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May 26
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Review: Sleepwalkers at Red Butte Garden

By 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 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.

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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 26
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Utah Olympic Park Summer Adventures

By Adventures, Outdoors

The snow has melted, and it’s time to take advantage of the sunshine. Utah Olympic Park has adventure activities for everyone, from the reluctant outdoor explorer to the hard-core adrenaline junkie. The park opens up for summer activities on Memorial Day weekend, and the activities will run through October.

Channel your inner Olympian by zooming around on a Comet Bobsled ride. Climb a rock wall with a swimming pool as your safety net. Test your high-altitude finesse on three adventure ropes courses of varying difficulties. Take in a mountain view on the Alpine Slide, a coaster specifically designed to be smooth, comfortable and fun.

A visit to Utah Olympic Park wouldn’t be complete without a rush on the ziplines. Step off the 65-foot high Drop Tower, try the Extreme Zipline, or ease into your adventure with the tamer Freestyle Zipline.

One of the park’s newest and most popular attractions is Extreme Tubing on the ski jumps. If you’ve ever looked at the steep grassy hills where Olympic skiers train and thought, “I want to tube down that,” this thrill is for you.

If keeping your feet firmly on the ground sounds more appealing, check out the Alf Engen Ski Museum and the Eccles 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Museum that offer free admission. After all, Utahns get bragging rights for the best snow on Earth and a killer Winter Olympics, so why not learn some history to back up those claims?

The Drop Tower zipline

The Drop Tower zipline

The Utah Olympic Park summer adventure activities are open from May 27-October 5. Guests can purchase tickets for individual attractions or a seasonal Gold Pass. Click here for ticket purchases and more information.

May 25
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Lantern Fest returns to Salt Lake

By 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 23
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Everything Food Conference creates food blogger haven

By Eat & Drink

Over 200 food bloggers, social media strategists and brand ambassadors gathered at The Gateway in Salt Lake City for the first ever Everything Food Conference over the weekend.

Between presentations, conference guests could wander the sponsor booths, picking up free food samples and networking with presenters and other food bloggers.

Stacey Bryant, founder and creator of the drink blog TastyBev, flew in from Las Vegas to attend the conference.

“I’m really impressed at the quality of the presentations at this conference,” Bryant said. “It’s been an incredible networking opportunity and a fun way to learn how to improve my blog.”

This conference was primarily for food bloggers, so the food was top notch, and it was everywhere. Waffle Love, Kneader’s and Chick-Fil-A catered the main meals for conference attendees. Sponsor booths such as Smith’s, Filipo Berio Olive Oil, Blendtec, Cuisine Unlimited, Julie Ann Caramels and Lick’d Popsicles offered tasty samples for guests.

The conference included some of today’s best food bloggers and social media experts.

Phil Pallen, a Los Angeles based brand strategist whose celebrity clients have been featured on Dancing with the Stars, American Idol and Shark Tank, spoke about how food bloggers could create a strong brand identity. Pallen has a podcast called No Philter, and he recently published a book about Twitter strategies called Shut Up & Tweet.

“You’ve got to be a rockstar on three social media platforms,” Pallen said. “Give those platforms purpose, because you’ve usually got three seconds to make a first impression.”

Camille Beckstrand, co-founder of Six Sisters’ Stuff, spoke about social media strategies for a food blog. Beckstrand also taught how to use Pinterest to drive traffic to a food blog. The Six Sisters’ Stuff Pinterest account has almost 600,000 followers.

“Bloggers are small business owners,” Beckstrand said. “When bloggers start to view their blog as a business, they will start seeing tangible success.”

Amanda Rettke, the blogger behind I Am Baker, discussed how to make Facebook relevant for a food blog. Rettke has over a million followers on her Facebook page. She talked about the new Facebook Live video feature, and how to engage blog readers with this technology.

Lindsay Ostrom, founder of the blog Pinch Of Yum, presented 10 tips on how to shoot expert food photographs. Ostrom has freelanced as a photographer for Bon Appetit and gives workshops in her Minneapolis studio on food photography and food styling.

“I’m here to show you how I transitioned from an average camera owner to a food photographer,” Ostrom said.“But remember, it’s still all about the food.”

Other notable speakers at the Everything Food Conference included Maria Lichty of “Two Peas and their Pod,” Sally McKenney of “Sally’s Baking Addiction,” and Pat Flynn of SmartPassiveIncome.com.

The weekend ended in true foodie fashion with a cupcake battle hosted by Cupcake Wars’ Justin Willman and judged by Sweet Tooth Fairy Bakery founder Megan Faulkner Brown.

To find out how to register for next year’s Everything Food Conference, click here, or visit the Everything Food Conference Facebook or Instagram pages.

May 20
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There’s a Dupe for Everything: Foundations

By Lifestyle
Foundations can be expensive. Especially good ones. Typically this is one item that I am willing to splurge on because I consider foundation to be part of my skin care routine. You want a good foundation because it’s the makeup closest to your skin. You know, the “foundation.”

