Slice January 2015

SWITCHING GEARS

A quartet of locals who made big changes and reaped big rewards POWERHOUSE PROJECTS

SITTING PRETTY

SUBLIME SUPPER CLUB

The Menopause Center of Oklahoma is now

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FEATURES

36

January 2015

Look Back, Look Forward

Saying the OKC metro has been having a busy decade would be a colossal understatement – the new year is a prime time to take a moment of appreciation for some high points in all the progress made … and check in on a few developments we’re still eagerly anticipating.

30

Been There. Done That.

Now What?

There’s a big difference between our views of life at 15 and 50, and that often includes what our dream jobs are. Take a look at four metro residents who embraced change by jumping the tracks on their previous careers, and are now making their ways along more rewarding paths.

2 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

On the cover

SWITCHING GEARS

A quartet of locals who made big changes and reaped big rewards POWERHOUSE PROJECTS

SITTING PRETTY

SUBLIME SUPPER CLUB

Dean Ramsel of Tabb Models represents the reinvention possible in midlife career changes.

Makeup by Sharon Tabb, sharontabb.com. Photo

by Quit Nguyen

OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE

rolex

oyster perpetual and day-date are trademarks.

DEPARTMENTS

23

EXCHANGE

A conversational give and take about following dreams, finding inspiration in history and the importance of little details with master of illusion Rob Lake.

10 From the Publisher UP FRONT 14 Chatter A local band’s revival, a local team’s rebranding, a new address for an area poet and other topics of conversation.

18 Details The perfect combination of comfort and style is of fundamental importance in shopping for chairs – these suggestions should help when it’s time to have a seat.

20 Retro-Spective Remembering the way we were with a look back at the solo-screen glory days of OKC’s Continental Theater.

21 By the Numbers Fast facts and statistics on forming better habits in the new year.

64

22 Style File Versatile gear for looking sharp and feeling great during your winter workouts, and even afterward.

ion l Sect Specia

ING WEDDURCE RESO IDE GUage 43

24 77 Counties Travels through Oklahoma with author and photographer M.J. Alexander.

p

26 Mingling Making an appearance on central Oklahoma’s social scene.

FARE 62 Good Mornings Starting each day right is a snap with simple, customized, homemade granola.

64 The Club on Memory Corner Tempting tastes and an inviting oldschool vibe make the R&J Lounge and Supper Club a hangout spot for the ages.

76 4 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

66 Eat & Drink Take a gastronomic tour with Slice’s citywide dining guide.

January 2015

PURSUITS 74 Top Ten Prime picks for a variety of January entertainment.

76 Continent of Creativity Paseo space The Project Box hosts an assemblage of painting, photography, video and music for “Wanderlust,” a conversation in art about contemporary Africa.

78 A Grand Gulf Fete Good times are about to get rolling in Galveston, and Mardi Gras celebrations are just the icing on an already spectacular getaway cake.

81 The Wild World of Wherever Cirque du Soleil prepares to transport OKC audiences to a whole new world in “Varekai.”

82 See & Do The sights, sounds and various happenings that are enlivening the metro this month.

86 Last Laugh 88 Last Look Correction: In December’s By the Numbers column (page 24), we moved a decimal point too far in calculating the number of children in Oklahoma; there are closer to 974,000. We apologize for the error.

81

January 2015

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR IN COLOR AND 22 KARAT

Volume 6 Issue 1

PUBLISHER Elizabeth Meares elizabeth.meares@sliceok.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mia Blake mia.blake@sliceok.com EDITORIAL Associate Editor Steve Gill steve.gill@sliceok.com Contributing Stylists Timothy Fields, Fashion timothy.fields@sliceok.com Sara Gae Waters, Home saragae.waters@sliceok.com Contributing Writers M.J. Alexander, Sean Becker, Mark Beutler, Lynsey Bradley, Kristi Eaton, Lauren Hammack, Jill Hardy, Caryn Ross, Elaine Warner ART Art Director Scotty O’Daniel scotty.odaniel@sliceok.com Graphic Designer Brian O’Daniel brian.odaniel@sliceok.com Production Assistant Tiffany McKnight tiffany.mcknight@sliceok.com Contributing Photographers M.J. Alexander, Justin Avera, David Cobb, Terrell Fry, Simon Hurst, J. Christopher Little, Claude Long, Michael Miller, Quit Nguyen, Elaine Warner, Carli Wentworth

by Valerie Naifeh

Intern Keirra Webster ADVERTISING Executive Director of Advertising Cynthia Whitaker-hill cynthia.whitakerhill@sliceok.com Account Executives Jamie Hamilton jamie.hamilton@sliceok.com Coleen VanSchoyck coleen.vanschoyck@sliceok.com Account Manager Ronnie Morey ronnie.morey@sliceok.com ADMINISTRATION Distribution Raymond Brewer

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6 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

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January 2015

Volume 6 Issue 1

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BEST IN THE METRO, BEST IN THE STATE.

U.S. News and World Report has released its 2014-2015 hospital rankings, and for the third year in a row, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center is ranked best hospital in the OKC metro and Oklahoma’s best hospital, with four high-performing specialty areas.

These rankings make it easy to find a healthcare provider with a proven track record. And we’re confident that you’ll find the same caliber of care at each of our 19 campuses and 100 clinics across the state, because INTEGRIS Health is Oklahoma’s Most Trusted Name in Healthcare.

And we just proved it. Again.

integrisok.com | 405-951-2277 Diabetes & Endocrinology • Gastroenterology & GI Surgery • Nephrology • Pulmonology

From the Publisher

THE JOURNEY FORWARD

M.J. ALEXANDER

A

ELIZABETH MEARES

Publisher elizabeth.meares@sliceok.com

new year is upon us. All the trappings and trimmings of the holidays have been packed away (maybe), and thoughts have turned to all the things we will and will not do (maybe) in the coming year.

In our house, there was no Christmas tree to take down and haul away.

We didn’t make the trek to the tree farm to labor over the decision of which conifer was the perfect size, shape and color. We never put one up at all, in fact. Our living room is in a state of semi-chaos, a rather lengthy one resulting from an enduring remodel-in-the-works. So, we made the most of the situation. My daughter Chloe recently turned 13, and part of the celebration of such a momentous occasion was a slumber party, where she and her friends Maya, Clare and Holly painted a Christmas tree on one wall of the living room, complete with decorations and presents underneath. Why not? After all, the wall will eventually be repainted when the remodeling project is complete. Maybe.

There’s nothing wrong with shaking up the routine.

In this issue, you’ll meet four locals who shook up their own routines, taking big detours from their chosen paths and embarking on new adventures.

The payoff, it seems, often far outweighs a little fear and trepidation. We also take a look at some of the projects that have altered our city’s cultural landscape – many that made it better, a few that can’t quite get off the ground and others that hold promise for the future.

All things change, and we change with them. And so we arrive at the dawn of a new year, taking stock of what is behind us and what lies ahead. We seek to correct mistakes, but will likely repeat a few, and to undertake new endeavors – large and small – that will make life better for ourselves and those around us.

As you embark on your journey, we at Slice wish you peace, love and laughter in the coming year. May your approach be unique and your confidence unwavering. You never know what’s just around the bend.

Elizabeth Meares Publisher P.S. I’ll be stepping back into this space for a bit while Editor-in-Chief Mia Blake is on maternity leave – a most epic journey.

10 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Do Your Eyes Feel Dry and Scratchy?

Or Even Watery?

You May Have Dry Eye Syndrome.

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12 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

UP FRONT THE MAGIC TOUCH Legerdemain legend Rob Lake pops in for a chat about inspiration, the importance of immersive detail and the behind-the-scenes effort that fuels his illusions. See page 23.

CHATTER Topics of conversation from around the metro 14 DETAILS A sterling suite of seating suggestions 18 RETRO-SPECTIVE A quick look back at a piece of local history 20

BY THE NUMBERS Checking our figures on better habits in Oklahoma 21 STYLE FILE Winter workout gear to get your look together 22

SIMON HURST

77 COUNTIES Scenes from M.J. Alexander’s photographic travels across Oklahoma 24 MINGLING Glimpses of Central Oklahoma’s social scene 26 JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 13

UP FRONT | Chatter

Getting in Tune

A BYGONE BAND CLIMBS BACK INTO THE SADDLE

CHECKING IN

Kerri Shadid is a skilled poet with the will to show it, and she now has an excellent way to bring her gifts to metro audiences: by staying put. She is the newest tenant of the Skirvin Hilton’s artist-in-residence program, following visual artist Romy Owens and violin-maker Arsenios Corbishley, and will occupy the hotel’s studio space in an ongoing performance piece titled “Poetry Stand” in which she pens custom original verses on demand for visitors and passerby.

As the lady says, “My studio and gallery will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Come by 1 Park Avenue to get a free poem at my Poetry Stand, or watch me marble and bind books. I hope to see you as a I create art in this beautiful space over the next year!”

To mark the occasion, here’s a haiku: As the old year fades, New poetry fires the soul.

Visit Kerri Shadid.

Wait, that’s too many syllables in the last line. See, this is why you leave this kind of thing to the professionals.

14 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

In some respects, five years isn’t a tremendously long time. When you’re hoping for a new album from a band whose members had drifted a bit apart geographically, though, it can feel close to an eon. That might explain some of the excitement Norman-based red dirt tunesmiths Mama Sweet were met with when they began crowdsourcing funds for a follow-up to 2009’s “Now. Here. This.” – they set a Kickstarter goal of $17,000 and wound up with closer to $25k. After a starring stint in 2014’s Norman Music Festival and a trip to Seattle to record, the 5-piece ensemble is proud to present “21 Echo.”

It’s not quite a country album, though there’s an unmistakable twang to the guitars (especially on the plunky, louche “Can’t Be All That Bad”) and occasionally the vocals (Aron Holt’s verb of choice in “Whiskey Beer and Wine” is “drankin’”). Think of it as its own style, a rich, warm-sounding set of sincerity with an occasional smirk. The inclusion of the piano is an especially nice touch; it elevates the tracks it’s in without overwhelming the mix. With any luck, fans won’t have to wait quite this long for the next one.

Dodge(r) Ball

A NEW IDENTITY STEPS TO THE PLATE

Goodbye, RedHawks; hello, blue. OKC’s Triple-A baseball franchise had a shake-up over the offseason, changing its MLB affiliation from Houston to Los Angeles … and then altering its team name to match. When the Bricktown Ballpark fills again this spring to begin a new year on the diamond, fans will be root, root, rooting for the OKC Dodgers. (They’ll also have some new mascots to cheer for, since red hawks Cooper and Ruby would have a hard time pretending to be bluebirds. Management is working on new figures, and has said that fans will have input on their names.)

What’s in a franchise name, though? Before they became the L.A. Dodgers, the major league team resided in scrappy, bustling Brooklyn – and the full moniker was originally the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers. Maybe this is a good sign for the development of OKC’s streetcar system.

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UP FRONT | Chatter

Calendar Watch January 1 A whole new world.

January 3 The 114th Congress begins.

January 12 Oklahoma state officials – Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, etc. – are sworn in and go to work.

January 19 America continues to struggle in the search for racial and cultural harmony, but we must never forget the importance of the dream, or stop striving to make it a reality. Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

ON THE PAGE

EXPLORING THE STATE THROUGH CAMERA LENSES

Here in the clutch of winter, when trees are bare and the sky is gray, it can be all too easy to forget our state’s abundant potential for beauty.

Unless, that is, you have a reminder to hand in the form of gloriously colorful coffeetable tome “Oklahoma Unforgettable.” The new collaboration between exceptional photographers Kim Baker and John Jernigan doesn’t have a narrative through-line or even much in the way of reading material – merely captions to provide context and a foreword by Donald W. Reeves of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – but it’s a pleasure to get lost in the vivid depictions of the state’s various allures. The bustle of downtown Oklahoma City to the utter tranquility of Broken Bow Lake, tulips adorning the OU campus in Norman to dirt flying at the Woodward Elks Rodeo (“Tuffest of ’em all”) … if you’re in the mood to explore Oklahoma without leaving the house, happy trails.

>> A new year means a fresh opportunity for recognizing excellence; if someone you know (including you) had a book published in 2014, it could be eligible for an Oklahoma Book Award. Visit odl.state.ok.us/ocb/ for details, and get the entry in by January 9. Good luck!

“Be at War with your Vices, at Peace with your Neighbours, and let every New-Year find you a better Man.” - advice from Benjamin Franklin, “Poor Richard’s Almanac”

GOLDEN DELICIOUS

What do the Rolling Stones, Shea Stadium, the Ford Mustang and Jamil’s Steakhouse have in common? They were all introduced to the public in 1964. The restaurant opened on N. Lincoln in the summer of that long-ago year, giving residents something else to be pleased about besides the cessation of daily sonic booms, and it has remained a family-operated haven for taste over the 50 years since – many happy returns on the golden anniversary.

16 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

RESEARCH ASSISTANCE

It does happen during the summer, but this is to a regular science camp as an electron microscope is to a magnifying glass. The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is accepting applications for this year’s Fleming Scholar Program, in which Oklahoma high school seniors or college freshmen, sophomores and juniors can receive a stipend and free housing while working with sophisticated equipment alongside world-class scientists to amass invaluable research experience. If you know a budding Curie who’s eager to drop some science, get the application in

by February 1; visit omrf.org/fleming for the details.

KELLI FOLSOM

SPRING 2015

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JANUARY 2015 // SLICE

17

UP FRONT | Details

Musical Chairs

By Sara Gae Waters // Photos by Carli Wentworth

FROM DINING ROOM TO BAR TO ACCENT ... CHAIRS CAN BE KIND OF AN OBSESSION FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME. I’ve been known to have dreams about them and to hold on to hand-medowns for years and years. A chair can always be repainted or recovered, stripped or stained, so why would you ever kick one to the curb?

I was recently given a chair that belonged to my grandfather. He wasn’t in the advertising business, but his sense of style would have fit right into the offices of Sterling Cooper. And this chair! I love it and no other “new” chair could take its place.

I guess I’ll have to admit, however much I don’t want to, that “out with the old, in with the new” does have its place. Sometimes you just need a new set of dining room chairs. Maybe you’ve worn yours down, or they are simply out of style. Or perhaps you could just add a couple of accent chairs to the head of your table.

If your desk needs a new look, a fun vintage chair might do just the trick. Or if the idea of “bottoms up” is a little too close to describing your bar stools … they need a replacement.

Whatever the reason, chairs can be an investment. You want good ones. Sturdy and stylish are the keys. So take a seat, put up your feet and check out a few picks for a good chair; I’ve got a little bit of everything here. And if you happen to be sitting in a favorite right now, remember it can stay – it just might need to sit out a round or two.

18 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

This page, l to r: Hicks chair from Sara Kate Studios, OKC: a whimsical chair with traditional elements.

Handmade in India with foil finish. | Stool from Plenty Mercantile, OKC: counter height and reclaimed wood top on hairpin legs. | Casual crossback chair from Mister Robert Fine Furniture & Design, Norman: a weathered antiqued oak finish with an ecru linen seat. // Opposite top, l to r: A country oak ladder back side chair from Mister Robert Fine Furniture & Design: the arched Spencer crest centered toprail above a rush seat and on turned legs joined by stretchers | Thompson chair from Urbane, OKC: in walnut with black leather

Side chair from Mister Robert Fine Furniture & Design: Upholstered in a black fabric, this side chair comes with a hidden treat on the back.

l to r: Carlton sling stool from Sara Kate Studios: An interpretation of a rare French industrial piece – leather straps and seat on a steel frame. | Stool from Plenty Mercantile: made in India of sustainable mango wood | Barstool from Plenty Mercantile: found objects circa 1960.

Garza Marfa saddle leather dining chair from Sara Kate Studios: A fresh take on a traditional dining chair – saddle leather and steel rod base. Handmade in Marfa, Texas, and featured in the New York Times.

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 19

o r t Respective

Screen Scene

By Mark Beutler Photos courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society

BEFORE THE DAYS OF LARGE, MULTIPLEX THEATERS WITH 24 SCREENS AND IMAX, MOVIEGOERS OFTEN HAD THE CHOICE OF ONE THEATER, SHOWING ONLY ONE MOVIE AT A TIME. Oklahoma City’s Continental Theater was state-of-the-art when it opened with much fanfare in 1965. The first film shown was “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” and audiences were thrilled with the new concept in cinema.

Located near Founder’s Tower at 5725 Mosteller Drive, the Continental had 917 seats and one of the largest screens in the city. Eventually it fell victim to bigger, multi-screen theaters and closed in 1983. The once-regal Continental sat vacant for more than 20 years and was finally demolished in 2006.

20 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

STARTING BETTER HABITS IN 2015

BY THE NUMBERS

By Steve Gill

32.5 ~120 116

11.8

4.2 44

percentage of obesity among OK high school students in 2013

calories burned by a 165-lb person running 1 mile

~2,800

calories burned by a 165-lb person running a marathon

4.9

days until the OKC Memorial Marathon (time to start training)

678

40

percentage of obesity among adult Oklahomans in 2013, an all-time high (that’s the bad news)

Oklahoma automotive fatalities in 2013 percentage drop that represents from 2012 (Be careful out there) states that have outlawed texting while driving – that does not include Oklahoma percent of Americans who get less than 7 hours of sleep a night, according to a 2013 Gallup poll

700+ genes that were altered as the result of one week of sleeping less than 6 hours per night in a 2013 study – sleep deprivation increases risk for stroke, obesity, colon and breast cancers, diabetes, heart disease and more, including accidents, memory problems and general illness

3

consecutive years with no moving violations that results in a “clean slate” driving record in Oklahoma

points that percentage dropped since 2011 (that’s some good news)

$22.7 MILLION

state funding for tobacco control programs in fiscal year 2014

23.7

percentage of Oklahoma’s adult population who smoked in 2013 (CDC.gov)

52.2

percentage of OK smokers who reported trying to quit in 2013

168

hours per week counseling and help are available through calling the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (405.271.3619)

12

languages, including TTY services for the deaf and hard of hearing, available to callers

$0

cost to call, enroll and quit smoking JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 21

UP FRONT | Style File

Get in Gear for Winter Workouts

By Lynsey Bradley // Photos by Carli Wentworth THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IS THE PERFECT TIME TO START A NEW HEALTH AND WELLNESS PLAN. Whether you’re a winter workout warrior or your muscles are just waking up from a long winter’s nap, you can look and feel great with fashionable, functional athletic wear.

Your fitness favorites have found the perfect balance of style and functionality – a multitude of beautiful sports bras and tops and gear accompany fitness pants in multiple styles, colors and prints that can work in the office or the gym. The waistband can be folded down, or left up to serve as a control top. If your day is slammed, you don’t have to change your pants before that barre class.

The trainer is one of fashion’s newest statement shoes, and both Nike and Adidas are brands pulling double duty on the treadmill and on the runway. Super cute, sporty vests can be paired with great fleece-lined leggings and work perfectly for brisk morning runs, hikes or your everyday look this winter. If you’re headed outside, a thermal headband, tech running gloves and a fleece-lined neck warmer will help keep you toasty and looking sharp.

Plus, bright colors can give you that energy or motivation to get you out of bed for your morning workout or into the gym before winding down after a long day. Now, get some great fashionable fitness and get running!

Scuba Hoodie, Yogi Racerback Tank, Free to Be Bra, Wunder Under Pant, Mantra Tote, The Hot Towel Mat, Totally Toasty Neck Warmer, from lululemon in Classen Curve, OKC | Adidas Energy Boost2, Actra Ruffled Cardigan from Lady Foot Locker in Penn Square Mall, OKC

22 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Lole Icy 2 Vest, Brooks Nightlife Hoodie, The North Face Winter Warm Tights, Nike Air Zoom Structure 18, Brooks Infiniti Headband, Asics Felicity Glove, all from Red Coyote in Classen Curve, OKC

UP FRONT | Exchange

FOOL ME ONCE...

By Lauren Hammack // Photo by Simon Hurst

Conv A ersat with ion Rob Lake

BEFORE HE PERFORMED FOR SOLD-OUT LIVE AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD and on network television, illusionist Rob Lake was just a pesky 10-year-old with a set of trick cards, on a madcap mission to become a magician. Mesmerized by a magic show he saw as a boy on vacation, Lake considers the experience to be a defining moment in his life.

Happily, the grown-up, angel-faced magician no longer has to saw his sister in half to entertain audiences. Accompanied by a very talented entourage of technical and performing crewmembers, Lake crosses the globe several times each year to entrance fans of all ages. He’s returning for the second season of the CW series “Masters of Illusion,” which resumes this month, beginning Friday, January 9 at 8:30 p.m. CST. During his brief return to Norman over the holidays, Lake refrained from spilling any secrets to his bag of tricks, but our exchange with him was no less magical for it.

