Kendrick Lamar — Section.80
People often expect highly anticipated albums to disappoint, but Kendrick leaves no room for disappointment. Lamar made this album as an ode to his fellow ’80s babies, products of the Reagan era. In fact, one of the songs is called “Ronald Reagan Era.” On this RZA-assisted composition and other tracks, Lamar mentions problems that have…
NE OKC gaining wellness center
OCCHD seeks partners to provide space at the Regional Health and Wellness Center for primary care, mental health, dental and other medical services, as well as fitness programs for children and seniors, according to Gary Cox, department director. So far, he said, the public response has been positive since the center was announced June 30,…
Dressing room
The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who love wedding receptions and those who don’t. If you’re in the latter camp, you may agree with one character in “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” who describes the wedding reception depicted in the play as “the bland leading the bland.” The same might…
Merle’s haggard accusations
In fact, I would suggest he should have bothered to read the first five chapters of the Genesis account he is criticizing, before bothering to write into a newspaper about said criticism. Had Merle bothered to read the first five chapters of Genesis, he would have known that his entire premise is faulty, as seen…
Regressive progressives
Rob Bennett (Letters, “Ignorance isn’t bliss,” June 29) finds fault with Oklahoma Gazette for publishing my views on various subjects. Like many liberals, he does not bother to check the facts, but rather wants to jump to conclusions that serve his purpose. I assume it is OK for the Gazette to publish many liberal viewpoints,…
Labor pains
How Marty Morelli (Letters, “Reader: ‘Hitler was a progressive’”) can reconcile his claims that liberals and progressives are Nazis and Fascists with the fact that Jewish leaders have played a prominent role in liberal and progressive causes is laughable. This is not to say that Jews are only liberals and progressives. There are just as…
Maybe I’m amazed
That is funny to me because I have a huge book of quotes from evolution scientists that question evolution. Putting that aside, I want those of you who read my comments and those comments of my detractors, regardless of whether you agree with me or not, to consider an important point involved in this debate.…
Jesus and gay people
Steve and Sally Kern believe in God and Jesus Christ, as well. However, they believe in a conservative God, a God that limits love and acceptance to those with particular beliefs. To see God, they need to look in the Bible. If Jesus were to approach Steve and Sally Kern and a gay person standing…
Duo’s downfall
Like Wallace, the more publicity this duo receives, the harder it will be for them to hide from their eventual downfall and public scorn. —Donald Chabot Oklahoma City
Status report
In an open house scheduled for Tuesday, city planners were to present an update to the public on the top 10 issues for each of PlanOKC’s eight elements, which were determined in public meetings in February, and attempt to narrow each list of 10 to about three, said Susan Miller, assistant planning director for Oklahoma…
Crossed wires
Shadid said he plans on introducing the measure in place of a joint resolution that was considered and deferred at the May 31 council meeting. That resolution would have required certain contracts be subject to at least three public meetings before eligible for a vote. Councilman Pete White spoke in support of the majority of…
The other white
Instead, a region of New Zealand called Marlborough has lent its name to a style of Sauvignon Blanc that focuses on grapefruit. Baskets of grapefruit. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Over-the-top-acidic grapefruit. “Marlborough became synonymous with a style of Sauvignon Blanc that accentuated a single component of the varietal,” said Chris Alton, Kobrand ambassador to New…
Snow days
Summer Snow Find it here: 1325 N. Janeway, MooreHours: 1-10 p.m. dailyCheck out: The Care Bear (sweet and creamy) or The Barbie (really sweet) Ice Brewers Find it here: 9277 N. MayHours: noon-10 p.m. dailyCheck out: The Silver Fox (tastes like Anderson Cooper, aka almond vanilla) Eskimo Sno Find it here: 1724 W. Lindsey, NormanHours:…
The Zen approach
I usually answer, “In what category?” Steakhouses, barbecue, Mediterranean, Italian, Indian, French, Mexican, Cajun, German, Greek, Asian and on and on. They look at me and sigh. Believe me, I’ve tried them all. Could Zen Asian Dining be the top spot for Asian food in Edmond? It is darn near. Husband-and-wife team Lesly and Jamil…
PR BS
—“Roseanne Barr’s New Series on Lifetime to Premiere July 13” —“Principal Solar, Inc. (OTC Pink: PSWWD) Welcomes Thought-Leaders, Strategists, and Global Business Experts to Advisory Board” —“RETURN OF LIFETIME’S DROP DEAD DIVA BECOMES SERIES’ MOST-WATCHED SEASON DEBUT IN KEY DEMOS” —“MVD to Distribute German-Made In-akustik AV Cable, Etc.” —“Announcing: Mike Peterson Promoted to Vice President…
In the jailhouse now
