Beginning November 24, 2023, the Gallivan Center ignites with “GLOW,” an awe-inspiring art experience created by In Theory Art Collective. And though you may already be familiar with “GLOW”—parts of the current installation have appeared at the Gallivan and as part of Open Streets previously—this season’s version is larger and even more magical than past iterations, with a broadened theme celebrating Utah’s diverse natural, cultural and social landscapes. “‘GLOW’ now dives deeper into social and environmental themes, but in an inherently positive way that remains full of joy and love,” says Emily Nicolosi, lead artist and director of In Theory Art Collective. Discover GLOW November 24 through February every night at Gallivan Center, dusk till 10pm.

HOW IT BEGAN

The seed that blossomed into “GLOW” is very personal for Nicolosi. In 2019, she experienced a profound loss and “I had to do something,” she said. That something turned out to be koro loko, a twelve-foot-tall dimensional heart, strung with more than 2,000 shimmering dichroic squares, engineered to stand on point. With the help of her then fiancé and now husband, Ian, and several friends, who would become In Theory Art Collective, Nicolosi took koro loko (Esperanto for “heart place”) to Burning Man that fall. There, in front of her plump and glittery heart sculpture, Nicolosi and Ian were married. A year later, when THE BLOCKS issued a call for art pieces to display on Gallivan Plaza for the 2020-21 holiday season, In Theory applied with koro loko. The piece was selected and displayed with Paige Tashner’s Purr Pods, a pair of cat sculptures that, ironically, had also debuted at Burning Man in 2019. Programmers with THE BLOCKS invited In Theory to return koro loko to the Gallivan for the 2021-22 winter season. When they received an invitation to display their work at the Gallivan for a third time in 2022-23, In Theory created two more pieces to display with koro loko—a snowflake-like sculpture titled Miri the Star and an interactive piece they called Love is … that asked viewers to write their definition of love on a plexiglass square to add to the display.

SPEAKING FOR THE EARTH

“For this year’s ‘GLOW,’ we wanted at least one part of the installation to be a collaboration with a Native American artist or group to help amplify Native voices and perspectives,” Nicolosi says. And so In Theory approached Laura Tohe, current Navajo Nation Poet Laureate, with an invitation to write a poem reflecting “GLOW” 2023’s environmental and social consciousness theme. The result is “You belong to the earth,” a beautifully optimistic and comforting poem that In Theory republished in a display of scripty neon text to include in “GLOW.” “The inspiration,” Tohe explained, “was to remind us that we are all a part of this planet we call Nahasdzáán, Mother Earth. She sustains us, human and non-human, animate and inanimate, by providing us with everything we need to exist. We don’t have another place to live. More so during global warming, my hope is that we take more seriously our responsibility to care for the earth and in doing so, we take care of ourselves. I want my children and grandchildren to live in a world that has a healthy heart.” 

THE AWE-INSPIRING SUM OF THE PARTS

The balance of the pieces In Theory Art Collective designed and fabricated to appear along with koro loko and Miri as part of “GLOW” 2023, include:

• Polychroma, a 14-feet-tall, steel-framed arch lit with state-of-the-art LED technology. “This piece acknowledges Utah’s LGBTQ+ community and is a metaphor for the fact that diversity is a beautiful thing,” Nicolosi says;
• Treehive, a revival of an installation In Theory created for Open Streets made up of LED neon hexagons in varying colors and sizes. For “GLOW,” the Polychroma arch will anchor a Treehive corridor into Gallivan Plaza from Main Street, inviting visitors to enter the experience. “This piece is also meant to call attention to the endangered Western bumble bee,” Nicolosi says;
• Columbine Clusters, illuminated interpretations of one of Utah’s most lovely and defining wildflowers, interspersed among the Gallivan Center’s traditional “forest” of lit holiday trees;
• Fauna Illuminata, clear acrylic animal sculptures created on a 3-D printer and lit from within by LED lights, depicting Utah’s endangered species and placed, with the Columbine Clusters, within the Gallivan Center’s holiday “forest;”
• Prismatic Portals, lit steel squares, placed in a progressively off-set, tunnel-like alignment that, according to “GLOW’s” artistic statement, “invite travelers to summon their destination as they move in and through these mind-bending, color-shifting, swirling gateways;”
• and Crystalline Fantasia, three-dimensional, polyhedral stars and diamonds made in the same format as Miri the Star, floating above the Gallivan pergola.

“THE BLOCKS gave us carte blanche to create what we wanted, and the vision became to not just have one or two pieces but to draw people through the space with multiple experiential pieces in a celebratory and inspirational way,” Nicolosi says. “I hope that it becomes a destination that folks will want to visit again and again all winter long.”

