Utah Symphony’s percussionists and concertmaster Madeline Adkins among featured musicians for NOVA Chamber Music Series’ American Gamelan concert on May 4

Utah Symphony’s percussionists and concertmaster Madeline Adkins among featured musicians for NOVA Chamber Music Series’ American Gamelan concert on May 4

ByLes RokaApr 30, 2025

Percussionists have become a staple in recent NOVA Chamber Music Series seasons and the forthcoming American Gamelan season closer will illuminate the fact that while percussion orchestras might not be commonly found in Western music it is the quintessential practice in many world music cultures.  Two works will drive home the point. One is Lou Harrison’s Violin Concerto with Percussion Orchestra (1959), featuring Madeline Adkins, Utah Symphony’s concertmaster, and members…

Two exhibitions at Utah Museum of Contemporary Art with strong sociological themes: Amanda Smith’s Trust Issues, Holly Rios’ I’d Like to Return This Body

Two exhibitions at Utah Museum of Contemporary Art with strong sociological themes: Amanda Smith’s Trust Issues, Holly Rios’ I’d Like to Return This Body

ByLes RokaApr 30, 20254 min read

Two  current exhibitions at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) point to substantial sociocultural epiphanies:  Amanda Smith:…

Repertory Dance Theatre’s Deux puts the exclamation point on two dance masterpieces

Repertory Dance Theatre’s Deux puts the exclamation point on two dance masterpieces

ByLes RokaApr 29, 20255 min read

Closing out its 59th season with DEUX, Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT)  brought out two crown jewels from its…

Plenty of exceptionally moving masterpiece moments in Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company’s season closing Re-Act

Plenty of exceptionally moving masterpiece moments in Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company’s season closing Re-Act

ByLes RokaApr 28, 20257 min read

At 2024 Sundance, two documentaries about artificial intelligence premiered that raised tantalizing questions about whether in some way…

Warhorses by Limón, Gotheiner set for DEUX, Repertory Dance Theatre’s 59th season closer

Warhorses by Limón, Gotheiner set for DEUX, Repertory Dance Theatre’s 59th season closer

ByLes RokaApr 22, 20253 min read

Two warhorses from Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT)’s choreographic catalogue will highlight DEUX, the company’s closing production for its…