Festival of the Arts earns top 20 national ranking
Created by Greg Lawler, the book holds an extensive calendar of art events happening nationwide, as well as valuable information for any artist wanting to exhibit their art at a particular show. “I have been to many of Lawler’s top 20 festivals, and they are truly the best of the best,” said Angela Cozby, Festival of the…
Operation C.I.A.
Warner Archive’s burn-on-demand release “Operation C.I.A.” also offers solid proof, even if the flick itself is a little — make that a lot — on the light side. Released in 1965, the black-and-white adventure is so obscure, I’d never heard of it. Burt plays C.I.A. secret agent Mark Andrews, sent to Saigon under the guise…
Justified: The Complete First Season
Now that I’ve devoured all 13 episodes of its first season on Blu-ray, I ask for forgiveness, say my penance, and move on. Like many cable series nowadays, this show is utterly addictive. Timothy Olyphant had a damn good year in 2010: “The Crazies” was a hit and he had a memorable guest turn on…
Cold War Kids — Mine Is Yours
The Black Keys proved you could play smart rock/blues/soul music (and people would eventually take notice with their monumental 2010), but Cold War Kids opted for the Kings of Leon route, dumbing things down in hopes of netting a bigger crowd. It worked for them, but it’s clearly going to be a bigger struggle for…
Route 66 rejection
above Johnie Beth Matthews at the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge An application by Ken McGee of McGee Investments received harsh criticism from area residents and commissioners, who unanimously voted to deny the application. The 60-acre area in question is bordered on the south by Route 66; on the west by the Kilpatrick Turnpike; and on the…
You tease
Rising from the ashes of the now disbanded Dust Bowl Dolls, the 7 Deadly Sins Burlesque Revue has established itself over the last three years as one of the city’s premier performance troupes focused on resurrecting the art of burlesque for modern audiences. “Burlesque is all about mystery and fun and fantasy. It has a…
Black light
So reminds AAA, North America’s largest motoring organization. “Warning lights are there for a reason: to let us know something is wrong with our car,” said John Nelson, the firm’s national director of auto repair and buying, in a press release. “In some cases, ignoring a warning light can quickly result in catastrophic damage to…
Strip club
Budding musical-theater composers and performers are being given a unique chance for stage time, thanks to Stripped, an Oklahoma City University student-run group. By scrimping to keep expenses down, Stripped is able to present three 45-minute excerpts from new musicals picked from submissions worldwide: “Placebo,” “Piggy in the Middle” and “Seasons.” Billy Lowrimore, student director…
Citty under siege
Citty’s comments, reported Jan. 16 in The Oklahoman, were made in regard to an incident in August in which police believe an 18-year-old man pulled an AR-15 — a semiautomatic rifle commonly featuring a pistol-grip and capable of using high-capacity ammunition clips — and shot Oklahoma City police officer Katie Lawson several times during a…
‘Crazy’ good
Creating a musical — even that inferior form, the jukebox musical — does not have to be so hard, as long as one is working with worthy material. Put appealing music with an interesting story, and the show practically writes itself. Not really, but combine quality material with two top-notch performers and a sharply directed…
’Ham it up
Welcome aboard and meet your captain. Jon Mooneyham — who does (and doesn’t) operate under the moniker DJ Bronzai — is the tall, wily figure in the corner of the room, spinning everything from ’60s folk to the ’80s post-punk that pleases his piercing-lined ears. His thick, grizzled, gravity-defying hair pops out every direction from…
Early history
Youngsters can enjoy a variety of activities, including two different scavenger hunts available in the Hall of the People of Oklahoma and the Hall of Ancient Life. The hands-on aspect of the scavenger hunts is a great learning tool, said Linda Coldwell, public relations and marketing officer. “The scavenger hunts are a fun way for…
Just looking
(Among the metro’s base population of 999,273 residents, 737,414 — 73.8 percent — fall into that category of adults who own a home.) Hispanics are the next highest ethnicity, at 5.4 percent, followed by African-Americans at 4.1 percent and Asians at 3.6 percent. —Gazette staff
Full Nelson
Stuck in a cubicle? Blame George Nelson, who is considered the father of the modern workstation. Better yet, celebrate George Nelson. Starting Thursday, his work is the subject of a major exhibition at Oklahoma City Museum of Art, running through May 8. “He is one of the most important 20th-century designers,” said Jennifer Klos, curator…
Breakfast for dinner
On Saturday, the museum hosts its 27th annual Omelette Party at the Coca- Cola Bricktown Events Center, 425 E. California. This year’s theme, “Eggs à la MOD,” is inspired by the museum’s newest exhibit, “George Nelson: Architect, Writer, Designer, Teacher,” a comprehensive retrospective of the influential furniture designer’s classically modern works. Local restaurants and chefs…
GourmetGirl
I can pinpoint my delicious downward spiral into fromage addiction to the Cheese 101 class I took (and wrote about) a few months back at Forward Foods (123 E. Main in Norman; 321- 0007 and 5123 N. Western; 879-9937). Cheese with honey and preserved walnuts? Dear God, how had no one told me about these…
Hey! Do This
Heat this With a self-described sound of “countryfed punkabilly,” The Reverend Horton Heat is bound to bring the blaze to The Conservatory, 8911 N. Western, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9. Opening is Joe Buck Yourself. Tickets are $15; save your wristband to get in free to an afterparty with The Hooten Hallers at Blue…
CFN Quote of the Week
“Nation, recently Oklahoma passed a ballot initiative forbidding the use of Islamic Shariah law. Thank God. It is the only thing keeping Oklahoma’s huge Muslim population from instituting burqa night at the Tulsa Hooters.” —Stephen Colbert on Jan. 25’s “The Colbert Report.” This isn’t the first time Oklahoma’s controversial Shariah ban has found itself parodied…
Now that’s what I call mad money!
