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Oct 27
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St. George’s Latest Desert Escape is Sentierre

By Adventures, Travel

If you’ve been to St. George lately, you know it is increasingly afflicted with a growing stucco sprawl in every direction. But we’ve discovered an oasis in Padre Canyon. Sentierre is a uniquely situated resort and isolated by a moat of protected federal and state lands. A true desert escape found just five hours from the Wasatch Front. 

St. George Resort
Photo by Joshua Horton

St. George Resort
Photo by Joshua Horton

Our vote for the sexiest new resort in St. George goes to Sentierre, an escape uniquely designed by Master Architect Mark Philp to meld with its environment and highlight its unworldly location in Padre Canyon on the edge of Snow Canyon State Park. Just minutes away from the heart of St. George, Sentierre feels far away from the sprawling developments and increasingly madding crowds. The sanctuary boasts 45 individual villas, with private pools and fully appointed kitchens (that can host the resort’s private chef, Edward Wright) strategically scattered across the site to adapt to, rather than disrupt the natural topography. An assortment of moody, minimalist décor is dramatically swathed in rich earth tones to soothe guests while panoramic windows create the illusion of being in, rather than merely observing, the surrounding red rocks. On-site offerings include a communal pool, daily wellness activities, E-bikes and excursions customized by your personal “Path Guide” (see below). “It just washes over you,” says Sentierre’s Marketing Director Jocelyn Andersen. “We want to create a place where you spend time with those that matter most to you and give you a space to strengthen your relationships.” Villas start at $2,000/night.

St. George Resort

Guided Luxury

In addition to its unparalleled location, Sentierre offers guests a personal “Path Guide” to help you design a retreat centered on wellness and your relationships. Path Guides will direct you to hikes and rides in neighboring Snow Canyon (or farther afield) and self-care appointments, creating a highly customized itinerary of activity and relaxation you will never forget.

Oct 27
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LOVELOUD Festival Returns to SLC November 3rd

By Arts & Culture, Music

What

LOVELOUD, one of the largest LGBTQ+ concerts in the country, was founded in 2017 by Dan Reynolds, the lead singer of Imagine Dragons, to help ignite relevant and vital conversation of what it means to unconditionally love, understand, accept, and support LGBTQ+ youth in an effort to keep families together. LOVELOUD is the catalyst for bringing communities together to start conversation and celebrate individuality. Talking, sharing and showing the realities of what teens in our society face daily is where it all begins.

When & Where

Friday, November 3rd at 6pm at The Delta Center, 301 S Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.

For more information on parking and directions click here. If you are traveling from out of town and need information on where to stay please click here.

Who

The lineup for this Salt Lake City date includes Lauv, Mother Mother, Tegan and Sara, and David Archuleta, Dan Reynolds (Imagine Dragons) and Tyler Glenn (Neon Trees), as well as hosting local drag queens, speakers, and LGBTQ+ talent and allies.

Get your tickets here.

Why

Harnessing the talents, voices, and global influence of some of the most prominent artists, LOVELOUD stands as a resounding ally for the LGBTQ+ community. Through its unwavering commitment, they have raised millions of dollars for a multitude of charities and 501(c)(3) organizations over the years. This year the proceeds will be dedicated to empowering The Trevor Project, The Tegan and Sara Foundation, GLAAD, and other vital organizations.

To learn more about getting involved click here.

How it all began

The first LOVELOUD Festival was held in 2017 at Utah Valley University’s Brent Brown Ballpark. It featured performances from Imagine Dragons, Neon Trees, Krewella, Nicholas Petricca of Walk the Moon, and Joshua James. And included speeches by NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Steve Young, founding LOVELOUD board member Barb Young, brother of Latter-Day Saint Apostle Tom Christofferson, and many others.

The second LOVELOUD was held in 2018 at the University of Utah’s Rice Eccles Stadium. The show included performances by Imagine Dragons, Zedd, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, Grace Vanderwaal, Parson James, VINCINT, Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees, Wrabel, and LGBTQ youth from SLC. There were speeches by Tim Cook, Barb & Steve Young, Alfonso Ribeiro, Drew Scott, Gus Kenworthy, Julianne Hough, Carmen Carrera, Kalen Allen, and Lt. Governor of Utah Spencer Cox.

