THE ESSENTIAL A&E PICKS FOR MAY 29 - JUN 4 

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Out Loud @ Utah Museum of Contemporary Art
At a time when queer youth can easily feel like they're under attack at an institutional level—from school library book bans to the removing of Pride flags to refusing to respect preferred name and gendering—it's important that there are still places willing to give them a voice. For more than a decade, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art has been such a place through its Out Loud program, providing a creative outlet, artistic guidance and a venue in which their experience can be shared with the world.

As part of a 12-week program, queer youth partnered with established artists in a mentorship that helped the young artists understand and begin to realize their own creative visions. With the opportunity to explore new media, the participating artists employed portraiture, printmaking, sustainable fashion, film and performance to provide insight into their distinctive, personal experience of being young and LGBTQ+ in Utah. Participating artists—identified only by first names for reasons of privacy for minors—are Lucy, Maddox, Annukka, Penny, Ozzie, Gabriella, Sofie, Ash, Oakley, Lia, Robin, Louie, Grey, Noxx (Noxx's My Son is pictured), Kaden, Finn and Athena. The exhibition demonstrates the boldness of their perspectives and vital voices refusing to remain silent.

Out Loud runs at Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (20 S. West Temple) through Saturday, June 7 during regular museum operating hours (Tuesday – Thursday & Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.) for a suggested $10 donation. Visit utahmoca.org for additional event information. (Scott Renshaw)

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Planned Parenthood 55th Anniversary with Jonathan Van Ness
This isn't the best of times for reproductive health in America, but even in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Planned Parenthood of Utah continues to provide essential services to those in need of them. It's a mission the organization has been carrying out for more than half a century, and this year, they mark an Emerald Anniversary with a very special guest.

Jonathan Van Ness—best known as the beauty and self-care expert on Netflix's Queer Eye, and host of the podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness—takes to the stage to share their unique comedic point of view as the gala's guest of honor. As one of the most visible nonbinary individuals in contemporary mass media, Van Ness has used their platform as an advocate for a wide range of LGBTQ+ and HIV issues. They will also be participating in a pre-event reception with cocktails and live music for those who purchase VIP tickets.

The PPU Emerald Anniversary Gala takes place at Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple) on Friday, May 30 at 8 p.m., with pre-event VIP cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. Currently available tickets are $88.50, $266.50 for VIP access; visit saltlakecountyarts.org. Van Ness will also be in town Thursday, May 29 at The King's English Bookshop (1511 S. 1500 East) at 7 p.m. with co-writer Julie Murphy to read from and sign their new YA novel Let Them Stare, about a gender nonconforming teenager trying to raise the funds to move out of their small town for the big city. Visit kingsenglish.com for details. (SR)

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Jake Shane @ Kingsbury Hall
There are those whose words we tend to heed—parents, artists and entertainers among them. In this age of cyber-communication, there are others who use their platforms to expound on issues relevant to today's world. An influencer, entertainer and podcast pontificator, Jake Shane not only boasts a remarkable reputation as an erudite communicator, but as a widely-followed, highly-praised pundit too.

Shane boasts 4.3 million followers on social media and an array of other impressive credentials, including from TikTok, which placed him on its inaugural LGBTQ+ Pride Visionary Voices List. His popular podcast Therapuss with Jake Shane shares his wry wit and, upon its launch in January 2024, reached number three on Spotify's Top Comedy podcasts and number eight on Spotify's overall podcast chart. He has since taken the podcast on tour, selling out shows within hours. Late last year, Shane released his debut comedy album Puss & Poems, garnering over 100,000 streams on its first day of release before climbing to number four on the Billboard comedy chart.

Nevertheless, he tackles serious subjects as well. Once a self-described closeted kid, he's detailed his experiences with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder since an early age. Still, his obsession with eating octopus (inspiring the handle @passthatpuss) and his TikTok videos featuring humorous reenactments of historical events provide proof of his positive perspective.

Jake Shane takes the stage at Kingsbury Hall (1395 E. Presidents Circle) on Monday, June 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $50 - $186.49; visit artstickets.utah.edu to purchase tickets and for additional event information. (Lee Zimmerman)