Home runs and fireworks

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July 3, 2013

This Week

The Oklahoma City RedHawks face the Albuquerque Isotopes for a third time this week at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 N. Mickey Mantle Drive, in downtown OKC. Not only do baseball fans get to take in one of the truly great American sports, but they also will be treated to something extra. The Triple-A affiliate to MLB’s Houston Astros will first attempt to displace the top-ranking Isotopes (tops in the American Southern Division, that is). Then the fireworks will begin. Two traditions meet at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, July 3. Tickets start at $7. To order, call 405.218.1000 or go online at www.okcredhawks.com.

Also look for Independence Day happenings as the Tulsa Drillers square-off with the San Antonio Missions Wednesday, July 3-Friday, July 5. All games are at 7:05 p.m. at ONEOK Field, 201 N. Elgin Ave., Tulsa. Fireworks will be set all three nights following play. Admission is around $5-$15. Go online at www.tulsadrillers.com for more.

LAST CHANCE: Disney’s The Lion King

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Staff

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July 3, 2013

Closes Sunday, July 7

Sixteen years after it premiered on Broadway, the musical that awed the world with its visual effects continues to reign. Celebrity Attractions concludes its run of Disney’s The Lion King, a live stage experience based on the 1994 animated film, at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. There are a handful of performances left before the final show at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 7. The musical directed by Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor features the Oscar-winning song by Elton John and Tim Rice, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” The Lion King has appeared in 63 cities in over a dozen countries, thrilling with its African rhythms and extravagant costumes bringing the African savannah to life in stage. Performances are in the Chapman Music Hall of the PAC, 101 E. Third St. Tickets are $35-$85. To see show times and to purchase tickets, visit www.myticketoffice.com online.

Beyoncé

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Staff

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July 3, 2013

Friday, July 5, 8 p.m.

The beautiful and talented Beyoncé will be running the stage at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave., in Oklahoma City. On Friday, July 5, “The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour” is scheduled for 8 p.m. Only one year after the birth of her first child, the pop and R&B superstar is ready to take on Oklahoma. Beyoncé will perform her most famous hits like “Love on Top,” “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” and “If I Were a Boy.” Fans might even be lucky enough to hear some new tunes from her upcoming fifth studio album that is set to release this year. Tickets are available at any Ticketmaster outlet and at www.ticketmaster.com. Prices range from $59.45-$283.45 plus fees, depending on the seating section. With 17 Grammy awards under her belt, this diva is sure to put on an amazing show! For more information, visit www.chesapeakearena.com.

"The King and I"

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Staff

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July 3, 2013

Opens Tuesday, July 9

Musical lovers must mark their calendars for Tuesday, July 9-Saturday, July 13. The Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma presents another Broadway classic at the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. The King and I stands as one of the most loved musicals of all time. This Rodgers and Hammerstein creation tells the love story of Anna, an English schoolteacher, who was hired by King Mongkut of Thailand to Westernize his family. Although the play is set in the 1860s, viewers today will adore its magical and moving songs such as “Getting to Know You” and “Shall We Dance.” Tickets for the play directed by Alan Muraoka range from $35-$68. There will be many chances to catch the musical. Tuesday through Thursday shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows are scheduled for 8 p.m., however, there will be a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.lyrictheatreokc.com.

Watermelon Seed Spittin’ World Championship

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Staff

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July 3, 2013

Thursday, July 4

“Independence” is not a word taken for granted in a town famed for the practice of prying out catfish the size of German shepherds barehanded from underwater holes in rivers teeming with snapping turtles and water moccasins. Shortly after Pauls Valley has crowned its annual Okie Noodling tournament champ in June, the town gets ready for the Watermelon Seed Spittin’ World Championship, part of its Fourth of July celebration. Look for live entertainment, a cookout of hamburgers and hotdogs plus a fireworks show said to be the largest manually-lit display between Oklahoma City and Dallas. Make your mark in hurling history or just enjoy the festivities and watermelon. Events take place at Thompson Field in Wacker Park, U.S. 77 and Park Road in Pauls Valley. Read more at www.paulsvalley.com.

The art of Heather Clark Hilliard

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Staff

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July 3, 2013

Opens Friday, July 5

Norman fiber artist Heather Clark Hilliard will exhibit her most recent work at the new 108 Contemporary gallery, 108 E. Brady St. Hilliard is the first artist in residence at the new space, and she will complete her installation of fiber, fabric and paper in time for the exhibit opening at Friday, July 5. Through such skills as knitting, spinning, stitching and felting, and with the use of common materials, Hilliard constructs tapestries that are as exotic as they are unconventional. The opening reception will be 6-9 p.m. Friday July 5. Also look for the artist to discuss the creative process at the gallery on July 19. For more about the exhibit and the gallery, visit www.108contemporary.org.