On Tuesday, EMI Music releases “NOW That’s What I Call Music! Vol. 37,” and among its 20 tracks of Eminem, Taylor Swift, T-Pain, Ke$ha and someone who dares call himself/ herself/itself Waka Flocka Flame is Chance’s “Waiting Outside the Lines,” his debut single from last October. Chance can learn a lot from his peers on…
Murphy’s craw
Chart-topping rockers Kings of Leon — two of whose four members were born here in the 405 — face an unlikely threat to their kingdom: Ryan Murphy. The creator of “Glee” recently tore the three brothers and their cousin new ones in the pages of The Hollywood Reporter after the band declined to let him…
CFN Headline of the Week
—Jan. 26 story from The High Plains Daily Leader and Southwest Daily Times about the Hooker Bulldogs defeating the Beaver Dusters in high school hoops
CFN Tweet of the Week
“I just found out I’m in the movie coming out the Mechanic they play one of my sex scenes woohoo” —Oklahoma adult film star Jesse Jane
Fry daddy
Show an Oklahoman a vegetable or cut of meat, and he’ll show you how best to fry it. Green beans? No problem. Okra? Chuck it in the boiling oil. And chicken? Does it even come any other way? We like to be healthy just like the next guy, but c’mon, who can eat steamed kale…
CFN Mailbag
Recently, in your fine publication, I’ve read a number of letters from Christians addressing what a terrible threat Islam is to “Christians and Jews,” specifically one that was posted in the Chicken-Fried News (CFN Mailbag, Penelope M. Blair, Jan. 19, Oklahoma Gazette). I find it an interesting irony in that in all the letters I’ve…
Board games
Well, that didn’t take long. The honeymoon period for newly elected state Superintendent Janet Barresi came to an abrupt end at the Jan. 27 state Board of Education meeting. The meeting, Barresi’s first as chair of the board, quickly turned into a sandbox of heated exchanges, name-calling and general animosity between Barresi and the members…
Munn ho!: Third in a series
Maybe it’s because her new NBC sitcom finally premiered to indifference, but the Interwebs aren’t as obsessed over former Oklahoman turned actress/model/geek icon Olivia Munn as in weeks past. “Perfect Couples” appears far from perfect. (Even CFN intern Bucky gave up after 15 minutes.) Entertainment Weekly lauded that it’s “just kind of … there.” The…
Just another Link in the chain
The site boasts more than 80 million users, more than 60 percent of whom are key decision makers or influences in their companies. The magazine offered five secrets to using LinkedIn successfully: 1. Approach others; don’t wait for them to approach you. 2. Actively engage with other users. 3. Join and use LinkedIn groups. 4.…
Evolution alternatives
Both bills rely on the language of “academic freedom,” but science professionals are concerned that science education is not the actual goal of the legislation. According to the Gallup poll, 54 percent of Americans support the idea that human beings evolved over time from lower life forms. Sixteen percent of that total believe God had…
Liquor store owner needs some cheese with his ‘whine’
After reading the Point/Counterpoint Commentary in the Jan. 19 issue, I felt it necessary to write down some thoughts. I must agree with Roy Williams (“Point: Revise outmoded liquor laws”) that discussions about such hot-button topics as expanding the sale of wine and beer into grocery stores are healthy to a free-market economy and should…
Oklahoma under siege
A draconian abortion law has assumed national prominence as it continues to draw fire. House Bill 2780, passed by the Oklahoma Legislature in April 2010, became law, mandating that a woman or girl seeking an abortion must have an ultra sound within an hour of the procedure. Specifically, the law requires that an instrument, called…
Another Year
Nothing much happens in Mike Leigh films, at least not in the strictest sense of Plot Mechanics 101. There are no car chases or explosions, not even a juicy epiphany in the final reel. But in such emotionally rich films as “Secrets & Lies,” “Topsy-Turvy” and, now, “Another Year,” the British writer/director explores the complexities…
‘Lost’ contest
Regarding Clark Matthews’ Commentary (Sports, “With dunk contest, NBA is grooming Ibaka for stardom”) in the Jan. 12 Gazette promoting Serge Ibaka of the Thunder over Blake Griffin to win the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest: I’m sure that the vast majority of Oklahomans want Griffin to win the contest. He is a native Oklahoman and…
Islam within the law
