Norman’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art offering free admission Friday-Sunday to mark closing of Disney animation and French drawing exhibits
Three University of Oklahoma students look at animation cels from the Disney film "Fantasia/2000," part of the exhibition “A Century of Magic: The Animation of the Walt Disney Studios, Animation Cels from the Collection of Janis Scaramucci and Domer ‘Jay’ Scaramucci” at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman.
NORMAN – Two major spring exhibitions are coming to a close at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art during Labor Day weekend.
To help celebrate these exhibitions, featuring Walt Disney animation cels and French Master drawings, the museum on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus is offering free admission Friday-Sunday.
Sunday will be the last day for visitors to view “A Century of Magic: The Animation of the Walt Disney Studios, Animation Cels from the Collection of Janis Scaramucci and Domer “Jay” Scaramucci” and “Vernet to Villon: Nineteenth-Century French Master Drawings from the National Gallery of Art.”
“We have had an amazing spring and summer at the museum,” said Ghislain d’Humières, the Wylodean and Bill Saxon director of the museum, in a news release. “The generosity of Janis Scaramucci, the National Gallery of Art and the Stuart Family Foundation has been reflected in the great joy our visitors have experienced over the past few months. Although we are a little sad to bring these exhibitions to a close, we are excited about what the fall has in store for our visitors.”
“Vernet to Villon: Nineteenth-Century French Master Drawings from the National Gallery of Art,” which opened in June, features drawings and watercolors by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Eugène Delacroix, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The works represent such major 19th-century movements as Neo-Classicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.
“Vernet to Villon” marks the first time that the National Gallery of Art of Washington, D.C., has ever lent a complete exhibition to any institution in Oklahoma and has been made possible by the generous support of the Stuart Family Foundation, according to the release.
Children may be saddened to hear of the closing of “A Century of Magic,” a popular exhibition of original animation cels from the Walt Disney Studios that opened in March. The exhibition surveys many of the major animated films, beginning with the first feature, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937), and concluding with “Fantasia/2000″ (1999). This exhibition, from a private collection, includes more than 80 cels used in the original production of the animated films and offers visitors the opportunity to view the artistry of the animators’ work.
“A Century of Magic” features cels from Disney films including “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Lady and the Tramp” and “Pinocchio,” as well as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy shorts. Additionally, a digital animation station for children is available in the middle of the gallery using iPod Touch technology to create original drawings and animations.
Two other new exhibitions will remain on display. “Oklahoma Clay: Frankoma Pottery,” an exhibition of dinnerware, figures and other sculptures by Oklahoma potter John Frank and Frankoma Pottery, is on view through Oct. 7.
Additionally, a new exhibition of works by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, including a painting on loan from the St. Louis Art Museum, will remain on display through early August 2013.
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is located in the OU Arts District on the corner of Elm Avenue and Boyd Street, at 555 Elm Ave., on the OU Norman campus. Regular admission to the museum is free to OU students with a current student ID and museum association members, $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 6 to 17 years of age, $2 for OU faculty/staff, and free for military veterans with proof of ID and children 5 and younger. The museum is closed on Mondays and admission is free on Tuesdays.
For more information, go to www.ou.edu/fjjma.
-BAM
Joss Whedon: “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” sequel is in the works
Joss Whedon says that the long-awaited sequel to his 2008 made-for-Internet hit “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” is still in the works, reports Variety.com.
“The Avengers” writer-director hopes to get it into production “within the next year,” Whedon told the trade publication.
The Emmy-winning “Dr. Horrible” stars Neil Patrick Harris as the titular wannabe super-villain, Nathan Fillion as the smarmy superhero who continually defeats him, Felicia Day as the fetching do-gooder they both desire and Simon Helberg as the doctor’s sidekick Moist.
It will make its television premiere Oct. 9 when the CW airs the tunefully oddball 42-minute tale as the kickoff to the launch of its fall season.
Joss Whedon (AP file)
One of the major obstacles to producing the sequel has been the fact that Whedon keeps “employing the people who will work on it” in other capacities, he told Variety.
The original “Dr. Horrible” was penned by Whedon and his brothers, Jed and Zack Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen. Jed Whedon and Tancharoen worked for Joss on his 2009-10 Fox drama “Dollhouse,” and they have been recruited to help him co-write a pilot for ABC and Marvel TV this year based on Nick Fury’s S.H.I.E.L.D. espionage organization featured in “The Avengers.”
The storyline of the TV series will be “autonomous” to the features, Joss Whedon told Variety. If the ABC pilot is ordered to series, Jed Whedon and Tancharoen would serve as show-runners with Jeffrey Bell.
Plus, Joss Whedon will return to write and direct “The Avengers” sequel, which is is already slated for a May 2015 release.
I know it makes me a complete geek that I’m almost more excited about the “Dr. Horrible” sequel than “The Avengers” sequel. But I’m OK with that.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Aug. 30, 2012: See Jewel Box Theatre’s “Cats”
Today’s featured event:
Watch Jewel Box Theatre’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats” at 8 tonight at 3700 N Walker. Performances continue Thursdays-Sundays through Sept. 16. For more information, go to www.jewelboxtheatre.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Previewing Saturday’s Posthuman-Palooza at the Myriad Gardens
NewsOK video host Angi Bruss speaks with Oklahoma filmmaker Kyle Roberts and event coordinator Kerry Myers about Saturday’s Posthuman-Palooza, a mini music supporting Roberts’ local indie film “Posthuman.”
