts 83 Manhattan neighborhood east of N.Y.U. 85 Anne Hathaway’s persona in

86 89 91 94 97 98 99 100 102 104 105 110 112 113 114 120 122 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131

2012’s The Dark Knight Rises Sternward ‘‘I’ve got good news and bad news’’ speaker Li____nt It’s often face-down in a jewelry store Ibis relative Messed (up) Spices (up) Part of town Get back (to) Flight-board abbr. Ca____t One of a Latin trio It may follow you or me It may be smoked in England Wor____er Eggs, e.g. Like oysters as an appetizer, often ‘‘That’s completely wrong, you idiot!’’ Change, as a password 1976 hit for Hall & Oates Curved fasteners Some Deco works ‘‘How pathetic’’ Book of Mormon book Not marry Mr. Right, say

DOWN 1 Ride around some parking lots 2 Half3 H’s 4 Sawbucks 5 Song on a reunion tour, maybe 6 Virgin offering 7 Group of like-minded thinkers 8 Boat direction 9 Executive group 10 Pick up on 11 Relative of a pound 12 Energy unit 13 It’s on the right when you’re driving 14 Ends of the world 15 Luau staple 16 Plague, e.g.

Oklahoma Gazette is circulated at its designated distribution points free of charge to readers for their individual use and by mail to subscribers. The cash value of this copy is $1. Persons taking copies of the Oklahoma Gazette from its distribution points for any reason other than their or others’ individual use for reading purposes are subject to prosecution. Please address all unsolicited news items (non-returnable) to the editor. First-class mail subscriptions are $119 for one year, and most issues at this rate will arrive 1-2 days after publication.

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17 Apple picker’s pick? 18 Didn’t just talk 21 Instrument in Vermeer’s ‘‘The Music Lesson’’ 27 Shine, in product names 29 Modern Family co-star 33 Preposition between two times 34 .biz alternative 35 Fill-in-the-blanks activity 36 Like some cotton 38 Jefferson Airplane genre 39 Operate 42 Exfoliation tool 43 Let it all out 45 Chafe 46 E____hen 47 Unenthusiastic 49 Birdbrain 51 Yom Kippur War politician

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Stumped? Call 1-900-285-5656 to get the answers to any three clues by phone ($1.20 a minute). The answers to the New York Times Magazine Crossword Puzzle that appeared in the December 31 issue of Oklahoma Gazette are shown at left.

Oklahoma Gazette

103

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52 Partial translation of ‘‘Auld Lang Syne’’ 58 Ones who are never out of order? 60 Except 62 Duty 64 Scary Movie, e.g. 67 Like many toy trucks 68 Anonymous 69 Up on things 71 Mailing to a record exec, once 72 Preppy wear 73 Hot goods 76 Like talking in a theater, e.g. 79 Flap 82 Destination between LAX and Sea-Tac 84 Some computer aids 86 Modern place to buy games 87 Stew about 88 Sirloin cut 90 Negligent

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O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | 3 7

P HOTOS P R OVI DE D

LIFE MUSIC

Samantha Crain

Drag The River

Austin Lucas

Aural homecoming New concert series launches from Will Rogers Theatre and celebrates songwriters and the Southern sound.

BY JOSHUA BOYDSTON

Southern Sound Concert Series with Austin Lucas, Drag The River and Samantha Crain 7:30 p.m. Saturday Will Rogers Theatre 4322 N. Western Ave. southernsoundseries.com $16-$45

Music — especially the folk and roots sound emanating out of the South during the past half-century — has always been more than chords and lyrics to Oklahoma City native Josh Stratton. It’s an undeniable truth fundamental to who and what we all are, and with the Southern Sound Concert Series, he’s intent on reminding everyone who will listen. “What I like about it as a whole is the honesty of its mistakes and acceptance of its failures and attempt to grow from them,” Stratton said. “It’s important to remember that we all fail at times, and this genre of music does a great job of breaking down the barriers and creating an honest encounter with the listener. That’s a beautiful thing that isn’t spoken about enough.” Working as a booking agent and tour manager for nearly a decade before returning to Oklahoma in 2013, Stratton helped spread that message as

