NEWS: Utah Poet Laureate Releases 4th Collection of Poetry

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Poet Laureate Lance Larsen’s fourth collection of poems, Genius Loci, has been published by University of Tampa Press. Larsen teaches literature and creative writing at Brigham Young University, where he currently serves as associate chair. In 2012, he was named to a five-year term as Utah Poet Laureate.

“We’re delighted to announce the publication of Lance’s latest book,” said Utah Arts & Museums Director Lynnette Hiskey. “His poetry is lucid and engaging, accessible yet rich with profound observations.”

Kelly Cherry, author of The Retreats of Thought: Poems, said this about Larsen’s latest collection: “Lance Larsen's fourth collection of poems is as beautifully curated as an art exhibition. Each poem impresses itself on mind and eye and heart like an object brilliantly made and suddenly essential, suddenly necessary. Wry wit, perfectly etched lines, and a talent for finding poems in unexpected places are hallmarks. His is an important, clarifying voice that you don't want to miss.”

Larsen's earlier collections include Backyard Alchemy (2009), In All Their Animal Brilliance (2005), and Erasable Walls (1998). He holds a PhD from the University of Houston. His work appears widely in numerous publications, and his nonfiction has twice made the Notable Essay list in Best American Essays. He is currently working on Seventeen Ways to Float, a collection of essays about place, family, and memory which won first place in the 2011 Utah Original Writing Competition. Larsen grew up in Idaho and Colorado and lived in Chile for two years while serving an LDS mission.

Utah initiated its Poet Laureate program in 1997. The Poet Laureate is a Governor-appointed advocate for literature and the arts throughout the state. The Poet Laureate is available for readings at public events and in venues including libraries, universities, schools, etc. To request a reading or attendance at an event, please submit the appearance request form via e-mail to Jean Tokuda Irwin or fax to 801.533.4202. Requests are honored based on the nature of the request and the availability of the Poet Laureate.

Sunset Sounds in the Valley @ The Mundi Project Piano Ambassadors (WVC: July 29)

                        The Mundi Project Piano Ambassadors Present “Sunset Sounds in the Valley”

Tonight's performers are part of the Mundi Project Piano Ambassador program with special guests from the Gifted School, BYU and the Manhattan School of Music. These young artists range from the ages of 8-26. You will hear a magnificent variety of music from the Baroque era through the 20th century. Accompanying the music are visual images created by youth from Mundi Project visual art workshops.  This program is made possible by the generous support of Zoo, Arts, and Parks, the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, and individuals like you. We hope you enjoy this evening's multimedia fusion piano concert.

Utah Cultural Celebration Center

1355 West 3100 South

8 p.m.

FREE ADMISSION

Please note, this is an indoor concert.  Come early to enjoy the 9^th Annual “Face of Utah Sculpture” exhibit featuring 35 artists.

Michael Christensen
Folklorist/Cultural Specialist
Utah Cultural Celebration Center
1355 West 3100 South
WVC, UT 84119
801-965-5108 Tel.
801-509-1973 Mob.
801-965-5111 Fax.
www.culturalcelebration.org

Meet the Choreographer @ Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company (SLC: Aug. 2)

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company presents choreographic 
works at “Meet The Choreographer” event. 

As the culmination event of the Move-It Summer Workshop, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company will present an evening of student choreography and the works in progress by alumni choreographers, which will premiere in December’s Momentum. The alumni Choreographers include John Allen of Tulane University, Jillian Harris of Temple University, Patrick “Damon” Rago of Loyola Marymount University, and Stephanie Nugent, most recently of California Institute of the Arts.

            WHAT: Free Showing of choreography

            WHO: Dances by workshop students & company alumni, open to the public

            WHEN: Friday, August 2, 6pm

            WHERE: Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (138 W. Broadway, SLC)

Summerfest International @ Bountiful/Davis Art Center (Bountiful: Aug. 7-10)

A Program of Bountiful/Davis Art Center

August 7 – 10, 2013

July 26, 2013 – Farmington, Utah- Bountiful/Davis Summerfest International (BDSI) has been an annual tradition in Davis County for 25 years. BDSI is an exciting celebration of the arts that includes artist booths, ethnic food, games, children’s art activities, exhibits, folk musicians and dancers from around the world. 

