Monday Catchy Quote
A catchy quote from a movie, TV show or other source to start your week:
Jeffrey Pelt: Listen, I’m a politician, which means I’m a cheat and a liar, and when I’m not kissing babies I’m stealing their lollipops. But it also means I keep my options open.
- Click here to learn the source
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 28
Today’s featured event:
See “New Perceptions of Reality,” an exhibit of photographs by Tulsa photographer David Halpern in the North Gallery of the state Capitol, 2300 Lincoln.
The North Gallery, on the first floor of the Capitol, displays the work of Oklahoma photographers. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
The exhibit is on display through May 4, so the window of opportunity is closing.
Halpern has been a landscape photographer for more than half a century. His favorite subjects – landforms, water, rocks, trees, clouds – are found in nature.
For more information, go online to www.arts.ok.gov/capitolart/ng.html.
-BAM
The rest of the fest
A dozen more things my family and I loved about this year’s final day of the 2008 Festival of the Arts:
1. The Sculpture Park: This venue for large-scale sculptures is always one of our favorite sites. Among this year’s highlights were Eric Baker’s remarkably lifelike “Aboreal Green” tree of steel and malachite; Josh Tobey’s whimsical “Conspirator Bears”; and Joe Barrington’s gargantuan “Spanish Goat Skull,” which my husband described as “something you might find in Ozzy’s front yard.”
2. Dessert: It’s amazing how many different, decadent, beautiful ways you can arrange sugar and fat. Of course, a Strawberries Newport is always a thing of beauty, but sugar-and-spice coated nuts, giant, frosting-topped cinnamon rolls and towering ice cream sundaes also were on the menu this year.
3. Youth Plaza: The festival this year included an enlarged children’s area dubbed Youth Plaza, with several food booths, its own stage and more room to roam. Although the changes meant having to hunt up previous fest favorites, the changes were definitely needed and an improvement.
4. Creation Station: This community art project is another perennial fave for our family. The festival organizers put up a framework and provide strips of colorful cloth that children and families can use to decorate it. This year, the Creation Station featured a giant caterpillar that families could walk through.
5. Windscapes: Could there be a better place to have an exhibit of kinetic sculpture than Oklahoma City? According to OG&E placards in the Windscapes exhibit, Oklahoma is the eighth windiest state in the country. After trying not to blow away all day today, I just can’t believe we’re not in the top 5 for wind power. Regardless, it’s fun and beautiful to watch the sculptures of falling leaves, flowers and geometric shapes move with the stiff breeze.
6. New food: Every year, I try to taste something new on International Food Row. Luckily, the festival always has some new delicacies to offer. This year, I sampled the Texas sausage hoagie, a hot link that lived up to its name topped with onions and peppers and doused in a spicy sauce on a homemade hoagie roll. It was delicious, even if it practically scorched my mouth.
7. The weather: Last year, a stormy deluge at the festival ruined my favorite pair of boots. This year, I managed to pull partly sunny and pleasantly mild temperatures and breezy, occasionally gusty, winds both times I went out there. When the weather behaves, it really is a joy to be wandering around the sprawling outdoor festival. It’s really what spring is all about.
8. Myriad Gardens: The festival provides a perfect opportunity to explore the gardens, which are always beautifully green with cheerfully flowers blooming. They really are an oasis in the city.
9. Traditions: For many Oklahoma City residents, the festival is a tradition as ingrained as turkey on Thanksgiving. I always have to get an Indian taco and Strawberries Newport, and we usually sit on the grass under one of the big trees on the Festival Plaza to nosh. For Chris, 13, our older son, it just isn’t a day at the festival until he rolls like a log down the big hill on the east side of the Crystal Bridge.
10. The Silly People: The street performance pair the Silly People strung together an array of impressive yoyo tricks for a huge crowd this afternoon. Wearing bright yellow shirts emblazoned with the words “I’m Silly,” the pair’s yoyo wizard promised the tricks would get more complicated the more applause he got. He did several intricate tricks while cracking jokes. He even told the children in the audience, “Remember, kids, all your parents can do these same tricks at home.”
11. Balloons: One of the best booths at the festival is the one selling balloons and carnations. For just $1, I was able to get Gabe the Babe, now almost 17 months, a blue star-spangled floating ball of joy. I guess money can by happiness on the cheap – at least if you’re purchasing for a toddler.