The thing is, however, is that there are several fantastic foundations at the drug store. I found a dupe list on Pinterest and in the ultimate sacrifice have spent the last eight weeks trying them out. These are some of my favorites.

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1. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk ($62) / L’oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup

Probably one of the most hyped-up foundations of all time is the Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk.  It’s $62 hyped up dollars. That’s alotta scratch. But, L’oreal is a perfect dupe–and dare I say I like it better.

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2. Estee Lauder Double Wear  Stay in Place Makeup ($38.00) / Revlon Colorstay Makeup for combo/oily skin ($9.49)

Double wear has more color spectrum to choose from but, consistency and wearability are nearly identical.

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3. NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation ($48) / L’oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation ($11.99)

 I actually prefer the L’oreal foundation. My skin is oily, so “luminous” is not really a quality that looks great on my skin. This gives a dewy look without all the “dew”.

maybelline

4. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation ($27) / Maybelline Fit Me! Matte and Poreless ($5.99)

Another one I prefer over the original. And it’s ummmm six bucks!

  loreal-true-match-lumi-cushion-foundation

5. L’ancome Miracle Cushion Liquid Cushion Compact ($47) / L’oreal Paris True Match Lumi Cushion ($16.99)

The last one is a great dupe for a newer concept. The “cushion”. These are meant to be a more natural coverage and are fantastic if you are late for work because you’ve laid in bed watching Tivo’d Judge Judy all morning. #notjustmeihope

I hope these give you some great alternatives but, just in case don’t forget to save your receipts.

-Jenn Johnson

May 18
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Tips for Tastemakers

By Adventures, City Watch, Eat & Drink

Tastemakers is a two-night dining event that showcases the best of Utah’s food and wine. This year’s event is on Thursday, June 2 and Friday, June 3 from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. each night at the Gallivan Center. Tickets are only $30 for a general tasting pass and $85 for VIP access, which includes exclusive tasting and five drinks.

Here’s some tips from the Salt Lake Magazine staff on how to get the most out of Tastemakers:

Take your time:

Guests can sample dishes from 25+ restaurants. That’s a lot of food that you don’t want to miss out on. Make sure you allot plenty of time on both nights to really enjoy your experience.

Hitch a ride:

Tastemakers provides a variety of ways to get around. Take a Greenbike, a bike taxi, or catch an Uber ride after a few drinks.

Get out of a rut:

The Stroll Restaurants at Tastemakers are the perfect excuse to break out of the age-old culinary question of “Where should we eat tonight?” These tastings allow Tastemakers guests to visit downtown restaurants and get acquainted with each place’s menu and atmosphere. Enjoy the Stroll and add some downtown restaurants to your dining choices.

Use the buddy system:

Tastemakers is the perfect event for groups of friends or a unique date. Grab your BFFs or your significant other to get a taste of Utah’s best food and drink. At only $30, the Tastemakers general ticket price is a steal to have a two-day premier culinary experience with friends and dates.

For more information about Tastemakers, and to purchase tickets, click here.

May 18
Love0

Summer Holiday Health

By Lifestyle

With Memorial Day just around the corner and the upcoming summer BBQs and vacations inching closer and closer, many of us are thinking about all the time for lounging, eating amazing meals, sharing drinks with friends, and the array of beautiful desserts that will vanish off our plate.

The holidays and vacations are meant for enjoying family and friends, as well as catching up on some rest and relaxation. These times are special and should be cherished. A break from your regular exercise and diet can bring a revitalized feeling back into your routine as long as you can keep stress at bay and your wits about you. Planning ahead can help ease the stress and keep your goals within reach.

Many of us spend Memorial Day weekend going to the beach, camping, BBQing and participating in other outdoor adventures.  Whether you are heading out of town or staying close to home, make it a goal to spend some active time outdoors and plan for good healthy BBQs to kick off an energetic summer season.

The closer you stay to your goal on a daily basis the easier it is to get back on track after you take a celebratory break from your usual diet and exercise routine.

Healthy meals in the summer are easy to obtain! Good quality chicken, fish and beef taste great brushed with olive oil, salted, peppered and grilled. Load your plate with grilled peppers, zucchini, asparagus and salad. Pack a picnic with fresh veggies, fruits, salads, nuts and lots of water. Definitely celebrate and eat some potato chips, potato salad and desserts, but try to fill up on the healthy items first.

Go outside and get your heart pumping! Set off on a cool mountain mid-day hike or sunset hike with an energy-packed lunch or dinner. Bike and run with friends or plan to play a sport together. Meet at the swimming pool or reservoir and get your body in motion. Sunbathing does not count as an active sport. Make sure to take those important moments to rest and relax.

And remember that the downtimes always feel better after times of exertion.

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May 16
Love0

Capturing the Canyons: Artists in the National Parks

By Arts & Culture
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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.

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 20th. 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 Music

The 2nd 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 2nd 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 25th 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 25th 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.