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Dec 13
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Lower Lights at Kingsbury Hall

Review: The Lower Lights at Kingsbury

By Music

What needs saying first: when you witness the Lower Lights, you experience more than a band. The group opened their three-night stand on Dec. 11, 2024, at Kingsbury Hall on the University of Utah campus. There are two more shows on Dec. 13 and 14. 

Sure, these 16-17 rotating musicians have shared their lauded Christmas shows with this valley and its growing fan base for at least 15 years, and that’s plenty of time to experiment, sand rough edges, and make the good better. But understand these are also friends who’ve written music before (and during) that period. They’ve played on one another’s albums, dreamed up their own, and had tours with their names in real or proverbial lights.

However, when they join arms as this entity, the results are wholly different. Maybe that’s a given. They create moments of magic they’d not be able to make on their own, at least not entirely.  

Sharing nearly two-and-a-half hours with the Lower Lights means tapping into one of the greatest collections of Christmas and gospel music that’s likely ever been pieced together. And it’s hardly a rehash of tired carols. Nothing pedestrian is allowed in this space. 

Instead, you hear what friendship and deep care and empathy sound like when swirled together. A version of “Silver Bells” may not come out exactly as planned, and those who feel their way through it will tell jokes about what did and didn’t happen, but it’s hard to mind that much as a member of the audience. Perfection wasn’t promised, and it was hardly sought. In its place, you receive warmth. The roaring campfire you didn’t know you needed showed up at the right time.

And when that happens, you’re allowed to shake your head in disbelief and maybe chuckle at how great these Lights are when the spotlight is shown on all instead of one. 

The Lower Lights isn’t a “nice to have” for Salt Lake City. It feels necessary. When Dominic Moore and Paul Jacobson duet on Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” for example, it helps soften a divisive feeling still lingering on an election year. Also needed: Kiki Jane Sieger’s soulful turn on “Pretty Paper,” a sultry take on “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” and banjos and mandolins and three-part harmonies sweet enough to scare out surprise tears.

This feels like a spoiler alert, but it’s not. All of this happened, and those who gathered were grateful. Once invited by Sarah Sample to dance along, we stood and participated immediately. We danced along in balconies and aisles (with and without kids in arms), and even in place when that notion struck. The thing was, it struck often. With a massive stage as filled as it was with talent, we wanted to join. We wanted to react. Joy begets joy, after all.  
The great part about reading these strung-together thoughts (and hopefully on Thursday, when they’re still fresh out of the gate), is that the Lower Lights are set to join forces twice more, on Friday and Saturday. This puts me in a precarious and incredible position. Should these words have any sway, please know buying any available ticket to either show will be a heralded decision on your part, an early Dec. 25 gift you get to give yourself.

Dec 12
Love0
Long Eared Owl peaking through a tree_SLM ND24_ Andrew_AdobeStock 710018968

Northern Utah’s Annnual Christmas Bird Count

By Outdoors

On a foggy day in Ogden, Utah, during one of the coldest Decembers on record, Mike Hearell trekked outside to count birds. It wasn’t going well. “It was like four degrees. I think we’d only seen about twelve species by lunch,” recalls Hearell. On a typical Christmas Bird Count in Ogden, they would normally see north of 50 species. At the rate they were going, Hearell thought they would be lucky if they broke 20. “Then, the sun came out,” says Hearell. “And it ended up being the biggest year that we had ever in our section.”

The Ogden Valley CBC has at least one known lek of the Sharp-tailed Grouse, and they have been seen over multiple counts.
Photos BY Johannes/Adobestock, Mike Hearell

They closed out the day having spotted 72 different species of bird. At least four of the species became new additions to the Ogden Christmas Bird Count (CBC) list. “Meaning, that was the first time they were ever seen during the CBC,” he explains. 

Hearell first participated in the CBC in Ogden in 2010 and became the lead of the Ogden Valley CBC when it started up in 2022, but that extremely cold, record-setting CBC stands out. “That was probably my favorite year or most memorable year, I would say, just because of how quickly things can turn around in one day.” It was a Christmas Bird Count miracle. 

One partridge in a Pear Tree…

The Audubon Society dates the first Christmas Bird Count to the year 1900, but its roots go back much further than that. Before counting birds around Christmas, people were far more likely to shoot them as a part of a holiday tradition known as a “side hunt,” in which people would trek outside with their rifles on Christmas Day, take a position and see which “side” could fell the most fowl. Credit for changing the tradition to counting birds, rather than hunting them, goes to ornithologist Frank M. Chapman and a growing conservation movement. 

