June Events at BYU Museum of Art

Open Monday – Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.Thursday & Friday, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Admission to the Museum of Art is free.To learn more visit moa.byu.eduQuestions? 801-422-8286Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BYUmoa Twitter: BYUmoa 
Beauty and Belief: Crossing Bridges with the Art of Islamic CultureFeb. 24 – Sep. 29, 2012Unique in its approach, this exhibition offers access to Islamic culture, providing “a view from within” by project director, Dr. Sabiha Al Khemir. As an introduction to the arts of Islamic culture, this exhibition inspires both the general public and the specialist. Beauty and Belief poses the question “What makes Islamic Art Islamic?” To address this, Tunisian-born Dr. Al Khemir creates a show that features historical and geographic background with succeeding sections of calligraphy, figurative imagery and pattern. The exploration of themes in the exhibition creates a space to encounter the culture of Islam through its visual language. The approach means to raise questions of cultural significance for each object in order to build bridges and bring cultures together.

Family Art Festival: Journey through the Arts of IslamJune 15 and 16, 2012This summer the museum’s annual Family Art Festival will return on June 15 and 16, 10:00 am – 3:00 p.m., inspired by the themes in Beauty and Belief: Crossing Bridges with the Arts of Islamic Culture. Participants are invited to the museum to listen to stories of the Islamic world, participate in Middle Eastern music and dance demonstrations, create Islamic art masterpieces, talk with local Muslims about Islamic culture, and sample Middle Eastern food in the MOA Cafe. Families are welcome to drop in anytime to this free event. Questions? Please call 801-422-5323.Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/BYUmoa 
People in a Hard LandMarch 30, 2012 – Jan. 19, 2013This new exhibition focuses on memorable images of people in the American Southwest. It explores subjects in Southwestern art that have appeared with sufficient frequency and poignancy to become truly iconic:• Pioneers, cowboys, and Indians moving across a vast uninhabited landscape• Men and women engaged in the hard labor of taming a wild land• Western faces: tough, weatherworn, stoic, self-reliant, patient, wise, open, and honest• People from different cultures living in harmony with nature and each otherEven today, after more than a century of Western painting, these familiar themes remain among the most popular in all of American art. These pieces highlight the American ideal of optimism, hard work, and determination. This idealization of Western life remains as one of the continuing wellsprings of the American Dream.
Object of Devotion: Medieval English Alabaster Sculpture from the Victoria and Albert Museum Public Opening May 31, 2012 at 7 – 9 pm Come enjoy live music, light refreshments, and medieval dancing while viewing these intricately crafted and elegant examples of alabaster sculpture from the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The Museum of Art’s latest religious art exhibit features six sections, each addressing different aspects of early Catholic beliefs that were represented through sculptures. Many pieces depict holy figures and narrative scenes, produced for churches, royal chapels, domestic altars and even people of modest means throughout England.
The exhibition is organized and circulated by Art Services International, Alexandria, Virginia.Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/BYUmoa 
Object of Devotion: Medieval English Alabaster Sculpture from the Victoria and Albert MuseumJune 2 – Nov. 10, 2012Religious imagery has been part of people’s lives for centuries, and now the BYU Museum of Art offers visitors an opportunity to see a unique form of religious art that dates back to the early 1300s. Object of Devotion, the BYU Museum of Art’s next religious art exhibition, comes from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, owner of the largest medieval alabaster sculpture collection in the world. The exhibition features six sections each addressing different aspects of early Catholic beliefs that were represented through sculptures. Many pieces depict holy figures and narrative scenes, produced for churches, royal chapels, domestic altars and even people of modest means throughout England. 

michael whiting: 8-bit modernJune 15, 2012 – March 23, 2013Sculpture Garden“In my visual experience, Pac-Man came before Donald Judd, Carl Andre or even Mondrian.” So writes artist Michael Whiting about the MOA’s most recent exhibit of Modern art, michael whiting: 8-bit modern. In his brightly painted, massive, pixilated sculptures, Michael Whiting considers the visual relationship between early video games and 1960s minimalism. His art also creates a dialogue about the relationship between the “real” and the “virtual.” By creating massive sculptures of thick, heavy steel plate, Whiting makes the intangible tangible.
michael whiting:8-bit modern Public Opening June 15, 2012 at 6:30 – 9 pm  The MOA's new sculpture exhibit, michael whiting: 8-bit modern, will celebrate its opening with a block party outside at the museum's Sculpture Garden. Live 8-bit DJ OK Ikumi will perform, light refreshments will be served, and Michael Whiting will be attending the event, so there will be an opportunity to meet the artist. All are welcome to the party on June 15 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm.Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/BYUmoa 

Farmers Market at Gardner Village

Did you know that Gardner Village now has a Farmers Market?!

Beginning this Saturday, and every Saturday from 9am to 2pm through September 29th, enjoy a pancake breakfast, local produce, animal train, arts & crafts, live music and kids activities. 
I will be attending an upcoming Saturday, and will be giving you a full report on how awesome it is! Stay tuned!
Below is the schedule of events for each Saturday:

REVIEW: Paranormal Investigation with Grimm Ghost Tours

Old hospital beds

Our "field experts", Chad and Jen, got to attend a paranormal ghost tour with Grimm Ghost Tours. Here's what Chad had to say about their experience:

"Jen Pfeifer and I got to go on a paranormal investigation with Grimm Ghost Tours to Asylum 49 on May 25th.  It was a very unique and interesting experience.  It was our first investigation but will not be our last. 