The profits from this show resulted in grant donations that were spread between local and national charities such as The Tegan and Sara Foundation, GLAAD, Equality Utah, Encircle, Mama Dragons and many more. 

The third LOVELOUD festival took place in 2019 at the USANA Amphitheater in Salt Lake City, Utah. Featured performances included Kesha, Martin Garrix, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, Tegan & Sara, Daya, Grouplove, K. Flay, PVRIS, AJR, Vincint, Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees, Charlie Bird and Laura Jane Grace. Speakers included Aja Volkman, Mahdia Lynn, Shamir, Matt Easton, Shannon Beveridge, Savannah Skyler, and was hosted by Kalen Allen. 

LOVELOUD was able to award nearly $1 million grants to local and national charities some of which included The Trevor Project, The Human Rights Campaign, Genderbands, Equality Utah and dozens more.

In 2022 the LOVELOUD festival made its long awaited return after a 2 year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. LOVELOUD’s fourth festival was held at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hosted by Kalen Allen the musical acts included Storyboards and Jakk Fynn, Silver Cup, Mat and Savanna, Parson, James, Neon Trees, morgxn, WILLOW, David Archuleta, local LGBTQ youth, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, and Anitta. Speeches by Devon Rouse, Rachel Slawson, and Lt. Gov. Henderson. 

The profits of this comeback show resulted in $550,000 worth of grants awarded to local and national charities some of which included The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Gender Spectrum, Flourish Therapy, The Utah AIDS Foundation and several others.

Find out more here.

View of our coverage of last year’s LOVELOUD festival, here!

Oct 26
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By Kids, For Kids: Aqua Terra’s New Milkshake Bar Gives Back To Childhood Education

By From Our Partners

If milkshakes at a surf ‘n turf restaurant sound like an idea that a child would have come up with, you’re right. Turns out, the milkshakes at Aqua Terra Steak + Sushi do a lot of good for the kids too. 

This month, the restaurant, located right by the westside Main Street entrance at City Creek Center Mall, launched its latest menu offering, Mak-n-Jax’s Milkshake Bar. Featuring a base of vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry sorbet—or all three mixed together—guests are welcome to create a Mixed Milkshake with toppings like chocolate chips, Oreo cookies, toasted macadamia crunch, or coconut flakes. And of course, the pièce de résistance—a dollop of whipped cream, tops it all off.

It was something that Elaina Morris’s children, Makena and Jaxon, had been begging their mother to put on the menu. 

“All kids love dessert and my kids have always wanted to put their touch on something at one of our restaurants,” Morris, who serves as the president and CEO of Ascend Hospitality Group, Aqua Terra’s parent company, said. “So when this opportunity came around, they were all in on milkshakes. They even made a presentation to sell me and my partners on it.” 

Ascend Hospitality Group CEO Elaina Morris with her kids Jaxon and Makena.

But even sweeter than the shakes is the purpose behind them. For every shake sold at Aqua Terra, the restaurant will be donating $1 to a nonprofit partner. And since the menu item was inspired by and named for two children, it was only natural to tie the shakes to a cause that resonates with kids. 

As such, the Salt Lake Education Foundation will be the first beneficiary of the proceeds raised by Mak-n-Jax’s Milkshake Bar. 

“When we land in a new market and city, we land a philosophy—we’re not just a restaurant; we are grounded in service to the communities in which we operate,” Morris said. “Our lane is education, and that’s important to us as a company.” 

Milkshake at Aqua Terra. Photo courtesy of Ascend Hospitality

The beneficiary of the milkshakes with heart, the Salt Lake Education Foundation, supports every student in the Salt Lake CIty School District, helping ensure they achieve their goals in and out of the classroom. The foundation depends on community support to help their students.

“We appreciate the partnership with businesses, like Aqua Terra Steak + Sushi, who bring positive change for our students and strengthen our community,” said Salt Lake Education Director James Yapias in an announcement when the Mak-n-Jax Milkshake Bar was launched. 

