Growing Chefs

free every wednesday | Metro OKC’s Independent Weekly | january 10, 2018

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inside COVER P. 11 Oklahoma City’s chefs and restaurateurs combat problems ranging from drugs to tempestuous kitchen environments and strive to keep chefs happy and healthy in their careers.

By Jacob Threadgill Cover by Christopher Street

NEWS 4 City Kirk Humphreys and John

Rex Charter Elementary School

6 State Oklahoma’s homelessness

population numbers rise

8

Chicken-Fried News

EAT & DRINK 11 Cover fostering Oklahoma City’s

chefs

13 Review Bistro B

14 Feature KLLR Coffee 16 Gazedibles shrimp

ARTS & CULTURE 19 Podcasts OKC is home to a

diverse array of podcasts

21 Art The Art of Oklahoma at

Oklahoma City Museum of Art

22 Theater Jabee: The Life & Times

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25 Community MLK Day and speaker BerThaddaeus Bailey’s performances 26 Sports Franchise Players 28 Calendar

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32 Event Local Man Ruins

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33 Live music

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34 Puzzles sudoku | crossword 35 Astrology OKG Classifieds 35

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CIT Y

NEWS

Battlefront

Parents and civic leaders clash with former Mayor Kirk Humphreys over his future at John Rex Charter Elementary School. By George Lang

On Dec. 18, 2017, at the Freedom Oklahoma headquarters on N. Classen Boulevard, former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys offered an apology for the anti-homosexual remarks he made on KFOR’s Flashpoint program eight days earlier. The comments, which compared homosexuality to pedophilia, created their own flashpoint in the progressive and LGBTQ communities. With his prepared statement, Humphreys, who resigned from the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents days earlier, hoped to put the incident behind him and retain his chair position at John Rex Charter Elementary School, a downtown charter school for which he raised much of the startup and operating capital. But shortly after the apology, a closeddoor meeting between Humphreys and parents and civic leaders poured salt on a fresh wound. “It was shocking,” said Carrie Coppernoll Jacobs, a former teacher and current member of both the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board and the board at John Rex. “It was unlike any meeting I’ve ever been in in my adult life.” The meeting, held in the offices of Troy Stevenson, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, quickly became contentious as Humphreys stated his refusal to step down from his chairmanship at John Rex and parents took offense at what they viewed as a lack of empathy. “He was immediately defensive and just very off-putting,” said Maggie Howell-Dowd, whose daughter attends second grade at John Rex. “I would have thought with an opportunity to listen to parents, there would be at least some feigned empathy, but there was none.” 4

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John Beedon, a parent of two children at John Rex, offers a similar account. “When we sat down in there, I was pretty hot already, I have to admit,” Beedon said. “He proceeded to tell us, in a very stately and mannerly tone, that he is morally right and that we cannot expect him to make decisions outside his chosen moral code. He proceeded to tell us that John Rex doesn’t exist without him. He basically told us that we didn’t matter.” In the wake of the meeting, parents banded together to form an action group, Parents for the Removal of Kirk Humphreys from the John Rex School Board. A petition has gathered more than 350 signatures, and parent Chris Kavanaugh created a website with fact sheets, quotes from Humphreys’ Flashpoint appearance and statements from civic leaders such as Oklahoma Democratic gubernatorial candidate Drew Edmondson, OKC mayoral candidate David Holt and OKC Public Schools Board Chair Paula Lewis criticizing Humphreys comments.

Bad beginning

On the Dec. 10 episode of Flashpoint, Humphreys was debating public morality among politicians with State Rep. Emily Virgin, D-Norman, when the conversation veered into homophobic territory. “Is homosexuality right or wrong? It’s not relative,” Humphreys said. “There’s a right and wrong. You just said it. So it’s either right or wrong, and if it’s okay, then it’s okay for everybody. And quite frankly, then it’s okay for men to sleep with little boys, if it’s okay.” Humphreys’ comments quickly made the rounds on social media among John Rex parents.

Kirk Humphreys issued an apology at a press conference with Freedom Oklahoma and later told John Rex Charter Elementary School parents he has no plans to step down from its board of directors. | Photo Laura Eastes

“I mean, for anyone to compare any group of people to pedophiles is disgusting,” Howell-Dowd said. “I was in shock, and I didn’t immediately put it together that he’s on our board.” It was not the first time Humphreys found himself at odds with progressive ideals. In the early ’00s, as mayor, Humphreys waged a public battle with the gay advocacy group the Cimarron Alliance Foundation over the civic display of gay pride banners, eventually calling for an ordinance denying permits for any banners advocating a political, religious or social message. The ordinance was declared unconstitutional by a federal court.

He basically told us that we didn’t matter. John Beedon In a March 2015 Flashpoint episode, Humphreys claimed that falling standards at OKC and Putnam City schools happened because the “gene pool keeps moving out.” “It’s moved to Edmond, it’s now moved to Deer Creek, and you know, they’ll keep running as long as they can buy green fields and gasoline for their car,” Humphreys said.

The meeting

According to Jacobs, both past incidents were discussed during the closed-door meeting between Humphreys and parents, a group that also included Lewis and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) OKC president Garland Pruitt. In an interview with Oklahoma Gazette, Humphreys said the meeting started out prickly and moved into a shouting phase. “This meeting was contentious from

the beginning,” Humphreys said. “For one thing, I don’t think it was set up to be productive. Paula began by demanding my resignation from the Rex board. Then Maggie Howell-Dowd told me that someone who had my ideology was unacceptable to serve on any public board. Finally, it was contentious and the anger and accusations culminated in Mr. Beedon just repeatedly shouting expletives at me, loud enough that it echoed through the halls outside. People outside could tell that it was not going well.” Humphreys drew a stark comparison between the meeting and a discussion he held the previous day with members of the LGBTQ and progressive communities. Brokered by former Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth and attended by Stevenson, among others, at Roth’s offices at Phillips Murrah law firm, Humphreys said the meeting was a model of mutual respect. “By all accounts, it was very productive and cordial,” Humphreys said. Both sides of the meeting at Freedom Oklahoma agree that the discussion became fiery, but the cause of the commotion is up for debate. “Paula started it off very calmly, like, ‘Hey, we want to hear from you. What are your plans now? The parents have been very clear that they want you to step down,’” Jacobs said. “And he said, ‘I’m not stepping down.’ His response was basically, ‘This is how I feel, so ... no.’ He was unapologetic, and it was a completely different tone from the press conference; unapologetic and uncompromising. He said, ‘Well, you guys are going to have to think about, if I leave, where all this money is going to come from, because I’m leaving and I’m taking my money with me and I’m taking my friends and I’m taking Inasmuch.’ It was a threat to the kids of this school, and very direct.” Humphreys said his response was not nearly so threatening. “I never raised my voice. I never used profanity. Believe me; I was trying to be healing and polite,” Humphreys said. “What I said was if the John Rex board chooses to remove me, and they have the right to do that, I said that they’ll have to consider what they’ll lose if I do that. Money that I give and the money that I’ve raised they’d have to replace.” In a statement to The Oklahoman published Dec. 28, Inasmuch Foundation president Bob Ross said the foundation’s commitment to John Rex will not change “no matter who is on the board.” The next John Rex school board meeting is Feb. 15, though Jacobs said there is a possibility of an earlier special meeting to determine Humphreys’ future as chairman. “I think that there is an opportunity here for the community to say, ‘These are our schools, and they don’t belong to any one person and no one person gets to dictate the values of the school district. No one person gets to say who’s welcome and who’s not.’ These are our schools and our kids, and everyone’s welcome. This is a watershed for Oklahoma City.”

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O kg a z e t t e . c o m | J A N U A R Y 1 1/4/18 0 , 2 0 1 89:155 AM

This issue is all about getting right with your body, mind and spirit as we explore the best places in okc to eat healthy, put in your steps and get in the right frame of mind for an active and positive 2018.

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state

NEWS

Reducing homelessness

As homelessness in OKC increases, local organizations struggle to find suitable housing. By Graham Lee Brewer

Pee Wee stood in front of Homeless Alliance in the biting cold, waiting for the doors to open for the day. They unlock promptly at 9 a.m. His belongings were gathered together in three clear trash bags, the name “Pee Wee” written across them in permanent marker, which were piled in the corner where the glass doors and the building met. For the past several nights, Pee Wee had been sleeping in a garage with little more than a few blankets to keep him warm. Temperatures at night had been dropping into the teens for several days, and the wind hit your cheeks like a snowball. Pee Wee’s tone was matterof-fact when he talked about it, his brown eyes steady as they focused on the empty parking lot in front of him, and when he spoke, it was with the calm cadence of a man who had become familiar with a routine most Americans couldn’t imagine. “But,” he went on, “this cold hurts a man.” As the temperatures in Oklahoma once again drop well below freezing,

Dan Straughan is executive director of Homeless Alliance, a day shelter in OKC that offers programs to combat homelessness. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

thoughts inevitably steer toward those living on the streets. But as the temperature falls, the number of Oklahomans, largely families, who are forced to live without shelter continues to rise. A congressional report on homelessness released last month found that the state’s homeless population — much of it families with children — grew slightly more than 2 percent over the last year. “I’m not very optimistic about the future of being able to provide affordable housing to citizens of Oklahoma City,” said Mark Gillett, executive director of Oklahoma City Housing Authority. Oklahoma ranked third in the study behind New York and California in the increase of homeless families over the past year. Nearly half (1,375) of the state’s estimated 2,824 homeless individuals are in a family with children. As a result, homelessness in the state’s largest cities, Oklahoma City and Tulsa,

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isn’t as visible as the tent cities often seen on the sidewalks and underpasses of large coastal cities like Los Angeles. That’s in part due to the progress local organizations and nonprofits have made in the last decade creating a system of programs to take homeless families in. But as the study shows, the number of Oklahoma children without a home continues to rise. A year into his presidency, Donald Trump has yet to fill several cabinet positions in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As federal funding for housing programs continues to shrink and gentrification and inflation increase housing costs, advocates and experts worry the number of Oklahoma families on the streets will only continue to rise, exacerbated by a state budget in freefall.

Finding housing

Oklahoma City’s housing authority didn’t always provide assistance to the homeless. It wasn’t until about ten years ago, when leadership at the agency decided that through the use of section 8 vouchers, federally funded rental assistance for low-income individuals and public housing, that they could slowly help get a few people — and a few families — off the streets every month. Once in a home, those individuals could then focus on rebuilding other aspects of their lives. “That was a huge cultural shift for us,” Gillett said. After attending a conference in Kansas on creating affordable housing for the homeless, he and his colleagues decided to house seven homeless individuals or families every month. Gillett said there was a momentum under previous HUD secretaries, who staffed their department with people who understood affordable housing. But a year into the new administration, he said current housing secretary Ben Carson has done little in the way of providing direction on new or existing policies.

I’m not very optimistic about the future of being able to provide affordable housing to citizens of Oklahoma City. Mark Gillett “While you knew some of those things were going to change, you didn’t expect them to sit in limbo for a year because the housing authority didn’t know what to do,” Gillett said. “Both Trump and Carson came out on the campaign trail and said, ‘We’re not going to have affordable fair housing rules.’ But they’ve not made any statements about that since they came into office. And so, you don’t know what to do. There’s so little direction.” Gillett plans to keep utilizing the tightly knit community of nonprofits,

faith-based organizations and government offices to continue getting families off Oklahoma City’s streets. “It feels like to me, as a community, we kind of know the answer,” said Dan Straughan, executive director of Homeless Alliance, which provides a variety of services and runs a day shelter in Oklahoma City. “It’s close collaboration with robust IT infrastructure so we can share data and outcomes, and housing, housing, housing. It’s all about housing. Once you get them into housing, you can reduce their substance abuse, increase their mental health, reduce their reliance on emergency medical services. But housing is expensive, right?” Much like major cities across the country, housing costs in OKC have steadily increased year by year. Unfortunately, for many families, that leaves fewer and fewer opportunities for affordable housing. Straughan said this year alone, his organization spent $135,000 at Motel 6 keeping families housed until a shelter or housing opportunity came along. In recent years, several organizations that assist the homeless have also moved away from a housing-first model and more toward rehab and treatment programs, Straughan said. While those programs can make great strides for homeless veterans and the chronically homeless, it can mean less resources to house families.

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Relying on partnerships

Between 2016 and 2017, the number of homeless families in the U.S. declined, and the number of children experiencing unsheltered homelessness with their parents decreased by 15 percent, according to the congressional study compiled by HUD. But in Oklahoma, the rate of homelessness among families with children increased by almost 24 percent (265 people) over that same time period. Noting that Trump’s original budget proposal earlier this year called for a 60 percent decrease to HUD funding, Straughan said Oklahoma City should probably expect to rely even more on the well organized partnerships between government and nonprofits to assist the homeless in the coming years. While there as a slight statewide increase in the last year, homelessness in Oklahoma is still down almost 20 percent since 2010. Oklahomans take a certain pride in our resiliency, Straughan said, which he attributes to the legacy of responding to so many natural disasters and tragedies. “We’ve begun to recognize that things like homelessness and poverty mental illness, substance abuse, they’re also disasters,” he said. “They’re just disasters that happen in slow motion over a long period of time. So, if coming together to address the homelessness that’s caused by a tornado works, why not come together to address homelessness, period? That’s why things like this work here and they don’t often in other communities.” O kg a z e t t e . c o m | J A N U A R Y 1 0 , 2 0 1 8

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chicken

friedNEWS

Playing tag

Everywhere Jimmy drives in the city, the others watch him. He is a marked man, an outlaw. Jimmy slinks around police cars with growing anxiety. His family and friends make fun of his status. He is an untouchable, a relic from an erased past. Don’t be like Jimmy. Update your state license plate today. The hard deadline to get Oklahoma’s new white-and-blue, scissortail-adorned license plate (or available alternatives) on your vehicle was Jan. 1. Anyone who still has one of the old bison plates will not only stick out like a sore thumb on the roads but will be easy pickings for ticketing patrol officers. There are a lot of reasons someone might not have a tag yet: misinformation, procrastination, lack of time, personal hardship, shortage of funds. It costs just $5 for a new plate, plus the taxes and fees usually associated with renewing tags, which might not seem like a lot but can be cumbersome under certain circumstances. Another reason someone might not have a new plate yet is that they simply do not care for the new design. We here at Chicken-Fried News can’t say we blame them. The cartoonish scissortail flycatcher silhouette is highly reminiscent of the Twitter logo. And all license plates fall comically short of Oklahoma’s vintage shield license plate of yesteryear, one of the greatest looking tags of all-time (in our humble opinion). Oklahoma Tax Commission is offering a grace period through the end of the month to get your tag changed without financial penalty. The police, however, are ticketing defunct plates right away. So if Jimmy wants to renew his plate and ditch the hindrance, CFN suggests that he be strategic and stealthy when he drives to the tag agency.

