Oklahoma City Parties! Helen Ford Wallace
LET’S ACT A LITTLE WILD
Luncheon: Judy Love invited a group of close friends for a “Social Distance” Luncheon and “a lot of conversation.” She invited her texting friends who helped each other with jokes and calls through the first two months of lockdown.
Theme: Wild animal table decorations were used on the lunch tables and animal print masks were party favors.
DURING DEADCENTER FILM FESTIVAL
Event: At the 20th annual deadCenter Film Festival, a sponsor-only drive-in screening was held on Opening Night, June 11, at Winchester Drive-In in Oklahoma City. The following night, at the Tower Theater parking lot, guests brought chairs for an outdoor double feature of "Shifter" and "Robot Riot" — two feature films made by Oklahoma filmmakers. It was a “car-less drive-in” occasion in the parking spaces in the lot in front of the theater. Both events were coordinated to be safely distanced, with clearly marked, spaces for sponsors and pass holders to enjoy the outdoor event.
Other events: During the festival, The Oklahoman’s own Brandy McDonnell was one of the four ICONS honored at the June 13 awarding of the Oklahoma Film & TV Icon Award at the Tower Theater. The others were Elaine Paul, Megan Price and Ryan Bellgardt. On June 20, best film awards were announced as a closing night event at Jones Assembly. It was a small event consisting of staff and musicians. The award winners were announced and local musicians, including The Imaginaries, Graham Colton (as Viv & Co.) and Jabee, provided music.
Virtual festival: deadCenter was a mostly a virtual event this year due to the pandemic, with the staff pivoting the 140 films, panels and workshops entirely online. The 20th annual event was extended to run 11 days instead of four, and was chock full of engaging film and community-centric content. Additionally, this was Lance McDaniel’s last year as executive director, with Alyx Picard-Davis being promoted to lead the organization moving forward.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MITCHELL
Party: Mitchell Moss celebrated his 7th birthday with a back yard movie night party featuring “The Sand Lot.” A movie screen was set up and seating was designated by pool towels spaced for social distancing. The monogrammed towels also were party favors.
The menu: Pizza, candy and soda were served from a concession stand and the birthday cake was shaped like a popcorn box and was filled with popcorn.
Helen Ford Wallace is a columnist covering society-related events/news for The Oklahoman. She puts local parties online with daily updates. She creates, maintains and runs a Parties blog which includes web casts. She is an online web editor for... Read more ›