Community & Lifestyle

Motorcycle diaries

As an African American motorcycle drag racer, TomBo Racing founder Tommy Bolton won titles and set a record.

The first time he saw a motorcycle, Tommy Bolton knew what he wanted to be when he grew up.

By Jeremy Martin Feb 21, 2020

Tommy Bolton TomBo Racing Engines African American drag racer motorcycles Honda Jim McGlynn Jim McGlynn Jack Korpela Dragbike USA National Hot Rod Association National Hot Rod Association Pro Stock Motorcycle Glen Nickelberry Texas Motorplex

Straight up

Brandy Mayes’ A Shot of Brandy podcast features interviews with local artists and entrepreneurs, and his Creators Create studio will help people start their own.

Brandy Mayes discovered podcasts three years ago, and he was immediately impressed.

By Jeremy Martin Feb 12, 2020

podcasts Brandy Mayes A Shot of Brandy Creators Create Podcast Studio

Food Issue: In good spirits

A Midtown retailer caters to both amateur and professional mixologists wanting to raise the bar with better ingredients and supplies.

It wasn’t so long ago when Oklahoma bartenders had to go to great lengths to tap into the nation’s ever-expanding array of specialty bitters, mixers and bar tools while also being stifled by the state’s strict and confusing blue laws.

By Charles Martin Feb 7, 2020

OKG Shop Barkeep Supply Vault Ice Winship’s Bitters bartending bartenders mixologists mixology craft cocktails cocktails mixed drinks Julia McLish bar demonstration bar drinks Josh Cockle Old Fashioned Daiquiri Ludivine spirits atomizer bar bible cocktail recipes The Bar Book Jeffrey Morgenthaler ice Seth Stevenson Whiskey Cake Norman Oklahoma City mixology scene restaurant bar hotel chemistry UV filters water softening flavors taste guaiacol

Food Issue: Soul food

SixTwelve’s First We Dance, Then We Greet, Then We Eat series creates community through cooking and dancing lessons.

Growing up in New York City suburb Rockland County, Marie Casimir belonged to a community of open doors.

By Jeremy Martin Feb 7, 2020

SixTwelve First We Dance Then We Greet Then We Eat Marie Casimir Djaspora Productions Kindred Spirits Chaya Fletcher Amy Young Nicole Asali Health Koncious kizomba Jonas Favela Graffiti Parlor OKC

Sweet sorrow

Oklahoma Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet celebrates love in spite of a generational cycle of violence.

For approximately the 10th time in Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park’s nearly 35-year history, a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life.

By Jeremy Martin Feb 6, 2020

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park Oklahoma Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet live theatre Kris Kuss Brian Lewis Nikki Mar

OKG Lifestyle: Albert Rios

Around OKC EAT: Tamashii Ramen House WATCH: Watchmen (HBO)

By Gazette staff Feb 4, 2020

Tamashii Ramen House Watchmen The Praisedown with Heath and Alex the Outsider Stephen King Saint’s Bar & Lounge Comic Book Club Literati Press Comics & Novels Andolini’s Pizzeria Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return New Yorker Radio Hour The Goldfinch Donna Tartt The Futur iFly Indoor Skydiving Super Tortas El Chavo Elite Blank State of Mind Lincka K-12 Melanie Martinez House of Night P.C. Cast Kristin Cast Sam Noble Museum OKG Lifestyle

Hello kitty

Lyric Theatre’s The Cat in the Hat brings Dr. Seuss’ subversive classic to the stage.

By Jeremy Martin Jan 30, 2020

Lyric Theatre The Cat in the Hat Dr. Seuss oklahoma city live theatre children's theater Matthew Sipress Lexi Windsor Josiah Brooks Eli Bradley

Cover: Dragged up

As it becomes increasingly popular and visible, drag challenges rigid gender roles and helps performers and audiences accept themselves.

Drag has completely changed Shantel P. Mandalay’s life.

By Jeremy Martin and Miguel Rios Jan 24, 2020

drag drag queens drag kings faux queens nonconforming drag gender LGBTQ+ Shantel P. Mandalay Ms. Shantel Drag Queen Story Hour Cassidy Q Damian Matrix Topatío HiLo Club Misty Snatch Dust Bowl Dolls The Boom Dick Tater Lindsey Churchill Women’s Research Center BGLTQ+ Student Center University of Central Oklahoma Damian Matrix Shalula The Wreck Room Wreck Room Idol Tape Alotta Vahjeen Vi Karius Q Space Youth Equality Services The Loaded Bowl Bang Bang Queer Punk Variety Show Tramps

OKG Lifestyle: Rachael Leonhart

Around OKC

By Gazette staff Jan 9, 2020

OKG Lifestyle Localites OKC Magasin Table Oklahoma City Museum of Art Wondervan Pops Roxy’s Ice Cream Social Gun Izakaya Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma Mutt Misfits Animal Rescue Live! on the Plaza 16th Street Plaza District Rachael Leonhart

Rim shot

Basketball-themed comedy benefit show Why Not? returns to OKC.

