Call it spring break for adults. These luxury spas are where highly strung people go to get unstrung. You don't need to stray far from home for a luxurious experience.
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When cold, flu and midwinter January misery hit, I want a big bowl of soup. The hottest, spiciest, brothiest soup I can find. And while Chicken Noodle Soup has its place in the world, I want something to wake up my taste buds and light my sinuses on fire. Here are our top picks for the best alternatives to chicken noodle soup in Salt Lake City that will get you through the winter.
Award-winning for a reason; this is my favorite Ramen shop in Salt Lake City. Their broth is done right—simmered for hours until it is perfectly milky looking and rich. While they don’t deliver, you CAN place an order and send a non-sickie to pick it up.
For maximum heat, go for the Spicy Karai Ramen with tonkotsu broth served with spicy ground pork, a soft-boiled egg, sweet shiitake mushroom, bean sprouts, and spring onion. I always add their Kimchi to the bowl for an extra fermented kick.
Another favorite is the Curry Ramen. Japanese curry is delicious and has an umami that sets it apart. The tonkotsu broth is flavored with Japanese beef curry and topped with a pork cutlet, onsen soft-boiled egg, and bok choy served with wheat noodles. The spice level is milder but lingers. It’ll get the job done!
In the heart of Sugar House, Somi has been one of my go-to’s for years. Their pho is delicious, and the broth is top-notch. Somi offers delivery and pick-up.
I get their Grass-Fed Wagyu Beef Pho. When you are sick, the best thing about pho is that you can doctor it up with jalapenos and sriracha to volcano levels of heat, and the basil adds another level of congestion-clearing fragrance. It goes down easy if you have a sore throat to boot.
Some other options if you want something a bit more hearty is their Lemongrass Beef Noodle Soup with brisket, beef shank, and rice noodles in a tangy, spicy broth with fresh herbs. I also love the Crab Meat Noodle Soup with crab and pork meatballs, shrimp, tofu, and rice noodles in a savory tomato broth. It isn’t really spicy, but it is filling and unique.
I realize that we can’t all be spicy food people. Maybe you want something warm and comforting without the heat—Feldman’s Deli to the rescue with the best beyond-the-basic chicken soup.
The Matzo Ball Chicken Soup is as comforting as they come. The broth is salty and thick; the matzo ball dumplings are just the right size. At $6 a cup, it is worth ordering a bigger portion— some, for now, some for later since it reheats so well (unlike Ramen and Pho).
Thai anything is a solid choice when you are sick. With all the veggies, a good dose of heat, fresh lime juice, and herbs, it comes across as healthy while still showing up as comfort food. They offer both carryout and delivery.
I’m a sucker for Tom Yum Soup. Hot. Sour. Lots of veggies. You can get it with tofu, chicken, or shrimp. I also love the Tom Kha Soup, which is hot and sour, but it also comes with a coconut milk broth for a silky rich flavor. Both will treat you well.
This local butcher shop was a weekly visit for me during the pandemic. Since they are all about tip-to-tail butchery, they also have containers of frozen house-made Bone Broth on hand. You’ll usually find beef or chicken bone broth, pho, and ramen broth. It is worth picking up now to have on hand for when you DO get sick down the road. It is highly sippable.
Rawtopia has both raw foods and a few cooked vegan options for when you want something warming. Their dairy-free Creme of Mushroom Soup is made with well-spiced, pureed cashew, shiitake and miso, topped with wild rice, broccoli and cilantro. And, of course, love—an ingredient in every one of their dishes. It says so on the menu. The result is a delicious and comforting soup.
What do you crave when you have a cold?
In our interview, Grace Potter tells how a decision to move back to her childhood home in Vermont shook up her world and prompted her to embark on three road…
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On Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, Plan-B staged the world premiere of Balthazar, a new play by Debora Threedy that puts a modern twist on Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.
The lights go up and Portia enters the law library of her staid cousin Bellario. The scene is set for a battle of the wills. She implores her cousin to teach her the law, so she can defend Antonio, her paramour, Bassanio’s “friend,” in debtor’s court. The debt, she believed was hers. Bassanio, an impoverished suitor, borrowed the money from Antonio so he could court and marry the noblewoman, Portia.