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Toxic avenger

In the nearly full year since President Donald Trump took office, America ha s got ten to k now Environmental “Protection” Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt as the kind of guy who, figuratively speaking, fries up factory-farmed pork chops over a methane-fueled blue flame emerging from your neighbor’s kitchen faucet. Now, thanks to “Waste­land,” a recent episode of Fusion cable network’s documentary series The Naked Truth, U.S. viewers can see how Pruitt cut his teeth as an energy industry toady during his time as Oklahoma’s attorney general. The Chicken-Fried News team popped some non-GMO, free-range popcorn and tuned in as reporter Natasha Del Toro took a toxic tour through Oklahoma. Del Toro visited sites of notoriously awful Arkansas River fish kills and chemical contamination that have impacted the Ponca tribe and spoke with Cushing residents impacted by the 4.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near the massive oil storage hub on July 14, 2017. She also interviewed Sherry Walls, a Ponca City woman whose family was devastated by a methane gas leak under the family home. Fearing a gas explosion, the family was forced to relocate

to short-term rental housing and hotels for several months. Walls wrote a letter to Pruitt’s office asking for assistance regarding the leak, which contaminated the property to such a degree that soil from the Walls’ yard bec a me f la m mable. Pruitt’s office asked Walls to file a formal complaint, and then, according to Walls, never took action on the ensuing complaint. Two years later, according to the Fusion documentary, Pruitt filed suit against the EPA to block the agency’s methane regulation, one of 14 he filed before becoming chief of that which he despised. The stresses of the family’s battle to keep their home and find solutions for the methane leak reportedly led to the 2016 suicide of the Walls’ 21-year-old son Kyle and the Father’s Day 2017 suicide of Sherry’s husband and Kyle’s father, Chris. CFN collectively thinks it is important for readers to watch “Wasteland.” More importantly, Scott Pruitt should watch “Wasteland” right now at fusion.net. Now that we think of it, he should probably get credit as a producer.

Christmas tradition

Ah yes, the time-honored tradition of signing a contract to receive your Christmas present. Canadians celebrate Boxing Day the day after Christmas, but thanks to a young Oklahoma City couple, there could be a new tradition. A tweet from Okla­homa City native Blake Perry went viral last week that showed a contract he had to sign from his girlfriend Ashley Davidson to receive his Christmas present, the popular Call of Duty: WWII video game. The terms of the contract were: 1. If I call, you must pause game and talk to me with full attention. 2. No starting another match if we are planning to hang out or I ask to hang out. 3. You must ask if it is OK for you to play while I am over at your house with you. Make sure I have something to do while you are in battle. 4. You must reply to a text [in] no longer than 11 minutes. 5. Do not forget to give me just as much attention. Long-distance relationships can be difficult. Online commenters on the story, which was aggregated by national and international publications, were equal parts critical of Davidson and understanding. Davidson, a

freshman at Oklahoma Christian University, and Perry, who attends Washburn University in Kansas, appeared on KOCO to say that the contract was all in good fun. Perry’s tweet even said, “Little does she know these rules will be broken.” Chicken-Fried News would cosign on the contract, but we’d have to put down the Joy-Cons on our new Nintendo Switch.

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N AT I O N A L CO W B OY & W E S T ER N H ER I TAG E M US EU M ®

2018 Read the West Book Club

1:00 – 2:15 p.m. January 21: My Antonia February 18: Empire of the Summer Moon March 18: Killers of the Flower Moon

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EAT & DRINK Marc Dunham is a former culinary instructor and current owner of Iguana Mexican Grill and

COV E R

Nashbird. | Photo Gazette / file

Chef life

Chefs and restaurateurs combat the grueling nature of the industry. By Jacob Threadgill

The turnover rate in the restaurant industry is nearly 30 percent higher than the total private sector for the United States. The fact the industry is the largest employer of teenagers and students and many kitchen staff naturally moves from job to job as skills increase are natural reasons for the higher turnover average, according to the National Restaurant Association. There is another side of the story that isn’t mentioned by the trade association: the toll of the kitchen lifestyle in which long hours for little pay can lead to a life of self-medication through drugs and alcohol.

Jonathon Stranger is an Oklahoma City native but was not trained in the city, which lists Kurt Fleischfresser’s apprenticeship program started at The Coach House as the most influential for producing the city’s homegrown kitchen talent. Stranger got his training in the kitchens of New York and ventured around the world before returning to dazzle Oklahoma City with its first true farmto-table restaurant, Ludivine, in 2010. “In the different cities and countries I’ve worked, but in Oklahoma City the most, hospitality goes both ways,” Stranger said. “It’s not just how you treat guests; it’s how you treat employees. When you don’t do that, you see burnout and high drug and alcohol usage.”

ronment of respect. In a lot of kitchens, people are cursing and grab-assing, but that doesn’t fly in my kitchen.” Cally Johnson has earned the reputation as one of the city’s most talented chefs and was named favorite chef in Oklahoma Gazette’s Best of OKC reader’s poll in 2013. She got her start under Fleischfresser and Chris Lower at Deep Fork Grill, coming to the industry at age 38 after years of Christian mission work. Johnson went on to become executive chef at Boulevard Steakhouse, Cheever’s Cafe, Deep Fork and others before co-founding Big Truck Tacos and Mutts Amazing Hot Dogs with Kathryn Mathis and Lower. “The kitchen changes you; it’s a subculture,” Johnson said. “[When I started,] I had no tattoos, long hair and a face full of makeup, and I never would’ve thought about saying ‘fuck.’ It is my favorite word now.” Never one to drink alcohol in her previous life, Johnson soon found

Kitchen Subculture

Johnathon Stranger is executive chef at En Croûte, St. Mark’s Chop Room and upcoming OK-Yaki. | Photo Gazette / file

Stranger is an example of the high turnover rate, bouncing from kitchen to kitchen to learn and then eventually leaving Ludivine and The R&J Lounge and Supper Club in 2014. Stranger is now executive chef at En Croûte, St. Mark’s Chop Room & Bar and is working on two new concepts to open in 2018: Ok-Yaki located in the garage of The Patriarch Craft Beer House & Lawn in Edmond, and Osteria, a from-scratch Italian kitchen in Nichols Hills. “After leaving Ludivine and R&J to open my own stuff and have opportunity to create a culture I want to create,” Stranger said, “I try to create an envi-

Cally Johnson is currently at Stone Sisters Pizza

herself finishing a 16-hour shift at the kitchen only to meet up with other chefs from around town to continue a discussion about food at a local bar. “I didn’t learn to drink until I was in the food business,” Johnson said. “At some point, it has become one of my biggest challenges, and I’m sure it is that way for a lot of chefs.” A 2015 study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that the accommodations and food services industry has the highest rate of illicit drug use of any industry. Johnson went sober early last year, and Stranger said he made the same decision four years ago. “It’s a growing epidemic of burnedout chefs with drug and alcohol problems,” Stranger said. “There is a whole other side of cooking that isn’t talked about, a spiritual side. It’s not just about religion because you’re connecting with Earth, connecting to the farmer and getting natural ingredients. … It is hard to implement that atmosphere when you’re promoting a rock star cook lifestyle, which is a recipe for disaster.”

Changing industry

The concept of a celebrity chef didn’t really exist outside of Julia Child and Wolfgang Punk when Keith and Heather Paul founded Cheever’s in 2000. Emeril Lagasse’s “Bam!” catchphrase was starting to enter the lexicon thanks to his Food Network show. As the Pauls’ restaurant influence grew from Cheever’s and Iron Star Urban Barbeque, then Red PrimeSteak, A Good Egg Dining Group was formed and is now home to eight of the city’s highest-rated restaurants on online user aggregate rating system Yelp, which, in addition to celebrity chef culture, is an example of how the restaurant industry has changed in the last two decades. “It was a different restaurant landscape 17 years ago,” Keith Paul, CEO of A Good Egg said. “The competition was a lot different. Technology in general has changed what the public thinks of restaurants and how they view cooking with cooking networks.” Since the debut of the Food Network, enrollment at the Culinary Institute of America’s (CIA) flagship campus in Hyde Park, New York, has increased from 1,800 to nearly 2,800, according to U.S. News & World Report, and CIA has added campuses in California, Texas and Singapore. Nashbird and Iguana owner Marc Dunham is a CIA graduate and was director of the Francis Tuttle Technology Center School of Culinary Arts for five years. Dunham said it was common for recruiters of culinary schools in the late

Bar after co-founding Big Truck Tacos and Mutts Amazing Hot Dogs. | Photo Gazette / file

continued on page 12

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EAT & DRINK

Oklahoma City Community College Cultural Programs Presents

Doug Stone

A Good Egg Dining Group CEO Keith Paul | Photo provided

and The Stone Age Band

continued from page 11

COV E R

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courses. in e b o t e ead. oesn’t hav A meal dry a few bites inst t

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Publishing February 7 12

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1990s and 2000s to promise graduates a $60,000 salary upon graduation. “Even though chefs over the past few decades have gotten notoriety, it’s a very small class,” Dunham said. “Part of the problems for culinary students is that the reality didn’t match hopes and expectations. When they get into a kitchen making $10 an hour, working long hours and missing their family, all of it adds up.”

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Meeting needs

As an independent owner, Dunham said that it’s important to listen to his employees to make sure their needs are met but admitted that it can be a tricky situation. “You have to develop a culture of people and treat them well, give them time off,” he said. “I can’t afford to compete with a $14-$16 an hour line cook job at a corporate restaurant with benefits. You really have to find the person that likes small business and likes to know their owner.” At A Good Egg, Paul said company policy is not to ask people to work more than 50 hours a week, and they prefer 5-10-hour days with vacation time and two days off per week. “That’s pretty rare in the restaurant industry,” Paul said. Paul also said that A Good Egg has made a concerted effort to promote from within. Iron Star executive chef Tomas Lopez began working for the company as a dishwasher at age 16. A Good Egg hasn’t hired a head chef from outside the company since it hired Chad Willis to open The Drake Seafood and Oysterette in 2015. With his latest ventures, Stranger said his employees have access to outside healthcare plans, which provide discounts for gym membership. “We work hard enough as it is, so we should try to help each other and support a healthy lifestyle,” Stranger said.

Finding your heart

Even after experiencing the height of the industry, becoming an executive chef and founding a successful concept in Big Truck Tacos that ushered in a cult following, Johnson felt spit-up and

used by the industry in which she excelled. Johnson left Big Truck Tacos fulltime in 2013 as Mathis and Lower went on to open Pizzeria Gusto and Back Door Barbecue. “I had all of this success, but I didn’t know why,” Johnson said. “I didn’t know if I was lucky or talented or something in between.” Johnson bounced around during her time after Big Truck, briefly taking jobs with Oak Tree Country Club, J. Bruner’s at The Haunted House and a corporate job with Sonic Drive-In. She also helped establish a soup and sandwich deli for Green Goodies, but it still didn’t feel right. “I got sober at the beginning of last year and said, ‘I don’t want to be in food anymore,’” Johnson said, adding that she called Stella Modern Italian Cuisine owner Lori Burson and offered to wash her dishes. “I didn’t want anyone to know I was there or to have a chef’s coat with my name on it. I wanted to see if could find my heart again.”

You have to develop a culture of people and treat them well, give them time off. Marc Dunham Sheli Reynolds, who first met Johnson when she was a regular customer at Green Goodies, called Johnson out of the blue in February 2017. Reynolds asked Johnson to consult for her concept Stone Sisters Pizza Bar, which uses organic and local ingredients atop sprouted spelt and unbleached flour crusts. Johnson eventually went on to head the kitchen, which opened in May. She admitted it has been a different experience going from kitchens featuring workers with years of experience to a family-run operation. ‘This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done because every time I opened a restaurant, I had Chris Lower right alongside me,” Johnson said. It hasn’t always been easy, but she admitted that watching Stone Sisters’ staff grow from not knowing how to prep a station to handling the entire morning setup on their own makes her proud. Her work with other chefs throughout the years, like Waffle Champion founder Todd Woodruff, keeps her going. “Just about the time I get down on myself, God puts someone in my life that will say ‘I worked for you and thought you were really hard, but it taught me so much,’” she said.

The vermicelli bowl includes house-made egg rolls and grilled pork. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

to accommodate the large menu that totals nearly 600 items. Mainstream Vietnamese dishes like pho, vermicelli bowls and affordable banh mi ($2.99 per sandwich) are represented, but Bistro B also expands into more regional favorites like canh, a sour soup that originated in the Mekong Delta region. Fire pot and a slew of fresh seafood dishes round out the Vietnamese portion of the menu. Cao is proud of the fact that everything in the store is fresh and natural, and he noted that beef bones are cooked for 18 hours to make the broth for pho. He doesn’t order farm-raised seafood and only gets shrimp from Louisiana. Other portions of the menu include congee, rice porridge and a variety of simmered meats and vegetables in a caramel sauce. It takes longer to look through the entire menu than it does for your food to arrive.

REVIEW

Meal time

Diner reinvention

Bistro B shows that fresh ingredients don’t have to take a backseat in an expansive menu. By Jacob Threadgill

Bistro B 1620 SW 89th St. bistrobokc.com | 405-735-6358 What works: Fresh ingredients shine in everything from in-house egg rolls to its vermicelli bowl. What needs work: Some sides were dry. Tip: Don’t get overwhelmed by the 30-page menu.

At the end of 2016, The New York Times published a column that lamented the vanishing diner culture in New York City, where there are about half as many traditional diners in 2016 as there were 20 years prior — many of them succumbed to rising rent prices and norefill coffee outlets like Starbucks. Even restaurants in the nation’s diner capital, New Jersey, home to about 600 roadside eateries, have begun to adapt to modern tastes by adding more worldwide menu options and amenities like free Wi-Fi, as profiled on OZY. In Oklahoma, Boom-a-rang Diner is lifeline to many at its 30 locations, as it is one of the few restaurants open late in small towns. Oklahoma City’s Sunnyside Diner offers modern takes on diner classics. Venerable diners such as The Hungry Frog Restaurant and All American Diner

in Midwest City have loyal customers, national trends be damned. Celebrating its one-year anniversary, Bistro B, 1620 SW 89th St., is a new spin on the diner concept. At Bistro B, a customer can get a classic egg, sausage and ham breakfast, but they can also peruse a 30-page menu featuring Vietnamese and Chinese dishes.