DATES FOR THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL:

August 7:  Mayor’s Reception – 5pm – Bountiful City Hall

                At this event the Mayor of Bountiful, Joe Johnson, officially welcomes the international groups and exchanges gifts with them.  It is an intimate event that provides an opportunity to greet the groups up close and personal.

August 7: Sponsored by Zions Bank. Street Dance/StreetFeast – 7-9pm – Historic Main Street in Bountiful – Center Street to 2^nd South.

                Join in with the international groups as they teach a dance from their native country.  Tickets for StreetFeast are $1/each. Food selections are 1-5 tickets. Sample great food from the following restaurants:

                Royal India

                Cutler’s Cookies

                China Platter

                Mikado

                Scoopology

                Twisted Lemon

                Bun & Basket

August 8: Sponsored by Davis County.  Opening Ceremonies-6pm- Bountiful City Park (200 West 400 North in Bountiful).  Gates will open at 5pm.  Join us for the pageantry of the official opening of Summerfest including a performance of Li’l Feathers Native American Ensemble.  The food booths and artists booths will be set up and ready to deliver a rich assortment of ethnic food and fine arts and crafts.

August 9: Sponsored by Lakeview Hospital. Festival open 11am-10pm at Bountiful City Park. The Children’s Art Yard will be open all day along with the artist and food booths, bocce ball, performances on the Sonic Sound Stage (featuring local musicians) and Main Stage. Be sure to check out the Davis County Animal Care and Control van that will have dogs that are available for adoption.

August 10: Sponsored by CenturyLink. Festival open 11am-10pm. with a continuous line-up of entertainment, food, activities, art and culture for the whole family (listed above).  Morningstar Native American Ensemble will perform at 9pm followed by the Closing Ceremonies with Ryan, Morgan and Brooklyn Miller leading the international groups in a song of world-wide friendship and unity.

Check the website for a schedule of performances on the Main Stage and Sonic Sound Stage. www.bdac.org.

2013 Participating International Groups:

         Chile: Tierra Chilena

                          

Lithuania: Siaudele

   Martinique: Les Fonds Blancs

                                                         

Netherlands: Volkdansgroep Orient Culemborg        

                      Taiwan: Taiwan Folk Music Ensemble

Featured Artists:

                Theresa Otteson – 2013 Summerfest Featured Artist

                JJ Galicia. Mexico – Featured International Artist

                Michael Young – Emerging Artist – Syracuse High School Student who won the Best of Show in the recent Davis School District High School Exhibit at Bountiful/Davis Art Center

Artist Booths:

Carma Hart Fuller, Natella Elite Gift Shop, Bead for Life, Crysta Barton’s Phantastical Faces, Kathleen Gardner, Tanner Halverson Pottery, 2 Utah Artists, Get Stoned, Matthewson Images, Lamplight Art Gallery, Clark Ostergaard Artist, Himalayan Arts, Woolf Fine Art & Illustration, A&J Silver, Yevgeniy Zolotsev, Robert Braegger, Jodi McDougall Studios, Paul Twitchell Wildlife Art L.L.C., Steve Stones Gallery, Peak Sales, Diane Dalton, Don Jolley Historical Art, Holly E. Jeungling, Burned Elegance, South Will Artist Group, Coffee, Making Scents, The Eclectic Edge, Rose’s Island Design, David and Elizabeth Rhone (Kenya).

Food Booths:

C&B Kettle, Touchstone Commercial Services, Utah Italian Ice, The Twisted Lemon, Chile Una Postal, Brainfreeze Snowies, Southern Smoke BBQ, Best Fry Bread & Navajo Taco, Scoopology, Island Hopper Grill, Cotton Candy (Soroptimists), Pad Thai, Taste of India, La Petite Creperie by Pizza Pie Café, BDAC Hotdog Booth (run by the Bountiful Lions Club).