           

An unexplained xray found in the basement

            Grimm GhostTours did a great job putting together the investigation.  We met with the group just before 8 p.m. and the owner of the building took us on a tour of the building before the sun went down to make sure we knew the layout of the building so nobody got lost.  He also told us stories about hot spots in the building and what to look for.  When the tour from the owner was over, everyone went back to the main room and GrimmGhost Tours took over. 

            Grimm GhostTours employees explained that we would be looking for evidence of different energies and to try to disprove anything that you see just to make sure it is real.  They strongly encouraged taking many pictures and to take many in a row.  If anything was going to manifest itself to us, that is one of the best ways to get evidence.  The guides let us split up into any size group we wanted.  We decided to go in the largest group because I did not want to have a paranormal experience by myself.

A dark hallway where shadow-men are
frequently caught on camera

           Some of the tools the guides had that they shared with us were a ghost box, pendulum, and some handheld monitors that picked up changes in the electricity and magnetism in the room.  As the night went on I started feeling much more comfortable with the unexplainable experiences we were having, so we broke away from the large group and went with three other people on our own.  As we went from room to room we had many more amazing things happen to us that would make anyone that doubts the existence of ghosts admit that some other energy was in that building with us that night. 

An old surgical table

            I would like to thank Grimm Ghost Tours for this experience, and I would strongly recommend that everybody go on a paranormal investigation with Grimm GhostTours.  The way they help you experience the paranormal is amazing.  I have had a strong fear of ghosts my entire life; now I have faced that fear and am excited for my next experience.  I do not think I will go off on my own like some people in the investigation did, but I at least I will have more curiosity than fear next time." 

About Grimm Ghost Tours:

• Read our review and watch a video of their Old Town Ghost Tour from last October
• Read about their upcoming paranormal investigations and tours offered
• Reserve your spot on a tour or paranormal investigation
• Follow Grimm Ghost Tours on Twitter
• Connect with Grimm Ghost Tours on Facebook

Enjoy Utah received two complimentary passes to the Asylum 49 Grimm Ghost Tours Paranormal Investigation, but the opinions expressed in this review are solely the views and opinions of the writer, and we were not compensated to write any specific point of view.

Great Colleges in Utah

There are a number of postsecondary institutions located across the state of Utah, including research universities, community colleges, and technical colleges. Utah residents may also be interested in this informational site for online universities. If you are interested in more information about the best Utah colleges, read on.

• The University of Utah –The University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The “U.S. News and World Report” ranks the University of Utah's programs in the top 100 programs of their type. Some of these programs include the nursing program, Master of Business Administration (MBA), law college, social work, clinical psychology, biology, English, civil engineering, and political science. The University of Utah offers more than 80 different undergraduate degrees. Some of the different options for majors are accounting, ballet, computer science, elementary education, exercise and sports science, film and media arts, health promotion and education, and marketing. The school also offers undergraduate certificates in areas like alcohol/drug abuse treatment, criminology and corrections, international relations, and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).
• Utah State University – Utah State University has been ranked the top university in the West for lowest tuition by “Forbes’” list of Best College Buys in 2011. The university is involved in NCAA Division I athletics as has received accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The school offers more than 150 different undergraduate degrees, with specializations in areas like automotive technology, business administration, cosmetology, journalism, liberal arts, practical nursing, social work, and special education. Utah State University has a number of graduate degrees, including Master of Art, Master of Science, MBAs, Master of Education, Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree programs. Finally, Utah State University offers more than 70 distance education programs such as Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, B.S. in Family Life Studies, B.S. in Psychology, associate degree in general studies, master’s degree of rehabilitation counseling, M.S. in English-Technical Writing, master of engineering degree, and master of natural resources degree.
• South Utah University – South Utah University is located in Cedar City, Utah, and is accredited by the NWCCU. Many of their programs also have subject-related accreditation. The school offers a wide range of academic majors in departments including accounting, communication, art and design, physical science, computer science and information systems, education, political science and criminal justice, theater arts and dance, economics and finance, engineering technology and construction management, English, foreign language and humanities, and agriculture and nutrition science. The graduate degrees offered are Master of Accountancy, Master of Arts in Professional Communication, MBA, Graduate Studies in Education, Master of Fine Arts in Arts Administration, Master of Public Administration, M.S. in Forensic Science, M.S. in Sports Conditioning and Performance, and M.S.W.
• Dixie State College of Utah – Dixie State College of Utah is located in State George, Utah. The school is accredited by the NWCCU. Dixie State College of Utah has a wide range of athletic programs, including baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, football, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. The college has a number of different academic schools and departments. The fine arts division includes music, art, dance, and theater, while the humanities department includes English, psychology and criminal justice. The School of Education offers programs in developmental studies, education, family and computer science, and integrated studies. The Dixie State College of Utah includes the Udvar-Hazy School of Business, and offers courses in automotive and technology, biology, computer and information technology, mathematics, and physical science. Dixie State College of Utah also has a large school of nursing and allied health, which includes programs like certified nursing assistant, dental hygiene, emergency medical services, medical laboratory sciences, nursing, phlebotomy, physical therapy assistant, and respiratory therapy.
• Salt Lake Community College – Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) boasts low tuition rates, flexible locations, small class sizes, and easily transferable credits. The school is accredited by the NWCCU. SLCC offers continuing education as well as academic programs. Continuing education options include computer workshops, professional development, digital media, electrics, green academy, health and wellness, information studies, and transition to teaching. Academic areas of study include American sign language, aviation technology, barbering and cosmetology, business management, carpentry, dental office assistant, education, fashion, and genealogy. Online courses are also available.
• Utah College of Applied Technology – The Utah College of Applied Technology offers affordable tuition, flexible schedules, hands-on and employer training. Programs are offered in the service, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, construction, business, information technology, and oil and gas industries. Some of the available programs are culinary arts, cosmetology, fashion merchandising, firefighter, interior design, paralegal, police academy, real estate, veterinary assistant, electronics, welding technology, automotive technology, small engine repair, medical billing and coding, practical nurse, carpentry, plumbing assistant, small business management, managing bookkeeper, e-commerce, Web and graphic design, and energy technology.

