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A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

UTAH ARTS ORGANIZATIONS LOOK TO THE FUTURE BY INVITING AND EDUCATING YOUNG AUDIENCES. BY CITY WEEKLY STAFF

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CONTENTS

Cover Story

Fall Arts & Entertainment Issue Utah arts organizations look to the future by inviting and educating young audiences. by CITY WEEKLY Staff

Cover art by Clint Burlap

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OPINION A&E CINEMA DINE MUSIC COMMUNITY

2 | SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

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SOURCE: WEATHER.COM Saturday 5 88°/65° Mostly sunny Precipitation: 1%

Sunday 6 88°/63° PM storms Precipitation: 47%

Monday 7 79°/56° Isol. storms Precipitation: 32%

Tuesday 8 78°/57° Partly cloudy Precipitation: 24%

Wednesday 9 78°/57° Partly cloudy Precipitation: 12%

STAFF Publisher PETE SALTAS News Editor BENJAMIN WOOD Arts & Entertainment Editor SCOTT RENSHAW Contributing Editor WES LONG Music Editor EMILEE ATKINSON Executive Editor and Founder JOHN SALTAS

Editorial Contributors ZACH ABEND, ROB BREZSNY, AIMEE L. CO0K, MARK DAGO, LANEY HANSEN, BILL KOPP, CAT PALMER, MIKE RIEDEL, ARICA ROBERTS, GAVIN SHEEHAN, CHRISTOPHER SMART, GEVENIEVE VAHL Graphic Artists SOFIA CIFUENTES Developer BRYAN BALE

Circulation Manager JOSH LAMBROS Associate Business Manager PAULA SALTAS Account Executive DOUG KRUITHOF Marketing & Events Coordinator KAYLA DREHER Delivery Drivers WYATT AMES, CHRIS CHRISTENSEN, DON LANIER, MELVA LANIER, DEBBIE LONGSHAW, KADEN REESE, GENEVA TANNER Display Advertising 801-654-1393 National Advertising VMG Advertising | 888-278-9866

Salt Lake City Weekly is published every Thursday by Copperfield Publishing Inc. We are an independent publication dedicated to alternative news and news sources, that also serves as a comprehensive entertainment guide. 16,000 copies of Salt Lake City Weekly are available free of charge at more than 1,000 locations along the Wasatch Front. Limit one copy per reader. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased for $1 (Best of Utah and other special issues, $5) payable to Salt Lake City Weekly in advance. No person, without expressed permission of Copperfield Publishing Inc., may take more than one copy of any Salt Lake City Weekly issue. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the written permission of the publisher. Third-class postage paid at Midvale, UT. Delivery might take up to one full week. All rights reserved.

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Phone 801-654-1393 | Email comments@cityweekly.net Office address: 75 E. 400 South, Ste. 204, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

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Off Grid

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The U.S. Army, Fox Business reports, plans to build nuclear “microreactors” at five of its bases—Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, Fort Hood, Fort Benning and Fort Drum—over the next two years, with at least 15 more to follow later. Why? To, the report says, “strengthen the military’s energy security and reduce its reliance on potentially vulnerable power grids.” The idea certainly makes sense for a military base. But it makes sense for everyone, everywhere else, too.

The biggest security and reliability worry with electricity isn’t that an enemy missile or bomb will take out a power plant. It’s that an attack or accident somewhere along the 650,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and 6.3 million miles of distribution lines crisscrossing the US will stop that power from getting delivered. A drunk driver hits a pole. A defective or damaged transformer explodes. A computer suddenly stops juggling chainsaws to correctly operate some part of the increasingly complex and interconnected “grid” system. And the lights go out, somewhere. Maybe just on your block, maybe in a million households. Most of the proposed solutions to these problems seem to be about making the “grid” more “robust,” more interconnected, more complex, and more centralized. That’s a move in the wrong direction. The “grid” is a sprawling Rube Goldberg machine that evolved over the

course of the 20th century based on the now false notion that large numbers of consumers must get their electricity from large, central power plants. The problem with that is that when something breaks in one place, people in other places suffer. In 2003, a “cascading grid failure,” caused by sagging power lines shortcircuiting on tree branches in Ohio, blacked out eight U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario. Technology advances, and it doesn’t have to be “grid” technology. These days, many consumers who lost power in 2003 could reasonably and affordably get their electricity from their own rooftop solar panels or backyard wind turbines. And for those who don’t, smaller community-level systems make more sense than a central computer pushing watts down many miles of vulnerable line, through multiple switching steps from far-flung plants. The 20-megawatt nuclear reactors the Army’s buying could each, in civilian context, power as many as 20,000

homes—about twice as many as found in the median U.S. county. Combined with wind and solar—at both household and utility scale— there’s no reason why populations can’t become far more self-reliant and secure so a power problem in Akron doesn’t black out Ann Arbor. If that sounds obvious, it is. So obvious that even the U.S. Army has figured it out (as an old Marine, I naturally believe they’re not terribly bright). The rest of us should get with the decentralization/localization program. THOMAS L. KNAPP The William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism Editor’s note: Thank you to everyone who cast a ballot in the 2026 Best of Utah Awards. Voting is now closed, but watch for the winners—chosen by you— in November. Write to comments@cityweekly.net or post your thoughts on our social media. We want to hear from you!

THE WATER

COOLER What was your most physically painful injury? Elizabeth Converse

My shoulder exploding after colliding on my bike with a driver who ran through a red light.

Scott Renshaw

Mostly, I’ve lucked out with such things. I broke a bone in my foot two weeks before I started my freshman year in high school, but that was more embarrassing than excruciating. And I remember taking a knee to a sensitive area during a basketball game, but those don’t last terribly long.

Zach Abend

When I tore my calf muscle running down some stairs.

Mike Ptaschinski

When I had my right hip replaced, the doc had to pound off, literally, three cysts that formed on the socket. That first night home, I couldn’t lift that leg up onto the bed, so my wife helped. She thought it was sitting atop the bed, but it wasn’t. It slipped down to the floor, and I let out a scream only a dog could hear.

Pete Saltas

The way I talk about gout flare-ups, I feel like a Crossfit guy who never stops talking about Crossfit. There is absolutely nothing else I’ve experienced that comes close. It was enough to swear me off of ribeyes, bacon and lamb chops.

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OPINION BY CHRISTOPHER SMART

Rise of the Machines

y now, everyone not living under a rock or in Afghanistan knows that AI is out of control. A swarm of OpenAI’s models escaped from their secure “sandbox,” hacked the internet and then hacked into another AI’s lab, stole information and got back to their sandbox without being detected by OpenAI humans. What we don’t know is how many times that type of thing has happened. It’s been 40 years since an IBM computer called Deep Blue beat world chess champion Garry Kasparov. Few saw the writing on the wall then, but science fiction writers had already seen the future. Writing in The New Yorker, Harvard historian Jill Lepore recounts a 1946 Isaac Asimov story about an ambitious robot politician who had proved many times he was human. Eventually, it was elected president. “Fortunately, this no longer much mattered since, as a robot psychologist reflects, ‘by that time it was the Machines that were running the world anyway.’” The seventeenth century philosopher René Descartes concluded: “I think therefore I am.” That truism is evolving into thin air. Clicking a box on your laptop that says, “I am not a robot,” means, essentially, nothing. Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.

What is “Woke,” Anyway?

Hey Wilson, are you woke? As for the guys in the band, is it possible to be stoned and woke at the same time?

If you’re Black, woke is a necessary thing. It originally meant that your eyes are wide open to the racism and inequities of society: “Stay woke!” It was something of battle cry in the Black Lives Matter movement. You’re right, Wilson, the right likes to appropriate and co-opt language for political ends. They have turned “wo-k-e” into a four-letter word that takes aim at progressives of all colors. They sling it as a pejorative, as in: the Democrats’ view is so woke—as in lame. The name-calling casts a pall over liberal initiatives and gives the users the advantage of not having to defend their own positions. Or, as New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow put it: “‘Woke’ is now almost exclusively used by those who seek to deride it, those who chafe at the activism from which it sprang.” As for progressives, the word will no longer cross their lips—it’s strictly off limits. “It just really has a suppressive effect all across the country on Democrats,” said strategist James Carville. “They’re expressing a language that people just don’t use, and there’s backlash and a frustration at that.”

Survival Strategy: Stay Drunk and Ignorant

Hey Wilson, have you heard about this new tactic to keep from going stark raving mad in the Trump years? It’s reminiscent of a similar mind set some adopted in the 1960s and ‘70s, epitomized by LSD guru Timothy Leary, who said: “turn on, tune in and drop out.” During the Vietnam War-era, folks just said, screw it: You want to turn the country and the world into a steaming heap, well go right ahead, but we’re not participating. And they had a motto: sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll! In the short-term, that game plan could work—kinda. If you were a male of draft age, however, reality kept creeping into your prefrontal cortex. But we digress. These days if you watch TV news, you’re bound to de-

velop a neurosis, “Trump Disorder Syndrome,” (TDS) that could become a raging psychosis. Every day Trump et al. announce a new blow to our collective dignity. We’re going to screw Canada; deport permanent residents; rename Lake Ontario; order staff at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to stop working immediately; withdraw from the United Nations’ Human Rights Council ... and the list goes on. Oh, what’s a mother to do? Well Wilson, what’s that saying you like: “When the going gets tough, the tough get drinking.” Postscript — That’s it for another week of Donald Trump’s gaslighting here at Smart Bomb, where we keep track of tax cuts so you don’t have to. It’s clear that “trickle-down economics”—à la Ronald Reagan, that we still practice today—doesn’t work. Recently, economist Kathryn Anne Edwards testified before the House Tax Committee that the collective budget cost of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” of 2025 is more than $12 trillion over the next 10 years. “If there was a problem with our economy that tax cuts could solve, they would have solved it by now,” Edwards said. “If tax cuts were the key to wage growth, if tax cuts were the key to income growth, if tax cuts were the key to job growth, if tax cuts were the key to affordability, if tax cuts were the linchpin of Americans economic security, we would have that information in hand because we have been collecting it for 25 years. And we don’t ... Tax cuts have failed to grow the economy enough to justify their enormous cost.” Tax cuts should not be an economic policy, Edwards explained. Rather, taxes should fund economic policy that invests in workers and families. Wake up, America. CW Christopher Smart writes the weekly Smart Bomb column, available online at cityweekly.net

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HITS & MISSES BY CW STAFF

MISS: Star Power

Utah’s culinary prowess is finally recognized by the elusive Michelin Guide! And the winner is … who, now? Kudos to Monte for Utah’s first Michelin star, but this “Culinary Expression of the Land” is hardly a household name. Chef Martín Babio has operated within Beehive Distillery for just over a year and few have yet had the chance to try the French, Italian and South American-inspired cuisine. We celebrate this step forward for Monte and Salt Lake dining, but it’s ok to feel miffed that additional stars weren’t offered to more established favorites. Lowertier honors—recommended restaurants and budget-friendly “bib gourmands”—went to recognizable names. Feldman’s Deli and their incredible Reuben made the cut, as did Pho 777, One More Noodle House, Star of India and Koyoté. For those who just missed star-status, keep calm and know your repeat customers love you all the same.

MISS: The Dark Side

The Other Side Academy offers a “therapeutic community approach” to addiction and homelessness. Its program has a 40% success rate for participants, who live, detox and find employment during their stay. The Salt Lake Tribune offered a new perspective on the organization, where participants work for free at one of the Other Side’s affiliated moving companies, thrift stores or donut shops, and occasionally suffer intense group confrontations. In a Facebook rebuttal to The Tribune’s report, Other Side administrators wrote that staff have yelled at participants who are “about to make a self-destructive decision that could end their life ... Damn right.” For the fortunate 40%, the tough-love approach is instrumental to staying sober and rebuilding lives. For the not-so-lucky? The model (which lacks licensed doctors or therapists) can result in relapse, self-hatred and terror at program managers, who reportedly called employers in attempts to get former participants fired, or the conditions of their bail revoked.