12. The Love: The festival brings together so many people -the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, which produces the event, estimates 125,000 people a day enter the grounds – from so many age groups, ethnicities and lifestyles. And for the most part, they’re all there having a good time, savoring the performing, visual and culinary arts, enjoying the changing of the season in the outdoors and taking part in a giant community event. Good times.
-BAM
A few of our favorite festival things
My family and I headed downtown today to take in the final hours of the Festival of the Arts. Provided the weather is cooperative, the last day of the festival is typically bustling, and since it was partly cloudy and in the high 60s, people thronged International Food Row, Hudson Avenue and the Myriad Gardens.Regardless of the weather, the final day of festival is always a bit sad, sort of like twilight on New Year’s Day, when the holidays are over. It’s a bit depressing to think the festive rite of spring is over for another year.
As anticipated, the 42nd annual festival provided an array of sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings. Here’s a roundup of the best of fest according to the fam and me:
Top 10 artists
Every year, the festival showcases 144 different artists on Hudson Avenue. The wares displayed in these booths include paintings, sculpture, pottery, woodwork, jewelry and more. Obviously, there’s something for just about anyone, and with 144 different booths to see, it can be difficult to take it all in.
While all the artists offered eye-popping artwork, these were the 10 whose work really captured the eyes and imaginations of the McDonnell clan:
1. Julie Rice, McLouth, Kan., “touch artistry”: I featured Julie’s unique “fingertip paintings” of horses, cowboys and American Indians in my festival story in Saturday’s The Oklahoman. After interviewing her, watching her work on two different ink paintings and viewing videos of her working on different paintings on her Web site, I still have a hard time believing that she can create such intricately detailed paintings with just her fingers and an ink pad. To create her portraits and paintings, she touches her middle finger to an inkpad coated in sepia-toned ink (She also does paintings with white ink on a black background.) and dabs the ink into the right place on her acid-free foam board, where she outlines her subject in faint pencil. It sounds simplistic, but the results are astounding. I’ve been covering the arts for a long time – and have appreciated them even longer – but that just might be the coolest artsy thing I’ve ever seen.
2. Kevin Liang, Brooklyn, N.Y., oil: Liang matches his idyllic, Impressionistic landscapes with Chinese calligraphy and poems he writes for lovely results.
3. Stephen Hackley, Richardson, TX, oil: Hackley fills huge canvases with images of vividly colored, realistically rendered flowers, including some that take up a pair of canvases.
4. Glenn Payne, Blue Springs, Mo., oil: Payne’s paintings prove just how much magic some artists can render in black and white. His evocative portraits of a man in a hat are intriguing on their own merit, but what’s even more interesting is meeting the artist and realizing all of them are self-portraits.
5. Patrick Stone, Santa Fe, N.M., sculpture: His name is absolutely fitting: Stone is a top-notch sculptor working in, that’s right, stone. He goes by “Stoneman,” and his geometric sculptures are distinctively modern in their form, but still have an innately timeless quality.
6. Stanley Buss, Elk City, wood: Buss creates a variety of functional artwork in wood, from pepper grinders to cutting boards, but his most impressive pieces interweave several shades of different wood for a gorgeous multi-tone effect.
7. Mel Fleck, Louisville, Ky., graphic artist: Fleck recreates the exotic artistry of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, Chinese calligraphy and the cat worship of the two cultures.
8. Kent Kraus, Santa Fe, N.M., sculpture: Another talented Santa Fe sculptor, Kraus crafts gracefully curving contemporary sculptures, including fountains, that are reminiscent of otherworldly flowers.
9. Toby McGee, Oklahoma City, glass: McGee is able to blow colorful glass into a variety of unusual, gorgeously graceful shapes.
10. Hooshang Khorasani, Ruston, La., acrylic: His paintings of wildly colored, free-spirited horses offer a distinctive – and distinctively modern – take on the West.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 27
Today’s featured event:
If you haven’t gone yet to the downtown Festival of the Arts, then you should move quickly, because this is the final day.
While you’re down there, check out the special exhibit “In Full Bloom: Twenty Tropical Years” at the Myriad Gardens’ Crystal Bridge. Along with all the exotic plant and animal life usually on display, the exhibit highlights the development and success of this distinctive downtown attraction.
