The Swon Brothers Are Timeless

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March 22, 2016

[dropcap]Oklahoma[/dropcap] Magazine met with them at The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee. Zach was immediately drawn to the black baby grand piano on the dimly-lit stage and began filling the air of the old building with music. Surrounded by the massive portraits of former inductees – many of them, in a way, mentors – he was soon joined in perfect harmony by brother Colton on some spur-of-the-moment classics from a variety of genres. It was magic, really, and genuine. The Swon Brothers were home, and it showed.

We were treated to a private concert – complete with plenty of comic relief.

“We’ve been chasing this dream our whole life. We started making music as soon as we started making noise,” says Colton. “I’m serious – we were rockin’ in the womb, pretty much!”

“We really don’t have womb for jokes like that in this interview,” Zach, the older and seemingly quieter of the two, says.

The brothers started performing as children. Colton mentions that since “day one” they were raised on a tour bus as they traveled with their parents, Kelly and Tammy Swon, and the southern gospel group Exodus. By the time Zach Swon was 9 or 10 years old, he was playing drums for the band.

In 2000, when they were 12 and 15 years old, they began venturing out in venues on their own as The Swon Brothers.

“We never really had a backup plan,” Zach says. “We didn’t know to what extent we wanted to do this, but since we were little this was what we wanted to do. And, luckily, we get to do it as brothers – and, hopefully, not kill each other.”

[pullquote]Our lives have definitely changed – I don’t know if I would say overnight because we’ve been doing this since we were little kids,” Zach says. “To most people it looks like overnight, but, you know, I think it changed us in other people’s eyes more than in our own.”[/pullquote]When Oklahoma Magazine first interviewed the brothers in 2011, they were hanging on tight to that childhood dream and were in the process of mixing a live album, recorded at the historic Roxy Theater in Muskogee. They were also busy writing for a new studio album in Nashville.

They had previously released an independent CD, Another Day, in January 2009.

The singing, songwriting duo can’t help but lean towards a country genre but say they will never limit themselves to any one category.

“We draw inspiration from a lot of music,” Zach says. “I know it’s kind of a cliché answer but growing up we listened to southern gospel, we listened to ’70s rock a lot – I mean our favorite band is the Eagles.”

The list of greats went on with Colton chiming in: Michael Jackson, George Jones, Ray Charles, Merle Haggard, Earth Wind and Fire.

“You name it, we’ve done it. But I think that’s kind of cool. It gives us a wide variety. Our dad told us when we were first starting out, ‘The way you please a crowd is you do something that everyone is going to like – at some point,’” Zach says with a laugh.

To the worldwide audience, who met the brothers for the first time in April 2013 via their televised audition for NBC’s The Voice, it appeared as if these young lives were changing overnight. The Swon Brothers performed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “American Girl,” turning the chairs of judges Usher, Blake Shelton and Shakira. Not surprisingly, they chose Blake Shelton as their coach and that, combined with their talent and America’s vote, eventually led them to the finale and third place in the competition.

One of the many highlights of the season was when the brothers chose to sing Steve Young’s “Seven Bridges Road” as a tribute to victims of the May 2013 tornado in Moore.

“Our lives have definitely changed – I don’t know if I would say overnight because we’ve been doing this since we were little kids,” Zach says. “To most people it looks like overnight, but, you know, I think it changed us in other people’s eyes more than in our own.”

“Our experience on The Voice was amazing,” Colton says. “We got to work with fellow Okie Blake Shelton and had a blast. It was like working with a big brother, really. I mean, the first thing that he said to my brother [Zach] was ‘Your brother Colton has one of those faces that you just want to punch!’”

“I said ‘I agree, and we’re going to be great friends,’” Zach chimes in.

Shelton still mentors the brothers and gives them advice. “He lets you spread your wings and fly and figure out stuff for yourself at the same time. But he’s always been in our corner and he’s always a text or a phone call away. He’s treated us like family,” says Colton with a genuine sense of gratitude.

“The show as a whole, though – I mean, what an experience,” Colton says. “Kind of like a boot camp for what we’re doing now as a career. And I can’t say anything bad about anyone involved in that production. They really want to see people succeed – it was a big game changer for us.”

