Wednesday Video Spotlight: Oklahoma City Museum of Art celebrating Last Call for “Princely Treasures” Thursday evening
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art will celebrate the final week of the special exhibition “Princely Treasures: European Masterpieces 1600-1800 from the Victoria and Albert Museum” at a Last Call event from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
The museum’s Roof Terrace will be open until 10:30 p.m. Admission after 5 p.m. is $5; admission for members is free.
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is the only U.S. venue on the international tour for “Princely Treasures”; the exhibit will next return to London.
“Princely Treasures” showcases highlights of the Victoria and Albert’s European collections, which will be redisplayed in an elegant and newly refurbished suite of galleries, opening after 2014.
Reflecting the elegant and aristocratic life of the 17th and 18th centuries, objects in the exhibition include painting and sculpture, ceramics and glass, metalwork and furniture, textiles and dress, prints and drawings. One of the exhibition’s highlights is the extraordinary 18th-century tapestry “The March.” Measuring more than 12 feet high, the large wool tapestry is part of “The Art of War” series created in Brussels in 1718. The tapestry was the most expensive and prestigious form of pictorial art between 1600 and 1800 and often commemorated military exploits.
Check out the video tour of the exhibit with Beth McKillop, deputy director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in this Wednesday Video Spotlight.
Here are the activities scheduled for Thursday’s Last Call:
- Enjoy Cocktails on the Skyline on the roof terrace with live music. Cool off and create something artsy and fun with hands-on art activities in the main lobby.
- Register for fabulous door prizes to be given away each hour.
- Hear Tallgrass Strings with vocalist Erica Thomas in the atrium from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by a second performance in the Julie Heffernan exhibition from 6:30 to 7 p.m.
- Snap a princely photo with friends in the photobooth in Founders Hall. Have your face or body painted by artist Clarissa Sharp on the roof terrace from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Look and learn with curator talks in “Princely Treasures” at 6 p.m. and the Julie Heffernan exhibit at 7 p.m.
- Take part in Drop-in Drawing from 6 to 9 p.m. and try your hand at drawing from artworks on view in the second-floor British galleries. Artist Joni Derr will provide materials and instruction on basic drawing techniques during this come-and-go session.
- Revel with the royals as writer-director Sofia Coppola’s 2006 biopic “Marie Antoinette” screens in the Noble Theater at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for members, $8 for adults and $6 for seniors.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Oklahoma Doodle 4 Google winner talks about her design
NewsOK host Angi Bruss recently sat down with Janessa Chastain of Stilwell, the second-grader who is the Oklahoma state winner of the 2012 Doodle 4 Google contest.
Chosen from a total of over 114,000 entries, the state winners represent the top doodles from this year’s contest.
The deadline to vote for Janessa’s drawing to win the national award and be used as a Google doodle is THURSDAY. That’s tomorrow!
Click here to vote.
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What to do in Oklahoma on May 8, 2012: Spend “An Evening with Garrison Keillor” at the OKC Civic Center
Garisson Keillor (AP file)
Today’s featured event:
Spend “An Evening with Garrison Keillor,” the author, humorist and radio personality best known for hosting “A Prairie Home Companion, at 7:30 tonight at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker.
For more information, go to www.okcciviccenter.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Garrison Keillor
Video: Red Earth Festival preview at the Oklahoma Capitol
The 26th Annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival is about a month away!
The festival will be June 8-10 at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City.
Visitors to the state Capitol got a bit of a preview of the American Indian dancing and artwork showcased at Red Earth earlier this week during Arts Day at the Capitol. Red Earth was among about 40 different organizations who turned out at the Capitol to support the Oklahoma Arts Council and arts activities and education in the state.
Look for my coverage of the Red Earth Festival as the event draws closer. For more information, go to www.redearth.org.
-BAM
Festivals abound throughout Oklahoma this weekend
Paintings by children hang on a fence to dry while new ones are created during the Festival of the Child at Yukon City Park Saturday, May 7, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman Archives.
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Festivals abound throughout Oklahoma this weekend
In the Sooner State, spring is the season for festivals, those grand outdoor celebrations centered on themes ranging from local wildlife and regional cuisine to live music and visual arts.
From art walks and rodeos to Cinco de Mayo celebrations and car shows, communities across Oklahoma are celebrating spring in a variety of ways this weekend.