Are you a native Oklahoman? Yes, I grew up in Norman.

figure it out so I could re-create it on my own.

When did you know this would be your profession? I saw a magic show when I was on vacation in Branson at age 10, and I knew for sure that this was what I would do for a career. From that point, I drove people crazy with all the tricks I practiced on them. Later, I started doing shows and civic events, birthday parties and all that.

Where do you find a guinea pig to practice a sawing illusion?

My sister, Katelynn, was my first assistant.

When did you start getting really good? I did my first illusion at age 14.

Five – not five and half? Should I be calling you an illusionist, rather than a magician? Illusionist technically falls under the larger umbrella of magic, but people use both terms interchangeably.

Is there a Magician curriculum at OU? No. In fact, I was studying at OU when I decided it was eating me up not to be pursuing this career, so I left college.

How did that proclamation go over with the folks? They weren’t too pleased, as you might imagine. But if it was reckless, staying in school seemed even more reckless to me.

It’s probably fair to say you’ve had quite an education within your profession. It’s been really diverse.

I’ve learned a lot of engineering in creating my illusions. When I wanted to know how a magician sawed a lady in half, I had to reverse engineer the illusion to

Assuming she’s still intact, are you still on speaking terms? Yes! Now I have a crew of about 10-15. I audition dancers in New York City and I have about five who get cut in half these days.

From the perspective of someone who has only thrilled a few reluctant audiences with Marshall Brodien’s TV Magic Kit, this seems like a dream job. Is it? Absolutely.

It’s also exhausting. I travel all around the world and each live show is a massive production that takes about 12 hours to set up, with music, sound effects, lighting, huge props and several rehearsals.

Live shows must have their own set of foibles. That’s right. We rehearse contingencies regularly, in case something goes awry and we have to go to Plan B, C, D, etc.

What would you be doing if this weren’t your job? Luckily, it is my job, because I can’t imagine doing anything else!

You create all your own illusions?

Yes. Can you ever shut off your imagination, or is it always on overtime? No. I can’t shut it off, but I’ve learned to keep a notebook at my bedside because I often find the solution to an illusion during my sleep.

Have you had a mentor in this profession? Yes. A comedy magician named Jim Smithson, from Norman, became my mentor when I was in junior high school and I tell people that he “raised me” in this profession. He passed away a couple of years ago.

What’s the best advice he gave you? Trust yourself. He also told me to forget the magic and just focus on the experience for the audience.

Make it magical! Exactly. I think that’s what makes me so Disney-

obsessed. You get pulled into the experience and you’re not thinking about the work that goes on behind the scenes. It’s the same in the theatre.

Do you credit those things as inspiration for your own creative process? Yes. I think Walt Disney has been the most influential. I also love studying the history of magic and find a lot of inspiration there.

I’ve noticed that your props have a lot of detail the audience will probably never see. Is that a reflection of your appreciation of historical accuracy? It’s important to me to create an experience where the audience is totally immersed, right down to some very minute details.

Have your parents cooled off about the college thing? Yes. They travel to a lot of my shows around the world.

When will you do your own disappearing act and retire? I’ll know it’s time to quit when the fun ends.

See Rob Lake’s tour schedule at roblake.com.

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 23

UP FRONT | Wanderlust

77 Counties: Kay County

Travelers’ Totem: The Topsy-Turvy Truck

By M.J. Alexander IF THERE WAS A ROADSIDE AMERICANA HALL OF FAME, THE VERTICAL VEHICLE WOULD HOLD A PLACE OF HONOR. The most famous entry would be Cadillac Ranch, the row of 10 Caddies planted grills down, fins up in a field west of Amarillo. The most elaborate inductee might be Carhenge, the circle of upended cars painted a somber gray in a Nebraskan tribute to the ancient monument of Stonehenge. And the tallest entry would be from Oklahoma: the topsy-turvy truck of Tonkawa, a travelers’ totem on the Great Plains.

The nose-down semi is off I-35, the state’s main north-south artery, which slices dead through the center of Oklahoma on its 1,568-mile run from Lake Superior south to the Rio Grande.

On an average day, 17,500 vehicles pass the site off Exit 211, south of Tonkawa. More than 6 million each year. Hundreds of thousands of them are long-haul truckers.

Clint Wilkins used to be one of them. In 1987, after nearly 25 years on the road, he and his son set up a truck parts and repair shop off the interstate. To promote the venture, they bought space on billboards, facing north and south. Cost: $22,000 a year.

But before long, they had a better idea. Why not make their own sign? Wilkins has worked by the motto: “You got to be different. That’s what Elvis Presley said.”

So he took an eight-ton ’72 Kenworth and rented a crane to dangle it upside down. He anchored the truck’s hood in 11 feet of concrete, running three 20-inch pipes, each 40 feet long, up through the cab and the length of the rig. The

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pipes were welded to a 2-inch plate, which was bolted to the concrete bed set deep into the Oklahoma clay.

The lettering on the side, once a bright red, declares: GOT PROBLEMS? OKLAHOMA TRUCK SUPPLY. The top of the trailer reads WE FIX TRUCKS. Total cost for the materials and installation: $8,000.

“We didn’t know if it’d last the first storm,” said his son, Brett Wilkins.

Twenty-eight years later, it’s still standing.

The five-story-tall rig – which has now spent far more time in the ground than it did on the road – stands solid in the open field north of the shop. For 10,000 dawns, the truck has served as a giant sundial, its shadow extending long across the lanes of traffic to the west, contracting as the sun climbs, and then reaching to the eastern horizon as the sun sets. Its fading lettering takes care of business, posing its existential question to travelers speeding across the prairie.

A tornado has come within a mile of the site, which has been battered by straight-line winds that crumpled road signs on the interstate.

“Two or three years ago, there were winds over 100 miles per hour. They blew in the doors of the shop, peeled back the eaves from the roof, sandblasted vehicles in the parking,” Brett said.

In the end, the truck was still standing, undamaged, trailer end jutted 50 feet into the sky. And there it remains.

TEXTBOOKS CITE TONKAWA INSTALLATION

In the modern storm of self-promoting retweets and hashtags and inflatable apes, the GOT PROBLEMS? truck enjoys its own kind of viral popularity with postcards, photo ops and salutes from the experts. The Wilkinses and their installation are featured on page 345 of the 700-page college textbook Effective Small Business Management, and on page 440 of the even-longer classroom textbook Basic Marketing: A Marketing Strategy Planning Approach. The New York-based Inc. magazine featured the idea as one of its top buzz-worthy examples of small-business savvy.

The business has grown into a truckers’ toy store, hosting an annual Busted Knuckle Truck Show in September and offering chrome accessories, diesel maintenance and repair, a tow truck and expert advice. “It’s the best marketing we could’ve done,” Brett Wilkins said. “Even when we’re out of state, when people ask where our shop is, we say we’re in Oklahoma on 35, the place with the truck, and they say, ‘I know where you’re at!’”

Editor’s Note: This installment is part of author M.J. Alexander’s “77 Counties” series, chronicling her travels across Oklahoma. The full series is available at sliceok.com/travel/

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UP FRONT | Mingling

Russell Westbrook, Tara Nouri

Tonya and Travis Ratcliff

Jeanetta and Everett Dobson

Jane Helms

A NIGHT IN BLACK & WHITE Photos by Terrell Fry

Peppers Ranch hosts this cheery benefit in Gaillardia, but it’s the children in their foster care community who will benefit from patrons’ generosity.

Randy and Tracey Lewis

Bethanie Head, Stephanie Humes, Ernesto and Lin Sanchez

Jane Thompson, Janet Hudson, Cindi Shelby

LYRIC’S BROADWAY BALL Photos by Justin Avera

For One Night Only, Lyric Theatre brings the Motown sound of “Dreamgirls” to its annual fundraiser at the Skirvin Hilton.

David Leader, Scott Davis

Amanda Bleakley, Aimee Harlow, Gena Timberman 26 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Jessika Davis, Kaitlyn Nelson, Jennifer Teel

Want more photos? Sign up for our Snapshot! newsletter at sliceok.com/newsletters.

Wade Christensen and Mary Fallin, Christina Fallin

Teresa and Jason Ledlow

Brenna and Ross See Adam Hall, Killi Stump, Edith and Michael Laird

Wes and Mary Margaret Knight, Celise and Steven Curry

ALLIED ARTS OPUS Photos by Justin Avera

Lavish luxury is the byword as the arts support organization hosts its Hotel ZaZa-inspired biennial gala at the OKC Golf & Country Club.

Sandy and Art Cotton Louisa Liedtke, Claire Robinson Greg and Maressa Treat, Karma and Brett Robinson Hannah and Eric Granata

Jennifer Lair, Kaylee Clark

ART ON TAP Photos by Claude Long

Guests happily partake of a museum tour, tasty treats and shining examples of the art of brewing in the OKC Museum of Art’s beersampling fete.

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 27

HEALTHINNOVATIONS

FITNESS FOR LIFE

Personal Training, Powerful Results

FEEL BETTER. LOOK BETTER. LIVE BETTER. A New You for a New Year

Top row: J. Arden Blough, M.D., Todd F. Farris, D.C., Andrew Broselow, M.D., OBGYN Middle row: Ron D. Brown, Jr., D.C., Pamela Gore, D.C., Allyson Heffington, PA-C Bottom row: Kory Reed, PA-C, MHS, Anna Cottle, NP, Bethany Cook, APRN

L

ots of people resolve to get in better shape in the new year; but if you want to do it right, to enjoy working out and be confident in the way you look and feel, think about private personal training at BA Fitness in Norman.

They offer personalized programs, nutritional guidance, cardio plans and more. You can work out one-onone with a private trainer or in small groups, but you’ll never get lost in the shuffle of a huge class or overlooked by a too-busy staff. The focus at BA Fitness is completely on you.

Does it work? BA Fitness performs more than 8,000 training sessions a year, from youth fitness to senior citizen programs, athletes to beginners … and results are guaranteed.

Fresh approaches and medical advances make the process more effective, too – ask about metabolic testing, a way of individually checking how many calories a specific person’s system burns so they can tailor their personal workouts and diets according to your goals.

Owner Brian Andrews is a Certified Personal Trainer by the distinguished National Strength and Conditioning Association, and has personally conducted more than 30,000 training sessions on his way to assembling a crew of exceptionally qualified trainers and building this facility into the best of the best. No intimidation, no condemnation, just support, expertise – and the body you want.

480 24th Avenue NW, Suite 114 Norman, OK 73069 405.360.0001 | bafitnessnorman.com

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M

ore spring in your step, more energy in your day, a healthier and better-looking appearance. The Broadway Clinic is here to help you improve your life.

For almost forty years, our nationally recognized weight loss and wellness program has helped thousands of people just like you lose weight and feel great.

PHYSICIAN SUPERVISED WEIGHT LOSS The Broadway Clinic’s weight loss programs are based on scientifically proven solutions, and patients’ care is supervised by trained medical professionals, allowing them to lose weight and keep it off permanently. Results may vary, but participants can lose up to 25 pounds per month with a range of customized weight loss protocols.

BHRT (Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy) People over 35-40 begin to lose sleep, strength, stamina and libido, and complain of increasing fatigue. Many times this is the result of diminishing hormones. The Broadway Clinic can easily check your hormone levels and provide help from a team of medical professionals who are experts in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Choose the safest and most natural way to restore your hormone levels. Avoid synthetic hormones which have been shown to be potentially harmful.

Call 405.528.1936 or visit broadwayclinic.com today for your health’s sake!

1801 N. Broadway Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73103 405.528.1936 | broadwayclinic.com

PROFESSIONAL SMILES Expert Dentistry for the Community

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201 Robert S. Kerr Avenue, Suite 521 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 405.235.7288 | okcdrhansteindds.com

The Place for Visionary Looks

Phil Clayton

Mark T. Hanstein, DDS

ark T. Hanstein, D.D.S. is right where he wants to be. He’s a Putnam City Pirate who’s still active on the school’s alumni board, was a city councilman for Warr Acres and once received the key to the city – and for 29 years he’s been creating beautiful smiles in the heart of Oklahoma City.

Dr. Hanstein’s credentials – past president of Oklahoma County Dental Society, governmental affairs chair for the Oklahoma Dental Association, recipient of that organization’s Richard T. Oliver Legislative Award for leadership – are matched by his commitment to community service, including providing free dental work for Oklahoma’s uninsured as part of the annual Mission of Mercy. And after three decades, he’s still passionate about his work: “I love the atmosphere downtown, and I’ve got just great patients.”

Those patients receive the combined benefits of his great expertise and continually updated techniques and practices, from laser dentistry to perform oral surgery or treat gum disease, to digital radiography that allows the ability to diagnose potential problems earlier than ever, to AutoCAD equipment that digitally scans a tooth and in about an hour creates a pinpoint-precise crown that fits perfectly into the dental framework. Dr. Hanstein’s practice can even go beyond the mouth to offer cosmetic facial procedures like Botox and Juvederm fillers.

Skill, expertise, advanced technology and commitment to community – Dr. Hanstein makes downtown a great place for dentistry.

Mark T. Hanstein, D.D.S.

EYES ON THE FUTURE

F

ashions change quickly, and so does medical care. When it comes to your eyes, you can stay at the leading edge of both by staying in touch with TSO Optical.

TSO selects frames from the world’s finest and funkiest eyewear designers, giving customers a constantly updated rainbow of bold, expressive, colorfully unique styles to try. At the same time, they embrace technological and medical innovations for advanced eye care.

Eye M.D.s are on staff for convenient care, examinations and the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases. TSO specializes in multifocal or bifocal contact lenses. An on-site lab cuts the production time for glasses purchased in half: one-hour service or better is often available with many single-vision prescriptions.

In fact, that lab even allows TSO to cast digital progressive lenses, technologically advanced products that can correct vision for multiple distances without the lines of bifocals or trifocals and are computercustomized for your individual eyes – the extremely versatile lenses have a high index of refraction and an anti-reflective coating, provide 100 percent UV protection, are available in Transitions material and can even be mirrored. TSO is the only facility in the metro that makes them in-house, saving shipping costs and reducing turnaround time from up to two weeks to about one day.

Want to see what’s new? Look at TSO. 3840 South Boulevard Edmond, OK 73013 405.341.6941 | tsooptical.com

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 29

BEEN THERE. DONE THAT.

NOW WHAT? W

hat do you want to be when you grow up?

Most of us remember that inevitable question adults asked when we were young. But the answers we gave then often don’t resonate with us later in life. When I was a kid, my usual response was “I want to be a disc jockey.” The thought of sitting in a room all day playing your favorite records seemed like a reasonable way to make a living.

So at 18, I traipsed off to college armed with my favorite records and set out to make that dream a reality. And I did. But wanting to be a disc jockey at age 18 may not hold the same excitement at age 45 or 50. So what do you do? Plug along until retirement or take a long, hard look at your life and make some big changes? As for me, I opted for the latter.

Big change may not always be easy, but it is worth it. Here’s a look at a few individuals who chucked it all and set out to reinvent themselves.

PR PROMOTER TO SOLO SOCIAL SPECIALIST

A few short years ago, Leslie Spears was the director of communica-

tions for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. It was a job she loved, but one that happened quite by accident.

“When I was young I wanted to be a dancer in MTV videos.

Seriously. It was the ‘80s,” she says with a laugh. “That didn’t quite work out, so one of my first jobs was as a bank teller. But I got fired because I couldn’t balance my drawer.

“Then I landed a job as a receptionist at a printing company. I was the best receptionist ever,” Leslie says. “That job led me to an ad agency, which in turn led me to radio. I worked as a radio promotions 30 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

By Mark Beutler // Photos by Quit Nguyen

manager where I coordinated a bus trip to Graceland for Elvis Tribute Week. I promoted classic rock birthday bashes at the Zoo Amphitheatre and so much more.

I loved and sometimes hated radio, but mostly loved it.

And radio is what catapulted me into public relations.”

After being laid off three times in the radio industry, Leslie was hired for her first gig as communications manager for a local engineering and architecture firm.

“They needed a loudmouth like me to promote them,” she says, “and they also helped me tone down my lack of professionalism. But I have always kept that crazy radio girl inside of me, and I’m proud of her.”

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber followed, where she was publications manager. At the same time she was doing volunteer work for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. “I lent my expertise on promotion and public relations to the museum and helped get them out of the red,” Leslie says. “They hired me, and I helped open the new building in 2002, and was there for 12 years. But one day I was in a meeting and I just found it to be pointless and a waste of everyone’s time. I started crying and stood up and said ‘I hate my job! I want out.’

“The meeting came to a standstill for about a minute, then they went right back to business. I got a pat on my shoulder, but

“

I have never been one to sit down and plan much. I just do it and learn from ups and downs.

”

LESLIE SPEARS

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“

The goal was to do something I hadn’t done yet, something new.

”

MATT COWDEN

I knew I needed to get out or I was going to drive my co-workers crazy,” she said.

Like many of her earlier professional incarnations, one thing led to another and she started her own business.

“There seemed to be a big shift to freelance in how corporate America was treating employees and I was upset by that,” Leslie says. “I was so taken with social media. People started offering me gigs here and there, and a friend suggested I start out on my own. I have never been one to sit down and plan much. I just do it and learn from ups and downs.”

And so Leslie’s OKC was born, where Leslie describes her position as a digital media specialist, including social media, web content and e-newsletters – with personality.

“I got about three anchor clients, including the Museum, which was a perfect solution for departing a job that I so loved. I continued to build clients, and today I am very happy. Sometimes I get scared and think ‘what have I done?’” Leslie adds. “But then I have more good days and tons of people cheering me on. So I know what I did was right.”

FAR-FLUNG HOTELS TO HOMETOWN PHARMACY

For more than 20 years Matt Cowden was a bigwig in the hospital-

ity industry. A few years ago while serving as general manager of Oklahoma City’s downtown Sheraton Hotel, he decided it was time for a change.

Early on, Matt says he wanted to go into journalism and was focused on that as far back as junior high school.

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“I had planned on going into the communications field, but it was during a side job I had in college that my career kind of took a left turn. I opened the Oklahoma City Marriott on Northwest Expressway back in 1985, and was enamored with the hospitality industry,” Matt says. “Next thing I know, I am assigned to the New Orleans Marriott as an entry-level manager where I spent two years learning the ropes. That was the start of my hotel career, which would take me to Dallas, El Paso, Memphis, Houston and ultimately back to Oklahoma City.”

About halfway through his 40s, Matt says he came to realize what is important in life.

“I had already done so much, and it was certainly an exciting career,” he says. “I met the President. We were the headquarter hotel

“what I am passionate about.”

Now it’s my time. I get to do LYNN MALLETT

for the NBA finals. I worked on a film with a major movie studio.

But it all pales in comparison to being home, connecting with family and old friends and having my kids experience what I experienced growing up in this great state.

“I had been at the Sheraton about five years when I began taking a look at my life and my career,” he adds. “Up to that point I had reached all my goals and had been blessed to work in many different disciplines of the hotel world. So I began talking things over with my wife and knew it was time for a change.”

A mid-life career shift was just what he needed, he says, and apprehension or nerves never really came into play.

“I was excited about my next move,” Matt says. “The allure of a challenge and exercising my vertical learning curve were the main incentives. Make no mistake; it was a decision I did not take lightly. The goal was to do something I hadn’t done yet, something new. What could I contribute to a company or organization in the latter part of my career, yet still grow myself? It was quite a mission!”

Fast-forward two years and Matt is now settled in a new career.

Together with his wife, he manages a retail pharmacy in his hometown of Guthrie.

“My commute is around five minutes, and I am blessed to work with a family of owners who have a vision to grow their existing business model to other markets. My goal is to contribute to that mission using the skills and infrastructure I’ve learned throughout my career.

“It’s just amazing that we each possess attributes that can transition and contribute to other fields,” Matt says. “The key is you just have to find out what it is.”

INSTRUCTING YOUTH TO EXPRESSING THE SOUL

As a kid, Lynn Mallett says she hated school. In fact, she used to hop on

an oversized tricycle at recess and ride off to her grandmother’s house.

“I hated school so much, I told my parents I wanted to be a maid,” Lynn says with a laugh. “I remember asking my mom if I would have to go to school for that. She said she didn’t think so; that’s when I decided my goal was to be a maid in the White House. I had high aspirations.”

Ironically, in spite of her disdain for school, she chose teaching as her profession. It was only a few years ago she decided to get back to her roots and follow her true calling.

“When I was a kid, if we were going on a trip, my sister would always take toys along to play with. Me, I always took drawing pads. I loved art, and it came naturally,” Lynn said. “I went to college but dropped out after a couple of years. I was taking art classes, and as much as I love art, it was never any fun having to finish a project on someone else’s schedule.

