Arts & Culture Archives • Page 98 of 102 • Salt Lake Magazine

Jul 01

The Best of Park City 2016: Arts & Entertainment

By Salt Lake Magazine Arts & Culture

Kimball arts fest

Best Main Street Takeover

Nothing lets you feel like you’re taking Main Street back from the Gorsuch-wearing ruling class quite like an old-fashioned Main Street takeover. And nobody does it better than the Kimball Art Center with their annual Arts Festival. In addition to the incredible art from talented artists—which can be yours for fees ranging from rather affordable to shockingly expensive—there’s also a party atmosphere highlighted by music stages and beer gardens up and down PC’s primary thoroughfare.

parkcityartsfestival.org

Most Original Entertainment

The Egyptian Theatre likes to think outside the box when it comes to entertaining Parkites. While many venues will schedule a bluegrass group to appease the ski bums and call it a day, the intrepid thinkers at the Egyptian program everything from aging supergroups to local theater productions to comedians ranging from the well known to the obscure.

328 Main St., 435-649-9371. egyptiantheatrecompany.org

Best New Digs Kimball Art Center 1

Hippest New Digs

Kimball Art Center: Just like everyone else, we loved the Kimball Art Center’s old digs on the corner of Park and Heber, so we were thrilled to see them land on their feet with the new location on Kearns Boulevard. The Kimball still shows the best art in town, and the new gallery has the whole hipster-chic warehouse vibe on lock.

1401 Kearns Blvd., 435-649-8882. kimballartcenter.org

Funkiest Weirdness

Expect to see a troupe of belly dancers on one street corner and hear an interesting Celtic-ish local band down by the food stands. Watch out for those gyrating hula hoops when juggling a whiskey lemonade and a fresh bag of kettle corn. Look no further than the Park Silly Market each Sunday when you want to get a little weird. The best part is everyone is there for the same reason, so nobody will bat an eyelash as you celebrate the eccentricities of summer life in Park City.

parksillysundaymarket.com

Hot Spot For Local Tunes

Each of the Mountain Town Music venues has its own charm, but none has a better feel for local yokels than the stage at Newpark Town Center Amphitheatre. The free midweek shows are frequented by a local crowd toting coolers, dogs, children and serious sunglasses. Mountain Town Music books the stage with home-grown jams. Come prepared because the pizza scents wafting from nearby Maxwell’s can inspire you to empty your wallet in a hurry.

mountaintownmusic.org

Deer Valley Music Festival 2

Best Summer Concert Lineup

The acts Deer Valley pulls together each year never fail to impress, even drawing in our neighbors down the hill. Where else in Utah will you see the Utah Symphony, Lyle Lovett with Emmylou Harris, and Brandi Carlile? And that’s just this year. As a bonus, concerts at the Snowpark Amphitheatre are BYOB, unlike many of the events held on the other side of town and the boxed dinners are to die for.

deervalley-musicfestival.org, ecclescenter.org

Jun 13

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Review: Bonanza Campout

By Salt Lake Magazine Arts & Culture, Music

This past weekend I attended the inaugural Bonanza Campout, a two-day music festival outside of Park City. This was my first music festival campout experience, and it was unforgettable. Props to the Bonanza team for securing a perfect setting for the weekend. The secluded River’s Edge Resort just outside of Park City was nestled in the mountains with gorgeous surrounding views.

Bonanza1

After setting up our campsite on Friday afternoon, we headed toward the main Bonanza stage to catch the last couple songs of a set by JR JR. This group, which boasts mainstream radio hits like “Gone”, played with a contagious energy that started off the weekend just right. The group also has a lead guitarist that looks like a Rocker Jesus. Blasphemous, perhaps. But true.

JR JR kicks off the headliners on Friday night

The campout hosted several sponsor booths and some amazing food trucks. I tried the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich from Lola’s. The citrus aioli – unbelievable. I know, I know, this weekend was about the music, but I will always find the food.

I had found myself in the days leading up to the festival weekend wondering about the crowds that Bonanza would draw. This is a music festival, after all. But, then again, it is Utah. The resulting crowd was an eclectic mix of veteran festival goers who sport beads, feathers, face paint, and gold flash tattoos, and music lovers who were present solely for the great lineup.

Even though a lot of Bonanza attendees were drunker than a sailor on leave and higher than the state of Colorado, everyone was pretty friendly and considerate. This was a weekend for people who wanted to relax and listen to great music in a beautiful place.

