NEWS: "Mondays in the Park" Begins July 9

Summer concert series in Liberty Park features music, poetry

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Arts & Museums is pleased to announce the performance schedule for the 2012 Mondays in the Park summer concert series. FeaturingUtah artists and presented by Excellence in the Community and Utah Arts & Museums, these events feature music and dance performances rooted in the traditions of Utah’s ethnic communities.

“Mondays in the Park concerts are an anticipated summer tradition,” said Margaret Hunt, Director of Utah Arts & Museums. “We have an excellent lineup of performing artists this year, featuring Polynesian, Latino, Japanese, Middle Eastern and African music and dance. We encourage everyone to bring lawn chairs, friends and family to join us for outdoor evenings celebrating Utah’s rich cultural heritage. This year we’ve also invited a selection of Utah’s best slam poets to perform their poetry during the intermissions of each concert.”

Mondays in the Park concerts are held selected Mondays in July and August at 7:00 p.m. on the front porch of the Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts, located in the center of Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park. Attendees can enter the park from 900 South or 1300 South at about 600 East. The series begins July 9 and runs through August 20, 2012.

2012 Concert Schedule

July 9               Tagaloa

Enjoy an evening of Polynesian music and dance with Tagaloa, committed to teaching and sharing Polynesian culture with all who are eager to learn. Students perform the dance techniques and styles of Samoa, Tahiti, Hawaii, Tonga, New Zealand and Fiji, and strive to instill pride in and appreciation of Polynesian heritage.

Intermission Slam Poetry by Gray

July 16             Evening in Brazil

Join musicians Mike Christiansen, Eric Nelson, Christopher Neale, Linda Linford, Lars Yorgason, Don Keipp and Jason Nicholson for Brazilian music from the Bossa Nova movement, including the classics of Antonio Carlos Jobim, a Grammy Award-winning Brazilian songwriter, composer, arranger, singer and guitarist. Music from other contemporary Brazilian composers will showcase the diverse regional rhythms of Brazil.

Intermission Slam Poetry by Rebeca Mae

July 30             Mariachi Sol de Jalisco with Ballet Folklorico de las Americas

Experience Latino music and dance with Mariachi Sol de Jalisco, playing traditional tunes and songs made popular by famous Mexican singers, and Ballet Folklorico de las Americas, one of Utah’s oldest Latino performing ensembles. Mariachi Sol de Jalisco also performs cumbia and pop songs, and Ballet Folklorico incorporates selected Latino dance traditions of South, Central and North America.

Intermission Slam Poetry by Willy Palomo

August 6          Kenshin Taiko Drummers

Resonate to the beat of this Salt Lake City-based group of international musicians dedicated to sharing their love of Japanese culture and taiko drumming. This high-energy performance has its roots in ancient Japan and American jazz.

Intermission Slam Poetry by Karen Neverland

August 13        Kairo by Night

Discover Middle Eastern music from Arabic, Israeli, North African and Persian cultures, as well as original music by band composer and keyboard player Dave Weisenberg. Kairo by Night can be heard on the soundtrack for the Discovery Channel documentary “Restorations of the Sphinx” and was awarded the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance trophy for Best New Album.

Intermission Slam Poetry by Jesse Parent

August 20        Voice of Africa

Learn about African music and dance with Voice of Africa, formed by two brothers who play the djembe — a traditional African drum. Voice of Africa performs traditional African song, dance and drumming with music influenced by Ghanaian, Zimbabwean, Kenyan and Rwandese cultures.

Intermission Slam Poetry by DeAnn Emett

About Utah Arts & Museums

Utah Arts & Museums is a division of the Utah Department of Community and Culture with a goal to promote innovation in and the growth of Utah’s arts and culture community. The division provides funding, education, and technical services to individuals and organizations statewide so that all Utahns, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or economic status, can access, understand, and receive the benefits of arts and culture. Additional information on the programs and services can be found at artsandmuseums.utah.gov or by calling 801.236.7555.

Alyssa Hickman Grove

Constituent Relations & Media

617 E. South Temple, SLC, UT 84102

Phone: 801.236.7548