“So I regrouped and thought about how I could make a living. I went back to college and believe it or not, I chose to teach elementary school. I ended up teaching in Oklahoma City Public Schools for 26 years. Some of the schools I worked in were made up of lowJANUARY 2015 // SLICE 33

“

I believe anyone thinking about changing careers should first think about what will make them happy and what talents or skills they have that will transition well.

�

MARK MYERS

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income children who lived in poverty. It was such a thrill to watch those kids with so many challenges learn basic things like their primary colors or learn how to read.”

Health issues prompted Lynn to take an early retirement, but she knew she wanted to stay active. It was a chance encounter with a friend that helped put her on the road to her new career.

“My friend Robert [Painter] was opening the new Iguana restaurant, and he asked if I would do some paintings for him,” Lynn remembers. “I got busy and never looked back. From that day on, I never missed teaching. In fact, I sort of felt I should have followed my passion years earlier.”

Today, Lynn has an active life. She has paintings for sale at Iguana, the Deep Fork Grill and Guthrie’s Blue Belle Saloon. She also does paintings by commission and loves every minute of her work.

“Sometimes I will paint until 2 a.m. and not even be aware of the time,” Lynn says. “I really did love teaching, and knowing I made a difference. But now it’s my time. I get to do what I am passionate about.”

NEWS REPORTER TO THE FACE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

Some folks still recognize Mark Myers as the “news dude” from his days as a television

reporter for KOCO Channel 5. During a decade under the bright lights, he realized the glitz of TV really isn’t all that glamorous. In fact, a reporter’s life isn’t what he originally envisioned at all.

“At age 18 my dream job was to become a physical therapist,” Mark says. “In high school I suffered a torn knee ligament playing football, and as part of rehab I was just so impressed with my physical therapy team. The ability to see someone come in physically broken, and help them progress back to 100 percent healthy, I felt was an amazing career.”

Mark spent much of the ’90s at Channel 5. It was during the last few years there that he began thinking of switching gears.

“News just wasn’t ‘news’ anymore,” Mark says. “The platform had started moving toward what I call ‘info-tainment’ and a bit of ‘fear-casting.’ I understand the whole ratings thing, but how many vacant house fire reports, and running around doing live shots scaring viewers because it’s raining outside can you do before reporting on them isn’t fun anymore?

I think a lot of news folk burn out after a while.”

His years as a reporter had helped him make some good contacts, so Mark says the transition to a new career was virtually seamless.

“I had been a crime reporter, and Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel had been looking to bring in a civilian to lead his public information office, and some people had recommended me,” Mark says. “I believe anyone thinking about changing careers should first think about what will make them happy and what talents or skills they have that will transition well.”

Embarking on a new venture was a life-altering decision, but Mark says he had no fear whatsoever.

“My new job made me feel rejuvenated by the opportunity to represent a law enforcement agency full of people who do incredible, heroic acts, and I get to tell their stories.

I felt like the foundation for my new career could be based on the things I loved about being a news reporter.

“I just seized the opportunity and ran with it,” Mark says. “The pay is better, and I actually have holidays off now. The only regret I have is that I didn’t make the move sooner.”

WHAT NOW? WHAT NEXT? WHERE TO? The recurring theme from Leslie, Matt, Mark and Lynn is “I followed my passion.”

So where do you start? A lot of mid-lifers ask that question, and the answer from the experts is almost always the same: trust your gut instinct.

A simple internet search reveals hundreds of pages on tips and guidelines for those thinking of making a change.

“Each individual is different,” says David Ferguson, president of Oklahoma City’s Career Executive Options. “When someone is unhappy with his or her job, then it is time to make a change. And I recommend doing it before it starts affecting your health.

“When the people you train start to move up and around you, then you know it is time to find another company,” he says. “You are on the wrong corporate ladder.

“If you think ‘I am too old for sales,’ then become the purchasing agent and purchase the products you have been selling. Just move to the other side of the desk.”

Also look at the particular skill sets associated with a job, not necessarily the title.

Starting over later in life may cause a few butterflies, but those who have done it say it is definitely worth it. Certainly an income is needed, but so is peace of mind.

January is here, and the dawn of a new year is upon us. Today may just be the perfect time to make a fresh start and decide what you want to be now that you’re all grown up.

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LOOK BACK CHECKING IN ON SOME POWERHOUSE PROJECTS FUELING CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S DRIVE TO IMPROVE

By Kristi Eaton // Photos by Simon Hurst

36 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

LOOK FORWARD The Oklahoma City metro area is in the midst of a development boom. New, exciting projects are popping up all over and helping create a diverse, thriving metropolis. But keeping the state's legacy alive is also important, as evidenced by the many projects growing from efforts to revitalize the city's historical aspects. Here are some of the area's most noteworthy past and future developments over the past few years, as well as a look at some that haven't quite made it to the finish line.

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DONE DEALS

The Myriad Gardens Blossom Anew The beauties of nature have been on display downtown for decades ‌ but the design that gave the Myriad Botanical Gardens a feeling of insulation from the bustle of the city center also made it easily overlooked and needlessly difficult to enter. In 2010, the sprawling botanical gardens and urban park underwent a multimillion dollar renovation project (with a financial boost from Devon Energy) that helped make the area more accessible and user-friendly. Water features, a band shell, two restaurant spaces and a more open, inviting design have increased its presence and made it a more vibrant element in the redeveloping downtown, without losing a bit of its beauty. The gardens’ iconic Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory also saw refurbishment including improvements to its more than 3,000 acrylic panels.

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Devon’s Towering Achievement

Organic Growth for the Food Market

Like many of the metro area's most successful development projects, the arrival of Whole Foods had been rumored for years. The natural and organic foods supermarket officially made the announcement in 2010 that it would open a 35,000-square-foot store along N. Western between North Classen and N.W. 63rd to anchor the next phase of development at the upscale Classen Curve shopping center. One year later, the doors opened for customers to buy locally grown and organic products – and it's still packed most of the time.

Rising 50 stories into the air, the Devon Tower has changed the skyline for Oklahoma City. In a landscape that includes many buildings of similar heights and looks, the Devon Tower stands out for its sheer size – and proudly holds the record as the tallest building now in Oklahoma.

Construction started in 2009 and moved at a dizzying pace: a new floor was added about every eight days. That speed enabled Devon Energy to move its more than 2,000 employees into the tower a mere three years after construction started. Today the ground floor is open to visitors; stop in for a tour.

Improvement Is a Two-Way Street

In an effort to boost safety, improve traffic flow and provide easier access to downtown businesses, five downtown streets were rerouted from one-way to twoway beginning in 2008. Four additional one-ways were converted in 2010 as a part of Project 180.

Public Works Director Dennis Clowers said at the start of the rerouting that Oklahoma City was one of hundreds of cities across the country making the switch in downtown areas. “Revitalization is the biggest reason for the trend,” Clowers said. “This conversion will benefit motorists, pedestrians, businesses and visitors.”

Norman’s Art and Community Power

This community arts initiative kicked off in the spring of 2013 to help showcase the arts and artists in Norman and demonstrate art's positive role in the community.

In April of the following year, StART Norman transformed a block of Main Street for 48 hours through changes in traffic and pedestrian patterns and the inclusion of popup retail locations, additional cafes and live music and art. A site-specific art exhibition turned a vacant lumberyard into an exhibition that highlighted local history and new beginnings, and Norman arts organizations were showcased. The money for the initiative came from an increase in the city's transient guest room tax.

“StART Norman was itself a one-time project,” says Erinn Gavaghan, executive director of the Norman Arts Council. “But our hope is that we have inspired discussion, creativity and desire to create a more livable, inviting community in our Downtown Arts District. We would love for another group to try similar, grassroots-type projects that continue the development and desirability of Norman.”

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 39

Gloom to Boom in the Plaza District Today a hub of funky stores, popular restaurants and bars and quirky sites, the area now known as the Plaza District has come a long way in its 100-year history. The stretch of N.W. 16th Street between Blackwelder and Indiana Avenues first became a commercial section in the 1920s due to its proximity to the end of a trolley line. The Plaza Theatre was added in the 1930s, giving the area its new name. But a few decades later, the neighborhood quickly faded and became less viable for commercial ventures due to rising crime rates.

Since 1997, the nonprofit Plaza District Association has been working on revitalization, cleaning up the rundown areas, luring new businesses and hosting events including a monthly art walk and an annual festival that draws large, festive crowds.

“What was once an abandoned and underutilized block of buildings is now a thriving area full of local shops and restaurants,” says David Pettyjohn, executive director of Preservation Oklahoma. “It attracts locals and visitors alike. The area maintains its historic character, which is one of the reasons for its success.”

Automobile Alley’s Historic Drive The heart of Automobile Alley, Broadway Avenue, has been around as long as the city has. But over the last 125 years, the area has transformed; from homes where some of the city's earliest pioneers lived to car dealerships, hotels and apartment buildings by the 1910s and ‘20s. Fifty years later the area fell into a period of decline. But all that changed in the ‘90s, when a series of new business ventures led by locally minded individuals changed the landscape, turning Automobile Alley – which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places – into one of the city's most recognizable districts for dining, shopping and entertainment while still keeping its historic facade intact. Shop Hop is held the third Thursday of every month, giving visitors extra time at night to shop, experience live music and events and mingle with fellow residents.

The Thunder Takes OKC By Storm The Thunder is so ingrained in our mental landscape that it's sometimes difficult to remember what it was like before the team came to Oklahoma City. Football-loving Oklahoma transformed into a basketballobsessed state that takes immense pride in the likes of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka.

Downtown Oklahoma City is energized each night there's a home game, as fans headed to the arena show their team spirit and excitement. And the team's move from Seattle to our state capital, controversial as it may have been, has come with additional developments and projects – think improvements to Chesapeake Energy Arena and the opening of Durant's southernstyle restaurant KD's in Bricktown.

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A Soaring Symbol to Greet Visitors Resembling the scissor-tailed flycatcher, our of ficial state bird, the SkyDance Bridge is one of the area's most noticeable attractions to newcomers. The $5.8 million pedestrian bridge, which spans 380 feet in length and reaches heights of 197 feet, evokes pride in Oklahomans traveling Interstate 40 and leaves a lasting, positive impression to visitors traveling through the area, Mayor Mick Cornett says. LED lighting that can be adjusted to fit dif ferent holidays and events adds to the bridge's notoriety.

OCU Law School Goes Uptown via downtown Oklahoma City University purchased the former Central High School building at 800 N. Harvey Avenue in December 2012 with plans to move the law school downtown.

The gothic façade and limestone bricks have the proper look and feel for the part, and the location is ideal for students to be in the heart of the city's action. Moving the law school downtown not only gives students an extraordinary learning environment, it gives the metro center a 500-plus person economic boost.

This historic building was once a beloved high school that provided an educational foundation for thousands of future leaders in government, arts, sciences, sports and more; today the magnificent structure is again a place of learning. It is the ideal building and location for the growing and contemporary needs of a dynamic law school. As of this month, Oklahoma City University School of Law is home.

SIZZLE TO FIZZLE

Though Oklahoma City has seen major growth and development over the past several years, there have also been some projects that have yet to pan out. Here's an update on where some of those stand.

Coming Attraction (Hopefully)

First opened in July 1937, the 30,000-square-foot Tower Theatre holds the distinction of hosting the longest-running movie in the state's history with the 82-week run of “The Sound of Music” in 1965. It has also hosted performances by blues guitarist Bo Diddley and comedian Tommy Chong during its time as a live entertainment venue. But the theater, despite its spectacularly renovated marquee out front, has been closed for several years, and its reopening has remained elusive even as the Uptown 23rd District is in the midst of a revitalization.

But there is hope. Local businessmen Marty and Mike Dillon, who bought the theater in 2006 and helped oversee repair and improvement efforts, announced that they have sold the property to a trio of developers who are expected to start construction on the theater in early 2015.

A Cultural Collaboration Derailed?

The unfinished American Indian Cultural Center and Museum sits near the intersections of Interstates 35 and 40, prompting many travelers to wonder about the hulking, oversized mound and white circular structure. The multi-million dollar museum was proposed years ago to honor Oklahoma's unique Native American history and draw tourists interested in learning about the state's 39 tribes in one central location. But years of legislative wrangling over funding has left the project unfinished – and costing more money the longer it sits empty.

More than $90 million has already been invested into the $170 million project, leaving $80 million necessary for its completion. If museum officials raised $40 million in private funding, Gov. Mary Fallin promised a matching $40 million investment to complete the project. But Republican lawmakers have repeatedly balked at providing the funding, most recently during the 2014 legislative term. So the sprawling campus featuring a symbolic promontory mound continues to sit idle, and museum officials remain unsure of when – or if – it will be completed.

MIXED EMOTIONS

Stage Center is gone.

The demise of this modernist building also known as Mummers Theatre had been years in the making. Built by John Johansen, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Brutalist-style structure's avantgarde design was said to be based on an electrical circuit system. The completion of the building capped a decade-long effort to establish a professional theater company in Oklahoma, according to David Pettyjohn, executive director of the nonprofit group Preservation Oklahoma, which had included the structure on its list of endangered historic buildings.

The destruction of the building had been discussed for some time following flooding and the high costs of maintaining it. Supporters, however, fought to keep the historically significant building around, arguing that the Downtown Design Review Committee had violated city ordinances requiring that historic preservation efforts be thoroughly vetted before demolition. But it didn't work, and razing was completed in fall 2014 to make way for the new OGE Energy Corporation headquarters.

“Stage Center was a downtown landmark with international architectural significance that played an important role in the cultural history of Oklahoma City,” Pettyjohn says. “Of course we are disappointed that the structure has been demolished, but we are gratified to have played a role in raising awareness of the importance of this iconic structure, and the guidelines that were put in place to protect it.”

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 41

UP AND COMING

Adrenaline junkies, get ready. From a whitewater rafting and kayaking center to a famous 90-foot-tall Ferris wheel, some of the area's newest projects and developments will test the stamina, bravery and nerves of residents and visitors alike. Here are some of our favorite in-the-works projects.

BIG WHEEL KEEP ON TURNIN’

Ride the Waves in the Middle of Oklahoma A new $45.2 million state-of-the-art whitewater rafting and kayaking center is planned to open in spring 2016 in the Boathouse District in Oklahoma City. The Riversport Rapids facility will be geared toward both families looking for a unique way to spend time together and hardcore athletes looking for their next training ground. Group rafting, whitewater kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding are just some of the activities that are expected to be offered.

Big Dreams for a Downtown Park

The Core-to-Shore project is a plan to redevelop 750 acres of land between downtown Oklahoma City and the banks of the Oklahoma River with a park, pedestrian-friendly boulevard, business development and convention center and hotel. Mayor Mick Cornett proposed a seven-year, nine-month, one-cent sales tax to help fund the plans; in 2009, voters passed the sales tax measure, known as MAPS 3, to support the 40-acre park, a new convention center to attract more conferences and conventions and a transit system in the city's downtown area.

42 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Humphreys, the son of former Oklahoma City mayor Kirk Humphreys, did what many Americans have done at one point in their lives: he bought an item on eBay. Only Humphreys’ item wasn't a toaster, book or vacuum. It was an amusement park ride, and a famous one at that.

Once the Pacific Wheel at the famed Santa Monica Pier, the attraction has been featured in a bunch of movies and TV shows, including “Iron Man.” The 90-foottall Ferris wheel is currently undergoing refurbishing and upgrades in Wichita, and will feature more than 160,000 energyefficient LED lights that will be illuminated depending on the season. Humphreys purchased the noteworthy ride for $132,400.

With 20 gondolas holding a maximum of six adults each, the Ferris wheel will be able to accommodate up to 800 riders per hour when placed in its new home on the south bank of the Oklahoma River sometime in 2015.

SANTA MONICA PIER FERRIS WHEEL PHOTO BY DAVID MCNEW

Back in 2008, Grant

Wedding RESOURCE GUIDE

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 43

You provide the prince, we provide the castle.

GAILLARDIA COUNTRY CLUB Your wedding day is truly one of the most important days of your life and you want it to be absolutely perfect and beautiful.

Gaillardia Country Club has been helping brides create fabulous memories for over 10 years with Oklahoma City’s most elegant wedding and reception facility. The Gaillardia wedding experience is unmatched in this area and the price might be more affordable than you have imagined.

The Grand Ballroom measures approximately 3700 square feet and has a capacity of 300 people for a seated meal. If your guest list is more than 300, a buffet style reception is also an option.

Let Gaillardia handle the details, while you enjoy the moments.

The Formal Lawn is the picture perfect setting for a gorgeous and serene ceremony, overlooking a pond and fountain. The Ladies Locker Room is a hidden gem, and an excellent space for the bridal party to primp for the big day. The impressive landscaped grounds are a favorite for photographs and special moments.

With an extensive menu of delicious options, the Gaillardia Culinary team is able to provide a memorable experience for your guests. The executive chef is more than happy to customize packages and create fun and fresh flavors especially for your event.

The unparalleled elegance of Gaillardia will whisk your guests away to a dazzling setting for the most special day you can imagine.

HIGHLIGHTS Beautiful venue for over 300 guests, with a variety of tables and chair options, including Mahogany Chiavari chairs and full length linens Large and stately bridal lounge for bride and bridesmaids to get ready in with plenty of natural light Exceptional outdoor space for ceremony with stone gazebo, white garden chairs, and sound system Creative culinary team can cater to all your food and beverage needs.

For more information or to schedule a tour please contact our events team!

405.302.2875 avolkman@gaillardia.com

WEDDING RESOURCE GUIDE

Joined in

Beauty and

W

Bliss

Photos by Kevin Paul Photography

hether it’s a lavish fete involving a gargantuan guest list, a fleet of limos and a tuxedo-clad string section, or a small-scale barefoot beach affair with the roaring surf for musical accompaniment, a successful wedding should be a celebration – the key ingredients are happiness and anticipation about starting a new chapter of your lives together.

The ceremony and reception(s) are the couple’s opportunity to express that joy and share it with their friends and loved ones – as these two nuptials show, the location can be inside or out, rustic or regal. As long as the details are correct and the soulmates are in sync, beautiful memories are bound to follow.

46 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Laci Jackson & Michael Ravina Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City DETAILS Gown custom-made by Claire Kennedy with Claire Kennedy Designs Attendants Bridesmaids by Watters, flower girls by David’s Bridal Florist Trochta’s Cake(s) Madison’s on Main Planner Camden Chitwood from Emerson Events & Design When asked what prompted the choice of this venue, Laci replied, “We have always loved the architecture of the museum and that it is located in the heart of OKC, where we call home. Many of our guests traveled from the east and west coasts, so we loved having everything in one location as it allowed us to spend more time with our guests by not having to rush from one place to another. The garden was a perfect setting for our ceremony; we both wanted to marry outdoors. We held a cocktail hour after the ceremony in the gardens and then moved upstairs to the great hall for a seated dinner [catered by Good Egg Dining Group] and dancing.”

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 47

WEDDING RESOURCE GUIDE

Southwind Hills, Goldsby DETAILS Gown by Jim Hjelm, purchased at Meg Guess Couture Florist Southwind Hills Cake(s) Madison’s on Main Planner Kristiana herself, with assistance from Southwind Hills “My husband and I instantly fell in love with the rustic wedding venue once we walked in the door,” said Kristiana about Southwind Hills. “It’s not only stunning, but they provided all of the details: food and drinks, flowers, decorations, the rehearsal dinner … [they even] went above and beyond to even allow us to have a helicopter land on their property and take us away at the end of our perfect night! There was not one stressful step in planning our wedding.”

48 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 49

WEDDING RESOURCE GUIDE

WEDDING. PARTY. make your day historic

SKIRVIN •

•

CEREMONIES

•

WEDDINGS

S K I R V I N H I LT O N . C O M

RECEPTIONS

•

•

WEDDING NIGHTS

•

HONEYMOONS

•

WE LOVE HAPPY BRIDES. . .

“Thank you so much for the most BEAUTIFUL flowers I have ever seen. My wedding was amzing! I was blown away at my reception. You made my day a dream come true! I have had so many compliments and everyone wanted to know who did my flowers. You nailed it!! Thank you so, so much for making my vision for my wedding a reality. You rock!” – Megan Wilson Open Monday-Friday 9-5 | Saturday 8-2 Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express Accepted 416 S Broadway | Edmond, OK 73034 | 405.341.2050 | abloomabovetherest.com 50 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

If it rains or snows an inch or more on your wedding day, your ring could be free up to $5,000.