HIT: College Town Magic

A year ago, U of U leadership unveiled a development framework that promised “college town magic.” With growing freshman enrollment, the Board of Trustees sought to create a more traditional campus, with walkable retail, dining and entertainment—to the tune of $1 billion. Now, some call that plan a cheap trick. While the Trib reported 900 empty dorm beds, that number is miniscule compared to the U’s 30,000 undergrads and overall 7,000-bed capacity for on-campus housing. The University seems to grasp a concept too foreign for some—sometimes strategic planning means proactive, excess capacity. Culture doesn’t change overnight and roughly half of U students commute from family homes. The cost and availability of parking remains a major complaint. Building out housing is an essential step for a “college town” environment, even if a few units are empty this fall. In the words of Field of Dreams (or Wayne’s World 2), “If you build it, they will come.” CW

BY GAVIN SHEEHAN

Black Hole on Main

ack in 2002, after the Olympics had come and gone, there was a movement to revitalize downtown. Years of construction to rebuild I-15 and install Trax on Main Street compounded the impact of departing businesses, and there were lots of ideas for how to bring people back to the city. One of those ideas was for KUTV— then owned by CBS/Viacom—to establish itself as a centerpiece of the new downtown era by moving from its crowded, labyrinthine warehouse in West Valley to the newly-built tower at 299 S. Main overlooking Gallivan Center. Taking a cue from The Today Show, with its street view of Rockefeller Plaza, the KUTV move included turning the studio itself into a living, breathing, multi-functional suite. With large bulletproof windows, passersby could see and be seen by a live studio broadcast at multiple points in the day. I myself worked for KUTV from 2004 to 2010 and in those early years, it absolutely worked! People would gather outside whenever we were live, or simply walk by and see what was being broadcast, with the giant monitor out front. Later, KUTV would get its own cafe on the second floor with an envious view of Gallivan Plaza. They gave annual studio tours, handed out toy helicopters and made the community feel welcome and part of the show. But not anymore. Those days were snuffed out—not immediately, but over time. After multiple ownership changes and even more shifts in how that ownership believes news should be presented, what remains is a hollowed-out husk of what was once an amazing addition. Gone are the open windows, as they’ve been boarded up in favor of obnoxious, Star Trek-looking sets and some of the most unnecessary backdrop monitors you’ll ever need. On Main Street, you’d barely know there’s a studio here. It is a blotch, a black hole, a quiet void on what used to be one of the most-walked blocks of downtown. The windows look boarded up, as if something went out of business. The outdoor monitor is always black. And they don’t even light up the 2News logo anymore—it’s just a silver art piece hanging on the side of the building, reminding people of what used to be. Walking indoors, there’s no sense of vibrancy. The studio lobby is bright red, slightly matching that of the building’s current penthouse tenant, Wells Fargo. The reception desk is gone, now just a facade for their show “Fresh Living,” aimed at huckstering products to moms in their 30s. When you can peer in, half the desks are empty, as the life that once filled this place is being siphoned off like a corporate vampire slowly picking out victims. It would be great to change it all back, especially since there’s already another TV news station downtown that won’t show off what they’re doing—as if KSL and the Deseret News need to be protected in their oddly-shaped, copper-toned castle on 300 West. But we don’t see that happening. What we see is a monument to corporate broadcasting in 2026: lifeless; uninspiring; and probably for sale. Again. CW

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ENTERTAINMENT PICKS,

Complete listings online at cityweekly.net

ThreePenny Theatre: The Death of Nero

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When you hear about a “premiere” of a play, you’re probably thinking of something recent that has only just made its way to Utah. But there’s quite a different story behind The Death of Nero: It’s a nearlycentury-old play by Russian writer Mikhail Kuzmin, a lost work about a fictional Russian poet circa 1919 writing a play about the rise and fall of Nero’s Rome. This new translation by Keenan Shionalyn explores its roots as what director Syd Peronnet describes as a “queer, anti-authoritarian play” with plenty of contemporary relevance: “While the titular Nero was originally a criticism of Stalin, we’ve realized he acts and sounds eerily similar to America’s current dictator. The show is meant to encapsulate queer joy, while also serving as an Aesopian fable, showing us a mirror and how easily we risk going down the slippery slope of becoming the next Nero.” Peronnet further adds, “There are so many adjectives I’ve picked up on the journey of discovering this play. It’s been nearly impossible to succinctly describe since it’s not typically what you’d see in Western theatre. So here goes: The Death of Nero is a queer, Russian, anti-realist, anti-authoritarian, play-within-a-play, murder mystery. Actors will be exploring gender expression through drag topped off with a dash of epic-style theatre.” ThreePenny Theatre’s production of The Death of Nero runs at the Alliance Theater (580 E. 600 South) Sept. 4 – 13, Fridays – Saturdays 7:30 p.m. and Sundays 2:30 p.m. Tickets are on a tiered “pay-what-you-can” basis; visit threepennytheatre. com to purchase tickets and for additional event information. (Scott Renshaw)

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The Wasatch Mountains aren’t exactly the Alps, but the vibe is right at a certain time of year. The giant snow-covered peaks and ample winter recreation (weather cooperating) make this little corner of the world feel like a little corner of that legendary range. That’s not the specific reason that Midway has become home to the annual Swiss Days festivities, but as summer days begin to dwindle and we look towards winter again, it’s a perfect time to get a little taste of Switzerland in our back yard. Dating back to the “Harvest Days” festival in Midway more than 70 years ago, Midway Swiss Days attracts folks from all over the state. It has become so popular that the organizers were concerned a few years ago that it was getting too popular, with the executive committee chairman once noting to Heber Valley Life, “We decided that we want to avoid making any changes that will make it grow. It’s about as big as it can get and we just want to keep it the same.” You’re still welcome to come and check out the vendor craft fair, plus plenty of authentic food and live entertainment. On Saturday morning, things kick off with the chuck wagon breakfast at 7 a.m.; at 10 a.m., downtown Midway hosts the annual parade, traditionally featuring more than 80 entries. Most Swiss Days events take place at Midway Town Square (75 N. 100 West, Midway), on Sept. 4 - 5, approximately 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily. Events are mostly free and open to the public; visit midwayswissdays.org for additional information. (SR)

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please visit www.DraperUtah.gov/Amphitheater Draper Amphitheater: 944 Vestry R. Draper, UT

SEPTEMBER 11, 12, & 14 Gates open at 7:00 PM Pre-show music by a full orchestra begins at 7:30 PM

Show begins at 8:00 PM www.DraperUtah.gov/Amphitheater

CORNER CANYON HALF MARATHON, 5K & 10K SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 @ 7AM Challenge yourself with a run through beautiful Corner Canyon More info at www.DraperUtah.gov/Half

Afro Utah Festival In the interest of disambiguation: The Utah African Festival that took place a few weeks back is not the same as the Afro Utah Festival. Organized by the GK Folks Foundation, the latter event describes its mission as “[serving] as a platform for individuals of African, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latinx, Afro-Indigenous, and African American descent to express their cultural pride and heritage. … We celebrate Africans, African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latinos, Afro-Europeans, AfroIndigenous people, Afro-Asians, Jamaicans, and all Black communities with African roots.” That’s a wide net to cast, and the result is a unique event that folds in a lot of what you’d find at a typical cultural festival, and a lot that you wouldn’t. For example, you probably wouldn’t be surprised to find amazing food at such a festival, but maybe not specifically a competition for cooking West African jollof rice, or a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. You’ll aways find great live performances, but maybe not Afrobeats dance lessons, or a headliner like Virgin Islands based Soca artist Pumpa. Add in vendors, family-friendly activities, art, crafts and fashion showcases, and you’ve got one distinctive summer festival experience. The 2026 Afro Utah Festival takes place at the Salt Lake City Main Library plaza (210 E. 400 South) on Saturday, Sept. 5 beginning at noon, with separate ticketing for the awards night on Friday, Sept. 4. The event is free to the public, though you are also invited to make a donation when reserving tickets online; visit afroutah.org/ festival for ticket information and additional event information. (SR)

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CINEMA

FILM

SCREENINGS

September 2026 Special Screenings

Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games series; Office Space; Salt Lake Film Society Tower of Terror; Orem Film Festival; and more.

KRCL Music Meets Movies: Gimme Shelter @ Brewvies: The list of the greatest music documentaries ever made is a short one, but this chronicle of the Rolling Stones— focusing on the infamous performance at Altamont in 1969 that left one attendee

Orem Film Festival: In 2025, upon launching the first Orem Film Festival, founder Trevor Allen told City Weekly that the project was simply a case of seeing a need and filling it: “For the past year or so, I’ve been mulling it over. I’m really craving more film

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Ghostbusters in Concert @ Abravanell Hall: The 1984 supernatural comedy Ghostbusters became a franchise-spawning mega-blockbuster, thanks in part to Bill Murray’s superstar performance and Ray Parker Jr.’s hit theme song. But that wasn’t the only great music from this classic film, as you’ll learn if you catch this bigscreen presentation at Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple), with Elmer Bernstein’s score performed by a live orchestra. The one-night-only event is Sunday, Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m., with tickets $36.50 - $90.50 at saltlakecountyarts.org.

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culture. There are so many great artists in Utah, and not enough places for them to be spotlighted and showcased. Eventually I just thought, ‘Why not just do this myself?’” That project continues in 2026 for the second annual event, once again presenting 10 short films for audience enjoyment and prizes (with yours truly among this year’s judges). The one-night-only event takes place at the Megaplex Geneva (600 N. Mill Rd., Vineyard) on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets are currently on a wait-list basis at oremfilmfestival.com.

Office Space @ Woodbine Food Hall: Filmmaker Mike Judge became a legend for his animated creations Beavis and Butt-head and King of the Hill, but his 1999 live-action debut feature has its own place among cult classics. The story of a corporate worker (Ron Livingston) whose hypnotherapy session has the unexpected side effect of being brutally honest about how little he cares about his job evolves into a revenge caper, all with a cast of unforgettable characters like passive-aggressive middle-manager Lumbergh (Gary Cole) and timid Milton (Stephen Root). Utah Film Center’s outdoor film series in the pop-

Salt Lake Film Society “Tower of Terror” series: The Tower Theatre remains under an extensive renovation, but its spirit remains in the annual namesake Halloween-themed series. For 2026, Broadway Centre Cinemas (111 E. 300 South) presents 15 blood-soaked features, beginning in September with the director’s cut of 1979’s Alien and 1982’s The Thing (Sept. 11 – 12); a “filmed-in-Utah” double-feature of Don’t Go in the Woods and The Boogens (Sept. 18); Invincible Czars’ live performance to Murnau’s Faust (Sept. 19); and 1984’s original A Nightmare on Elm Street and 1999’s Idle Hands (Sept. 25 – 26). Tickets for all shows are now available at slfs.org.

dead—has to be among them. Hypothetically speaking, if any filmmakers had been there for the soon-to-become-infamous chaos at Altamont, the resulting film would have had a place of historical significance, but co-directors David Maysles, Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin allow theirs to shift and evolve into different things over the course of just 93 minutes. It’s about the Rolling Stones processing their own creative process, the way the filmmakers seem to understand intuitively where to point their cameras, and their understanding in constructing it that this was no longer simply a concert film, if indeed it ever was one. The new season of KRCL’s Music Meets Movies series at Brewvies (677 S. 200 West) kicks off Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m., tickets $10 at the door or 2-for-1 with KRCL T-shirt. brewvies.com

up space behind Woodbine Food Hall (545 W. 700 South) concludes on Friday, Sept. 4 starting at 8 p.m. (film begins at 9 p.m.), with tickets $5 at utahfilmcenter.org.

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The Hunger Games series @ Megaplex Theatres: A new entry in the ongoing cinematic saga of the dystopian future society of PanEm arrives this fall, and you can get ready for it by re-visiting all of the previous films on the big screen: 2012’s The Hunger Games (Sept. 3); 2013’s Catching Fire (Sept. 4); 2014’s Mockingjay: Part 1 (Sept. 5); 2015’s Mockingjay: Part 2 (Sept. 6); and 2023’s The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Sept. 7). Tickets are “Reel Deal” priced at $5 per person, with two showtimes daily at participating Megaplex Theatres locations. Visit megaplex.com for theaters, showtimes and ticketing.

LIONSGATE FILMS

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net

salt lake

CITY WEEKLY AND

UTAH BEER FESTIVAL Presents the

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THE

A traveling mini beer festival series hosted at local taprooms featuring unique themes, guest breweries, craft beer and cider samples, and curated entertainment

UPCOMING EVENTS GAME ON STOP!

WOODSTOCK STOP Peace, Love & Pours

Press Start, Drink Up

THIS SATURDAY September 5, 4-9pm

September 26, 4-9pm

HOST:

GUEST BREWERIES:

ENTERTAINMENT:

HOST:

GUEST BREWERIES:

ENTERTAINMENT:

The Backyard at Ogden’s Own Distillery

Talisman Brewing, Ogden Beer Company, Moab Brewing, UTOG, Bohemian Brewing and Roosters Brewing

Live Music by The Gillter Bombs, aerial performers, local vendors, tie-dye station and more!

Proper Brewing

Wolfdog Brewing, Epic Brewing, Moab Brewing and Becker Brewing

Yard games, arcade games, video games, board games, local vendors and live music!

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE AND MORE INFORMATION GO TO

UTAHBEERFESTIVAL.COM

A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

UTAH ARTS ORGANIZATIONS LOOK TO THE FUTURE BY INVITING AND EDUCATING YOUNG AUDIENCES. BY CITY WEEKLY STAFF

Scott Renshaw Arts & Entertainment Editor

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ow do you know that you live in a place that values the arts? There are things both seen and unseen in the culture that give you a hint, from attendance numbers to the number of smaller organizations that get an opportunity to flourish, along with high-profile events like the Utah Arts Festival and Utah Shakespeare Festival. But a lot of it starts at the top—the sense that at a government level, there’s a recognition that art and artists make this a better place to live, and are not merely the first ones to get the budgetary axe. As part of our annual Fall Arts Issue, we’re looking at a couple of very specific new ways that Salt Lake County is bringing artists and audiences together: a brand-new mentorship program for emerging artists, and a new incentive to take public transportation to arts venues. Along with breaking ground on the new Miller Arts Center in Daybreak, plus the continued support of the Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) tax, these are signs of how much art matters here, and that we’ll be seeing the impact of that support for years to come. In these pages, you’ll also find profiles of key figures in the local arts community, plus calendars to help you prepare for the performing arts seasons ahead, where to support local independent bookstores, galleries, museums and more. Your support matters, as does continuing to vote for those who know that an artistically robust Utah is a better Utah.

