Torrey House Press series: Teow Lim Goh’s Bitter Creek excels in epic poem form for its edifying power as historical testament

Why do we no longer turn to epic poetry to portray the majesty and tragedy of history? Michael Auslin, writer and editor, explained, “No art form – and History is ultimately an art – can portray the pathos and grandeur of history quite like epic poetry. Could its return somehow bridge the divide between academics … Read more

The 53rd Utah All-State High School Art Show at Springville Museum of Art sets a high benchmark in visual arts excellence

Among the nation’s largest and longest-running student art shows of its kind, the 53rd edition of the Utah All-State High School Art Show is once again a splendid manifestation of the visual arts talent in the Beehive State’s art education programs. As in many other programs for young creators, producers and artists, this show exemplifies … Read more

Theater roundup: Voodoo Theatre Company’s The Antipodes, Classical Greek Theatre Festival’s The Oresteia, MadKing Productions’ Proof

It has been a busy winter for numerous indie theater companies in Salt Lake City. The Utah Review offers reviews of three productions. Voodoo Theatre Company: The Antipodes At once, the idea of setting a play around a nondescript conference table that could be in an equally nondescript workplace is ripe with surreal theatrical possibilities. … Read more

Torrey House Press series: Craig Childs’ The Wild Dark riveting masterpiece of creative nonfiction on stargazing with a full-dark sky

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in an ongoing series of features highlighting authors and new books published by Torrey House Press in Utah.  In an Ecological Society of America article published more than 20 years ago, Travis Longcore and Catherine Rich wrote, “Lights follow roads, and the proportion of ecosystems uninfluenced by altered light … Read more

February roundup: UtahPresents, NOVA Chamber Music Series, Westminster Concert Series, Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company

February was a busy month for the performing arts scene in Salt Lake City. Among the top events were the following: Christian McBride and Ursa Major: UtahPresents  A perfect end to UtahPresents’ inaugural jazz concert series for the 2024-25 season, Christian McBride and Ursa Major wowed the Kingsbury Hall crowd on Feb. 22, with plenty … Read more

PYGmalion Theatre Company’s world premiere of Morag Shepherd’s The Big Quiet is superb two-hander

In  Morag Shepherd’s  superb two-hander The Big Quiet, two Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints sister missionaries could not be more different. But, by the end of the play, they are closer to each other than either could ever have imagined. In their respective ways, they realize that women in the Mormon community literally … Read more

LFO exhibition at Material Gallery is superb collaboration, with Andrew Rease Shaw’s music, Mary Toscano’s quilts

The late composer Pauline Oliveros said deep listening was central in her creative process.  “As a musician, I am interested in the sensual nature of sound, its power of synchronization, coordination, release, and change,” she wrote. More recently, Polygonia, DJ and producer of ambient music, added, “It’s the little details which make the timbre of each … Read more

Full throttle excellence in roof-raising performances: Pioneer Theatre Company’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical continues through March 1

… I’d like to know that your love Is a love I can be sure of So tell me now, and I won’t ask again Will you still love me tomorrow? (Gerry Goffin and Carole King) In 1960, Gerry Goffin and Carole King posed the question in the lyric, “Will you still love me tomorrow?,” … Read more

Closing reception this weekend for four Utah Museum of Contemporary Art shows, including In Memory and Atis Rezistans

Four exhibitions at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) are set to close this weekend (Feb. 22). The museum will hold a closing reception for the quartet of shows on Friday, Feb. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. In Memory, Milad Mozari: Language of Movement, Atis Rezistans | Ghetto Biennale, and Antra Sinha: The … Read more

Leicester Productions’ delightful new short doc The Pho King chronicles story of SLC man’s efforts to connect community through a popular Vietnamese dish

It is fitting that The Pho King, a new locally made short documentary film, will have its premiere today (Feb. 15, 2 p.m.) in the event space at Fisher Brewing Company in downtown Salt Lake City. Directed by Jeovanni Xoumphonphackdy and supported by the nonprofit documentary-focused Leicester Productions, The Pho King is an astute, snappy … Read more