A tribute to ‘The Freakshow’
Cheryl Bulmer gets a hug from a wrestler before a match by members of Sooner World Class Wrestling at the historic Yale Theater in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in south Oklahoma City on Saturday, July 23, 2011. Bulmer's son Dallas Bulmer, who wrestled under the name Crisstopher "The Freakshow" Crow, died in a car accident on June 22, 2011. Saturday's show was the third of three tribute shows dedicated to Bulmer. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
This was going to be Dallas Bulmer’s night. They’d planned it for months. Bulmer’s character Crisstopher “The Freakshow” Crow was supposed to take the spotlight during a cage match at the end of a show by Sooner World Class Wresting. Instead, his friends gathered around the ring for a ten-bell salute as they started the third of three tribute matches dedicated to him.
Dallas Bulmer was killed in a car wreck on June 22, 2011. He was 21 years old.
“We’re going to put on the show that we think he would want to see,” said Dallas’ brother Brandan Bulmer, who wrestles under the name Drake Gallows. Brandan and two of his brother’s friends talked about Dallas and Saturday night’s show as they stood outside the historic Yale Theater in the Capitol Hill neighborhood south of downtown Oklahoma City.
“It’s not just a show that he would be proud of… He would expect no less,” said Brandan. “We’re gonna (expletive) bust ass today just because I know that’s what he would do.”
The lights above the ring and the room full of people only intensified the sweltering, relentless heat inside the old theater. After a Battle Royal to start the show, wrestlers spilled out into the alley behind the theater to sit in the evening shade. As the metal doors to the alley swung open, Drake Gallows and two other wrestlers talked about what they’d do in the upcoming cage match. Chants from the crowd drifted into the alley: “Freakshow, Freakshow, Freakshow…”
Brandan Bulmer, who wrestles under the name "Drake Gallows" poses between matches during a show by members of Sooner World Class Wrestling on Saturday, July 23, 2011. Bulmer's brother Dallas Bulmer, who wrestled under the name Crisstopher "The Freakshow" Crow, died in a car accident on June 22, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Brandan Bulmer, who wrestles under the name "Drake Gallows," talks with other wrestlers, including Eric Torres (left) who wrestles under the name "Rick Russo." They critique their show and plan the next match during a show by members of Sooner World Class Wrestling on Saturday, July 23, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Brandan Bulmer, who wrestles under the name "Drake Gallows" (right) flips Kevin Mowery, who portrays wrestler Kevin Sanchez, over the rings during a show by members of Sooner World Class Wrestling. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
A camp without limits
Shaylin Wells, age 12, of Jenks, Okla., gets rolled around in a padded tube during a summer class camp at Mat Trotters Gymnastics in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. Oklahomans Without Limits (OWL) is a summer camp for kids who are blind or visually impaired. The camp pairs each visually impaired child with a sighted buddy for the week long camp. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
I take my daughter to gymnastics class every week. As soon as she walks in and sees the equipment and the coaches, she can’t wait to get her shoes off and get into the gym. At first, it was a very different experience for a group of children who visited Mat Trotters Gymnastics in Oklahoma City on Wednesday. The kids, who are blind or visually impaired, visited the gym as part of the Oklahomans Without Limits summer camp. Some of the kids had never been to an overnight camp or a gymnastics gym before and couldn’t see what awaited them.
They walked gingerly on the soft, carpeted floors and felt of the balance beams and the padded obstacles. Before long, and with help from their sighted “buddies,” the campers were accustomed to their surroundings and having fun. They rode zip lines, jumped into foam pits and walked on the balance beams. But the most heartwarming moments happened when the campers were able to “fly” while strapped into a harness and hoisted into the air. That’s when I saw some familiar expressions of joy.
You can read the story by clicking here, or you can see more images from the Oklahomans Without Limits summer camp by clicking here.
Kane Barton, age 16, of Oklahoma City, who is visually impaired, "flies" in a harness at Mat Trotters Gymnastics in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. Oklahomans Without Limits (OWL) is a summer camp for kids who are blind or visually impaired. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Unpublished Fashion Show
Marjorie Maupin (foreground) takes pictures as she and other guests watch models walk down the runway during a fashion show called Insight, a celebration of Culture and Style at National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
I had fun photographing a fashion show a few weeks ago. I’ve had fashion show assignments before, but never one that was this organized. As usual, I left my strobes in the trunk of the car and tried to take advantage of the interesting, and sometimes difficult, available light in the room. There’s not going to be room for these pictures in the newspaper, so I’ll show a few here.