But most Oklahomans know that spring ‘tis the season for festivals, those grand outdoor celebrations centered on themes ranging from local wildlife and regional cuisine to live music and visual arts.
Last weekend, the Festival of the Arts and Norman Music Festival got the season off to a smashing start, attracting thousands of art lovers and music fans to downtown Oklahoma City and Norman, respectively. And that’s just the beginning of the state’s festival festivities, which will last through spring and summer and into autumn.
The first weekend in May is always particularly festive in our fair state, and here are a few of the events going on in the next day or so. To learn more about Oklahoma festivals, go to www.wimgo.com or www.travelok.com.
Artist Betsy Cofer, Bethany, paints as she displays her art during May Fair at Andrews Park on Friday, April 29, 2011 Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman Archives.
May Fair Arts Festival, Norman: The one-day fest will feature more than 30 fine artists and quality craftsmen, plus artist demonstrations, live entertainment, children’s art activities and a student art show at Andrews Park, 201 W Daws St. A 5K run and 2K fun run have been added to the 38th annual event. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.norman.assistanceleague.org.
Downtown Edmond Arts Festival: About 115 artists from around the country will exhibit their wares, ranging from pottery and paintings to jewelry and sculptures, and the 33rd annual event will offer a children’s area, live music and the famed Othello’s Spaghetti Slurp-off. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Information: www.downtownedmondok.com.
El Reno Fried Onion Burger Day Festival: Live music, children’s entertainment, a car and motorcycle show and a special appearance by Union Pacific’s Steam Locomotive No. 844 are all on the agenda Saturday in downtown El Reno. But the primary draw is the 850-pound version of El Reno’s famous delicacy that local firefighters cook up every year. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.elrenoburgerday.com.
Prague Kolache Festival: If you prefer your festival-focused local fare on the sugary side, it’s hard to beat the flaky, fruity tastiness of these Czech pastries. But Saturday’s festival isn’t just about snacking on little sweet breads filled with cherry, apricots, and my personal favorite, poppyseeds. It’s also a fun salute of the town’s Czech heritage. Other activities happening on Main Street and around town include polka music, dancing, a parade, wine pavilion, a carnival and fireworks. Hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.praguekolachefestival.com.
Karen Meites looks at large colorful metal sculptures by artist David Coddaire, during Edmond's Annual Art Show in downtown Edmond, OK, Friday, May 6, 2011. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman Archives.
Bixby BBQ ‘n Music Festival: One of only 23 stops on the Kansas City Barbeque Society’s Great American BBQ Tour, this fest is one of the largest barbecue competitions in the state. Live music and children’s activities are on the menu, but again, the food is the main attraction. On Saturday, festivalgoers can buy a People’s Choice Award taster kit that will let them sample a select number of the teams’ offerings and help pick a winner. The festival will be 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at Washington Irving Park, 137th and S Memorial. Information: www.bixbyrotarybbq.com.
Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, Muskogee: The family-friendly festival features magicians, musicians, jugglers, jesters and other medieval-style performers, festive food and shopping for handcrafted items at the Castle of Muskogee, 3400 Fern Mountain Road. The 17th annual fete continues 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every weekend in May through Memorial Day. Information: www.okcastle.com.
Brickfest, Pauls Valley: The festivities will include authentic Oklahoma blues, rock and red dirt music, inflatable games for the kids, a petting zoo, pie-eating contest, the famous brick toss competition in downtown and at the Santa Fe Depot. The Valley Rally Bike Tour traversing 32, 48 and 62-mile courses through the scenic south-central Oklahoma countryside rides off at 8 a.m. Saturday. Hours are 3 to 11 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.mainstreetpaulsvalley.com.
Rose Rock Music Festival, Noble: Commemorating the town’s designation as the “Rose Rock Capital of the World,” the 31st annual downtown event will feature live music, a parade, car show, poker run, carnival and more. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Information: www.nobleok.org.
Yukon’s Festival of the Child: Yukon celebrates youth with more than 50 activities, including storytelling, pony rides, kayaking, crafts and more at Yukon City Park and Yukon Community Center, 2200 S Holly Ave. The activities are aimed at children ages 12 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.cityofyukonok.gov.
