Ron Litteral, Principal of the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts, affectionately known as SPA, is like a proud parent as he talks about the students and programs at his school. He outlines the many awards and achievements garnered over the last 13 years while emphasizing, “It’s not about the awards, but what they learn in the process. We teach them all to do the … [Read more...]
Emerge: Utah Dancers Tell Stories Through Gestures and Movement
"Emerge" Showcases Creativity and Talent of Downtown Salt Lake City's Repertory Dance Theatre The murmuring of the seated audience fades as the lights dim; the anticipation is heightened as the curtains slide open revealing odd rectangular silhouettes that begin to sway to the beat of a tune. At that moment, you know you’ve left your world and entered another; on … [Read more...]
Bands are Buzzing at The Beehive Social Club
For almost 10 years, Konrad Keele has operated an all-ages venue for Utah’s punk, hardcore and Ska communities. Standing at about 6’ 2”, Keele dresses casually-not with studs and bristles- and speaks with a reserved, but confident tone. Since 2016, he has owned and operated The Beehive Social Club, located on 666 South and State Street. He seeks to empower his comm … [Read more...]
Moab Proud, Moab Made
Moab Made describes itself as “a shop dedicated to the local artisan community.” I would add that the Main Street store is hand-crafted for the individual who appreciates singular items. Moab Made’s wares have soul and personality. Moab Made was founded by Rebecca McAllister in 2016. “It was created out of a personal desire to do something that I knew I would feel really pas … [Read more...]
Stunning Skulls: Turning Animal Skulls into Art
I’d never thought of animal skulls as having much eye appeal and I certainly never thought of them as beautiful. But I changed my mind when I got a look at Joni Ballif’s stunning skull creations. Joni is the creator/owner of a unique Utah-based business called Boho Chic Skulls. She takes dead animal skulls that she acquires from livestock dealers, pawn shops, slaughter hou … [Read more...]
Skkull Queen Makeup
Making herself and others into monsters and zombies had been just a hobby of Vanessa Ward of Skkull Queen Makeup, until people hired her to do their makeup for corporate parties and as head makeup artist for Insanity Point Haunted House. Vanessa taught herself the art of monster makeup with trial and error and some help from makeup artists on Instagram and YouTube. Brayden, … [Read more...]
A Backyard Becomes One of the Top Acoustic Music Venues in Salt Lake
Title : “Kris' backyard has become one of the top acoustic music venues in Salt Lake City.” - musician Marv Hamilton On Sunday afternoons at her Millcreek home, Kris Thorne hosts top music acts from Utah and beyond. Chairs are set up in her yard, a band arrives, people socialize, potluck dishes are shared, and a crowd settles under spreading shade trees for great time … [Read more...]
Moab’s Desert Sun Ceramics
Walk through the door of Desert Sun Ceramics in Moab and you will see “Gregoire Pottery”—bowls, mugs, pitchers and other ceramic items created by owner Barb Gregoire. But the studio is more than a venue for only one woman. Desert Sun Ceramics is open to novices and experts alike. The mission is “to provide a creative, inspirational learning environment where everyone can expl … [Read more...]
To The Bat Kave: Tunes in Toquerville
Southern Utah is not synonymous with live music. However, near the blood red cliffs of Zion, in the little town of Toquerville, Dave Durrant is cranking away at the Bat Kave studio. Like many musicians, Durrant was interested in capturing his own material and started recording his music on a Tascam cassette recorder. Looking back on those days he says, "it was kind of cool … [Read more...]
Tony Holiday and The Velvetones: Living and Breathing Blues
The blues began on the plantations of the South, but it didn't stay there long. It is said that the blues is an amalgamation of Mexican guitars, Native American singing and African singing. It is often performed in a call and response manner, as it was first used to keep rhythm and bring a little joy to the lives of those picking cotton on the sprawling plantations of the Old … [Read more...]