Utah's Free Fishing Day Events

Free fishing day this year is this Saturday, June 2nd 2012. Below are some fun events you can participate in:
Community FisheriesA list of all the community fisheries in Utah. 
Fish n Fun at Sand Hollow State ParkA fishing event for handicap kids and their families. No admission fee. 
Fishing Ponds in St GeorgeGrandpa's Pond, as well as other ponds, hold fun events on free fishing day. Contact individual ponds for complete information.
Utah Lake FestivalA FREE event with free food, games and fun for all ages! 
Wasatch Mountain State ParkLocated by Midway, enjoy a day of free fishing for all ages at the Wasatch Mountain State Park visitor's center pond.
MORE FREE FISHING FUN!Find another list of great fishing day activities HERE.

Music in the Mountains: Utah's Spectacular Concert Venues

By Allison Ulrich, Wumpsee.com

Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Utah has become a favorite place for performers and concertgoers alike. The state truly offers something for every person’s taste in concerts and shows, from beautiful outdoor backdrops, to gorgeous indoor venues worthy of the world’s finest symphonies. Wumpsee.com has compiled its top seven venues to attend any type of concert.

Red Butte Gardens – It doesn’t get lovelier than a concert at Red Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City. While offering a lineup of quality and diverse talent throughout its concert series, the setting in the foothills of the mountains, near the University of Utah, is simply breathtaking. Red Butte’s concert series has gained popularity, which has allowed it to bring in more popular artists. There are perks for becoming a member, such as advance ticket purchases.

There is much to enjoy before and during the concert. General seating is the call, so you have to get there early and wait in line to enter. But, making the most of it, fans turn it into a bit of tailgating fun. Once you are in the gates, take a stroll around the wonderful gardens, feed the ducks and bring a picnic to enjoy during the show (though they have food for sale).

According to Curt Barnett, “The crowd is full of fun people there to have a good time and you can make friends with whoever is sitting next to you.”

Tuacahn – For our friends in Southern Utah or those longing for an excursion, Tuacahn is a beautiful venue to visit. Set in the heart of Ivins, Utah (St. George’s next door neighbor), and nestled in an amazing red rock canyon, the backdrop of the theater is worth the trip.

“Those beautiful canyon walls seem to help amplify the sound. Gorgeous place.” says St. George resident Curtis Graff.

Tuacahn officials host wonderful plays throughout their season. They also entertain with excellent music and comedy concerts. Utah favorite Brian Regan will perform for three nights in May.

So, when visiting Southern Utah, get a great, scenic hike in and then head to one of Tuacahn’s outstanding shows.

Abravanel Hall – Home to the incredible Utah Symphony, the beauty and ambiance of this venue are stunning, and the acoustics are spectacular. As you enter you are greeted by an amazing Chihuly sculpture from the 2002 Olympic Games, and exquisite cascading staircases. The ceiling in the hall has dazzling chandeliers and the gold leafing throughout the facility is beautiful. Located in downtown Salt Lake City, near the new City Creek Center, Abravanel hosts remarkable artists from every genre imaginable. It is an ideal concert setting that is relatively large, but the quality of sound brings it in close.

“Some of my favorite, most intimate concert experiences have been at Abravanel Hall,” says Amy Barnett of Wumpsee.com

Kilby Court -This venue is as intimate as it gets, allowing you to stand face to face with the artists. Kilby Court is small, but the price is always right. Most tickets cost about $10. The unusual setting, in an old, converted garage at the end of an alley, makes you feel like you are at a friend’s house for a party and they just happen to know some talented musicians. Generally you will experience indie bands. But you may just catch a cheap concert from the next big thing; they all get started somewhere. Before you attend a concert here, keep your expectations in check; this is barebones entertainment with few amenities. Go to Kilby Court for the “experience.”

Sandy Amphitheater – Perched on a hill in Sandy, this amphitheater has gained popularity over the years and has become a wonderful place to attend concerts, theater, family events and more. There is excellent seating whether you choose to pay extra for assigned seats or go economy on the grass. The bonus of sitting on top of the hill, besides the great price, is catching a glimpse of one of Utah’s incredible sunsets. While food is available for purchase, you are also welcome to bring a picnic.