Bellario (played by Jason Bowcutt, with equal parts gravitas and humor), refuses. Women are barred from practicing law. And he is after all a successful man, a doctor of the law and a practitioner of 16th Century Venetian mores. He also is gay. But Portia (played by the effervescent Lilly Hue Soo Dixon) will not be deterred. Still, he refuses to aid in the charade and emphatically instructs Portia to forget about such deception lest she end up in a convent for wayward women.
Portia returns to his office dressed as Balthazar, a young man. Bellario doesn’t recognize Portia as Balthazar, and proceeds in the game of deception by teaching him the rigors of the law. The two engage in a lively discussion regarding the letter of the law versus the spirit of the law. Through the exchange between the two, Balthazar reinterprets and reimagines the law into a successful defense of Antonio as a debtor-criminal defendant.
Threedy developed the play in Plan-B’s Lab and Script-in-hand Series and the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s Words Cubed, a week-long, intense development process. Derek Livingston, director of New Plays at Utah Shakespeare Festival says, “As a Utah writer, Debora has been fortunate to have Plan-B as a home at which she has developed the play.”
“Plan-B’s focus on women, queer stories, and Utah writers is an important commitment to elevating underrepresented voices,” Livingston says. “That Balthazar manages to have those foci, was developed by two different theaters with very different missions, located at opposite ends of the state, points to how universal Threedy’s work is,” he said.
The combination of Plan-B Theatre, playwright Threedy, and William Shakespeare is a powerful concoction. Threedy doesn’t shy away from creating plays with progressive themes, and Plan-B Theatre, likewise, produces and stages powerful and exploratory productions. In Balthazar, the audience is given a Shakespearean romp with a contemporary twist.
Throughout the play the set is constant, a glimpse into a successful lawyer’s environs. The set design (created by Scenic Designer, Janice Chan) evokes the rigidity of 16th-century tradition. The furniture is heavy, the art is “Titian” as Portia points out, and the image of conservatism reigns. Likewise, the costumes (designed by Aaron Asano Swenson) effectively convey convention.
Once Antonio is released from the debtor’s claims, and Bassanio fulfills the obligations of Portia’s father’s will, Portia and Bassanio marry. The three set up a household, with Portia seamlessly transitioning from Portia to Balthazar to the joy and amusement of Bassanio and Antonio.
“‘Different’ is different from ‘unnatural,’” claims Portia. “I am Her, I am Him.”
As the play ended, the sold-out theater erupted with resounding applause. The 70-minute play captured our imaginations at seeing justice, in every sense, was served.
- What: Balthazar by Debora Threedy
- Where: Plan-B Theater’s studio stage in the Rose Wagner Theatre, 138 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City
- When: Runs through March 3, 2024
- Tickets, showtimes and information at planbtheatre.org
I love citrus season. Bright, sweet citrus is my savior during the peak of the winter season when I need a hit of color as much as the hit of vitamin C. This easy dessert celebrates the citrus season’s pinnacle, using Meyer Lemons to whip up a show-stopper dessert. Need a shortcut? Use store-bought lemon curd, and you’ll have less than 10 minutes of active prep time for a party in a pinch.
Meyer Lemons are a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin, they are magically floral with a sweet and sassy rind and juice that isn’t mouth-puckeringly tart. I like using them to make a Meyer Lemon Curd. Which I, in turn, make into an Italian Semifreddo with thyme. Bliss.
Semifreddo literally means semi-frozen. As the name implies, it is frozen—but only part way and served still soft. I add some fresh thyme and a thyme simple syrup along with the Meyer Lemon Curd to the semifreddo—because the woodsy herb balances out the sweetness. Again, if you don’t have the time to make fresh Meyer Lemon Curd, please feel free to buy a jar store-bought. Your secret is safe with me.
Meyer Lemon Curd
Ingredients
- Zest from 1 Meyer Lemon
- 3 Meyer Lemons
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup), grated
- 2 eggs and 1 egg yolk
Method
- Zest one Meyer Lemon. Pause here and inhale the fragrant floral scent.
- Juice three Meyer Lemons, placing the juice and zest into a heat-proof bowl or the upper portion of a double boiler. Add sugar and butter to this mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and an additional yolk. For optimal smoothness in your curd, strain the beaten eggs through a fine strainer before proceeding.
