Kricket Rhoads, Native American Storyteller from the Kiowa and Caddo Nations, will tell traditional stories beginning at 1:30 on Saturday afternoon, January 12.  Children of all ages are invited to enjoy the free event presented by The Performing Arts Studio, located in the Norman Depot, 200 South Jones Avenue.  Adults are invited as well. 

Kricket has told stories from the Kiowa and Caddo Nations throughout Oklahoma, across the United States and internationally, for close to two decades.  She has performed on stage since childhood in a variety of roles, which include acting, dancing and singing.  She had lead roles in the movies The Alamo and Chasing the Wind as well as parts in Last of the Mohicans and UHF.  She has done several commercials as well, including one with her daughter for the 2004 WIC nursing campaign, the 2006 Integris Health promotionals and WB promotionals.

Continuing her education. Kricket is now a senior in the Native American Studies Department at the University of Oklahoma. She is currently the Education Outreach Coordinator for the Historic Jacobson House in Norman.

The free Storytelling Series at the Performing Arts Studio is made possible by a grant from the Norman Arts Council. 

For additional information about this or other PAS programs, call The PAS at 307-9320.

Watermelon Slim

SOLD OUT!

In December 2006 Watermelon Slim garnered a record-tying six 2007 Blues Music Award nominations for Artist, Entertainer, Album, Band, Song, and Traditional Album of the Year. Only the likes of B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Robert Cray have ever landed six nominations.  Slim has again received six nominations this December for the 2008 Blues Music Awards!

Slim’s 2006 self-titled release was ranked #1 in MOJO Magazine's 2006 Top Blues CDs, won the 2006 Independent Music Award for Blues Album of the Year, hit #1 on the Living Blues Radio Chart, debuted at #13 on the Billboard Blues Radio Chart ahead of both Robert Cray and North Mississippi Allstars, and won the Blues Critic Award for 2006 Album of the Year.

Jim Spur will be the featured poet at the Performing Arts Studio’s “Second Sunday Poetry” reading on January 13, beginning at 2:00 PM.  This is the Shawnee poet’s second appearance in the PAS poetry series.  Light refreshments will be served.  There is no admission charge.
 
“Jim has a good sense of humor and a great reading style” says series host Carl Sennhenn.  “His readings are always big audience pleasers.” 

Spur has spent most of his life in Shawnee, graduating from college and meeting his wife there.  He became an insurance adjuster in the 60’s and has owned and operated his own business since then, though it is now “operating at a much slower pace,” allowing more time for writing poetry. 

“Writing poetry is, for me, like it is for so many other poets, something I do out of a need to try to say something and hope that somewhere some of it will have some meaning.” says  Spur.  “I have published some of it.  An acceptance letter for publication is always a good feeling.......Rejection ain’t!” he jokes.

“We look forward to having Jim return to share his more recent poetry with us.” says Nancy McClellan, Performing Arts Studio Executive Director.  “Jim is sure to make it a delightful experience.  Everyone is invited.”

For further information please contact the Performing Arts Studio at 405-307-9320.

Kim Zahller will be telling stories at the Performing Arts Studio in the Norman Depot beginning at 1:30 on Saturday, December 8, in conjunction with the Christmas Holiday Parade Twelve Stops of Christmas and the Downtown Art Market.  All events are free.

Kim Zahller has won the admiration of thousands of children in Norman for her excellent storytimes.  She brings books to life and children to books.  Kim’s smile and welcome greet every child who comes into the library.   Kim loves being silly, especially if it encourages children to read.  Kim and her co-workers at the Norman Library are proud to work with the great families in our community.  The Performing Arts Studio is proud to have Kim at the Depot.

Kim is a storyteller and Assistant Librarian at the Norman Public Library.  She has held this job for 11 years.  She is a Norman native and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma.

The Performing Arts Studio encourages children and their parents to participate in all of the activities going on in Historic Downtown Norman on this special Saturday.  Everything is fun and free!  Downtown is the place to be!

Storytelling at the Depot is made possible by a grant from the Norman Arts Council.

For further information about downtown events occurring on December 8, phone The Performing Arts Studio at 307-9320.