The Northern Pygmy-owl is one of Hearell’s first “self found” owls early in his birding adventures, and therefore will always occupy a special place when he crosses their path. The winter months are usually the easiest months to stumble upon one.
Photos BY Johannes/Adobestock, Mike Hearell

While the winter tradition evolved into a less lethal event, it still has a competitive element. “I’ll admit, I’m a hunter and I played sports my whole life. I’m a competitive person,” says Hearell, who tracks the birds he spots all year long on platforms like eBird.org. “eBird is what opened my eyes to the actual world of listing—a form of birding. I was seeing the top 100 in my county and these other people seeing more birds than me. That motivated me to get out.”

For the Christmas Bird Count, the rules of the “competition” are simple: count all of the birds both seen and heard within a designated circle with a 7.5-mile radius (15-mile diameter) over the entire day of the count, which must occur sometime between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5. The winner, presumably the one who has the highest count or sees the most bird species, is awarded bragging rights. (Although, friends birding together could probably find a way to make the competition more interesting.)  

The CBC serves a greater purpose as well: providing valuable data to track area bird populations over a long period. “In the early years, it started out as just trying to bring attention to birds from a non-consumptive perspective,” says Hearell, “But the data is actually worth something, showing the trends over the years and the decades.”

The Neotropic Cormorant comes to his mind. “15 years ago, it was a review species for the state, and now it’s not even flagged as rare in most counties, as that bird has kind of worked its way further north every year with climate change,” he says. With more than a hundred years of data, it starts to paint a picture of how changing landscapes and climate affect wildlife
and the environment. 

Two Turtle Doves…

The Christmas Bird Count also serves as an excellent entry point into birding. As the lead of the Ogden Valley count, Hearell divides volunteers into groups and assigns each group a different parcel of the count circle, making sure there is a seasoned birder assigned to each section. “That way, it can be for somebody who’s a first-day-out birder up to the most experienced.” And, it is an opportunity for even the most experienced birder to involve others in something they’re passionate about. “Taking other people out to show them birds gives me a lot of satisfaction,” says Hearell, and counting with a seasoned birder can give a novice a leg-up on other newbies. 

One of the best areas in Utah for viewing the Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch is at
Powder Mountain Ski Resort, which is inside the Ogden Valley CBC.
Photos BY Johannes/Adobestock, Mike Hearell

Scrolling through the profiles and contributions of other users on eBird once motivated him as a then-brand-new birder. “I’m looking at their name on the computer screen, like, ‘I don’t even know who that name is. I’ve never met that person. But I guarantee you I can go out and find more birds than they can.” Then he started to notice one name in particular that kept recurring—“Taylor.” “We were kind of the same age and had a lot of the same interests,” says Hearell. They decided to meet in person and bird together. “And so I had somebody to help push me along and teach me and shorten the curve on my learning for field identification.”

Now, Hearell has traveled all over the world to look at birds…and he isn’t going it alone. “He’s the one I’ve gone around the world with looking at birds. He’s been there with me, or I’m there with him.” 

The love of birds and birding took them most recently to Lima, Peru. Hearell says, “Here are these things that I’ve enjoyed so much that have taken me to multiple places in the world that I probably wouldn’t have gone to had it not been for birds.” 

So, when it comes to participating in counts like the CBC, Hearell says, “I almost feel it’s my chance to give something back to the birds.” Whether it’s providing citizen science data through his contributions to eBird or participating in bird counts, he says, “I just feel like, that’s the very least I could do to pay back for the enjoyment I get from it.”  

The first Christmas Bird Count comes to Utah

The first recorded Christmas Bird Count (CBC) happened in 1900 on Christmas Day, with 27 birders taking part in the count in 25 different places throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1903, Utah hosted its first CBC in Provo. Now, Annual Christmas Bird Counts are held all over Utah and are free to participate. Information on all of the counts is available at utahbirds.org and your local Audubon Society. The Wasatch Audubon runs the Ogden Valley, Bear River, Antelope Island, Ogden and Morgan Christmas Bird Counts (CBC). Find out more at wasatchaudubon.org.

