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Arts & Culture

Discover Salt Lake magazine’s Arts & Culture section. Here you’ll find stories and reviews about local arts, music, film, theater and great events to help you explore the vibrant arts & entertainment communities along the Wasatch Front and Wasatch Back and across Utah.

From our music writers, you’ll find local show previews, festival reviews and interviews with artists. We are also your premiere source on all things Sundance Film Festival. Peruse our archives for film reviews, event roundups and more!

The Beehive State is buzzing with Arts & Entertainment activities, find an event that fits your interest at Salt Lake magazine. Between live performances, arts festivals, craft courses and visual art events, there is bound to be something that fits your interest.

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Feb 16
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Idomeneo

By Arts & Culture, Music
Idomeneo doesn’t have the performance history in the United States that many of Mozart’s other operas do. But it’s nevertheless an exquisite work that goes far beyond the confines of opera seria and shows Mozart’s innate genius for bringing emotional depth, passion and subtle characterizations to his stage works.

Local opera lovers had a rare opportunity to see Mozart’s 1781 masterpiece last week when the University of Utah’s Lyric Opera Ensemble and the Paradigm Chamber Orchestra joined forces once again and collaborated in the Utah premiere of Idomeneo. The costumed and staged production was under the baton of Joel Rosenberg, and stage director Anthony Buck made good use of the limited physical resources in Libby Gardner Concert Hall in his well conceived and executed staging.

For years, Robert Breault’s opera ensemble has been a remarkable pool of young talent. And year in and year out, these versatile singers haven’t disappointed, no matter what they’ve performed. And they certainly outdid themselves in many ways with Idomeneo.

The story of Idomeneo takes place in Crete immediately after the Trojan War and deals with Idomeneo’s dilemma after vowing to sacrifice the first person he sees upon his safe arrival home, not knowing, of course, that it would be his son Idamante who first greets him.

The leads were double cast. At Friday’s show, David Sauer gave a thoughtful account of the title character. His singing and acting brought depth to his role. He has a fine voice that’s well suited to Mozart; he brought lyricism and, when needed, power to his portrayal.

No less impressive was Kelly Southworth as Idamante. She imbued her characterization with heartfelt sincerity. She, too, possesses a voice that is made for Mozart, and her singing Friday was expressive and tempered with finely crafted lyricism.

Whitney Kimball, as the Trojan princess Ilia, was also in fine voice, singing with clarity and wonderfully drawn phrasings.

Particularly impressive was Daysha Lassiter in the role of Elettra. She has a dramatic voice with power and depth that is also gorgeously expressive. And her acting talent is on the same level as her vocal chops. She gave a stunning and memorable portrayal that truly stood out.

The large chorus was also magnificent, and added much to the overall success of the production, as did Garrett Medlock, Keanu Netzler and Seth Keeton in minor roles.

The Paradigm Chamber Orchestra had another fine outing, playing with clarity and depth.

idomeneo_(whitney_kimball)

Jan 29
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Review: Avett Brothers at Park City Live

By Music
It’s not everyday that a band is welcomed to the stage by musical kingmaker T Bone Burnett. But Thursday night at Park City Live was no ordinary night.

Burnett was in town for the Sundance premiere of a film he co-produced with Jack White (of the White Stripes) and Robert Redford (of Sundance, obviously).American Epic is a documentary the started with the discovery of a vintage American recording device and follows the device around the country while modern artists from Merle Haggard to Alabama Shakes record with it.

One of the bands in featured in the film is the massively popular Avett Brothers. And so, in a little bit of Sundance magic, the Avetts played the afterparty. And at 10:35, after Burnett called them “a great American band,” the party really started.

 

Opening with “Satan Pulls the Strings” the band hit the stage with their trademark energy and didn’t slow down, not even during a charming if not a little confusing kazoo medley. The Avetts don’t talk much during their shows, preferring to go from one song to the next at exhausting speed. And because of that, they were able to rip through 17 songs not counting the encore in about an hour and a half.

During the show the room seemed to be divided into to groups. The fans who were close to the stage knew every word and jumped and danced along, and then there were those who stayed in the back of the room and, apparently, paid a hefty $125 to chat with their friends. Ah, Sundance.

In the hour and a half they were onstage the band played lots of crowd favorites, including “Talk on Insolence,” “Murder in the City,” “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise,” and “Slight Figure of Speech.” They played a song from a new album, expected this fall, “Divorce, Separation Blues.” But the highlight of the night, for this reviewer was a rollicking take on George Jones’ “The Race Is On.”