Soon after appearing on The Voice, The Swon Brothers signed a recording contract with Arista Nashville and, under producer Mark Bright, released their self-titled album that included their debut Top 15 single “Later On.”

In October 2015, the brothers parted ways with Arista as a result of the company’s restructuring.

Now, there’s the recently released Timeless. Not only did the duo write every song on Timeless, but they also played most of the instruments on the recording. They also coproduced the tracks themselves with assistance from renowned producer/songwriter Derek George, and up and coming producer/band mate Joe Henderson.

Did we mention talented?

“We’ve put our heart and soul into this thing trying to give the record our very best,” Colton says. “I mean, fans give us their very best – they deserve it from us too. We took our time and tried to make it perfect for them.”

A Diagnosis of Awareness with P.S. Gordon

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March 22, 2016

A Day in Mystical Morocco

By

Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

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March 22, 2016

shutterstock_292828127 — A trip to Morocco allows visitors to try new food, shop at local markets and enjoy a culture with a rich history.

[dropcap]Tangier[/dropcap] Port, Morocco was the most exotic location we visited as a family, and the epiphanies we encountered in 2010 spanned spiritual, historical and cultural themes. We took a ferry boat from Tariffa, Spain to Tangier Port; a mere 35-minute ride. Our tour guide, supplied by our travel agent, met us with his van driver, and I recommend doing the same if you go to this wonderful country in Northwest Africa. He was able to get us to the front of the line at the restaurants, bazaars, caves and other places, and even got us in the “fast lane” on the ferry boarding later dealing with our passports. The vocabulary, mythology, history, factoids and cultural lessons we learned that day made our heads spin.

The Cave of Hercules overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea had non-stop visual details and markets inside of it. The shape of the cave happens to be the mirror image of Africa with Madagascar next to it.

Our Moroccan multicourse meal at the famous restaurant, Popeye’s, was unforgettable. Popeye’s had a line around the block full of customers waiting to get in. After hours of sightseeing, this meal break was exactly what we needed and it gave our tour guide time for his afternoon prayers. Tagines of smoked almonds, salsa, shark, swordfish, figs, dessert with honey, melon and a homemade fruit drink were just some of the gastronomic extravaga!

The vivid food markets with their vibrancy and pungency combine Mediterranean, Arabic, Berber and Andalusian flavors. We ate cactus pear from the food booth of Berber village women. The Berber women’s hats have pompons on them, similar to the Peruvian campesinas’ style; probably due to the traveling of explorers across the continents who bring back styles from foreign places.

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After the market, we went to the Old Town Bazaar. Our guide explained the architectural details. In the bazaar, we bought pottery, vases, and tablecloths, among other things, and looked at marvelously intricate rug.

We rode camels on a hill overlooking a beach where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. My youngest son’s face was euphoric just standing next to a 4-month old camel and seeing these creatures for the first time.

Wherever we went, our tour guide and others greeted each other with “salam alaikum.” It translates to “peace to you.” People use it as freely as other cultures use “goodbye,” “hello,” “Shalom” or “Peace.” People respond with “Wa-alaikum salam” (“peace unto you”).

We asked him his greeting meant, and he explained to us in detail about how peace is at the core of his religion. He asked us what our culture’s equivalent might be and we answered, “God be with you.” We had a personal and philosophical conversation which gave clarity to many of my questions which is always the enriching part about traveling.

When we departed that day on our ferry boat and bid the guide farewell, my husband shook his hand and said, “salam alaikum,” and he responded, “God be with you.” I found this moment transformative for my family, our epiphanies, our journey and our global understanding during this year of 2010 in a time of political turmoil in the world. It was a healing moment for us and good closure to a day that had moments of uncertainty for my husband in particular.

Morocco was exotic, historic, adventurous and spiritual.

Midtown Glamour

By

M.J. Van Deventer

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March 22, 2016

[dropcap]When[/dropcap] Dr. Dana Davis asked Tracy Huntington to design the interiors of her Tulsa home, her mandate was simple, the designer recalls.