The fundraising event is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage, 301 W Reno Ave.
Singer-songwriter Ali Harter, one of the local musicians set to perform at the event, also plays in this video. Here is the excellent lineup for Saturday’s fest:
2pm Sugar Free Allstars
3pm Brianna Gaither
4pm O’Fidelis
5pm Ali Harter
6pm The Grown Ups
7pm Mont Lyons
8pm Modern Rock Diaries
The tagline for the movie is “Five high school seniors are about to graduate… from the human race.” Here is the synopsis:
There’s a secret arms race that the public knows nothing about. It’s an arms race for human potential, as genetic engineers scramble to create the formula that will unlock “posthuman” powers. The first posthuman finds himself facing explosive consequences, as he can no longer control his powers. A reaction to those powers has a larger range than had anticipated, meaning five teens on a rock-climbing trip in the area receive a genetic boost beyond anything they’d ever imagined. The five race the clock to find out the secret of these powers, and to discover the true power that lies within themselves.
The Oklahoman’s own Features Editor Matt Price of Nerdage blog created the characters and situation, and then worked with Kyle, who is also a NewsOK videographer, on both the prequel comic and screenplay. “Ghost Rider” artist Javier Saltares created the prequel comic cover sketch art.
The film, which will be Kyle’s feature debut, is still in the fundraising stages. Besides attending the festival, you can support it by liking the project on Facebook and contributing at Indiegogo.
For information and tickets to Posthuman-Palooza, go to http://posthumanfilm.eventbrite.com.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Previewing “Pitch Perfect”
Ester Dean
Check out Muskogee native Ester Dean in the trailer and featurette of the upcoming musical comedy “Pitch Perfect,” featuring Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Elizabeth Banks and Rebel Wilson.
Kendrick stars as Beca, a freshman at Barden University, who is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school’s all-girls a capella singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition. “Pitch Perfect” opens in theaters Oct. 5.
On Friday, my excellent colleagues George Lang, Matt Price and I will unveil our full fall film preview, so look for that here then.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: “The Voice” coaches Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera impersonate each other
In this Wednesday Video Spotlight, “The Voice” celebrity coaches Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine and Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton impersonate each other and hilarity ensues.
Believe it or not, the third season of the hit reality TV show premieres in less than two weeks, and the change in season won’t be the only change when the NBC singing competition airs this fall.
Executive producer Mark Burnett recently said that “The Voice” will begin letting coaches “steal” contestants from each other during the show’s “battle rounds,” reports the Associated Press.
The show also will introduce a new “knockout round” to slice the number of contestants on each coach’s team.
“The Voice,” which started out as a spring show, adds a fall run to its original midseason slot this year, with Season 3 debuting Monday, Sept. 10.
-BAM
Loretta Lynn to celebrate 50th anniversary with the Grand Ole Opry Sept. 25 with special guests Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Crystal Gayle
The Grand Ole Opry will honor one its most beloved members, Loretta Lynn, with a Sept. 25 show celebrating her 50th Opry Anniversary.
Among the artists scheduled to participate in the celebration are Lynn, her sister Crystal Gayle, plus friends Miranda Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo; Lee Ann Womack; Trace Adkins; and Lambert’s all-girl trio Pistol Annies, who will be making their Opry debut.
Lynn joined the Opry family on Sept. 25, 1962, according to a news release. Among the hundreds of accolades she has received in the years since are three Grammy Awards, eight Country Music Association Awards (she became the first female artist to win the coveted Entertainer of the Year in 1972), induction into the Country Music and Songwriters Halls of Fame and the 2010 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
“There is no one at the Opry, in country music, or on Earth quite like Loretta Lynn,” said Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry vice president and general manager, in the release. “Her influence as a recording artist and songwriter reaches across musical genres, cultures, and generations. She’s earned her place among America’s musical icons, and we look forward to celebrating 50 years of Opry membership with her next month.”
Lynn’s rag-to-riches life story received the world’s attention when her autobiographical hit “Coal Miner’s Daughter” became a movie in 1980. The film traced Lynn’s life from her teenage marriage, early career and the role the Grand Ole Opry played in exposing the young singer to a national audience. Sissy Spacek won an Academy Award for her role as Lynn in the motion picture.
Lynn credits Ernest Tubb and the Wilburn Brothers for her first appearance on the Opry stage at the historic Ryman Auditorium. She sang her debut single “I’m A Honky Tonk Girl” that night, but says all she can remember about that first performance is tapping her foot. As she exited the building, her husband “Doolittle” was said to have remembered her exclaiming, “I’ve sung on the Grand Ole Opry! I’ve sung on the Grand Ole Opry!”