The exhibit continues through May 26 if you don’t make it today.
Sunday hours at the Crystal Bridge are noon to 6 p.m.
For more information, go to www.myriadgardens.com.
-BAM
Festival of the Arts Sunday schedule
It’s the last day to catch this year’s Festival of the Arts. Here’s what the fest’s final day holds.
BAM’s festival suggestion of the day: Check out the special “5X5″ exhibit, featuring artwork by Greg Burns, Victoria Elbroch, Mike Larsen, Jean Richardson and B.J. White, in the South Hudson Gallery. Before the event closes for another year, take a last look at the 144 artists’ booths, Environs artistic furniture display, the Sculpture Park and Windscapes kinetic art exhibit.
The festival takes place in downtown at the Festival Plaza, Myriad Botanical Gardens, Stage Center and Hudson Avenue. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.
For more information, call 270-4848 or go online to www.artscouncilokc.com.
Performing arts schedule:
Cafe Stage
11 a.m.: Perpetual Motion (dance)
Noon: International Dance (dance)
1 p.m.: Highlanders of OKC (bagpipe band)
2 p.m.: OKC Symphonic Band (instrumental)
3 p.m.: Tikvatenu Dancers-Messianic Jewish Congregation (dance)
4 p.m.: Vandevander (rock/blues)
5 p.m.: Shortt Dogg (R&B/jazz/blues)
Crystal Stage
11 a.m.: Casady School Jazz Band (instrumental)
Noon: Len Master Magician (magic)
1 p.m.: Ford Chastain (rock)
2 p.m.: Yumare Mexican Folkloric Dancers (Mexican dance)
3 p.m.: Lyra’s Muse Dance Company (dance)
3:30 p.m.: Russell Babb Honor Choir (choral)
4 p.m.: Ballet Flamenco (dance)
5 p.m.: Cottonwood Creek Cloggers (clog dance)
Deck Stage
11 a.m.: Oklahoma Wind (variety)
Noon: Robin & Company (pop/jazz)
1 p.m.: Sun, Evan & Gracie Barry (pop/variety)
2 p.m.: Jimi Jo Jami (eclectic)
3 p.m.: Ieshia Le (pop/variety/jazz)
4 p.m.: CDS Jazz Band (jazz)
5 p.m.: Jerry Russell (rock/variety/country)
Water Stage
11 a.m.: The Shelly Phelps Band (rock/R&B)
Noon: No U Turn (old rock/new country)
1 p.m.: Blood Washed Blues Band (blues)
2 p.m.: The Three Legged Dog Blues Band (blues/rock)
3 p.m.: Mariachi Lopez (mariachi)
4 p.m.: Dime a Dozen (rock)
5 p.m.: Suspicious Contra Band (traditional Celtic)
-BAM
RIP, Clyde Martin
From left, Clyde Martin, Don Taylor and Kylie Esco pose for a recent publicity photo for Jewel Box Theatre’s production of ”My Fair Lady.”
Services were Friday for venerable Oklahoma City stage actor and radio host Clyde Martin, who died Monday. He was 78.
Martin studied acting at Pasadena Playhouse and appeared in many productions – from comedies to dramas to musicals – at Lyric Theatre, Carpenter Square Theatre, Jewel Box Theatre and other local theater companies.
He was playing the gentlemanly Col. Pickering in Jewel Box’s staging of “My Fair Lady” up until he died.
In 1966, Martin started hosting an opera show on KJEM radio, continuing with the show until the station was sold in 1969. Soon after that, he started his 35-year stint as host of the Metropolitan Opera and Chicago Lyric Opera radio broadcasts at KCSC-FM 90.1.
He also hosted his own show, “Clyde Martin’s Opera,” which featured noted recordings of world-renowned opera singers. His knowledge and passion for the art form earned him the nickname “Mr. Opera.”
Martin retired in 1994 from Metropolitan Library System, where he worked for many years. I recently was introduced to Clyde when I was working on stories about Metropolitan Opera and La Scala productions being broadcast in the Tinseltown and Oklahoma City Museum of Art theaters. He loved going to see these broadcasts and was thrilled at the notion that more people might learn about and grow to appreciate opera. His passion for opera was apparent in just one brief phone interview.
