Blue valentine
Andrew Heilprin might be the nicest musician working today. After half an hour of talking to the beach-pop songwriter who goes by the name Blue-Eyed Son, he asked me to sit in on ukulele at his Sunday show at The Conservatory. Minutes later, he asked to be Facebook friends. That friendly, easygoing style spills over…
Kick back
Of all the national touring acts coming through Oklahoma in the coming months, few can relate to the tragedy the state just experienced than the Dropkick Murphys, themselves barely more than a month removed from a disaster. “It’s clichéd, but Boston is a tough town and always has been,” drummer Matt Kelly said of April…
OKG7 sweet stops
Custard Factory1000 E. Alameda, Norman360-6177 Order the custard cookie. Choose your frozen custard flavor, which will be smooshed between two cookies. Have your pick between double chocolate, chocolate-chip vanilla or peanut butter chocolate-chip cookies. If you’re on the go, grab a fudge brownie sundae. Sara Sara Cupcakes7 N.W. Ninthsarasarabakery.com600-9494 For breakfast, check out the bacon,…
Mother and son
Pam Chandler and Abbey Credit: Shannon Cornman The two were brought together May 22 at Southwest Integris Medical Center, where Chandler is recovering from a broken arm. The had been separated shortly after the twister, when Chandler was transported to the hospital by ambulance. “My baby. Hi, sweetie,” Chandler squealed as she saw Abby for…
Life’s a beach house
Credit: Brad Gregg For Oklahoma City billionaire Aubrey McClendon, that might mean selling the beach house he’s never lived in. His $10 million home on Lake Michigan hit the market recently. The 7,000-square-foot behemoth of a getaway place in the Singapore Dunes of Michigan comes complete with a 1,300-square-foot separate guest house. The former Chesapeake…
Praise the who?
Credit: Brad Gregg “I guess you’ve got to thank the Lord, right?” Blitzer asked. “Do you thank the Lord? For that split-second decision?” The woman hesitated briefly. “I … I’m actually an atheist,” she answered politely before both she and Blitzer broke into awkward, albeit wonderful, laughter. “But we are here,” the woman added, “and…
Good humor
Ty Tyler Credit: Mark Hancock “It’s great to be associated with some fun,” said Ty Tyler, president of Tyler Media, who oversaw the format change from Radio Disney to 24/7 Comedy. “It helps put people in a good mood, and there’s certainly nothing like it in Oklahoma City.” The brainchild of 24/7 Comedy is George…
Payback politics?
Credit: Brad Gregg Even as recovery operations began May 20, Roll Call quoted Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, as saying disaster spending should be offset with spending cuts elsewhere, dredging up ugly memories of the earlier struggle to pass disaster relief spending for Hurricane Sandy victims. The GOP was accused of cold-heartedness after House Speaker John…
Tabloid heaven?
Credit: Brad Gregg Bennifer? Brangelina? Well, there’s a new couple in town. They’re Oklahoma residents, and the gossip hounds just can’t get enough of ‘em. We’re talking about Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. The rumors circulating about their relationship are numerous and cover everything from infidelity to frenemies. According to the National Enquirer, , they…
A tragedy on Twitter
Credit: Shannon Cornman @reedtimmerTVN: STRONG tornado potential again tomorrow (today, Monday afternoon) over much of central and eastern OK!Timmer is a meteorologist and storm chaser. @severestudios: LARGE, VIOLENT tornado moving into S OKC metro. MOORE AREA GET UNDERGROUND NOW! (3:07pm)Severe Studios break severe weather news in Tornado Alley. @dailythunder: This is just the worst.Young is…
Something brewin’
A recent change to Oklahoma’s liquor laws is being hailed as a big victory for the state’s growing craft brewing industry. Gov. Mary Fallin last month signed House Bill 1341, which lets Oklahoma breweries offer customers free samples of beer in their premises. “This is a major baby step for the brewing industry,” said JD…
Kitchen creations
Hype is impressive. It gets people excited. For new restaurants, hype can be a godsend. They get customers. They get word-of-mouth advertising. They get known. But a godsend turns into a god-helpyou when the restaurant doesn’t live up to that hype. The word-of-mouth is a curse word. The customers go someplace else. So what is…