Dec 12
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Male + Female Carrying Christmas Tree_SLM ND24_pikselstock_AdobeStock 186703562

How to Cut Down your Own Christmas Tree in Utah

By Outdoors

In rural Northern Michigan where I grew Up, walking out into the “woods” to cut down a Christmas tree was a holiday tradition as essential as sipping eggnog and eating too many sugar cookies. Now, after calling Utah home for the past two decades, I’ve learned that cutting your Christmas tree is a tradition many families enjoy here, too. And it’s easy to see why. Fresh-cut trees are much less expensive and, if cared for properly, last much longer than pre-cut trees, which are typically harvested weeks before arriving on the Christmas tree lot. And, when you cut your own tree from a cluster, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends, the trees left behind grow larger and more robust, creating a healthier forest.

All that said, walking around in the Utah “woods,” AKA backcountry, in search of the perfect Tannenbaum is not only more adventurous than the backyard tree-cutting sojourns of my youth but also requires more preparation and forethought. Here’s what you need to know before going on the hunt for the perfect yule-time tree.

Don’t forget the rope to tie the tree to your car.
Photos by Kristina Blokhin /AdobeStock,

No. 1:  Get a permit

Both the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (USFS) and the Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issue Christmas tree-cutting permits beginning in late October or early November. The specific districts where the USFS will issue Christmas tree-cutting will be announced in October. And it’s the early bird who gets the worm: last year, USFS Christmas tree-cutting permits sold out on recreation.gov within an hour of being released. Call the USFS regional office at (801) 999-2103 in mid-October to find out when online sales will go live this win-person permit sales. The BLM, which covers most of the rest of the state’s public lands, does not limit Christmas tree-cutting permits, which can be purchased at
forestproducts.blm.gov.

No. 2:  Know where, how and what kind of tree you can cut 

In past seasons, the USFS lands where Christmas tree cutting is allowed have been within the Heber-Kamas, Evanston-Mountain View, Logan, Ogden and Salt Lake Ranger Districts. As you might guess, all the canyons along the Wasatch Front—including the Cottonwoods, Millcreek, City Creek, etc.—are off-limits, as are all of the state’s designated Wilderness areas. The size and species of trees you can cut are specific as well—check your permit for details. In all cases, do not cut a tree that’s within 200 feet of a camping area or stream; make your cut on the trunk between six and eight inches above the ground, digging out snow from the base if necessary; never remove just the top of a tree; and scatter any extra branches that may have broken off during cutting around the stump. More info at fs.usda.gov.

No. 3:  Don’t forget to bring

A tape measure. Invariably, the tree that looks to be the perfect size when it’s out in the wild will turn out to be too tall for your living room. (Remember the dad in A Christmas Story?) Measure the space where you plan to place the tree, considering the stand height, and then take the tape measure with you into the field. Other tools to bring include a handsaw, like a bow saw, which will make a more accurate cut than a chainsaw; gloves, to protect your hands from slivers and sap, both while cutting and carrying your tree out;a broken down cardboard box, to place on the ground to protect your knees while you kneel to cut down the tree; a tarp, to drag the tree out on and to cover your car with during transport; and a rope, to secure the tree to your car.

No. 4:  And these things, too

Santa at Adam’s Acres Tree Farm located in Petersboro, Utah.
Photo courtesy of Adam’s Acres Tree Farm

Warm and waterproof boots and gloves, snowshoes, and a shovel to dig your vehicle out in case you get stuck in the snow. Last November, a family from Grantsville experienced the spirit of Christmas firsthand when a passerby helped dig out their truck after it had been stuck for hours during a Christmas tree-cutting expedition in the Stansbury Mountains. 

There are, of course, other options for cutting your own Christmas tree in Utah that don’t involve permits or venturing into the backcountry. You can choose and cut your own Colorado spruce, Doug fir, Austrian pine or white fir tree at Meldrum Christmas Tree Farm in Layton (2073 W. Gentile Street, utahchristmastreefarm.com), open from early November while the trees last. Or sign up to cut your own Christmas tree over Thanksgiving weekend at the Logan-area Adam’s Acres Tree Farm (77 W. Highway 30, Petersboro). Watch for a signup link on the farm’s Facebook page in early November. Other events at the farm over the weekend include visits from Santa, snowball fights, complimentary hot chocolate, campfires and a holiday gift shop.  