That was my favorite until the encore, that is. The band came back onstage for one song, a long version of “Kick Drum Heart” complete with a jam-band musical interlude that included Seth Avett walking through the crowd as members of the audience held the cables attached to the guitar above their heads.

In the end, I can’t tell you if American Epic is a good movie. I didn’t go to the premiere. You can find out yourself when it airs on PBS later this year.

But I can tell you this: American Epic can throw one heck of an afterparty.

Jan 26
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Preview: Avett Brothers at Park City Live

By Music

There aren’t a lot of bands like the Avett Brothers.

The North Carolina natives are one part rootsy indie, one part country and one part rollicking good time. Call it bluegrass with a cello. Or Rock with a banjo. Or both at the same time.

Whatever you call them, the band has proven over a slew of Salt Lake City tour dates that they’re the real deal. In fact, they’ve sold out every show they’ve played in Utah in recent memory.

Their scheduled stop in Zion this Thursday is different. This time the boys are playing Park City Live, a much smaller (and much more indoor, thankfully) venue than their usual Red Butte Garden gigs. The evening promises to be a stop unlike any other Utah show to date.

And, perhaps because of that, or perhaps because it’s in Park City during Sundance, their faithful fans are going to pay the price. $125-$250, to be exact.

The hefty price by Utah standards is because the show is part of a premier party for the Robert Redford, T-Bone Burnett and Jack White produced American Epic, a film that rediscovers an early American recording device and commissions modern-day artists (including the Avetts) to record with it.

The film’s premiere is sold-out, but it will be coming to your television this fall on PBS. Tickets for the after party (including the Avetts and, one might guess, other artists featured in the film) are still available, at the above mentioned steep price. But, as any music fan will tell you, some things are worth it.

This show may well be one of them.

Jan 25
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Sundance Review: “Jim: The James Foley Story”

By Arts & Culture
If you see one thing doc this year, see this

Early on in “Jim: The James Foley Story”, Foley is speaking at Marquette University after having been captured by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, jailed in Libya, and released 44 days later. He tells the audience he’s not a hero; he’s just a regular guy…

…but that’s bullshit.

For 120 absorbing minutes, “Jim: The James Foley Story” chronicles the life, death, and legacy of James Foley, the American journalist beheaded by ISIL in August of 2014.

Directed by childhood friend Brian Oakes, “Jim” is an intimate and moving account not to be missed. Thankfully, it was acquired by HBO, and airs February 6. Take two hours out of your life and watch it.

Oaks deftly intertwines revealing interviews with family, friends, fellow reporters and fellow captives; photos and videotape from holidays and from Jim’s own reporting; and artistic reenactments into a testimony to the character of James Foley. By the end, you’ll wish you’d known him in real life.

From his early days as a young man finding his place in the world, to one of his first “real jobs” as a teacher with Teach For America, to his life’s work as a freelance conflict journalist with GlobalPost and Agence France-Presse (among others), Oaks’ use of potent, first-hand knowledge of the man is undeniably affecting. Two hours doesn’t seem long enough for this courageous man, who was a trusted friend to his fellow journalists, and a source of support to his fellow captives until the bitter end.

It may make you question the United Sates’ involvement in areas such as Syria, or the policy to not negotiate with terrorists. It was such negotiation that secured the release of Foley’s fellow captives, citizens of other countries such as France and Italy. They testify to the horrors they endured, of the moments of relief while in captivity, and of Foley’s strength in the face of pure evil. The conditions these journalists risk their lives to report are brutal, unbelievable; but that is precisely why James felt a need to get those stories out to a world that knows more about the Kardashians than about the Assad regime.

And why Oaks felt a need to keep Jim’s story and legacy alive in a world that moves on to the next news cycle far too quickly.

A

—

120 minutes

Directed by: Brian Oakes

Jan 23
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#StuartSelfie Updates!

By Arts & Culture
Stuart Graves, our man on Main Street, has been hittng the pavement in Park City, and he’s spotted plenty of celebrities in the first two days of Sundance.

Let’s see what Day 3 brings. And don’t forget to Instagram your own #stuartselfie for a chance to win some great Sundance prizes.

 

 

Nick Jonas.

 

Molly Shannon

 

Adam Scott

 

Jesse Plemmons

 

Bradley Whitford

 

Sam Neil

 

Elijah Wood

 

Penn Jillette

 

gilbert gottfried

Jan 23
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Slamdance Review: Director’s Cut

By Arts & Culture
Slamdance Review: Director’s Cut

 

Adam Rifkin’s (maybe I should say Herbert Blount’s) Director’s Cut is a twisted horror-comedy.

