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Jan 16
Love0

Sundance Like a Local in 5 Easy Steps

By Arts & Culture

The Sundance Film Festival is about to unleash Hollywood levels of glitz and glamour into Park City, which will unfortunately be accompanied by major metropolitan area levels of crowds, exclusivity and general confusion/panic about where to find an affordable cup of coffee from January 23 to February 4. Ditch your FOMO at the door, people. Catch an arthouse film, gawk at freezing celebrities, take a few ski runs and get something to eat and drink without waiting all while avoiding Utah’s zany .05 BAC DUI laws! Sundance like a local this year.

Step 1. See a Weird Film Unless you planned ahead or are outrageously—let’s face it: you didn’t and you aren’t—you probably aren’t going to get into that future indie blockbuster with your favorite megastar. Don’t worry, that movie’s going to be on your streaming service of choice soon enough. Take the opportunity at Sundance to see something that’s truly independent, like an intensely metaphorical horror film or a heady documentary that leaves you tossing and turning at night while confronting your unearned privilege. Get back to the festival’s roots. These are the types of films Sundance was built on. Plus they’re much easier to get into, especially during the festival’s second week. Browse the NEXT, Short, Documentary and World Cinema sections to find a title that intrigues you.

Look how sad Jim Gaffigan looks in “Light from Light.” Now that’s some indie-movie magic.

Alternate Step 1: See your Weird Film in Salt Lake City Sundance has theaters beyond the claustrophobic confines of Main Street, and the venues in Salt Lake City are often far less crowded than their Park City counterparts. The Tower Theater, Broadway Theatre, The Grand Theatre at SLCC, Salt Lake City Library Theatre and Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center all offer an engaging festival atmosphere and are conveniently surrounded by fantastic restaurants like the Copper Onion and bars like The Beerhive that won’t be bursting at the seams with out-of-town film buffs dying to try the hors d’oeuvres at a quaint mountain hot spot.

Step 2: Go Mobile 

Get in line from your couch with eWaitlist

To get tickets for your weird film of choice, it helps to be technologically literate with a smartphone. Sundance uses eWaitlist to assign placeholders for tickets a couple hours prior to each screening, so download the app and have it teed up well before it’s go time. If you’re close enough to the virtual line you think you may get in, show up to the venue with cash in hand for a ticket. Download the Sundance App for festival info and to help choose which film is right for you.

 

 

Step 3: Never Drive Do not drive a car to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City. Public transportation in Park City is outstanding, and once you pass Canyons Village, you’ll never find a place to park. Fortunately, there’s an environmentally guilt-free electric express bus which runs every 10 minutes from Kimball Junction to Main Street and back with stops at Canyons Village and the A-Fresh Market. Public parking is free at Kimball Junction and Canyons Village and approximately $10 million per vehicle anywhere else. Local law enforcement is on the hunt for even slightly inebriated drivers, so ditch your vehicle and enjoy the free ride.

Step: 4: Go Skiing

There’s powder during Sundance too.

You can’t spend all day at the movies, especially when there are mountains right outside. Despite the crowds in town, Sundance is an excellent time to go skiing. The slopes are largely devoid of skiers as most visitors are in town for an artistic experience, and cold January temperatures make for the best version of that famous Utah snow. Ski all day and then check out a late night movie. It’s the best of both worlds.

Step 5: Avoid Lines and Covers 

Davanza’s: food, beer, cans all over the walls and no cover!

Main Street is largely unrecognizable during Sundance. Restaurants and stores get converted into temporary private clubs and your favorite dive bar will have an inexplicable $20 cover to get in. Forget that noise. Park City has wonderful dining and drink options outside of the immediate Main Street area in Prospector, Kimball Junction, and Pinebrook. The O’Shucks in Pinebrook has all the free-peanut-locals-only ambiance of the Main Street location with the addition of a sushi menu and the subtraction of a moody bouncer. If you eat early—I’m talking 5 p.m. early—you can get in many restaurants without much fuss. If you don’t want to vacate Main Street, grab a slice and a beer at Davanza’s or hit up the bar at Butcher’s for a drink and some appetizers. Both can be accessed from lower Park Ave by the ski bridge and in the past have served as safe havens for locals.

