What’s New at the 2017 Taste of the Wasatch event?

The 2017 iteration of Taste of the Wasatch, one of Salt Lake’s premiere charitable events to fight hunger, returns to Solitude Mountain Resort on Sunday, August 6 with a host of fresh and fun offerings in store. “What sets Taste of the Wasatch apart from other food events in the state is the level of food, … Read more

14th annual Utah Film Center’s Damn These Heels LGBTQ Film Festival highlights artistic progress, mainstream acceptance

There is no doubt, especially in the last half dozen years, that the artistic ideals of LGBTQ cinema not only successfully promulgate new perspectives in the mainstream but also highlight incisive takes that push the film traditions of character, director, auteur and audience well beyond conventional binary-based boundaries. Today’s stories emphasize themes of inclusion, openness … Read more

A detailed look at largest, most cosmopolitan lineup ever at Utah Film Center’s Damn These Heels LGBTQ Film Festival

The Utah Film Center’s Damn These Heels LGBTQ Film Festival offers the largest, most cosmopolitan lineup ever in its 14-year history. Utah filmgoers have a rare opportunity to see some of the best examples of LGBTQ cinema today, as 21 films are receiving their Utah premieres. The Utah Review screened many of the films in … Read more

Backstage at The Utah Arts Festival 2017: Winners announced for Artist Marketplace, Literary Arts competition, IAMA songwriter

The 41st Utah Arts Festival has announced various awards for visual arts, literary arts and the Susanne Millsaps Performing Songwriter Showcase competition coordinated by the Intermountain Acoustic Music Association (IAMA). Nine awards were presented for the Artists Marketplace. All of the visual artist award winners are eligible for invitation to the Utah Arts Festival in … Read more

Backstage at The Utah Arts Festival 2017: Ed Pratt, one of the stalwarts in festival’s behind-the-scenes production

Longevity is a strategically important adjective to describe the Utah Arts Festival. It is an asset that also primes an organization to be flexible enough to change, adapt and incorporate new ideas and fresh perspectives. Institutional memory is key. The festival has been fortunate to have many staff, volunteers, partners and sponsors who have committed … Read more

Backstage at The Utah Arts Festival 2017: Pedrito Martinez Group to close out festival on exuberant note

Pedrito Martinez received his musical education in the streets of central Havana. “There were so many teachers that were my idols,” he says in an interview with The Utah Review. The batá rhythms he learned originated in Africa, once performed only for kings. The performer on the largest drum, the instrument referred to as the … Read more

Backstage at The Utah Arts Festival 2017: Saturday headliners include Mitch Barrett, Fruition, RJD2, The Sauce Boss, IAMA Millsaps finals

Saturday’s weather will be perfect and the Utah Arts Festival’s headliner slate is ideal for a summer evening. Among the highlights are performers marking the fourth annual IAMA Day for musicians and members of the Intermountain Acoustic Musician Association (IAMA). There will be the finals of the Susanne Millsaps Performing Songwriter Showcase competition (noon, Big … Read more

Backstage at The Utah Arts Festival: Frank Falk’s iHorns, Joshua Rodine’s glass art exemplify unique statements about artistic vision

Two of the artists in this year’s Artist Marketplace, the largest ever in Utah Arts Festival’s history bring unique approaches to their work. Frank Falk, iHorns, 3-D Mixed Media, Booth 135 For some, Frank Falk’s art on the surface is a cool nostalgically rendered novelty which enhances the sound quality of that ubiquitous object of … Read more

Backstage at The Utah Arts Festival 2017: Random acts of opera sponsored by Utah Opera return to City Library for second year

Soprano Clara Hurtado-Lee is looking forward to testing out the acoustics in the soaring and spacious Urban Room atrium of the City Library. Perched on the overhang on one of the floors above the main space, a trained opera singer can fill the entire vast space with her voice. For the second year at the … Read more

Backstage at The Utah Arts Festival 2017: Friday’s blockbuster headlining slate includes new jazz and dance commissions, Brazilian culture, and plenty of blues, soul, funk, R&B

Friday’s headliners for the Utah Arts Festival comprise a blockbuster lineup on the main stages with world premieres in two programs (click on previews for each program): the jazz commission concert with the Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra featuring Alex Heitlinger, Andrea Miller and Chuck Findley (7:45 p.m., Festival Stage) and the dance commission concert … Read more