“She wanted a contemporary, cutting-edge look for her home. She travels frequently and she’s always on the lookout for things that are new and different – things she’s never seen before,” Tracy says.

LIVING-SPACES-MIDTOWN--101813-6192 — Photo by Miller Photography.

Imbued with a sense of adventure, Tracy, owner of Element360 Design, embarked on this exciting design challenge.

The English cottage-style home is located in one of midtown Tulsa’s historic neighborhoods. Two-story homes line the tree-laden streets, this one fronting a boulevard typical of upscale neighborhoods of the 1930s, when this home was built.

“My real challenge was to not infuse a complete contemporary design into the home, because it would not coexist with the essence of the 1930s style,” Tracy says. “Dana also wanted a look that was elegant, glitzy and glamorous.”

Working together, Dana and Tracy achieved the dramatic look both desired, starting with a color scheme of black, white, gray and purple hues. White walls in the main living areas were the perfect foil for the sophisticated palette.

A wall of tiny black metallic tiles houses the fireplace of glass logs, anchoring the formal living room. Soft gray furnishings and a chenille-textured area rug are design complements.

“I showed Dana one small piece of the black tile and that started this dramatic journey,” Tracy says

Adjacent to the living room is a small music room, housing a Baldwin baby grand piano, an unusual painting, chandelier and one comfy chair. The chandelier lighting and the ceiling add a romantic aura.

The lighting recalls the 1950s with a starburst chandelier resembling “Sputnik.” The ceiling is equally as dramatic. It is a high-gloss purple – “Cabernet” by Benjamin Moore. It’s easy to imagine Dana’s daughter playing a concerto here while her mother and friends sip wine and enjoy a concert.

Near the living room is a cozy sunroom and closet-size powder room, made noteworthy with a black and silver metallic wallpaper and a curved lavatory and mirror accenting the wallpaper design. The sunroom overlooks the elegant courtyard and pool, renovated by native Tulsan Kurt Barron.

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The dining room, overlooking the front lawn, reflects this enticing setting, perfect for dining by candlelight. A large round table is flanked by black leather chairs with backs covered in a bold black/white geometric upholstery. The chandelier rivals the one in the music room. It is a circle of polished nickel and black nylon cording that ripples organically through the fixture’s center. Edison bulbs enhance the period look and lead diners’ eyes to the contemporary silver sculpture candleholders resembling small tree trunks in the table’s center.

A large metal wall sculpture mimics entangled tree roots and begs to be touched, as do other art works throughout the home. One wall showcases a modern painting; another hosts framed architectural prints. The dining and living room draperies enhance the color scheme with a mix of gray fabrics and black faux leather.

Adjacent to the dining room is a large Tuscan-style kitchen and pantry that was renovated several years ago. The two-story ceiling adds high impact to this area, near the breezeway and outdoor entertaining area, also designed by Kurt Barron.

This area of the home continues the contemporary theme Dana favors. The gallery-style breezeway is an innovative, surprising transition with a functional locker room look opening to the courtyard.

The small area includes a fountain, concrete benches around a firepit, glass rock pebbles, a basketball goal, azaleas, flowering heathers and seasonal flowers. “It’s a unique three-sided courtyard complementing the pool,” Barron says.

The breezeway includes another unusual chandelier and a wall of glass doors leading to the courtyard. It also is the entrance to the cozy pool house and a circular staircase leading to the upstairs guest suite.

Did Tracy and Barron achieve their client’s mission with this design project?

“It was one of those ‘Wow!’ projects from day one,” Barron says.

Tracy says, “Yes. I think when guests walk in the front door they feel welcomed and comfortable, maybe amazed, too. It’s feminine and glamorous but crisp. Design doesn’t have to be exclusive. I think Dana’s friends feel like they could live here, too.”

The Art of Design

By

Beth Weese

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March 22, 2016

[dropcap]Each[/dropcap] year, thousands of people come to the Philbrook Museum of Art to see its premiere collection of artwork. These visitors expect to see beautiful paintings and intricate sculptures as well as the beautiful architecture and landscaping that the facility itself offers.