Jan 16
Love0

Metoo Heads to Utah

By City Watch

They said 2018 would be the year of the woman, and while history will decide if that’s true, Utah is starting 2019 out with two speakers who had tremendous roles in the #metoo movement. Jodi Kantor, who writes for the New York Times, and Ronan Farrow, of The New Yorker, are both speaking in the state, conveniently—or perhaps intentionally—just before the Sundance Film Festival.

In October of 2017, Kantor and Megan Twohy broke the news that Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein had been accused of sexual abuse for years. The story was a bombshell and even had a Utah connection—some of the accusations against Weinstein had occurred during Sundance.

At the same time Kantor and Twohy were working on their story, Ronan Farrow had heard the same accusations against Weinstein. But, according to the head of NBC News, his then-employer, his report was not ready for broadcast, claiming a lack of on-the-record sources. Just a few short days after the Times ran its story, Farrow went to press with his own version of the Weinstein events.

Since then, the writers have shared the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service and, between the two of them, have revealed sexual misconduct by powerful men all over the country—the shockwaves reached far beyond the entertainment world. Women all over the world shared their stories with the social media hashtag #MeToo and men were asked to listen, perhaps, proponents hope, altering conduct in the workplace permanently.

Ronan Farrow: Weber State University’s Val A. Browning Center, Austad Auditorium, January 19, 2019 weber.edu, 801-626-8500

Jodi Kantor: Park City’s George S. & Dolores Dore Eccles Center Theater, January 18, parkcityinstitute.com, 435-655-3114

March on Main

Protests are not generally star-studded events. But, for the last two years, the Women’s March on Park City, timed annually to coincide with the anniversary of the Inauguration of President Trump, is also held as the stars take over Park City for Sundance.

In the case of Park City’s march, you’re as likely to see a random Parkite wearing a bright pink hat as you are to see actor Nick Offerman or rapper Common braving the cold and snow to be heard (and seen, this is Hollywood, after all). And as the snow settles, the speakers are more A-list than most cities—Jane Fonda and Gloria Allred spoke at last year’s Park City event, which called itself a #respectrally.

This year, the masses will surely take to the streets again, but as of press time, no details are available. You can find out more about dates and times as they are planned and approved by the city at womensmarch.com/2019.

See more stories like this and all of our City Watch coverage. And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best of life in Utah?

Jan 15
Love0

What the Pho? Park City’s Vietnamese Eateries

By Eat & Drink

Pho—the Vietnamese dish of rice noodles, broth, herbs and meat—is spectacularly popular among the American hipsters who spend more time arguing about the soup’s proper pronunciation than they do eating it. It’s “fuh,” by the way. Thus, hipsters and hipster-adjacent populations are reaping the benefits of the Great Pho Rush, in which no fewer than three pho restaurants serve Park City’s 8,300-ish residents. It’s a welcome development for a town that doesn’t earn high marks for culturally-diverse cuisine. Few things are more comforting than huddling over hot pho on a cold day, so pick your spot and slide up to a bowl.

Bald Mountain Pho The term “slope side dining” tends to conjure bleak images of $16, overcooked, a-la-carte hamburgers with a hefty surcharge for soggy fries. But this ain’t some run-of-the-mill drafty cafeteria. We’re talking legendary Deer Valley quality and luxury in Silver Lake Lodge. I’d go out on a limb and say the pho at Bald Mountain is even better than the resort’s famous turkey chili. For $13.50 you get your choice of beef or ginger-mushroom broth as well as decadent slices of wagyu beef or tofu with shiitake mushrooms. No matter what you choose, your dish comes with the standard rice noodles, bean sprouts, sliced chilis and fresh Thai basil. Best eaten while refueling on a powder day. 7600 Royal St., Park City,
435-649-1000

