Friday Featured Track for April 30, 2010: Thunderstruck!
The song that has been on my brain the most this week:
- “Thunderstruck,” AC/DC, from the 1990 album “Razor’s Edge.”
In honor of the valiant dogfight the Oklahoma City Thunder is waging tonight against the defending NBA champion L.A. Lakers at the Ford Center, I’m getting “Thunderstruck” here on BAM’s Blog.
If you’re not watching Game 6 of the Thunder-Lakers first-round playoff series on ESPN tonight, well, you should be. It’s a must-win game for the Thunder, and if you’re an Oklahoman – or someone who just can appreciate rooting on an awesome, hard-working young team – then it’s a must-watch.
And if you need another reason to listen to AC/DC on a Friday night – and really, why should you? – the hotly anticipated sequel “Iron Man 2″ opens in theaters next week. AC/DC is providing the soundtrack for the film.
-BAM
Toby Keith plays for troops in Korean demilitarized zone, traveling to Germany on USO tour
Toby Keith performs for troops in Korea today on his latest USO tour.
ARLINGTON, VA. – Oklahoma country music star Toby Keith today toured the Korean demilitarized zone on his eighth United Service Organization/Armed Forces Entertainment tour.
So far, the Norman resident’s tour has lifted the spirits of more than 2,500 service members, according to a news release. Among the installations visited were Camp Walker, Camp Bonifas and Yongsan Army base in Korea.
On Twitter (@tobykeithmusic), Keith wrote “Toured DMZ on N Korea-S Korea Border. W/o question-after 145 USO shows-most bizarre behavior by 2 enemies I’ve ever witnessed.”
He continued, “Soldiers on both sides stand few feet apart-stare emotionless for hrs-daring the other 2 challenge. I walked right between. Creepy!”
He noted in a third Tweet, “Leaving Seoul for GERMANY. S Korea is the best Nation I’ve ever visited. Just Wonderful! I will return.”
The Oklahoma native recently embarked on a four-country, 14-day USO tour that also will travel to the Persian Gulf.
“I’ve been traveling with the USO since 2002, and every year I look forward to spending time with the men and women who serve this great country. When I get on stage and look out into a crowd of uniforms, it gives me a great sense of pride to know that I am giving back to them,” Keith said in the release.
Keith has traveled to more than 10 countries and participated in seven previous USO tours. In total, he has lifted the spirits of more than 140,000 service men and women, many at small remote outposts.
In recognition of his ongoing support for U.S. troops and their families, Keith was presented the 2009 Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Distinguished Service Award.
In 2007, while visiting troops in Afghanistan, Keith recognized the need to deliver the day-to-day comforts of home to service members stationed far away from main bases and USO centers. His idea became known as the “USO2Go” program, which sends much-needed electronics, entertainment, non-perishable comfort food and personal care items to troops stationed in remote locations. To date, 374 “USO2Go” kits have been distributed since the program’s inception in 2008.
-BAM
Tool to play Oklahoma City in June
Rock band Tool will play June 23 at Oklahoma City’s Ford Center, the venue announced today.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday May 8. Prices are set at $59.50, $55 and $45.
Tickets will be available at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets, including participating Suncoast, FYE and Homeland stores, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or online at www.okfordcenter.com
-BAM
Weekend Warmup for April 30-May 2, 2010
Pretty Black Chains
Here is a list of activities happening around Oklahoma for this weekend (April 30-May 2). For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
- Hear Pretty Black Chains, Euclid Crash, the Mean Spirits and more at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Garage Sale and Show from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday at 66 Bowl, 3810 NW 39. Information: 946-2717 or www.myspace.com/rocknrollgaragesale.
- See the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of their seven-game playoff series at 8:30 tonight at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. The game will tip off no later than 8:30 p.m. Information: (800) 745-3000 or www.thunder.nba.com.
- GUTHRIE – Watch the Pollard Theatre, 120 W Harrison, stage “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. This is the closing weekend for the show. Information: www.thepollard.org.