Dec 11
Love0
Sarah Sample and the Lower Lights

Interview: Sarah Sample (Feat. The Lower Lights)

By Music

The Lower Lights are coming. If you’re brand new to the Beehive State, you’re forgiven for not knowing about the huge local band conglomerate that’s steadily grown into a holiday tradition around these parts. You have no excuse if you’ve been here a while. The Lower Lights have been singing and dancing and carol rearranging for the masses for about 15 years now. It’s reached a point where they can’t do it all in one night (with three shows available, you may choose your own adventure). They will sling the holiday magic Dec. 11, 13 and 14, 2024 at Kingsbury Hall.

We caught up with Sarah Sample at her home in Wyoming this week, where she lives in a small cowboy town near the Bighorn Mountains, a space with a lot of wild edges to it. “Drive 10 miles in any direction and you’re still on a dirt road,” she says. While she loves where she’s planted roots with her family, coming back to Salt Lake for this string of shows is never a burden.

It’s a chance for her to reconnect with her musician family and those related by blood, as her mom and sisters still live in the area. 

“Whether it’s 50 or 200 people, I think a smaller crowd size is something most of us were used to,” she says. “To have the demand of a Christmas concert grow to the point where we’re playing multiple nights to 2000+ people at Kingsbury Hall is the coolest. It’s a joy I do not take for granted.”

Doing these shows for as long as she has with some friends she’s known for over 20 years has created a palpable sense of comfort. There’s no jockeying, no hogging the spotlight. In the early years, it was a process of trying to find where you fit in the band of 18-20 musicians on any given night. But everyone has settled into their spaces, and beautifully so.

“I’ve learned my role,” she says. “I love to dance and be in my body. That’s bringing something to the show only I can bring, because I will be the crazy mom who is going to dance, whether my teenager wants me to or not.”

Sometimes it even spawns impulsive copycats, as she once spotted a father and his young daughter in the back of the theater, dancing along to the band’s three-part vocal harmony version of “White Christmas.” That’s a reaction she lives for and hopes to see more of.

But the performances do come with a lot of layers. They are more than singing and dancing. 

“One part of the Lower Lights I really love is the consistency of relationships through change,” she says, reflecting. 

“You know, we all have aged and changed, and our lives and religious standings are different. We’ve had children, we’ve been married, we’ve been divorced, and still, it’s a collective of musicians who care about one another, who show up and basically say, ‘Come as you are. We would love to have you as part of this group.’ And what I hope is that people in the audience feel that same invitation, to come as they are. Whether they’re heartbroken or really excited for the season, we will take them as they come and hope they feel something when they’re at our shows, that they’re welcome to be there regardless of what their lives look like.”

“Hopefully that makes people more comfortable. Our concerts are not perfect. It’s not like we never miss a note … it just doesn’t matter if we do. You’ll still have a great show.”

You heard it here first. Some promises, you can’t help but 100% believe in.

Read more: Christmas Music Revival: The Lower Lights

Dec 10
Love0
Christmas dining Utah

Christmas and New Year’s Eve Dining in Utah 2024

By Eat & Drink

The presents are en route, hidden, or wrapped, and all that’s left on the agenda is that dreaded Christmas dinner. Instead of adding cooking and cleanup to your holiday to-do list, we’ve curated a list of eateries willing to do all the hard work for you. Plus you’ll be supporting incredible local restaurants who need all the love they can get this holiday. So sit back, relax, and let somebody else do the cooking this Christmas season. Check out our top picks for Christmas dining in Utah:

Salt Lake City and The Wasatch Front

Arlo
Hosting a Christmas Eve feast has never been easier with Arlo’s new holiday meal kits. Each kit serves four to six people and is complete with amazing sides, cocktail mixes and more—just add your own main protein! Orders can be placed here. 

The Aerie
Snowbird is hosting two special dinners at The Aerie on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. While the menu’s are still pending, you can be sure to enjoy a unique winter evening of flavor and fun. Stay afterward for a firework show and balloon drop. 

Bambara
Enjoy a relaxing Christmas Day brunch with Bambara. The restaurant’s new Chef JV has curated a lovely menu with standouts like a seafood display, Duck Confit Croquettes, Intermountain Mushroom Risotto and more. Select reservation times available, $100 per person. Make your reservation here. 

