Names like Dvorak, Wagner and Ravel do not make it into your average daily conversation. When you’re talking about good live music, however, that changes. And, if you’re talking about the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, you’re talking about works of the great classical masters sounding as fresh and dynamic as their debuts. The 2010-11 season is about to make its exit, but not before the OKC Philharmonic presents its Philharmonic Showcase, May 21, at the OKC Civic Center Music Hall. Joel Levine continues into his third decade of leading the philharmonic with a steady hand and visionary’s aptitude. The night’s set begins with Dvorak’s Carnival Overture followed by Aaron Copland’s sweeping Appalachian Spring and Invitation to the Dance, the romantic waltz that began as a piece for piano by Carl Maria von Weber and was later orchestrated by Hector Berlioz. Ravel’s Bolero brings the program to a pinnacle for the finale and a bid to next season.
Visit www.okcphilharmonic.org for more.

The Society of Animal Artists has been busy, and the group’s efforts have migrated to the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman for a spectacular exhibition. Art and the Animal is a traveling exhibit of more than 100 pieces of the best animal-subject artwork around. The exhibit is the 50th annual for the society, which was founded in 1960 and includes a membership of wildlife painter and sculptors from the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa, Japan and Australia. This collection, which depicts wild animals in striking detail at rest and in action, premiered in September at the San Diego Natural History Museum. The 2011 show will premiere shortly after Art and the Animal closes in Norman, Sept. 5. While it’s safe to say that there is plenty of time to view the works, the exhibit – much like its subjects – is elusive. Don’t let this one get away. For more go to www.snomnh.ou.edu online.

Henry David Thoreau once said, “Water is the only drink for a wise man.” 

When I ask people to recall everything they ate or drank in the past 24 hours, most will not mention water, yet water is one of the six nutrients our bodies need to survive. In fact, short of a miracle, the human body cannot go without water for more than a week.

We need about 2.5 quarts of water per day from drinking and eating foods to maintain good health. Adequate water intake supports digestion, elimination, hydration and dental health. “Doctoring” up our water at home has several benefits. Ginger is known to help with nausea, and lemons cleanse the mouth and dislodge phlegm. Ginger and lemon also work as powerful bacteria fighters. Cucumbers have a unique, clean taste and help to neutralize the saliva in our mouths.

Refreshing Cucumber Water

8 c. water
1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced
Soak and float cucumber in cold water several hours before serving over ice.

Ginger-Lemon Water

8 c. water
1/4 c. cup fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
1 lemon, sliced in rings
Soak ginger overnight in water. The next day, remove ginger and float lemon rings in the ginger water. Serve over ice.

Suzanne Forsberg, RD/LD, CDE, works for St. John Healthy Lifestyles.

The vows have been said, the toasts offered and the last photographs snapped. There’s just one more thing for the happy couple to do: Party for two, please…let the honeymoon begin. C’est l’amour. But where?

North America

Vancouver, Canada
Can you do any better than Honeymoon Bay? Not likely. The small town on Vancouver Island in British Columbia is as picturesque as it is quaint, with a backdrop of mountains and lakes. The shops, golf and beaches will delight.

Stay in the heart of Vancouver at the Shangri-la Hotel, which prides itself on having the latest innovations, such as automatically-closing drapes and centrally-controlled lighting. It also features a heated pool, sauna, steam room, spa and excellent restaurant.

South America

Buenos Aires
The Four Seasons is where you want to be. Your stay will be inspiring. Just imagine champagne breakfasts in your suite, romantic candlelit dinners in the hotel restaurant, Le Mistral, relaxing massages, picnics for two – and all the trimmings.

Best of all, The Four Seasons’ staff is at the ready to craft your honeymoon to your specifications. In fact, the destination setting has itself been the scene of hundreds of weddings.

Brazil
The beaches of Brazil are many, gorgeous and varied. Explore Buzios, 120 miles east of Rio, where you’ll find exciting nightlife, great shopping, water sports and easy accessibility.