Bonanza 3

One of my favorite sets was on the smaller Shade Stage with DJ Ryan Hemsworth. The Coachella veteran really put on a show. He didn’t say a word, but he spun sick beats on his turntables with an energy that really got people dancing (including me, the queen of stationary hips).

Friday night closed out with a performance by headliner Big Gigantic, a duo that pumps out electronic music, but makes it interesting and unique with live drum and saxophone solos.

Big Gigantic closes out Friday night

I was introduced to another tenet of the festival lifestyle when I realized that sleeping wasn’t really an option. Most campers stayed up until at least 5 a.m., or never went to bed at all. These people are pros – party weekends are a serious commitment.

Saturday afternoon’s lineup was put on hold a couple times because of rainstorms, but once the weather began to cooperate again, the music kept going. High Octane LA rocked out with strong vocals killer guitar riffs, Le Voir brought back the 80s big hair rock-band style and Vacationer showed off a variety of reggae and rock. Shows like Joshua James and Kyle Bent had to be moved around because of the weather, but all the artists and attendees were still in a good mood. Crowd favorite Parade of Lights made sure to thank everyone for sticking it out in the rain when they closed their set with the dance-worthy “Everybody get Golden.” Rain couldn’t kill this party.

Parade of Lights puts on a show despite the rain

It was pretty impressive that Bonanza, a first year festival, closed the weekend with well-known acts like the Cold War Kids and Louis the Child. Bonanza was a well-planned weekend that introduced me to great new music and new people. I hope the festival comes back to Park City next year, because Bonanza was a party to remember.

one of Bonanza’s art installations

The rain didn’t keep campers from having a blast.

May 26

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Review: Sleepwalkers at Red Butte Garden

By Salt Lake Magazine Arts & Culture, Music

The first Red Butte Garden concert of the 2016 season started with a rocking good time by the opening act, the Sleepwalkers. The band was very aware their audience was patiently waiting for the headlining Lumineers, but they still had a contagious energy that made them a perfect start to the evening. Strong guitar solos and unique vocals gave the band a great stage presence. These guys were having fun and getting into their music. My concert spot was between a middle-aged couple and a younger millenial pair, and both groups kept remarking how much they loved the sound and energy of the Sleepwalkers. That’s a pretty great reach.

The Sleepwalkers have a retro sound that hearkens back to the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll storytelling highlighted by bands like the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. Many of their songs have funky piano solos and psychedelic influences. Crowd favorites were “Cocaine” and “Cheers,” catchy numbers that highlighted the diverse talents of this eclectic group.

I’m excited to see where this group goes. They’ve got an old-school tour van and a groovy sound. The Sleepwalkers are accompanying the Lumineers for their 2016 Cleopatra World Tour. I think it’s safe to say that anyone who comes to see the shows will be humming along to the Sleepwalkers tunes the morning after.

For more music from the Sleepwalkers, click here.

For information about upcoming Red Butte shows, click here.

May 26

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The Faces of Food on Display at Les Madeleines

By Salt Lake Magazine Arts & Culture

Starting on Thursday, June 9, Adam Finkle’s portraits from his series, The Faces of Food will be on display at Les Madeleines from 6 to 8 p.m.

With The Faces of Food, Finkle hopes to express the remarkable skill and incredible passion found behind each local chef and food maker.

naked_fish

Featured in publications such as People Magazine, ESPN Magazine, Sunset, Ski Utah and the Food Network, Finkle is well-known for his ability to turn photos of food into works of art.

Finkle has been a staff photographer at the Salt Lake Magazine and Utah Style & Design for 12 years. He has worked with many notable clients from all around the state, including the University of Utah, Westminster College, the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Grand America.

The photos on display at Les Madeleines are just the beginning, too. The Faces of Food is an ongoing project that Finkle will continue to work with.

The gallery at Les Madeleines will be up for one month and will feature a variety of chefs, restaurants and food creations. Les Madeleines is located at 216 East 500 South in Salt Lake City.

May 25

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Lantern Fest returns to Salt Lake

By Salt Lake Magazine Adventures, Arts & Culture, Outdoors

When the world first saw the movie Tangled, everyone wanted to experience the floating lanterns that were such a big part of the movie in real life. You’re kidding yourself if you say you didn’t want a little piece of that magic.

The Lantern Fest makes that bucket list wish possible with a release of thousands of glowing lanterns into the night sky. The celebration is coming back to Salt Lake City on Saturday, August 20. Click here to purchase tickets. This is the second Lantern Fest event in Salt Lake in 2016, and the first was in April, when nearly 9000 people lived out their Disney-fueled dreams. The evening’s family-friendly schedule includes live music, s’mores roasting, games, food truck fare, dance contests and more leading up to the lantern release. The evening ends with the lighting and release of thousands of lanterns to the tune of (you guessed it) “At Last I See the Light” from Tangled.

