New releases for Feb. 28, 2012: School of Seven Bells, “Hugo,” Anthony Shadid’s memoir “House of Stone”
Anthony Shadid (AP file)
Brooklyn, N.Y.-based band School of Seven Bells, which includes Lawton-born guitarist/producer Benjamin Curtis and vocalist Alejandra Deheza, has released its third album, “Ghostory.”
It’s the first album for SVIIB to release as a duo; Deheza’s sister Claudia left the group in 2010. “Ghostory” is billed as boasting the influences of ’80s pop, shoegaze and ambient electronic sounds. It also comes with a story in mind: the tale of a young girl named Lafaye and the ghosts that surround her life.
For film fans, Martin Scorsese’s beautiful fantasy “Hugo,” which won five Oscars Sunday, dropped on DVD and Blu-ray today. The movie version of Brian Selznick’s book “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” won for art direction, cinematography, visual effects, sound mixing and sound editing. It tied with “The Artist” for the most Academy Award wins this year.
New to the bookshelf, the final book from Pulitzer Prize-winning Oklahoma native Anthony Shadid has been released. Before he died Feb. 16 at age 43 while covering the civil war in Syria for The New York Times, Shadid wrote “House of Stone: A Memoir of Home, Family and a Lost Middle East,” a memoir about his efforts to renovate an abandoned and looted house built by his great-grandfather in a Lebanese village. Shadid spoke passionately about the book when he visited The Oklahoman and spoke to those of us in the News and Information Center last year, and I can’t wait to read it.
Shadid was a reporter for 25 years, 15 of them as a foreign correspondent in the Middle East, starting with the Associated Press and The Boston Globe. He died of an apparent asthma attack.
Here is a list of new CDs, DVDs and books out this week, from Amazon.com and VideoETA.com:
CDs
School of Seven Bells, “Ghostory.”
Lyle Lovett, “Release Me.”
Celtic Thunder, “Voyage.”
Loreena McKennitt, “Troubadours On The Rhine.”
Il Volo, “Il Volo Takes Flight Live From the Detroit Opera House.”
Pink Floyd, “The Wall – Immersion Box Set.”
The Cranberries, “Roses.”
Carolina Chocolate Drops, “Leaving Eden.”
Estelle, “All of Me.”
DVDs
Answers to Nothing
Beneath the Darkness
The Hangover Part II
Here’s Lucy: Season 5
Hugo
I Melt With You
Johnny English Reborn
Law & Order: The Tenth Year
Mission: Impossible – The ’89 TV Season
The Myth of the American Sleepover
Top Gear: The Complete Season 17
Books
House of Stone: A Memoir of Home, Family, and a Lost Middle East by Anthony Shadid
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Avis Lang
Lone Wolf: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
Joy the Baker Cookbook: 100 Simple and Comforting Recipes by Joy Wilson
-BAM
Video: Behind the scenes of Miranda Lambert’s “Over You” music video
Country music star Miranda Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo, has released a behind-the-scenes sneak peek of her upcoming “Over You” music video.
The full music video will premiere Thursday on VEVO and then debut Saturday on CMT and GAC.
Lambert pays tribute to her husband Blake Shelton’s late brother with “Over You,” the second single from her 2011 album “Four the Record.”
Richie Shelton died in a car accident in 1990 at the age of 24. His now-famous brother was only 14 at the time. Lambert never got to meet her new husband’s older brother.
Blake and Miranda wrote “Over You” together. The song is available on iTunes as well as on Lambert’s fourth album, “Four the Record.”
“Over You” is Lambert’s first video since “Only Prettier” about a year and a half ago. The new video was filmed on location among the Cedars of Lebanon in Tennessee.
The new project reunites Lambert with well-known music video director Trey Fanjoy, who helmed the country star’s videos for “Only Prettier,” “The House That Built Me” and “Kerosene.”
Look for the full video here once it becomes available for posting.
-BAM
Marvel reveals new poster for “The Avengers”
Marvel has unveiled a new one-sheet poster for its eagerly awaited superhero mashup movie “The Avengers,” coming to theaters May 4.
