City Weekly June 8, 2023

Utah’s elected leaders push new anti-pornography laws that may threaten civil liberties.

Firewall The Holy

BY MICHAEL DEAN MCGRADY JR.

S AP

BOX

“Dark Skies,” May 25 Opinion

Michael S. Robinson Sr. pretends to write an opinion bragging about his flying and his concern for mankind’s impact on our planet. But he really writes to blast the Latter-day Saint church in Heber City. I’ll tell you what I hate more than light pollution: Sky pollution.

I remember my dad pointing out Echo 1 in a late summer sky in 1960. The sky has never been the same since. I can never enjoy a sunset or a clear night sky without seeing planes, helicopters, contrails, satellites and other pollution.

While Robinson chose to fly over the

least-populated areas to view his planetarium show from his lofty perch, people down below had to see the red lights and underbelly of his plane. And even if nobody saw it, Robinson was about as considerate as a fan in the front row of an arena standing up to see the action better.

Michael, if you care about pollution, ground your plane and your sanctimonious self. If you don’t like light pollution in Heber City, then move somewhere where you can enjoy the night sky from the ground.

Then see how you like it when a plane flies overhead.

KEN SIEBUS Murray

The recent opinion column by Michael S. Robinson Sr.—highlighting the LDS church’s highjacking of the dark skies of the Heber Valley for its new temple—was a welcome editorial of the sad situation happening here in the Wasatch Back.

However, it is not Heber City that threw the residents under the Mormon bus. It was the Wasatch County Planning Commission and the Wasatch County Council.

Heber City’s elected politicians, while

not innocent in this story (they have practically praised the temple siting, which is outside the Heber City limits by a simple boundary line), have a solid Dark Skies ordinance in place. That’s why the church chose a site in the county and not inside the city limits.

RICHARD GETZ Heber

I have no clue what Michael Robinson is talking about in his recent column. Heber City has already changed the light bulbs on Main Street to softer lighting. All the new move-ins got their wish, to have their dark skies.

I wish I could get rid of the milliondollar homes in my backyard and replace them with the hay fields that were there before. I don’t have that option, do I? Yet they complain about a building with a few bright lights around it and get their way.

I bet if it were a gas station or a Costco, they wouldn’t say a word about it. But a Latter-day Saint temple? Well, that’s just different, isn’t it?

SHELLY ELDRIDGE Heber

Thank you for this article and I agree that up-lighting in Wasatch should not be allowed.

However, Michael Robinsin’s article incorrectly stated that the changes are being made by the Heber City Council.

The proposed Latter-day Saints temple is not located within the city limits; therefore, any lighting changes are being controlled by the Wasatch County Council and have nothing to do with the Heber City Council. I believe this is the deliberate strategy of choosing a location outside of the city limits—the county council is more easily manipulated by the request of the LDS organization.

Unfortunately, any changes will apply to the entire Wasatch County—and not within the Heber city limits.

Keep up the great fight!

DAVE MISIAK Heber

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THE WATER COOLER

What is your favorite summer patio dining spot?

Pete Saltas

Hard to beat the super patio trifecta of Hog Wallow, Gracie’s and Green Pig.

Wes Long

A table on the patio of Ruth’s Diner.

Katharine Biele

I like Trio, but I’m looking forward to Bartolo’s roof, and—Oh My!—the new Mar Muntanya downtown.

Benjamin Wood

As a westside 9-Liner, I’m looking forward to spending more time at Slackwater, Woodbine, Snowmobile Pizza and Scion Cider this year.

Scott Renshaw

Ever since moving to Utah, it’s been Ruth’s Diner. Most likely the single restaurant I’ve visited more times than any other, and its outdoor seating remains just a beautiful place to spend an evening.

Bill Frost

T.F Brewing—great patio. Can’t wait to get back to it when the 300 West construction/destruction is finished in 2034.

Jerre Wroble

Brunch on the Oasis Cafe patio is rather heavenly! But I’m also wowed by the koi fish pond and antique teahouses at Sapa Sushi Bar & Asian Grill’s patio garden.

GOP Boycott

Am I alone, or does anyone else scour the internet and social media in order to find the answers to the everyday questions that trouble us all? I’m not considering the mundane stuff here, like what is the capital city of Ecuador, what garden vegetables make the best companion crops or how many hit songs did John Fogarty write. We all do that, right?

No, I’m searching these days for a narrower scope of things, the important matters such as: What is the likelihood that former President Donald Trump committed seditious treason? What did Utah’s Mike Lee actually do for a living before he became an embarrassment of a U.S. senator? And if he were alive today, where is the likelihood greater that Jesus would find a fellow Christian—at a University of Utah tailgate party or at a Republican Party caucus meeting?

That last one is too easy. Everyone knows Jesus is a Ute fan—I just Googled it for personal reassurance because the world sure is topsy-turvy these days, and occasional reminders that not all ships are sinking is a good thing.

I have not once, not ever, tried to speak for Jesus, nor do I pretend to. I figure that since Utah surrounds me with so many people who do that constantly, and that so many of them often come off as supreme jerks, I’d rather not join in their cacophony.

When someone publicly invokes God or Jesus these days, it usually causes two reactions in me: 1. that I measure them up, find out what church they belong to, then make a mental note to not become a member of that church; and 2. that I look around at the mess such people continuously cause by behaving in diametric opposition to the teachings they proclaim to endorse and then use

BY JOHN SALTAS @cityweekly

Google to find a nice camping spot where I can build a fire and open me up some Bud Light beers.

I see now there’s a ruckus about Bud Light. A whole bunch of people have decided to boycott the brand because Bud Light made a friendly gesture to the transgender community. Oh, the horrors!

What Bud Light did was make a video featuring the face of Dylan Mulvaney on a single can—yes, one can—and you’d think the world was at an end, with every righteous phony in America claiming that Bud Light was grooming kids and endorsing a lifestyle they don’t approve of and neither does Jesus. So, they quit buying Bud Light.

Those same folks, though, didn’t seem to mind that in the 1990s, Bud Light made a slew of commercials that poked fun at men in drag who were sneaking into taverns dressed as women in order to partake of ladies night specials on Bud Light or that, in another commercial, made not-so-subtle references to anal sex. If you can put down your lusty Instagram hamburgers-on-parade photos long enough, look it up on your internet device.

Why no uproar back then? Well, for starters, if you’re too damned stupid to tell the difference between reality and a TV or YouTube commercial (did beloved Bud Light mascot Spuds MacKenzie squat or raise a leg to pee? Yeah, that was a controversy), then you’re already lost. Plus, America lacked the supreme idiocy thrust upon us by the perpetually outraged folks in the Republican Party, like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Those who find it comforting to discomfort the weak have it backward, at least according to what I always believed was the Jesus message. Times change over 2,000 years, I guess. Today’s moralists just make noise and flit from one piece of outrage to the next.

Last month, it was Bud Light. Boycott!! Last week, it was Target. Boycott!!

I’ve never shopped at Target (that I know of), not for any reason except that I’m a terrible shopper. I really admire their logo, but I’ve never pulled in. However, these days, I’m inclined to get over there and spend a dollar. If they sell Bud Light, I’ll get a twofer by supporting both. It appears that all either Bud Light or Target did wrong was to offend people of unstable religious and moral conviction. What’s next? Will the self-righteous be offended if a gay couple asks for a wedding cake at the wrong bakery, or maybe they’ll hope to strike the Teletubbies from the small screen because Tinky-Winky was the color purple and had a triangle on his head?

Oh, wait. Those things already happened. So, not much has changed, has it? That’s literal. Not much has changed. Neither baking cakes for gay couples nor the embracing of colorful (albeit creepy) creatures has produced a spike in the number of gay persons in our population.

It seems to be a glorious waste of energy to be pissed off at everyone all the time. I realize that bigots and miscreants cross all sections of American life and strata, from politics to religion to the workforce. However, isn’t it clear by now that a single party has managed to cluster them into their own spitball of vitriol—the Republican Party?

Republicans used to stand for a strong America. Today’s GOP is barely more than a suggestion box—a place to dump your weekly grievances and then shout to high heaven about how horrible your life is.

But they do win me over at times. Like this boycott thing—I think I’ll join in, starting with this: I will never, not ever, join the Republican Party.

And with that, as with nearly all boycotts … voila! Big deal, nothing happens. You can look it up, but pass me a Bud Light, first. CW

Send comments to john@cityweekly.net

HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE BIELE | @kathybiele THE

WITH BRYANT HEATH | @slsees

MISS: Hungry Minds COVID is still a mystery when you consider how it affected lives and learning. Research shows Utah students lost about three months of reading and math during the pandemic, KUER-FM 90.1 reports. Still, it’s not all about education levels or anti-vax tendencies—poverty plays a part, too. Students who had the option of free lunches were in a better place. But in 2022, the federal government ended its lunch program, and Utah lawmakers didn’t step in to fill the gap. While there still are questions about why learning suffered during the pandemic, there should at least be an understanding that nutrition is vital for children and should not depend on how rich their parents are.

MISS: Kick Rocks

Business or environment? That’s the question posed in a Deseret News article about a limestone quarry in Parleys Canyon. SaveParleys.org says that dust—and the water to keep it at bay—are a big problem. Granite Construction is helped by the state’s weak regulatory system and insists that Utah needs materials to build, build, build for the future population onslaught. Fraser Bullock, looking to the future Winter Games, doesn’t disagree. He just thinks there are better, less environmentally sensitive areas for a quarry. Rep. Kay Christofferson, R-Lehi, thinks quarry critics should get over it because infrastructure is crucial to the state. Of course, he lives nowhere near Parleys Canyon. And look to the Utah inland port if you want to know how the Legislature looks at environmental concerns.

HIT: Wedding Bells

Axios gave us all a good laugh putting in perspective a Latter-day Saint directive to get married. Utahns know that Mormons have a responsibility to reproduce early and often, but Apostle Dallin H. Oaks put their feet to the fire. Church leaders are concerned about declining marriage rates, driven in part by postponing the act. Do it now, Oaks implored—unless, of course, you’re gay. Utah ranks No. 3 in the nation for its proportion of samesex couples (Happy Pride!), The Salt Lake Tribune notes, and No. 1 for opposite-sex marriages. The state is just a marrying place, but not enough to replenish the supply of heavenly spirits. As one Tribune commenter said: “It is incredibly horrible that then so much judgment and blame is put on these sisters for not miraculously finding some faithful young man.”

Of note: both Oaks and Prophet Russell M. Nelson are married to lovely women who postponed wedded bliss into their 50s.

Parking. Lots.

There are a few hot button Salt Lake City issues that seem to have an uncanny ability to rile up emotions anytime they get mentioned. Parking is definitely one of them.

According to Visit Salt Lake—a nonprofit tourism promoter of the city— downtown SLC alone contains more than 32,000 parking spots. Citing just this number alone is enough to stir the pot: Urbanists will be repulsed, suburbanites (who chronically complain about the lack of parking) will be skeptical and many retailers will probably wish there were even more.

Where exactly do I land on the spectrum? I think parking lots are currently a necessary evil, but one that I hope gets phased out over time. After all, no one comes to a city to check out the coolest new multi-level garage or to take photos of surface level lots.

Well, no one except me, I guess.

The two lots that I have spent the most time photographing can be found near the intersections of North Temple and 300 West and at 400 South and State Street. I find these particular ones fascinating due to their immense sizes, their prime real estate locations and their general lack of use. And whereas the lot near Temple Square is an asphalt wasteland (upper left), the other, which lies across from the Orrin G. Hatch U.S. Courthouse, at least possesses some basic landscaping that makes it much less of an eyesore (upper right). Like most things, a little effort goes a long way.

