Pollard urges Oklahomans to contact Congress over proposed arts cuts
The House of Representatives has already approved some $45 million in cuts, but the Senate has not voted yet. The Pollard receives just more than $50,000 a year from the Oklahoma Arts Council, which receives 20 percent of its grant-making budget from the NEA. A cut to the OAC via cuts to the NEA would…
Mind games
The sophomore album is always an uphill battle, and God bless Telekinesis’ Michael Benjamin Lerner for getting through it with all the other obstacles that popped up along the way. The stress of following up his critically acclaimed debut, “Telekinesis!,” was compounded by a litany of other problems: a serious car wreck, a breakup, depression…
Space invaders
Sometimes the band name defines the band, and in others, the sound defines the name. In the case of Oklahoma City trio Aliens Vs. Robots, it’s a little bit of both. “It came from our music, from what I thought the music sounded like,” bassist David Steele said. “We were playing our song ‘Invasions’ and…
Wind chimes
OKC’s Windsong Chamber Choir will premiere 12 newly commissioned pieces in a free concert, “Cantica Sacra: Music of the Mary Heath Endowment,” at 5 p.m. Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N. Shartel. The concert will feature a cappella performances, ensemble accompaniment and a full orchestra throughout the course of the show. Oklahoman Mary K.…
Got milk?
And why not? The Austin quartet features three champion childhood fiddlers — Brian Beken, Noah Jeffries and Dennis Ludiker — who met as children competing at Idaho’s annual National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest & Festival. That early connection would bloom years later in Austin, Texas, where the trio reconnected. Two years ago, the three hooked up…
Life’s a beach
Should the whole “being a beloved ’90s rock band” stop working out, the guys of 311 might make for pretty excellent marriage counselors. “I have been married for 10 years and been in this band for over 20,” bassist P-Nut said. “You have to be flexible, you have to stand up for your point of…
‘Nerd’ humor
It’s hard to say whether the title of “The Nerd,” by Larry Shue, now being presented by Pollard Theatre, is supposed to endear us to the eponymous character or turn us off right from the beginning. I guess it depends on your opinion of nerds, generally. In this tepid 1981 comedy, Willum Cubbert is a…
Graphic substance
It took a library to write “Inanna’s Tears,” the latest graphic novel by Rob Vollmar, set in 3000 B.C. Sumer, located in the southern part of modern-day Iraq. With a love for exhaustive research and deep character study, he stretches the expectations of the medium by introducing comics fans to high-minded historical fiction. The Normanite…
Motor vehicle insurance shows year-over-year raise
As reported Feb. 18 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in its most recent Consumer Price Index report, insurance policies for drivers rose slightly between December and January, with a 0.2 percent uptick. That reflects a continuing trend of steady increases throughout 2010; the only dip came between November and December, but by only 0.3…
Have a heart
Kids receiving treatment at the Jimmy Everest Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma have been creating their own masterpieces during art therapy sessions to donate to the event’s silent auction. All proceeds benefit the Oklahoma Children’s Cancer Association. The night is like an awards show, complete with a red…
When in Rome
The University of Oklahoma’s School of Musical Theatre brings the classic 1962 Broadway farce “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” to vibrant life with a colorful production, featuring some strong lead performances, great sets and costumes, and spot-on musical accompaniment. Taking inspiration from 2,000-yearold Roman comedies and classic vaudeville, “Forum” tells…
Prom show
They just may find it Friday night at Riverwind Casino’s inaugural Prom Fashion Show, where local designers Sherri Hill and Johnathan Kayne will showcase their latest works. But don’t be fooled by the event’s title: These dresses aren’t just for prom-going teenagers, said Shelby Teasley, marketing manager. “Women of all ages can enjoy these dresses,”…
B-day wishes
I’ve never made a big deal about birthdays, but I do like to treat myself to something nice (and that doesn’t mean expensive). So, to celebrate my last year of 20s, I’m looking for unique, pretty things. I headed first to Notting Hill Antiques (7200 N. Western; 842- 1500) for my Anglophile fix. I’ve had…
Bite Size
Family: “Wife, Sheeron, and children Jeremy, 22, and Bianca, 9.” Famous person you sound like? “George Lopez.” Special feature: “I am short, only 5 foot 1.” Biggest vice: “Working — 12 hours a day, except Sunday, when we are closed.” When hiring, I want: “People who are clean-cut, very motivated with good social skills.” Most…
Little monsters
“I’ve referred to it in the past as ‘the beast,’” Yarrow wrote. “Possessing tannins that need to be tamed through intelligent wine-making, Petite Sirah can truly be a monster of a wine.” Anyone who has tried a bad one will know exactly what Yarrow means: excess bacon, smoke and graphite are common in over-the-top Petite…
OMG
O Asian Fusion is housed in a freestanding building in a strip mall parking lot on one of Norman’s busiest corners. Even with extensive and tasteful exterior renovation, it’s still unmistakably a former Pizza Hut. But inside O, the dining room transformation is complete. Hardwood floors, stone walls and a central flowing water sculpture grace…