William Creepingbear could face up to five years in the pokey and a fine of $250,000 for attempting to make a profit on the bird and its feathers, which is the symbol of the good ol’ U.S. of A. Another Norman man, Tuhtaka Neshoba Wilson, is also indicted on the same charges and will go…
Nom, nom, nom
So, here are the celebratory facts, according to an article last week on newsok.com on a CalorieLab study. Since 1995, Oklahoma’s obesity rate has gained a whopping 18 percentage points, moving up the scale from 13 percent obesity to 31 percent obesity. That puts us at No. 7 in the nation for fatties. And if…
Piles of pasghetti
On June 30, Oklahoma City resident Leaman was named Mother of the Year by Fazoli’s, as part of the Italian fast-food chain’s “Mom’s Month” promotion. One lucky woman (who hopefully craves meatballs on a regular basis) was selected for the honor, which includes free meals at Fazoli’s for 365 days. Nominees were solicited via Fazoli’s…
Honky top
Forbes magazine — that’s the one about the money, y’all — last month placed the Oklahoman on its annual list of the World’s 25 Highest-Paid Musicians. The country superstar sits pretty at No. 11, having made $50 million last year. Holy smokes, that’d buy a poo-load of “Beer for My Horses” DVDs! While just shy…
Gray Owl stirs up latte art competition
At 8 p.m., Gray Owl Coffee, 222 E. Gray in Norman, will host a latte art competition, in which some of Oklahoma’s best baristas will pour their best designs in a single-elimination event with a cash prize. All are welcome to watch the caffeinated competition, with free beer and lattes provided. For more information, call…
Oklahoma City implements mandatory watering program
All citizens and communities using OKC water are subject to the program, including: • The Village• Warr Acres• Lake Aluma• Piedmont• Moore• El Reno• Edmond• Yukon• Mustang• Norman• Blanchard• Deer Creek• Canadian County District 3 Houses with addresses ending in even numbers may use yard sprinklers and irrigation systems on even-numbered dates; odd numbers on…
Men’s room
Roller derby’s impressive expansion into the metro over the last few years meant it was only a matter of time before men got into the act. Daniel Covey is spearheading an effort to cobble together an Oklahoma City team to put men’s roller derby on the map. Since the resurgence of high-impact roller derby as…
Restaurant updates
Too tired to cook? The fast pace of life sure takes its toll on us. There are those who would love to fuss in the kitchen and put out a full meal, but the time crunch makes it much easier to just stop at a restaurant. Here are some updates. —Carol Smaglinski, photos by Mark…
Bite Size, 7-13-11
BRASIL EXPANDS Chef Ana Davis of Cafe do Brasil, 440 N.W. 11th, has announced that her restaurant will open for lunch and dinner on Mondays, “due to popular demand.” She built her extensive, authentic menu while working as a guest chef in her native country of Brazil. Reach Cafe do Brasil at 525- 9779. Be…
Two guys, one beer
How we love to have our assumptions proven wrong, especially if it involves violence and alcohol. According to a July 7 story on newsok.com, Oklahoma City police arrested two men on July 3, Jose Cardona, 26, and Heraldo Alahandro Martinez, 26, on complaints of public drunkenness and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, as…
Potter hater
It showed I was allergic to grass, pollen, cottonwood — things like that. It did not turn up positive for fantasy film franchises with deep mythology and invented languages, but only because such technology did not exist in the 1970s. Remember James Cameron’s “Avatar” from 2009? You know, the 3-D epic about the blue cat…
Folk hero
Woody Guthrie was a masterful writer, a talented musician and a brilliant visionary. For many, like performer Jimmy LaFave, it’s a shame he’s not always remembered as such. “There’s a real treasure here,” said LaFave, who performs Friday at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, which runs today through Sunday. “There’s been a real injustice done…
Zombieland
Rob Zombie wears many hats: metal icon, horror-film auteur, comic-book scribe and … laundry detergent commercial director? “I was not thinking about doing TV commercials. I was intrigued, but didn’t feel like pitching myself,” he said of the new spot he shot for Woolite, through the lens of his scary screen work. “An ad agency…
Urban instruction
As part of the MAPS for Kids program approved by voters in 2001, plans were laid for the Oklahoma City Public Schools to receive 70 new and renovated brickand-mortar school buildings in the district at a cost of $470 million. As the project nears its end, MAPS for Kids Program Manager Eric Wenger said the…
All down the line
Remington Park has something new to offer during the break from horse races this summer: a film series that utilizes its 821-inch, high-definition screen. The series, titled “Finish Line Films,” includes semiweekly screenings at 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays, with a diverse selection of hits, from the original and recently remade “True Grit” Westerns…
No dummy