But you can’t talk about parking lots in Salt Lake City without mentioning the most notorious one outside the strip mall on 600 East and 400 South trigger warning to all those who have been booted here while trying to get a Jimmy John’s sandwich (below photo). This lot and its hyperactive towing policy is so famous that it has its very own NPR Planet Money episode and, like Groundhog Day, there is a constant stream of Reddit posts by fresh transplants falling victim over and over and over again.

But maybe that’s the key to revolutionizing parking in the city: Make it so painful that people will seek better alternatives. Hold that thought, though, I think I see a spot over there. ... CW

Two downtown parking lots show how a little landscaping goes a long way.

SLC rites of passage: Hike Ensign Peak, stroll the Downtown Farmers Market, float in the GSL and get booted at Jimmy John’s.

On the Spot

Veteran improv comedian Colin Mochrie talks about the evolution of improv, and having “the leeway to suck.”

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

Comedian Colin Mochrie has been one of the most public faces of improv comedy for more than 30 years, including his stints as a cast member on both the British and American incarnations of the TV series Whose Line Is It Anyway? Ahead of a performance in Salt Lake City with his longtime live improv partner Brad Sherwood, Mochrie spoke to City Weekly.

City Weekly: I was reading an interview you gave earlier this year, in which you were talking about your early years in improv, having to pull people in off the street. Whose Line Is It Anyway? certainly played a huge role in bringing improv comedy to a mass audience. Do you take a certain pride in having been part of that?

Colin Mochrie: Absolutely. When I started this, I never thought, “This is going to be my life’s work.” It was just something fun to do on the weekends. Then, [Whose Line] was the forefront of improv. Not a lot of people knew about improv before Whose Line, but I always say, it’s not the be-all and end-all of improv; it’s your gateway drug. For TV, it has to be short and punchy; there’s a lot of great longform improv, too.

CW: Do you watch other improv performances, maybe checking out shows in cities you’re traveling to?

CM: It depends. It’s really hard to just watch if it’s short-form, something like

Whose Line. Either I want to jump up and do it with them, or go, “Why are they so good?” I did the Edinburgh Fringe a couple years, and I would go to types of improv that I wouldn’t necessarily be great at. There’s a group called Showstoppers, where they get a title, a type of musical theater, and then they just do a full-blown musical. … I like to see things that are different. I actually did a Dungeons & Dragons long-form improv. And I know absolutely nothing about the game. So I was making some bold choices. I was a cleric, and trying to fly out of danger, which apparently you can’t do.

CW: What is it in particular about the dynamic between you and Brad that you think makes for a successful creative partnership?

CM: We knew each other before Whose Line, had a long friendship. It’s kind of a sibling relationship on stage, where he’s the young, irritating brother, and I make fun of him. Brad is a wordsmith, one of those people who knows a little bit about everything. I’m goofy, I guess, and a little bit surreal. But in terms of who’s the “straight man,” that shifts from scene to scene.

CW: Your show with Brad is called Scared Scriptless, which suggests there’s an element of fear in what you do, but is that still true for you? Is there actually still a concern after so many years that “wow, we could definitely crash and burn tonight?”

CM: At this point, we have failed a lot We have a fairly good success rate, but we can still vomit at any time. Any time we walk on stage is a 50/50 proposition. People know us from television, and they’re giving us the information, so we have a little more leeway to suck. But we also have years of experience, and we know how to go, “Okay, time to move on to the next scene.”

CW: Do you find that individual cities shape the form of the shows?

CM: A lot of cities do, especially the big-

ger cities. Boston can be a tough town for comedy. People are very open with their displeasure and their love. Chicago is an improv town, so maybe they’re a little more judgmental. I think what helps us is, off the top we say, we’re not going to do anything political, because it does really divide the audience. When they give us local references, part of the fun is we don’t know those references.

CW: You incorporate audience members into your shows. Is there a particular example of how that can go a little sideways?

CM: We have this one game where we have six volunteers on stage, taking turns inserting things into a scene, MadLib style. A lot of audience members have no idea about story structure, so they’re not working towards any sort of arc. So anything they give us sort of derails what the last suggestion was. And that becomes one of our most challenging games.

CW: What is the most common misperception you think people have about the art of improv?

CM: People still think there’s a trick to it. They think somehow we’ve come up with a scenario for every suggestion we might get. They don’t realize how lazy we really are. We have our list of games we’re playing, and that’s it. It’s hard for people who don’t improvise to understand why we would do it. For us to have written parts of the scene ahead of time defeats the purpose. It would lose the fun of it. CW

COLIN MOCHRIE & BRAD SHERWOOD: SCARED SCRIPTLESS

Eccles Theater

138 S. Main St. Friday, June 9 8 p.m. $30 - $65 arttix.org

COURTESY PHOTO

Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood

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Pioneer Theatre Company PlayBy-Play Series

The development process for new plays—including events like Pioneer Theatre Company’s annual Play-ByPlay Series—allows attendees to be a crucial part of making a play the best possible version of itself. “A big part of development for me is sitting in the dark and watching the audience watch the play,” says Utah playwright Matthew Ivan Bennett. “Not just where they laugh, but they get quiet, too. … Breakthroughs are hard to have without feedback. … When you get feedback, you better understand how to highlight and enliven what’s causing other people to feel, think twice, laugh, and cry.”

Bennett contributes one of the three works receiving script-in-hand staged readings for the 2023 Play-By-Play Series: Will It Go Round, a cycle of short works addressing civil-rights fights over a span of more than 50 years. “I … chose the multiple-story format because I wanted to avoid conclusions,” Bennett says. “Because Will It Go Round  is not a single story, there’s no eleventh-hour realization that might otherwise appear in a realist social-issue drama. Rather, this is what you might call ‘small plates theatre,’ giving the audience a taste, a snapshot, a personal framing, and then moving on.”

Bennett’s play is joined by Kaaron Briscoe’s How Can I Help You? and Catherine Treischmann’s The Dust People. The three plays will be performed at varying times June 9 – 11. Tickets are $10 per show/$5 for PTC season-ticket holders, or $25 for admission to performances of each of the three shows. Visit pioneertheatre.org for the full schedule, to purchase tickets and additional event information.

(Scott Renshaw)

Ogden Arts Festival

One of the great pleasures of the summer season is the chance to get out and about to local arts festivals, to experience the work of local, regional and national artists and simply celebrate the act of creation. And while the big event of the Utah Arts Festival is just a couple of weeks away, there’s no need to wait even that long for your opportunity to support artists.

The Ogden Arts Festival presents more than 100 local and regional artists at its festival grounds, many of whom are brand-new to the event. While you’re perusing all of the work in painting, mixed media, sculpture, textiles, jewelry and more, you can also enjoy a wide range of performing artists on multiple festival stages. Music headliners include Imaginary Friendz, Dearth of the Earth, Giants in the Oak Tree and Sammy Brue, while several official festival buskers perform throughout the event. Additional scheduled performing artists include African folk dance, Ballet Folklorico and chamber music, plus a brand-new spoken-word stage. You get all of that, plus kids’ activities, aerial arts, live theater performance and plenty of vendors offering great food options. And don’t forget the annual Plein Air Quick-Draw Competition, with cash prizes.

The 2023 Ogden Arts Festival runs June 10 (12 p.m. – 9 p.m.) and June 11 (12 p.m. –6 p.m.) at Ogden’s Union Station (2501 Wall Ave.). Tickets for adults are $5 advance, $10 at the gate, and include admission for both days; 18 and under are free. Visit givebutter.com/oaf2023 for tickets; visit ogdenartsfestival.com for additional event information. (SR)

theESSENTIALS ENTERTAINMENT PICKS,

Complete listings online at cityweekly.net

“Drunken Shakespeare:”

The Taming of the Shrew

High-school English classes probably steered a lot of Americans toward the notion that Shakespeare plays were strictly highfalutin, capital-A “Art.” That ignores the history of these works as experiences that appealed to the “groundlings,” who enjoyed the puns on sexuality and bodily functions. And it’s part of the purpose of Mad King Productions’

“Drunken Shakespeare” shows to bring these plays back to folks who otherwise might feel intimidated by them, with shortened versions, modern settings … and yes, a chance of inebriated performers.

The lighthearted conceit, according to Mad King Productions co-founder Carleigh Naylor, does not require all cast members to imbibe, but begins with a group bending of the elbow on stage, followed by moments throughout the show when designated cast members will be drinking even more; audience members can donate to the company in Act II to add another drink for someone. “We have had many memorable moments,” Naylor says. “Christopher Madriaga was playing Touchstone in As You Like It last August when he stumbled into one of our set trees. He started karate-chopping it, then kicked it over loudly exclaiming, ‘Yeah, fuck you tree!’ … Our shows are set up to interact and speak to the audience a lot. We encourage laughing, and light heckling of the actors to help them ‘get their shit together.’” Mad King Productions’ “Drunken Shakespeare” production of The Taming of the Shrew runs June 9 – 18 at the Alliance Theater (602 E. 500 South, Trolley Square), with performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday – Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 general admission; visit madkingproductionslc.com for tickets and additional event information. (SR)

Firewall The Holy

Utah’s elected leaders push new anti-pornography laws that may threaten civil liberties.

BY MICHAEL DEAN MCGRADY JR. comments@cityweekly.net

On May 3, a new state law regulating access to online pornography came into force in Utah. Proposed by Woods Cross Republican Sen. Todd Weiler and a fellow anti-porn legislator—South Jordan Republican Rep. Susan Pulsipher—Senate Bill 287 requires age verification in order to access adult content on the internet within the boundaries of the Beehive State.

But the state’s efforts to rein in digital anonymity don’t stop there. The new ageverification rules for pornography arrive on the heels of another bill passed this year requiring a government-issued ID to open a social media account.

Gov. Spencer Cox signed both bills into law, citing his intentions to protect the state’s children online.

However, unlike a comparable age-verification measure in Louisiana, Utah’s SB 287 is overly broad and, as a result, the corporate ownership of one of the world’s largest portfolios of pornographic sites and film studios opted to geo-block the entire state of Utah from accessing its adult content due to fears of punitive civil liabilities built into the new law (see sidebar).

While the bill calls for adult sites to adopt a “reasonable” age verification process, it remains ambiguous to many what level of scrutiny is required to avoid legal action. This ambiguity is what led adult megasite pornhub.com to initiate the geo-block mentioned above and, beginning shortly before SB 287’s May 3 implementation date, web users who navigated to pornhub were instead met with a landing page containing a clothed video of award-winning porn star Cherie DeVille and a note blaming the firewall on local restrictions.

Using the VPN on my phone, I spoofed my Colorado IP address to a Utah one and logged on to pornhub.com. Lo and behold, there I found DeVille addressing her fans in a rare safe-for-work video.

“Any effective age verification solution must be easy to use, secure and enforced

equitably across all platforms offering adult content,” said Sarah Bain, a vice president at Ethical Capital Partners (ECP), which recently acquired the Pornhub portfolio—via its parent entity MindGeek—for an undisclosed sum.

During an in-depth interview on Pornhub’s new ownership, Bain said ECP is committed to running an open, transparent and legally compliant business, and that walling off the entire state of Utah was one way of following the new law. Pornhub is in favor of age verification mandates—but through a format that is based on devices, says Bain.