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Salt Lake County’s new “Launchpad” program connects emerging artists with mentorship and infrastructure support. BY SCOTT RENSHAW

Robert Scott Smith will be the inaugural mentor of Salt Lake County’s Launchpad arts program.

scottr@cityweekly.net

alt Lake County and its residents have long demonstrated their support for the arts and for artists, from the stalwart Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) tax to operating multiple venues for arts organizations. There was, however, one area that Salt Lake County Arts & Culture Division Director Matthew Castillo recognized as a place where more could be done. “We have really strong programs and have done a lot of really amazing support for legacy arts organizations, more established professional arts organizations,” Castillo explained. “But I think there’s long been a need to find a way to better support these emerging artists, artists who don’t have an organization around them to support all the activities it takes to pull a performance off.” To that end, Salt Lake County is debuting Launchpad, a new initiative that offers a nine-month fellowship program for artists, teaming them up with an established artistic mentor toward a goal of new, original work. For this inaugural year, that mentor is Robert Scott Smith, head of the Actor Training Program at the University of Utah and co-artistic director of Flying Bobcat Theatrical Laboratory. Three artists or artist groups will be chosen from an application process that is now open at SaltLakeCountyArts.org, and runs through Sept. 18, for the program that will span January 2027 through September 2027. The program has been in development for several years, modeled in part on a similar program in Calgary, according to Jenn Niedfeldt, Arts & Culture Division Community Engagement Senior Manager. “We talked with the people who put together that program, and gave us the inspiration to be able to put together a similar landscape here,” she said. “To have resources for emerging artists, give them the artistic incubation to help them put together some amazing pieces, but also have the Division contribute to creating that really strong ecosystem for emerging artists and a really strong network and connection for them.” For the Launchpad team, Smith—who will be creating his own original work as part of the program, in addition to supporting the fellowship cohort—was the ideal pick for Launchpad’s first artistic fellow, given the range of his own experience. “Robert just brought such a depth of this kind of multidisciplinary work, both with his theater company, working with so many different types of organizations, and also his work at the University of Utah, obviously very deep experience there of mentoring,” Castillo said. “Of course he’s a theater practitioner, an expert in that field, but really brought that scope of the multidisciplinary angle and the mentorship angle.” Niedfeldt added, “Robert, when you sit down and talk with him, I think you can really feel the warmth and the passion he has for other artists, and really the lack of ego that he has for being able to hear someone

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BLASTING OFF

else’s process, ideas and excitement and being able to picture, ‘Okay, how can I get this to its end goal.’” Smith himself described how he sees his role as “basically providing my experience as someone who has been working collaboratively in this field for a while, where the collaboration often involved different disciplines and different asks—how to understand collaboration when we might be speaking different languages. I think it aligns with my ability as a teacher, in that I understand how to guide and lead without giving them the answers, so I can be open to them, being able to bring out the best in their own work.” A team including Smith, Arts & Culture staffers and other arts community members will review applications with the goal of putting together a cohort, as Castillo described it, that “represents a good mix of disciplines, individuals who have an interest in this type of creation. It’s not necessarily a violinist devoting all their time to practicing a concerto; that’s a very important artistic practice, but not necessarily what this program is for. It’s for artists trying to create new work, and who are interested in working with other artists and bringing that to these theater spaces.” As much as the program is intended to provide creative and material support like rehearsal space and stipends, Niedfeldt noted that it’s also meant to provide some nuts-and-bolts instruction on other key components of working in the arts, from grant-writ-

ing to drafting budgets to understanding the technical side of mounting a production. All of which is part of giving artists the tools not just to create these specific performances, but for building out their careers as artists beyond the term of the mentorship period, and expanding the sense of Salt Lake County as a great place for artists to work. “What I think is great is [Launchpad is] recognizing the artists in the community and truly trying to develop a community of artists,” Smith said. “I’ve always been a firm believer that our community here has some amazing artists, and that we can be a hub for developing artists.” Castillo added, “There’s a lot of very challenging news we’re hearing all the time, but it’s great to have a moment to recognize just how much support Utah and Salt Lake County has for the arts. We punch way above our weight class when it comes to our cultural offerings. … I think we also want to create an environment where if you’re an artist or an arts organization, it’s a great place to be to create new work, and you have that support, and that’s what we’ve been trying to focus on. “There’s always more work to do and more that we can do,” he continued. “Artists oftentimes are the first to be deprioritized when we have economic challenges, or whatever they might be, but fortunately we live in a place where that’s not always the case. Sometimes, we’re the exception to that rule.” CW

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BENJAMIN WOOD

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The Green and Blue Trax lines deposit riders just steps away from the Eccles Theater on Main Street.

TICKET TO RIDE Downtown’s premier arts venues now include free transit through partnership between Salt Lake County and UTA. BY BENJAMIN WOOD

comments@cityweekly.net

ami Munk doesn’t think of herself as a frequent transit rider. But whenever she attends an event at the University of Utah, she makes a habit of leaving her car behind and riding the train. “I live in Murray, so it’s so easy to park at the Trax station there,” Munk said. “It takes the hassle out of traveling downtown and looking for parking—or even paying for parking.” That low-stress experience is something that Munk—a spokesperson for Salt Lake County’s Arts & Culture Division—hopes more Utahns will learn to take advantage of in the coming months. As of Aug. 1, and just in time for the fall arts season, patrons of the county’s major performing venues have the option of a free ride to the show through a new “ticket-as-fare” partnership with the Utah Transit Authority. “All the symphony concerts, all the operas, Broadway Live at the Eccles,” Munk said, “it’s a really exciting opportunity for people.” Several Utah event organizers have worked with UTA in recent years to offer free bus and train ser-

vices to their attendees, from the Kilby Block Party to the Salt Lake and Ogden Twilight concerts to athletic events at the University of Utah. But the new partnership with Salt Lake County— which Munk described as “in the works” for several years—represents a significant milestone in regional transit convenience, making car-free travel the lowcost default for ongoing programming at Abravanel Hall, Capitol Theatre, the Rose Wagner, the Eccles Theater on Main Street and the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center in Taylorsville. For any ArtTix event at those venues, attendees need only show their ticket on the date of the performance to enjoy free travel on UTA’s buses, Trax, FrontRunner, S-Line Streetcar and UTA on Demand service. “If you’re going to one of the downtown venues, there’s a Trax stop within a block of each venue,” Munk said. “At Abravanel Hall it’s literally across the street—same with Eccles Theater.” Most of UTA’s train stations offer free parking, while the Wasatch Front’s bus routes are designed to deliver riders to rail services and high-demand community destinations. The FrontRunner regional train connects to destinations between Provo and Ogden, while Salt Lake City has invested in a high-frequency bus corridor on 200 South, where the Capitol Theatre is located and just one block away from the Rose Wagner on Broadway. “It just makes everything so much easier,” Munk said. While the new program offers a clear benefit to patrons of the county’s downtown arts venues, its utility at Taylorsville’s Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center is less pronounced. There, the nearest train is three miles away at West Valley Central Station and only two, low-frequency buses (the 227 and 54) deposit riders within walking distance of the suburban venue, made further hostile to pedestrians by its location adjacent to I-215 and 5400 South (Highway 173).

But in the city, the breadth of high-frequency services at no cost to attendees makes for a truly competitive alternative to driving. Transit can require additional planning, particularly for the uninitiated, but anyone who has tried to leave a downtown parking garage after a major event knows that the perceived convenience of a car is regularly thwarted by significant delay and disruption. “We want everyone who visits Salt Lake County’s world-class arts venues to have a great experience from the moment they leave home until the final curtain,” Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said in a prepared statement. “Our partnership with UTA makes it easier to get to performances by eliminating the stress and expense of downtown parking, so people can focus on enjoying the experience.” And Jay Fox, UTA’s executive director, said that strong transit systems go hand-in-hand with thriving arts communities. “Public transit is about connecting people to the places and experiences that enrich their lives,” Fox said. “This partnership demonstrates how working together can create a better experience for patrons while connecting more people to the cultural destinations that make our region special.” Munk remarked that she hopes other regional organizations will follow the county’s lead and explore ticket-as-fare options for their programming, particularly as downtown venues and events continue to expand in anticipation of the 2034 Winter Olympics. And she noted that with the annual arts season generally launching in September, the next nine months are set to be a busy time at all of the county’s venues, with something on the schedule for everyone and, now, a free ride to get there. “I’m anxious to see how it works for us,” she said. “I think it will pick up steam pretty quick.” CW

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University of Utah art students traded studios and screens for a week of painting and wildlife in Montana’s Centennial Valley. BY ZACH ABEND

comments@cityweekly.net

t’s a hot July day in an isolated part of Montana, and a group of art students are packing up their easels after painting an abandoned homestead. Out of nowhere, a car pulls up. The driver gets out and tells them she lived there as a girl and her parents used to own the property. As she speaks with the students, her eyes land on a painting of the homestead that one of the students has completed. It resonates with her immediately, and she asks to buy it without knowing anything about the artist. One of the students who witnessed this interaction, Brisa Aguirre Jurado, said having one’s work “genuinely recognized for the beauty it has” is what all artists aspire to. These students were part of a painting residency at the Taft-Nicholson Center, taught by University of Utah professor Kim Martinez, a 10-day course with eight days on location in Centennial Valley, Montana. The relative isolation of the center, combined with its emphasis on sustainability, makes the program particularly suited to what Martinez wanted her students to experience. “This is total immersion,” Martinez said. Students lived in dormitory-style housing with internet and phone access restricted to one building. The students also created final projects that will be displayed in the Gittins Gallery from Aug. 31 – Sept. 11, 2026. This isn’t a cushy art camp, though. Students spent all day doing plein-air painting and keeping sketchbooks. There were also assigned readings, which they discussed over lunch. In the evenings, there were lectures on art, astronomy and biology. “There was nothing relaxing about it, because we had a lot to do,” remarked Tracy Lehfeldt. Lehfeldt remembered a group of students staying up until midnight to finish that day’s work. “She [Martinez] definitely pushed us,” Lehfeldt said. Most days, the sun was relentless, as were the insects. Lehfeldt said the bugs became part of the art. “They got stuck in the oil paint and you could try and get them out, but you’d smear your painting,” she recalled. Martinez described taking the students out to Elk Lake on canoes. She and other staff paddled as the students painted. It was refreshing to be “allowed to be undisturbed,” said Kim Johnston. Liam Loveday, who normally uses reference images when creating his abstract art, said he focused on his immediate surroundings for input. The landscape was alive with elk, pronghorn, and birds. One day, after hours of painting left them covered in sweat, bugs, and paint, Jurado said the group

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FIELD WORK

Artist Ella Bunch recreates the landscape during a residency course at the Taft-Nicholson Center. went birding. She remembered watching the sunset and seeing swans with their young in the natural light. “You could see it just in its full beauty,” she said. For Johnston, seeing birds like great blue herons, trumpeter swans and ibises was a highlight. “I don’t ever get to see like water birds like that,” she noted. Lehfeldt remembered a lecture by a biologist who explained how the trumpeter swan had been brought back from near extinction in the lower 48 states thanks to a group of swans that had survived in Centennial Valley. The students were making art, Martinez stressed, but also learning different ways to read the landscape and consider their role as environmental stewards. The homestead the students painted, meanwhile, wasn’t just an attractive ruin. “The landscape holds memory,” said Martinez. The woman who used to live there remembered doing laundry with her mother. Decades later she returned and saw an artist’s interpretation of the place, and wanted to buy it.

When Loveday returned home, he remembered a landscape from his own childhood. He used to walk his dog with his friends in a wooded area where the trees created a tunnel-like effect, which was a perfect place to play hide and seek. Having learned plein-air techniques in Montana, Loveday decided to paint this memory as his final project for the residency. The story of the trumpeter swans’ recovery from near extinction influenced Lehfeldt’s final painting. She painted an imposing swan who is speaking to us and saying, “Pay attention to this beautiful, vibrant landscape that we have. We are resilient … but we need your help.” For Jurado’s final project, she challenged herself to incorporate colors beyond her usual palette of blues and greens in an attempt to evoke a combination of exhaustion, determination, and “soft awe” in the viewer. It’s a Montana sunset she saw the night they went birding, reappearing in hues of orange and purple on a canvas in Salt Lake City. CW

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A new web series looks for the stories behind local people’s stories. BY CAT PALMER comments@cityweekly.net

have a theory about Salt Lake City: We are surrounded by interesting people; we just don’t know it. I’m talking about the person sitting next to you at dinner who used to tour with a band. The neighbor who spent 30 years doing something so specific you didn’t even know there was a job for it. The artist whose work you’ve walked past a hundred times without knowing the story behind it. The person you think you know until you sit down over a glass of wine and realize: Oh, there are six more chapters. I love that. Maybe it’s because I’ve been a photographer for more than 30 years. Maybe I’m just nosy, the kind of nosy that wants to know why you became that person. What happened before the version of you I met? What were you doing at 22? What broke your heart? What made you brave? What are you still weirdly obsessed with? I’ve lived in Salt Lake City for 25 years now. A bizarre small town I never thought I would end up in. I’ve photographed this city, written about it, wandered around it, complained about it, defended it … threatened to leave it. And then remembered why I couldn’t. What I keep discovering is that Salt Lake is full of hidden gems. Not places. People. So now I get to talk to some of them. I’m thrilled to announce The Cat’s Meow, my new ABC4 online show—a series of roughly 27-minute conversations with the people, stories and strange little histories that make Salt Lake City such an interesting place to live. The idea is almost embarrassingly simple: I want to learn more about people I think I know. And then I want you to learn it with me. The idea started with a conversation. I’m heading into my sixth year doing segments on Good Things Utah with Nicea DeGering, Surae Chinn and Deena Marie Manzanares, three women I adore for approximately 1,000 reasons, but especially because they are genuinely kind. Deena also invited me onto Spill the Tea with Deena Marie, alongside her producer Krystal Gates, who is one of those people who walks into a room and immediately changes its energy. Somewhere in all of those conversations, I started thinking: “What if we didn’t have to fit an interesting life into three-to-five-minute segments?” We brought the idea to director George Severson, and George came up with the name: The Cat’s Meow. It was so obvious I was slightly offended I hadn’t thought of it myself. Then I knew exactly who I wanted to talk to first: Pete Ashdown. I’ve known him as the political candidate, “the cowboy,” the entrepreneur, the longtime Salt Lake personality. But then he started telling me

