I arrived at the dark dank spot on State Street known as Burt’s Tiki Lounge early to make sure I got a good spot that offered a choice line of sight of the so called stage. The normal crowd of gutter punks were perched at the bar nursing their hang over from the weekend. Having an ultra, mega, schoolyard crush on the Creepshow lead singer Sara “Sin” Blackwood, I couldn’t wait to see her hit that stage.
As soon as Walt Disney cryogenically froze himself beneath Cinderella’s Castle inside Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom theme park in 1966, the world of animation lacked a leader capable of shattering the limits of children’s fantasies. On the other side of the globe, in Tokyo, Japan, a young animator by the name of Hayao Miyazaki was already creating a social stir with his never-ending creativeness with conceptual drawings and story ideas.
Do you remember being in high school? Do you remember that impressionable stage in life when great shows weren’t just great shows; they were “OMG! That was the best show of my life!” Or when great albums were life-changing works of impossible art? This was certainly the case for me when I was 16 and saw The Appleseed Cast for the first time at the Bluebird in Denver, CO. … read more
Last Saturday was the 2nd Annual Jazz Jam up at Brighton, and if it was going to be anything like last year, I was excited to go. Even though it wasn’t sunny and warm like last year, the setup was still the good’s and despite the blizzard, somewhere around 60 or 70 people came out to jam and get a Jazz jersey. The jam kicked off around 11:30 just as the snow and wind came down like the hammer of Thor. … read more
For the Bohemian Brewery to release another pilsner-style lager, on top of those familiar silver and green cans in grocery stores statewide, you know it has to be something special. Everything about this beer is handcrafted in the oldest traditional ways known. … read more
I remember the first time I ever heard Suzanne Vega: It was late in the Spring of 1985 and my childhood friend Emily would play Vega’s eponymous debut in her VW Beetle’s tape deck as we drove around the Salt Lake valley. I quickly became enamored with this album and especially Vega’s perceptive lyrics and her pretty, clear voice. At that time there was no one else quite like her. … read more
When The Pet Shop Boys first toured in 1989, it was a decidedly unique event. The end result was a complete eschewal of the traditional rock concert format, instead incorporating a theatrical approach with stunning visuals, multiple costume changes and the songs themselves being presented as themed concepts complete with filmed backdrops. They have continually expanded on this formula, creating a show that is both visually incredible and undeniably memorable. … read more
Get Lucky, the latest rave produced by V2 events, was a perfect example of the rave scene in Utah: great music, way too many people. The rave scene here has blown up in the past four years, and almost every V2 event at Saltair in the last two years has been bigger than the last. This year was no exception: the event was oversold by at least a thousand people, making for a frustrating night. … read more
A tradition for many years, the Freeskiing World Tour has been coming to the majestic slopes of the ‘Bird and showcasing the skiing talents of riders from near and far. This year’s event happened to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day, and the crowds got mighty interesting to say the least. While the snowballs flew and the streakers streaked, the athletes focused their energies and put together some of the sickest lines this side of the equator. … read more
Kayo Gallery is a pillar of Salt Lake City’s art scene and Davina Pallone is a pillar of Kayo Gallery—Therefore, Pallone is a pillar of Salt Lake’s art scene. Unfortunately, we are losing Pallone, as she is leaving Kayo and Salt Lake City this month. … read more
On Saturday, March 27 the Queens Cup took over the Pick n’ Shovel Park at Park City Mountain Resort for the fifth year in a row. This year’s all-female ski and snow slope style competition attracted 29 ladies to ride with the pros. Check out Katie Panzer’s photos! … read more
Miami’s annual family reunion of DJs is as much a celebration of the best dance music of the past year as it is a preview of what you’ll be dancing to all summer—and what will be on the radio in two years. Rather than drone on about the nice weather (one thunderstorm withstanding), free drinkskis, amazing run-ins and a blogroll of namedroppings, I’m going to give you my own highlights of the festival. … read more