Written and narrated by comedian and magician Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller), the film has a biting wit that is reminiscent of Jillette poking holes in popular topics and movements on his Showtime series Bullshit!

Jillette plays movie buff Herbert Blount, who is obsessed with actress Missi Pyle (playing herself). To get close to Pyle, Blount donates to a crowd funding campaign and earns a spot on the set of her film Knocked Off, a cop drama directed by Rifkin (also playing himself). After filming Pyle on and off set, Blount kidnaps her and steals Knocked Off footage to splice it all together and make his own amateur director’s cut, including scenes he forces Pyle to act in.

Blount also includes his own director’s commentary, which exposes the lazy writing, product placement, cliché plot points and insults to a viewer’s intelligence we’ve all seen in similar suspense shows.

Of course, he also obsesses over Pyle in the commentary, even fast forwarding through scenes she’s not in.

Rifkin’s movie in the movie, Knocked Off, stars Pyle as a hard-hitting FBI agent teaming up with local two cops to stop a serial killer, who is taking cues from famous killers of the past like Albert Fish and Charles Whitman. But it’s only Blount’s version we see in Director’s Cut. Who knows? Maybe there will be a special edition Blu-ray with both films.

Director’s Cut was a great way to kick off the 2016 Slamdance Film Festival.

It’s funny, innovative and pretty disturbing. Oh, and Teller’s in it, too.

Three Stars

Jan 20
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Meet the Sundance Team

By Arts & Culture
January in Utah means one thing: Sundance.

Below you’ll find bios on the best darn Sundance team in town.

Movie Reviewer: Michael Mejia

 

Michael Mejia is the author of a novel, Forgetfulness (Fiction Collective 2). He teaches Creative Writing at the University of Utah.

Two Things I’m Looking Forward To at Sundance 2016: The return of former Sundance stars Todd Solondz (Wiener-Dog) and Whit Stillman (Love & Friendship), as well as new work from Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Cemetery of Splendor) and Werner Herzog (LO AND BEHOLD Reveries of the Connected World).

Josh Fox’s (Gasland) new documentary examining how communities around the world are responding to the effects of climate change, How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things Climate Can’t Change.

One Thing I’m Going to Miss (On Purpose): Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt & Anderson Cooper. I mean, what do we really expect Gloria to “reveal”? Maybe where the commercials will be inserted when this airs on CNN.

 

Movie Reviewer: Richard Bonaduce

 

President of the Utah Film Critics Association, Marvel Unlimited member, and Film Critic for The Standard Examiner and Salt Lake Magazine, Rich also hosts “Critical Mass” (a movie-review show), TALK 365 (a services-centered talk show), and is Video Coordinator for WGU, where also he’s enrolled in their MBA program. You can see him Friday mornings on “Good Day Utah” on KSTU-Fox13 for on-air film reviews.

Two Things I’m Looking Forward To at Sundance 2016: Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words. A sharply edited and energetic celebration of Zappa through his public persona, allowing us to witness his shifting relationship with audiences.

Being a film critic and a drummer, I love documentaries about musicians, especially the docs that get behind the creative process; and there’s no one more creative than Zappa!

Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown to Off The Wall. Director Spike Lee assembles a wealth of archival footage, interviews with contemporary talents and family members, and Michael’s own words and image to create this insightful chronicle of the star’s early rise to fame.

I’m sure you’re sensing a theme, but yes I’m excited for this one too, especially with Lee at the helm; I’m sure he’ll do the subject matter justice. There is a world of wonderful music from Jackson before he was a household name, and I think much of it dwarfs anything from “Thriller” onward.

But I’m not looking forward to: Navigating all this stuff in the wintertime. The winter is for snowboarding, not bar-hopping. Why the hell can’t we have SUN-dance in the summer?  Why doesn’t that make more sense? Anyone?!

 

Movie Reviewer: Jaime Winston

 

Jaime Winston once wrote for Salt Lake magazine and edited SLmag.com full-time, and then he left to do similar work at Weber State University. But once he was out, we pulled him back in (after he pestered the editor for freelance work). Look for his stories in upcoming issues of the magazine and his film reviews on SLmag.com during the Sundance Film Festival. In his free time, he reads big stacks of comic books, hikes Utah’s trails and tracks down copies of silent horror films. If he’s not catching a film at the Rose Wagner during the fest, you may find him across the street at Gracie’s enjoying a burger and a pint of pale ale.