Summerfest Sponsors: Bountiful City, Bountiful/Davis Art Center, Davis County, Lakeview Hospital, CenturyLink, Zions Bank, Utah Arts & Museums, Chevron, Davis County Clipper, Creamies, Davis Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Onion Street Studios, Sonic Drive-In, Robintino’s, South Davis Recreation Center, Woods Cross City, City of Fruit Heights and more.

Proceeds of Summerfest go to support the programs of Bountiful/Davis Art Center: Cultivating the Arts in the Community Since 1974.

Thanks to all the host families, volunteers, Summerfest Organizing Committee, BDAC Board of Trustees, Bountiful City and all the many businesses and individuals who support Summerfest and make it possible to be free to the public. 

Conversations in Culture: No Boundaries. How Other Cultures Influence Utah Art Exhibit at Bountiful/Davis Art Center:

This exhibit at BDAC goes through August 30 and features artists from other countries who live in Utah:  Yihlin Chan – China, Yevgeniy Zolotsev – Russia, JJ Galicia- Mexico, JouJou Prochaska – Syria, Ana M. Silvar Bouck- Spain, Carl Oelerich – USA, Wocjeich Wozniak – Poland, Van Chu-Viet Nam, Pilar Pobil – Spain, Ed Napia – New Zealand, Rad Cuch – Native American Ute, Eiko Anderson – Japan.  Featured Summerfest Artists Theresa Otteson and Michael Young also have pieces in this exhibit. The exhibit is located at Bountiful/Davis Art Center, recently moved to 28 East State Street, South Door, 2^nd Floor in the Davis County Memorial Courthouse – 801 451-3660 – info@bdac.org.

For more information about this and other programs of Bountiful/Davis Art Center, call 801 451-3660 or visit us online at www.bdac.org  http://www.bdac.org/email: info@bdac.org. BDAC can be found on Twitter and Facebook .    Pictures available upon request.

Bountiful/Davis Art Center  PO Box 221  Farmington, UT  84025-0221

phone:  (801) 451-3660   fax:  (855) 385-9988   e-mail:  info@bdac.org   www.bdac.org

Pioneer Train at Discovery Gateway, Twilight Concert Series, Free movies at Gallivan Center, Become a Downtown Ambassador @ Downtown SLC Alliance (SLC: July-August)

Public Safety Building Tours Friday Noon - 8 pm Saturday 10 am - 6 pm See Salt Lake’s new Public Safety Building (PSB) before it goes into operation! The new PSB will open this month and will host a week of free public tours running July 20th-27th. In November 2009, more than 65 percent of Salt Lake City voters approved a new Public Safety Building to improve emergency services to citizens and provide greater capacity to respond to major disasters. The facility, which includes a new Emergency Operations Center, will serve Salt Lake City residents, visitors and businesses and better meet the needs of Utah’s Capital City. Tours are free and include SWAT, 911, K-9s, fire trucks, and more! Visit slcgov.psp for more info.

Pioneer Train at Discovery Gateway July 27 | 12 - 4 pm Inspired by the courageous pioneer spirit, the Museum will transform into an exciting Pioneer Trail. Stop at pioneer activity stations along the trail to learn more about Utah’s history. Visit discoverygateway.org for more info.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? July 29 | 8:30 PM Presented by Utah Film Center  at The Gallivan Center Live-action and animation collide in the hilarious Disney comedy-thriller, which stars Bob Hoskins as Eddie Valiant, a broken-down private detective forced to hide and protect a popular "toon" accused of murder. In addition to its smart use of noir trappings, the film also brings together various Disney, Warner Bros. and other cartoon characters. Plus, it features one of the most eye-popping "femme fatale" characters in human "toon" Jessica Rabbit (modeled by Betsy Brantley and voiced by Kathleen Turner). Visit thegallivancenter.com/‎ for more info.

Twilight Concert Series Thursdays at Pioneer Park AUG 01 THE NATIONAL / SHARON VAN ETTEN AUG 07 GRIZZLY BEAR / YOUTH LAGOON AUG 08 ERYKAH BADU Visit twilightconcertseries.com for more info.

