Oklahoma duos on CMT
Two Oklahoma music duos, Champ Devere from Konawa/Norman and their cousins, the Herndon Twins from Edmond, are represesenting Oklahoma on the new CMT reality show, “Can You Duet.” The show airs at 7 p.m. Fridays on CMT.
Both duos have appeared in the first two episodes and on previews of episode 3, which will air this Friday, according to a news release. The duos also are appearing in commercials for the series.
Champ Devere and the Herndon Twins play at several venues around the state, including the Centennial Rodeo Opry in the OKC Stockyards.
For more information about the brother act Champ Devere, go online to www.myspace.com/champdevere.
For more information on the sister act the Herndon Twins, go to www.myspace.com/herndontwins.
Good luck to both duos on the show.
- BAM
Weekend warmup
Here’s a preview of what’s coming up the weekend of April 25-27:
Arts
- Festival of the Arts: Of course, the Festival of the Arts is continuing in downtown, with a variety of performing, visual and culinary arts offered at Festival Plaza, Myriad Botanical Gardens, Stage Center and Hudson Avenue. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 270-4848 or go online to www.artscouncilokc.com.
- City Arts Center’s “Under the Influence 2: Music + Art”: This multi-sensory exhibit opens Friday and will be on display through May 24. Several visual artists created new works of art influenced by a song of their choice. An opening reception with live performances by participating artists and local musicians will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the center, which is in State Fair Park. For more information, call 951-0000 or go online to www.cityartscenter.org.
- Banjo virtuoso Buddy Wachter with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic: Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. For more information, call 842-5387 or go online to www.okcphilharmonic.com.
- Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre’s “The Glass Menagerie”: CityRep is closing its season with Tennessee Williams’ classic drama. It will be staged at the Civic Center’s CitySpace Theatre. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Performances continue through May 11. For more information, call 848-3761 or go online to www.cityrep.com.
- “Reporting Terrorism”: Get a behind-the-scenes look into the challenges journalists face in covering terrorism in the new exhibit “Reporting Terrorism” at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, 620 N Harvey. The exhibit, on display through Dec. 31, includes news reports, photos and artifacts. For more information, call 235-3313 or go online to www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.
Families
- Touch a Truck Day: Children can explore more than 30 vehicles, including an ambulance, fire engine, helicopter, crane and cement mixer at Touch a Truck Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E Robinson. MOMS Club of Norman is sponsoring the fourth annual event to benefit the children’s section of the Norman library. For more information, call 701-2600.
Movies
Opening in OKC on Friday:
- “Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay”: The sequel to the hilarious 2004 stoner comedy “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” has the title characters (John Cho and Kal Penn) on the run as suspected terrorists.
- “Deception”: An accountant (Ewan McGregor) becomes the main suspect in a big heist and a woman’s disappearance after an enigmatic lawyer (Hugh Jackman) introduces him to a secretive sex club.
- “Baby Mama”: Former “Saturday Night Live Weekend Update” co-anchors Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunite for this pregnancy comedy. ”
- “CJ7″: Hong Kong actor-writer-director Stephen Chow (“Kung Fu Hustle”) does a family-friendly sci-fi comedy.
- “Married Life”: Chris Cooper, Pierce Brosnan, Patricia Clarkson and Rachel McAdams star in this 1940s-set drama/dark comedy/thriller in which an adulterous man (Cooper) plots to kill his wife (Clarkson) rather than putting her through the pain and humiliation of divorce.
Music
- Norman Music Festival: Hear several great bands, including the Chainsaw Kittens, Polyphonic Spree (see their video clip above), British Sea Power, Octopus Project and Evangelicals, at this free event from noon to 11:30 p.m. Saturday in downtown Norman. For more information, call 360-1162 or go to www.wimgo.com.
- Rush: The prog-rock band plays at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ford Center. For more information, go to www.okfordcenter.com.
Statewide
- Red Fern Festival, Tahlequah: Hound dog field trials, a fern sale, music, games, arts and crafts and storytelling are among the activities in downtown Tahlequah. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. For more information, go online to www.redfernfestival.com.