“We have seen in Louisiana that requiring age verification via digital ID just makes the internet more dangerous, so even if Utah had in place a digital ID for online use, it would still be counter to the stated goal of the law,” Bain explained. “In order to effectively age-gate the internet, we are proposing to governments a tech/IT solution; we strongly believe that the only effective scenario to mandate age verification is at the device level.”

Bain said that ECP and MindGeek believe a device-based approach would protect children from accessing age-restricted sites while protecting adult-user privacy, in a way that can be enforced equitably across all platforms.

“The narrow options available are ineffective to the supposed goal,” Bain said, adding that ECP “will continue to operate in any state that demonstrates a willingness to work toward a solution that makes the internet safer.”

Utah’s age verification law hardly does this, Bain said.

Not Safe for You

The Pornhub lockout became a viral story, with many people—including Utahns—calling out Weiler, Pulsipher and Cox and claiming the site’s indefinite withdrawal from the Beehive State was the government’s fault. And, in many ways, it is.

Consider this: the Free Speech Coalition, a trade group representing the adult entertainment industry, recently filed a lawsuit in Utah’s federal district court challenging SB 287 as an unconstitutional violation of the First and 14th amendments. In an email, the coalition’s director of public affairs, Mike Stabile, said that the lawsuit is a necessary step toward ensuring that the rights of everyone are protected equally under the law.

“Protecting kids is a worthy goal,” Stabile said, “but this is legal speech and legal content, and adults have the right to consume it without getting governmental approval.”

The lawsuit—which names state public safety Commissioner Jess. L. Anderson and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes—alleges that Utah’s law is “riddled with vague words, phrases and requirements,” and that it violates due process rights as it impinges upon “liberty and privacy in one’s own private sexual conduct.”

Aaron Welcher, communications director for the ACLU of Utah, responded by email when asked about the organization’s position on the Weiler-Pulsipher bill and the state’s age verification measures.

“Requiring adults to verify their ages—and expose their identities—before accessing certain websites will inevitably deter them from going to those sites,” Welcher wrote. “As seen in the case of Pornhub, sites with adult content—such as entertainment, therapy and educational websites—might shut down access in Utah entirely because the costs and risks involved in trying to comply with these laws become prohibitive.”

Welcher is on to something. In addition to the Free Speech Coalition, the suing class against Anderson and Reyes includes D.S. Dawson (an erotica author based in Utah), the company justfor.fans (an OnlyFans competitor website), and the sex wellness and e-commerce platform o.school. Being that the implications of a law that requires a form of age verification could be broadly enforced against platforms that don’t even produce or publish porn and adult entertainment content, the legal consensus based on decades of case law could render SB 287 unconstitutional on several grounds, including interstate trade.

“Laws like this are part of a nationwide attempt to burden disfavored internet speech and are part of efforts to make everyone less free,” Welcher says. “Elected leaders are attempting to impose a narrow worldview by capitalizing on increased polarization, promoting localized alarmism that only confirms their own bias, and using their power to police the thoughts, beliefs and bodies of Utahns.”

For a legal perspective from the actual adult entertainment industry, we contacted Corey Silverstein, the managing attorney of Silverstein Legal, based in the suburban village of Bingham Farms outside of Detroit, Michigan. During the interview, we asked whether ageverification legislation, like what is on the books in Utah, makes a jurisdiction a safer and freer place.

Silverstein gave a very direct answer—SB

287 “blatantly” violates First Amend ment rights.

“If I were a taxpayer in the state of Utah, I would be furious,” he said. “The Utah lawmakers should be held accountable because once their law is ruled unconstitutional, they will have spent millions of wasted tax dollars on an issue that has already been heard and ruled on by the highest court in the land.”

Silverstein is referring to the benchmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Liberties Union. In this case, the high court ruled that anti-obscenity components built into the Communications Decency Act of 1996 were un constitutional for violating First Amendment rights on the internet. This federal act also established the now-notorious “Section 230,” which protects online platforms from liability deriving from user-generated content.

Reno rendered the anti-indecency and antiobscenity provisions in the act unconstitution al while retaining Section 230, which has been interpreted by most federal courts to encour age web platforms to self-regulate.

But age verification is part of a broader trend across conservative America, with bills targeting not just access to pornography but also bans on LGBTQ+ and queer litera ture, limiting art in public schools, new attempts to block websites with abortion and reproductive health in formation and openly criminalizing drag queen competitions.

All of this follows the same concept: if anything touches on human sexuality, it must be pornographic. Utah, Silverstein says, has it wrong “right from the start.”

He goes on to state, “Utah lawmakers completely ignore the fact that they have created a law that censors free speech before it even occurs. This is the very heart and soul of the First Amendment. The only thing that this law accomplishes is to block off Utah residents and internet users from accessing certain types of content that Utah lawmakers don’t seem to be comfortable with. There is no greater [form of] free speech being trampled on.”

Welcher pointed to another case that the na tional office of the ACLU was involved with in Louisiana. In 2016, Louisiana lawmakers ad opted House Bill 153—with then-Gov. Bobby Jindal, a Republican, giving it the green light— making it a crime for any individual based in Louisiana to publish content online that may be “harmful to minors” without an age veri fication gate on the website. Failure to do so would have resulted in a crime with penal ties and fines reaching $10,000.

Representing a bookstore in New Or leans, the ACLU’s Louisiana chapter, members of the American Booksellers Association and the Comic Book De fense Fund jointly sued the state’s attorney general and prosecu tors. That effort—

Book Shop et al v. James D. Caldwell et al—overturned HB 153 as unconstitutional.

“Utah lawmakers completely ignore the fact that they have created a law that censors free speech before it even occurs.

This is the very heart and soul of the First Amendment,”

—Corey Silverstein managing attorney, Silverstein Legal

No Lessons Learned

Republicans in Louisiana didn’t heed the lesson of Garden District Book Shop, it appears. As reported, Louisiana became the first state in the country to adopt an age verification mandate with its implementation of Act 440. And in January of this year, the state began officially enforcing this legislation against online pornography websites.

In an interview with Tim Henning of the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection—an adult entertainment industry-backed reporting line linked to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)—he described a scenario where those involved with Act 440’s passage did so without input from the actual industry.

While Act 440 requires an age verification system that is reasonable to purchase or is sponsored by the state (e.g., a digital wallet smartphone application), there was initially no language in the bill dealing with personal data retention obtained in the processes of age verification. It was amended to include such provisions, like immediately destroying digital personal records.

Input on this only included insights from lobbyists representing companies that produce software and countermeasures to accommodate age verification on the internet, with no adult industry firms providing feedback. This creates a bill built upon only a set of a few narrow viewpoints: one religious and one clearly showing favoritism to one piece of the broader industry.

Henning explained that the correct approach would be to prevent young children from so-called “stumbleupons.” The term, via the parlance that Henning used, refers to how most minors view adult content randomly or by mistake.

Data does show that some young people have stumbled across age-restricted content while browsing freely on the devices that parents typically allow their children to have. Henning says that legislative interventions that result in age verification need to consider the role of the parents in child internet use, and the fact that most parents aren’t sufficiently engaged.

He added that “incorrect and unworkable” approaches include mandates that completely restrict otherwise legally produced content from an age-appropriate audience. He laid out five elements of what an effective piece of age-verification legislation should include.

First, he said, privacy rights are key; lawmakers must craft legislation that protects the rights of adult consumers of age-restricted content. Efficacy is second;

these laws must be effective without violating the rights of adult-content consumers or overtly impairing access. Third, age-verification laws must be cost-effective and easy for adult-industry companies, including independent platforms, to adopt and maintain. Fourth, the age verification laws must be applied equitably to ensure a level playing field, applying to all consumers and content producers—including mainstream platforms (Netflix, HBO, etc.) that might feature adult content.

Lastly, as Henning stressed throughout other elements, there are to be no unwarranted barriers for adults to access the content they wish to view and consume. Louisiana and Utah, per these elements, fail to meet all five, he said.

“Key elements to any effective age verification legislation need to have clearly defined purpose and goals,” Henning said. “What is the purpose—or goals?”

Briefly, consider the legislative environment in the United Kingdom. The status of an Online Safe bill is currently in negotiation before the House of Lords. But BBC reported in April of this year that the Wikimedia Foundation intends not to enforce the proposed age verification measures outlined in the current draft of the Online Safety Bill, if it is enacted.

The parent organization of Wikipedia (one of the most popular websites in the world) argues that compliance would require a violation of the foundation’s policy of collecting as little data as possible about its readers and contributors. A senior figure at the Wikimedia UK operation said they are concerned over the potential for being blocked as a result of such a policy.

Open Rights Group, a digital rights organization, and a slate of other organizations submitted a briefing to the Lords explaining that the bill—having been debated for years now—must not chill freedom of expression. Age verification was mentioned in the briefing, including whether these countermeasures are successful.

In an email, Open Rights Group spokeswoman Pam Cowburn said there is no conclusive evidence that age verification will effectively prevent young people from seeing adult content.

“It may deter some, but if someone really wants to access porn, they can find a way to circumvent age verification,” she said. “Age verification laws are an attempt to find a technical solution to a social issue. While these laws may be well-intentioned, they are often illthought-through and do not consider the risk to privacy that can come with porn sites gathering data about who is using their platforms.”

There is a strong case for the Free Speech Coalition’s petition in Utah, as demonstrated thus far. Jason Kelley, associate director of digital strategy for the nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation, confirmed this. He said that U.S. courts have consistently “ruled decisively that requiring age verification online in various contexts is a violation of people’s rights.”

We’ve seen this in Garden District Book Shop and in other court cases that dealt with age verification and protected forms of speech at the Supreme Court. And as with any over-reaching legislation, the real pain is felt by many of the residents of Utah who believe that SB 287 is a step too far.

All-knowing Lawmakers

Sen. Weiler did not respond to City Weekly’s request for comment. But how did Sen. Weiler respond to the criticism from his constituents and others over Pornhub’s geo-blocking of Utah? He took to his Twitter in a Trumpian fashion, posting screenshots of emails from concerned, outraged and disenfranchised Utah residents as if it were a joke.

Outside of Weiler’s echo chamber, however, not many people are laughing with him as he takes a victory lap as if he won an award for the most morally hygienic mind.

Weiler was recently interviewed by New York magazine’s Intelligencer blog, where he told the outlet that he thinks, “Pornhub sees the writing on the wall.” The LDS Church-owned Deseret News also interviewed Sen. Weiler, in which he said that “nobody in the Utah government that I’ve talked to is terribly concerned that Pornhub has decided to turn off the spigot.”

Some people beg to differ, as we’ve already noted at length. I wrote for Techdirt in early May about how VPNs can be used to bypass government- and website-initiated content filtering or geo-blocks. A VPN is quite easy to use and even easier to install on a computer, mobile device, tablet or smart TV. And after SB 287 came online and the Pornhub geo-block was levied on Utah, online searches for phrases including “VPN” soared across the state, according to search trend data from the Cultural Currents Institute.

Most VPN providers offer free or low-cost variations of the technology. But Sen. Weiler addressed VPNs in his New York magazine interview with a rather naïve explanation of how he was not concerned about young people

Attorney Corey Silverstein: “If I were a taxpayer in the state of Utah, I would be furious.”

COURTESY PHOTO

COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO

Adult film star Cherie DeVille: “[SB 287] doesn’t solve the problem.”

Free Speech Coalition spokesman Mike Stabile: Lawsuit needed to insure the rights of all are protected.

using this technology to circumvent social media restrictions or to view age-restricted content on the internet.

