Sounding Off

Arms of London

July 4th always brings a sincere, patriotic appreciation for our nation’s birth, and Ponca J

City is packing some “Pow and

Wow” into the annual holiday. A classic fireworks spectacular is planned at Wentz Camp on Lake

Ponca, with the pyro erupting at 9:50pm. I am personally tying the excitement of the fireworks display to the general relaunch of live entertainment across the city.

I’m am a “foodie,” with a love for all delicacies American. But I also enjoy the plethora of choices from other nations that assimilated into our culture, bringing their recipes and nuances to the kitchen.

One I especially enjoy is Napoli’s Italian, where it is so easy to grab a table in the corner, order authentic cuisine, and gather my thoughts for this column on my laptop while enjoying a garlic bread knot. I don’t believe anything could be more “American,” other than the fact live music continues to slowly and steadily return to northern Oklahoma.

The Band Stand…

The next Down by Downtown! (DXDT) is scheduled for July 2nd and will feature keyboard virtuoso Mike Seals. Mike returned home to Ponca City after a successful career with the Army stage band, and entertaining Americans in Kuwait for several years. His light jazz makes you feel good, so take your family and friends to Central Fare where there will be food trucks, drinks and an open mic! You just can’t ask for more!

Ponca City’s traveling minstrel Larry Newsom will be performing at Finn’s Pub in Manhattan KS on July 8th, followed by July 17th at the Enid Moose Lodge. Dirty Erin will be bringing the house down on July 10th at the Elks Ballroom in Stillwater. The Grand Cigar Lounge, a perennially cool downtown hang, is featuring the Arms of London on July 1st . The North Central Oklahoma Arts Council “Full Moon Concert Series” will have the triple-threat trio of Harwood, Roberts and Thompson performing under the gazebo in downtown Tonkawa on Friday, July 23rd at 7:30pm. The June TS Fork Block Party was incredible, and you do not want to miss the next one on July 17th . Holly the Jazz Singer will be jamming with her full band, Holly and the Guys. Holly is a regular entertainer at TS Fork every Friday and Saturday evening. Astoria Blvd Bistro, a favorite Grand Avenue evening destination, will be featuring Matt Thompson with Haley Joe Kalb on July 3rd . The Hideaway Marina on Kaw Lake has an entertainment-packed July, with Michael Murphy’s Dueling Pianos on July 3rd , 2 Country for Nashville on July 4th , Candice and the Business Casual on July 17th, and Kristin Arthurs and the Trainwrecks on July 31st . In addition, the Pioneer Cove Marina is featuring the Robert Allen Band on July 3rd, and waiting on deck will be the Whiskey Gingers on July 24th . Ridin’ High has Mas Tequila scheduled to perform in July. Watch their Facebook page for band announcements as they happen each month, as well as karaoke nights.

Something Happening…

Kevin Emmons is bringing back a favorite entertainer in July. To quote, “the man, the myth, the legend, the one and only Thomas Martinez.” The date is being finalized, and the location will be the parking lot behind PC Provisions. I can personally testify that his last concert, on the roof of the Royalty Building downtown, was a sold-out party. You do not want to miss this magic!

Local Stars…

This month I am featuring Ponca City’s own Arms of London. The group was formed by Joel Hibbs (owner of Shanghai Music & Sound) in 2010 and also includes Mike McAlister (drums), Mike Archer (bass) and Lee Searcy (bass/guitar). All of the band members are multi-instrumentalists which supports their diverse song list and capabilities. Joel has been playing guitar since the age of 6, and has been performing live with bands since 1987. The other band members are well-known staples of the Ponca City music scene. You have probably heard them at the Fox or at the Grand Cigar Lounge. Sometimes the band appears as “Arms of LondonUnplugged” which is an acoustic show with Joel and Mike Archer, and sometimes as a trio with drummer Mike McAlister. Bottom line- the band has the unique ability to scale to venue and audience requirements. While known for a wide variety of music, the band was featured on OKC’s KSBI’s “Oklahoma Live” television program performing original songs. Arms of London is a Willie Cry Records artist, and I ordered their CD a couple of years ago while still living in Las Vegas and enjoyed adding it to my regular playlist.

Finally…

Two of Ponca City’s attributes are hospitality and entertainment. The “fuse has been excruciatingly long and smoldering for over a year,” but I can honestly say that the musicians and venues in Ponca City are ready to set off a firecracker this 4th of July, declaring summer is here, and they will provide the celebratory music. Life is good! If anyone has information on live music events, please write me at smscott54@hotmail.com.

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• Set your air conditioner thermostat up 5 degrees and use fans. • Use electricity for work (such as laundry, running the dishwasher, ironing, cleaning, etc.) in the early morning or late evening.Did you know • Avoid using the oven during the heat of the day. • Close curtains/drapes to block out the sun’s heating rays. ownyourlocal powerutility? Celebrating the Benefi ts Thank you Ponca City • Unplug unnecessary electric appliances and •Equal or greater reliability. of Local Power! “O for believing in & supporting your very own Municipality! wned by the Customers we Serve!” equipment. • Turn off indoor and outdoor decorative lighting. Local Control Reinvestment tomer-focused mission is to serve the customers. •Emphasis on long-term community goals. • Reduce exterior door openings and closings.Reliability Accessibility •Quick response from crews located in the community. • Replace older model heat/air units with moreCommunity •Economic development – not-for-profi t electricity efficient modelsOurLocalPower.org or heat pumps.

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The Tyndall family with Pistol Pete, left to right: Ryleah, Dr. Phillip, Nancy & Sydney

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Ponca City’s for believing in and supporting Our Local Power Utility! Ponca City’s Earth Day Celebration Wednesay, April 22, 9-1 at Unity Gym. is We offer Heat Pump Rebates! Ponca City Energy can be reached at: 580-767-0405. Earth Day Celebration is Wednesay, April 22, 9-1 at Unity Gym. We offer Heat Pump Rebates! Ponca City Energy can be reached at: 580-767-0405.