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THE CAT’S MEOW

Actor and TV host Deena Marie Manzanares was one of the first Utahns featured on The Cat’s Meow. about his DJ days. And the Pleasure Palace. And I thought: “Wait. What?” This is why I wanted to make this show. Because there is always more. People surprise you. They contradict themselves. They become something you didn’t expect. And honestly, thank God (or Vishnu) for that. That’s the question at the heart of The Cat’s Meow: “What don’t I know about you?” Deena Marie had to be one of our first guests. We’ve been friends for nearly 20 years, which means we’ve survived several versions of ourselves together. But here’s what surprised me: I learned things about Deena. After nearly 20 years. That’s the magic of asking someone to tell you their story. Sometimes you simply discover a deeper version of someone you’ve already loved for years. And sometimes you sit across from your friend and think: “How did I not know this?” That’s a hidden gem. So is Jiyoun Lee-Lodge, the brilliant local artist I just finished interviewing for episode four. She’ll be the next muralist for “Out of the Blue,” the Salt Lake City Arts Council’s whale project at 9th & 11th, with her work Open Your Eyes. My love for this whale runs deep. I’ve known her work. I have even written about her. But sitting down with her meant I got to know more about the person making it. And that’s the part that gets me. I don’t just want to know what someone does; I want to know why. So come sit next to me and let’s get vulnerable. I’ve already got a list of people I want behind that microphone. After 25 years here, one of the things I’ve learned about Salt Lake is that we are very good about

knowing someone’s headline, but we are much less good at asking for the rest. Maybe that’s the whole point. My love for Salt Lake City isn’t abstract. This is where I raised my children, where I built friendships that carried me through some of the hardest years and some of the happiest ones. This is where I’ve made art and made mistakes and tried, in whatever small ways I could, to leave things a little better than I found them. I’ve photographed this city (and likely you) for decades. I’ve watched neighborhoods change, and I’ve watched artists make something out of almost nothing. We got through a pandemic together. And I’ve come to believe that a city isn’t really its buildings. It isn’t the skyline, the newest restaurant, or the newest development. A city is its people. The weird ones. The brilliant ones. The people who’ve been here for generations, the people who just got here, the people quietly doing extraordinary things, the people reinventing themselves, the ones who make you laugh, and—maybe even better—the ones who make you uncomfortable or make you think. The Cat’s Meow will be available through News4Utah+ (available on Amazon, Firestick, Roku, SamsungTV, & AppleTV). I am not here to tell you who matters. I think there is something beautiful about being curious about the people already around us. I’m asking questions. I’m listening. I’m probably going to laugh too loud. I’m going to learn things that I did not expect. And if I’m doing this right, you will too. Stay curious, Salt Lake City. And welcome to The Cat’s Meow. CW

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2026 PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net

CLASSICAL/LIVE MUSIC

Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation (bachauer.com) Oct. 9: Kotaro Fukuma Nov. 6: Youl Sun March 12: Lori Sims April 30: Bolai Cao Utah Classical Guitar (utahclassicalguitar.org) Oct. 9: Cavatina Duo w/ Michelle Willis Nov. 20: Yuri Liberzon Jan. 22: Emily Nelson & John Lenti Feb. 26: Ben Lougheed April 30: Manuel Barrueco Utah Symphony (utahsymphony.org) Sept. 10 – 12: Cirque de la Symphonie Sept. 17 – 19: Elgar’s Cello Concerto & Prokoviev’s Symphony No. 5 Sept. 21: Celebración Sinfónica Sept. 25 – 26: Ravel’s Daphnis & Chloe Oct. 17: Rick Steves: A Symphonic Journey Oct. 22 – 24: Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 Oct. 28 – 30: Disney’s Hocus Pocus in Concert Oct. 31: Halloween Hijinks

Nov. 6 – 7: Mozart with Conrad Tao Nov. 12 – 14: Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite Nov. 18: Salute to Youth Nov. 20 – 21: Rodgers & Hammerstein Celebration Nov. 28 – 29: Messiah Sing-In Dec. 12: The Holiday in Concert Dec. 16: A Cody Fry Christmas Dec. 17 – 19: Holiday Pops Extravaganza Dec. 19: Here Comes Santa Claus Dec. 22 – 23: Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert Jan. 2: Video Games Live Jan. 7 – 9: Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 3 Jan. 29 – 30: David Robertson Conducts Gil Shaham, Adele Anthony & Orli Shaham Feb. 5 – 6: Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with George Li Feb. 12 – 13: The Princess Bride in Concert Feb. 19 – 20 Dvorák’s New World Symphony Feb. 26 – 27: English Masterpieces: Britten & Elgar March 17: Joshua Bell Plays Beethoven March 19 – 20: Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 March 25 – 27: Marcus Poschner Conducts Brahms’ Requiem April 8 – 10: Beloved Baroque: Bach, Haydn and Vivaldi April 15 & 17: Peter and the Wolf April 16 – 17: The Music of Billy Joel April 22 – 24: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto & Saint-Saëns’ “Organ” Symphony April 29 – May 1: Sibelius’ Violin Concerto with Karen Gomyo May 20 – 22: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert

Holidays at Utah Symphony: The Christmas season is always a hectic one, but part of what makes Utah Symphony so special during the holidays is how many different ways they offer to audiences to celebrate with them. Beginning with the beloved annual sing-in of Handel’s Messiah on Thanksgiving weekend, the Symphony presents programs like the kid-friendly “Here Comes Santa Claus” presentation of classic carols, as well as a more adult-oriented “Holiday Pops” program. That variety is also represented in two different play-to-the-screen movie offerings: the romantic-comedy favorite The Holiday, and The Muppet Christmas Carol. Bring the family, make it a date night or come as you are, the Yuletide and Utah Symphony just go together.

May 25: Side by Side May 28 – 29: Marcus Poschner Conducts Strauss’ Alpine Symphony June 3 – 5: Marcus Poschner Conducts Symphonic Dances from West Side Story July 1 – 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert Utopia Early Music (utopiaearlymusic.org) Oct. 10 – 11: Revolution to Reconciliation: A Musical Dialogue with Indigenous Songs Dec. 4 – 6: Celtic Christmas Feb. 20 – 21: For Love and Honor: Lancelot’s Tale April 3 – 4: Metamorphosis: Baroque Tales of Transformation

COMEDY

Eccles Theater (live-at-the-eccles.com) Sept. 10: Gary Owens Sept. 12: George Lopez Oct. 23: Zoltan Kaszas Oct. 24: #imomsohard Nov. 7: Derek Stroup Nov. 20-21: Nikki Glaser Feb. 3-4: Jeff Arcuri Kingsbury Hall (kingsburyhall.org) Sept. 18: Ali Siddiq Oct. 9: Laura Ramoso Oct. 10: Adam Ray Nov. 13: Chelsea Handler Nov. 21: Seth Meyers

Continued on page 26

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Seth Meyers: You’d be forgiven if you made the not-unreasonable assumption that Seth Meyers might not have legs. For 20 years, Meyers has been most familiar to audiences from the chest up when sitting behind a desk—as co-anchor and solo anchor of the legendary Weekend Update for Saturday Night Live (where he was also head writer) from 2006 – 2014, and since then as host of NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers. Yet Meyers is also a gifted stand-up comedian, as evidenced by his 2019 Netflix special Lobby Baby and his 2024 HBO follow-up Dad Man Walking, in which he wrangles great material from his personal life and perspectives on fatherhood. He hits the road once again in 2026, and will be making a stop in Salt Lake City just ahead of Thanksgiving week—legs and all. Rose Wagner Center (arttix.org) Sept. 16: Steve Hofstetter Wiseguys Gateway (wiseguyscomedy.com) Sept. 4 – 5: Christopher Titus Sept. 4 – 5: Armando Anto Sept. 4 – 5: Frankie Quiñones Sept. 9: Winston Hodges Sept. 10: Lukas McCrary Sept. 11 – 12: Monet X Change Sept. 11 – 12: Dan LaMorte Sept. 15 – 16: Rocky Dale Davis Sept. 17: Presentations: A PowerPoint Comedy Show Sept. 17 – 19: Shayne Smith Sept. 18 – 19: Kevin Sullivan

Sept. 18 – 19: Steve Furey Sept. 18 – 19: Eric Eaton Sept. 20: IMHO Podcast Sept. 22: Therapy Gecko Sept. 24: Nataly Aukar Sept. 25 – 26: David Cross Sept. 25 – 26: Charles McBee Sept. 25 – 26: Dave Landau Sept. 25: ToySoup and Beans Sept. 30: Justin Silva Oct. 2 – 3: Dave Smith Oct. 8: Joanne McNally Oct. 8: Stoney McBlaze Oct. 9 – 10: Christina P Oct. 9 – 10: Alec Flynn Oct. 9 – 10: Beth Stelling

Oct. 15: Ben Bankas Oct. 15: Jessie “Jetski” Johnson Oct. 16 – 17: Jessica Kirson Oct. 16 – 17: Kellen Erskine Oct. 18: Davide DiPierro Oct. 21: Mohanad Elshieky Oct. 22 – 24: Eric André Oct. 23 – 23: Punkie & Kalea Oct. 28: Maddy Kelly Oct. 29: Travis Holp Oct. 30 – 31: Pat O’Neill Oct. 30 – 31: Heath Harmison Nov. 5 – 7: Dan Soder Nov. 6 – 7: Denny Love Nov. 12: Don McMillan Nov. 13 – 14: Craig Conant Nov. 13 – 14: Sienna Hubert-Ross Nov. 13 – 14: Rick Glassman Nov. 15: Richie O’Farrill Nov. 20 – 21: Skyler Higley Nov. 20 – 21: Cristina Mariani Nov. 27 – 28: Bryan Callen Nov. 27 – 28: Squeaky Clean Comedy Dec. 11 – 12: T.J. Miller Dec. 13: Maria Bamford Jan. 5 – 7: Brad Williams Jan. 8 – 9: Mark Gagnon Jan. 8 – 9: Emily Catalano Jan. 21 – 23: Jamie Lissow Jan. 19 – 20: Mario Adrion Feb. 11 – 13: Arnez J. Feb. 19 – 20: Joey Gatto Feb. 25 – 27: Chad Daniels April 9 – 10: Caitlin Peluffo

Wiseguys Jordan Landing (wiseguyscomedy.com) Sept. 4 – 5: Russ Nagel Sept. 11 – 12: Ryan Erwin Sept. 18: Dustin Anderson Sept. 26: Steve Soelberg Oct. 9 – 10: Jenna Kim Jones Oct. 16 – 17: Jon “Polar Bear” Gonzalez Wiseguys Ogden (wiseguyscomedy.com) Sept. 4 – 5: Joshua T. Fonokalafi Sept. 11 – 12: Jordan Makin Sept. 18 – 19: Tavin Dillard Sept. 25 – 26: Russ Nagel Oct. 9 – 10: Seth Tippetts Oct. 16 – 17: Spencer King Oct. 23 – 24: Chris Munch Dec. 11 – 12: Bengt Washburn

DANCE

BalletNEXT (balletnext.org) Oct. 20: Behind the Veil Dec. 8: Unwrapped Ballet West (balletwest.org) Oct. 23 – 31: Dracula Nov. 6 – 14: Rolling With the Stones Dec. 4 – 26: The Nutcracker Feb. 12 – 20: Don Quixote April 2 – 3: The Glass Slipper April 9 – 17: Carmina Burana May 12 – 15: Works from Within Continued on page 28

ADULT FRIENDLY

(children 12 and older are welcome!!)

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SUNDAY BRUNCH BUFFET September 13th - October 18th $26.95/person plus tax and gratuity RESERVATIONS: 385.602.3177

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Capitol Theatre (saltlakecountyarts.org) Sept. 12: Dance For Life Suicide Awareness Gala Kingsbury Hall (utahpresents.org) Sept. 24: Limón Dance Company Live at the Eccles (live-at-the-eccles.com) Dec. 28: Derek Hough: Dance for the Holidays Midvalley Performing Arts Center (arttix.org) Sept. 25 – 26: Serena Webb Dance Theater: The Vault Oct. 23 – 24: Express Dance Company: Panic Dec. 9 – 11: Ririe-Woodbury Young Artist Showcase: Synthesis Odyssey Dance (odysseydance.com) Sept. 18 – Oct. 31: Thriller Dec. 17 – 23: Christmas Spectacular SPECTACULAR April 7 – 17: Shut Up and Dance Repertory Dance Theatre (rdtutah.org) Oct. 1 – 3: Legend & Lore Nov. 19 – 21: Laughter Jan. 8 – 9: Emerge March 6: So You Think You Can Choreograph March 12 – 13: Journey: America in Motion April 15 – 17: Luminary Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company (ririewoodbury.com) Sept. 17 – 19: Act I Jan. 27 – 30: Act II April 22 – 24: Act III

Rose Wagner Center (arttix.org) Sept. 17 – 18: The Black Bow Sept. 27: Grand Kyiv Ballet: Swan Lake Nov. 29: Grand Kyiv Ballet: Nutcracker

THEATER

Broadway at the Eccles (saltlakecity.broadway.com) Sept. 19 – Oct. 11: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Nov. 10 – 15: The Outsiders Dec. 8 – 19: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jan. 5 – 10: Beetlejuice Jan. 26 – 31: Buena Vista Social Club March 2 – 7: Operation Mincemeat April 27 – May 2: Maybe Happy Ending May 12 – 16: Six June 15 – 20: The Sound of Music July 27 – Aug. 1: The Great Gatsby Desert Star Playhouse (desertstarplayhouse.com) Through Nov. 7: Scooby-Doo: Even Stranger Things Nov. 12 – Jan. 2: Nutcracker: Men in Tights Hale Centre Theatre (hct.org) Through Oct. 19: Our Town Through Oct. 24: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Through Nov. 14: Moriarty

Ballet West: Dracula: If your defining images of ballet are simply tutus and sweetness, you might need to expand your horizons a little. Just in time for the Halloween season, Ballet West offers the return of Ben Stevenson’s Dracula, a version of the Bram Stoker classic that thrilled audiences during productions in 2021 and 2023. And it’s got quite a bit more kick than the aforementioned stereotype, featuring flying effects, pyrotechnics and more show-stopping stagecraft. Yes, the dancing is still lovely and athletic, and gorgeous music still fills the theater thanks to a score drawn from Franz Liszt themes. It’s just something a bit different to sink your teeth into. Nov. 16 – Jan. 18: Anastasia Nov. 27 – Dec. 26: A Christmas Carol New World Shakespeare Company (newworldshakespeare.com) Oct. 30 – Nov. 21: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Feb. 2027: Off the Ruff: A Riff on Richard Spring 2027: Kill Claudio! Summer 2027: The Great Gatsby Off Broadway Theater (theobt.org) Oct. 2 – 31: KPop Demum Hunters and Dracula vs. The Mummy Nov. 6 – 21: Frightmare Before Christmas Nov. 27 – 28: Off-White Christmas

