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Kyle Dillingham
Forced to reduce audience sizes or cancel shows due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Freeland Center for the Performing Arts excitedly announces its upcoming season, consisting of talent-packed shows sure to delight the community and surrounding area.
The Freeland’s 2022-2023 season opens October 1, when award-winning fiddler Kyle Dillingham takes the stage. An Oklahoma native, Dillingham boasts international renown, having performed for numerous world leaders, appeared on the Grand Ole Opry multiple times, and shared the stage with artists such as Roy Clark and Hank Thompson. Anyone who enjoys upbeat music with a bluegrass feel and fun will find themselves tapping fingers and toes and laughing throughout his comedically entertaining show for an unforgettable night.
Following Dillingham’s show might be daunting for some musicians, but the Freeland’s next artists will not be intimidated. Texas Hill performs at the Freeland on November 5. On its website, the band describes itself as “a gritty amalgam of overlapping tastes and distinct voices that meet in the middle as a bold harmonic trio. … The result is a band that’s both rock solid and highly adaptive.” Texas Hill’s music mixes many genres with something for everyone—all performed by a trio of lead singers with plenty of experience and talent among them. In fact, members Craig Wayne Boyd and Adam Wakefield performed individually on “The Voice” in 2014 and 2016, respectively, with Boyd winning his season and Wakefield finishing as runner-up of his. Their third bandmate, Casey James, appeared on “American Idol” in 2010, finishing in third place. The Freeland is excited to offer this new experience for the community to enjoy.
As December traditionally ushers in a spirit of goodwill, kindness, joy, and community, the Freeland plans to celebrate by showcasing local talent through its “A Very Bristow Christmas” event. Local musicians take cen-ter stage for this show, which also supports Bristow Area Social Services. The Freeland encourages the community to participate, attend, and enjoy the season together.
Although the Freeland continues to build its spring schedule, there is one act the board does not want you to miss: blues guitarist, Carvin Jones. Oft referred to as “the next Stevie Ray Vaughn”, Jones will perform on April 8th, 2023, at an off-site venue with food and adult beverages, creating the perfect environment for an immersive blues experience. Like other acts performing this season, Jones has performed for live audiences worldwide, performed on television, and shared the stage with legendary performers such as B.B. King, REO Speedwagon, and Santana in a career spanning decades. Jones’ acclaim also includes being named “one of the top 50 blues guitarists of all time” by Guitarist, a UK based magazine, in its January 2001 issue.
Fortunately for the community, the Freeland not only brings talented acts of international notoriety to the stage but opens the stage for theatrical students of any age, often via its comedies and theatrical productions, as well. For example, Bristow Public School students learn and gain experience both in acting and behind-the-scenes with set construction, costumes, sound, and lighting. Recent productions in which students participated included “Greater Tuna” and “Mary Poppins”. The latter of those proved to be an overwhelming success as talented actors Gavin Drew and Brook Melton along with student and community talent gave excellent performances to standing ovations. Unsurprisingly, late spring of 2023 promises to enchant attendees once again as On Stage at the Freeland will present Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” under the direction of Chapman Shields and as Drew and Melton once again share the stage with local talent on June 8, 9, and 10.
Dr. Chip Cooper, Freeland Center producer and board president, hopes the community will attend and enjoy the shows, sharing laughter and healing with neighbors, friends, and family. He noted that the Freeland opts to keep ticket pricing affordable so the community can enjoy quality performances they may otherwise miss out on experiencing. To accommodate such affordability, many local individuals, families, and businesses choose to donate or sponsor Freeland shows. Anyone wanting to become a sponsor or simply to donate to the cause, may contact Chip Cooper at (918) 688-5732. For ticket purchase and information, visit Etix.com or call the Freeland Box Office at (918) 637-3540.