Now, the Philbrook is introducing its guests to a new type of art: the art of reduction. Philbrook partnered with the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany to exclusively present The Essence of Things in the central United States. The exhibition, which runs until May 1, includes more than 160 objects, from golf balls and flip-flops to Ziploc bags and egg cartons.

The Essence of Things takes everyday objects that people tend to overlook and examines the creative design that went into developing them.

[pullquote]Without designers, we would not be able to live efficient lives.”[/pullquote]“So, you have the Ikea Billy bookcase, which is a popular item in college dorms everywhere and many a house, but to think about it in the context next to its carton and realize it’s not just the design of the bookcase but the design of the shipping and packing efficiency that makes it such a significant piece of design,” explains Tricia Milford-Hoyt, director of communications for Philbrook.

The creation of the iconic Eames chair was a learning process for the Eames brothers, Charles and Ray, she says. Much trial and error led to a single-mold, fiberglass, stackable chair through a process they had to invent because the technology did not exist at the 1960s and 1970s.

“It hopefully will spark some thought for our visitors on what they have in their life that would have been designed, and also maybe wha the next design might be,” Milford-Hoyt says.

The art of reduction is an important concept in a world focused on conservation and sustainability. It’s a reminder that the simplest way may be the best way.

“The evolution of reduction is something that enables us to get better and smarter and reduce the use of energy, space and allow for more efficient lives,” Milford-Hoyt says. “My personal favorite example of this is the single slice toaster. Who would have thought that the single slice toaster is a new evolution as of the 21st century, in 2007? Prior to that, it was always two slices or four slices. By reducing it down to one, you’re eliminating waste of electricity, of physical space on your countertop, and really able to focus on the demographics of today’s society. We have a lot of millennials living alone; we have a lot of baby boomers who are living alone. The idea of a single slice toaster, I think, is a great example of reduction.”

While it may be a bit foreign for people to think of design and reduction as a form of art, it can be a more accessible form. All the objects people come across each day had to be designed by someone, and many people are using the concepts of design to make better products.

“I do think design is an area of art that is undervalued,” says Milford-Hoyt. “Without designers, we would not be able to live efficient lives. These are things that we do in society every day and I think whether you are an art lover or not, you can find appreciation in this exhibition as far as how we are all using our minds creatively, critically thinking about different things and how they work in everyday society,” she says. “Our focus is to engage our visitors in the process of creativity and critical thinking, and this is a great exhibition for that for people of all ages. We hope that everyone comes out and sees it.”

What
The Essence of Things at Philbrook Museum

Where
2727 South Rockford Road Tulsa, Oklahoma

When
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday; Through May 1

Web
www.philbrook.org

Taking Cover

By

Shaun Perkins

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March 22, 2016

[dropcap]It’s[/dropcap] that time of year when leaves and spring pollen are not the only things flying through the air: tornado season. Surviving a tornado, which the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management calls the “most violent storm on Earth,” can be done with a little knowledge and preparation.

Knowledge

For knowledge, the first thing is to be aware of myths involving tornadoes. Keli Cain, public information officer for ODEM, says the most common myth is the idea a person needs to get out of their house and go somewhere else when tornado sirens sound.

The dilemma of whether a person should leave home or stay and take shelter in a closet or innermost part of their house is one the ODEM encounters every year.

Less than a fifth of Oklahomans have access to a safe, private tornado shelter, according to Tom Bennett, past president of the National Storm Shelter Association.

Cain says the ODEM recommends, in most cases, a person should stay at home during a tornado rather than leave when the sirens are blaring.

The ODEM website offers a handy three-step process in the event you are unable to leave your home: Get in, get down, cover up.

“We always recommend that, number one, you identify your safe place. Then, number two, if you don’t have one, if there’s no place safe, like if you live in an apartment complex on the top floor and there’s no basement shelter, or you live in a mobile home, then we recommend you leave your home,” Cain says. “But do this well in advance of the storm.”

Making tornado safety decisions well in advance means a certain level of preparedness should be a priority for all Oklahomans.

Preparation

The top two things to remember about tornado preparedness, Cain says, is to have multiple layers of warning and a plan.

