experience 16thPlazaLIFE from the new girl
“I have no idea where I’m going. I’m lost and I’m going to be late. They are never going to give me the internship!” These were the thoughts going through my mind as I headed to my interview with the Executive Director of the Plaza District Association, Kristen Vails. NW 16th street was not a familiar place to me. Oklahoma City was not a familiar place to me. I grew up in a small town in NE Oklahoma. So my GPS and map on my iPhone were my most important tools moving to this “big city”.
I found the office with the very detailed instructions from Kristen and I wasn’t late. I was greeted by a girl who is far too young for such an impressive title. Her big smile was warming and jeans made me feel out of place. I had on a suit, heels and way too much make up. I always did interviews in a suit. But after seeing her casual attire I wanted to change. I realized I did not dress the part for the job I wanted.
Luckily, Kristen saw something in me other than a pressed suit, loud heels and hairspray. I started a week later as the intern for the Plaza District. I met the business owners first. Pleasantly I was surprised by the wide mix of businesses. I enjoyed meeting the owners, their friends and families. All of the businesses were so unique and talented in their own way. I loved the colorful costumes at Bad Granny’s Bazaar; the rocker printed tees at War Paint Clothing Co.; the retro furniture at RetrOKC; the amazing art at DNA Galleries and the handmade products at Collected Thread…and so many more.
I enjoyed being back in a creative world with so many creative and talented people. In such a short time the Plaza District has inspired me–inspired me to go back to school and continue a dream I had in design. A dream I let die over the years but the Plaza District brought back to life.
I am proud to now work for the Plaza District Association as their District Relations and Marketing Coordinator. However, I am still fairly sure I earned my position by dressing up in an 80’s jumper and fanny pack for the Fanny Pack Fashion Show! Over coffee breaks at Elemental, we brainstorm the creative ideas to drive the district. Working with each business, I work to keep communication efficient with so much going on in the district. Whether it be social media, updating the website, event planning, research and all the many hats that come with non-profit work—I love this place.
Although I have not been with the district long it is a place I can call home–a place very dear to me and I love being a part of it’s growth and a part of the team!
-Lauren Reasor (Plaza Mom’s sidekick)
Great Gifts for Valentine’s!
Just a sample of great Valentine’s gifts in the Plaza!
1. handcrafted ” Our Hearts Beat as One ” dolls, Dig It!
2. “My favorite Work of Art” print, Collected Thread
3. “Get Naked” Dental Chew Sticks, Chasin’ Tail
4. 80′s Nostalgia Handmade Valentine’s Cards, Bad Granny’s Bazaar
5.”You’re a Fox” Card, Collected Thread
6. Plaza Rose, Urban Wineworks
7. “Broken Heart” shirt by Doin’ Fine, DNA Galleries
8. pink retro lamp, RetrOKC
9. Spring Awakening at Lyric Theatre
10. Permanent Displays of Affection, No Regrets Tattoo
Valentine’s Day and February Specials!
Valentines Specials:
Cole Dewey Designs: Beautiful flower arrangements for Valentine’s Day, deliveries available. Get your order in today for something special and unique from Cole Dewey Designs! Call to make your order today at (405).208.1978 http://www.coledeweydesigns.com/
Saints: Valentine’s Day featuring a wonderful 3-course meal. First Course includes Garlic Stuffed Mussels. Second Course is a choice of either a Cherry Wood Smoked Duck Breast with red wine reduction with colcannon and asparagus -or- Pan Seared Sea Scallops with foie gras beurre blanc with a smoked mushroom barley risotto and asparagus. And finally, dessert includes a White Chocolate Red Velvet Cake with cream cheese icing and toasted macadamia nuts. $35 a person. Reservations required, call (405).602.6308. http://www.saintsplaza.com/
Urban Wine Works: A Valentine’s Day 5-course meal. The first course includes a Urban Cobb Salad with smoked-hickory bacon. Second course is an Italian Wedding Soup. Next continues with Barbecue Shrimp. The forth course is a Petit Sirah Pollo, a farfalle pasta made with one of the house wines with a side green beans. And finally, dessert includes Chocolate Decadence Cake made with three types of chocolate. $60 a couple, Reservations required, call (405).525.WINE. Do not miss out on Urban Wine Works paired wine flight for additional $10, romantic live music and of course flowers. http://www.urbanww.com/
Collected Thread: Partnering with Birdie Flower Shop with $55 bouquet and necklace from Collected Thread! Pre-order by contacting Collected Thread today! 405.557.1141
DNA Galleries and Collected Thread: The two neighbors have teamed up for an awesome Valentine’s Thunder Package! The package includes a Thunder T-shirt, Thunderwear, Thunder buttons, ‘Fear the Beard’ Thunder Flask and a Thunder sticker. All this gear for a sweet $65! DNA- (405).371.2460 1705 B NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 Collected Thread- (405).557.1141 1705A NW 16th Street.