PC Pho PC Pho’s a hole in the wall shop in Prospector. The intimate atmosphere with an open kitchen gives PC Pho a community feel that’s rare in the more tourist-heavy parts of town. Stop in on a snowy evening when Main Street is packed, or have some hot grub brought right to your residence by Mountain Express delivery. Best shared with new friends you made on the chairlift. 1890 Bonanza Dr., Park City, 435-214-7027, mountainexpresssdelivery.com

Kuchu Shabu Tucked in an unassuming Kimball Junction parking lot, Kuchu Shabu returns an old pho hotspot to its former glory. Kuchu Shabu opened last summer with new management sporting an updated interior and menu, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the incredible pho. Kuchu Shabu serves up more than just an excellent selection of pho—including an assortment of ramen options and the flagship menu item, Japanese hot pot specialty shabu shabu—so you can accommodate a group with diverse palates while getting your fix. I’m partial to the $17 beef brisket and meatball pho. Best enjoyed after finishing the errands that kept you from enjoying a powder day.  1612 W. Ute Blvd., Park City, 435-658-9829,
kuchushabu.com

Jan 10
Love0

Sundance Necessities

By Arts & Culture

Celebrity spotter Stuart Graves on what you need for a day of star-searching and film-watching at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival beginning Jan. 24. Locals tickets go on sale Jan. 17. 

  1. Sorels

Main Street closes off traffic and becomes a giant sidewalk for the duration: You will be walking. In slush and snow. The same messy street is a literal stomping ground for the beautiful people. The solution for stylish and snow-proof? A pair of Sorels. New styles come out every year, but they last forever, so shoes from years ago just show you’ve always been in the know.

2. Lip balm.

Cold + damp = chapped lips. Fend off the cracks with a frequent swipe of balm.

3. Pens.

On the off-chance you find a celeb who doesn’t want to selfie (hi, Kevin Bacon!) have a pen handy for autographs on your tickets, programs or person. Pilot’s Pens work in the cold, have built in illumination and will impress even the most stoic Sundance celeb.

4. Hand warmers.

Mid-January at 7,000+ altitude is no joke. The digits get icy and you need them to be nimble to operate your camera or cellphone for the selfies you’ll be taking if you run into, oh, Idris Elba or someone. You’ll want to tuck these in your texting gloves. (Necessity 2.1) But know this: They only last a few hours.
Buy a lot.

5. Mints.

Speaking of Idris, you’ll very likely be drinking coffee just to keep warm, but you’ll want minty-fresh breath when you ask him for a selfie.

6. The Ubiquitous Sundance water bottle.

They’re everywhere. Pick them up at any lounge. Consider it swag. And for heaven’s sake, use it! Hydrate, people!

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Jan 10
Love0

Download and Deliver Dinner

By Eat & Drink

An influx of delivery services makes deciding what’s for dinner harder—and easier—than ever. Good news! Your stay-on-the-couch culinary options are no longer limited to pizza or Chinese. In the last year, plenty of delivery services have entered the Salt Lake marketplace offering everything from locally-owned sweets-only services to app-based whatever-your-heart-desires. Just be sure to tip your driver.

The National Contenders:

Grubhub grubhub.com

  • Best For: Feeding the whole family.
  • Use When: You don’t want to cook.

Postmates postmates.com

  • Best For: Maybe you just want a Big Gulp?
  • Use When: They send you a coupon code (which is often).

Uber Eats ubereats.com

  • Best For: Employing Uber drivers not giving rides
  • Use When: You’ve Finally Forgiven Uber for their last PR disaster.

The Local Players

Chip Cookies chipcookies.co

  • Best For: Pre-meditated binging
  • Use When: Order early on a bad day for delivery that night.

Happy Dumpling happydumplingslc.com

  • Best For: Get your weekly wonton on.
  • Use When: Once-a-week delivery for dinner.

Munchies munchiesslc.com

  • Best For: Late-night sweet cravings.
  • Use When: Drunk or, umm, you’ve recently been to Colorado.

