Billy Joel-Elton John Oklahoma City concert rescheduled for Feb. 25
Elton John and Billy Joel
The Billy Joel and Elton John Face 2 Face concert originally scheduled for Nov. 25 at Oklahoma City’s Ford Center has been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25.
All tickets currently held for the originally scheduled Face 2 Face concert on Nov. 25 at the Ford Center will be valid for the rescheduled Feb. 25 concert. If necessary, refunds are available at point of purchase.
For more information, go to www.okfordcenter.com.
- BAM
CD review: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, “Night Castle”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Rock
Trans-Siberian Orchestra “Night Castle” (Atlantic Records)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra makes its theatrical return to new music with the double-album “Night Castle,” a rock opera about hope and hate, love and war, redemption and forgiveness.
Since the symphonic-rock holiday harbingers have continued to tour often, especially around Christmastime, it may seem that TSO never left. But “Night Castle” is the orchestra’s first new album since its 2004 best-seller “The Lost Christmas Eve” and its first non-holiday offering since 2000’s “Beethoven’s Last Night.”
For diehard fans, the long-awaited “Night Castle” seems sure to thrill, since it practically pulses with all the drama, scope and sheer musicianship of the 60-piece orchestra, full rock band and stable of big-voiced singers. By the same token, the two-disc effort seems unlikely to win over detractors, since the 26-track album is given to bombastic excess, including several songs that run nearly five minutes or longer.
“Night Castle” offers a charming and sometimes gritty fantasy about love at first sight, mysterious castles, noble drug dealers and innocent children. Set in the 1970s, the engaging narrative follows Lt. William Crozier (voiced too harshly by former Journey singer Jeff Scott Soto) as he goes off to fight the Khmer Rouge in Killing Fields of Cambodia.
The album has its musical highlights, including Dina Fanai’s angelic vocals on “Night Enchanted,” the touching “Remnants of a Lullaby” and the low-key instrumental “Embers.” Other songs, such as the powerful but nearly 11-minute “Epiphany,” have potential but lack restraint.
The record features five bonus tracks, including a souped-up cover of Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s holiday contribution “Nutrocker,” with Greg Lake on bass. Fans are sure to hear it live when TSO performs Dec. 20 at the Ford Center.
— BAM
Weekend Warmup for Nov. 20-22, 2009
Wanda Jackson (Associated Press photo)
Here is a list of events happening around Oklahoma today-Sunday (Nov. 20-22, 2009). For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
- Hear Wanda Jackson, Brian Dunning and the Rock & Roll Trio Saturday at the 50th anniversary celebration for 66 Bowl, 3810 NW 39 Expressway. The party goes on from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, 59 cent specials on bowling, shoes, hot dogs, soft drinks. Doors reopen at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. concert. Information: 946-3966.
- Take in hands-on art activities, face painting, live performances from the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and more at the Fall Family Festival celebrating the special exhibit “The Dutch Italianates” from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. Information: 236-3100 or www.okcmoa.com.
- Watch the musical “Little House on the Prairie,” presented by Celebrity Attractions, at 8 tonight, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: (800) 869-1451 or www.celebrityattractions.com.
Hinder
- MIAMI – Hear Oklahoma City rockers Hinder at 8 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo Run Casino. Information: www.ticketstorm.com.
- THACKERVILLE – Laugh along with Ron White at 9 tonight at WinStar World Casino. Then, hear Lyle Lovett at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
NORMAN — Listen the Gin Blossoms at 8 tonight at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: 322-6464 or www.riverwind.com.
- Hear Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter Michael Fracasso at 9 tonight at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Information: 524-0738 or www.bluedoorokc.com.
“Raiders of the Lost Ark”
- NORMAN — Learn more about the state’s winter birds and build a birdfeeder from 6 to 8:30 tonight during Family Night Out at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave. At 8:30, the museum’s Movie Night will play “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Information: 325-4712 or www.snomnh.ou.edu.
- Share tales of “Sibling Rivalry” at OKC StorySlam’s monthly story slam tonight at Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western Ave. Registration starts at 7 p.m., and storytelling begins at 7:30. Information: www.istvangallery.com or okcstoryslam@yahoo.com.
- Hear No Justice with Kyle Bennett Band at 10 tonight at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Or listen to Kevin Fowler with Kevin Pickett and Southern Rain at 10 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog. Information: www.wormydog.com.