February Events
Dig It: 10% off a special item every Tuesday during the month of February.
Bad Granny’s Bazaar:Feb 10th: LIVE on the Plaza, 8PM Backroom with Stranglets
Feb 11th: 8PM Backroom with Seahaven (from Canada) and Local Friends
Feb 24th: 7PM Backroom with Kubla Kahn, 2X4, Eloi Eloi and Manipulate the Ghost
Feb 25th: 7PM Backroom with Tiger Lily and Found In Atlases
Feb 28th: Art’s Movie Night from 7p to 10p. This month’s featured movies is sponsored by Dig It and featuring are independent foreign horror films.
The Society: Feb 9th: 8PM, Refresh At The Society, live music by Brianna Gaither, The Motha Folkin Soul, Braylon Warr, and Hayden Bedwell and art photography by Rachel Waters.
Feb 19th: 6PM, Life Drawing: Study and Sketch Session with live models. $20, Reservations required.
No Regrets Tattoo: $40 candy heart Tattoo special February 12th. First come, first serve! (405).702.0088
Latest Renovation Project: Blackwelder Apartments
Oklahoma City developer makes blighted apartments next target
Over the past several years Jeff and Aimee Struble have either lived or worked in the 16th Street Plaza District, and have led much of its redevelopment.
Our Valentine to You
We just want to thank everyone for all the support and love you have given to the Plaza District!
Our Valentine to you is free coffee–a full coffee bar thanks to Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering!
We would love for you to come sip with us!
Monday February 6th from 7:30 to 9:30 AM at Convergence Collective (1755 NW 16th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73106)
Friends of the Plaza District
Thanks to our Friends of the Plaza District for all they do and help grow the District!
Patrons:
Catheryn Koss Shawn Null John and Susan Hogan
George McQuistion Ryan Holbrook John Belt
Robert Breeding Janet Seefeldt Shop Good
Benny Jacobs John Milner Jessi Garrett
Melauna Wescott Marc Barker Chris and Cyndi Thomas
Randy Cassimus Brett Deering Isaac Gray
Sara Jacobson Richard Payne
Individual:
Jeff Struble Cindy Goble Lindy Adams
Allison Bailey Nicolle Franklin Anny Castoro
Mike Ramsey Marilyn Fisher Marla Hice
Marlena Vair Amelia Bardwell
plazaLIFE blog by Maria Atkinson
Keepin’ it Local All Year Round!
Happy 2012 Plaza friends! 2011 was an awesome year for the District especially for our friends at Keep it Local, but they need your help to continue their growth!
Many of you have seen the little plastic “Keep it Local” cards being used at places like Cuppies and Joe, Iguana Mexican Grill, Collected Thread, Iron Starr Urban BBQ and so many more. Here’s a little scoop on how itworks and whyyou should start keepin’ it local!
I had the pleasure of meeting the brains behindthe operation, Keep it Local co-founder, Bryce Bandy. Bryce, along with his businesspartner Chris Branson launched the Keep it Local OK idea in early 2010 to promote growth within Oklahoma City and bring attention to all the amazing creative minds we have right here! SInce it’s birth, the small business has grown to gain national attention.
The vision of Keep it Local is to encourage consumers to shop, eat at local, independent businesses to keep our economy strong and productive. Bryce and Chris saw the idea of promoting local businesses in cities such as, Austin, Texas and wanted to bring the same concept to Oklahoma City.
Keep it Local has over 130 local businesses that have partnered with them which include stores in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman and Midwest City. “We give people the tools and incentives to shop local”, says Bryce.
A one time purchase of $10.00 in turn will save you hundreds of dollars by using your card at all your favorite OKC hot spots. You can purchase a Keep it Local card at Elemental Coffee Co, Blue 7, and several other locations.
The 2012 card was designed by local artist Mauricio Cremer. This year Keep it Local is launching some new tools to make shopping even easier! A free iPhone app is now available which was built by local developer Steve Baranski of Komorka Technology. And early next month a gift registry to register for all your gift needs such as birthday, house warming, graduation, wedding, baby etc.. will also be available to let all your friends and family know which local store they can find your perfect gift.