La Caille
Every Sunday, La Caille hosts a special Santa Brunch with menu highlights like Berry Lemon Curd Pancakes, Ham & Gruyere Cheese Omelet, Filet Benedict and more. Make your reservations online, here. 

Cucina Wine Bar
Cucina is reprising their New Year’s Eve wine dinner this year, with just 30 seats available. Ring in the New Year with a six-course gourmet dinner and exquisite wine pairings. $200 per person on Dec. 31st, 6 p.m. Reserve your seat here.

Current Fish & Oyster
Ring in the New Year with a seafood feast at Current. For $95 diners can enjoy delicious earth and sea items like Mahi Maji, Filet Mignon, Crab Cakes and Caviar. Make your reservations here. 

Francks Restaurant
French restaurant Franck’s is hosting two special holiday dinners this season on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. On Christmas Eve, diners will enjoy a delectable five-course feast with items like Yorkshire Pudding, Wagyu Beef Cheek, Carmelized Grouper and more. Join the restaurant on Dec. 31st for another upscale course dinner with seven courses and an optional wine pairing. View the whole menu and make your reservations here. 

Harmon’s
Take the stress out of cooking with heat-and-serve dishes from Harmon’s. Options include Deluxe Ham Dinner, Plant-Based Holiday Meal, Green Chile Porki Tamale Meal and more. A La Carte items available, find them all here.

Laurel Brasserie & Bar
Enjoy a tried-and-true Christmas Buffet at the Grand America’s Laurel Brasserie & Bar. The restaurant is offering its festive feast on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Reservations are required, make yours here.

Little America
Little America’s Christmas brunch is back this year for both Xmas eve and day. Seating is available on a first-come-first-serve basis at their Lucky H Buffet and The Coffee Shop. 

Mar|Muntanya
The Spanish Basque-inspired restaurant inside the sleek Hyatt Regency hotel welcomes diners to a holiday brunch of bites and bubbles.  Enjoy hearty Spanish tapas along with brunch faves inside their cozy outdoor Alpen Globes. Reservations available on Tock.

Salt Republic
Enjoy a decadent Christmas Day brunch buffet at The Salt Republic with items like Pumpkin Brulee Cake, Slow-Roasted Ribeye and Applewood Smoked Ham. $75 for adults, children 12 and under eat for $37. Afterward, head up to the Hyatt’s balcony for photos with Santa and other holiday vignettes. Reservations available on tock.

Tuscany Restaurant
Christmas Eve reservations at Tuscany are now available! For one-night only the restaurant will be serving a special holiday menu featuring Wagyu Short Rib, Grilled Australian Lamb Chob, Pan Seared Nantucket Scallop and more. $100 per seat. Click here to make reservations. 

Urban Hill
Ring in the New Year with Chef Nick Zocco’s curated four-course menu for $139 per guest. Menu highlights include Bourbon Glazed Texas Qual, Day Boat Scallops, Spanish Blue Fin Tuna, Black Truffle Risotto and more. View the entire menu, and make reservations, here. 

Park City and the Wasatch Back

The Goldener Hirsch Inn
 Gather with loved ones on New Year’s Eve \ at Goldener Hirsch, where a five-course prix fixe holiday menu has been curated by the award-winning culinary team. $195 per person, reservations available on OpenTable. The restaurant is also hosting a special brunch on New Year’s Day featuring savory house-made pastries, a mimosa bar and plenty of spirited toasting.

Grub Steak
Grub Steak’s New Years Eve dinner includes a Beef Wellington, Creamed Spinach, Chocolate Lava Cake and more. $89.75 per person, for reservations call 435-649-8060. 

Homestead Resort
Midway’s Homestead Resort is hosting three holiday dining events on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s. Their NYE dinner features a unique menu at Simon’s restaurant with a special menu, live music and a countdown to midnight. 

Hill’s Kitchen
Make a feast for eight in as little as an hour with Hill’s Kitchen’s heat-and-serve feasts. For $345 you’ll receive Niman Ranch Rib Roast, Fennel & Herb Crusted Salmon, Winter Squash, Alpine Swiss & Gruyere Potato Au Gratin and more. . Additional sides available for purchase. Pickup Dec. 24th. Place your order here.

Hyatt Centric Park City
Hyatt is hosting 12 Days of Centric with festive holiday activities and delicious meals. Check out their Christmas eve Prix-Fixe dinner, or Christmas Buffet for an unforgettable dining experience. Full menus and reservations here. 

