Arts & Entertainment

April 13, 2012

First, we had “The Fred,” known pro-fessionally as the Fred Jones Jr. Museumof Art. Then came “The Sam,” short forthe Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of

Natural History. Now, we have“The Phil,” Norman’s first Philhar-monic Orchestra.

Its inaugural performance in Jan-uary provided the first sold outshow at the Nancy O’Brian Centerfor the Performing Arts. Organiz-ers hope to do it again Saturdaynight at 8, and again Sunday at 3p.m. in OU’s Sharp Hall inside thecavernous Catlett Music Center.

Tickets are $10 and are availablefrom the OU Fine Arts Box Office,

325-4101. The organizers encourage con-certgoers to buy tickets early and avoidsome of the seating problems thatoccurred during the first concert in Janu-ary.

The January debut also was the worldpremiere of “Forward,” Norman’s anthemwritten by Minnesota composer LibbyLarsen. The orchestra performed it at CityHall this week. (It may have been the

most harmony ever to come from councilchambers).

Conductor Richard Zielinski has assem-bled a cadre of talented musicians. Abouta third of them call Norman home. On Sat-urday, they’ll team up with the OU Schoolof Dance and OU Choirs to prsentHaydn’s “The Creation.”

It’s an American first for Haydn’s workto be choreographed. Part of it was doneonce in the 1990s in Germany. OU willtake about 200 performers to Eisenstadt,Austria, this summer to the Haydn festi-

val. Zielinski, an OU professor, serves as

artitistic director and principal conductorfor the Haydn Festspiele.

Next year’s concert lineup for “ThePhil” is in the works. Zielinski hopes topresent four concerts for the community.Having our own orchestra is the sign of avibrant, growing community that appre-ciates the arts. It has come about becauseof a few individuals who want to share allthe fine arts Norman has to offer.

We’ll see you at “The Phil.”

2 Norman 2012 VISION

Andy RiegerExecutiveEditor

Next up:Community Growth

Animal Emergency Center . . . . . . . . . . 2

Chickasaw Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

Goodwill Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Norman Music Institute . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

Pioneer Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Primrose Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Republic Bank and Trust . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Spaulding Family Chiropractic . . . . . . 11

Sooner Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

The Actory Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15

n Clockwise from upper left: PrimroseFuneral Home, Norman Music Institute,Jazz in June and The Actor Factory. Photos by Kyle Phillips / The NormanTranscript.

ON THE COVER

ADVERTISER INDEXYou know ‘The Fred’ and ‘The Sam;’ Meet ‘The Phil’ConductorRichardZielinski, an OUprofessor,serves asartitisticdirector andprincipalconductor forthe HaydnFestspiele. Kyle Phillips / The Norman Transcript

Norman 2012 VISION 3

By Carol Cole-FroweFor The Transcript

The bustle of activity at Norman’sFirehouse Art Center is a prelude ofgood things to come.

Planned repairs are beingcompleted at the iconic, former firestation by the city of Norman, whichowns the structure at the southeastcorner of Lion’s Park and leases it toFAC. Soon it’s hoped a majorexpansion with privately raisedfunds will increase its functionalityand outreach.

The FAC board will launch thecorporate part of the $600,000capital campaign for the expansionthis summer. A public push willcontinue this fall.

The city budgeted $139,000 inthis fiscal year for replacing theFAC roof, entry doors, six windowswith more energy efficient versions,floor joists, fire escape, siding andother repairs. They ended upcosting $156,900, with Ron WaltersConstruction doing the work.

“We anticipated that,” said JamesBriggs, city of Norman park plannerwho acted as project manager.

He said they had seen waterrunning down behind exteriorsiding and underneath windowsand knew much would need to bedone.

“The whole wall was pretty muchgone,” Briggs said of the main entry

side.The about 1,500-square-foot

expansion will extend on the eastside facing Flood Avenue.

About a year ago, it was thoughtonly about $225,000 would need tobe raised for the expansion. Thatwas before a professional costanalysis of the plans was done, witha more accurate estimate of$600,000.

“We’ve really been working todevelop the mission of the Fire-house,” said Theresa Bragg, FACboard member and chairwoman ofthe capital campaign. “We feel realcomfortable with the $600,000 costestimate. … I really believe it’sgoing to be a grassroots effort. TheFirehouse has been around so longand has touched so many lives.”

About $60,000 has been raised sofar, said Douglas Shaw Elder, FACexecutive director, a sculptor bytraining, and recent awardee of theFowler Volkswagen Art EducationAward. Elder joined FAC as its

director in 2007.Even with repairs going on, the

FAC has continued expanding itsmission, providing visual artseducation for 2,212 Normanchildren last year, compared with1,614 the year before. Other classeslike the Healing Studio serveNorman seniors and a variety ofclasses like jewelry design, painting,pottery, weaving and sculptureserve the adult population.

Bragg said Elder’s work with artseducation in Norman PublicSchools has greatly expanded thescope of what they do.

“(Douglas) is the ambassador forthe Firehouse. He’s just really donea fabulous job of keeping theFirehouse at the forefront,” shesaid.

• Installing two ADA compliantbathrooms to augment the singleunisex bathroom, which has beenserving hundreds of children andadults daily. “Cleanliness andupkeep are tricky,” Elder said of thebathroom.

