This Is My Utah-Summer Concert Venues

We have a great article for you today shared by Alyssa at Wumpsee.com.  It's time to start making some fun summer plans!!!

Music in the Mountains:

 Utah's Spectacular Concert Venues

Utah has become a favorite place for performers and concertgoers alike. The state truly offers something for every person’s taste in concerts and shows, from beautiful outdoor backdrops, to gorgeous indoor venues worthy of the world’s finest symphonies. Wumpsee.com has compiled its top seven venues to attend any type of concert.

Red Butte Gardens – It doesn’t get lovelier than a concert at Red Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City. While offering a lineup of quality and diverse talent throughout its concert series, the setting in the foothills of the mountains, near the University of Utah, is simply breathtaking. Red Butte’s concert series has gained popularity, which has allowed it to bring in more popular artists. There are perks for becoming a member, such as advance ticket purchases.

There is much to enjoy before and during the concert. General seating is the call, so you have to get there early and wait in line to enter. But, making the most of it, fans turn it into a bit of tailgating fun. Once you are in the gates, take a stroll around the wonderful gardens, feed the ducks and bring a picnic to enjoy during the show (though they have food for sale).

According to Curt Barnett, “The crowd is full of fun people there to have a good time and you can make friends with whoever is sitting next to you.”

Tuacahn – For our friends in Southern Utah or those longing for an excursion, Tuacahn is a beautiful venue to visit. Set in the heart of Ivins, Utah (St. George’s next door neighbor), and nestled in an amazing red rock canyon, the backdrop of the theater is worth the trip.

“Those beautiful canyon walls seem to help amplify the sound. Gorgeous place.” says St. George resident Curtis Graff.

Tuacahn officials host wonderful plays throughout their season. They also entertain with excellent music and comedy concerts. Utah favorite Brian Regan will perform for three nights in May.

So, when visiting Southern Utah, get a great, scenic hike in and then head to one of Tuacahn’s outstanding shows.

Abravanel Hall – Home to the incredible Utah Symphony, the beauty and ambiance of this venue are stunning, and the acoustics are spectacular. As you enter you are greeted by an amazing Chihuly sculpture from the 2002 Olympic Games, and exquisite cascading staircases. The ceiling in the hall has dazzling chandeliers and the gold leafing throughout the facility is beautiful. Located in downtown Salt Lake City, near the new City Creek Center, Abravanel hosts remarkable artists from every genre imaginable. It is an ideal concert setting that is relatively large, but the quality of sound brings it in close.

“Some of my favorite, most intimate concert experiences have been at Abravanel Hall,” says Amy Barnett of Wumpsee.com

Kilby Court -This venue is as intimate as it gets, allowing you to stand face to face with the artists. Kilby Court is small, but the price is always right. Most tickets cost about $10. The unusual setting, in an old, converted garage at the end of an alley, makes you feel like you are at a friend’s house for a party and they just happen to know some talented musicians. Generally you will experience indie bands. But you may just catch a cheap concert from the next big thing; they all get started somewhere. Before you attend a concert here, keep your expectations in check; this is barebones entertainment with few amenities. Go to Kilby Court for the “experience.”

 Sandy Amphitheater – Perched on a hill in Sandy, this amphitheater has gained popularity over the years and has become a wonderful place to attend concerts, theater, family events and more. There is excellent seating whether you choose to pay extra for assigned seats or go economy on the grass. The bonus of sitting on top of the hill, besides the great price, is catching a glimpse of one of Utah’s incredible sunsets. While food is available for purchase, you are also welcome to bring a picnic.

It’s another incredible outdoor venue where you can mingle with your neighbors, meet new people and enjoy a great Utah event.

Deer Valley – When the ski season ends, things don’t stop at Deer Valley. High atop the majestic mountains of Utah sits a wonderful amphitheater where the Deer Valley Music Festival takes over when the slopes are dry. This is another place where your picnics are welcome and you may kick back on the lawn and enjoy the outdoors. You may watch the symphony, an opera or a slew of world-renowned artists.

Arrive early to get a good seat on the hill. The higher up you are, the more difficult it is to see the stage. And don’t be fooled by the warm weather. It gets chilly when the sun goes down, so be prepared!

Now tell me, what is your favorite Utah concert venue 

and what show are looking forward to this summer?

More Information:  Wumpsee.com is a great resource for upcoming events in the Salt Lake Area with a daily calendar listing a variety of different activities open to the public.  Be sure to check them out today!

Want to share your Utah experiences or expertise? 

 Click the "Share Your Utah Story" tab above for more information!

Giveaway Winner!!

Congratulations, Sarah B.!

You are the winner of our 

giveaway.

And welcome to all our new followers!  

Be sure to watch in the coming weeks for the beginning of summer Utah adventures!

Utah Has Indoor Activities? (And a Giveaway!)

I talk all the time about how much I love Utah because there are SO MANY different things to do.  Usually I'm  referring to the variety of outdoor adventures from north to south, east to west.  Today, though, I want to turn inwards to one of the equally numerous indoor activities we have available here in our great state.

Utah Blaze Arena Football

Utah's indoor sports arenas are not a place I usually find myself, but after recently winning tickets from Tightwad in Utah I decided to give it a try.  My family absolutely loved it!  I'd definitely recommend giving it a try!

Before jumping into your first arena football experience, though, let me share a few of my observations:

1.   It is going to be VERY VERY LOUD!  Even with less than half the seats filled in the Energy Solutions Arena, the combination of fan cheers, actual game sounds, and obnoxious noisemakers is deafening.  If you're going to be taking little kids, please remember to bring them some earplugs (and it wouldn't be a bad idea to take some for yourself).

2.  All that noise isn't a bad thing-as a fan, even in the cheap seats, you really feel part of the action!   As a first-timer we didn't understand many things that were happening on the field, but we could see it all and it kept us entertained and intrigued.  Every play and every hit happens right in front of you and you can't help but get on your feet and scream!

  

3.  It's a very fast-moving game and the fans are definitely part of it.  The ball soars the length of the field with every kick and the players return it just about as quickly.  This was the first event I've ever attended and thought the $100 seats would be worth it.  Footballs, officials, and players alike constantly come flying over the wall to land in a lucky spectators lap.  And the activities happening on the field during the timeouts are fun to watch as well.

So, arena football-probably a new idea to a lot of people, but a definite must-try and addition to all the fabulous things we already know there are to do outside our own front door!

More Information:
  The Utah Blaze Arena Football team plays at Energy Solutions Arena in downtown Salt Lake City.  There is plenty of parking in the area and a TRAX station stop directly outside the arena doors (Arena stop).

 Tickets range from $10-$100 and are available online or at the ESA box office.  Schedules and more ticket information can be found on the Blaze website as well.

  And if you want a primer before you go, check out Arena Football 101.

*This giveaway is now closed*

The Giveaway!!!

I have 2 tickets left over from our night at the game and want to pass them on for one of you to enjoy!  

Giveaway Item: 2 Utah Blaze Arena Football tickets

$15 seat section

Good for any home game through July 13, 2012

To enter:  Simply leave a comment below telling me you want to win.

Be sure to leave email address to contact you if you win.

Extra Entry Option: Follow via Google Friend Connect.
Leave an additional comment letting me know you do and which email you're following with.

Giveaway Rules:  Giveaway ends Saturday, April 28, 2012 5:00pm.

Open to Utah residents only.  Tickets will only be mailed to a Utah address.

Winner chosen through random.org and will be notified via email.  

Will have 48 hours to respond before new winner is chosen.