Although Jack’s Mannequin won’t be touring behind a new album this summer, listeners can get excited for fresh tunes at its show Friday at Diamond Ballroom show. The piano-pop group will debut tracks from its upcoming third release, “People and Things” all season long, even if the disc won’t be in hand for a while.…
Beach reads
Erin Collazo Miller of About.com addressed the question in “Top 8 Smart Beach Reads,” in which she answered, “Smart beach reads are books that are well-written and have well-developed characters, but aren’t hard to understand or depressing. They are deep enough for book clubs, but don’t require work to read.” That’s a good way to…
Saddle up
Rodeo fans can still break out the cameras and cowboy boots to watch nearly 1,000 young cowboys and cowgirls compete at the final six performances of the 19th annual International Finals Youth Rodeo competition today through Friday. The competition, themed “It’s Worth the Ride,” will take place at 7:30 p.m. today, and 9 a.m. and…
Geek love
I am an unashamed geek for all things “Harry Potter,” but that is far from the only thing about which I get really nerdy. (Ahem, “X-Files,” “Firefly” and a whole lot more.) And there’s nothing wrong with that. I say, celebrate all those geeky things that you love! Geeks of all ages can find a…
Fun unleashed
Good dog parks share many features: a large enclosed area, double gates, trees, benches, water stations and free cleanup bags. Many dog parks also provide a separate fenced-in area for smaller dogs and are open from dawn to dusk. According to the website for PAW Park, a metro park with two acres at the corner…
The art of the sandwich
With this in mind, I visited some of the places discussed to find out what separates them from the rest: people passionate about what they do. All of the cafes or delis visited produce their own remarkable breads and pastries, procure the best meats and cheeses, or do their best to use locally grown produce…
Is CNG right for you?
“I can tell you that the feeling here is different than anywhere I’ve been,” said Wright, owner of CNG Interstate, a Utah-based company that imports and distributes after-market CNG-conversion kits. CNG Interstate is opening a second corporate office in Edmond, and he wants to build on the customer base he has developed here. “We really…
Shift happens
The council narrowly approved a recommended and somewhat controversial project timeline for the MAPS 3 projects, and later approved a recommended site just south of the Myriad Gardens for the MAPS 3 Convention Center. However, Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid, who was critical of the timeline when it was first brought up, was not in…
Dinosaurs and humans, living together!
I have to wonder about how safe I would be if I were truly under the care of the Rev. Steve Kern, seeing as he’s written a flat-earth book that contends dinosaurs and humans such as himself, lived simultaneously on the earth. I also wonder if Rev. Kern will avail himself of modern health care…
Next stage
The iconic downtown building’s immediate future is unclear as community groups await the release of a study commissioned to help decide its fate. The structure has stood unused since torrential rains forced its closing in June 2010. Architect John M. Johansen designed Stage Center in the 1960s, and it was constructed as a permanent home…
Lip service
It started when Ryan Drake, who runs the podcast with Allan Pellegrin, mentioned Coyne in a tweet. “I think it was around the time he joined Twitter,” Drake said. “I don’t think he knew how to use Twitter, and he accidentally followed me because I said something about him.” Several tweet conversations later, Coyne agreed…
Stretch Marx
He’s sold 30 million albums and written 13 No. 1 Billboard singles. Still, Richard Marx is likely most memorable for his haircut. However, he’s spent the better part of the last three decades forging a humble legacy in pop history as a musician, producer and, most notably, a songwriter. “I’m so excited I still get…
Paul revered
Folk musician Ellis Paul has faced a lot of audiences over his two-decade career. His new foray into children’s music has him facing the toughest one yet. “It’s like painting with primary colors: no subtle shades,” he said. “You’ve got to get their attention quicker, use exciting language. It’s a lot more demanding. I really…
Heart of Holland
Imagine you could experience emotion like those with synesthesia, who perceive sounds as having color or shape. Would you witness love emanating from strangers like exquisite rose blooms, or depression trailing behind in a wake of dark clouds? This idea approaches the aesthetic of Jolie Holland, whose wavering alto comes out of her with such…
Off to the see the ‘Wizard’
Nearing the end of its first year in operation, Upstage Theatre mounts a production of the beloved musical “The Wizard of Oz” at Edmond’s Mitch Park. With gates open at 7 p.m. each night, audiences are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers, as well as enjoy food from onsite vendors. Upstage is the…
Radio daze