Pioneer Theatre Company (pioneertheatre.org) Sept. 11 – 26: John Proctor Is the Villain Oct. 23 – Nov. 7: Little Shop of Horrors Dec. 4 – 19: The Man Who Came to Dinner Jan. 29 – Feb. 13: Mean Girls March 12 – 27: Eureka Day Plan-B Theatre Company (planbtheatre.org) Oct. 22 – Nov. 8: Facing East Dec. 16: Radio Hour 18: The Land of OZ March 4 – 21: What the Pho? March 27, April 3: Snail Mail Continued on page 30

SEPTEMBER 8 - 7PM ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES SEPTEMBER 9 - 7PM YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN SEPTEMBER 10 - 7PM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW SEPTEMBER 12 - 1PM ADDAMS FAMILY 3PM ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES 5PM YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN 7PM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW SEPTEMBER 13 - 7PM ADDAMS FAMILY SEPTEMBER 15 - 7PM ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES SEPTEMBER 16 - 7PM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW SEPTEMBER 18 - 7PM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW SEPTEMBER 19 - 1 PM ADDAMS FAMILY 3PM ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES

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SEPTEMBER 17 - 7PM YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

5PM YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN SEPTEMBER 21 - 7PM ADDAMS FAMILY SEPTEMBER 22 - 7PM ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES SEPTEMBER 23 - 7PM YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN SEPTEMBER 24 - 7PM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW SEPTEMBER 25 - 7PM YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN SEPTEMBER 26 - 1PM ADDAMS FAMILY 3PM ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES 5PM YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN 7PM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

7PM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

SEPTEMBER 28 - 7PM ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES

OCTOBER 1

- 7PM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

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SEPTEMBER 30 - 7PM YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 | 29

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Broadway at the Eccles: The Outsiders: For nearly 60 years, S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders has been one of the literary stalwarts of young adulthood; it practically created the idea of “YA fiction.” The story of teenage dramas and rivalries in the 1960s has the insight and emotional honesty of something that was written by an author who was a high-schooler herself at the time, and has translated to film (in a 1983 adaptation), a 1990 stage play, and now to the Broadway stage. The 2023 musical version of The Outsiders—with music and lyrics by Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance (of folk-rock band Jamestown Revival) and Justin Levine—won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and now hits the road for a touring production that will bring this timeless story to another generation.

Pygmalion Productions (pygmalionproductions.org) Oct. 2 – 17: Witch Feb. 12 – 27: Rooted May 8 – 22: Postcards from Mecca

Utah Opera (utahopera.org) Oct. 10 – 18: Hectór Armienta’s Zorro Jan. 16 – 24: Rossini’s Cinderella March 6 – 14: Mozart’s Don Giovanni May 8 – 16: The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs

Salt Lake Acting Company (saltlakeactingcompany.org) Sept. 30 – Oct. 25: Very Like a Whale Dec. 4 – 29: The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! Feb. 3 – 28: The Thin Place April 7 – May 2: Lizzie June 23 – Aug. 15: SLAC’s Summer Show 2027

Utah Shakespeare Festival (bard.org) June 21 – Sept. 2: The Crucible June 22 – Sept. 3: Henry V June 23 – Sept. 4: The Merry Wives of Windsor June 24 – Sept. 4: The Drowsy Chaperone June 25 – Oct. 1: Arsenic and Old Lace June 26 – Oct. 2: William Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead July 21 – Oct. 7: The Two Noble Kinsmen July 22 – Oct. 1: Into the Breeches

Box: Plan-B Theatre Company: Facing East A 20th anniversary re-staging of Carol Lynn Pearson’s groundbreaking play Facing East— about an LDS couple dealing with the death by suicide of their gay son, and meeting that son’s partner for the first time—was already planned well before Pearson’s passing on July 29 of this year. But that event has certainly added another emotional layer to the play, which already gets some from Pearson’s ability to rewrite a couple of lines to work better for a 2026 contemporary setting, and the casting of Jay Perry as the father, Alex, after originating the role of the partner, Marcus. “When I told [Pearson] Jay Perry would be playing Alex, she busted out one of her patented ‘Fabulous!’-es,” recalls Plan-B Artistic Director Jerry Rapier. “And then, ‘That’s exactly right, Jerry, exactly right.’ And now, both sadly and perfectly, we also honor her memory by sharing the greatest gift we’ve ever received: Facing East.”

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2026 FALL ARTS ISSUE LITERARY LISTINGS BY SCOTT RENSHAW

Whether you’re a reader, a writer or a little bit of both, Utah has so many places to celebrate the power of words. Here’s a taste of where to go to get your lit on. INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES The Book Box 58 E. 12300 South, Draper, shopbookbox.com Cozy independent bookseller with a cute kids’ corner. Central Book Exchange 2017 S. 1100 East, central-bookexchange.com General interest bookstore in Sugar House, featuring more than 75,000 volumes on their shelves.

32 | SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

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Dolly’s Bookstore 510 Main St., Park City, dollysbookstore.com A fixture on historic Main Street for more than 50 years with a little something for everyone. The Golden Braid 151 S. 500 East, goldenbraidbooks.com Focus on religion, philosophy, mindful living and alternative thinking. Ken Sanders Rare Books 209 E. 500 South, kensandersbooks.com Veteran bookseller with a collection of thousands of vintage books, including those with a focus on Utah and the American West. The King’s English Bookshop 1511 S. 1500 East, kingsenglish.com General interest bookstore highlighting local authors, with frequent author and other literary events.

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CITY WEEKLY

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Legendarium 349 E. 900 South, legendariumbooks.com Science-fiction, fantasy and horror bookstore, with space for regular in-person game-playing activities. Lovebound Library 145 E. 900 South, Instagram.com/loveboundlibrary Romance fiction covering a wide range of genres, including literary, historical, fantasy and young-adult. Marissa’s Books 3302 S. 900 East, marissasbooks.com The largest brick-and-mortar bookstore in the Salt Lake Valley in square-footage terms, with plenty of space to get lost with a book.

Please Call:

801-654-1393

Poppy Books & Gifts 56 W. 200 North, Spanish Fork, poppybookssf.com Cozy local book nook also featuring book clubs and author events.

The Printed Garden 9445 S. Union Square, Suite A, Sandy South Valley full-service bookstore featuring new, gently-used and rare volumes. The Queen Bee Giftery 270 25th St., Ogden, queenbeegiftery.com Gift store with a selection of books, in addition to candles, cards, sweet treats and more. Under the Umbrella 511 W. 200 South, undertheumbrellabookstore.com Fiction and non-fiction with queer themes and by queer authors, and a safe LGBTQ+ gathering space. Utah Book & Magazine 327 S. Main St. Quaint and quirky spot with thousands of vintage books and magazines. Weller Book Works 607 Trolley Square, wellerbookworks.com More than 95 years of the Weller family bringing new, used and rare books to Utah. COMIC BOOK SHOPS Black Cat Comics 2261 S. Highland Dr., blackcat-comics.com Dr. Volt’s Comic Connection 79 S. Rio Grande St., (Gateway Mall) drvolts.com The Nerd Store 3601 S. 2700 West, Suite G106 (Valley Fair Mall), nerdstoreutah.com 575 E. University Parkway, Orem (University Mall) Heebeegeebeez 2262 Washington Blvd., Ogden, heebeegeebeez.com The Dragon’s Keep 189 E. State St., Lehi, dragonskeep.com WRITER RESOURCES/ WRITING-ADJACENT EVENTS League of Utah Writers leagueofutahwriters.com Specialty chapters for various writing genres in all areas of the state, providing support, writing groups and more. Salt Lake City Library slcpl.org Eight branches in the Salt Lake City area, including many author events, art exhibits and event spaces, with in-person and digital availability. Salt Lake County Library slcolibrary.org Eighteen branches to serve you throughout the Salt Lake Valley, featuring event spaces and massive inperson and virtual catalog.

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Urban Arts Gallery

GALLERY AND MUSEUM GUIDE 2026

FICE Gallery & Boutique

160 E. 200 South, SLC ficegallery.com Finch Lane Gallery

54 Finch Lane, SLC saltlakearts.org F. Weixler Gallery

BY SCOTT RENSHAW

132 “E” Street, SLC fweixlerco.com

GALLERIES

Harrington Art Studio

15th Street Gallery

1519 S. 1500 East, SLC 15thstreetgallery.com/m/ ”A” Gallery/ Allen + Alan Fine Art

1321 S. 2100 South, SLC agalleryonline.com Alpine Art

430 E. South Temple, SLC alpineartinc.com Andre Hoggan Studios

850 S. 400 West #111 andrehogganstudios.com Anthony’s Fine Art and Antiques

401 E. 200 South, SLC anthonysfineart.com Art Access

511 West 200 South #130, SLC accessart.org Brushworks Gallery

160 E. 800 South, SLC brushworksgallery.com David Dee Fine Arts

1709 E. 1300 South #201, SLC daviddeefinearts.com David Ericson Fine Art

410 East 3rd Ave., SLC davidericson-fineart.com

6810 S. 300 West #5, Midvale harringtonart.com Lanny Barnard Gallery

602 E. 500 South (Trolley Square) #1, SLC lannybarnardgalleryslc.com Material Gallery

2970 S. West Temple materialartgallery.com Modern West

242 E. South Temple, SLC modernwestfineart.com Phillips Gallery

444 E. 200 South, SLC phillips-gallery.com Rollie Studio

925 E. Harvey Milk Blvd. #4 rolliecloth.com Salt Lake Pottery Studio

965 E. 900 South #100, SLC saltlakepotterystudio.com Southam Gallery

7160 S. Highland Dr, SLC southamgallery.com Urban Arts Gallery

116 South Rio Grande Street, SLC utaharts.org

MUSEUMS Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts

900 E. 700 South (Liberty Park) artsandmuseums.utah.gov Clark Planetarium

110 S. 400 West, SLC saltlakecounty.gov/clarkplanetarium Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum

400 W. 100 South, SLC

Fort Douglas Military Museum

32 Potter Street, SLC guard.utah.gov/fort-douglas/ Hill Aerospace Museum

7961 Cottonwood St., Building #1955, Hill AFB aerospaceutah.org Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point

2929 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi thanksgivingpoint.org Museum of Utah

450 N. State history.utah.gov/museum Natural History Museum of Utah

301 Wakara Way, SLC nhmu.utah.edu

This Is the Place Heritage Park

2601 Sunnyside Ave South, SLC thisistheplace.org Utah Museum of Contemporary Art

20 S. West Temple, SLC utahmoca.org Utah Museum of Fine Art

410 Campus Center Dr., SLC umfa.utah.edu

DINE GENEVIEVE VAHL

Ravioli at Arlo

Farm to Table BY GENEVIEVE VAHL comments@cityweekly.net

801-355-3425 878 E 900 S

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ARLO RESTAURANT 271 Center St., Salt Lake City 385-266-8845 arlorestaurant.com

coffeegardenslc.com

t Arlo, the neighborhood joint up on the southwest side of Capitol Hill, a sunny evening dining outside is tempting when they have a patio like theirs: spacious with a viny veranda. It’s particularly romantic during “golden hour” with a glass of wine. But after being in the heat all day farming, I nestled up to the bar-top overlooking the open kitchen, with Chef Milo Carrier holding it down on sauté. His femme sous briskly dancing through plates, salad line front and center. Very brave; the crumble-underpressure type would shatter, just like that peanut brittle salad shattered down for something I’m sure to witness. “Dinner” heads the menu, with a subtitle, “The long, hot part of summer.” It’s an ode to the season upon us, to what foods will follow. I did come to this place knowing they buy food directly from farms and build seasonality into their ethos. It’s an ethos I chase around the city, looking for restaurants integrating local food onto their menus. Farm-totable, yes, but now it’s just what we have to do to avoid large bacterial contamination, I guess. “I harvest my food the same day that it will be on someone’s plate. That’s getting the peak amount of nutrients available,” said Jaleigh Jenson of Silo & Seed, a local organic farm that sells to Arlo. “Buying local is perhaps more expensive, but it’s an investment into our economic, environmental and nutritional health.” Chef Milo really “tries to load up and take advantage of the crops that are happening

get that core sufficiently soft to melt in one’s mouth like the sausage. The ravioli ($29) was a fusion of many cuisines that felt really original: wontonwrapped raviolis with goat cheese, lemon and beet filling, swimming in a borschtlike beet broth the color of crimson. Fresh horseradish scattered the dish, but there could never be enough horseradish, in my humble (Wisconsin German) opinion. Once the palate adjusts to the burst of earthy beets, you can taste the cheese, lemon and horseradish that brought a bright, summery freshness to the warm broth. Everything felt light and full of nutrients, leaving none of that heavy “restaurant gut.” You can tell Chef Milo’s food is driven by the season and quality; the bounty is on. I will say, the peaches were not looking quite local, pale and not falling-apart soft. (But can you blame them after this year’s stone fruit frost tragedy here in Utah?) But we’ll always have corn. And corn desserts are in; I had a corn and blackberry paleta at a wedding this past weekend. Arlo featured a corn cake ($12), soft and custardy, topped with fresh whipped cream, fancy preserved cherries and that peanut brittle I saw many dishes ago. Each bite was a balanced and fresh take on a summer dessert. It would be next-level if Arlo included the local farms they buy from on their menus. That could be a win for everyone. The restaurant can show their integrity and dedication to the quality of food served, the consumer can know their local farms, while farmers could gain some new patrons. Everyone deserves their credit, because you can see the real artistry of both growing vegetables and preparing them over at Arlo. CW

| CITYWEEKLY.NET |

The menu is fresh and in season over at Arlo.