The layers of warning can include having apps installed on a mobile phone, using a text message warning system, watching the television news and staying in close contact with friends and family.

A battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio, which has a warning alarm function, is a must-have for people who live in Tornado Alley, according to the ODEM website.

“Make plans ahead of time so you won’t have to make difficult decisions when seconds count,” Cain says. For people that have a safe room, Cain says “that’s fantastic” but also make sure people are aware you have it.

If your plan involves having a safe room or storm shelter constructed and installed, Oklahoma has a variety of companies that do such work. Blake Lee, with F5 Storm Shelters in Tulsa, says that both safe rooms and storm shelters are good investments for Oklahomans.

“Above ground safe rooms are a really good option for elderly people or maybe people who are disabled,” Lee says. “Since you don’t have to go down steps in order to access them, they are just much easier for people to get in and out of.”

Also, Lee says, “Statistically, the above ground models are just as safe as being underground as long as the company has their shelters designed to meet FEMA guidelines and has also had their products tested at Texas Tech’s Wind Institute in Lubbock.”

The prices for underground shelters range from $2,799 to $4,300, depending on the size, Lee says.

“Above-ground models can vary just because there are so many different sizing options,” he adds. “Typically, you are looking in the $4,000 to $4,600 range.”

Knowledge and preparation are the keys to tornado safety.

“More people are injured by flying debris or car accidents when they leave their home than they are in the actual tornado, so make those decisions ahead of time and be prepared, have a plan and follow steps when the need arises,” Cain says.

Tornado Facts

They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
They may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
The average tornado moves southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph but may vary from stationary to 70 mph.
Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land.
Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water.
Tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer months.
Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May.
Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. but can occur at any time.

_{– Source: www.ready.gov}

I Did It My Way

By

M.J. Van Deventer

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March 22, 2016

life-and-style-Garden-Deva--030816-6133 — Photo by Chris Humphrey Photographer.

[dropcap]You’ve[/dropcap] probably seen Lisa Regan’s whimsical garden characters all over Oklahoma. You can’t help but smile when you see them. They are child-like, whimsical and sweet- tempered with an air of mischief.

Regan calls them her “Garden Devas.” Don’t confuse them with entertainment divas. These sturdy metal characters draw their name from an East Indian word meaning happy.

“They are a positive symbol,” she says.

Positive perfectly describes Regan’s journey as an artist and her outlook on her life. She has a joyful personality, overshadowing her busy life as a single parent to four children, while running a busy art business.

A Tulsa native, she grew up in an entrepreneurial family. Her grandfather founded Sandco, designing printing equipment now obsolete. Her mother, once a Las Vegas showgirl, ran her father’s business until her death.

Regan’s independent spirit was evident in her youth. She attended private schools, graduating from Project 12’s Alternative High School.

“I hated working in my mom’s business,” she says. “I had to wear panty hose and clothes I didn’t like. I didn’t have enough money for art school so I escaped into my art – ceramics, basket-weaving and silk-screening.”

A visit with a California friend 24 years ago was pivotal.

“He told me about some welding equipment for metal art,” she says. “I took his advice and took my art to a Brookside show 22 years ago. Twenty years ago, I incorporated the Garden Deva. Mom helped me sell my work in the early years.”

The exterior of Garden Deva at 317 S. Trenton Ave. is as delightful as the characters Lisa creates. Inside, the colorful setting is magical – a tribute to Regan’s creativity. Now celebrating her 20th anniversary, Regan sells her art all over the country.

“The first item I sold was a cat with a bird on its back,” she recalls. “Some whispered it was ugly. I didn’t care. I loved what I was doing. I’m glad I had the drive and persistence to stay with it.”

Two decades ago, gardens were purely functional. Regan’s art helped change how people view gardens, making space for outdoor art.

Touring the industrial area of the 10,000-square-foot building, it’s easy to see the muscle needed to create metal art. Lisa loves her plasma laser torch, which looks like a Fourth of July sparkler slicing quickly through metal.

As her business grew, she became a savvy juggler.

“People bring me all kinds of art/welding projects,” she says. “I’m always bidding on new projects.”