St a r t Prayi n g Fo rRa i n .co m

2014 P R AY FO R R AI N WI N N E RS

Corey & Marshall 6/12/14 • 1.14”

Kent & Kayla 9/6/14 • 1.92”

Brooksie & Dustin 9/6/14 • 1.92”

Cooper & Megan 9/6/14 • 1.92”

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 51

WEDDING RESOURCE GUIDE

2015

from 1-4

Sunday February 22 Fa r m e r s M a r k e t B a l l r o o m 311 South Klein Avenue, Oklahoma City

admission $12 at the door; BOGO with pre-registration

405-206-2931 www.OKCPWG.com

From “I

Love you” to “I Do ”

…and everything between

Weddings | Corporate Events | Funerals | Corporate Gift Baskets Spa and Nail packages available with a bouquet for delivery through the holidays

1633 W MAIN ST | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73106 | 405.602.5929 | JAMFLOWERS.COM 52 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Look Your Best ... Be Your Best

There’s no other day like this one - you are the absolute star, and that means there’s no better time to show off your very best, most radiant self.

Dr. Clinton Webster’s office can help you unlock your purest beauty. Ask about a whole family of treatments for aesthetic enhancement: Juvéderm XC, a long-lasting dermal filler to smooth facial wrinkles; Voluma, an injectable gel to lift and ripen cheeks; Botox Cosmetic, injected into facial muscles to reduce and remove lines; the eyelash volumizing treatment Latisse; and individually shaped Natrelle gel breast implants for any body shape.

Clinton B. Webster, MD PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY 3705 NW 63rd St, Ste 204 • 405.842.9732

Weddings

WEDDING RESOURCE GUIDE

FASHION AND FACE IN ONE LOCATION

AT THE GAYLORD-PICKENS MUSEUM

&

The Shoppes at Northpark 12100-B N. May Ave | Oklahoma City | 405.748.5200

Contact

special events director Corie Baker 405.523.3206 r clb@oklahomaheritage.com

INDOOR & OUTDOOR SPACES $MBTTFO %SJWF t 0LMBIPNB $JUZ XXX PLMBIPNBIFSJUBHF DPN Photos courtesy of Tara Lokey Photography, Tara Lokey Photography, Gordon Dinsmore Photography, eventures corporate event production and Prints Charming Photography.

54 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

HOME FURNISHINGS • ANTIQUES • ACCESSORIES • GIFTS MAIN STORE: 3720 W. ROBINSON • NORMAN WWW.THEOSMARKETPLACE.COM • 405.364.0728 •

A VA I L A B L E A T

10633 SOUTH WESTERN AVENUE • OKLAHOMA CITY 73170 405-692-4300 • WWW.HUNTINGTONFINEJEWELERS.COM

WEDDING RESOURCE GUIDE

RESOURCES

Oklahoma has a wealth of resources to make your wedding day come together perfectly. Here, you will find a handy list of vendors and services recommended by industry professionals, Slice readers and our team of editors. Many work by appointment only, so it is recommended that you call ahead. Congratulations and best wishes; have a beautiful event!

BRIDAL ATTIRE Bella Rose Bridal 405.340.8105 bellarosebridal.biz BeLoved Bridal 405.701.8745 belovedbridalboutique.com

405.726.8666 roostoklahoma.com 109 West 2nd Street, Edmond Registry Décor Gifts Design

See the world.

Visit an Oklahoma Museum.

The Bridal Boutique 405.801.3377 bridalboutiqueoklahoma.com Impression Bridal 405.752.0200 impressionbridalstore.com J.J Kelly Bridal Salon 405.752.0029 jjkellybridal.com Meg Guess Couture Bridal 405.418.8898 megguess.com Moliere Bridal 405.840.0100 molierebridal.com RL Bridal & Prom 405.607.4658 rlbridalandprom.com

CAKES & SWEET TREATS

Oklahoma offers more than 500 museums and cultural attractions across all 77 counties of our great state. A journey around the world is only a short trip to your local Oklahoma Museum.

Learn more today at:

OKMuseums.org

O MA O K L A H O M A

MUSEUMS

A S S O C I A T I O N

56 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Madison’s on Main 405.872.6717 madisonsonmainstreet.com Mishelle Handy Cakes 405.348.5938 mishellehandycakes.com Nothing Bundt Cakes 405.751.8066 nothingbundtcakes.com Pie Junkie 405.605.8767 piejunkie.com Rosebeary’s Designs In Baking 405.282.0188 rosebearys.com Sara Sara Cupcakes 405.600.9494 405.216.3562 sarasarabakery.com

CATERING Abbey Road Catering 405.360.1058 abbeyroadcatering.com Aunt Pittypat’s Catering 405.942.4000 auntpittypatscatering.com

42nd Street Candy Company 405.521.8337 42ndstreetcandy.com

Cheever’s Catering & Events 405.208.4444 cheeverscatering.com

Amy Cakes 405.360.1131 getamycakes.com

The Prairie Gypsies 405.525.3013 prairiegypsies.com

Andrea Howard Cakes 405.509.5043 andreahowardcakes.com

Running Wild Catering 405.751.0688 runningwildcatering.com

Gigi’s Cupcakes 405.286.6200 405.801.2525 gigiscupcakesusa.com

ENTERTAINMENT

Green Goodies 405.842.2288 greengoodiesokc.com La Baguette Bakery & Café 405.329.5822 405.329.1101 labaguette.com

Box Talent Agency 405.858.2263 boxtalent.com Gary Good Entertainment 405.840.2020 garygood.com The OK Photobooth 405.260.7627 okphotobooth.com

WEDDING RESOURCE GUIDE

The SNL Booth 405.720.7777 thesnlbooth.com

Trochta’s 405.848.3338 trochtasflowers.com

EVENT STYLISTS & PLANNERS

INVITATIONS

Note: Many event planners also provide florals, rentals and other wedding-related services.

No Regrets 405.753.5485 noregretsokc.com

Allyson VinZant Weddings allysonvinzant.com

Occasions 405.217.8467 occasionspaper.com

Epic Events 405.706.7484 epiceventsok.com

The Paper Lion 405.348.0952 paperliononline.com

Emerson Events 405.757.4186 emersonevents.com

Paper ‘N More 405.842.4177 papernmoreok.com

Eventures Inc. 405.755.3333 eventures-inc.com

JEWELRY

Factor 110 405.604.0041 factor110.com Gibson Events 405.830.1689 gibsonevents.com

B.C. Clark Jewelers 405.232.8806 405.755.4040 405.840.1441 bcclark.com Huntington Fine Jewelers 405.692.4300 huntingtonfinejewelers.com

Judy Lehmbeck Bridal & Party 405.630.5453

Lewis Jewelers 405.703.4644 lewis-jewelers.com

Planned 2 Perfection 404.205.8193 planned2perfectionokc.com

Mitchell’s Jewelry 405.360.2515 mitchells-jewelry.com

Poppy Lane Design 405.609.2808 poppylanedesign.com

Mitchener Farrand 405.842.4243 mitchenerfarrand.com

Rekindled Vintage Rentals 405.740.8092 rekindledrentals.com

Naifeh Fine Jewelry 405.607.4323 naifehfinejewlery.com

FLORALS

PHOTOGRAPHY

A Bloom Above the Rest 405.341.2050 abloomabovetherest.com

Note: Some photographers can also accommodate your videography needs.

Birdie 405.579.0299 birdieblooms.com

Amanda Watson Photography 405.385.9381 amandawatsonphoto.com

Calvert’s Plant Interiors 405.848.6642 calverts.com

Candi Coffman Photography 405.615.7519 candiphoto.com

The French Tulip 405.948.3330 thefrenchtulip.com

Holli B. Photography 405.310.8945 hollibphotography.com

Jam Flowers & Events 405.602.5929 jamflowers.com

Kevin Paul Photography 405.819.1280 kevinpaulphotography.com

Juniper Designs 405.464.6356 juniperokc.com

Kristen Edwards Photography 405.601.8612 kristenedwards.com

New Leaf Florist 405.842.2444 405.840.5323 newleafokc.com

Laske Images 405.340.3339 laskeimages.com

Tony Foss Flowers 405.843.4119 tonyfossflowers.com

local beauty

Randy Coleman Photography 405.509.9395 randycolemanphotography.com

12200 Warwick Dr. • Oklahoma City, OK 73162 • 405-722-3336 4200 N. Western • Oklahoma City, OK 73118 • 405-525-6110 edensalon.com Hair by Malissa Skrastins; makeup by Candice Macis for Eden; clothes by R. Meyers

• APPLE!CRUMBLE • BIRD!DOG!BUTTERMILK • DRUNKEN!TURTLE • KENTUCKY!DERBY • MARION!BLACKBERRY • PECAN • STRAWBERRY!RHUBARB

(405) 605-8767 | 1711 NW 16th St Oklahoma City www.piejunkieokc.com JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 57

WEDDING RESOURCE GUIDE

FOR THE BRIDE AND MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

Traina Photography trainaphotography.com Visuality Photography 405.945.0135 visualityphoto.com

RENTALS

A SPECIAL DAY DESIGNED JUST FOR YOU

Bill Veazey’s Party Store 405.236.4567 billveazeyparty.com Innovative Events Solutions 405.286.1254 ies-events.com

A gift to you from

Marianne’s Rentals for Special Events 405.751.3100 mariannesrentals.com

and

Mood Party Rentals 405.840.2081 moodpartyrentals.com

VENUES

A SPECTACULAR PACKAGE OF SERVICES FOR TWO: STRESS FIX MASSAGE Clinically proven to reduce feelings of stress, this massage incorporates aromas of lavender, lavandin and clary sage along with a combination of Swedish and deep tissue massage to calm and rejuvenate you.

ROSEMARY MINT AWAKENING WRAP Renew body and mind with a revitalizing, dry body wrap that refreshes and stimulates with the essence of rosemary and peppermint, followed by a soothing waterfall from the Vichy Shower.

ELEMENTAL NATURE FACIAL TREATMENT A customized facial based on your skin’s specific needs, from dry to sensitive to oily, you will experience a truly personalized treatment.

Ambassador Hotel 405.600.6200 ambassadorhotelcollection.com/ oklahomacity Belmar Golf Club 405.364.0111 ilovethiscourse.com Boathouse Brides 405.522.4040 boathousedistrict.org Clauren Ridge Vineyard & Winery 405.412.8630 claurenridge.com Colcord Hotel 405.601.4300 colcordhotel.com Coles Garden 405.478.1529 colesgarden.net Embassy Suites Norman 405.364.8040 embassysuites3.hilton.com Gaillardia Country Club 405.302.2875 gaillardia.com Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum 405.235.4458 oklahomaheritage.com The Greens Country Club 405.775.2113 thegreenscc.com

SPA MANICURE SPA PEDICURE BLOWOUT

PACKAGE VALUE: $650

MAKE IT YOURS!

Register to win at SliceOK.com/SpaDay/ See sliceok.com/spaday/ for complete rules and eligibility.

58 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Grisso Mansion 405.382.2445 sno-nsn.gov/grisso-mansion

Oak Tree Country Club 405.340.1010 clubcorp.com/Clubs/Oak-Tree-Country-Club Oklahoma City Farmers Public Market 405.232.6506 okcfarmersmarket.com Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club 405.848.6511 okcgcc.com Oklahoma City Museum of Art 405.278.8286 okcmoa.com Oklahoma History Center 405.522.0745 okhistorycenter.org Oklahoma Memorial Union 405.325.2121 union.ou.edu Quail Creek Golf & Country Club 405.286.6714 quailcreekgcc.com Remington Park 405.425.3270 remingtonpark.com River Oaks Golf Club 405.771.5800 riveroaksgolf.com Rosebrook Vineyards 405.651.2440 rosebrookvineyards.com Rose Creek Golf Club 405.330.8220 tour18.com/rose-creek-home Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 405.325.7975 samnoblemuseum.org Santa Fe Depot 405.307.9320 pasnorman.org The Skirvin Hilton 405.272.3040 skirvinhilton.com Southwind Hills 405.837.9463 southwindhills.com Vast 405.601.4300 vastokc.com Will Rogers Theatre 405.604.3015 willrogerstheater.com

VIDEOGRAPHY

Harn Homestead 405.235.4058 harnhomestead.com

Carpe Diem Video Productions 405.726.8484 carpediemvideoproductions.com

Myriad Botanical Gardens 405.445.7092 myriadgardens.org

Glorious Day Films 405.887.7995 gloriousdayfilms.com

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 405.478.2250 nationalcowboymuseum.org

Redeemed Productions 918.729.9122 redeemedproductions.com

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 59

Old World Iron Stairs, Gates & Balconies for Fine Homes

TODD MILLER

CURVED/SPIRAL STAIRS A RE OUR SPECIALTY • JULIET BALCONIES • BALCONY R AILINGS WINE ROOM DOORS • EXTERIOR YARD & WALK G ATES • DRAPERY F IXTURES • C ORBELS F IREPLACE SCREENS & TOOLS • T RELLISES • F ULL DESIGN SERVICES • H AND FORGING CUSTOM F INISHES & EXOTIC F INISHES • HISTORIC R ESTORATION

1201 N.W. 178th Street | Edmond | 405.359.1189 7302 N. Western Avenue | OKC | 405.242.3255

HUNDREDS

OF REFERENCES FROM HOME BUILDERS, DESIGNERS, DECORATORS AND HOMEOWNERS… JUST ASK US!

8405 Mantle Avenue • Oklahoma City, OK • 405.722.0008 • www.owiokc.com

See better. Live better.

Chris Poore, DDS, MS • Mary Hamburg, DDS, MS • Robin D. Henderson, DMD, MS

Specialty in Periodontics & Implant Dentistry All Doctors are Diplomates of The American Board of Periodontology PERIODONTAL SURGERY • LANAP • DENTAL IMPLANTS SINUS LIFTS • RIDGE AUGMENTATION • FRENECTOMY SOFT TISSUE GR AFTING • EXTR ACTIONS CONE BEAM IMAGING • SEDATION

9112 N. May, OKC • 947.0486 okperioimplant.com • 60 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Laser cataract surgery offers the most accurate correction of your prescription, decreasing or even eliminating your need for glasses.

Call Dr. Darrell Pickard for a cataract consultation today.

405.733.4545 E Y E A S S O C I AT E S OF OK L A HOM A

FARE OF TASTES AND TIMELESSNESS Tidings of comfort food joy, metro diners – the R&J Lounge delivers a warm welcome and a distinctive menu packed with classics. See page 64.

CARLI WENTWORTH

GOOD MORNINGS Custom homemade granola for a quick pick-me-up 62 EAT & DRINK Variety is on the menu in Slice’s citywide dining guide 66 JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 61

FARE | In the Kitchen

GOOD MORNINGS

By Caryn Ross // Photo by Carli Wentworth

IF YOU’RE LIKE ME, THEN RIGHT ABOUT NOW YOU ARE TRYING TO START THE NEW YEAR with a more “healthful” attitude. I am tired of making resolutions I never resolve. So, this year it’s all about balance. Taking time to focus on keeping a healthy mind and body.

The first thing I must change is taking time to eat breakfast.

Coffee and creamer is not a considered a breakfast, so I must come up with something that can be easily transported and eaten on the go. My morning food mission got me thinking about granola.

I love granola, but it is commonly over-sugared and highly oiled when you buy it off the shelf. Here is the good news: it’s simple to make and you can control what goes into your granola. If you are not a dried fruit fan, then use more nuts and seeds. Likewise, if you are not fired up about nuts, then focus on dried fruits. The other nutrient I am missing in my morning breakfast routine is protein. After some experimenting, I figured out a great way to add protein directly to my granola. Here’s my secret recipe!

62 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

PROTEIN POWER GRANOLA

3 c old fashioned rolled oats ½ c unsweetened, shredded coconut ½ c unsalted sunflower seeds ½ c unsalted pumpkin seeds ½ c unsalted almonds ¼ c unsalted raw pistachios 2 T chia seeds 1 t sea salt 1 T cinnamon ¼ c vanilla protein powder c coconut oil ¼ c raw honey or agave nectar Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together oats, coconut, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, nuts, chia seeds, salt, cinnamon and protein powder.

In a small bowl, combine coconut oil and honey.

Microwave for 1 minute. Stir together and pour over dry ingredients. Place granola on prepared baking pan. Bake in oven for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool and store in an airtight container.

Southern Cuisine DONE RIGHT

STOP WAITING. GET IN LINE FROM YOUR PHONE.

DOWNLOAD THE NOWAIT® APP ON YOUR PHONE OR TEXT “NOWAIT” TO 83992

224 johnny bench drive | lower bricktown OKC | 405.701.3535 www.kdsbricktown.com

FARE | Matters of Taste

THE CLUB ON MEMORY CORNER

By Steve Gill // Photos by Carli Wentworth

THERE’S A SLIGHT CREAK AS I SETTLE MORE COMFORTABLY INTO THE SWIVEL CHAIR, its tufted leather twin to the material covering the nearby booths and padding the curve of the bar.

It’s comfortably dim, with cones of illumination from the overhead lights soaking into the red carpet and striated wallpaper and glinting off highlights in the server’s hair as she passes by with a plate of heaven-scented beef stroganoff. In the background, the soundtrack quietly slides from the Beatles to Steely Dan. It’s about 1:30 on a Wednesday afternoon, but I’m suddenly less certain about the year.

64 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

That’s not an accident. The menu and décor of the R&J Lounge are conscious, carefully chosen homages to the mid-century supper club vibe, and to family-tested favorite dishes, for a restaurant that makes no bones about being a sentimental dining experience. It’s a comfortable space in an intangible way as well as a physical one. It simply feels welcoming and familiar, even if you just stepped inside for the first time. They did a fantastic job of creating an environment where people want to hang around a while, and since “they” in this case means the nominal R and J – exceptional chefs Russ Johnson and Jonathon Stranger – the food is eminently worth lingering over.

Considering the kitchen capos’ sterling reputations, THE R&J LOUNGE the food is noteworthy for AND SUPPER CLUB 320 NW 10th Street, OKC its restraint. The special just south of 10th in the alley east of Hudson salad is more than lettuce – in fact, with greens, a slab 405.602.5066 rjsupperclub.com of brie, curls of prosciutto, a poached egg in a ramekin, a Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. croissant and jam, it’s pracBrunch tically a full do-it-yourself Saturday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., meal on one plate. But it Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. isn’t overly complex. The excellent Cheesy Crab Toast isn’t a complicated dish. And though haute cuisine it surely isn’t, there’s something simply, cheerfully appealing about being served a miniature skillet of cocktail wieners in a tangy mustard sauce. The menu doesn’t get in its own way to make the dishes more elaborate than they have to be.

Likewise, you couldn’t ask for a more perfect exemplar of the expertly executed comfort food idea than R&J’s Chicken and Dumplings. The chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender, the spherical herbspeckled dumplings are a perfect balance of toothsome and firm and the gravy surrounding and smothering it all is phenomenally rich and savory. I’m pretty sure I even ate a mushroom, and I never do that. It’s a seriously superb dish – not quite as good as I remember my own grandmother’s being when I was a kid, but closer to that lofty plateau than any other varieties I’ve had since. And I don’t think she’ll read this, but one never knows, so I hope you won’t mind if I refrain from admitting exactly how close.

The lamb burger is something of a special case; the odds are probably fairly high that you didn’t grow up eating its like, but try it anyway. While I don’t think I would miss the carrot-and-cabbage chow chow if it were left off, with its well-spiced and juicy patty, melted cheese and thick swipe of truffle aioli, this might be the tastiest thing on the menu.

If you’re driving, consider the banana pudding for dessert (vanilla wafers and all). If not, the classic crème de menthe-fueled Grasshopper is listed as a house specialty. And speaking of classics, the drinks menu overall is thoroughly praiseworthy: Gimlets and Sidecars to Rusty Nails and Rob Roys, you won’t find a more extensive compendium of old-school cocktails anywhere in OKC, and that’s without even mentioning (until now) the suite of tiki concoctions served in grinning ceramic mugs, or the champagne on tap.

Yes, really.

I haven’t lingered long enough yet to sample all the beverages, nor to experience the full range of the soundtrack curated by maestro of the radio waves Ferris O’Brien, but if it were to include the Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime,” it would be thoroughly appropriate. After all, time isn’t holding us. Time isn’t after us. And spending some of it in forming – or reliving – memories with loved ones over good food is a great investment. Whenever you are.

QUICK TIPS

Try to be flexible. The interior only has room to seat about 30 people tops, and since they don’t take reservations you might be in for a bit of a wait. Try not to be at starvation’s door when you arrive and be ready to possess your souls in patience if need be – it’s worth it.

Don’t overlook the outdoors. True, we’re currently in the pit of winter, but the patio at R&J is covered for the season, and never goes dead since it features (surprisingly comfortable) artificial turf from Always Greener OKC. Even now, it’s a viable option to step outside.