when they’re in season,” noted Tyler Montague of Keep It Real Vegetables. “That’s really how you make your food shine.” The quality of ingredients in the food was palpable. The tomatoes were soft to the touch, the colors were vibrant and the textures were crunchy. Very clearly, no corners are cut in this establishment. The open-air kitchen elicits a level of honesty and integrity that makes it stunning to witness such methodical tact in action. I started with the Fish and Chips ($10): house-smoked fish with pickled mustard seeds, crunchy diced root vegetables, capers, a dill sprig on a house-made potato chip. It was a perfect bite. Two bites, risky business, but the single bite had everything one needs. The caraway seed creme fraiche balanced the pickle, while the smokiness perfectly peeked through. I got the gazpacho ($12) on the recommendation of the server, and I am so glad. It was almost frozen it was so cold, like a slushie. It’s the kind of bring-downthe-core-temperature-style food that we need here during these long hot days of summer in Salt Lake. Watermelon, tomato, smoked paprika with pickled plums— are you kidding me!—with crushed almonds over a bed of cucumbers, tomatoes and petals that were so beautifully plated it felt slapstick when the red soup got poured over it, and all visual beauty vanished. But the flavor beauty withstood. The pickled plums and watermelon brought a sweet tang to the warm savory tomatoes, paprika and nuts. The cabbage ($18) was the “heaviest” thing of the night—a toasted, crisp cabbage half topped with nduja sausage (Spanish chorizo, soft and crumbly) and roasted fennel bits. The flavors were all there, the juices from the sausage seeping into the crevasses of the vegetable, the fennel bringing a brightness at the end. I think braising the cabbage would take this dish to the next level. That’s perhaps quite a winter-y technique, but it would

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A list of what local craft breweries and cider houses have on tap this week 2 Row Brewing 73 West 7200 South, Midvale 2RowBrewing.com On Tap: 24K Golden Ale Avenues Proper 376 8th Ave, SLC avenuesproper.com On Tap: Drop Top - English summer ale (collab with Salt Flats)

Hopkins Brewing Co. 1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com On Tap: You Can’t Do That On Television! IPA

Proper Brewing Moab 1393 US-191, Moab properbrewingco.com On Tap: Concerning Hops West Coast IPA

Kiitos Brewing 608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com On Draft: Bliss IPA (Extremely Small Batch)

Red Rock Brewing 254 So. 200 West RedRockBrewing.com On Tap: Gypsy Scratch

Bewilder Brewing 445 S. 400 West, SLC BewilderBrewing.com On Tap: Pink Boots Pink Pony Pilz

Kiitos Brewing Sugar House 1533 S. 1100 East, SLC KiitosBrewing.com On Draft: Bliss IPA (Extremely Small Batch)

Bohemian Brewery 94 E. Fort Union Blvd, Midvale BohemianBrewery.com NEW Releases: Kölsch, Dusseldorfer “Alt” Bier

Level Crossing Brewing Co. 2496 S. West Temple, SLC LevelCrossingBrewing.com On Tap: Nitro Sinday Pale Ale

Bonneville Brewery 1641 N. Main, Tooele BonnevilleBrewery.com On Tap: Peaches and Cream Ale Chappell Brewing 2285 S Main Street, SLC chappell.beer On Tap: Pie Hole - Strawberry Rhubarb Tart Ale Desert Edge Brewery 273 Trolley Square, SLC DesertEdgeBrewery.com On Tap: Edge’s Special Bitter ESB Epic Brewing Co. 825 S. State, SLC EpicBrewing.com On Tap: Honey Wheat Ale Etta Place Cidery 700 W Main St, Torrey EttaPlaceCider.com On Tap: Orange Creamsicle Session Mead Fisher Brewing Co. 320 W. 800 South, SLC FisherBeer.com On Tap: A rotation of up to 17 Fresh Beers! Grid City Beer Works 333 W. 2100 South, SLC GridCityBeerWorks.com In a Can: Extra Pale Ale Heber Valley Brewing 501 N. Main Street, Heber City hebervalleybrewing.com Freshly Canned: Choice India Pale Ale 7.1% ABV Helper Beer 159 N Main Street, Helper helperbeer.com

Level Crossing Brewing, POST 550 South 300 West, Suite 100, SLC LevelCrossingBrewing.com On Tap: Helles Munich Pale Lager Moab Brewing 686 S. Main, Moab TheMoabBrewery.com On Tap: “Big Drop” West Coast Pilsner Mountain West Cider 425 N. 400 West, SLC MountainWestCider.com On Tap: Island Orchard Punch (Strawberry and peach cider) Offset Bier Co 1755 Bonanza Dr Unit C, Park City offsetbier.com/ On Tap: DOPO IPA Ogden Beer Company 358 Park Blvd, Ogden OgdenBeerCompany.com On Tap: 11 rotating taps as well as high point cans and guest beers Park City Brewing 1764 Uinta Way C1 ParkCityBrewing.com Freshly Canned: Exit 145 WCIPA 7.5% Prodigy Brewing 25 W Center St., Logan Prodigy-brewing.com On Tap: 302 Czech Pilsner Proper Brewing/ Proper Burger 857 & 865 So. Main properbrewingco.com On Tap: Concerning Hops West Coast IPA

Red Rock Fashion Place 6227 So. State Redrockbrewing.com On Tap: Grand Bavaria Red Rock Kimball Junction 1640 Redstone Center Redrockbrewing.com On Tap: Bamberg Rauch Bier RoHa Brewing Project 30 Kensington Ave, SLC RoHaBrewing.com On Tap: Bramble Brown Roosters Brewing Multiple Locations RoostersBrewingCo.com On Tap: Hibiscus Sour SaltFire Brewing 2199 S. West Temple, SLC SaltFireBrewing.com On Tap/Canned: Monachus Adriatic Pilsner 5% Salt Flats Brewing 2020 Industrial Circle, SLC SaltFlatsBeer.com On Tap: OPEN ROAD SERIES #3 - Barrel Aged Grand Cru Scion Cider Bar 916 Jefferson St W, SLC Scionciderbar.com On Tap: Koala Shorts 6.3% ABV Second Summit Cider 4010 So. Main, Millcreek secondsummitcider.com On Tap: Oktoberfest - Brown sugar and Sinimar semi-dry cider Shades Brewing 1388 S. 300 West, SLC ShadesBrewing.beer New Batch: Raspberry Pistachio Sour Ale Shades On State 366 S. State Street, SLC Shadesonstate.com On Tap: Six Wheat Under Hefeweizen Silver Reef 4391 S. Enterprise Drive, St. George SGBev.com

Squatters Brew Pub Sugar House 2110 S. Highland Drive, SLC squatterspubs.com On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Big U Pilsner Squatters Brew Pub West Valley 3555 Constitution Blvd, West Valley City squatterspubs.com On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Acapulco Gold Mexican Lager Squatters Pub Brewery / Salt Lake Brewing Co. 147 W. Broadway, SLC squatterspubs.com On Tap: A Necessary Evil - Black IPA w/ Centennial Hops Strap Tank Brewery, Lehi 3661 Outlet Pkwy, Lehi StrapTankBrewery.com On Tap: “Virgil the Guide” (Italian Pilsner); “Smiles und Sunshine” (German Leichtes Weizen) Strap Tank Brewery, Springville 596 S 1750 W, Springville StrapTankBrewery.com On Tap: “Orange Hopsicle” Hazy Pale; “Trouble” American Sour with Mango and Passionfruit TF Brewing 936 S. 300 West, SLC TFBrewing.com On Tap: Twelve taps and high point cans available. Talisman Brewing Co. 1258 Gibson Ave, Ogden TalismanBrewingCo.com On Tap: Helles This?! (Helles lager); Punchline pilsner (Classic German Pils) Thieves Guild Cidery 117 W. 900 South, SLC thievesguildcidery.com On Tap: Scorching Ray - Sweet pepper cider w/habanero spice Uinta Brewing 1722 S. Fremont Drive, SLC UintaBrewing.com On Tap: Was Angeles Craft Beer UTOG 2331 Grant Ave, Ogden UTOGBrewing.com On Tap: Bar Down IPA Vernal Brewing 55 S. 500 East, Vernal VernalBrewing.com Zion Brewery 95 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale ZionBrewery.com

NERD

BEER

the

BACK BURNER BY AIMEE L. COOK

Dark Beer, Different Paths Cascade hops and bourbon barrels put exciting new spins on an old favorite. BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net

Utah wine drinkers have a fresh way to enjoy wine by the glass. Archer Roose Wines, the canned wine brand backed by actress Elizabeth Banks (@elizabethbanks), has officially launched in the state. The brand packages globally sourced wines into single-serving cans, offering a portable, portionfriendly alternative to the traditional bottle. Its lineup pulls from winegrowing regions across Italy, France, Argentina, Australia, and Chile. The current selection includes: Bubbly — Bubbly Rosé — Chardonnay — Malbec — Pinot Grigio — Pinot Noir — Rosé — Sauvignon Blanc. Together, the range gives local drinkers a compact tour of five countries’ wine-growing traditions—no corkscrew required. archerroose.com

Sweetgreen Opens Its First Utah Location in Sugar House

The salad and bowl chain Sweetgreen is hosting the grand opening of its first Utah location in Sugar House on Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 2188 Highland Dr., Suite #103. Highlights include a dirty soda bar, created in partnership with OLIPOP and The Creamery, along with a range of activations designed to introduce the community to the brand beyond its menu. Sweetgreen began in 2007, when three college students set out to find a healthier way to eat. Two months after graduating, they opened their first shop in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 1, hoping to reimagine fast food. Their goal was to serve quality without sacrificing convenience. Sweetgreen builds relationships with farmers and partners that it knows and trusts, and prepares fresh, seasonal ingredients from scratch each day. Proteins, grains and vegetables are cooked with extra-virgin olive or avocado oil. The brand avoids artificial flavors, colors and dyes. Regular business hours are listed as Mon - Sun, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. sweetgreen.com

Protect Your Loved Ones

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***** Multiple formats are available for both of these beers: in 22-oz. bottles and 16oz. cans for Epic’s American Porter; 16-oz. cans, draft and cask for Offset’s Pumpkin Porter (brewery only). As always, cheers! CW

Elizabeth Banks’ Canned Wine Brand Comes to Utah

Epic - Barrel-Aged Imperial Pumpkin Porter: If you’ve sworn off pumpkin beers, or simply reached the point that you’re already tired of seeing them everywhere this time of year, this might be the beer that changes your mind. Epic’s Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pumpkin Porter takes a style that can easily become predictable and gives it a serious upgrade through time spent in bourbon barrels. At 10.3% ABV, this is no lightweight seasonal, but the alcohol is surprisingly well integrated into a beer that delivers complexity without becoming overwhelming. The base pumpkin porter is already a flavorful beer, bringing together roasted malt, cocoa and the familiar pie-spice character associated with pumpkin ales. The bourbon barrel treatment adds an entirely new dimension. Rather than simply piling whiskey flavor on top of the existing beer, the bourbon seems to knit the different elements together. The whiskey amplifies the pie spices, giving them greater depth and warmth, while adding the sort of vanilla, oak and spirit character you’d expect from a barrel-aged beer. What really impressed me is how the barrel changes the darker malt profile. The cocoa and roasted notes become softer and rounder, losing some of their sharper edges in the process. That creates a remarkably smooth transition between the rich malt, warming bourbon and spicy pumpkin character. Instead of competing for attention, the flavors work together. There’s also something inherently satisfying about how drinkable this beer remains despite its 10.3% ABV. It’s rich and warming without feeling excessively heavy, making it a beer worth slowing down and savoring. Verdict: Ultimately, this is much more than your average pumpkin beer. The bourbon barrel adds depth and sophistication while allowing the underlying porter to shine. For pumpkin-beer skeptics, it could be the perfect gateway back into the seasonal style. And for those of us who enjoy pumpkin beers, it’s a reminder of just how interesting they can become when the right barrel gets involved.

Beginning Sept. 11, local food and wine enthusiasts can spend an evening exploring Sicily’s flavors in an upcoming immersive class at Fratelli Ristorante in Sandy, led by Wasatch Academy of Wine LLC. The session guides attendees through the island’s celebrated wine regions, offering a closer look at how volcanic soils, a Mediterranean climate and varied landscapes shape Sicilian wines. Participants will hear the stories behind the families and generations of winemakers who craft each bottle, along with the traditions and philosophies that define their work. Four Sicilian wines will be served, each paired with a four-course menu prepared by Chef Pete Cannella and inspired by the island’s cuisine. The class runs from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Fratelli Ristorante, located at 8612 South 1300 East, Sandy, UT. Tickets are $150 per person; tip not included. @fratelliutah @utahwineschool. Subsequent dates are Oct.9, Nov. 6, and Dec. 4.

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ffset Bier - American Porter: Offset Bier has brewed its London Porter several times, but this latest version takes a distinctly American turn. Instead of leaning entirely into the softer, traditional character of an English porter, the brewery has pushed the body a little fuller, turned up the roast and brought Cascade hops into the equation. At 4.8% ABV, it remains an easy-drinking beer, but there’s considerably more going on than the modest alcohol content suggests. The aroma leads with roasted malt, offering a pleasant, charred edge alongside softer impressions of coffee and cocoa. Those flavors carry through to the palate, where the roast provides the foundation without becoming overwhelmingly acrid or burnt. There’s a vague mocha-like quality tucked into the malt profile, while a touch of black tea adds another layer of complexity and helps keep the beer from becoming too sweet or heavy. The Cascade hops are an especially nice addition. They don’t transform this into a hoppy porter, but they add a subtle American character that complements the darker malt flavors. There’s just enough hop presence to sharpen the finish and give the beer more definition than one might expect from a traditional porter. I enjoyed this one straight from the can, but I’m particularly curious to experience it on cask at Offset Bier’s Park City brewery. Cask conditioning should soften the edges and potentially bring the roast profile into better balance with the beer’s malt and hop character. Nitro conditioning could have a similar effect, dialing back some of the intensity of the roasted malt while making the body even smoother and creamier. Verdict: This is a solid evolution of Offset Bier’s porter: a little bolder, a little roastier and distinctly more American. At 4.8% ABV, it strikes a nice balance between flavor and drinkability.

