Cat+Fish Dances concert of Forge reflects on accepting, transcending vulnerability

The recent wave of dance concerts in Salt Lake City has produced gratifying experiences that supersede dance’s inherent ephemeral nature. Choreographers have encouraged work that deepens the audience’s capacity for translating the body movements they see on stage without the necessity of an intermediary interpreter. An individual’s persona can electrify — along with how dancers … Read more

Interview with director: Gracefully, Iranian documentary, set for world premiere at Utah Film Center’s 16th annual Damn These Heels LGBTQ+ Film Festival

The 16th Utah Film Center’s Damn These Heels LGBTQ Film Festival will feature a world premiere of Gracefully, a documentary by Iranian filmmaker Arash Eshaghi, which has been banned in Iran. The Utah Review was privileged to screen this documentary, as mentioned last week in the preview of the film festival, which is set in rural Iran and … Read more

Dance West Summer Fest closes on captivating displays of dance’s topography, future

There were plenty of captivating moments in two programs to cap the inaugural Dance West Summer Fest – hosted by Repertory Dance Theatre, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company and The University of Utah’s Salt Dance Fest. There was a satisfying range of works in Topography, presented by dance artists and choreographers who led the three-week schedule of workshops. From classics to complete works … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2019: Final preview of 43rd Utah Arts Festival highlights largest programs ever, many new faces in multidisciplinary venues

EDITOR’S NOTE: Links embedded in this Utah Arts Festival preview direct readers to the various festival features that have been published in The Utah Review since June 6. Pleasant temperatures and sunny days will mark the 43rd Utah Arts Festival, when it opens tomorrow (June 20) and runs daily through Sunday (June 23), noon to … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2019: Utah’s rich dance artistry in diverse platforms to be presented in major performances

Dance is the empress jewel in the crown of Utah’s performing arts history. Accordingly, dance is represented in numerous ways at this year’s Utah Arts Festival. There are two world premiere dance commissions by Ballet West artists Katlyn Addison and Joshua Whitehead being performed by the RUUDDANCES company (June 21, 5:45 p.m., Festival Stage) and … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2019: Four commissions set to premiere in chamber and jazz music, dance

Four commissioned world premieres – chamber music, jazz and two in dance – are part of this year’s Utah Arts Festival. The Utah Review highlights each of the new works. KATLYN ADDISON, JOSHUA WHITEHEAD DANCE COMMISSIONS, RUUDDANCES — June 21, 5:45 p.m., Festival Stage For the annual dance commission concert at the Utah Arts Festival. … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2019: What’s the new vibe for the 43rd edition? Many new faces, events at all venues

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Utah Review begins its preview coverage today of the 43rd Utah Arts Festival, which will be held June 20-23, noon to 11 p.m. daily, on the Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City. As this is the state’s largest multidisciplinary arts and cultural gathering each year, The Utah Review considers the Utah … Read more

Inaugural Queer Spectra Arts Festival explores multiple facets of queer aesthetic

Setting an appropriate tone in a community gearing up for the upcoming Utah Pride Parade and Festival in downtown Salt Lake City, the inaugural Queer Spectra Arts Festival took place last weekend in the Commonwealth Studios in South Salt Lake. Artists and speakers addressed the impetus and inspirations for the queer creative aesthetic – or, … Read more

Inaugural Dance West festival, workshops unite 3 pillars of Utah dance culture: Repertory Dance Theatre, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, University of Utah’s Salt Dance Fest

As a compelling testimony to the impact of three immensely successful artistic institutions coming together in the heart of Utah’s dance culture, the inaugural Dance West Summer Fest – hosted by Repertory Dance Theatre, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company and The University of Utah’s Salt Dance Fest – is poised to become the destination event in the … Read more

A powerhouse collaboration, Lost Love Socialite Sweet Love Recluse premieres as postmodern soap opera; rendered as intriguing, ingenious dance theater

As one distills the pastiche and collage in the recent premiere of Lost Love Socialite Sweet Love Recluse, a powerhouse local dance theater collaboration, there are many intriguing elements in this postmodern soap opera to appreciate. In a broad sense, one is reminded by the classic line in the 1951 novel Requiem for a Nun by … Read more