• Moving and expanding theadministrative offices. Currently,FAC staff including Elder office in164-square-feet.

• Adding and making classroomspace more functional.

• Major storage needs forgallery artwork, gift shop inventory,student works and art supplies.

• Increasing the energy

efficiency of the building.“I think for the community in

general, the Firehouse needs togrow,” Elder said.

FAC board member JamesSchwartz, who has extensiveconstruction experience, is thebuilding chairman for the expansionand has been working with the Cityon the repairs.

Schwartz said FAC's next step isbringing the electrical system up tocurrent standards, includinginstallation of a 400-amp circuit box.

“Mainly get the building togetherfor the next 20 or 30 years,”Schwartz said.

Three potters organized theFirehouse in 1971, when it went outof service as a fire station. The oldfire pole that helped firefighters tothe first floor still stands in anupstairs classroom, although thecircular cutout has been coveredover.

The last major expansion of theFirehouse — also funded privately— was in 1983 and about doubledits previous space.

“The Firehouse is grateful to thecommunity and to the City ofNorman. Without them, wewouldn’t have survived for 40 (plus)years,” Elder said. “The Firehousehas a rich history. … We want tocontinue that for another 40 years.We need their help and support tokeep growing.”

Firehouse center’s expansion to increase outreach, functionality

Jerry Laizure / Transcript File Photo

Quembe Walkingstick of Yukon looks over works atthe Firehouse Art Center faculty art show in 2011.

Kyle Phillips / Transcript File Photo

One of the many public art installations at the Fire-house Art Center in 2011.

Jerry Laizure / Transcript File Photo

Elizabeth Vaughn shows her grandmother JaneBowerman her art during the 2011 Firehouse ArtCenter student show.

Kyle Phillips / Transcript File Photo

Firehouse Art CenterExecutive DirectorDouglas Shaw Elder, asculptor by training,recently was awardedthe Fowler Volkswa-gen Art EducationAward.

By Jerri Culpepper Special for the Transcript

Eighty-one years. Few busi-nesses in this country can layclaim to having survived, muchless thrived, that many years.But, says the general manager ofPrimrose Funeral Service andSunset Memorial Park, the rea-sons for their longevity are real-ly pretty simple.

John Davenport explains:“The Primrose team is dedicat-ed to the community. We havebeen very fortunate to serve

Norman for 81years! Notmany business-es can say that.We would nothave been ableto stay in busi-ness for thatlength of timeby providingbad service orignoring thepeople who

trust us during a time that maynot be the best. We have beenable to be successful because wetruly believe that honesty, trustand integrity are vital in today'sworld. Other funeral homes inNorman have come and gone,yet Primrose Funeral Servicehas been consistent over years.”

He cited two other factors thathave served them well. They lis-ten to what their clients want,rather than trying to force a “onesize fits all” package on every-one. And they are willing tochange and adapt with the times.

He used cremation as anexample.

“The funeral industry is evolv-ing each and every day. Crema-tion is a growing trend thatmany funeral homes are against,yet Primrose is ready to servefamilies that would prefer a cre-mation service to a burial ser-vice,” he says, explaining thatcost is only one factor in choos-ing cremation over burial. Anaverage funeral in the United

States costs $7,500, compared toan average cremation cost of$1,500.

Primrose offers many differ-ent types of urns, including met-al, clay, biodegradable, woodand even plastic urns.

One of the more unique offer-ings is called “Thumbies,” inwhich the thumb print of a lovedone is used to create a personal-ized necklace, bracelet or ring.Upon request, Primrose also cancast the hand, foot or even faceof a loved one in a mold.

Primrose also offers assis-tance in carrying out people’swishes after the cremation andservice.

“People always say, ‘I want myashes scattered in the ocean ora lake or a pond.’ We offer a ser-vice where we can actually havesomeone’s cremated remainsplaced in a coral reef off thecoast of Florida. This is some-thing that is gaining anincreased amount of popularityand has been a huge success inhelping marine life,” Davenportsays.

Primrose also offers a web-

casting service that allows themto broadcast a funeral or amemorial service anywhere inthe country with access to theInternet.

Whatever route one chooses– a traditional burial or crema-tion – the staff at Primrose offera myriad of ways to personalizethe service for a family.

For example, the funeralhome has an event center thatcan host a meal for up to 85 peo-ple. Another popular option isthe “How May We Serve YouCatered Event.” By providingthe food, linens and wait staffduring evening visitation, beforeor after the service, or even dur-ing the memorial service, fami-lies are freed up to visit with rel-ative and friends, rather thanhaving to cook themselves ordeal with a separate cateringcompany.

Yesterday…

Odies Primrose and GeorgeJansing established Jansing-Primrose Funeral Home in Nor-

man in 1931. In 1943, the busi-ness became Primrose FuneralHome, and relocated to NorthPorter Avenue in 1947.

The second generation of thePrimrose family ownershipbegan with Ben Primrose in1973 and continued until hisretirement in 1994. Both Benand his father were licensedfuneral directors, and Odies helda 50-year service pin with theOklahoma Funeral DirectorsAssociation.

… and Today

Since 1994, Primrose Funer-al Service has been a member ofthe Dignity Memorial® networkof funeral, cremation and ceme-tery service providers.

