Author Archives: Admin

Rain or shine, Family Festival weekend is here

Angie Pyle

May 13th-16th is guaranteed to be a good time downtown. Mayfest and Blue Dome Arts Festival will be out in full force.  Both Festivals are outdoor tributes to the arts and music. They are family-oriented events created to promote a broader knowledge of and appreciation for arts and humanities among serious, as well as casual art lovers.

Since 1978, Mayfest has been bringing entertainment to the “main mall” of downtown. The festival will have a wide variety of dance, food, music and visual arts, attracting over 350,000 people. If you are music fan, you will find lots to choose from to enjoy. Everything from country, rock and jazz to bluegrass, funk and reggae. There are lots of local musicians scheduled to play so I suggest checking out Mayfest’s website to make sure you don’t miss one of your favorites. Cherry Poppin’ Daddy’s will be headlining the event Saturday night at 9:30 on the Williams Green Stage.

Mayfest is committed to “Going Green”. The food vendors have been asked to use environmental friendly serving products this year and even the souvenirs are green. The commemorative posters are printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink.  There is also a “green” t-shirt made of 100% organic cotton. A bicycle valet, where you can park and lock your bike, is available courtesy of The Tulsa Hub.  Also, the toilet tissue and blue water in the holding tanks used in Mayfest port-a-potties are certified earth friendly by Federal Government’s Research Foundation. New for 2010, The Mayfest "Green" Gallery which features artwork created from reused, recycled and repurposed materials.  Be sure to visit the gallery in the Park Centre Building at 6th & Main.

May 2010 will be the 7th year for the Blue
Dome Arts Festival which runs May 14th-16th. The theme for this year is “Come Explore the Blue Dome” resulting from all the new retail, restaurants and night life businesses the Blue Dome district has to offer. This festival focuses primarily on local artists. This will be the biggest ever with over 120 artists and bands scheduled to be at the Blue
Dome Arts Festival. I had the pleasure of attending this festival last year for the first time. It has a very grass roots-Indie vibe to it. There was a section that had old cars covered in…… well, art. Anything from Barbie dolls to old cameras.  They were very interesting to look at. There is sure to be lots of jewelry, sculptures and paintings among other unusual finds. Make sure you make your way over to the Blue
Dome Arts Festival if you are going to be downtown at all this weekend.  Both events are free and family friendly. For more information on both festivals, visit: http://www.tulsamayfest.org, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Dome-Arts-Festival/

Shock season opens Saturday

 The countdown clock is ticking down towards the Tulsa Shock‘s inaugural season opener against the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday night at the BOK Center. The Shock finally got the chance to take a break from beating and banging on each other and go to battle with another WNBA team Sunday when they played host to a pre-season game with the Seattle Storm. The game, which was closed to the public,alt served as a final “dress rehearsal” for the team and game day staff.

“We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there, but I was very proud of the young ladies today,” said head coach Nolan Richardson after Sunday’s 90-80 win over the Storm. 

Five Shock players scored in double digits as center Kara Braxton and forward Amber Holt led the team with 14 points each. Tulsa shot 44 percent from the field and out rebounded Seattle 9-8. The Shock has just three more days to shake off the cob webs and perfect what has been described as Richardson’s “high-octane” style of play. 

“I think we were a little sloppy and messy out there, but that’s going to take time because it’s a new team,” said Braxton. “We were playing against each other and its a whole new system, but I’m glad we just came out with a W. We’re going to pick up things and work together throughout the season.

Team officials announced late last week that only 700 tickets remain for Saturday’s game. Tickets are on sale online, at the BOK Center box office or by calling 1-877-90-HOOPS.

Tulsa Today will keep you posted on the latest WNBA news throughout the Shock’s inaugural season.

MAKING AN IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY

The Shock is not waiting until the season starts to become involved in the Tulsa community. Shock players, coaches and office staff will volunteer at the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon.They will be helping to sort and re-box 80,000 plus pounds of food that was donated last Saturday during the Stamp out Hunger food drive.