Regarding State Question 755: Are we reaching a point in which voters no longer need vote, as judges and courts continually negate the wishes of its citizens? In the case of Shariah law, two examples come to mind: Christian Scientist parents have been prosecuted for denying medical treatment to their children. Mormons are forbidden to…
League fatigue
A recent survey shows that a majority of Oklahoma City voters oppose the Lingerie Football League franchise coming to the city, as well as a tax increase to lure a new major sports franchise to the city. The same poll also found that most Oklahoma City voters surveyed would not support an additional big-league sports…
Who’s paranoid?
Karen Webb (Letters, “Bullet proof in the line of fire,” Jan. 19, Oklahoma Gazette) makes Moore to be a really scary place; she almost implies everybody is packing a gun in plain sight. Open carry of a firearm is illegal in Oklahoma unless you are in law enforcement and then most, if not all, have…
Mayor McModern
Whenever I look at Mick Cornett, I see Bill Hartsfield. Any Oklahoman who ever flew on Delta knows Bill Hartsfield. The airport in Atlanta exists because of Hartsfield, who as a councilman aggressively promoted aviation. As mayor, he was first and foremost a booster of innovations and of Atlanta business. When Atlanta confronted critical challenges…
Why new plays aren’t being presented
Larry Laneer asks in a recent review (Theater, “Enter stage left,” Jan. 19, Gazette) why new works aren’t being presented at theaters. As production director of the Jewel Box Theatre, I would like to respond. Since 1986, our theater has held a playwrighting competition. There have been eight world premieres over the years. Two years…
The Mechanic
Fresh from this summer’s all-star “The Expendables,” Statham takes over Charles Bronson’s role from the 1972 “Mechanic” as Arthur, the title’s hit man for hire who is ordered to off his wealthy mentor (Donald Sutherland, TV’s “The Pillars of the Earth”) and then, feeling guilty, takes the man’s destitute son, Steve (Ben Foster, “Pandorum”), under…
Amazing haul turned Thunder into contender
The news of the Thunder’s 112-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets Jan. 19 was lost in the wake of surprise headlines when Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov announced that afternoon that his team, the New Jersey Nets, was no longer interested in acquiring Denver star Carmelo Anthony. This was shocking because most people were expecting Prokhorov…
Bite Size
“Come and learn about this nonprofit organization working with Oklahoma City Public Schools to improve the quality of the food we feed our children in school,” said Cristina McQuistion, one of the founders of Slow Food OKC, in a release. Proceeds from the silent auction will support Eat Wise’s project to build a full kitchen…
Pie chart
From newspapers to blog posts to even a California-based consulting firm, pies have been showing up on lists of top food trends of 2011. “If I had one trend — one trend — of the year that I could predict … this would be the trend for pie,” Andrew Freeman told Nation’s Restaurant News in…
Pioneer project
When asked what she thinks makes a great marriage, Ree Drummond, aka popular Oklahoma blogger and cookbook author The Pioneer Woman, was hesitant to answer. “I don’t feel like I can give people advice on marriage,” she said. But she does know why her own marriage works, and tells how it all began in her…
SmaG 7
Painting the town Here are the ones to watch around the metro. Easy to get to, these seven places are all comfortable spots to meet friends and just chill. —Carol Smaglinski, photos by Mark Hancock and Shannon Cornman $$: up to $15 $$$: $ 15-$30 $$$$: above $30
Nondescript knockouts
Nic’s Grill 1201 N. Penn 524-0999 “Nic’s Grill on Penn Ave. and 10th St. They have the best hamburgers in OKC!” —Sara Neely Fielder Owner Justin “Nic” Nicholas has owned this tiny joint for 13 years, where he said he churns out good burgers and fries. Or is it something more that keeps people coming…
Italian nights
above Ali Essman samples the Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Italian wine at Bellini’s. The acid levels are there to cut through fatty foods, rich sauces and spicy meats. Like the French, the Italians intended their red wines to be part of a meal, not just a sipper. Drink one with food, and a whole new world…
Around the world in OKC
Queen of Sheba 2308 N. MacArthur WHERE YOU GO: Ethiopia TRY THIS: Start with the sambusa (fried pockets of bread stuffed with goodies) and then split the Queen of Sheba platter for a sample of all things Ethiopian. Camilya’s Cafe 10942 N. May WHERE YOU GO: Syria, Jordan and Lebanon (combo trip!) TRY THIS: You…
