Open Door History Lesson by Kim Oswalt :-)

Hi to all of you,


here it is....A bit of history.


In the spring of 1978, Gary Henson and Kim Oswalt (along with spiritual guidance of Inez Running-Rabbitt) were imagining a magical space which would support local artists and provide a community gathering place. Along with the help of Helen Dryz, they found a warehouse on 15th Street in Tulsa and signed a lease. There began the seed of their hope that they could create an atmosphere where people would "remember something may have forgotten".


Gary was helped by visual artists Cathy Corvini (aka Manda Pie) and Margey Tuck to make a magical setting which would be the JR Tolkeinesque backdrop for many performances to come. Woofus, the Open Door "familiar"/daemon was always present and known as the dog that bit the hand who fed her, along with old ladies and children. (The Woofus! label became the recording company for artists, Blue Cliff and Rakugaki later on).


"Open Door" (Gary Henson) lent his name to the project.


In spring of 1978, the Open Door celebrated it's gala opening along with the support of many local musicians, Rocky Frisco and Anthony Carson/harpist among them. Andy Trumpeter, co-founder or Bread and Puppett theater and is entouage were there. Even Mimi and Pappy from Lawton, Oklahoma arrived for the festivities.


The Door was a welcoming place for hobitts and gnomes of all colors and creeds, gender and sexual orientations. Each week, poet extra-ordinairre Mary McAnally organized readings featuring slam readings from Meridel LeSuer, Joy Harjo, and many others, leading to an NEA grant to support the effort. Scholar Germaine Greer spoke at the Door to standing room only audience, celebrating its support of art and those who made it.


Just a short litany of memories for those who have ears to hear:


Valentine's Day and the "King of Hearts" (film was always provided in 8mm format by Les McClelland.) People dressed in their favorite characters, or made them up and we became the movie in 3-d.


Japanese night, where the floor was covered in cherry blossom petals, as per Inez Running Rabbitt's decree. Prophetic koto music, harp and cello filled the air while free floating libido seeped through the cracks.


Women's music concerts and a sold out at the Brookside theater, sponsored by the OD. Cris Williamson, Meg Christian and Margy Adam to name a few.


Native American theater performances.


Woo-hoo Halloween, gender bending parties and skinny dipping in the lake for those wild hearts!


Black Fox-providing space for the brave souls who gathered at the Door to successfully end the building of the nuclear plant which could have changed our lives forever and ever.


If you have any interest in Helen Dryz, Gary Henson, or Kim Oswalt-google their names and you will see what happened next.


Thank you to all who are making this 30th year anniversary a reality...


peace, love and art,


Gary, Kim and Helen