Satirical opera! Two television news personalities! Hanukkah! The Dude from Big Lebowski! Utah has everything you need this weekend.
Friday, November 9
At the end of an entire year spent celebrating Leonard Bernstein—who in addition to being the line everyone knows in “It’s the End of the World as we Know It” is, of course, one of the greatest composers of the last century—the Utah Opera and Utah Symphony are doing a two-night run of Bernstein-penned operetta, Candide!.
Before the opera, stop by the downtown AC Hotel, who is partnering with Sugar House Distillery to provide drinkers with four craft cocktails for $35.
Saturday, November 10
The Big Lebowski Festival really ties Ogden together, man. It features a costume contest, bowling tournament and, of course, a screening of the cult-classic film at Peery’s Egyptian Theater. The Dude definitely abides.
Now in its second year, the Utah Art Alliance’s Illuminate SLC, the “light, art and tech fest,” is brighter than ever. Admission is free to the illuminated art pieces all over downtown, but you can certainly buy tickets to the after-glo party on Saturday night.
Former Congressperson-turned-talking head and former-Republican-turned-… something else, Joe Scarborough and his wife/co-host on his television program on MSNBC, Mika Brzezinski, are speaking at Rowland Hall, presumably on midterms, Trump, Congress, Mueller and and fake news. But, who knows what hot topic will be in politics between now and then. Tickets are free and seating is first come, first serve. There is a home Ute game that night, so plan accordingly.
Sunday, November 11
Get a head start on your holiday shopping at the JCC’s Hanukkah Market. There are plenty of local vendors and entertainment—but the real star here is the brisket and latkes.
UMOCA’s monthly book club meets Sunday morning at Finca. You’ve probably read Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar in college, so show up with your dog-eared copy, order a mimosa and talk all about it for an hour-or-so.
Tuesday, November 12
Yes. Michael Franti was literally just here a few months ago. But this time, he’s not playing a summer concert at Red Butte, he’s hosting a screening of his documentary Stay Human and playing a solo show—billed as intimate (or as intimate as you can get in a 2500 person venue, I suppose). Originally booked for The Commonwealth Room, this is now at the Eccles Theater. I can promise two things: Franti won’t wear shoes, and his fans will smoke a lot less weed inside the Eccles than they do at Red Butte. At least I hope they will.
See all of our A&E coverage here.
