What is Satori exactly?
Satori is the Japanese Buddhist term for “enlightenment”, meaning understanding.

What stories and themes are told?
The concert is not set in a traditional narrative, like many ballets or full-length dance concerts, but rather in several individual works that have a through-line of meaning. All the works presented explore the ideas of self-discovery and identity.

Why should one see it?
Satori blends thoughtful and engaging choreography with the spectacle of aerial dance, incorporating new appartuses such as bungee, hanging iron ladders and an aerial carousel.

Who were your influences and muses for Satori?
The conceptual ideas we discussed we very universal in human experience, so it was easy for us to work as independent choreographers while creating a full length concert. We started with a visual landscape that included scenes from Dune and Max Max, but wanted to find a softness that wasn’t present in those films. We chose music that primarily came from an experimental/electronica genre and are balancing that with some instrumental pieces as well. We worked from a combination of ideas for our costuming including a blend of futuristic steampunk.

What was the most challenging aspect you had in the production?
The most challenging aspect (aside from time) is making sure we are presenting clear and cohesive ideas while pushing ourselves to create innovative and fresh choreography.

What did you create for this show?
I created three works for this show, one titled Passing Through which is about pushing oneself through repetitive actions and experiences, Bushido which really looks at the strength of a group collective, about support in trials, and then lastly I am currently working on (not yet finished!) a new work called Failing Forward which seems to be about progress and change through mistake and unplanned actions.

What parts do the performers partially enjoy?
I truly think they enjoy all the work, or they wouldn’t continue the commit to long hours of rehearsal in addition to their other jobs. It takes a tremendous about of perseverance to perform in a dance company, and it is their passion for dance and performing that keeps them going.

What would happen if a sleepy downtown block was transformed into a thriving hub of activity for just one weekend? An event called Better Block OKC will show what is possible with community volunteers taking over a block for one weekend.

Better Block OKC, presented by ULI Oklahoma, is a community revitalization project that temporarily demonstrates how to improve a street with pedestrian and public infrastructure mixed with art, culture, pop-up businesses and street life. Inspired by a national movement of what has been dubbed “tactical urbanism”, Better Block projects have been taking over in cities such as Dallas, Phillidelphia, and San Antonio.

Though comprehensive planning projects are often necessary for developments, the cost, scale, and long-range timelines associated with these initiatives can often lead to a loss in project momentum. Instead, Better Block OKC aims to create quick, inexpensive, high-impact changes that exhibit permanent solutions for areas in OKC.

Better Block OKC will transform NW 7th & Hudson May 18-19. Benches, bike racks, planters, cafe tables…even a pop up dog park have been created by volunteers in the community to show off just how great this block can be. Pop up businesses including home decor, a flower shop, news stand, and street food vendors will compliment the existing mix of restaurant, coffee shop, yoga studio and surrounding businesses.The event will be a living demonstration of how community involvement can transform the vitality of a neighborhood!

Watch the video above and then check the Bluewater Divers page (under Daring and then Adventures of course) for more information and pictures.

Hollywood Magician and Screen Legend, John Calvert to Make an Appearance in Oklahoma City

At an astonishing age of 100 years old, is there anything John Calvert hasn’t done? He has performed on stages all over the world (including Broadway), has been an actor in the movie industry in the 1940s and 50s appearing in over 40 films, and flew a Douglas DC-3 in which he transported his show. Calvert’s biographer, William Rauscher, refers to him as a “real life Indiana Jones” because of the dangers he has survived in his travels.

On Thursday, John Calvert will perform magic routines from his professional repertoire which include his famous cigarette act, rope escape, dancing handkerchief, and his spirit cabinet routine. At the end of his performance he will explain his methods for his miracles.

Calvert will also discuss his role in the movie industry in the 1940s and 50s as well as his appearance on the Red Skelton Hour in 1954. He will also give his secret on how to live to be 100 years old! At the end of his presentation, he will take questions from the audience.

The lecture and performance will be on Thursday, May 10th at 7pm at the City Arts Center (3000 General Pershing Boulevard). Tickets are $20 for members of the Oklahoma City Magic Club and $25 for non-members. No reservations are required, but please bring cash for the door. For more information visit www.okcmagic.org/lectures or call 405.642.0922.