Montgomery Gentry
- CONCHO — Roll with country duo Montgomery Gentry at 7:30 tonight at Lucky Star Casino, 7777 N U.S. 81. Information: 262-7612 or www.luckystarcasino.org.
- Nab Iron Man, Shrek, G.I. Joe and more Saturday during Free Comic Book Day. More than a dozen OKC metro locations will give away free comic books. Information: www.freecomicbookday.com. Also, click here to read what our pal Matt Price of Nerdage has to say about the Superman comic that will be given away on Free Comic Book Day today in his column Word Balloons.
- NORMAN – Hear country band Diamond Rio at 8 tonight at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: www.riverwind.com.
Widespread Panic
- TULSA — Catch Georgia jam band Widespread Panic at 7 p.m. Saturday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Doors open at 6 p.m. Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com.
- PRAGUE – Celebrate the town’s Czech heritage at the annual Prague Kolache Festival from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday throughout the city. The event features delicious food (including, of course, those tasty kolaches) beautiful costumes, live music, dancing, arts and crafts, children’s activities, beer garden, wine and gourmet food pavilion featuring a polka band, 11 a.m. parade, chainsaw carver demonstrations, carnival, 7 p.m. polka street dance and fireworks. Information: www.praguekolachefestival.com.
- THACKERVILLE – Catch Train in concert at 8 tonight at WinStar World Casino, Interstate 35, Exit 1. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
Cross Canadian Ragweed
- STILLWATER – Listen to country music and dine on calf fries at the 19th Annual Calf Fry, continuing at 8 tonight and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Tumbleweed Dance Hall, Lakeview and Country Club roads. Tonight’s musical lineup includes Cross Canadian Ragweed, the Bellamy Brothers and Bo Phillips Band. Miranda Lambert, Wade Bowen, Corey Smith and Jagg will play the “Testicle Festival” Saturday. Information: (405) 377-0075 or www.calffry.com.
- NORMAN – Take in the work of more than 70 fine artists and craftsmen, along with food, children’s activities and more at the May Fair Arts Festival from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in Andrews Park, 201 W Daws. Information: 321-9400 or www.mayfairartsfestival.com.
- See the Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre production of “The 39 Steps” at 8 tonight, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. This is the closing weekend for the show. Information: www.cityrep.com.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
- TULSA – Listen to blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd at 7 tonight at Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino, 951 W 36 Street N. Information: (918) 699-7667 or www.milliondollarelm.com/event-center.
- Laugh along during this week’s OKC Improv showcase Saturday night at Ghostlight Theatre Club, 3110 N Walker. The 8 p.m. show will feature Stillwater troupe Cueless and a performance of “Villain: The Musical!” The 10 p.m. lineup will include all-girl troupe The MiDolls and Clint and Buck Vrazel’s “Twiprov: Rap City.” Information: www.okcimprov.com
- Listen to country singer-songwriter Eric Church with special guests the Joel Wilson Band at 7 tonight at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern. Information: 677-9169 or www.diamondballroom.net.
Coheed and Cambria
- TULSA & OKC – Rock along with progressive-metal band Coheed and Cambria at 8 tonight at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main, or at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern. Information: www.cainsballroom.com or www.diamondballroom.net. To read Gene Triplett’s interview with guitarist Travis Stever, click here.
- EDMOND – See the work of 120 artists, hear live music, take in children’s activities and more at the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in downtown Edmond. Information: 249-9391 or www.downtownedmondok.com.
- EL RENO – Pay tribute to a toothsome treat at the 22nd annual Fried Onion Burger Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday in downtown. Eat plenty of these delicious delicacies, witness the cooking of the world’s largest fried onion hamburger, weighing more than 750 pounds, and take in rides, games, live entertainment, a car show, motorcycle show, eating contest, evening concert and more. Information: www.elrenoburgerday.com.