Pan-Asian diner

I began my meal with a lunch order of bún thịt nướng, a cold vermicelli bowl topped with grilled pork, lettuce, bean sprouts, cilantro, carrots and cucumber. The lunch combination ($7.99) includes the choice of egg roll and egg drop soup or two egg rolls. My selection of an egg roll and soup arrived only a few minutes after placing my order.

Cao is proud of the fact that everything in the store is fresh and natural. I’m so used to receiving a formerly frozen egg roll as a starter that eating one freshly prepared was a treat. Many times, with a mass produced egg roll, it is difficult to distinguish individual components of the filling, but with Bistro B’s, the ground pork and notes of pepper make you appreciate the work they put into a small item.

I was even more pleased when I remembered that my awaiting order of vermicelli included two more egg rolls. When the dish arrived, I went ahead and asked for two to-go boxes. I was not expecting to receive a bowl much larger than my head. Cool and refreshing, the bún thịt nướng was exactly what I wanted after a long holiday season of heavy meals. It’s one of my favorite salads, one that is enhanced with the addition of fresh egg rolls. Early on in Bistro B’s menu is a twopage spread of rice combination plates that feature Vietnamese sides like bi, shredded pork with skin, and chả lụa, a traditional sausage that is pounded into a paste before being formed. The plate also has fried shrimp tofu loaf and an egg loaf in addition to rice served with a fried egg and fresh vegetables: tomato, cabbage and carrot. I ordered the No. 69 rice combination plate that includes Chinese five-spice (cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise and Szechwan peppercorns) chicken ($10.99). My favorite of the sides was the shrimpand-tofu loaf. The ingredients are pureed into a paste, steamed into a square shape and then deep-fried. The bi was a little on the dry side, but it is unique, and the chả lụa was good, but I didn’t enjoy the texture and it was a little sweet for my taste. The chicken was tasty, and the entire quarter provided a few bites at lunch and served as dinner later that night. It was a little unevenly cooked — too dry in the portion where the thigh and leg meet — but the spice blend was fresh and subtly complex. Since I left Bistro B, I can only think about the menu items that I haven’t tried, which includes a wacky and exciting list of bubble tea combinations like durian mung bean, kiwi pineapple coconut and avocado peanut. I can’t wait to return and explore more dishes. Bistro B shows that quality and fresh ingredients have a place, even in a 30-page diner-style menu. Bistro B is open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week, and food can be ordered through its app or online at bistrobokc. com.

Co-owner Hung Cao is following his family’s restaurant legacy that began in Vietnam before the fall of Saigon in 1975. Cao’s family moved to California and then Dallas, where he grew up before attending the University of Oklahoma. After his family opened a Bistro B concept in Dallas, Cao and his business partner began to wonder if the concept could be successful in Oklahoma. “We didn’t see another restaurant in Oklahoma offering this selection of Vietnamese and Chinese food,” Cao said. Cao trained at the original Bistro B (described by Dallas Observer as “all kinds of awesome”), where he learned how to divide the kitchen into sections Chinese five-spice chicken is joined by an array of Vietnamese sides like shredded pork and sausage. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

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F E AT U R E

EAT & DRINK

Bean team

Equal parts roaster and consulting firm, KLLR Coffee is here to help small businesses. By Jacob Threadgill

With a background in financial consulting, Michael Halbert went from office to office with one rule: Don’t drink the company coffee unless desperate. In an age where businesses have an increased focus on technological and ergonomic aspects of employee life, Halbert wonders why that hasn’t made its way to coffee, especially given the 83 percent of the adults in the United States who drink three cups of coffee a day, two of which are at work. “What else in the office hasn’t gotten better in the last 50 years?” Halbert asked. “Most people aren’t drinking anything much different than Folgers [at work] like my granddad did.” As an independent consultant, Halbert would do much of his work at Clarity Coffee at 431 W. Main St. downtown. During his visits, he struck up a friendship with Clarity’s owner Steve Willingham.

Partnership formation

Often, the conversation between Willingham, a true coffee connoisseur, and Halbert, relying on his finance background, would delve into the obstacles of opening a small business. That was when Willingham and Halbert realized a partnership could be mutually beneficial. KLLR Coffee reflects Halbert’s financial background and Willingham’s coffee expertise, which goes from coffee bean to the equipment itself. Willingham and Halbert brought in Hobbs Halbert, Michael’s son, as an equal partner and opened KLLR Coffee at its 401 NW 23rd St. location in front of Cheever’s Cafe in early August 2017. In addition to offering seven varieties of coffee roasted in-house to small businesses, coffee shops and customers, KLLR Coffee sells everything else needed for a local coffee shop: cups, eco-friendly stirLocal artist Koon Vega designed packaging for KLLR Coffee. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

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Steve Willingham, Hobbs Halbert and Michael Halbert opened KLLR Coffee in August 2017. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

rers, syrup and alternative milk options, the latter of which can be expensive for shops to buy on an individual basis. KLLR Coffee is equal parts coffee roaster and consulting firm. Willingham is there to help small businesses, coffee shops and others find the best coffee-making equipment, repair equipment or replacement part. “One of the biggest challenges for starting a small business is finding the right equipment,” Willingham said. “I had 10 years of experience with coffee before I opened Clarity, but other people aren’t so lucky. All of the little problems I had during startup we knew we could solve for other people.” KLLR Coffee roasts green coffee beans imported from Ethiopia, Colombia and Guatemala twice a week in its 12-kilo roaster made by Oklahoma City’s own U.S. Roaster Corp. KLLR Coffee’s distinct silver-andblack packaging was designed by local artist Koon Vega. Its Colombian coffee features a rooster, an ever-present sign of life in the South American country. The Guatemalan variety features a quetzal, the country’s national bird.

Each of the Ethiopian varieties features humans looking at each other when the bags are stood side by side. An espresso blend features a squirrel with deer antlers, and a rotating small batch variety displays a UFO because it will change every few weeks. The washed Ethiopian variety offers heavy notes of lemon and black tea. “I like to think of it as our Arnold Palmer style,” Willingham said with a smile.

Coffee consultation

Willingham said his favorite part of the job is contacting green coffee importers who harvest the bean from a fruit into a dried seed. The quality assurance process culminates by grinding and drinking the roasted product grounds and all. “Steve has forgotten more about coffee than I’ll ever know,” Michael Halbert said. “There hasn’t been a resource [like Willingham] on this side of the state.” Willingham worked with its new neighboring bar, Ponyboy, 423 NW 23rd St., to get its coffee-making equipment at a wholesale price and trained two baristas for the bar and coffee shop concept by 84 Hospitality Group. In addition, KLLR Coffee’s product can be found at Clarity Coffee, Holey Rollers, Cafe Kacao, Cafe Antigua, The Jones Assembly, The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen, Kitchen No. 324 and more. “Our quality is reflected in the awardwinning clients that have brought us in,” Michael Halbert said. “We only like working with small business people. We don’t like big corporate politics.” In 2018, Hobbs Halbert said KLLR Coffee wants to expand its offerings to offices. “There is a huge gap in the office coffee space. There is First Choice [Coffee Services] (Oklahoma Citybased) and Henderson [Coffee] (in Muskogee), but other than that, employees are bringing in what they get at retail,” he said. Halbert said KLLR Coffee’s consulting side even recently entered into an agreement to take over full bookkeeping aspects for a client. “We want the shop owner to focus on delivering the coffee and take the burden of the back end off of them,” Halbert said. Visit kllrcoffee.com.

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eat & DRINK

Crustacean sensation

Shrimp is one of the most versatile seafood items, able to stand up to a deep fry but also delicate enough to be showcased in a ceviche. Across nearly all cuisine, shrimp makes an appearance. Peruse our list for the best shrimp dishes in Oklahoma City. By Jacob Threadgill | Photos by Jacob Threadgill and Gazette / file

C’est Si Bon

Gin Thai Fusion

Mariscos Mazatlan

Owner Ken Mills got his start as an executive chef in New Orleans, and his education includes culinary school in England and a business degree in Louisiana. Mills has found success with C’est Si Bon, also opening a Midwest City location. A good po-boy is only as good as its bread, and C’est Si Bon delivers. Order a shrimp version that is pilled high and fried to a golden crisp.

There are a few standout shrimp dishes at Gin Thai Fusion, where owner Lawan Rattana, who also owns Taste of Thai and Sala Thai, puts an emphasis on regional Thai specialty dishes. The shrimp pineapple curry includes chunks of pineapple along with bell pepper, curry paste and coconut milk but is also served in a hollowed-out pineapple. The phad chaa is a sizzling stir-fry with shrimp, mussels, squid and cod. Also check out the Thai gumbo.

At the corner of Robinson Avenue and SW 33rd Street, Mariscos Mazatlan — a bastion of Mexican seafood in a landlocked state — stands tall with a sign featuring a giant swordfish. Order the Mar y Tierra and get shrimp served four ways: bacon-wrapped, fried, steamed and grilled. You can also choose from a variety of ceviche.

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Party Base

3417 N. Classen Blvd. partybasechineseok.com | 405-609-2896

Despite the name, Party Base is not a streamer supply store; it’s home to some of the most interesting Chinese barbecue and seafood options in the city. The storefront located near Jeff’s Country Café on Classen Boulevard is adorned in neon lights and is even open until 2 a.m. on the weekends for karaoke. Get jumbo shrimp on a skewer or in a variety of traditional or regional Chinese offerings.

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What started as a food truck has expanded to a brick-and-mortar location first at W. Britton Road and now at 1920 S. Meridian Ave. The Britton Road location even has a drive-thru window, which is a good idea because its popularity means the dining room fills up quickly. Order the jumbo shrimp covered in a spinach lobster cream sauce over grits or rice.

Executive chef Melissa Aust has provided a modern twist on Italian classics in the Midtown district for years, and among the best is the shrimp pepperonta. Sautéed shrimp are joined by spicy and sweet peppers, pancetta, gremolata and fettuccini covered in a garlic white wine butter sauce that accents its fresh ingredients.

Ordering seafood in Oklahoma City has never felt as stylish and sleek as at The Drake. A Good Egg Dining Group has delivered on its concept of invigorated classic seafood recipes. Look no further than the grilled shrimp Cobb salad with a basil-tarragon dressing. You can also get your shrimp grilled and chilled or tempura-fried with blistered shishito peppers.

125 W. Britton Road offthehookokc.com | 405-840-3474

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ARTS & CULTURE Localites hosts from left Anna Farha and Kayla Coffey | Photo The Spy FM / provided

p o d casts

Lehman can also be spotted at local festivals and events, shooting man-onthe-street segments for their social media accounts. The segments are also a great way to network with the community and raise brand awareness among those who might be interested in the show. Tester believes making connections in person will eventually lead to Inside the 405’s larger breakout. “You don’t see a lot of people on the ground floor,” he said. “Boots on the ground, bro.” In 2018, Tester and Lehman hope to start their own podcast label, bringing other, more niche shows under the Inside the 405 umbrella. They also want to help new hosts realize their podcast dreams. “We have the cameras and the mics,” Tester said. “We could come and make your show a reality.” Visit insidethe405.com.

Talking heads

Local podcasters share the ins and outs of hosting a web series. By Ben Luschen

Even those who do not personally listen to podcasts know someone who does. At a rate that seems to be constantly climbing, people are no longer simply consuming the audio-oriented, often longform web shows, but producing their own. Podcasting is not only a national trend; it’s a local one as well. Oklahoma has many locally based shows that range from comedy to cooking, news and everything in between. Oklahoma Gazette recently caught up with the hosts of three different Oklahoma City podcasts to learn more about what it is like to be a podcaster in the Sooner State.

Inside the 405

Since Travis Tester started the Inside the 405 video podcast series with co-host Mason Lehman in August, he has gotten pretty bold about asking questions. The show’s on-camera host was very curious as a child. Tester is also a local DJ, producer and adjunct professor at the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma. He now channels his natural sense of wonder at friends and strangers when he is not talking to Inside the 405’s guest of the week. “For a long time recently, I wasn’t really asking very many questions of many people,” Tester said. “I was kind of in my own little world, so this is kind of like reverting back to when I was a child.” Inside the 405 is a show about “who does what around OKC.” Tester and Lehman (who hosts the show off camera and assists in video production) invite

a new guest onto their show each week. Guests are prominent locals ranging from rappers Chief Peace and Miillie Mesh to Oklahoma Shirt Company’s Justin Lawrence and Amy Wopsle. Lehman said the podcast’s concept was born out of a desire to bring a longform interview show to the local level. There is no limit to whom they can bring on the show as long as that person is having success in their given field. Part of Inside the 405’s allure is insight into the moves people have made to find success in their area of interest. “I love the host as the moderator,” Lehman said, “but getting the information out of the guests is so key.” Tester said outside of the city’s mainstream media outlets, local celebrities and figures of influence do not have many platforms for outside exposure. And even if someone manages to get a newspaper or television interview, it is often a condensed segment that does not give them a chance to show off their whole personality. “This is a little more accessible to some people,” Tester said, “but at the same time, we’re trying to keep the caliber of the guests pretty high.” A major, but sometimes neglected, part of every podcast is promotion. Inside the 405 has a strict routine of video clips, still photos and quote cards it posts on its various social media accounts to promote each new show throughout a week. When the weather is nice, Tester and

Localites

Localites co-host Anna Farha is not shy about acknowledging the forerunners to her show tracking local event and business happenings. “I often liken us to an audio version of the Gazette,” she said. Farha hosts The Spy FM’s weekly podcast series with Kayla Coffey. Though they take it as a compliment whenever people compare the show to Oklahoma Gazette’s long-standing, hyper-local focus, they also agree that the two outlets have their differences. Localites’ goal is to keep people up-to-date on events and business openings or closings that occur throughout the year. “It can be really hard for people to keep up with everything that is going on and all the changes,” Farha said. “We want it to be an easily digestible thing for our listeners.” Localites put out its first episode Aug. 3. They record the show each week in The Spy’s studio. Past episodes have included previews of the fan convention Wizard World OKC, Lyric Theatre’s A Christmas Carol and the opening of

Film Row’s The Jones Assembly. Coffey said the show was partly born out of a Twitter conversation in which someone suggested The Spy add more female hosts. Farha and Coffey took the opportunity to pitch their own idea for a show to owner Ferris O’Brien, who liked the idea and, at the same time, was looking to add to the station’s podcast presence. Farha and Coffey said they like that the podcasting community is pretty inclusive of female hosts, though to what degree might depend on the kind of podcasts to which one is listening. “Most of the podcasts I listen to are with women,” Coffey said, “but that may be because of the things I’m interested in.” One of the biggest challenges the Localites hosts come across is timeliness. They record the day before they publish an episode to keep their news as fresh as possible. Coffey said they also try to schedule guests and episode topics weeks in advance. “We book out ahead because we like to stay on top of it,” she said. “I think that helps people too if they know a month or two ahead of time.” Localites’ most-listened-to episode is one that featured Prairie Wolf Spirits. Brand ambassador Tyler Gruntmeir mixed cocktails live in studio with the hosts. “That was probably my favorite just because it was fun to be able to do something interactive with our guest,” Farha said. “We’d like to be able to do more things like that.” Visit thespyfm.com/localites-okc.