Weiler said that one of the main talking points that critics of his bill use is whether he’s heard of VPNs and how they work. “Yeah, I’ve heard of a VPN,” Weiler said, “but 8- and 9- and 10- and 11-year-old boys don’t have VPNs.”

Unfortunately, data speaks against Weiler’s assumptions. Some datasets place millennials and members of Generation Z—the age group Weiler alludes to in part, bordering the younger Generation Alpha—make up 68% of the global VPN user base. Additionally, over a third of the world uses VPNs, and well over 90% own mobile devices. Based on this, what good does Weiler’s bill even do?

“The biggest problem is it doesn’t solve the problem,” the one and only Cherie DeVille said in an interview for City Weekly. A prolific writer herself, DeVille elaborates on this in a recent column she wrote for Rolling Stone magazine. “The porn industry wants minors to stop watching our content ASAP,” DeVille told me. “It disgusts me that any minor could find my videos! Make it stop.”

This is a different sentiment compared to the rhetoric used by Weiler, Gov. Cox and other proponents of SB 287. She elaborated on how age verification mandates—in their current form—will likely do very little to stop minors from viewing adult content if they choose to.

“Utah’s legislators think adult performers want kids watching our porn,” DeVille said. “We don’t want kids anywhere near us because we make adult content for adults, not minors.”

In 2021, Rep. Pulsipher was successful in getting a contentfiltering law placed on the books through HB 72, which mandates the installation of content filters on mobile devices and tablets sold within the state. This has been characterized as a “porn filtering law” because Pulsipher presented the measure as a tool to stop children from accessing agerestricted content, including porn.

One hitch in the law is that it cannot enter force until five other states have similar measures on their books. Alabama is the latest state to adopt this type of legislation. Others are sure to follow, thanks in large part to coordination by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE). A report by NBC News earlier this year discussed the coordinated effort of circulating model bills to legislatures that are amenable to working with a group like NCOSE. In total, eight states introduced bills that would do what Pulsipher’s HB 72 would do.

Ben Goggin, deputy editor for technology at NBC News, found through a variety of chats and interviews with individuals familiar with the coordinated efforts that the “original intention of the model bill was to compel device manufacturers to automatically turn on adult filters” during the process of manufacturing and operating system installation. Goggin reported that the bill was conceived in 2019.

This Is Personal

Collectively, these efforts are focused on controversies that have surrounded Pornhub for years. It is worth noting that Pornhub has always been controversial—even in the adult entertainment space.

Well before the current debate on age verification at regional and national levels, Pornhub and websites like it— known as “tube” sites in the adult industry—were often dens of copyright infringement and unverified uploads, with little concern given for public image and transparency. Former executives of MindGeek rarely came out in the news media or before governmental and NGO-backed task forces fighting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the internet.

sonal to me. So much of my work as a journalist and researcher has been focused on the external legal and political moves impacting the adult entertainment industry—including the policy interventions thought up by overzealous conservatives in the Utah Legislature. I have also worked with some of the most popular companies and web brands in the adult entertainment industry.

Thousands of others in the industry have taken up this fight. It’s not just our free speech rights at risk; it’s our ability to support our families, earn a paycheck and pay our taxes like any other productive member of society. Something that is even more troubling is how little antipornography activists, like Sen. Weiler, appear to know about the industry itself.

During his interview with New York magazine, Weiler haughtily claimed that companies like Pornhub don’t do “a very good job” in removing child sexual abuse material and NCII (non-consensual intimate imagery) from their platforms. The senator is repeating an often-used, antipornography talking point that has been debunked. Even before Kristof’s columns, adult entertainment companies had actively engaged in countering CSAM, NCII and criminal uses of their web platforms.

For instance, Pornhub is active in countering CSAM and NCII. This is the case for dozens of other adult firms that manage some of the highesttrafficked websites in the entire world. Now, they even have some of the most stringent reporting policies in the entire adult entertainment industry.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children openly participates with the corporate parent of Pornhub on a project called “Take It Down.” This new project is additionally supported by Facebook’s parent Meta Platforms, TikTok and other adult industry firms, like the parent company of OnlyFans and Clips4Sale. Take It Down is designed to enable people who have been victimized by image-based sexual abuse to privately and securely submit copies of the images in question, scrape the internet for these images and eventually remove them from the host sites.

The approach is innovative and demonstrates the dedication of many adult content companies interested in compliance, ethics and ensuring that consensual age-restricted material is available only to adult consumers. Such dedication can also be seen in recent data, also collected by NCMEC through the group’s CyberTipline program.

But the culture of these sites was changing before late 2020, when Pulitzer Prize-winner Nicholas Kristof, an opinion contributor for The New York Times, published a notoriously one-sided investigative commentary that was headlined: “The Children of Pornhub.” His column triggered an eruption of condemnation by major creditcard companies, which responded by blocking transactions for their payment and membership websites.

Journalists for several other outlets openly criticized Kristof’s reporting as being one-sided and extremely unethical. Elizabeth Nolan Brown, a senior editor for Reason, wrote in a 2022 edition of the magazine that Kristof produced a “highly sensationalistic” piece. She also referred to panic stirred up by NCOSE.

This all culminates into something that is quite per-

Shortly after the fallout of the Kristof articles, Pornhub made drastic changes to its policies, deleted millions of videos uploaded by unverified users, started publishing an annual trust and safety report and adopted a mandate that all content published to their sites must be from ageverified users. Included in that change is annual reporting to NCMEC’s CyberTipline of suspected cases of CSAM.

Regardless of the Free Speech Coalition’s case against Utah or the organizations that coordinate anti-porn campaigns in state legislatures, freedom of expression is at risk. In order to survive the “Holy Firewall” of Utah, people need to step up and say no more to Puritanism. Plainly, age verification in Utah will fail. CW

Michael Dean McGrady Jr. is a Colorado-based journalist and commentator focusing on the adult entertainment industry.

DATE & TIME

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I Love the ’90s

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is less a movie than a delivery system for Millennial nostalgia.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

For a hot minute there, I was about to start writing about Transformers: Rise of the Beasts as though it were an actual movie. I was going to complain about how our human protagonist in this prequel installment, Army veteran Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos), is set up at the beginning as a whiz with improvising repairs to technology, only to have that information pay off for exactly nothing at a key moment when it could have. I was going to muse about the significance of a franchise entry like this centering people of color—not just Nuyorican Noah, but Elena Wallace (Dominique Fishback), the Black museum intern/archaeologist who figures out key information to help save the world. Then, all of that analysis started to feel deeply ridiculous.

Because Transformers: Rise of the Beasts isn’t an actual movie. It’s a delivery system for 1990s nostalgia, full stop. And it isn’t even particularly shy about saying so.

It’s not as though the Transformers cinematic franchise hasn’t already been fundamentally connected to nostalgia, in the way that pretty much every cinematic franchise of the 21st century has been— whether for a toy you played with as a kid, or a comic book you read as a teenager, or a movie/TV show you watched as a young adult. Rise of the Beasts takes things to the next level, though, following up on the 1987-set Bumblebee spinoff by setting this story in yep-the-Twin-Towers-are-stillstanding 1994 New York City, right around the time that the Transformers spinoff TV

series/toy line Beast Wars was emerging.

Thus we get a soundtrack full of the hiphop hits that were beginning to dominate radio of that era. Noah’s younger brother, Kris (Dean Scott Vazquez) sports a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers T-shirt, and laments not being able to “get past Bowser” while playing video games. The two siblings use “Sonic” and “Tails” as their walkie-talkie code names for one another.

It’s a veritable buffet of name-drops for Millennials, the screenplay equivalent of the “Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood pointing in recognition at the television” meme.

There is, of course, the simple ongoing nostalgia for Transformers in general, including the return of Peter Cullen’s commanding rasp as Transformers leader Optimus Prime, which somehow wrestles gravitas out of dumb, declaratory dialogue that’s always something like “This ends now!” The premise, such as it is, involves an offshoot race of robot-animal Transformers trying to protect this movie’s version of the Very Important Object That Must Not Fall Into the Hands of the Bad Robots—the

Trans-Dimensional Key, or the Allspark, or the Everlasting Gobstopper, or whateverthehell. They do their cool change-fromcar-form-to-robot-form thing in a variety of cool ways, punch each other repeatedly, and wait for a climactic battle which seems to have ingested the Marvel Cinematic Universe template of “throw at our heroes a bunch of anonymous drone warriors that emerge from a giant sphincter in the sky.”

And the truth is, this still isn’t a terrible version of this sort of thing. Director Stephen Caple, Jr. (Creed II) isn’t nearly as infatuated with the sound of his own filmmaking voice as Transformers franchise guru Michael Bay was, resulting in a much leaner two-hours rather than the sprawling adventures Bay favored. Ramos and Fishback are solid human anchors, and new Transformer character Mirage (Pete Davidson) provides an appropriate level of comic relief without ever becoming deeply irritating (though any given person’s “Pete Davidson becoming deeply irritating” mileage may vary).

So, here we are—trying to make backhanded-compliment excuses for these

cynically-constructed blockbuster honey traps, targeting adults who want to be reminded of things from when they weren’t adults. And sure, it’s easier for me to shrug and scoff now that I’m a good 15 – 20 years removed from being the target audience for a “hey, remember that?” exercise like this one. But it seems kind of fitting that, in one of the few character-specific quirks granted to Fishback’s Elena, she sings to herself when anxious, warbling periodappropriate tunes like TLC’s “Waterfalls.” Pop culture exists within the world of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts as something soothing, familiar and non-threatening—and, as it turns out, in the world it’s helping to create, as well. CW

TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS

BB 1/2

Anthony Ramos

Dominique Fishback

Peter Cullen

Rated PG-13

Available June 9 in theaters

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Holy Roast

Edna’s Market & Grill is a treasure trove of Mormon cuisine.

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

If you get to know Utah’s culinary culture well enough, it’s easy to build a context for what I would call “Mormon cuisine.” Sunday pot roast, buttery dinner rolls and—the crown jewel of the LDS kitchen—the cheesy, crunchy goodness of funeral potatoes are all included at this particular church dinner party. It’s almost a variation on Southern comfort food, with all its heavy cream, melted cheese and any type of grilled or roasted protein, but Mormon cuisine is quintessentially Utahn.

In keeping with this observation, it would make sense that a restaurant whose concept was to take all the buttery, fatty, creamy things we love about Mormon cooking and elevate them to restaurant-level fare would do so in Utah County. I’m talking about Edna’s Market & Grille, and it’s the first place I’m ever taking an out-of-towner to experience Mormon cuisine first-hand.

Though it’s hard to unravel the connection between Mormon cuisine and that of the traditional American suburb, piling mashed potatoes bejeweled with canned peas onto a gobbet of meatloaf just hits different for those who grew up Mormon. That said, when you roll up to Edna’s and see an appetizer section whose vegetables function primarily as a cheese delivery system, you know you’ve entered a Mormon food bastion. Edna’s overall cuteness as a market that sells local goodies doesn’t hurt the image either; I bet this

place absolutely kills during the Priesthood Session of General Conference.

Those new to the world of Mormon cuisine will want to tread lightly, because Edna’s ain’t about small plates, even when it comes to appetizers. The Irish Nachos ($9.50) with their melted mozzarella, chopped bacon and buttermilk ranch, and stuffed mushrooms ($10.50) filled with cream cheese, sausage and parmesan, are rich meals unto themselves. Of course, don’t let me stop you if you’re looking for something more extreme; there’s no harm in kicking off a large entree with an equally large appetizer.

