School’s out, flowers are blooming and temperatures are creeping up the thermometer. Unless you’ve been living under a rock—you know what time it is. Summer is upon us! And in warm weather, Utah cannot disappoint. If you aren’t headed up the canyons for camping or hiking, plenty of warm-weather events are scheduled around town. Spruce up your walls with local art from the fairs and festivals, take your tastebuds on culinary adventures at the biggest food events of the season, or groove to your heart’s content at indoor and outdoor music festivals. Stay tuned SLmag, we won’t let you sit on the couch when there’s fun to be had.
Salt Lake magazine presents the seventh annual Tastemakers, a two-day food and wine progressive tasting event at The Gateway in Salt Lake City this week—on June 8-9 from 5-10 p.m.
Tastemakers 2017 tickets are almost sold out but while supplies last, tickets available here.
For the first time ever, Tastemakers will be held at The Gateway where guests can taste food from more than 30 restaurants and food artisans. Ticket holders will also enjoy a downtown tasting tour to six local restaurants via our special Tastemakers hop-on hop-off bus.
Besides the vast array of food and drink, guests will enjoy the talented Gold Standard on Thursday night, a trio that bridges the gap between old school jazz/soul and electronic music. On Friday, music will be provided by Lunar Soul, a band singing old-school and current hits with a twist.
A portion of all proceeds will benefit Head Start Utah, a program that promotes school readiness for young children from low-income families.
Ashley Szanter, Associate Editor
The Utah Scottish Festival & Highland Games is three days of exploring Scottish heritage, complete with clans, bagpipes, heavy athletics, Celtic jewelry, meat pies and maybe some haggis. Expect musical acts and Highland dancing competitions. It’s Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 11 at the Utah State Fair Park, tickets $10-15, free for children under 11.
Emily Lopez, Sales Associate
Opening Day for the Salt Lake City Farmer’s Market is this Saturday. You’ll find me with my sun hat and shades wandering among the local vendors, with a fresh limemade in hand from Sweet Lake. A few of my favorites stops are RubySnap Bakery, Volker’s Bakery, and Tagge’s! The market is from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Pioneer Park.
Melody Kester, Office Manager
Summer is here and with it comes the Twilight Concert Series presented by the Salt Lake City Arts Council at Pioneer Park. This will be the 30th year that the Arts Council has done this event. This year the series inlcudes a mix of different genres, including R & B, electronic, Jazz, folk rock, Funk, Soul, Hip Hop and Alternative. The first concert is July 20 with headliners Little Dragon. The rest of the season brings Solange, Cat Power, Andrew Bird and ends with The Roots on Aug. 31. Tickets $7.50 for GA or $30 for the VIP section. Outdoors with great music—what better way to spend a summer evening?
Jarom West, Senior Designer
The Utah Arts Festival marks the beginning of summer for many Salt Lakers. Hundreds of visual artists are joined by performers, plus work shops to learn how to create art yourself. Celebrate the arts at the first big event of the summer. June 22-25 | uaf.org
Andrea Peterson, Digital Media Manager
I’m fan of all music, but if I’m to be honest—I’m more of a ‘throw that girl around’ kind of gal. My dancing feet prefer the beats of the ’30s and ’40s. I was born in the wrong decade. And thanks to The Gallivan Center‘s big band swing Tuesday nights—these gams are gonna be getting a work out. Fear not my wall-flowered dancers. You don’t have to be skilled in jazz because the night includes free ballroom dancing lessons at 7 p.m. (There will also be snacks and libations for those who need a little sugar and liquid courage.)
Glen Warchol, Managing Editor
Summer is obviously here. But less well known to Utahns is that this is also malaria season somewhere along the equator. Just to be sure you aren’t vulnerable, it’s time to break out the G&Ts. Here’s a top-shelf recipe:
3 parts gin (Utah has several locally produced gins, including Jack Rabbit and Oomaw)
4 parts tonic water (for its malaria-fighting quinine)
Pour the gin over frozen tonic-water cubes in a highball glass.
Pour the tonic water over that.
Squeeze a wedge of lime over the top and drop it in. (Brits prefer lemon.)
Note: If your yard is overrun with mint, grab a leaf, bruise it and put it at the bottom of the glass before adding the tonic cubes.
Find an aluminum folding chair and kick back knowing you’ve joined the worldwide fight against malaria. Note: To effectively treat malaria with quinine tonic, you would need to drink upwards of five gallons of G&Ts—a day. So hop to it.