Primrose Funeral Service isaffiliated with Sunset MemorialPark. Primrose is the only funer-al home in Norman affiliatedwith a cemetery, allowing fami-lies to take care of all of theirarrangements in one place.

John Davenport joined Prim-rose five years ago, and todayserves as general manager. A

New York transplant who origi-nally came to Norman to attendthe University of Oklahoma, hesays he has been proud to callNorman home for over 10 yearsnow.

Davenport met his future wife,Jennifer (Beyer) Davenport,while the two were students atOU. They were married on Aug.14, 2010. The couple made theirhome in Norman (Jennifer is aCPA and works for Ernst andYoung), and are both active inthe community. In addition toserving as a chapter advisor withhis fraternity house, he still par-ticipates in many activities atOU. He also is a member ofRotary International, the Nor-man Chamber of Commerceand Norman Next, and has par-ticipated in Leadership Norman2011 and Meals on Wheels.

Davenport said that he feelsprivileged to be part of the Dig-nity Memorial Network andeven more honored to be apart of the vibrant Normancommunity.This is a paid advertorial byPrimrose Funeral Home.

Honesty, trust and integrity key to Primrose

Photo Provided

Primrose Funeral Home says that honest, trust and integrity is key to longevity and great service. John Davenport

Norman 2012 VISION 5

6 Norman 2012 VISION

By Joy Hampton The Norman Transcript

City leaders hope wayfindingand branding will make Normana more desirable and accessibledestination.

Differentiating Norman’svarious districts and attractionscan make a visit more appealingto tourists or to visitors lookingfor new experiences in shoppingand dining. Identifying andpointing the way to Norman’scultural attractions, shoppingdistricts, historic districts, andentertainment venues will helptourists and other visitors findtheir way around town better.

Brand recognition andmarketing is not just for clothingdesigners and sports teams.

The American MarketingAssociation defines a brand as a

name, term, sign, symbol ordesign, or any combination ofthese items used to identify ...and to differentiate.

Branding cities is a growingtrend that municipalities areusing to attract new residents,business and development, andtourism to their towns.

What springs to mind whenyou think of San Francisco,Chicago, New York, Paris, orMilan? Why visit Amsterdam orVenice?

The ideas people associatewith those cities attracts them tovisit and, while visiting, to spendmoney on dining, entry fees,souvenirs and other goods andservices.

Not all cities have worldfamous canals or other illustri-ous landmarks that havebecome know over the course of

decades or even centuries. Tocompete in the regional, nationaland global tourism and retailmarkets, more and more citiesare turning to branding andaggressive promotion in order todraw in more money frombeyond city limits.

The Norman Convention andVisitors Bureau along with theNorman Chamber of Commerceand the city are working todevelop a city branding andwayfinding program for Nor-man. Currently in the planningand design phase, Norman’swayfinding program will bedesigned to help visitors findtheir way around town.

“In general, wayfinding is aseries of signs and symbols youwould use here in this communi-ty,” said Director of PublicWorks Shawn O’Leary.

Stephen Koranda, executiveDirector for NCVB and Cham-ber of Commerce PresidentJohn Woods said their boardswere excited enough about thepossibilities wayfinding willcreate for Norman that theyvoted to contribute $20,000 eachto conduct a comprehensivewayfinding study.

“The CVB has spent tremen-dous resources in brandrealignment, the look of ourcommunication pieces, ouradvertisements and the web siteso that the consumer canidentify Norman as a specialplace to visit,” Koranda said.“The importance of continuingthat branding through wayfind-ing is to continue, in essence,comfort and connection whilevisitors are in Norman.”

The wayfinding program will

be easy to grasp and will includesigns, symbols, colors andimages to cross cultural andlanguage barriers to serve adiversity of out-of-town visitorsand tourists.

Intended as an economic andbusiness development tool,wayfinding could potentially helpincrease visits to Normandestinations by providing “clearand inviting directions,” O’Learysaid.

Koranda said when visitorsrecognize the brand and canfollow easy-to-read signs, theyrelax and feel comfortable toexplore the city’s amenitiesmore fully.

Tourist and visitor dollars arethe sweetest say city insiders,because that boost to theeconomy is coming from outsidelocal spending.

NCVB works to make Norman a vacation destination

Norman 2012 VISION 7

By Hannah CruzTranscript Staff Writer

Since Norman’s 2nd Friday Circuit ofArt began in February 2009, it has grownout of it’s Downtown Arts District hometo encompass the entire city in a monthlycelebration of the arts.

Organized and promoted by theNorman Arts Council, the event includesa plethora of free visual and performingarts events hosted by local businessesand nonprofit organizations.

Josh Lunsford, associate director forNAC, said the event promotes unityamong organizations and within thecommunity.

“I think it’s good for the communitybecause we don’t compete against eachother for the audience,” he said. “Wehave it all on one night so we can focusthe promotions of the events together,and then when everyone gets out theycan go along the routes, the venues, theevents and see everything.”

Participating organizations includeFirehouse Art Center, Jacobson House,Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, DreamerConcepts, The Performing Arts Studio,MAINSITE gallery, and many Downtonbusinesses and galleries.

The festivities include a wide range ofvisual and performing arts, Lunsford said,from dancing and live music to paintingand photography. Events take place from6-9 p.m., are free to the public, and ofteninclude hands-on activities or activeparticipation.