Opposites attract
When Pachinko Parlor opened a year ago, few people around town actually knew what a pachinko was. I did, as my late husband bought me one while on a trip to Japan. A pachinko resembles a pinball machine and really can be entertaining — and so can its namesake restaurant in downtown. Pachinko Parlor, 1…
Roping in ears
Somewhere, an Anthony Kiedis impersonator cries. His Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band conquered Montreal quartet Braids during a high school battle of the bands years ago, but it’s art rockers Braids who are enjoying the record deal, media mentions and an international tour, including tonight’s stop at Opolis in Norman. “They probably deserved it…
Ugly no more
“We didn’t know if, when we broke up, these songs would ever get released,” said Colin Bray, guitarist for the band. “I’m really glad they did. I think they’re some of the best songs we’ve written.” The disc was recorded pre-breakup in the band members’ houses, and the cover was conceived by them and local…
Wolf pact
It’s not who you know, but how you know them. Phil Chamberlain, drummer for North Carolina metalcore quintet To Speak of Wolves, knows that as well as anyone, and he has an impressive in with the scene: His brother fronts the revered Christian metal band Underoath — not that he and his fellow Wolves have…
Whittington wit
Texas, meet Italy. Italy, meet Texas. Austin-based singer/ songwriter Daniel Whittington will showcase his tunes at 8 p.m. Saturday at “Norman’s Little Italy,” aka Othello’s, 434 Buchanan in Campus Corner. Touring to support his latest album, “Things Change,” Whittington certainly has lots of practice, having performing since he was 11 in his father’s blues band.…
Dungeons & Dragons / Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God
That the sequel went straight to video should tell you just how successful the first one was: not at all. Directed by Courtney Solomon, “Dungeons & Dragons” is a tedious adventure that tries hard to wow viewers with spectacle, forgetting about the story. As it stands, tricksters and wannabe magicians Ridley and Snails (Justin Whalin…
Hatchet II
His “Hatchet II” — shown briefly in this unrated version in AMC Theaters before being suddenly and unexpectedly booted — is made precisely for the growing fan base surrounding 2006’s original “Hatchet,” and nobody else. That film simultaneously sought to pay homage to (and even parody) the slasher anti-heroes of 1980s horror, while establishing a new…
Futureworld
The original Michael Crichton effort is something of a seminal sci-fi film of that decade, but Richard T. Heffron’s is often forgotten, even if it’s not bad. Both take place at the high-tech amusement park Delos, which specializes in fulfilling adults’ fantasies, planting them in Western, Roman and medieval scenarios. This one picks up after…
‘Paper Flower’ debuts with free public screening
Toy Gun Films’ “Paper Flower” will be shown at 5 p.m. tomorrow at Harkins Bricktown Cinemas, 150 E. Reno, on a first-come, first-served basis. The film looks at Japan’s practice of enj?-kosai — or “compensated dating” — in which teenage girls from well-to-do families accept money and gifts to go on dates with men that…
Inside Job
One could read its 576 pages in an attempt to understand it all, but director Charles Ferguson (“No End in Sight”) does the same thing — and certainly a better job of it — in 108 minutes, in the documentary “Inside Job.” Nominated Tuesday for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, the film has…
Dirty Tricks
This 2000 British series is nothing if not dirty, in language, sex and above all, deeds. (Read: good!) Based on a Michael Dibdin novel, the two-episode crime comedy focuses on a sad-sack tutor Edward (Martin Clunes), who stumbles into the big time and the high life once he kills his friend. But let me back…
The Cobweb
Reminiscent of many an Arthur Hailey adaptation, the 1955 film concerns the goings-on of the mental cases who reside in the psychiatric facility known as The Castle, as well as the people who work there — primarily one Dr. Stewart McIver, which you’ll hear as “MacGyver” each and every time it’s spoken. Stewart (Richard Widmark)…
Experts: OKC in good shape for continued economic recovery
Council members attended their annual budget workshop Tuesday, where they heard from economists — as well as city finance and budget officials — on projections on the economy and the fiscal state of the city. People paying for damage from last spring’s hailstorm has been one of the major driving forces that has kept sales…