It’s another incredible outdoor venue where you can mingle with your neighbors, meet new people and enjoy a great Utah event.

Deer Valley – When the ski season ends, things don’t stop at Deer Valley. High atop the majestic mountains of Utah sits a wonderful amphitheater where the Deer Valley Music Festival takes over when the slopes are dry. This is another place where your picnics are welcome and you may kick back on the lawn and enjoy the outdoors. You may watch the symphony, an opera or a slew of world-renowned artists.

Arrive early to get a good seat on the hill. The higher up you are, the more difficult it is to see the stage. And don’t be fooled by the warm weather. It gets chilly when the sun goes down, so be prepared!

For more information about events in Utah, visit www.wumpsee.com.

Pioneer Day Activities 2012

July 24th 1847 is the day Brigham Young declared "This is the right place," and entered the valley with a group of pioneers.


Every year, Utah celebrates with pioneer games, festivals, and other fun activities. Below are some that we have found. Check back often, as we will be adding more and more events as we hear about them.
If you know of one we have missed, please email us at contact@enjoyutah.org.

Days of 47 events

Perhaps the biggest celebration all year in the state of Utah is the Days of 47 celebration. CLICK HERE to view a schedule of events and how to purchase tickets for specific events.

Salt Lake County

• Salt Lake Bees baseball games
• Days of 47 events (all month long July)
• Family Fun Day at Fairpark July 7th
• Days of 47 Pops Concert July 13th and 14th
• Pioneers of Progress Awards July 19th
• Days of 47 Youth Parade July 14th
• Days of 47 Youth Festival July 14th
• All Horse Parade - July 10th
• Days of 47 Rodeo July 19-24
• Youth Pioneer Pageant - July 20-24
• Float Preview Party July 16 and 17
• Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert July 20-21
• Pioneer Party at Gardner Village - July 21st
• First Encampment Hike July 21st
• Free admission to Red Butte Garden - July 24th
• This Is The Place Pioneer Days - July 24th
• Days of 47 Parade July 24th
• Sunrise Service July 24th

Davis County

• Bountiful Handcart Days July 20th and 21st

Weber County

• Ogden Pioneer Days - July 6th - 24th

Box Elder County

• Tremonton Days July 17-21

Tooele County

• Benson Grist Mill Fun at the Mill Pioneer Day - July 19th
• Pioneer Day Children's Parade, then festivities at the city park - July 21st

Utah County

• Spanish Fork Fiesta Days 
• Mapleton Pioneer Days 

Washington County

• COMING SOON! If you know of events, please email us at contact@enjoyutah.org

Sanpete County

• Fairview Pioneer Day festivities - all month long July

Cache County

• Pioneer Celebration at American West Heritage Center - July 21st

Utah 4th of July Events 2012

Below is a list of 4th of July celebrations happening in Utah. If you know of one I may have missed, please email me at contact@enjoyutah.org. Thanks!

Check back often.....more to come as I find them! 


Restricted Fireworks Areas in Utah:
View the list of restricted fireworks areas HERE. Thanks KSL!

Salt Lake County

• Salt Lake Bees baseball games
• West Jordan Parade, carnival, stampede and more! June 23rd - July 7th
• Magna 4th of July celebration - July 1-6
• South Salt Lake Freedom Fest and 5k Run - July 3rd and 4th
• Riverton Days - July 3rd and 4th
• Millcreek Celebration - July 4th
• Sugarhouse Park - July 4th
• Sandy City celebrations - July 4th
• Liberty Days at This Is The Place - July 4th
• Snowbird Pancake Breakfast - July 4th
• Brighton Breakfast and Parade - July 4th 

Wasatch/Summit County

• Oakley Rodeo and Celebrations - July 4-7
• The Canyons celebration - July 3rd
• The Canyons Farmers Market - July 4th
• Park City Parade and Celebrations - now through July 4th

Utah County

• America's Freedom Festival Children's Parade - June 30th
• America's Freedom Festival Freedom Days - July 2nd - 4th
• America's Freedom Festival Balloon Fest - July 3 and 4
• Stadium of Fire with The Beach Boys & Scotty McCreery - July 4th
• America's Freedom Festival Parade - July 4th
• Lehi City Fireworks at Thanksgiving Point - July 4th

Davis County

• Clearfield City 4th of July Celebration - July 3rd and 4th
• Centerville July 4th Celebrations - July 3rd and 4th
• Layton's Liberty Days July 3rd and 4th
• West Bountiful celebrations - July 3 and 4
• Kaysville Celebrations June 30th through July 4th

Weber County

• Indie Ogden has all the 4th of July fun listed on their site
• Riverdale Old Glory Days - July 3rd and 4th

Tooele County

• Karaoke Contest at Tooele City Park - July 3rd
• Corvette Car Show - July 3rd
• Chamber of Commerce Breakfast at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 5K run, and Parade.  Activities, entertainment, and car & bike show after the parade at the Tooele City Park (click on the link and go to page 4) - July 4th
• Tooele County Chamber Breakfast - July 4th
• Bit and Spur Rodeo at Deseret Peak - July 3rd and 4th

Washington/Iron County

• St George fireworks shows - July 4th
• Washington County celebrations
• Brian Head Arts and Crafts Festival - July 4th
• Parowan Parade - July 4th

Sanpete County

• Gunnison celebrations and Restless Heart concert - July 4th
• Moroni celebrations - June 30th - July 4th
• Mt Pleasant Hub City Days - June 30th - July 4th
• Manti celebrations - June 27th - July 4th

Carbon County

• Scofield Pleasant Valley Days - June 29th-30th

Summer Reading Programs

Summer vacation doesn't have to mean a break from learning. Below are programs in Utah dedicated to encouraging your children to continue reading throughout the summer.