I went to the Lantern Fest in Salt Lake last September, and it was definitely worth it. I roasted a perfectly golden s’more without lighting myself on fire, I made new friends around the campfire and I got the perfect Instagram-worthy photo of my floating lantern among thousands of others in the sky.

Each kit comes with markers for lantern decorating. Participants are encouraged to individualize their lanterns by drawing designs or writing down dreams, regrets, or goals. If you’re worried that all those lanterns will end up littering the highway, don’t. The Lantern Fest sends specially trained Lantern Chasers in vehicles to make sure every last biodegradable lantern is disposed of properly.

Early registration tickets are $25 until June 10. Each admission ticket comes with an entrance wristband, s’mores kit, lighter, a lantern and markers for decorating. Lantern Fest merchandise is also available for purchase at the event.

Utah Motorsports Campus, 512 South Sheep Lane, Grantsville, UT – August 20 – gates open at 4 p.m. thelanternfest.com

May 16

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Capturing the Canyons: Artists in the National Parks

By Salt Lake Magazine Arts & Culture

Ranch Shipley Kimball, Entrance to Zion’s, 1934, oil on canvas mounted. Springville Museum of Art.

The National Parks are an integral part of America’s identity. The arches of Moab and the red rocks of St. George make the state of Utah, home to five national parks, a destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. The National Parks’ unique role in the nation’s history is celebrated this year for the National Park Service 2016 Centennial Celebration. Brigham Young University’s Museum of Art (MOA) in Provo is joining the centennial celebration with a featured exhibit entitled Capturing the Canyons: Artists in the National Parks.The exhibit is divided into four sections: Brushes with Destiny, Tourism in the Parks, Changing Natures and Lure of the Landscape.

Ashlee Whitaker is the MOA curator for Capturing the Canyons. Whitaker said the exhibit, which has been in the works for almost three years, was all about celebrating the National Parks in a fun and engaging way.

“As we began collecting pieces for the exhibit, a story emerged,” Whitaker said. “From the beginning, these parks were an artistic challenge that inspired and resonated with artists. They were continual places of retreat.”

The exhibit includes an 1873 sketchbook from Thomas Moran, who was the first artist to depict Yellowstone. The sketchbook is a collection of Moran’s sketches of Southern Utah.

“The earliest artists that depicted the parks were part of a larger movement to discover what was out west,” Whitaker said. “They were pioneers who took risks to get their sketches.”

Another highlight of the exhibit is the various posters and advertisements created by artists to bring tourism to the parks. All of the exhibit pieces were loaned from state collections, the National Parks art collections and several private collections.

“This exhibit is artistically rich and diverse, and it’s all about engagement and enlightenment,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker noted that artists’ efforts played a large role in the conservation and preservation movement that led to the creation of the National Parks Service in 1916.

“The modern paintings and photographs in the exhibit show that artists can’t get enough of the parks,” Whitaker said.

Anton J. Rasmussen, Bryce Canyon (Diptych), 1983, oil on canvas mounted, Salt Lake City Department of Airports.

Capturing the Canyons boasts several Ansel Adams photographs of Yosemite’s famous Half Dome.

“Adams said that no matter how many times he photographed Half Dome, he always found something different,” Whitaker said.

The MOA is joining the National Parks Service Centennial Celebration by including #findyourpark photo ops throughout the exhibit. Museum patrons can take pictures in front of their favorite piece and post it to Instagram with #findyourpark.

On June 3, the exhibit will be part of a Family Arts Festival from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On June 24, the MOA will host a free Art After Dark event from 7:00-10:00 p.m with food, music and prizes.

Capturing the Canyons is open until August 20^th. Admission to the Museum of Art is free. For more information on museum hours and special events, visit moa.byu.edu.

May 16

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Ogden Twilight Concerts return for a second season

By Salt Lake Magazine Music

The 2^nd Annual Ogden Twilight Concerts will rock the Ogden Amphitheater every Thursday night this June for a can’t-miss concert series.

Jared Allen, owner of Ogden bar Alleged and creator of Ogden Twilight, explained his motivation for starting the summer concerts.

“I’m a big fan of live music, and I noticed that the Ogden Amphitheater was really being underused,” Allen said.