Night Must Fall
Danny (Robert Montgomery) is the new, semi-seedy caretaker to the wealthy, wheelchair-bound Mrs. Bramson (Dame May Whitty), a hateful old woman who constantly demands, “Get me a chocolate!” She thinks of no one but herself until Danny proves quite the charmer (the two engage in the creepiest game of “This Little Piggy” the screen has…
Love at First Kill
Also known as “The Box Collector,” the film finds its biggest star in Margot Kidder, now a far, far cry from Lois Lane as Beth, one kooky, miserable old hag who lives alone with her long-suffering, socially awkward son, Harry (Noah Segan, “The Brothers Bloom”). They’re both on meds of some sort, but things look…
Spirited competition
Come on, Gazette; if you’re presenting a Point/Counterpoint discussion, present both sides! Regarding the idea of selling so-called strong beer and wine in grocery stores, Roy Williams (“Point: Revise outmoded liquor laws,” Jan. 19) offered nothing of any substance in his allotted number of words. It was pure political/ambassador speak: blah, blah, blah. But being…
Liquor bargain
He correctly implies that the restrictions currently in place have an adverse effect on quality of life. It would certainly be desirable to have access to wine and quality beer outside the current 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. While Mr. Bishop clearly writes his argument from a stance of protectionism, it…
Distribution dilemma
In Bill Bishop’s Commentary (“Counterpoint: Paying the price”), he states a law change would “negatively impact selection and price, just as it’s done in Texas.” I cannot really address the selection, but since we have purchased wine for nearly half the price for the same wine here, his comment makes no sense, unless he means…
Decisions, decisions
Regarding Clifton Adcock’s “Raising Arizona” (News, Jan. 12, Gazette): Gov. Mary Fallin faces a huge dilemma when state Rep. Randy Terrill’s antiimmigrant bill reaches her desk. Does she veto it and risk infuriating her Tea Party supporters who elected her? Or does she sign it and infuriate the fat cats in the State Chamber of…
Victims of the same disease
The Tucson, Ariz., shooter appeared to have suffered from schizophrenia. Schizophrenia often affects young people of college age. After living in Norman for more than 50 years, I have seen it destroy the minds of many students who come here with such high hopes for their future. I have also watched a couple of my…
‘Red states’ should pay off GOP debt
A big national debt and big spending are scary. They sure scare me. But I’m sure most of you have heard the saying, “It’s easier to scare people than to find the facts.” What facts? Well, in 1981, the national debt was almost $1 trillion. This was debt left over from World War II, the…
Trouble in the OKC
We’ve got trouble in Oklahoma City. Trouble with a capital “T.” And that rhymes with “P” and that stands for “pool”! No, but seriously. Who knew “The Music Man” was right all along? This classy story comes to us from NewsOK.com. We’ll give you a few minutes to put on your fanciest readin’ glasses before…
CFN Quote of the Week
“I was just a little apprehensive, because I was afraid he was gonna try to have me singing this contemporary-type rock stuff, and I thought, ‘I don’t want to sing that kind of material! And even if I did, I don’t think my fans would like it.’ Well, it didn’t take long to find out…
Munn ho!: Second in a series
We didn’t think we’d be reporting on the goings-on of former Oklahoman turned actress/model/geek icon Olivia Munn so quickly after debuting this nugget in last week’s Chicken-Fried News, but damn, the girl gets around! And maybe in the sneaky ways, too, as Miami Herald and several outlets reported that Munn may be the object of…
Felonious frisking
We here at CFN are still outraged over the grabby treatment of our intern Bucky at the oh-so-eager hands of the Transportation Security Administration during security screening at an out-of-state airport this Christmas. And while, in the end, no one at the office had to actually post any bail money, the trauma of the incident…
Assisting in the education crisis
As a Parent-Teacher Association mom, I watched for too many years as several of my daughters’ teachers struggled with unruly children in the classroom. This was astonishing that almost half of their teaching time was spent disciplining. My daughters’ education should not have to suffer due to the lack of other parents’ failure at home.…