Hey! Do this
Read this Judging a book by its cover may be your best bet at the 32nd annual Friends of the Library book sale Saturday and Sunday at the Oklahoma Expo Hall in State Fair Park, 3000 General Pershing. With more than 600,000 books, videos and magazines on sale (most for $1 or less), the possibilities…
smag 7
Full steam ahead The following seven are a few of the newest restaurants to open in the metro. In most establishments, customers come back again and again when their experiences of quality, taste, value, ambience and service are all met. Try these out. —Carol Smaglinski, photos by Mark Hancock and Shannon Cornman $$: Up to…
CFN Quote of the Week
—“Parks and Recreation” writer and co-creator Greg Daniels on the TV series’ city hall murals, in the Feb. 18 issue of Entertainme0nt Weekly
Carb crush
“We believe in just the basic formulas that have been around for a long time,” said owner John McBryde. “We bake in a hearth oven and make hand-formed loaves. We take our time with the breads.” McBryde said yeasted breads take an average of 24 hours, start to finish, while sourdough takes 48. And on…
Pawing at profits
Several bills filed in the Senate seek to either repeal the law or amend it so it becomes essentially toothless, said Angel Soriano, chairman of the regulatory board created by the act. Oklahoma is home to the second-largest number of commercial pet breeders in the country, according to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society. Prior to…
CFN QOTW Part Deux
—Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State football coach, after Justin Bieber’s “Baby” ring tone rang from his phone during a Feb. 14 press conference. Biebz has Gundy’s “I’m a man!” rant as his tone.
Ethics-schmethics
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission’s deadline has come and gone for filing end-of-year campaign reports, which shows who got paid, who did the paying, where the money was spent, and which Mexican restaurants were frequented by fervent anti-illegal immigration legislators on their campaign’s dime. Y’all got some ’splainin’ to do! The list of those who have…
Ward 5
GREENWELL David Greenwell, 56, is a certified public accountant and partner at Cole & Reed P.C. Greenwell said he hopes to represent Ward 5 in “a manner that allows it to be represented well and with integrity and be able to be a positive force in the continued development in Oklahoma City.” Greenwell said, if…
Wait for it …
What could it be? The curiosity served as conversation fodder as CFN intern Bucky pondered the distorted “5320,” on the paperboard coaster underneath his perspiring — ahem — frosty beverage (yes, he’s 21, and then some). So, imagine his amusement upon learning Feb. 14 that partners like the state Department of Health, the Oklahoma Health…
What’s happening?
In the Gazette article dated Feb. 9, (News, Clifton Adcock, “Time for ‘the talk,’”) the reporter wrote about state Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah: “Wilson cited Taft Middle School as an example of the benefits of teaching medically accurate sex education. After the classes began, the school, which had been experiencing problems with teen pregnancies, saw…
‘Deep’ thoughts
(And how did we know it was a press release? Well, those two words were scrawled across the top with a squiggly line underneath for dramatic emphasis. We’re not certain who sent the release, but it was signed “The Children of the Enlightenment in Oklahoma.”) At first, we wondered if were nominated for another Joseph…
Ward 8
HEARRON Cliff Hearron, 74, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, is a parttime instructor of German and Russian languages at Windsor Hills Baptist Church’s Oklahoma Baptist College. Hearron said he’s running because he felt many issues are being neglected, including street and road repairs and police and fire protection. He said he would vote the…
Ward 6
The March 1 municipal primary is fast approaching, and among the four City Council races, Ward 6 is one of two races with more than two candidates. Ward 6 covers most of central Oklahoma City. Current representative Meg Salyer, who filed for re-election, has drawn two challengers: Adrian Van Manen, who is backed by local…
Freedom fighter
There is an old legal truism about arguing either the law or the truth when one of them is on your side, or resorting to pounding your fist on the table with as much conviction as possible when you have neither. Reese has only emotion on his side: a poor reason to use for enforcement…
Creationist legislation dishonest to the core
These bills demonstrate the authors’ ignorance of science and established law. More importantly, they will damage our children. These bills are dishonest at their core. They purport to eliminate religious discrimination in public schools and grant academic freedom, allowing teachers to present the so-called “full range” of scientific views, including “valid criticisms” of scientific theories,…
Creation conversation
The discovery that earth was not the center of the universe caused a similar stew 500 years ago. Being the third planet from the sun is not the scriptural description, but that’s the way it is. Young children accept that earth orbits the sun. Religion tells us how to live. Science describes the universe. Let’s…
Why do liberals love Islam, hate Christianity?
