SWITCHING GEARS
A new year is upon us. All the trappings and trimmings of the holidays have been packed away (maybe), and thoughts have turned to all the things we will and will not do (maybe) in the coming year. In our house, there was no Christmas tree to take down and haul away. We didn’t make the trek to the tree farm to labor over the decision of which conifer was the perfect size, shape and color. We never put one up at all, in fact. Our living room is in a state of semi-chaos, a rather lengthy one resulting from an enduring remodel-in-the-works. So, we made the most of the situation. My daughter Chloe recently turned 13, and part of the celebration of such a momentous occasion was a slumber party, where she and her friends Maya, Clare and Holly painted a Christmas tree on one wall of the living room, complete with decorations and presents underneath. Why not? After all, the wall will eventually be repainted when the remodeling project is complete. Maybe. There’s nothing wrong with shaking up the routine. In this issue, you’ll meet four locals who shook up their own routines, taking big detours from their chosen paths and embarking on new adventures. The payoff, it seems, often far outweighs a little fear and trepidation. We also take a look at some of the projects that have altered our city’s cultural landscape – many that made it better, a few that can’t quite get off the ground and others that hold promise for the future. All things change, and we change with them. And so we arrive at the dawn of a new year, taking stock of what is behind us and what lies ahead. We seek to correct mistakes, but will likely repeat a few, and to undertake new endeavors – large and small – that will make life better for ourselves and those around us. As you embark on your journey, we at Slice wish you peace, love and laughter in the coming year. May your approach be unique and your confidence unwavering. You never know what’s just around the bend.
A new year is upon us. All the trappings and trimmings of the holidays have
been packed away (maybe), and thoughts have turned to all the things we
will and will not do (maybe) in the coming year.
In our house, there was no Christmas tree to take down and haul away.
We didn’t make the trek to the tree farm to labor over the decision of which
conifer was the perfect size, shape and color. We never put one up at all, in
fact. Our living room is in a state of semi-chaos, a rather lengthy one resulting
from an enduring remodel-in-the-works. So, we made the most of the situation.
My daughter Chloe recently turned 13, and part of the celebration of such
a momentous occasion was a slumber party, where she and her friends Maya,
Clare and Holly painted a Christmas tree on one wall of the living room, complete
with decorations and presents underneath. Why not? After all, the wall
will eventually be repainted when the remodeling project is complete. Maybe.
There’s nothing wrong with shaking up the routine.
In this issue, you’ll meet four locals who shook up their own routines, taking
big detours from their chosen paths and embarking on new adventures.
The payoff, it seems, often far outweighs a little fear and trepidation. We also
take a look at some of the projects that have altered our city’s cultural landscape
– many that made it better, a few that can’t quite get off the ground and others
that hold promise for the future.
All things change, and we change with them. And so we arrive at the dawn
of a new year, taking stock of what is behind us and what lies ahead. We seek to
correct mistakes, but will likely repeat a few, and to undertake new endeavors
– large and small – that will make life better for ourselves and those around us.
As you embark on your journey, we at Slice wish you peace, love and laughter
in the coming year. May your approach be unique and your confidence
unwavering. You never know what’s just around the bend.
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See & Do<br />
DANCE<br />
Young Choreographers’ Showcase Jan<br />
22-25 A juried array of the freshest<br />
moves mapped out by OU School of<br />
Dance students. OU Reynolds PAC 560<br />
Parrington Oval, OKC, 325.4101, ou.edu/<br />
finearts<br />
Swan Lake Jan 26-27 Special guests<br />
from the Russian National Ballet<br />
Theatre perform a heart-moving<br />
classic. Armstrong Auditorium 14400<br />
S Bryant Rd, Edmond, 285.1010,<br />
armstrongauditorium.org<br />
EVENTS<br />
1st Friday Gallery Walk Jan 2 The<br />
historic arts district’s name means<br />
“stroll,” which happens to be the<br />
preferred form of locomotion while<br />
taking in its wonders during a monthly<br />