The Mariposa at Deer Valley
Enjoy a four-course New Years Eve Dinner at Deer Valley’s The Mariposa. The upscale steakhouse will also offer a Laurent Perrier Champagne pairing. $90 per person, make your reservation here. 

Montage Deer Valley
The Montage is hosting four unique holiday specials this season, including a Christmas Buffet with live music, and a NYE dinner with a four-course menu. Find all menus here. 

Pendry Park City
Hosted at Pendry’s KITA restaurant and Apres Pendry, guests can enjoy an array of holiday celebrations from a NYE party to a NYE dinner at KITA. Menus and reservations are available here. 

Purple Sage
Western American bistro Purple Sage invites you to join their New Year’s Eve celebration with a coursed meal, featuring items like Chicken Tamale Pancakes, Braised Buffalo Short Rib, Butternut Squash Ravioli and House-made Butterscotch Pudding. $145 per person. Reservations available here. 

Riverhorse on Main
 Ring in 2025 with a 5-course plated dinner, live music, and champagne toast at midnight at Riverhorse on Main’s annual New Year’s Eve bash. Extremely limited seating begins at 7 p.m., reservations available via email at events@riverhorseparkcity.com

Windy Ridge Bakery
Order signature holiday sides and desserts, or a complete holiday dinner! Favorites include scalloped potatoes, whipped sweet potato, dinner rolls and sauteed green beans. Don’t forget a signature Mile High Apple Pie from Windy Ridge Bakery, a Christmas staple, available for pick-up before Christmas Day. To order, click here. Orders close on 12/16 at 5 p.m.

350 Main
Indulge in a 4-course dinner on New Year’s Eve starting with Hamachi Crudo, Crispy Cauliflower and Pork Belly. Mains include options of Charred Elk Chops, Muscovy Duck Breast or Creole Seared Scallops. $150 per person, reservations available here.

Are you hosting a holiday gathering this season? Find top hosting tips and tricks from local experts here!

Dec 10
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Linda Mugleston - PTC Souvenier - BW Productions

Preview: Pioneer Theatre’s ‘Souvenir’

By Theater

If you’ve ever belted out a song in the shower like you were singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl—despite being unable to carry a tune—then Florence Foster Jenkins might just be your spirit animal. Stephen Temperley’s Souvenir is a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming, and downright bizarre journey into the world of Florence, a wealthy New York socialite with more passion for opera than actual talent. Her determined belief that she was a star soprano, even though she couldn’t hold a note, turned her into one of the biggest celebrities of the 1900s.

This story is narrated by her accompanist, Cosmé McMoon, Souvenir isn’t just a biographical play—it’s a reflection of those who have followed their passions despite what others think. McMoon acts as both guide and foil to Jenkins, offering biting commentary, reluctant admiration, and plenty of musical prowess as he recalls the years he spent helping her chase a dream as outsized as her personality. This relationship demonstrates the complexity of the situation the show surrounds. 

This continues to build until the climactic moment when Jenkins, entirely unmoved by critics, performs at Carnegie Hall in 1944. The result? A performance is so hilariously off-key yet so earnestly heartfelt that it sold out instantly; Leaving audiences completely inspired or roaring with laughter.

What makes Souvenir truly sing—figuratively, of course—is its ability to make us cheer for Jenkins despite her lack of talent. Her charm lies in her sheer grit, the kind of unwavering confidence that turns a dreamer into a legend. While you may find yourself crying with laughter as Florence hits every wrong note imaginable, you might also find that her self-confidence is rather striking. After all, in a world full of critics, Souvenir reminds us that sometimes the most remarkable thing you can do is simply keep singing your song—even if the notes are uniquely your own.

Originally premiering in 2004, Souvenir dazzled audiences with its mix of humor, heart, and opera gone hilariously wrong. It hit Broadway in 2005, where Judy Kaye’s performance as Jenkins earned her a Tony nomination and cemented the play’s reputation as a quirky theatrical gem. 

Whether you’re an opera aficionado or someone who only sings with the radio turned way up, Souvenir will strike a chord. It’s a reminder that sometimes life isn’t about hitting the right notes—it’s about making some noise and owning it. Come for the comedy, stay for the inspiration, and leave humming (and laughing) all the way home. 