Claremore’s Lilac Festival: Festival-goers can buy and plant a lilac bush in honor of Claremore-born writer Lynn Riggs, who penned the play “Green Grow the Lilacs,” which was adapted into the musical “Oklahoma!” Children’s activities, live entertainment, a wiener dog race and a car show also are on the lineup for Saturday in downtown. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, plus a Gospel on Main concert is set for 7 p.m. Friday. Information: www.downtownclaremore.org.
Okeene Rattlesnake Round-Up: Billed as the oldest rattlesnake hunt in the world, the 73rd annual event has grown into a full-blown, three-day festival including a parade, carnival, pancake breakfasts, street dances, live music, magic show and a special appearance this year by Okie Noodler Thomas Riggs. The downtown festivities uncoil Friday when snake hunt registration begins; participants must be registered to hunt, buy or sell snakes. Although I shudder at the thought, I should probably mention the festival’s Den of Death, where attendees can watch snake handlers put on a show with live rattlesnakes. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Information: www.okeenerattlesnakehunt.com.
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Best Bets for May 4-6, 2012: Cinco de Mayo river cruise, Cowboys of Color Rodeo, “Fiddler on the Roof”
Cleo Hearn, founder of Cowboys of Color Invitational Rodeo, coming Saturday to State Fair Arena. Photo by David McDaniel, The Oklahoman Archives
A version of this story appears in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more events happening in Oklahoma this weekend, go to www.wimgo.com.
1. Watch the national touring production of the beloved musical “Fiddler on the Roof” at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. Information: (800) 869-1451 or www.celebrityattractions.com.
2. See the bronc-busting, bull-riding, steer-wrestling action at the Cowboys of Color Rodeo at 7 p.m. Saturday at State Fair Arena, NW 10 and May. Information: (800) 511-1552 or http://cowboysofcolorrodeo.com.
3. Get your adolescent some culture at the Teen Night Rooftop Party 2.0 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Friday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. The event will include interactive art in the galleries plus live performances by Friskee Collective, Balcum-Rancum Puppetry, Lauren Zuniga and Black Magic Animals. Information: 236-3100 or www.okcmoa.com.
4. Partake of Mexican appetizers and cocktails and dance the evening away during a 90-minute Cinco de Mayo Cruise on the Oklahoma River. The cruise sets sail at 7 p.m. Saturday from the Meridian Landing, 4345 S 15, but the party starts dockside at 5:30 p.m. Information: 702-7755 or www.okrivercruises.com.
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What to do in Oklahoma on May 4, 2012: Take your adolescent to the Teen Night Rooftop Party 2.0 at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Today’s featured event:
Get your adolescent some culture at the Teen Night Rooftop Party 2.0 from 7 to 10:30 tonight at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive.
OKCMOA’s teen council, Youth Arts Advocates, is presenting the end-of-school-year party, which will include pizza from Little Caesar’s and lots of prizes.
The event will feature live performances on the rooftop by Friskee Collective, Balcum-Rancum Puppetry, Lauren Zuniga and Black Magic Animals. In addition to the action on the roof terrace, the gallery floors will offer cool interactive art activities.
The theme is black and white, so teens can dress in their craziest black-and-white clothing or costumes.
Last fall, more than 400 teens took over the museum for Teen Night.
Admission is $3. For more information, call 236-3100 or go to www.okcmoa.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Oklahoma City Museum of Art planning trip to see new Chihuly exhibit at Dallas Arboretum
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is planning a travel tour to Dallas May 16 and 17 to see the new exhibit of Dale Chihuly glass art at the Dallas Arboretum.
The trip will include a chance to experience “Chihuly Nights at the Dallas Arboretum,” an opportunity to view the Chihuly exhibition in the evening glow of moonlight and tree lights with the artist’s magnificently lit sculptures.
Also included in the trip will be a special visit to the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth to view “The Age of Impressionism: Great French Paintings from the Clark.”
The Kimbell Art Museum is the sole American venue for this first-ever international touring exhibition of the renowned Impressionist collection of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mass. The 73 paintings in the exhibition include 21 Renoirs and six Monets, along with works by Degas, Manet, Pissarro, Sisley, Morisot, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec, and other prominent French painters of the period. Among them are some of the most familiar masterpieces of the Impressionist era.