What to see:

The Bad Kids: Keith Fulton and Lou Pepe (the latter deserves a Sundance award for coolest director name) are bringing their documentary about a high school in a patch of the Mojave Desert to Sundance. What makes this high school unique? Educators at the school actually believe they can help at-risk kids, who are dealing with abuse, addiction and more, succeed with empathy, teaching life skills and just giving a damn.

The film follows the daily lives of three of these “bad” kids and their principal. Bring tissues to dry your eyes.

Slam! I bet you didn’t expect a Slamdance film in this blog. This horror film directed by Adam Rifkin (Detroit Rock City) and starring/written by Penn Jillette (Penn and Teller) is opening this year’s Slamdance Film Festival. It’s about a crazed movie buff who kidnaps his favorite actress and forces her to star in his own twisted film. I’m anticipating a bloody good mix of witty dialogue, mystery and scares—and hopefully Penn’s sleight of hand.

What to miss:

How to Let Go of the World (And Love All the Things Climate Can’t Change)

While acknowledging we may be unable to slow climate change, Oscar-nominated director Josh Fox’s Sundance film focuses on the survival spirit of cultures around the world (my understanding based on the trailer).Did Fox admit defeat in the climate change fight, given the fact he travelled to 12 countries on six continents to make the film and will be taking it on a world tour? Otherwise, he would have gone green and pitched it to Netflix.

And with that attitude, shouldn’t the film be titled “You’re All Doomed, And So Are These People?” I have a feeling his excellent “Gasland” films on fracking did more good than “How to Let Go” will. Maybe my assumptions are wrong, and I hope they are. Either way, audiences will think it must be important given the subject matter, and it will win a bunch of documentary awards and get standing ovations.

Celebrity Watcher: Stuart Graves

 

Stuart, an avid traveler, runner and music and movie afficianado, will be Salt Lake magazine’s celebrity correspondent. He’s traveled the world to run marathons and climb mountains, but, he says, Nepal and Australia are his favorite spots.

Two things I’m looking forward to: I’m looking forward to meeting a new round of film stars in 2016, and hopefully I’ll get to revisit with my pal from the last coule years, Molly Shannon. Also, I’m looking forward to the possibility of finally seeing my Sundance white whale,  James Franco. If you need me, I’ll be practicing so that I don’t sound scary if and when I do meet him.

One thing I’m not looking forward to: The possibility of a celebrity shut out.  I don’t want to walk away from this Sundance with only a half dozen souvenir water bottles to show for it.

Photographer: Natalie Simpson

 

Educated in the Fine Arts program at BYU, Natalie has 16 years experience in photography. She lives in Salt Lake with her two sons and the world’s best looking dog. She has been a breakfast cereal guru for 35 years and counting.

 

Videographer: Mike Hansen

 

Mike is a native of Northern Arizona and currently works at a lifestyle and fine art photographer.  His business Brushfire Photography has taken him around the world to document weddings and events.

 

Sundance Culture Reporter: Christie Marcy  

 

Christie Marcy is the associate editor at Salt Lake magazine and though she has lived in Salt Lake for eight years she has not once stepped foot into a Sundance related event. Until now.

For the next two weeks she’ll report on cultural happenings at the festival. What’s the worst that could happen?

Jan 20
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Sundance Lounges Open To The Public

By Arts & Culture
Sundance can be a slog. Sometime you just need to rest, grab a snack and charge your phone. We’ve got you covered with a list of lounges that you don’t have to be a somebody to enjoy.

Watch for updates from Christie Marcy on lounges through the weeked, on the blog and on instagram @whynotboth.

This list will be updated as more information is available.

 

 

-Barclaycard Arrival Presents 364 Main

364 Main St.

Friday, 1/22 to Sunday, 1/24,11 a.m-4 p.m.

Featuring

  • Dell Workshop: Adrian Grenier will be hosting daytime workshops with Dell, and exclusive film dinners at night, which Grenier will be personally curating with his celebrity friends.

  • The Points Guy, which helps travelers find the best deals, will be providing a convenient and combined work/play space with complimentary Wi-Fi and panel discussions for attendees

  • The first floor of 364 Main will also include the following:

    – Campbell’s will be offering a make-it-yourself soup station
    – V8 will have a Bloody Mary and fresh fruit cocktails bar
    – Chuda Hydrating Healing Cream, launching on Feb 1, will be showcasing their new product!