As far as main courses go at Edna’s, you’ve got three main avenues to pursue: pizzas, burgers and plated entrees. Their pizza menu is decent, and each offering is large enough for one starving diner or two moderately peckish diners. If you wanted to stick to the culinary theme of Edna’s, I’d suggest the Lucille ($17) and its creamy sauce, shredded chicken, basil pesto and cherry tomatoes. The Mama Umami is also delightful with its emphasis on mushrooms, garlic and caramelized onions.

If you’re venturing into burger and sandwich territory, I found the No. 42 ($17.50) to be absolutely bangin’. Whether it’s the summer barbecue vibes or an iron deficiency, I’ve really been craving big-ass stacked burgers at restaurants, and this one will obliterate any burger cravings that cross its path. It’s a perfectly serviceable 7-oz. patty topped with bacon, white cheddar, fried onions and garlicky sauteed mushrooms. This is a burger that goes hard with the fat-laden umami flavor profile, and it’s revelatory in its excess. My one gripe—and this could be applied to the whole menu at Edna’s—refers the lack of sharp acidity from a pickle or a citrusy aioli. I had a tasty roasted peach lemonade with my burger, and the sharp hit of lemon helped temper the onslaught of de-

licious savory flavors, so some pickled onions or other vinegary contrast would do a lot of good work here.

The highlights of the entree menu include meatloaf ($21.50)—mashed potatoes and buttered peas included—creamy beef and mushroom stroganoff ($21), and a pork chop ($25.50) to dwarf all pork chops. It’s truly Flintstone-ian in its dimensions, or as Succession’s Tom Wambsgans would put it, “ludicrously capacious.” Though the pork chop itself nearly dominates the plate it occupies, the dish also comes with the classic funeral potato side dish and some roasted carrots.

When I see a cut of meat of these proportions enter play, I get a tad bit skeptical, because it usually means someone is trying to pass quantity for quality. That’s not the case here, however. It’s truly an excellent pork chop, and the honey glaze is a nice counterpoint to the protein. The funeral potatoes taste note-for-note exactly the same as my mother-in-law’s, right down to the crispy corn flakes on top. I enjoyed their nostalgic flavor, though I could see some craving a bit more innovation for this classic dish.

When all was said and done, I was quite charmed with Edna’s. It’s done a great job of taking some of the staples of Mormondom and unapologetically presenting them as they were meant to be shared. At first glance, one might think they’re banking on large portions and a spectrum of savory combinations to impress the eye, but the flavor combinations are spot on. It brings all the nostalgic Sunday dinner vibes to the table, and makes them taste excellent as well. CW

HopkinsBrewi

1048 E 2100 S Sugar House

2 Row Brewing 6856 S. 300 West, Midvale 2RowBrewing.com

Avenues Proper 376 8th Ave, SLC

avenuesproper.com

On Tap: Blizzard Wizard - Hazy Pale Ale

Bewilder Brewing 445 S. 400 West, SLC BewilderBrewing.com

On Tap: El Guapo – Coffee Vienna Lager

Bohemian Brewery 94 E. Fort Union Blvd, Midvale BohemianBrewery.com

Bonneville Brewery 1641 N. Main, Tooele BonnevilleBrewery.com

On Tap: Peaches and Cream Ale

Chappell Brewing

2285 S Main Street Salt Lake City, UT 84115 chappell.beer

On Tap: Sploosh - Blackberry Bischoff Sour

Craft by Proper 1053 E. 2100 So., SLC craftbyproper.com

On Tap: That’s a Knife - Australian Cold IPA

Desert Edge Brewery 273 Trolley Square, SLC DesertEdgeBrewery.com

On Tap: Tropical Fruit Storm

Pale Ale

Epic Brewing Co. 825 S. State, SLC EpicBrewing.com

On Tap: HOPEulent IPA - proceeds are donated to Project Rainbow

Fisher Brewing Co. 320 W. 800 South, SLC FisherBeer.com

On Tap: A rotation of up to 17 Fresh Beers!

Grid City Beer Works 333 W. 2100 South, SLC GridCityBeerWorks.com

On Tap: Cask Nitro CO2

Helper Beer 159 N Main Street Helper, UT 84526 helperbeer.com/

Hopkins Brewing Co. 1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com

On Tap: Stonewall Sour Saison

Kiitos Brewing 608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

Level Crossing Brewing Co. 2496 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: Kolsch

Open Mic: Wed’s Starting 6/21

Moab Brewing 686 S. Main, Moab TheMoabBrewery.com

On Tap: Golden Sproket Wit

Mountain West Cider 425 N. 400 West, SLC MountainWestCider.com

On Tap: Pomme Paloma

Offset Bier Co 1755 Bonanza Dr Unit C, Park City offsetbier.com/

On Tap: DOPO IPA

Ogden Beer Company 358 Park Blvd, Ogden OgdenRiverBrewing.com

On Tap: Injector Hazy IPA

Policy Kings Brewery 223 N. 100 West, Cedar City PolicyKingsBrewery.com

Prodigy Brewing 25 W Center St. Logan Prodigy-brewing.com

On Tap: It’s Complicated Sour

Proper Brewing 857 S. Main, SLC

ProperBrewingCo.com

On Tap: Cloud Chaser - Kölsch with Strawberry and Watermelon

Proper Brewing Moab 1393 US-191

Moab, Utah 84532

On Tap: Angus McCloud- Scottish Ale

Red Rock Brewing 254 So. 200 West RedRockBrewing.com

On Tap: Gypsy Scratch

Red Rock Fashion Place 6227 So. State Redrockbrewing.com

On Tap: Munich Dunkel

Red Rock Kimball Junction Redrockbrewing.com

1640 Redstone Center

On Tap: Bamberg Rauch Bier

RoHa Brewing Project 30 Kensington Ave, SLC RoHaBrewing.com

On Tap: Humpback Chub River Water IPA

(Collab Beer with Moab Brewing)

Roosters Brewing Multiple Locations RoostersBrewingCo.com

On Tap: Identity Crisis Session West Coast Hazy Cold IPA – the name says it all!

SaltFire Brewing 2199 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake SaltFireBrewing.com

On Tap: Deep Dive Series - Steam Beer

Salt Flats Brewing 2020 Industrial Circle, SLC SaltFlatsBeer.com

On Tap: Kiss Whoever You WantPride Month IPL

Scion Cider Bar 916 Jefferson St W, SLC Scionciderbar.com

On Tap: Scion Cider Cardi P - 7.35%

Shades Brewing

154 W. Utopia Ave, South Salt Lake ShadesBrewing.beer

On Tap: Limited Release Prickly

Pear Sour Ale, “Sounds Gay, I’m in” 6.5%

Live Music: Thursdays

Shades On State 366 S. State Street SLC Shadesonstate.com

On Tap: Mexican Lager Karaoke: Wednesdays

Silver Reef 4391 S. Enterprise Drive, St. George StGeorgeBev.com

Squatters Pub Brewery / Salt Lake Brewing Co. 147 W. Broadway, SLC saltlakebrewingco.com/ squatters

On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Mr. Melling’s Nitro Cream Ale

Squatters and Wasatch Brewery

1763 So 300 West SLC UT 84115

Utahbeers.com

On Tap: Squatters & Pink Boots Collab Healthy Boundaries Black IPA, 5%

Strap Tank Brewery Multiple Locations StrapTankBrewery.com

Springville On Tap: PB Rider, Peanut Butter Stout Lehi On Tap: 2-Stroke, Vanilla Mocha Porter

Stratford Proper 1588 Stratford Ave., SLC stratfordproper.com

On Tap: Yacht Rock Juice Box - Juicy IPA

TF Brewing 936 S. 300 West, SLC TFBrewing.com

On Tap: Beechwood Rauchbier (NABA ‘23 Silver Medal Winner)

Talisman Brewing Co. 1258 Gibson Ave, Ogden TalismanBrewingCo.com

On Tap: King Slayer- Pilsner

Uinta Brewing 1722 S. Fremont Drive, SLC UintaBrewing.com

On Tap: Was Angeles Craft Beer

UTOG 2331 Grant Ave, Ogden

UTOGBrewing.com

On Tap: Love Punch for us –Tropical Hefeweizen-5% ABV. Pride beer! A portion of proceeds are donated to Project Rainbow

Vernal Brewing

55 S. 500 East, Vernal VernalBrewing.com

Wasatch 2110 S. Highland Drive, SLC saltlakebrewingco.com/wasatch

On Tap: Wasatch Salt Lime Cerveza (SLC)

Zion Brewery 95 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale ZionBrewery.com

Zolupez 205 W. 29th Street #2, Ogden Zolupez.com

A list of what local craft breweries and cider houses have on tap this week

Prideful Things

Five examples of local Pride Month beers

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net @utahbeer

This week, we feature a small sampling of Pride Month-themed beers made by our local breweries. There are so many out there I couldn’t get them all in, and I had to shave it down to these five. It’s a wonderful thing to see so many local brewers supporting our LGBTQ+ community.

Saltfire - Kiss Whoever You Want: An aroma of light earthy hops, some herbal grassiness and just a touch citrus and pine, plus some biscuit and caramel malts. Taste starts with bitterness and earthy hops—a bit herbal and some grassy spice, with a touch of citrus. Then come the malts, a bit of caramel, toffee and biscuit—chewy, with a hint of sweet syrupy flavor, and a little tobacco. Light fruity flavors emerge again as well. The finish is fairly bitter with earthy, herbal chewy hops, as well as little candy flavors. It’s fairly dry, with a long bitterness that almost borders on astringent on the finish

Verdic t: I enjoy IPLs, and this one has characteristics of a 6.3 percent pale ale due to the more potent caramel notes. Good stuff.

Salt Flats - Rainbow Road: Pours an effervescent bronze with one finger of cream-colored head; there are only traces of lacing and no head retention. Slight peachyness and grassiness starts out the aroma, but the peach ramps up as it warms. There’s a dryness in the taste— some peach notes, plus a little tartness up front. Dryness and tartness dominate as this warms, and the faint peach flavor as well. It finishes dry and tart with an ever-so slight sweet hint of banana.

Verdict: An easy 5.0 percent alcohol drinker, with light tartness that makes this super crushable.

Shades - Sounds Gay, I’m In: Fragrant, overripe guava notes dominate the aroma. Lots of berry-like tartness kicks off the flavor; raspberry seeds came to mind, but there are none here. This beer features prickly pear. A bit of powdery yeastiness emerges, but like in the nose, the beer became fruitier and more rounded as it sat, and the prickly pear intensified. Ruby-red grapefruit appeared in the center, along with some tart lemon and wheatiness. More dry

tartness and a touch of pithy citrus rind develop on the finish.

Verdict: An easy drinker at 6.5 percent. There aren’t a lot of prickly pear beers out there, which makes it unique.

.Kiitos - Big Gay Ale: Be sure and rouse the can before pouring, so you don’t miss the glitter filled disco show that awaits inside. The nose has subtle blueberry, light floral notes and sweet honey-touched wheat. Flavors follow the nose, but exceed with overall roundness featuring hibiscus. I like the hibiscus tea side of the beer, as it provides a nice balancing effect for the flavor. This isn’t a mass-produced, overly-artificial summer beer that is too sweet.

Verdict: Just the right amount of flavor, and coming in at 5.0 percent, it’s a very approachable beer.