3 8 | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

part of his job description. He can’t help but feel the itch to do the same even now, and he found the perfect partners in Hunter and Blake Merritt (owners of presenting sponsor Prairie Wolf Spirits in Guthrie). The team seeks to shine a spotlight on local and national touring musicians in different venues across the city in a six-concert series that will unfold over the course of 2015. Saturday’s lineup at Will Rogers Theatre features Shawnee singersongwriter Samantha Crain, along with Indiana cowpunk performer Austin Lucas and Colorado alt-country outfit Drag The River. “This style of music is really important to the fabric of America,” Stratton said. “And there’s such a rich history of incredible musicians in Oklahoma. You look at the days of Leon Russell and J.J. Cale — there’s always been something about the spirit of the state that’s inspired musicians to create music that is truly organic and represents the honesty of struggle.” The groundwork laid by young Oklahoma artists like Crain, John Fullbright, Parker Millsap and John Moreland sparked the idea for Southern Sound. It brings new voices in modern, Southern-bred music into the conversation from across the country in small to mid-sized venues Stratton

They’ve done the hard work. They’ve made Oklahoma relevant again at a national level. — Josh Stratton

sees overlooked and identifies OKC as a market poised to support more of this art than it has. “They’ve done the hard work. They’ve made Oklahoma relevant again at a national level,” Stratton said. “We want to magnify that to people here that might not know.” And in a way, the team behind Southern Sound believes the series is a thank-you to the voices that have restored Oklahoma’s place on the throne. “We’re going to cater to the needs of the artists,” Stratton said. “If they can’t support their way of life, their music dies, so we want to facilitate their growth as artists.” Rubbing elbows with touring acts is one part of that equation, too. “I think it’s really important, connecting to those touring artists,”

Stratton said. “From what I’ve seen in my experience, stuff like this can be a stepping stone for all parties involved.” Of course, it’s also about the fans. Stratton and the Merritt brothers want to create one-of-a-kind listening experiences, special, multi-layered events that celebrate music and camaraderie of fans and creators alike. “For scenes like this to work, they have to work in equal parts for the artists playing and the people attending. We want to create an environment that is better than what they are used to,” Stratton said. “It’s a concept that I don’t think Oklahoma has really seen before, and we’re excited to share it with them. It’s going to be different from what most concertgoers are accustomed to.” The second show is in March. The venue and lineup will be announced in February. The rest of the series will follow in two-month increments that Stratton said will bloom into something special. “My experience overall has shown me what works and what doesn’t and how to grow something from a grassroots level to something that the whole city can be proud of,” Stratton said. “Really, what we are looking for is something that inspires people to slow down and stop the hustle and bustle and join other like-minded individuals to celebrate great music.”

Shameless promotion Laine Bergeron’s new project expands the sometimes rigid definition of art and music.

P ROVI DED

BY JOSHUA BOYDSTON

Shameless Friend with Sun Riah and Joey Paz 8 p.m. Saturday Dope Chapel 115 S. Crawford Ave., Norman dopechapel.com $5-$7

Too often, noise music is more about the show than the tell. Finding a story and a heartbeat inside the maelstrom of disorienting feedback, digitized landscapes and layered guitar crests and crashes is the hallmark of masterful ambient artists like Grouper and Tim Hecker. Growing up in a music-friendly household on a diet of Neil Young, The Microphones and Smashing Pumpkins, Laine Bergeron seeks to find that same sweet spot as Shameless Friend, sinking songwriter tendencies into his construction of moody sonic vignettes. “I’m trying to keep poetry in it,” Bergeron said. “There’s a lot of noise music around these days, and it’s aesthetically excellent, but I think the intent can be lacking.” Coming up like most musicians in more prototypical situations, he played guitar and drums for garage bands and made his own songs in the straight-ahead singer-songwriter vein. It didn’t take long for Bergeron to fall in love with the avant-garde fringes of experimental folk and indie music. He indulges in that varied past now, bending, warping and applying those skills by playing bass in psychedelicindie outfit Luna Moth and helping head experimental rock act Shishio. Even in those artistically ambitious outlets, Bergeron is never further from center than he is working as Shameless Friend, a project that is mostly of his own making but is occasionally assisted live with a host of different friends and collaborators. “Music serves a function, and as Shameless Friend, you can put on your headphones and just tune out the world,” he said. If that mission statement sounds vague or hazy, that’s because it sort of is. His recordings exist in a fluid state