I have several comments regarding Kurt Hochenauer’s Feb. 9 Gazette Commentary “Counterpoint: Separation anxiety.” Hochenauer worries that discussing religious ideas could “dumb down” our students. As dumbed-down as our public schools already are, it’s hard to believe that discussing anything could dumb them down any further. Two million American children are currently home-schooled. Most Americans…
You better vote Tuesday!
Voters should carefully examine the backgrounds and qualifications of the candidates before voting, because the differences among them are profound. Candidates from three of the four wards appear to have the support of political interests that seek to reverse the will citizens expressed in MAPS and to assert political agendas. In Ward 8, Cliff Hearron…
Monsters
True to the film theory that what you don’t see is always more suspenseful than what you do, Gareth Edwards’ first feature pays off in proverbial spades. The low-budget yet spectacular-looking film follows photojournalist Kaulder (Scoot McNairy) as he escorts his publisher’s daughter, Sam (Whitney Able), from Mexico back to the United States. This is…
Typhoon — A New Kind of House
I’m even more enthused if an acoustic guitar is the primary songwriting instrument for the aforementioned. Typhoon’s “A New Kind of House” EP is all of that and more. The icing on the cake of all that I mentioned is if the band can make the songs beautiful. Music doesn’t have to be beautiful to…
The Caribbean — Discontinued Perfume
The Caribbean’s “Discontinued Perfume” certainly follows up on their opening-track promise with a bizarre sort-of indie-pop album that is not recommended for those of short attention spans. It helps that The Caribbean lay out their mission statement on the cover of the album, as part of the art: “’Discontinued Perfume’ seems to be about living…
Kerri Arista — 50 Different Ways
Kerri Arista’s “50 Different Ways” is a solid acoustic country/pop album all the way through. If you need a new music fix in the genre, the album is going to be a winner for you. If you’re looking to be wowed, you should look elsewhere. There are good tunes to be had, but this doesn’t…
Jonquil — One Hundred Suns
Ezra Koenig and co. have inspired a whole bunch of people with their bright, shiny take on Africa, and Jonquil is one of those bands. Jonquil’s “One Hundred Suns” EP features everything you’d expect from an Africa-minded indie band: quirky melodic structures, rumbling rhythms and airy guitar lines. Jonquil’s base genre is more dance-oriented indie…
Aaron Lewis — Town Line
Aaron Lewis is not just some guy. He’s the lead singer of Staind. There, that’s out in the open; I’m sure some people didn’t even get as far as this word after that sentence. Here’s the next weed-out phrase: This is his country side project. If you’re still here, you’ll be rewarded. Even with that…
Pioneers of Television: Season 2
Your attention to them is directly related to your interest in the subject. With all narrated by Kelsey Grammer, the episodes are driven mostly by talking-head interviews with the principles, plus clips from the featured programs. The occasional re-enactment comes off as cheesy — especially with its sepia-toned glow and fuzzy edges — and unnecessary.…
Carnival Magic
In case you want to know more: I’ve seen several films by B-movie director Al Adamson, but 1982’s “Carnival Magic” is quite a departure from his usual horror and action efforts like “Dracula vs. Frankenstein” and “Satan’s Sadists.” For one thing, it’s a family film. For another, its cast is comprised of the aforementioned talking…
Chikita Violenta — Tre3s
With so many options at their disposal, it would be interesting to see what they think they play. But their online presence is not forthcoming with a unified front (or, really, any front) on that note, so we’ll have to just play it by ear. On its face, Chikita Violenta is a Mexican indie-rock band…
The Two Koreas — Science Island
As an album in general, it’s kind of hard to find a beating heart under the barked vocals and charging riffs. That doesn’t mean it’s bad; it just means that while this batch of songs rocks my face off, it’s not going to end up on my year-end lists. “But lots of albums won’t end…
Mann up
Jonny Martin intends to confuse you. “I might be crashing some heads. I might be molding some brains,” said the Oklahoma City-based Martin, who records under the name Mannachine. “I want people to leave saying, ‘What is this? What is going on?’” Intrigued listeners can get a taste of his down-tempo, ambient pieces Saturday when…
We Live in Public
Josh Harris is “the greatest Internet pioneer you’ve never heard of.” That’s true, despite the sheer amount of press he received in all his ventures, both online and off. That says a lot about how fleeting fame can be when tied to the Web, and the 2009 documentary “We Live in Public” — showing Wednesday…
Say ‘tusk’!
