Viet Pham’s much-anticipated and long-awaited Pretty Bird eatery is finally real. It opened just this week at 146 Regent Street in the Eccles Theater building. This seems like quite a departure for Pham, who is best-known for his refined cooking at his previous restaurant, Forage, and for appearances on Iron Chef America (where he slayed Bobby Flay) and Extreme Chef. I say it i … [Read more...]
Quitting Her Day Job: One Utah Artist’s Journey
Eighteen months ago Heather Ackley was working for Franklin Covey doing design work. In May of this year she had her first solo art exhibit at Mod a-go-go. From one point to the next how are dreams fulfilled? For Heather, it happened when a friend commissioned a portrait of her dogs. Heather’s first inclination was to do a drawing of the dogs, but the friend suggested she t … [Read more...]
The Project: A Salt Lake Entrepreneurial Space
In an old warehouse slated for demolition in September 2014, Evan Moore is trying to realize a dream. Moore opened The Project in 2013 as an entrepreneurial space allowing artists, craftsmen and technicians to have somewhere to launch their ideas and businesses. He calls it an “all in one creative art space,” or “a modern-day fantasy factory.” The Project currently houses var … [Read more...]
Bboy Society: Not Your Usual Utah Pop & Lock
At open practice today, Josh tells me he’s working on power. That means advanced moves such as headspins and flares. He practices alongside 11 year-old Noah who is getting feedback from the older guys on his cracker-jack. These terms describe amazing acrobatic moves that dancers perform on city streets. Joshua “Text” Perkins, co-founder of the Bboy Federation, aka the “Fed,” … [Read more...]
The Urban Arts Gallery at the Gateway
The non-profit Utah Arts Alliance (UAA) has just added one more name to its list of venues: the Urban Arts Gallery. The grand opening at the Gateway Mall was a success, featuring DJs, local art giveaways and performances by the local Bboy Federation. Since the gallery was conceived, it has established a niche for itself, in part, from the success of the Urban Arts Festival … [Read more...]
ARE WE OK?
The great promise of America was that we could take what we enjoyed in the old world, remove corrupt government tyranny and overzealous religious oppression and create a more functional environment where people could flourish as they pursued their own personal version of happiness. Driving down Fort Union Boulevard in Sandy and Cottonwood Heights we see the ultimate in … [Read more...]
The Children’s Theatre Grows Up
Last June, the Children’s Theatre purchased the old Avalon Theater on 3605 South and State. Director James Parker has been doing extensive renovations to the historic property. James explains how his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Parker, started the theater in 1986 and operated in the early days, renting out Abravanel Hall, The Capitol Theatre, and Kingsbury Hall. The Children’s Thea … [Read more...]
It’s a Wonderful Life
A Christmas movie that has stood the test of time by being timeless. On Christmas Day, the Broadway Cinema will once again screen It’s a Wonderful Life. Now revered as a holiday icon, Frank Capra’s classic tale flopped at the box office when it was first released in 1946, Small wonder. It deals with themes of alcoholism, suicide, greed, rage...and redemption. All who have see … [Read more...]
Old School Punk
Think the Metal scene is dead? Check out this old schooler who keeps the spirit of heavy metal alive. Heavy metal music is a lot like Chinese food. There are days when nothing else quite hits the spot. When local metal-heads feel the need for a full-course serving of thrash, the place they gravitate to is the Heavy Metal Shop at 63 Exchange Place in Salt Lake City. Owner Kevi … [Read more...]
A Man Enters
A biographical play about a man who abandons his family A highly acclaimed and successful man divorces his wife and goes away, leaving behind two young kids constantly bewildered by a spate of unanswered questions. The children grow up nurturing fantasies about their father and eagerly hoping for his return. When Salt Lake writer and journalist, Elaine Jarvik, was faced with a … [Read more...]