— live traces and whispers heard live are strung together by fleeting segues — a persistently metamorphosing catalog with the only constant being an immersive and emotional experience for listeners and Bergeron alike. “I like to write the show based on the context. It always depends on where the show is, when it’s happening, who it’s happening with,” he explained. As busy as Bergeron is as an artist, he keeps equally busy as a facilitator of that art for himself and others like him. Last year brought the split Shameless Friend record We Have A Window with fellow noise artist Borke as well as new recordings from his other projects Shishio and Luna Moth. However, he spent much of 2014 helping friends build foundations for new creative entities: experimental cassette label Tape Gun Records and DIY art space Dope Chapel in Norman. He does it to shine a light not only on himself and his friends in acts like LOOM and Momok but anyone making art inside our borders. “Providence, Rhode Island, it’s a noise capitol. I think Oklahoma City has that same potential,” Bergeron said. With “a couple records worth of material” and time for personal pursuits, this year should be a productive one. “Those projects required a lot of legwork,” Bergeron said. “Now that they have some momentum, they can hit the ground running, and so will I.”

O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | 3 9

LIFE MUSIC REVIEWS

Rowdy magic BY JOSHUA BOYDSTON

Limp Wizurdz grew up.

LIVE MUSIC AT GRANDAD’S THIS MONTH WILL LEAVE YOU ALL SHOOK UP. Friday, January 9 Saturday, January 10

Thursday, January 15 Friday, January 16 Saturday, January 17 Friday, January 23 Saturday, January 24 Thursday, January 29 Friday, January 30 Saturday, January 31

Kent Fauss (8:00) • Melissa Hembree & Union Station (10:00) ELVIS’S BIRTHDAY PARTY featuring Kelli Lynn & The Skillet Lickers and Brian Lee Dunning Brad Fielder Scott Carson (8:00) • The F5 Four (10:00) Fred Hill (8:00) • Caleb McGee (10:00) Chad Slagle (8:00) • Cowgirls’ Train Set (10:00) TJ Mayes Adam Lopez & His Rhythm Review Tanner Miller (8:00) • Tyrannosaurus Chicken (10:00) Tom Marshall (8:00) • Patrick Winsett & The Foolish Pride (10:00)

COME ON OUT TO HEAR THE BEST LIVE MUSIC IN OKC, INCLUDING ELVIS’S BIRTHDAY PARTY THIS SATURDAY NIGHT! Lineup subject to change. That’s all right now, Mama.

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A little, at least. Well, as much as can be expected from snot-nosed Norman punks whose name is a shit-eating grin of a tribute to one of America’s worst bands (Limp Bizkit) and spewed out stream-ofconsciousness diatribes like “Master Newscaster” and “Robotic Cock” on an EP named for Gary England with cutouts of Harry Potter and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter packaging on its cover. These are the same guys, sure, and 1603 isn’t exactly the music for buttoned-up, past-their-prime accountants, but maybe age is sharpening their red-eyed vision. The rowdy outfit’s first full-length effort is less kids getting their cheap-ass thrills from dumb (albeit always entertaining) stunts and more reluctant adults accepting the realities of the world, but more than prepared to ingest anything and everything that will help them forget about all that for an afternoon. The production quality (courtesy of Wasted Space Studio), namely, is a marked improvement, and like a swipe of deodorant and fresh pair of underwear, rehashed tracks like “Ronald,” “Asian Girls Everywhere and “SALMON” (among others) from prior EPs sound, smell and look better than ever. Lo-fi self-recording isn’t necessarily a bad look — and is usually an inescapable one for punk bands without a trust fund payout burning in their back pockets — but the mix does wonders in conveying the unruly sound without scrambling it. There’s more to 1603 than a new coat of (probably huffed) paint, though, and it truly bears some watershed songwriting moments for the band — both in terms of hooks and emotional punch — that

previously seemed impossible. This isn’t high art — nor will it ever be — but “Cankicker” is a dazzling tempest of sugary pop-punk hooks and high-wire energy that bursts into a Red Bull sun shower. It’s devastatingly catchy and as lyrically astute (even heart-wrenching) as any song in the past year out of 2014’s biggest emo revival luminaries: Joyce Manor, Into It. Over It. and Title Fight. Limp Wizurdz’s leaner, smarter form heard here best suits that last name, as that flesh-wound-raw aggression (“Fast Food Drone”) and hardcore-bordering guitar artillery fire (the rabid “CHUG”) is more destructive than their sensitive cousins. The band manages to make the brutal sound welcoming. The album has something of a short attention span, dipping in and out of one-minute thrash tantrums that belie the more sophisticated songwriting found throughout. But that’s but one small growing pain of maturing from pot-addled adolescents to punk rock revisionists, and Limp Wizurdz threatens to be a force to be reckoned with in songs like “Ronald,” “Numbers” and “18.” These are heights that previously seemed impossible, and Limp Wizurdz are not only doing it but also making it look easy. Perhaps this was in them all along. As they close out 1603 with “We Here Are Suffering” — swimming in cutaway audio samples and art noise dissonance — frontman Taylor Young and crew have aged what feels like 13 years in as many songs retaining the best aspects of their youth and ditching the rest.