display of arts and culture. Paseo Arts<br />
District 3022 Paseo St, OKC, 525.2688,<br />
thepaseo.com<br />
Eagle Watch Jan 2-4 Bundle up and hope<br />
for a clear look at some of the lake’s<br />
most majestic residents as they nest;<br />
the park has plenty of eagle info. Arcadia<br />
Lake 9000 E 2nd St, Edmond, 216.7471,<br />
arcadialakeok.com<br />
2nd Friday Circuit of Art Jan 9 A<br />
monthly community-wide celebration of<br />
creativity, focused on historic Downtown<br />
Norman. Norman Arts Council 122 E Main<br />
St, Norman, 360.1162, normanarts.org<br />
Live on the Plaza Jan 9 Vendors, artists,<br />
residents and passerby unite for a<br />
monthly fiesta. OKC Plaza District<br />
1618 N Gatewood Ave, OKC, 367.9403,<br />
plazadistrict.org<br />
Medieval Midwinter Ball Jan 10 The fair<br />
isn’t until spring, but you can enliven<br />
a dark winter’s night with reverly at<br />
this second annual buffet and dance -<br />
costumes encouraged but not required.<br />
OU Memorial Union Ballroom 900 Asp<br />
Ave, Norman, 325.8610, medievalfair.org<br />
Allied Arts Campaign Kickoff Jan<br />
14 2015 is officialy underway; time<br />
to get started making a substantive<br />
contribution to supporting the<br />
growth and development of the arts<br />
in Oklahoma. And there are snacks!<br />
National Cowboy & Western Heritage<br />
Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC,<br />
278.8944, alliedartsokc.com<br />
OKC Comedy Jan 14 Laugh it up with<br />
live standup entertainment from some<br />
of the comedy circuit’s big-time names:<br />
Jen Kirkman guests this month with Tom<br />
Joyce and BradChad Porter. Oklahoma<br />
Contemporary Arts Center 3000<br />
General Pershing Blvd, OKC, 618.6944,<br />
okccomedy.com<br />
Auto Alley Shop Hop Jan 15 Discounts,<br />
giveaways, special mini-events and<br />
have-to-be-there fun fill this monthly<br />
mercantile excursion along one of<br />
the metro’s distinctive shopping<br />
destinations. Automobile Alley 1015<br />
N Broadway Ave, OKC, 235.3500,<br />
downtownokc.com<br />
Premiere on Film Row Jan 16 Fowler<br />
Honda sponsors the downtown OKC<br />
street festival; it’s family-friendly, petwelcoming,<br />
free to wander through and<br />
filled with treats for the ears and taste<br />
buds. Film Row 706 W Sheridan Ave,<br />
OKC, 232.6060<br />
OKC Home & Garden Show Jan 16-18<br />
Three days of blissful anticipation for<br />
the coming of spring; get ideas, products<br />
and expert guidance to get your green<br />
thumb back in shape. State Fairgrounds<br />
333 Gordon Cooper Blvd, OKC, 301.5525,<br />
oklahomacityhomeshow.com<br />
Snowflake Gala Jan 22 The United Way<br />
of OKC announces its fundraising total<br />
for the previous year and applauds<br />
the donors and volunteers who helped<br />
amass it. National Cowboy & Western<br />
Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC,<br />
523.3502, unitedwayokc.org<br />
Todd Barry Jan 22 From “Flight of the<br />
Conchords” to “Chapelle’s Show” to<br />
“Sesame Street,” Barry is a deliciously<br />
deadpan standup comic with a knack for<br />
cascading, incisive punchlines. ACM @<br />
UCO Performance Lab 329 E Sheridan<br />
Ave, OKC, 974.4700, acm-uco.com<br />
Art Now Jan 23 They’re Oklahoma<br />
Contemporary Arts Center; of course<br />
they want to focus on the present and<br />
the finest in fresh creations at their<br />
glittering annual soiree. Oklahoma<br />
Contemporary Arts Center 3000<br />
General Pershing Blvd, OKC, 951.0000,<br />
oklahomacontemporary.org<br />
Boots & Ball Gowns Jan 24 Plenty of<br />
time to practice and polish up your<br />
“Yee-ha!” before this western-themed<br />
gala benefiting Infant Crisis Services.<br />
National Cowboy & Western Heritage<br />
Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 778.7608,<br />
infantcrisis.org<br />
Edmond Authors’ Book Fair Jan 24 Local<br />
literati gather to share in the insights<br />
and outputs of their favorite writers<br />
from around the area in this free public<br />
event. Edmond Historical Society 431<br />
S Boulevard St, Edmond, 340.0078,<br />
edmondhistory.org<br />
Varekai by Cirque du Soleil Jan 28-Feb<br />
1 Elite athletes and aerial artists tell a<br />
visual and musical tale of exploration<br />
and wonder centered around a mystical<br />
other world. Chesapeake Arena 100<br />
W Reno Ave, OKC, 800.745.3000,<br />
chesapeakearena.com<br />
Chocolate Festival Jan 31 One of the<br />
sweetest fundraisers you’ll ever see<br />
supports the creative educational<br />
endeavors of Norman’s Firehouse Art<br />
Center - local restaurants contribute<br />