During the week of May 9 to May 15 all WNBA teams will be joining community members and partners in an effort to support health, education and environmental awareness programs in their respective areas. “We are honord as an organization to participate in this wonderful WNBA and community initiative,” said Shock President Steve Swetoha. “This will be a great opportunity for our staff to give back to the wonderful community of Tulsa that has embraced and supported us over the past year.

“We’re very excited that the Tulsa Shock has chosen the food bank as it’s charity of choice for service this week,” said Sara Waggoner, the executive director of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. “We know that they will bring a new energy to our mission of fighting hunger, feeding hope.

Senators Introduce Earmark Database Bill

Staff Report

U.S. Senators Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), John McCain (R-AZ), Russ Feingold (D-WI), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today introduced the “Earmark Transparency Act of 2010,” a bill that meets President Obama’s call for Congress to create a single, searchable database of all congressional earmark requests.

In his January 27, 2010 State of the Union address President Obama said, “Tonight, I’m calling on Congress to publish all earmark requests on a single Web site before there’s a vote, so that the American people can see how their money is being spent.” 

“While Congress has taken some steps to make the earmark process more transparent, some members and special interest groups still prefer to keep the process a secret.  The American people should not have to obtain search warrants to understand how Congress is spending their money.  I’m pleased my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have come together to answer President Obama’s call to establish a single, searchable database of all congressional earmark requests,” Dr. Coburn said.

“Earmark reform is also important because our nation is on an unsustainable fiscal course,” Dr. Coburn added.   “Earmarks are the gateway drug to spending addiction in Congress.  Earmarks not only take away dollars from more important priorities, they also take away a member’s time and attention from more pressing national priorities.  This database will help the American people make more informed judgments about how members of Congress are setting priorities.”

“Our current economic situation and our vital national security concerns require that now, more than ever, we need to prioritize our federal spending,” said Senator John McCain.  “It is abundantly clear that the time has come for us to eliminate the corrupt, wasteful practice of earmarking.  While we work toward that end – it is important that we give the American people the ability to see how their money is being spent.  Congress is accountable to the American people – this bill will go a long way toward ending the secrecy surrounding the practice of earmarking.”

“Far too often, taxpayer dollars are wasted on unnecessary projects for groups or individuals simply because they have close ties to lawmakers.  Making it easier for the American people to see who is behind these earmarks and how exactly their tax dollars are being spent will help curb wasteful spending, while exposing potential corruption.   The database created by this bill will provide the kind of transparency the American people deserve and is part of our continued effort to end the abusive earmarking process,” said Senator Russ Feingold.  

“This is not about partisan politics.  This is about making government more accountable.  I am proud to team up with Senator Coburn and my other colleagues to shine more sunlight on the earmark process.  As I work to secure New York’s fair share of federal funding to rebuild our economy and create new jobs, I’ve been proud to lead by example, and post all of my federal funding requests on my own website.  This bipartisan legislation will make this the new national standard to bring openness and transparency to the process and let all Americans evaluate the choices lawmakers are making,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.   

The Earmark Transparency Act of 2010 would do the following:

•   Create a user-friendly, online database that would allow citizens to sort, search and download earmark data;

•   Provide new details of projects.  The database would include all relevant information, including the amount of initial request, amount approved by the committee, amount approved in final legislation, sponsor name, sponsor state or district, project name, and other pertinent facts;

•   Allow the public to see what Congress sees.  The bill would require the website to include the earmark request letter written by a member of Congress and any documents supporting the request that is sent to a congressional committee; and

•   Make information available faster.  The bill would require all requested earmarks to be made public no later than five days after the request is submitted to the committee.

Cirque Dreams: Illumination at TPAC

Ernie Osborn

Cirque Dreams: Illumination spins, tumbles and juggles its way into the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tuesday – Saturday this week.  alt

In the spirit of the enormously successful Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, the only show of its kind to ever perform on Broadway, comes the newest stage spectacle from Cirque Dreams, created and directed by Neil Goldberg. Cirque Dreams Illumination is a bustling city of incredible dreamers set in a landscape of towering buildings and infinite possibilities. Ablaze with lights and activities, objects and shapes transform into windows and stairways that lead beyond imagination. This action packed Cirque Dream is enhanced with over 100 inventive costumes and set in a fantastical cityscape of dimension and special effects. Cirque Dreams Illumination will surpass its “jaw dropping, family friendly spectacle’ proclamation by the Los Angeles Times and exhilarate audiences of all ages.