John Calvert’s Biography
John Calvert is one of the truly great names in magic alongside Kellar, Thurston, Blackstone and Dante. His childhood passion for magic and illusion grew into a career which has spanned 75 years. During this time he has made over 25,000 appearances on stages all over the world. At 100 years old he appeared on the stage of the London Palladium and was named “Magician of the Century” by Fantasma Magic. Many magicians in the last 75 years have been and continue to be encouraged and influenced by Calvert and his magic.

Born August 5, 1911 in New Trenton Indiana, Calvert quickly became one of world’s great magicians and entertainers. John Calvert possesses the ability of masterful manual dexterity, supreme showmanship, and the execution of lavish and profound stage illusions.

He became mesmerized with magic at the age of eight when his father took him to see the magician Howard Thuston perform in Cincinnati, Ohio. He made his initial magic tour when he was eighteen, performing in town halls in Kentucky backroad towns. His small troop consisted of one assistant and “Gyp the Wonder Dog”. He returned home with a $2.65 profit.

Through the depression years and into the 1940’s, he continually increased the size of his magic show, adding illusions and personnel, and he gained notoriety by performing daredevil stunts for publicity. Calvert continued performing magic during his Hollywood days. He transported his show’s equipment and personnel worldwide in a Douglas DC-3 airliner. Eventually he purchased a yacht from Henry Ford that was built for Ford’s son Edsel. Calvert sailed the vessel to Hawaii, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, and Australia.

His stage show opened with a fast routine of many tricks he called “variety magic” for about three minutes. This was followed by the Big Bertha Cannon which was used to shoot a woman from a cannon to a box suspended overhead on the stage. Calvert originated the sawing off the head of a spectator using a giant Buzzsaw., which continued to be a feature in the show. Another signature trick he says he originated was having his wife (Tammy) play an organ as they floated above the stage and over the heads of the audience.

Tammy joined the show some fifty years ago in Singapore and immediately joined the act, shortly afterward, the two married. They have just this year celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

At one hundred years old Calvert continues to entertain and mystify audiences throughout the world with his own style of classic magic and illusion. Calvert has earned the right to be truly called one of “The World’s Greatest Magicians”. John has a secret to becoming a great magician that he readily shares with others. So, the next time you see him ask, “How do I become a great magician?”

Artists will rotate between 3 spaces throughout the night, each performing multiple works. The evening includes aerial and contemporary dance, live music, improvisational comedy theatre, traditional African-based music and dance, conceptual theatre, and audience interaction. Patrons will be able to move freely through the gallery and theater to view performances of their choice.
Performers include Perpetual Motion Dance; African-rooted music and dance ensemble Grupo AfroCaribeño; OKC Improv, jazz and hip hop dance company R.A.C.E; collaborative theatre group The Drama Dept; hip hop artist Reality; spoken word poet Lauren Zuniga, and solo performance artists Lindsey Allgood, Rachel Bruce-Johnson, Emily Kzany, and Bernard Roddy.

The idea behind Mixology is to expose audiences to innovative, emerging art forms in a fun and flexible environment. Michelle Dexter, Director for Perpetual Motion and co-founder of Mixology described the event “as speed dating for the performing arts. Audiences get to experience a spectrum of performances without having to commit to one event for two hours.” The minds behind Mixology hope to establish the event as an annual happening.

Tickets are $10. City Arts is located at 3000 General Pershing Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73107. For more information on performers and the event, visit the Facebook event page, www.perpetualmotiondance.org, http://lindseyallgood.wordpress.com, http://www.reality.bandcamp.com, www.mollyoconnor.com, http://afrocaribeno.tumblr.com/, www.okcimprov.com

Keep It Local Day is a commitment to shop local for one day from sunup to sundown. Join us on Saturday, May 5th as we support the local businesses that fuel our economy and strengthen our communities.

Oklahoma City’s first Keep It Local Day will take place metro-wide on Saturday, May 5th. Keep It Local Day is dedicated to enhancing Oklahoma City by supporting locally owned and operated businesses that make our city great.

Citizens of the Oklahoma City community are asked to dine and shop locally from sun up to sun down on Saturday, May 5th. Several local merchants in the Oklahoma City metro are offering special incentives for Keep It Local Day.

Help keep local dollars in Oklahoma City by shopping local on Keep It Local Day, Saturday, May 5th.