Education, Morris believes, can be just as important to a community’s well-being as food, shelter, and water. And since they’re in the business of providing a good meal and a good place to get one, it only makes sense for Aqua Terra to have a component that serves educational needs as well.

So next time you finish a delicious lunch or dinner at Aqua Terra, why not complete your meal with a milkshake for dessert? And knowing that you’ll be supporting children’s education, it’ll be that much sweeter.

Learn more about Ascend Hospitality’s commitment to community in Utah!

Oct 26
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The Best Sports Bars in Park City

By After Dark, Eat & Drink

The NFL season is upon us! If you’re anything like me and familial emotions are conferred almost entirely through the lens of how a group of millionaire strangers wearing a particular set of jerseys perform, it’s time to get serious about where to park it while waiting to find out whether the field goal that just doinked the upright is going to bring joy or despair. Fortunately, Park City is a town of transient sports fans who pack their allegiances along with their ski boots, so you’ll never feel like a lonely Patriots fan at an airport bar in Cincinnati. Here are our favorite spots to cheer with a beer this season.

The Après Arena: Drafts Burger Bar

Sometimes the snow is just too good to walk away from, even if your team’s finally playing well. On these powder-filled days head to Drafts Burger Bar. Drafts is located right at the base of the Red Pine Gondola in Canyons Village, so you don’t even need to take off your boots before catching kickoff. Drafts has more than 50 beers to choose from and enough large-screen televisions to provide ample evidence for you to loudly contest the referee’s interpretation of the catch rule. The gourmet burgers are excellent, but my favorite is the Tatchos, a tater-tot and nacho amalgamation that’s sure to stop your heart even if the action on the field doesn’t. 435-655-2240, 3000 Canyons Resort Dr., Park City

All-Star Slices: Maxwell’s

Beer on tap at Maxwell’s.

With hands-down the best pizza in Park City, Maxwell’s makes its way into our hall of fame. Available by the slice or by full pie, the thin-crust, east-coast-style pizza is pretty much the perfect food for watching a game. It’s tasty enough that the Honorable Guy Fieri and his frosted tips featured Maxwell’s on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2014. The huge L-shaped bar and cozy booths mean you can find just the right setting for your sports fandom, whether it’s publicly jubilant or privately shameful. Another all-season hot spot for locals and visitors, Maxwell’s has all the elements you need to make it through a stressful fourth-quarter challenge. 435-647-0304, 1456 Newpark Blvd., Park City

The Secret Gourmet: Boneyard Saloon and Wine Dive

Boneyard Saloon and Wine Dive is a bit of a hidden gem in Park City Sports Bars that punches way above its weight class. The bar area has a “classic” sports bar feel with screens everywhere you look and an impressive row of taps behind the bar, but what takes Boneyard up a notch is the elevated menu. Pork belly lettuce wraps, jambalaya and Waygu beef sliders with fig compote aren’t your standard bar fare, and the available Wine Dive menu has everything from an ahi poké tower to sriracha deviled eggs to wood-fired pizzas. There’s a reason the Boneyard is filled with locals year-round. Just beware of the vocal deluge of transplanted Patriots diehards who flock there to worship Belichick. 435-649-0911, 1251 Kearns Blvd., Park City

Honorable Mentions

Collie’s: An awesome location on Main Street just across from the ski bridge at Park City Mountain makes Collie’s a contender for the best quick-hit après spot. The beer list is expansive and the televisions plentiful, but the grub doesn’t hit quite the high notes of others on our list. 435-649-0888, 738 Main St., Park City

Silver Mine Tap Room at Whole Foods: A surprisingly decent place to catch a game, it’s more civilized than other joints on this list. The menu is superb, but the three-drink limit can be problematic during a four-plus-hour playoff game. 435-575-0200, 6598 N. Landmark Dr., Park City

Looking for a burger with your beer? We have a list of the best Park City patties here!

Oct 25
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Powder Mountain - Ian Matteson

Powder Mountain Tops SKI Magazine Rankings

By Adventures, Outdoors

After a winter like last year’s, during which a record-setting amount of the Greatest Snow On Earth blanketed the Beehive State, it’s no surprise to see Utah resorts receiving some well-earned accolades. Still, it caught our attention when Powder Mountain, with its famously low-key vibes, topped the SKI magazine western resort rankings for 2024. The publication—part of the Outside mega-conglomerate—electronically polled more than 200,000 people to compile this year’s rankings. Previous reader surveys have regularly leaned toward destinations with swankier accouterments than the ski-centric Pow Mow offers, but readers this year clearly gravitated to the resort’s core skiing experience. 