Holding out for a gyro
Basil Mediterranean Cafe is a friendly place. The staff takes the time to describe each dish and even makes recommendations based on your preferences. The restaurant is spacious and has a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. It’s set up almost like a fast-food joint, a look that is matched by its brisk service. It’s probably best…
Bike it
Bike it top Last year’s inaugural Oklahoma City Pro-Am Classic must have been a success, because this year’s cycling event has doubled to two full days of highspeed, high-energy racing Saturday and Sunday throughout Automobile Alley and Film Row. More than $20,000 of prizes is up for grabs in amateur and elite competitions. Visit okcpac.com.…
What a hack
Credit: Brad Gregg Wait. Wha? A University of Oklahoma student has found himself in the proverbial hot seat after being charged May 16 with five counts of computer fraud. Roja Osman Hamad allegedly altered his grades and then changed the passwords of six members of the OU faculty. The Norman Transcript reported that Hamad’s campus…
lunch it
lunch it bottom Norman’s annual arts picnic, aka Luncheon on the Grass, begins at 4 p.m. Sunday at Lions Park, 450 S. Flood. Bring your own food and drinks, and the event will supply the art activities, the free snow cones and continuous live entertainment, including tunes from DJ Nexus and concluding with a 7…
Film it
Film it bottom Attention, fans of The Sandlot: You’re officially old! The 1993 baseball comedy enjoys quite a cult following, which is why its 20th anniversary is being celebrated with a 16-city nationwide tour. At 8 p.m Saturday, see it at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle, with writer/director/narrator David Mickey Evans in attendance…
Celebrate it
Celebrate it bottom It’s Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s 50th anniversary, but you’ll receive the presents. To celebrate, Lyric invites the public to a free concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno. The program includes a performance by above Julie Johnson and previews of the summer musicals Tarzan, The King and…
Not business as usual
Warren Theatre credit: Marianne Bacharach The Orr Family Farm, a 106-acre site for children’s activities and agriculture education, sustained significant damage as well as the deaths of a number of horses. Some news reports initially put the figure at 100 horses, but Tony Vann, a spokesman for the farm, said most of those found dead…
OKG 7 sweet stops
When you need to indulge a craving, make it count by enjoying some of the metro’s tastiest treats. —Jenn Scott, photos by Shannon Cornman and Mark Hancock Custard factory 1000 e. alameda, Norman 360-6177 Order the custard cookie. Choose your frozen custard flavor, which will be smooshed between two cookies. Have your pick between double…
LIFE
Summer means grilling means burgers. On Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m., get in on the third annual Battle of the Burger at David Stanley Chevrolet of Norman, 1221 Ed Noble Parkway. Come and be part of burger-tasting packages, a happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m., with beverages donated by Mustang. There will be…
SOUNDCHECK
NEWS It took only minutes after the May 20 tornado lifted for musicians across the state to volunteer their talents to Moore relief efforts. Here are a few benefit concerts on the horizon. Some of Oklahoma’s best and brightest — including JD McPherson pictured, Evangelicals, Taddy Porter, Beau Jennings & the Tigers, Parker Millsap, ADDverse…
Prinz of tides
Local musician Dustin Prinz has postponed his album-release party, but he has a darn good reason. By LOUIS FOWLER Oklahoma City musician Dustin Prinz was all ready to go with an album-release party Saturday when the worst possible thing that could’ve happened did: He decided the disc needed more songs. “The album is entitled Eleven,…
Nighty night
Don’t let the bedbugs bite. But if they do, Night Beds’ soothing sounds should make you feel all better. By zach hale Night Beds with the staves and Musikanto 8 p.M. tuesDay OpOlis 113 n. craWfOrD, nOrMan OpOlis.OrG 820-0951 $12 It’s rare, but certain voices can convey a message through inflection and tone when words…
Okla-romance