- Chisholm Trail Stampede, Duncan: A rodeo, longhorn show and sale, parade, trail ride and more are planned throughout Duncan starting at 8 a.m. Saturday. For more information, go to www.chisholmtrailstampede.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 24
Today’s featured event:
GUTHRIE – Follow the adventures of the boy who wouldn’t grow up with the Pollard Theatre’s performance of “Peter Pan” at 8 p.m. today.
The Pollard Theatre is at 120 W Harrison St. in Guthrie.
Tickets are $25 for general admission, $22.50 for senior citizens and military personnel, and $15 for students.
Performances continue through May 10, if you can’t make it tonight.
For more information, go to www.thepollard.org.
-BAM
Festival of the Arts Thursday schedule
Here’s what’s you can expect today at the Festival of the Arts.
BAM’s festival suggestion of the day: Put the glaze on a raku pot at the Pottery Place. While you wait for it to be fired, see how many different media and styles are represented at the 144 artists’ booths.
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 through Saturday 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.: St. Gregory’s University Spirit and Sole Ensemble (dance)
Noon: Wilson Honor Choir and Strings (choral/instrumental)
1 p.m.: Mustang Trails Honor Choir (choral)
2 p.m.: Tierradentro Traditional (folk/Colombian Vallenato)
3 p.m.: Albert Gray Eagle & Unity (American Indian/world music)
4 p.m.: The Okie Stompers (clog dance)
5 p.m.: High Ground Bluegrass Band (bluegrass)
6 p.m.: Random Order (classic rock)
7:30 p.m.: Tall Cotton String Band (bluegrass)
Crystal Stage
11 a.m.: Casady Singing Cyclones (choral)
11:30 a.m.: Deer Creek Prairie Vale Elementary Chorus (choral)
Noon: Classen SAS Jazz Ensemble (instrumental)
1 p.m.: Lakeview Middle School Sixth- and Seventh-Grade Choir (choral)
1:30 pm.: Music Makers (choral)
2 p.m.: Mustang Centennial Elementary Choir (choral)
3 p.m.: Dance Visions Bishop McGuinness (dance)
4 p.m.: Soldier Creek Natural Notes (choral)
5 p.m.: Life Change Ballroom (dance)
6 p.m.: “Festival Idol” auditions (talent show)
7:30 p.m.: Mid-Del District Elementary Honor Choir (choral)
8 p.m.: Moore West Tiger Choir (choral)
Deck Stage
11 a.m.: Terry Pursell Show (eclectic)
Noon: Gary Stevens (folk)
1 p.m.: Robin Brooks Sullivan & Jerry Putnam (pop/jazz)
2 p.m.: Alicia and Friends (pop/variety/gospel)
3 p.m.: Aaron Squirrel Trio (rock/jazz/blues fusion)
4 p.m.: ONG (rock)
5 p.m.: Mesmorized (country)
6 p.m.: Buffalofitz (rock/folk)
7:30 p.m.: OKC StorySlam (interactive storytelling competition)
Water Stage
11 a.m.: Live to Tell (rock/inspirational)
Noon: Judah (Christian praise dance team)
1 p.m.: Boulevard (acoustic/soul/rock)
2 p.m.: Dylan Hammett Band (folk/rock)
3 p.m.: Ruthie & Her Banjo (country/gospel)
4 p.m.: Justin Witte (folk/acoustic/blues)
5 p.m.: Calico Rock (rock/folk)
6 p.m.: The Snakeshakers (blues/rock/roots)
7:30 p.m.: Wallbangers Tribute to Harvey (nostalgia)
-BAM
Master Chief and me
As I reported in March, my husband Patrick and older son Chris have been teaching me to play “Halo 3″ on our new XBox 360. Here’s a progress report.
Less than a month into my “Halo 3″ education (if you’ll remember, good-hearted readers, Chris decided that I could skip “Halo” and “Halo 2″ and go straight to the latest version of the game), I am pleased to report that last weekend I notched my first win against my husband on the “Slayer” mode, in which you try to kill a fellow player rather than fighting the evil aliens in the game’s storyline.
