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“I started at Copper Common about two and a half years ago. I’ve absolutely loved my time here, and I’ve been so lucky to have so many mentors who have made this job enjoyable! I’d like to thank Alex Thompson, Tim Burt and Spence Jensen for showing me the ropes and teaching me how to craft cocktails.”
Inspired by the classic margarita, the Heirloom 24 is a light, savory, strawberry-tomato cocktail. It features Triple Sec from Waterpocket, a Utah distillery named after Capitol Reef National Park. The name “Heirloom 24” pays homage to the famous Highway 24 that winds through the park, and its color mimics the beautiful red rock that makes Utah famous. Olive brine and heirloom tomato water blend with tequila to create a gentle savory quality, while strawberry purée and verjus blanc add a light, breezy sweetness to the drink.
Recipe: 1.5 oz. Arette Blanco tequila 3/4 oz. Strawberry-Verjus purée (see below) 1/4 oz. Verjus Blanc 3/4 oz. Heirloom tomato water (see below) 3/8 oz. Sage syrup (see below) 3/8 oz. Lemon juice 1/4 oz. Waterpocket Fruita Triple Sec 1 bar spoon Kalamata olive brine
Strawberry-Verjus purée: Blend 2 oz. of locally grown strawberries for 1 minute. Add an equal amount (by volume, 1:1) of Verjus Blanc and blend again. Strain and keep refrigerated.
Heirloom tomato water: Blend 2-3 locally grown heirloom tomatoes until fully puréed (1-2 minutes). Cover a container with cheesecloth, then add tomato purée. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Discard the remaining tomato sediment, bottle the resulting tomato water, and keep refrigerated.
Sage syrup: Place 2 oz. of locally grown sage leaves into a large, sealable container (preferably plastic or pyrex). Bring 1 qt. water to a boil, then add to save leaves. Cover with a lid, leaving a small space for steam to escape. Let sit for 1 hour. Strain out the steeped herbs. Reheat the remaining sage water in a pot or kettle, then add an equal amount of sugar (1:1). Stir until the sugar has fully dissolved. Let the syrup fully cool before use.
About the 2024 Salt Lake Magazine Farm-To-Glass Cocktail Contest
Eighteen bars from across the state present delicious cocktail creations and compete for the best in Utah. This year’s contest cocktails shine with all Utah has to offer, embodying the farm-to-glass ethos by incorporating the bountiful range of Utah’s native herbs, homegrown produce and locally distilled spirits. Celebrate the bartenders’ hard work throughout September and October by visiting participating bars, trying their unique cocktail concoctions and voting for your favorite on saltlakemagazine.com.
“My name is Mangesh Sawant. I am from the enchanting land of India with great knowledge of spices, tropical fruits and indigenous food making and serving truly exceptional cocktails for more than six years in the state of Utah. I love to use my knowledge to develop new concoctions, serve them and see guests love them.”
Laurel Brasserie & Bar, The Jackfruit Swizzle. Photo by Natalie Simpson, Beehive Photography. Laurel Brasserie & Bar, The Jackfruit Swizzle. Photo by Natalie Simpson, Beehive Photography.
Cocktail: The Jackfruit Swizzle
This cocktail combines fresh jackfruit puree with zesty lemon juice, the smooth richness of local Dented Brick Whisky and the spiciness of Sugar House Rye Whisky to bring you a one-of-a-kind experience. This delightful concoction is then elevated with a generous splash of Peychaud’s Bitters, adding a subtle hint of aromatic complexity that beautifully complements the fruity and whiskey notes. Served over ice and garnished with Mint sprig and a slice of fresh lemon, the Jackfruit Swizzle is a refreshing and sophisticated cocktail that is sure to leave you craving another sip.
Recipe: 1.5 oz Dented Brick Whisky 1 oz Sugar House Rye 1.5 oz Jackfruit Cinnamon Puree (see below) 0.75 oz Lemon Juice Peychourds Bitters 2-3 dashes
Shake Alcohol, lemon juice and Jackfruit Puree in a shaker. Strain into glass over ice and finish with 2-3 splashes of Peychourds bitters and garnish with lemon slice and fresh mint spring.