- NORMAN – Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Timberdell Road and Chautauqua Avenue, with free admission Saturday-Monday. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Information: www.snomnh.ou.edu.
- BAM
Miranda Lambert talks fishing, touring, ACM Awards and more before Saturday’s Calf Fry show
Above: Miranda Lambert performs at the Academy of Country Music Awards April 18 in Las Vegas. Below left, Lambert walks the ACM Awards orange carpet in her low-cut metallic sapphire Pamella Roland gown. (Associated Press photos) Below right: The singer-songwriter, a Texas native who now lives in Tishomingo, and her country star beau Blake Shelton show off the big paddlefish she caught on Hudson Lake in northeastern Oklahoma. (Photo by Jim Edwards/Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Miranda Lambert riding success as headlining tour heads to Stillwater
Whether striking an awards show pose in a dazzling cleavage-baring gown or cruising an Oklahoma lake in camouflage overalls, country girl Miranda Lambert knows how to haul in the big catches.
At the April 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, the star singer-songwriter personified Vegas glitz with her orange carpet arrival in a low-cut metallic sapphire Pamella Roland gown. The blond spitfire not only joined pal Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and rock legend John Fogerty in belting out “Travelin’ Band” during the show’s rollicking opening number, she stayed in the spotlight by performing solo and snagging three trophies.
Less than a week earlier, Lambert, a Texas native who now lives in Tishomingo, snared a massive paddlefish on Hudson Lake in northeastern Oklahoma, where her beau and fellow country singer Blake Shelton set a new lake record with his 40-pound catch on the same fishing expedition.
“There’s part of me that’s a tomboy. There’s a part of me that’s a girly-girl, too, though. But I think I can fit in with the guys,” Lambert said in a phone interview between the two big outings from Florence, Ariz., where she played the Country Thunder festival.
“We love to be outdoors, we love hunting and fishing and riding four-wheelers and just being down-to-earth and being home. … Definitely fishing and hunting are something that Blake and I share together.”
Since March, Lambert has been taking the different facets of her colorful personality, along with a revolving stable of country boys, on the road for her “Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars” tour. Her first headlining trek comes to Stillwater’s Tumbleweed Dance Hall Saturday night for the final night of the venue’s 19th annual Calf Fry.
“We’ve really changed our show. We’re doing an acoustic portion, we’re doing some new songs and some new cover songs, and just really kind of amped it up since we knew it was our headlining tour. I’m happier than ever to be out on the road, and I think it shows. So I think people’ll have a good time,” Lambert said.
After touring with country superstars like Paisley and Kenny Chesney, the singer-songwriter felt ready to step into the headliner role in support of her critically acclaimed third album “Revolution.”
“It was a little scary at first ‘cause I wasn’t sure how the turnout was going to be, and … it was like the pressure’s all on us now. But it’s been awesome,” she said.
“It kind of shows that you’re moving up a level. We’ve been out for five years now on other people’s tours and it’s just nice to be able to like put to the test everything we’ve learned and do it on our own.”
Since she has opened for so many superstar men in the course of her career, Lambert, 26, recruited a pack of talented country guys to take turns warming up her crowds. Among her openers are Oklahoma-Texas band Cross Canadian Ragweed, James Otto, David Nail, Randy Houser, Eric Church, Jake Owen, Luke Bryan and Chris Young. Fellow Texas native Wade Bowen will open her Calf Fry show, while Ragweed will headline the “Testicle Festival” tonight.
“There’s a bunch of great male acts, and I just thought it would be a cool dynamic,” she said. “I think a lot of guys are more likely to come see guys and the girls are more likely to come see a girl. … I love the music of all the guys that are out with us.”
With her recent successes, Lambert has become a key player in a shifting dynamic in country music. She recently notched her first No. 1 single with the wily cheating song “White Liar,” and she is set to play both the huge Bonnaroo Music Festival and Lilith Fair this year.
