What to do in Oklahoma on May 2, 2013: Hear James McCartney at the Blue Door (with video)
Today’s featured event:
Hear James McCartney at 8 tonight at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show is part of the celebrated listening room’s 20th anniversary month.
Following a year that introduced him to international success in 2012, James McCartney now is working towards an exciting and unprecedented 2013, a year in which he is releasing first full-length album and embarking on the 47-date, 27-state tour of the USA that will include the Blue Door. His U.S. tour will be followed by a number of additional shows and appearances across Europe.
McCartney, 35, the son of former Beatle Paul McCartney, is fresh off the release of his two digital-only EPs, “Available Light” and “Close At Hand,” as well as his first physical release, “The Complete EP Collection,” a special two-disc package that includes the debut EPs in their entirety along with five bonus tracks.
Now, McCartney is set to release his first full-length album, “Me,” May 21 on ECR Music Group, according to a news release.
“For my first album I wanted to make a record that would be intimate, deeply personal, and honest,” says McCartney in the release. “An album that would say, ‘This is who I am… both musically and personally. This is me.’”
The U.S. tour to accompany the release of “Me” reflects this singular idea. The tour began April 6, and McCartney is visiting 47 cities coast to coast performing a unique solo-acoustic show in intimate and elegant listening rooms throughout the country. Accompanying himself on guitar and piano, McCartney’s soaring vocals, songwriting, and musicianship will take center stage in this distinctive and powerful setting.
The success of “The Complete EP Collection” in 2012 catapulted McCartney to national awareness in America with his U.S. television debut on “The Late Show With David Letterman.” McCartney followed with his first short tour of North America. Of McCartney’s performances, The NY Daily News writes: “An infectious set . . . [He] has clearly forged a winning sound of his own.” The Boston Globe adds: “. . . The younger McCartney’s promising pop-rock tunes make clear he’s learned a few lessons about melody, phrasing, and charm.”
Looking forward to the thrilling year ahead and the next phase of his career, McCartney’s goals are clear. “Some artists are happy doing the same thing again and again, but my favorite artists are the ones who evolve and grow, and I want to be one of them,” he says in the release.
For more information on James McCartney’s OKC show, go to www.bluedoorokc.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on May 1, 2013: Watch the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Houston Rockets in Game 5 (with video)
Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant (35) goes between Houston’s Carlos Delfino (10) and Omer Asik (3) for a dunk during Game 4 in the first round of the NBA playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas,Sunday, April 29, 2013. Oklahoma City lost 105-103. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Today’s featured event:
Watch the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series. Tip-off is at 8:30 tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W Reno.
The game will air on TNT and Fox Sports Oklahoma.
The Thunder lead the series 3-1 and look to clinch it tonight.
For more information, go to www.nba.com/thunder.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
Thunder up!
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 30, 2013: Hear Is/Is at The Conservatory
Is/Is
Today’s featured event:
Hear Minneapolis witchgaze trio Is/Is at 8:30 tonight at The Conservatory, 8911 N Western.
Feel Spectres and Power Pyramid also are on the bill for tonight’s show.
For more information, go to www.conservatoryokc.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 29, 2013: Hear NeedtoBreathe at Tulsa’s Brady Theater
Today’s featured event:
TULSA – Hear South Carolina rockers Needtobreathe at 8 tonight at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. Special guests Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors will open the show.
For more information, go to www.bradytheater.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 28, 2013: Hear the Deftones at the Diamond Ballroom
Today’s featured event:
Hear the Deftones at 8 tonight at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Special guest Everybody Panic! will open the show.
For more information, go to www.diamondballroom.net.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 27, 2013: Hear Shawna Russell and LiveWire at The Vanguard in Tulsa
Shawna Russell
Today’s featured event:
TULSA – Oklahoma female country Rocker Shawna Russell and Joplin, Mo.-based country band LiveWire will co-headline in concert at 8 tonight at The Vanguard, 222 N Main. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show will be Russell’s second at The Vanguard this year.
Russell’s unique vocal style has been compared to Stevie Nicks and Martina McBride and she possesses impressive skills on the electric slide guitar akin to Bonnie Raitt. Her music blurs the lines between Country, Red Dirt, Americana, Pop and Rock music and she blends those influences into a show that appeals to a wide range of ages. Since 2008, Russell, who hails from Okemah, OK, has released two critically acclaimed albums which have produced a string of charted singles in the U.S. and Europe, including “Should’ve Been Born With Wheels,” “Fire In The Desert,” “Get Right Or Get Left,” “Waitin’ On Sunrise” and “Sounds Like A Party.” Her music has been singled out for praise by some of the top music industry critics and publications in the world, including Country Weekly, MusicRow, Maverick, and many others. Russell’s busy touring schedule has included recent performances with Randy Rogers Band, Dustin Lynch, Rick Springfield and others.