Jackfruit Cinnamon Puree mix: 1 cup of ripe Jackfruit peeled and deseeded blend with 2 cups of water, 1 cup of sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon powder. Fine strain it and store it.
About the 2024 Salt Lake Magazine Farm-To-Glass Cocktail Contest
Eighteen bars from across the state present delicious cocktail creations and compete for the best in Utah. This year’s contest cocktails shine with all Utah has to offer, embodying the farm-to-glass ethos by incorporating the bountiful range of Utah’s native herbs, homegrown produce and locally distilled spirits. Celebrate the bartenders’ hard work throughout September and October by visiting participating bars, trying their unique cocktail concoctions and voting for your favorite on saltlakemagazine.com.
A popular bartender at The St. Regis Deer Valley for the high-design Italian restaurant, La Stellina and the immediately adjacent sleek and sophisticated Astor Bar, both located in the resort’s Snow Park Building. McGuire, has worked at the resort for two years, came to Utah with experience in hospitality and food from the Inn at Bay Harbor in Petoskey, Mich.; Restaurant Manager at The Highlands at Harbor Springs, Mich.; and as assistant General Manager at Sushi Blue in Park City. McGuire has also tried his hand at being a meat cutter at Toski Sands Market in Petoskey, Mich.
St. Regis Astor Bar, The Ocean Avenue. Photo by Natalie Simpson, Beehive Photo. St. Regis Astor Bar, The Ocean Avenue. Photo by Natalie Simpson, Beehive Photo.
Cocktail: The Ocean Avenue
This cocktail is named for its distinct color and look. The combination of blueberry syrup, local basil and local whiskey gives it a rich color reminiscent of the sea. The drink itself is made to remind guests of that unique purple-bluish color that the ocean displays after a storm.
Recipe: 1 oz High West Double Rye 1 oz Rand Old Tom Gin 0.5 oz Amaretto 0.75 oz Lemon Juice 0.25 oz Orgeat 0.25 oz Blueberry Syrup 0.5 oz Honey Simple Syrup 0.5 oz Basil Oil 0.5 oz Fee Foam
Spray Basil Oil in Nick and Nora glass. Combine other ingredients in a shaker and dry shake, then wet shake. Strain contents into Nick and Nora Glass, on top of Basil Oil.
About the 2024 Salt Lake Magazine Farm-To-Glass Cocktail Contest
Eighteen bars from across the state present delicious cocktail creations and compete for the best in Utah. This year’s contest cocktails shine with all Utah has to offer, embodying the farm-to-glass ethos by incorporating the bountiful range of Utah’s native herbs, homegrown produce and locally distilled spirits. Celebrate the bartenders’ hard work throughout September and October by visiting participating bars, trying their unique cocktail concoctions and voting for your favorite on saltlakemagazine.com.
“I am the General Manager of Canyon Breeze Restaurant located at Red Mountain Resort, where I’ve worked for more than 26 years. I’m originally from upstate New York and my travels have enriched my approach to hospitality and culinary arts. In Maui, I embarked on my career in the restaurant industry, and, after relocating to southern Utah, I found my professional home at Red Mountain Resort. We take pride in making all our syrups in-house and incorporating produce from our garden, including prickly pears harvested and processed on-site at the Resort. We avoid using bottled juices, opting instead for freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice to ensure that every cocktail is vibrant and flavorful.”
Canyon Breeze at Red Mountain Resort, Spicy Desert Bloom.
Cocktail: Spicy Desert Blossom
Surrounded by the landscape of Utah’s red desert, the Spicy Desert Blossom cocktail captures the essence of the high desert’s beauty and adventurous spirit. This drink blends locally sourced ingredients with a touch of fiery flair, creating a sensory journey that mirrors the rugged yet serene environment of the region. The cocktail has prickly pear syrup, sourced on the property at Red Mountain Resort, and lavender sage syrup, infused with aromatic herbs, native to the area.