If you know of one we have missed, email us at contact@enjoyutah.org. More will be added as we hear about them, so check back often!
(Thanks One Cheap Chick! Many of these programs came from her list.)

• Barnes & Noble 
• Davis County
• Governor's Reading Program
• Pottery Barn
• Provo Library
• Read For My Summer
• Salt Lake City Libraries
• Salt Lake County Libraries - "Summer Reading: Dream Big, Read Big"
• Scholastic Reading Program
• Sylvan Learning Centers: Book Adventure
• Tooele Library
• Utah State Fair: Read and Win!
• Weber State University

REVIEWED By Enjoy Utah

Here at Enjoy Utah, we love getting out into the community and experiencing what Utah has to offer. Below are organizations and companies that have invited us to write up a review or cover one of their events.

If your organization or company would like to have Enjoy Utah come out and write a review on your organization, email us at contact@enjoyutah.org

Our Reviews:

• Allergy Services at University of Utah Healthcare
• BOOK: Benotripia (COMING SOON!)
• BOOK: The Mystery Of The Lost Recipe
• City Creek Center: Microsoft Store Grand Opening Celebration
• City Creek Center: Microsoft Store Sneak Peek
• City Creek Center: One Year Anniversary Celebration
• City Creek Center: 2012 Holiday Magic
• City Creek Center: Pre-opening sneak peek 
• Day Out With Thomas on the Heber Valley Railroad (2011)
• Disney On Ice Dare To Dream (2013) 
• Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic (2012)
• Disney on Ice Let's Celebrate
• Echoes of Christmas
• The Empress Theatre: Young Frankenstein
• The Empress Theatre: Anything Goes
• The Empress Theatre: Big The Musical
• The Empress Theatre: The Scarlet Pimpernel
• The Empress Theatre: The Christmas Box
• FamilyShare .com
• Farmers Market at Gardner Village
• Fear Factory (2012)
• Found It!
• Glenwood Cemetery Halloween Fundraiser
• Great Salt Lake Experience - Sunset sailboat tour 
• The Great Utah Shakeout (2012)
• Grimm Ghost Tours - Old Town Tour
• Grimm Ghost Tours - Paranormal Investigation 
• Hale Centre Theatre - "9 to 5: The Musical"
• Halloween River Cruise  (2011)
• The Homestead Resort
• Hunt Murder Mystery 
• John Zamudio, artist - American exhibition debut
• Marriage Dinner Workshop at Amber Creek Family Counseling
• Mary Poppins at Capitol Theater
• Microsoft Store at City Creek Center Sneak Peek
• Monster Jam (2013) 
• Mummies of the World at The Leonardo museum
• Nightmare On 13th Haunted House (2012) 
• Nightmare On 13th Haunted House (2010)
• North Pole Express on the Heber Valley Railroad (2012)
• North Pole Express on the Heber Valley Railroad (2010)
• "The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure" movie
• Painting With A Twist - Murray
• Painting With A Twist - Murray (Family Day)
• Park City Ghost Tours
• People Water celebrates World Water Day with The Leonardo and Mummies of the World
• Pony Express Fun Run at Camp Floyd
• Repretory Dance Theater: Ring Around The Rose
• Ride To A Witch at Gardner Village (2012)
• Ride To A Witch at Gardner Village (2011)
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Dragons (2012)
• Salt Lake Bees baseball
• Salt Lake Handball Club
• Scared Haunt For Charity (2012)
• Soldier Hollow tubing hill
• Step Back In Time: A Centennial Celebration of the Capitol Construction
• Strangling Bros. Haunted Circus (2012)
• Taste! Cooking Classes at Gardner Village
• Tiffany & Co. at City Creek
• University of Utah South Jordan Health Center - Girls' Night Out
• Utah Grizzlies hockey
• "What To Expect When You're Expecting" movie
• Zermatt Resort and Spa in Midway, UT

In most cases, Enjoy Utah was offered complimentary passes to experience the above organizations. The views and opinions expressed are solely the views and opinions of the writer of the review, and we were not persuaded to write any specific review.