Jan 10
Love0

Gear: Solutions for the Pollution

By Adventures, Outdoors

Tis the season. By now Salt Lakers know that the coming of January and deep cold means not a sparkling winter wonderland but a throat-clogging, asthma-inducing smog blanket that’s here to stay until spring. The city’s pollution problem is the main topic of coughing conversations among residents—some days our beautiful mountain town has the worst air quality index in the country. Here’s where they’re not talking about the smog: The Capitol. Maybe this will be the year our legislature will focus on this deadly issue instead of worrying about pornography, miniscule BAC levels and the Second Amendment. Maybe. But don’t hold your breath.

pollution

Jeff Morton, Inventor of Jamo Threads

Most of us have resigned ourselves to a winter wonderland in shades of gray and brown because of the inversion that settles over the city when it’s cold, its arrival heralded by (caused by? JK) the convening of the Utah Legislature. But summer skies used to seem clearer, except for that little brown smudge on the horizon. This year, wildfires added to our usual toxic cocktail so the formerly seasonal hacking and wheezing continued through the hot summer. What to do about it? You can escape it by driving up the canyon to clear air, but you’re just adding to the problem if you have a gas-fueled vehicle. You can cycle or scoot, both non-polluting modes of transportation.  But you’ll breathe even harder, taking in more PM2.5, the tiny particulate that makes up most of Utah’s pollution—giving a new shade of meaning to vicious cycle.

So, for personal health—not addressing the overall problem—we should all be wearing masks when we spend any significant amount of time outdoors.

Order a cool-looking mask from a local company: Nearly four years ago, Jeff Morton was inspired to make a hip but effective mask for his son, who has asthma. His Kickstarter campaign brought in $50,000; “That proved there was a market for this,” he says. Now the company can barely keep up with production. “We recently introduced a version with a replaceable filter,” he says. jamothreads.com

Skip: A surgical mask won’t work. The PM2 particles go right through.

Pick up: A respirator used for home demolition or paint projects is a good option.

  • Check out rzmask.com
  • Respro Sportsta Anti-Pollution Mask – they’re about $65 but they come in pink! respro.com
  • Jamo’s Inversion 2.0 is a stylish PM 2.5 mask with an activated carbon filter meeting requirements of an N95 mask. If you don’t love it, send it back for free. jamothreads.com

Coco-sutra 

In Utah’s harsh desert climate, we all know that hand lotion and water are our best friends. But we don’t often talk about the other areas of our body that may need a little extra moisture. Locally-owned personal lubricant company Coconu is here to help. Organically-produced, Coconu offers both a water and oil-based product for your intimate needs—because even when it’s cold outside your bedroom doesn’t need to be a frozen tundra. coconu.com

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Jan 10
Love0

Letter From The Editor: Lux Fiat

By Community

They call it SAD and it’s worse during the deep winter months. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a depression caused by the lack of sunshine during the winter.

It’s not terribly serious (suicide rates do NOT spike during the dark time of year, contrary to popular myth) but being aware of your personal susceptibility to it is important for year-round mellowness.

That kind of self-knowledge is just one part of whole wellness, a new definition of health, as explored by Christie Marcy in her story Mind-Body Connection (p.70).

Utah’s legislature has its own ideas about health, expressed in the new blood alcohol limits that go into effect at the end of December. (p. 78) But they don’t seem to be acquainted with or affected by SAD or they would do something about Salt Lake City’s air, which blocks out as much daylight as the season does. SAD is probably why so many people travel in the first months of the year. (For Marcy, a trip to sunny Mesquite, Nevada, was a cheerer-upper, though I suspect it was because of her encounter with camels there. (p. 42).

The point is, to be well doesn’t just mean you’re not ill—self-understanding can be as effective as a pill in some cases. Understanding and cooperation with others would make us all feel better, as publisher John Shuff points out in his My Turn (p. 144).

Of course, after the general world-wide ugliness of 2018, a lot of us might feel sad, whether we have a disorder or not. Let’s hope light returns, as the birds will (see p. 28), metaphorically as well as actually, in this spring of 2019.

