Festival of the Arts foods once again satisfy
A patron digs into an Indian taco at the Festival of the Arts. (Photo by Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman)
Once again, the culinary arts at the Festival of the Arts hit the spot at downtown Oklahoma City’s annual spring extravaganza.
As usual, I hit the festival on Friday to cover it for The Oklahoman and NewsOK and then on Saturday with my family. Both days I found tasty treats to please my tastebuds and tummy.
When you visit the fest’s International Food Row, you won’t find just the typical fair food, though Indian tacos, curly fries and corndogs can be found. Some of the finest restaurants in the metro area have booths there. Every menu item is priced at $8 or less.
Every vendor goes through a jury process to get into the festival, similar to the jury procedure for the visual artists, though presumably with more tasting involved.
In addition, every vendor has to partner with a local nonprofit group, so every serving goes to support the local arts community.
By Friday, I was nursing an intense craving for my festival favorite: the Baja fish tacos at the Craig and Carter’s Famous Fish Tacos/Norick Art Center booth. Spicy, crispy and incredibly fresh, they always hit the spot.
For Friday dessert, I decided to try a new menu item on International Food Row – the Madagascar Chocolate Panini. Our Food Editor, Dave Cathey, recommended the decadent item from Coco Flow/Cimarron Circuit Opera Company. It was amazingly delicious, with bread just as tasty as the not-too-sweet chocolate tucked inside. After the chocolate sandwich is removed from the panini press, it is lightly drizzled with chocolate and raspberry sauces and plated with whipped cream and sliced strawberries. All the flavors of this dessert work together perfectly.
My friend Kyle accompanied me on Friday and praised the Interurban/Canterbury Choral Society honey pepper bacon chicken sandwich, though he advised asking them to go light on the honey-mustard dressing.
On Saturday, my parents, husband and younger son accompanied me to the festival, which created more opportunities to taste different festival foods. My mom went for a traditional fest favorite: a terrific Indian taco from the Lyric Theatre stall.
My dad praised the chopped brisket sandwich and side of potato salad from the Brewer Entertainment/Oklahoma Children’s Theatre booth as among the best he’s ever tried, high praise from a particular barbecue lover.
For my husband, the only dish that would do was a new item, the London Pride Beer Battered Fish and Chips from the TapWerks/Warrior Angel Children’s Leukemic Foundation. TapWerks is a first-time vendor at the festival, and the fish and chips were in high demand. They were so tasty – fresh made, perfectly fried with a tasty, not-too-strong batter – that my dad actually decided to have them for dessert.
As is my festival custom, I also decided to try a new item at the festival on my second trip to the event. Since the weather was warm inching toward hot, I opted for a light entree, the shrimp and seafood cocktail from AAA/Bon Appetit Catering/Red Earth. Served icy cold with a fresh lemon wedge, the yummy mix of shrimp, crab and lettuce left me with plenty of room for dessert.
To cap our meal, my mom, son and I split a festival tradition: a Strawberries Newport from the Science Museum Oklahoma tent. The scrumptious dessert combines puff pastry, custard, fresh whipped cream and strawberries. Since my 2-year-old Gabe loves them so much, we paid an extra $1 for them to pile on extra berries. Totally worth it.
It was a delicious way to cap our trip to the Festival of the Arts, which ends today. Take your appetite with you!
-BAM
Festival of the Arts, “The Lion King” make for a full day of culture
Festivalgoer Liv Adams chose Indian food for lunch at the 2009 Festival of the Arts Thursday. The festival ends today. (Photo by Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman)
For my art-loving family, Saturday was a big day in Oklahoma City.
My parents, husband, younger son and I spent Saturday afternoon at the downtown Festival of the Arts. It’s a tradition for my husband and I to go out on the Saturday of the festival to take in the art, food and children’s activities at the free event.
For the first time, my parents came along to check out the event. For my mom, an art enthusiast, it was a great chance to enjoy a beautiful (if slightly windy) spring day and find another piece or two for her home.
As we entered the festival grounds, we walked into one of my toddler’s favorite places, the large-scale Sculpture Park. He petted a giant bronze moose, sat in the lap of a baby bear and tapped at the keys of a giant typewriter, with me snapping photos along the way.
Before we headed over to the 144 artists tents on Hudson Avenue, we made our way to the Pottery Place behind Stage Center. Gabe, my 2-year-old, wanted to paint a pot, and the Pottery Place offers inexpensive, already formed pots of different sizes that adults and children can coat with different glazes. Volunteers fire them raku-style in trash cans filled with smoldering newspaper, transforming the murky-looking glazes into beautiful, shining shades of copper, silver, blue and green.