The tradition also offers many benefitsfor both artists and businesses involved,Lunsford said. With hundreds participat-ing, artists get an automatic, attentiveaudience and businesses can count onhigh levels of foot traffic.

Lunsford said much of the expansionDowntown, including new art galleriesand restaurants, is thanks in part to theevent.

“Around here you can see the econom-ic impact on Downtown just from peoplecoming and eating at the restaurants,” hesaid. “So you see people, even if they’recoming down and not buying any art,

they’re buying a meal or getting a drinkfrom somewhere. It’s definitely benefitingthe Downtown area.”

Though NAC has plans to count howmany patrons visiteach site in thefuture, they don’thave any currentsolid numbers onparticipation.

Lunsford said onaverage MAINSITEreceives between400-500 visitors, andthat’s just onelocation.

With around$10,000 of theirannual budgetdedicated topromoting thecircuit, Lunsfordsaid plans are tokeep pumping upparticipation.

“One of thethings we’re goingto focus on is havingentertainment in thestreets so peopledon’t have to feellike they have to gointo a gallery,” hesaid. “They can justwalk down thestreet and feelsecond Friday.”

Lunsford said thecircuit is a traditionNorman can beproud of.

“Being able toexperience thatdiversity of art andculture all in onenight and being ableto come out when everyone else iscoming out doing the same thing — ithelps you feel a sense of community,especially surrounding art,” he said.

For a map, participating venues andmore information visit www.2ndfridaynor-man.com.

Art walk has strongfoothold downtown

By Hannah CruzTranscript Staff Writer

The Indian Grass sculpture on MainStreet and theCRE8nSK8(Create andSkate) project atAndrews Park— the NormanPublic ArtsBoard’s first twoprojects — havetaken stepstoward estab-lishing Normanas an artscommunity.

Created in2007, the boardis anxiouslyengaged increating highquality publicart pieces. Thenext project: 44-inch fiberglass“rubber” ducks.

The board,on behalf ofNorman ArtsCouncil and thecity of Norman,is currentlyworking on aproject toenhance andpaint fabricated,fiberglasssculptures of

ducks that willbe displayed inNormanchildren’s parks.

Douglas ShawElder, the artist

behind the original sculpture, said hewanted to create public art that wouldresonate with the general public.

“No one hates rubber duckies,” hesaid with a laugh.

The goal of the project is to createand install sculptures that encourage

creativity. One of the few require-ments, he said, is the sculptures mustbe able to withstand the weather.

Though the board hopes eventuallyto install the ducks in approximately 25children’s parks, the first two duckswill be installed at the parks withsplash pads — Andrews Park andColonial Estates Park.

The first two ducks will be revealedMay 20 at Luncheon on the Grass, acollaborative event from severalnonprofit organizations at Lions Park.

Larry Walker, PAB chair member,said the unveiling ceremony will allowthe community to be involved with theartistic process.

“We hope the rubber ducks will beloved in the community,” he said. “Thelong-term goal is to place one in everychildren’s park in Norman.”

With the original design by Elder,master fiberglass work done by EricFisher of 3D Extreme, molds made byKen Hall, owner of Hall of Tattoos andmold maker at The Crucible, andpainting done by an unknown Normanartist, Elder said the rubber duckiesare truly local art.

The board is currently deciding onsubmitted artist proposals, Walkersaid.

“There have been some veryinteresting submissions,” he said.“They’re very diverse and we have ourwork cut out for us in selecting thetwo.”

The project will initially start withtwo ducks, Walker said, and more willbe created as funds are available.

The board is funded by donations,Walker said, and not from tax dollars.Donors can subscribe to monthlydonations added to utility bills or theycan make a direct donation to Arts inPublic Places Fund in care of NormanArts Council. More information can befound at www.normanarts.org.

Besides the rubber duck project,Walker said the board is preparing toreveal a graphic arts work by ChaseSpivey, a Norman artist, in the AndrewAmphitheater.

Arts council, city findpublic art project ducky

Transcript File Photo

Joan Kaplan looks at artwork by AbbyStiglers and a book display by NicoleGarber at Dreamer Concepts during a 2ndFriday Circuit of Art walk in20011.

By Jerri Culpepper Special for the Transcript

Whether your tastes run to classical orjazz, country and western or rock and roll;whether you actually play an instrument orlisten to the radio in the car or while jog-ging; whether you prefer to dance to it orjust sway to the rhythm; whether you’reyoung or old (or in-between), music cansoothe you when you’re sad or distressed,energize you up when you’re tired, or trans-port you to happier times.

So it is good news, indeed, that here, inNorman, a business is thriving whose goalis to produce more musicians – specifical-ly, musicians who perform in public.

Since opening its doors in January 2007,the Norman Music Institute has success-fully endeavored to provide the Normanand the Oklahoma City areas with musicalinstruction from some of the most experi-enced teachers in Oklahoma.

Director of Education Dean Brown andInstitute Director Fred Goff started NMIwith 50 students. Five years later, NMI hasmore than 15 instructors, teaching privateand group lessons to over 225 students.NMI provides instruction for most instru-ments, including guitar, bass, drums, pianoand voice, as well as brass and strings.