Lux fiat, as the Lord said in the Latin Vulgate Bible.

Let there be light.

Mary Brown Malouf

Jan 09
Love0

Andy Farnsworth: A Comedy Album Taping at Urban Lounge

By Arts & Culture

Andy Farnsworth, a local comedian, KRCL personality and podcaster (Wandering the Aisles with Andy Farnsworth) is taping his debut comedy album at Urban Lounge, Saturday Jan. 12. Andy’s comedic stylings have been called “a fun meltdown.” If that interests you—and it should—it’s time for your chuckles to be featured on the live recording of his debut comedy album. Jan. 12, The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, SLC, theurbanlounge.com

Tickets and details here. Check out Andy in action.

Here’s a taste of Andy’s podcast, “Wandering the Aisles.”

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Jan 04
Love0

Best Biscuits in Utah

By Eat & Drink

Bread fads come and go (baguettes, croissants, bagels) but you can tell when something has peaked when they make a sandwich with it. Judging by that, the biscuit has hit the top.

Southerners have a proprietary feeling about biscuits, but basically, any biscuit is made with fat (lard or butter), flour, baking powder, salt and a little milk or buttermilk. (Originally, Southern biscuits were made with a softer wheat, meaning it had less gluten, so the biscuits were more tender.) There is a thing called a “beaten” biscuit that leaves out the leavening and instead requires a half-hour of beating (literally) to loosen the gluten so the biscuit will rise, but it’s a labor-intensive rarity. Everyone except me loves biscuits smothered in sausage gravy—I’m a born-Southerner, but I prefer butter.

At any rate, you can’t go to many restaurants these days without tripping over a biscuit. Here are a half-dozen-plus-one of the best biscuits in Utah:

1. Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade,
54 W. 1700
South, SLC,  801-953-1978

Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeade

Slightly strange bedmates—limeade is in no way a traditional accompaniment to biscuits—but each of this restaurant’s specialties are terrific. Originally a stand at the Farmers Market, now Sweet Lake serves seated biscuit-oriented meals until midday—try the biscuit sandwich with grilled asparagus, bacon, arugula and an egg.

2. The Daily,
222 Main St., SLC, 385-322-1270

The Daily Breakfast Bowl

I get into more detail about Ryan Lowder’s new downtown endeavor on p. 108, but this is about the biscuits, which are fantastic. Lowder has made this space the bakery for all his restaurants and head baker Caroline Hargraves is turning out sandwich bread, as well as these tall, flaky, ever-so-slightly sweet biscuits. Sausage gravy? No. But perfect for strawberries and whipped cream.

3. Woodland Biscuit Company,
2734 E. State Rd. 35, Woodland, 435-783-4202

Woodland Biscuit Company, Francis, UT

Open only on the weekends and you’ll need your GPS to help you find it, but Woodland Biscuit Company is worth finding. So I hear—I haven’t found it yet. But I have it on the highest trusted authority that the biscuits here rule, so a field trip is forthcoming. For breakfast or lunch. Almost every dish is biscuit-based. Even the burger.

4. Ruth’s Diner,
4160 Emigration Canyon Road, 801-582-5807

Ruth’s Diner, Salt Lake City

Probably the most famous biscuit in the state, Ruth’s “Mile High Biscuits” are enormous. Like, enormous. They’re a little bit doughy and less flaky than other biscuits on the list, but they come with every breakfast entree. So if your banana walnut french toast doesn’t provide enough carbohydrates, you’ve got a major biscuit to fall back on.

5. Penny Ann’s Cafe,
1810 S. Main St., SLC, 801-935-4760; 280 E. 12300 South, Draper, 801-662-0009; 1856 5400 South, Draper, 801-613-9702

Penny Ann’s Cafe, Lehi, UT

Most famous for their “heavenly hotcakes,” Penny Ann’s makes a mean biscuit too. Like many biscuits, this one is hidden on the menu under sausage gravy, but you can get a single biscuit and slather it with butter if you prefer. Like I said, I do.