Downtown Alliance Executive Director Dee Brewer echoed Nicolosi’s sentiment. “’GLOW’ is an opportunity to experience the winter side of downtown Salt Lake City,” Brewer says. “It pairs nicely with dining at any of the dozens of nearby restaurants and bars or with ice skating with friends or family at Gallivan Plaza.”

“GLOW” opens on the Gallivan Center Plaza (239 S. Main St) on November 24, 2023 and will remain on display through the end of February 2024. Admission is free and open to the public thanks to a generation sponsorship from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.

Let’s crack some eggs and break some news: Curry Up Now and Mortar and Pestle are no more. The national chain that took over Cedars of Lebanon and served Indian fast casual populated the space for just two years. We’ll miss their tikka masala but are VERY excited to have locally-owned Laziz spread its wings into downtown. Kafta Burgers all around! The plan is to open in mid-September… and look for that adorable tiny bar in the back to be updated and renamed Back Door. Hey, don’t overthink it!

Across the street, a new owner is remodeling what was Cancun Cafe and is planning a Mexican restaurant featuring pescados y mariscos. Mexican del mar is a category missing in downtown, so bring on the ceviche, we’re ready!

Further down 200 comes a very intriguing new restaurant from the Bon Patt Group (owners of Chrisopher’s Prime, Fat Jack’s, and Toro Rasa). Homecoming Southern Kitchen & Bar will occupy the old Olive Garden–a very desirable space kitty corner to Hyatt Regency, which will open next month. A neon sign is up and a menu isonline, but judging by the steel framing, they have several months to go before we get to taste a Pulled Pork Melt, slicing into Prime Rib, or sample the Fried Fish Plate with hushpuppies. Oh Momma! 

We love this next story a latte. Grinding it out in the grounds of the Axis Building, Cupla Coffee is moving east of the aforementioned Homecoming! We’ve bean going for a Cupla years, espresso-ly for the lox, egg and cheese croissant, and of course those signature drinks. 

Speaking of Hyatt Regency, the new convention hotel is a gorgeous addition to the skyline. We love the renderings for the soaring, modern Lobby Bar, but even more alluring is the Catalan-influenced restaurant, Mar | Muntanya (sea and mountain). Located on the 6th floor with an outdoor terrace, it is helmed by Chef Tyson Peterson, formerly at the acclaimed Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant inside St. Regis, Deer Valley.  He recently told us to expect the menu to feature elk tenderloin, suckling pig, and the highest quality oysters. To wash it down and truly imbibe the Spanish flavors, Chef is working on a stupendous selection of sangrias as well as a gin-heavy craft cocktail menu (apparently Spaniards love gin, who knew?)

Finally, this writer recently moved into the Westgate Lofts on 200 South and what would you know? Maxwell’s Little Bar (21+) has opened directly below us, next to Vosen’s German Bakery. (We’re doomed). The adorable postage stamp space fits 30 people and offers all those beloved recipes you loved at the Main Street location. They even have a walk-up for slices! See you there soon. 

The Downtown class of 2021 is in the books, and we are impressed with the freshman class that included 14 new retail shops and 22 new restaurants and bars. We applaud these merchant’s chutzpah! We too are bullish on the downtown economy: the downtown residential community will double by 2025 and employers are growing and relocating to downtown. The momentum continues, we count another dozen businesses opening soon in 2022… including:

Bourbon House Group is delighting us once again with the announcement that Edison, a petite street packed with potential, will be the newest addition to their storied collection of restaurants. Across from Brick & Mortar, The Warhol, a renovated warehouse offering luxury rentals, will house the new concept on the ground floor. With the new liquor store expected to break ground soon, and the existing ROCTACO, Copper Common, Diabolical Records, and Mortar & Pestle, this lusty little lane is going to get even more loads of love from us.

Congratulazioni to Salt and Olive, opening between Under Current and Gourmandise. One roof, two concepts: a cafe/bodega opens every day from 8am-8pm, and a restaurant open 11:30am-11:30pm. Don't you just love consistency? Stop in for an espresso and croissant in the morning; return for a leisure lunch over chianti and a hand-tossed margherita pizza; swing in later and say, "Ciao!" with bucatini and linger longer with a semifreddo affogato! Bellissima!

We’ve been sitting on this for a few months, so we’re delighted to share that Salt Lake’s second food hall is under construction at the Avia on 300 East 400 South. The Local Market & Bar will bring seven concepts and one bar with Chef Akhtar Nawab at the helm. This guy is kind of a big deal and it says a lot about SLC that we nabbed him. A Kentucky-born chef who was a protege of Tom Colicchio and mentor to David Chang, he has an Indian heritage and embraces Mexican cuisine… You can imagine his flavors are complex and innovative. He’s consulted around the world, opened restaurants around the world, and his next is in your backyard.