Northpark Mall will feature:

*Brunch at Rococo 10am-2pm
*RUMBLE THE BISON at 3:15pm
*Wine and Palette Painting Class 2-5pm
*Floral Arranging Seminar at Silks, Etc.
*Free giveaway drawing at Lime Leopard
*Made In Oklahoma Tasting at Gourmet Gallery
*B.C. Clark Drawing and Special Sales Collection
*Cooking Demonstration at Rococo
*Fitting at Women’s Health Boutique
*Northpark Gift Certificates drawing
*Sustainable OKC Kids Workshop
*Caricature Artist 1-4pm

Non-profit organization, Sustainable OKC will hold a kids workshop at Northpark Mall that consists of several art activities for kids that teach them about sustainability. Children will learn how to make new useful things out of old, otherwise useless items. Some of the crafts may include a birdhouse out of an old oatmeal container, refrigerator magnets out of clothespins and broken jewelry and lightcatchers/ornaments out of old crayon pieces.

The HWAC Choral Union is composed of 80 of Armstrong College’s finest voices. Together with a full professional orchestra, the choralists plan an uplifting performance featuring Johannes Brahms’ Requiem and George Frideric Handel’s Coronation Anthems.

“The choir is comprised of such diverse talents, it’s really astounding that we are performing not one but two choral masterpieces,” Armstrong music director Ryan Malone said. “You have everyone from maintenance men to moms to high school students — and yet when you listen to some of these exquisite melodies they can make, it’s really remarkable. I’m so excited about sharing their efforts with the public.”

The HWAC Choral Union gave the inaugural performance in Armstrong Auditorium, and now they will complete the 2011-2012 concert season.

“We have big plans for our 2012-2013 season,” Shane Granger, Armstrong marketing manager stated. “We’ll announce the season lineup in the coming months, but for now we are looking forward to the Choral Union’s joyous finale.”

Armstrong Auditorium provides a flexible ticket pricing system. Tickets to see the HWAC Choral Union start at $20 for balcony seating and $35 for orchestra seating.

Armstrong Auditorium is also currently host to the world premiere of nearly a dozen archaeological artifacts discovered in Jerusalem in the exhibit, “Seals of Jeremiah’s Captors Discovered.” The interactive exhibit includes figurines, large vessels and royal seal impressions dating to biblical times, which will be on display in the Armstrong Auditorium lobby until October 16, 2012.

For more information on tickets, packaging options or current exhibits, please visit http://www.ArmstrongAuditorium.org or call 405-285-1010.

Armstrong Auditorium
14400 S Bryant Rd
Edmond, OK 73034
Box office: 405-285-1010

1. For those unfamiliar, how would you describe the band and your music?
Human? honest? I don’t know!!!

2. What songs do you recommend that best represent the band?
The record we’re working on.

3. What’s your song writing process?
Ideas —> instruments —> rehearsal —> live —> album

4. What are your thoughts on the Norman Music Festival?
It’s pretty sweet.

5. Anything else you want the pubic to know about the band?
Not really, just see us live and say hi, we love u

The Norman Music Festival 5 is from April 26-28, 2012. Read more Q&As from performers in the festival here.

1. For those unfamiliar, how would you describe the band and your music?
Matt Campbell (lead vocals and guitar) describes Black June Revival as, “Slightly progressive hard rock with a melody and passion that’s written from the head and heart. Not below the belt.”

2. What songs do you recommend that best represent the band?
In the Name of Pain
When Fates Collide
When I’m Gone
Cast the Curse Away

3. What’s your song writing process?
Matt Campbell is the main songwriter and lyricist. Matt says that 99% of the time a melody or string of words form in his head when he is not around his guitar. He will usually speak the words, or hum the melody, into a recorder and translate that when he’s back with his guitar. Matt says that he has never purposefully sat down and written, or forced a song. He says, “I just channel this from the great beyond, it’s hard to take all the credit.”

After his initial creative spark, Matt will take his ideas to the rest of the band members (Donovan Wallace, bass; Jody Hartwig, drums; Chrissy Garrison, vocals) and they will play around with different ideas until it clicks.

4. What are your thoughts on the Norman Music Festival?
It’s an amazingly eclectic gathering of talent. The vibe is awesome and positive. Black June Revival had a great time last year and we are looking forward to playing again at The Red Room, and to seeing the other bands.

5. Anything else you want the pubic to know about the band?
We never want to be judged by our name, or the perception that some people may have about heavier music. Some of our music is progressive and melodic. We don’t really fit into any one specific genre, because we are influenced by all kinds of music. We play with different bands and appeal to all kinds of music fans. As with anything, we ask that you check us out and then form your own opinion.