“The words highlighted throughout theinstitute’s studio – Learn. Play. Perform. –remind our students of the emphasis wehave on live performance,” Goff says, not-ing that NMI holds monthly student show-cases where students are provided anopportunity to develop valuable live playingexperience on the stage in NMI’s “BigRoom” — a live performance venue withprofessional lighting and sound. The light-ing was recently upgraded with the latestLED fixtures and the sound system fea-tures JBL speakers and a 32 channel mix-ing console.

NMI students also may enroll in BandClinic and Live Playing workshops. In thelatter, students are introduced to themechanics of playing in a band situationand provided with an opportunity to formtheir own bands. Band Clinic allows stu-dents with similar abilities and musical pref-erences to be grouped together andrehearse as a band.

You may also have heard NMI studentbands perform at local music venues, suchas the Norman Music Festival and MayFair, as well as their own gigs. Goff andBrown invite the Norman community to

come out and hear their student bands per-

form in two upcoming productions: TheAvenue will appear during the NormanMusic Festival on April 28, and The Daze isscheduled to play at St. John’s EpiscopalSchool on May 4.

Many of those students are graduatesof NMI Summer Rock Camp, which thisyear will be offered June 4 through 8. Stu-dents participating in the weeklong Sum-mer Rock Camp take part in a comprehen-

sive program that emphasizes the funda-

mentals of each instrument, style analysis,song structure, reading and theory, andstage performing. The camp culminateswith a student performance.

On any given day, NMI instructor can befound performing in the metro area, Goffsays, adding that they bring their profes-sional experience as performers and edu-cators to every lesson, providing motivationand inspiration for all the students of NMI.

“Our instructors work closely with eachstudent, customizing the lessons to makelearning music fun,” Brown says. “Masterinstructor Gregg Standridge was added toNMI’s outstanding staff in the spring of2010 and was the catalyst for the creation ofthe standard curriculum currently being uti-lized at NMI. Piano instructor Ryan Jonescan be seen weekly playing in the houseband of the Oklahoma Rodeo Opry. Voiceinstructor Kristen Stehr just returned fromauditioning for ‘The Voice’ in Los Angeles.”

In addition to providing a professionalsetting for students to experience live per-forming, NMI’s “Big Room: also has playedhost to several events, including clinics byDom Famularo, Gregg Bissonette (RingoStarr All Star Band), Todd Sucherman(STYX), Jim Riley (Rascal Flatts), ChuckMangione, Miss Blues, Bruce Benson, Bar-rie Lee Hall Jr., and Mike Smith. The insti-tute also has hosted concerts by PhilBrown, Girly Man, Gregg Standrigde, DonConoscenti, Miss Brown to You, MaggieMcClure, Josh Roberts, The Mystery Datesand the Sons of Thunder.

NMI maintains an ongoing presence inthe Norman area by supporting or hostingcommunity events, such as the NormanHigh and Norman North jazz bands and All-Saints Catholic School Jazz Band, and havebeen a corporate sponsor for many of theactivities at Norman Public Schools and sev-eral private schools, along with local com-munity musical events, like the NormanMusic Festival and Jazz in June.

As the institute marks its fifth year inbusiness in this thriving college town,Brown said that he is very excited “forwhere we’re at and where we are goingwith what NMI provides to the Norman andsurrounding communities.

“Our long-range plans,” he added,“include expanding our educational pro-grams to offer more variety and flexibility, aswell as increasing the size of our facility tomeet the increasing demand for musicalinstruction.”

Isn’t it nice to know that, at least in Nor-man, music is appreciated and nurtured andmade accessible to everyone? So if you areinterested in music lessons, or want to learnmore about the Norman Music Institute, youare invited to visit the institute, located at2795 B. Broce Drive, Or you can call (405)292-8400 or visit their website at www.nor-manmusicinstitute.com. This is a paid advertorial by Norman MusicInstitute

Norman Music Institute attains five year crescendo

Photo Provided

Students participating in the weeklong Summer Rock Camp take part in a com-prehensive program that emphasizes the fundamentals of each instrument, styleanalysis, song structure, reading and theory, and stage performing. The campculminates with a student performance.

Norman 2012 VISION 9

10 Norman 2012 VISION

By Doug HillFor The Transcript

In Norman, music is in the air justabout year-round.

The annual music festivals includeWinter Wind, Summer Breeze, Groove-fest, Jazz in June and Norman MusicFestival.

For many residents they make thistown a more exciting and attractive placeto live. Attending the live concerts,anticipating what’s in store for the comingyear and savoring the memories of pastperformances have positive meaning inpeople’s lives.

City boosters can point to these eventsas examples of art enriching what’s

already a good place for studying,working and living. The festivals makeNorman a better burg to call home than itwould be otherwise.

Norman Music FestivalThe fifth annual Norman Music

Festival starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 26and continues until late in the eveningSaturday, April 28.

More than 200 bands and individualartists are scheduled to play during thattime. Performances will take place onmore than 11 stages throughout thehistoric downtown Arts District centeredin the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of EastMain. The festival is free and open to thepublic.

On Thursday and Friday many showsare at indoor venues in the evening.Saturday vehicular traffic will be prohibit-ed in the key downtown areas as thefestival takes to the street with stages setup outdoors at various locations.