Rock Star Chef

By

Paul Fairchild

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June 28, 2013

Danny Bowien’s hits can’t be played or performed. But they can be eaten. The 30-year-old Oklahoma City native is known around the world for the creations spilling out of his restaurants, Chinese Mission Food, with locations in San Francisco and New York City. What began with a childhood love of cooking is now an obsession that embraces just about every genre known to diners. And he does all of them well.
At his restaurants, Bowien works with tastes from around the world. But he didn’t go far to find one of his biggest influences. Riffs on the Oklahoma food he grew up with constantly show up on his menus.
“A lot of our cooking techniques come from Oklahoma, especially barbecue. We work that into a lot of stuff. I’m a huge fan of southern food. Another influence for me was the Vietnamese food that’s big in Oklahoma City. It’s really great and doesn’t get the credit it deserves. It was the first ethnic food I ate. It’s great stuff,” Bowien says.
While taking it slowly, Bowien’s on a mission to expand his small restaurant empire. He opened the first Mission Chinese Food in San Francisco in 2010. It took awhile, but once the restaurant got some traction, it became the hottest show in town. Building on that success, he launched a second, wildly successful restaurant in New York City in 2012. His secret for success is simple.
“I want to make people happy. I want to cook for people in an environment that doesn’t specifically cater to one demographic. I worked in fine restaurants for a long time before opening up my own restaurant,” he says. “A lot of my friends wouldn’t come to those restaurants. They couldn’t afford it, and they didn’t like the stuffy environment. I make something for everyone and don’t limit my restaurants with one specific type of dining experience.”
Bowien is the first to admit that as a chef, he’s only as good as the last meal he serves. But this Oklahoma boy is world-famous and has traveled the globe accumulating accolades. He was nominated for the James Beard Rising Chef award in 2012. GQ magazine named him Chef of the Year in December 2012. In 2008 he completely reworked a classic pasta sauce and became the World Champion of Pesto. His brash spontaneity has not gone unnoticed.
“Being a chef is a lot like being in a band. Cooking and music are artistic outlets,” he says. “But there’s a lot of work that goes along with both. People don’t see the other side of an artist making an album or a chef preparing for dinner service. A lot of rehearsal goes in to what we do.
“There are a lot of parallels between food and music. In music, you have your whole life to make your first album. If it’s a hit, there’s going to be a lot of hype attached to your next one. And people expect something from you. It’s the same with restaurants. If you succeed, people push you to do something new. But music and cooking are both forms of expression. To be honest, though, I think it’s harder to play music than it is to cook.”

Electric Hue

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Staff

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June 28, 2013

The Best of the Best 2013

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June 28, 2013

We asked, and you spoke loud and clear, telling us all about your favorite everything, from health care to hash browns – 137 categories to be exact. We crunched and tabulated to find out what’s better and what’s the best. Drumroll, please. It’s the Best of the Best 2013.

Results of The Best of the Best were determined by online voting conducted from Jan. 1-March 15, 2013. Separate ballots were provided for readers in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas. The top three entities receiving the most votes in each category for each city were named The Best of the Best.

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Take It Outside

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Jami Mattox

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June 28, 2013

When searching for furnishings for a new home, the focus generally lies on those most-used rooms: the living and dining areas and perhaps the master suite. But in a state like Oklahoma, where outdoor living areas may be utilized year round, attention should also be paid to furnishing patios, sunrooms or other outdoor living areas.

“It does seem that people’s motivation [to purchase outdoor furniture] is weather, and then it’s often ‘an emergency’ to get something right now so that they can enjoy their outdoor space,” says Brian Hughes, showroom manager at SR Hughes. “That can make it difficult to treat the outdoor space with the same degree of creativity that flows throughout the rest of the house.

“We’ve been working hard to start the outdoor space discussion earlier with people so that they can have the time they need to make solid, long lasting decisions,” Hughes continues.

Hughes offers a tip for creating an inviting outdoor space. “Give yourself some time to create a lasting, fun space,” he says. “It boils down to don’t wait until the last minute and then make hasty decisions about your outdoor space. There are so many great furniture, lighting, rug, accessory and fireplace decisions with reasonable lead times that you can create an original, comfortable, lasting and beautiful space for you, family and friends.”

We asked, and you spoke loud and clear, telling us all about your favorite everything, from health care to hash browns – 137 categories to be exact. We crunched and tabulated to find out what’s better and what’s the best. Drumroll, please. It’s the Best of the Best 2013.

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