Epic - Hopeulant: The aroma is big with herbs and grass, along with some citrus and bread. Mixed in with these smells comes a little bit of grain and yeast, producing a rather inviting aroma overall. The taste begins with a rather nice smooth, bready and slightly doughy flavor, mixed with notes of an earthy hop and a bit of herb. As the taste advances, the earth and herb grow slightly stronger, maintaining a presence to the end of the taste. Along with these hops come some lighter citrus hop flavors and tropical-fruit sweetness. With a little bit of grain and yeast coming at the very end, one is left with a smooth, bready and hopped taste to linger on the tongue.

Verdict: This unfiltered 8.4 percent DIPA is bold and spicy, with a body that provides plenty of caramel sweetness and kick.

Your best bets to find them are, of course, at their home breweries, though some have made their way to pubs and restaurants. Happy hunting and, as always, cheers! CW

MIKE RIEDEL

BY ALEX SPRINGER | @captainspringer

2023 Farmers Market Season Kicks Off

This year’s Downtown Farmers Market season has officially kicked off on Saturdays at Pioneer Park (300 W. 300 South) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As always, this collection of local growers, makers, movers and shakers will be on hand to show attendees what’s cooking on Utah’s local farms. It’s always a nice spot to stock up on fresh produce, dairy and meats, but you also can’t beat it for arts & crafts. I always like to go check out the local food vendors, since so many of our current dining alums started off with booths at the market, and it’s a great time to check out any up-and-coming vendors in our community.

Tabiki Pop-up at The Owl Bar

A swanky, award-winning Japanese restaurant out of Portland, Ore. called Takibi (takibipdx.com) will be hosting a pop-up experience at Sundance Mountain Resort (sundanceresort.com) this June. Takibi was founded by a Japanese outdoor lifestyle brand called Snow Peak, and its strong emphasis on the changing seasons seems like a good fit for Sundance. The event will feature a mixtape of Executive Chef Cody Auger’s repertoire that will include albacore warayaki with tosazu, grilled mackerel with lemon and daikon oroshi and tofu doughnuts. Tabiki will be headquartered at The Owl Bar (8841 N. Alpine Loop Road) from June 16 - 25.

Cheese and Cider Pairing at Scion Cider

Our friends at the Utah Cheese Awards are launching their first educational event—called Cheese and Cider of the Intermountain West—tand it sounds quite interesting. For starters, attendees get to sample five of our finest regional cheeses as chosen by the Utah Cheese Awards selection committee. On top of that, they get a nice cider flight from Rio Connelley of Scion Cider. While sampling award-winning cheeses and tasty cider variations, you’ll learn about the history behind each of the cheeses you’ll be sampling. The event takes place on June 14 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Scion Cider Bar (916 Jefferson Street West, scionciderbar.com).

Quote of the Week: “Age doesn’t matter unless you are a cheese.” –Luis

Buñuel

GOOD EATS

Complete listings at cityweekly.net

Featuring dining destinations from buffets and rooms with a view to mom-and-pop joints, chic cuisine and some of our dining critic’s faves.

Woody’s Drive-In

As per its slogan—“Come back to the ’50s”—the place is set up like the drivein establishments of a bygone age. The trademark Woody Burger adds a bit of versatility to traditional pastrami burgers because you can order one with sliced ham. The zucchini fries reign supreme, maintaining just the right amount of toothsome body beneath their crisp outer layer. Wrapping things up, a dip into Woody’s vast pool of milkshakes and ice cream cones is hard to pass up. Woody’s variety is what’s kept it afloat for the past three decades. 6172 S. 1300 East, Murray, 801-266-6934, woodysdrivein.com

The People’s Coffee

Caffeine junkies unite: You can get your daily fix of mochas, lattes and espressos at The People’s Coffee, burrowed in downtown Salt Lake City. Engaging photographs adorn the walls and interesting novels rest on the tables, yet it’s the staff that’s most refreshing, serving a smile along with a tasty cup of joe. Accompanying the personable crew, lively jazz music fills the café on select nights. The space is perfect for those late study sessions, as it stays open till 8 p.m. every day. 221 E. 300 South, 801-906-8761, facebook.com/thepeoplescoffee

Lone Star Taquería

Everything is fresh at this inexpensive, funky eatery, from the tortillas and salsas to the tamales and tacos. It’s been around longer than most local restaurants, and looks like someone transported a taco shack from a Baja beach right into Cottonwood Heights. This cool and kitschy place features cold Mexican cervezas served in glass cowboy boots, and a rockin’ house sound system. The only thing missing is sand. The mahi-mahi fish tacos with cilantro aioli are wildly popular, and the zippy jalapeño-spiked guacamole is addictive. The burritos are good, too, but it’s really all about the tacos here. Flip-flops are optional. 2265 E. Fort Union Blvd., Cottonwood Heights, 801944-2300, lstaq.com

Local Music Spotlight

Even more songs from Utah artists to add to your library.

BY EMILEE ATKINSON eatkinson@cityweekly.net @emileelovesvinyl

Another week, another list of songs from local talent that you really should include in your music library. From SLC to Ogden and everywhere in between, there’s a never-ending archive of incredible music from bands in the area worthy of your playlists.

Caysen Wright and Dylan Squire, “Can’t Move On”: Starting the list out strong, this track is rife with emotion, flowing rhythm and addicting guitar tracks. The song begins soft and gentle before Wright’s vocals come in at a higher volume about halfway through, showcasing his range and talent. Amidst the entrancing vocals you’re hit with ripping guitar solos that add extra spice to the experience. Many of us can relate to the idea of not being able to move on from that one person who had you wrapped around their finger—and if you’ve dealt with that, this can be your anthem. If you haven’t, that’s okay, too (and honestly, lucky you), because this is still a great track to add to any playlist for when you want some great indie rock vibes coming from your speakers.

The Alpines, “Maybe”: Indie-rock outfit

The Alpines made their debut in an incredibly compelling way with their first song, “Maybe.” It dropped earlier this year, and is the first single off the group’s upcoming album, which is hopefully coming soon. “Maybe” is a laid-back, chill song, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t full of talent and interesting aspects. The soundscape is luscious, including enticing effects on top

of Bri McCall’s vocals. If you’re into indiepsych vibes that you can dive into with some great headphones, this is the song for you. “Maybe” offers a respite from the busy, challenging lives we live each day. Throwing this song on after a long workday would be such a treat, especially as the weather gets warm and we drift into chill summer vibes. Hopefully we get more of the same vibes as The Alpines give us more tunes to dive into.

No Shooting Friends, Joseph, “Visions”: No Shooting Friends, Joseph (NSFJ) are working hard to bring early ‘00s emo back into the modern day. If this was your vibe back in the ‘00s-’10s, listening to this group’s music is like coming home. NSFJ take elements of this treasured genre, but craft the songs into work that is uniquely theirs. Much of their work is influenced by sci-fi, so a lot of ethereal effects are added in, making you feel like you’re about to embark on a spaceship to an unknown planet, but with ripping guitar solos and epic drums playing while you launch into space. That feeling is compounded after seeing the artwork for the album, which features two spacesuit-clad beings next to a rocketship. Getting into this track specifically, though, it’s very fast-paced, with driving drums and epic guitar riffs overlaid. I can’t stress enough how the sound will transport you back to those emo kid days, it’s amazing. There’s a slight contrast with vocals from bassist/vocalist Jacquelyn Cerva; she sings lightly while the hard music propels behind her. Some tracks include these softer vocals, while some have screaming vocals, and some tracks are all or mostly instrumental. Much like space explorers heading to a new planet, listening to a NSFJ song is a new adventure to embark on, and that’s just fun.

The Rubies, “You Can’t Hide”: The most recent track to date for The Rubies, “You Can’t Hide” is an anthem for all the girlies. These badass ladies show up and show out with each new track they release, and this song starts out with a tasty bass line leading into sharp vocals that let listeners know

MUSIC

the protagonist means business. The chorus gets intense with lyrics like “You can’t hide / From the evil that’s inside / You can’t rid / Of the sins that you’ve done / When you look into my eyes / You can’t hide.” These lyrics paired with an alternative/rock vibe make for a fierce listening experience, you’ll have this one on repeat a few times. The Rubies do their fair share of touring around town, but here’s hoping we get more fun tracks like this in the near future.

Mel Soul, “Desperation”: It’s hard to put into words just how powerful and profound this track from singer/songwriter Mel Soul is. Honestly, get the tissues ready—you’ll probably need them. If you’re in the mood for something that’s devastatingly beautiful, look no further. Soul always brings

everything she’s got to her songs, but this one hits particularly hard. Starting out with simple guitar picking and airy background effects, Soul starts to sing, painting beautiful imagery of visions of nature including snowy mountains and trees with strong roots. Soul’s vocals are so intense and well-controlled, featuring just enough grit that gives the song a slight edge. The desperation comes through with the lyrics, “Mother Mary / Save me from the cold night / Mother Mary / Please keep my heart’s warmth safe from the devil.” Goosebumps, am I right? With each playthrough, you’ll hear more subtle elements, discovering new heart-wrenching lyrics and all of the different ways Mel Soul can send shivers down your spine. But like, in a good way. CW

HANNAH GULBRANDSEN

THURSDAYS

FRIDAYS DJ FRESH(NESS)

SATURDAYS POKER @ 2PM DJ DELMAGGIO

SHARK SUNDAYS POOL TOURNEY HOSTED BY JARED AND TANNER

MONDAYS REGGAE MONDAY WITH DJ NAPO

WEDNESDAYS KARAOKE

TUESDAYS

Klash of the Titans

2023 North American tour review

BY MARK GARDNER comments@cityweekly.net

Klash of the Titans’ epic blend of four thrash metal bands had the entire crowd on its feet, banging heads, snapping necks and moshing. The lineup on this tour is like nothing any experienced metal-head (like myself) has ever seen before. The amount of metal experience on stage was unparalleled to any other show that has been in Salt Lake City. If you add up all the years of experience of these four bands, it is well beyond a century.

An element that is rare at these types of shows is a strong female presence. Brave women that are ready to thrash in the pit were present and ready to rumble. Also, the new generation of metal fans under 21 years old were right up front ready to get their headbang on. This new wave of young fans will keep metal alive well into the future. Shout-out to the parents who introduced these kids to metal.

A new genre of metal, “death western thrash,” was invented by a band called Spirit World created by Stu Folsom out of Las Vegas in 2017. These rhinestone cowboy-hatwearing metal dudes look like they might start playing mariachi music. Instead, they came out with punishing guitar riffs and double-bass drumming that incited an aggressive circle pit. Fans at the venue were sincerely impressed with this new genre of metal that most have never witnessed before. Their apocalyptic vision of the American West comes out in their 2022 album Deathwestern, and songs like: “ULCER” and “Relic of Damnation” are perfect examples of this band’s extremely unique sound.

Death Angel followed Spirit World, and shredded as expected. This Bay Area thrash band—credited with being one of the “big eight” of Bay Area thrash metal—has been around since 1982. They have released nine studio albums, two demo tapes, one box set and three live albums. They are among the pioneers of thrash metal that has been constantly overlooked. Their sound was epic thrash metal with punishing vocals, rhythm and lead guitar. Lead singer Mark Osegueda and lead guitarist Rob Cavestany are the only two members that have appeared on all nine of their studio albums. Their set was a blend of perfectly crafted Bay Area thrash metal and a stage presence that was outstanding. This band is highly recommended and will be around for many years to come. Sources indicate that they may currently be working on a new album.