Along with Shelton, Bryan and trio Lady Antebellum, she represents a new generation of country stars who maintain close friendships even as they vie for chart position. These young guns dominated the ACM Awards. cheering each other to victory in several categories.
The members of Lady A, who befriended Lambert last summer on Chesney’s tour, said in interviews they were rooting for their pal’s “Revolution” to win album of the year over their own self-titled debut. The trio traveled last year to Tishomingo for a songwriting confab with Shelton and Lambert, which yielded Lambert’s “Revolution” cut “Love Song.”
Along with the album of the year title, Lambert also earned top female vocalist and video of the year for “White Liar.” Rotating tender ballads and feisty anthems, “Revolution” became her second ACM album of the year; she won the trophy in 2008 with “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.”
“It’s really nerve wracking every time you put out an album because you’re just hoping that people love it as much as you do. ‘Revolution’ really I took a lot of time off and stayed at the farm and wrote for the record and took a lot of time and concentrated on what I wanted to say. So this is the thing I’m most proud of musically,” she said.
“It really is a part of who I am. You know, I’m very honest in this record and in my music period. So I feel like when people accept that, they accept me.”
In concert
19th Annual Calf Fry featuring Miranda Lambert
With: Cross Canadian Ragweed, Wade Bowen, Bellamy Brothers and more.
When: 8 tonight and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Lambert plays at 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Tumbleweed Dance Hall, Lakeview and Country Club roads, Stillwater.
Information: (405) 377-0075 or www.calffry.com.
-BAM
Video: “Pearl” filmmakers talk Oklahoma premiere
In this NewsOK video, NewsOK host Angi Bruss talks to “Pearl” producer David Rennke, director King Hollis and actor Tom Huston Orr about the made-in-Oklahoma biopic.
The movie, which has screened at 15 film festivals around the country, is returning to Oklahoma for its invitation-only official state premiere at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Warren Theater in Moore.
Produced by the Ada-based Chickasaw Nation, “Pearl” tells the true story of Eula “Pearl” Carter-Scott, who in 1928 became the youngest licensed pilot in the nation.
In the 1920s, famed Oklahoma aviator Wiley Post befriended Pearl, a Chickasaw youth from Marlow. The relationship inspired the girl to take to the air, and she earned her pilot’s license at age 13. Within a year, she was performing as a barnstormer and working as a commercial flier.
For more information on the film “Pearl,” go to www.pearlthemovie.net.
-BAM
Oklahoma-made aviation biopic “Pearl” to get state premiere Tuesday
Tom Huston Orr portrays legendary aviator Wiley Post and Elijah DeJesus plays teen flier Eula “Pearl” Carter-Scott in the biopic “Pearl.”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Oklahoma-made film returns for premiere
For the past year, the made-in-Oklahoma biopic “Pearl” has been soaring through the film festival circuit, collecting awards, earning the Dove family-approved seal and making grown men weep.
Now, the uplifting movie is landing back in Oklahoma.
Hundreds of state leaders, film industry executives and other dignitaries are expected to attend the invitation-only Oklahoma premiere of “Pearl” at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Warren Theater in Moore.
Produced by the Ada-based Chickasaw Nation, “Pearl” tells the true story of Eula “Pearl” Carter-Scott, who in 1928 became the youngest licensed pilot in the nation.
“It’s a story that people in the tribe are very proud of, but also I think almost anyone in the world can relate to it,” said producer David Rennke, who works for the tribe’s multimedia department.
“It’s about somebody pursuing their dreams and being able to accomplish them with the support that their family provides them. It just has a lot of universal themes,”
In the 1920s, famed Oklahoma aviator Wiley Post befriended Pearl, a Chickasaw youth from Marlow. The relationship inspired the girl to take to the air, and she earned her pilot’s license at age 13. Within a year, she was performing as a barnstormer and working as a commercial flier.
“Pearl” is the first feature film made by the Chickasaw Nation, which took on the project as an effort to preserve the tribe’s history and culture.