Recipe: 1 large, ripe strawberry ¼ oz prickly pear syrup, carefully sourced on the property at Red Mountain Resort ½ oz lavender sage syrup, infused with aromatic herbs native to the area 1 ½ oz jalapeño tequila, adding a fiery kick reminiscent of the desert heat A splash of sparkling water for a refreshing finish
Muddle the strawberry in a shaker with the prickly pear and lavender sage syrups. The bright red of the strawberry melds with the earthy sweetness of the syrups, creating a vibrant base that reflects the blooming flora of the Utah desert. Add a generous amount of ice and the jalapeño tequila. Shake vigorously, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify, echoing the robust and untamed nature of the landscape. Pour the mixture into a glass, with colors swirling together like a Utah sunset. Top with a splash of sparkling water, bringing a refreshing effervescence that captures the cool breeze of the desert evening. Garnish with a fresh lavender flower, a slice of jalapeño, and a strawberry, symbolizing the delicate yet resilient beauty of the desert blooms.
About the 2024 Salt Lake Magazine Farm-To-Glass Cocktail Contest
Eighteen bars from across the state present delicious cocktail creations and compete for the best in Utah. This year’s contest cocktails shine with all Utah has to offer, embodying the farm-to-glass ethos by incorporating the bountiful range of Utah’s native herbs, homegrown produce and locally distilled spirits. Celebrate the bartenders’ hard work throughout September and October by visiting participating bars, trying their unique cocktail concoctions and voting for your favorite on saltlakemagazine.com.
“I have been on the bar team since Urban Hill opened in 2022, where I flexed my leadership skills, built on 15 years of experience in the food and beverage industry when I was promoted to bar lead highlighting her talent for the past 15 years in the food and beverage industry. I have a passion for cocktails and food, and how the combination paired with thoughtful hospitality can create impactful experiences for our guests.”
Urban Hill, Rye Skies. Photo by Natalie Simpson, Beehive PhotographyUrban Hill, Rye Skies. Photo by Natalie Simpson, Beehive Photography
Cocktail: Rye Skies
An Amaro-forward, fruity spin on a Paper Plane, made with locally distilled Sugarhouse Rye and Waterpocket Notom Amaro and balanced with a house-made plum cordial for some pure fruity flavored joy.
Recipe: 1 oz Sugarhouse Rye .50 oz Waterpocket Notom Amaro #1 .50 oz lemon juice 1.5 oz plum cordial Mint for garnish
Plum Cordial: Equal parts water to fruit, half the amount of sugar. Bring all ingredients to a boil. Strain.
About the 2024 Salt Lake Magazine Farm-To-Glass Cocktail Contest
Eighteen bars from across the state present delicious cocktail creations and compete for the best in Utah. This year’s contest cocktails shine with all Utah has to offer, embodying the farm-to-glass ethos by incorporating the bountiful range of Utah’s native herbs, homegrown produce and locally distilled spirits. Celebrate the bartenders’ hard work throughout September and October by visiting participating bars, trying their unique cocktail concoctions and voting for your favorite on saltlakemagazine.com.
“Bartending for me has always been about the fusion of felt experiences—a combination of sensory stimuli. Whether sharing a glass with lifelong friends, hosting a wedding party or offering a curated cocktail for my patrons—the reward is always a sense of communion.”
Cocktail: Funk Wave Bounce
A funky, earthy tonic that highlights the banana and agricole notes of Sugar House Rum. Juicy Golden Delicious apple, bright fennel and lemongrass are rounded with effervescent, fermented pineapple of Tepache made from scratch.
Varley, Taylor Stucki—Funk Wave Bounce. Photo by Natalie Simpson, Beehive Photography. Varley, Funk Wave Bounce. Photo by Natalie Simpson, Beehive Photography.