One volunteer was nice enough to stop Gabe before he got too much glaze on his pot, and when my toddler protested, the volunteer let him paint a little more on a cracked, already completed pot just to let him get it out of his system.
It takes an hour for the pots to finish the firing stage, so it’s a good idea to do this activity early on during your festival visit.
Artist Julie Rice demonstrates western “touch” artistry as she works on a piece during the opening day of the 2009 Festival of the Arts. (Photo by Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman)
We then headed over to Artist Row, making it a priority to find Kansas artist Julie Rice, who creates Western paintings with a very unusual technique. Instead of applying brush or blade, she uses her finger to dab paint on canvas. It sounds like a simplistic process, but she is capable of creating amazing paintings. I met Julie at the ’08 festival when I interviewed her for a story, and we were happy to see each other again. My mom loved watching her paint and vowed to buy one of her prints at the Artist Market, where the artists sell their prints for $60 or less.
As we made our way up and down Hudson, we also admired the artwork of painter John Booth, photographer Ron Mellott, sculptor Belinda Riley and many other artists. My mom spent quite awhile at Rory Morgan’s booth and also picked out a lovely print of a multicolored sunset from Morgan, the Oklahoma City painter who created the painting for the official ’09 festival poster.
We then trekked across the Myriad Botanical Gardens, enjoying the green grass, trees and colorful blossoms, checked out the elaborate kinetic sculptures in the Windscapes exhibit and paused at the Water Stage to hear the folk sounds of the Tall Cotton String Band. We were headed for the Youth Plaza, where our first stop was the Young at Art Mart. (I did a story on the Young at Art Mart Friday for Saturday’s The Oklahoman, NewsOK and the blog.)
Emily Johnson, 10, shops for prints at the Young at Art Mart at the Festival of the Arts on Friday. (Photo by Steve Gooch/The Oklahoman)
The Young at Art Mart gives kids 12 and younger the chance to buy a piece of fine art for $5 or less. The only adults allowed inside the tent are festival volunteers, which gives the children an opportunity to buy something they really like without any parental influence. A kind volunteer named Jason took Gabe by the hand and guided him through the art selections. My toddler quickly selected a John Galbo photo of green wagons at an outdoor market, and proudly showed it to all of us.
While in the children’s area, we also watched the performers of the All About Irish Performance Group and got Gabe a balloon. Once we picked up his pot, we realized he got three souvenirs from the event for just $12, a great bargain.
After dining on barbecue sandwiches, fish and chips, Strawberries Newport and more in the food court – more on that later – we left the arts festival and headed back to my house. We dropped off the guys, changed clothes, picked up my sister and headed back downtown.
We were bound for the Civic Center, where my sister, mom and I had tickets to see national touring production of “The Lion King.”
Phindile Mkhize as Rafiki and the gazelles in “The Lion King.”
If you haven’t seen Julie Taymor’s gorgeously imaginative adaptation of the hit Disney movie, you definitely should. I highly recommend this entertaining musical. Just seeing the inventive costumes and puppets employed to transform actors into elephants, gazelles, birds, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, plants, grass and more. It is incredible and wonderfully entertaining. The quality of the stage design, singing and dancing are all first rate.
It was my second time to see “The Lion King,” and I enjoyed it just as much on my return visit as I did the first. Taymor’s incredible artistry never ceases to amaze.
The Festival of the Arts ends today in downtown Oklahoma City. “The Lion King” runs through May 23 at the Civic Center. I highly recommend both to art lovers.
-BAM
Sunday Festival of the Arts schedule
Oklahoma City artist Bert Seabourn talks to art students Mary Ann Phillips, center, and Katherine Green at his booth at the 2009 Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City Thursday. Seabourn has been showing his art since the festival began 43 years ago. He said this will be his final year to exhibit. The festival ends today. (Photo by Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman)
2009 Festival of the Arts schedule
Today is the final day of the 2009 Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City at the Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is a celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts.
Admission is free. No pets are allowed.
For more information, call 270-4848 or go to www.artscouncilokc.com.
Sunday
Café Stage
Straight Shooter – Eclectic 11 a.m.
Velocity Dance Center – Dance noon
Aaron Squirrel Trio – Rock/Jazz 1 p.m.
Oklahoma City Symphonic Band – Instrumental 2 p.m.
Desert Fire – Dance/Other 3 p.m.
Demetrius Sha’mon Gibson – R&B/Soul 4 p.m.
Shortt Dogg – Funk/R&B/Jazz/Blues 5 p.m.
Children’s Stage
Robin Sullivan presents: Disney Mania! 11 a.m.
Kehilat Rosh Pinah – Dance noon
Kealiis Polynesian Spectacular – Dance 1 p.m.
Yumare Mexican Folkloric Dancers – Dance 2 p.m.
