Spy Hop Productions to mark 20th anniversary of PitchNic with Nov. 3 premiere of four student-produced short films

PitchNic, one of Spy Hop Productions’ signature programs,is marking its 20th anniversary this year and is doing so in the manner it knows best, with young Utah filmmakers making their creative debuts in impressive fashion. In its two decades, the PitchNic film program at Spy Hop Productions has succeeded because student filmmakers first learn the … Read more

Plan-B Theatre sets world premiere in Nov. 3-13 run of Morag Shepherd’s My Brother Was A Vampire

In the 2004 novel, Let the Right One In, by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, which later was adapted into Swedish and American films as well as a theatrical production, a preteen boy becomes friends with a new neighbor, whom he realizes is a vampire. It is a fine example of a story that bridges … Read more

Opening Oct. 14, Utah Film Center’s 19th Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival set for live screenings, extra events, streaming on demand options

The Utah Film’s Center’s 19th annual Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival, the longest running festival of its kind in the Intermountain West, opens Oct. 14, returning to its familiar weekend format of live screenings, extracurricular events, and an opening night party but also providing a separate streaming on demand option for patrons, which will … Read more

Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation’s gold medal season opens with Kuok-Wai, 2005 Bachauer Young Artists gold medalist, in all-Schubert program

It is a gold medal season for the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation’s concert series, which opens this week with Kuok-Wai Lio, the 2005 top prize winner of Bachauer’s Young Artists Competition, performing the final three piano sonatas which Franz Schubert composed near the end of his life. The concert will take place Oct. 14 … Read more

Repertory Dance Theatre set to open it 57th season with Quadruple Bill (plus), honoring Bill Evans, one of RDT’s most prolific alumni artists

Life as an artist continues to evolve for choreographer Bill Evans, since five years ago when Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) presented a concert of his works. Now 82, the Lehi, Utah, native still teaches and performs as well as choreographs new works. He remains as busy as ever. Evans is a paragon of wisdom in … Read more

A world premiere by LajaMartin, return of an iconic 1989 piece and a restaging of 2013 ensemble work set to mark Precipice, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company’s 59th season opener; 10th season with artistic director Daniel Charon

Along with a world premiere by the locally based choreographer duo LajaMartin, Precipice, the 59th season opener for the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, will feature the reconstruction of To Have and to Hold, one of the most widely known dance compositions by Danial Shapiro and Joanie Smith also known as the “bench piece,” and the return … Read more

Connection with inspiration: NOVA Chamber Music Series opens 45th anniversary season with works by Pärt, Snider, Joachim, Medtner

It was an easy choice for composer Sarah Kirkland Snider when, in 2015, she was one of nine composers, which the Grand Valley State University’s New Music Ensemble commissioned for their Music In Their Words project. They asked the composers to write music that incorporated the speaking voice of a 20th century composer who had … Read more

Ballet for Aliens  set to premiere as 10th anniversary entry in Plan-B Theatre’s Free Elementary School Tour program

Jacob is hoping Sophie, the nurse who is going to administer the infusion he needs for his chronic disease, is better at needles than the last nurse he encountered. But, the 12-year-old boy also is hoping that Sophie can ease his concerns. Explaining that he is an alien, Jacob says, “I decided that was a … Read more

Eighth Great Salt Lake Fringe set to open July 28 at The Gateway

With two dozen shows in four performing venues at The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City, the Great Salt Lake Fringe (GSLF) returns for the eighth year, with shows spanning the two weekends from July 28 through Aug. 7. This is also the first year since 2019 that all shows will be in person. The … Read more

Backstage at the Utah Arts Festival 2022: With individual, team poetry slams back in full force, an inside look at how teams prepare for invitationals

With the Utah Arts Festival back at full steam, one of its most popular literary arts offerings (and most competitive) also returns to full bloom for the first time in three years. This year’s poetry slam offerings includes individual and team invitationals with prizes at the youth and professional level as well as performances by … Read more