Limp Wizurdz Album: 1603 | Available now | limpwizurdz.bandcamp.com

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7 Kylie Morgan, Sprouts, Norman. COUNTRY Mike Hosty Duo, Baker St. Pub & Grill. ROCK Tara Dillard, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO The Friends No BS Jam, Friends Restaurant & Club. VARIOUS

THURSDAY, JAN. 8 100 Bones, Baker St. Pub & Grill. REGGAE

Empire Grey, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewery. ROCK Evangeline Vournazos, The Paramount OKC. FOLK Gentry, Kendell’s Bar. VARIOUS Groove Merchants, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. COVER John Moreland/Caleb Caudle/Aaron Lee Tasjan in The Round, The Blue Door. FOLK Kent Fause/Melissa Hembree and Union Station, Grandad’s Bar. COUNTRY Remedy OKC Band, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK Roy Lee Scott & The Flying Cowboys, Sliders. COUNTRY Stars, Baker St. Pub & Grill. COVER The Buzzkills/Stonebear, Dope Chapel, Norman. ROCK The Clique, Friends Restaurant & Club. VARIOUS Thieving Birds, Wormy Dog Saloon. ROCK

Brent Saulsbury/Will Galbraith/Wayne Duncan, Friends Restaurant & Club. ROCK

Voodoo, Landing Zone. ROCK

Grant Wells, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Zac Hacker, Remington Park. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Kalo, Wormy Dog Saloon. BLUES

SATURDAY, JAN. 10

Reese Wilson/Michael Summers, Kendell’s Bar. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

FRIDAY, JAN. 9 Adam & Kizzie, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Norman. VARIOUS

2AM, Tapwerks Ale House & Cafe. ROCK Ali Harter, Othello’s, Norman. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Eric Church

Amarillo Junction, Riverwind Casino, Norman. COUNTRY Blake Lankford, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. COUNTRY

OKG

Blake O the DJ, Russell’s, Tower Hotel. VARIOUS

music PROVI DED

Parmalee/Backroad Anthem, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. COUNTRY

P ROVI DE D

LIVE MUSIC

Adam & Kizzie, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Norman, Friday

pick

Eric Church Wednesday, Jan. 14

Modern country musician Eric Church brings The Outsiders World Tour to Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 14. The North Carolina singer-songwriter has launched several songs into the charts since his major-label debut in 2006, including “Smoke a Little Smoke,” “Springsteen” and, uh, “Like Jesus Does.” Yep, good ol’ ... country music. Many compare his sound to rockers of yore, including Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams, blended with classic country influences from Willie Nelson to Chet Atkins. Regardless of the decade, fans swarm arenas to hear his sound. Yee-haw. Halestorm will open. Tickets start at $35. Visit chesapeakearena.com or call (800) 745-3000.

MONDAY, JAN. 12

Eric Dunkin, Chips ‘N Ales at Riverwind Casino, Norman. ROCK Heavy Glow/Helen Kelter Skelter/Admirals, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK Amarillo Junction, Riverwind Casino, Norman. COUNTRY

Blind Date, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewery. COVER

Annie Oakley, Blue Note Lounge. FOLK

Brian Lee Dunning/Kelli Lynn and the Skillet Lickers, Grandad’s Bar. VARIOUS

Brent Blount, Full Circle Bookstore. JAZZ

Lisa & Laura, Full Circle Bookstore. FOLK

Edgar Cruz, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. ACOUSTIC

Local Neighborhood Outlaws, Wormy Dog Saloon. ROCK

My Iron Lung/Post Nothing/Wolves, The Conservatory. ROCK

Christian Pearson/Tara Dillard, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Lower 40, Thunderbird Casino, Norman. COVER