Russell Babb Honor Choir – Choral 3 p.m.
Cottonwood Creek Cloggers – Dance 4 p.m.
Stan Carrier 5 p.m.
Deck Stage
Oklahoma Wind – Variety 11 a.m.
Robin & Company – Jazz noon
Todd Terrill and Okie Outlaw – Country 1 p.m.
Sugar Free All-Stars – Classic Rock 2 p.m.
Son Del Barrio – Salsa/Merenque 3 p.m.
C-Plus – Funk/Pop 4 p.m.
ImagiNativz – Traditional/Folk 5 p.m.
Water Stage
Worship Warrior In The House – Contemporary Christian 11 a.m.
Cori and Chelsey Emmett with No U Turn – New Country noon
Kanaga – Rock 1 p.m.
The Three Legged Dog Band – Blues/Jazz 2 p.m.
Mariachi Lopez – Mariachi 3 p.m.
Built for Speed – Rock 4 p.m.
tKatz & The Goods – Hip Hop/Garage Band 5 p.m.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 26
Black Label Society
Today’s featured event:
TULSA – See Black Label Society and Sevendust at 7 p.m. today at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady.
Due to the high level of demand for tickets, the show, which was originally set for Cain’s Ballroom, has been moved to the Brady.
For more information, go to www.bradytheater.com or www.cainsballroom.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Saturday Festival of the Arts schedule
Artist Julie Rice demonstrates western “touch” artistry as she works on a piece during the opening day of the 2009 Festival of the Arts. (Photo by Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman)
2009 Festival of the Arts schedule
The 43rd Annual Festival of the Arts will continue today and Sunday in downtown Oklahoma City at the Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The event is a celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts.
Admission is free. No pets are allowed.
For more information, call 270-4848 or go to www.artscouncilokc.com.
Saturday
Café Stage
The Crowder High School Revue – Choral 11 a.m.
Edgar Cruz – Classical/Standards/Rock noon
Lynda Tarpley Tap – Dance 1 p.m.
Prairie Dance Theater – Dance 2 p.m.
St. Gregory University Spirit and Sole Dance Ensemble – Dance 3 p.m.
Juanita Ellington – Jazz/Inspirational 4 p.m.
OK City Chorus – Choral 5 p.m.
Good Company – Variety 6 p.m.
Boru’s Ghost – Modern Celtic 7:30 p.m.
Children’s Stage
CeCe Farhas Range of Motion Dance Studio – Dance 11 a.m.
Oklahoma Salsa Fever – Dance noon
Hold ‘em High – Pop/Variety 1 p.m.
Celtic Praise Troupe – Dance/Instrumental 2 p.m.
A Mirage Dance Company – Dance 3 p.m.
All About Irish Performance Group – Dance 4 p.m.
Hill Irish Dance School – Dance 5 p.m.
“Festival Idol” Competition 6 p.m.
Jim Green Magic – Magic 7:30 p.m.
Deck Stage
The Timberwulf – Traditional/Folk 11 a.m.
Del Ray Elvis Review – Rock noon
Kelsey Humphreys – Pop 1 p.m.
The Wayne Alan Band – Christian Southern Rock 2 p.m.
The Oklahoma Kid – Trick Roper 3 p.m.
Kerry Wayne – Old School/Jazz 4 p.m.
FM Underground – Rock/Indie 5 p.m.
Brigade – Bluegrass 6 p.m.
Jake Poire – Pop/Instrumental 7:30 p.m.
Water Stage
Spirit of Judah – Inspirational/Gospel 11 a.m.
Citizen 5 – Rock/Pop noon
Powerhouz – Variety 1 p.m.
The Brent Blount Quartet – Jazz 2 p.m.
Fifth Story – Rock/Funk 3 p.m.
Tall Cotton String Band – Traditional/Folk 4 p.m.
Retro – Rock 5 p.m.
Full Circle – Variety 6 p.m.
Hi-Def Howlers – Rock/Pop 7:30 p.m.
-BAM
Recession hasn’t diminished 2009 Festival of the Arts
Sheila Ross left, and Lynda Gipson look at “Watching Over the West, The Texas Ranger” By Edd Hayes at the 2009 Festival of the Artson Friday. (Photo by Steve Gooch/The Oklahoman)
Sunny weather and resourceful artists have kept economic hard times from raining on the 2009 Festival of the Arts.
Spurred by pleasant conditions, attendance is on track to reach the expected 750,000 people over six days, Festival Director Angela Cozby said Friday. The flagging economy hasn’t affected attendance at the free festival.
“We do offer some low-cost options. … All of our menu items in the International Food Plaza are kept below $8. You can get a soda for a dollar,” she said.