Allen mentioned that the Twilight Concerts were also an effective way to change the general Utahn attitude about the city of Ogden.

“There’s a negative perception towards Ogden in the state of Utah,” Allen said. “But Ogden actually has a pretty hip downtown with bars, restaurants and galleries. The city has its own unique identity that’s very outdoors and art-focused.”

This is the 2^nd year of the Ogden Twilight Concerts, which are not affiliated with Salt Lake City’s Twilight Concerts. Allen said he received great feedback from concert attendees at the first Ogden concerts last year.

“I got to be a fly on the wall at last year’s concerts and after-parties, and I was hearing people say things like ‘I had no idea Ogden had anything like this’, which was really encouraging,” Allen said.

Allen said that the Ogden Amphitheater, which has a capacity of 8,000 people, is a perfect space because it still makes the Twilight concerts feel like intimate shows. Concertgoers can walk along Historic 25^th street from Ogden’s UTA Frontrunner Station. Every Ogden Twilight Concert ticket is also a UTA pass for the night, so attendees can ride the train up to Ogden and back. The venue will also have a bike valet available for bicyclists.

“Definitely walk up 25^th Street while you’re in town for the concert,” Allen said. “It was recently named one of the best 10 streets in America.”

Allen said there would be great food options at the Amphitheater for concertgoers, and his bar, Alleged, would be open for an after-party with more libations.

The acts at Ogden Twilight are a mix of local opening groups and national touring bands. Allen said he has been working on the musical lineup for the Ogden Twilight Concerts for over four months.

“We didn’t take just anybody,” Allen said. “Anyone who attends these concerts will be blown away.”

The Ogden Twilight Concerts begin June 2 and continue every Thursday night in June.

Show lineup:

ogden twilight concert lineup

Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 the day of the show. Attendees can also purchase a season pass for $20. Each ticket also counts as a UTA ticket for the evening. For ticket purchases, visit ogdentwilight.com.

May 07

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Review: Mimi Knowles, The Aces and The Str!ke at the Rooftop Concert

By Salt Lake Magazine Arts & Culture, Music

Concert-goers trickled onto West Center Street in front of the NuSkin building in Provo as rain clouds threatened to shower the outdoor concert. But as the weather cleared up, the excitement was tangible for Provo’s first Rooftop Concert of the summer. Families, teenage hipsters and Provo’s signature college kids all flooded Center Street to listen to Mimi Knowles, The Aces, and, most awaited, The Str!ke. I even spotted someone with neon pink hair – now that’s a party in Provo.

Mimi Knowles

The hip-hop artist started the set with “Sway”, a high energy rap that got the crowd dancing. Knowles catered to the young crowd with a personalized Snapchat filter and a song titled “Love my BAE.” Knowles and his band performed their remix of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” with their own style of hip-hop mixed with a strong brass section of saxophone, trumpet and trombone.

Knowles knocked out some impressive vocals for how much he danced around the stage. This act was proof that guys (and a girl) in hoodies and snapbacks can definitely crank out some cool sounds.

The Aces

This female group took the stage with lead singer Cristal Ramirez rocking a bright blue guitar and a jumpsuit a la Coachella. The Aces played their rock songs like “Shed your Skin” and “Volcanic Love” with plenty of synchronized head-banging and girl power.

Ramirez and the band added their rock vibe to a cover of 311’s mellow tune “Amber”. The crowd cheered when Ramirez introduced The Aces’ hit, “I Don’t Wanna Know”, an anthem made interesting by Ramirez’s deep, soulful voice.

The band closed the set with their new single “Stuck,” which had more upbeat pop elements that got the crowd moving again.

The Str!ke

It was clear from the deafening cheer that erupted when The Strike took the stage that this act was the main event. Lead singer Chris Crabb was a strong presence in his funky white suit with blue elbow patches. Crabb has so much energy that there’s no doubt he was once a hyperactive child, and it definitely makes him a great performer who can put on a rocking show.

The atmosphere turned electric when the band busted out their hit “Warriors.” This song showed off The Strike’s unique sound that includes rock, jazz, funk, and techno pop influences, and the crowd loved it.

There’s a reason why The Strike is a repeat favorite at the Rooftop Concerts. This band knows how to make a crowd let loose and have fun. Crabb introduced their new single “Dancing is a Human Right” with a declaration that “we have a right to dance without anyone judging us for how uncoordinated we are!” That was a big hit with this motley crew of hesitant dancers, and the dance party went wild as Crabb let his band (including a saxophone player decked out in denim and leather) rock some solos for the last half of the song.