By Jeremy Martin Dec 31, 2019

Demetrius “Juice” Deason Russell Westbrook Why Not? Comedy Show comedy Tower Theatre Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County Jabee Will “Spank” Horton The Plastic Cup Boyz Comedy Central The Next Level Taneshia “Just Nesh” Rice Layups2Standup basketball NBA

Cover: 2019 review

Here’s a look back at some of the most newsworthy events around the metro this year.

To the ballot

By Jeremy Martin, Jacob Threadgill and Miguel Rios Dec 24, 2019

2019 2019 in review 2019 review Oklahoma City Pride Alliance Pride Kevin Stitt referendum Medicaid expansion State Question 802 SoonerCare expansion People Not Politicians Let’s Fix This League of Women Voters of Oklahoma State Question 804 redistricting gerrymandering felony sentence modification recreational cannabis State Question 805 State Question 806 Oklahoma Secretary of State LGBTQ+ Freedom Oklahoma Allie Shinn OKC Pride Inc. Legends & Rebels Cody Barlow David Holt James Cooper Breea Clark Human Rights Campaign HRC Municipal Equality Index Norman Oklahomans for Equality sexual orientation gender identity gender expression conversion therapy ban LGBTQ+ friendly leaders firearms guns handgun La Baguette Bistro Walmart Stillwater Twin Peaks open carry permitless carry Duncan Duncan Police Department Kevin Hern Gun-Free School Zones Act Mike Hunter tribal casinos National Indian Gaming Association Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Matt Morgan micro-kitchens food hall The Collective Kitchens + Cocktails Midtown Parlor OKC Deep Deuce Robert Black MAPS Ron Norick Metropolitan Area Projects citizen advisory board MAPS 4 parks transit Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma State Fair Park affordable housing mental health services animal shelter Palomar Freedom Center Clara Luper Center Oklahoma County jail

Cover: New Year’s glee

Oklahoma Gazette suggests 10 ways to welcome the new year.

We’re miles away from the hustle and bustle (and record-breaking crowds of revelers) of Times Square, but from food halls to runways, listening rooms and barcades, the Oklahoma City metro has the perfect spot for everyone to ring in 2020.

By Jeremy Martin, Brittany Pickering, Miguel Rios and Jacob Threadgill Dec 23, 2019

New Year’s Eve The Fashion Art & Beauty Gala The F.A.B. Fashion Art & Beauty Gala Blac Box Collective Nicole Moan Nicole Moan’s Misfit Toys Willa Williams Jim Thompson Tara McKinney Palm Tree Don Oklahoma City Ballet Amy Potter Rio Byerly R.A.C.E. Dance Company Castle Row Studios Party Like It’s 1999 — New Year’s Eve Bash FlashBack RetroPub DJ Reaper New Year’s Eve at Parlor Parlor Parlor OKC Deep Deuce Angles’ New Year’s Eve Party 2020 Angles New Tribe New Year: Dark Side of the Moon The Blue Door New Tribe Pink Floyd NYE with The Imaginaries The Imaginaries Social Capital Shane Henry Maggie McClure Brian Setzer Orchestra Scissortail Park Angry Scotsman Brewing’s New Year’s Eve Celebration Angry Scotsman Brewing The Bottom of the Barrel New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball The Sanctuary Barsilica Speakeasy’s ’90s–’00s Dance Party 51st Street Speakeasy Groovy’s Roaring ’20s New Year’s Eve Party! Groovy’s

Cover: Beyond preservation

Abandoned Oklahoma aims to show that though a building might be vacant, the memories associated with it aren’t lost.

Before Michael Schwarz could even fully process the orange flames jumping on the television screen, he jumped in his car and made his fastest-ever drive on a familiar trek down to Spencer where the historic Dunjee School — a place he had visited 20 to 30 times after getting involved with the group Abandoned Oklahoma — burned beyond recognition in 2012.

By Jeremy Martin, Miguel Rios and Jacob Threadgill Dec 20, 2019

Abandoned Oklahoma David Linda Michael Schwarz Chilocco Indian Agricultural School Dunjee School Clara Luper Theotis Payne Margarett Payne Cody Cooper Justin Tyler Moore The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City Skirvin Hotel Page Woodson Johnny Fletcher Gandini’s Circus Abandoned Arkansas Dogpatch USA abandoned buildings Lincoln Beerblower Power Plant Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Woody Guthrie Center preservation Forever Majestic Majestic Hotel Hot Springs Arkansas Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival Sunshine Cleaners Stoneclound Brewing Company