The trip, accompanied by OKCMOA staff, features travel by luxury motor coach; accommodations at the Marriott Quorum in Dallas, with courtesy shuttle to the Galleria; a wine dinner at the Restaurant DeGolyer; breakfast buffet; and museum admission. Refreshments, wine, and a light supper will be served on the coach. Price per person is $349 double occupancy ($449 single occupancy).
Past excursions include Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Santa Fe, New York City, and Savannah, Georgia
For more information, please contact public programs at (405) 236-3100, ext. 231, or programs@okcmoa.com.
I’m heading down to Dallas this morning to see the new Chihuly exhibit at the arboretum. Look for my stories coming up soon!
-BAM
Oklahoma artists Desmond Mason and Nathan Lee to be featured tonight on OETA’s “Gallery”
Desmond Mason, former NBA player, talks about his painting, which he donated to Educare in Oklahoma City on Thursday, July 14, 2011. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman Archives
Basketball fans, before you tune in to TNT at 8:30 tonight to watch Game 3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Round 1 playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, watch OETA’s Emmy Award-winning arts documentary program “Gallery.”
Former NBA star Desmond Mason, who is now an artist, will be featured on the latest episode of “Gallery,” airing at 7:30 tonight on OETA. Former hip hop artist turned painter Nathan Lee also will be featured in the episode.
Mason played basketball for Oklahoma State University (my alma mater!) before spending 10 seasons in the NBA playing for Seattle, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Sacramento.
After retiring from the NBA in 2010, he is now focusing on art.
An artist since the age of 13, Mason got a degree in studio art from OSU and painted throughout his NBA career, with exhibits in his various home towns raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities, according to a news release.
Now he’s raising money for charities in his new home state.
“Gallery” spends a new day with Mason, giving viewers the chance to meet his family , see his new home and discover more about his life in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma-born Nathan Lee’s artistic career began in the hip hop culture on the streets of New York City, but now he’s back in the state and doing all he can to add color to Oklahoma’s creative tableau, including contributing his own artwork as well as running an outreach program for minority artists and mentoring talented teens.
According to NewsOK TV blogger Melissa Hayer, this episode of “Gallery” will show again twice during the month of May, at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 17, and at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 27.
And go Thunder!
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Oklahoma City University graduates Kelli O’Hara, Ron Raines earn Tony nominations
Two Oklahoma City University graduates have earned Tony Award nominations for their work during the 2011-12 Broadway season, reports The Oklahoman Fine Arts Editor Rick Rogers.
Kelli O’Hara, an Elk City native who was raised in Edmond, earned a Best Actress nod for her starring role as bootlegger Billie Bendix in the new Gershwin musical “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” The 1998 OCU grad was previously nominated for her work in “The Light in the Piazza,” “The Pajama Game” and “South Pacific.”
“It’s another wonderful surprise … never expected but always hoped for,” O’Hara said after learning about her fourth Tony nomination. “Feels like the cherry on top of an already indulgent dessert. It feels great!”
Ron Raines, a Texas native who earned a music degree from OCU in 1974, was honored with a Best Actor nomination for his role as Benjamin Stone in the 2011 revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies.” The production had a limited four-month Broadway run, but it will reopen Thursday and run through June 9 in Los Angeles.
Check out O’Hara and Raines in their Tony-nominated roles in this Wednesday Video Spotlight.
According to the Associated Press, 30 of 37 shows this season got at least one Tony Award nomination. The folks at “Once” had the most reasons to celebrate, as the musical based on the low-budget 2006 film about an unlikely romance between a Czech flower seller and an Irish street musician in Dublin earned a leading 11 nominations, including nods for best musical, for both its lead actors, its book, lighting, sound, choreography and its set, which offers the audience real drinks before the show in a replica pub.
Two musicals using George and Ira Gershwin songs — “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” and O’Hara’s “Nice Work If You Can Get It” — each got 10 nominations.
And “Peter and the Starcatcher,” a play about the origins of Peter Pan co-produced by Disney Theatrical Productions earned nine nominations, while Disney’s energetic song-and-dance musical “Newsies” got eight nods.
The fall revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies,” starring Raines, got eight nominations.
The nominations, picked by 22 theatre professionals, were announced Tuesday by Tony-winning Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth and “The Big Bang Theory” star Jim Parsons. The actual awards will be broadcast on CBS from the Beacon Theatre on June 10. Neil Patrick Harris, the star of “How I Met Your Mother,” will be the host.
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