We love dark wood paneled walls with white table cloths, so we’ll be first to make those rezys at the long awaited The Capital Grille when it opens in the next four months. Another top secret high-end steak restaurant is expected in this same neighborhood later this year, that is in addition to Scott Evans' new meat-centric creation coming to Hope Gallery… this area is quickly becoming Carnivore Country.

Looking to open a restaurant? Hines, the owner of the historic, handsome and newly renovated Kearns Building is looking for a restauranteur for the ground floor that once was home to Jos. A. Banks. This soaring sanctuary would be a sublime shrine for a supreme star– with sweeping views of SLC’s Main Streets and literally seconds from the Eccles. Going once, going twice?

Another available retail space is opening up at 272 South 200 East, Misc Boutique, the well-edited vintage clothing boutique on Broadway is adjusting their business model and owner Missy Baber reports the landlord is great to work with. 

Got a tip about coming retail or restaurants in downtown Salt Lake City? Drop me a line:  

The Downtown Alliance is adding a layer of holiday magic to the Gallivan Plaza with the inaugural season of GLOW Garden at Gallivan, now installed and ready to be experienced through March 1. 

Emily Nicolosi and In Theory Art Collective have created three outsized sculptures designed with thousands of dichroic pieces that glow at night and reflect the full spectrum of color during the day. One work, Love Is, was designed for the community to interact with the piece.  The sculptures elevate an already festive Gallivan Center experience which is adorned with holiday lights and brimming with ice skaters. 

“We started creating art for Burning Man,” said Nicolosi. “It’s a place that inspired us to try new things like making art and figuring out how to do it together, as a collective. We hope our art creates a magical moment in your day, and inspires you to think about the best parts of being human: our wishes, dreams, and love for each other.”

“Downtown is lit for the holidays,” said Director of The Blocks, Lucas Goodrich. “There are hundreds of events downtown and Emily Nicolosi’s sculptures will add to that vibrancy and make Gallivan Plaza the center for holiday magic.” 

“Let’s meet downtown for a drink” is the opening line in an endless number of stories about friendship, business ventures, and romantic partnerships. Tonight, downtown Salt Lake City bars are alive and buzzing with people beginning their next great story. Following are some of our favorite downtown sippers and the bars and restaurants serving them.

LONG TOM at ALIBI BAR & PLACE
Named for the moniker legendary baseball player Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige gave to one of his pitches, Alibi Bar & Place’s (369 S. Main St.) Long Tom is a gin cocktail that, while seeming to have not much to do with baseball, tastes like the golden days of autumn in a glass. Made with Old Tom gin, Amaro Montenegro, Laird’s Applejack brandy, orange bitters and fresh orange zest.

HOT TODDY at BAR X
When the weather turns brisk, there’s no better warmer than the Hot Toddy at Bar X (155 E. 200 South). It begins with black tea brewed with baking spices and then embellished with fresh ginger, lemon and honey. The default booze addition is bourbon, of course, but why not be a little adventurous and try it with cognac, rye or even tequila?

BEET SANGRIA at ZEST KITCHEN & BAR
While many may not consider sangria a cocktail per se, when visiting the plant-based Zest Kitchen & Bar (275 S. 200 West), it makes sense to try something less boozy (And super delicious!) like the Beet Sangria, made with organic red wine, organic beet juice and fresh fruit.

 SUGAR & SPICE at VARLEY’S
Though those in the know often indulge in Varley’s (63 W. 100 South) signature Tangerine Lime Sour (Kettle One grapefruit vodka, rose, lime, citrus tea). Cool temps, however, have us dreaming of this bar’s Sugar & Spice, a comforting riff on wassail made with Hennessey, red wine, citrus and spices.

SHIPWRECK at THE VAULT
When the grey days of winter arrive in Salt Lake City, as they always do, you can find us enveloped in one of the canopy armchairs at The Vault (inside Hotel Monaco, 202 S. Main St), sipping a Shipwreck (Cruzan rum, Cyanar, St. Germain, Orgeat, lime) and dreaming of sunny skies, lapping surf and white sand beaches.

THE ROTISSERIE INN PUNCH at WHISKEY STREET
As you might guess, the beer, wine and cocktail menu at Whiskey Street (323 S. Main St) reads like a novel, with creative touches throughout. A nod to the building’s history as a 1930s-era French and Italian restaurant can be found in The Rotisserie Inn Punch, made with Bacardi Rum, raspberry liqueur, lemon, simple syrup, and prosecco.

BOOLEY HOUSE at WHITE HORSE SPIRITS & KITCHEN
Like its sister restaurants, the cocktail program at White Horse Spirits & Kitchen (325 Main St) is both innovative and extensive, offering more than enough to choose from right off the menu. We, however, can’t stop thinking about a drink the mixologists at White Horse concocted earlier this year to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: the Booley House—a gingery, caramelly wonder made with Red Breast 12-year Irish Whiskey, ginger liqueur, sherry, Laird’s Applejack and black lemon bitters.