Dec 09
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Family Celebrating Christmas_SLM ND24_Konstantin Yuganov_AdobeStock_469229108

Tips for Hosting a Family-Friendly Holiday Party with Jenny Foth

By Lifestyle

Put the ‘fun’ back in the ‘family fun’

Jenny Foth has worked as the catering manager, event-coordinator and general culinary magic-maker in some of Salt Lake City’s biggest restaurants. You could call her a “jill of all trades.” But she is also the friend who hosts the neighborhood backyard barbecues in the summer, throws showers during wedding season and is the go-to for impromptu friends’ get-togethers. Not only that, as a mom, she hosts a family-friendly holiday party that include both kids and adults. And she does it with grace and a sense of adventure.

Here are her tips for hosting a successful holiday party that involves the whole family (without driving herself crazy).

family-friendly holiday party
Photo courtesy of Jenny Foth

Be Realistic

Figure out just how much time and budget you have. It’s important to prioritize and easy, fun experience over perfection. Even a party on a smaller budget can still be impressive and enjoyable, especially with kids. “When I was less experienced, I was trying too hard. It would stress me out, and it was no longer fun.” Jenny says. “And so I’ve gotten good at asking those questions. ‘Realistically, how much time do I have?’ Yes, I want to prep, but do I have time to prep for hours to throw a party? ‘What can we do on a smaller budget that’s just as fun and just as impressive?”

Offer simple, crowd-pleasing foods

Use a variety of easy-to-make foods that appeal to kids and adults. It’s okay to mix pre-made food or purchased foods with a couple of showstoppers you make at home. For an all-ages party, avoid getting too fancy and focus on hearty, fun meals for everyone. Jenny loves setting up a “build your station.” These can be as simple as a taco bar with a few meats and a variety of toppings and salsas or a soup station with two-three soups in crockpots. When planning the menu, Jenny says, “Kids and adults like cheese, we like chips, and we like things we can do with our hands.”

Create kid-friendly spaces

Chaos happens when kids are involved. So anticipate and manage the chaos by reserving kid-friendly zones. Keep the activities simple and self-sufficient so kids can enjoy themselves with less hands-on time for the adults. It is even better if there is a draw for them to keep them absorbed. “I have a basement with no breakables,” Jenny explains, “So when I host parties with kids, I’ll blow up 40 balloons and throw them downstairs. You’d be surprised how much fun a room full of balloons can create. The chaos and noise are expected, but it’s all part of the fun.”

Add a kids-only food station with finger food that isn’t too messy. Think chicken tenders or taquitos, and they will stay entertained for hours.

Put the kids to work

Get your kids involved in party planning and setup. It gives them a sense of ownership in the event and turns them into instant mini-hosts for all the kids showing up. “If I get the kids involved in their particular activity, they take ownership of it,” Jenny says. “I’ll even get their ideas. A lot of the ideas aren’t mine. They come from the kids.”

Separate drink stations

Set up different spots for adult and kid beverages But be sure to make the kids’ drink station just as fun.

Jenny likes to add fun juices, sodas and fun, kid-friendly creative garnishes like gummy bears so kids can make their own unique drinks.

“I keep the station for adult beverages in one corner,” she adds. “And the kids’ table is in a completely different area. That way, if you see a kid at the adult station you know he’s not supposed to be there. Or use specific type of cup, a kind only found on their table.”

Her biggest tip? Practice makes perfect, but no party with kids is ideal. So just start hosting with your kids and embrace the chaos to enjoy the party.

Dec 07
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Shovels and Rope

Two Don’t-miss December Shows

By Music

Provided you aren’t hitting all three nights of The Lower Lights in the next 7-8 days, here are a couple of shows we’ll gladly add to your radar. It’s not often we get a couple of bands this good this late in the year, so chances are we’re already applauding for that alone.