 

 

-Chase Lounge

573 Main St

Open daily from 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Schedule subject to change for special events

-Acura

201 Heber Ave. (at the corner of Main St.)

Friday, January 22–Friday, January 29 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 30 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

-Brookside Chocolate

Festival Co-op 608 Main St

Friday, January 22–Friday, January 29 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 30 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

-Luna Lounge

1821 Sidewinder Dr (adjacent to Festival HQ)

Friday, January 22–Friday, January 29 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 30 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Schedule subject to change for private  events.

-Dropbox

Festival Co-op 608 Main St

Friday, January 22–Friday, January 29 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 30 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

-Filmmaker Lodge

Elks Building 550 Main St., 2nd Floor

Friday, January 22 – Saturday, January 30, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m

Sunday, January 31, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

-New Frontier

573 Main St. / Floor 2-3

Friday, January 22- Friday, January 29 1pm – 8pm

Saturday, January 30 11am – 3pm

-Salt Lake City Festival Café

Sicilia Pizza Kitchen

35 W. Broadway (300 South)

-Festival Base Camp presented by Canada Goose

475 Swede Alley, Park City

Friday, January 22–Friday, January 29, 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

-Sundance TV

268 Main St.

Open Daily 10am to 6pm: January 22nd through January 29th; Panels 1-2pm, Pre-Party 4-6pm

-The Living Room

528 Main St.

Open Friday, January 22–Thursday, January 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

-Uber Lounge

Corner of Heber Avenue & Swede Alley

Open daily from morning to night

Jan 01
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Wine, Theater and Food…WTF!

By Arts & Culture, Eat & Drink
2016 may be in its infancy, but that didn’t stop Sweet Beast Dance Circus from proclaiming their impending celebration, WTF!, “one of the Beast parties of the year.” But with wine, theater and food, they may be right.

 

You’ll mingle, drink and get down to the emceeing of Donna Weinholtz after performances by SB Dance have put you in the mood. A silent auction will give you the chance to take some goodies home with you as well.

 

Wine: Tracey Thompson of Vine Lore Wine and Spirits has curated wine for the event, including selections from family-owned establishments. Spirits will run high as well, with lagers, ales and whiskies from local distilleries.

 

Theater: SB Dance has put together all kinds of dance and theater extravaganzas exclusively for WTF! Afterward, the dance floor will open up for you to get in on the fun.

 

Food: Delicacies from local restaurants and chefs will grace the tables of WTF!, including those from Copper Onion, Provisions and Whiskey Street. Be sure to stop by the dessert table, rumor has it Rocky Mountain Chocolate and 3 cups will provide some sweets of their own.

Sound good? Take a look at the particulars so you don’t miss it:

When: Saturday, Jan. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Where: Rose Wagner Center

Tickets: $55 single, $100 for two for season members. $70 single, $125 for two for early bird tickets purchased by Jan. 8. Six or more tickets at $60 each.

Attendees must be 21 or older.

Jan 01
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Review: Ann Wilson at The Eccles Center

By Music
Ann Wilson’s still got it.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member might be 65 but her voice hasn’t skipped a beat in the years since she belted out  the lyrics to the hard rocking “Barracuda”. Her instantly recognizable sultry sound was in full effect on New Year’s Eve at Park City’s Eccles Center.

She’s got a new band, The Ann Wilson Thing—and unlike the groundbreaking Heart—this time Wilson was the only woman onstage.

She wore a short sequined dress with a long, black damask jacket over it and shoes that tied at the ankle with pom-poms at the end as she and the band worked through a selection of the American songbook, notably without playing a single Heart song.

 

“We’re going to visit some really wonderful music with The Ann Wilson Thing,” she told the crowd. “It’s very different that the other thing.” And indeed it was.

She covered Creedence Clearwater Revival, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Neil Young and Led Zeppelin. She only picked up the guitar once all night—for “Permission” a song she wrote with a bandmate.

Wilson didn’t say much as she moved across the stage oozing sex appeal and gyrating to the music. Someone shouted “Play some Heart!” from the crowd, but she just smiled and kept on singing other people’s songs.

In the end, the Eccles Center, with their comfortable chairs and sometimes stuff Park City patrons, didn’t feel like the right venue for Wilson and her band. This is a show that needs to be seen in a smoky club (if they even exist anymore) or at the very least a venue that can sell alcohol.

Wilson told the crowd her new year resolution before her one-song encore, “I’m going to open up and let love hit me. I’m not putting up any walls in 2016.”

The quiet and almost reflective nature of the show might have surprised people who came expecting Wilson to scream out the lyrics to “What About Love” but it was still a nice bookend to 2015.

 

Photos by Stuart Graves