Utah had three other resorts make the top 10 including Snowbasin at #2, Alta at #4 and Deer Valley at #9. Readers criminally underrated Snowbird at #13, while Park City rebounded from a COVID-induced shellacking to come in at #15 on the heels of an adequately staffed and operationally smooth season. 

Snowbird and Alta were lauded for their incomparable snow and challenging terrain, Deer Valley for its attention to detail, and Park City for its staggering competence, but there must be something in the water up near Ogden and Eden where Powder Mountain and Snowbasin topped all rivals. Reader comments suggest Snowbasin got a bump from road closure chaos in the Cottonwood Canyons, bolstering the resort’s frequently undervalued snow, terrain and dining. Powder Mountain, it seems, has caught the imagination of skiers who’ve become weary of crowded, expensive resort experiences that have become so commonplace. 

Pow Mow limits daily lift tickets to keep lift lines in check and offers a refreshingly uncomplicated experience. Ski down, hop on a lift, and maybe stop in an unpretentious lodge for a reasonably-priced burger and beer if the mood strikes. The resort also gets a ton of snow and has more than 8,400 acres of skiable terrain above the Northern Ogden Valley. They even offer $19 night skiing, a welcome sight in a world of soaring lift ticket prices. 

Uncrowded and uncomplicated. What’s not to love? Powder Mountain – Ian Matteson

While it feels just to see the charmingly old-school Powder Mountain gets its due, the honor comes at a time of change for the resort. In September, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings purchased a majority stake in the resort with a $100 million investment. Starting this year, that investment will go towards expanding skiable terrain with guided side-country access and a new Nordic skiing and snowshoeing trail system.  

However, $100 million will buy a lot more than that, so it remains to be seen how the rest of the capital improvements manifest. I don’t know Hastings, but I do know that I, and likely many of you, helped support his investment through our monthly couch-baed subscriptions, and it’d be a real shame to see Powder Mountain’s understated charm degraded by an influx of cash. Here’s hoping Powder Mountain can Netflix and chill, retaining its uniquely gritty character and its hold on the top spot in the rankings without being dragged down the path of luxury and exclusivity that’s plagued the ski industry enough to help the resort reach the lofty SKI magazine pinnacle. 

Never change, Pow Mow. 

Want to know more? Read our Wasatch in the Winter Basecamp guides to exploring resorts in Ogden, Salt Lake and Park City

Oct 25
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Let’s Do the Time Warp Again! Rocky Horror Show at Pioneer Theatre Company

By Arts & Culture

Despite my love for all things Halloween, camp and glam, I’ve never been to a live showing of the cult classic The Rocky Horror Show. So, when Pioneer Theatre announced their reprise of the beloved musical to honor the film’s 50th anniversary, I was delighted to be in attendance. The 2023 production is the theater’s first full production of the glam rock spectacular, having previously presented the show in concert form in 2014 and 2015. With artistic director Karen Azenberg at the helm and a brilliant cast of Broadway alumni as our ushers, I was ready to do ‘The Time Warp’ at the show’s opening night on Oct. 20th, 2023. 

Since the film’s first midnight screening in 1975, Rocky Horror has built a dedicated cult following and a ritual of interactive viewing parties put on by theaters across the country. Utah audiences are among the throngs of enamored fans and were understandably thrilled at Pioneer Theatre’s announcement of a fully-realized production. “To say that Rocky Horror is a beloved show for Pioneer Theatre Company audiences would be an understatement,” says PTC’s Karen Azenberg. “In fact, when I announced the upcoming season titles during my curtain speeches this past spring, The Rocky Horror Show was always met with the loudest applause.” Pioneer Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show follows the 1975 musical comedy horror film, which pays homage to science fiction and B movies. The musical follows sweetheart squares Brad and Janet as they stumble upon a bizarre gathering taking place in a mysterious mansion. Transvestite superstar scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter and his houseful of zany characters quickly corrupt the couple and unveil a bonafide muscleman named Rocky created in a laboratory. 

