Lots of new energy: The top 10 moments of The Utah Enlightenment in 2021

INTRODUCTION It has been an enormous project to regain the spirited momentum that many arts and cultural organizations in Utah’s creative industries had amassed before the pandemic brought everything to a ground stop in the early spring of 2020. With resilience and durability exercised to their intrinsic advantages for respective organizations, many creative producers also … Read more

Memorable solo moments dominate Repertory Dance Theatre’s Compass concert

There were many unforgettable solo moments in Repertory Dance Theatre’s (RDT) Compass concerts. There were many astounding moments featuring the RDT ensemble and guest dancers from Utah Valley University who demonstrated the authentic virtues of a tight-knit community who communicate through movement with mutual clarity of purpose and emotion. Ursula Perry’s solo in Martha Graham’s … Read more

Repertory Dance Theatre’s upcoming Compass concert to feature world premiere of Ihsan Rustem’s Hallelujah Junction; works by Martha Graham, Bebe Miller

In Compass, the upcoming Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) concert, four pieces — two Martha Graham works from the 1930s,  a 2019 work by Bebe Miller and a world premiere commission by Ihsan Rustem — emphasize modern dance’s potential as a vehicle for appreciating the historical significance of timeliness and timelessness. The program proves that the … Read more

Second November weekend concert highlights to include RDT Link Series’ Sandbox, Bachauer recital with Sergey Belyavsky, NOVA Chamber Music Series’ Songs of Life

Among the events blossoming on the Salt Lake City performing arts calendar for the second weekend of November are a dance concert of new works by local artists, a recital by the 2018 Bachauer international artist competition’s bronze medalist and a chamber music concert of six pieces featuring 18 musicians from Utah and New Mexico. … Read more

Live performances continue to return in first-class fashion: season openers for Repertory Dance Theatre, Bachauer concert series, NOVA Chamber Music Series, Pygmalion Theatre Company

Four more local performing arts organizations have now launched their seasons with live performances, vividly reminding audiences just how impressive Salt Lake City’s cultural scene is as it returns to its pre-pandemic pace. Beginning its 56th season, the Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) offered North Star, celebrating the work of choreographer Lar Lubovitch, including two selections … Read more

Repertory Dance Theatre set to open its 56th season with North Star, featuring works of choreographer Lar Lubovitch

Quietude. Relaxation. Contemplation. Meditation. Natural euphoria. This week’s 56th season opener for the Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT), featuring the works of choreographer Lar Lubovitch, sets an ideal tone for a soothing return to a live stage concert that a performing arts company could program for audiences, not seen since early 2020. All three works for … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2021: Five local companies set to perform on Festival Stage, The Round, highlighting Utah’s numerous strengths in dance.

This year’s Festival Stage and The Round programming at the Utah Arts Festival, as customary, includes some of Utah’s most influential dance institutions. In addition to the dance commissions being presented by artÉmotion (see accompanying feature at The Utah Review) in collaboration with Ballet West (Aug. 27, 4:45 p.m.), there are five performances by Repertory … Read more

Genuine warmth of artistry in premiere of Fragments Of …, dance work by Laura Brick, Dan Higgins

Before the pandemic halted live concerts and shows, performers were more likely than not to welcome the audience from the stage within the first moments of starting, if at all. Prior to performing in the Studio Theatre at the Rose Wagner Center for Performing Arts, dance artists Dan Higgins and Laura Brick went to every … Read more

Two memorable season closing films: Repertory Dance Theatre’s Homage, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company’s Cadence

Two of Salt Lake City’s historically significant dance institutions — Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) and Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company — are concluding this unusual season with new concert films. Both films end on an encouraging note, signaling a hopeful return next fall to their regular performing venue in the Rose Wagner Center for Performing Arts. Both … Read more

Three examples of virtual excellence: Plan-B Theatre’s P.G. Anon, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company’s Home Run; Repertory Dance Theatre’s Regalia

Three recent virtual events emphasize just how well three Salt Lake City performing arts institutions continue to sustain their creativity and visibility. PLAN-B THEATRE: P.G. ANON Plan-B Theatre always is a master of minimalism so its instrinic strengths are making an audio-only season to celebrate its 30th anniversary possible. The premiere of P.G. Anon, written … Read more