I occasionally heard part of his opera shows on the radio, and it saddens me to think that I will never again hear his voice on 90.1.
RIP, Clyde Martin.
Click here to read Martin’s obituary.
Click here to read John Brandenberg’s review of Jewel Box’s “My Fair Lady.”
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 26
Today’s featured event:
The closing reception of “Art 365,” an exhibit featuring works by Oklahoma artists, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Untitled ArtSpace, 1 NE Third.
Seven artists were given $10,000 and 365 days to develop a body of work that expressed their identities as artists.
The artists represent a diverse cross section of styles, including painting, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture and technology.
Tonight’s close event will include the debut of “Art 365″ catalog for and the preview of the “Art 365″ documentary film.
For more information, call 815-9995 or go to www.1ne3.org.
-BAM
Festival of the Arts Saturday schedule
If you plan to spend some of your Saturday free or family time at the Festival of the Arts, here’s the schedule of what you’ll find.
BAM’s festival suggestion of the day: Try something new for lunch or dinner on International Food Row. In between, rock out with Psycho Diva and the Couch Doctors at 2 p.m. on the Water Stage.
The festival takes place today through Sunday in downtown at the Festival Plaza, Myriad Botanical Gardens, Stage Center and Hudson Avenue. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call 270-4848 or go online to www.artscouncilokc.com.
Performing arts schedule:
Cafe Stage
11 a.m.: Desert Fire (dance)
Noon: Edgar Cruz (classical guitar)
1 p.m.: Lynda Tarpley Tap (dance)
2 p.m.: The Blu Katz (soul)
3 p.m.: The Talk of the Town Orchestra (variety/jazz/instrumental)
4 p.m.: Moonlight Serenade Big Band (big band)
5 p.m.: Son del Barrio (salsa)
6 p.m.: Kinky Slinky (reggae/alternative)
7:30 p.m.: Boru’s Ghost (modern Celtic)
Crystal Stage
11 a.m.: CeCe Farha’s Range of Motion Dance Studio (dance)
Noon: OK Children’s Acting Guild Child’s (acting)
1 p.m.: Velocity Dance Center (dance)
2 p.m.: Celtic Praise Troupe (dance)
3 p.m.: A Mirage Dance Company (dance)
4 p.m.: All About Irish Performance Troupe (Irish dance)
5 p.m.: Hill Irish Dance School (dance)
6 p.m.: “Festival Idol” finals (talent show)
7:30 p.m.: Jim Green Magician (magic)
Deck Stage
11 a.m.: The Timberwulf (folk/traditional)
Noon: Darrell Baskett/Delray Elvis Review (Elvis Presley tribute)
1 p.m.: Debbie Henning (blues)
2 p.m.: Ed and Karen Petit (blues)
3 p.m.: Jahruba the Griot (drumming/storytelling)
4 p.m.: Kerry Andrew & Friends (R&B/smooth jazz)
5 p.m.: Jahruba and Dave Duo (reggae)
6 p.m.: Brigade (bluegrass)
7:30 p.m.: Jake Poire (pop/variety/folk)
Water Stage
11 a.m.: Lisa Curl & Company (indie folk/eclectic)
Noon: Citizen 5 (rock/pop/variety)
1 p.m.: Powerhouz (R&B/jazz)
2 p.m.: Psycho Diva and the Couch Doctors (rock/pop/variety)
3 p.m.: Fifth Story (rock)
4 p.m.: The Latin Trio (pop/variety)
5 p.m.: Retro (classic rock)
6 p.m.: Full Circle (oldies/variety)
7:30 p.m.: Junebug Spade (rock)
Drawing crowds with the touch of a finger
Kansas artist Julie Rice, a first-time exhibitor at the Festival of the Arts, has been drawing crowds with her “touch artistry” or “fingertip painting,” in which she uses just an ink pad and her middle finger to create amazingly detailed Western paintings of cowboys, horses, buffalo and American Indians.
If you’re headed downtown to the festival, stop by her booth, 17B. You’ll be astounded at how she is able to create these ink paintings.
If you can’t make it, go to her Web site, www.julierice.net, to watch video demonstrations of her creating her paintings. It’s quite impressive.
-BAM