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 65

Eat & Drink KEY

$ most entrees under $10 $$ most entrees $10 to $25 $$$ most entrees over $25 outdoor dining reservations accepted new or updated entry

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Send establishment name, address, phone number and a brief description (40 words or less) to dining@ sliceok.com. Submissions must be received two months prior to publication.

AMERICAN ANN’S CHICKEN FRY HOUSE A Route 66 classic with copious decorative memorabilia, and huge portions of excellent chicken-fried steak. 4106 NW 39th, OKC, 943.8915 $ BOULEVARD CAFETERIA Chicken and dumplings, liver and onions - one of the last of the area’s independent cafeterias is still pounding out the hits. 525 NW 11th, OKC, 239.6861 $

CAFÉ 7 Fast and casual, with varied salad, sandwich, pizza and pasta options, all priced under $7. 14101 N May, OKC, 748.3354; 120 N Robinson, Suite W 175, OKC, 748.3354 $

KAISER’S DINER A venerable location is back in business, offering juicy burgers, sandwiches, tempting entrees and a vintage soda-fountain experience. 1039 N Walker Ave, OKC, 232.7632 $

CAFÉ 501 Pizzas, salads and specialty sandwiches on artisan breads. 501 S Boulevard, Edmond, 359.1501; 5825 NW Grand, OKC, 844.1501 $$

LEGEND’S A casually upscale landmark for over 40 years, it still serves exceptional seafood, steaks and more.

1313 W Lindsey, Norman, 329.8888 $$

CLASSEN GRILL Deftly done diner deliciousness, especially breakfast. 5124 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.0428 $

MUTT’S AMAZING HOT DOGS Inspired creations featuring varied prime meats and unexpected and tasty flavor profiles.

1400 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.3647 $

DEEP FORK GRILL Crisply elegant atmosphere complements superb seafood (cedar plank salmon is a specialty) and steaks. 5418 N Western, OKC, 848.7678 $$

NEBU This airy provider of chef-prepared sandwiches, sushi, pizza and more is in the garden wing of the Devon tower. 280 W Sheridan, OKC $

DINER, THE The classics never go out of style – just ask the locals who flock here for masterful preparation of ordinary breakfast and lunch fare. 213 E Main, Norman, 329.6642 $

PACKARD’S NEW AMERICAN KITCHEN They’re not kidding about the “new” – the menu is filled with innovative ideas. 201 NW 10th, Suite 100, OKC, 605.3771 $$

DISTRICT 21 This sleek, inexpensive bastion of creativity is run by Francis Tuttle’s culinary school. 12777 N Rockwell, OKC, 717.7700 $

PARK HOUSE The staunch wine list and great view of the Myriad Gardens add to a menu filled with contemporary American tastes. 125 Ron Norick Blvd, OKC, 445.7080 $$

FLINT Casual style plus outstanding contemporary cuisine makes a winning combination in the Colcord Hotel. 15 N Robinson, OKC, 601.4300 $$

PICASSO CAFÉ As creative as its neighbors in the Paseo Arts District; zippy sandwiches, salads, pizza and surprises abound. 3009 Paseo, OKC, 602.2002 $

HEFNER GRILL Upscale fare and a tempting brunch to boot, with the enhancements of a live piano and a spectacular lake view. 9201 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 748.6113 $$

POPS A bit out of the way but worth the drive, this café has burgers, salads, shakes and an unbelievably broad soda selection. 660 W Highway 66, Arcadia, 233.2020 $

INTERURBAN Great food (and prices) in casual comfort – try the chicken-fried steak and anything with honey-pepper bacon. 4 metro locations, interurban.us $$

THE R&J LOUNGE The culinary luminaries behind Ludivine present a more relaxed, sentimental dining experience; the drinks

DEEP FORK

menu is a thing of beauty. 320 NW 10th, OKC, 602.5066 $$ REDROCK CANYON GRILL Rotisserie chicken, enchiladas and steak in a casual hacienda-style atmosphere by the lake. 9221 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 749.1995 $$ ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRILL Amply portioned and green chili-amplified burgers, breakfasts and more fill this inviting diner. 231 S Coltrane, Edmond, 562.4777 $ RUNNING WILD CATERING Elegance is as abundant as flavor in the spreads supplied for special occasions by this full-service caterer; home to a broad menu and impeccable execution. Appointment only.

3830 N Maney Ave, OKC, 751.0688 $$ SATURN GRILL A lunch star: inspired pizza, sandwiches and salads. 6432 Avondale, OKC, 843.7114 $ SCRATCH Isn’t that the best place for food to come from? Entrees, sides and wondrous craft cocktails are carefully concocted inhouse. 132 W Main, Norman, 801.2900 $$ SYRUP The most enticing meal of the day is at this unique breakfast boutique (the crunchy French toast is something special).

123 E Main, Norman, 701.1143 $ VAST Steaks, seafood and globally inspired American cuisine, with a view truly unparalleled in Oklahoma. 280 W Sheridan, 49th floor, OKC, 702.7262 $$ VICEROY GRILLE Opulent décor, comfortable environs and some outstanding cuisine make a strong recommendation for the Ambassador Hotel’s in-house restaurant; don’t overlook the brunch options. 1200 N Walker Ave, OKC, 600.6200 $$$

FINE FOWL & FIXIN’S

come watch your favorite team at your favorite game spot!

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WAFFLE CHAMPION A Midtown diner bringing joy to those addicted to its gourmet sweet or savory waffle options. 1212 N Walker, OKC, 525.9235 $ WHISKEY CAKE High-quality locally sourced food served in a homey atmosphere. Enjoy – and don’t forget the namesake dessert. 1845 NW Expressway, OKC, 582.2253 $$

ASIAN

BAKERY

BAR // PUB FOOD

BIG SKY BREAD Enjoy cookies, scones, brownies or granola, plus an incredible bevy of fresh-baked bread. 6606 N Western, OKC, 879.0330 $

51ST STREET SPEAKEASY The joint’s porch and patio are perpetually packed, and the top-shelf spirits and beers flow with joyous abandon. 1114 NW 51st, OKC, 463.0470 $

BROWN’S BAKERY An incredible selection of delicious traditional and specialty cakes, cookies, breads and other baked goods.

1100 N Walker, OKC, 232.0363 $

ABNER’S ALE HOUSE Beers and whiskies of the best, plus knockout dishes aimed at recreating the true English public house vibe.

121 E Main, Norman, 928.5801 $$

180 MERIDIAN GRILL Blending Asian cuisine with U.S. culture: sirloin with teriyaki butter, hoisin BBQ duck pizza and sushi options. 2541 W Main, Norman, 310.6110 $$

CUPCAKES TO GO GO Love of travel (and a sweet tooth) inspire the myriad flavor combinations in this trove of treats – its rotating menu means every trip reveals a different taste destination. 2524 W Edmond Rd, Edmond, 330.2190 $

DOT WO GARDEN Dot Wo continues its legacy by pairing sumptuous classics of Chinese cuisine with fiery, fresh sushi. 6161 N May, OKC, 608.2388 $$

CUPPIES & JOE The name is only part of the story: it’s cupcakes and coffee and pie and live music and a cozy, trendy vibe and more.

727 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.2122 $

GRAND HOUSE A Chinese restaurant that goes the extra mile to provide enjoyable ambiance alongside its excellent cuisine. 2701 N Classen, OKC, 524.7333 $$

HURTS DONUT CO. Ignore your childhood hesitations: you do want a Hurts Donut. The 24-hour Campus Corner locale pumps out nonstop sweet and savory innovations. 746 Asp Ave, Norman, 417.300.6106 $

GUERNSEY PARK A hidden treasure on an Uptown back street, it’s home to tasty Asian fusion with a hint of French influence. 2418 N Guernsey, OKC, 605.5272 $$

KITCHEN NO. 324 Seasonally inspired café, coffee curator and craft bakery serving spectacular rustic American cuisine. 324 N Robinson, OKC, 763.5911 $

O ASIAN FUSION Sublime quality in a wide span of culinary influences – freshly rolled sushi to fiery curry – in cool, vibrant digs. 105 SE 12th, Norman, 701.8899 $$

LA BAGUETTE Comfort and exquisite baking make a tres chic destination for brunch and beyond. 1130 Rambling Oaks, Norman, 329.1101; 2100 W Main, Norman, 329.5822 $

SAII Rich ambiance boosts expertly done Japanese, Thai and Chinese fare plus stellar sushi. 6900 N May, OKC, 702.7244 $$ VII ASIAN BISTRO A bright, sleek interior and savory spate of Chinese and Vietnamese options. 2900 N Classen, OKC, 604.2939 $

THE BARREL Drink deep of top-shelf wines, beers and whiskies, braced by thoroughly appetizing pub fusion cuisine. 4308 N Western, OKC, 525.6682 $

O’CONNELL’S IRISH PUB & GRILLE Beloved by students, alumni and townies, it’s served killer burgers, beer and festive atmosphere since 1968. 769 Asp, Norman, 217.8454 $ PELOTON Brake for a handful of apps, sandwiches and salads plus a great wine and beer selection. 900 N Broadway Ave, OKC 605.0513 $ PUB W Multiple atmospheres for whatever vibe you like, and a menu of choice beer and “new classic” fare from barbeque wings to thick pork chops. 3720 W Robinson, Norman, 701.5844 $$

BELLE ISLE BREWERY Live music, handcrafted beers and a great burger selection in 50 Penn Place. 1900 NW Expressway, OKC, 840.1911 $

REPUBLIC GASTROPUB Part beer bar and part upscale eatery, pairing a vast selection of quality brews with imaginative menu items. 5830 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 286.4577 $$

BLU FINE WINE & FOOD A sleek bar that stands out due to quick, courteous service and a menu with gourmet range. 201 S Crawford, Norman, 360.4258 $$

SAINTS An inviting Irish bar where whiskey and beer offerings pair nicely with classics like shepherd’s pie, bangers and fish and chips. 1715 NW 16th, OKC, 602.6308 $$

CLUB ONE15 A nightclub vibe with energetic music and three bars, plus a robust menu including fajitas, pasta bowls and seafood.

115 E Sheridan, OKC, 605.5783 $$

URBAN WINEWORKS Made-in-Oklahoma wine paired with haute culinary creations featuring rabbit, duck, pork belly and more.

1749 NW 16th, OKC, 525.9463 $$

DEEP DEUCE GRILL A funky, comfortable alternative to Bricktown crowds, featuring burgers, beer and a people-watching patio.

307 NE 2nd, OKC, 235.9100 $

WES WELKER’S The food shows great variety and imagination, like duck nachos, and the bevy of TVs and 83 available beers ain’t bad either. 3121 W Memorial, OKC, 608.2200 $$

JAMES E. MCNELLIE’S Designed to bring Ireland’s pub culture to OKC, this Midtown hotspot features 350 varieties of beer. 1100 Classen Dr, OKC, 601.7468 $$

BARBEQUE

PIE JUNKIE Call ahead to order a whole pie or quiche or walk in and choose from what’s on hand; either way the flavors are incredible. 1711 NW 16th, OKC, 605.8767 $

MONT, THE Tempting pub food with Southwestern zing at a Norman landmark with a primo patio. 1300 Classen Blvd, Norman, 329.3330 $

EARL’S RIB PALACE Beloved by locals in a competitive genre, the chain pounds out hit ribs and turkey as well as a top-tier burger. 6 metro locations, earlsribpalace.com $

SARA SARA CUPCAKES The ambiance and milk bar make great additions to the variety of specialty cupcakes in this charming little converted house. 7 NW 9th, OKC, 600.9494 $

OAK & ORE A neighborhood hangout of vintage rustic materials, offering more than a handful of creative knife-and-fork sandwiches and lovingly chosen craft beers.

1732 NW 16th, OKC $

IRON STAR URBAN BARBEQUE Named for notorious outlaw Belle Starr, its entrees are excellent, but the sides are equal players as well. 3700 N Shartel, OKC, 524.5925 $$

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 67

FARE | Eat & Drink LEO’S BAR-B-Q Rich flavor and tender texture for commendable value – no wonder it’s a periennial favorite among Oklahoma connoisseurs. 3631 N Kelley, OKC 424.5367 $

JOHNNIE’S CHARCOAL BROILER Freshground burgers cooked over real charcoal; try the Cheese Theta or Caesar varieties. 4 metro locations, johnniesok.com $

TUCKER’S ONION BURGERS A small menu whose bravura execution makes the meal hard to forget. 3 metro locations, tuckersonionburgers.com $

RUDY’S Totally casual – plastic trays and utensils – with serious barbeque chops.

3450 Chautauqua, Norman, 307.0552; 3437 W Memorial, OKC, 254.4712 $$

LOUIE’S GRILL & BAR Casually cool and come-as-you-are bar-type hangouts excelling at burgers, sandwiches and pizzas. 12 metro locations, louiesgrillandbar.com $

URBAN JOHNNIE’S Gourmet burgers and more in a sleek bar atmosphere from the minds behind Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler. 121 NE 2nd, OKC, 208.4477 $

BURGERS // SANDWICHES BISON WITCHES Monster sandwiches with standout flavors, best enjoyed with a bread bowl of fresh hot soup and a bag of pretzels.

211 E Main, Norman, 364.7555 $ CAFÉ PLAID Fresh sandwiches begging to be combined with sensational salads (veggie, tuna, pasta…) – an ideal lunch spot near OU. 333 W Boyd, Norman, 360.2233 $ CHARCOAL OVEN Serving premium charbroiled burgers since 1958 for the flavor of a backyard cookout via drive-in.

2701 NW Expressway, OKC $ COW CALF-HAY The selections are ample and the delicious never-frozen patties are mmmmmassive. 3409 Wynn, Edmond, 509.2333, 212 N Harvey, OKC, 601.6180 $ FLATIRE BURGERS Boasting innovations like sauerkraut, pineapple relish and habanero salsa.100 N University, Edmond, 974.4638 $ GARAGE BURGERS & BEER, THE The focus is on the many tempting flavor possibilities of huge, juicy burgers and fries. 5 metro locations, eatatthegarage.com $ HILLBILLY PO BOYS Unassuming name; mighty appealing flavor in tasty seafood sandwiches and the licit thrill of moonshine cocktails. 1 NW 9th, OKC, 702.9805 $ IRMA’S BURGER SHACK Simply great fries, rings and burgers; try the No Name Ranch beef. 1035 NW 63rd, OKC, 840.4762; 1120 Classen Dr, OKC, 235.4762 $

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LOUIE’S ON THE LAKE An unbeatable view of Lake Hefner from the spacious patio adds ambiance to tasty entrees under $10. 9401 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 751.2298 $ MULE, THE Solid beer and beverage selection plus delectable gourmet grilled cheeses and melts (ingredients range from fontina to figs). 1630 N Blackwelder, OKC, 601.1400 $ ND FOODS Gigantic Boar’s Head deli sandwiches, homemade soups and freshly baked cookies, pies and other desserts. 2632 W Britton Rd, OKC, 840.9364 $ NIC’S GRILL It’s small, it’s crowded … and it’s incredible. Mounds of fresh fries and colossal burgers, easily among the metro’s best. 1202 N Penn, OKC, 524.0999 $ S&B’S BURGER JOINT Good news: these super-tasty burgers come as sliders too, the better to sample more selections. 5 metro locations, sandbburgers.com $ SERVICE STATION A former filling station with vintage décor, now serving up delicious half-pound burgers and fries. 502 S Webster, Norman, 364.2136 $ SOONER DAIRY LUNCH This modest little drive-in has been feeding its staunch fans delicious burgers, tots and shakes for over six decades. 1820 W Main, Norman, 321.8526 $ TEXADELPHIA The menu draws raves for burgers and wraps, but especially the monstrous made-to-order cheesesteaks.

200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 208.4000 $

COFFEEHOUSE // TEA ROOM ALL ABOUT CHA Universal standards and unusual concoctions (the sweet potato latte is a wonder) in bright, bustling atmosphere.

3272 S Broadway, Edmond, 340.9959; 7300 N Western, OKC, 840.7725 $ BEATNIX CAFÉ, THE Get a sandwich, cup of hearty soup or powerhouse latte in the lovely laid-back vibe that pervades this dawdling spot. 136 NW 13th, OKC, 604.0211 $ THE BLUE BEAN Smoothies, pastries and sweet treats, plus excellent small-batch roasted coffee – try the specialty flavor combos. 13316 S Western, OKC, 735.5115 $ CAFÉ EVOKE Outstanding coffee and other beverages from one of the area’s great caterers; plus soup, sandwiches, snacks or sweets. 103 S Broadway, Edmond, 285.1522 $ COFFEE SLINGERS Rocking a brisk, urban vibe on Automobile Alley, it’s a gathering place for genuine java enthusiasts. 1015 N Broadway, OKC, 606.2763 $ DISTRICT HOUSE Pop into the Plaza District for beans from Tulsa’s Topeca Coffee, deli sandwiches and the occasional live music event. 1755 NW 16th, OKC $ ELEMENTAL COFFEE Seriously spectacular coffee roasted in-house - passionate staff is always eager to share knowledge about the process. 815 N Hudson, OKC, 633.1703 $ MICHELANGELO’S Enjoy exceptional coffees and wines, a well-stocked pastry case and breakfast and lunch selections.

207 E Main, Norman, 579.3387 $

PARAMOUNT, THE A Film Row joint with a screening room attached, its all-day beverage menu delivers the stuff dreams are made of. 701 W Sheridan, OKC, 517.0787 $ RED CUP Comfortably ramshackle with great coffee, vegetarian-friendly specials and live music. Highly recommended! 3122 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 525.3430 $ T, AN URBAN TEAHOUSE This endearing retreat offers over 100 varieties and expert counsel to explore a world of possibili-teas.

7518 N May, OKC, 418.4333 $

CONTINENTAL BIN 73 Diners can fill up on filet mignon or simply top the evening off with tapas while enjoying the full bar and chic ambiance. 7312 N Western, OKC, 843.0073 $$ BLACKBIRD A gastropub with succulent creativity (pot roast nachos!) and a broad beer, wine and whiskey list. 575 S University, Norman, 928.5555 $$ CHEEVER’S Southwestern-influenced recipes and contemporary comfort food; truly one of the city’s finest restaurants.

2409 N Hudson, OKC, 525.7007 $$ COACH HOUSE, THE Definitely among the metro’s most elegant dining: specialties prepared with classical perfection. 6437 Avondale, OKC, 842.1000 $$$ KYLE’S 1025 For an evening of understated sophistication, Kyle’s magnificent steaks, prime seafood, tapas or even meatloaf are a must. 1025 NW 70th, OKC, 840.0115 $$ LOTTINVILLES Rotisserie chicken, woodgrilled salmon and a host of entrees, salads and panini; the Sunday brunch is epic. 801 Signal Ridge, Edmond, 341.2244 $$

MANTEL, THE Marvelous steaks and seafood (don’t miss the lobster bisque), in a refined, intimate atmosphere. 201 E Sheridan, OKC, 236.8040 $$$ MELTING POT, THE Make a meal an event to remember with an elegant fondue feast. 4 E Sheridan, OKC, 235.1000 $$$ METRO WINE BAR & BISTRO, THE A comfortably upscale favorite covering cuisines from vichyssoise to crème brulée.

