Weather modification and cloud seeding: is it really that hard to believe? If you think those long white lines left in the wake of passing airplanes scoring the sky from ear-to-ear are noticeably thicker, longer, and remain for a longer duration than they did twenty or thirty years ago, you’re not alone. A growing number of people are looking skyward and wondering: What’s … [Read more...]
Art for Hope: Sugar House Public Art Project
As I stood on the closed (for construction) sidewalk in Sugar House looking at the Art for Hope exhibit on the former Deseret Industries Building, I saw different interpretations of hope, encouragement, peace, and unity. Encouragement from “We Will Grow From This,” by Ann Chen; Colleen Marshall’s “Caped Healthcare Worker,” recognizing our healthcare workers as superheroes … [Read more...]
Artist Havoc Hendricks: Making a Living by Drawing on Walls
If you’ve ever told your kids not to draw on the walls, perhaps it’s time to rethink that stance. Artist Havoc Hendricks has made a living drawing fine art on walls, snowboards, clothing, canvas and more. He was the fidgety kid that never grew out of always doing something with his hands. When he was in grad school, Havoc spent his free time painting. When he sold his … [Read more...]
Going to Disneyland is My Job
Can you imagine your job consists of traveling the world and visiting Disneyland Theme Parks? That is just what Chris Provost and his wife Amanda do and then post their adventures, secrets, tips, and history stories on their YouTube channel, Provost Park Pass. Chris is the emcee in the main ballroom of Salt Lake’s FanX® and has been since the first event. His job there is … [Read more...]
Guardians Of The Galaxy Star Calls Utah Home
When I asked Hollywood actor Tom Proctor what he loves about Utah, he simply said, “I can sum that up in one sentence: It’s home.” Tom has a diverse acting resume including such films as Twelve Years a Slave, Django Unchained, The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs, Guardians of the Galaxy, and many more. He was born in Salt Lake City and raised in the Oquirrh Mountains. Tom’s … [Read more...]
Bollypop – A New Musical Fusion
I stood up from the fancy gold colored couch and smoothed out the wrinkles on my magenta gown. “Lub Dub, Lub Dub, Lub Dub.” My heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to explode. As I walked up on stage, my hands turned cold, my throat ran as dry as a desert ditch, and a trickle of sweat ran down my cheek. I had worked hours a day, days a week, and weeks a month … [Read more...]
The (Other) Oldest Profession: Storytelling in Utah
No, not THAT profession! Get your mind out of the gutter! It’s storytelling! Storytelling has been practiced since the beginning of time. It has been documented that there have been primitive civilizations who functioned without the use of the wheel and yet, they had storytellers. These storytellers of old were instrumental in passing on traditions, genealogies, songs, … [Read more...]
Gotta Dance! Utah Culture Promotes Dance Excellence
Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow ... music plays, couples embrace and laugh. There is nothing like a good waltz to change your mood. During the 19th Century, the waltz was introduced as a high society social function for the elite. In the 20th Century, a monumental shift occurred which allowed people from all demographics to take part in the joy of dancing. Ballroom dance … [Read more...]
Dance Magic: Utah’s Competitive Dance Scene
The mountain air and golden sunshine combined with the alpine elevation along with a bit of history puts Utah on the map as a source of astounding dancers. From ballroom and TV stars like Derek and Julianne Hough from Orem to Norwegian Principal Ballerina, Whitney Jensen, from Sandy; Utah simply has a little bit of dance magic. It’s not all magic of course. It’s a lot of … [Read more...]
Artist Samantha Long: Love of Whimsy
“I begin almost every painting with an idea in mind,” says artist Samantha Long, “be it a line from a hymn or a verse of scripture or something I’ve just been thinking about.” “Zion Rising,” “What Souls are Worth,” “Raising the Saints,” “Fruits of the Spirit,” and “Fleeing Babylon,” are just a few of the names Long has given her paintings. The name of each piece gives you a … [Read more...]