The hype has yet to become a eulogy for any medium. The latest chapter in the saga pits traditional terrestrial radio against online radio, and metro broadcasters have cast their bets on both sides. Listener-supported KOKF-FM 90.9 — aka 91 FM — lived on the knob from 1985 to 2006, when national brand Air1 Radio…
Big ‘Bang’ theory
The Bang Bang collective’s recent performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was a thing to behold. What little shred of gender identity in the original script was expunged as nearly every role had some element of male/female impersonation, including creative director Cassidy Warner as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a girl performing as a guy dressed up…
Art prints
24 works on paper. Featuring 24 artists from eight Oklahoma cities, the art includes printmaking and multimedia. One piece is comprised of photos sewn together to create an abstract array of pinks, blues and neutrals. Associate director of the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Kelsey Karper, said the works are hard to describe. “The guest curator,…
Counterpoint: GOP undermines funding
In an ideal world, tuition-free, public college education, well-funded by the government, would be the best way to create a more educated, informed citizenry. College-educated people lead healthier lives and make this country and state more prosperous through innovation and creativity. Investing in higher education is paramount for any state that wants to thrive by…
Point: For legislative authority
In this month that we celebrate our nation’s independence, it is time that we take stock. America’s promise always has been the ability of every citizen (and those who would become so) to pursue their God-given potential to the maximum extent possible. To that end, and as a foundational element of not only the Republican…
Zonad
The intentionally goofy comedy — starting with the title — focuses on a middle-class Irish family whose members become utterly charmed by the sudden arrival of an alien to their home, following a comet streaking above the night sky. The visitor — a fat man in a red suit who calls himself Zonad (Simon Delaney,…
The Cape: The Complete Series
It’s actually not a terrible show — it’s just a fair-to-middling one, and one that arrived years too late to work, especially on the heels of “Heroes”’ painful, multiyear flame-out. In Palm City, the masked killer known as Chess keeps the citizenry under his grip of fear, and the police force is wildly corrupt, but…
Arthur
As “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” proved, he’s only good in small doses; as “Get Him to the Greek” proved, he’s downright grating in large ones. Taking over Dudley Moore’s iconic, Oscar-nominated title role, Brand seems not to have undergone any great stretch to portray a rich, spoiled, drunken, promiscuous man-child. We’re asked to laugh at his…
Washed Out — Within and Without
The end products, discovered on his MySpace page by excited bloggers, established Washed Out as a distinct house beat-driven sub-style in chillwave, contemporary to the likes of Toro Y Moi and Neon Indian. They also earned Greene a deal with Sub Pop. So not long after the former dropped his excellent “Underneath the Pine” and…
Take Me Home Tonight
It’s a tribute to the 80’s teen comedy , set in the latter part of that decade; it absolutely revels in those years, as the way-fun music video amid the extras attests. If not for its fresh-faced stars of today, the film could very well pass as a product of that era. Having a hand…
[REC] 2
This time around, the film is told not from the viewpoint of Vidal’s cameraman, but the SWAT team that goes in a few minutes after the first flick’s events; their helmets are equipped with built-in cams, natch, and they’ve been given the order to “record everything.” While I had strong reservations that sticking with the…
True Blood: The Complete Third Season / Being Human: Season Three
And then it nearly derailed creatively, introducing too many new characters in too many new storylines in too short amount of time. (Don’t believe me? Click your way through the interactive family tree on the Blu-ray set’s bonus disc.) With a cast seemingly doubled, the hours grow so complex that keeping up is frustrating; even…
The Reef
The story is simple: Two men and two women — connected either by birth or love, even once lost — take a sailing trip to the Great Barrier Reef. There’s a reason it’s called that, and it’s right there in the title. The reef scratches the shinola out of their guide’s yacht, flipping it over,…
Peep World
It sports one of the year’s best casts, with Michael C. Hall, Rainn Wilson and Sarah Silverman portraying sour siblings angry at their baby brother, Nathan (Ben Schwartz, the scene-stealing Jean-Ralphio on TV’s “Parks and Recreation”), for basing his runaway-hit novel on their lives. It’s hard to blame him, because their immense dysfunction is readymade…
Hobo with a Shotgun
Does the gag make the transition from two minutes to 86 minutes? It depends on your tastes, and “Hobo” is purposely full of that which resides on the poor side. To cult-film followers, that should be taken as a rec to rent. The great Rutger Hauer (“Blade Runner” forever!) stars as Hobo — yes, just…