6418 N Western, OKC, 840.9463 $$ MICHAEL’S GRILL Urbane, intimate dining: steaks, chops, seafood and pastas, and Caesar salad prepared tableside. 2824 W Country Club, OKC, 810.9000 $$$ MUSEUM CAFÉ, THE Inside the OKC Museum of Art, its European-inspired menu delights for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. 415 Couch, OKC, 235.6262 $$ PARK AVENUE GRILL A soigne dining experience in the Skirvin Hilton, blending traditional steak and seafood with 1930s high style. 1 Park, OKC, 702.8444 $$$ PASEO GRILL Intimate inside and cheerful on the patio, with an award-winning menu of distinctive flavors – try the duck salad. 2909 Paseo, OKC, 601.1079 $$$ ROCOCO RESTAURANT & FINE WINE A diverse international menu set off by select wines. 12252 N May, OKC, 212.4577; 2824 N Penn, OKC, 528.2824 $$ SEVEN47 Enjoy sleek, swank décor and an appealingly broad menu including a tantalizing brunch. 747 Asp, Norman, 701.8622 $$ SIGNATURE GRILL Unassuming locale; huge culinary rewards of French and Italian flavors in a few select dishes. 1317 E Danforth, Edmond, 330.4548 $$$ WEST The staff is speedy, the décor sleek and modern, and the entrées wide-ranging but elegantly simple. 6714 N Western, OKC, 607.4072 $$

Chef Jason’s Wild Salmon

FRENCH LA BAGUETTE BISTRO Fine dining (linger over multiple courses often) with an exceptional bakery, deli and butcher shop on site. 7408 N May, OKC, 840.3047 $$ WHISPERING PINES B&B A secluded getaway housing sumptuous, savory cuisine in quiet comfort. 7820 E Highway 9, Norman, 447.0202 $$$

blends sustainably sourced and foraged ingredients into a fusion of Japanese and Native American cuisine. Plaza District, OKC (call for address), 420.7569 $$$ LOCAL Using fine, fresh regionally sourced ingredients, its menu changes seasonally but its warm atmosphere is constant. 2262 W Main, Norman, 928.5600 $$

GERMAN

LUDIVINE The menu adjusts constantly to reflect availability of elite-quality, locally sourced ingredients. 805 N Hudson, OKC, 778.6800 $$$

DAS BOOT CAMP Exceptional cuisine (and magnificent beer) in a fast-paced location downtown. 229 E Main, Norman, 701.3748 $

ICE CREAM // YOGURT

INGRID’S Authentic German fare, including outstanding Oklahoma-made bratwurst. Don’t overlook breakfast, or the bakery counter! 3701 N Youngs, OKC, 946.8444; 6501 N May, OKC $$ OLD GERMANY Justly renowned for its Bavarian delights – the schnitzels, soups and sausages are spectacular. 15920 SE 29th, Choctaw, 390.8647 $$$ ROYAL BAVARIA Excellent renditions of traditional dishes, plus fantastisch housebrewed beers. 3401 S Sooner, Moore, 799.7666 $$$

HEALTHY // ECLECTIC

IL DOLCE GELATO Rich, creamy and decadently delicious, handmade daily from scratch. 937 SW 25th St, Moore, 794.7266; 1318 N Interstate Dr, Norman, 329.7744 $ ORANGE LEAF Dozens and dozens of tasty, waistline-friendly flavors and toppings, charged by the ounce. 9 metro locations, orangeleafyogurt.com $ PEACHWAVE A full 50 flavors – every one low-fat or non-fat – of the finest, freshest ingredients in customized combinations. 3 metro locations, peachwaveyogurt.com $

INDIAN

COOLGREENS Customization encouraged; every available component in salads, wraps and frozen yogurt is naturally delicious. 3 metro locations, coolgreens.com $$

GOPURAM – TASTE OF INDIA A full-service restaurant with the feel of fine dining, even during the inexpensive and plentiful lunch buffet. 4559 NW 23rd, OKC, 948.7373 $$

EARTH, THE Super, super fresh sandwiches, salads and soups in one of the most vegetarian- and vegan-friendly menus you’ll ever see. 750 Asp, Norman, 573.5933 $

MISAL OF INDIA A Norman institution for over 30 years, specializing in tandooricooked delicacies in splendid ambiance. 580 Ed Noble Pkwy, Norman, 579.5600 $$

NANI Seating by reservation only, the constantly rotating set tasting menu

TAJ A tremendous set of Indian staples and delicacies, plus full lunch and dinner buffets.

1500 NW 23rd, OKC, 601.1888 $$

ITALIAN // PIZZA BELLINI’S Tasteful in décor and Italian offerings alike, this romantic nightspot quietly, confidently exudes elegance. 6305 Waterford Blvd, OKC, 848.1065 $$ BENVENUTI’S Subtly flavored minestrone to rich, hearty ragouts, the fare keeps the booths full; don’t overlook Sunday brunch.

105 W Main, Norman, 310.5271 $$ CAFFE PRANZO The atmosphere raises firsttime diners’ hopes; the execution exceeds them as classic dishes are elevated to greatness. 9622 N May, OKC, 755.3577 $$ EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE Reigning over the Plaza District in New York style, it offers whole pizzas or slices, a full bar and a primo patio. 1734 NW 16th, OKC $ GABRIELLA’S A fresh chapter in the family’s delectable legacy; one bite of the homemade Italian sausage should win diners’ hearts with ease. 1226 NE 63rd, OKC, 478.4955 $$ HIDEAWAY PIZZA Incredible pizza in jovial surroundings; it’s amassed a devoted following for over half a century. 7 metro locations, hideawaypizza.com $$ HUMBLE PIE PIZZERIA No humility needed for this true Chicago-style pizza, boasting perhaps the best crust known to man. 1319 S Broadway, Edmond, 715.1818 $ JOEY’S A creative pizzeria on OKC’s Film Row, Joey’s serves first-rate appetizers and salads along with its mouth-watering pies.

700 W Sheridan, OKC, 525.8503 $$ KEN’S PIZZA An old favorite returns to Edmond with its signature thin crust and spicy sauce set to win new fans. 628 W Danforth Rd, Edmond $ KNUCK’S WHEELHOUSE Homemade daily with sauces from scratch, it’s a tasty and varied stopover for Bricktown wanderers as well as a pizza-lover’s destination in its own right. 103 E California, OKC, 605.4422 $

East Coast Style Fresh Seafood, Killer Pasta & So Much More.

Fresh Seafood, Killer Pasta & So Much More.

2824 N. Penn Ave • 12252 N. May Avenue • Rococo-Restaurant.com

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 69

FARE | Eat & Drink MONI’S Handmade, New Jersey-style brick oven pizza and authentic pasta recipes from Southern Italy in a casual, comfy ambience (ideal for dates). 17200 N May, Edmond, 285.5991 $$ OTHELLO’S Warm mussels to tiramisu – all you could want in a romantic Italian café.

434 Buchanan, Norman, 701.4900; 1 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.9045 $$ PAPA DIO’S Three generations of the Bonadio family offer an ample menu of new, classic and healthy dishes in separate dining rooms for family or casual dining. 10712 N May, OKC, 755.2255 $$ PIZZA 23 A tempting suite of specialty pies and good beer selection in crisp, urban décor. 600-B NW 23rd St, OKC, 601.6161 $$ PIZZERIA GUSTO Neapolitan-style pizza (quality ingredients, extremely hot fire) stars alongside Italy-inspired salads, pastas and appetizers. 2415 N Walker Ave, OKC, 437.4992 $$ REVOLVE PIZZA A fully customizable dining experience: guests build their dream pies from the crust up and the quick-fire brick ovens do the rest. 5500 W Memorial, OKC, 792.2858 $ SOPHABELLA’S A quiet, classy gem offering premier tastes from Chicago and beyond in style. 7628 N May, OKC, 879.0100 $$$ STELLA MODERN ITALIAN CUISINE A luscious spate of tastes for a casual lunch, romantic dinner or brunch, amid stylish scenery. 1201 N Walker, OKC, 235.2200 $$ TOMMY’S An old favorite returns to the metro to provide primo pasta, pizzas and plenty of ambiance. 5516 W Memorial, OKC, 470.5577 $$ UPPER CRUST This pizzeria and wine bar specializes in thin-crust, New York-style pies. 5860 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.7743; 1205 NW 178th, Edmond, 285.8887 $$ VICTORIA’S A shabby-comfortable atmosphere with local art on its walls and the art of pasta on its plates – try the chicken lasagna. 327 White, Norman, 329.0377; 3000 SW 104th St, OKC, 759.3580 $ VITO’S RISTORANTE Homestyle Italian cuisine in an intimate setting where the staff treat customers like guests in their home.

7521 N May, OKC, 848.4867 $$

We have been putting a little Italian in everything we make since 1979… 13 different sauces featuring our famous Trieste… Veal, Chicken, Shrimp and 5 different kinds of Lasagne! Over 175 items from all the regions in Italy… and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Wine List.

10 712 NORT H M AY AV E N U E • OKC , OK 7312 0 4 0 5.755. 2 255 • OR DE R ON L I N E AT PA PA DIOSOKC .C OM

WEDGE, THE Wood-fired pies with fresh ingredients (like figs or truffle oil) and sauce from scratch. 230 NE 1st, OKC, 270.0660; 4709 N Western, OKC, 602.3477 $$

JAPANESE // SUSHI CAFÉ ICON Tempting sushi and Japanese specialties fill the menu to bursting with visually splendid and palate-pleasing treats.

311 S Blackwelder, Edmond, 340.8956 $$ GOGO SUSHI Prime for lovers of speed and convenience – go go check it out! 1611 S Service Rd, Moore, 794.3474; 432 NW 10th, OKC, 602.6333 $$ IN THE RAW DUNWELL SUSHI A chic space on the Bricktown Canal offering excellent sushi, specialty rolls and sake. 200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 702.1325 $$ MUSASHI’S Exquisitely flavorful Japanese cuisine prepared with genuine artistry by skilled chefs at tableside hibachi grills. 4315 N Western, OKC, 602.5623 $$ SUSHI BAR, THE Sushi staples done with élan, plus more adventurous options, in a bustling, comfortable environment. 1201 NW 178th, OKC, 285.7317 $$ SUSHI NEKO An established OKC favorite combining style (sleek, brisk, classy) with substance (in a broad and creative menu).

4318 N Western, OKC, 528.8862 $$ TOKYO JAPANESE RESTAURANT It’s small with a traditional menu; but it’s palpably fresh and routinely cited as among the metro’s best. 7516 N Western, OKC, 848.6733 $$

MEDITERRANEAN AVANTI BAR & GRILL Casual elegance with contemporary Italian menu twists: crab

70 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

falafel, bolognese pizza and more. 13509 Highland Park, OKC, 254.5200 $$ BASIL MEDITERRANEAN CAFÉ Chicken Bandarri, Beef Souvlaki or a fresh bowl of tangy tabouli; flavor leaps from every corner of the menu. 211 NW 23rd, OKC, 602.3030 $ COUSCOUS CAFE Traditional Moroccan tagine dishes to favorites like homemade falafel and kofta, with a bounty for vegetarians. 6165 N May, OKC, 286.1533 $ HAIGET’S Vegan-friendly – and friendly in general – this gem rewards the adventurous with Ethiopian and Kenyan specialties. 308 W Edmond Rd, Edmond, 509.6441 $$ MEDITERRANEAN IMPORTS & DELI Selected groceries and a menu stocked with options; the food is authentic, quick and spectacular. 5620 N May, OKC, 810.9494 $ NUNU’S Tangy, tantalizing, fresh and healthy flavors, reproduced from generations-old recipes. 3131 W Memorial, OKC, 751.7000 $ QUEEN OF SHEBA A spicy, vegan-friendly menu of Ethiopian delights awaits the bold.

Bring friends and be prepared to linger. 2308 N MacArthur, OKC, 606.8616 $$ ZORBA’S Family recipes proudly share flavors of Cyprus, Spain, Greece and Morocco. 6014 N May, OKC, 947.7788 $

MEXICAN // LATIN AMERICAN 1492 Authentic Mexican cuisine in an elegant, romantic setting with perhaps the world’s best mojitos. 1207 N Walker, OKC, 236.1492 $$ ABUELO’S The variety, plates, flavors and experience are all huge. No passport required. 17 E Sheridan, OKC, 235.1422; 3001 W Memorial, OKC, 755.2680 $$ ALFREDO’S Kick back with an agave limeade and peruse the ample menu’s avocado enchiladas, fried tacos and more.

4 metro locations, alfredosok.com $$ BIG TRUCK TACOS It’s often standingroom-only at lunch, but don’t let that deter you from fresh, imaginative taco creations.

530 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.8226 $ CAFÉ DO BRASIL It’s a long way to Rio, but the spicy, savory menu covers the distance in a mouthful. 440 NW 11th, OKC, 525.9779 $$ CAFÉ KACAO A sunlit space filled with bright, vibrant Guatemalan flavors. The breakfast specialties truly dazzle. 3325 N Classen, OKC, 602.2883 $ CANTINA LAREDO A sophisticated take on Mexican fare, specializing in fresh fish and Angus beef. 1901 NW Expressway (in Penn Square Mall), OKC, 840.1051 $$ CHILTEPES Chuchitos to atol de elote, this Plaza District restaurant serves as a guided tour to the wondrous flavors of Guatemala.

1800 NW 16th, OKC, 601.0384 $$ CHUY’S The portions are substantial, the Hatch chile-fueled flavors are strong and the vibe is playfully enthusiastic. 760 N Interstate Dr, Norman, 360.0881 $$ FUZZY’S TACO SHOP Jumbo burritos, big salads and especially shrimp tacos – quickly and in plenitude. 752 Asp, Norman, 701.1000; 208 Johnny Bench, OKC, 602.3899 $ IGUANA MEXICAN GRILL Unique Mexican flavor in a fun atmosphere at reasonable prices. 9 NW 9th, OKC, 606.7172 $$ INCA TRAIL Flavors from around the world, piquant ceviches to homemade flan.

10948 N May, OKC, 286.0407 $$ JUAN DEL FUEGO This self-styled MexiDiner dishes up breakfast and lunch from both sides of the border. 223 34th Ave SW, Norman, 310.20302 $ LA BRASA Flavors of Peru make for a powerfully delicious dining experience in ceviches, sandwiches, fried rice and other entrees. 1310 NW 25th, OKC, 524.2251 $$ LA LUNA Its festive cantina-style atmosphere only adds to the enjoyment of classic fajitas, enchiladas and the bold carne ranchera. 409 W Reno, OKC, 235.9596 $$

MAMA ROJA MEXICAN KITCHEN Handrolled tamales, vendor-style tacos and more, on the scenic shores of Lake Hefner.

9219 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 302.6262 $$

GEORGE, THE High atop Founders Tower, its spectacular view adds savor to expert chefdriven creations featuring prime beef. 5900 Mosteller Dr, OKC, 607.4360 $$$

MAMAVECA Familiar Mexican favorites plus the diverse delights of Peruvian cuisine.

2551 W Hemphill, Norman, 573.4003 $$

HOLLIE’S FLATIRON STEAKHOUSE Plush and cozy, with entrees seared on a flatiron grill and a kick of Southwestern spice in the menu. 1199 Service Rd, Moore, 799.0300 $$

TARAHUMARA’S This airy ristorante serves huge, tasty Tex-Mex classics plus less ubiquitous fare like mole poblano. 702 N Porter, Norman, 360.8070 $$

JAMIL’S STEAKHOUSE Steak, lobster or prime rib with Lebanese appetizers gratis – Jamil’s has fed Oklahoma well since 1964.

4910 N Lincoln, OKC, 525.8352 $$

TED’S CAFÉ ESCONDIDO Fast, fresh and amply portioned, it’s often very crowded and always supremely delicious. 4 metro locations, tedscafe.com $$

JUNIOR’S A landmark restaurant where hand-cut Angus steaks and lobster fight for attention with knockout fried chicken. 2601 NW Expressway, OKC, 848.5597 $$$

YUCATAN TACO STAND Feisty Latin fusion cuisine plus signature nachos and combos… and over 75 tequilas. 100 E California, Suite 110, OKC, 886.0413 $

MAHOGANY PRIME STEAKHOUSE The ambiance and service are sublime, but fine aged steak broiled to perfection is the star.

3241 W Memorial, OKC, 748.5959 $$$

ZARATE’S The familiar joys of enchiladas and chimichangas, plus Peruvian dishes of plantains, yuca and imported spices. 706 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.6400 $$

MICKEY MANTLE’S This lushly atmospheric social spot in Bricktown serves powerhouse entrées and sides and with full amenities. 7 S Mickey Mantle, OKC, 272.0777 $$$

SEAFOOD

OPUS PRIME STEAKHOUSE Hand-cut USDA Prime Black Angus steaks, a vast wine selection and intimate ambience. 800 W Memorial, OKC, 607.6787 $$$

FISH CITY GRILL Shrimp and grits, oysters on the half shell… anyone who wishes Oklahoma had a coastline should feel right at home. 1389 E 15th, Edmond, 348.2300 $$ JAZMO’Z BOURBON STREET CAFÉ An upscale yet casual environment boasting Cajun and Creole-inspired selections. 100 E California, OKC, 232.6666 $$ LAND & SEA Chef Sean Cummings harnesses the delicious possibilities of multiple biomes in his latest savory concept. 7523 N May Ave, OKC, 755.2622 $$$ PEARL’S CRABTOWN A huge Bricktown warehouse where the Crab Boil is a favorite and taste is king. 303 E Sheridan, OKC, 232.7227 $$ PEARL’S OYSTER BAR A perennial winner in “best of the metro” polls for fresh, flavorful seafood and spicy Creole-inspired dishes.

5641 N Classen, OKC, 848.8008 $$ SHACK SEAFOOD & OYSTER BAR, THE A massive selection of nicely spiced Cajun and Creole cooking, plus seafood. 13801 Quail Pointe Dr, OKC, 286.5959 $$

SOUL FOOD BIGHEAD’S Fried alligator, frog legs and simmering, savory seafood gumbo – it’s a bayou treat right nearby. 617 S Broadway, Edmond, 340.1925 $$ THE DRUM ROOM Crispy, juicy fried chicken (among the city’s best) stars with fried okra, waffles and a fully loaded bar. 4300 N Western, OKC, 604.0990 $$ JAX SOUL KITCHEN The team behind Blackbird and blu dishes up big ol’ helpings of jambalaya, pork ribs, fried catfish and many more deep South classics. 575 S University, Norman, 801.2828 $ KD’S Pork chops, stuffed catfish, shrimp and grits and more of Kevin Durant’s favorite foods, presented with skill and vim – and a dose of star power. 224 Johnny Bench Dr, OKC, 701.3535 $$ MAMA E’S WINGS & WAFFLES A labor of love adored by locals seeking authentic Southern classics. 3838 Springlake, OKC, 424.0800; 900 W Reno, OKC, 231.1190 $ MJ’S Super-tasty individual box meals (hint: Jambalaya Sammich) or enormous feasts for parties, give this caterer some prep time and they’ll rock your taste buds. Appointment only. 548.5657 $$

STEAKHOUSE BOULEVARD STEAKHOUSE Perfectly soigné ambiance and cuisine easily in the metro’s elite – a sumptuous, if pricy, masterpiece.

505 S Boulevard, Edmond, 715.2333 $$$ CATTLEMEN’S This Oklahoma institution’s huge corn-fed steaks and matchless atmosphere are history served anew every day. 1309 S Agnew, OKC, 236.0416 $$

True Italians believe:

Every meal should be

a celebration.

RANCH STEAKHOUSE Effortless opulence, custom-aged hand-cut tenderloins and ribeyes and warm Southern hospitality.

3000 W Britton, OKC, 755.3501 $$$ RED PRIMESTEAK Visionary design and atmosphere house super-premium steaks, vibrant, imaginative flavors and amenities.

504 N Broadway, OKC, 232.2626 $$$ TWELVE OAKS Lobster, seafood and divine steak, enhanced even more by the ambiance of a hilltop Victorian home. 6100 N Midwest, Edmond, 340.1002 $$$

THAI PAD THAI Dine in or carry out beautifully executed exemplars of soups, curries and noodles. 119 W Boyd, Norman, 360.5551 $

Celebrate with Stella

with monthly Monday events, like Stella’s annual pig roast, 4 course wine dinners and evenings with nationally recognized chefs.

SALA THAI Pineapple curry, basil squid, cinnamon beef... the variety is exceptional, making this a popular midday option. 1614 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.8424 $ SWEET BASIL The enormous aquarium adds to the cozy ambiance; with its outstanding curries and soups, it makes a great dinner date. 211 W Main, Norman, 217.8424 $$ TANA THAI There’s a lot to like here, from red snapper filet to pad thai. Pay attention to the soups, and do not play chicken with the spice level. 10700 N May, OKC, 749.5590 $$

Visit stellaokc.com for upcoming dates.

VIETNAMESE CORIANDER CAFÉ Updating traditional Vietnamese recipes, this vegetarian-friendly café makes a quick, casual dining alternative.

323 White, Norman, 801.3958 $ LIDO Spring rolls to vermicelli bowls, this venerable diner runs the gamut of Vietnamese,Chinese and even French cuisine. 2518 N Military, OKC, 521.1902 $$ PHO CA DAO Vermicelli bowls, rice platters, piping hot pho, icy cold bubble tea and more.

2431 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 521.8819 $ PHO BULOUS Super fresh and super fast, specialties like Honey Ginger Chicken or Wasabi Salmon merit closer inspection.

3409 S Broadway, Edmond, 475.5599 $

LUNCH • DINNER • COCKTAILS • SUNDAY BRUNCH

1201 N. Walker 405-235-2200 stellaokc.com

Check o our exp ut restaur anded ant and mor listings inspirat e edible ion o anytime nline sliceok.c at om

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 71

This exhibition has been organized by the Tampa Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg and curated by Barbara Pollack.

Birdhead (Chinese, founded 2004). The Light of Eternity No. 3 (detail), 2012.