The beach city sports many small inns, but choose Casas Brancas Boutique Hotel and Spa for its amenities, proximity to the beach, attention to detail and exotic food. Europeans buy vacation homes in Buzios, so you know there’s a lot to do both before and after the sun goes down.

Europe

Montenegro
Small but astonishingly beautiful, Montenegro lies on the Adriatic Sea in southeastern Europe, in part of what used to be Yugoslavia. The busy town of Budva on the coast is a lovely old village filled with quaint restaurants and interesting shops.

Enjoy your own private beach at the Hotel Splendid just outside Budva, which lives up to its name with restaurants, bar/lounges, outdoor poolside bars and an indoor pool. Book a room and they’ll give you free access to the hotel’s Spa Becici.

Budapest, Hugary
A honeymoon in Hungary will immerse you in the country’s rich heritage of art, architecture and music. More than 1,000 lakes decorate the country – the largest, Balaton, is strewn with thermal springs.

The lively scene in Budapest includes almost-weekly festivals and sports events. The city’s newest all-suite luxury hotel, the Queen’s Court, bathes guests in sumptuous refinements, all within short walks of the city’s most famous landmarks and great restaurants.

Prague, Czech Republic
Located by the river Vltava in central Bohemia, Czech Republic, the fairytale city of Prague is loaded with Gothic architecture, relaxing cafes and intriguing museums – with natural scenery and lower-than-elsewhere prices thrown in as a bonus.

Two good honeymoon hotels in Prague are Mars Hotel and Hotel Maximilian, but instead, choose the President Hotel: 24-hour room service, health club with massage and treatment amenities, in-room refrigerators and mini-bars, blackout drapes and satellite TV.

Asia

Istanbul, Turkey
Straddling the line between Asia and Europe, Istanbul is a feast for the senses. Visit the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, bargain for good prices at the Grand Bazaar, go to a Turkish bath house and then roam Istanbul’s many enchanting shopping neighborhoods and museums.
Stay in the heart of the city at the Uyan Hotel – historic but restored with white painted wooden doors, wrought iron balconies, 24-hour room service and deluxe accommodations.

Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian culture is unexplainable – it’s sexy, mysterious and romantic all at the same time. Consider Bali. The hotels are memorable, service with a smile, always, and the culture of Bali is diverse and exotic.

One more suggestion: Luang Prabang, Laos and the Santi Resort & Spa. The buildings sit among lush rice paddies and gorgeous hills with tranquil streams meandering through the extensive grounds.

Africa

Spot the Big 5 on the Serengeti: lions, African elephants, rhinos, Cape buffalo and leopards, or get away from it all and enjoy a more intimate safari experience – whatever your choice, climate-perfect Tanzania deserves consideration.

The Tides Lodge sits on an enticing beach on the Swahili Coast, voted “One of the Top 6 Secret Beaches of the World” by the Sunday Times. The lodge pampers with spa treatments, fine beachside cuisine, glorious sunsets and early morning tea.

Antarctica

Unlikely as it may seem, Antarctica might be the honeymoon of your dreams. Especially if you take the M/V Plancius, the latest vessel to join the Oceanwide fleet.

Sail out of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego in Argentina on this former oceanographic research ship, now outfitted with 54 cabins, including 10 spacious suites. Onboard, enjoy the restaurant, lounge, bar and library; but the real fun is the unparalleled opportunities to view spectacular scenery and wildlife.

Australia

Snorkel azure seas, then kick back in hammocks built for two while your wine is poured on Wilson Island, a dot of tropical paradise on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Your luxury “tent” is surrounded by white sand, palm trees and seclusion.

Or check into The Richardson, a striking new boutique hotel in West Perth near the exquisite Kings Park and Botanical Gardens and also close to the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Subiaco.

Formal

Tuxedo Cocktail
Nothing says formal like a tuxedo, whether it be drink or suit. The Tuxedo cocktail begins as a wet martini brightened and sweetened to great effect. The addition of marsachino liqueur and an anise liqueur, such as Pernod, Ricard or Pastis, change it into something else entirely. It is a sophisticated-looking cocktail that suits a formal event well.