The Norman Music Festival 5 is from April 26-28, 2012. Read more Q&As from performers in the festival here.

1. For those unfamiliar, how would you describe the band and your music?
Indie / Ambient / Rock… Most of MRD’s songs are pretty cinematic, powerful and ambient making for a LOT of instrumentation and vocal action going on.

2. What songs do you recommend that best represent the band?
September, In Your Hands, Street Lamps of England

3. What’s your song writing process?
Usually the music and lyrics tend to form pretty close to the same time with the music happening first and it’s for the most part written on an acoustic guitar, though the end result usually doesn’t have much acoustic in the music.

4. What are your thoughts on the Norman Music Festival?
We’re proud to be a part and MRD definitely is at full strength on a larger stage because of the sound of our music. NMF is a great festival that features a lot of great bands yearly from what we’ve seen.

5. Anything else you want the pubic to know about the band?
Check us out at www.modernrockdiaries.com

The Norman Music Festival 5 is from April 26-28, 2012. Read more Q&As from performers in the festival here.

1. For those unfamiliar, how would you describe the band and your music?
We started out as an acoustic duo but have since progressed into an amalgamation of multi-instrumentalists playing upwards of 12 different instruments on stage. Our music has elements of folk, rock, blues, country, and Americana to name a few.

2. What songs do you recommend that best represent the band?
Fool’s Gold, So So Long, California Open Invitation, and Better Place to Stop is a pretty good sampling.

3. What’s your song writing process
Myself and Gabriel write our songs individually as opposed to co writing. We don’t really have a set process, usually it’s however the particular song ends up writing itself.

4. What are your thoughts on the Norman Music Festival?
NMF is one of the most musically diverse festivals ive ever had the pleasure of attending. It’s a special weekend for both Normanites and out of towners alike and gives everyone a chance to relax, have a good time, and see some great live music.

5. Anything else you want the pubic to know about the band?
We’re currently touring the country to promote our record “Down The Hatch” and are receiving international attention on our debut release. It’s a hell of a ride so far and we’re doing our best to make Norman proud when we’re on the road.

The Norman Music Festival 5 is from April 26-28, 2012. Read more Q&As from performers in the festival here.

1. For those unfamiliar, how would you describe the band and your music?
You know… for being such a commonly asked question, it’s still such a tough one for me to answer. Hmm… well, I guess I would probably describe us as honest American rock n’ roll with a passion for americana kitch. What is that, you ask? Well, we grew up as children of the radio listening to popular music. Growing up on Tom Petty,Elton John, Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel, The Band… you know, the classics. Whatever you’d hear on the radio. Stuff that people sung along with. Tunes you walked away humming. That’s something we’ve always admired about those classic artists, and something that we aspire for in our own music. Getting to be the soundtrack of people’s lives. Nowadays, there’s so much music out there. Some is too simple, some too complicated, and some has to be downright deciphered! Not us. We are your perfect porridge, little bears. And we will meet you half-way if you give us a chance.

People say that we have a very theatrical show. Now, we have no pyrotechnics, so don’t get too excited. What I think they mean by that is we perform our music with the same passion and vigor that was given to it when it was written. We feel that our songs deserve that. These songs are very personal. They are all autobiographical, and I am tied to them deeply. So, I can get very emotional when performing them. I try to remain as humble and honest as I can for each and every song. So, some say the show comes off as theatrical. And some may just say I make strange faces when I sing… and they’re right. I most certainly do.

Oh yeah, we adorn our stage with nick-nacks and trinkets we’ve collected over the years from thrift stores across the country. They are our souvenirs from our travels, and we display them just like anybody else would. The only difference is you display yours at home. The road is our home, so the stage becomes our living room. It’s more for us than for the audience, but everybody gets a kick out of it! Who doesn’t like RV patio owl light lanterns and lite brites?

2. What songs do you recommend that best represent the band?
C’mon, man! That’s like asking which child best represents your family?! Sure, we’ve gotten more mileage out of some songs than others, but I don’t think I could pick just one. People all have different reasons as to why they like the bands they do. If I may be so bold as to make a bad analogy… It’s like comic books. Some love the comics for their art, some for their story, some the dialogue, and some for their packaging. Those are all equally good reasons, so I would hate to sell our band short by choosing one category over the others. and lead the others astray. There’s a different song for each category that best represents us. I think people will just have to come to their own conclusions after hearing us.