FIRST RODEO at BODEGA
Though Bodega (331 S. Main St) is best known as the portal to the subterranean restaurant, The Rest, this small but mighty bar has a following all its own, built largely on tequila. You can get right to it with a $3 shot or, for something to savor, order up a First Rodeo, made with tequila, lemongrass simple syrup, Honest John Bitters Co’s lemongrass cardamom bitters, jalapeño and Topo Chico.

SIGNATURE OLD FASHIONED at BOURBON HOUSE
As indicated by this watering hole’s moniker, the Signature Old Fashioned wins the popularity contest at Bourbon House’s (19 E. 200 South). There, along with the Fee Bros Barrel aged bitters, sugar, orange twist, Amarena Cherry, you can choose from three top-shelf spirits: Old Forester 128.6, WhistlePig 10-year 112.6 or High West Ruby Port Double Rye.

PATIO SPRITZERS at COPPER COMMON
Diversity is the name of the game at Copper Common (111 E. Broadway), where you can imbibe everything from an expertly crafted high ball to a White Claw. But where this popular bar excels, in particular, is with its Patio Spritzers. Choose from one of five on the menu or ask the bartender to create something completely unique. Then grab a seat outside and watch the world go by on Broadway.

 TEMPLE CITY TONIC at LAKE EFFECT / RABBIT HOLE
In an apparent homage to their Salt Lake City home, the mixologists at Lake Effect/Rabbit Hole (155 W. 200 South) present the beautiful and refreshing Temple City Tonic, which brings the classic gin and tonic to a new plane with Holystone cerulean gin, génépy, Scarlet Glow tea, lime, thyme, and Fever Tree tonic.

STOLI CUCUMBER MULE at LONDON BELLE
London Belle Supper Club (321 S. Main St.) is well known for its menu of reimagined classic pub food (Salt Lake Magazine named it a “best restaurant” in 2019.). But its moody and plush decor makes it an appealing destination for just drinks as well. We recommend choosing from the cocktail menu’s seven iterations of the classic Moscow Mule—one we’re particularly enamored with is the Stoli Cucumber Mule.

PINE SOUL at GOOD GRAMMAR
Against the backdrop of Gallivan Plaza and the creativity of local DJs, Good Grammar (69 E. Gallivan Ave) is the place for the fruity, earthy and unexpectedly fantastic mashup known as the Pine Soul—tequila, Zirbenz pine liqueur, Chartreuse yellow liqueur, lemon and pineapple.

BLACKBERRY BASIL at GRACIE’S
Sip one of Gracie’s (326 S. W. Temple) longstanding faves, the Blackberry Basil (Ogden’s Own Five Wives vodka; fresh blackberries, basil and lemon juice; ginger ale), while you drink in sweeping views of downtown and the mountains beyond from one of downtown’s most fabulous rooftop decks.

TWISTED OLD FASHIONED at TWIST BAR & BISTRO
While known for its killer weeknight drink specials and talented bring-down-the-house DJs on the weekends, Twist Bar & Bistro (32 Exchange Pl.) also boasts a sophisticated cocktail program. Case in point: the Twisted Old Fashioned, made with Maker’s 46 bourbon, Demerara syrup, chocolate bitters and orange zest.

HANZO STEEL at UNDER CURRENT BAR
This airy and beautifully renovated former auto dealership has been a go-to for well-crafted cocktails since it opened in 2015. Not surprisingly, the menu at Under Current Bar (270 S. 300 East) offers plenty to choose from, including Hanzo Steel. This elevated riff on an Old Fashioned is made with Japanese whiskey, rye Falernum, Swedish Punsch and coconut bitters, garnished with a ground coffee bean.

 INFLIGHT SMOKER at MORTAR & PESTLE
The hip and cozy Mortar & Pestle (152 E. 200 South), located within the intimate Edison Street alleyway, is well worth seeking out. M&P’s list of signature cocktails is creative and long, all of which are made with house-made syrups and locally sourced booze and bitters. One that scratches both the performance and gustatorial sweet spots is Inflight Smoker, an unexpected riff on a margarita or paloma made with mezcal, grapefruit-lime elixir, bitter orange liqueur, and Jamaican #2 Bitters.

BLING BLING at MARKET STREET GRILL & OYSTER BAR
Many may assume that a mimosa or Bloody Mary are among the most popular cocktails at the 41-year-old Market Street Grill & Oyster Bar (54 W. Market St), where brunch is an institution. Sure, those breakfast sippers are certainly high on the list, but it’s the Bling Bling, made with Tito’s vodka, fresh raspberries, simple syrup and a float of prosecco, that takes the cake.