For more information about Keep it Local you can visit their website, new site designed by local web mastermind James Harber of Studio FJ.
Be sure to follow them on Twitter @keepitlocalok and like them on Facebook!
Stay Fit and Eat Great Food at Saints!
Now that the holidays are over, the pressure is on to keep resolutions of exercise and healthy eating. Saints’ Irish Pub right here in the heart of the Plaza, not only offers a great selection of craft beer, wine and liquor, but they are also fully supplied with delicious menu items!
Saints’ executive chef, Eric James Brown, cooked up some awesome entrees which are not only delicious, but nutritious as well! Eric has been professionally cooking for nearly a decade, but has enjoyed doing so most of his life.
Our first item is the Smoked Salmon Salad. This house smoked Applewood salmon is served on a bed of spring mixed greens, with red bell peppers, candied walnuts and a ginger citrus vinaigrette.
Next we have the Veggie BLT. Though the name is deceiving, you won’t find a trace of pork in this delectable appetizer. It consists of Applewood smoked mushrooms placed on top of a roasted garlic spread, topped with tomatoes, basil chiffonade served on toast points.
And as a main course the Meat and Veg. With the meat and veg you get 6oz of juicy beef tenderloin, along side a carrot, parsnip puree, served with roasted seasonal vegetables.
Stop in Saints’ today to try one of Chef Eric’s delicious bites and be sure to ask you server for a great beer pairing!
First LIVE on the Plaza of 2012!
Be sure to not miss our very first LIVE on the Plaza of the year! This Friday, January 13 from 7-11pm, though it may be chilly outside, the Plaza will have plenty of exciting things going on.
The grand opening of “The Parish” will warm you up with a free expresso bar via Elemental Coffee Co and warm your heart with live music from Barling, John Parker Milsap, Gabriel Hancock, and Melissa May.
Come show off your pipes down at Paula & Company Realty as they host and 80s karaoke night with chances to win tickets to Lyric Theatre’s new performance, Xanadu!
The Society will be putting on a Life Drawing study and sketch session from 6-9pm, $20 to participate.
Plus live music, and plenty of featured local artists all over the District!
Don’t miss out, see you Friday!
*All photos taken by Maria Atkinson of mariadru photography.
Lyric’s XANADU hits the Theatre January 25th
2012 Opens with the Hilarious and Fun Production of XANADU
What: XANADU
Where: Lyric’s Plaza Theatre- 1725 NW 16th Street, OKC
When: January 25-February 11, 2012
How: Call (405) 524-9312 or visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.com
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma opens a brand new season with the inspiring comedy, XANADU, showing at Lyric’s Plaza Theatre from January 25 through February 11, 2012. The New York Times calls it “heaven on wheels” and “ingenious”.
This over-the-top, hysterical roller-skating musical spoofs the outrageously bad 1980s film about a beautiful muse who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach and inspires a struggling artist to pursue his dreams. It’s hilarity on wheels for anyone who has ever wanted to feel inspired.
This production is under the direction of Alan Muraoka, who directed Lyric’s productions of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 in 2007 and 2009, and has many Broadway, Off-Broadway and National tour credits as an actor including MISS SIAGON, THE KING AND I, ANYTHING GOES and MAME. Some might recognize Muroaka as Alan, proprietor of Hooper’s Store onSesame Street since 1998. Muroaka is ready to bring something different to Lyric’s Plaza Theatre stage to help kick off the new season.
“This show has awesome 80s music with roller skating and even some fake Australian accents. That’s what awaits you in the upcoming Lyric production of XANADU,” says Muroaka. “The music will make you want to dance in the aisles, but don’t because we’ll probably be roller skating in them. A great time is guaranteed by all who experience it.”
Completing Muraoka’s artistic staff for XANADU is Chris Castleberry, choreographer; Brian Hamilton, music director;Christopher Domanski, set designer; Jeffrey Meek, costume designer; Art Whaley, lighting designer; Brad Poarch, sound designer andJeff Cochran, stage manager.
A familiar face on Lyric’s stage, Oklahoma City native, Lexi Windsor, is playing the young and perky Kira in Lyric’s production of XANADU. Audiences will recognize Windsor as Gretchen in Lyric’s 2011 production of BOEING BOEING and Evelyn Nesbit in Lyric’s 2011 summer production of RAGTIME.