Recipe: 1.5 oz Sugarhouse Rum .25oz Holystone Absinthe 1.5oz Golden Delicious apple juice .5oz Fennel Juice 3 dash Honest John Lemongrass bitters
Shake all ingredients and strain into a highball over ice. Top with Tepache (see below).
Tepache (Fermented Pineapple): 1 gallon of water (de-chlorinated) 1 pineapple (just the exterior rinds and skin) 1 medium ginger 1 cup of sugar (Demerara or Piloncillo) Large food-safe vessel & cheesecloth
Clean and sanitize all equipment, and produce. Cut produce into medium slices, add all ingredients to vessel, and cover with cheesecloth. Let sit at room temperature for 3-4 days, stirring daily. Transfer to carbonation grade bottles, and refrigerate.
About the 2024 Salt Lake Magazine Farm-To-Glass Cocktail Contest
Eighteen bars from across the state present delicious cocktail creations and compete for the best in Utah. This year’s contest cocktails shine with all Utah has to offer, embodying the farm-to-glass ethos by incorporating the bountiful range of Utah’s native herbs, homegrown produce and locally distilled spirits. Celebrate the bartenders’ hard work throughout September and October by visiting participating bars, trying their unique cocktail concoctions and voting for your favorite on saltlakemagazine.com.
San Diego’s Little Italy district dates back to the 19th century when thousands of Italian immigrants formed vibrant neighborhoods that thrived on the area’s rich fishing industry. Today, Little Italy is still home to San Diego’s longest-running neighborhood business sector and brimming with authentic and unique dining experiences.
Little Italy’s Farmer’s Table. Photo courtesy Farmer’s Table.
No. 1 Brunch
Morning Glory (morningglorybreakfast.com) isn’t all about the looks—it also has amazing eclectic brunch food from Michelin-starred chef Jason McLeod. Expect to wait as the line starts building early. If you’re a people watcher, Farmer’s Table (myfarmerstable.com) has the perfect outdoor patio for brunch. Right on the corner of the Little Italy market, enjoy one of their famous elaborate bloody marys and a farm-to-table meal while you observe the bustling market around you.
No. 2 Shopping
Join the crowd and peruse San Diego’s largest farmer’s market. The market has all types of vendors, from fresh produce and flower bouquets to hand-made soaps and oddities. The Little Italy Mercato (littleitalysd.com) is open every Saturday and Wednesday, located on Piazza della Famiglia, a European-style piazza dedicated to the families of the Little Italy neighborhood.
Mission Federal Art Walk brings thousands
to Little Italy to view art and enjoy live music. Photo courtesy of Art Walk Little Italy.
No. 3 Liquid Lunch
Ballast Point (ballastpoint.com) offers an array of rotating experimental beers, ensuring everyone can find a brew they will enjoy. Grab a flight to enjoy in a private outdoor cabana, or get on the action and watch the brewers craft an R&D beer. Pali Wine Co. (paliwineco.com) charges $15 for a wine flight that includes five of their distinct wines. Enjoy their fine wines in the main room or on their rooftop patio.
Menu at Roman Wolves. Photo courtesy of Roman Wolves.
No. 4 Dinner
Enjoy the spirit of Rome at Roman Wolves (romanwolves.com). They pride themselves on offering a genuine Italian experience where every guest feels like family. Savor time-honored classics and unique dishes, made with locally sourced fresh ingredients. Cloak and Petal (cloakandpetal.com) is a hidden gem disguised as an abandoned Tokyo subway. This vibrant spot hits all the marks with its Japanese fusion dishes and extensive drink menu.
No. 5 Drinks
Take a spin at Wolfie’s Carousel Bar (wolfiescarousel.com), an 1800s-style French bistro and cocktail bar featuring a whimsical revolving carousel. The bar offers plenty of signature cocktails, wines and beers. It also offers brunch and dinner. Waterfront Bar & Grill (waterfrontbarandgrill.com) is San Diego’s oldest tavern, established in 1933. It specializes in bar food, drinks and a great time. It’s the ideal spot for those seeking a dive bar atmosphere.