We were playing on the Guardian map, which is a fairly enclosed space with multiple levels, an elevator and two “man cannons” that shoot your character across wide distances. We had the contest set up so that the first one to get 10 kills would win, and I just got there, outscoring Patrick 10-9.
It was a heady moment.
And I have to give my hub credit, it can’t be easy to get beaten by a girl playing with a pink controller, even if she is your wife. But he took it like a real man and celebrated my victory. (Of course, keep in mind that the guys want me to keep playing. Because if I’m playing, I’m not complaining about them hogging the big TV in the den with their frivolous video games, am I?)
I’ve become a force to be reckoned with when I pick up a gravity hammer or energy sword and have scored quite a few “beat downs” during my short “Halo 3″ experience. I’m not as skilled with weapons I actually have to aim as with ones that just let me run up and slash my opponent to ribbons. I’m pretty sure that says something noteworthy about my personality.
However, I got in my first kill with the flame thrower today, incinerating my husband’s version of Master Chief as he came around a corner. Ah, good times.
I’m continuing to play primarily on the versus mode against Patrick and Chris as I build my skills and comfort level with the game. However, I have teamed with Chris on parts of the gameplay campaign that he and Patrick started together.
My husband and I also have started a campaign of our own, so I’m now becoming familiar with brutes, jackals and hunters. They’re creepy and mean, but fun to kill – not that different from the alien scum I used to take on in “Doom” in my college days.
Patrick also helped me find this Easter egg on one of the early levels of our campaign. It’s from the popular Web series “Red vs. Blue,” which I think is hilarious. The guys who voice those characters play a pair of bickering Marines, and apparently, the characters change depending on the skill level you’re playing.
On the easy and normal levels of “Halo 3,” it’s Tucker and Doc arguing. (And before you ask, yes, I’m still playing with the training wheels on.)
According to this YouTube clip, it’s Grif and Simmons bickering on heroic mode, while Church and Caboose have one of their wacky exchanges on legendary.
Just goes to show that you can still have a sense of humor, even when the brutes get you down. Or when the guys who are supposed to love you blast you with a rocket launcher, the punks.
-BAM
David Cook still on “Idol”
Tulsa alt-rocker David Cook survived another “American Idol” results show tonight.
Cook, 25, and David Archuleta , 17, were declared ”safe” during the first half of tonight’s elimination episode.
Click here to read Assistant Entertainment Editor George Lang’s story about tonight’s show.
It was Andrew Lloyd Webber week on “American Idol,” and Cook performed “Music of the Night” from “The Phantom of the Opera” on Tuesday’s show. Here’s a YouTube video of the performance:
-BAM
Alicia Keys’ “Teenage Love Affair”
I’ve had Alicia Keys’ new song, “Teenage Love Affair,” going through my head since Monday morning, when I watched her perform it live on the “Today” show. She kicked off the morning show’s Summer Concert Series.
It’s got a great old-school Motown sound that really gets you grooving.
The video made its exclusive premiere today on MySpace.com. Keys said on Monday it is an homage to Spike Lee’s “School Daze.” You can click here to go to it.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight
Check out the new trailer for “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” It looks like a great follow-up to the excellent “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Ben Barnes looks like a terrific choice for Prince Caspian.
With “Prince Caspian,” “Iron Man” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” it looks more and more like May will be THE month for movie lovers.
-BAM
Festival of the Arts Wednesday schedule
Here’s what’s on tap today for Festival of the Arts.
BAM’s festival suggestion of the day: Watch KC Mathey’s amazing living history tribute to Woody Guthrie at 5 p.m. on the Deck Stage. I watched him take on the persona of Okemah’s famed troubadour at Opening Night on New Year’s Eve and was impressed.