David Morris, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Don and Melodee Johnson, Twelve Oaks, Edmond. JAZZ

MacKenzie Pulse, The Paramount OKC. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

DAVID RENNER

Clutch/Torche/Lionize, The Conservatory. ROCK

Maurice Johnson, Avanti Bar & Grill. JAZZ Miss Brown to You, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. JAZZ Mitch Casen, Friends Restaurant & Club. COUNTRY Roy Lee Scott & The Flying Cowboys, Sliders. COUNTRY Steve Rice, Grady’s 66 Pub, Yukon. COUNTRY

TUESDAY, JAN. 13 Soul Time Tuesday, Blue Note Lounge. VARIOUS Steve Story, American Legion 40 & 8. COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14

Voodoo, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK

Eric Church, Chesapeake Energy Arena. COUNTRY

Zac Hacker, Remington Park. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Tara Dillard, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

SUNDAY, JAN. 11

The Friends No BS Jam, Friends Restaurant & Club. VARIOUS

Edgar Cruz, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. ACOUSTIC Furlough Sextet, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Norman. VARIOUS Grant Stevens, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Annie Oakley, Blue Note Lounge, Friday

Ali Harter Residency, Blue Note Lounge. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

Karen Khoury, Legend’s Restaurant, Norman. PIANO

Laura Leighe, Tapwerks Ale House & Cafe. POP Mitch Bell Group, The Depot, Norman. JAZZ Urban Addiction, Russell’s, Tower Hotel. VARIOUS

Submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date. Late submissions will not be included in the listings. Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible. Fax your listings to 528-4600 or e-mail them to listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | 4 1

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LIFE FILM

Not dead yet Our film critic says reports of the death of cinema are premature, as evidenced by his top movies of 2014.

BY PHIL BACHARACH

Even in the midst of an anemic year for film, 2014 offered an unusually rewarding bounty in cinema. The moviegoing experience is in its death throes — at least that’s what we keep hearing (Who has time to read?) about dreary boxoffice returns, audiences watching flicks on smartphones and tablets and Hollywood’s risk-averse reluctance to tax the imagination or intellect. There’s something weird afoot when the year’s gutsiest political statement evidently comes from The Interview, starring the guys who also starred in Pineapple Express. But if the moviegoing experience is morphing into something else, movies themselves remain as wondrous as ever. Here are my 20 favorites of 2014. Although they’re listed in order of preference, these rankings are subject to whim. How does one compare Guardians of the Galaxy to, say, a documentary about Edward Snowden? So with that said …

the family’s patriarch reacts less than heroically, and his wife cannot abide his refusal to admit it. Unflinchingly insightful and darkly funny, Force Majeure tweaks our notions of marriage and manliness, with delightfully cringeworthy results. is a backstage showbiz tale presented with almost breathtaking audacity. In a sterling ensemble cast, Michael Keaton gives a career performance as a washedup movie star making a desperate bid for artistic credibility on the Broadway stage. But the real star here is writerdirector Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel), whose endearingly unhinged vision sends Birdman soaring to dizzying heights.

Shot over a 12-year period to capture its actor’s journey from child to grown-up, Boyhood easily could have devolved into novelty. But the alwaysadventurous writer-director Richard Linklater (the Before Sunrise trilogy) captures the sublime rhythms of life itself. Ellar Coltrane is excellent as the sensitive Texas boy stumbling toward adulthood, with Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke equally memorable as his divorced parents. Emotionally resonant, often powerful and occasionally clumsy — just like life — Boyhood is a masterpiece not quite like anything else I have seen.

Birdman

Every year, there is at least one movie that divides audiences into love-it and hate-it camps. This entry, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance),

A Most Violent Year

Gone Girl

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Boyhood

Alabama, to ensure voting rights for black Americans. Selma is a rarity, an important movie that eschews pretentiousness and ponderousness. It opens Friday in Oklahoma City.

Arriving on the heels of his stupendous 2013 offering Moonrise Kingdom, Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel reveals a filmmaker — perhaps the most bona fide auteur working today — in some sort of creative Golden Age. This mythical account of a hotel concierge and his lobby boy in 1930s Eastern Europe sets the stage for Anderson’s most satisfying screwball comedy to date. Not coincidentally, it also showcases the considerable comedic chops of Voldemort himself, Ralph Fiennes, as the elegant and vulgar M. Gustave.