We’ve all heard the ongoing chant “but nothing is open Sunday!” And to be honest, there’s some truth to that… but that doesn’t mean you’re completely at a loss for places to go if church isn’t your thing. In fact, sometimes it’s the best day to roam around, free of crowds! So here’s some of our favorite places in Salt Lake City that ARE open on Sunday. Go crazy:
Eat some pub food at Squatters Pub Brewery (147 W. 300 South, SLC) Most bars and clubs are open on Sunday, including the iconic Squatters downtown.
Barhop around the Central 9th district (161 W. 900 South, SLC) Start with brunch at The Pearl and then head over to Waterwitch, Bar Nohm or Scion Cider for the ultimate Sunday Funday in SLC.
Go to a Bees Game (Smith’s Ballpark, 77 W. 1300 South, SLC) Next year, our Bees will move south and no longer be Salt Lake’s Bees. There has been a ballpark on this spot since 1928 and its final iteration—our beautiful ballpark, the namesake of the “Ballpark District”—will come down. We’re told it will become something else. What that “something else” is no one can say exactly. Enjoy the final games at the Smith’s Ballpark while you can, find our guide on how to do so here.
Cecret Lake. Image credit Austen Diamond, Visit Salt Lake
Take a Hike Literally. Breathe some fresh air (since less cars are clogging it up on Sunday). Check out nine easy hikes for a chill Sunday outing here!
Watch a movie at Broadway Theater(111 E. 300 South, SLC) Sunday is the perfect day to go see a movie and not have the theater be crowded with screaming children. This is the prime time to see a blockbuster or family movie with a little more legroom and a little less crying three-year-olds.
Check out Liberty Park Grab a book and a blanket and go enjoy some sun in Salt Lake’s best park. If you’re up for more of an activity, Liberty Park has sand volleyball, tennis courts, a playground for the kids, and paddle boats to rent. Don’t forget to check out the Tracy Aviary & Botanical Gardens and grab a coffee and bite to eat at their Bird Feeder Cafe. Sunday at Liberty Park is also a prime day for people watching as the weekly drum circle kicks off on the South end near the pond.
Note: If you’re looking for a winter activity, it’s the best place to go sledding in Salt Lake!
Lose yourself in Ikea (67 Ikea Way, Draper) You can have the fake couches all to yourself!
Drag Brunch at Why Kiki. Photo by Adam FinkleTiki cocktail at Why Kiki. Photo by Adam Finkle
Try a Drag Brunch Let your hair down and enjoy some fantastic food and mimosas at these local Drag Brunch spots: Why Kiki (69 W. 100 South, SLC), The Cabin Queens (The Cabin, 427 Main St., PC) and The Exchange by Twist (32 Exchange PL., SLC). The Drag Brunches are from 11:00am to 3:00pm, so bring your friends and just have a good time!
Go Thrifting If you’re a frequenter of secondhand stores, Sunday is undeniably the best day to call dibs on racks of clothing at a time without fighting any crowds. Three of our favorites are iconoClad, the perfect place to go rave shopping at, Decades (totally vintage) offers a range of funky women’s clothes, and Pib’s Exchange, half costume store, half second hand store.
Ask a ton of questions at Discovery Gateway(444 W. 100 South, SLC) Have kids? Rest assured that Discovery Gateway will answer all of the “why” questions your offspring (and you) can think up.
Try a climb The perfect way to feel a whole new kind of pain and discover muscles you never knew you had. TheFront Climbing Club (1450 S. 400 West, SLC) is one of the best and offers yoga, weights, cardio, and personal training as well. If you’re looking for something more modern check out the Bouldering Project (660 S 400 West, SLC). Lastly, if you want the best top rope gym, you have to check out Momentum Climbing Gym (3173 E. 3300 South, SLC).
