Literature

Utah Arts Festival 2021: Literary Arts program, now in its 27th year, adds new features including BIPOC literary program, readings by college student writers, performances at three stages

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EDITOR’S NOTE: To read more about some highlights of this year’s Utah Arts Festival literary arts program, see the features about the BIPOC literary program here, A. M. Luzzader and Chadd VanZanten here, Danielle Susi and the SLCC student writers here and the indie and team poetry slams here.  Now in its 27th year at … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2021: BIPOC literary program heightens visibility of thriving sustained voices to strengthen resolve for achieving equity in community

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For a significant stretch of time, Utah’s literary arts community has been animated by an impressive diverse range of poets, authors and performers but this year’s new BIPOC literary arts program at the Utah Arts Festival emphasizes a presence that informs audiences and readers just how extensively many writers have enlightened and reshaped the region’s … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2021: More than just wife and husband, A. M. Luzzader and Chadd VanZanten find mutual support in each other for productive careers as authors

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A.M. Luzzader has cultivated a thriving enterprise as an independent author She has published novels with apocalyptic themes for adults but who decided to switch things up as the pandemic expanded by writing children’s books including fantasy adventures with a young mermaid and a humorous mystery series. Meanwhile, her husband, also an author as well … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2021: Indie, team poetry slams, always an audience favorite, return to Literary Arts stage

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No doubt, the pandemic dampened the momentum for nourishing Utah’s already healthy appetite for poetry as an oral art form. But, despite this year’s slimmer, shorter Utah Arts Festival, slam poetry competitions for individuals and teams — among the biggest audience draws for the festival’s Literary Arts stage — are back. Coordinator Dorothy McGinnis says … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2021: Salt Lake Community College students, join other aspiring university writers in performing at Literary Arts stage; SLCC faculty Danielle Susi slated to read

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Among the new additions to this year’s Literary Arts programming at the Utah Arts Festival are the invited groups of student writers from various Utah colleges and universities, including Utah Valley University, Weber State University and the Brigham Young University’s master of fine arts program in creative writing. Also of note is that Salt Lake … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2021: Slimmer, shorter but still state’s most comprehensive arts and cultural celebration of the year

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Utah Review begins its preview coverage today of the 45th Utah Arts Festival, which will be held Aug. 27-29 (noon to 11 p.m. on Aug. 27 and 28 and noon to 9 p.m. on Aug. 29) on the Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City. As this is the state’s largest multidisciplinary … Read more

Stress, healing, empowerment: The top 10 moments of The Utah Enlightenment in 2020

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INTRODUCTION One year ago, when The Utah Review presented the 2019 edition of the top 10 moments of the Utah Enlightenment, it was a jubilant representation of Utah’s integral strengths as a community of the arts and the momentum that catapulted Salt Lake City as one of the Intermountain West’s most dynamic centers for creative … Read more

Torrey House Press’ recent spate of releases in nonfiction, fiction, essays, poetry underscores breadth and depth of fresh perspectives

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Part II of The Utah Review’s feature package on Torrey House Press’ 10th anniversary offers a roundup of reviews about THP’s recent releases in 2019 and 2020. For Part I, see the centerpiece article. As Torrey House Press (THP) begins its second decade, the press continues to ramp up its pace for new … Read more

Torrey House Press marks 10th anniversary with robust momentum spreading beyond its Utah, Intermountain West roots

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of a two-part series about Torrey House Press marking its 10th anniversary. Part II presents a roundup of reviews from some of THP’s recent releases in 2019 and 2020. Of all the impressive developments in the Utah Enlightenment of the last 10 years, the broadest and most consequential is … Read more

Great Salt Lake Fringe 2020: Virtual format drew viewers from 48 states, 25 countries; four shows highlight adventurous enterprise

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Adopting a complete virtual format, the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival (GSLF) marked its sixth year with the schedule of 38 shows being viewed more than 5,000 times from 48 states and 25 countries. Many individual performers raised tips and donations and GSLF organizers say that, pending final confirmed figures, the amounts per show are comparable … Read more