Photo by BW Productions

Photo by BW Productions

Along with its notable themes of punk rock and queer counter-culture, Rocky Horror celebrates originality and the liberation of self-expression. PTC’s glitzy production delivers all these virtues and more. The star-studded cast performs the original music and lyrics by Richard O’Brien. Backed by an ensemble of drive-in usherettes, Magenta (Ginger Bess) opened the show with her haunting serenade of “Science Fiction.” Shortly thereafter, the audience meets our Brad and Janet, played by Alex Walton and Alanna Saunders respectively. Utilizing props provided by PTC, the audience seeks shelter from rain with newspapers and guides Brad and Janet through the night with swaying glow sticks. Led through a series of elaborate dances and rock songs, we’re introduced to creepy butler Riff Raff (Hernando Umana) and sinister servant Columbia (Micki Martinez). Making his Pioneer Debut, Jeremiah James is our Frank, and the Broadway and West End performer exemplifies the mad scientist’s flamboyant and sinister traits. Throughout the show, narrator Steve Urguhart (narrator varies with select performances) cues the audience to play their kazoos and toss hotdogs onstage, and I’ll never get over the moments we’re encouraged to shout “ASSHOLE and “SLUT” back to the prudish Brad and Janet. It’s a deliciously irreverent experience that rattles the traditional actor-audience relationship. 

Photo by BW Productions

Photo by BW Productions

Of course, half the fun of Rocky Horror is the glitz and glamor of the costumes and set design. Costume Designer Aaron Swenson adorned the cast in the iconic Rocky uniform: fishnets and corsets, but with a PTC twist. Rocky’s skintight gold speedo was certainly a highlight of the evening, and it’s not hard to see why a frenzied Frank and flustered Janet fell so hard for our man of few words. Of course a standout wardrobe moment occurred during one of the final songs “Super Heroes” in which a newly liberated Brad and Janet ditch their conservative skivvies for sparkling tutus and leather harnesses. The show’s provocative design extended into the set, where Scenic Designer George Maxwell conjured scenes of the eerie mansion and shady laboratory. A live band staged on a raised platform allowed the audience full view of impressive guitar solos and infused the performance with the spirit of rock n roll. Everything about Rocky Horror Show is camp. There are bubble guns and bedroom scenes, and of course—So. Much. Glitter. 

Rocky Horror Show at Pioneer Theatre Company. Photo BW Productions

As the audience was invited to join in one last rendition of “Time Warp” and make any final use of the props they had left, I reveled in the final moments of unbridled oddity. We’d become creatures of the night and damn was it fun. 

Rocky Horror Show runs through Oct. 31st, find tickets at Pioneer Theatre’s Website. 

Oct 24
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Road to Nowhere: Deer Valley’s Snow Park Development

By City Watch

Pour one out for those trying to get anything done in Park City. The cause of profiteering developers is far from a sympathetic one, it’s just that seeing the never-ending clash with the diametrically opposed NIMBY forces makes one appreciate the Sisyphean task of getting anything done before the end of days. Public opposition is often well-founded, owing to the frequent breaches of trust and backroom dealings rampant in issues surrounding the Wasatch Back, but it’s nearly as often based in blatantly exclusionary values. All of which is a nice way of saying development conversations have essentially become two sides screaming into the void while decisions get made on an ever-evolving timeline. The focal point in town is once again the Snow Park redevelopment at the base of Deer Valley, where the latest plans hinge on the town vacating right-of-way on parts of Deer Valley Drive. 

“What does that mean?” Just about anyone reading this is probably asking. In essence, Deer Valley Resort owner Alterra hopes to turn the current road at the base of the mountain into a ski beach by pulling the Carpenter and Silver Lake Lifts toward the parking lot. In exchange the resort would relinquish part of Doe Pass Road to the city as part of the overhauled traffic circulation plan for the area. This could only be accomplished with the blessing of the Park City Council, should they determine a net tangible benefit from the arrangement. 