The Warrior’s Way
Few people besides me saw it in theaters, and far fewer got it; now that it’s hit Blu-ray, those among the latter group will enjoy the hell out of its ever-wavering groove. But damn, is it strange. Tonally, the piece is all over the board, resulting in something that feels fueled by NyQuil. Seriously, “The…
The Metro plans Serbian feast
The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro, 6418 N. Western, is planning a Serbian dinner at 6:30 p.m. July 17. The guest chef will be Marko Kratohvil, an artist and sculptor who helped choose savory Serbian specialties for the evening. Part of the proceeds will benefit City Arts Center. Tickets are $80 per person, which includes…
‘America’s Next Top Model’ looking for Oklahoma women
The call, part of a national search for the reality series’ next contestants, offers women from Oklahoma and surrounding states their chance to hit the television screen. It takes place at Will Rogers Theater, 4322 N. Western. Applicants must be between 18 and 27, and 5’7” or taller, but CW34 spokesperson Stephanie Sims said that’s…
Graham Wright — Shirts vs. Skins
Then some research revealed that Graham Wright is not actually the lead singer or guitarist of the Toronto foursome. He’s the keyboardist. Oh. “Shirts Vs. Skins,” while bearing a passing resemblance to its hyperkinetic indie-rock forebears, is primarily a power-pop album in the vein of The Cars, Fountains of Wayne and other mildly aggressive but…
Matt the Electrician — Accidental Thief
His entirely unironic songwriting would fit in neatly next to The Avett Brothers on a tour bill or a playlist. Artifice isn’t in his bag of tricks, which means that “Accidental Thief ” positively bursts with immediate hooks. Opener “All I Know” is a jaunty, charming tune that sways and skips along easily. It borders…
James and Evander — Constellating EP + 2
In its stead, I’ve sought out other gentle electronica projects in hopes of filling my Gibbard/Tamborello-shaped hole. Most acts fall short by appropriating the sound, but not writing great pop songs to match. Enter James and Evander. On the surface, it seems to be everything I want in a Postal Service replacement: two dudes churning…
Oblivion
1. It’s from Full Moon Entertainment’s heyday of straight-to-video fare. 2. When’s the last time you saw Siamese twin poker players, identical right down to the eye patch? 3. Andrew Divoff (“Wishmaster”) plays dual roles, including the lead villain, a reptilian green guy named Redeye.4. Julie Newmar portrays a madam, but basically does it as…
The Ladybug Transistor — Clutching Stems
They adhere closely to what the band’s press dubs “formalist” structures, which is to say that the verse/chorus/verse format isn’t just used, but praised. The songs aren’t gimmicky, nor are they hip. They’re just really solid, enjoyable tunes. In that way, they’re pretty much the quintessential Merge band at the moment: Been around since the…
Piñataland — Hymns for the Dreadful Night
The chamber pop of Piñataland’s “Hymns for the Dreadful Night” caught my attention immediately, as it is immaculately captured. “Island of Godless Men” is the best example of this. It’s a great song made better by the details of the engineering. Opening the piece is remarkably clear sound of the ocean, which gives way to…
Season of the Witch
Thing is, it’s not that bad. Nicolas Cage’s perm, however, is another story. Set in 1334 A.D., “Season” centers on best-bud knights Behmen (Cage) and Felson (Ron Perlman, “Hellboy”), who tire of sticking their swords into innocent women and children in the so-called name of God, so they quit. No sooner have they hung up…
Haunted Summer
To combat this, producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus made the occasional stab at respectability, like 1988’s “Haunted Summer.” Directed by Ivan Passer (“Loves of a Blonde”), it’s a dramatization of the wild week in 1816 amid a summer Switzerland paradise when horror fiction practically was born overnight. Mind you, it’s not too high-minded; a…
Paul Simon — Paul Simon / There Goes Rhymin’ Simon / Still Crazy After All These Years / In Concert: Live Rhymin’
The accompanying notes state that the albums “feature the remastered sound, bonus tracks and expanded packaging from their first CD incarnations.” Translated: These are exactly the same as the 2004 CD releases, down to the liner notes. The only reason mentioned for re-releasing these albums is that a licensing agreement recently “brought Simon’s entire catalog…
Givers — In Light
But because the album does a half-decent job of catching that lightning in a bottle, it is a glorious blast of summery goodness. I won’t gush over Givers’ live show; I did that once already. They are the most enthusiastic band I’ve ever seen, and some of that transfers over to the 10 songs that comprise…
Call Me Bwana
Its flimsiest of plots posits that a moon probe has accidentally crash-landed among the dangerous Ekele tribe in Africa, and the Americans need to nab it before it falls into the hands of another nation. The U.S. government calls upon Matthew Merriwether (Hope), a published expert on the continent who claims to have shaken hands…
