May 21, 2025
A CURATED CALENDAR FOR THE CURIOUS SLC EXPLORER
See full event listings at The Blocks Arts District
Did you know Utah has the largest population of Tongans outside of the Kingdom of Tonga itself? Celebrate our neighbors and their culture and traditions at MASIMA, a festival of Pacific Island Films at Broadway Cinema! Wed+Thursday.
One month and dozens of sold out shows later, the curtain will close on Wicked at Eccles this Sunday. But before then, there are still many shows to go and tickets are available–the lowest we see is $99.
Let's Spring into Summer with food, music, and big downtown energy! Join us for a free lunchtime concert at Gallivan Center on Thursday, May 22, from 11:30 to 1pm. Purchase lunch from vendors of the Downtown Farmers Market, bask in the perfect weather, and enjoy a free concert from James Hardy and the Fire!
We go down some fantastical rabbit holes writing this column for our dear readers.
In 1830 Hector Berlioz was madly in love with the beautiful and fascinating Shakespearean actress, Harriet Smithson. Thinking he would never be with her, Hector slowly poisoned himself with opium. In his heightened emotions and delirium he wrote Symphonie fantastique, a gorgeous, sweeping achievement that the Utah Symphony will tackle Friday and Saturday. The newly appointed music director, Marcus Poschner will conduct.
Oh, and guess what? Three years later Hector and Harriet married at the British Embassy in Paris. (They did not live happily ever after, but that’s a story for another time).
The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts held their national conference in SLC last month (they were two-thumbs-up amazing, come back!) They even left us a gift: a curated collection of their best works from 40 artists, being displayed at UMOCA for one more week. The details and story telling in these pieces is remarkable! Don’t miss this exhibit!
Grab your bike and stroll the city today. Start with brunch. (Franklin and Copper Common are always delish.) Ride to the free Makers Hive Market at The Gateway where you’ll find local makers and vendors, food trucks, and live music (noon to 4pm). Then Temple Square offers a free, live, 30-minute recital at 2pm at the Conference Center. Finally, wind down with a look at the new rooftop at the library… or WIND up with British breakout star Rachel Chinouriri at Soundwell, $32!
We want to feature your fun!
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