Deer Valley
illustration courtesy of Deer Valley Resort

Deer Valley

The right-of-way plot is the newest twist in plans for the area. The resort has longstanding development rights dating back decades and hopes to build 420,000 square feet of retail space and 21,000 feet of commercial space, along with some 1,250 underground parking spaces to replace the sprawling parking lots currently encircled by Deer Valley Drive. Nearby residents had already expressed a bevy of concerns, and they’ve found a united front against the latest proposal. 

“There’s been some confusion about the council’s direction for the Snow Park vacation item,” Mayor Nann Worel said during a July Council hearing. Worel went on to compare the deliberations to those relating to the town’s acquisition of Bonanza Flat and Treasure Hill, possibly sowing some further confusion in the process. Those, after all, were land acquisitions voted on by the public. The mayor, however, sought to indicate her intention was to assure the public their input would be solicited throughout the process.

Public input, at least as expressed openly thus far, has been overly negative. When the town received testimony on the road vacation in March, the results were overwhelmingly against the proposal, citing such topics as whether area residents would be unfairly burdened by additional traffic and if it’s the community’s responsibility to create what is essentially a welcome experience for a private resort. Deer Valley has countered the road vacation would lead to a better organized and executed development, and supporters of both sides remain dug in, seemingly unwilling to budge. Ultimately, the council is going to face someone’s wrath no matter how they rule.

Snow Park isn’t the only expansion surrounding Deer Valley that’s raised some hackles. Mayflower Mountain Resort, the new mountain built on the Deer Valley’s east side, is expected to attract a flood of visitors, who in addition to revenue will bring increased traffic congestion and the need for some 5,000 employees when operating at full capacity. There is a brewing agreement between Alterra and Mayflower’s owners to allow lift access and base amenities for Deer Valley skiers, meaning Deer Valley is expanding on and thus facing the ire of locals on multiple fronts. 

For now, it’s a holding pattern as the community and Alterra wait on the City Council’s decision. Somehow in some way, Snow Park is going to be developed. I can assure you both sides can commission studies empirically supporting their preferred vision of the future, but the developers and the NIMBYs remain in a stalemate with no end in sight. The loop of pavement may be a literal road to nowhere, but it plays a pretty important role in what Park City’s future will look like.  

How Can a Town Vacate a Road?

According to Utah Code, road vacation is authorized as a legislative act under the Municipal Land Use, Development and Management Act so long as “good cause exists for the vacation and neither the public interest nor any person will be materially injured by the vacation.” In Park City’s Land Management Code, good cause includes “addressing issues relating to density,” which is likely a key component of the current discussion. There’s also language about “preserving the character of the neighborhood,” so we’ll see which of those is weighted more heavily.

Oct 23
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Review: Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway w/ Cristina Vane

By Arts & Culture, Music

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, one of the most innovative and exciting artists on the American roots music scene, thrilled us with a 22-song foray into their progressive bluegrass sound at The Commonwealth Room on Thursday, October 19, 2023. 

Like the Grateful Dead, who a generation ago blended folk, rock, country, and bluegrass into a Northern California hippy jam-band subgenre, Tuttle and her band of virtuosi have reinterpreted bluegrass with a unique and trippy 21st century flair.  Even so, bluegrass purists have nothing to fear. As masters of the musical style, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway make the genre fresh and fun with their millennial, ironic humor and innovative artistry.

Tuttle started us off with the rootsy, toe-tapping “Evergreen, OK,” “El Dorado,” and “Side Saddle.” She advocates for the legalization of marijuana with a throw-back bluegrass tempo on “Down Home Dispensary.” 

Photo by Stephen Speckman

Photo by Stephen Speckman

At the mid-point in the show the more traditional string band sound took a dark and foreboding Alice in Wonderland turn with “Stranger Things,” followed by “Alice in the Bluegrass,” and “White Rabbit.” This three-song sequence was the night’s biggest highlight for me, in an evening full of highlights. Golden Highway drew sounds from their traditional bluegrass instruments (mandolin, banjo, and fiddle) that took us down a sonic rabbit hole. Dominick Leslie’s mandolin sounded like an ominous, Spanish guitar while Kyle Tuttle (no relation to Molly) turned his banjo into a Hendrix Stratocaster. Bronwyn Keith-Hynes drove a frenzied, psychedelic, bluegrass tempo with her fiddle. Towards the end of our journey through Wonderland, we met Shelby Means as she plucked the beginning notes of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” on her upright bass. What a thrill ride. The crowd emerged from the rabbit hole singing “Feed your head.” Who knew bluegrass could be so much fun? 