The Strike slowed things down with a cover of Beyonce’s “1 + 1”, and Crabb showed that he could belt out a love ballad with some real feeling. The band preceded their last song with a crowd selfie in true Provo fashion. They echoed the previous acts’ statements about the unique nature of the Rooftop Concerts.

“Provo is so special,” Crabb said. “Not every city has this, so let’s give it up for the Rooftop team.”

The Strike puts heart into their music, and they really connected with the crowd because of that. The band ended with their latest hit “Atom Bomb”, and the first Rooftop Concert of the summer went out with a bang.

May 06

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Preview: Mimi Knowles, The Aces and The Str!ke at Provo Rooftop Concert

By Salt Lake Magazine Arts & Culture, Music

Chris Crabb of The Strike

Mimi Knowles

This hip-hop artist who will open tonight’s Rooftop Concert is a local favorite. Knowles has had a big year opening for acts like 2 Chainz and Common Kings, and a planned show opening for Charlie Puth.

Knowles’ music is a unique mix of hip-hop, pop, funk and soul. His raps include millennial-focused lyrics like “love my bae”, but his pop songs hearken back to the sounds of Michael Jackson.

His most popular video is a recent cover of Drake’s “Hotline Bling.” Knowles and his band add classical piano, saxophone and trumpet to the song.

The Aces

Formerly The Blue Aces, this band of Utah natives formed in 2008 with a fierce motto of “Four girls about to rule the world.”

The rock group bleeds girl power with anthems like “I Don’t Wanna Know” and “Heartbreaker” on their latest album Gave You My Heart.

The band includes lead vocal and guitarist Cristal Ramirez, lead guitar and back-up vocalist Katie Henderson, bass player McKenna Petty, and drummer Alisa Ramirez.

The Aces will co-headline the Rooftop concert with The Str!ke.

The Str!ke

This six-member band started out as a Provo favorite but has since gained national recognition.

The Str!ke has opened for Journey, Kelly Clarkson, Neon Trees, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Piano Guys and Mason Jennings.

The funk/pop/rock band has performed at the Sundance Film Festival, Hard Rock Vegas, the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas and Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.

Chris Crabb sings lead vocals in this band that was formed in 2012. The Str!ke is known for their upbeat live performances.

The Str!ke’s latest album is entitled Atom Bomb, and the title track has been played as the opening number on Dancing With the Stars.

FREE, 7:30 p.m., NuSkin Plaza, Provo – rooftopconcertseries.com

May 04

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Provo’s Rooftop Concert Series kicks off on Friday

By Salt Lake Magazine Arts & Culture, Music

Provo’s Rooftop Concert series kicks off its seventh season of free concerts this Friday, May 6^th at the NuSkin Plaza in Downtown Provo.

Friday’s lineup begins with popular hip-hop artist Mimi Knowles. Utah favorite girl-band The Aces, who have opened for the Neon Trees, will follow with new music. Rooftop concert veteran band The Str!ke, who have opened for Journey and Kelly Clarkson and have performed on Dancing With the Stars, will close the show.

The Str!ke performs at the Velour in Provo. (photo credit: Justin Hackworth)

The show is expected to draw thousands to Provo’s Center Street. College students and music fans are drawn to Provo for these major events. This year’s show sponsors are Provo City, Chatbooks, Google Fiber, Sodalicious and Utah Bubble Sports.

The Provo Rooftop Concert Series began in 2010 as part of an effort to revamp downtown Provo. Notable previous headliners include Imagine Dragons, Fictionist, The National Parks, Mindy Gledhill, The Lower Lights and Neon Trees.

The free concerts used to be held on the roof of the Provo Town Square Parking Garage, but the 2015 season saw a venue change when the crowds grew too big for the space. An estimated 10,000 people attended a concert in the 2015 series last September to see Neon Trees perform. The Concert Series has helped launch Provo into the national music scene.

An aerial shot of the crowd gathered to see Kaskade headline the Rooftop Concert Series in September 2015.

Courtney Kendrick, co-founder and sponsor of the Provo Rooftop Concert Series, expressed her excitement for the 2016 concert season on the event’s website.

“This year we’re planning on maintaining our Rooftop roots – concentrating on new up-and-coming bands from our local scene and giving spotlight to some of our favorite Provo bands,” Kendrick said. “We do have some surprises in store – it’s going to be a delightful season for sure.”

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and concertgoers of all ages are encouraged to attend. As always, the show is free.

For more information, visit the event website at rooftopconcertseries.com.