The festival has grown in terms ofattendance, scope and quality beyond thewildest expectations of its originalorganizers. The Norman Convention andVisitors Bureau estimates a $3.6 millionpositive impact to the Norman economyfrom 2011’s NMF.

NMF chairman Steven White is proudof that figure, especially considering thereis no admission charge for any of scoresof performances during those three days.

“That is rare across the U.S. for the

level of talent we bring, most places you’dbe buying a ticket,” White said. He isenthusiastic about the star performers ofthis year’s festival, Portugal The Man.

“I think they’re going to be one of thebest headliners we’ve ever had,” Whitesaid. Originally from Wasilla, Alaska, nowbased in Portland, Ore., the rock quartetboasts harmonized vocals, clever guitarhooks and a more pop than hardcoresound.

Hayseed hipster Hayes Carll will be themain attraction on the country musicstage.

“I’ve been trying to bring him toNorman for quite awhile,” White said.

Norman’s festivals provide sound entertainmentDoug Hill / For The Transcript

The city closes off Main Street on Norman Music Festival turning downtown into a pedestrian mall for Saturdays.

• See FESTIVALS, Page 11

Norman 2012 VISION 11

Doug Hill / For The Transcript

Mike Hosty Duo is a Summer Breeze concert series favorite as seen here in 2011.

“Carll writes these great songs, puts on afantastic show and right now he’s aspopular as he’s ever been.”

Longtime Norman resident and stellarmusician, Travis Linville, is a regularmember of the Carll band and will beperforming on stage with him.

Columbus, Ohio-based rock band RedWanting Blue will be playing the NMFmain stage 2 clicks down from the finaleon Saturday.

“We’re tickled pink about playingOklahoma,” bandleader Scott Terry saidin a telephone interview. “We’ve beenthrough but never performed there.”

Red Wanting Blue has a straight-forward all-American sound that recallsTom Petty and Bruce Springsteen.

“It seems that we win the most peopleover when they see us perform live,”Terry said. “I try my best to perform ourmusic as honestly as I can. I would rathercome across as honest and awkward,than cool and contrived. I’ve given up oncool because there are far too manycooler people out there than me.”

All indications are that NMFV is ontrack to be another epic smorgasbord ofmusical delight.

Summer BreezeThe Summer Breeze concert series

resumes on May 20 with a performance

by Brave Combo. Shows by variousartists are at 7:30 p.m. every other Sundayin Lion’s Park throughout the season.The series concludes Sept. 9 with TheTrishas.

All performances are free and open tothe public.

Winter WindThe Winter Wind concert series

currently is in the planning stage foranother year of listening room treasuresin the Santa Fe Depot.

Jazz in JuneThe always spectacular Jazz in June

festival is slated for June 21-23. Six-time Grammy-winning saxophone

sorcerer David Sanborn headlines thisyear. Also scheduled to perform areCarolyn Wonderland and the Bert DaltonBrazil Project.

Shows at Brookhaven Village ShoppingCenter and Andrews Park are all free andopen to the public.

GroovefestNorman’s Groovefest is a long-running

human rights-oriented music festival.Spring festivities include an art show April12-30 at the Form and Function Lab, 123E. Main, and an Aquarian Exposition May11 at Sooner Theatre.

Groovefest’s 50th fall festival will beSept. 30 in Andrews Park featuring livemusic, art, children’s activities andremarks by socially progressive commu-

Festivals• From Page 10

Norman 2012 VISION 13

Located on 109 acres of rolling hills,woodlands and streams adjacent to theChickasaw National Recreation Area nearSulphur, the Chickasaw Cultural Center isthe culmination of a vision born more than20 years ago. The center utilizes the latesttechnology, live demonstrations, ancient arti-facts and natural outdoor spaces to tell theChickasaw story.

“Chickasaw people have long dreamed ofa special place to celebrate, embrace andshare the culture and heritage which bindsus together as a people,” said Bill Anoatub-by, governor of the Chickasaw Nation. “Thatdream has now become reality as we opena center which reflects the vision, imagina-tion, resilience and spirit of the Chickasawpeople.”

Dreams of the center began more than 20years ago. In October, 2000, more than 1,200tribal citizens responded to a survey whichasked for comments and suggestions regard-ing a Chickasaw Cultural Center. Language,beliefs, ceremonies, history and customswere among the most popular suggestions.Art and music, food and medicine, prominentChickasaw men and women, and a living vil-lage with traditional dwellings were also men-tioned.

Numerous informal requests by citizenswere also considered during planning andconstruction. Building upon citizen requests,the cultural center utilizes live performances,high technology multimedia exhibits, andgalleries as well as natural outdoor spacesto revitalize and preserve tribal culture forfuture generations.

“Chickasaws of all ages and from all walksof life contributed to the development of thecenter and the programming that will beavailable,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “It is beau-tiful and provides an opportunity for us to tellthe remarkable history of Chickasaw people.

“We want to not only preserve our histo-ry, but recognize that we have a living, thriv-ing, growing culture to share with others.”

Experiencing the cultureExploration of the Chikasha Poya Exhib-

it Center begins in a waiting area which fea-tures colorful mosaic tiles, trickling water,and a domed ceiling.