LiveWire has been performing together for over a decade and recently released its debut album, LIVIN,’ which has won critical acclaim from Music News Nashville, CMA Close Up, Roughstock, and other tastemakers in the music industry. LiveWire’s edgy sound has been likened to the Marshall Tucker Band, Hank Jr. and Charlie Daniels – with harmonies reminiscent of Rascal Flatts. With the release of several successful U.S. and European singles including “Tater Fed,” “Miracle Of The Human Spirit,” “Gone” “and Lies,” LiveWire’s homegrown style of Southern Country Rock has been embraced by contemporary Country audiences and appeals to red dirt music fans as well. LiveWire has appeared in concert with Kix Brooks, Casey Donahew, Diamond Rio and others.
Both Russell and LiveWire are signed to Way Out West Records, an Oklahoma and Nashville-based company co-founded by Russell in 2008.
General admission tickets to the all-ages concert are $10 and may be purchased in advance online at www.thevanguardtulsa.com or at the door.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 26, 2013: Hear Bob Livingston at Norman’s Midway Deli
Bob Livingston
Today’s featured event:
NORMAN – Hear Texas singer-songwriter Bob Livingston of The Lost Gonzo Band fame at tonight at the Midway Deli, 601 W Eufaula Street. Almost Outlaws will open the free show, set for 6 to 9 p.m.
To celebrate the nearby Norman Music Festival, Midway Deli also will offer free concerts from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The lineup will include North Meets South, Carter Sampson, Mare Wakefield, Susan Herndon and Camille Harp.
Concerts will be inside the Midway Deli with food and drinks offered outside on the patio, and the venue is within walking distance of the NMF.
For more information, go to www.facebook.com/midwaydeli.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 25, 2013: Norman Music Festival 6 begins today
Hear Allie Lauren at 8 p.m. on theTres Indoor stage at the Norman Music Festival.
Today’s featured event:
NORMAN – The sixth annual Norman Music Festival kicks off at 6 p.m. today, with more than 200 bands appearing on 22 stages through Saturday in downtown Norman.
The Joy Formidable, the Welsh noise-pop band led by singer Ritzy Bryan, will be this year’s headliner, performing at 9:30 p.m. Saturday on the Main Stage, near the corner of Porter Avenue and Main Street on the east side of downtown. Other acts performing on the main stage include Big Sam’s Funky Nation, King Khan & BBQ Show, Mike Dillon, Josh Sallee, The Grown Ups, Defining Times and Feathered Rabbit.
The Sailor Jerry Stage, devoted to roots-oriented performers, will be headlined by JD McPherson at 8:15 p.m. Saturday. The stage’s schedule is rounded out by Jonathan Tyler and Northern Lights, Ramsay Midwood, Samantha Crain, Beau Jennings & the Tigers, Elephant Revival, The O’s and Kyle Reid.
Thursday performances will take place mostly at indoor venues, with shows continuing until 2 a.m. Friday. Admission is free for all shows. For more information, go to www.normanmusicfestival.com.
See Thursday’s NMF6 schedule (in reverse chronological order) after the break.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 24, 2013: See “West Side Story” at the Civic Center Music Hall (video)
Today’s featured event:
Catch the national touring production of “West Side Story” at 7:30 p.m. today and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. Information: (800) 869-1451 or www.celebrityattractions.com.
Loosely based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” “West Side Story” transformed the Montagues and Capulets into the Jets and Sharks, rival New York City gangs. Star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet were recast as Tony and Maria, reports The Oklahoman Fine Arts Editor Rick Rogers.
The 1957 original was groundbreaking in its blending of narrative, music and choreography. Directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, “West Side Story” used dance not only to create mood, but also to illustrate the gangs’ escalating tensions. The success of the 2009 Broadway revival prompted a national touring production.
To read more of Rick’s preview feature, click here.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 23, 2013: Hear Justin Townes Earle and Samantha Crain at ACM@UCO Performance Lab
Justin Townes Earle
Today’s featured event:
Hear Americana singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle at 8 tonight at the ACM@UCO Performance Lab, 329 E Sheridan.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Oklahoma singer-songwriter Samantha Crain will open the show.
For tickets and information, go to www.facebook.com/ACM.UCO or www.ticketstorm.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