The Praisedown

Christian rock, pop and rap are consumed by thousands of young people around the world. But as they get older, some fans turn toward more secular music and entertainment options, if not away from organized religion altogether. So then what does one do with all the knowledge acquired and time spent dedicated to following their favorite Christian band? For local comedians Heath Huffman and Alex Sanchez, the logical thing to do with that ancillary continued on page 20

Inside the 405 host Travis Tester left speaks with guest Daniel Mercer right of COOP Ale Works during an episode of the show. | Photo Mason Lehman / provided O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j a n u a r y 1 0 , 2 0 1 8

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p o d casts

continued from page 19

knowledge was to start a podcast. The Praisedown with Heath and Alex is part comedy podcast, part serious analyzation of Christian music and media. “It’s about reconciling with that part of who you are,” said Sanchez, who was once a dedicated fan of acts like TobyMac, Kutless and FM Static. The show naturally came together shortly after the two friends discovered they came from similar church-centric upbringings. Huffman said he grew up as a particular fan of the Christian rock band Skillet.

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“It was good music to be in seventh grade and draw anime to,” he said. It would be an obvious move for two comedians to get on a podcast and unilaterally trash Christian pop, and while Huffman and Sanchez reserve the right to drag the music that deserves it, the show strives for honest criticism. “I was really into Relient K because I wasn’t allowed to know who blink-182 was,” Huffman said. “And for what it’s worth, Reliant K is fine. [Band co-founder and frontman] Matt Thiessen writes cool songs. He’s not a bad songwriter.” The show typically runs between 90 minutes and two hours in length. Huffman and Sanchez will bring on a guest, talk about their backgrounds with church and Christian music and

Inside the 405 host Travis Tester left speaks with rapper Chief Peace right during an episode of the show. | Photo Mason Lehman / provided

then offer their review of a given album or artist. Sanchez said the worst-reviewed music is usually that which obviously panders to its audience. “The criteria for what makes it bad is if it’s insincere, not if it’s corny,” Sanchez said. “Corny is OK. Music is supposed to be kind of corny.” Podcasting is popular among comics looking to either practice their skills or, for more established stand-ups, as an added source of revenue and exposure. Huffman said hosting the show feels like a greatly extended version stage time, but without audience feedback. A podcast can be good practice for comedic riffs, but what about being serious off the cuff? Huffman said the most challenging part of The Praisedown is giving an eloquent music review. “Being funny is the easy part, in this case,” he said. “When it comes time to rate an album, I open my mouth and words don’t come out, that kind of thing. That’s the primary struggle.” Both Huffman and Sanchez said the key to their podcast is having someone who dedicates their time to editing and promoting the show. Jill Falter, Sanchez’s girlfriend, is a media production student at the University of Central Oklahoma and dedicates her time to The Praisedown’s technical side. For now, the show is pretty laidback and does not impose a rigorous upload schedule on itself. Still, they post new content nearly every week. “We just try to get episodes up,” Falter said. “If we can get it out on a consistent schedule, cool. But we just try to get them up.” Visit facebook.com/praisedown.

“Light Soil” by Oscar Brousse Jacobson | Image

art

Oklahoma City Museum of Art / provided

Okie art

An OKCMOA exhibit explores the history of art in Oklahoma. By Sean Isabella

When it came time for Jessica Provencher to head up the latest exhibition at Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA), she knew exactly which direction to go. As part of an ode to Oklahoma’s 110th anniversary of statehood, Provencher, the museum’s curator, wanted to show how the state’s history is more than just cowboys and Native Americans. The final product, which is aptly named The Art of Oklahoma, displays everything from aquatints and abstracts to an aluminum sculpture of a car as a way to highlight the variety of art associated with Oklahoma. “I wanted to make it very diverse. We can’t tell the entire story of Oklahoma art, especially not in two rooms, but I wanted to make it clear there isn’t one Oklahoma art,” Provencher said. “It means a lot of different things.” The exhibition opened in November

and runs through September 2018, featuring 23 works — 11 paintings, five prints, five photographs, one drawing and one sculpture — by 17 artists including Doel Reed, Oscar Brousse Jacobson, David Fitzgerald, J. Jay McVicker, Nan Sheets and Loraine Elizabeth Moore.

Diverse styles

The two adjoining rooms on the second floor of the museum each offer separate entrances, but Provencher recommends starting in the back, an area that, in her opinion, best depicts Oklahoma’s history. Guests are first hit with “Oklahoma Land Rush,” an oil sketch made in preparation for a mural at the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. The painting, which was offered on loan by the U.S. General Administration Services, depicts the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 with settlers racing by horse, train and bicycle.

This is the lone non-permanent work among the 23 pieces in the exhibit, although it sets the tone for a room that highlights Oklahoma’s landscape. “I like starting with the land because it’s been such an integral part of Oklahoma’s history and economy,” Provencher said. “This is the beginning of Oklahoma City.” Joe Andoe’s photo of an oil derrick shows how vital oil was in Oklahoma, especially in Tulsa, while a black-andwhite aquatint from McVicker named “Cotton Gin” is a reminder of Oklahoma’s once lucrative cash crop. Additional highlights include a pair of photos by Fitzgerald that highlight the Wichita Mountains and a mill near Stillwell. Beyond the physical landmarks, Oklahoma’s famous red dirt is featured in works like Jacobson’s “Light Soil” and Alexandre Hogue’s “Soil and Subsoil.” Reed’s aquatint dubbed “Evening Storm” is the quintessential art depicting Oklahoma weather, as it portrays a stormy landscape with flying debris and a possible tornado lurking in the background. The collection continues above with a life-size sculpture depicting the shell of a car that hangs from the ceiling. Jonathan Hils, an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma, took inspiration from the chase scene in the 1968 film Bullitt. In the other room, Oklahoma’s history of landscape and economy diversifies with a series of portraits and abstracts.

This is the beginning of Oklahoma City. Jessica Provencher Aside from the “Wall of Biographies” that stands out on a red surface, “Lottie,” a 1910 oil painting by Ellen Shepherd, is an attention-grabber as the oldest piece of art in the exhibition. The portrait of Shepherd’s sister was one of two American selections among 800 submissions at the Grand Salon in Paris. On another wall, McVicker’s “Black/ Red” encapsulates the evolution of Oklahoma’s art. The abstract using simple shapes and contrasting color is a stark departure from his earlier work using black-and-white aquatints. “He got to the point where it was more abstract and geometric,” Provencher said. “It’s something you’ll notice is these artists weren’t isolated. They sometimes followed trends of their time and embraced movements that were going on.”

— they hope to have future The Art of Oklahoma series in years to come — but she used her prior experience doing research at Oklahoma State University’s Museum of Art to corral ideas. “I encountered many of these artists and became familiar with them and their lives and how they’ve played such a big part in the history of Oklahoma art,” she said. “I jumped at the opportunity when it was on the table. I think I already had in mind some key figures and ideas I wanted to explore.” All of the artists were influential in some capacity. Some even provided further growth with their teachings. Reed taught McVicker and Moore at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University). Jacobson, who taught at OU, was instrumental in the formation of the Kiowa Five, a group of five, and later six, artists. Steven Mopope is among the most notable of Jacobson’s understudies, and his work is featured in the exhibition. Moore was one of several artists from Oklahoma who visited New Mexico for their work. One of her aquatints, “Espanol Valley,” is featured in The Art of Oklahoma for its depiction of mountainous landscape. Moore, Reed, Jacobson and Mopope are all featured on the Wall of Biographies. The eight-person section includes Sheets, a painter, teacher and eventual museum director for OKC Museum of Art. “We’ve got some great art in this state. I’m excited to get it out here,” Provencher said. “Before, I can’t think of many that were out in the other galleries that were by Oklahoma artists.” “The Lone Wolf” | Image Oklahoma City Museum of Art / provided

Common themes

Preparation for the exhibition started months ago when the museum narrowed down its 4,000-piece catalogue to a list of 100 or so works. Provencher admitted the team wasn’t able to go through all of the art “Soil and Subsoil” by Alexandre Hogue | Image Oklahoma City Museum of Art / provided

The Art of Oklahoma 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 2 Oklahoma City Museum of Art | 415 Couch Drive okcmoa.com | 405-236-3100 Free-$12 O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j a n u a r y 1 0 , 2 0 1 8

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ARTS & CULTURE t h e at e r

Oklahoma City Community College 2017–2018 Performing Arts Series Presents

The music of The Hunts, a Virginia-based band of seven siblings, runs from folk-rock to noise-pop. Known for their harmony-laced take on alt-folk, their music reveals their sophisticated sense of melody and undeniably dreamy innocence.

Tuesday, January 23 • 7:30

pm

Tickets: $15–$29

Child and Group Ticket pricing available—contact the Box Office for more information.

tickets.occc.edu • 877-285-9286 • www.occc.edu/pas OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater • Oklahoma City Community College 7777 South May Avenue ONE

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The reintroduction Rapper Jabee unveils his unique ‘live documentary’ musical stage show Jabee: The Life & Times. By Ben Luschen

Jabee has no problem keeping crowds entertained at his shows. But at a typical rap concert (or almost any other type of non-acoustic show), even the Oklahoma City emcee’s biggest fans are not engaged with every word at every moment. People are mostly there to have a good time. Jabee: The Life & Times is the opposite of that dynamic. The unique music event is a narrative, contentdriven practice of artistic intimacy. “With this, we want to capture the audience with every single line, every single word,” Jabee said. For three nights only, Jabee will present a musical theater piece he calls a “live documentary” in a small, 40-seat theater. Jabee: The Life & Times runs 7:30-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at The Actor Factory’s Factory Showroom, 3750 W. Main St., in Norman. Tickets are $22.50 in advance and $30 at the door. Admission includes food catered by Taste of Soul, a free event T-shirt and a CD of the performance playlist, including a song made specifically for the show. Because seating is limited, advance registration at factoryshowroomseries.com is encouraged. Jabee, an Emmy-winning artist who has toured with hip-hop acts like Run the Jewels and Murs, developed Jabee: The Life & Times in partnership with actor, teacher, casting director and Actor Factory owner Chris Freihofer. The show began as another concert in the Factory’s monthly Factory Showroom series, which has featured artists like Travis Linville, Maggie McClure and Shane Henry in the past. When Jabee heard Freihofer wanted

him to perform for 90 minutes, he started thinking about what he could do to fill all that time. That is when he realized that a lot of his music, when pieced together in a certain way, can be used to tell the story of his life. “All my music has always been about me — true stories that I’ve seen or lived through or dealt with,” he said. Part concert and part performance piece, the show uses Jabee’s existing music to tell his story — from beginning to present day — in a way unlike any fans have seen before. Vintage photographs will be paired with new video and interviews, making Jabee: The Life & Times a highly personal multimedia event. Freihofer said the Factory Showroom Series is all about putting an audience’s full attention on an artist, unlike the typical bar or club show. “The audience is sitting and paying attention to them and not talking or at the bar or whatever,” Freihofer said. “I don’t have a bar. I’ve got 40 seats, and they face the stage. There’s no dance floor; it’s just pay attention to the artist. It’s very artist-forward.”

Friendship forged

Jabee was at Norman Music Festival several years ago when a friend told him there was a white man with a camera looking for him. “I’m thinking, ‘Man, is it the police?’” Jabee said. “I thought I might have had a warrant or something.” It was not a law enforcement officer; it was Freihofer who wanted to speak to the rapper. Freihofer’s day job is as a casting director, and that day, he was casting for a national Nike commercial

with former Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant. Jabee said a line into Freihofer’s camera, took a few pictures and that was it. He did not think he would ever hear back on it, but to his surprise, he eventually got a call to appear for the shoot. Since then, Jabee and Freihofer have partnered for small parts in a few other commercials and films. But the two have formed a surprising friendship that extends beyond the professional realm.

All my music has always been about me — true stories. Jabee Jabee said he can relate to Freihofer in that both of them are involved with a lot and highly present in everything they do. He wants Jabee: The Life & Times to not be a show about him, but something that Freihofer and each member of the audience can relate to as well. “I don’t only want to show how I feel, but express some of the things that Chris goes through, too,” he said. “I know a lot of the stuff that I go through, like pain, depression, stuff like that, we stay up on the phone late nights talking about it. Like, if I’m dealing with something and it’s 4 a.m., I can call him.”

Careful planning

As Jabee was going through all the music that he could potentially use in the show, he came to a sudden realization. “I realized I need more happy times,” he said. “Or at least I need to rap about more happy times.” Jabee has been playing gigs for so long that it has become almost second nature to him. But Jabee: The Life & Times is a different animal, one that was almost too ambitious of a project for him and Freihofer to take on in the few months they had to prepare for it. Every song needs to be visually engaging in some way. Every detail needs to forward the story. It can’t just be a random assortment of his most popular tunes. “I have to break down each song in detail and figure out how we will perform each song and what we’re Jabee front right poses as a child in a picture with his family. Jabee: The Life & Times will incorporate

Rapper Jabee is piecing together songs from the entire span of his music career to form the unique theater performance Jabee: The Life & Times. | Photo Gazette / file

going to do,” he said. “Not only that, but decide where it fits in the story.” With more attention paid to him on stage, there is also more pressure to get everything right. The rapper known for improvising raps onstage must now strictly stick to the script. “If I do a regular show and I stumble or mess up or whatever, I can just freestyle to the rest of the song until the beat stops,” he said. “Or I can say, ‘Cut the beat; let’s go to the next one.’ This one, everything has to be done spot-on and right.”

Last chance?

