Author: Dennis Page 18 of 176

Arcade games at Remi's Arcade and Bistro

Remi’s Arcade & Bistro

On July 6, 2023

Born from the dreams and collections of a group of arcade enthusiasts, Remi’s Arcade & Bistro is a unique fusion of retro gaming and a modern culinary experience that makes it an entertainment gem in Bartlesville.

Not Just an Arcade

Remi’s is more than an arcade. One of the owners highlights how they wanted to ensure that the food was far from an afterthought. The bistro part of Remi’s Arcade & Bistro serves an array of delicious food options. Their most popular item, the Cheddar Bacon Jam burger, boasts a six-ounce locally-raised beef patty topped with house-made bacon jam and cheddar cheese. They also have a Smash Burger named Mario Smash Brother Burger, featuring double smash patties, cheddar cheese, grilled onions, and house-made burger sauce. Their menu remains playful while ensuring quality. The bistro takes pride in making its queso in-house with a tequila twist, which, despite being cooked down to be safe for kids, gives it an adult flair.

Craft Cocktails for All

Remi’s Arcade & Bistro also boasts an extensive drink menu. There is no cocktail shaming here, and patrons are encouraged to drink what they like. They offer classics, as well as cocktails named after Oklahoma legends. One of these is the Mabel Fling, named after Mabel, the former property owner of the land on which Remi’s stands. Another must-try is the Ruby Darby, named after a famous Oklahoma vaudeville actress, which is a mix of scotch, house-made honey syrup, lemon juice, allspice syrup, and cherry brandy.

A Place for Everyone

Remi’s ensures inclusivity with something for everyone. All arcade machines are set to free play for patrons who purchase a wristband. Visitors can choose to solely enjoy the gaming, dine, or partake in both. The bistro is family-friendly, but transitions to 21 and up after 8 pm, which the community has embraced, offering an adult play space. Remi’s is also a place for sports enthusiasts, with TVs for those who want to catch the latest game. Additionally, Remi’s holds competitions and offers patrons the chance to see how they stack up against other pinball players.

Inviting Community

Located in Bartlesville, Remi’s Arcade & Bistro invites everyone to “get back in the game” with them. Whether you’re looking to relive the arcade glory days, indulge in delicious and innovative food, or simply have a great time, Remi’s is a must-visit destination. As the owners say, “Come in and be treated well,” Remi’s Arcade & Bistro takes pride in taking care of its patrons and making sure everyone has a place to belong.

You can watch the latest episode of Uncovering Oklahoma early by subscribing to The Show Starts Now, an Oklahoma-based streaming service. Your subscription there will help me continue this series and create more content. Special thanks to my superstar supporters on Patreon: Revovle Productions, The Keller-Kenton Family, and Christopher Lloyd.

The Ice Creamatory in Norman

By Dennis

On June 22, 2023

In Real

Dive into the thrilling world of horror-themed ice cream with James Mikowski, the owner of The Ice Crematory in Norman, Oklahoma. In this interview, James shares how he and his wife, both avid horror movie enthusiasts, came up with the chilling idea of blending their love for horror and ice cream. The shop’s decor features spooky elements from their former home in Long Island, New York. The Ice Crematory is known for its creatively named and delectable ice cream flavors, such as the crowd-favorite “Boogeyman,” which features Cookie Crisp cereal, Nilla wafers, OREOs, cookie dough, and marshmallow drizzle. Another popular flavor is the “Wednesday Addams,” with its dark cherries, dark chocolate, chocolate sprinkles, and raspberry drizzle.

A photo of the inside of The The Ice Creamatory in Norman.

At The Ice Crematory, customers can choose from chocolate and vanilla ice cream bases, and mix in a plethora of treats, including homemade cheesecake and candy bars. They also offer non-dairy and lactose-free options, accommodating various dietary needs. For those looking for something special, they can reach out to The Ice Crematory on Facebook to place custom orders.

You can watch the next episode about a small-town bistro with an arcade two weeks early by subscribing to The Show Starts Now. Your support will help me continue this series and create more content. Special thanks to my superstar supporters on Patreon: Revovle Productions, The Keller-Kenton Family, and Christopher Lloyd.

Cosmic Callback at Factory Obscura

By Dennis

On June 16, 2023

In Real

Open now through July 31, COSMIC CALLBACK: AN ILLUMINATED INTERLUDE takes you on a sound and light odyssey through the heart of a star and back again. Created by a team of 10 local artists, this new experience features an original soundscape accompanied by light and projections. Participants are invited to get comfortable on soft-sculpture seating, and gaze upward toward the cosmos.

COSMIC CALLBACK is a Factory Obscura collaboration, with contributions from: Amber Rae Black, Lindsey Cox, Emma Difani, Jaiye Farrell, Tammy Greenman, Barney Karper, Kelsey Karper, Hugh Meade, Dan Moyer, and Nikolas Thompson.

Photo by Dennis Spielman of a person standing looking inside the star at the Cosmic Callback experience.