- Add a few inches of water to a saucepan or the lower half of your double boiler and gently simmer over medium heat. Place your bowl with the lemon mixture atop the simmering water, ensuring that the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the upper bowl and does not reach a full boil.
- The butter in your lemon mixture will begin to melt in a few minutes. Stir until the butter is fully melted and the sugar is dissolved.
- Gradually and with a steady hand, pour the whisked eggs into your heated lemon mixture, continuously whisking as you do so. Maintain your whisking until the entire concoction thickens and gels, taking approximately 5-10 minutes. However, this may vary depending on your altitude. Note that the mixture will continue to firm as it cools.
- Transfer the hot curd into a clean, warmed jar to prevent breakage (simply pour hot water into the jar and empty it just before adding the hot curd). Allow the curd to cool down to avoid trapping steam (which would subsequently condense and water down your curd) before sealing the jar.
- Once cool, seal the jar and store it in the refrigerator. Using a clean spoon for serving, your curd will remain good for up to two weeks.
Thyme Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of fresh thyme
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
Method
- Add the bunch of thyme and 1.5 cups of water to a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes. You are essentially making thyme tea.
- Incorporate 1 cup of sugar into the pot, stirring to combine and increase the heat to high. Once the mixture of thyme, sugar and water reaches a boil and the sugar dissolves, promptly turn off the heat.
- Allow the thyme to steep in the simple syrup for 10 minutes to infuse its flavor. Then, strain the syrup to remove the thyme and any detached leaves, then let it cool to room temperature.
Meyer Lemon & Thyme Semifreddo
Ingredients
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup thyme simple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme
leaves, chopped - 1/2 cup Meyer Lemon curd
(or regular jarred lemon curd) - Optional: Candied Meyer lemon slices
- Note: This recipe will only require a portion of the simple syrup. The surplus can be utilized in cocktails or as a sweetener for your coffee or tea. Stored in the fridge, it will remain fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Method
- Put a glass bowl into your freezer for 30 minutes to chill. This will help the cream whip much faster. A convenient tip: put the bowl in the freezer when making your Thyme Simple Syrup to optimize your prep time.
- Add the heavy whipping cream along with the simple syrup to the bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until the cream sets up and stiff peaks form in the whipped cream.
- Add the thyme leaves and lemon curd and gently fold in until well-mixed.
- Optional: Decorate the bottom of a loaf pan with slices of candied lemon—this will eventually be the top of your semifreddo.
- Pour the whipped cream mixture into the loaf pan, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and put in the freezer for about 3-4 hours—long enough for the semifreddo to set up and start to freeze, but not long enough for a hard freeze.
- To remove from the pan, immerse the base of the pan only in hot water for 10 seconds, then turn it upside down over a plate and give it a little shake. Serve in slices with fresh berries, a little lemon zest, or a dollop of lemon curd.
Self-proclaimed ‘East Coast food thieves’ have touched down in Salt Lake City, bringing with them delicious debauchery in the form of sandwiches, salads and secrets. The newly-opened Bonnie & Clyde’s specializes in quality lunch fare, baked goods and coffee, all inspired by flavors found in big cities like Chicago, New York and Boston. The light-filled space is filled with thoughtful nods to the roaring 20’s, with exposed brick and luxe seating. And, in the spirit of the era, the cafe comes complete with a sultry speakeasy hidden behind a bookcase.
Owner Greg Castro first tested his idea for an upscale sandwich and salad spot in Park City. No surprise that the concept took off, who can resist a Turkey Pesto and side of cajun fries? But when he found competition from resorts and the seasonal swings to be too much, he decided to turn his eyes to the valley. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as the newly-built space on 600 South and State was ready for its first tenants. Now, the sizable cafe sports floor-to-ceiling windows, a cute walk-up counter, and plenty of tables for city-slicking professionals and nearby residents to post up with their laptops.