If you bring a picture of your child into participating facilities with a photo station — located throughout the metro at Little Caesar’s stores, Quail Springs Mall and Penn Square Mall — their face will be superimposed onto a picture of an an elephant. Resulting photos e-mailed to the zoo will be randomly selected for…
Sunday in New York
Her character in “Sunday in New York” is just that, but this being before the sexual revolution and the loosening of the MPAA, the word is never uttered. “Beginner” just has to do. Anyway, this “beginner” asks her airliner pilot brother, Adam (Cliff Robertson), how long she’s expected to hold out and still keep the…
Unstoppable
What is it with director Tony Scott and trains? Just one year after “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,” he’s back on the tracks — but off the rails — in the inferior “Unstoppable.” Based on a true story — and not Soul Asylum lyrics — a 29-car freight train barrels unattended through Pennsylvania…
Kites: The Remix
The first Bollywood film to crack the U.S. top 10 box-office chart, the multilingual import by director Anurag Basu comes packaged in two versions on Blu-ray: its original, native version, and the “Remix” version that “Rush Hour” franchise director Brett Ratner re-edited to make it more accessible to American audiences. (Who knows who’s responsible for…
Pastor is right: Citty should resign
Mr. Citty’s extreme anti-freedom, anti-gun views are 100 percent out of whack with the views of the people of Oklahoma City, the rank-and-file police officers under his charge, and the fundamental civil right contained in the second amendment to the Constitution. Mr. Citty is quoted as saying “There’s no place for that kind of weapon…
Birdemic: Shock and Terror
Let’s start with the title: Doesn’t “Birdemic” say it all? What benefit is there to adding “Shock and Terror”? It’s not as if “Birdemic” didn’t sound evil enough; it doesn’t require a qualifier. As you’ll note, however, writer/director/director of photography/producer/executive producer (yes, producer and executive producer, which has to be a cinematic first) James Nguyen…
Social’s security
When Broken Social Scene holes up in a house to write and record and album, it’s something like “The Waltons,” only more crowded, Canadian and with a pack of melodramatic musicians with whom to deal. Bass guitarist Andrew Whiteman — who was invited to join the baroque-pop collective a year after it began touring —…
Oklahoma to showcase film, music and interactive business at SXSW
From March 14-17, the state will transform the bar Friends into Oklahoma’s Buffalo Lounge for four days of film, interactive and music events. The Oklahoma film party, Red Dirt Reel, will be held on Monday, March 14, to showcase Oklahoma’s financial and artistic benefits to to SXSW Film attendees. Oklahoma’s first interactive event at SXSW,…
Challengers in Oklahoma City Council races discuss online photos
The race for the Ward 2 seat, which is being vacated by outgoing Councilman Sam Bowman, features a lineup of six candidates, while Ward 5 incumbent Brian Walters faces a challenge from David Greenwell. In Ward 6, incumbent Meg Salyer faces two challengers — Jessica Holstein (pictured, left) and Adrian Van Manen — while in…
All-Star Superman
And that’s not the only eyebrow-raiser in the feature, based on Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s revamp of the Man of Steel, as played out in the team’s 2005 comic-book series. For another, Jimmy Olsen appears in drag. There’s more. The film finds Superman (voiced by James Denton of TV’s “Desperate Housewives”) not as invincible…
Eyes of the Mothman
Intrigued? Everything you could possibly want to know — actually, way, way more — about the likely mythical beast is covered in “Eyes of the Mothman,” a tiresome documentary film by Matthew J. Pellowski. I should note up front that the work is a needlessly self-indulgent 155 minutes long, and it takes 40 minutes before…
Citty seems confused
Interesting, in light of his previous statement, “I’ve never seen this type of event in the 33 years I’ve been down here.” So which is it? What exactly does “running into guns at a much higher rate” mean, guns possessed by whom? The chief should release all relevant data to the public, for he needs…
