FESTIVAL
By Jenny Poplar
Zombie apocalypses, absinthe circuses and space oddities. Oh, my! The annual 2008 DARK ARTS FESTIVAL promises a weekend of devilish pomp, romantic pageantry and noir fun. This year’s lineup includes a tried-and-true roster of sexy fashion shows, vendors pedaling everything from corsets to pirate gear, and a diverse gathering of international and local musicians—including gothic legends London After Midnight—representing the full spectrum of darkwave music.Most notable is a guest appearance by Anaar (pictured)—a performance artist who embraces the Feri Tradition of witchcraft—slated to enchant audiences with sensuous interpretation of dark lore. Her performances are a self-described homage to “the triple muse of power, mystery and ritual.” Better get out and enjoy it while you can because you certainly won’t see such a pathos-laden performance at the Utah Arts Festival.As a former employee of goth havens Club Sanctuary and Area 51, I often have people corner me and cross-examine me about goth culture. I encourage anyone curious about goth-ics to attend the Dark Arts Festival. The artistry, complexity, drama and subtle nuances that characterize the goth experience are gloriously showcased at this event. Goth is, after all, an underground cultural movement. For many intelligent, discerning individuals, goth is more than a tube of black lipstick and a Nine Inch Nails album; it’s a way of life. If you’re the curious sort, attend and see for yourself.Dark Arts Festival @ Area 51, 451 S. 400 West, 534-0819, June 6-8. DarkArtsFestival.com
EVENT
By Dallas Robbins
Whether we think about it or not, during the winter months most of our bananas, broccoli, apples and strawberries come from a different state, and more likely a different country. But for the past 16 years, every Saturday morning during the summer, Pioneer Park has become the burgeoning DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET, offering us locals a taste of what Utah farmers have.And what they have is an abundant variety of tasty treats where all the cool kids can get their homegrown freak on. But it is not just about the food. You’ll find local arts, crafts, foods, baked goods, jewelry, clothing and much more. I usually arrive early enough for some blueberry pancakes, then check out the music scene, buy my bread and veggies for the week, and usually sample more free food than I can manage. If it’s not at the market, you probably don’t need it.This year, following this week’s OPENING CELEBRATION, the market will showcase the newly renovated Pioneer Park with improved sidewalks. And, every week, themMarket features a special event, such as cooking demonstrations, library book sales, political debates and plenty of music and dancing. There’s something different going on every week. There are only five words I can say about the Farmers Market: Go early and go often.Downtown Farmers Market opening celebration @ Squatters Brewpub, 147 W. 300 South, Monday, June 9, 5-9 p.m. Market opens June 14 @ Historic Pioneer Park, 300 South & 300 West, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., free admission. DowntownSLC.org
By Scott Renshaw
The name HEATHER B. ARMSTRONG may not ring a bell—but perhaps you know the Salt Lake City resident better by the nom de blog she used when creating her Website, Dooce.com. One of the immensely popular trailblazers in the world of “mommy blogging,” Armstrong has become infamous for her persona as an unapologetically salty-tongued ex-Mormon who alternately translates the self-applied acronym “SAHM” as “stay at home mom” and “s—t ass ho motherf—ker.” She has appeared on Today, Nightline and other programs to discuss the phenomenon of creating online communities for chronicling the minutiae of motherhood. So, it only makes sense that her first book would address the subject of … fatherhood?Yes, just in time for Father’s Day, Armstrong has edited the collection of essays Things I Learned About My Dad (In Therapy), drawing on the work of blogosphere fellow-travelers including Doug “Laid Off Dad” French and Maggie “Mighty Girl” Mason, and journalists like Salt Lake Tribune reporter/”Dear Spike” blogger Matthew LaPlante, as well as her own contributions. The result is a love letter to the complexities of our relationships with our fathers, from dealing with death and divorce to simpler observations, like Kevin Guilfoile’s comparison of dads to Wikipedia: “a massive repository of sometimes deliberately falsified information.” Join Armstrong this week as she shares lessons in fatherhood as only a “mommy blogger” could deliver them.Heather B. Armstrong @ The King’s English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East, 484-9100, Thursday, June 5, 7 p.m. KingsEnglish.Booksense.com
HERE & NOW: Other New Happenings This Week
MIKE FARRELL The M*A*S*H actor and activist visits Park City promoting his memoir Just Call Me Mike. Park City Library, 1255 Park Ave., 435-615-5600, Thursday, June 5, 7 p.m.
THE CURIOUS SAVAGE John Patrick’s comedy about children trying to stop their eccentric mother from giving away the family fortune. Hale Centre Theatre, 3333 S. Decker Lake Dr., West Valley City, 984-9000, June 5-July 19. HaleCentreTheatre.org
STEPHANIE DYKES/MARNE RATHKE Dykes’ 20-foot, 10-panel woodblock print Cathedral, and Rathke’s natural/architectural photography are on display. Finch Lane Gallery, 54 Finch Lane, 596-5000, June 6-July 25, Artist reception June 6, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. SLCGov.com/arts
SATURDAY’S VOYEUR 2008 Salt Lake Acting Company’s annual skewering of local culture and politics celebrates its 30th anniversary. Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 W. 500 North, 363-7622, June 6-Aug. 17. SaltLakeActingCompany.org
JANN HAWORTH: POP PLASTIQUES The celebrated Pop artist—and co-designer of the legendary Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover—in a solo exhibit showcasing current work. Gallery at Library Square, 210 E. 400 South, 524-8200, June 6-July 26.
ROBERT GLENN KETCHUM: FROM/FOR NATURE Contemporary landscape photographs and nature-inspired embroideries. Kimball Art Center, 638 Park Ave., Park City, 435-649-8882, June 6-July 21. kimballartcenter.org
LIVING PLANET AQUARIUM TURNS 4 Celebrate the aquarium’s birthday with games, prizes and family-friendly activities. Living Planet Aquarium, 525 E. 10600 South, Sandy, 495-4448, Saturday, June 7, 1-3 p.m. TheLivingPlanet.com
HARVARD GLEE CLUB America’s oldest collegiate choir performs a free public concert on its summer national tour. Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 E. South Temple, 328-8941, Tuesday, June 10, 8 p.m. HarvardGleeClub.org