chocolate creations for guests to<br />
sample and enjoy. NCED Conference<br />
Center 2801 E Hwy 9, Norman, 329.4523,<br />
normanfirehouse.com<br />
Dancing Pros: Live! Jan 31 Alan Thicke,<br />
Chelsie Hightower, Angel Taylor and<br />
more familiar faces from “Dancing With<br />
the Stars,” “So You Think You Can Dance”<br />
and other programs are taking their<br />
talents on the road and waltzing their<br />
way across the country (there’s also<br />
some tango and sambaing). OKC Civic<br />
TRAVIS LEDOYT<br />
Jan 10 - Riverwind Casino<br />
Center 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 297.2264,<br />
okcciviccenter.com<br />
UPCOMING<br />
Chocolate Decadence Feb 5 An annual<br />
event that’s a perennial sellout, the<br />
smooth soiree features jazz, wine,<br />
champagne, coffee and plenty of taste<br />
excursions in chocolatey bliss. Hudson<br />
Essex Lofts 825 N Broadway Ave, OKC,<br />
618.8820, downtownokc.com<br />
Taste of OKC Feb 7 Live music, live<br />
and silent auctions and a cavalcade of<br />
flavors from across the city fuel this<br />
fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters<br />
of Oklahoma. Bricktown Events Center<br />
429 E California Ave, OKC, 943.8075,<br />
tasteokc.com<br />
ONGOING<br />
Downtown in December Through Jan 4 A<br />
polar panoply of holiday joys, from snow<br />
tubing to skating to shopping, fills the<br />
city center with yuletide glee. Downtown<br />
OKC 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 235.3500,<br />
downtownindecember.com<br />
Edmond Outdoor Ice Skating Through<br />
Jan 5 The cocoa is hot and the ground<br />
is cold; rent some skates and go for a<br />
spin. Festival Market Place 30 W 1st St,<br />
Edmond, 274.1638, expressice.com<br />
FILM<br />
Circle Theater Shows Jan 2-25 The OKC<br />
Museum of Art screens overlooked<br />
treasures and unsung independent films<br />
for cineastes who want to step outside<br />
the multiplex. OKC Museum of Art 415<br />
Couch Dr, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com<br />
Classics Series Jan 6-27 Catch a<br />
masterpiece you missed the first time<br />
around or just want to re-experience<br />
on the big screen: “Back to the Future”<br />
Part I Jan 6, Part II Jan 13 and Part III<br />
Jan 20, and “Teen Wolf” Jan 27. Harkins<br />
Theatres 150 E Reno Ave, OKC, 321.4747,<br />
harkinstheatres.com<br />
OCU Film Institute Jan 25 The film series’<br />
exploration of worldwide ethics beyond<br />
religion continues with Jia Zhangke’s “A<br />
Touch of Sin,” followed by a discussion.<br />
OCU Meinders School of Business 2801<br />
N McKinley Ave, OKC, 208.5472, okcu.<br />
edu/film-lit/<br />
GALLERIES<br />
White II Jan 1-31 The cozy gallery in the<br />
Paseo is home to intriguing art, inside<br />
and out: this month starts the new year<br />
with a crisp multi-artist exploration of<br />
the lightest shade. JRB Art at the Elms<br />
2810 N Walker Ave, OKC, 528.6336,<br />
jrbartgallery.com<br />
Wanderlust Jan 2-31 The community<br />
art space for public exploration of art<br />
welcomes a group of creative travelers<br />
for a selection of nomadic interpretations<br />
of contemporary Africa curated by Ebony<br />
Iman Dallas. The Project Box 3003 Paseo<br />
St, OKC, 609.3969, theprojectboxokc.com<br />
Behnaz Sohrabian Jan 5-30 The Fine Arts<br />
Institute presents a solo show of pieces<br />
by the Iranian-born Sohrabian, a career<br />
artist who relishes the opportunity to<br />
depict women as actual people rather<br />
than accessories or possessions. Fine<br />
Arts Institute of Edmond 27 E Edwards<br />
St, Edmond, 340.4481, edmondfinearts.<br />
com<br />
Growing Cities Jan 9-Feb 9 OKC’s<br />
exciting growth inspired this series of<br />
skyscapes and portraits from Phoenix<br />
resident and metro native Jamie Pettis.<br />
dna galleries 1709 NW 16th St, OKC,<br />
525.3499, dnagalleries.com<br />
John Wolfe Jan 9-Feb 28 A wizard with<br />
watercolors who also welds mesmerizing<br />
sculptures, Wolfe has been sharing<br />
beauty with Oklahomans for decades.<br />
Santa Fe Depot Norman, 307.9320,<br />
pasnorman.org<br />
ONGOING<br />
Hub of Creativity Through Jan 4<br />
Automobile Alley OKC, 231.8663,<br />
downtownokc.com<br />
Watch Out for the Under Toad Through<br />
Jan 10 aka Gallery 3001 Paseo St, OKC,<br />
606.2522, aka-gallery.com<br />
Goddess/Anti-Goddess Through<br />
Jan 31 IAO Gallery OKC, 232.6060,<br />
individualartists.org<br />
David Holland Through Feb 15 State<br />
Capitol Governor’s Gallery OKC,<br />
521.2931, arts.ok.gov<br />
82 SLICE // JANUARY 2015
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