Essentials: A&E Picks Aug. 1-7 

THURSDAY AUG. 1

Face of Utah Sculpture IX
Nine years ago, local glass artist Dan Cummings developed the idea for a group show celebrating the best of local sculpture. The Utah Cultural Celebration Center not only approved his proposal, but gave him the go-ahead to curate the show, though he now participates solely as an artist. The result has become an annual showcase of the best local practitioners of the sculptural arts, in all media, styles and techniques. Participation in the show is by invitation only, and once an artist has been a part of the show, the invitation is standing. This provides an opportunity for the public to see the evolution of the work of artists like Darl Thomas, whose polished surfaces mimic the flat desert plain, and the spirituality of Anne Gregerson’s work. But with more than 30 artists represented in the show, it’s also a chance to get introduced to up-and-coming faces in the local sculpture scene. Artists vote on awards for their peers in a number of categories to honor works in the show that are especially noteworthy. Over the course of nine years, Face of Utah Sculpture has charted the ways Utah sculpture has evolved, and also indicates its path in the future. Many of these artists go on to exhibit in wider circles, and show the rest of the world the kind of sculptural art that Utahns are capable of. Face of Utah Sculpture is, in a way, the face of Utah. (Brian Staker)
Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South, 801-965-5100, through Aug. 29, free. www.CulturalCelebration.org

New World Shakespeare Company: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
This summer’s landmark Supreme Court decisions have created something of a new world for same-sex couples in America. New World Shakespeare Company—accustomed to shaking things up in its interpretations of the Bard’s works, like last summer’s girl-girl Romeo & Juliet—extends that idea to a classic play to show the universality of love. The beloved comedy still involves love potions, confused identities and the influence on humans of the mischievous denizens of the fairy realm. But in this version, that fairy realm is an epic rave presided over by a DJ. And the love-struck Helena instead becomes Helenus, bringing a gender-bending twist to the play’s complicated romantic entanglements. It becomes a tale of making peace with those around you who approach the world differently—and a portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to programs serving Utah’s homeless youth. (Scott Renshaw)
The Leonardo, 209 E. 500 South, 801-355-2787, see website for times, Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 1-11, $15. NewWorldShakespeareCompany.com

Joe Norman: Reclaimed Metal Sculptures
“Reclaimed” materials have already had a life and served a purpose. But artists like Joe Norman are attempting to rescue them from the scrap heap—or worse—where they add to the problem of litter in the environment. In his work, he uses metal with many different origins: bicycle parts, perhaps an automobile hood starting to rust, bullet casings, ice-climbing tools and even remnants of shoes. Norman’s works give the materials a second life in several senses, since his work is lively as well as utilitarian. With a degree in engineering—employed in education, fine art and consulting in product design—he brings the exacting eye of the engineer and the creative flair of the designer to these works. Norman’s work will show concurrently with work in the Access II Gallery from Art Access’ Kindred Spirits workshops—in partnership with the Clark Planetarium—for young artists. (Brian Staker)
Art Access Gallery, 230 S. 500 West, 801-328-0703, No. 125, through Aug. 9, free. AccessArt.org

FRIDAY AUG. 2

Park City Kimball Arts Festival
Compared to the frozen winter months, resort towns are often deserted come summer—even those that host a very popular independent movie festival every January. But come the heat of August, Park City also happens to host the annual Kimball Arts Festival, which draws thousands to its three days of music, comedy and art. Each year finds more than 200 artisans displaying their wares, including a handful of returning Best of Show artists. Exhibiting right in the heart of the festival, at the intersection of Heber Avenue and Main Street, these select few showcase their work in 10 categories of artistic achievement—including ceramics, photography, mixed-media, glass, drawing, metal, wood, fiber, jewelry, painting and more—from 2012’s show. Another unique aspect of this festival is its partnership with local restaurants to bring attendees a little Taste of Art, designed to give people a chance to pop into some of Park City’s finest eating establishments to try a small plate, appetizer or discounted meal without having to settle into a full four-course dining experience. So, between browsing the art and listening to bands, you can try places such as High West—Utah’s first distillery since 1870—Robert Redford’s Zoom or 501 On Main, where you can customize a wine flight. Combine all that with the extraordinary accessible hiking and biking in the surrounding hills, and the Kimball Arts Festival provides the perfect excuse to head up to cooler climes and enjoy all that Park City has to offer—without snow. (Jacob Stringer)
Main Street, Park City, 435-649-8882, Aug. 2, 5-9 p.m.; Aug. 3, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Aug. 4, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., $5-$10, Summit County residents free. ParkCityKimballArtsFestival.org

Utah Symphony: Bond & Beyond
There have been plenty of earworm theme songs throughout motion-picture history, but the original John Barry-arranged James Bond theme, which has accompanied the gun-barrel opening sequence in the James Bond film franchise since 1962, is perhaps the most iconic. The Utah Symphony will appropriately kick off its Bond & Beyond program under the stars at the Deer Valley resort—featuring conductor Michael Krajewski and vocalist Debbie Gravitte—with that familiar number. But not only did Barry arrange that classic film composition, he also scored many of the films in the Bond franchise, including the major themes that echo throughout From Russia With Love, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, The World Is Not Enough and, of course, Goldfinger. Moving on from the impeccably suave world of 007, the Utah Symphony will also run through some other motion-picture spy classics, from Secret Agent Man and Dick Tracy to The Pink Panther and Mission: Impossible. (Jacob Stringer)
Deer Valley Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheatre, 2250 Deer Valley Drive South, 801-355-2787, Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m., $15-$90. UtahSymphony.org, ArtTix.org