MIDSOMMAR at POST OFFIE PLACE
Cocktail making is truly high art at Post Office Place (16 W. Market St), where bar manager Crystal Daniels thinks way outside the box to create unforgettable sippers like Midsommar: Roku Japanese gin, Kina L’Aéro D’or Aperitif (with an aroma of quince or a find marmalade), raspberry sour beer syrup and lemon.

LAVENDAR MARTINI at THE RED DOOR
When you’re craving a martini, head directly to The Red Door (57 W. 200 South). The delectable selection there includes everything from the classics to uber-creative options like the Martini L’Amour (pear vodka, elderflower liqueur, orange brandy, fresh lemon) or the boozy Three Drunken Men (Johnny Walker Red, Jim Beam, Jose Cuervo, house-made sweet and sour). Our top pick—one made seemingly specifically for girls’ night out—is the Lavender Martini (vanilla vodka, limoncello, crème de violette, lemon juice, house-made lavender simple syrup).

VERDE at SEABIRD
Before or after a Jazz Game, head over to the intimately friendly Seabird (7 S. Rio Grande St, The Gateway) for the Verde, a well-balanced amalgamation of earthiness and floral notes that makes whiskey sing. Made with rye whiskey, green Chartreuse, lime smoked rosemary and lavender simple syrup.

DIY COCKTAILS
Have a yearning to up your at-home cocktail game? Take an in-person cocktail class at Caputo’s (314 W. Broadway), stockists of an ample selection of bitters, mixers, garnishes, syrups, extracts, and more. Or go online for an evening of cocktail education and fun with the Salt Lake City-based Bitters Lab, offering three-session cocktail-making classes on a quarterly basis.

Fall is traditionally the time for a return to the theater, from Abravanel Hall to Rose Wagner, the arts are in full swing. Of course, venues will have the safety of their patrons at the top of their minds, so expect masks, distancing, vaccination cards, and check with presenters for updates. Following is a roundup of the shows, concerts and performances going on in THE BLOCKS now through the end of 2021 and beyond.  

Abravanel Hall

The Utah Symphony’s, busy fall performance schedule at Abravanel includes: Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi Films in Concert, September 9 & 10; Hilary Hahn Plays Brahms, September 16 & 17; Theirry Fischer Conducts Stravinsky & Rachmaninoff, September 24 & 25; Enrique Mazzola Conducts Brahms 4, Verdi & Rota, October 21, 22 & 23; Back to the Future Films in Concert, October 29 & 30; Salute to Youth, November 2; Stephen Hough Plays Brahms’ Piano Concert No. 1, November 5 & 6; and Pink Martini performs with the Symphony, November 12 & 13. Shiyeon Sung m

akes her conductorial debut with the Utah Symphony in a concert featuring Tchaikovsky 4, Arlene Sierra & Prokofiev, November 19 & 20;  the popular Messiah Sing-In returns to Abravanel Hall on November 27 & 28; Inmo Ynag plays Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, December 3 & 4; Celtic Woman performs holiday songs with the Symphony, December 7; Ingrid Fliter Plays Chopin’s Concerto No. 2 with the Symphony, December 10 & 11; Utah Symphony’s Holiday Pops Concert starring Jodi Benson will be held December 17 & 18; the annual Here’s Comes Santa Claus concert is scheduled for December 18; and Home Alone Films in Concert will play December 21 & 22. Non-Utah Symphony performances and events at Abravanel Theatre this fall include Nathan Pacheco with the American Heritage Lyceum Philharmonic Orchestra, November 23. Tickets to all Abravanel Hall events can be purchased at saltlakecountyarts.org.  

Eccles Theatre

In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, Sting & Honey presents Waiting for Godot, September 10-25. Political comedian Bill Maher performs live at the Eccles on September 12. The Armchair Expert podcast will broadcast its Armchaired & Dangerous Live show at the Eccles on September 16. The Los Angeles Azules perform on September 30. The Grammy-award winning band, Little Big Town, will be in concert September 10 and 11. The Last Podcast on the Left performs a live, horror-themed show from the Eccles on September 25. Enjoy an evening of flamenco music and dance with Flamenco Fascinación and Los Angeles Azules on September 30. Contemporary Christian artist, Amy Grant, will deliver a concert on October 9. Comedian Tom Segura makes a stop in SLC on his I’m Coming Everywhere world tour on October 14. Broadway Across America presents Roots & Rhythm on November 5. Texas-based guitarists, Kithara Duo, will be in concert on November 6. Join one of America’s most beloved writers and comedians for An Evening with David Sedaris on November 17. Host and creator of the weekly comedy show, Patriot Act, Hasan Minhaj, visits the Eccles on November 19. The Pilar Pobil Legacy Foundation presents the Tablado Dance Company on November 19 & 20. Culinary extraordinaire Alton Brown performs his live show on November 20. The Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular plays on November 21. GENTRI: The Gentleman Trio will perform their Finding Christmas show on November 26 & 27. Zions Bank/Broadway at the Eccles present the incomparable Mean Girls, November 30-December 5. Renowned singer/songwriter Gregory Alan Isokov performs on December 7. Mystery Science Theater’s Time Bubble Tour arrives at the Eccles on December 14. Mat and Savanna Shaw wrap up 2021 at the Eccles Theatre with Believe, a show centered around the hope and joy of the holidays, on December 18.  

Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre 

The Capitol Theatre is home to two of Utah’s most beloved performing arts organizations: Ballet West and Utah Opera. Ballet West’s 58th season kicks off on October 22-30 with Ben Stevenon’s Dracula and then continues with The Little Mermaid, November 5 & 6 (with a an all-Spanish-spoken show on 11/6); The Nutcracker, December 4-26; a double bill of Carmina Burana and Jerome Robbins’ Glass Pieces, April 1-9; Romeo & Juliet, February 11-19; and  Choreographic Fest V, May 11-15. The Utah Opera opens its 2021-22 season with Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, a funny and colorful production set in the 1980s, on October 9-17. Subsequent productions include Jonathan Dove and April De Angelis’ Flight, January 15-23; Puccini’s Tosca, March 12-20; and Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, May 7-15.   

Other scheduled Capitol Theatre performances include: Arturo Sandoval Quintet on September 10, multi-Grammy Award winning Jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant on September 25 and an Oscar Peterson Tribute on November 19, all presented by the GAM Foundation/Jazz SLC. The comedic and completely Spanish-speaking production, Knockout de Risas, will be held on September 18. The Center for Latter-day Saint Arts will bring more than 70 dancers of all ages to the Capitol Theatre stage for Vision, an “exploration of the human body as a source of creation, inspiration and revelation” on September 24. The outrageously funny drag queen, Bianca Del Rio, aka the Clown in a Gown, will have audiences eating out of the palm of her hand with her new one-woman show, Unsanitized, on September 26. Tickets to all Capitol Theatre performances can be purchased at saltlakecountyarts.org.    

Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center

Repertory Dance Theatre officially kicks off its 2021-22 season, appropriately dubbed “Homecoming” with North Star, on September 30 -October 2. Subsequent shows include Compass, November 18-20; Emerge, January 7-8; Regalia, March 5; and Six Songs From Ellis, April 21-23, 2022. Live and in-person performances of RDT’s monthly “wiggle-friendly” shows for children and families, aka Ring Around the Rose, return September 11 and continue October 9, November 13, December 11, January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9 and May 14.

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company’s Total Eclipse runs September 16-18, along with Moving Parts, a family-and sensory-friendly performance on September 18. 1520 Arts presents They Reminisce on September 24. 

The Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation presents Rite of Spring, somewhat ironically on October 8; a performance by its 2018 Bronze Medal Winner, Sergey Belyavsky, on November 12; acclaimed Taiwanese-pianist, Ching-Yung Hu, performs at all-Liszt concert on March 12; and Hsiang Tu performs a variety of pieces for piano inspired by animals. 

Plan-B Theatre presents Sleepy Hollow, a world premiere by Matthew Ivan Bennett, its annual co-production with Radio West, broadcast live on KUER October 29 at 11 a.m. and rebroadcast the same day at 7 p.m. Pygmalion Productions’ fall 2021-22 schedule includes Tragedy Averted, October 8-31; Bella Bella, February 11-26; and Body Awareness, May 6-21.

Other performances slated for The Rose include: Awkward Productions’ Bubbles the Clown – Unmasked and Unfiltered, on October 17. In the spirit of Halloween, Warehouse 5 Drum Theatre brings its Paranormal Percussion, on October 18. Nurse Blake, a comedic tribute to healthcare workers everywhere, on November 10.  

 Tickets to all events held at The Rose can be purchased at saltlakecountyarts.org.      

Denver has LoDo. In Austin, it’s Sixth Street. L.A. boasts Culver Boulevard. And here, one of downtown Salt Lake City’s hippest locales is a block bordered by 200 South, 200 East, East Broadway (300 South) and State Street, known simply by the alley that bisects it from north to south, Edison.

You probably already know about Edison’s dense concentration of murals, an ever-changing, open-air gallery of local and international street art and graffiti lending this block its unique aesthetic. (El Mac & Retna’s Ave Maria—arguably Salt Lake City’s most-photographed public art piece—is there high on the east side wall of the Fice Gallery & Boutique building.) Pairs of old shoes hanging from overhead cables and fire escapes add to Edison’s distinctly urban vibe. But it’s Edison’s mostly independent shops, restaurants and bars that give this area artistically gritty soul.    