The movie version of Gillian Flynn’s bestseller was bound to be a commercial hit, but who knew it would also be so damn good? Granted, that became a near-certainty once David Fincher (Zodiac) signed on to direct Flynn’s adaptation. The man knows his way around black-hearted thrillers. Gone Girl might be schlock, but it is schlock of the highest order: sleek, sexy and satirical. And it doesn’t hurt to have a star-making performance by Rosamund Pike as the femmest of femme fatales.

Two Days, One Night

Selma

This Ava DuVernay-directed film chronicles events from nearly 50 years ago, but it is alarming how urgent and relevant Selma feels, given the tragedies of Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner and the ongoing political battle over voter IDs. David Oyelowo (Lee Daniels’ The Butler) has the daunting task of portraying the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who led a landmark protest march from Selma to Montgomery,

Sidney Lumet, who directed such gritty ’70s-era classics as Dog Day Afternoon and Serpico, died in 2011, but his spirit is alive and well in A Most Violent Year, filmmaker J.C. Chandor’s (All Is Lost) riveting tale of ambition, greed and corruption in 1981 New York. Oscar Isaac, so memorable in Drive and Inside Llewyn Davis, is a revelation here as a brash upstart in the home-heating business trying to make a career move while fending off violent attacks from mystery thugs and a criminal probe by the district attorney. It opens Jan. 30 in OKC.

Force Majeure

Swedish writer-director Ruben Östlund begins with a wickedly clever incident: A handsome, young family is vacationing in the Alps when they are caught up in a disaster that winds up less than disastrous — at least not in the way they initially feared. But in the chaos of that would-be catastrophe,

Suspense doesn’t always need a bomb or even a bad guy to lure audiences to the edge of their seats. Sometimes all one needs is a good person trying to get out of a desperate situation. Filmmaking brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne mine compelling drama in this French-language story starring Marion Cotillard as a Belgian solar-panel factory worker fighting to keep her job. Like the Dardennes’ best works, Two Days, One Night is unerringly honest and compassionate.

O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | J A N UA R Y 7, 2 0 1 5 | 4 3

LIFE FILM

Citizenfour

It’s one thing to know the story of Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency consultant who leaked volumes of secret data revealing the jaw-dropping extent to which Uncle Sam spies on its own citizens. But Laura Poitras’ fascinating documentary presents an up-close-and-personal look at the man as he huddled with reporters in a Hong Kong hotel room in 2013 and prepared to release information that would send shockwaves around the world.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Under the Skin

A throwback to the experimental, lowbudget sci-fi of the ’70s, Under the Skin strips away — both literally and figuratively — the niceties of plot and character in favor of more existential considerations. That abstract dread comes in the shape of Scarlett Johansson as a man-killing extraterrestrial who feeds on horny dudes in Scotland. Director Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast) conjures up a fever dream of bewildering and haunting images.

This spellbinding sophomore effort by director Damien Chazelle gives us what might be moviedom’s scariestever teacher. Set in a Julliard-styled music college in New York, Whiplash boasts a terrific Miles Teller (The Spectacular Now) as a first-year student determined to be the best jazz drummer since Buddy Rich, if only he can survive his uberdemanding mentor — er, tormentor, to be precise — played to vein-popping perfection by J.K. Simmons.

The Lego Movie

Nightcrawler

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It’s the end of the world as we know it, and the haves and have-nots of humankind’s survivors share space on a nonstop train roaring at breakneck speed around the frozen planet. Chris Evans, John Hurt and a nearly unrecognizable Tilda Swinton head up a game cast, but the spotlight here is Korean director Joon-ho Bong (Mother, The Host), who leaps over the top — and then some — in this violent, visually ingenious and thoroughly whacked-out hoot.

Whiplash

Time to dust off the old cliché about how a movie made one feel like a kid again. This time, it can’t be helped. Guardians of the Galaxy, directed by James Gunn (Slither) and based on an obscure Marvel Comics franchise, really did that for me. Its fantastical creatures, rapid-fire pace, winking humor and totally farout soundtrack of ’70s bubblegum pop combined for the best summer high in recent memory. Chris Pratt and his merry band of cosmic rogues brought the comic back to comic book flicks.

Motion pictures based on toys don’t typically inspire great art (no offense, Optimus Prime). And, honestly, aside from this awesomely animated movie by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the team behind the 21 Jump Street movie franchise, I don’t expect it to happen again — at least not until the Lego sequel promised for 2018. Until then, we have this hilarious, smart and surprisingly poignant ode to master builders, Unikitty and … the Kragle!