Mark Curry
“Cooper! Hangin’ with my friend, he’s oh so cool. Sometimes bad and he sometimes acts a fool.” Yeah, I’m talking to you, ’90s kids. Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper’s Mark Curry is coming to Utah—not as an ex-baller-turned-high-school-teacher, but as a comedian on the Royal Comedy Tour. An Oakland native, Curry has worked with comedy greats Jamie Foxx and Martin Lawrence, and also appeared on Living Single and The Drew Carey Show. Curry has also been featured on Comedy Central and BET, and is currently a co-star on Nick at Nite’s See Dad Run. Beyond Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, Curry is known for his eclectic comedic roles, ranging from Disney Original Movies and adult-themed stand-up routines. This week, he’ll leave his kid-friendly humor at home and bring his irreverent A-game to Wiseguys in West Valley City. (Kate Ayer)
Wiseguys Comedy Café, 2194 W. 3500 South, West Valley City, 801-463-2909, Aug. 2-3, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m., $20, WiseguysComedy.com

TUESDAY AUG. 6

Tour of Utah
What do you do when you’ve already got a trademark on the claim “America’s Toughest Stage Race”? You go out and make it even tougher. In its ninth year, the Tour of Utah is longer than ever: 586 miles over six days, with 43,621 feet of vertical climbing. Sixteen teams from the United States, Australia, Brazil, China, Italy, Luxembourg and South Africa will take on the challenge that will take them as high as 11,317 feet above sea level at Boulder Mountain. The tour begins Aug. 6 with a run from Brian Head to Cedar City, followed by legs from Panguitch to Torrey (Aug. 7) and Richfield to Payson (Aug. 8). The race arrives in Salt Lake City on Aug. 9 for racing starting at 5:30 p.m. Riders will do five laps on a course that begins at the Capitol, heads up City Creek Canyon, comes down through the Avenues, then heads down South Temple. The riders will turn under the Eagle Gate Bridge at State Street and climb the 11 percent grade back to the Capitol. Day 5 on Aug. 10 is a 113-mile ride from Snowbasin to Snowbird, with more than 10,000 feet of vertical climbing. Recreational riders can join in the fun that day—visit the website for details—by entering the Ultimate Challenge to ride the same course as the pros, or pick one of several other options. The tour ends in Park City on Aug. 11, with a 12:15 p.m. start. Teams will head up through Kamas and the Heber Valley before climbing over Empire Pass and finishing in front of cheering crowds on Park City’s Main Street. (Geoff Griffin)
Various locations throughout Utah, Aug. 6-Aug. 11, see website for times, Ultimate Challenge registration $100-$105, free for spectators. TourOfUtah.com

WEDNESDAY AUG. 7

Bark Beetles: Causing a Natural Disaster?
Bugs are the subject matter of nightmares and horror movies. And they are indeed creepy and crawly. They hiss and bite and sting and buzz, and, worst of all, fly. But could there be more to the insects than just that? Danielle Reboletti, an entomologist with the National Forest Service, thinks so. Reboletti is presenting a community lecture at the Natural History Museum of Utah on bark beetles, a native insect in the West. The lecture is part of the ongoing Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters exhibit at the museum. Reboletti will discuss the bark beetles’ role as natural disturbance agents in Utah forests, including topics such as how beetles cause forest fires, how forest rangers use pheromones to control the beetle populations, and how climate change affects the insects.
But don’t bug out, because it’s not all bad. Reboletti will also explain how beetles aid diversification in forests throughout North America. (Courtney Tanner)
Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, 801-581-6927, Aug. 7, 7 p.m., free with museum admission. NHMU.Utah.edu

Salt Lake County Fair
Whether it’s the food, critters or entertainment that interests you, there’s plenty going on at the 77th-annual Salt Lake County Fair this week to merit the trip. Keeping things casual and western, this year’s fair theme, “Forever in Blue Jeans,” is just the way to start a visit to the fair. Wearing your favorite worn-out denim, make the barn your first stop for competitive exhibits. You don’t need to have put up preserves to have a healthy dose of respect for all the work collected under one roof: home-grown garden vegetables, honey, dried meat, canned meat, homemade soap, ceramics, quilting and more. After a spin through the competitive exhibits, it’s time to go find what everyone really comes for: the animals. Chickens, hogs, cattle, goats and sheep—most of them raised by children in the 4-H Club—will all be on display at the fairgrounds. Saturday is the big day at the fair, starting things off with a Dutch-oven cook-off. Competitors in youth, amateur and expert divisions will create their best bread, main dish and dessert in hopes of qualifying for the international Dutch-oven championship. At the same time, horses and riders will be taking off from the gates at the fairground’s racetrack. An hour after the races start, a Mexican style rodeo sets up in the covered arena. Save a little energy, though: The most popular event, the demolition derby, does an encore performance (there is also a demo derby on Friday) closing out the fair on Saturday evening. (Katherine Pioli)
Salt Lake County Equestrian Park & Events Center, 2100 W. 11400 South, South Jordan, 385-468-3247, Aug. 7-10, free entry, prices vary for ticketed events. cf9.slco.org/countyfair

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