1 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
1 1/2 oz. gin
1/4 tsp. maraschino liqueur
1/4 tsp. anise liqueur
2 dashes Angostura bitters

Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a brandied or maraschino cherry.

Cold Weather

Wedding Belle
As someone who wed on chilly night in fall, I can attest to how memorable a wedding in the off-season can be. However, it calls for a drink of a different color. The Wedding Belle uses Dubonnet Rouge and Cherry Heering, both of which are herbal, sweet and heavy-bodied spirits that, along with their color, make the Wedding Belle perfect for an autumn or winter wedding.

1 oz. gin
1 oz. Dubonnet Rouge
1/2 oz. Cherry Heering
1/2 oz. orange juice

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Destination

Planter’s Punch
Planter’s Punch comes in all shapes and varieties. Most versions call for at least two types of rum and two types of juices and then spiral out into various and sundry forms of weirdness from there. This version has the traditional red hue associated with Planter’s Punch, and if your wedding is at a tropical destination, these will fit the scene and make for a remarkable vacation for all.

1 1/4 oz. orange juice
1 1/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
3 tsp. grenadine
1/2 oz. dark Jamaican rum
1 1/4 oz. light rum

Shake everything except the dark rum with crushed ice. Strain into a tall glass over crushed ice and float the dark rum on top. Garnish with whatever fruity pieces of flair are at your disposal.

Summertime

Frizzante Mojito
Summer weddings demand refreshing and cool drinks. The Frizzante Mojito is delightful on a summer day and marries a traditional summertime drink, the Mojito, with that classic fixture of weddings, champagne. Also an easy drink to batch and serve in punch bowls, this will have your guests feeling refreshed and ready to dance.

6 fresh mint leaves
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. simple syrup
1 1/2 oz. light rum
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 oz. chilled sparkling wine

Muddle the mint, lime juice and simple syrup in a mixing glass. Add the rum and bitters and shake with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and top with sparkling wine.

Casual

Bellini
If you’re looking for unfussy and delicious, this is the ticket. The Bellini is the rare classic cocktail whose origins are undisputed. It was created at Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy, and uses the white peaches seasonal to the area. Yellow peaches will suffice, but white peaches make this cocktail transcendent.

1 part white peach puree
2 parts Prosecco
sparkling wine

Add peach puree to a champagne flute and top with Prosecco.
 

A bride needn’t break the bank when adding glamorous flair to her wedding day.

Inexpensive, do-it-yourself types of things – like tying vintage brooches to bridal bouquets or adding them to place settings – can pack a powerful, yet subtle and classic, punch.

“Today, adding old things to new things is considered glamorous. It’s the sign of the times. We like to mix and match things like that. What might have been considered unstylish or tacky before can be reborn into something fresh and new,” says Dallas-based wedding planner extraordinaire Donnie Brown.

“Twenty years ago, if you told a bride to use an old brooch or hang twinkle lights, she’d have said, ‘What? Are you out of your mind?’ But actually seeing the way it can be done now makes all the difference.”

Brown suggests taking a focal point, such as the head table or entertainment stage, and hanging sheer white drapery behind it. From the poles where they hang, fix white-corded twinkle lights from the top and run them straight down in strips.

“What this does is give off a soft, ethereal glow through the drapes. It’s really pretty. I always tell people that they want to take care of their guest’s senses. You want to pay close attention to anything they can see, taste, hear and touch,” he says.

For even more visual stimulation, the use of metallics – or anything sparkly – in centerpieces reflects light and shows new dimensions to décor, while a timeline of photographs of the bride and groom at each table can add a personal touch.

Spending a little less on the venue and a bit more on décor can also go a long way – but, Brown adds, just make sure you are at a venue where the food and beverage is good.

“You can go to a venue that’s not quite as nice as another venue and drape the walls and light the room to make it look just as nice as if you went to a Ritz Carlton or a Four Seasons,” he says. “Décor has become so much more complex than it used to be, but you can cut back on a lot of that stuff by focusing on small details.”