Directed by Joss Whedon, “The Avengers” stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Tom Hiddleston as Loki.
-BAM
Video: Tulsa country singer Adley Stump makes Blake Shelton’s team on “The Voice”
Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton filled the final spot on his 12-contender team on the second season of “The Voice” with a fellow Oklahoma country singer.
On Monday night’s episode, Tulsan Adley Stump, a recent Oklahoma State University graduate, got both Shelton and pop belter Christina Aguilera to turn their big red chairs when she used her unusual deep and lovely voice to deliver a feisty cover of Checotah native Carrie Underwood’s smash “Last Name.”
Shelton and Aguilera traded insults and promises in a pitched battle for Stump, who said she grew up idolizing Xtina, but after a tension-building commercial break, the country girl followed her heart onto Team Blake.
The battle rounds start next week on “The Voice,” and it will be interesting to see how Adley fares as the competition gets even more intense.
I just had the chance to talk to Adley Stump on the phone and got some great quotes for a feature that you can look for in the coming days.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Feb. 28, 2012: Hear Drake at Chesapeake Energy Arena
Drake (AP file)
Today’s featured event:
Hear Grammy-nominated rapper Drake at 7:30 tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W Reno.
Drake’s “The Club Paradise Tour” is supporting of his critically acclaimed, platinum-selling sophomore album “Take Care.” It is billed as “a sonic and visual spectacle on a scale unlike anything he has accomplished in his already legendary, critically acclaimed career.”
Joining Drake on the North American run of “The Club Paradise Tour “are special guests Kendrick Lamar, a rapidly rising young rapper who was crowned “New King of the West Coast” by hip hop icons Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, and A$AP Rocky, a much buzzed about rapper whose chopped and screwed rap style has garnered positive press from publications such as The Fader, New York Times and Stereogum.
For more information, go to www.chesapeakearena.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Photo gallery: Oscars 2012
Host Billy Crystal performs during the opening number Sunday night at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP photos)
The 84th Annual Academy Awards were handed out with much wisecracking and fanfare Sunday night in Hollywood.
Billy Crystal returned to host the Oscars for his ninth time; “The Artist” won five Oscars, including best picture, best director for French auteur Michel Hazanavicius and best actor for charismatic Frenchman Jean Dujardin; and “Hugo” won five statuettes in the technical categories.
Meryl Streep won her third Oscar for best actress for portraying British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady,” Octavia Spencer got emotional accepting the best supporting actress prize for her sassy turn in “The Help,” and the charming 82-year-old Christopher Plummer became the oldest winner on record with his best supporting actor win for “Beginners.”
To see some of my favorite images from the red carpet, click here. And check out here some of the Oscar highlights in the form of Associated Press photos:
Jean Dujardin celebrates his win for best actor for "The Artist."
Dujardin carries around his lovable "The Artist" co-star Uggie.
Kermit and Miss Piggy were among the Oscar presenters.
Tom Cruise presents the best picture Oscar to "The Artist" producer Thomas Langmann.
Presenter Christian Bale escorts the emotional Octavia Spencer off the stage after her best supporting actress win for "The Help."
Members of the cast of "Bridesmaids" left to right, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Melissa McCarthy take the stage to present the short film awards.
"Bridesmaids" stars Rose Byrne and Melissa McCarthy take a moment from presenting duties to play the Martin Scorsese drinking game.
Former Tulsan Melissa Leo takes the stage to present.
Meryl Streep accepts her third Oscar, for best actress for "The Iron Lady." Her turn as Margaret Thatcher earned Streep her 17th Oscar nomination.
Colin Firth presents Streep with her third Oscar.
Christopher Plummer, 82, accepts the best supporting actor Oscar for "Beginners," becoming the oldest winner on record.