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 through Saturday 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.: Never Idle (modern worship)
Noon.: David Bruster Band (big band)
1 p.m.: Watonga High School Eagle Band (instrumental)
2 p.m.: Western Oaks Warrior Chorus (choral)
3 p.m.: Rick Toops Band (blues)
4 p.m.: Christina Bender (country)
5 p.m.: Arashi Taiko (Japanese drumming)
6 p.m.: The Non (experimental/ambient/rock)
7:30 p.m.: Smilin’ Vic (variety/oldies)
Crystal Stage
11 a.m.: Classen SAS Dance Department (dance)
11:30 a.m.: Kirkland Chorale (choral)
Noon: Academy of Ballet and Theatre Arts Performance Ensemble (dance)
1 p.m.: Hennessey Middle School Honor Choir (choral)
1:30 p.m.: Jahruba and the Golden Hands (African drumming)
2 p.m.: Refuje (rock)
3 p.m.: Quackadoodledoo (folk/traditional)
4 p.m.: U.S. Grant Dance Dimensions (dance)
5 p.m.: Windsor Hills Honor Choir and Drumline (choral/drumming)
5:30 p.m.: His Kids (dance)
6 p.m.: “Festival Idol” auditions (talent show)
7:30 p.m.: Everything Goes Dance Studio (dance)
Deck Stage
11 a.m.: Bill Boudreau (folk/traditional)
Noon: Mark Galloway (variety)
1 p.m.: Bob Moore (variety)
2 p.m.: Joel Forlenza (jazz standards)
3 p.m.: Ian Aldridge Band (rock)
4 p.m.: D. Ray Polk (blues/jazz)
5 p.m.: KC Mathey (Woody Guthrie tribute)
6 p.m.: One Day Now (pop/variety/gospel)
7:30 p.m.: Trio of Five (variety)
Water Stage
11 a.m.: Bob Deupree (singer-songwriter)
Noon: Tom & Billy Show (Beatles/Everly Brothers)
1 p.m.: Beth Isbell (acoustic rock originals)
2 p.m.: Tommy Bailey & The Knobs (variety)
3 p.m.: Zuzu’s Petals (acoustic guitar, violin and vocals)
4 p.m.: Dustin Ward (country)
5 p.m.: Gospel Sound Stage (gospel)
6 p.m.: Michael King, Total Equilibirum (comedy/juggling)
7:30 p.m.: Rexall Rangers (country)
-BAM
Vote the Lips in ’08
The state Senate unanimously approved today House Concurrent Resolution 1047, which will allow the people of Oklahoma to choose the state’s official rock ‘n’ roll song.
”This resolution truly promotes and celebrates the history and influence of music in Oklahoma,” said Sen. John Ford, Senate author of the resolution, who represents Craig, Nowata and Washington Counties, in a news release. ”What’s really exciting is that the public will be able to nominate their favorite tunes and choose from the finalists to select our official rock and roll song.”
People can go online to www.oklahomarocksong.org to submit their nominees. According to the site, any song written or performed by an Oklahoman is eligible.
Apparently, they do really mean any, since the nominees list already includes such rocking tracks as Woody Guthrie’s “Oklahoma Hills,” Vince Gill’s “Oklahoma Swing” and Merle Haggard’s “Okie from Muskogee.”
Um, guys, wake up and smell the genre. None of those are rock songs. According to the release, the state already has an official folk song and an official country and western song. So, we don’t need our rock song to cross over into those categories.
The release says that the Oklahoma History Center will celebrate the state’s rock heritage in an exhibit called “Another Hot Oklahoma Night,” scheduled to open in 2009. Under HCR 1047, the Oklahoma Historical Society will host www.oklahomarocksong.org and have polling locations at special events and the History Center.
People can nominate their favorite ROCK songs (Apparently, the emphasis is indeed necessary) on the site until August, when a panel of experts selected by the governor, legislative leaders, the Oklahoma Film and Music Commission and the Oklahoma Historical Society will pare the nominations to 10 finalists.
The public will get to vote from Sept. 1 to Nov. 15 on the official Oklahoma rock ‘n’ roll song, which will be presented to the legislature in ’09.
Several songs by Oklahoma City’s own Flaming Lips have already made the nomination list. Other worthy nominees include Wanda Jackson, Leon Russell, All-American Rejects and Three Dog Night.
But I have to agree with my colleague, George Lang, who has already begun championing this song on his StaticBlog:
Be sure to nominate your favorite ROCK song and vote this fall.
-BAM