“ I love the music of Electric Light Orchestra, and I’m so excited to go to the theatre every night, throw on some roller skates and rock out to ELO for a fun evening of live music and slaphappy comedy,” says Windsor. “But ultimately, I love the challenge. I haven’t had a role with this much responsibility on the Lyric stage before, so it is truly an honor to attempt something of this measure.”
Joining Windsor on Lyric’s Plaza stage and playing Kira’s forbidden love is New York City’s Adam Levinskas, as Sonny Malone. Levinskas, making his Lyric debut in the production of XANADU, played Asher in the National Tour of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. Other cast members include Renee Anderson (Lyric’s OLIVER!), Jacob Chancellor (Lyric’s 42ndSTREET), Stephen Hilton (Lyric’s HAIRSPRAY and RAGTIME), Sheran Keyton, Eloise Kropp (Lyric’s HAIRSPRAY and A CHORUS LINE) , Parish Mechling (Lyric’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and DECEMBER DIVAS), Jamard Richardson (Lyric’s HAIRSPRAY and RAGTIME) and Christopher Sieker (Lyric’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW).
As an added treat, the original star of the film Xanadu, Olivia Newton-John, has recorded a special pre-show announcement just for Lyric’s production.
Single tickets for XANADU are $40 and are available to purchase. For tickets go to www.LyricTheatreOKC.com, call (405) 524-9312, or come by Lyric’s box office at 1727 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK.
Performance times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday afternoon. XANADU is sponsored by Bank of Oklahoma, Chesapeake Energy, The Oklahoman, Allied Arts and the Oklahoma Arts Council.
If you would like more information about this performance, publicity photos or to schedule an interview, please email Cristen Shepherd at Cristen@LyricTheatreOKC.com or call Cristen at (405) 524-9310.
The Parish coming to the Plaza District
FIRST THINGS FIRST. Grand Opening Party…
WHEN: January’s Live On The Plaza, Friday January 13th 7pm-12am
WHERE: 1757 NW 16th St 73106
WHAT: Espresso Drinks, Live Music, and Local Art
Facebook info Here
-We’ll be serving free espresso drinks all night featuring locally
roasted Elemental coffee.
-There will be four local performances throughout the evening
featuring Barling, John Parker Milsap, Gabriel Hancock, and Melissa
May.
-The local art of Tessa Raven will blow your mind. Tessa’s artwork
will be for sale during the party and will continue to be available
during any of the operating hours of The Parish.
John Parker Milsap
http://www.parkermillsap.com/
Barling
http://www.barlingmusic.com/
Gabriel Hancock
http://www.facebook.com/
Melissa May
http://www.facebook.com/pages/
Tessa Raven
http://www.facebook.com/
ABOUT US
The Parish is a local church in The Plaza District of OKC with a
community space featuring a coffee bar, live music, and local art
throughout the week.
FAQ (Fraudulently Asked Question):
Q: Why are you called The Parish?
A: If you were to search “Parish Church” in Wikipedia, then you would
read…”The parish church plays a significant role in community
activities, often allowing its premises to be used for non-religious
community events. The church building reflects this status, and there
is considerable variety in the size and style of parish churches.”
In other words, we appreciate the historical generosity expressed in
the parish church model of Europe. If a church is going to build
something, then it should be a natural benefit to the community
surrounding it. We love Jesus, family, the arts, coffee, and our
community. It’s ironic that churches are often perceived as being
anal and greedy…churches are under strict orders to be hospitable
and generous.
As a parish church we get together on Sunday mornings to marvel
together about the big things of God, learn together, change together,
and experience the rich community of Jesus with each other.
As a parish church we also open our doors as a coffee bar for the
community to come in and chill out while enjoying local art and music.
We also have a big screen for watching local films or movies.
FAQ (Frivolously Articulated Question)
Q: Uhh what sort of days and kind of times are your doors supposed to be open?
A: Sunday Celebration 10:45am-12pm; Coffee Bar Weds-Sat 7pm-11pm
(Keep your eyes on as we will be continually adding more shifts to the
operating hours of the coffee bar.)
The Parish
1757 NW 16th St 73106
www.theparishokc.com
www.facebook.com/theparishokc (like this page for current happenings)
405.633.0454
Call to Teaching Artist
LIVE on the Plaza 2012
We are looking for artists interested in teaching kids artist activities during LIVE on the Plaza events. Events are every second Friday of each month, during the months of April to October. Visual and performing art accepted. Please fill out the form below. Deadline to apply is January 31st 2012.
Fill our the form here at: https://plazadistrict.wufoo.com/forms/z7x2q5/