Black and white inkjet print. © Birdhead, courtesy of the artists and ShanghART Gallery Shanghai

For over 21 years, Second Chance Animal Sanctuary, a non-

Please keep us in mind when you are in search of a new pet!

Second Chance Animal Sanctuary, Inc COUTURE AREA RUGS • CARPET • PILLOWS 7118 N. Western • Oklahoma City • 405.842.9000 72 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

4500 24th Avenue NW in Norman (405) 321-1915 • www.secondchancenorman.com

PURSUITS

SPHERE EXCELLENCE

Elite performing troupe Cirque du Soleil has a dazzling show on its way to OKC this month – now the ball’s in your court. See page 81.

TOP 10 Prime starting points for making the most of the month 74 CONTINENT OF CREATIVITY Explore the diverse glories of Africa through visiting art 76

RICK DIAMOND

A GRAND GULF FETE Getting in on Galveston’s massive Mardi Gras celebration 78 SEE & DO January’s music, theater, visual arts and other delights 82 JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 73

PURSUITS | High Points

The Top

By Steve Gill

IT’S A BIG, BUSY METRO OUT THERE – IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO EVERYTHING, HERE’S WHERE TO START.

PLANTING IDEAS

January 16-18, State Fairgrounds It’s a promise to cherish through these frigid winter months: spring is coming. And when it does, when the weather encourages a joyous renovation of our indoor and outdoor spaces, the inspiration sown at the OKC Home & Garden Show will pay fruitful dividends. Tour wares and presentations by Kevin O’Connor, Don Engebretson, Matt Fox and over 500 other experts and vendors in landscaping, remodeling, cooking and design.

AVANT-ART

January 23, Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center The freshest, newest expressions of cutting-edge creativity fuel the annual Art Now exhibit that begins each year for the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center (a perfect match between event and organization). That showcase culminates in this fundraising gala boasting exceptional tastes and drinks, live performance and a chance to chat with the artists. And it is, naturally, one night only.

GEAR UP FOR THE HOEDOWN

January 24, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum What better venue for this lucky seventh shindig to be located? The dress code requests black tie (that includes the possibility of bolos, by the way) and cowboy boots for Infant Crisis Services’ joyous Boots & Ball Gowns gala, offering a rip-snortin’ good time in exchange for supporting the community’s neediest babies. Don’t wait too long to lasso tickets; it’s a perennial sellout.

SWEET SENSATION

January 26-27, Armstrong Auditorium It is, without exaggeration, the most famous ballet in the world. And though you may well know the tale of the love between Siegfried and Odette and its peril through the machinations of the villainous Rothbart, it’s rarely more ravishingly beautiful than when presented by the exemplary Russian National Ballet Theatre – relish the epic grace that is “Swan Lake” in one of their two special performances.

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PHOTOS: SWAN LAKE COURTESY ARMSTRONG AUDITORIUM, CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL COURTESY FIREHOUSE ART CENTER

Follow That Bird

January 31, Marriott at NCED Supporting the arts in Norman is its own reward, but once a year the Firehouse Art Center and dozens of local restaurants and vendors come together to sweeten the deal considerably. Sample your pick of delectable cocoa-infused treats and get a feel for how the Firehouse encourages community creativity at the wondrous Chocolate Festival; it’s a must.

Strings Around the World

January 12-13, All Souls & St. Paul’s Cathedral Music is a universal joy, one which requires no translation … which is a fortunate thing for Brightmusic, because otherwise the formidable chamber ensemble would be in need of multiple interpreters this month. The concert entitled “World Traveling Violin” features special guest Dr. Cyrus Beroukhim and works by Mozart, Khachaturian, Sheng, Ravel and Schoenfield – Austria to Tibet and beyond, all in OKC.

Dr. Cyrus Beroukhim

PIONEERS IN PAINT

January 15-April 25, Oklahoma Heritage Museum Brand new state! Brand new state! Going to creaaaaaate! As soon as there was an Oklahoma, someone had to begin forging its artistic identity – the retrospective exhibit “The First 50 Years” looks back at those trailblazers who established museums, began teaching art in state schools and universities, championed Native art and helped create an enduring legacy.

STRUM CIRCLE

January 23, Oklahoma City Community College The next group visiting OCCC as featured guests in its Performing Arts Series is the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra – and no, they aren’t a dozen people all playing ukuleles, that would be silly. They’re 11 ukulelists (ukulelingers? ukeliars?) and one double bassist. More to the point, their show is musically magnificent and exceptionally funny; a perfect antidote to the winter blahs.

PHOTOS: DR. CYRUS BEROUKHIM COURTESY NEW YORK CITY BALLET, WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL UKULELE ORCHESTRA BY MATT GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY

ROOM OF THE BOOM

January 22, Bricktown Events Center Break out the tuxedo and fine cigars; OKC Charity Fight Night is returning to benefit the after-school programs of the OKC Police Athletic League by featuring a card filled with high-caliber matchups in both traditional boxing and mixed martial arts, hosted by The Motor City Cobra: celebrity guest and retired boxer Tommy “Hitman” Hearns. Pound for pound, it’s one of the strongest events on the entertainment calendar.

Tommy “Hitman” Hearns

WHEN ALL’S SAID AND DONNE

January 9-18, OKC Civic Center This is a valediction permitting mourning, and rewarding quiet reflection. An academic who has spent her life pursuing her studies to the exclusion of personal relationships faces terminal cancer, and the end of all her days, with her accumulated wisdom and somber regrets for company. The OKC Theatre Company proudly presents the uncompromising, award-winning “Wit.” JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 75

PURSUITS | Spotlight

Left: Sofie & Jeff Mims, “Untitled;” next page clockwise from top: Sosena Solomon, “Rain,” Amber Wiley, “Untitled,” Ebony Iman Dallas, “Butterfly Woman,” Zena Allen, “Untitled,” Gay Pasley, “Vendora”

CONTINENT OF CREATIVITY

By Steve Gill

A BUILDING WHERE PAINTINGS ARE HUNG FOR VISITORS TO OBSERVE AND PURCHASE is called an art gallery; so it’s indicative that the logo of Paseo district locale The Project Box refers to it as a community art space instead. Proprietor Lisa Jean Allswede explains that the venue, which opened in May, isn’t a place to buy a painting and leave; it’s for people to experience.

“I like to use it as a creative space,” she said, “to have an open forum to teach people about the arts; use it as a vehicle to build community. I see it as a language – art is a language – so this is about exposing people to different ideas and themes through experiences.”

Previous exhibitions have asked visitors to sketch their own visualizations and interpretations of freedom on the walls and invited the community to participate in a potluck supper and recipe sharing – the show for January combines painting, photography, 76 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

video and live musical performance in a group exhibition inspired by the culture and beauty found across a continent.

You’re invited to take part in “Wanderlust: Nomadic Interpretations of Contemporary Africa” January 2-31.

The show is an extension of a project undertaken last year through the nonprofit Afrikanation Artists Organization. Curator Ebony Iman Dallas, an OKC resident and UCO grad with family in Somalia, explains that, “We had a project called the International Art Exchange that involved Somalian and Ethiopian artists [in] a celebration of art and culture. They participated over the theme of family rituals and traditions, and their art will be on display here along with their interviews,” which will be shown on video loops in the Project Box space. It’s not just paintings and photography; Dallas’ list of participants includes Ethiopian singer Meklit Hadero, international filmmaker Sosena Solomon, local guitarist Jeff Mims and many more, including herself.

She continues, “There’s music, there’s poetry, we’ll have the International Art Exchange artists as well as artists who live here in Oklahoma that have a connection to Africa – some have lived there, some have visited – I’ll have several pieces; it’s going to be a mixed show.”

The Project Box seems an ideal venue for a creative assembly like this (Dallas and Allswede met when they were both participants in the Oklahoma Arts Council’s Leadership Arts program) in part because “Wanderlust” is meant to be about more than only aesthetics.

“It’s educational,” Dallas smiles. “The point behind the International Art Exchange project is similar to the point behind having the community here experience these artists: it’s about interaction; it’s about creating a conversation. This is a chance to … hear from people who either have some kind of experience with Africa or some kind of connection that they want to share.

I’m most looking forward to seeing people’s reactions; being able to talk to them and having them be able to interact with the artists.”

“It’s, I think, something new in Oklahoma City. I find it exciting. And I love the idea of starting a conversation,” adds Allswede.

“There’s a lot of things happening in our world globally, and art is the perfect vehicle to open the door for a conversation. I like that.”

WHERE TO SHARE

The variety incorporated into “Wanderlust: Nomadic Interpretations of Contemporary Africa” is simultaneously a draw and a drawback: a total of 16 artists are participating, including musicians – but while the visual art will remain on display through the month of January, if you want to get the full experience, you should try to be present for the opening.

The Project Box is located at 3003 Paseo St in Oklahoma City, with the opening reception scheduled for 6-10 p.m. on Friday, January 2. There will also be a closing reception January 30; check theprojectboxokc.com for more details about the show and the space.

During the show, The Project Box will also be hosting an art supply donation drive to send the raw materials of creative expression – paint, ink, brushes, colored pencils, etc. – to Somalia. You have to like the idea of everyone who wants to create having the opportunity.

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 77

PURSUITS | Getting Away

A Grand Gulf Fete

BY ELAINE WARNER

Avast, me hearties, here there be pirates – and parades – and parties! It’s Mardi Gras in Galveston.

Galveston boasts the third-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States with 22 parades, 38 concerts, 20 balcony parties and five masked balls. Over 300,000 people are expected to show up for the festivities.

Weekends are the busiest, with many of the days featuring multiple parades.

A number of the parades and concerts take place in the Entertainment District near the harbor. This is a controlled, ticketed area so there’s a small charge – buy online ahead of time and save a little money. Check out the Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade Parade online and consider bedecking your bumbershoot and joining the record-setting umbrella dance through the Strand. Tickets are also available to some of the balcony parties; grab one for a bird’s eye view of the parades and the chance to throw beads over the railing.

BETWEEN PARADES

Sightseeing opportunities in Galveston range from erudite to eccentric. On the serious side, guests can better understand the island’s history with a visit to Pier 21, home to the Texas Seaport Museum and the 1877 tall ship Elissa, and a viewing of the short film “The Great Storm of 1900,” which documents the city’s greatest disaster. I took a great tour of the historic eastern end of the island and saw many homes that survived the devastation, including the magnificent 1892 Bishop’s Palace – worth a visit all on its own. Methods of touring include Segways, carriage tours, tour train or self-guided by bicycle.

Once a working drilling rig, the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum now sits in the Port of Galveston and offers an insider’s look at life and work on an offshore rig.

For another view of the harbor, take a Bay Watch Dolphin Tour. The playful mammals are almost guaranteed to show for a close-up.

In the center of the island, the Lone Star Flight Museum houses many historically significant aircraft along with 1,500 artifacts related to the history of flight.

For a real thrill, check on the availability of flights in some of the vintage planes, including an open-cockpit PT-17 Stearman Biplane.

78 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Clockwise from top: Several of the largest Mardi Gras parades start along the seafront. // Pyramid through palms: the Aquarium Pyramid at Moody Gardens houses life from four distinct ocean environments. // Built of cypress, this Victorian beauty is lavishly trimmed and features a sunflower motif. // The imposing Bishop’s Palace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

MARDI GRAS SEAFRONT COURTESY GALVESTON ISLAND CVB; AQUARIUM PYRAMID COURTESY MOODY GARDENS; VICTORIAN HOME AND BISHOP’S PALACE BY ELAINE WARNER

The biggest attraction in this area of the island is Moody Gardens, an all-inone attraction including accommodations, a golf course, a paddlewheel cruiser, ropes/zipline courses and three pyramids housing Texas’ largest aquarium, a rain forest and special exhibits.

For funkier fun, visit Pirates! Legends of the Gulf Coast or the adjacent Haunted Mayfield Manor. The popular Historic Pleasure Pier on the seafront pays homage to a 1940s hot spot and includes rides, games, shops and entertainment.

EVERYBODY HAS TO SLEEP SOMETIME

From economy to elegant, there are plenty of options for lodging in Galveston, but Mardi Gras does fill up the city and early reservations are a must. Both the Moody Garden Hotel and the historic Galvez have AAA Four Diamond ratings.

The 1911 Galvez sits on the beachfront, right on the route of a couple of the largest parades. My personal favorite is the Tremont House, a boutique beauty in the Strand District. It’s perfectly located for exploring the historic downtown.

A cool new addition to the town’s accommodations is Harbor House, a unique boutique hotel on Pier 21. Sister property to both the Galvez and the Tremont, it features sleek, contemporary furnishings in a waterfront location – with easy access to the Strand District.

MAMA’S GOT A BRAND-NEW BAG

While you’re exploring the historic Strand, be sure you bring your billfold. The streets around the Tremont House are packed with all sorts of shops selling items from bling to books and everything in between. I got my glitz on at Just Add SparJANUARY 2015 // SLICE 79

PURSUITS | Getting Away kle and loved the paintings at the G. Lee Gallery, both on Post Office Street. Need an antique diving suit or a brass ship’s bell? Try Nautical Antiques on Mechanic.

The Galveston Historical Foundation’s Eighteen Seventy One is the place to find books on the region and Galveston-related gifts.

Their most unusual venture is the Architectural Salvage Warehouse at 23rd and Broadway. You never know what you’ll find here – could be fancy doorknobs, balusters, shutters or salvaged tile. I found a pair of Meissen mid-19th century gilt and pink brackets at a fraction of their estimated value.

AS THE STOMACH RUMBLES

You might expect a seacoast town to be a seafood lover’s nirvana … and Galveston doesn’t disappoint. For an over-a-century favorite, Gaido’s is a must-stop. Come for the seafood but stay for the pie. Texas Monthly has awarded the restaurant “best pecan pie in Texas” more than once.

JANUARY 12 AT 7:30 ALL SOULS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH JANUARY 13 AT 7:30 ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL MUSIC OF MOZART, KHACHATURIAN, SHENG, RAVEL AND SCHOENFIELD TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR $15 ADULTS, STUDENTS FREE FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT BRIGHTMUSIC . ORG

Rudy and Paco’s pecancrusted snapper

A number of years ago, my husband and I ate at Rudy and Paco’s on Post Office Street. The meal was so outstanding and the service so incredible that we couldn’t stop talking about it. We were dismayed when, in 2008, Hurricane Ike swept over the island and destroyed the restaurant. It took nine months to rebuild, but it’s better than ever and in 2013 was named one of the 100 Best Restaurants in America by Open Table’s Diners Choice Awards.

Grouper is the most popular dish at Number 13 Prime Steak and Seafood, but the steak is a great choice for landlubbers. The setting is the Pelican Rest Marina and the view from the two-story terrace is stunning.

There you have it: eating, sleeping, shopping, sightseeing and partying. If that’s not enough, don’t forget the beach, surf or deepsea fishing, bird watching, hiking and kayaking. If there’s one place where the good times really roll – it’s Galveston!

CYRUS BEROUKHIM 80 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Mardis Gras 2015: February 6-17

For Mardi Gras information: mardigrasgalveston.com Lone Star Flight Museum: lonestarflight.org Moody Gardens: moodygardens.org Hotels: moodygardenshotel.com; wyndhamhotelgalvez.com; wyndhamtremonthouse.com; harborhousepier21.com General info: galveston.com/cvb

SNAPPER PHOTO COURTESY GICVB

FYI

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) BENOIT CAMIRAND, VERONIQUE VIDAL, RICK DIAMOND, TOMAS MUSCIONICO

PURSUITS | Spotlight

THE WILD WORLD OF WHEREVER

By Steve Gill

ALTHOUGH HUNDREDS OF SHOWS AND PERFORMANCES PER YEAR FILL THE METRO WITH ENTERTAINMENT, most of them don’t bring their own entire worlds with them. Of course, there aren’t many production companies who operate on the immersive, transformative level of Cirque du Soleil, which is treating Oklahoma City to a fresh spectacle – a whole new world – this month in the form of “Varekai.”

The name means “wherever” in the Romany tongue, and while it harnesses the world-class talents of athletes, acrobats and musicians to breathtakingly convey a realm of wanderers and wonders, we can nail down the location to the Chesapeake Arena. For the moment.

Varekai is ostensibly about the journey and adventures of a lone wayfarer, Icarus, who falls from the sky into the namesake land atop a volcano. However, story is seldom paramount in a Cirque du Soleil production – audiences are more likely to be captivated by the elaborate custom-designed costumes and sets, the swirl of music inspired by a variety of worldwide traditions (Hawaiian chants to traditional Armenian folk melodies) and performed live by a 7-piece ensemble, the bizarrely colorful characters and the purely incredible physical performances. Juggling, tumbling, balancing on and leaping between canes and crutches, gliding through and writhing around aerial nets and hoops … performers will skate without skates, swing without swings, fly without wings and walk where there is no ground.

Then, like a surreal, acrobatic Brigadoon, it will vanish. After a mere seven performances, January 28-February 1, the arena will return to its more mundane role in our world and the realm of Varekai will be gone, leaving only memories behind. But some of those memories can be yours, if you act with sufficient haste. Visit chesapeakearena.com for tickets or more information, and get ready to go exploring.

JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 81

See & Do DANCE Young Choreographers’ Showcase Jan 22-25 A juried array of the freshest moves mapped out by OU School of Dance students. OU Reynolds PAC 560 Parrington Oval, OKC, 325.4101, ou.edu/ finearts Swan Lake Jan 26-27 Special guests from the Russian National Ballet Theatre perform a heart-moving classic. Armstrong Auditorium 14400 S Bryant Rd, Edmond, 285.1010, armstrongauditorium.org

EVENTS

OKC Home & Garden Show Jan 16-18 Three days of blissful anticipation for the coming of spring; get ideas, products and expert guidance to get your green thumb back in shape. State Fairgrounds 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd, OKC, 301.5525, oklahomacityhomeshow.com Snowflake Gala Jan 22 The United Way of OKC announces its fundraising total for the previous year and applauds the donors and volunteers who helped amass it. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 523.3502, unitedwayokc.org Todd Barry Jan 22 From “Flight of the Conchords” to “Chapelle’s Show” to “Sesame Street,” Barry is a deliciously deadpan standup comic with a knack for

1st Friday Gallery Walk Jan 2 The historic arts district’s name means “stroll,” which happens to be the preferred form of locomotion while taking in its wonders during a monthly display of arts and culture. Paseo Arts District 3022 Paseo St, OKC, 525.2688, thepaseo.com

W Reno Ave, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com

FILM

Chocolate Festival Jan 31 One of the sweetest fundraisers you’ll ever see supports the creative educational endeavors of Norman’s Firehouse Art Center - local restaurants contribute chocolate creations for guests to sample and enjoy. NCED Conference Center 2801 E Hwy 9, Norman, 329.4523, normanfirehouse.com

Circle Theater Shows Jan 2-25 The OKC Museum of Art screens overlooked treasures and unsung independent films for cineastes who want to step outside the multiplex. OKC Museum of Art 415 Couch Dr, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com

Dancing Pros: Live! Jan 31 Alan Thicke, Chelsie Hightower, Angel Taylor and more familiar faces from “Dancing With the Stars,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and other programs are taking their talents on the road and waltzing their way across the country (there’s also some tango and sambaing). OKC Civic

White II Jan 1-31 The cozy gallery in the Paseo is home to intriguing art, inside and out: this month starts the new year with a crisp multi-artist exploration of the lightest shade. JRB Art at the Elms 2810 N Walker Ave, OKC, 528.6336, jrbartgallery.com

2nd Friday Circuit of Art Jan 9 A monthly community-wide celebration of creativity, focused on historic Downtown Norman. Norman Arts Council 122 E Main St, Norman, 360.1162, normanarts.org

Wanderlust Jan 2-31 The community art space for public exploration of art welcomes a group of creative travelers for a selection of nomadic interpretations of contemporary Africa curated by Ebony Iman Dallas. The Project Box 3003 Paseo St, OKC, 609.3969, theprojectboxokc.com

Live on the Plaza Jan 9 Vendors, artists, residents and passerby unite for a monthly fiesta. OKC Plaza District 1618 N Gatewood Ave, OKC, 367.9403, plazadistrict.org Medieval Midwinter Ball Jan 10 The fair isn’t until spring, but you can enliven a dark winter’s night with reverly at this second annual buffet and dance costumes encouraged but not required.