LMFAO to play Tulsa’s BOK Center
Madonna performs with LMFAO during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP file)
TULSA – LMFAO featuring Redfoo & The Party Rock Crew are bringing the party rock to the BOK Center, along with special guests Far East Movement, The Quest Crew, Sidney Samson & More
Still riding high off the buzz of performing with Madonna earlier this during the Super Bowl halftime show in Indianapolis, LMFAO will play June 13 at the Tulsa arena when Redfoo and Cherrytree present the “Sorry for Party Rocking Tour.” The electro-pop outfit’s latest single, “Sexy And I Know It,” recently hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday and will be available online at www.bokcenter.com, Arby’s Box Office, all Tickets.com outlets, or by calling (866) 7-BOKCTR.
Prices are $99, $55, $42.50 and $29.50.
-BAM
Big Time Rush planning Tulsa show
In overwhelming response to their sold-out “Better With U Tour,” Big Time Rush announced today that they will kick off “Big Time Summer Tour,” performing in more than 50 cities across the United States and Canada, including Tulsa.
The Nickelodeon rockers, plus special guests emerging Australian pop phenomenon Cody Simpson and “X-Factor” finalist and newly signed Nickelodeon talent Rachel Crow, will play Sunday, July 15 at Tulsa’s BOK Center.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10. Prices are $25, $39.50, $49.50 and $65.
Tickets will available online at www.bokcenter.com, Arby’s Box Office, all Tickets.com outlets, or by calling (866) 7-BOKCTR.
Beginning July 5 in Columbus, Ohio, the Columbia Recording artists will perform songs off their latest album “Elevate,” including “Music Sounds Better With U,” “All Over Again” and “Elevate.”
A special ticket pre-sale to American Express card members will be available beginning at 10 a.m. March 5 and ending at 10 p.m. March 9. In addition, Big Time Rush has teamed up with VIP Nation to provide a variety of VIP ticket packages for the tour, including premium seats, meet-and-greets, access to sound check, photo ops, parties and more. For fan club pre sale tickets/VIP packages, exclusive tour content and more please visit: www.BigTimeTour.com.
Big Time Rush was recently nominated for Favorite Music Group at the 2012 Kids’ Choice Awards along with LMFAO, Black Eyed Peas, and Lady Antebellum. It is their second nomination in the category. The band also is scheduled to perform on “Live with Kelly” on March 9.
-BAM
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame suspends operations due to lack of funds
MUSKOGEE – The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame announced today that it is suspending its museum operations and cutting staff due to a shortage of funds.
The museum’s supporters plan to craft a sustainability plan that includes ways of increasing revenue. They hope to continue the hall’s high-profile annual induction ceremony and concert with volunteer’s staffing the fall event.
Unfortunately, the museum is slashing its hours after the completion but before the formal opening of its state-of-the-art children’s exhibit, according to today’s announcement.
People who want to support the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame can send donations here:
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
P.O. Box 3221
Muskogee, Okla. 74402.
Here is the full announcement:
The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame announced Monday it will cut paid staff, limit its hours of operation and immediately craft a sustainability plan that includes revenue enhancement steps for the future.
“We have enjoyed national recognition, a growth in Museum visits and an expansion of music programs, yet these initiatives have never raised enough revenue to cover costs,” said Jim Blair, President, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. For instance, the annual Concert and Induction Ceremony is well attended and widely recognized, yet it rarely covers expenses for that night’s festivities.
“We cannot continue to rely solely on the same private and corporate funders who also are facing similar challenges in a down economy,” said Blair.
Over the years, since its creation, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame has raised more than $700,000 in private, corporation and foundation dollars. Only a small portion of funding for the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame has come from state dollars.
“Looking ahead, we find ourselves unable to continue to raise a level of funding to sustain operation and, now, we must suspend operations while we build a viable plan,” Blair added.
“To sustain full-time operations, we need the renewed help of our existing community partners, along with a plan to develop a new and growing list of financial supporters who can make a commitment for a long-term source of operating revenue,” Blair said.