Why: On the heels of the band’s latest (September’s full-length Something Is Working Up Above My Head), the husband and wife duo of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst return to these parts to give us a lot of incredible harmonies laced with a lot of drums, an thundering and steady beat. And, sure, they were here just last year supporting Gregory Alan Isakov, but it’ll be good to see them for a lot longer, showing off all their newly created songs. Is it too much to wish they end up performing their excellent take on “In My Room,” (the one they did along with Sharon Van Etten, on Busted Jukebox, Vol. 3). It’s okay to start manifesting that reality, yeah? In any case, if you’ve never seen them live, know this: even if you don’t know their music well enough to sing-shout along to, just know you’ll really, really want to. And that’s never a bad way to feel, period.  Tickets and info: Tickets

Portland Cello Project

Why: It’s less important to know who is in this band hailing from you-know-where than it is to view them for what they are and the uniqueness that they bring. To paraphrase their own site real loosely, they create music you’d not expect to hear on multiple cellos in places you’d rarely expect to see them performed. And it means, yes, you’ll hear them take on the likes of (spoiler alert) Elliott Smith and Radiohead and Fleet Foxes and Outkast. And considering they’ve recorded their share of holiday tunes, expect one or more of those. Carols may show up. While I can attest to seeing 14 accordions played live at once, I’ve yet to experience what at least 9-12 traveling cellists sound like tackling “Paranoid Android” together. A real gift, indeed. Tickets and info: Tickets

Dec 04
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Stage setup of Lower Lights with drums and guitars_SLM ND24_Justin Hackworth Photography

Christmas Music Revival: The Lower Lights

By Music

Every holiday season, The Lower Lights brings more than a dozen musicians to the stage to celebrate the spirit of the holidays

Provo producer scott wiley had five free days to jam with friends, so he put out a call to drop by the studio and play music. But not just any music. Inspired by a desire to tap into tradition, Wiley wanted to play hymns. As it turned out, so did a whole lot of other Utah musicians. In those five days, artists spanning genres from alt-country, folk and Americana to indie rock rotated in and out of the studio to pull songs  from old hymn books, pioneer songs, Irish hymns, and gospel and harmonize. 

The Lower Lights comprises artists spanning genres from alt-country to Americana and indie. Photo by Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock

Over 20 musicians successfully recorded what would become their first album, Hymn Revival, under the moniker, The Lower Lights. Next up: Christmas music. Fifteen years and eight albums later, The Lower Lights has become a Utah Christmas institution. 

“We never thought we’d be a band at all, much less become a Christmas band,” says Paul Jacobsen, singer/songwriter and one of 18 active musicians comprising The Lower Lights.

Like all of The Lower Lights collaborators, Jacobsen has a full-time project that keeps him busy: Paul Jacobsen & The Madison Arm. But performing as The Lower Lights has become a Christmas tradition, not just for the musicians who reunite every year to play a few shows—some band members now live out of state and travel back to Utah to participate—but for audiences who have helped the band graduate from smaller venues like Post Theater to Kingsbury Hall. 

“To some degree, we’ve become part of the fabric of people’s holiday traditions,” Jacobsen says. “It’s become this thing that is bigger than all of us.” 

For Jacobsen, uniting with friends in the music scene to bring Christmas music to life through the individual styles of 18 different musicians is a dream come true. One that he hopes to build upon each holiday season as the band continues to add songs to their setlist—each catering to different tastes and beliefs, but always tied to the spirit of the season. Ultimately, it makes for a performance that allows every band member to shine while bringing people together in the way that only music can. 

“It is honestly a dream come true that I get to play on a stage—where I’ve seen so many artists I love—with my friends, and we provide something for people that is meaningful to them. Our Christmas shows are our most successful and well-attended shows because something we do there appeals, I think, to nostalgia and people like to see a real thing happening on stage: a bunch of friends making music.” 

Colin Botts

Darin LeSueur

Debra Fotheringham

Dominic Moore

Dylan Schorer

Megan Nay

Paul Jacobsen

Scott Wiley

Cherie Call

Marie Bradshaw

Aaron Anderson

Brian Hardy

Photography by Natalie Simpson

The Lower Lights lineup 

Principal Singers:

Debra Fotheringham, Dustin Christensen, Dominic Moore, Sarah Sample, Cherie Call, Marie Bradshaw, Kiki Jane Sieger, Paul Jacobsen

Varsity Instrumentalists:

 M. Horton Smith, Dylan Schorer, Ryan Tilby, Colin Botts, Megan Nay, Scott Wiley, Brian, Hardy, Tyler Lambourne

Drummers:

Aaron Anderson, Darin LeSueur

If You Go

The Lower Lights Christmas Concerts
Kingsbury Hall
1395 Presidents’ Circle, SLC
Dec. 11,13, & 14, 2024
thelowerlights.com