Tuttle gave the Golden Highway a short break from the frantic pace, performing solo “First Time I Fell in Love,” a great, new country-folk tune that reminded me of “Mr. Bojangles.” Tuttle played 10 songs from her recently released album City of Gold, a master work rivaling her 2022 Grammy-winner Crooked Tree. Tuttle took us to “Dooley’s Farm,” a great Blue Ridge Mountain barn-burner of a song about weed farming in the underground economy. On the Western outlaw tune “Castilleja,” each member of Golden Highway got to do a little solo jamming. The pace rarely slowed as we entered the homestretch with “Where Did All the Wild Things Go?” 

Photo by Stephen Speckman

Photo by Stephen Speckman

Tuttle took a moment to share a story about her journey with an autoimmune disease called Alopecia that resulted in total hair loss. She said she wrote the song “Crooked Tree” about the way she felt as a result of her condition. She then boldly removed her wig and played the song. She kept it all organic for the final two numbers starting with the catchy “San Joaquin,” and the finale “Take The Journey.”  The crew returned for an encore with “More Like A River.” Opener Cristina Vane joined them on stage as the whole ensemble ended a magnificent performance with a sing-a-long of Dylan’s well-covered “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.” 

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway are certainly going somewhere. Like the Dead, I envision a growing cult following at their shows. I also predict many more Grammy Awards and other honors in their future. I’m grateful for the opportunity to see this powerhouse band in an intimate space like the Commonwealth Room.

Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Cristina Vane opened with a solo set. From the first few fingerpicking notes on her resonator guitar, Vane commanded the room. She captivated the full-house with the title track from her latest album Make Myself Me Again. Taking us on an American-roots musical journey with a tight, 10-song set of originals, she flatpicked her way across the Great Plains with “Badlands,” before serenading us with “Dreaming of Utah.” The audience got a sneak-peek of a couple of new songs that she hasn’t released yet with “Getting High in Hotel Rooms” and “Storm Brewing.” Golden Highway’s multi-award winning fiddle player, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, joined Vane for a fiddle/banjo duet on “River Roll.” 

Cristina Vane. Photo by Stephen Speckman

Born and raised in Europe, Vane came to the US to attend college and discovered American blues. Her growing interest in the clawhammer banjo and country and bluegrass music facilitated a move to Nashville. For her closing number she put it all together with “Small Town Nashville Blues.”

For an evening featuring 32 songs, it went by much too quickly. Special thanks to KRCL for sponsoring the show. 

Who: Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway w/ Cristina Vane

What: Road to El Dorado Tour

Where: The Commonwealth Room

When: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Info: www.thestateroompresents.com

Photo by Stephen Speckman

Oct 23
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Plan-B and Sherlock Holmes Return to the Airwaves

By Arts & Culture, Theater

For many years, in those halcyon pre-COVID days, Plan-B Theatre and KUER’s 90.1’s RadioWest staged radio plays on stage and broadcast live on KUER. The company and radio broadcast are finally back with the world premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the Final Problem on Oct. 27, 2023, at the Jeanne Wagner Theater and broadcast live on KUER for two performances at 11 a.m. and an evening performance at 7 p.m.

Mathew Ivan’s original script, adapted from the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, asks the questions: What if Dr. Watson was a woman and, gasp, what if Sherlock Holmes wasn’t always right? 

On the run from his greatest enemy Professor Moriarty (Jay Perry), Sherlock Holmes (played by Doug Fabrizio) faces a crisis of confidence in his deductive powers, meanwhile, his steadfast companion Dr. Watson (played by Isabella Reader) begins to doubt the mighty detective.

Fabrizio (host of KUER’s RadioWest) returns to the role of Sherlock Holmes he first played in Sherlock Holmes and the Blue Carbuncle alongside Reeder as his Watson. (No word yet whether or not Fabrizio will don Sherlock’s famous headgear and cover up his famous locks during the performance.)

