Norman prepares for return to Dark Age

Photo courtesy of Steve Sisney


Kings, queens and knights plan to bring the Middle Ages back to Norman when the 33rd annual Medieval Fair takes over Reaves Park April 3 through 5.

The fair will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Reaves Park is at 2501 Jenkins Ave., just north of State Highway 9. Admission and parking are free.

The living history fair will feature more than 200 art and craft booths, food concessions, games, educational exhibits, crafts demonstrations and individuals and groups entertaining in Middle Ages-style, said Linda Linn, event coordinator.

In addition to minstrels, jugglers and other familiar characters, new attractions will include: Gypsy Rox, a music duo; Danny the magician; and glass blowing.

As always, the Medieval Fair will include fun and games for all ages. Many of the popular youth events also return with elephant rides, a hand-cranked medieval swing carousel, wax hands and face painting. Craft demonstrations focusing on brass rubbing, blacksmithing, crafting chain mail, creating soap, woodworking and armor making will be available. Educational exhibits and presentations about life in the Middle Ages also will be presented.

Norman resident Elizabeth Harris has attended the Medieval Fair for the past twelve years and is planning to return.

"It's always a lot of fun," Harris said. "It started as my mom dragging me there against my will, but now it has become a tradition."

Fair parking is available on the east side of Lloyd Noble Center on Jenkins Avenue, one block south of Reaves Park. Shuttle service will not be available this year, but parking for vehicles with handicap permits will be available on park grounds.

For more information and for a list of scheduled entertainment, visit www.medievalfair.org.

Sooner Theatre plans jazz celebration

The Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary Tour will swing by Sooner Theatre with an all-star music group of some today's best jazz musicians at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 18.

The group, Blue Note 7, are composed of: Bill Charlap, musical director and piano; Peter Bernstein, guitar; Ravi Coltrane, tenor saxophone; Lewis Nash, drums; Nicholas Payton, trumpet; Peter Washington, bass; and Steve Wilson, alto saxophone.

The tour celebrates the anniversary of legendary record label Blue Note Records, which was founded in 1939. The label is known as a premier label in jazz history, recording artists such as: Fats Navarro, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock and many others.

"For jazz junkies like myself, this is a pretty sweet deal," said Brandon Sims, modern dance sophomore. "[Blue Note Records] has produced a lot of great jazz music, it's cool they're doing an anniversary tour to celebrate.

"I hope [Blue Note 7] plays some tributes to the artists who proceeded them."

Tickets are on sale now for $30, $35 and $40. They may be purchased from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, at the theater box office, 101 E Main Street. Tickets also can be purchased by phone at 405-321-9600, or online at www.soonertheatre.com. A service charge of $2 per ticket is added to phone and online orders.