Snowpiercer

In a dark and darkly comic twist on the “If it bleeds, it leads” ethos of local television news, star Jake Gyllenhaal’s eyes bulge out so much, he almost resembles a Boston terrier. But Gyllenhaal’s character is a more dangerous breed, a sociopathic loner who smells opportunity in shooting video of blood-soaked breaking news in purple-night Los Angeles. Written and directed by Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler would be savage satire if it weren’t already so close to reality.

The Lunchbox

A charming debut for writer-director Ritesh Batra, The Lunchbox was 2014’s best, if criminally underseen, movie romance. A chance mistake involving lunch couriers in Mumbai spurs a furtive relationship between an unhappily married woman and a lonely widow. Batra earns every tear shed by his audience — and a fair share will be shed; be warned — while eliciting tremendous performances by stars Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur.

Only Lovers Left Alive The Immigrant

Marion Cotillard stars as the title character, a wide-eyed Polish ingénue trying to make ends meet in the mean streets of New York in the early 1920s. Joaquin Phoenix portrays the oily entrepreneur who would save/trap her. Writer-director James Gray’s (The Yards) lovingly detailed film is brilliantly realized melodrama.

Locke

Tom Hardy plays a decent, hardworking married man who makes a lot of phone calls while driving at night. What sounds like a snooze of a logline turns out to be one of the year’s most enthralling films. Hardy, who also starred in 2014’s The Drop, again proves to be one of the most exciting actors around. Writer-director Steven Knight deserves special praise for taking on the challenge of visualizing a decidedly nonvisual concept.

Vampires have been all the rage in recent years, but leave it to the everIdiosyncratic Jim Jarmusch (Dead Man, Broken Flowers) to make a vampire flick like no other. Bloodsuckers don’t come any cooler or cultured than Only Lovers Left Alive’s Adam and Eve (Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton). Jarmusch’s movies defy easy categorization, and so it is with this wonderfully weird outing.

The Babadook

Australian actress-turned-director Jennifer Kent fashioned a beautifully executed chiller about an overly stressed, sleep-deprived single mom (an affecting Essie Davis) trying to keep it together for the sake of her very troubled 7-year-old son (Noah Wiseman). Scary but restrained and more than a little reminiscent of classic Gothic horror, The Babadook also has the distinction of being 2014’s most fun-to-say movie title.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Homework: Send me a list of your top five New Year’s resolutions. I’m at Truthrooster@gmail.com.

rid of them. While you’re at it, why not carry out a similar cleanup in other areas of your life?

ARIES (March 21-April 19) In his novel Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut describes a character, Ned Lingamon, who “had a penis eight hundred miles long and two hundred and ten miles in diameter, but practically all of it was in the fourth dimension.” If there is any part of you that metaphorically resembles Lingamon, Aries, the coming months will be a favorable time to fix the problem. You finally have sufficient power and wisdom and feistiness to start expressing your latent capacities in practical ways . . . to manifest your hidden beauty in a tangible form . . . to bring your purely fourth-dimensional aspects all the way into the third dimension.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) “Nothing was ever created by two men,” wrote John Steinbeck in his novel *East of Eden.* “There are no good collaborations, whether in music, in art, in poetry, in mathematics, in philosophy. Once the miracle of creation has taken place, the group can build and extend it, but the group never invents anything. The preciousness lies in the lonely mind of a man.” In my view, this statement is delusional nonsense. And it’s especially inapt for you in the coming weeks. In fact, the only success that will have any lasting impact will be the kind that you instigate in tandem with an ally or allies you respect.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Novelist E. L. Doctorow says that the art of writing “is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” This realistic yet hopeful assessment is true of many challenges, not just writing. The big picture of what you’re trying to accomplish is often obscure. You wish you had the comfort of knowing exactly what you’re doing every step of the way, but it seems that all you’re allowed to know is the next step. Every now and then, however, you are blessed with an exception to the rule. Suddenly you get a glimpse of the whole story you’re embedded in. It’s like you’re standing on a mountaintop drinking in the vast view of what lies behind you and before you. I suspect that this is one of those times for you, Taurus. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Most people have numerous items in their closet that they never wear. Is that true for you? Why? Do you think you will eventually come to like them again, even though you don’t now? Are you hoping that by keeping them around you can avoid feeling remorse about having wasted money? Do you fantasize that the uncool stuff will come back into fashion? In accordance with the astrological omens, Gemini, I invite you to stage an all-out purge. Admit the truth to yourself about what clothes no longer work for you, and get

