Tag: Uncovering Oklahoma Page 57 of 78

What We Ate at Aurora - photo by Dennis Spielman

Aurora Chats and Snacks

On July 13, 2017

Get to know the Plaza District’s new breakfast joint, Aurora, in my brand new Chats and Snacks segment. The Chats and Snacks series features members of the restaurant team and a special guest in a discussion of community and food over a potluck of snacks. With myself as the host along with guests, Henry Boudreaux, Executive Chef at Aurora; Aimee Struble, owner of Aurora; and Cayla Lewis, Executive Director of the Plaza District.

As I said before, this is the first time making Chats and Snacks. This morning at 9 am, I filmed this and I’ve been editing it since. We had a great time doing this video and I hope it does well. While the video is over 25-minutes long, people can watch the first few minutes to get a general idea for the place or watch the whole thing for more details. I did cut out a few moments of pauses, a chat about trees, and my coaching. In the past, my travel videos have never gone into such depth so I’m curious as to how well it’s going to be received. I’m in the process of scheduling another one.

Thank you to my supporters on Patreon for helping make this video possible! Watch the previous video for the Poe Bouyz House Sneak Peek Tour and the teaser trailer for my upcoming documentary, Inviting Art.

Poe Bouyz House Sneak Peek Tour

By Dennis

On July 7, 2017

In Real

Many drivers along I-35 in Oklahoma City have seen a strange, crooked building and wondered what it was. People have guessed everything from a daycare to an art gallery, a contractor’s revenge, an insurance agency, to just someone’s house.

The answer: a seafood restaurant called Poe Bouyz House.

I first shared the new back in February. My wife and I were on our way to an art opening at Science Museum Oklahoma when we spotted someone working on it. Curious to know about the building, I turned around and asked. The news went viral and blew up my Facebook feed. I had to turn off notifications. I then tried to get in touch with the owner to do a story for Uncovering Oklahoma, which at the time he declined as he wasn’t ready to talk about it. Yesterday, I got a call inviting me to tour Poe Bouyz House.

The owner and builder, Tony Howard, started construction back in April 2015. Poe Bouyz House has been a passion project for him, working on it bit by bit whenever he had extra time and money to invest. He’s taken his time with the restaurant so when it opens, he won’t have a huge debt to some bank and be worrying about his bottom line.

My original guess of the building being an art gallery wasn’t far off. During my one-on-one tour with Tony, he shared details of a Vegas style decor complete with a 3D underwater painting on the floor, a VIP area upstairs, and a bar surrounded by a waterfall. Poe Bouyz House also features a rooftop waterfall, which to both of our knowledge, is the only waterfall on a roof in the state and perhaps the country. He said people have thought the building sprung a leak when he turns on his waterfall.

Tony is hoping to open Poe Bouyz House in October. He wishes to allow people to enjoy the patio seating before the weather gets cold.

For more details about Poe Bouyz House, including the story behind the theme and the food offerings, watch the sneak peek video tour.

A special thanks to my supporters on Patreon for helping make this video possible! Watch my previous video on an actual art gallery, Oklahoma Contemporary, and the teaser trailer for my upcoming documentary, Inviting Art.

Inviting Art Preview #1

By Dennis

On July 6, 2017

In Real

Art’s Not Trendy!

Presented by Downtown OKC Inc, Inviting Art is my feature-length documentary that discusses Oklahoma City’s art scene. The film explores the impact of the arts, showcases examples of art in the city, and shares advice from artists in a story to inspire and invite more art.

Inviting Art the focal piece on my series stories highlighting art in OKC, which have included videos on Oklahoma Contemporary, IAO Gallery, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Current Studio, The Underground, and Make It Rain Poems. With the support of Downtown OKC in connection with Inviting Art, several Artist Statement Minutes were released about art in the downtown area, which included Amanda Zoey’s Wild Illuminate, Leigh Martin’s Contained Aesthetics, J. NiCole Hatfield and Steven Grounds’ Strength of the Woman, Kelsey Karper and romy owens’ Golden Hour, Don Narcomey’s Roots, and Jason Pawley’s Cultivation.

The movie is currently in the process of being reviewed by those involved for feedback and approval. The current length of the completed cut stands at 72-minutes! Things may get added and things may get cut before the final release, which I’m aiming for an August release. There will be a release screening of the film at a to be determined location along with a Midnight Toast celebration at Ludivine.

If you want to watch the preview, I’ve shared it on my Patreon page for all of my supporters. Plus, if you become a patron now and you’re still one when I release the film, I’ll include your name in the credits too!

Updates to come. I hope you enjoyed this teaser trailer!

Oklahoma Contemporary

By Dennis

On June 29, 2017

In Real

Currently located at State Fair Park, Oklahoma Contemporary aims to encourage artistic expression in all its forms through education and exhibitions. They endeavor to instill in the public a lifetime appreciation of the arts and enthusiasm for creative practice through a broad range of educational programs, exhibitions, and cultural offerings.

Continuing my focus on the arts this month, for this video, I interviewed Jeremiah Matthew Davis, Artistic Director of Oklahoma Contemporary; Jennifer Scanlan, Curatorial and Exhibitions Director; and Erin Oldfield, Director of Education and Public Programming.

Individual Artists of Oklahoma

By Dennis

On June 23, 2017

In Real

Individual Artists of Oklahoma encourages progressive artists in Oklahoma working in all disciplines through monthly exhibitions, educational programs, and community partnerships. IAO promotes inclusion of the arts in the community and in education by keeping nearly 100% of its programs and admission to the gallery completely free to the public.

Continuing my focus on art this month, I interviewed Executive Director, Laurence Myers Reese, to talk about the gallery and what kind of art one can expect to find there.

I did a video on IAO Gallery last year, which I published on June 23, 2016 (I did not plan this scheduling). I rewatched it today for the first time since I’ve finished it. I have to say, I have come a long way improving the quality of my videos in 2017. I’ve gotten better at coaching people in interviews to make them more comfortable and truly shine. I’ve also gotten better at telling stories and showing sides that people don’t usually see to a place. I’ve been killing it this year. Although, I wish more people would watch them and I hope that people haven’t stopped following me because of the past.

Thank you, everyone, and my supporters on Patreon, for your on-going support! Be sure to share this video and check out the gallery. Below is my latest Artist Statement Minute video of what’s on display at this time.