She shows metal garden leaves made for a home’s windows – a beautiful safety feature. Art deco lights are in progress for a garden walkway. Snaking through the workshop are large pieces of curving metal that will mark the Children’s Garden entry at Tulsa’s Botanical Center.

Her Spring Creek Spirits are new, inspired by Spring Creek rocks featuring fossils; now the unusual heads of metal characters. Also new: brightly painted Matisse-inspired serving trays.

For Regan, the best part of her business is playing with and creating metal.

“Who gets to play and create and get paid for it?” she asks. “The hardest part is being the boss. I live by a Chinese saying that promises ‘things will work out.’”

She also shows a caring attitude for her employees.

“I let my employees bring their children to work if necessary,” she says. “I had to do that. I’d like to think being around art expands their sense of wonder.”

She also generously shows other artists’ work, noting, “This is a cooperative gallery.”

“I’m proud I’ve lived my life my way,” she says. “I do believe art will save the world.”

A Diagnosis of Awareness

By

Staff

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March 22, 2016

2014-03-12Living-Spaces-Gordon--10534 — Photo by Nathan Harmon.

[dropcap]Pat[/dropcap] Gordon’s home is decorated with an eclectic mix of unusual furniture, including a leopard-print Bombay chest and a row of welding masks. The workspace where he paints is visible immediately upon entering, and the walls are covered with his paintings. With the midafternoon light filling the room, he sits in a chair with Rochester, one of his two Norwich terriers, on his lap and talks about one of the darkest times of his life: being diagnosed with HIV.

[pullquote]The younger generations are afraid to have the test, because even going to get the test is a stigma,”[/pullquote]“I ran to New York,” he says. “I really thought I’d be dead pretty quickly.”

It was a diagnosis Gordon shared with few people for 14 years. At Tulsa CARES’ Red Ribbon Gala in February, he publicly disclosed he was HIV positive for the first time. Although he says he thought taking the step was risky, he wanted to attempt to remove some of the stigma that is attached to the diagnosis.

Despite increased awareness of HIV/AIDS, people still avoid being tested for the disease. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, around 12.8 percent of the 1.2 million people in the United States who are HIV positive are not aware they are living with HIV.

Although new treatments mean it is possible for people to live with HIV, not knowing means those who need the medications are not receiving them.

“The younger generations are afraid to have the test, because even going to get the test is a stigma,” Gordon says. “Not the outcome of your test, but the test itself.”

Gordon points out people publicly disclosing they are HIV/AIDS positive is relatively rare, saying that in the past 25 years, there were very few public disclosures between Magic Johnson’s announcement in 1991 and Charlie Sheen’s disclosure last year.

“But between that, there’s nobody,” he says. “Does that not tell you the kind of stigma, fear and internal hatred that comes with this diagnosis? It comes with a moral judgment.”

Gordon says he believes younger generations may not take HIV as seriously because they didn’t see the effects it had on people in his generation before the disease could be managed. Memories of his friends in hospice are still deeply engrained in his brain.

When Gordon first became active in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the diagnosis was considered a death sentence. As someone who saw his friends dying of AIDS, Gordon worked with other people, including Tulsa interior designer Charles Faudree, to raise money for those who didn’t have resources and needed help. Gordon, Faudree and others worked with Catholic Charities to help build St. Joseph’s Residence, with Catholic Charities serving as the major sponsor for financing.

Gordon says people did everything they could to give their residents solace.

“They came in and made these hospice rooms breathtakingly beautiful,” he says. “So for the people who passed through St. Joseph’s on their way to wherever, they had a beautiful room to live in until the day they died. They were beautiful rooms. Hospital beds that had been dressed up to be beautiful. And we couldn’t wait to close it.

“It’s now closed. That’s the most important thing. It’s now closed because of the progress that has been made in the fight against AIDS and HIV. For most people, the death process has been slowed back down. No longer is it imminent if you take your meds.”

The stigma still remains with HIV, though, and that stigma influenced Gordan when he was diagnosed. He wasn’t comfortable with the information being publicly disclosed, but invited 10 of his best friends to breakfast to share the results. He told them them the information wouldn’t stay private in Tulsa.