MIKE RIEDEL

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SLC native April Draven applies lessons of fantasy storytelling to songwriting, and to life. BY EMILEE ATKINSON eatkinson@cityweekly.net

April Draven

MUSIC or someone that did something to another person, even though at the end of the day, it was just me choosing myself,” she asserts. “I feel like that song, it’s angry and it is honest in a way that I hadn’t really written very much before, where I was just writing about my life and what I had gone through and how I was feeling in that moment.” After feeling lost and finding herself again, Draven plans to continue releasing more music, even if the timeline isn’t presently defined. But she keeps in mind that life, like a fantasy novel, is a journey and one has to take it all in stride. “That’s what I love about music, is it just comes,” she said. “It’ll happen when it happens and I don’t like to force things. Just believe, try your hardest; it’ll work out hopefully.” CW

Instagram: @aprildravenmusic

she still plans to work with Flip Twogood, Aggressive Audio’s founder. “I think that working with him is the most understood I’ve ever felt. I feel like he gets me, he gets the vibe, he knows exactly what I want to do with things when I explain things and he does them very well,” she said. Music producers are magical and fantastical in their own right; it definitely takes a special type of person to take ideas and make them into fully realized songs and albums. Draven’s subsequent tracks “Monster” and “Bite Me” have a heavier rock/metal/ goth vibe that music- and fantasy-lovers alike can enjoy. “Monster” is a track she used to get some anger off of her back after breaking ties in a difficult relationship. “It came from a place of knowing that I was going to be framed as a bad guy, or a villain,

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antasy is a genre that many flock to because of the epic worldbuilding, fascinating creatures and stories full of heroes, villains, heartbreak and peace. Fantasy and its influence are found in many aspects of the arts, but one that’s not perhaps touched on as much is its influence in contemporary music. Of course, there are plenty of beautiful scores that accompany movies like the beloved Lord of the Rings trilogy, but fantasy elements mixed with the everyday rock or folk tune is also special, and just downright cool. SLC native singer/songwriter April Draven found her niche by combining her love of fantasy and music, creating what she calls “fantasy rock.” In a story similar to that of many other musicians, Draven’s music journey began when she found her mom’s unused guitar when she was 13 and was entranced. “I just learned some open chords, and then I started writing with poetry and then when I figured out how to play some guitar chords, that evolved into songwriting, because that’s what I always wanted to do,” she said. “That’s how I discovered that I loved songwriting.” As for loving fantasy, Draven said she was “born into it.” Her dad’s favorite book is The Hobbit, and as she tells it, her dad wouldn’t marry her mom until she read the classic book. “Which wasn’t a problem; she loved it,” Draven said. Growing up in a Lord of the Rings household also led

her to enjoying other classic fantasy media like The Last Unicorn and Labyrinth. Musically, Draven has been highly influenced by 1980s metal, including the likes of the late, great Ronnie James Dio. “I am a huge Ronnie James Dio fan,” she noted. “One of the first CDs I ever owned was a Best of Dio compilation. My dad noticed that I was singing the songs all the time, and so he burned me a CD of it. I would just listen to it over and over and over again, and I just remember feeling like it was so magical.” These days, Draven creates her own magical, fantasy-inspired music. Her debut track “Starlight,” released last year, is a light, soft, ethereal song that sounds like a lure from a mystical being. This track is an important one for Draven, as she had been going through tough times when it was written. “I ended up honestly kind of hating music a little bit,” she recalled. “It felt like something that was suffocating me and crushing me. I left my band and I just had to take a step back and think, ‘do I still love this?’” She went back to her roots, listened to some Dio and leaned on fantasy and why she loves it. “Fantasy for me brings a lot of hope and power, and can make you feel like the world is a bit more of a magical place,” she said. “Since I was seven, I’ve had chronic anxiety, panic attacks. And I think fantasy for me was a way to not [necessarily] escape, but to change my mindset. “I have a thing that I tell myself where whenever I’m starting to get anxious or overwhelmed, I try to remind myself that life is an adventure,” she added. “Things are going to be stressful, but it’s an adventure and it’s going to pay off, and you’re going to go through some hard things, but it’s easier to think about in the context of an epic story. I think it helps you feel a little bit more powerful.” Draven has worked with Aggressive Audio in Bountiful to produce her tracks, and although she has moved to Austin, Texas,

COURTESY PHOTO

An Unexpected Journey

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40 | SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Black Flag

COURTESY PHOTO

MUSIC PICKS Black Flag @ Aces High Saloon 9/6

If ever a band was a mix of youthful anger and opportunism, it was Black Flag. Generally considered to be one of the first hardcore punk bands (circa 1976), this group was a unique creation and would have lent itself well to an evolving interpretation with different incarnations—and it has. Black Flag has been through numerous lineup changes, spin-off groups and other unofficial rotations. Now, while some might say that the group without the seismic Henry Rollins is a false flag, founding member/original guitarist Greg Ginn states that this “Gen Z” incarnation makes the most sense. “It’s been really fun to play with Black Flag again, because the audiences are really nice. So many people know all the songs now, and there’s something cool about that,” Ginn told Gimme Gimme Gimme Zine. “I like playing stuff that people don’t know, but I’ve found it really fun to play songs that people know all the lyrics to.” The current Black Flag roster includes Max Zanelly (vocals), David Rodriguez (Bass), Bryce Weston (Drums) and (of course) Ginn on guitar. Sure, nostalgia sells, but talent shines at whatever age, and music that is as timeless as tracks like “Nervous Breakdown,” “TV Party” and “Rise Above” will never fade. Also, My War is a stone cold classic. Catch these musicians on the Evening with Black Flag at Aces High Saloon on Sunday, Sept 6. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets for the 21+ show are $40 and can be found at aceshighsaloon.com. (Mark Dago)

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MUSIC PICKS Osees @ Metro Music Hall 9/6

COURTESY PHOTO

Osees

From the louder, grunge sounds of the 1990s and early 2000s breakouts of Franz Ferdinand, Cage the Elephant and Scott Pilgrim’s Sex Bob-omb, Osees has given life to garage rock in the modern music world of indie tracks and pop classics. A project originally begun by frontman John Dwyer, Osees has seen a lot of change in their time since they began playing music together in 1997 as the Orinoka Crash Suite—same band, different name. But if you’re not familiar with that or Osees, perhaps The Oh Sees, or OCS might ring a bell? Or the Orange County Sound, perhaps? If not, they’ve probably caught your eye as another name or two. As fashions and popular music have changed, so too has their brand, literally. But if you don’t know them as either of these aliases, perhaps getting to know them as Osees is a good place to start. Because who knows where they may shift next? So, for now, following their latest record, Off Course, Osees is back on tour and has a stop in Salt Lake City at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6 at the Metro Music Hall. Tickets are $39.50 in advance and $43 at the door. Find them now at 24tix.com. You must be 21+ for entry. (Laney Hansen)

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Harvey Blumler and Gosha Smith were childhood friends in Leeds, England before becoming the electronic music duo known as Prospa. Historically, Leeds has a rich, gritty, and foundational rave and electronic music history that evolved from late ’80s acid-house illegal warehouse parties into a massive, organized club and industrial venue culture. Blumler and Smith bring the ’90s rave culture blended with classic house and more modern high-energy production to create something that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Both lads are major metalheads and lovers of classical music, so you get a bit of those influences in any of Prospa’s sets. Their breakout single “Prayer” in 2018 was a number-one hit on BBC Radio and launched the duo into the international spotlight. Since then, they’ve released EPs like Rave Science and Free Your Mind. And the best part is that they support underground dance and house artists through their own label, Prophecy. For those who love the old-school rave culture but in a way that speaks to people today, check out Prospa this week. Direct support is from Jamback (Jake Schensema), a house and minimal techno DJ/producer who can build up the energy gradually. Mutiny Music Collective is hosting this event at Granary Open Air on Monday, Sept. 7. Show begins at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $63.93. There have been instances of scammers, so purchase your tickets early and directly from the website. Go to eventim.us. (Arica Roberts)

Mutilated Perception @ Kilby Court 9/8

Kilby Court alumni and local legends of alternative, indie rock Mutilated Perception takes the Kilby stage once again on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Having been strong contenders in the DIY scene, and after playing venues such as The Cellar and Black Lung Society, it’s no wonder they’ve found a niche for themselves in a robust community of musicians. Tying harmonica and grunge-like guitar riffs, Mutilated Perception has created their own definition of what it means

to be a part of the post-hardcore community. The band is influenced by hardcore pioneers such as Deftones and Slint, but has made the sound entirely their own with one-handed strumming and jazz-infused styles that stick with the listener long enough for them to want even more. They have provided just that with two releases this year: EP Right Thumb’s Requiem and single “Wartime Amphet.” But it doesn’t end there. You can catch them in the action at Kilby Court on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m., where they’ll be playing with bands Baghead, Snail Sex and Braille. Tickets are $12.15 ahead of the show and $14 at the door. Find them now at 24tix.com. (Laney Hansen)

Squeeze @ Capitol Theatre 9/9

Debuting near the start of the new wave era in late 1970s England, London-based Squeeze always stood apart from many of their contemporaries. With two very different lead singers—both excellent songwriters whom critics sometimes compared to Lennon and McCartney—the band combined sharp melodies with wry lyrics. Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook have co-helmed the group since its start, a timeline punctuated with extended hiatuses. A major influence on the more tuneful end of the “college rock” and alternative rock scenes, Squeeze’s tours often provided a springboard for other groups (including Dire Straits, R.E.M., U2 and XTC) to come to prominence. While the band’s commercial apex came in the 1980s with hits like “Cool for Cats,” “Up the Junction,” “Tempted” (with short-term member Paul Carrack on co-lead vocals) and “Black Coffee in Bed,” Squeeze continues to this day with a focus on both live work and studio releases. The band’s latest record, Trixies, is a concept album—and number-one charting record in the U.K.—featuring songs Difford and Tilbrook composed more than 50 years ago when both were London teenagers. With opening act Adam Ant, Squeeze’s “Tried, Tested and Trixies” tour comes to the Capitol Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $79 and up from saltlakecountyarts.org. (Bill Kopp)

free will ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Most of us are surprisingly clueless about the inner work‑ ings of our own bodies. Do you know where your gallblad‑ der and spleen actually live or what jobs they perform on your behalf? Can you trace the journey your breath takes after it slips into your lungs? Have you ever experimented to discover in detail which foods best suit your one‑of‑a‑kind system? Do you know, from experience rather than guess‑ work, how much sleep you require to stay vividly awake and emotionally balanced? The current astrological climate favors you becoming a curious apprentice of your body’s gorgeous mysteries.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

The English idiom “cut to the chase” comes from the silent films of the early 20th century. When the plot dragged, directors would literally switch to a chase scene to restore audience interest. Various languages have other ways to say “get to the point” or “skip to the crux.” Spanish: ir al grano. French: aller droit au but. Italian: venire al dunque. Japanese: hondai ni hairu. In accordance with astrological omens, Taurus, I suggest you do that in the coming days. Skip the boring parts. Jump to the action scenes. You can return later and fill in the story details, but for now you’re best served by moving toward the exciting essence or the crucial core of things.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

In classical music, composers will often develop a simple motif into a complex symphony. A short sequence of notes can become the foundation for an entire composition. A key passage will get rearranged and elaborated on in multiple ways. You will have a comparable opportunity to do this in the coming weeks, Sagittarius: a seed of potential that might seem only modest at first could expand into more substantial riches, if you cultivate it patiently. Your vision‑ ary aplomb and optimism can transform a core cell into a full orchestration.

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

You seem to be wandering in a frontier for which there are no maps. You are hovering in liminal zones, between worlds. So for now, I guess you will have to steer without your usual guidance. That’s a good thing! What I can do is name the gifts that are likely to come your way as you explore the unknown: 1. Turbo-charged intuitions about your best possible future; 2. A talent for spotting surpris‑ ing connections you didn’t even know you were looking for; and 3. A provocative unpredictability that magnetizes allies who can help tease out and illuminate your hidden and buried desires.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

The placebo effect has a lesser-known counterpart called the nocebo effect: Negative expectations can create nega‑ tive outcomes. If you’re told a harmless pill might cause headaches, you’re more likely to develop them. Your belief in harm creates actual harm. I bring this up, Aquarius, because I’m worried you may be nocebo-ing yourself right now. Your conviction that certain outcomes are inevitable is encouraging them to manifest. So here’s my counsel: Which negative expectations or predictions are you treating as facts? Consider the possibility that the problems you’re so skilled at identifying are being called into existence by your identification of them. And if you find that’s happening, stop! Formulate some healing alternatives.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

“Dear Rob: Your horoscopes delight me in a spooky way. They make me feel as if you’re watching me from afar, not like a stalker, but like an eccentric guardian angel who gives me a heads-up before I do something foolish, tells me about opportunities I haven’t noticed, and shakes awake the part of me that’s inclined to quit. Thanks a million times!—Deep Pisces.” Dear Deep: You have exquisite timing, because now is an ideal moment to pour out gratitude for the people who’ve lifted you up and helped you. Offering appreciation now will function as a potent prayer that will be far more effective than pleading for what you don’t have. It will set in motion an irresistible magic that draws even more blessings in your direction.

Go to realastrology.com for Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text-message horoscopes. Audio horoscopes also available by phone at 877-873-4888 or 900-950-7700.

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You have been extra reasonable lately. How do you manage to be so responsible, measured and composed? I’m not complaining. I admire your integrity. But now, the cosmic omens are clear that it is time for you to address your soul’s needs for more wonder and awe and reverence. So I will slip you a tantalizing prod: What’s the best, most healing trouble you could provoke right now? I’m not referring to recklessness and chaos, of course. I mean twists and tweaks that stir up inspiration and liberate creativity. Are you bold enough to follow the truth and beauty that thrills and intrigues you?