One critical project has been completed, but not yet formally opened. This is the new children’s experiential, state-of-the-art music exhibit at the museum, dubbed Jeremiah’s Music Room. The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame will explore plans for opening the facility and celebrating music with children, provided adequate operational funding can be secured
“Now, more than ever, we ask Oklahomans to step up and join in supporting our mission so that the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame can remain a lasting base for economic development for Oklahoma,” he added.
The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame hopes to continue its annual induction ceremonies, which will be staffed with volunteers. These events are usually held in the fall.
“One of the most difficult things about this financial situation is that we truly have a dedicated and talented staff, who has worked diligently over the years to develop our programming and community outreach. Our Board will work through this transition with sensitivity and respect for their needs,” Blair said.
“Today, we are encouraging Oklahomans who love music to join with us as we seek new funding possibilities,” Blair said. Donations can be sent to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 3221, Muskogee, Okla. 74402.
Blair said the Sustainability Plan must include:
- Limited hours of operation for the Frisco Depot, which is home to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum, and serves as an event venue for community meetings and celebrations. This means that already-scheduled events, such as weddings, music performances or community meetings, will proceed. Also, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame will take bookings for future events for the rental space only for Fridays or Saturdays. To schedule an event, you may call 918-687-0800.
- A shut down of all hours of operation for the Museum of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
- A 50 percent cut in staff positions, starting immediately.
- The placement of remaining staff on non-paid status until further notice.
- Immediate steps to create an Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Board sustainability plan that includes new and expanded sources of revenue for the future.
-BAM
Buffalo Lounge to showcase Oklahoma bands at South by Southwest
Green Corn Revival
The Oklahoma Film & Music Office, along with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and the Idea Collective, has announced its plans for an Oklahoma presence at the 2012 South By Southwest Conference and Festival, which is set for March 9-18 in Austin, Texas.
As a part of its mission to promote and support Oklahoma’s film and music industries, OF&MO and its partners last year launched its SXSW endeavor, dubbed Oklahoma’s Buffalo Lounge, to provide the state with its own venue. This year, the Buffalo Lounge will host four days of film, interactive and music events, including an Oklahoma booth at the SXSW trade show, which is March 12-15, to provide exposure for participating Oklahoma companies and talent to a global audience.
“Last year’s effort at SXSW provided tangible evidence of the growth and momentum in Oklahoma’s film, interactive, and music industries,” OF&MO Director Jill Simpson said in the announcement. “It was impressive to see so many Oklahoma professionals from these sectors come together to promote our state as a great place to do business to an audience numbering in the tens of thousands. This year is sure to be bigger and better.”
“We are thrilled to return to Austin, Texas this year in an even bigger way,” said Josh O’Brien, director of entrepreneurial development for Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and i2E, in the release. “More companies are involved, and we are adding the element of an Oklahoma booth at the SXSW trade show. With more than 65,000 people attending the trade show, this will be great exposure for Oklahoma.”
More than 45,000 top business professionals attended SXSW in 2011. The 10-day event brings people together to enhance knowledge of their respective field and promote their products. OF&MO will program multiple day and night Buffalo Lounge events across all three sectors throughout the four-day schedule at Friends, 208 E Sixth Street in the heart of downtown Austin, and in the midst of the conference and festival events.
The Oklahoma film party, “The Red Dirt Reel,” will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 12 and will feature participating sponsors representing their companies that support the Oklahoma film industry. The goal of this event is to showcase to SXSW film attendees that Oklahoma has everything for independent filmmakers: locations, nationally renowned film festivals, production and post-production facilities, and art house and indie exhibitors.
Following the film event on March 12 will be Oklahoma’s interactive event from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The event will feature participating sponsors speaking about their products and companies to attendees. This will be an opportunity for people to network with interactive companies and learn more about the industry in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Film + Interactive + Music event will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 13. This one-of-kind event will be hosted by the OKPOP Museum and the Woody Guthrie Center and Archive, and will allow all three industries to come together to network. The event will feature three musical groups: Modern Rock Diaries, Desi and Cody, and Wink Burcham with Jesse Aycock.
The music portion of SXSW officially begins on Tuesday evening, March 13.