Jabee said he thinks that a certain segment of the people who attend his show will do so because they want to see the emcee in a way they have never seen him before. But he knows there will be some people in attendance who are more specifically interested in Freihofer’s projects than they are in his music career. “There’s also going to be people who know whatever Chris does, it’s always top-notch,” Jabee said. Freihofer might be most known as an actor for his role as lawyer Dan Wachsberger in the hit AMC series Breaking Bad. He has also cast directed for movies like August: Osage County and The Killer Inside Me. Freihofer said he is honored Jabee chose to hold an event like this in his small artist showroom. “He has made the commitment to do something a lot more labor-intensive than I was expecting,” he said. “It’s really special, and I appreciate his commitment and vision for this thing.” Jabee: The Life & Times will be seen by, at most, 120 people. It is likely that this will be the last time the emcee does anything like this. The uniqueness is part of the appeal. “Each night, we do it, and then that’s it,” Jabee said. “If you caught it, then you caught it.”

Jabee: The Life & Times 7:30-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday The Actor Factory Factory Showroom | 3750 W. Main St., Norman

several old photos of Jabee and his family to help

factoryshowroomseries.com | 405-701-1673

create a live documentary event. | Photo provided

$22.50-$30 O kg a z e t t e . c o m | j a n u a r y 1 0 , 2 0 1 8

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ARTS & CULTURE from left actresses Mary Bus, Callie Fay Nichols, Maya Staggs and Lindsay Fritts play a dysfunctional family in the Mono short film

film

“My Dinner with Jimmy.” | Image provided

Mano y Mono

Diverse artistic visions shine in the anthology film Mono featuring direction from five Oklahoma filmmakers. By Ben Luschen

Like Greek gods taking their turns to test the mettle of a single mortal soul, an all-star cast of six Oklahoma directors team up for the anthology film Mono, which follows one extraordinary day in the life of an otherwise ordinary woman. Oklahoma Gazette first reported on the film project by directors Mickey Reece, Jacob Leighton Burns, Laron Chapman, Cait Brasel and John Burton in early April. Each director helms their own short film with the same central character, played by actress Lindsay Fritts. When stitched together, these short films represent one narrative day. Mono will make its debut 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St. Tickets are $10, and all proceeds going to NewView Oklahoma, a nonprofit dedicated to the empowerment of blind and visually impaired individuals.

Film fabric

The directors held an open casting call and meetup April 13 at The Paramount OKC and filmed the movie through May.

The resulting film is one with strong stylistic shifts through its five chapters, though Mono never feels disjointed. It might be best to think of Mono as a bunch of different episodes in the same television series. The story begins with “Pivotal,” a chapter directed by Brasel, Mono’s lone female voice in the director pool. Molly, the central character played by Fritts, has partied all night. At daybreak, Molly, who is in her late 20s, tells a character who appears to be her boyfriend that she is leaving for her routine morning run at the lake before going to work. Her boyfriend, afraid for her health and safety, tries to convince her to take a short nap at the apartment instead (while also possibly pressuring her into sex). But she insists on her run anyway, and the events that follow in this chapter and others represent Molly’s long trek through delirium. Molly begins her jog, which features beautiful early morning shots of Lake Hefner. She is bumped into by another

runner, who passes her. A little later, a sports car comes racing down the road. Molly rushes ahead to the scene, surely already knowing the runner ahead of her is in peril. Sure enough, as the stopped car comes into view, Molly sees the bloodied runner on road, clinging to life. She and the driver of the car have little time to respond and watch as he takes his last breath. Somehow, Molly still has to go to work after all of this, which begins the next chapter of the film, “Command,” directed by Burton. Where “Pivotal” put Molly in a bizarre situation, “Command” is downright surreal. The black-andwhite short shows Molly at her generic desk job with her coworker friend, played brilliantly by Ashley Mandanas. They both resent a particularly annoying colleague played by Jacob Ryan Snovel. As a prank, Molly’s friend enters a command that allows her to control the coworker’s computer remotely. Through either magic or an unexplained mystery of the internet, the friend discovers that she is not only in control of the coworker’s computer, but his bodily movements as well. Lighthearted fun with the discovery gets out of hand, and soon, a major accident occurs. Color returns as viewers are taken into the next chapter. A shot shows Molly entering her car after work, overwhelmed by the day she has had so far. She drives to her parents’ house for a scheduled family dinner. Reece’s “My Dinner with Jerry” shows off Molly’s dysfunctional family, including her mother (played by actress Mary Buss), father (Patrick Dean) and sisters Renee (Callie Fay Nichols) and Vivian (Maya Staggs). There is turmoil in the house. Mom and Dad are not speaking to each other. Fourteen-year-old Vivian is dating (and having unprotected sex with) a 19-yearold man. Renee invites over a friend of a friend, Jerry (Mason Giles), as an attempt to set him up with Molly, knowing she already has a boyfriend.

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Unsurprisingly, the dinner starts and finishes awkwardly. Molly leaves the house and travels to a club after getting a text from a mysterious number she thinks might be from an ex. In a film full of dreamy twists, Chapman’s “The Woman in the Red Dress” might be the most abstract sequence. Characters fade in and out, and the audience can never be sure what is real and what isn’t. The entire visit reads like Molly’s personal, lucid nightmare. The final chapter in the anthology belongs to Burns, who delivers sci-fi short “Danger Boy.” After a long day, Molly is visited in her home by a group of mysterious government agents looking for an unidentified, but apparently dangerous “little boy.” Molly tells them she has not seen the child, but after the agents leave, she discovers him running around the house. The boy doesn’t speak but makes it quite clear that he wants to go home — wherever that is. The agents come back in a hunt for the child, but with strong shades of Stranger Things, they soon discover they’re up against more than they ever imagined.

Key development

Each director’s style is apparent in their segment. Burton, for example, showcases clean montage sequences and up-close shots with a lot of detail. Reece’s chapter is full of shadows with content focused on relational drama and dark humor. Mono is an important moment in local movies because it represents the crossing over of different film camps that usually do not overlap a lot. It would be interesting to see another anthology project in the future, maybe with different directors and tied to a certain theme instead of a specific character under a semi-narrative plot. But even if a follow-up never occurs, Mono is a solid Oklahoma success story.

Mono world premiere 7 p.m. Jan. 18 Tower Theatre | 425 NW 23rd St. towertheatreokc.com | 405-708-6937 $10

PUBLISHING JANUARY 31 & FEBRUARY 7 Ad Deadline is 7 days prior to Publish Date

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events Prayer Breakfast 7-10 a.m. Monday Sheraton Midwest City Hotel at the Reed Conference Center 5750 Will Rogers Road, Midwest City | $15 Job Fair | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday Henrietta B. Foster Center

co m m u n i t y

614 NE Fourth St. | Free

King’s speech

A Tulsa man travels the country reciting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s famous speech, hoping to spark change. By Jeremy Martin

Opening Ceremony and Silent

March | 9 a.m. Monday Freedom Center 2609 N. Martin Luther King Ave. Free Bell Ringing | 11 a.m. Monday Oklahoma History Center 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive | Free

BerThaddaeus Bailey, 24, first heard Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in sixth grade. “I really didn’t understand it,” Bailey said, “but I was just intrigued with how he said it, the passion behind his words.” Bailey, a Tulsa native, was introduced to the speech and King through a competition challenging local students to recite the speech from memory. Though Bailey didn’t enter that year, he did enter in eighth grade and placed third. He returned to the competition as a sophomore in high school and won the firstplace prize: a college scholarship. “It wasn’t until my 10th-grade year that I had a good grasp of what Dr. King was really saying in that speech,” Bailey said, “and I’ve had a passion for his speeches and sermons ever since.” A talk with his mother gave him the context that made the difference. “She said, ‘You know it by memory, but you have to get it from memory to heart,’” Bailey said. “So she sat down with me, I can recall, and shared some videos and stories that transpired during those times and just made me aware of what it was that Dr. King was really saying, how it was relevant to some of the situations and occurrences that were happening. And it wasn’t until she did that that I was able to piece together the passion that I was once intrigued by.” Bailey, now a public speaker reciting many of King’s speeches as well as delivering his own at events across the country, is currently planning a 50-year retrospective and commemoration to mark the anniversary of King’s death in April. “This speech, I think, is more relevant today than it was when Dr. King delivered it over 50 years ago,” Bailey said. “And I’m really saying that because in those days, racism and discrimination were the status quo. There was no one trying to hide their racism because they didn’t have to hide it. But when you look at today’s times, most racism is covert racism. It’s done under the

BerThaddaeus Bailey recites Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s

Holiday Program | 12:15-2 p.m.

“I Have a Dream” speech across the U.S. | Photo provided

St. Paul’s Cathedral

table. It’s prejudice and discrimination that happens when nobody can see it. It’s systemic. It’s done by leaving minorities and African-Americans out of places of power.” But Bailey said he has sometimes questioned the impact King has on society today and whether continuing to deliver his speeches to modern audiences has any effect. “I got to a point not long ago that I was just kind of like, ‘What’s the purpose?’” Bailey said. “‘I’ve been doing this for so long.’ I mean, you see so much that happens; you see our country is still divided. … I was just saying to myself, ‘What is the point of still doing this? Nobody is getting it. They weren’t getting it 50 years ago; they haven’t got it in the 50 years since he said it, and they’re not getting it now.’ … There’s been times when I started saying the speech and people have walked out. People have rolled their eyes. People have come up to me after and told me, ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about. Why are you doing that speech? It’s not relevant anymore.’ And I have to think, ‘Really? Given all that is happening in today’s times?’” Bailey ultimately decided that continuing to deliver King’s words to modern audiences gave them a needed context missing from today’s internet culture. “Some people will take bits and pieces of Dr. King’s speech and they twist it,” Bailey said. “They twist the meaning of it. … And I’m saying to myself in my head, ‘If you were to read the speech, you could really get the context of what Dr. King was really saying, and it wasn’t that. It wasn’t what you’re trying to make him say.’ … We have to have his words. We have to have his message and still recite it throughout society today because, I think, for the most part, we’re still looking for a

127 NW Seventh St. | Free Parade | 2 p.m. Monday St. Paul’s Cathedral 127 NW Seventh St. | okcmlk.org Note: Oklahoma City Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Coalition is still looking for volunteers and parade marshals. Visit okcmlk.org or call William Jones at 405-306-8440.

leader. … I’m still looking to Dr. King like my parents were.” In the Oklahoma City metro, several events are scheduled to commemorate King’s legacy on Monday. The 21st annual Midwest City Prayer Breakfast begins at 7 a.m. at the Sheraton Hotel at the Reed Conference Center. At 9 a.m., a silent march honoring the legacy of similar marches that took place during the civil rights movement will begin at Freedom Center on Martin Luther King Avenue and proceed to Oklahoma History Center for a ceremonial ringing of a replica of the Liberty Bell. A holiday program featuring musical performances, guest speakers and a benediction will begin at 12:15 p.m. and continue until 2 p.m., at the start of the parade featuring floats designed to convey this year’s theme, The Power of One.

4 Pa s s e s to

Pole Position Raceway enter to win

okgazette.com/gWW gazette’s weekly winner will be announced each week in the table of contents Printed winners have 7 days to claim tickets

BerThaddaeus Bailey speaking engagements Sunday | Northeast Missionary Baptist Church 3815 N. Bartell Road | 405-424-7934

Must Provide eMail, full naMe & Phone nuMber.

Tuesday | Harding Fine Arts Academy 3333 N. Shartel Ave. | 405-702-4322 Jan. 29 | Langston University 701 Sammy Davis Jr. Drive, Langston

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ARTS & CULTURE

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Sunday, January 14, 2018 6:00pm – 7:30pm At Temple B’nai Israel 4901 N Pennsylvania

FREE TO THE PUBLIC This program is made possible by the Clare and Rabbi Joseph Levenson Fund of Temple B’nai Israel

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Franchise speakers A popular midday sports radio show pairs sports analysis with fun. By Jacob Threadgill

It’s a few minutes before Franchise Players is about to go on the air for the first of its weekday 12-3 p.m. show on 107.7 FM following the University of Oklahoma’s dramatic loss to the University of Georgia in the National Semi-Final Rose Bowl, and its hosts are more focused on having fun than dwelling on the loss. The show featuring host Jerry Ramsey and former OU football players and National Football League (NFL) players Kelly Gregg and Gabe Ikard — the latter of whom currently calls in from New Orleans, where he is a member of the Saints — has become one of the most entertaining Oklahoma City sports talk shows, pairing Ikard and Gregg’s player insight with Ramsey’s fan perspective. About 20 minutes before the Tuesday show is scheduled to air, Ramsey is trying to locate the Paqui brand Carolina Reaper Madness chip that he must eat following losing a bet with Gregg over the Rose Bowl. Someone has moved the chip whose challenge has become so popular, especially on local television segments, that it is sold out of its online store and costs $60 on eBay. “How do you even know it’s hot, Jerry?” Gregg asks him sarcastically. “Because it says ‘world’s hottest chip.’ Franchise Players airs 12-3 p.m. every

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weekday on 107.7 FM. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

It got sent to us in a coffin,” he replies. “Do you remember when Subway said their sandwiches were a foot long and they weren’t really a foot long?” Gregg asks. A producer walks into the room and asks if he should send someone out to buy milk to help Ramsey’s dare. “‘Trust me; I eat spicy stuff all the time. I have the answer. Milk is a bad choice,’” Ramsey retorts with the famous Anchorman line. After Ramsey accuses Gregg of stealing the chip, producer Colby Powell reveals that he is the one who hid the chip. “It’s a plot twist,” Powell says as he walks out of the office toward the studio. “I knew you would blame the prankster (Gregg).” That kind of banter has lead to the trio’s rapport that balances lighthearted moments with sports analysis. Minutes after the noon show begins, Gregg and Ikard are breaking down the game, which saw Oklahoma blow a 17point first half lead and miss a berth in the National Championship game. “Every time I fake that tennis ball trick with my dog, that’s what I saw out of those Oklahoma linebackers last night,” Gregg says as he discusses effort and misreads by the OU defense. “Normal fans like me don’t see the lack of effort on the second stage of the defense,” Ramsey says.