“It’s just a great way to keep stories alive and inspire future generations,” Rennke said. “And when I looked at all the different stories we had available — and there’s just tons of great Oklahoma and Native American and Chickasaw stories — ‘Pearl’ just seemed to resonate.”
While developing the script in 2008, the screenwriters had at their disposal video interviews the tribe conducted with Carter-Scott before her death in 2005. Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anoatubby, who counted the aviatrix as a close friend, championed and consulted on the movie.
“People are very surprised that an Indian tribe could pull something like this off. Most of the tribes just don’t have the resources we’re fortunate enough to have,” Rennke said.
Still, the filmmakers worked on a tight budget, which they did not disclose. Director King Hollis said principal photography had to be completed in just 23 days, which meant putting in many 14-hour days.
“As far as the principals in the film, there was not one bad actor. It was the strongest cast I’ve ever been a part of,” said King, an indie filmmaker from Dallas.
After a nationwide search, Elijah DeJesus, 13, of Burbank, Calif., makes her film debut in the lead role. Dallas-based actors Angela Gair and Andrew Sensenig play Pearl’s parents.
Several Oklahoma performers were cast in key roles: Byng High School student Paden Brown, a Chickasaw, was cast as Pearl’s sister Arnetta; University of Oklahoma graduate Isabel Archuleta plays Pearl’s sister Opaletta; and Tom Huston Orr, director of OU’s School of Drama, portrays the iconic Wiley Post.
“I didn’t know a whole lot about Wiley; I knew a lot about Will Rogers. So it took some research to find out more about the man. It’s unfortunate, I don’t think he’s given the credit he’s due. If you look carefully, you know, (his plane) the Winnie Mae is at the Smithsonian, and there are tributes to him at the Aviation Hall of Fame. But this is the guy who first circumnavigated the globe in an airplane,” he said. “The film’s not about Wiley, but I think that it’s a nice tribute to the man.”
“Pearl” was filmed in several state locations, including Oklahoma City’s Harn Homestead, El Reno Municipal Airport and Judy and Jody Airport near Macomb. Four blocks of downtown Guthrie streets were covered in dirt to transform the city into 1920s Marlow.
“People seem to like the flying scenes, and our big secret with that is the flying scenes, we shot … all the air-to-air stuff in four and a half hours,” Hollis said.
“We didn’t have much budget for a helicopter and a (camera) side mount and all that,” Rennke said.
The filmmakers were able to feature a real 1920s Curtiss Robin, the type of plane Carter-Scott flew, after meeting pilot-owner David Mars through a barnstorming tour. Mars will fly the Curtiss Robin to the theater for Tuesday’s premiere.
“Pearl” has screened at 15 film festivals around the country. It sold out four matinee screenings at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis, won best overall at Duncan’s Trail Dance festival and earned a Best in Show at the virtual Indie Fest. The Dove Foundation gave the biopic its official family-approved seal.
“I’ve been in most of those screenings, and in every one of them, grown men cry, especially if they’ve got daughters,” said Rennke, who has four children, including three daughters, of his own.
Tuesday’s premiere will launch an eight-city theatrical tour. The filmmakers hope to secure a regional theatrical release and share Pearl’s story through TV broadcasts and DVD sales, too.
“Pearl has a lot to do with this,” Hollis said of the film’s success. “Pearl’s spirit has a lot to do with this.”
To know more
For more information on the film “Pearl,” go to www.pearlthemovie.net.
On NewsOK and here at BAM’s Blog, watch a video of NewsOK host Angi Bruss talking to the filmmakers about the movie.
-BAM
Downtown Edmond, Norman May Fair arts festivals celebrating creativity this weekend
Parker Srnka, 4, Edmond, drinks an Old Time root beer at the 2009 Downtown Edmond Arts Festival. (Photo By David McDaniel/The Oklahoman Archives)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Creativity celebrated with 2 Oklahoma City area festival
Two springtime traditions are giving metro area art lovers, families and festival enthusiasts plenty of ways and reasons to celebrate creativity this weekend.
