RH opens RH is now open at the OAK. A VIP party served as a preview. At right: Polly Nichols, Hardy Watkins and Larry Nichols exchange notes on what the gallery has to offer. Page 4
Founders Day Kim Bruno, Casey and Rainey Williams and Robert Clements during Oklahoma Contemporary’s Founder’s Day celebration. Page 11
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 59 No. 9 • One Section • 12 pages • July 4, 2025
$1 per copy
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 51 years
Our public schools work to comply with cell phone ban law
Hello summer!
By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
Artie Lane, the 2year-old grandson of OKC FRIDAY Deputy Publisher Rose Lane, examines a ketchup package while swimming at The Greens Golf and Country Club. Warm temperatures are drawing families outside to take a dip in the water.
- Photos by Rose Lane
Story of Carole King coming to Lyric In the tradition of the great singer, songwriter Carole King, Lyric welcomes the acclaimed NYC-based Indie-Folk-Rock recording artist, Shayna Blass, in the title role of “BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical.” Making her Lyric Theatre debut, Shayna Blass stars in the inspiring true story of the chart-topping hit maker who created the soundtrack of a generation. “BEAUTIFUL” traces Carole King’s journey from teenage songwriter to chart-topping solo artist. King, who created countless smash hits for teen idols, rock bands,
big-haired girl groups and bigvoiced R&B legends, made the leap from songwriter to the stage with her hit album Tapestry. This Tony and Grammywinning phenomenon is filled with pop gold made famous by Aretha Franklin, Little Eva, Neil Sedaka, James Taylor, The Supremes, Carole King and more. Featuring over two dozen hits, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Up on the Roof,” “One Fine Day,” and “Natural Woman,” this Broadway celebration is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget.
Lyric’s production is directed by Lyric’s Executive Producer Ashley Wells and runs July 8-13 at The Civic Center. Tickets on sale at LyricTheatreOKC.org and by phone at (405) 524-9312, Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Before she became hit-maker Carole King, she was Carole Klein, spending her late teens and 20s working as a music factory songwriter, alongside her lyricist husband Gerry Goffin (played by Ethan Spell in Lyric’s production). Epic
‘Solid Light’ to be at OK Contemporary Oklahoma Contemporary announces a landmark partnership with London’s Tate Modern to present “Anthony McCall: Solid Light.” This North American premiere marks a historic moment in Oklahoma’s cultural landscape, bringing McCall’s immersive light sculptures — described as “cinema without film” — to the heartland for the very first time. “This historic collaboration affirms our commitment to presenting worldclass contemporary art and creates a rare opportunity for our audiences to engage with one of the most influential artists of our time,” said Executive Director Trent Riley. A pioneer of experimental film and installation, McCall transforms light into living architecture. Visitors walk
through sculptural beams made of mist and projected light in a rare, sensory experience decades in the making. The exhibition also includes film, photography and archive material documenting McCall's extraordinary practice. “This idea of solid light, it is real,” said Gregor Muir, co-curator for the exhibition at Tate Modern. “It's an interesting moment when you turn the corner, come in and see these works appearing as though these are sculptures in space. “Anthony in many respects is almost like the Richard Serra of light. He is creating these gorgeous, geometric, very minimal works out of nothing other than projected light and some mist, and it's astonishing the end result.” “Solid Light” is set to open in March 2026.
See LYRIC, Page 3
Last month Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 139 into law banning cell phone use in every Oklahoma Public School for the 2025-26 school year. Oklahoma has now joined 11 other states who have implemented bans of cell phone use in the classroom. As the law became effective July 1, Fridayland public school administrators are working to comply with the mandatory law and must adopt policies restricting students from using cell phones, laptops and other devices from the first school bell in the morning until the last bell in the afternoon. School boards are also tasked with outlining disciplinary procedures for enforcing the rule. State legislators hope the “bell to bell” ban of cell phone use in the classroom eliminates classroom distractions while improving test scores. Cell phone restrictions become optional for school districts in the 2026-27 school year. The new law allows exemptions for emergencies and students who use cell phones to monitor health issues. In Fridayland, the nearly 60,000 students
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week At 17-years-old, Brody is living proof that age is just a number. With his signature tongue-out smile and endless personality, he turns heads wherever he goes. His favorite things? Cuddles and nap time with his mom, Mackenzie Kelley. Whether he’s soaking up the sunshine or snuggled up for a snooze, Brody reminds everyone that life’s best moments are the simple ones- especially when shared with your favorite human. Email Pet of the Week submissions with complete descriptions to: rose@okcfriday.com.
who attend Putnam City, Oklahoma City and Deer Creek Public Schools are to be affected by the “bell to bell” cell phone law in some way. Private schools such as Casady School, Bishop McGuinness Catholic School, Heritage Hall and Crossings Christian School with enrollments of nearly 4,000 students are unaffected by the Senate Bill. “Putnam City Schools will be complying with the state law, and a new district policy will be board ap-proved by the start of the 2025-26 school year,” said AJ Graffeo, Putnam City communications director. “Because it is not Board approved yet, I cannot speak to the details of the policy. Once the policy is Board approved, it will be updated on our website and communications will go out to all families.” State lawmakers met with mental health researchers before the 2025 legislative session began who warned of the negative effect and additive impact of digital media on Oklahoma youth. Legislators also convened with Oklahoma educators who said their schools saw better student behavior after banning cell phone See BAN, Page 3