Franchise Players hosts Kelly Gregg and Jerry Ramsey are joined by current New Orleans Saints player Gabe Ikard by phone. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

Franchise Players debuted on The Franchise 107.7 in late summer 2013 as KRXO, already the flagship station for OU football, as Tyler Media made the transition from classic rock to sports radio full-time. “I just dance around while the two football minds go at it,” Ramsey said. “That’s not true; you’re El Capitano,” Gregg said. Gregg is a 13-year NFL veteran. Eleven of those years were with the Baltimore Ravens, where he was a defensive tackle anchor for the winning defense of Super Bowl XXXV that is considered one of the greatest of all time. “The insight like the Ray Lewis stories or the Ravens on the plane stories are amazing; he is so forthcoming,” Ramsey said of Gregg’s playing career. Ikard played center for OU and joined the station after what he thought was the end of a four-year NFL career, but surprisingly, he was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad and is currently an active member of the New Orleans Saints as their season continues into the postseason. Ikard calls in every Tuesday from a studio near the Saints’ practice facility and checks in multiple times a week.

Welcome to Pet Gazette, a quarterly Glossy maGazine published by OklahOma Gazette.

01/19

next issue January 31, 2018

Don’t miss this event! Celebrate and support Oklahoma’s diverse art scene at the party with a purpose on Jan. 19.

Tickets sold out in 2016 and 2017: Get yours today!

bit.ly/ArtNowOKC oklahomacontemporary.org | @okcontemporary | 3000 General Pershing Blvd. | Oklahoma City

It’s harder to do this job than it is to play football. Kelly Gregg Ramsey puts together a map of the show at least an hour before air, and the crew is careful not to talk too much about upcoming topics before they go on air. The show’s topics range from football to Oklahoma City Thunder basketball and personal anecdotes. Ramsey admits he sometimes tries to stump Gregg, but he’s rarely successful. “Don’t get it twisted; Kelly Gregg has a steel-trap mind, and he’s constantly doing research,” Ramsey said. “He has stuff ready to go, not just football. He’s been ready for everything from football to hunting and fishing to Bitcoin.” Gregg said the transition from his playing days into a media role has been challenging in ways he didn’t expect. On one hand, he said that he was hired to talk about sports just like he would at a bar or in the locker room with teammates, but it has taken some adaptation to get comfortable on the other side of a microphone. “It’s harder to do this job than it is to play football,” Gregg said. “I’d rather be wearing a helmet, trying to fight a reach block, than trying to interview somebody.” Visit franchiseok.com.

to place your ad in Pet Gazette, call your account executive at 405-528-6000 or email specialsections@okgazette.com

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CALENDAR Kid Inventor, design, test and build unique creations using a variety of materials and technologies such as Legoes, string, paper and more, through March. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org.

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

PERFORMING ARTS

BOOKS

65 Roses, a local artist benefit showcase with proceeds donated to defeat the causes of cystic fibrosis featuring music by Chief Peace, Dustin Taylor and more, 8 p.m. Jan. 12. OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., 405-232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. FRI

Storytime with Miss Julie, Bring the kids for storytime with books Miss Julie picked herself. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. SAT Rocket Man, join Earl Perkins as he signs his science fiction novel about America’s first astronauts and the truth NASA’s search for them, 1-2:30 p.m. Jan. 13. Best of Books, 1313 E. Danforth Road, Edmond, 405-340-9202, bestofbooksok.com. SAT

OKC Improv, bring some laughter to the end of your week with improv performers from all over Oklahoma, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 12-13. The Paramount Theatre, 11 N. Lee Ave., 405-637-9389, theparamountokc.com. FRI

Rilla Askew, award winning American novelist and short story writer, Askew reads at Second Sunday Poetry, 2 p.m. Jan. 14. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org. SUN

Joshua Roman, a celloist and accomplished composer and curator, plays “Ginastera,” “Estancia: Four Dances” and more, 8 p.m. Jan. 13. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. SAT

Reading Wednesdays, share the love of reading with your young children with seasonal, naturethemed books and interactive song and crafts, 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens. com. WED Read for Adventure, the OKC Zoo and Metropolitan Library Systems have partnered to publish the children’s book, Our Day at the Zoo and to create a community Read for Adventure program enabling readers to check out the new book from any of the 19 Metro Library locations, through March 31. Metropolitan Library System, 300 Park Ave., 405231-8650, metrolibrary.org.

FILM The Room, (2003, USA, Tommy Wiseau), an independent drama film about Johnny (Tommy Wiseau) and the love triangle he finds himself in, 8 p.m. Jan. 10. Warren Theatre, 1000 S Telephone Road, Moore, 405-735-9676, warrentheatres.com/moore. WED Loving Vincent, (2017, USA, Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman), a fully painted film about Vincent Van Gogh beginning shortly after his death with the son of Vincent’s postman developing an obsession with him, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 11. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa. com. THU Spice World, (1998, USA, Bob Spiers), celebrate the 20th anniversary of the pop group Spice Girls with their tour around London, 8-11 p.m. Jan. 11. 51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51st St., 405-463-0470, 51stspeakeasy.com. THU

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story A 2017 film directed by Alexandra Dean, Bombshell covers the career and life of actress and underappreciated genius inventor Hedy Lamarr. Screenings start 8 p.m. Friday, 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. Call 405-236-3100 or visit okcmoa.com. FRIDAY-SUNDAY Photo Oklahoma City Museum of Art/provided On the Beach at Night Alone, (2017, South Korea, Hong Sang-soo), an actress reflects on her affair with a married film director in a seaside town, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 12. 8 p.m. Jan. 13. 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. FRI

ReLiveIt’s Museum of Augmented Reality, download the ReLiveIt app and head to SMO’s second floor to explore 3-D images, animations and time lapses, through Jan. 14. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place , 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. WED

Hare Krishna, (2017, USA, John Griesser), 70-yearold Indian Swami Srila Prabhupada arrives in America, igniting a spiritual phenomenon, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17. B&B Windsor Theatre 10, 4623 NW 23rd St., 405-917-2299, bbtheatres.com. WED

HAPPENINGS

Native Voices: Native Peoples’ Concepts of Health and Illness, explores the interconnectedness of wellness, illness and cultural life for Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Jan. 17. Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, samnoblemuseum.ou.edu.

OKC Women Lead Network Event: Civics 101, examine thew big picture of government, why you should care and how you can make a difference, 11:45- a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 10. James E. McNellie’s Public House, 1100 Classen Drive, 405-601-7468, mcnelliesokc.com. WED

Museum Theory and Practice, explore the research, preservation, management and interpretation of historical and cultural resources, through April 27. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org.

Oklahoma Observer Newsmakers, focuses on efforts to help fix Oklahoma’s political system and the proposed initiative petition to create a nonpartisan redistricting commission, 6-7 p.m. Jan. 11. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. THU Community Spirit, get an inside look into Artist in Residence and Press Membership programs with Alexa Healey and BJ White, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 11. [Artspace] at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-8156665, 1ne3.org. THU Opportunities for Female Artists Over 40, a forum for female artists moderated by Alyson Atchison and Jarica Walsh sharing resources and opportunities, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 11. [Artspace] at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-6665, 1ne3.org. THU

A Night of Hygge, experience Hygge, the Danish art of surviving winter through coziness, friends and living well, 6-9 p.m. Jan. 11. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. THU Health and Wellness Retreat, a day full of tips for starting an herb garden, learning martial arts, food catered by Nourished Food Bar, cultivating the restorative art of mindfulness and more, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 13. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. SAT Okie Corgi Rally, bring your pups for a walk at the park, but don’t forget to dress warm! 2-4 p.m. Jan. 13. Midtown Mutts Dog Park, 409 W. Park Place, midtownr.com. SAT Mind, Body, Spirit Fair, start the New Year with positive personal energy a weekend of healing energies, new year readings, spirit tools and more, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 13-14. Wyndham Garden Hotel, 2101 S. Meridian Ave., 405-685-4000, spiritfair. com.

Live! on the Plaza Celebrate the new year at this block party with live music, an art walk with featured artists, street pop-up shops, live performances and more 6-10 p.m. Friday in 16th Street Plaza District, 1624 N. Blackwelder Ave. Call 405-367-9403 or visit plazadistrict. org. FRIDAY Photo Plaza District/provided

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Single Space, reflect, prioritize and renew your perspective for 2018 with women like you, 3 p.m. Jan. 14, Jan. 21, Jan. 28. Studio 7, 520 NW 23rd St., 405-409-2878, studio7okc.com. SUN Annual Temple and NAACP MLK Dinner, a program to bring Oklahoma City communities together to affirm Dr. King’s vision of freedom, equality and justice, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 14. Temple B’nai Israel, 4901 N. Pennsylvania Ave. , 405-848-0965, thetempleokc. com. SUN

FOOD Beer, Bratwurst and Board Games, a night of board games, fine German beer, homemade sausage, schnitzel sandwiches and delicious duck fat fries, 7-11 p.m. Jan. 10. Fassler Hall, 421 NW 10th St., 405609-3300, fasslerhall.com. WED The Brew Sessions, sample beer from Anthem Brewing Company, Prairie Artisan Ales and more with live music, 4 p.m. Jan. 13. The Main Street Event Center, 300 E. Main St., Norman, normanmusicfestival.com. SAT

Road Pups Comedy, comedians Andrew Wagner and Harrison Hammonds bring stand-up comedy to from Texas to Oklahoma, 8-11 p.m. Jan. 13. 51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51st St., 450-463-0470, 51stspeakeasy.com. SAT Czech It Out!, guest conductor Wallace Hinson will lead the philharmonic in Mozart’s “Symphony No. 38,” Bohuslav Martinu’s “Toccata e due Canzoni” and Antonín Dvořák’s “Czech Suite,” 3 p.m. Jan. 14. Nancy O’Brian Center for the Performing Arts, 1809 N. Stubbeman Ave., Norman, 405-364-0397, facebook.com/pages/Nancy-OBrian-Center-forthe-Performing-Arts. SUN Béla Fleck and Brooklyn Rider, world-renowned banjoist Béla Fleck and string quartet Brooklyn Rider collaborate to play classical music, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16. Armstrong Auditorium, 14400 S. Bryant Rd., Edmond, 405-285-1010, armstrongauditorium. org. TUE

ACTIVE Devon Ice Rink, bundle up, grab your friends and family and enjoy a great day of fresh air and skating in the prettiest spot in town, through Jan. 28. Monday-Thursday 3pm-9pm, Friday 3pm-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm Sunday 11am-7pm. (405-2001547) Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. FRI Beer and Yoga with Fusion Fitness, bring your own mat; Lazy Circles Brewing will supply the beer! Classes are taught by Lindsey from Fusion Fitness, 2 p.m. Jan. 6. Lazy Circles Brewing, 422 E. Main St., Norman, 405-310-5364, lazycirclesbrewing.com. SAT Winter Yoga & Ayurveda Workshop, learn easy and practical ways to incorporate Ayurveda, nutrition, yoga asana, breath work and self-care routines, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 13. Cycle 3 Sixty, 12100 N. May Ave., 405-463-7191, cycle3sixty.com. SAT

Geeks Who Drink, weekly trivia with fun audio and visual rounds where teams compete to win free pints and gift cards, 7-9 p.m. Mondays. Stonecloud Brewing Company, 1012 NW 1st St., 405-602-3966, stonecloudbrewing.com. WED

YOUTH Play and Create with Frozen Paint, for ages 15-36 months, you can play with cold paint and move it around with brushes, craft sticks and fingers to create abstract designs, 10-11 a.m. Jan. 13. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT Wintertime Shadow Boxes, bring your kids age 3-5 to create a shadow box with a wintertime design using mixed-media, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Jan. 13. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT Explore It!, answer all your questions of what, why and how about the natural world we live in, 11:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays. Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, samnoblemuseum.ou.edu. SAT Discovery Time, a program for preschool and elementary-age kids with a hands-on activity of stories, crafts and discovery table specimens, 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, samnoblemuseum.ou.edu. SUN Little Sapling Series, enjoy songs, games and interactive fun for the whole family, exploring the world of gardens with mud pies, observing caterpillars and more, 10-11 a.m. every other Tuesday. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. TUE

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

The OKC Boat, RV and Tackle Show Shop everything tackle, hunting and fishing and enjoy a kids fishing pond, a fetch and dog jumping show, bow fishing and archery 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at State Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Blvd. Call 405-787-0787 or visit okcboatandrvshow.com. FRIDAY-SUNDAY Photo Bigstockphoto.com

VISUAL ARTS 24 Works on Paper, features printmaking, drawing, painting and photography with subjects of land, place and survival as well as history, dreams and desires, through Jan. 13. Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Drive, 405-2354458, 24works.org. ArtNow 2018, features 25 artists artwork with tours, artist talks and a chance for guests to learn about the artists’ creative process, through Jan. 19. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org. As I See It, features paintings of Oklahoma Artist Steve Hicks ranging from landscapes to abstract art, Jan. 12-Feb. 25. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org. Christmas at the Elms, free to the public, features artists Denise Duong and Karam along with Marilyn Artus, Douglas Elder, Richard McKown and more, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue-Sat, 1-5 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 15. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave., 405-528-6336, jrbartgallery.com. Conversation with a Curator, join curator Roja Najafi for a tour of Master Strokes: Dutch and Flemish Drawings from the Golden Age featuring rare works by Rembrandt and Rubens, 2 p.m. Jan. 14. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com.

See You Saturday Learn about inspirational Oklahomans who make our state great with interactive exhibits at Oklahoma Hall of Fame at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, 1400 Classen Drive. Admission is free every second Saturday of the month. Events are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Call 405-235-4458 or visit oklahomahof.com. SATURDAY Photo Oklahoma Hall of Fame/provided

SUN

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings Cheer on Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Steven Adams as they take on the Sacramento Kings with some vengeance 7 p.m. Monday at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave. Tickets start at $15. Call 405-208-4800 or visit nba.com. MONDAY Photo Gazette / file

Winter Olympic Expo, learn how to curl with a demo by Oklahoma Curling Club, improve your hockey skills with Oklahoma City Youth Hockey League and enjoy free skating and face painting, 4:30-8 p.m. Jan. 13. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens. com. SAT Yoga in the Gardens, an all-levels class led by Lisa Woodward from This Land Yoga; class participants should bring a yoga mat and water, 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. TUE Line Dancing Lessons, perfect your dancing skills with some country music, Wednesdays. Chisholm’s Saloon, 401 S. Meridian Ave. , 405-949-0423, facebook.com/chisholmssaloon. WED Learn-to-Swim Program, giving residents of all ages and financial situations the opportunity to learn to swim with proper technique and basic water safety at their own pace offered by the King Marlin Swim Club, ongoing, Lighthouse Sports, Fitness and Health, 3333 W. Hefner Road, 405-8455672, marlinswimamerica.com.