A handful of proprietors, like Gallenson’s Gun Shop, Diabolical Records and Fice, have called Edison home for a decade or more. Several new businesses have taken up residence there recently, adding to an eclectic vibe not found elsewhere in Utah’s capital city. 

Restaurants

What began as a food truck in the San Francisco area, is now the country’s fasted growing Indian-inspired fast-casual restaurant chain, Curry Up Now (152 E. 200 South). (Utah locations include another in Midvale.) Approachable Indian street food is the rule here. Think slightly Americanized versions of pani puri, samosas, vada pav, daha puri and much more.  

When you’re craving a wide slice of pizza, made with a characteristically thin, hand-tossed crust and dripping with gooey mozzarella—a la New York City—make a beeline to the locally owned Este Pizzeria (156 E. 200 South). Note: the wings, Stromboli and calzones there are as good as the slices.   

One of SLC’s friendliest, most inclusive coffee shops—The People’s Coffee (200 E. 200 South)— relocated to Edison in May. Walk into this inviting and airy space—with high ceilings and whimsical green-stained chevron-pattern hardwood flooring—any time of the day, and you’ll likely find hours have passed when you finally tear yourself away to leave. 

Made-to-order guacamole; creative, seasonally-inspired tacos; and tasty cocktails made with fresh ingredients is what you can expect at Taqueria 27 (149 E. 200 South). Dine inside this modern, minimalist space or outside on the umbrella-shaded patio.   

Proving that everything tastes better when wrapped in a tortilla, the ingredients used within Roc Taco’s (248 S. Edison) “freestyle” tacos—defined as having “zero restrictions in the flavors and techniques employed”—run the gamut from Korean short ribs, Daikon radish and chicken tikka masala to Cuban carnitas, grilled Mahi Mahi and citrus tabbouleh. When you go, be sure to try one of Roc’s deliciously creamy batidas—the citrus avocado is a local fave.

The time is now to get a final fix of the expertly roasted beans, café eats and friendly ethos at Campos Coffee (228 S. Edison). The owners announced they are closing all of Campos’ North American operations July 15, 2021, including the charming café on Edison. Campos very quickly became a popular destination for locals and visitors. Numerous other craft restaurant operators are considering what they could bring to this unique location. Stay tuned for what’s next for this lovely downtown space.

Bars

From the moment you pass beneath the old-timey, light-bulb façade into Bar X (155 E. 200 South), the focus of this hip, speakeasy-esque watering hole is crystal clear: relaxing with an expertly made cocktail. Rows and rows of illuminated bottles serve as a backdrop against which a team of  pro mixologists create anything your palate is desiring. 

Hard booze not your jam? No worries. You’ll find 30 beers are on tap and hundreds more in cans and bottles next door to Bar X at the Beer Bar (155 E. 200 South), dubbed by its owners as “a love letter to the beer of the world.”

The third in Edison’s Second South tavern trifecta is Johnny’s on Second (165 E. 200 South), a gratefully divey, come-as-you-are bar where you can get a beer and a shot for $4. Just the place to spend an afternoon sitting on the sidewalk patio sipping a cold one or inside watching the game and shooting pool.  

Though the dinner offerings are fantastic, where Copper Common (corner of Broadway and Edison) shines is as one of downtown’s most inviting places to meet up with friends. Cozy up in one of the intimate booths inside or sit outside on the patio, verdantly festooned with potted herbs, flowers and lush plants. Not-to-be-missed events at Copper Common include Taco Tuesdays ($6 margaritas) and the no-cover Copper C’mon patio concert series on Friday and Saturday nights.  

It’s hard to grasp the character and sense of place that little, hole-in-wall bars bring to a locale. But that indescribable appeal is just what you’ll find inside the chic and cozy Mortar & Pestle (152 E. 200 South). With the same ownership as Curry Up Now, much of the signature cocktails menu is Indian-inspired and all are made with fresh ingredients and housemade syrups. 

Shops

In a world where digital music is king and record stores are an endangered species, somehow  Diabolical Records (238 S. Edison) has managed to thrive, thanks in large part to its curated selection of indie music on vinyl and tape. Watch for the store’s free weekly concerts with local and touring bands to return in September 2021.

Anchoring the edgy street ambiance endemic on Edison is Fice Gallery & Boutique (160 E. 200 South), stockists of a huge selection of hard-to-find sneakers and artist-driven t-shirts and hoodies. Fice has also built a brand on hosting community-building events, like the monthlong art sale it held in February to mark Black History month and benefit Hoods in the Woods.

