sense of place

Matt Nathanson, Train, Maroon 5 Take over OKC Zoo Amphitheater

It may have been a school night for some and a work night for others, but on Thursday evening the Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheater was filled to capacity with fans eager to see the likes of Matt Nathanson, Train and Maroon 5.

            Gates to the concert opened at 5:30 that evening and people were lined up to rush into the venue for the best spots they could find, even though the show was not set to start until 7 o’clock..

            With each of the three bands ending a tour to promote their latest discs and ready to get started on new records, the crowd was electric with anticipation to sing along to every song before the stage was even set.

Opener, Matt Nathanson’s first album was released in 1993 and he has been making a blend of rock and folk music ever since.

            Co-headliner, Train has been together since 1994 and is known for their poppy rock style.

            While Maroon 5 has been together since 1994 but until 2002 they were actually known as Kara’s Flowers. The band is often referred to as having an alternative rock sound.

            Filling the amphitheater were families, couples and groups of just friends from elementary school to retired. All brought together by three bands that make up a sort of odd trio.

            Mark Gibson was in attendance with wife and three kids after his wife mentioned the concert to him.

            “My wife saw it on the Internet then I mentioned it to her and she was like, ‘yeah, we gotta go.’ So we just bought the tickets,” he says.

            While Gibson and his daughters were there to see all three artists, son Liam was overly excited to hear Train.

In order to get a better view of his favorite band’s set, Liam Gibson is perched on top of his father’s shoulders.

“I’m here to see TRAIN! Train! Definitely train,” he said while fidgeting in anticipation for them to take the stage.

            Others, such as Keith and Donna Allen came as couples for a date night.

            “We like to go to concerts together… it’s the exciting part of the day. Much better than work,” said Donna.

            It did not matter which band you are there to see or how old or young you are, the concert definitely lived up to all its promises.

            Matt Nathanson, Train and Maroon 5 will be moving on to New Orleans today and then on to Washington D.C. on September 27.

            The next concert being held at the OKC Zoo Amphitheater will be Journey and Foreigner along with opener Night Ranger on September 27 at 7 pm.

            

Medieval Fair Auditions

Last Sunday, open auditions were held at the Norman Public Library to fill positions as the Royal Court, hawker criers and street performers for the Medieval Fair.

The whole community of Norman was encouraged to come out and audition for a part, and no prior experience was required.

            Throughout its thirty-six years, the Medieval Fair has grown from a collection of tents on the South Oval to a three-day event that people come from across the state to attend.

             Ann Eckart, Medieval Fair coordinator, says she is “nervous as can be. I have no idea how many people will show up,” to the open audition.

            “We are here to recreate a village…using people from all walks of life,” says Eckart.

            Positions in the royal court are the face of the Medieval Fair. Those who were trying out for these positions must be extremely dedicated to representing the fair and looking good while they do it.

Street performers can do anything from playing an instrument to a magic act. Their job is to give patrons the whole fair experience by improvising their act and interacting with crowds.

While hawker criers have the job of advertising shows or acts around the fair and engaging with the patrons as well.

            University of Oklahoma freshman, Lucas Morton, showed up to the auditions out of sheer curiosity sparked by an email he received from OU.

            “I want to get acting experience for the school of dance at OU,” he says. “Everyone here is really laid back and cool. I’m not nervous at all.”

            Auditions were described by those running the fair as “improvisational fun” and according to director Cody Clark, the audition process is “a bunch of kindergarten games.”

            One part of the audition process included an improvisational skit where one auditioner pulled a random item from a bag and had to pretend it was something that it clearly is not. But then another auditioner would interrupt them claiming that the item was another thing altogether.

            Throughout this game where hoola hoops were turned into mirrors and bubbles and where a plastic foot was turned into a gun and a telephone, auditioners got their first chance to show off acting and improv skills.

            The laid back and fun atmosphere combined with games that make it easy for the directors and coordinators to see the personalities of the auditioners. And cast them in roles that will suit them perfectly.

            Auditioners who get a part will attend rehearsals monthly throughout the fall semester and biweekly during the spring up until the big event.

            The  Medieval Fair will be held from March 30 to April 1 for all of those who want to come out and take a trip back to fourteenth century England.