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) I live in Northern California, where an extended drought led to water-rationing for much of 2014. But in December, a series of downpours arrived to replenish the parched landscape. Now bursts of white wildflowers have erupted along my favorite hiking trails. They’re called shepherd’s purse. Herbalists say this useful weed can be made into an ointment that eases pain and heals wounds. I’d like to give you a metaphorical version of this good stuff. You could use some support in alleviating the psychic aches and pangs you’re feeling. Any ideas about how to get it? Brainstorm. Ask questions. Seek help. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Actress Uzo Aduba’s formal first name is Uzoamaka. She tells the story about how she wanted to change it when she was a kid. One day she came home and said, “Mommy, can you call me Zoe?” Her mother asked her why, and she said, “Because no one can say Uzoamaka.” Mom was quick to respond: “If they can learn to say Tchaikovsky, Dostoevsky, and Michelangelo, they can learn to say Uzoamaka.” The moral of the story, as far as you’re concerned: This is no time to suppress your quirks and idiosyncrasies. That’s rarely a good idea, but especially now. Say NO to making yourself more generic. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Doug Von Koss leads groups of people in sing-alongs. You don’t have to be

making raucous music themselves -- “all for the love of that joyful noise.” I foresee a comparable progression for you in the coming weeks, Capricorn. What initially disturbs you may ultimately excite you -- maybe even fulfill you.

an accomplished vocalist to be part of his events, nor is it crucial that you know the lyrics and melodies to a large repertoire of songs. He strives to foster a “perfection-free zone.” I encourage you to dwell in the midst of your own personal perfection-free zone everywhere you go this week, Libra. You need a break from the pressure to be smooth, sleek, and savvy. You have a poetic license to be innocent, loose, and a bit messy. At least temporarily, allow yourself the deep pleasure of ignoring everyone’s expectations and demands.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Do you recall the opening scene of Lewis Carroll’s story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? Alice is sitting outside on a hot day, feeling bored, when a White Rabbit scurries by. He’s wearing a coat and consulting a watch as he talks to himself. She follows him, even when he jumps into a hole in the ground. Her descent takes a long time. On the way down, she passes cupboards and bookshelves and other odd sights. Not once does she feel fear. Instead, she makes careful observations and thinks reasonably about her unexpected trip. Finally she lands safely. As you do your personal equivalent of falling down the rabbit hole, Aquarius, be as poised and calm as Alice. Think of it as an adventure, not a crisis, and an adventure it will be.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) “I dream of lost vocabularies that might express some of what we no longer can,” wrote Jack Gilbert in his poem “The Forgotten Dialects of the Heart.” Judging from the current astrological omens, I’d say that you are close to accessing some of those lost vocabularies. You’re more eloquent than usual. You have an enhanced power to find the right words to describe mysterious feelings and subtle thoughts. As a result of your expanded facility with language, you may be able to grasp truths that have been out of reach before now.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) You are positively oceanic these days. You are vast and deep, restless and boundless, unruly and unstoppable. As much as it’s possible for a human being to be, you are ageless and fantastical. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could communicate telepathically and remember your past lives and observe the invisible world in great detail. I’m tempted to think of you as omnidirectional and omniscient, as well as polyrhythmic and polymorphously perverse. Dream big, you crazy wise dreamer.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “If you have built castles in the air,” said philosopher Henry David Thoreau, “your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” That may seem like a backward way to approach the building process: erecting the top of the structure first, and later the bottom. But I think this approach is more likely to work for you than it is for any other sign of the zodiac. And now is an excellent time to attend to such a task. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Songwriter RB Morris wrote a fanciful poem in which he imagines a smart mockingbird hearing rock and roll music for the first time. “When Mockingbird first heard rock / He cocked his head and crapped / What in the hell is that? / It sounded like a train wreck / Someone was screaming / Someone’s banging on garbage cans.” Despite his initial alienation, Mockingbird couldn’t drag himself away. He stayed to listen. Soon he was spellbound. “His blood pounded and rolled.” Next thing you know, Mockingbird and his friends are

Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes /daily text message horoscopes. The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.

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