3. What’s your song writing process?
It’s changed over the years. As we’ve been spending more and more time on the road over the last few years, the writing has found itself being written while on the road. In hotels, dark corners of bars, and most often…behind the wheel. I love driving. I find therapy in it. It lets my mind wander in a way that lends itself to writing songs. I try to catch the newly-born ideas as they fly out and pin them down before they vanish. It’s like fishing in a way… you may end up with a little fish, or you may catch a really big fish, or you may have let it get away. Either way, I’m always out there reeling it in. And then I bring the catch of the day to the rest of the band, and we see if we can make supper with it.

4. What are your thoughts on the Norman Music Festival?
Thoughts? Really %#*^ing excited! We can’t wait to meet the good people of Oklahoma.

5. Anything else you want the public to know about the band?
We are honored and excited to be a part of this year’s Norman Festival, and it’s our goal to shake as many hands as we can while we’re there! Come say hi to us! You can come visit us at: Redwantingblue.com. We’ll be seeing you!

The Norman Music Festival 5 is from April 26-28, 2012. Read more Q&As from performers in the festival here.

1. For those unfamiliar, how would you describe the band and your music?
High voltage rock n’ roll that flirts with classic heavy metal in the vein of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.

2. What songs do you recommend that best represent the band?
Are You Dead, Last Supper and Slow Train. These are all off our most recent release Believers In Medicine out on Guestroom Records-Records.

3. What’s your song writing process?
A basic kernel of a song is usually brought in by Richie Tarver, then the band flushes it out and finally lyrics and melody are transposed by Brandon Kistler. Generally music first, vocals last.

4. What are your thoughts on the Norman Music Festival?
The Norman Music Festival is nothing short of a local marvel. It is a cultural event that archaeologists of the future will be restructuring their theoretical paradigms around for centuries to come. This festival, and all the absurdly impossible work to make it happen, should be heralded in the community, and quite frankly supported at a much greater scale. Annual events like the NMF are attractive to potential progressive citizens, and separate Norman from the typical refuge for the bland void of cultural and artistic appreciation that is representative of much of Oklahoma.

5. Anything else you want the pubic to know about the band?
We are currently working on a new release with Trent Bell of Bell Labs Recording Studios in Norman, OK, and hope for a release this Fall. www.rainbowsarefree.com

The Norman Music Festival 5 is from April 26-28, 2012. Read more Q&As from performers in the festival here.

1. For those unfamiliar, how would you describe the band and your music?
The band is like a big family. There’s seven members and we all live together in a house/recording studio outside of Chicago. Our music has many influences but mostly inspired by classic rock and roll. It’s drawn comparisons to The Band and the Grateful Dead.

2. What songs do you recommend that best represent the band?
Circles, Red Leaves, Caged Lion

3. What’s your song writing process?
“E” writes the majority of songs and also produces in the studio but also have songs written by Todd and Woody. We all work together to decide on instrumentation, style, and structure. Philzee leads the way in terms of arrangement.

4. What are your thoughts on the Norman Music Festival?
Norman Music Fest is something we’ve wanted to be a part of since we first came to Norman on tour a few years ago. It’s a great concept and it really seems like the whole community comes together to make it a success.

5. Anything else you want the pubic to know about the band?
The Giving Tree Band will release a fourth album later this year. So please visit the facebook page or www.thegivingtreeband.com for updates and free music. The band will be on tour this summer throughout the US and Canada with celebrated songwriter Joe Purdy.

Check back tomorrow for another Q&A!

“He started a national YouTube frenzy with his exploding Mentos soda bottle trick and regularly shows millions of people the magic of the science on the Ellen Show, so we are excited that he is coming here to share his expertise,” said Sherry Marshall, Director, Oklahoma Museum Network. “His perspective of science never fails to excite, baffle, surprise and ultimately educate everyone watching.

The public is invited to watch one of the largest Mentos and Diet Coke Geyser Car launches ever performed. The launch is open for public viewing in the museum parking lot at 2:15 pm.

“Steve Spangler is one of the few people that have been invited to create original new content for YouTube on their new YouTube Channels.” said Sherry Marshall, Director, Oklahoma Museum Network. “He will have his video crew here to document this occasion, so everyone should come to show Oklahoma support!”

Spangler will be available for the public meet and greet starting at 4 pm, and this event is free with your museum admission. For more information on Steve Spangler please visit www.stevespanglerscience.com.