Focusing their efforts on quality eats and coffee, the menu at Bonnie & Clyde’s is brimming with hot and cold sammies, staple salads and a few breakfast items. I tried the house-favorite Turkey Pesto—house roasted turkey, white cheddar, oven roasted tomatoes and green served on a warm ciabatta bun, and The Clyde—breaded chicken cutlet, balsamic, arugula, balsamic reduction and fresh mozzarella on an Italian hoagie. Both sandwiches were a generous portion and met a nice balance of flavorful and light. I also couldn’t resist the Caesar wrap, which was decidedly my favorite and kept it simple with crisp romaine lettuce, chicken breast, croutons and a delectable caesar dressing. To accompany my sandos I had the Cajun and Parmesan fries, both thick cut and seasoned nicely. Next time I definitely want to take advantage of Bonnie & Clyde’s custom chop salad offerings, which allow you to mix and match your favorite toppings and proteins. And, you can’t pass up the baked goods counter, which offers freshly-baked items like Pain Au Chocolat, ham & cheese croissants and Kouign-Amanns.
After enjoying our yummy lunch, and chugging a matcha latte with the cutest foam art, I got to chatting with Greg and his girlfriend/cafe designer Madeline about Bonnie & Clyde’s most notable feature—the bookcase. Next to the cafe’s entrance, the brightly-colored installation features a curated collection of vintage books and trinkets sourced from local thrift treasures like Capital City Antique Mall and Utah Book & Magazine. It’s an art feature in itself, but it also hides one of Bonnie & Clyde’s scintillating secrets. Behind the bookcase’s hidden door is a sultry speakeasy, complete with a full bar and posh decor. The space is still under wraps, although Greg hopes to open it in the next month or so. The speakeasy, named Hide & Seek, will open when Bonnie & Clyde’s closes down for the day, and inside will serve an entirely new menu of rotating shared plates like ceviche and tartare. Both intimate and alluring, I can foresee the bar becoming an ideal space for private parties and after-work cocktail hours.
Bonnie & Clyde’s has a lot of fun stuff in the works, and I’m excited to see what the cafe will bring to Downtown SLC’s ever-changing community. Check their instagram for updates about the speakeasy @bonniexclydes
If You Go…
611 South Main Street, SLC
385-29-8180
Self-proclaimed ‘East Coast food thieves’ have touched down in Salt Lake City, bringing with them delicious debauchery in the form of sandwiches, salads and secrets. The newly-opened Bonnie & Clyde’s specializes in quality lunch fare, baked goods and coffee, all inspired by flavors found in big cities like Chicago, New York and Boston. The light-filled space is filled with thoughtful nods to the roaring 20’s, with exposed brick and luxe seating. And, in the spirit of the era, the cafe comes complete with a sultry speakeasy hidden behind a bookcase.
Owner Greg Castro first tested his idea for an upscale sandwich and salad spot in Park City. No surprise that the concept took off, who can resist a Turkey Pesto and side of cajun fries? But when he found competition from resorts and the seasonal swings to be too much, he decided to turn his eyes to the valley. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as the newly-built space on 600 South and State was ready for its first tenants. Now, the sizable cafe sports floor-to-ceiling windows, a cute walk-up counter, and plenty of tables for city-slicking professionals and nearby residents to post up with their laptops.
Focusing their efforts on quality eats and coffee, the menu at Bonnie & Clyde’s is brimming with hot and cold sammies, staple salads and a few breakfast items. I tried the house-favorite Turkey Pesto—house roasted turkey, white cheddar, oven roasted tomatoes and green served on a warm ciabatta bun, and The Clyde—breaded chicken cutlet, balsamic, arugula, balsamic reduction and fresh mozzarella on an Italian hoagie. Both sandwiches were a generous portion and met a nice balance of flavorful and light. I also couldn’t resist the Caesar wrap, which was decidedly my favorite and kept it simple with crisp romaine lettuce, chicken breast, croutons and a delectable caesar dressing. To accompany my sandos I had the Cajun and Parmesan fries, both thick cut and seasoned nicely. Next time I definitely want to take advantage of Bonnie & Clyde’s custom chop salad offerings, which allow you to mix and match your favorite toppings and proteins. And, you can’t pass up the baked goods counter, which offers freshly-baked items like Pain Au Chocolat, ham & cheese croissants and Kouign-Amanns.