Cirque Dreams: Illumination celebrates artistry and demands an appreciation of the raw talent and training necessary to twist the human body into inhuman feats.

Showtimes: May 11-13 at 7:30 pm, May 14 at 8:00 pm, May 15 at 2:00 and 8:00 pm, and May 16 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm.

Tickets available at TPAC Box office or online.

Rocklahoma adds Three Days Grace

Pryor, Oklahoma — Three Days Grace has been added to Rocklahoma’s potent opening night lineup (Friday, May 28). The platinum-selling quartet joins an all-star roster of 39 top rock artists from the past three decades performing on three stages over three days, including ZZ Top, Godsmack, Tesla, Buckcherry, Cinderella, Chevelle, Theory of a Deadman, Saliva, Saving Abel, Fuel featuring Brett Scallions, Sevendust and more.

The nation’s biggest Memorial Day party kicks off summer May 28-30, 2010 at “Catch the Fever” Festival Grounds in Pryor, OK.  Tickets are still available for the multi-day destination camping rock festival – with only one day left for fans to save up to $60 on gate prices for the three-day weekend event.

Current Weekend GA ticket prices of $110 plus service fees are good through May 11.  Tickets will then increase to $125 and will be available for $150 at the gate.  Weekend VIP ticket prices are now only $290 plus service fees through May 11 and will rise to $320 and then $350 at the gate.  Single day tickets range from $35-$45 plus service fees and will go up by $5 on May 12.  

Meanwhile, voting is underway for the second annual Miss Rocklahoma contest. The top ten finalists who best possess the spirit of Rocklahoma have been revealed at www.rocklahoma.com.  Rock fans from around the world have until May 18 to vote online for their favorite choice for “Miss Rocklahoma.”  The top five finalists will be announced on May 20 and will be introduced on-stage at Rocklahoma on Friday, May 28.  One lucky contestant will be crowned the winner and ambassador for Rocklahoma 2010.  For more details, please visit www.rocklahoma.com.

For all the early birds who are ready to start Memorial Day weekend early, Retrospect Records and Axis Entertainment will be throwing the official ROCKLAHOMA pre-party.  The party starts at 6pm on Thursday, May 27 at the Retrospect Stage with appearances by:  Sam & The Stylees, Wildstreet, The Glitter Boys, Firstryke, Dressed to Kill, Black Tora and Bad Things, as well as an all-band jam session to end the night!  You must have a weekend ticket in order to attend the pre-party.

Established in 2007 as a classic rock destination festival with the motto “life, liberty and the pursuit of rock,” Rocklahoma organizers teamed with AEG LIVE to revamp the 2010 event to encompass a much broader mix of classic, current and up-and-coming rock artists.  

The current line-up for Rocklahoma 2010 is as follows: ZZ Top, Godsmack, Three Days Grace, Tesla, Buckcherry, Cinderella, Chevelle, Theory of a Deadman, Saliva, Sevendust, Fuel featuring Brett Scallions, Saving Abel, Adelitas Way, Janus, Aranda, The Veer Union, Burn Halo, Richy Nix, Shaman’s Harvest, Lacuna Coil, Taddy Porter, Like A Storm, Taking Dawn, New Medicine, Year Long Disaster, Gypsy Pistoleros, Nigel Dupree Band, Brookroyal, Within Reason, The Last Vegas, Wildstreet, Firstryke, Krank, The Glitter Boys, O’Dette, Problem Child, Black Tora, Mad Max and Bad Things.  Gates will open at 2:30pm on Friday, and 12:30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Rocklahoma is located just 45 minutes northeast of Tulsa, in Pryor, OK.  The “Catch the Fever” Festival Grounds is a premiere destination for a multi-day festival, and includes on-site camping with access to restrooms and shower house, a general store for campers, VIP reserved seating, hospitality areas & much more.