The show, which was held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, featured modern styles inspired by traditional Afghan and Rwandan attire. Students from Oklahoma State University designed and created some of the clothing featured in the show. All proceeds from the event benefit The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women and their program called Peace Through Business.
You can see more pictures by Staff Photographers at The Oklahoman by following this link, or take a look at what’s in the Mood section of NewsOK.com.
A guest gets a close look at clothing desgned by and OSU student during a fashion show called Insight, a celebration of Culture and Style at National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
A model walks down the runway during a fashion show called Insight, a celebration of Culture and Style at National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. The show featured modern styles inspired by traditional Afghan and Rwandan attire. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
A model walks down the runway during a fashion show called Insight, a celebration of Culture and Style at National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Kimberly McCullough carries a dress designed by an OSU student to a potential customer during a fashion show called Insight, a celebration of Culture and Style at National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
World Cup of Softball 2011
The sun sets during the championship game of the World Cup of Softball between the USA and Japan at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, July 25, 2011. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Staff Photographers at The Oklahoman have been covering the World Cup of Softball out at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City for the past several days. The tournament ended with a 6-4 victory for the USA over Japan in the championship game Monday night.
Below are a few images from the competition that you may have missed. You can follow these links to see images from Team USA’s games against the Czech Republic, Canada, Australia, Saturday’s game against Japan, and Sunday’s win over Great Britain. You can also click here to see more photo galleries by staff photographers.
Kelly Grieve (2) slides into first after attempting to steal during the World Cup of Softball at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on Friday, July 22, 2011. The USA beat Australia 5-2. Photo by Zach Gray, The Oklahoman
Michelle Moultrie (15), a left-fielder for team U.S.A., dives for a ball during a game between The United States and Great Britain at the World Cup of Softball at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Sunday, July 24, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Magdalena Loudova (12) of the Czech Republic misses a catch for an error during a game in the World Cup of Softball at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, July 21, 2011. The USA beat the Czech Republic, 7-2. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
USA pitcher Keilani Ricketts (10) catches the ball tossed from catcher Ashley Holcombe (23) as Japan's Eri Yamada (11) slides home to score in the first inning during a game in the World Cup of Softball between the USA and Japan at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Saturday, July 23, 2011. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
OKC Royals Living Life to the Fullest
Players of the Oklahoma City Royals pray before beginning a game at the Plex Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, July 5, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
For the last few weeks, I have spent some quality time with an extraordinary group of gentlemen.
The Oklahoma City Royals are a group of 75+ senior softball players that get together every Tuesday night to fellowship and play the sport they love.
Sports intern Tariq Lee and I worked on this story together. I produced a slideshow separate from his story and we somehow came out at the end of it with a great package that is featured in the sports section of the Oklahoman and on its very own nDepth page on NewsOK.com.
One of the most profound moments I witnessed while doing this project was when one of the guys pulled out a piece of paper with the name of a condition he had been diagnosed with. He had to write it down so he could remember what it was called and tell the other guys about it.
A player for the Oklahoma City Royals reads a new condition that he has been diagnosed with, Polymyalgia rheumatica, to his fellow teammates at the Plex Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, July 5, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
The condition was polymyalgia rheumatica, a syndrome with pain or stiffness, usually in the neck, shoulders, and hips.
I was inspired by the positive outlook of the players. I won’t ruin any more of the story for you, I’ll just say that I hope I’m this cool when and if I turn 80-years-old.
Check out Tariq’s story and my slideshow here: OKC’s Boys of Summer
Ray Rowland gets ready to bat during a game at the Plex in Oklahoma City, July 19, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Loal Buttram runs onto the field during a game at the Plex Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, July 5, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
The Next Step is free
This photograph, featured on pages 20 and 21 of a new book called "The Next Step", shows Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook dunking in front of the Milwaukee Bucks' defense at The OKC Arena in Oklahoma City. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
A new book titled The Next Step, published by the OPUBCO Communications Group, features images and stories from the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2010-2011 season. Graphic Designer Matt Clayton designed the book and filled it with images from staff photographers at The Oklahoman and stories about the team from staff writers in the Sports Department. Here are a few of the images that appear in the book and a preview of a few of the pages.
The Next Step will be available for free at convenience stores around the Oklahoma City metro area starting on Saturday, July 23, 2011. You can read more about the Thunder by clicking here, or you can follow this link to see more pictures by The Oklahoman’s Photography Department. You can also get a closer look at any picture featured on Alternate Crop by clicking on the picture.