 

6. Pig & A Jelly Jar,
401 E. 900 South, SLC, 385-202-7366; 227 25th St., Ogden, 801-605-8400; 1968 E. Murray Holladay Rd., Holladay, 385-695-5148

Pig & A Jelly Jar, Salt Lake City

Biscuits play a supporting role in this Southern-tinged cafe—dig through the spare rib, eggs, beans and kale or the smoked ham, tomatoes and eggs or the double-battered fried chicken and you’ll find a biscuit. Or you can have them with the inevitable Southern gravy.

 

7. Tupelo,
508 Main St.,
Park City,  435-615-7700

Tupelo, Park City

I have been at a dinner where guests literally fought for these biscuits. Granted, it was a fingertip fight, polite, but there was a primal intent to snag the last of these buttermilk beauties (generally, NOT served with sausage gravy but as the side bread with honey butter).

 

 

 

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Jan 03
Love0

The Nutcracker Returned

By Arts & Culture

The 14th of December, William Christensen’s The Nutcracker returned to Salt Lake City after a weeklong engagement at the Kennedy Opera Center in Washington, D.C. There were glowing reviews of Ballet West’s performance of this historic classic in the nation’s capital. Broadway world gushed: “Ballet West’s production of The Nutcracker is pure holiday joy for the whole family. The fact that this version carries historical significance makes the audience all the luckier.”

And no less than the Washington Post’s Dance critic wrote: “Is it just me, or does optimism feel like a coveted luxury item this year? More difficult to come by than a Diorissimo bag, more spiritually sustaining than a Godiva chocolate gift tower. And yet, here comes “The Nutcracker,” an especially pretty one, performed by Salt Lake City’s Ballet West, and it’s all sunlight and warmth. Even though it begins with snow.”

I attended the performance of The Nutcracker on Dec. 14. There was a buzz of excitement among the attendees of opening night of The Nutcracker. The second year around for the new stage sets, costumes and additions to the choreography that were a welcome addition to the historical legacy that was left by “Mr. C.” still seemed new and exciting. There are some fun “magical” additions that delighted all especially the row of darling little girls in front of us. It was so sweet to hear their comments. It was like seeing the performance with whole new set of eyes; it made me very excited to bring my granddaughter when she is old enough to see this beautiful Holiday tradition.

The dancers were outstanding as always, however the highlights for me were Emily Adams and Adrian Fry as the Snow Queen and King there were spectacular lifts and the music is extremely fast for a waltz and the artists of Ballet West are moving quickly through the whole number. I have always loved this part of the ballet. So beautiful and helps me remember that winter does have its beauty too.

The Spanish dancers were exceptional this year; Hadriel Diniz was a standout to me along with Katie Critchlow and Chelsea Keefer. Katlyn Addison was mysterious and beautiful as the Arabian Dancer. Of course the Russian Dance is a crowd pleaser always with the powerful and athletic moves of the dance.

With Christopher Sellars as the lead dancer. Mother Buffoon is always a delight with her little dancers under her huge hooped skirt.  I was a bit disappointed that Beau Pearson didn’t perform the roll of Mother Buffoon as the program stated, as he is so funny and plays the part so well, but Trevor Naumann did a good job and got several laughs and giggles along with his little bee dancers.

The outstanding point in the night was the Grand Pas de Deux with Beckanne Sisk and Chase O’Connell as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Beckanne dances the difficult choreography with lightness, ease and charm. Chase is a careful and watchful partner to Beckanne and has his great moments in the male dancer’s solo areas in the Pas de Deux. The audience was spellbound. The Ballet West Orchestra conducted by Jared Oaks really does a wonderful job with the music of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and I listen to other versions of this music during the season it really doesn’t compare to what is performed with the Ballet West Company.

The evening ended with many curtain calls, the audience appreciated the festive production. Ballet West performed The Nutcracker from Dec. 14-29 and delighted many in attendance through these two weeks at the Capitol Theatre.

See all of our dance coverage here.