“In 2011, there were 60 Oklahoma bands that applied to SXSW. This year that number rose to an unprecedented 130 bands. Because of this Oklahoma was able to secure two official SXSW showcases with festival officials selecting another 12 bands to perform. In total, we are excited to say that over 35 Oklahoma bands will be featured at SXSW this year,” said Abby Kurin, Development Coordinator for OF&MO, in the announcement.
The Okie Soundcheck presented by CNGnow.com is 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and performing will be O Fidelis, Black Canyon, Mont Lyons, Pretty Black Chains, Deerpeople, Josh Sallee, Daniel(s), and Chrome Pony. The Fourth Annual Sax, Clogs, & Rock-N-Roll music event will take place Wednesday, March 14 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. This event will feature music by Damn Quails, Scales of Motion, the Panda Resistance, BrotherBear, Feathered Rabbit, S/Awesome, and Denver Duncan with Jabee.
The ACM@UCO music day event will take place Thursday, March 15 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Performing will be Painted Wolfe, Fos, Day One, Brianna Gaither, Gum, paperscissor, The Rockettops, and Of the Tower.
The ACM@UCO showcase will be Wednesday, March 14 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and will feature Defining Times, The Boom Bang, The Non, Horse Thief, Broncho, and Stardeath & White Dwarfs. On Thursday, March 15 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. the Oklahoma Showcase will feature Green Corn Revival, JuneBug Spade, Fiawna Forte, Jacob Abello, JD McPherson, and OK Sweetheart.
Oklahoma’s Buffalo Lounge will once again feature a pop-up retail store stocked with Oklahoma merchandise provided by Mary Beth Babcock of Tulsa’s Dwelling Spaces. Other features include space for filmmakers and musicians to sell their DVDs and CDs. The venue also will feature free wifi, and for the first time, we are excited to announce that Matthew Kenney OKC will provide a juice bar for attendees.
This year’s events will be taken to the next level with the help of volunteers and in-kind donations. A PR Committee has been formed for outreach to both Oklahoma and Austin-based media allowing for performing artists to gain maximum exposure in both markets. A Swag Committee is gathering iconic Oklahoma materials for artists and guests. A Street Team Committee will be on the ground in Austin to distribute flyers and network with the crowd to drive attendance to the Buffalo Lounge.
In addition to the venue and the Oklahoma booth at the SXSW tradeshow, CNGnow.com will present “The Park at 2nd and Congress,” an outdoor event space in downtown Austin. This will be open to the public 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., March 12-15. This is an opportunity for festival-goers to relax, recharge, and enjoy free snacks and beverages in the shadow of Big Blue, their natural gas-powered RV.
In conjunction with The Buffalo Lounge, “The Park” also will host the CNGnow Backyard Bash on Wednesday, March 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The mixer will feature free food, and an acoustic set by Graham Colton. This event is open to all Buffalo Lounge badge holders and performing musicians.
Another addition to the 2012 Buffalo Lounge is the implementation of the Website, www.thebuffalolounge.com. Ty Carlson of Made By Wheat has donated his time and effort to create the website, which provides a complete list of sponsors and events. For those headed to SXSW, you can also use the Website to RSVP to all Buffalo Lounge events.
This statewide marketing effort is made possible through the participation of a large roster of sponsors. Returning participants this year are the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, the deadCenterFilm Festival, and the Oklahoma Business Roundtable.
New participating sponsors for 2012 are CNGnow.com, ACM@UCO, OKPOP Museum, the Woody Guthrie Center and Archive, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Tulsa, Gray Hour Productions, Creative Oklahoma, QuiBids, Fowler Volkswagen of Norman, idefi Music Group, the University of Oklahoma’s Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth, Phillips Murrah P.C., Catalog.com, Dwelling Spaces, Matthew Kenney OKC, iThemes, The Div, This Land Press, New Spin 360, Made By Wheat, Always Greener, and Chad Grubbs Studio.
For more information, go to www.facebook.com/sxswBuffalo
-BAM