Art sales are down a bit from previous years, which she said is to be expected during the recession. But artists are offsetting people’s cautious spending habits by offering an array of artwork in a wide price range.
“You can see that $20,000 (large-scale) sculpture, but you can also go in and find a smaller scale version for less,” she said. “They’re here with a variety of options for all budgets.”
She added, “The artists that I’ve talked to, they’re extremely happy to be here in Oklahoma City. A lot of them are canceling upcoming shows because they are running out of inventory here.”
- BAM
Slideshow: Festival of the Arts’ Young at Art Mart
Photographer/videographer Steve Gooch and I worked together on this video that gives a look at the art and action inside the Festival of the Arts’ Young at Art Mart. Adults aren’t usually allowed in the tent, where children 12 and younger can buy original artworks for $5 or less.
I wanted to do this story not only because it’s a great, educational component of the festival, but also because I wanted to see what artwork they had in there. My older son, Chris, now 14, always came out with such great buys when he was younger. While it was great to be surprised by his selections, I wanted an inside look for myself.
Working on this story gave me the chance to take a peek inside the Young at Art Mart, and you, dear readers, also can get a glimpse with this video.
-BAM
Festival of the Arts’ Young at Art Mart lets kids become collectors
A young art collector shops for prints at the Young at Art Mart at the 2009 Festival of the Arts on Friday. (Photo by Steve Gooch/The Oklahoman)
A version of this story also appears in Saturday’s The Oklahoman.
Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts has creations for the young at art
The boldly lettered sign across the entrance reads “Sorry, no adults allowed,” the first clue that the Young at Art Mart is different from other tents at the Festival of the Arts.
That sign makes the tent a favored attraction at the Youth Plaza on the east side of the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
“I think it’s very cool. You can go in and see all these different pieces of art. And it’s really unique. … Parents are always behind you telling you, ‘No you can’t buy this (or) it’s too expensive,” Lydia Shelton, 9, of Oklahoma City said Friday, showing the floral painting on wood she picked, while her brother, Grant, 7, carried his new wooden car.
The Young at Art Mart offers children 12 and younger the chance to buy original art created by many of the festival’s juried artists. All the works are priced at $5 or less.
The goal is to foster in children a love of art and collecting artwork.
“It’s wildly popular. The children love it. They can go in and find a Mother’s Day gift, a birthday gift or something they can hang in their rooms,” said Festival Director Angela Cozby.
Parents can wait just inside the tent’s entrance. out of the brisk winds and beaming sun. But only children and festival volunteers are allowed in the inner “circle,” where colorful abstract paintings, stunning nature photographs, painted wood plaques and more are exhibited in low displays.
The “no adults” rule sometimes catches parents off guard, but many appreciate it. – even if they are a bit envious of the deals their kids are getting.
“They pick all sorts of art out of there, pots, little metal work like flowers, and of course, photographs and paintings,” said Kathleen Tate of Oklahoma City. “They all have different personalities and they can pick something that reflects that.”
Tate used to send her four children into the mart; on Friday, she waited while her granddaughter, Taryn Ashley, 9, looked for the perfect purchase.
Youngsters can buy one item per day from the mart. Taryn took her time browsing before choosing a “cool” photo of a blue frog by artist Ron Mellott.
While her three children shopped, Nikkita Grant of Oklahoma City couldn’t resist the urge to coach them to and away from certain purchases as she stood at the tent entrance.
“I want something out of here, too. I am jealous,” she said with a laugh. “This is the No. 1 reason why we came, to encourage my kids to appreciate art.”
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 25
Of Montreal
Today’s featured event:
NORMAN – See Of Montreal, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, Other Lives, Starlight Mints, Man Man, Tea Leaf Green, Todd Snider, Sheree Chamberlin, Billy Joe Shaver, Brandon Jenkins, Student Film, El Paso Hot Button, Sugar and Gold, The Absolute, Blue Turtle Seduction and many other bands at the second annual Norman Music Festival.
Believe it or not, this is a free festival. Yes, I’m serious.
The music will play from 11 a.m. to midnight today in downtown Norman.
For more information, call 579-3693 or go to www.normanmusicfestival.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Friday Featured Track
The song that has been on my brain the most this week:
- “Beautiful World,” Dierks Bentley with Patty Griffin, from Bentley’s 2009 album “Feel That Fire.”
It’s been a tough week around the BAM household. But this lovely song, which pairs Bentley’s smooth country voice with Griffin’s evocative vocals, reminds us that the world is full of beautiful, often-overlooked, everyday blessings.
It’s definitely worth a listen – unless you’re having a bad day or week, in which case you should just put it on a loop on your iPod or CD player.
-BAM