COSMIC CALLBACK is open for general admission during regular Mix-Tape hours through July 31, 2023, at 25 NW 9th St in Downtown Oklahoma City. Tickets are $8 for General Admission, $6 for Kids 12 & under, and free for Children 3 & under. Save $2 when you bundle your tickets with the Mix-Tape experience. Admission is free for Mix-Tape Members!

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.factoryobscura.com

Yes! I Can Roger!

By Dennis

On May 22, 2023

In Real

Inspired by Dire Straits’s Skateaway music video and Roger Miller’s You Can’t Roller Skate With a Buffalo Herd, Gregg Standridge’s art exhibition at MAINSITE Contemporary Art says you can skate with a buffalo herd.

I’ll release a more comprehensive interview on Archiving Contemporary Art in the future. Enjoy this summary profile before seeing this in person before Friday, June 9, 2023

The Launch of The Show Starts Now

By Dennis

On May 16, 2023

In Real

I am thrilled to finally launch The Show Starts Now! Dive headfirst into a world of curated experiences designed to shatter your humdrum routine with The Show Starts Now. The unique, Oklahoma-based streaming service is more than just entertainment—it’s a passport to electrifying adventures. We celebrate the extraordinary in the everyday, bringing you closer to inspiring individuals, captivating locales, mesmerizing skills, and unforgettable journeys.

Today’s official launch is a far cry from the beta preview I shared back in October. For the first time, this feels complete, like I’m proud to share what I’ve made. I closed the beta access a few months after being released because the platform wasn’t getting any traction, only having one subscriber. A few months ago, I met with a brand consultant, Jenn Easley-Maynord of Artio Services, who gave me some much-needed insight and direction. One was a slight name, dropping “Studio.” I was advised that the word could be confusing with people thinking I’m a studio facility, like Parire Surf Studios. I went with the .tv domain to help with branding, too. The price was lowered from $7.99 to $5.99, matching other indie OTTs like Dropout.tv and Rooster Teeth.

Another central pivot from the beta version, I kept the location focus broad, and now I’ve leaned into the Oklahoma focus. This includes adding Uncovering Oklahoma, which was not my original plan. I dug through my archives, re-editing all of my old stories back from 2017, improving the image and sound quality, changing some music with better tracks, updating graphics, and other adjustments. Not everything was uploaded to The Show Starts Now, as I didn’t bother with closed businesses, episodes that got shuttered to another series, or places I have on my shortlist to revisit for an updated story. On a related note, the complete Tales Unveiled podcast series was added to the service with audio improvements as my skills have grown.

While older Uncovering Oklahoma episodes were improved, they were not as dramatic as the first season of Yes! Science! Initially released in 2019, Pallas the Librarian interviewed people in various STEM-related careers about their work, performed fun science experiments, and discussed books that have inspired our guests. The enhanced season includes some newly filmed Science Fact segments with Exhale and The Museum of Osteology. Pallas and I plan to work on season two, with our first episode being filmed in partnership with Sooner Con!

Also first released in 2019 was Art & Victory. This was a monthly panel discussion series for creative entrepreneurs. Again, the pandemic stopped me from continuing the series. For The Show Starts Now, I took the brand and spun the concept into three series: Discussions, Lessons, and Sessions. Discussions feature live audience panel chats, while sessions are one-off artistic creation videos, and lessons are multi-part guides. The Arts Council of Oklahoma City and I worked together to create the initial Lessons and Sessions on the service, which in trade, they also get a copy branded for their platform.

Take A Bite with Phi and Visiting Haunts are brand new series I created exclusively for The Show Starts Now. The entire first season of Take A Bite with Phi is available, while Jeff and I plan to film the reason for Visiting Haunts this summer. I’m just hoping to get subscribers so we can afford to travel, as we would love to feature out-of-state places like Eureka Springs. I also want to go to Texas for Creative Burgers.

The entire first season of Archiving Contemporary Art is available, with the first season consisting of stories from Uncovering Oklahoma. The series gets inside the minds of artists and art collectives about their creative works. Episodes from season two will be released soon, which are brand new. I have several episodes worth of content that needs to be edited, but my goal was to get the first season complete for the streaming service.

I have first to thank my wonderful wife, Leslie, who none of this wouldn’t be possible without her support. Seriously, I wouldn’t be able to take on as many creative projects without here because, let’s be honest, none of these shows are paying the bills. I do hope that changes soon with the launch of The Show Starts Now and that I’ll be able to pay other people’s bills. Continuing the special thanks to Jeff Provine, Lessa Keller-Kenton, Pallas, Phi Nguyen, Sherl Martin, Vicki Langford, Christian Pearson, Kristy Boone, Apollo Woods, Justin Coleman, and Undrell Maholmes for working with me to create many of these videos. Thanks to everyone I ever interviewed for all of my shows. Thanks to everyone who supported or still supports me on Patreon. Thanks to everyone who shared one of my works. Honestly, thank you, everyone!

I hope you take a moment to subscribe, watch a few videos, and enjoy The Show Starts Now. I’m open to feedback and suggestions for what you want to see in the future. If you can’t subscribe now, follow The Show Starts Now on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

Happy Adventures!