Go to a Farmer’s Market People’s Market has an annual 9th West Farmers Market, from mid-June to mid-October, open from 10:00am to 3:00pm every Sunday! See our guide to all of Salt Lake and Park City’s Farmers Markets here.
Go to the Library (210 E. 400 South, SLC) Ok so, it’s not a crazy nightclub or the best party of your life. We know, we know. But if you’re an introvert or a book-lover, we can’t recommend it enough. There’s something magical about quietly hunting down a book on the endless shelves of books you didn’t know existed. Plus, there’s a rush of emotion every time you realize you don’t have to pay for the books. You can just waltz out of there with a stack of novels and nobody will blink an eye. What a thrill!
Note: it’s only open from 1PM-5PM on Sundays, so hustle.
Kenny Loggins’ 1984 song “Footloose” plays over Payson High School’s football field on a sunny April morning. Cutting loose to the famous chorus, punctuating his stride toward a makeshift stage, is none other than the star of the film of the same name, Kevin Bacon. Payson High School students, wearing their black, green and white letterman sweaters, crowd the base of the stage. They dance and hold tight to one another. Some cry openly, overcome with emotion and excitement, as they celebrate their accomplishment: orchestrating the return of Kevin Bacon to Payson High School, where he filmed scenes from Footloose (1984) 40 years prior.
Bacon speaks to the young crowd, evoking the themes of the 1984 film. It’s a classic intergenerational conflict, where teenagers speak truth to power (i.e.: adults, religious figures), in an era defined by the fear of progress, moral panics and censorship. Like this moment in Payson, the film celebrates the wisdom and tenacity of youth, even in the face of adults who claim to know better but are more lost and stuck in their ways than they realize. As it turns out, we all need to cut loose once in a while.
‘You won’t get any dancing here, it’s illegal.’
When Al Jolson famously declared, “You ain’t heard nothin’ yet,” in the groundbreaking 1927 motion picture The Jazz Singer, he omitted the true artistic glory of the still nascent 20th-century medium. No, not computer-generated dinosaurs. Dancing.
Nothing will ever match the litheness Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers or the athletic/erotic hoofery of Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse in Singin’ in the Rain. Then came Reynolds, Sammy, Travolta, Hines…electric performers all, and absolutely the highlight of every musical or quasi-musical they sashayed into.
The young cast of Footloose (1984): Jim Youngs, Sarah Jessica Parker, Elizabeth Gorcey, Lori Singer, John Laughlin, Christopher Penn and Kevin Bacon. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
Except for 1978’s Grease, the traditional musical gradually fell out of fashion with box office failures like The Wiz and Annie. But the aesthetic joy of dancing never lost its kick. Films built around dancing once again began to catch fire in the 1980s. The breakthrough work was Flashdance, which, despite lacking a marketable star, grossed a stunning $92 million domestically in 1983 (outpacing pop cultural phenoms like Trading Places and WarGames). And then there was the NBC special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, wherein Michael Jackson popularized his backward gliding moonwalk—thus introducing urban-based breakdancing to the suburbs.
With hip-hop’s emergence, for the first time since the 1970s disco craze, people needed to dance. After Flashdance, Paramount knew this, so they fast-tracked a dance-centric project called Footloose.
Christopher Penn as small-town Willard Hewitt with Kevin Bacon in Footloose (1984), inside Payson High School. Photo courtesy of Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection
Written by Dean Pitchford (a songwriter who’d written hits for Dolly Parton, Kenny Loggins and Irene Cara), the script was based on an Oklahoma City town that had banned dancing for 80 years. In the real 1980s, the Satanic Panic and the Parents Music Resource Council were in full censorious swing. Meanwhile, on the newly launched MTV, Twisted Sister was proclaiming they weren’t ‘going to take it,’ Cyndi Lauper asserted that “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and Paramount had a kids versus adults powder keg in the wings.