Brown prefers the look of set tables at a seated dinner to a buffet style set-up, but advises the compromise of a set table with a plated salad followed by a buffet dinner.

“The first impression you get of a wedding reception is when you walk in and take in how everything is set up, including all of the details that go along with it,” he says. “You need to really read between the fine lines when looking at catering packages. Often it seems like a seated dinner is more expensive, but it really isn’t.”

For more inside tips, check out Donnie Brown Weddings: From the Couture to the Cake, which includes a list of the industry’s top 10 most hidden wedding costs.

In the midst of planning the flowers, location, cake and the dress, sometimes the most important item can get neglected – the bride. All the beautiful flowers in the world or the best designer dress won’t cover up a tired and worn out bride. We’ve talked to experts to give brides some helpful hints on ways that they can feel and look great, inside and out.

Getting Into Shape

Brides may tend to put this off until it becomes crunch time where crash diets and crazy exercise routines can often lead to counteractive results.

Amy Ory of Amy’s Fitness Company encourages brides to start the health and wellness journey as soon as they get the ring on their finger.

“Getting healthy and in shape is not a mad scramble,” says Ory. “With health and wellness, there is no finish line; you want to adopt a healthy lifestyle, one that will last long after the honeymoon is over.”

Ory is an advocate of strength training because it burns much more fat that cardio alone. Pushups, squats, sit ups and lunges are all exercises she recommends that require no equipment, gym or even a huge amount of time.

“These can all be done in between errands, while you are watching the news or talking on the phone,” says Ory. “There is no need for fancy equipment or gym memberships, and you can still get into great shape.”

Skin and Makeup

Stress doesn’t even begin to decribe the pressure most brides put themselves through. Most likely, the dress, venue and flowers are top priorities. However, a bride can never plan too early for her bridal look. That doesn’t just mean makeup, either. Many factors contribute to that perfect look.

Bonnie Montgomery, licensed aesthetician and owner of The Skin Boutique, offers a few helpful hints.

Plan for your skin care preparations by booking an appointment with an aesthetician at least three months prior to the occasion. When considering an aesthetician, look for those who offer:

• Complimentary consults. This is the time to have your skin analyzed so that your goals can be determined. A professional aesthetician will prepare a skin care protocol based on professional services needed as well as at-home care. This appointment should also be used to book the necessary appointments needed for treatments.  

• Waxing. Book a consultation appointment at least four weeks prior to the ceremony. Based on the client preference and needs, this service should be performed two days prior to the ceremony. This will allow plenty of time for skin that might have been irritated to heal. If waxing the face, eyebrows or lip, always remember to apply sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 to the area that has been waxed. Waxing is an exfoliation process, and the exposed skin is prone to sunburn.

• Makeup. If hiring a makeup artist/aesthetician, begin the interviewing process at least six months in advance. It is extremely important that you take your time with this process and make the best selection for you. This is your day, your look. Most professional makeup artists/aestheticians will offer a complimentary consultation, but always check individual or company policy. If on-site services are needed, an up charge may also apply.

Hair

Shawna Burroughs, a hair stylist with Jara Herron Medical Spa & Hair Salon, specializes in bridal hair. She suggests coming in at least three months early for a consultation and either bring the dress or a picture of the dress so you can both decide the best look.
Burroughs also suggests doing two trial runs before the big day, and one of them should be on the same day as the dress fitting.
The more detailed the dress, she suggests a very sleek and simple look for the hair, either in a high bun (which is a new trend) or pulled back in a low ponytail.

If the dress is a halter-style, Burroughs suggests wearing the hair down, but tucked behind the ears for a very clean look that accentuates the halter.

And for a simple dress, add more detailing to the hair, such as soft curls or braids. She also mentions that more brides are choosing a hairpiece to wear in their hair after the veil is taken off, anything from a flower or a feather to something more intricate.

Bottom line, Burrough says, to do what feels most comfortable. If a woman wears her hair up most of the time, then she should do an updo and vice versa.