As “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl” started to climb the charts, Lynn and her husband/manager “Doolittle” drove across the country visiting radio stations to promote the record. Later hits for the singer-songwriter included “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind),” “Fist City,” “One’s On The Way,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” and “The Pill,” among dozens of others. Over the years, Lynn has collaborated with several performers, including her longtime duet partner Conway Twitty and alt-rock artist Jack White, with whom she worked on her Grammy-winning 2004 album “Van Lear Rose.”
The Grand Ole Opry is presented by Humana, with performances happening every weekend of the year. The Tuesday Night Opry continues through Dec. 11. To plan an Opry visit, go to www.opry.com.
-BAM
Ryan Gosling readying for his directorial debut
Ryan Gosling appears in a scene from "Drive," in which he worries about how much I will miss looking at him if he decides not to act in his directorial debut. Unfortunately, that last part is only true in my imagination.
As much as it pains me to think of him behind the camera instead of in front of it, I’m pleased to report that Ryan Gosling is readying to make his directorial debut.
The Oscar-nominated actor will write and direct “How to Catch a Monster,” a “modern day fairytale” starring Christina Hendricks, his co-star from the excellent 2011 thriller “Drive,” according to EW.com. Hendricks will play a single mother “swept into a macabre and dark fantasy underworld while her teenage son discovers a secret road leading to an underwater town.”
“I am very appreciative to [producers] Marc Platt, Adam Siegel and Bold Films for being so supportive and I look forward to making this film with all of them,” Gosling said, according to the EW.com report.
“We are thrilled to be producing Ryan Gosling’s debut as a writer and director and continue our collaboration which began on Drive,” said Platt, in a statement. “He has composed a beautifully haunting script and has a very clear vision of how he will bring it to life. His ability to draw audiences into his world as an actor will serve him well as a filmmaker.”
Since no other cast members for the project have been announced, it’s not known whether Gosling will appear onscreen in the film. But I don’t think I will be the only one who will miss him if he doesn’t.
-BAM
Flaming Lips remake nudity-filled “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” video with Amanda Palmer replacing Erykah Badu
Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips (Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman Archives)
Amanda Palmer
Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips have gone back to the bathtub.
Well, actually, they got Dresden Dolls singer Amanda Palmer to do it for them.
As previously reported here, Lips frontman Wayne Coyne told MTV during the band’s recording-setting 24-hour tour earlier this summer that they were considering remaking their controversial music video to “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” with Palmer. Now, Oklahoma City-based Delo Creative has released the new nudity-filled video featuring Palmer on its Vimeo account.
You can watch it by clicking here, but you should understand that I’m not exaggerating about the nudity-filled part. At all.
Palmer also sings with Coyne on the remade rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which the Lips initially covered with Erykah Badu for their collaborative album “The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends.” The band and Badu then filmed a very NSFW music video featuring the songstress and her lookalike sister Nayrok baring all in a bathtub filled with golden glitter, then fake blood and simulated bodily fluids.
The controversy got started when the video debuted, some of Badu’s fans complained, and the Texas soul singer tweeted that it was released without her full approval. The Lips issued an apology and yanked the video, but it still launched a nasty Twitter war between the two artists and their fan bases that went on for days.
The remade video doesn’t include any glitter, fake blood or simulated bodily fluids, but it does feature the naked Palmer merrily frolicking in a water-filled bathtub. Hopefully, she will stay happy, or at least avoid dragging us all into a Twitter firestorm if she isn’t.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Aug. 29, 2012: Catch Phish’s first-ever Oklahoma show at OKC’s Zoo Amphitheatre
Phish (AP file)
Today’s featured event:
Hear legendary jam band Phish play its first-ever Oklahoma show at 7 tonight at the Zoo Amphitheatre, 2101 NE 50. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Information: 364-3700 or www.zooamp.com.
Ticket prices for each specific date on the tour will include a free MP3 download of the evening’s entire show (a fully mixed soundboard recording) that can be redeemed at www.LivePhish.com shortly after the band steps off stage.
Phish is making a splash for the first time on several stops of the second leg of its 2012 summer tour, including the Aug. 15 kickoff at Long Beach Arena in Southern California. The beloved band also made its bows at San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Mo., and St. Louis’ Chaifetz Arena en route to Oklahoma City.
For the second year in a row, Phish will wrap up its summer outing at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., over Labor Day weekend, according to a news release.
No additional Phish dates have announced for summer or fall of 2012.
Phish celebrated April’s Record Store Day by releasing “Junta,” its first full-length studio album, as a Limited Edition Deluxe 3-LP vinyl set. Originally self-released on cassette tape in May 1989, “Junta” was remastered and rereleased as a double CD and cassette in October 1992, but – until now – has never been heard on vinyl. Copies are still available at Amazon.com from participating independently owned record stores and include a free MP3 download of the entire album, transferred from the vinyl master, reports The Oklahoman Entertainment Editor Gene Triplett.
“Joy” is the band’s most recent studio album, recorded in 2009 to coincide with the group’s most recent reunion at the Bonnaroo festival.
Founded in 1983, Phish has built a fiercely loyal fan base of “Phish Heads” who rival even the faithfulness of “Dead Heads,” followers of fellow jam band legends the Grateful Dead. Like the late Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia, Phish even has a flavor of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream named after it.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