Gary Vaynerchuk
- Listen to social media sommelier Gary Vaynerchuk and sample gourmet food and drink at OK Crush It at 8 tonight at Will Rogers Theater, 4322 N Western. Information: www.okcrushit.com.
- Watch the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Washington Wizards at 7 tonight at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. Information: www.thunder.nba.com.
- Shop for a good cause at Individual Artists of Oklahoma’s Red Dot Art Auction fundraiser from 7 to 11 tonight at IAO, 706 W Sheridan. The auction will feature artwork by more than 50 Oklahoma artists. Information: www.iaogallery.org.
- Watch the American Quarter Horse Show from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and Saturday at State Fair Park. Information: www.aqha.com or www.okstatefairpark.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 20, 2009
Today’s featured event:
Hear Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter Michael Fracasso at 9 tonight at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley.
For more information, call 524-0738 or go to www.bluedoorokc.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Oklahoma City’s first IMAX screen lights up Friday, grand opening planned for “Avatar”
Oklahoma City’s first IMAX theater will become operational Friday, showing the high-tech holiday adaptation “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” reports The Oklahoman Business Writer Jennifer Palmer.
One of the 24 auditoriums in the AMC theater at Quail Springs Mall has been converted to an IMAX theater, complete with a larger, curved screen, the latest sound system and digital projector. To convert the auditorium, several rows of the front seats also were removed, reducing capacity from about 525 to 450.
Tickets will cost $4 for IMAX films than for regular movies, Jennifer reports. Movies shown in the IMAX theater also will be featured in a regular auditorium.
The Quail Springs theater will be the only AMC IMAX in the Oklahoma City market, an IMAX spokesman told Jennifer. Tulsa has boasted an IMAX theater for a few years, but the new auditorium will be Oklahoma City’s first IMAX outlet.
The grand opening for the Quail Springs IMAX auditorium will be Dec. 18, to coincide with the debut of James Cameron’s long-awaited sci-fi adventure “Avatar.”
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 19, 2009
Today’s featured event:
NORMAN - Hear Oklahoma band the Turnpike Troubadours at 10 tonight at The Deli, 309 White Street.
For more on the band, go to www.myspace.com/turnpiketroubadours. For more information on the show, go to www.thedeli.us.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Sam Noble Museum prepares for holiday food, gift drive
Visitors to the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History can bring donations of gifts and non-perishable foods Nov. 27-Dec. 3 and enter a drawing for a $50 gift card to the museum store. The drive will benefit Norman nonprofit Food and Shelter for Friends. (Photo by Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman Archives)
Richard Hanley, kitchen manager at Food and Shelter for Friends in Norman prepares turkeys for the nonprofit’s 2008 Thanksgiving dinner. The Sam Noble Museum of Natural History will begin a food and gift drive on behalf of the nonprofit Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. (Photo by Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman Archives)
NORMAN – Many charitable organizations face difficulties in times of economic hardship, and the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History is helping to boost holiday donations to a local charity with a collection drive.
According to a news release, the museum will be collecting donations of gifts and non-perishable food items for Food and Shelter for Friends Nov. 27-Dec. 3.
For 10 years, the museum has collected donations for the Norman-based Food and Shelter for Friends during the annual Holiday Happening, a community event at the museum scheduled this year from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 3. In recent years, the museum has extended the donation period to allow museum visitors two weeks to contribute to the annual collection, resulting in a marked increase in donations.
The gifts will be distributed at Food and Shelter for Friends’ annual holiday party for the families and individuals who are under their care. Donations can be brought to the museum any time during regular museum hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Every item donated at the museum will earn the donor an entry into a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate to Excavations, the museum store. The drawing will take place at 8 p.m. on Dec. 3, during Holiday Happening. Entrants must be present to win.
Food and Shelter for Friends is a nonprofit organization that maintains eight shelters for homeless individuals and families in Norman. The organization also provides free community lunches, assistance with rent and utility payments, children’s programs and other services to help prevent homelessness and help the needy in Norman to achieve independence.
The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is located on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus. For more information, call 325-4712 or go to www.snomnh.ou.edu.
-BAM
Ghostlight Theatre Club to have auditions for “The Real Thing”
Playwright and screenwriter Tom Stoppard (Associated Press photo)
Ghostlight Theatre Club will conduct auditions in December for its next production, Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Thing,” directed by by Christopher Rodgers.
Auditions will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 at Ghostlight Theatre, 3110 N. Walker Ave. Callbacks are set for 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, according to a news release. Parking is available at Edgemere Elementary School.
The show will run March 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, with rehearsals starting Feb. 1.