To the north, the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival will enliven several city blocks today-Sunday with an array of artwork, live music, children’s activities and more.
To the south, Norman’s May Fair Arts Festival will bring fine arts and craftsmen, festive foods, story times and other attractions to Andrews Park today-Sunday.
Both festivals are free.
Members of the Edmond Faculty Band perform at the 2009 Downtown Edmond Arts Festival. The faculty band will again play at this year’s festival on Sunday. (Photo by Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman Archives)
Downtown Edmond Arts Festival
The 31st annual Downtown Edmond Arts Festival will showcase more artists than ever before, with about 120 artists from across the country displaying their wares, said Leah Kessler, Edmond Downtown Business Association manager.
Edmond pharmacist and photographer Patrick Hall has been selected as this year’s celebrity artist. Hall has traveled around the United States and even internationally in his work developing breast cancer clinical trials, and he typically packs his camera to capture intriguing images, from stained glass illuminating a Swiss cathedral to the sparkling aftermath of an Oklahoma ice storm.
“He’s just got a really interesting story, and his work is beautiful,” Kessler said.
More than 20 food vendors will peddle “lip-smacking, mouth-watering food,” including Indian tacos, kettle corn and fried catfish. The event also will include the Othello’s Spaghetti Slurp-Off pasta-eating contest, wine tastings and art demonstrations.
Youngsters can take in hands-on craft activities, face-painting, pony rides, a giant slide, a moon walk and a rock-climbing wall.
Musicians Edgar Cruz, Justin Echols, Stephanie Jackson and newcomer Bob Edwards will make the event sound festive. A festival mainstay for at least a decade, Latin American folk band Inkapirka again will make the trek to Edmond from Wisconsin.
Organizers plan a jazzy finale to the event, with jazz bands from Edmond Memorial High School, Sequoyah Middle School and the 145th Army National Guard playing.
“That’s going to be a fun Sunday afternoon,” Kessler said.
The festival is sponsored by Downtown Business Association and presented by Wimgo.
Jan Hunt and Anna Parker of Norman look at jewelry made by Amy Foster during the 2009 May Fair Arts Festival in Norman. (Photo by Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman Archives)
May Fair Arts Festival
Sponsored by the Assistance League of Norman and supported by local businesses, the 36th May Fair will feature about 70 fine artists and craftsmen, from woodworkers and glass blowers to photographers and sculptors.
Rory Morgan, an Edmond resident who grew up in Wyoming, is the May Fair 2010 celebrated artist. Morgan, who specializes in landscape and wildlife paintings, will demonstrate and discuss his work at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
In addition, the festival will include a student art show, art demonstrations and hands-on art instruction, said Jeri Saliba, May Fair marketing chairwoman. For a small fee, youngsters can make a rope, pot a plant, create a kite and more in the always-popular children’s art yard.
Also for families, the Norman Public Library will offer storytimes at noon today and 10:30 a.m. Saturday, and the animated movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” will be screened at 7 tonight for Family Fun Night.
“It is a family-oriented festival, but it is a juried art show. So, we pride ourselves on the vast array of artists and the quality of the work there,” Saliba said.
The event will offer a wide array of live entertainment, too, such as the Roosevelt Jump Rope Club, Not Just Country Line Dancers and Sooner Theater Group. Musical performers include Maggie McClure, Blinding Broadcast and Jump Seat.
Festival-goers can sate their hunger on a variety of fair foods, including gelato, corn dogs, cinnamon rolls and the like.
“May Fair isn’t really a fundraiser for the Assistance League; it is our gift to the city of Norman. But any proceeds go to our main project, Operation School Bell,” she said. The program annually helps clothe 1,200 children from the Norman and Little Axe school systems who are in need.
GOING ON
Downtown Edmond Arts Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Downtown Edmond.
