2015 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah

Another Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah is in the books, with all of the ups and downs you would expect from one of the country’s top three cycling events. The week long Tour of Utah features some of the world’s best professional bike riders and teams competing on Utah’s most challenging terrain, with many … Read more

Glamping and gourmet at Conestoga Ranch’s Campfire Grill

Garden City, UT, the gateway town to Bear Lake’s emerald blue water spanning the Idaho/Utah border is known for its world-famous raspberry shakes and…well, not much else. It’s simply the town you drive through on your way to access the lake or your accommodations, but that’s about to change. The newly opened Conestoga Ranch has … Read more

Many thrilling moments of intimacy in Plan-B Theatre’s 24th season

NOTE: This is the first of a two-part series about Plan-B Theatre. The first looks back at the company’s 24th season. In every production for its recently completed 24th season, Plan-B Theatre brought many thrilling moments of intimacy to audiences. The visceral, emotional punches between a young Mormon couple trying awkwardly to process the grief … Read more

Utah Opera’s The Rake’s Progress is bold and creative

Utah Opera's The Rake's Progress

Utah Opera’s production of Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress is new to Salt Lake City, but this 40-year-old production is one of the most iconic in the history of American opera. The Rake’s Progress follows the story of Tom Rakewell, a young man who decides to reject the life his future father-in-law has set up for … Read more

Plan-B Theatre’s ‘Pilot Program’ impressively executed statement of silence, understatement on faith, polygamy

“It doesn’t make sense, I know it doesn’t. Forty-five minutes later, I’m tied in knots. I’m angry and confused and all over the place. But the moment that he asked, in that second, that breath hanging in the air between him and me— There was a blossom of warmth. A burst of— I don’t know. … Read more

The Last Southern Gentlemen and all that jazz

The Last Southern Gentlemen: Courtesy of Delfalone

Soothing…the first word that comes to mind when describing the sights and sounds of The Last Southern Gentlemen, who performed at the Capitol Theatre on Monday, April 13. When those four men took their positions on stage, I had a feeling I was in for a musical treat. With their southern swagger and Delfeayo Marsalis’ … Read more

Dance elevated with Ballet West’s Almost Tango

Almost Tango by Ballet West

Ballet West continues to surprise and delight its audiences this year with a triple-bill performance celebrating diversity in dance—paying tribute to tango, square dancing and the techno dance club scene. “I choose to put these three works together because in subtle and unique ways they are all explorations into the melding of classical ballet and … Read more

Magnificent, searing performances carry Plan-B Theatre’s outstanding premiere of ‘A/Version of Events’

From several notable vantages, there has been a great infusion of artistic energy in the blossoming Utah Enlightenment, a creative movement that demands courage in the making of art. And, especially in Utah’s peculiar environment that gives civility, docility and adherence to faith much higher value than often deserved, courage becomes critical in ensuring the … Read more

Matt Starling’s new recording of Riley minimalist classic ‘Dorian Reeds’

In the best tradition of minimalist music, austerity and sincerity – sometimes built on nothing more than a handful of pitches and rhythmic values – lead to surprising phenomena of musical experiences that often become ambient, transcendental or even psychedelic. Fifty years ago, composer Terry Riley saw his works – including ‘In C’ and ‘Dorian … Read more

Ballet West’s graceful Swan Lake

Ballet West's Swan Lake: photo courtesy of Luke Isley

Before Taylor Swift wore the Swan Lake costumes in her Shake It Off video, Tchaikovsky composed the heart-wrenching score for Swan Lake 138 years ago and Ballet West’s founder Willam Christensen created the first full-length American production in 1940. Swan Lake is the ultimate classical ballet. Filled with more than 50 dancers including ballerinas in … Read more