Kreator was waiting in the bullpit and came out charging. These undisputed kings of thrash metal from Germany formed in 1982, and they are as popular in

Europe as thrash metal bands such as Metallica, Slayer and Testament. Seeing them in an intimate setting like this was a rare treat, and certainly should on a bucket list for any metal fan. The set they played was mind-boggling, with brutal lyrics and guitar, and they seemed as if they had the most stage time of all four bands. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Miland “Mille” Petrozza delivered a performance that was close to perfect. The way he wails, shreds and screams was given mad respect from the audience that resulted in a killer circle pit. They also tried the “wall of death” that really did not resonate with the crowd like it would at a bigger type of festival in Europe. Overall, it was a fantastic performance; the audience couldn’t have been more stoked.

Brazilian thrash metal kings Sepultura served as the headliner of this extravaganza, and these guys were firing heavy thrash metal on all cylinders. Even though original lead singer Max Cavalera left the band in 1996, replacement vocalist Derrick

Green did not disappoint. They played all the bangers such as, “Territory,” “Roots Bloody Roots” and “Refuse/Resist,” while also including some of their new songs peppered perfectly throughout the set. Drummer Eloy Casagrande embodies the spirit and original sound of the iconic Brazilian thrash that all we metal-heads know and love. He was by far the most energetic and disciplined percussionist from all the four bands in the “Klash of the Titans” 2023 North American tour.

A huge shout-out to The Depot’s sound, security, staff and technicians, who made this epic thrash metal show a gigantic success. A massive thank you goes to the bartenders who held all our merch while we were front-row thrashing and entering the circle pit of all four different thrash metal bands from three continents. Also, a phone belonging to one of our friends was left at the venue, but it was returned in perfect condition by the General Manager Troy Stubbs of The Depot promptly—and with a thank you, handshake and a smile. CW

The action up front at the Depot For those about to rock

MARK GARDNER

MARK GARDNER MARK GARDNER

MUSIC PICK S

By Emilee Atkinson

MUSIC PICK S

By Emilee Atkinson

Imag!nary Friendz EP Release show @ Kilby Court 6/8

Ogden trio Imag!nary Friendz are kicking off the summer right with some brand new tunes that you won’t want to miss. The Friendz are known for energetic, heartfelt shows, and with this being an EP release event, it will be one for the books. Five new tracks from the trio are heading our way, available the day of the release show. They’ve steadily released singles here and there since 2021, but having this many new songs from the Friendz is going to be a real treat. Entitled Stuck, the EP starts out with that signature high-energy vibe, as you’re hit with driving guitar, gravelly vocals and pumping drums. They perfectly weave together elements of alternative, rock and punk—a perfect recipe for anyone who wants to show up, have a good time and maybe hurt your neck headbanging a bit. They ease up a bit with their new track “Nicci,” which is still fast timing-wise, but has cleaner guitar and is a little more on the jazzy side. No matter what these guys are playing, you’re going to want to listen. The five-track EP ends on a high, yet somber note with “Marceline,” a track that jilted lovers can relate to. The lyrics give a sense of longing, but the way they break up the music heightens those feelings. Imag!nary Friendz are joined by fellow local rockers Poolhouse and future. exboyfriend. If that lineup doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will. Tickets for the all-ages show are $10 at kilbycourt.com. (Emilee Atkinson)

The Monkees Celebrated by Mickey Dolenz @ Egyptian Theater, 6/8 - 6/11

When it made its bow on NBC in September 1966, The Monkees took the teenage TV audience by storm. Although some critics denounced it as an obvious attempt to ape the Beatles, The Monkees became pop sensations, boasting extraordinary album sales that even eclipsed their ratings. Still, some 55 years later, there’s a double side to the celebration. Mickey Dolenz, a founding member of the so-called “Pre-Fab Four,” re-lives and remembers the hits that dominated top 40 radio during the group’s heyday—“Last Train To Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer,” “Daydream Believer,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “Valerie” among them—while stirring a sense of nostalgia for a time when silliness trumped seriousness, courtesy of the merriest of melodies. And yet, given that the other three Monkees—Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork—aren’t no longer around to participate, it’s also makes for a somewhat sobering experience as well. Still, give Dolenz credit for sharing songs that remain part of the soundtrack of an easy, innocent era. Hey, hey, it’s the still the Monkees, and thanks to Dolenz’s delivery and dedication, we can all enjoy monkeying around. The Monkees Celebrated by Mickey Dolenz takes place at Egyptian Theatre in Park City, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 8 through Sunday, June 11 at various times. Tickets cost $59 - $89, depending on performance times, and $5 more a half-hour prior to showtime. Go to parkcityshows.com (Lee Zimmerman)

Imag!nary Friendz

WAYNE YOUNG

Gov’t Mule @ Red Butte Gardens 6/13

Founded by illustrious lead guitarist of eminent group The Allman Brothers Band, Warren Haynes, Gov’t Mule has remained fruitfully steadfast in the face of changing times since 1994, providing the cornerstone sound of Southern-inspired jam rock for almost three decades. As per the trademark of all notable jam bands (of course, The Grateful Dead comes most immediately to mind), Gov’t Mule flaunts a lengthy discography comprised yes, of professional studio mixes, but also heavily accessorized with a hearty helping of live albums. The quality of these live ventures authenticate Mule’s concert performances, which consistently yield nearly faultless timing and neatlylaundered sound schemes, all while spearheading the unexpected and ad-lib nature embedded into the very premise of the genre they helped cultivate. The longevity of the band has been recently verified following the release of two 2023 singles, “Same As It Ever Was” and “Dreaming Out Loud,” both of which have built impatient anticipation for their upcoming June album release, Peace…Like A River. You and yours can see this applauded act live and outside in the summer’s dusk (the best way to experience Southern rock) on June 13 in the spellbinding backyard of the University of Utah that is Red Butte Garden. Doors for the all-ages show open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $46 for Red Butte members and $51 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased at redbuttegarden.org. (Sophie

Caligiuri)

MUSIC PICK S

By Emilee Atkinson

Semisonic @ Red Butte Gardens 6/14

Red Butte Gardens has a packed schedule this summer, with epic shows that are perfect for a fun night out. Rock band Semisonic are stopping by SLC on their North American tour with Barenaked Ladies. Many may know Semisonic from their late 1998 hit “Closing Time,” a classic song of the era. If you think you haven’t heard it, you probably have. Look it up and press play—I almost guarantee you’ll say, “Oh, this song.” The group has steadily been chugging along since then, nearing the 30-year anniversary of their formation, and have put out more music as of late after a 12-year hiatus. Semisonic dropped Pleasure EP in 2008, and then went radio silent until 2020 with a new EP called You’re Not Alone, which offers a sound similar to what they were producing back in the early ’00s. It has a soft rock/alternative sound that will bring memories flooding back if you listened to that type of music all those years ago. Joining Semisonic is Canadian group Barenaked Ladies, who also found success around the same time Semisonic did. They’ve got everything from great ’90s alternative sounds to Christmas tracks in their collection. If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to have a fun summer evening, this is the show for you. Tickets for the all-ages show are $79 and can be found at redbuttegarden.org.

(Emilee Atkinson)

Olivia Jean could sing a life-insurance policy and be totally mesmerizing. Her third solo LP, Raving Ghost, resumes the fuzzy reverb, saturated guitar work and immediate, scuzzy pop songwriting from her previous efforts. The multiinstrumentalist proves again that contagious rock-solid rock ‘n roll has been here for years. “Things go in cycles: In the ’80s, plastic metal went around in a circle and led the way to grunge, and then everything went pop, and then there was a rock revival, and then back to pop again,” Jean told Vogue earlier this year. “I feel like rock is coming back, but I don’t follow trends.” Co-founder of the Black Belles, Olivia Jean isn’t part of the disposable era of music. The world doesn’t need any more timid retromania; there’s tons of it just lying around. Raving Ghost is a real fuzzmonger, and Jean steps on the pedal and makes it scream. It’s not all “reverbs and hooks,” though; the breezy 39 minute runtime has enough variety to stay interesting throughout, and is highly listenable with many stand-alone tunes. As an extra bonus, there is an outstanding cover of Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” on the LP. A lot of people shit on New Age, but as far as I’m concerned, if it’s good enough for Olivia Jean, it’s good enough for me. P.S. Destroy This opens. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets for the 21+ show are $15 and can be found at 24tix.com (Mark Dago)

BARI LIEBERMAN SCOTT DUDELSON

Olivia Jean @ Urban Lounge 6/13

Gov’t Mule Semisonic

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April

19)

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves,” said psychologist Carl Jung. What was he implying? That we may sometimes engage in the same behavior that bothers us about others? And we should examine whether we are similarly annoying? That’s one possible explanation, and I encourage you to meditate on it. Here’s a second theory: When people irritate us, it may signify that we are at risk of being hurt or violated by them—and we should take measures to protect ourselves. Maybe there are other theories you could come up with as well, Aries. Now here’s your assignment: Identify two people who irritate you. What lessons or blessings could you garner from your relationships with them?

TAURUS (April 20-May

20)

In 1886, a woman named Sarah Winchester moved into a two-story, eight-room farmhouse in San Jose, California. She was an amateur architect. During the next 20 years, she oversaw continuous reconstruction of her property, adding new elements and revising existing structures. At one point, the house had 500 rooms. Her workers built and then tore down a seven-story tower on 16 occasions. When she died at age 83, her beloved domicile had 2,000 doors, 10,000 windows, 47 stairways and six kitchens. While Sarah Winchester was extreme in her devotion to endless transformation, I do recommend a more measured version of her strategy for you—especially in the coming months. Continual creative growth and rearrangement will be healthy and fun!

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

“All the things I wanted to do and didn’t do took so long. It was years of not doing.” So writes Gemini poet Lee Upton in Undid in the Land of Undone . Most of us could make a similar statement. But I have good news, Gemini. I suspect that during 2023, you will find the willpower and the means to finally accomplish intentions that have been long postponed or unfeasible. I’m excited for you! To prepare the way, decide which two undone things you would most love to dive into and complete.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Cancerian author Denis Johnson had a rough life in his twenties. He was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Years later, he wrote a poem expressing gratitude to the people who didn’t abandon him. “You saw me when I was invisible,” he wrote, “you spoke to me when I was deaf, you thanked me when I was a secret.” Now would be an excellent time for you to deliver similar appreciation to those who have steadfastly beheld and supported your beauty when you were going through hard times.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Don’t wish upon a star. Instead, wish upon a scar. By that I mean, visualize detail how you might summon dormant reserves of ingenuity to heal one of your wounds. Come up with a brilliant plan to at least partially heal the wound. And then use that same creative energy to launch a new dream or relaunch a stalled old dream. In other words, Leo, figure out how to turn a liability into an asset. Capitalize on a loss to engender a gain. Convert sadness into power and disappointment into joy.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

At age 9, I was distraught when my parents told me we were moving away from the small town in Michigan where I had grown up. I felt devastated to lose the wonderful friends I had made and leave the land I loved. But in retrospect, I am glad I got uprooted. It was the beginning of a new destiny that taught me how to thrive on change. It was my introduction to the pleasures of knowing a wide variety of people from many different backgrounds. I bring this to your attention, Virgo, because I think the next 12 months will be full of comparable opportunities for you. You don’t have to relocate to

take advantage, of course. There are numerous ways to expand and diversify your world. Your homework right now is to identify three.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Most of us absorb information that is of little or questionable value. We are awash in an endless tsunami of trivia and babble. But in accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you to remove yourself from this blather as much as possible during the next three weeks. Focus on exposing yourself to fine thinkers, deep feelers and exquisite art and music. Nurture yourself with the wit and wisdom of compassionate geniuses and brilliant servants of the greater good. Treat yourself to a break from the blah-blah-blah and immerse yourself in the smartest joie de vivre you can find.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Over 25 countries have created coats of arms that feature an eagle. Why is that? Maybe it’s because the Roman Empire, the foundation of so much culture in the Western world, regarded the eagle as the ruler of the skies. It’s a symbol of courage, strength and alertness. When associated with people, it also denotes high spirits, ingenuity and sharp wits. In astrology, the eagle is the emblem of the ripe Scorpio: someone who bravely transmutes suffering and strives to develop a sublimely soulful perspective. With these thoughts in mind, and in accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you Scorpios to draw extra intense influence from your eagle-like aspects in the coming weeks.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

“When I paint, my goal is to show what I found, not what I was looking for.” So said Pablo Picasso. I recommend you adopt some version of that as your motto in the coming weeks. Yours could be, “When I make love, my goal is to rejoice in what I find, not what I am looking for.”