Our Coverage of the Annular Eclipse in Kanarraville, UT May 20th 2012

When NASA named Kanarraville, UT, a small town on southern Utah, as the "hot spot" for viewing the annular eclipse on Sunday May 20th 2012, we knew we had to be there. Below is a video of our coverage of the eclipse and the people that surrounded us that made it the "prime viewing spot". 
More on the eclipse that brought the world's attention to Utah:

• Preparing for the eclipse
• Eclipse chasers in Kanarraville, UT
• What is the difference between an annular solar eclipse and a total solar eclipse?
• Eclipse information at the Clark Planetarium

Fathers' Day Activities and Events

This year, Fathers' Day is on Sunday June 17th. Below are events for celebrating Fathers' Day or that you can take your dad to Fathers' Day weekend.
If you know of one we have forgot, email us at contact@enjoyutah.org.
Salt Lake County

• Salt Lake Bees baseball games
• REAL Salt Lake soccer game
• Movies in the Park
• Speed: The Art of the Performance Automobile - June 2 to Sept 16
• Free screening of Cars 2 - June 4
• Fathers' Day Button Craft - June 15
• Red Butte Garden Under The Stars event - June 15
• Street Legal Series at Rocky Mountain Raceway - June 15
• Midnight Drags at Rocky Mountain Raceway - June 15
• Chalk Art Festival at The Gateway - June 15 & 16
• Brewfest at Snowbird - June 16-17
• ASA Weekly Racing Series at Rocky Mountain Raceway - June 16
• Lego Superheroes at Toys R Us - June 16
• Vans Warped Tour - June 16
• Ventures Outdoor Festival -  June 16
• Fort Douglas Day - June 16
• Donuts With Dad Storytime - June 16

Utah County

• Lego Superheroes at Toys R Us - June 16
• Family Night on the Farm - June 18

Tooele County

• Racing To The Stars at Miller Motorsports Park - June 16

Washington County

• COMING SOON! If you know of an event, please email us at contact@enjoyutah.org

Davis County

• Lego Superheroes at Toys R Us - June 16

2012 Outdoor Summer Concert Series at the Ogden Nature Center

Ogden, UT ––  Outdoor concerts at the Ogden Nature Center combine gorgeous sunsets and an unrivaled outdoor setting with lively, fresh musicians!  Situated on the sprawling back lawn behind the Ogden Nature Center’s rustic Visitor Center, these summer evenings will find you with your toes in the grass, tapping away to music that is newly picked and just now being heard in some of the nation’s top summer music festivals. Bring your family and friends, a picnic dinner, drinks, low-rise chairs or a blanket, and get ready for fabulous summer nights at the Ogden Nature Center. 
Brown Bird

Thursday, June 28 at 7 pm, gates open at 6 pm
Listen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_LMMQqBwjk Hailing from Providence. R.I., Brown Bird is a two person acoustic band that plays original, traditional American music in the best sense possible.  Their most recent album was recorded live to tape in Pawtucket, RI.  "Salt For Salt" is the first album by Brown Bird to capture the intense energy of the duo's live shows, surging in waves that often swell into high-spirited, foot-stomping madness. David Lamb and Morgan Eve Swain write simply,  - a tambourine, a bass drum and the cello often the sole accompaniment to Lamb's cracked, wood-smoke voice.  Lamb and Swain work beautifully together, with his banjo providing a backbone to a fiddle break, and her harmonies an echo of the melody.    Horse Feathers

Thursday, August 9 at 7 pm, gates open at 6 pm
Listen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_LMMQqBwjk Horse Feathers’ first album, Words Are Dead, received a Plug Awards nomination for Americana Album of the Year in 2007, and their second,  House With No Home, sold over 12,000 copies, making it one of Kill Rock Stars’ best-selling debut records ever.  The band has spent the last few years touring, and their live shows are characterized by packed houses of silent, attentive crowds listening intently to every note and every empty space.  Their recent collaboration with members of the Oregon Ballet Theatre met with great critical acclaim, and 2012 will bring further touring and multiple summer festivals. Tickets:$20 for adults$12 for children (12 and under) Tickets may be purchased online at www.ogdennaturecenter.org <http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org> By phone at 801-621-7595 or in person at the Ogden Nature Center, 966 W. 12th Street, Ogden.
Seating is general admission on the lawn.  Low-rise chairs, picnics, beverages and blankets are all welcome.  The concert will be held rain or shine and tickets are nonrefundable.  The Ogden Nature Center is located at 966 W. 12th St., Ogden, Utah

Aron Ralston to Share Inspirational Story in Utah

Ogden, Utah - Aron Ralston, renowned mountain climber behind the 127 Hours fame, will make a Utah appearance during the 2012 Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Show this June. Ralston will share his inspirational story along with a special screening of the Oscar-nominated film at Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Ogden, June 13 & 14, 2012.
The groundbreaking adventurer will account his experiences as documented in the movie 127 hours and international bestselling book Between a Rock and a Hard Place during a special presentation June 13 at 8 p.m. An autograph session will follow the presentation that evening. On Thursday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. a special screening of the Fox Search Light film, 127 Hours will occur. 
Tickets for Aron Ralston’s June 13 presentation are now available in advance at Peery’s Egyptian Theater or online at www.peerysegyptiantheater.com. Advance pricing is $15 for adults and $10 for students, or at the door $20 for adults and $12 for students. Tickets for the special screening of 127 Hours on June 14 are $5. Seating is limited thus purchasing tickets in advance is strongly recommended. Ticket holders will be entered into nightly opportunity drawings with prizes from outdoor manufacturers such as Suunto and Icebreaker.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). Patagonia has committed to match Grassroots’ contribution of $5,000 to the SUWA if the event sells out.In 2003, Ralston traveled seven miles into a remote area of Utah’s canyon country. He accidentally dislodged a boulder that crushed and pinned his hand. After six days of entrapment, he freed himself with a cheap multi-tool knife and hiked to a miraculous rescue.
Aron Ralston will present as part of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance 2012 Summer Show, the largest independent outdoor retailer expo in the United States. Independent outdoor retailers, buyers and manufacturers will convene at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center June 12-15, 2012. Their mission is to unite the independent outdoor retailers as a strong voice to protect and promote the experience of outdoor enthusiasts across the United States. This is the second consecutive year Grassroots has hosted their Summer Show in Ogden. Grassroots is the main sponsor of the Aron Ralston event.
For additional information visit www.grassrootsoutdoors.com to purchase tickets visit www.peerysegyptiantheater.com.