Visitors hear the beginnings of the Chick-asaw story in an orientation film shown in areplica of an 18th century Council House the-ater.

After the film, the projection screen risesand visitors walk beneath a rock ledge andover a stream into the Spirit Forest, a placewhere realistic design, technology and the-atrical effects mimic the natural sights andsounds of a forest to tell the ancient Chicka-saw story.

Stories of ancient ancestors, mounds and

artifacts and the separation of the Chickasawand Choctaw Nations are continued in sepa-rate galleries.

The interactive Removal area tells the sto-ry of the Chickasaw journey from the south-eastern homelands to Indian Territory.

Visitors experience the removal from thehomelands to Indian Territory in a long cor-ridor lined with sculpture of animals, peopleand vehicles. Changes in light simulate thechanging seasons and recreate a momentin time during removal.

A rear-screen projection simulates cloudsmoving across the sky. Voices in the back-ground whisper thoughts Chickasaws mayhave had as they travel from the woodlandsof the homelands to the prairie of Indian Ter-ritory.

Another exhibit provides a glimpse intoold Indian Territory. An exhibit featuring arepresentation of the trains the Dawes Com-mission used as offices while in the Chicka-saw Nation are presented.

Text, photos and objects pertaining to thepre-allotment and allotment periods are inter-spersed throughout as well.

Visitors also experience a stomp danceexhibit before returning to the main lobby ofthe Exhibit Center.

Sharing the storyThroughout the center, visitors are

encouraged to explore important aspects ofChickasaw life, including nature, spirituality,family, valor, learning and law through a vari-ety of multimedia presentations as well ashuman storytellers and guides.

Sharing the Chickasaw story is not limit-ed to the indoors. Outdoor spaces featurerich native vegetation, indigenous stone andtrails, all situated near a pond and Rock

Creek.Other outdoor areas include demonstra-

tion gardens and a traditional life ways edu-cational village featuring a number of tradi-tional Chickasaw houses similar to those atKullihoma. Areas are also set aside for stompdance and other traditional ceremonies.

“One important aspect of the CCC is thatit is inclusive,” said Dr. Amanda Cobb-Gretham, administrator of the ChickasawNation Division of History and Culture. “Youdon’t have to be Chickasaw to benefit froma visit to the Cultural Center.

“Obviously, visitors have the opportunityto learn more about Chickasaw culture, butthey also have the chance to learn moreabout Southeastern Native culture, which isalso an important piece of American, Okla-homan, and Mississippian history.”

The Chickasaw Cultural Center is located10 miles east of I-35 on Charles CooperMemorial Road in Sulphur.

For more information about the Chicka-saw Cultural Center, log on to www.chicka-sawculturalcenter.com, or call 580-622-7130.This is a paid advertorial by ChickasawCenter.

About the Chickasaw Cultural CenterThe Chickasaw Cultural Center has been the

dream of the Chickasaw people since as early as1980.

The Cultural Center utilizes the latest technolo-gy, live demonstrations, ancient artifacts andnatural outdoor spaces to tell the Chickasaw story.Features include 96,000 square feet of indoorspace, a traditional village, amphitheatre, state-of-the-art exhibit buildings, café, honor garden, spiritforest and a large-format theater. Inside the ExhibitCenter, a replica of an 18th century Council Houseserves as an orientation theatre.

The Chickasaw Cultural Center located at 867Charles Cooper Memorial Road in Sulphur.

Chickasaw Cultural Center shares tribal heritage with world

Photo Provided

Above: Morning dawns over the Chickasaw Cultural Center campus in Sulphur. Below: Visitors immerse themselves in theStomp Dance Exhibit in the Chikasha Poya Exhibit Center.

By Jerri Culpepper Special for the Transcript

Lights. Camera. Action!The stage is set, and the actors put aside

their scripts and pre-stage jitters, poised toresume their lines as the director signals thecamera to begin rolling. Shortly into thescene, one of the actors fumbles her lines.The cast dissolves into good-natured humor,and veteran film and television actor DarrylCox, also laughing, joins the actors to discussways the narrative could be adjusted to soundmore natural.

A typical day on a set in LA? No, Cox — aprofessional actor with more than 50 film andtelevision credits — is working with studentsin the Acting for the Camera class, offeredthrough Norman’s The Actor Factory — theonly acting facility of its kind in Oklahomaand region.

The Actor Factory – a training facility locat-ed at 3750 W. Main St., Five Park A (in thePark on Main complex), focuses on the art ofon-camera acting for aspiring actors ages 8to 80 – just celebrated its third birthday lastmonth.

Chris Freihofer, a professional actor andcasting director, started the Actor Factory asa way to help develop the talent base in Okla-homa while the state continues its efforts toattract filmmakers through the OklahomaFilm Enhancement Rebate Program.

Freihofer explains that the Actor Factoryis not a school; students do not pursuedegrees or certificates. Rather, it “encouragesthe idea of continual training in the craft, justas professionals in LA and New York City par-ticipate in ongoing training.”

“We are totally self-sufficient, relying onlyon class enrollment to keep the doors open,”he explains. “We do not receive state or gov-ernment funding of any kind. All of ourinstructors work in the industry as on-cam-era actors, casting directors and casting assis-tants.”

