Kickin' It Old School

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Feelin' His Soul Fingaz" in the Dec. 24-30 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Carrera holds a traditional stance on what a DJ really is harking back to the 1950s and the explosion of radio personalities and rock and roll. He believes a disc jockey as an on-air personality is not supposed to sell you fast food or Steven Seagal DVDs like their modern counterparts; he is a taste-maker. He (or she) is the person sitting on a stack of records you have to hear. And he shares. That's what separates them from the average person listening.

"That's what makes a DJ a DJ, the records he has. That's what makes it special."

I would agree with the above thought and at the same time leave an open mind for the advances in technology and society. First, simply based on growing up in the last generation of radio where the above sentiments were the rule and not the exception (I'll be 44 in January).

But the "purist" stance going into 2010, I think misses the point for the sake of appealing to the few(patrons/listeners)who carry the same torch of idiosyncrasies in how the music is presented. At the end of the day what you play is most important, than how you play it. What you play it on? Less and less important, especially if you are reaching out to a younger audience that does not have your reference of the sound of vinyl vs. CD or MP3.

Believe me if you experience "soul music" and you allow it past your conscious into your being, it won't matter whether the vibes are transmitted via vinyl, CD or MP3.

Sure there is a nostalgic sound and feel to hearing a song on vinyl but again reference. To each DJ his own, but there is no reason to have divisions between DJs based solely on their preferred medium because then it becomes about something else that in all reality has nothing to do with given the people what they want! MUSIC!

-Aaron Bernard APD KJMM, Host of The Ol' School Sunday Night Live

Walk Safely

Dear Editor:

I have no car and I take the buses when I can. But because today is Sunday, there are no buses so I walked to work. This is my choice, so I don't feel sorry for myself except that it snowed and snowed big time. The city did a wonderful job of cleaning Sheridan Road, and I want to thank them for it. Otherwise, where would I have to walk? I took my life in my hands today because I was forced to walk from 38th and Sheridan to 21st and Sheridan to get to work. I come from Ohio where they make the residents and business keep their sidewalks clean. You can't even really say it is an "act of God," when the snowplows come by and puts all that snow on the sidewalks. So tonight when I go home I will be out in the road, walking, praying no one wants to hit me. Somehow I think my civil rights are being violated because I cannot use the sidewalk to get to work safely.

-Carol Waltman

Going Nuts!

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Falling in Line" in the Dec. 17-23 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

What is driving this new generation of directors and choreographers that make them think that they can reinterpret classics? For 20 years we and our children have been thrilled by the fantasy magic that is the Nutcracker.

The artistic interpretation and editorial opinion delivered by dance fails miserably to live up to the tradition that is Nutcracker. This liberal rewriting of tradition needs to end. Angelini is nothing more than a third rate hack when it comes to interpretation in dance. This presentation is stiff, without emotion and definitely without soul.

- Mark Scieszinski

Dear Editor:

I think this rendition of the Nutcracker was a horrible idea. They ruined the Nutcracker. He says that Christmas is not about candy canes, dolls, and imaginary kingdoms...but those are the things that make the Nutcracker what it is and appealing to children. I thought it was very boring and uncolorful.

Previously, since I was a child, I was glued wide-awake to the edge of my seat. But this year, the first I have seen it in a long time, I was falling asleep. I will not be taking my children to see this because it would be extremely boring to them. They have ruined a 20-year tradition for me. I was in the Nutcracker as a child, so this depiction of it really upsets me.

-terra_angelica

Get It On

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Are You Pissed Off?" at urbantulsa.com)

Why don't you write some real stories? Like what it is like to live in gang ridden North Tulsa. What about the city money spent on a ball park that has no parking? What about a new city hall that has driven the city into debt? What is really going to happen to the old city hall? The way the cops are cooking the books on crime statistics. The increasing number of boarded up houses in Tulsa. When was the last time you said anything about the growing number of homeless in Tulsa?

Let's get some real stories out here and stop the sticky sweet BS.

-Ed Jones

Glimmer of Hope

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Give a Hoot but We're Still Doomed" in the Dec. 17-23 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

After reading Ted Rall's latest rant, "Give a Hoot but We're Going to Die Anyway," it actually gave me hope. Maybe, just maybe, if Rall thinks we are all going to die soon, then perhaps he will give up and stop writing his cynical, depressing, ultra left-wing diatribes.

On the other hand, if we are all still here 20 years from now, and the Earth is still intact, maybe he will have to eat some humble pie.

-Stephen Scott

Listen Up

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Down the Turnpike" in the Dec. 17-23 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Tom Adelson's piece "Down the Turnpike" hit the nail on the head. Having just been to Oklahoma City for the first time in a couple of years, I was amazed at how alive and connected the downtown area is. Shops, cafes, innovative use of older buildings and most of all people! I think Adelson's ideas for Tulsa would kick start this city and help it "catch up" with the capital and other cities its size. True, we've lost was too many old building s and neighborhoods but we can make the best of what we have implementing his suggestions. Most of all we need affordable housing downtown-lofts, converted warehouses, etc. that artists and young people can afford. Let's make Tulsa cool and weird again! We've gone the sleepy, conservative route which led to complacency and boredom. We gotta get more progressive and open this city up. Tom's ideas will work if we have the guts to try them. Hopefully our new mayor is listening.

-Cal Johnson

Good Work

Dear Editor:

(In response to "Recycle That Building" in the Dec. 3-9 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Muy Bien! I love it!

I'm glad that Tulsans are finally being exposed to another way of thinking ... plus wasn't it Benjamin Franklin that said, "Lighthouses are more useful than churches." I love it.

In the land of a church on every block it's about time they get put to better use of and for the community!

-Cheli Tiger