Decomposition: Discovering the Beauty and Magnificence of Fungi, the kingdom of fungi is on display at SMO’s smART Space Galleries exploring the uses, benefits and beauty of fungi, through Aug. 12. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. Docent-Guided Signature Tour, see some of the finest Western art in the country with ethnographic material from Native Americans and mountain men, and learn about frontier military life, Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 25. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org.

Master Strokes: Dutch and Flemish Drawings from the Golden Age, showcasing 93 works from the 16th-20th centuries including masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt and Sir Anthony van Dyck. Works by lesser-known artists are also included as well as designs of architecture and the applied arts, through Jan. 21. 2018. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. Nihilostalgia, Steve Breerwood focuses his art on compromise between the perception of objective reality and the inner processing of its meaning, MonFri 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Jan. 15. IAO Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-232-6060, iaogallery.org.

Eclectic Eye, a diverse showcase of different mediums, such as oil pastels, acrylics and photography with Margaret Hoge, Jane Morgan, Stephanie Halley and more, through Jan. 28. In Your Eye Gallery, 3005 Paseo St. #A, 405-525-2161, inyoureyegallery.com.

OFF-SPRING: New Generations, explore the development of both personal and group identity, childhood, family, history, and gender politics through sculptures, paintings, photographs, and videos, through Apr. 2018. 21c Museum Hotel, 900 W. Main St., 405-982-6900, 21cmuseumhotels.com.

Heterogeneity, Salvador Jasso presents his collection of art focusing on being diverse in character and content: people are allowed to have multiplicity, Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Jan. 15. Individual Artists of Oklahoma - IAO Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan Ave, 405-232-6060, individualartists.org.

Past, Present & Future, represents contemporary artists from well-established artists to emerging artists and the artists of right now, through Jan. 28. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave., 405-5286336, jrbartgallery.com.

Hodge Podge, is a group exhibition of fifteen Oklahoma artists ranging from high school student artists to established, professional artists working a variety of media, through Jan. 15. Art Hall, 519 NW 23rd St., 405-231-5700, art.theriseokc.com. I-35 Toy Trucks, BJ White paints abstracts on man’s imprint on the earth from constructions and habitats to trucks, Jan. 13-Feb. 17. [Artspace] at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-6665, 1ne3.org. In Their Element: A Showcase of Native Photographers, features four American Indian photographers, Brad Woods, Jim Trosper, Lisa Hudson and Cara Romero, with their individual photography styles, through Feb. 28. Exhibit C, 1 E. Sheridan Ave., Ste. 100, 405-767-8900, exhibitcgallery.com.

Resolutions, a group art show with a diverse group of artists working in the theme of New Year’s Resolutions, Jan. 11-Feb. 4. DNA Galleries, 1709 NW 16th St., 405-525-3499, dnagalleries.com. SHIFT, Factory Obscura presents a fully-immersive, experiential art installation that challenges the participant to physically explore the full-sensory environment, Thu-Sun noon-6 p.m. through Feb. 25. Current Studio, 1218 N. Pennsylvania Ave., 405673-1218, currentstudio.org. Strange Tide, Danny Joe Rose III’s paintings are abstract and reminiscent of places he’s been, a sort of visual history, Jan. 13-Feb.17. [Artspace] at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-6665, 1ne3.org. The Bright Side, native Oklahoman Sarah Clough brings her immersive, solo exhibition with a gallerywide mural and a series of paintings, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue-Sat through Jan. 12. Mainsite Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main St., Norman, 405-360-1162, mainsite-art.com.

The Question of Beauty, presents modern and contemporary art from the permanent collection that employs beauty as a mode of expression, together with work that either rejects or ignores beauty, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. through Feb. 11. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-2363100, okcmoa.com. Turn the Page 2018, artists Holly Bjorkstrom, Kafie Gibson Carman, Annalisa Campbell and more express what turning the page means through their art, noon-5 p.m. Tue-Sat through Jan. 27. Paseo Art Space, 3022 Paseo St., 405-525-2688, thepaseo. com.

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

For okg live music

see page 33

List your event in 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.

Submit your listings online at okgazette.com or email them to listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted. O kg a z e t t e . c o m | J A N U A R Y 1 0 , 2 0 1 8

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Live Music Line up shelly phelps Every Thursday 6-9pm McKee Brothers Jazz Band Fridays & Saturdays 1/12 & 1/13, 1/19 & 1/20, 2/2 & 2/3, 2/9 & 2/10, 2/16 & 2/17

Randall shrever (AZ) Friday & Saturday 1/26 & 1/27, 2/23 & 2/24

wed - Ladies Night & daNce LessoNs @7 thurs - siN Night driNk speciaLs jam sessioNs w/ BreNt kruger & joN murchisoN (No cover)

Fri & Sat - $10 bucketS during gameS

BourBon St. Cafe Riverwalk • Bicktown

100 E California | 232.6666 | BourbonStCafe.com

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jan 19 - jackSon tillman jan 26 - jimmy blytHe

Home oF tHe true country weStern Now bookiNg Live Music 401 s. MeridiaN Like us

chishoLMssaLooN

MUSIC OKG: In terms of your songwriting, do you have any kind of process? Scott: Yeah; driving. I’ve got a couple of boys, so writing around the house is not something that’s ever a real possibility. I actually own my own business. We do live music for weddings all across the Midwest, and because of that, I can do a lot of driving. I’ve been doing a lot of driving for several years, and that’s really my main mode; just getting behind the wheel of a car and zoning out as safely as possible. That’s a majority of what I write. I’m always looking for songwriting inspiration, so I’m not going to say it’s exclusive to that, but the majority of the time — as far as crafting lyrics and not just ideas for structure and hooks — the majority of that happens in the car.

EVENT

Jason Scott | Photo provided

Honest Living

Oklahoma City singer-songwriter Jason Scott debuts the vinyl edition of his debut EP Living Rooms at Tower Theatre. By Ben Luschen

Jason Scott is taking his newest EP out of the living room and to the big stage. The Oklahoma City Americana singer-songwriter released his debut fivesong EP Living Rooms in November. The album, produced by Oklahoma roots music maven Travis Linville, ranges from gritty blues to upbeat bluegrass. Scott shows promise as an up-andcoming addition to the state’s proud songwriting heritage. Scott will debut vinyl copies of the EP during a Jan. 19 release show at Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St. The sold-out show also includes performances by singer-songwriters Carter Sampson, Erik the Viking, Kyle Reid and John Calvin Abney. Scott, a father of two young boys, started his path in music singing in church and eventually became a worship minister. He eventually left his work with the church to pursue his own career in music, both as a solo artist and as a producer and technician for his ON Studios (pronounced “oh en”) production company. Oklahoma Gazette recently spoke with Scott to talk about his upcoming release show and personal background in music. Oklahoma Gazette: How long have you been working on this show at Tower Theatre? Jason Scott: I’ve had that lined up for several months. In fact, before I even

got the Tower, we were originally trying to book it at The Blue Door and the date didn’t work out or something like that. So, I got to talking with the Tower Theatre and they were willing to host. OKG: On the EP, it feels like you’re exploring a few different kinds of styles. Was that an intentional thing by you? Were you trying to go into a lot of different kinds of sounds? Scott: No, it certainly wasn’t intentional. It’s my first EP. I felt like I just picked some of my songs that were the most ready. Travis Linville produced it with me, and I had probably 10-12 songs and he helped me go through the ones that we eventually decided to put on there. So it wasn’t intentional. There is a little bit of variety, but I feel like it’s still cohesive enough. They get kind of bluesy at times and a little bluegrassy. But it wasn’t anything premeditated. OKG: How long have you known Linville, and how did you get to work with him on this record? Scott: I’ve known of Travis for a long time. He has been a staple in Oklahoma’s music scene for a long time. I was actually a student at ACM (the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma), and he was one of the adjunct professors there. He taught a songwriting class that I had. I actually wrote a song on the album, “When I’m

Getting Ready,” in his songwriting class. I was looking for a few different people to help me produce my record, and just getting to know him through that medium and knowing his music, he was an immediate, perfect fit for the style and all that stuff. It all kind of worked out perfectly. He had a Kickstarter going on then for his record [Up Ahead]. One of the incentives on there was a five-song EP that he would help produce, and I was able to support that while he was able to help me with the record.

There’s no reason now, with the technology available, that a tiny studio can’t produce a really rad record. Jason Scott OKG: What got you started as a musician? Scott: Well, I grew up in the church — a pretty religious sect of the church. I grew up singing in the church, so I’ve always been musically inclined. I was a worship pastor for several years, and I sort of got away from all of that. That was like four, maybe five years ago. I’d done some songwriting as a worship pastor, and to be honest, it was the only thing I really have training at as far as anything I’m good at. When I got out of that frame of mind, I started pursuing my own stuff. It took a few years to get my feet under me and figure out how I wanted to write it, but that’s the genesis of that.

OKG: How long have you owned that music studio? Scott: The studio has been up and running for about a year. Before my second boy was born, I’d always been messing around with audio and production and stuff. The company’s called ON Studios. That’s been a concept for probably seven of eight years. Really just within the last year have I been in a position where I can make quality recordings. OKG: Is that an aspect of music you really enjoy doing? Scott: Oh yeah. In fact, I’m producing Carter Sampson’s new record right now. I think it’s going to be great; I’m excited about it. OKG: Where did you learn to do studio work? Was that something that was self-taught? Scott: Definitely. I had a lot of selfteaching. And like I said, I was a student at ACM a couple of years studying production, and that really capped off a lot of the self-teaching I had been doing. OKG: So which do you like more, music production or your work as a solo artist? Scott: Well, I like to do both. I have a passion for both. I sort of got into production to do my own stuff. That’s why I’ve always been fascinated by it. But there’s so many great singer-songwriters who can’t afford big studios. There’s no reason now, with the technology available, that a tiny studio can’t produce a really rad record. I’ve sort of channeled it as another way to bring in income. I really do enjoy both sides of it, and they go hand-in-hand together. OKG: Do you have any 2018 plans after this Tower show? Scott: I’ve got a couple of gigs. We’ve got a couple of tours in the works. I’ll be at the Mile 0 Fest in Key West, Florida. A bunch of Okie artists are going there. And I’ve already started working on my second record. It’s going to be another EP. My goal for now is to just stick with EPs and try to get one, maybe two out a year.

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EVENT

MUSIC

Man’s folly

OKC jazz-metal hybrid Local Man Ruins Everything ignores convention and finds common ground in the process. By Ben Luschen

A nonchalant tone gives Eric Harris’ band name its humor, but Local Man Ruins Everything is the opposite of a careless moniker. Harris picked the name carefully, with consideration given to mythologist Joseph Campbell’s timeless archetypes and mankind’s undying quest to find its most perfect state. “The most consistent enemy to man is himself,” said Harris, Local Man’s founder and bassist. “The best way to keep that from being a detriment is to own it.” Local Man Ruins Everything is one of Oklahoma City’s most unique rising bands. The progressive metal and jazz hybrid defies easy categorization. The real root of Local Man’s namesake can be traced back to a popular 2002 episode of The Simpsons, which featured a framed newspaper with the same headline. But Harris, who started the band as a solo project before it grew into an instrumental three-piece, found a deeper meaning in the humorous title. He likes the name because it is something that quickly resonates with people. “I was just trying to figure something out that was enough of a brain trick to happen in five, six, seven seconds.” Because of Local Man’s unique sound, the band does not gravitate to one particular “scene” and can be found playing a wide variety of local venues with many different kinds of bands. It will open for legendary blues-rock guitarist Eric Gales Saturday at VZD’s Restaurant & Bar, 4200 N. Western Ave. Harris said he hopes the name is funny and innocuous enough that someone might relate to it in some way. Local Man guitarist Jay Gleason thinks everyone takes their own meaning from the band name. He said he takes the title as a calming reminder that imperfection is normal. 32

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“Everybody is like, ‘Oh, life is serious and hard; you screw crap up because you’re not completed or developed in your own self,’” he said. “With this, you have this reference point of some guy shrugging. He screwed everything up, but he’s a lighthearted, funny representation that you can relate to.”

Unique unit

Drummer Byron Collins joins Harris and Gleason to complete the Local Man lineup. Harris said many of the tunes the band plays now started as a solo project. His goal was to truly write what he felt without consideration for genre or the way convention says something should sound. Eventually, Harris joined with the band’s first drummer, Jonathan Thomas. Gleason, who had previous experience playing in a band with Harris, joined later. He had been out of bands for several years, disillusioned by the process, but was intrigued by the idea of joining a group that defied labeling. “I thought this was going to be an opportunity to legitimately grow as a musician and express myself,” Gleason said, “and it has very much been that.” Thomas left the band in 2017, and Collins has been the group’s drummer for the last several months. Needless to say, there are not many other math-y instrumental jazz-metal trios out there. That can be both a blessing and a curse. There aren’t pre-fit molds for the band to slide into for local shows, but its sound also makes it unique. “You don’t get to see a lot of crazy instrumental music live, you know what I mean?” Harris said. “That doesn’t happen a lot, and when it does, it’s inaccessible in some way.” Harris compared the band to Béla

Fleck and the Flecktones meets Tool or Iron Maiden meets Squarepusher. The band has enough influences that it can find some common ground with a lot of different local acts. “We can go play with anybody and be in all kinds of scenarios where we fit,” Harris said. The bassist might have started the Local Man project to fulfill his personal artistic ambitions, but the band also makes an intentional effort to keep the music accessible. “It has to walk this line of being personally validating while also being impersonally validating,” he said. “Other people have to like it.”

We can go play with anybody and be in all kinds of scenarios where we fit. Eric Harris

Music mentors

Harris began seriously playing bass at age 14 or 15 but had casually played around with different instruments growing up. He had several music teachers who he was close to and would hang around with. Those musicians took a special interest in watching him develop as a player. “It was a situation where you weren’t approached as an other they had to entertain,” Harris said. “There was a camaraderie there instantly.” Being around advanced musicians made Harris want to pursue things that were technically more challenging. He began writing songs at a young age, always looking for a new project to get involved in. Harris and Gleason met for the first time at Granny’s Music Mall, a music store that Gleason’s father owned that later closed. His parents were also both members of the local 1960s and ’70s rock band Pearl.

from left Guitarist Jay Gleason, drummer Byron Collins and bassist Eric Harris of Locan Man Ruins Everything | Photos Ryan Magnani / provided

Growing up, Gleason spent a lot of his time hanging around Granny’s. His most formative music experiences occurred in that store. “It’s all musicians that work at those places,” he said. “It was a big deal just being around the environment.” Both Harris and Gleason are metalheads with backgrounds that extend into other genres. Harris was formerly in the neo-jazz band Culture Cinematic, and Gleason has spent years playing jazz as a professional musician and music teacher. The guitarist views Local Man as the culmination of all his previous playing experience. “I’m able to combine all the things that I’ve learned into this,” Gleason said.