Justin Wheatley and Aaron Ashcraft exhibit @ Salt Lake City Arts Council (SLC: Aug. 9-Sept. 27)

ARTISTS JUSTIN WHEATLEY AND AARON ASHCRAFT EXHIBIT THEIR WORK AT FINCH LANE GALLERY

Salt Lake City-- Two new exhibitions at the Finch Lane Gallery explore the theme of relationships. Justin Wheatley’s mixed media installation Salt Lake City: Chain Link and Welcome Mats examines the city from an east side/west side perspective, while Aaron Ashcraft’s sculptured ceramics focus on the relationship of textures found in nature in his exhibition called Conversations. The exhibitions run August 9 through September 27, with an artists’ reception on Friday, August 9 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with additional evening hours during the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll on August 16 and September 20, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. All events are free of charge.

Justin Wheatley has lived in Salt Lake City for the past seven years and now calls it home. For the last few years, Wheatley has been creating a body of work about Salt Lake City and these pieces will be exhibited at the Finch Lane Gallery. Though the show lacks imagery of people, the people of Salt Lake City are the subject of it. Salt Lake City: Chain Link and Welcome Mats explores the different sides of our city, where people are welcomed and also where they are asked to keep out. Wheatley uses photos, acrylic paint, and collage to create these works.

Wheatley says of his work, “During the day I spend time as an artist and teacher with students on the west side. Many of them are struggling financially. Through exhibiting my work I have become acquainted with many people from the east side who are financially more stable. Both sides of the city are full of good people. Both sides have many secrets.” This exhibition explores and exploits some of those secrets.

Wheatley’s recent exhibitions include the 2013 Spring Salon at the Springville Museum of Art, the 2013 35 x 35 exhibition at the Finch Lane Gallery, the Bountiful/Davis Art Center, and a 2010 solo show at the Kimball Art Center. He was named an “Artist to Watch” in Southwest Art Magazine in 2011. Wheatley’s studio is located at Poor Yorick Studios and he is represented by Coda Gallery in Park City, the 15^th Street Gallery, and at Evergreen Gallery.

Although he has been working in ceramics for many years, Aaron Ashcraft began a new series in 2011. This work was begun by drawing on flat slabs of soft clay with a variety of tools and media, replicating textures found in nature. Dark brown iron bearing clay was brushed with white slip clay, and the interaction of the two clays provides greater sense of depth when fired in the kiln. Additional black brush lines compliment the textured marks in the clay. Glazes provide contrasting areas of color and smoother textures. Ash sprinkled on the surface adds a final layer.

Three dimensional works quickly followed the slab pieces and stiff, angular forms began to turn and twist with cutout sections to mimic the human form. Ashcraft notes, “It’s all about creating a dense combination of textures, glazes and colors that enhance form and make the viewer look closer, spending some time to really understand what’s going on.” He invites viewers to join the “conversations” happening within each piece.

Ashcraft serves on the boards of the Red Kiln Clay Studio and Gallery and Clay Arts, Utah. He recently exhibited at Art Access Gallery with his 2013 exhibitionBiomimicry, at the 2012 Utah Statewide Show at the Rio Gallery, and with the Clay Arts Utah Group Show in 2012 at the Patrick Moore Gallery. He is currently represented by galleries in Arizona and Colorado, and at Patrick Moore Gallery in Salt Lake.

Who:               Artists Justin Wheatley and Aaron Ashcraft

What:              Finch Lane Gallery Exhibitions

When:             August 9 through September 27, 2013

Where:                       Art Barn, 54 Finch Lane in Reservoir Park

Finch Lane Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and during monthly gallery strolls from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. For additional information, contact the Salt Lake City Arts Council, 801.596.5000 or visit www.slcgov.com/arts.

