Opens Saturday, Oct. 5

Art and democracy meet at the newest exhibit at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. “Libertad de Expresión: The Art of the Americas and Cold War Politics” opens Saturday, Oct. 5, and runs through Jan. 5. The museum, located at 555 Elm Ave. in Norman on the University of Oklahoma campus, presents pieces from more than 60 artists – including Joaquín Torres García, Roberto Matta and Jesús Rafael Soto – with work representative of styles from constructivism and surrealism to abstract expressionism. Collected by the Organization of American States during the Cold War to demonstrate the modern artistic virtues and freedoms enjoyed in Latin America and the Caribbean, this showing also tells a story of hypocrisy – how the organization and its Art Museum of the Americas at the time refused support to artists with socialist or communist leanings.

“Libertad de Expresión” is the focus of a symposium scheduled the day before the exhibit’s official opening. It will run Friday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and feature speakers on the politics and culture of Cold War-era Latin American and Caribbean beginning after World War II.

Exhibit admission is free. Regular viewing hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (open until 9 p.m. Friday) and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. For more, go to www.ou.edu/fjjma. For more on the symposium, call 405.325.4938.

Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

We’re lucky in Oklahoma. When the seasons change, we live it, which makes events like Utica Square’s Art in the Square especially attractive. The village for upscale shopping and fine dining will line its sidewalks with local artists set up to demonstrate and exhibit their work. Pottery, stained glass, sculpture, woodturning, painting and other media will be represented at this favorite event that includes children activities. Visit with artists at this free event on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Utica Square is located on 21st Street east of Utica Avenue. Read more at www.uticasquare.com.

Sunday, Oct. 6, noon-5 p.m.

Get thyself to the temple for the 20th annual ShalomFest, a celebration of Jewish music, tradition, food and fun. ShalomFest will be from noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at Tulsa’s Temple Israel, 2004 E. 22nd Place, just south of Utica Square. Again, expect your favorite Jewish dishes from around the globe, including spiced beef, chicken parikash, kosher hot dogs, borekas, Israeli salad, chopped liver and more. While you snack, listen to the temple’s choirs, singers Rebecca Ungerman and Jenny Labow or dance with Rabbi Micah in the entertainment tent. Look for the kids’ activities area and visit with vendors in jewelry, gifts and Judaica, but make sure to also check out the model ceremonies (wedding, folk dance, Bat Mitzvah and other demonstrations) to get a real feel for the culture. Admission is free. For more, visit www.templetulsa.com/shalomfest.

Thursday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.

What you’ve heard about and of The Moth on radio is true. The nonprofit organization based in New York City has brought the stories of people – experienced storytellers and regular folks – to stages around the country in a showcase of poignant and authentic expression since the late ‘90s. The Moth on stage is, also, one of the hottest tickets anywhere for art and entertainment. Literature and live performance rock the Rose State Performing Arts Theatre, 6000 Trosper Road, Midwest City. On Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m., The Moth Mainstage flies into the Oklahoma City area with the night’s theme, “Learning Curves: The Moth in Oklahoma.” A few of the “best-of” tellers from “The Moth Radio Hour” and podcasts will share all-new stories specific to the region, which will be recorded for airplay on the radio show at a later date. Tickets are $25-$35, available at www.myticketoffice.com. For more about The Moth and the radio show, visit www.themoth.org.

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m.

Way back in the fall of 2008, the city of Tulsa was treated to something rare – the grand opening of a major arena venue. The promise of bustling crowds drawn to downtown Tulsa, a thriving nightlife and major entertainment acts wafted in the air for months as progress continued and the arena took shape. Then, the Eagles landed, opening the BOK Center for business on Sept. 6, 2008, and returning to play all over again on Nov. 11. Five years later, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timonthy B. Schmit return to confer blessings on the BOK Center’s fifth anniversary year. Show time is at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, and tickets are $49.50-$179.50. Get yours at www.bokcenter.com.

Wednesday, Oct. 2-Sunday, Oct. 6

There’s more to the Oklahoma Regatta Festival than rowing a boat. Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District loads up on dragon boat racing, fireworks, running, kayaking, partying and other festivities for this annual celebration of river sports. The festival opens with the Canoe Marathon Invitational from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2. The festival gets into gear with the family festival, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, which includes free admission and special pricing on Riversport Adventures passes ($15 for 3-12 years and $25 for adults). The family festival, continuing through Saturday, Oct. 5, coincides with OGE Nightsprints and firework shows on the river. The weekend includes the Oklahoma & USRowing Masters National Head Race Championship (Saturday-Sunday), the Oklahoma Regatta Run (8 a.m. Saturday) and the social event, bl? VIP Lounge (7-10 p.m. Saturday), with live music, dancing and food. Bl? tickets are $50 each. See what’s on the schedule at www.oklahomariverevents.org.

Sally Ann Sullivan, owner of Showcase Kitchens and Baths, worked with the owners of this 20-year-old home to create their dream kitchen. “The space was congested, and they kept running into each other when they were working in the kitchen because of the placement of the appliances,” says Sullivan. So the entire room was gutted and the space redesigned.

Sullivan began by rearranging the appliances. The refrigerator, a Sub-zero French door style, was moved near the dining table. Originally, the oven and microwave were stacked, but she opened the space by moving the microwave into the upper cabinets and creating a landing space for hot microwave containers below. And with a simple turn, cooked items can go into the warming drawer conveniently placed in the island.  

Located at the end of the cabinets are two deep refrigerated drawers, perfect for storing water, soda and juice. Next to the under-counter mounted quartz sink is the dishwasher, fully concealed by matching wood front. A touch button disposal switch is on the countertop, and Halogen lights span over the sink to help illuminate sink activities.

“The chef’s pantry became a focal point because it was designed to resemble an armoire,” says Sullivan. LED lighting was hidden behind the molding and fully lights the pantry when the doors are opened. The interior upper and lower diagonal Lazy Susan cabinets are also illuminated to make finding things easier.

Sullivan worked with the homeowners to include numerous personal storage conveniences. There is a pullout double trash bin, making recycling easy. A specialty pullout cabinet holds all the cleaning supplies. There are spice drawers and cutlery drawers. A special liquor area has dividers for each bottle. And various vegetable bins can be removed from the cabinets and used on the countertop while cooking.

The cherry cabinets are Wood-Mode with a glazed finish. The island is a contrasting paint-and-glaze finish with cherry bun feet. Recessed electrical strips were installed at each end of the island. Countertops are Netuno Bordeaux granite with a triple profile edge on the island. The backsplash is tumbled travertine with an accent of marble and glass tile mosaic.

The stovetop vent hood is concealed by a matching cherry apron and detailed with corbels and a carved embellishment by Enkeboll. Another decorative carving was used under the sink. Corbels also highlight the open cookbook shelving.

“Now the kitchen is a convenient and organized space to enjoy,” says Sullivan.