Oklahoma’s writers of romantic fiction are a new breed. By SARAH LOBBAN Callie Hutton had always flirted with a career in writing. She spent years working for magazines, conducting interviews and writing articles. Later, she took a job in New York for a business’ corporate communications department. And until about four years ago, Hutton worked…
We’ll be OK
I never really understood the depths of being an Oklahoman. In light of the tornadoes this month, I truly get it. I feel it. Growing up in Oklahoma, we learn to drive before we can walk. We learn to give directions like, “Turn left at the Smiths’,” and, “You’ll see the barn about a mile…
Puck it
Puck it top For the second straight season, the Oklahoma City Barons have advanced to the Western Conference Finals! Hockey fans, that means your support is needed to cheer them onto victory! Games 3 through 5 will be hosted by the Barons at 7 p.m. tonight, Friday and, if necessary, Saturday at Cox Convention Center,…
Jail it
Jail it For his latest exhibition, Invisible Eve, local photographer Yousef Khanfar took black-and-white portraits of women behind bars for nonviolent crimes. Their personal messages appear beside the photos, which go on display at Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Drive, beginning with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The exhibit runs through…
CFN’s worst Considered tweet of the week
“This tornado is in Oklahoma, so clearly it has been ordered to only target conservatives.” —A May 20 tweet by Lizz Winstead, co-creator of TV’s The Daily Show. She apologized a short time later and said she hadn’t realized the magnitude of the disaster.
Happenings the week of May. 28, 2013
Back to Basics: Homemade Series, the simple flavors and textures of an earlier time period in this four–part class series, 6:30–9:30 p.m., May 30. Francis Tuttle Technology Center–Rockwell Campus, 12777 N. Rockwell, 717–4900. THU Dinner with the Winemaker, tasting dinner, 5:30 p.m., May 30. Clauren Ridge Vineyard and Winery, 6000 W. Waterloo, Edmond, 412–8630. THU…
OKG 7 things to do
Jazz it The legacy of Oklahoma City’s jazz pioneer Charlie Christian endures in the annual fest bearing his name, beginning Tuesday and ending June 8. Events, times, locations and admission vary, but the Charlie Christian International Music Festival features performances by Joe McBride, Grady Nichols, Kirk Whalum and above smoothjazz saxophonist Najee. Call 524-3800 or…
Tennis, anyone?
Credit: Shannon Cornman Add to the mix a new program for underserved youth and it becomes apparent the public tennis scene in OKC is moving forward. The Oklahoma City Tennis Center, 3400 N. Portland Ave., has long been considered a top-notch facility, but it’s on the cusp of reaching new heights thanks to a $2.88…
MAPS for trauma
It was joy and grieving and defiance. I was screaming at Timothy McVeigh and for that baby carried by the firefighter as much as I was yelling for our young team that was making our city proud much sooner than expected. In OKC, it is all wrapped up together, the joy and pain. Now, unfortunately,…
To be an Oklahoman
In Oklahoma, when you pop out of your mama, the doctors give you the once-over. They check your eyes, because they know you’re going to have to stare down EF4 tornadoes and not flinch. They check the gravel in your guts, because true grit is making a living from hard, dry land, molding a life…
Moore will be more
“I left the door open on the shelter so we could look. We had the radio down there to follow the path of the tornado,” said 53-year-old Greg Stephens. Then the winds roared, and Stephens moved to close the door. “It wouldn’t latch,” he recalled. He clambered out and struggled with the door, trying to…
Cooking for a cause
Jonathan Stranger, chef at Ludivine in Oklahoma City, wanted to help the tornado victims with his culinary talent, so he started phoning some of his colleagues Monday night. Within hours, the idea had mushroomed into a two-day, full-scale event, the OK Chefs Relief Pop-Up Restaurant. The fundraiser is set for 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.…
The Burning
(Granted, hearing future Seinfeld sidekick Alexander talk about spermicide is memorable, too. Seeing his bare behind on a high-definition Blu-ray, however, is something I’d like to forget.) In the prologue, Cropsy (Lou David, The Gumball Rally) is a caretaker at Camp Blackfoot. One night, a few kids have the bright idea to “scare the shit out…