‘No pigeonhole’

Local Man is currently working to finalize its debut album, which they expect to be completed in the first half of 2018. Gleason said his experiences writing with the band have been very enjoyable. “There’s no pigeonhole,” he said. “It doesn’t have to sound a certain way. It doesn’t have to be happy. It doesn’t have to be dark. There’s no, ‘That’s not metal enough.’” Harris said what he enjoys the most about Local Man Ruins Everything is that it merges the intricate concepts of metal with the growth and progression of jazz. “Metal, a lot of times, doesn’t get that development,” Harris said. “The meanings and observations surrounding it aren’t quite as developed.” Local Man might be hard to categorize, but Harris said the point of the band is not to purposefully defy genre. Instead, that is just a side effect of the group’s real goal, which is full songwriting freedom. “Genres are funny,” Harris said, “because it’s all relative. It’s all relative to what you think that is.” Visit facebook.com/localmanruinseverything777.

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

WEDNESDAY, 1.10 Black Water Mountain, The Blue Door. ROCK

Wed, Jan 10

Felipita & Kelly Studwell, Blue Bonnet Bar. VARIOUS

FelipiTa & Kelly STeadwell

NAMAZU/Turbo Wizard/Crobone, Red Brick Bar. ROCK

THURSDAY, 1.11 Brent Kruger & Jon Murchison, Chisholm’s Saloon. ROCK Elizabeth Speegle Band, The Root. JAZZ Kalyn Fay/Rachel La Vonne, Oklahoma City Museum of Art. FOLK Uncle Lucius, Tower Theatre. ROCK

FRIDAY, 1.12 Admirals/Beach Language/John Darling, Blue Note Lounge. INDIE Alan Parsons, Riverwind Casino, Norman. ROCK Annie Oakley/Special Thumbs/Kyle Reid, Tower Theatre. INDIE Bart Crow, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY Brown Note, The Alley Club. METAL Christy Bryant & Twist of Fate, Remington Park. VARIOUS Helen Kelter Skelter/Masterhand, Opolis, Norman. ROCK Jack Waters and The Unemployed/Caleb McGee, Blue Bonnet Bar, Norman. BLUES John Fullbright/Michael Fracasso/Terry Buffalo Ware, The Blue Door. FOLK Josh Ward, Graham’s Central Station. COUNTRY Kerry Wayne’s Rockstar Band, The Landing Zone, Midwest City. HIP-HOP Ravens Three, Full Circle Bookstore. FOLK Special Thumbs/Haniwa, The Deli, Norman. INDIE Stealing Saturn, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK Uncle Lucius, Grady’s 66 Pub, Yukon. ROCK Young Dolph, The Criterion. RAP

SATURDAY, 1.13 Abbigale Dawn, The Deli, Noble. SINGER/SONGWRITER Bijou/LO’99, Tower Theatre. HIP-HOP Chloe-Beth, Grady’s 66 Pub, Yukon. SINGER/SONGWRITER Demon Seeds/The So Longs/Trap Queens, Opolis, Norman. PUNK Dustin Cooper, Full Circle Bookstore. FOLK Eric Gales, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. BLUES J.Quest, Kendell’s Bar. ELECTRONIC Justin Shipley, Big Dick’s Roadhouse, Yukon. ROCK Kent Fauss, McClintock Saloon & Chop House. COUNTRY LTZ/Ronnie Harris, The Root. HIP-HOP Lucy Reborn, Your Mom’s Place. ROCK Matt Cowell at NOIR Bistro & Bar, NOIR Bistro & Bar. SINGER/SONGWRITER Midas 13, Riverwind Casino, Norman. POP Randy Rogers Band, Riverwind Casino, Norman. COUNTRY Stimulate/Squirt D, Sauced on Paseo. DJ

Black Label Society Enjoy an evening of heavy metal music with vocalist and guitarist Zakk Wylde, bassist John DeServio, drummers Jeff Fabb and guitarist Dario Lorina of Black Label Society, along with Corrosion of Conformity and Eyehategod. The show starts 7:30 p.m. Friday at Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S. Eastern Ave. Tickets are $29.50-$35. Call 405-677-9169 or visit diamondballroom.net. FRIDAY Photo DCF Concerts/provided The Living Deads/Scarlet View/Stays In Vegas, Red Brick Bar, Norman. ROCK Uncle Zep, Oklahoma City Limits. COVER Zin Babys, Okie Tonk Café, Moore. ROCK

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We surround our community’s most critical problems, and find every dollar we can to address them. Help Central Oklahoma win this fight for Central Oklahoma. Give today at

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thurs, Jan 11

clinT HardeSTy Fri, Jan 12

JacK waTerS & THe UneMplOyed / caleb Mcgee sat, Jan 13

dan MarTin Wed, Jan 17

braxTOn SpeaKS thurs, Jan 18

STepHen baKer Fri, Jan 19

JV’S Fillin’ STaTiOn sat, Jan 20

MiKe rae & abbigale dawn Wed, Jan 24

wHiSKy prieST thurs, Jan 25

clinT HardeSTy Fri, Jan 26

bUFFalO rOgerS & dylan STewarT Weekly events

SUNDAY, 1.14

Mondays

Above It All, The Venue OKC. POP

tuesdays

Open Mic w/caleb Mcgee Tanner Miller 405.928.4550

Carter Sampson, The Depot, Norman. SINGER/SONGWRITER Celtic Jam, Full Circle Bookstore. INSTRUMENTAL Desiring Dead Flesh, Sauced on Paseo. PUNK Hosty, The Deli, Norman. BLUES Lomelda/Costello, Opolis, Norman. VARIOUS Steve Coleman/Mark Galloway/Scott Keeton and more, Friends Restaurant & Club. VARIOUS Valery Kuleshov, All Souls’ Episcopal Church. PIANO

MONDAY, 1.15

January 11 UNCLE LUCIUS

Kim Tillman, The Deli, Norman. POP

TUESDAY, 1.16 Hosty, JJ’s Alley. BLUES John Hiatt & the Goners, Hudson Performance Hall. ROCK

WEDNESDAY, 1.17 Braxton Speaks, Blue Bonnet Bar, Norman. SINGER/SONGWRITER Jeffrey Lewis & Los Bolts, 89th Street - OKC. INDIE Martha Odom, The R&J Lounge and Supper Club. POP

SUN, JAN 21

WanDa Jackson Fri, FEB 9

blackberrY smoke W/ lukas nelson wEd, FEB 14

keYs n kraTes W/ PromniTe, Jubilee TUES, FEB 20

noThinG more W/ The conTorTionisT, biG sTorY ThUrS, MAr 1

maTisYahu foresT of faiTh Tour SUN, MAr 11

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

Fri, MAr 23

JeezY W/ Tee GrizzleY

ThUrS, MAr 26

sYlvan esso

TUES, MAr 27

k. flaY W/ YunGbluD

SAT, April 28

January 26 KELLER WILLIAMS January 27 RECKLESS KELLy January 30 PROPAgANdA February 10 REAd SOUTHALL bANd February 17 WANdA jACKSON February 18 LALAH HATHAWAy

wEd, MAy 16

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January 25 dK THE dRUMMER

The 16Th annual 80s Prom

Sweet Chaos/Weather King, Warehouse B. ROCK The Forty Thieves, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK

January 21 MARTy STUART

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puzzles

VOL. XL No. 2

New York Times Magazine Crossword Puzzle RING OUT THE OLD, RING IN THE NEW

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reading material 95 Polish, e.g. 97 Green 98 Heeds 99 Eagerly accept 101 County in New Mexico or Colorado 105 Court legend Arthur 106 Eldest member of an organization 107 Falco of The Sopranos 109 The Eagles’ “____ Eyes” 110 Forever and ever 112 December 31: Abbr. 114 D.C.-based media giant 115 1st, 2nd, 3rd … ____

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New York Times Crossword Puzzle answers Puzzle No. 1224, which appeared in the January 3 issue.

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Sudoku very hard | n°24595 Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3-by-3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9. www.printmysudoku.com

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free will astrology Homework: I’ve gathered all of the long-term, big-picture horoscopes I wrote for you: http://bit. ly/YourGloriousStory2018 ARIES (March 21-April 19) I’m happy to inform

you that life is giving you permission to be extra demanding in the coming weeks -- as long as you’re not petty, brusque, or unreasonable. Here are a few examples that will pass the test: “I demand that you join me in getting drunk on the truth;” “I demand to receive rewards commensurate w ith my contributions;” “I demand that we collaborate to outsmart and escape the karmic conundrums we’ve gotten ourselves mixed up in.” On the other hand, Aries, ultimatums like these are not admissible: “I demand treasure and tribute, you fools;” “I demand the right to cheat in order to get my way;” “I demand that the river flow backwards.”

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Are you familiar with

the phrase “Open Sesame”? In the old folk tale, “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” it’s a magical command that the hero uses to open a blocked cave where treasure is hidden. I invite you to try it out. It just may work to give you entrance to an off-limits or previously inaccessible place where you want and need to go. At the very least, speaking those words will put you in a playful, experimental frame of mind as you contemplate the strategies you could use to gain entrance. And that alone may provide just the leverage you need.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) While thumping around

the Internet, I came across pointed counsel from an anonymous source. “Don’t enter into a long-term connection with someone until you’ve seen them stuck in traffic,” it declared. “Don’t get too deeply involved with them until you’ve witnessed them drunk, waiting for food in a restaurant for entirely too long, or searching for their phone or car keys in a panic. Before you say yes to a deeper bond, make sure you see them angry, stressed, or scared.” I recommend that you take this advice in the coming weeks. It’ll be a good time to deepen your commitment to people who express their challenging emotions in non-abusive, non-psychotic ways.

cLASSIFIEDS

music

CANCER (June 21-July 22) My high school history

teacher Marjorie Margolies is now Chelsea Clinton’s mother-in law. She shares two grandchildren with Hillary Clinton. Is that something I should brag about? Does it add to my cachet or my happiness? Will it influence you to love me more? No, nah, and nope. In the big scheme of things, it’s mildly interesting but utterly irrelevant. The coming weeks will be a good time for Cancerians like you and me to renounce any desire we might have to capitalize on fake ego points like this. We Crabs should be honing our identity and self-image so they’re free of superficial measures of worth. What’s authentically valuable about you?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) If I were your mentor or your guide, I’d declare this the Leo Makeover Season. First I’d hire a masseuse or masseur to knead you firmly and tenderly. I’d send you to the nutritionist, stylist, dream interpreter, trainer, and life coach. I’d brainstorm with the people who know you best to come up with suggestions for how to help free you from your illusions and infuse your daily rhythm with twenty percent more happiness. I’d try to talk you out of continuing your association with anyone or anything that’s no damn good for you. In conclusion, I’d be thorough as I worked to get you unlocked, debugged, and retooled.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) “It takes an extraordinary

person to carry themselves as if they do not live in hell,” says writer D. Bunyavong. In accordance with the astrological omens, I nominate you Virgos to fit that description in the coming weeks. You are, in my estimation, as far away from hell as you’ve been in a long time. If anyone can seduce, coax, or compel heaven to come all the way down to earth for a while, it’s you. Here’s a good way to get the party started: Gaze into the mirror until you spy the eternal part of yourself.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) In accordance with the

astrological omens, I encourage you to move the furniture around. If you feel inspired, you might even want to move some of that old stuff right out the door and haul it to the dump or the thrift store. Hopefully, this will get you in the mood to launch a sweeping

Beautiful Move-in Ready West Norman Home

purge of anything else that lowers the morale and élan around the house: dusty mementoes, unflattering mirrors, threadbare rugs, chipped dishes, and numbing symbols. The time is ripe, my dear homies, to free your home of deadweight.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) When he was 16 years

old and living in New York, Ralph Lifshitz changed his name to Ralph Lauren. That was probably an important factor in his success. Would he have eventually become a famous fashion designer worth $5.8 billion dollars if he had retained a name with “shitz” in it? The rebranding made it easier for clients and customers to take him seriously. With Ralph’s foresight as your inspiration, Scorpio, consider making a change in yourself that will enhance your ability to get what you want.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) In 1956, the

prolific Spanish poet Juan Ramón Jiménez was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. The award committee praised his “high spirit and artistic purity.” The honor was based on his last thirteen books, however, and not on his first two. Waterlilies and Souls of Violet were works he wrote while young and still ripening. As he aged, he grew so embarrassed by their sentimentality that he ultimately tried to track down and eradicate every copy. I bring this to your attention, Sagittarius, because I think it’s a favorable time for you to purge or renounce or atone for anything from your past that you no longer want to be defined by.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Three centuries

ago, Capricorn genius Isaac Newton formulated principles that have ever since been fundamental to scientists’ understanding of the physical universe. He was also a pioneer in mathematics, optics, and astronomy. And yet he also expended huge amounts of time and energy on the fruitless attempt to employ alchemy to transform base metals into solid gold. Those efforts may have been interesting to him, but they yielded no lasting benefits. You Capricorns face a comparable split. In 2018, you could bless us with extraordinary gifts or else you could get consumed in projects that aren’t the most productive use of your

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energy. The coming weeks may be crucial in determining which way you’ll go.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) A rite of passage lies

ahead. It could and should usher you into a more soulful way of living. I’m pleased to report that this transition won’t require you to endure torment, confusion, or passive-aggressive manipulation. In fact, I suspect it could turn out to be among the most graceful ordeals you’ve ever experienced -- and a prototype for the type of breakthrough that I hope will become standard in the months and years to come. Imagine being able to learn valuable lessons and make crucial transitions without the prod of woe and gloom. Imagine being able to say, as musician P.J. Harvey said about herself, “When I’m contented, I’m more open to receiving inspiration. I’m most creative when I feel safe and happy.”

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) The Kalevala is a 19th-

century book of poetry that conveys the important mythology and folklore of the Finnish people. It was a wellspring of inspiration for English writer J. R. R. Tolkien as he composed his epic fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings. To enhance his ability to steal ideas from The Kalevala, Tolkien even studied the Finnish language. He said it was like “entering a complete wine-cellar filled with bottles of an amazing wine of a kind and flavor never tasted before.” According to my reading of the astrological omens, Pisces, in 2018 you will have the potential of discovering a source that’s as rich for you as Finnish and The Kalevala were for Tolkien.

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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