Information: 249-9391 or www.downtownedmondok.com.
May Fair Arts Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Andrews Park, 201 W Daws, downtown Norman.
Information: 321-9400 or www.mayfairartsfestival.com.
-BAM
DVD review: “Leap Year”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
“Leap Year”
Despite the considerable talents and charm of stars Amy Adams and Matthew Goode, it’s hard to imagine Irish eyes — or anyone of discerning taste — smiling much at the blarney that passes for filmmaking in the romantic comedy “Leap Year.”
Perhaps more than any other genre, rom coms lean heavily on clichés and conventions; audiences don’t watch for plot twists and turns, they want to see the boy get the girl. Even so, director Anand Tucker (“Shopgirl”) and writers Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont (“Made of Honor”) should be forced to endure ear-splitting banshee shrieks for cobbling together such a grating morass of witless banter, painful slapstick and silly stereotypes.
Adams stars as Anna, an uptight, snobby but still sweet Bostonian who stages apartments and homes for sale. After four years of dating, her cardiologist beau Jeremy (Adam Scott) still hasn’t put a ring on it, so but instead of talking to him like a grown-up, Anna hatches a plan. Jeremy is set to attend a conference in Dublin, Ireland, so at her flaky father’s (John Lithgow, who is too good to be limited to five minutes of screen time) suggestion, Anna decides to follow and capitalize on the Irish custom of women proposing to their fellas on Feb. 29 of a leap year.
In 2010, it’s hard to imagine why Anna couldn’t pop the question on any given day, but the film is caught in a kind of time warp. When storms detour Anna in a coastal hamlet, she doesn’t seek a wi-fi signal to order a rental car; she can’t even plug in her smartphone without causing a village-wide blackout. Instead, she resorts to hiring enigmatic, cynical yet scruffy-cute pub owner Declan (Goode) to drive her cross country.
On the way to Dublin, Anna klutzes into a variety of humiliating pratfalls, and they encounter an array of stock characters almost as realistic as Lucky the cereal-shilling leprechaun.
But as luck would have it, they also pass through breathtaking scenery and generate enough just chemistry to make viewers cheer the inevitable happy ending.
DVD features: The film is too forgettable to warrant more than the deleted scenes included.
— BAM
CD review: Jonny Lang, “Live at the Ryman”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Blues
Jonny Lang “Live at the Ryman” (Concord Records)
Thirteen years after his breakout debut, now-grown blues wunderkind Jonny Lang reasserts his prowess as a guitarist and singer with the release of his first live album, “Live at the Ryman.”
In 1997, the North Dakota native, then 15, became part of an odd trend of teenage blues guitarists shooting to fame with his first major-label record, “Lie to Me.” Along with modern blues, Lang, now 29, also has experimented over the years with rock, funk, soul and gospel.
Recorded at the Ryman Auditorium, one of the most historic and beloved venues in Nashville, Tenn., his concert album reflects Lang’s genre-crossing passion and proficiency.
His first record since 2006’s “Turn Around,” which won a Grammy for best gospel album, “Live at the Ryman” swings as it preaches with the uplifting faith-based anthems “Thankful” and “Turn Around.” Lang gets funky with the declarative ballad “I Am” and rocks through relationship troubles with “Give Me Up Again.”
But Lang is still at his best when he gets the blues. His electrifying cover of Tinsley Ellis’ “A Quitter Never Wins” and his soulful signature “Lie to Me” prove the album’s highlights.
With his fleet fingers and supple baritone, Lang continues to impress as talented and fiery performer, and he surrounds himself with other remarkably skilled musicians.
But his songwriting could use more work. The quality of the material doesn’t measure up to the strength of the performances, so the album’s power starts to fade on repeat listens.
To really hear Lang live, he will perform June 12 at the Tougher Than Hell Motorcycle Rally at Tulsa’s Guts Church, 9120 E. Broken Arrow Expressway. For more information, go to www.tougherthanhell.com.
— BAM
