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
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
Friday Featured Track for Nov. 13, 2009: A song from Carney, AKA Spider-Man’s band
Carney
Reeve Carney (Associated Press photo)
The song that has been on my brain the most this week:
- “Testify,” Carney, from www.myspace.com/carneytheband.
Truth be told, I’ve had just the general blues-rock sound of Los Angeles-based band Carney going through my head all week. I’ll pinpoint “Testify” in particular because it’s my favorite of their songs, a sonic trip that sounds just a bit as if someone mashed together Metallica’s “Ronnie” and Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.”
Of course, the reason this song and Carney’s music in general has been jamming its way through my head is simple: Lead singer Reeve Carney was announced last week as the choice to play the title role in the upcoming Broadway musical “Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark.” According to the Associated Press, the production is set to open sometime in 2010. It will be directed by Julie Taymor of “The Lion King” fame and features a score by Bono and The Edge of U2.
The lavish show has had a troubled history, with work on the musical stopped for last summer because of financial difficulties, according to the AP. But the producers have said financing is in place now.
Reeve Carney has a great soulful voice, so it’s easy to imagine him as a singing-and-web-slinging Peter Parker. The California vocalist became a finalist for the role after Taymor cast him as Ferdinand in her upcoming film version of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” said Zane Carney, the band’s guitarist and Reeve’s younger brother. She invited Reeve to audition for the movie after seeing one of the band’s gig.
When I spoke to Zane over the summer, he said the bandmates weren’t sure when their debut album on Interscope would be released since Reeve was a finalist for the Spider-Man role.
“Those things are pretty crucial and are obviously big exposure things for our band, so I think Interscope is trying to wait to see if he gets Spider-Man. And then if he does … they might want to wait until Spider-Man starts,” Zane Carney said. “But I would hope it would be within in the next six to eight months.”
In the meantime, the band has a single called “Love Me Chase Me” out on iTunes and will be looking forward to watching its frontman swing onto a Broadway stage.
And check out this fan-shot video of the band performing an extended jam version of “Testify” live:
-BAM
Photo gallery: Ed Asner visits Oklahoma City elementary school
Emmy Award-winning actor Ed Asner talks to students at Oklahoma City’s Hillcrest Elementary School last Friday. (Photos by Paul B. Southerland/The Oklahoman)
Emmy Award-winning actor Ed Asner visited Oklahoma City’s Hillcrest Elementary School on Friday. Asner is best known for his role in “Mary Tyler Moore,” but most of the kids there probably knew him for his parts in the film “Elf” and as the voice of Carl in the Disney/Pixar film “Up.”
Asner was in town for a one-night performance in his one-man show “FDR.” While at the school, he took questions from the youngsters.
According to The Oklahoman’s Jesse Olivarez, Asner, 79, visited the school at Principal Betsy Davidson’s request. Davidson is the granddaughter of the late Edward Ellis, a former teacher and football coach at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kan.
Asner is a former student of Ellis and described him as “one of the finest men in my life.”
Click here to read Jesse’s story about Asner’s visit. And check out these photos by The Oklahoman’s Paul B. Southerland.
“Up” comes out on DVD Tuesday; look for my review in the coming days.
Ed Asner takes a question from a student.
Hillcrest Elementary students ask questions of actor Ed Asner.
Asner listens to a student’s question.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup for Nov. 6-8, 2009
Rodney Atkins
Here is a list of events happening this weekend (Nov. 6-8) around Oklahoma. For more information, go to www.wimgo.com.
- NORMAN – Catch country star Rodney Atkins at 8 tonight at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: www.riverwind.com.
- SHAWNEE — Hear “American Idol” David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, at 7 tonight at Firelake Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: 964-7263 or www.firelakegrand.com.
- Take in art, food and music at the sixth annual Girlie Show from 8 to midnight tonight and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Farmers Public Market, 311 S Klein. Information: www.thegirlieshow.net.
Classical Mystery Tour
- Watch the Oklahoma City Philharmonic perform with Beatles tribute band Classical Mystery Tour at 8 tonight and Saturday at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. Information: 842-5387 or www.okcphilharmonic.org.
- TULSA and THACKERVILLE — Listen to country star Alan Jackson and up-and-coming band Gloriana at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com. Or catch Jackson in concert at 9 tonight at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
- See new art – from small works exhibits to a container show – during the monthly Paseo Gallery Walk in the Paseo Arts District. Hours are 6 to 10 tonight and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Information: 525-2688 or www.thepaseo.com.
- Hear Chevelle with Halestorm and After Midnight Project at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave. Information: www.diamondballroom.net.
Billie Letts
- SHAWNEE - Hear Tulsa author Billie Letts (”Where the Heart Is”) give the keynote address at the 2009 Red Dirt Book Festival on today and Saturday. Letts will speak at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Raley Chapel at Oklahoma Baptist University. Multiple writing workshops, special programs and panel discussions with authors and editors will be included in the two-day book festival that’s sponsored by Pioneer Library System. The festival opens at 9 a.m. today. Letts and other featured authors will close out the festival with a book signing at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Geiger Center on OBU’s campus. To register for the free festival (which is required) or get more information, go to www.reddirtbookfestival.org.
- Listen to Billy Joe Winghead, Bloody Ol’ Mule, the Starkweather Boys and more from noon Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday at “Drumming for Derek,” a benefit for Oklahoma City drummer Derek Dugger, who has brain cancer. The event will be at 66 Bowl, 3810 NW 39 Expressway. Information: 946-3966.
- MIAMI – Catch the Casey Donahew Band in concert at 7 tonight at Buffalo Run Casino. Information: www.buffalorun.com.