Because the performances will be broadcast live, there will be NO late admissions. (Even though there really never should be late admissions to any production.)

  • What: Plan-B Theatre and KUER 90.1 present Radio Hour: Sherlock Holmes and the Final Problem

  • Where: The Jeanne Wagner Theatre,138 W. 300 South, SLC and broadcast live on KUER 90.1

  • When: Oct. 27, 2023, at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  • Tickets and information: planbtheatre.org

Related: PREVIEW—PLAN-B AND SHERLOCK HOLMES RETURN TO THE AIRWAVES

Oct 20
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Get Your Spooky On At These 8 Salt Lake City Bars

By After Dark, Eat & Drink

Ignore all the gaudy Christmas decor infesting retail shops and grocery stores, October still belongs to Halloween! You know it, I know it, and our local bartenders know it too. Get into the spooky spirit at these Salt Lake city haunts serving ghoulish refreshments alongside on-theme activities. 

Salt Lake City Bars

ACME Bar’s Cabana Frights 

The ephemeral sugarhouse bar is going full force with Halloween spirit. Dubbed “Cabana Frights”, the bar’s interior is decked out with gourds and ghouls. The drink and food offerings are similarly spookified, featuring mixtures like the Poison Arrow—Bouron, Rosemary, Cynar, Orgeat and WerewolfClaw (?). 

Fright Night at Good Grammar

Every Wednesday in October Good Grammar is hosting a scary movie screening. Using their full-length projector screen, the double feature begins at 7 p.m. Enjoy seasonal cocktails while you watch, including their entry in our FTG cocktail contest! 

Flanker’s Paranormal Tiki Parlor 

Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club transformed their tiki room into a spooky Halloween pop-up. The enchanted tropical speakeasy features a brand new collection of autumnal libations served in various on-theme vessels. If you’re only reason for the season is the ushering in of Basketball, Flanker is also launching their “Slam Dunk Menu” for Jazz fans on Oct. 25th. The fixed menu is available during home and away games and includes items like Pulled Pork Sliders, Chicken Wings, Burgers and Soft Pretzels. 

Paranormal Tiki Parlor Oct. 18 – Nov. 1

Ghost of Gibson Menu

Haunted Walkthrough at Quarters Sugarhouse 

Quarters’ patio has been reimagined as a haunted walk through named “The Journey to the After Life”. Grab a cocktail inside and step through a spiderwebbed hallway to reach an array of spooky photo ops. Inside, catch a classic horror flick projected upstairs or sit and enjoy the creative Halloweend decor.  Quarters is also hosting various spooky events like Zombie Prom and a Monster Bash leading up to Halloween, see the full schedule on their instagram. 

The Ghost of Gibson at Grand America Hotel 

Sip on a ghoulish libation while lounging in the Grand America’s classic Gibson Lounge. For the month of October, the space has been bewitched into a Halloween haunt. Featuring spooky decor and frightfully fun elixirs like the Creepy Colada and Vampire’s Kiss, the Gibson lounge is ready to host your next Halloween happy hour!

Flanker Paranormal Tiki Parlor. Photo by Dan Campbell

Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops new Rare Room

Inspired by the new trend in “dark room decor,” Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops unveils a new speakeasy-style room teeming with sultry red lights and moody decor. Enjoy a Bone in Ribeye or a Wagyu steak while you channel Prohibition-era debauchery. While you’re they’re, don’t forget to try the Sugar House Caramel Appletini, an entry in our 2023 Farm-to-Glass cocktail contest! 

WhyKIKI

Downtown drag haven WhyKiki has adorned their space with eerie spider webs and witch hats, and is hosting a variety of horrifying acts through the end of October. Visit on select nights for drag shows featuring iconic Halloween characters and a costume contest. The full schedule is available on their Instagram.

Water Witch and Bar Nohm Halloween Party 

Visit sister bars Water Witch and Bar Nohm on All Hallow’s Eve where the Island Time crew will be slinging tropical creations on the patio. 

Don’t forget to cast your vote for out 2023 Farm-to-Glass cocktail contest running through Oct. 31st!