Stoppard’s “The Real Thing” is a multiple Tony Award-winning Broadway smash. The play focuses on Henry, who, much like Stoppard, is a successful playwright. Henry is married to an actress, Charlotte, who is playing the lead in his current play; he has fallen in love with another actress, Annie, for whom he soon leaves Charlotte. But is his new love ‘‘the real thing?’’ Underlying the major themes of love and adultery are related concerns: Does art influence life? Can life imitate art (the converse of the proverb ‘‘art imitates life’’)? Must art have a political and social value, as many people continually argue, or can it stand alone, as art for art’s sake? Stoppard argues that intellectuals are taking political expression for literature, and he makes a strong case that art should be valued for its aesthetic merits alone.
Audiences in the 1960s and ’70s delighted in Stoppard’s wit and cleverness, although they occasionally questioned whether the playwright could apply his genius to real-life problems such as love and passion. “The Real Thing” ended such speculation and confirmed Stoppard’s reputation for stylistic experimentalism and innovation.
All roles are available, and ages are not important, according to the release. British accents may be used in this production. Though it is not a requirement, please be prepared to try an accent at auditions. Here are the roles:
- Annie is an actress who is married to Max but is conducting an affair with Henry.
- Billy is a young actor who falls in love with Annie.
- Brodie is an ungrateful and chauvinistic man who loves Annie.
Charlotte is the lead actress in Henry’s new play, “House of Cards.” She is also Henry’s wife.
- Debbie is Henry and Charlotte’s world-wise 17-year old daughter.
- Henry, a successful London playwright, is the play’s protagonist. Henry is married to Charlotte, the lead actress in his current play “House of Cards,” but he’s having an affair with Annie.
- Max is the lead actor in Henry’s new play, “House of Cards,” and is married to Annie.
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Perusal sides will be available for check out after Thanksgiving weekend. Call 286-9412 for more information.
Actors are asked to bring a resume and headshot to the audition. If you do not have a head shot, a digital photo will be taken of you before you sign in. Also, be prepared to list any conflicts you might have during the rehearsal and performance period at the auditions.
For more information, go to www.ghostlightokc.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 18, 2009
Lana Henson as Operina the Lady Bug, Elizabeth Brooks as Tutu the Ballerina and Christi Knight as Latricia the Spider in the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre production of “Bah Hum Bug,” opening at 11 a.m. today. (Photo by Roger Klock)
Today’s featured event:
Watch Oklahoma Children’s Theatre’s production of “Bah Hum Bug,” a version of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” told from a rat’s point of view, at 11 a.m. today at Children’s Center for the Arts on the Oklahoma City University campus, 2501 N Blackwelder Ave.
As Ebenezer Scrooge leaves his office on Christmas Eve, the creatures that inhabit it scurry out and play out their own redemption tale. Bob Cratchant ,an overworked worker ant; Tutu the fluttering Moth; Laticia the overly dramatic spider; Operina the singing squirrel; and Marlin the seafaring mouse join together to teach Mr. Scrounge the true meaning of friendship and family.
The play is recommended for elementary and middle school students.
The play opens today with performances through Dec.13. Showtimes are 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, go to www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 17, 2009
This undated image provided by the Guthrie Theater shows Melissa Gilbert, left, as Caroline “Ma” Ingalls and Kara Lindsay as Laura Ingalls, in a scene in the world premiere of the musical “Little House On The Prairie,” at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minn. (Associated Press photo)
Today’s featured event:
Watch the musical “Little House on the Prairie,” presented by Celebrity Attractions, at 7:30 tonight at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker.
Melissa Gilbert, who played the role of Laura for 10 years on the beloved TV series, is again portraying part of the Ingalls family, this time appearing as Ma.
“When I played Laura, I was a child myself,” Gilbert recently told The Oklahoman’s Fine Arts Editor Rick Rogers. “Laura was just me in that dress. Coming back to it now is like coming home. It really keys into all of the things that people hold dear: family, love, community and faith. For me, it’s coming full circle.”
Read more of Rick’s feature on the show by clicking here.
Gilbert, 45, missed her Saturday and Sunday performances in Tulsa after being taken to a Tulsa hospital after Friday’s show because of an apparent back problem. According to NewsOn6.com, Gilbert has been released from the hospital, and Celebrity Attractions’ Larry Payton said she plans to go on with the show.
Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at Oklahoma City’s Civic Center.
For more information, call (800) 869-1451 or go to www.celebrityattractions.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