This layout on pages 10 and 11 features images of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook (left) by Staff Photographer Sarah Phipps and Kevin Durant in action against the New York Knicks by Staff Photographer Bryan Terry (right)
Oklahoma City Thunder fans cheer as the Thunder score the first points of the game during the first round NBA Playoff basketball game between the Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at OKC Arena in downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) reacts during the first round NBA basketball playoff game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, April 17, 2011, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City mascot Rumble the Bison slaps the hands of Thunder fans during the NBA basketball game between the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, Thursday, January 13, 2011. Oklahoma City won, 125-124. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
In the last 24 hours
Voodoo pilgrims bathe in a waterfall believed to have purifying powers during an annual pilgrimage in Saut d' Eau, Haiti, Saturday July 16, 2011. The annual pilgrimage to Saut d' Eau venerates the site where believers say the Virgin Mary, whom many here revere as the goddess of love, Ezili Danto, once appeared. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Comparatively speaking, the last 24 hours have been pretty slow. Even so, there were almost 1,800 pictures input into our Merlin archive system since Saturday at around two o’clock. There are pictures from religious festivals, weddings, war, protests, golf tournaments, soccer games and fights to name just a few. Here are a few pictures from the last 24 hours. Click here to see more images or click here to see all of our photo galleries.
Cathy Reilly performs during the Chevy Bricktown Banjo Bash near Sheridan Avenue and Oklahoma Avenue in Oklahoma City, Saturday, July 16, 2011. The event was part of the annual convention of the Fretted Instrument Guild of America. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
U.S Marine Cpl. Devin Cross, 22, of Richmond Ind., with Delta Company 1st Tank Battalion out of Twentynine Palms, Calif., waits to board a helicopter home as his company wraps up their deployment Sunday, July 17, 2011 at Combat Out Post Shir Ghazay in Helmand province, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Brian Viloria, of Waipahu, Hawaii, right, lands a punch against WBO flyweight title holder Julio Cesar Miranda, of Mexico, in the 3rd round, Saturday, July 16, 2011, in Honolulu. Viloria defeated Miranda after 12 rounds. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
-John Clanton
A completely random sampling of pictures
The sun sets behind Kelly Haney's sculpture "The Guardian" atop the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, Saturday, July 9, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
I looked through Merlin today and collected a few pictures that probably deserve a second look. They represent what we’ve been up to over the last couple of weeks. You’ve seen blog posts on Alternate Crop about the triple digit heat here in central Oklahoma and about the International Finals Youth Rodeo. We’ve also been noodling, photographed fires, rain storms, and little league baseball.
There are plenty of photo galleries of those events and more that you can see by clicking here.
Firefighters walk approach a fire at the Twin Lakes apartments on 6103 NW 63 in Warr Acres, Okla., Wednesday, July 6, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Two-year-old Kadence Stockman of Pauls Valley grimaces with her mother, Mary, as Bobby Arthur grabs the mouth of a catfish in a mobile fish tank at the 12th annual Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley on Saturday, July 9, 2011. Photo by Zach Gray, The Oklahoman
Two pedestrians try to take shelter from the rain as they run across the intersection of Main and Broadway in downtown Oklahoma City on Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Gage Gilchrist takes a dive to the base during the USSSA World Series youth baseball tournament , Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Photo by Ashley R. West, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
… and they call that thing ‘rodeo.’
Bradney Tart of Benson, N.C. puts on his gear before competing in bull riding during International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Monday, July 11, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
I had the privilege to get a great assignment, covering the IFYR.
It was an excellent environment for action and feature shots and so far, my favorite assignment.
See more from IFYR here.
Justin Garrett Sibley of Perryville, Ark. falls off of a bull in a Bull Riding competition during International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee Monday, July 11, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Austin Walock of Denham Springs, La. takes a moment to pray before competing in bull riding, Monday, July 11, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
International Finals Youth Rodeo
Oklahoman photography Garett Fisbeck and I photographed opening day of the IFYR in Shawnee.
See more photos by clicking here
Bull rider Booger Yates of Scurry, Texas, prays before during the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla., Sunday, July 10, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Becky Simmons of McClean, Texas participates in pole bending during the International Finals Youth Rodeo, Sunday, July 10, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
A cowboy rides his horse during the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla., Sunday, July 10, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Cowboys wait for their event to start during the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla., Sunday, July 10, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
— Sarah Phipps