He recounts different incidents that happened after he was diagnosed, including walking through a restaurant and hearing a stranger recognize him.

“I heard somebody say my name,” he says. “And then I heard, ‘And he has AIDS.’”

Six months later after learning he was HIV positive, he moved to New York. It was a place he’d wanted to live since he was a child. If he was going to die, Gordon says, he wanted to die in New York.

[pullquote]Charles Faudree and I were both very lucky in that we were given social acceptance at a time where being gay in America was not socially accepted.”[/pullquote]“At that time, the thing I remember from my training is, once diagnosed in this region of the country, death was likely to follow in 12 months,” he says. “Because they waited so long to get tested. I did too. It was my fault. And I just assumed it would be applicable to me 10 years after. And it’s obviously not true. I’m glad.”

Around three years ago, Gordon came back to Tulsa. He says his decision was influenced by many things, including the cost of living in New York, but one of the main reasons he moved back was that he missed his friends.

Although he hopes his disclosure will help raise awareness on the necessity of HIV tests, it took several personal incidents before he felt ready to take that step. One was the decision to showcase some of his paintings linked to helping people with HIV and his own diagnosis.

Gordon also suffered from a near-death experience last year where he nearly bled to death.

“I was lucky I didn’t die,” he says. “But it also left me with the sensation internally that there was a reason I didn’t. There is no reason I should have made it, but I did. And when I came out of it, I thought, ‘OK, you’ve really been given a second opportunity.’”

Gordon is taking advantage of that second opportunity, using it to help educate people and, he hopes, provide some encouragement for people to get tested and support for those who are HIV positive.

It’s also way to give back to a community that accepted him at a time when acceptance wasn’t always common.

“Charles Faudree and I were both very lucky in that we were given social acceptance at a time where being gay in America was not socially accepted,” he says. “I feel very grateful for that, and I want to be able to return that if I can.”

The disclosure also impacted Gordon, who said he feels like a weight has finally been lifted from him.

“Oh, I feel like I could almost just dance,” he says. “I’m telling you, I feel like I used to feel before this happened. I used to think I was pretty funny, nice, an easy-going guy, with a poignant sense of humor, and I hadn’t felt that way for 14 years.”

The Happening

By

Staff

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March 22, 2016

DO ANIMALS LAUGH?

Evidently, humans aren’t the only animals with a sense of humor. According to mentalfloss.com, primates, dogs and rats can all express their happiness through laughter, especially if they are tickled by a human hand. In doing so, each makes a slightly different sound than the human laugh – apes and dogs laugh in the form of panting, grunts and purrs, while rats make chirps in the ultrasonic range beyond the range of human hearing. The most ticklish rats are also the most playful!

LEARN TO BE FUNNY

Did you know that there is actually a place in Tulsa where you can take classes to be funny? Located in the heart of the Blue Dome District in downtown Tulsa, The Comedy Parlor Theater and Training Center offers classes in improvisation and stand-up comedy. Every Sunday night, they host an open mic night that showcases their students of comedy.

HUMOR MONTH

Founded in 1976 by author and humorist Larry Wilde, the original idea was to raise public awareness of the healthy benefits of happiness and laughter. According to many health care professionals, laughter can actually improve our health. Not only is laughing a lot of fun and good for you, it can be very contagious. So make it a point to have a positive effect not only on your own health, but on the health of those around you. Look for the humor in your daily life and spread it around. There is an endless supply out there, you can have as much of it as you like and it often doesn’t cost a thing! Read the story on page 44.

HAPPY FOOD

In addition to food tasting good, recent studies have shown that certain foods may affect brain chemistry associated with depression and anxiety. According to prevention.com, consuming the following 10 foods may actually lift your spirits!

Clams
Packed with vitamin B12. Low levels of B12 can lead to depression.

Walnuts & Flax
Loaded with alpha-linolenic acid, also a depression buster.

Coffee
Caffeine induces a happy brain-boost of dopamine and serotonin.

Radishes
The spicy crunch may stimulate the release of dopamine and norepinephrine.