After enjoying our yummy lunch, and chugging a matcha latte with the cutest foam art, I got to chatting with Greg and his girlfriend/cafe designer Madeline about Bonnie & Clyde’s most notable feature—the bookcase. Next to the cafe’s entrance, the brightly-colored installation features a curated collection of vintage books and trinkets sourced from local thrift treasures like Capital City Antique Mall and Utah Book & Magazine. It’s an art feature in itself, but it also hides one of Bonnie & Clyde’s scintillating secrets. Behind the bookcase’s hidden door is a sultry speakeasy, complete with a full bar and posh decor. The space is still under wraps, although Greg hopes to open it in the next month or so. The speakeasy, named Hide & Seek, will open when Bonnie & Clyde’s closes down for the day, and inside will serve an entirely new menu of rotating shared plates like ceviche and tartare. Both intimate and alluring, I can foresee the bar becoming an ideal space for private parties and after-work cocktail hours.
Bonnie & Clyde’s has a lot of fun stuff in the works, and I’m excited to see what the cafe will bring to Downtown SLC’s ever-changing community. Check their instagram for updates about the speakeasy @bonniexclydes
If You Go…
611 South Main Street, SLC
385-29-8180
Undoubtedly, the alpine skiing opportunities within 30 minutes of Salt Lake rank evenly with the best winter resorts in the world. And I, like hundreds of thousands of Wasatch Front residents, try to soak up as much resort skiing as I can during Utah’s short but sweet ski season. That said, for one winter weekend, I hang up my alpine skis, load my snowshoes and cross-country skis into the car and beat it to Bryce Canyon National Park. There, among red rock spires, campy small towns, scenic trails and glorious cross-country ski tracks, I treat myself to a much-needed, nature-infused recharge.
Photo Courtesy of Bryce Canyon National Park.
1. Stay
Lodging rates in the Bryce Canyon area are a steal in winter. Ruby’s Inn, located in Bryce Canyon City, offers clean, pleasant and dog-friendly hotel rooms with lots of on-site amenities. In nearby Tropic, Bryce Canyon Pines features standard hotel rooms and a three-bedroom family suite with a full kitchen. Or rent a home through Vrbo or AirBnB (like this cute two-bedroom house 12 miles from BCNP in Cannonville at vrbo.com/719925). rubysinn.com, bcpines.com
2. Glide
Ruby’s Inn sets more than 30 kilometers of cross-country skiing track for both classic and skate skiing throughout the Ponderosa Pine-filled forest directly next to the hotel. Admission to the track is free for both hotel guests and those staying elsewhere. Ruby’s Inn also maintains an ice ribbon next to its Winter Activity Center (Ebenezer’s Bar & Grill building). The cost to skate is just $7 and includes ice skate rental.
3. Hike
Thanks to its 8,000-feet-above-sea-level elevation, the contrast of snow-flocked red rock against blue skies is both a sight to behold and common in the winter months at Bryce Canyon National Park. For an up-close view of Bryce’s snow-frosted spires or “hoodoos,” take a walk on the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Combination Loop, a 2.3-mile, moderate trail descending and ascending the canyon between Sunset and Sunrise points. Before you go, check in at the park Visitor Center for the latest trail conditions and info on ranger-led snowshoe hikes.
If you’re looking for more than the ample elbow room offered at Bryce Canyon, head 10 miles southeast to Red Canyon, known as “Little Bryce,” for its red rock hoodoos and pink sand. The Red Canyon Visitor Center is closed in the winter, but current hiking, mountain biking and OHV trail information is posted on a kiosk at the mouth of the canyon. Drive 10 miles farther along Scenic Byway 12 through Tropic to Kodachrome State Park. There are five hiking trails that wind among surreal sandstone spires, called sedimentary pipes.
Pro tip: Dress in layers as temperatures vary widely between the sun and shade in the desert, especially in the winter. Snow-covered trails throughout the park are invariably slick making micro-spikes and hiking poles/walking sticks musts. (Both can be rented at Ruby’s Inn.) nps.gov/brca, stateparks.utah.gov
4. Eat & Drink
Dining in this corner of Utah is limited, especially in the winter. The Cowboy’s Buffet & Steak Room at Ruby’s Inn is open year-round, but there’s often a wait. The region’s only liquor store can be had at Ruby’s Inn as well. Other options include traditional barbecue from the soda fountain IDK Barbecue or hand-tossed pizza, salads, entrees, and beer from The Pizza Place at Bryce Canyon Inn—both in Tropic. Clark’s Country Market, on Main Street in Tropic, offers supermarket-level groceries. Pro tip: I often pre-make chili or curry to heat up in a crock pot in the hotel room while my friends and/or family and I ski or hike during the day. Then we know we’ll have a hot meal at the end of a stellar day spent outdoors. brycecanyonpizza.com, idkbarbecue.com, clarkscountrymarket.com
Photo Courtesy of Adobe Stock.
