Michael Fracasso has a lot going for him: a seamless tenor; an easy smile; a compact, poignant writing style; even a serious talent for cooking pasta dinners. He’s so courteous and agreeable at his shows, it’s somewhat jarring to hear him drop the F-bomb while covering John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero.” But it’s always tricky […]
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Posted inFood & Drink
Food biz newcomers
House of Hunan 1316 N. Interstate Drive, Norman 360-7798 After a kitchen fire temporarily shuttered the restaurant last July, Joy Zhao and her husband, Neo Dake Zhang, have reopened their House of Hunan/White Swan in Norman. They are offering authentic cuisine, such as beef with cumin or cilantro chicken. Or, try Ants on a Tree, […]
Posted inMusic
‘Strong’ songstress
The Alabama native won the contest with a large margin of the 500,000 votes cast online during a six-day period. While traveling back to Oklahoma from Alabama over Christmas break, she received the good news via phone, during a layover at DFW Airport. “I kind of had to hold in my excitement, because it was […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Productivity booster
Unfortunately, interruptions are commonplace in the workplace, and can be a barrier to success. The key, said business coach Danita Johnson Hughes, is to control those interruptions so you can reduce stress and, therefore, become more productive. To that end, she suggests: • organizing and prioritizing your work on a regular, constant basis; • being […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Don’t get lowballed
“As people who have been looking for work a long time start to get back into the workforce, many of them are so happy just to get a job that they sometimes accept a lower salary than they have to,” said Bill Humbert. “Some employers feel that they can probably get away with a lowball […]
Posted inMusic
Good Grooming
A guitar, by itself, is an amazing and beautiful instrument, but for musical swashbucklers looking to explore and find new sonic treasures, effect pedals provide limitless prospects. A true understanding of capabilities of guitar pedals figures in nicely with the distorted, effect-heavy alternative rock of three-piece Grooms, and when bandleader Travis Johnson found a side […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tips to avoid the anxiety of getting bumped
If you make the decision to move down, prepare yourself for an evening filled with anxiety. For some reason, it’s mildly terrifying sitting in seats that are not your own. Every single person that comes walking toward your section looks like they’re “The One.” You can’t really enjoy the game because you’re constantly scanning for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Reece’s pieces
Filmmaker Mickey Reece may be his own harshest critic. In three years, the writer/director has used a handpicked circle of friends and acquaintances to make about a dozen movies around the metro. He’s lost count of the exact number, but that’s OK, as some aren’t as memorable as others. On their debut, “Le Corndog Du […]
Posted inMusic
Bear necessities
It’s not uncommon for beloved bandleaders to spawn successful side projects. Jack White had The White Stripes and The Raconteurs. Maynard James Keenan had Tool and A Perfect Circle. Scott Weiland had Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver. Antonio Laster may not have been the front man before, but the bassist for Stillwater favorite Mayola […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Uneasy eats
Or an artichoke suddenly appears on the table and quickly separates a diner from his or her dignity because they have no idea how to cope with the green globe. A little coaching, plus a dose of daring, can transform intimidating situations into a pleasant experience. Take that artichoke, for instance. Artichokes, although delicious, do […]