“Frankenstein”
- Watch Oklahoma Children’s Theatre and TheatreOCU’s production of “Frankenstein” at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. today, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in Oklahoma City University’s Burg Theatre, 2501 N Blackwelder. The production is recommended for middle school and high school students. Information: www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org.
- TULSA – Hear Rob Zombie with Nekromantix and Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady Street. Information: www.bradytheater.com.
- See a Tribute to Woody Guthrie at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Also, hear Don Conoscenti at 9 tonight and John Fullbright at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Blue Door. Information: www.bluedoorokc.com.
- Watch Red Dirt Improv perform “Music, Mayhem, and Mamet” starting at 7 tonight at IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan. Information: www.reddirtimprov.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 1, 2009
Today’s featured event:
Watch Lyric Theatre’s staging of the Stephen Sondheim favorite “Sweeney Todd” at 3 p.m. today at Lyric at the Plaza, 1725 NW 16.
For more information, call 524-9312 or go to www.lyrictheatreokc.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Oct. 30, 2009
Margaret Frankenstein (Elyana Rodzon) plays with The Creature (Robby Gibbons) in the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre/Theatre OCU production of “Frankenstein.”
Today’s featured event:
See Oklahoma Children’s Theatre and Theatre OCU’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel “Frankenstein” at 11 a.m. or 7:30 p.m. today at Oklahoma City University’s Burg Theatre, 2501 N Blackwelder Ave. The play is recommended for children older than 12 years of age.
Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday and then resume Thursday-Nov. 8.
For more information, call 951-0011 or go to www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup for Oct. 23-25, 2009
Bob Dylan (Associated Press photo)
Here is a list of events happening around Oklahoma this weekend (Oct. 23-25, 2009). For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
- TULSA — Hear legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady Street. Information: (918) 582-7239 or www.bradytheater.com.
- Browse a vast array of antiques, collectibles, clothing and more at “An Affair of the Heart.” The arts and crafts show will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in seven buildings at State Fair Park, NW 10 and May. Information: (800) 755-5488 or www.aaoth.com.
- Hear Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers at 8 tonight at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Or listen to Jackson Taylor with Back Porch Mary at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog. Information: www.wormydog.com.
Emily Skinner (Mrs. Lovett) and Jeff McCarthy ( Sweeney Todd) head the cast of the Lyric at the Plaza production of “ Sweeney Todd.” (Photo by Wendy Mutz)
- Watch Lyric Theatre open its 2009-10 season with “Sweeney Todd” at 8 tonight, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Lyric at the Plaza, 1725 NW 16. Information: 524-9312 or www.lyrictheatreokc.com.
- Listen to … And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead with Future Of The Left and Callupsie at 8 tonight at The Conservatory, 8911 N Western. Information: Information: www.conservatoryokc.com.
- NORMAN — Venture into the world of Sasquatch when forensic artist Harvey Pratt participates in a lecture, book signing and art exhibit opening reception titled “They Walk Among Us — Bigfoot: Bewitched and Bedeviled” from 7 to 10 tonight at Tribes 131 Gallery, 131 24 Ave. NW. Information: 329-4442.
- MIAMI – Hear Jack Ingram at 7 tonight at Buffalo Run Casino. Information: www.buffalorun.com.
Alfonso Martin and Karina Gonzalez head the cast of the Tulsa Ballet production of “ Dracula.”
- See the Tulsa Ballet’s performances of “Dracula” at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: (918) 749-6030 or www.tulsaballet.com.
- Listen to Built to Spill with Dinosaur Jr. and Lou Barlow & the Missing Men at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave. Information: www.diamondballroom.net.
- Celebrate Halloween with “light not fright” at the annual Magic Lantern Celebration from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the Paseo Arts District, between NW 28 and Walker and NW 30 and Dewey. The family event includes costume making, a costume parade, live music and dancing. It is free but donations will be accepted. Information: 525-2688 or www.thepaseo.com.
Hundreds of torch-bearing skeletons walk in the 2008 “Ghouls Gone Wild” Halloween parade in downtown Oklahoma City. (Photo by Jaconna Aguirre/The Oklahoman Archives)
- See The Flaming Lips’ “March of 1,000 Skeletons” and other spooky spectres in the third annual “Ghouls Gone Wild” Halloween parade, which will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday in downtown. After the parade, Stardeath and White Dwarfs will perform a free outdoor show at about 9:30 p.m. across the street from TAP Architecture, 415 N Broadway Ave. Information: www.ghoulsgonewildokc.com.
- TULSA – Catch Drive-By Truckers with James McMurtry in concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main. Or hear Mute Math with Tall as Lions at 7 p.m. Saturday at Cain’s. (Mute Math and Tall as Lions will play the Diamond Ballroom in OKC on Tuesday as well.) Information: www.cainsballroom.com.
- EL RENO - Hear Stone Temple Pilots at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Lucky Star Casino Concho, 7777 N Highway 81, El Reno. Information: www.luckystarcasino.org.
- Take in ’50s-inspired music and fashion at the “Rockabilly Weekend,” which begins tonight at the Oklahoma History Center, 2401 N Laird Ave., as part of an ongoing series of events recognizing the state’s rock ‘n’ roll roots. Doors open at 7 tonight. Performances will begin with The Beltline and then the Stark Weather Boys, who also will perform with headliner Clyde Stacy. A ’50s fashion show will be presented by The Velvet Monkey Salon. At 10 a.m. Saturday, a classic car show will take place outdoors, and games for children such as hula hoops, jump rope and bubble-blowing will be offered inside. People who want to register a car can call the center and get a free ticket for tonight’s concert. Information: 522-0780.
-BAM