Winter Festival
Snow play in the high desert takes center stage during Ruby’s Inn’s annual Bryce Canyon Winter Festival (February 17-19, 2024). This family-friendly event includes cross-country ski and ice-skating instruction, wildlife track clinics, watercolor painting, yoga classes and much more—most of which are free. Events are held at Ruby’s Inn and in Bryce Canyon National Park. rubysinn.com
Peering into Dark Skies
Though the Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival is held annually in June, low moisture and long nights make winter an even better time to stargaze at BCNP. It is possible, in fact, to see more than 7,500 stars with the naked eye on a moonless winter night there. Take advantage of regular ranger-led stargazing talks and clinics held as part of one of the oldest national park astronomy programs in the country. Both BCNP and Kodachrome Basin State Park have been named Dark Sky Parks by the International Dark Sky Association.
Pro tip: If you plan to walk around at night, consider bringing along a headlamp with a red light setting, like Petzl’s Tikka, which allows you to see details in the dark without impairing anyone’s night vision. nps.gov/brca
It was an evening of music by Petty by many—and more. The State Room hosted an all-star lineup for a sold-out 30th Anniversary celebration of Tom Petty’s Wildflowers on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 in Salt Lake City. A menagerie of singers and musicians from The National Parks, Neon Trees, Fictionist, and The Hollering Pines joined other great local artists to perform Wildflowers in its entirety and then rocked the night away with other Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers hits.
Wildflowers was Petty’s second solo album (without the Heartbreakers) and a 15-song classic that yielded a few radio hits. Nate Pyfer (Pinguin Mofex) delivered a crowd-pleasing version of “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” a now-familiar Petty classic. Robbie Connolly (Fictionist and The Killers) gave us a rip-roaring rendition of “You Wreck Me,” probably the most enduring radio chart-topper on the album.
There’s a difference between a cover band that imitates an original work and a cover song that reinterprets a seminal piece of music and takes it someplace new. Friday night’s Wildflowers tribute ensemble achieved both. Led by Paul Jacobsen and his amazing house band, the evening started with Scott Shepard (Book on Tapeworm) who offered us a bewitching version of the title track.
It’s when we got to the record’s deep cuts when the troupe shined (the hits pretty much speak for themselves.) Some stand-out performances included David Burchfield’s (David Burchfield and the Fire Guild) “It’s Good To Be King.” On a side note: Burchfield and guitarist and pedal steel extraordinaire Dylan Schorer played a memorable set the night before at The Commonwealth Room’s Cosmic Hootenanny.
Dominic Moore shook the rafters with “Honey Bee” while Debra Fothereringham nailed the ethereal folk essence on “Don’t Fade On Me.” Karl Strange (The LoveStrange) delivered a searing rendition of “Cabin Down Below” and Mick Rudolph (Seaslak) rocked “House In The Woods.”
The first set ended with Ryan Innes’s soulful version of “Wake Up Time,” an underappreciated tune, lost at the end of a lengthy album. Innes used his powerhouse voice to bring the song center stage. That’s the beauty of a well-chosen cover. Artists can breathe new life into an old song. As the song’s lyric goes: “You might find the forest there in the trees.” Innes certainly uncovered the song’s complex emotional timbers.
After a short intermission, the ensemble returned to rock the night away with a barrage of singalong Petty classics. The master of ceremonies and show organizer, Paul Jacobsen, took lead vocals on a spirited version of “The Waiting.” The packed house of eager listeners marveled at Goldmyth’s take on “Don’t Do Me Like That.” Stuart Maxfield (Fictionist) got us all singing with “Refugee.” Another highlight among many was Porter Smith (Lantern By Sea) and Marie Bradshaw’s (The Hollering Pines) psychedelic performance of “Don’t Come Around Here No More.” Bradshaw also soared on “Learning To Fly.” Former Hollering Pines drummer and master singer/songwriter Daniel Young sent the venue’s disco ball spinning on “Running Down A Dream.”