June 2012 Activities at the Ogden Nature Center

Wild Wednesday / Endangered in Utah

Wednesday, June 6 at 3:30 pmFree for ONC members$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adultsAll ages welcome!With the help of Des Ta Te the Bald Eagle and Laser the Desert Tortoise, discover what it means to be an endangered species.  Learn what causes animals and plants to become endangered and what you can do to help.  Please meet in the Visitor Center. Wild Wednesday / Wild AutographsWednesday, June 13 at 3:30 pmFree for ONC members$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adultsAll ages welcome!Can you walk like a bear?  Are your feet larger than a skunk’s?  Get the answers to these questions while learning how to identify the amazing autographs that animals leave behind.  Please meet in the Visitor Center. Wild Wednesday / Summer Celebration

Wednesday, June 20 at 3:30 pmFree for ONC members$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adultsAll ages welcome!Come celebrate the summer solstice at the Ogden Nature Center.  Find out why some days are longer than others.  With the help of a few live animals, discover how animals and plants, including us, adjust to the long days of summer.  Please meet in the Visitor Center. Wild Wednesday / Owl TalesWednesday, June 27 at 3:30 pmFree for ONC members$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adultsAll ages welcome!Are owls really wise? Get the answer to that question and more as we meet three different owls and decode the mysteries that surround these amazing birds.  Please meet in the Visitor Center. FREE Summer Saturdays at the Ogden Nature CenterSaturdays, June 9 through August 18, 9 am – 4 pmFREE admission for everyone, all day, thanks to Weber County R.A.M.P. fundingAlso free nature activities at 10 am and 2 pm every Saturday.Join an Ogden Nature Center naturalist for a guided nature walk, lesson, animal presentation or craft. Lessons will vary every week.  Check www.ogdennaturecenter.org <http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org>  for details. Sunshine Breakfast to benefit the Ogden Nature CenterFriday, June 22 from 7:45 - 8:45 amOgden Nature Center, 966 W. 12th Street, Ogden, UtahFree breakfast! Donations gratefully accepted.RSVP required by Friday,  June 15 to 801-621-7595.  Space is limited.Come to the Ogden Nature Center for a sunny, summer breakfast on the back lawn behind the Visitor Center.  Learn more about the Ogden Nature Center and the many programs that bring our community closer to nature. Outdoor Summer Concert featuring Brown Bird

Brown Bird

Thursday, June 28, concert at 7 pm, gates open at 6 pmTickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children (12 and under)Purchase tickets online at www.ogdennaturecenter.org or in person at the Ogden Nature Center -- 966 W. 12th St., Ogden.   The outdoor concerts at the Ogden Nature Center combine gorgeous sunsets and an unrivaled outdoor setting with lively, fresh musicians!  Pack a picnic, bring low-rise chairs or a blanket, and get ready for fabulous summer nights at the Ogden Nature Center.    Hailing from Providence. R.I., Brown Bird is a two person acoustic band that plays original, traditional American music in the best sense possible.  Their most recent album was recorded live to tape in Pawtucket, RI.  "Salt For Salt" is the first album by Brown Bird to capture the intense energy of the duo's live shows, surging in waves that often swell into high-spirited, foot-stomping madness.    David Lamb and Morgan Eve Swain write simply,  - a tambourine, a bass drum and the cello often the sole accompaniment to Lamb's cracked, wood-smoke voice.  Lamb and Swain work beautifully together, with his banjo providing a backbone to a fiddle break, and her harmonies an echo of the melody.  Summer Camps at the Ogden Nature Center

Camps for age groups ranging from 2-16.  Join in the summer fun and expand your nature knowledge!  Single-day and multi-day adventure camps are available all summer long.  Registration is required.  For more information, pricing, and to register campers, please call 801-621-7595.  Full details and more camps in July and August are all posted online at www.ogdennaturecenter.org June Camps:
Animal Explorers – ages 4-6June 25 – 29, Mon. – Fri., 9 am – 12 noon Wildlife Detectives – ages 8-10June 11 – 15,  Mon.-Weds. 8:30 am – 3:30 pm with a sleepover Thurs. from 6 pm to Friday morning at 8 am. X-treme Eco-Expedition – ages 11-14June 18 – 22, Mon.-Weds. 8:30 am – 3:30 pm with a sleepover Thurs. from 6 pm to Friday morning at 8 am.