Or perhaps, “When I do the work I care about, my goal is to celebrate what I find, not what I am looking for.” Or maybe, “When I decide to transform myself, my goal is to be alert for what I find, not what I am looking for.”

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Vincent van Gogh painted Wheatfield with a Reaper, showing a man harvesting lush yellow grain under a glowing sun. Van Gogh said the figure was “fighting like the devil in the midst of the heat to get to the end of his task.” And yet, this was also true: “The sun was flooding everything with a light of pure gold.” I see your life in the coming weeks as resonating with this scene, Capricorn. Though you may grapple with challenging tasks, you will be surrounded by beauty and vitality.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

I suspect your homing signals will be extra strong and clear during the next 12 months. Everywhere you go, in everything you do, you will receive clues about where you truly belong and how to inhabit the situations where you truly belong. From all directions, life will offer you revelations about how to love yourself for who you are and be at peace with your destiny. Start tuning in immediately, dear Aquarius. The hints are already trickling in.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

The renowned Mexican painter Diego Rivera (1886–1957) told this story: When he was born, he was so frail and ill that the midwife gave up on him, casting him into a bucket of dung. Rivera’s grandmother would not accept the situation so easily, however. She caught and killed some pigeons and wrapped her newborn grandson in the birds’ guts. The seemingly crazy fix worked. Rivera survived and lived for many decades, creating an epic body of artistic work. I bring this wild tale to your attention, Pisces, with the hope that it will inspire you to keep going and be persistent in the face of a problematic beginning or challenging birth pang. Don’t give up!

Renter Equity?!

Koolhaas 24. “Let’s suppose ...” 26. It takes a licking 29. How a toddler eats 31. Cheap booze 32. Superlative suffix

11. In online gaming, games with large numbers of players

12. Fared

13. Lets off the hook

18. 10% of DXXX

22. 35mm camera type

25. Rapper with a clock necklace, familiarly

27. WNBA All-Star Rebecca 28. Words after break or shake 30. French name pronounced “eve” 34. Charged particle

Last week’s answers

41. Spicy fare?

42. Celebrity ... but just barely

44. Where to find “Yellow Submarine” on the album “Yellow Submarine”

45. Like some dungeon denizens

46. Iconic phrase in old

and Jane” stories

for Penguins

SUDOKU X

The National Association of Realtors published data recently showing that Salt Lake City homeowners gained an average of $238,240 in equity over the past decade. The report added that almost 72% of Salt Lake’s citizens own their own home. This national trend for homeowner equity is great if you actually own, rather than rent, because it’s like having a savings account that you can draw on or build upon over the years. It’s why we as Realtors encourage people to buy, rather than rent, if possible.

Besides building equity, owning a home has tax advantages as mortgage interest is one of the few write-offs the IRS allows for single people or couples without children. That writeoff can save tens of thousands of dollars each year in taxes!

I always suggest for folks who don’t currently own and who file a simple 1040 tax return to make a copy so they can scrawl on the copy. Then, look for the “mortgage deduction” section of the form and add in, say, $2,500 times 12, which might be interest you pay on your loan for a year, or roughly $30,000. That alone is quite a deduction and look how it changes what you may get back from the IRS!

Federal subsidies (in the form of IRS mortgage interest deductions) have long been used as a vehicle to encourage homeownership for Americans because they’re effective. But, as the opportunity for homeownership disappears, those who didn’t get into a home before 2020 are being left behind.

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Complete the grid so that each row, column, diagonal and 3x3 square contain all of the numbers 1 to

No math is involved. The grid has numbers, but nothing has to add up to anything else. Solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic. Solving time is typically 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your skill and experience.

Perpetual Housing Fund is a Utah nonprofit that wants to turn renters into owners. Their idea is to build apartments and then share in the equity with the renters to save to purchase later. PHF says, “Seventy-five percent of the annual cash-flow, asset appreciation and debt reduction generated by our projects will be distributed into the hands of our tenants. There are no commitments and no time limits. The longer they stay the more they earn—these funds can be used to fund a small business, go back to school or put a down payment on a property of their own.”

Basically you rent, get a share of the profits of the apartment building and then can use your newfound wealth as a down payment to buy a condo or home. You could also use the profits in case of a medical emergency or even start a small business.

Some of the buildings proposed would be condos and so renters, if they liked the place they lived in, might be able to purchase that unit or another in the building.

If you’re interested in leasing a PHF property, check for information or sign up to be among the first to know when their projects begin accepting applications.

For more information, visit perpetualhousing.org. n

of the

Compelling Explanation

When Ocala, Florida, police officers questioned 37-yearold Daniel Robert Dinkins about a nearby burglary on May 13, he responded, “That may have been me.” Earlier, officers had been called to a home where someone had thrown a brick through a window where a baby was sleeping inside, then left a book on the front porch. Dinkins said he wanted to swim in the neighbors’ backyard pool and “wanted to share the book with them,” Ocala News reported. He also told police he was a “time traveler” and was trying to “save the baby from something way in the future when the child is much older.” Strangely, Dinkins said he wasn’t aware there was a baby sleeping inside. He faces a felony burglary charge.

Government in Action

A central India food inspector, Rajesh Vishwas, lost more than his phone on May 21, NBC News reported. While snapping a vacation selfie at Kherkatta Dam, Vishwas dropped his phone into the water. According to him, his device contained sensitive governmental information, so he ordered the reservoir to be drained. Vishwas said he got permission from R.C. Dhivar, a local water resources official, but Dhivar argued that he’d given permission to drain only 3 or 4 feet of water. Instead, “They had emptied the water up to 10 feet.” It took three days to drain the 530,000 gallons of water, but in the end, it was all for naught: Vishwas’ phone was unusable. As was he: He was suspended from his job pending an investigation.

That Rule Doesn’t Apply to Me

An unnamed woman in Tacoma, Washington, was arrested and detained in a negative pressure room at the Pierce County jail on June 1 after refusing for more than a year to get treatment for tuberculosis, KOMO-TV reported. A judge issued 17 orders for her to be involuntarily detained before police caught up with her. “We believe she was trying to avoid being captured,” said Sgt. Darren Moss. Officers surveilled her while she was still at home and observed her riding a city bus to a casino. “The health department had asked her to just do it on her own ... now she’s going to have to do it in our facility, unfortunately,” Moss said. He said TB was once common in the jail, hence the negative pressure rooms, which “isolate the air within the room so it doesn’t infect the rest of the rooms within the facility.”

Rude

New York attorney Anthony Orlich is probably tearing his hair out in the wake of an incident in late May, the New York Post reported. Orlich allegedly snatched the wig off the head of Brooklyn singer Lizzy Ashleigh while walking along a city street at night; Ashleigh captured the aftermath on her cellphone and posted a video to TikTok, which garnered hundreds of thousands of views. In the video, Ashleigh yells at Orlich: “Sir! For what reason did you take my wig off? What makes you think that that’s OK?” Orlich refused to apologize, even with his friends encouraging him to. Ashleigh has said she plans to take legal action, but Orlich is already in trouble: His firm, Leader Berkon Colao & Silverstein LLP, has fired him, according to a LinkedIn post.

Cheesy

Delaney Irving, 19, of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, said of her May 28 victory in a cheese-rolling contest in Gloucester, England: “It feels great!” That’s in spite of the fact that she woke up in the medical tent after taking a fall and hitting her head, The Guardian reported. “I remember running, then bumping my head ... I still don’t

really believe it,” she said. The contest involves rolling a 7-pound wheel of cheese down the almost-vertical Coopers Hill, and Irving wasn’t the only contestant who lost their footing.

Lucky!

A piglet got a second chance at life on May 25, according to KVVU-TV. As Lars Gradel, Rebecca Zajac and her son, Colton, drove along the interstate that day near Las Vegas, they witnessed a baby pig as it was thrown from a truck. “We saw a pig fly out the side of the truck, and he tumbled about 10, 15 times down the side of the freeway,” Gradel said. They stopped to rescue the pig, who didn’t seem to be hurt. “Lucky,” as he was named, was given a new home at the All Friends Animal Sanctuary, where he’ll eventually meet fellow porcine Mister Picklesworth. “Now Lucky’s going to be wallowing in mud and rooting around in the ground and ... eating watermelon and popsicles in the summer,” said sanctuary founder Tara Pike.

Fixer-Uppers

Looking for a bargain home in Burbank, Oklahoma?

“Bargain,” as in: more than 17,000 square feet for only $60,000. United Press International reported on May 30 that the former Burbank High School is on the market and listed as a single-family home. The building, constructed in 1924, features five “bedrooms,” four bathrooms and an indoor basketball court, along with an auditorium. The school closed in 1968, and conditions are pretty rough inside. “There is plenty of opportunity to make this property your own,” the listing promises.

n Meanwhile, in Fort Meade, Maryland, high school seniors listed their school building on Zillow as a graduation prank, United Press International reported. They described the 12,000-square-foot school as a “half-working jail”: “All 15 bathrooms come with sewage issues ... (and) trash-scented air freshener and water issues!” The listing was removed several hours after appearing, said Bob Mosier, spokesperson for the Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

Bright Idea

Coffee Smile, a cafe chain in Russia, knows how to milk social media. Owner Maxim Kobelev put up posters in his stores in May that announced plans to start offering human breast milk in their lattes and cappuccinos. Oddity Central reported that Kobelev claimed to have contracted with lactating mothers whose milk is tested for safety. “The child eats just a little,” one supplier said in a promotional video, “so I thought, why not earn extra money? I even made coffee with my breast milk for my husband; he liked it.” Turns out, it’s all an attentionseeking hoax. “There were many of my friends who wanted to try this coffee,” Kobelev said. “For them, I prepared a drink with a mixture of goat and almond milk. The taste is very similar—I know this because, as the father of two children, I also tasted the real thing.”

Wrong Place, Wrong Time

At Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, riders of the Silver Bullet roller coaster were rudely interrupted in their fun on May 26 when one passenger “indicated they wanted to get off the attraction,” Fox News reported. The unnamed guest signaled their need to bail right after leaving the station. Operators stopped the ride, and all guests had to be evacuated, the park said, “following standard exit procedure.” The roller coaster resumed operation about 30 minutes later.

Principal Software Engineer (inContact, Inc.; Sandy, UT): Design, develop, test, maintain company’s software platform. Telecommuting permitted anywhere in U.S. Resumes: HR, inContact, Inc., 75 West Towne Ridge Pkwy, Tower 1, Sandy, UT 84070.

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Senior Software Engineer (inContact, Inc.; Sandy, UT): Work as a member of agile team to enhance and improve software. Telecommuting permitted from anywhere in U.S. Resumes: HR, inContact, Inc., 75 West Towne Ridge Pkwy, Tower 1, Sandy, UT 84070.