This Is My Utah-Summer Concert Venues

Article originally shared by Alyssa at Wumpsee.com.

 Re-posting with updated links.

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.

Source: Red Butte Gardens

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. 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. 

 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 provides a daily calendar  

of activities in the Salt Lake Valley.

  

Want to share your Utah experiences or expertise? 

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

State Parks Road Trip Week

In April a group of Utah tourism/outdoor enthusiasts took a 72-hour road trip,  visiting all 43 Utah state parks along the way.

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After their trip, Governor Herbert declared August 1-7 to be Utah State Parks Road Trip Week.  The goal of both efforts is to get all Utahns out into at least one state park in 2011.  This week I want to get you excited for a few of my favorite state parks, but first I'm going to let you in on way to do it for free.

State Park Passes are available to check through Utah's public libraries; I cannot think of a single reason to pass up this opportunity for free outdoor exploring!  Based on my own experience at the Orem Public Library, this is what I know:

~Skip the search on the electronic card catalog and go straight to your librarian to get on the list. The pass seems to be creatively labeled and it took my librarian several word combinations before she could find it.

~You're going to be on a long waiting list. I was #19 on the hold list.  My library only has 1 pass and it checks out for 7 days.  But don't lose hope!  They work year-round-so, no, you probably won't get one to use this week, but the parks will be equally enjoyable later in the year-Just don't put off getting on the list or it could be Christmas before you get out there.

~Research now or later.  No need to panic if you're not familiar with all 43 Utah state parks.  The pass comes with a booklet describing each one.  And since you do get it for 7 days, you'll have a chance to group a few together and visit more than one.

Directions and Information:

It's not any harder than the flyer or information I've given above.  Go to your library, get on the wait list, check it out, and go! 

List of participating libraries

 I can't wait to hear how it works for you!

This is My Utah: Great Salt Lake

Summer of Salt: An Exploration of Great Salt Lake
A Blog about Two Friends, One Lake, and a Summer of Salt.
Written by: Nicole Anderson

Antelope Island by R Jefre Hicks

If you have ever thought of Great Salt Lake as a dead sea, then this article is for you. Or, perhaps you know that the Lake is a haven for wildlife with millions of birds from all over the world stopping here to rest and dine on brine shrimp and brine flies, or raise their young before they migrate to warmer climates. The Lake is not just for the birds, bugs and brine shrimp, however.  It is an invaluable resource for people, too.

Birds in Bear River Bay

The Sun Tunnels 

The Team on Fremont Island

We are especially glad to have our support team:

•   Photographer Charles Uibel, proprietor of My Great Salt Lake, His beautiful pictures and technical expertise are proving invaluable on this journey.
•  And our dear friends Cindy Lund and Sarah Middleton who have offered to drive when they can, pack lunches and always be honest about our writing.

We want people to fall in love with the Lake as we have. Our goal is to educate the public and to dispel many of the negative myths that come to mind when thinking of Great Salt Lake.  It brings forth beauty, recreation, economic prosperity, and is rich in history; it contributes to the “Greatest Snow on Earth,” and is home to 5 to 8 million aquatic birds.  Great Salt Lake is one of the most magical places in the state of Utah.

Foam blowing across the Lake

Misconceptions of a stinky place full of bugs have led to the rocky collision between man and nature. Yet, even still, with its bad reputation among many, its shorelines and saline flats welcome all who go there. Whether you seek solitude or adventure, a livelihood or an escape - the Lake has provided for the people on her shores for thousands of years - and is at your fingertips in our own backyard!

Join us as we explore both the nature and people of Great Salt Lake.

 Find us on Facebook at: Great Salt Lake 

Contact Nicole Anderson by e-mail nma9999@xmission.com 

Heidi Nedreberg at heidi.nedreberg@gmail.com

 Charles Uibel at cuibel@gmail.com

 or follow our adventures on Twitter @nedr3547.

Organizations listed or linked are for identification purposes only and no endorsement or other involvement by the organization is implied.

The "Salt Sisters" out at the Lake

All photos are property of My Great Salt Lake Photos and Charles Uibel 

as well as © by  mygreatsaltlake.com/summerofsalt  with permission to use them

 as part of this feature article for “This is My Utah.”

Want to share your story in an upcoming "This Is My Utah"? 

More information by clicking "Share Your Story" at the top of the page..

Days of '47 Parade

 I love summer holidays!  I especially love living in Utah where we get two major July holidays.  Here is a recap of a state holiday gone by to get you excited about my favorite Pioneer Day activity...

The Days of '47 Parade

Utah communities are no stranger to a summertime parade; you could be sitting curb-side catching candy nearly every weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Even if you're feeling parade burn-out, I want to convince you not to miss this particular statehood celebration.

Utah's history and founding has deep religious undertones that nobody can deny.  Settled by Mormon Saints fleeing the persecution of their fellow American citizens, Utah's first mass of citizens were deeply religious.  And that is what makes this parade so great!  Not that you have to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to attend or enjoy, but that anyone who believes in religious freedom and free speech can participate in a public gathering while wearing religion on their sleeves. 

These are the reasons I LOVE the Days of '47 Parade:

• A member of The First Presidency of the LDS Church is one of the first sites riding though the parade 
• A parade theme which the majority of floats adhere to.
• The floats are large and technical and uber-creative.
• The Polynesian Marching Bands make you want to dance even after 14 very hot city blocks

I will be forthcoming and tell you there is one downside to the Days of '47 Parade.  At least in the past, this has been a candy-free parade.  Not a big problem, though.  Pack your pockets and randomly toss a piece out into the crowd.  It'll be your own little parade side-show!

Go to the Days of '47 Parade. 

 Have a fantastic Pioneer Day!

Directions and Information:

The parade starting in downtown Salt Lake City at 9AM. 

 It will be televised on KSL 5 (but come on, that's no fun!). 

 Parade Route Map here.

Fun Pre-parade activity: The Days of '47 Parade Float Preview Party 

Great Way For a Bike Ride

Directions and Information: 
The Provo River Parkway can be accessed from many locations throughout Orem and Provo.  Easy places to begin are northeast of the entrance to Utah Lake State Park or from any park within the first 5 miles of Provo Canyon.  Several areas towards the southern end of the trail are currently closed for high water or detoured for construction, adding to the adventure...

For more information, visit http://www.utahcountyonline.org/parks/ParkDetails.asp?IDNO=5.