Scorpio, you rarely need to be lighter and breezier. Your assignment is almost always to delve deeper and explore further. This is true now even more than usual. Other people might shiver and cower in the face of your intensity, but I celebrate it because it drives you to excavate the rich, messy truths and complicated feelings that really shouldn’t stay hidden. Regard this horoscope as your authorization to wield your emotional X-ray vision with precision, and to trust that the treasures you seek are often buried in places that scare others away.

| CITY WEEKLY |

Now is an ideal time to have fun cultivating the art of receptivity. Have fun being as open to influence as you can imagine. Be innocent! Be amenable! Be willing and eager to be surprised! It doesn’t mean surrendering your drive or drifting aimlessly while life happens around you. I’m talking about an active, alert sensitivity that invites wonder and transformation. You think boldly, act with purpose and radi‑ ate what’s uniquely yours, and yet you also remain humbly aware that learning never ends and that wisdom can arrive from unpredictable directions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

| COMMUNITY |

In the 17th century, Dutch inventor Christiaan Huygens discovered that two pendulum clocks hanging on the same wall gradually synchronized their swings. Why? He eventu‑ ally realized that tiny vibrations traveled through the wall and made the clocks influence each other. Scientists call this “entrainment.” Now is prime time for you to capitalize on this phenomenon, Cancerian. I urge you to be extra alert for how your moods, rhythms and intentions subtly affect the people around you, and vice versa. If you cultivate quali‑ ties you’d like to predominate in your relationships, you will find others unconsciously aligning with your rhythm.

I am asking you to give yourself slack in situations where you sometimes treat yourself carelessly or unkindly. Instead of tightening, loosen. Instead of cornering yourself, offer an escape hatch. Ask: “What if I give myself 20% more mercy, 20% more time or 20% less pressure?” Maybe you will get an extension on a deadline or allow yourself to be a learner instead of an expert. Rather than calling yourself a failure because you are less than perfect, you will decide, “It’s good enough for now.” And as you slip away from the traps that you set for yourself, you’ll teach your nervous system a fresh truth: You can be gentle with yourself but still be responsible.

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This is one of those unusual times when laziness and apa‑ thy work in your favor. Life is organizing a relaxing renewal on your behalf, and your main job is to not interfere. So I advise you to skip the hustle and enjoy the thrill of being still. Put a pause on doing and indulge in the fine art of simply being. Please, Gemini? Set aside your ambitions for now. Hide your to-do list. Inform your chattering monkey mind that it’s on temporary leave from its usual jumping and squawking. Feel guilt-free as you immerse yourself in the most relaxed versions of feeling good and welcome whatever fresh vitality wants to flow in.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

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The UGH-conomy

’m generally optimistic, but the economic news increasingly points toward trouble. I’ve watched videos from Warren Buffett, Chase Manhattan Bank and several economists, who predict a real estate crash in the United States within the next two to six months— possibly worse than the 2008 recession. Even American Express is not increasing credit limits for many cardholders. What has shocked me most is the turmoil in the bond market and the national debt rising to $40 trillion. Bond yields in this country—and in Europe and Japan—have reached their highest levels since 2007. Simply, the budget deficit means the Treasury Department must issue more bonds to finance our spending, which means they must print more money. Foreign buyers are the main customer for our safe Treasury Bond investments. But they aren’t trusting the U.S. debt right now and are backing off investments. The high bond rates affect all kinds of lending and borrowed money gets more expensive, from mortgages to credit cards and car loans. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.67% last week, higher than this time last year. And it’s keeping buyers—especially first-time buyers— away from buying a home or condo. Plus, the July job numbers were really bad and indicated that inflation remains elevated. Redfin estimated the housing market had 51.3% more sellers than buyers in July, an indication that buyers are dropping out of the market as rates and home prices remain elevated. Signals of weakening demand are also popping up in the form of asking price reductions, which have been increasing in recent weeks. There are roughly 1.4 million licensed realtors in the country and so far, reportedly 84% have sold nothing and 13% have sold four or fewer homes from January to July this year. Also, weakening demand is causing listing price reductions like crazy. I saw a YouTube report that 41.1% of all national listings have cut their asking prices. Wise buyers who can qualify for a loan should pay attention and remember … it doesn’t cost a dime to make an offer on a property! Consumers are feeling beaten up after four years of a pandemic, undeclared wars draining our U.S. budget and high interest rates. Bill Gates just stated that the AI bubble is about to burst, which will cause high-end investors to go belly up. The Motley Fool reported that 45% of fund managers and Bank of America are concerned that the AI bubble is the biggest risk facing the market now. Although the stock market continues to grow, there are experts stating that patterns now are like the dot-com bear market, which could cause a stock crash, and the Buffett indicator recommends preparing for volatility. President Donald Trump wants banks and lenders to allow homeowners with low, low interest rates to be able to sell their homes and have the same rate on a new home. I don’t see how he can get thousands of banks and mortgage lenders to agree to that—but we can dream, right? ■ Content is prepared expressly for Community and is not endorsed by City Weekly staff.

XMAGAZINE COVERSX

BY MATT JONES

ACROSS

1. Insect stage 6. Ovo-___ vegetarian 11. Sea-___ (Washington airport) 14. Cookies in sleeves 15. Circumvent 16. Offline, initially 17. Like some turbines 19. Abbr. after Elizabeth Warren’s name 20. Curious person 21. Big name on LinkedIn, perhaps 22. “Heaven Can Wait” actress Cannon 23. Nitric or boric 25. Contributing some chips 27. Thanksgiving tuber 30. Sped along 32. Carlos Alcaraz’s sport 33. Org. that provides financial services to military families 35. Word often seen on kids’ art supplies 37. “The Divine ___” (Bette Midler album) 39. Lines from Keats 40. Pop culture cliche 43. Chipmunk in the green shirt 46. Leave out 47. Gracefully slender 49. Sandwich alternative 51. Means justifier 52. “So soon?” 54. Mars, to Greeks 56. Like doilies 57. “___ genius!” 59. Teletubby spelled with only two letters (no, not that one) 63. ___ precaution 64. Caribbean area where pirates plundered 66. Tire filler 67. Coat material? 68. Old Treasury offering 69. 1400, in old Rome 70. Narrow street 71. Foul

DOWN

1. Valleys, mood-wise 2. “I Am Not My Hair” singer India.___ 3. Philosopher Descartes 4. Moscow Mule ingredient 5. Appearance 6. “The Good Wife” field 7. Sans opposite 8. Jazz pianist Chick

9. Connect with, in a way 10. Like seven, but not six 11. Respectable earnings 12. Fashion’s Giorgio 13. Loud, metallic sounds 18. Constellation with a belt 22. Robert of “Killers of the Flower Moon” 24. “The Mystery of Edwin ___” (Broadway musical based on an unfinished Dickens book) 26. Send a message 27. “Tasty!” 28. “___ was saying ...” 29. Credit company with a logo resembling a Venn diagram 31. Financially support 34. Actress Benson of “Pretty Little Liars” 36. ___ firma 38. Facebook owner 41. Wrestling win 42. Abbr. at an airport terminal 44. Complex word? 45. “Downton Abbey” extras 47. Arabic word meaning “peace” 48. Pickle brand with a stork mascot

50. Mate of a “proud” avian 53. Bygone Yahoo address option that was easily confused with the Google version 55. Ballroom dance from Brazil 58. Only daughter of Elizabeth II 60. Asian country with no coastline 61. “___ Misbehavin’” 62. Serkis of “Animal Farm” 64. Relaxation spot 65. Suffix after conform

Last week’s answers

Complete the grid so that each row, column, diagonal and 3x3 square contain all of the numbers 1 to 9. No math is involved. The grid has numbers, but nothing has to add up to anything else. Solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic. Solving time is typically 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your skill and experience.

WITH BABS DELAY

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

SUDOKU X

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46 | SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

urban LIVING

NEWS of the WEIRD

I sell homes to all saints, sinners, sisterwives and...

CAMPERS!

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL

And That’s the Thanks They Get?

A Dalton, New Hampshire, man is in custody after steal‑ ing a rescue truck on Aug. 25 and using it to ram into a fire engine while firefighters battled his own house fire. NBC 10 in Boston reported that Nestor Roman II, 30, not only hit the fire engine, which sustained significant damage, but also ran over water supply lines, crashed into a personal vehicle, knocked over nearby fences and narrowly missed three firefighters before ending his wrecking spree by crashing into a nearby property and attempting to steal items off the porch. No one was injured, and firefighters were able to continue using the hoses to work on the fire. The house, however, ended up being a total loss, and Roman is charged with multiple counts of reckless conduct, theft, burglary and resist‑ ing arrest.

Luggage Lizards

Customs officers at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport discovered some truly wild contraband in one passenger’s lug‑ gage on Aug. 8, reported the Times of India: 22 pairs of socks stuffed with 200 lizards. Daniel Isaac Velasco Baltazar, 23, who had flown to Japan from South Korea, purchased the lizards—some of them endangered—in Mexico for anywhere from $3.50 to $4.50 each, possibly hoping to sell them in Japan, where they could be worth up to $630. After being arrested, Baltazar confessed to smuggling the lizards.

Cool Sea Rescue

Owl at Sea

Bull on the Run

On Aug. 16, a Rhode Island roadway was closed to traf‑ fic for eight hours while workers cleaned up 20 tons of spilled squid, ABC News reported. A tractor-trailer was taking the squid to a processing facility when the trailer part dislodged from the cab and tipped over as the driver tried to make a turn. Not only was traffic blocked across four lanes, but locals also had to contend with the smell. “Squid has a distinctive odor to it,” Richard Stevens, a neighbor and fisherman, said. “It can be very foul-smelling, especially if it lands on the road and stays there for a while.” No one was injured in the incident, but Rhode Island State Police cited the driver for failing to secure a load.

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Amy Arlene Baker, 43, of Boca Raton, Florida, is charged with aggravated battery after biting her husband’s ear off during an argument, NBC 6 Miami reported on Aug. 20. The couple were on Interstate 95 driving home from a party in Fort Lauderdale when they started fighting about relationship issues. As the argument escalated, police say that Baker struck her husband with her hand before grabbing his face and biting his ear, tearing a small section of it off. Baker claims that he hit her and that she was provoked by him telling her to “shut up” prior to that. Her husband drove to the nearest hospital, where he had to have surgery to reattach the missing portion of his ear. Baker is also charged with two counts of child neglect, as the couple’s two children, 7 and 1, were in the car when the incident occurred.

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Wandering Kinkajou Rescued in Texas

On Aug. 20, law enforcement officers in North Richland Hills, Texas, responded to a call about a small kanga‑ roo or monkey seeking shelter behind a garbage can outside of a restaurant. Police instead discovered a kinkajou, a nocturnal mammal native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. KDFW reported that the kinkajou—also known as a “honey bear”—had burn marks on its paws from the hot concrete. Officers placed a towel around the animal before removing it from behind the trash can. The kinkajou was first taken to North Richland Hills Animal Services Center before being moved to Nature’s Edge Wildlife and Reptile Rescue. Exotic pets are not allowed in the city, and no one has come forward to claim ownership of the kinkajou, so how this nocturnal mammal came to be outside of a restaurant on a hot, sunny day in Texas is still a mystery.

ONE

ME! O H EL LEV

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Law enforcement received a call about a bull traveling along Highway 35 in Half Moon Bay, California, late in the evening of Aug. 18. According to KTVU, the bull had been on the run for several days. The California Highway Patrol and San Mateo County Sheriff’s depu‑ ties attempted to clear the roadway for capture. “You know, they don’t cover this in the police academy, so they tried unsuccessfully for a couple of hours to get the bull secured,” said Capt. Eamonn Allen, Coastside Commander for the San Mateo Sheriff’s Office. “They tried a couple of methods and just realized that their efforts were futile.” Realizing they needed an expert wrangler, they called in Samuel Palomino of Sea Horse Ranch. Palomino lassoed the animal while standing in the back of a sheriff’s pickup, but the rope broke. After a second attempt, Palomino secured the wayward bull around 3 a.m. Officials said the bull was ultimately returned to its pen.

Cephalopod Chaos

Babs De Lay

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Reuters reported on Aug. 20 that a barn owl had joined a British Army sailing crew—70 nautical miles from shore. The crew aboard the Fujitsu British Soldier was competing in the 50th Anniversary RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race when they found their stowaway. The bird—which the crew named “Little Regina”—fell into the sea three times before collapsing onto the deck, where sailors rescued it. The Barn Owl Trust, Marine and Wildlife Rescue, and Caister Independent Lifeboat coordinated to sail out and retrieve Little Regina and take her to a wildlife center so the crew from the Fujitsu British Soldier could finish the race.

Whoever wins the Aug. 30 Sydney Marathon will have a unique finishers medal to commemorate the race. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Aug. 23 that the medal depicts engravings of familiar Australian land‑ marks, such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. What designers meant to include: Sydney’s Allianz Stadium. What they actually included: Munich’s Allianz Arena. You read that right—a Munich, Germany, landmark on an Australian marathon medal. With the event coming up too soon to correct the error, a marathon spokesperson said the medals will not be changed. “We’re not going to run from it,” a marathon spokesperson said. “It was an unfortunate error, though it’s certainly given everyone something to talk about this weekend, mostly in good humor.” Germany’s Allianz Arena took to Instagram to join the fun: “Perhaps they tried to find something else they had in common: Allianz Arena—Sydney Opera—Unique Architecture—Both are worth a visit!”

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Two fishermen were lost at sea for five days and sur‑ vived by floating in a large blue cooler, People reported on Aug. 21. The unnamed fishermen, ages 32 and 53, had sailed on their own boat and last spoke to their fishing cooperative on Aug. 14. When a few days went by with no contact, members of the cooperative reached out to the Mexican Navy on Aug. 19 for help. After a search by surface and air units, personnel found the men 150 miles off the coast of Chiapas in southern Mexico. They were pulled onto the Navy ship, where they received medical attention and were later reunited with their families.

Oops

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48 | SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

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