With a hot-button hit-in-the-making, the studio swung for the hottest young names on the market—and they whiffed. Tom Cruise and Rob Lowe passed on the rebellious new kid in town, Ren McCormack, while Madonna and Jennifer Jason Leigh were briefly in the running for the troublemaking preacher’s daughter, Ariel. The final choices, Kevin Bacon (familiar-ish from Diner) and Lori Singer (a big-screen newcomer) weren’t promotional rainmakers. John Lithgow, a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee for his portrayal of a transgender football player in The World According to Garp, was easily the biggest name on set as the dance-despising Reverend Shaw.
‘This is our time to dance.’
The upside of the film’s low-star power casting? No paparazzi were going to schlep out to Utah County for Kevin Bacon in 1983. The Footloose production team found unconventional locations like the Lehi Roller Mill, The Hi-Spot hangout (where Ariel gets busted by John Lithgow’s Shaw for gyrating to Shalamar’s “Dancing in the Sheets”) and, most notably, Payson High School. Thus, Payson became forever synonymous with the fictional Midwestern town of Bomont, the dance-banning town in the film. (Note: Kids then and now can actually dance in Payson.)
Lori Singer in Footloose (1984), filmed in Payson, Utah, driving through McMullin Orchards. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
It’s easy to find plenty of folks who rate Bacon’s breakout film their favorite Utah-made movie; the image of Bacon dancing around the Lehi Roller Mills is as iconic to ’80s-raised kids as the shot of John Wayne at the end of The Searchers is for Western fans. The Footloose story is simple: city boy Ren (Bacon) moves to a small town, only to find local religious zealots have outlawed—gasp!—dancing and rock music. Rallying the repressed teen populace (including a young Sarah Jessica Parker) to his cause, Ren convinces the fire-and-brimstone preacher (John Lithgow) that dancing is good, clean fun, just in time for the senior prom. The Wasatch Front looms in the background of nearly every scene—the production bounced from Lehi and American Fork to Payson and Orem—and we can thank Footloose for Bacon’s spiky haircut becoming the iconic look for American men in the mid-’80s.
No one can forget the game of tractor chicken between Ren and the physically abusive Chuck (Jim Youngins) outside the Roller Mill, or the clandestine jaunt to the county-adjacent bar where Ren, Ariel and plucky lil’ Rusty (pre-stardom Sarah Jessica Parker) gleefully cut a rug (before Christopher Penn’s hot-headed Willard starts a fight), the high school is the hub of the conflict, the bonding (particularly between Ren and Willard).
Payson High is indistinguishable from every rural high school in the United States of that era. Brick walls, narrow lockers, beige-colored classrooms tinted for maximum drowsiness: we know it, we loathed it and, 40 years later, it, like the movie, offers nostalgia. But, most importantly, in 1983, it made the perfect “Anytown-USA” backdrop for the film’s conflict between youth and age.
And then, 40 years later, Kevin Bacon returned to Payson High School to inspire a new class of upstart seniors to cut loose anew.
#BacontoPayson
This past April, Payson High School students successfully spearheaded a campaign to bring Kevin Bacon back to Payson High for the 40th anniversary of filming Footloose there. They started on social media with the hashtag #BaconToPayson to promote the grassroots efforts, attracting support from the Utah Film Commission and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. The students choreographed elaborate recreations of the film’s iconic scenes that went viral.
For a while Bacon demurred, but they finally wore him down and he accepted the students’ invitation on NBC’s TODAY show, promising to make an appearance at Payson High for the first time since he filmed Footloose in 1983. Payson students were ecstatic.
Kevin Bacon returns to Payson High School on the 40th anniversary of Footloose (1984) in April 2024. Photo credit Melissa Majchrzak.
“We’ve worked so hard this year and done our absolute best to make this crazy dream a reality,” said Student Body President Rubie Raff. “I can’t believe that it’s finally happening and that we can say we did it! It was all worth it—we got Kevin back to Payson!”
