Culture

The Frida Effect: Final Days at Philbrook for Kahlo-Rivera Mexican Modernism exhibits

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*Community Dialogue Opportunity Scheduled for September 10:

How Frida Taught us to Paint Our Realities — Details follow.

By Glenda Rice Collins (Updated September 2, 2022)

Tulsa, Okla., USA — Last call: FRIDA KAHLO, DIEGO RIVERA, AND MEXICAN MODERNISM continues through September 11, 2022 at Philbrook Museum of Art, featuring: exemplary originals of iconic Frida’s paintings, videos of her beloved Casa Azul residence, and garden (as shown in banner image above), examples of her authentic, heritage-inspired attire, wall-sized reproductions of Rivera’s famed murals, and the couple’s unique Mexican garden-inspired influences visible throughout Philbrook’s vast gardens this summer.

The Philbrook gardens currently bloom with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera-inspired plantings, and quotes. Photo by Glenda Rice Collins.

Born into a privileged Mexican lifestyle, the well-educated Frida Kahlo studied to be a doctor, but suffered severe injuries and life-long pain from a traffic accident in her youth, becoming broken, at times bedridden, and yet determined to express herself through her groundbreaking paintings, activism and political involvements. (See also: https://glendaricecollins.com/2019/10/11/the-art-of-recovery-part-ii-inspiration-from-frida-kahlos-garden-path/).

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OKC Lyric Theatre Homecoming Performances Continue with ‘Head Over Heels’ Hijinks

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By Glenda Rice Collins

Oklahoma City, Okla., USA — From a high-profile, expanded American Indian-themed outdoor Distant Thunder world premiere to a current COVID pandemic-delayed homecoming return to the indoor Plaza Theater, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma continues to celebrate dramatic diversity with the ongoing Head Over Heels musical production, continuing through April 30, 2022.

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OKC: Get your GLOW on at Scissortail Park this weekend

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Compiled by Glenda Rice Collins — Updated April 7, 2022

Community Celebration at Scissortail Park to feature lighted hot air balloons and drones!

Scissortail Springtime in the Park at Dusk: Photo by Glenda Rice Collins.

Oklahoma City, Okla. USA–In conjunction with the currently engaging GLOW interactive, lighted exhibition (continuing through April 10) Allied Arts and Inasmuch Foundation will present a community celebration on Friday, April 8, 7 – 11 p.m. at Scissortail Park, –featuring: a hot air balloon night glow, a synchronized drone light show, glow-in-the-dark art from local makers, live performances, music, food trucks and more. The event is free and open to all ages.

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Ballet: Where Have all the Tutus Gone?

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By Glenda Rice Collins

Oklahoma City, Okla., USA – Oklahoma City Ballet’s recent Future Voices choreographic showcase world premieres responded to familiar pop music history, as well as the classics, for inspiration.

The short, dramatic works were inspired by such themes as: sudden death, Analog Form, and jukebox memories, all in contemporary mode, up-close and personal in the same studio where they rehearse – the Inasmuch Foundation Theater at their home base. –Has spare costuming created a ‘tutu dilemma?’ 

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OU theatre scene illuminates a “Mad Forest”

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By Glenda Rice Collins

Norman, Okla.–Written by Caryl Churchill, Mad Forest is a gripping account of the Romanian Revolution of 1989 as told by the young and the old, the wealthy and the working class, and by humans, animals and spirits in a mesmerizing play that illuminates the complexities of human nature during troubled times. We do indeed live in a mad, mad world, it seems, as the story unfolds with some intense surreal accounts, both subtle and overt.

Inspired performances continue tonight at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. in the A. Max Weitzenhoffer Theatre of the University of Oklahoma.

Live Stream is available for select performances at a single view price of $10.

Visit theatre.ou.edu for more information.

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Ansel Adams in Our Time: New Views Reflected Politically

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Iconic images illuminate current social issues through a contemporary lens.

By Glenda Rice Collins

Bentonville, Ark., USA — With memorable images of vast American landscapes now threatened with climate change and exploitation, Ansel Adams in Our Time continues at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, through January 3, 2021. The changing landscapes are now reflected among works by his notable peers, past and present.

“All Art is Political” –Hank Willis Thomas

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Crystal Bridges debuts The Momentary, Part II; with ‘Nick Cave: Until’

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By Glenda Rice Collins  (Last updated September 20, 2020)

Bentonville, Ark., USA — During a Zoom virtual news media preview discussion Thursday, installation and performance artist Nick Cave, of Soundsuit fame, shared that ”It was not until Michael Brown (2014 fatal shooting victim in Ferguson, Missouri) happened,” that the catalyst for Nick Cave: Until ignited in his mind with the thoughts, “Is there racism in heaven?…and how do we get to heaven? …I threw it to the universe…during a time of transition.” 

Organized by MASS MoCA, the largest and most ambitious project yet from the renowned visionary. opened Saturday at The Momentary, continuing through January 3, 2021, free, with no tickets required. The title Until references the phrase “innocent until proven guilty,” or, a reversal, “guilty until proven innocent,” also addressing gender, race, and gun violence issues in America.

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Broadway Star Kennedy Caughell, on tour, shares her ‘Beautiful…’ views

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By Glenda Rice Collins, For Bartlesville Magazine, Spring 2020*  Updated 3-18-20

Bartlesville, Okla., USA — Last September, musical theatre ‘triple-threat’ performer Kennedy Caughell stepped into a major leading role as the star of the current Broadway North American touring production of the “Tony,” “Grammy” and Olivier Award-winning production, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.  Next came hometown ovations! Continue reading →

Children’s Musical Theatre of Bartlesville celebrates 20th Year

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By Glenda Rice Collins, For Bartlesville Magazine, Winter 2020.*  Updated 3-18-20.

Bartlesville, Okla., USA– “Part of the worldwide availability of service that comes with being a diplomat is being able to adapt to new scenarios, to quickly learn new skills, and to work with all kinds of people. These are all things I first learned from CMT.” —Clint Shoemake, foreign service officer at U. S. Department of State. Continue reading →

Crystal Bridges debuts The Momentary, Part I: Political Themes Anew

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By Glenda Rice Collins       (Updated February 28, 2020)

Bentonville, Arkansas, USA — While a continuing celebration of community and diversity Lauren with artswirled around Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (CB) last weekend, as The Momentary, a new satellite museum venue for contemporary art debuted, –political themes loomed large within State of the Art 2020, the new venue’s inaugural exhibition, currently housed within both CB museum locations.  Time Being named the theme for diverse performances at the newly re-purposed Kraft cheese factory, located near the popular 8th Street Market food hub, hangout destination. The synergy now expands!

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