Summer In Utah: Required Reading Material To Survive The Next 90 Days

By Allison Ulrich - Wumpsee

Playing horsshoes at the American West Heritage Center

Before you start blowing up the backyard swimming pool and digging through the garage for the bug spray and water weenies, might I suggest you kickstart your summer by adding Wumpsee.com to your favorite bookmarks?   
No, really. Right now.  
It happens every summer. One of your beloved offspring will begin recounting how they haven’t done anything all summer except be forced to read, babysit, mow the lawn ...You fill in the blank. When this happens, let Wumpsee.com do all the work of finding things for your family to do throughout our great state. It is like having your own personal event planner. Say goodbye to summer boredom.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:  
JUNE
June 11:  Dino Day Camps begin                 (Camps run throughout the summer and offer activities for different ages)
June 17:  Father’s Day—free admission for all dads Celebrate the beginning of summer by stepping back into the prehistoric age at the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park located along the beautiful Ogden River Parkway. Your own little monsters will dig the opportunity to hunt with an Utahraptor, play hide and seek with a triceratops, and enjoy lunch with a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The park features more than 100 full-sized creatures, thanks to robotics, artistic detail, and an impressive sound system. 
June 9:  Get Outdoors Day -- Free Entrance into Utah’s National ParksUtah is not only the Jell-O capital, it is America’s national parks capital. Breathe deeply, pack trail mix and sunscreen, and go have fun. Writing their “What I Did During Summer Vacation” essays will be a breeze for your little thrill seekers when you take advantage of one of the five national parks located in our amazing state. Parks include: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. 
June 15-16:  Chalk Art Festival at the Gateway in Salt Lake CityIf you have never experienced this event, hit the pavement and commit. A grand event benefiting the Utah Foster Care Foundation, the Chalk Art Festival features more than 120 artists who transform Salt Lake City’s Rio Grande Street into “Utah’s largest live art gallery.” Breathtaking family-friendly art, live entertainment, and the opportunity to cool off at the Olympic Legacy Fountain are all provided. Come be one of the nearly 20,000 spectators who have grown to love this event each year. 
JULY
July 21:  Pioneer Festival at the American West Heritage CenterUnplug your children and give them some old-fashioned fun at the American West Heritage Center in beautiful Wellsville, Utah. Attractions include: a Shoshone encampment, a mountain man/fur trader camp, pioneer family settlement, and a 1917 farm. No need for the Wii when you have the opportunity to milk cows, learn woodcarving, and learn the way of the mountain man. Celebrations include: living history activities, contests, music, and gun-fighting demonstrations.  
July 14:  Ice Block Day at Hogle ZooNobody wants sweaty, grumpy kids. Come chill out at Salt Lake City’s Hogle Zoo and enjoy an extraordinarily “cool” tradition. Animals experience a bit of arctic paradise as they enjoy things like food frozen in ice pops and giant 300-pound ice blocks. Animal “ice enrichment” will happen regularly between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ice-themed contests and games will be set up in the Oasis Plaza. Then, go home and have children fold clothes. Call it “laundry enrichment.” Genius.
July 30:  Chocolate Lovers Night at the Utah Botanical GardenSure, you can bring the children, but maybe you should set this one aside for yourself. After all, at this point you have made it halfway through the summer while being an educator, taxi driver, referee, and sandwich-making specialist. A local candy maker and the owner Pa’s Chocolates, Shirl Shepherd will demonstrate how to do magical and savory things with chocolate. Oh, and you can make a delectable treat of your own. Like I said, movie night for the kids, chocolate night for mom. You must register for this event.
 July 30 – August 4:  26th Annual Springville World Folkfest  With gas and airfare prices, shall we say, uncomfortable, cancel the trip abroad and stay closer to home to enjoy what is said to be the “largest festival of folk dance and music in the United States.” More than 300 performers from around the world will bring their culture through music and dancing right into downtown Springville. Don’t forget to sample some of the enticing treats at the international food booths. What a great way to breathe a little culture into a summer of swimming and sleepovers. Does it get any better? AUGUST
August 24 – 25:  Dancing Under the StarsOrem will host this annual tradition of talented, professional and nationally-recognized dancers and musicians. Relax in the beauty of this outdoor venue while swaying to the music and choreography of jazz, ballroom, hip-hop and more. It’s for every kid who has a dream, and for those of us who are content to be amazed by someone else’s flexibility and rhythm.   
August 11:  View the Perseid Meteor Shower at Bryce CanyonIf you haven’t done much camping this year, consider planning a trip around, oh, I don’t know -- a meteor shower! Come see the orange-glazed beauty of Bryce Canyon while extending your knowledge of astronomy. Get your tent upright, roast those hot dogs and get your brood to the lodge at Bryce Canyon. The show starts at 9 p.m. I will bring a very, very thick sleeping pad to put on top of my own personal air mattress, just so you know.
August 31-September 3:  2012 Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Trial Championship           Any excuse to take a drive through the alpine meadows and reaching streams of the majestic Heber Valley is justified. The world’s most impressive border collies come to Utah in what has been called “positively the foremost trial in the world.” The event will also have plenty to do for the little ones including the Bow Wow Luau Dog Acrobats, Wild Wonders Animal Show and the high-flying Dock Diving Dogs Championship. Enjoy Scottish music throughout the day and divine food from cultures around the world. But they will not train your children, so don’t ask.   
I should provide a disclaimer that Wumpsee.com cannot guarantee a summer without bickering, quarreling, and biting. Wumpsee.com does not have a laundry service or a dinner delivery program. However, your kids will be so busy doing educational and fun things that they just might forget to fight. That’s my dream anyway.