The students were not the only ones who were ecstatic at the event. Payson High School Student Council Faculty Advisor Jenny Staheli was 11 years old when Footloose came out in 1984. She watched it with her friends, they listened to the soundtrack and, of course, they talked about how cute Kevin Bacon was. “It’s just been one of those things that’s been in the background of my life, honestly, since I was 11,” said Staheli. “I got to meet Kevin Bacon. Come on!” It was a teenage dream come true. “And it’s not just fulfilling for me. Working with these kids on this project has been just the most special experience. One of the best things I think we’ve ever done. It’s shown them, in an impactful way, that it’s okay to have a huge dream, to have something that feels impossible and to reach for it. Because, sometimes you get it. Sometimes it happens.”
Bacon’s visit was a part of his work with his non-profit foundation, SixDegrees.org. Along with Payson High School, local charitable organizations and the Payson community, they assembled and distributed 5,000 Essential Resource Kits to young people in need throughout Utah. He took the occasion to remind everyone of the film’s still relevant themes of “standing up to authority, being forgiving of people who are not exactly the same as you, standing up for your own freedoms and your right to express yourself and having complete compassion for other people,” said Bacon, addressing students. “And that’s what all of you have shown here, by turning what could be just a movie star coming back to get a pat on the back…into something really positive.” The moment came just in time as well, as the old Payson High School building is set to be closed down and demolished next spring.
The event at Payson High and the anniversary of Footloose also happened to coincide with 100 years of film in Utah. “Throughout the 100th anniversary, we are celebrating not only film and television moments that were made in Utah, but the people and places behind those moments,” says Virginia Pearce, Director of the Utah Film Commission. “Footloose is one of those iconic moments in Utah’s film history that made both an impact on Utah and the world. I am so proud of the Payson High School students and hope this celebration reminds everyone of Utah’s rich film history.” —Christie Porter
The Footloose Cast — Before and After
Lori Singer as Ariel Moore, the Reverend’s daughter, and Kevin Bacon in Footloose (1984). Photo copyright Paramount, Courtesy Everett Collection
Kevin Bacon (Ren McCormack)
Most recently, we saw Mr. Bacon at the Payson High School prom, where he led some lucky students through a tour of the soon-to-be-demolished high school. Before that, he was in Tremors, Diner and a bunch of other movies that aren’t as good.
Lori Singer (Ariel Moore)
Singer made her feature debut in Footloose and collaborated with A-list filmmakers like Robert Altman, John Schlesinger and Alan Rudolph, but she has split her time between acting and performing as a Julliard-trained cellist.
John Lithgow (Reverend Shaw Moore)
With two Tony Awards and six Emmys to his name, Lithgow is one of the most celebrated actors of his generation. Does he have a defining role? I’ll go with his Brian De Palma one-two punch of Blow Out and Raising Cain, and his gloriously unhinged villainy in The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.
Dianne Wiest (Vi Moore)
As the tender-hearted wife struggling to mend the rift between Shaw and Ariel, Wiest is saddled with a semi-thankless role here. But Wiest is always worth watching, and Oscar voters agreed by awarding her Best Supporting Actress in Woody Allen’s Hannahand Her Sisters and Bullets Over Broadway. Since then she’s kept incredibly busy in theater and on television (you can watch her now on Mayor of Kingstown).
Sarah Jessica Parker (Rusty Rodriguez)
She’s been one of our most gifted comedic actors for 40 years and was spectacular in classics like L.A. Story, Honeymoon in Vegas and Ed Wood, but those two Emmys and two SAG Awards are for her iconic portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City.
Christopher Penn (Willard Hewitt)
The youngest brother of Sean and Michael Penn made an impression in All the Right Moves and Rumble Fish, but he became a go-to character actor as rhythm-challenged Willard in Footloose. The cliche that he was always worth watching, even when the film was not, held true for Penn. Tragically, we haven’t been able to watch Penn do his sui generis thing since his death from heart disease at the age of 40 in 2006.