Southern Utah Guitar Convention @ Southern Utah University (Cedar City UT: Aug 16-17)

Southern Utah Guitar Convention

to Feature Concerts, Master Classes, Clinics & Workshops

August 16 & 17, 2013

Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah: Whether you are a six-string master, an intermediate guitarist or a guitar enthusiast, Cedar City is the place to be this summer when the first annual Southern Utah Guitar Convention commences Friday and Saturday, August 16 and 17, 2013. Produced byTyson Cazier, Southern Utah University’s Department of Music guitar instructor, this remarkable two-day event will include two outstanding guitar concerts, and a series of master classes, clinics and workshops geared toward improving technique and developing your skills. The classes and concerts will feature such incredible guitarists as Corey Christiansen and McKay Tebbs as well as Tyson Cazier. Most of the events will held in the Thorley Recital Hall in the SUU Music Building. A two-day pass to all events including both concerts and all the classes is a remarkable value at $25. To purchase the pass, visitwww.suguitarcon.com.  

The first concert will be Friday, August 16^th, and features Tyson Cazier and McKay Tebbs in concert which features Cazier and McKay Tebbs on guitar, John Huston on keyboard, Ben Bradshaw on jazz bassoon, Ryan Sergeant on bass and Dutch Workman on drums. This vibrant contemporary program showcases the dynamic sounds of rock-jazz fusion. This concert will take place at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, 70 North 200 West, Cedar City. The performance begins at 7:30pm.

On Saturday, August 17^th, Corey Christiansen takes center stage for an amazing evening of jazz guitar. Hailed by Downbeat Magazine, “from the first note, Corey Christiansen lights a rhythmic fire that never flickers, punctuating chords with precision and soloing with zeal.” This event will be held in Thorley Recital Hall within the SUU Music Building. The performance begins at 7:30pm.

Single tickets to either concert are: $10 for adults and $5 for students/youth. There is a special offer for adult tickets to both concerts for $15. Tickets may be purchased online at www.suguitarcon.com or at the door the day of the performance.      

Beyond the concerts, the Southern Utah Guitar Convention will feature an array of master classes, clinics and workshops for intermediate and advance guitarists. If you are looking to develop your technique or improve your overall skills, visit the website for the class schedule.   

Tyson Cazier has actively been playing guitar for over a decade and during that time has studied a variety of musical styles including classical, rock, jazz, funk, blues, pop and swing. Tyson is a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in Contemporary Writing and Production. Tyson has studied with many accomplished musicians including, Bruce Bartlett, John Funkhouser, Greg Duncan and Eyran Katsenelenbogen. In addition to guitar, Tyson has experience in composing, arranging and producing music at home and in a professional studio environment. Currently Tyson is the guitar instructor at Southern Utah University and teaches weekly private lessons as well as an introductory guitar class and a guitar ensemble.  

Corey Christiansen is becoming recognized as one of the preeminent jazz guitarists in the world. A recording artist, writer, educator and performer, he has played and taught in literally every type of situation around the globe for the last decade. “Awakening,” Corey’s first CD as a leader, was the initial release on Mel Bay Records in 2004 and received critical acclaim throughout the jazz community. MB3: Jazz Hits Vol. 1 marked a great leap in his national and international visibility as a player and producer. Jazz Hits Vol. 1 spent three weeks as the No. 1 jazz recording on North American jazz radio. His first performance DVD – “Vic Juris & Corey Christiansen: Live at the Smithsonian Jazz Café” – was released in July 2006. Jazzwise reviewer Mike Flynn gave the recording four stars, noting that “…Christiansen is well-versed in the guitar’s sonic heritage and his judicious sense of phrasing finds him light-fingered even on the densest of changes and positively euphoric on his ballad work.” Corey has written several method books for Mel Bay Publications as well as articles for many of the major guitar magazines and Downbeat Magazine. Corey currently teaches at Utah State University and the famed Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He is an artist-in-residence at Atlanta Institute of Music (Atlanta, GA) and Broadway Music School (Denver, CO).

McKay Tebbs is a doctoral candidate in the Studio Jazz Guitar Program at the prestigious Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, one of the top and most competitive guitar programs in the world.  McKay is a brilliant player and has studied and can play a wide range of music from Steve Vai to Jim Hall.

Come and develop your guitar or enjoy the sounds of two remarkable evenings of guitarists in performance. Experience the Southern Utah Guitar Convention. For additional information, visit www.suguitarcon.com or call 435-319-0209.