In all, the crew played 15 songs from Wildflowers and another dozen Petty hits. The whole ensemble, nearly 30 artists, crowded the stage for the finale with a couple of hundred adoring fans joining in the chorus of “Free Falling.”
The evening featured an overload of talent with great contributions from Michelle Moonshine, Joey St. John, Brady Parks, Tyler Glenn, Peter Breinholt, Libbie Linton and a host of others.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the contributions of the all-star band. The 7-piece troupe of musicians, all from different bands, embraced the herculean task of learning all 27-plus songs and arranging them to suit the various performance styles within the rotating cast of lead singers. So thank you to Paul Jacobsen, Aaron Anderson, Dylan Schorer, Braden Campbell, Scott Wiley, Brian Hardy and Debra Fotheringham for living up to the cliche “the hardest working band in showbiz.”
The magical evening was led and held together by the band leader (ringleader?) Paul Jacobsen who thoughtfully introduced musicians and shared song backstories. Not only did we enjoy an evening of great music, we got to see so many of our locally-based artists showcase their talents.
Jacobsen also led last year’s incredible Neil Young tribute and I hope he continues the tradition. Hey Paul. Here are some suggestions for tribute or anniversary shows we’d love to see you arrange. Next year Born to Run turns 50 (Born in The USA is 40 this year). Let it Be turns 55 (Let it Bleed is 55 this year). Blood on the Tracks turns 50, Jagged Little Pill will be 30 (American Idiot just turned 20.) And there must be some occasion to pull together an evening of music by Fleetwood Mac.
And as always, a huge shout out to The State Room for hosting such incredible music.
- Who: An All-Star Lineup
- What: Wildflowers and Heartbreakers: The Songs of Tom Petty
- Where: The State Room
- When: Friday, Feb. 9, 2024
- Info: thestateroompresents.com
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The victim is the young wife of a prominent and wealthy physician. There are suitors, insinuated affairs, missing jewels and even a Persian prince. It sounds like an Agatha Christie novel, but it all happened in Salt Lake City. Just after midnight on February 22, 1930, the brutally disfigured body of Dorothy Dexter Moormeister, 32, was found on the western edge of Salt Lake City. She had been repeatedly run over with her own car. Dorothy’s husband was Dr. Frank Moormeister, a wealthy physician and abortionist for the local brothels. Dr. Moormeister was much older than his wife, who had a wild social life and actively solicited the attention of other men.
One of these men, Charles Peter, was a prime suspect in her death. He had allegedly urged Dorothy to divorce her husband and fleece him in the settlement. Additionally, the doctor had once loaned Peter a large sum of money and, as partial payment, taken from Peter a valuable pendant.
The pendant was among the jewelry missing from Dorothy’s body. Another suitor, Prince Farid XI, who had met the Moormeisters during an excursion to Paris, was rumored to have been in Salt Lake City at the time. There were letters discovered afterwards intimating that Dorothy had designs to run away with him.
On the night of her murder, Dorothy was seen entering the Hotel Utah at around 6 p.m. She left a short time later with two men and another woman. Dr. Moormeister claimed to have gone out to see a movie alone during this time period. The autopsy revealed traces of absinthe in Dorothy’s stomach. A search of her letters also revealed that she had been hiding money in various safety deposit boxes around town and had drafted some recent changes in her will but had not signed them officially.
However, despite all the intrigue and a massive effort by county investigators who even brought in a private detective who was popularly considered the “Sherlock Holmes” of his time, the killer was never revealed and brought to justice.
EXTRA!
Author Andrew Hunt, a historian and novelist, made the Moormeister Murder the backdrop for the first book in his noir series about rookie Sheriff’s Deputy, Art Overman, a squeaky clean family man and devout Mormon. Hunt’s book, City of Saints, is the first in a series of mystery novels set in the 1930s and won the 2011 Hillerman Prize.
WHAT: The last known whereabouts of Dorothy Moormeister
WHERE: The Hotel Utah (Now the Joseph Smith Memorial Building), 15 E. S. Temple, SLC
Interested in learning more about Salt Lake’s past? See what our city used to look and feel like here!