Oysters
A rich source of zinc. Low zinc levels are linked to depression and anxiety.

Pomegranate
The juice of this fruit lowers blood pressure and can reduce anxiety and depression.

Yogurt
Enhances your populations of probiotic bacteria and good bacteria can spread a “chill-out” message to your brain.

Shiitake mushrooms
These mushrooms, complete with selenium and magnesium, have an uplifting effect on your mood.

Dark chocolate
Loaded with chemicals, such as polyphenols, that might boost your mood.

Apricots
Packed with vitamin B6, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, which are linked to a happier mood.

FUNNY TOWNS

Here are a few funny town names in the state. Smile – we know you want to!

Loco
Bushyhead
Bug Tussle
Hooker
Slapout
Bowlegs
Cookietown
Frogville
IXL
Moon
Rubottom
Slaughterville
Slick
Pumpkin Center
Pink
Stringtown

Bird with Strings

By

John Wooley

-

March 22, 2016

Clark Cover 3 — Photo courtesy of Clark Gibson

[dropcap]Back[/dropcap] in 1949 and 1950, the celebrated jazz saxophonist Charlie “Yardbird” Parker recorded a pair of albums that became the biggest sellers of his career. Done for record producer Norman Granz, these two discs – both titled Charlie Parker with Strings – surrounded the bebop pioneer with a full string section, turning him loose on a variety of pop and big-band standards like “Laura,” “April in Paris” and “They Can’t Take That Away from Me.”

As often happens when a genre star tries something different, many jazz critics of the time weren’t kind to Charlie Parker with Strings, considering the whole project a kind of sellout. With time, however, recognition has come to the discs; in 1988, they were admitted to the Grammy Hall of Fame, which honors “recordings of lasting qualitative or historic significance,” according to the Grammy website (grammy.org).

At this point, you may be wondering why something about Charlie Parker is appearing in this column. After all, he wasn’t an Oklahoman (although he was close – a Kansas City, Kansas native who grew up in Kansas City, Missouri). I could tell you he’s here because his first extensive recording sessions, done just about a decade before Charlie Parker with Strings, came while he was with the band of pianist Jay McShann, the jazz and blues legend from Muskogee. The real reason, though, is a brand-new Parker-related CD by Clark Gibson, director of jazz studies at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. Released on the Chicago-based Blujazz label, Bird with Strings: The Lost Arrangements features treatments of 14 songs arranged for Parker during his Charlie Parker with Strings period but never recorded.

Most of them weren’t, anyway. As saxophonist Gibson notes, a few showed up later in recordings of Parker’s live concerts. [pullquote]‘Repetition’ was one that he played in concert, and the reason we did it was because, historically, it was the most important piece of that whole project,” – Clark Gibson, NSU Director of Jazz Studies[/pullquote]

“‘Repetition’ was one that he played in concert, and the reason we did it was because, historically, it was the most important piece of that whole [Charlie Parker with Strings] project,” he explains. “It was the first piece Charlie Parker ever recorded with strings. And it stayed in his repertoire for live shows. He performed ‘Stardust’ live at his Rockland Palace concert [in New York, 1952], and there’s a bootleg recording of that, but the sound is so bad you can’t hear the arrangement. The same goes for ‘Gold Rush,’ which he played on that same concert. Other than those three, he never recorded any of the songs we put on the CD.”

“Repetition,” written by Neal Hefti (best-known to baby-boomers and nostalgia fans for composing the theme to TV’s Batman), was one of the songs producer Granz wanted for a recorded collection of what Gibson describes as “a snapshot of everything happening [in New York’s jazz scene] around the late ’40s.” In addition to Hefti, the producer hired several other top jazz figures of the time, including Parker, to record their own tunes.

“Norman Granz had rented out all the rooms in Carnegie Hall for these recording sessions,” notes Gibson. “So Bird finished recording his song in one room and, as he was walking out, he heard Neal Hefti rehearsing ‘Repetition’ with a big band and strings.
‘Repetition’ had been written for no soloists, but when Bird went in and asked if he could play on it, Neal Hefti said, ‘Sure.’ And that’s how it all started.”

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