Russian immigrant William Gallenson founded Gallenson’s Gun Shop (166 E. 200 South) as a tailor shop on the nearby Regent Street in 1916. Nine years later he changed his business model from men’s clothing to guns and ammo. After a series of moves throughout the downtown area, Gallenson’s landed on Edison in 1990, where it remains Utah oldest firearms dealer.       

Tattoo Parlors

Named for the term of endearment owner Taylor Millet’s mother gave him as a child, Sailor Taylor Tattoo (215 S. Edison St) has been a defining presence on Edison since it opened in 2015. In addition to one of Salt Lake’s most revered sources for fine art-quality tattoos, Sailor Taylor also offers original jewelry, art pieces and piercing within its rococo-style parlor. (Fun fact: The red light next to Sailor Taylor’s door is an artifact from the year Millet ran a speakeasy out of his tattoo parlor—open, when the light was on, from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.)    

Formerly Cathedral Tattoo, Edison’s Mercy Tattoo (180 S. 200 East), is a definitively hip tattoo parlor employing a staff or young and up-and-coming artists who specialize in American traditional, Japanese Traditional and fine-line tattooing. 

Living

Though many of the buildings on Edison and its environs house living spaces above the street-level businesses, theRandi (218 S. 200 East), when completed later this year, will be Edison’s first luxury-level apartment building. The 61 for-rent condos there range from one to three bedrooms within 478 to 2,208 square feet.

Well, it’s almost here...Robert Redford’s renowned Sundance Film Festival is just around the corner and movie enthusiasts are itching to get their hands on tickets and experience the annual 2-week event, held January 23 - February 2, 2020. While many cinephiles think that Park City is the spot to be for movie showings and celebrity sightings, downtown Salt Lake provides an unprecedented Sundance experience for locals and out-of-towners alike. The following tips are sure to help you make the most of your downtown Sundance experience.

Get Your Ticket

Copyright 2015 Sundance Institute | Photo by Leah Peasley. Photo Courtesy of Visit Salt Lake

Being a local has its advantages when it comes to getting a jump start on buying festival tickets. Individual ticket sales begin January 14 (for Sundance Institute Members), January 16 (for locals) and January 21 for the public (anyone who isn’t a local or a Sundance Institute Member). Purchase your tickets here. Individual tickets purchased in advance for all screenings at all venues are $25 and kids screenings are $10. Online ticket orders must be picked up at the main box office at Trolley Square (602 S. 700 East). Electronic ticket receipts will not be honored at the theater. See the full festival program for all of the films showing in Salt Lake during 2020 here

Download the App

Copyright 2015 Sundance Institute | Photo by Leah Peasley. Photo Courtesy of Visit Salt Lake

Did the movie you’ve been anxiously awaiting to see sell out before you could get tickets? No problem. The Sundance Film Festival 2020 app provides access to the online eWaitlist. All you need to do is log into the app two hours before a film will begin to receive an eWaitlist number. Each screening with open seats will sell tickets to the eWaitlist based on availability a half-hour before screening time. If you are lucky enough to snag a last-minute ticket, cash is the only form of payment accepted at the door. The free app also puts the program guide, schedules, maps and other information on your smartphone.

Where to Watch

Copyright 2015 Sundance Institute | Photo by Leah Peasley. Photo Courtesy of Visit Salt Lake

The festival has scheduled 149 screenings at six Salt Lake venues: Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (138 W. 300 South), Broadway Centre Cinemas 3 & 6 (111 E. Broadway), Salt Lake City Main Library Theatre (210 E. 400 South), Grand Theatre (1575 S. State St) and Tower Theatre (876 E. 900 South). Every movie on the Sundance slate will play in Salt Lake at least once. Filmmakers like the Salt Lake screenings because they provide a test audience that isn’t full of industry types, the way the Park City screenings are. No matter what venue you choose, make sure to get there 30 minutes before showtime.

Enjoy the Lounges

Most of the “hospitality lounges” that pop up during Sundance are invitation-only sites where companies can cater to celebrities. That’s not the case in downtown Salt Lake. Visit Salt Lake is opening three Festival Lounges near the Salt Lake screening venues. This year brings the new Queer Lounge at The Daily (222 S. Main St) to its annual line-up of popular Sundance Film Festival Lounges. Located in the heart of downtown, The Queer Lounge adds new live music choices, drag shows, performance poetry and trivia to the mix and joins the popular Festival Lounges at Copper Common (111 E. Broadway), next door to the Broadway Center Cinemas and East Liberty Tap House (850 E. 900 South), near the Tower Theatre. These Lounges are the perfect places to enjoy live music by local musicians, discuss film, art and theater both pre- and post-screenings, nightly. There are no entrance fees and they are open to the public, but seating is limited. Pop-up events and cabaret variety shows at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center are sure to spice up your festival experience.

From documentaries to drag shows, there’s no better place for the ultimate Sundance experience than downtown Salt Lake!