OU Memorial Union Ballroom 900 Asp Ave, Norman, 325.8610, medievalfair.org

OKC Comedy Jan 14 Laugh it up with live standup entertainment from some of the comedy circuit’s big-time names: Jen Kirkman guests this month with Tom Joyce and BradChad Porter. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center 3000 General Pershing Blvd, OKC, 618.6944, okccomedy.com Auto Alley Shop Hop Jan 15 Discounts, giveaways, special mini-events and have-to-be-there fun fill this monthly mercantile excursion along one of the metro’s distinctive shopping destinations. Automobile Alley 1015 N Broadway Ave, OKC, 235.3500, downtownokc.com Premiere on Film Row Jan 16 Fowler Honda sponsors the downtown OKC street festival; it’s family-friendly, petwelcoming, free to wander through and filled with treats for the ears and taste buds. Film Row 706 W Sheridan Ave, OKC, 232.6060

82 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

OCU Film Institute Jan 25 The film series’ exploration of worldwide ethics beyond religion continues with Jia Zhangke’s “A Touch of Sin,” followed by a discussion.

OCU Meinders School of Business 2801 N McKinley Ave, OKC, 208.5472, okcu. edu/film-lit/

GALLERIES

Eagle Watch Jan 2-4 Bundle up and hope for a clear look at some of the lake’s most majestic residents as they nest; the park has plenty of eagle info. Arcadia Lake 9000 E 2nd St, Edmond, 216.7471, arcadialakeok.com

Allied Arts Campaign Kickoff Jan 14 2015 is officialy underway; time to get started making a substantive contribution to supporting the growth and development of the arts in Oklahoma. And there are snacks!

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 278.8944, alliedartsokc.com

Classics Series Jan 6-27 Catch a masterpiece you missed the first time around or just want to re-experience on the big screen: “Back to the Future” Part I Jan 6, Part II Jan 13 and Part III Jan 20, and “Teen Wolf” Jan 27. Harkins Theatres 150 E Reno Ave, OKC, 321.4747, harkinstheatres.com

TRAVIS LEDOYT Jan 10 - Riverwind Casino

cascading, incisive punchlines. ACM @ UCO Performance Lab 329 E Sheridan Ave, OKC, 974.4700, acm-uco.com Art Now Jan 23 They’re Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center; of course they want to focus on the present and the finest in fresh creations at their glittering annual soiree. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center 3000 General Pershing Blvd, OKC, 951.0000, oklahomacontemporary.org

Center 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 297.2264, okcciviccenter.com UPCOMING Chocolate Decadence Feb 5 An annual event that’s a perennial sellout, the smooth soiree features jazz, wine, champagne, coffee and plenty of taste excursions in chocolatey bliss. Hudson Essex Lofts 825 N Broadway Ave, OKC, 618.8820, downtownokc.com

Boots & Ball Gowns Jan 24 Plenty of time to practice and polish up your “Yee-ha!” before this western-themed gala benefiting Infant Crisis Services.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 778.7608, infantcrisis.org

Taste of OKC Feb 7 Live music, live and silent auctions and a cavalcade of flavors from across the city fuel this fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. Bricktown Events Center 429 E California Ave, OKC, 943.8075, tasteokc.com

Edmond Authors’ Book Fair Jan 24 Local literati gather to share in the insights and outputs of their favorite writers from around the area in this free public event. Edmond Historical Society 431 S Boulevard St, Edmond, 340.0078, edmondhistory.org

ONGOING Downtown in December Through Jan 4 A polar panoply of holiday joys, from snow tubing to skating to shopping, fills the city center with yuletide glee. Downtown OKC 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 235.3500, downtownindecember.com

Varekai by Cirque du Soleil Jan 28-Feb 1 Elite athletes and aerial artists tell a visual and musical tale of exploration and wonder centered around a mystical other world. Chesapeake Arena 100

Edmond Outdoor Ice Skating Through Jan 5 The cocoa is hot and the ground is cold; rent some skates and go for a spin. Festival Market Place 30 W 1st St, Edmond, 274.1638, expressice.com

Behnaz Sohrabian Jan 5-30 The Fine Arts Institute presents a solo show of pieces by the Iranian-born Sohrabian, a career artist who relishes the opportunity to depict women as actual people rather than accessories or possessions. Fine Arts Institute of Edmond 27 E Edwards St, Edmond, 340.4481, edmondfinearts. com Growing Cities Jan 9-Feb 9 OKC’s exciting growth inspired this series of skyscapes and portraits from Phoenix resident and metro native Jamie Pettis. dna galleries 1709 NW 16th St, OKC, 525.3499, dnagalleries.com John Wolfe Jan 9-Feb 28 A wizard with watercolors who also welds mesmerizing sculptures, Wolfe has been sharing beauty with Oklahomans for decades.

Santa Fe Depot Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org ONGOING Hub of Creativity Through Jan 4 Automobile Alley OKC, 231.8663, downtownokc.com Watch Out for the Under Toad Through Jan 10 aka Gallery 3001 Paseo St, OKC, 606.2522, aka-gallery.com Goddess/Anti-Goddess Through Jan 31 IAO Gallery OKC, 232.6060, individualartists.org David Holland Through Feb 15 State Capitol Governor’s Gallery OKC, 521.2931, arts.ok.gov

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JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 83

PURSUITS | See & Do

OKC125 Through Feb 27 The Underground under Robert S. Kerr & Robinson Ave, OKC, 990.2448, romyowens.com/#okc125

MUSEUMS The First 50 Years Jan 15-Apr 25 Pioneers made the state, but it took pioneering artists to form the foundation for Oklahoma’s creative identity. This exhibition celebrates their contributions and ongoing influences on those who continue in and beyond their footsteps. Oklahoma Heritage Museum 1400 Classen Dr, OKC, 523.3231, oklahomaheritage.com Youth Impressions Jan 19-30 The annual juried art show is open to schoolage children from across the state, offering cash prizes for the best in show and an opportunity to appreciate the best young talent in Oklahoma. Edmond Community Center 28 E Main St, Edmond, 340.4481, edmondfinearts.com School of Art & Art History Student Exhibition Jan 22-Feb 15 The show has been an annual affair for more than a century; this is the 101st juried compilation of diverse and forwardthinking works, showcasing the finest the university’s future artists have to offer. Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art 555 Elm Ave, Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma ONGOING Connection Through Jan 3 Oklahoma Heritage Museum OKC, 523.3231, oklahomaheritage.com Cowboy Crossings Through Jan 4 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org Formed in Stone: Oklahoma Fossils Through Jan 4 Sam Noble Museum Norman, 325.4712, snomnh.ou.edu Macrocosm/Microcosm Through Jan 4 Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma Making Change Through Jan 4 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org Rare: Portraits of Endangered Species Through Jan 4 Sam Noble Museum Norman, 325.4712, snomnh.ou.edu My Generation: Young Chinese Artists Through Jan 18 OKC Museum of Art OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com Bill Hensley Through Feb 28 Exhibit C OKC, 767.8900, chickasawcountry.com Frederic Remington’s American West Through Mar 31 Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma Orly Genger Through Oct 2 Campbell Park OKC, 951.0000, oklahomacontemporary.org

MUSIC Purple Bar Performances Jan 2-31 A cozy setting, ample menu and outstanding music from local artists.

Nonna’s Purple Bar 1 S Mickey Mantle Dr, OKC, 235.4410, purplebarokc.com Winter Wind: Johnsmith Jan 4 A mononamed musician with an infectious smile and a gift for turning a deft phrase, the ramblin’ man rings in the new year for The Depot. Santa Fe Depot 200 S Jones Ave, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org Noon Tunes Jan 8-29 Free lunchtime serenades to sonically spice up your Thursdays. Downtown Library 300 Park Ave, OKC, 231.8650, mls.lib.ok.us

84 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

Philharmonic: A Little Romance Jan 10 The OKC Philharmonic begins the new year sweetly with special guest pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 842.5387, okcphilharmonic.org Travis LeDoyt Jan 10 When it comes to America’s hearts and minds, Elvis has never left the building - the King will live on even more strongly in your memory after witnessing the uncanny accuracy of LeDoyt’s impersonational performance. Riverwind Casino 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6464, riverwind.com

Shovels and Rope Jan 22 Solo artists Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent met, collaborated, formed a duo and got married - and they lived folk-rockpunk-ily ever after. Mazel tov! ACM @ UCO Performance Lab 329 E Sheridan Ave, OKC, 974.4700, acm-uco.com Wellington Int’l Ukelele Orchestra Jan 23 If you’ve never heard the words “ukelele orchestra” together, you’re in for a treat; the New Zealand ensemble’s mastery of their distinctive instruments is incredible. OCCC Theater 7777 S May Ave, OKC, 682.7576, occc.edu/cas

Jazz at the Depot Jan 11 Warm up your weekend with a smooth dose of musical bliss courtesy of special guests The Mitch Bell Group. Santa Fe Depot 200 S Jones Ave, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org

Philharmonic: All That Jazz Jan 23-24 The OKC Philharmonic’s Pops season continues with a symphonic celebration of the songwriting craft of Kander and Ebb. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 842.5387, okcphilharmonic.org

Brightmusic Jan 12-13 Special guest Cyrus Beroukhim supplies the title instrument in the far-flung program called “World Traveling Violin.”

All Souls Church and St. Paul’s Cathedral 6400 N Penn Ave and 127 NW 7th St, OKC, brightmusic.org

Tuesday Noon Concerts Jan 27 Add a bit of music to your lunch break as the free weekly concert courtesy of OU School of Music students and faculty returns from a holiday hiatus. Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art 555 Elm Ave, Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma

Eric Church Jan 14 The current performance run may be dubbed “The Outsiders Tour,” but fans of the country singer will be thrilled to hear him live inside the ‘Peake. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com

Randy Rogers Band Jan 30 The Texas tunesmiths’ last recording was a live album, but Norman fans can do better than that by simply hearing them live when they blow through Riverwind.

Riverwind Casino 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6464, riverwind.com

Juilliard String Quartet Jan 15 Exemplars of the musical mastery exhibited by the graduates of Juilliard, this globe-traveling ensemble elevates the chamber music form.

Armstrong Auditorium 14400 S Bryant Rd, Edmond, 285.1010, armstrongauditorium.org

Big Smo’s Kuntry Livin’ Tour Jan 31 That’s not a typo, at least not an unintentional one. Smo’s more about musical flow than spelling, crossing the streams of hip-hop and outlaw country for a beat-heavy, sample-laden sound.

Grand Casino 777 Grand Casino Blvd, Shawnee, 964.7777, grandresortok.com

Dr. Hook Jan 17 You can’t fake Ray Sawyer’s sly sense of humor, and his raspy voice and smooth musical mastery make the show a lasting delight. Grand Casino 777 Grand Casino Blvd, Shawnee, 964.7777, grandresortok.com

SPORTS

Eric Benét Jan 17 The casino celebrates MLK Day by welcoming R&B/soul star Benet along with special guest Jon B. Riverwind Casino 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6464, riverwind.com Blue Door Shows Jan 17-25 Selfbilled as “the best listening room in Oklahoma,” it certainly has some of the best music, including Brandon Jenkins Jan 17, K.C. Clifford Jan 24 and John Calvin Abney Jan 25 - check online for updates. The Blue Door 2805 N McKinley Ave, OKC, 524.0738, bluedoorokc.com Winter Wind: Meg Hutchinson Jan 18 A poet, folk singer and gently puissant bard, Hutchinson’s works are rich with a core of patient stillness; perfect for The Depot’s wintry musical mix. Santa Fe Depot 200 S Jones Ave, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org Black Label Society Jan 20 Crank it up down by the river with the Diamond Ballroom’s powerful shows: this month’s headliner is Zakk Wylde and his angry, angry crew. Diamond Ballroom 8001 S Eastern Ave, OKC, 866.977.6849, dcfconcerts.com OU Concert Series Jan 20-31 The OU School of Music presents and a dual performance from trombone virtuoso Irv Wagner Jan 20, the Sooner Bassooners Jan 20 (those are separate performances), pianist Stephanie Shames Jan 26, baritone Ferris Allen and pianist Elizabeth Avery Jan 31. OU Catlett Music Center 500 W Boyd St, Norman, 325.4101, ou.edu/finearts

Thunder Basketball Jan 2-26 OKC brings the noise against a slate of NBA opponents: Washington Jan 2, Utah Jan 9, Golden State Jan 16 and Minnesota Jan 26. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, 208.4800, thunder.nba.com OU Men’s Basketball Jan 3-28 It’s a long road to the NCAA Tournament, but getting there is half the fun for fans as the Sooners face Baylor Jan 3, Kansas State Jan 10, Oklahoma State Jan 17 and Texas Tech Jan 28. Lloyd Noble Center 2900 S Jenkins Ave, Norman, 325.2424, soonersports.com OSU Men’s Basketball Jan 3-31 From preseason to the last tip before the Big 12 Tournament, OSU figures to make the home court roar: they host Kansas State Jan 3, Texas Jan 10, Texas Tech Jan 21, Baylor Jan 27 and some guys from Norman Jan 31. GallagherIba Arena 1046 W Hall of Fame Ave, Stillwater, 877.255.4678, okstate.com OU Women’s Basketball Jan 4-24 It’s a long road to the NCAA Tournament, but getting there is half the fun for fans; the Sooners face West Virginia Jan 4, Texas Jan 14, OSU Jan 19 and Texas Tech Jan 24. Lloyd Noble Center 2900 S Jenkins Ave, Norman, 325.2424, soonersports.com Barons Hockey Jan 6-31 OKC’s ice warriors get set to face off against a gamut of AHL foes: Texas Jan 6, 16 and 17, Rochester Jan 18 and Lake Erie Jan 30-31. Cox Center 1 Myriad Gardens, OKC, 232.4625, okcbarons.com OSU Women’s Basketball Jan 7-24 From preseason to the last tip before the Big 12 Tournament, OSU figures to make the home court roar: they host Texas Tech Jan 7, Kansas State Jan 14, West Virginia Jan 17 and TCU Jan 24. Gallagher-Iba Arena 1046 W Hall

of Fame Ave, Stillwater, 877.255.4678, okstate.com OKC Blue Basketball Jan 9-29 The Thunder’s D-League affiliate looks to bring its A-game against Iowa Jan 9, Reno Jan 10, Los Angeles Jan 13, Canton Jan 23, Austin Jan 24 and Erie Jan 29. Cox Center 1 Myriad Gardens, OKC, 208.4800, nba.com/dleague/ OKC Charity Fight Night Jan 22 A cowboy-black-tie evening (for spectators) of enjoying a drink, a cigar and several bouts of top-tier pugilism, this fundraiser hosted by Thomas “Hitman” Hearns benefits the OKC Police Athletic League. Bricktown Events Center 429 E California Ave, OKC, 706.7484, okcfightnight.com PBR Showcase Jan 23-24 Only the biggest, least friendly bulls and toughest cowboys make up the Professional Bull Riders circuit; the action will get plenty fierce. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com

THEATER Wit Jan 9-18 A cancer patient reevaluates her life in a layered, bittersweet production from OKC Theatre Company. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 626.6605, okctheatrecompany.org Kindness Jan 9-31 Mercy means most in hard times, as a teen boy and his ailing mother discover while on the run.

Carpenter Square Theater 800 W Main St, OKC, 232.6500, carpentersquare.com Opera at the Movies Jan 10 An elite performance of an all-time great opera - Rossini’s playfully memorable “The Barber of Seville” - presented in high-definition comfort. Harkins Theatres 150 E Reno Ave, OKC, 321.4747, harkinstheatres.com Once Jan 13-18 Music is the bond that helps a tender romance grow between strangers in this Celebrity Attractions stage adaptation. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 800.869.1451, celebrityattractions.com Everybody Loves Opal Jan 22-Feb 15 Con artists, a cheerful loner and a big secret collide in this comedic “prank in three acts.” Jewel Box Theater 3700 N Walker Ave, OKC, 521.1786, jewelboxtheatre.org Pageant Jan 28-Feb 15 There she is: Miss, um … well, Lyric Theatre brings the thrill of victory and the acted agony of defeat to the stage in a musical comedy starring an unusual set of competitors. Lyric’s Plaza Theater 1725 NW 16th St, OKC, 524.9312, lyrictheatreokc.com ONGOING The Book of Mormon Through Jan 4 The minds behind South Park penned this hit musical satire about the importance of religion and the misadventures of people trying to spread it. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 297.2264, okcciviccenter.com

Check ou coming t the top soc year’s ia in our D l events a te b o o online, k an d o f w h a t s t ay o n t o p ’s happ ening with ou r se event c archable alendar at sliceok .com

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JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 85

Last Laugh

BEST YEAR EVER I NEVER RING IN A NEW YEAR WITH A LOT OF FANFARE. Halloween has always been my holiday of choice because I enthusiastically endorse any opportunity to assume another identity and consume candy with abandon.

New Year’s, on the other hand, is perennially overhyped like a summer blockbuster – a sure sign of impending disappointment.

It’s also a holiday that’s annoyingly aligned with hangovers, new diets, new workouts and black-eyed peas.

Ordinarily, I’d choose the hangover 10 times out of 10 if I hadn’t recently become so superstitious about the black-eyed peas.

In my universe, hangovers, diets and workouts have a shelf life of about 24 hours, but skipping the black-eyed peas carries a minimum sentence of 365 days. If 2014 has taught me anything, it’s not to trifle with those.

Purported to bring good luck to those who eat them on New Year’s Day, black-eyed peas had been my annual staple for years.

But after a string of uneventful years – not lucky, not bad, just OK – I concluded that the “good luck” promise was a myth, probably concocted by charlatan landlords to make the serfs mind their black-eyed pea crops. The next thing you know, the serfs are telling their serf babies and then the grandserfs, who all grow up believing they’re lucky to be serfs (thanks, no doubt, to the New Year’s Day consumption of black-eyed peas).

This time last year, right there in my neighborhood Homeland, I convinced myself that I’d be the serf to expose the myth as I strolled right past the canned vegetable aisle with my nose in the air, dismissing the black-eyed peas as nothing more than the fodder of feudal propaganda.

What kind of risk was I taking, after all? Not once have I ever heard a lottery winner exclaim, “And it’s all because I ate black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day!” Black-eyed peas never get props from the person with the winning raffle ticket, or the guy who finds a billfold full of cash (with no ID inside, of course) or from the 12th caller.

Face it: black-eyed peas just don’t have the same clout as more legitimate, luck-bringing currency – the rabbit’s foot, the four-leaf clover, the winning half of the wishbone or even the parking lot penny. BEPs are the wannabe-harbingers of good luck, with all the Doomsday-ready convenience of a can.

Convinced there would be no measurable downside to skipping my annual serving of black-eyed peas, I moved on to the Christmas candy aisle, where I nabbed some half-price peppermint bark with a hard, crunchy consistency that was remarkably similar to the hard, crunchy consistency of the molar that broke in half as I was eating the bark.

And it was only January 2.

The broken tooth, it turns out, was one of the brighter spots of 2014.

When I told a friend last fall that 2014 was the worst year ever, he shook his head and warned me, “If you don’t stop saying that, you’re going to manifest it.”

86 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

By Lauren Hammack

But at that point, it was too late; manifestation of the Year of the Devil was well underway, operating on all 365 cylinders.

If 2014 had been Jack Ruby, then I was Oswald, a guy who, according to most historians (and feudal lords), did not eat any black-eyed peas on January 1, 1963.

As someone whose default setting is happy and optimistic (without pharmaceuticals), I doubted that I could be the manifester of such an inauspicious year. My mindset would have manifested a year of joy, celebration, friendship and kindness for me and for everyone around me. Halfway through, it was clear that my 2014 had been hijacked by a chimp with a loaded pistol, obviously sanctioned by the devil.

Refusing to concede 2014 to the chimp, I’ve decided that last year’s misfortunes point right back to an unopened can of black-eyed peas. This year, taking no chances, I will ring in the New Year at midnight, armed with a can opener in one hand and a double helping of black-eyed peas on my table.

If I’m manifesting anything for 2015, it is divine reciprocity to bring my world back into alignment and bring light where there has been darkness. For you, kind reader, I’d like to manifest the best year ever, with all the joy, laughter and promise of good fortune that every new year brings.

But if I were you, I’d still eat the black-eyed peas, just in case.

Happy New Year!

VOTE ONLINE!

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X X X G J M J H S F F X F T U F S O D P N

and after you’ve cast your votes, don’t forget to register to win one of 5 prizes, from shopping cards to fine dining.

SLICEOK.COM/AWARDS Winners will be selected at random from all participants. Votes will be held in confidence. See sliceok.com/awards for complete rules and eligibility.

Mercy Hospital Physicians Tower 4200 W. Memorial Road, Suite 101 Oklahoma City, OK 73120 Phone 405-749-4285 www.physicians-optical.com

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JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 87

Last Look

Off to the Races Photo by Ruthann Lach

It’s time to turn tail on 2014 and put our energies toward bounding into the as-yet-unknown future. Let’s go explore a new year!

To submit your photo for Last Look, visit sliceok.com/last-look/

88 SLICE // JANUARY 2015

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