Freihofer describes the successful on-cam-era actor as a “four-legged dog, with skills inacting, obviously, but also acting for the cam-era (which is very different from stage act-ing), improvisation and auditioning.”

The studio is therefore designed aroundthose four basic areas of study.

Freihofer teaches the Audition for Filmand Television class.

Acting for the Camera” is taught by theafore-mentioned Cox, a member of theScreen Actors Guild and Federation of Tele-vision and Radio Artists, who most recently appeared on USA Network’s “In Plain Sight.”He also is cast in the pilot episode of “Dallas,”

set to air this summer on TNT.The two other classes are Improv, a three-

level course taught by Topher Owen, whotaught improvisation for 10 years at thefamous Second City, and Acting Technique,taught by Alissa Millar, professor of acting atthe University of Oklahoma, whose televisionacting credits include “Jag,” “Murder SheWrote” and “Beverly Hills 90210.” She willappear in the upcoming Terrence Malickfilm, shot in Bartlesville, the filmmaker’shometown. Voice-over classes will be addedto the lineup in the coming weeks.

In addition, the Actor Factory offers tworegular classes for performers ages 8 to 15:

• “Audition for Camera,” which givesyoung aspiring actors real-world mock audi-tions for film, television and commercials,taught by Sarah Clark, casting associate atFreihofer Casting

• “Acting and Character Study,” whichteaches young people the concept of actingand learning how to portray characters oth-er than themselves, taught by Mary Antho-ny, who holds a bachelor of fine arts degree

in acting from OU and is a casting assistantat Freihofer Casting

Aspiring young actors also have an oppor-tunity to hone their skills through summercamps. This summer, The Actor Factory isoffering its second Film Acting Camp foryouth ages 8 to 15, and a Film ProductionCamp, for ages 13 to 17.

During the first three days of the Film Act-ing Camp, participants learn the rigors of act-ing in film, such as hitting marks, matchingperformances, quick memorization, and thedifferences between stage and film, thenspend two days filming a short film writtenjust for them, based on characters they cre-ate in camp. When not acting in scenes,they serve as crew, learning the different jobson set. On the last night of camp, they andtheir families are invited to attend a red car-pet premiere of their film, complete with alimo ride.

The first three days of Film ProductionCamp are dedicated to learning productiondesign, sound, scheduling, lighting, camera,shot composition and more. During the two-day film shoot, held at the same time as theolder Film Acting Camp, each child directshis or her own scene in the film. They also

attend the red carpet premiere of the film andare treated to a limo ride.

In addition to their adult and young per-former classes and summer camps, TheActor Factory offers workshops led by indus-try professionals from Los Angeles and NewYork, as well as from the film markets ofTexas, Louisiana and elsewhere. Presentersinclude Los Angeles talent agents, managersand casting directors. Upcoming work-shops are planned led by the casting direc-tors of “Arrested Development,” “CSI” and“NCIS.”

To accommodate those who for whateverreason can’t make it to Norman for the class-es, The Actor Factory offers live webcastsand online courses, and will be expanding itsonline courses throughout 2012.

While Freihofer cannot guarantee that allits students will become professional actorsor otherwise gain employment in the televi-sion or film industries, a number of their stu-dents already have gone on to appear inmajor feature films and network televisionseries.

“We feel our students are learning moreabout the real-world industry than they couldanywhere else in the region,” Freihofer says,adding that one of “The Factory’s” mottos is“Quality Training from Industry Profession-als.”

Interest in the Actor Factory is definitelytrending upward. In addition to the regularclasses that meet six nights a week in thefacility’s main classrooms, a new facility – Fac-tory Studio 2 – was opened last week toaccommodate growing need.

Freihofer is pleased with the warm recep-tion they have received from the Norman andarea community, but he’s not really sur-prised.

“There is no place like it in Oklahoma,” hepoints out. “While there are other placesoffering on-camera training to the public, andnot attached to a university or college, ourfacility is really the only one that has so manyprofessional, experienced instructors com-ing together for its single mission. And nofacility can really compare the collectiveresumes of our instructors. We have the bestof the best, taught by instructors that make aliving working either in front of or behind thecamera, or as professional stage or improvactors.”

For more information on the Actor Facto-ry and its upcoming lineup of classes andcamps, check them out on Facebook or vis-it their website TheActorFactory.com. To jointhe email list, text “ActorFactory” to 22828or sign up online. This is a paid advertorial by Actor Factory.

Developing Oklahoma’s acting talent base, one person at a time

Photo Provided

Meet Chris Freihofer

The Actor Factory founder Chris Freihofer is a professional with an impressive list ofacting and casting credits. He has appeared in dozens of film and televisionproductions, including “Friday Night Lights” and Jerry Bruckheimer's “Chase,” andhas cast dozens of films and hundreds of commercials.

His casting credits include “The Killer Inside Me,” “Thunderstruck,” with KevinDurant. He also provided casting for the indie film “So This Is Christmas,” shot in Tulsain 2011 and starring Eric Roberts and Vivica Fox; “Cowgirls ’n Angels,” opening intheaters May 25; and the upcoming Terrence Malick feature film, shot in Bartlesville.

His commercial clients include Nike, Gatorade and Sprint. Freihofer is the onlyOklahoma casting director who is a member of the Casting Society of America.

Chris Freihofer

Norman 2012 VISION 15