Ski season is officially over and snow shredders have come back to earth. Now what to do? Here's a listing of May events that'll keep the snow bunnies hopping. Don't forget to celebrate Prehistory Week May 3 - 10 by taking a long, long look back in time and learn more about Utah's early days.
The Sound of Music at The Academy of Performing Arts
What: The Sound of MusicWhen: May 2 - May 24th every Friday, Saturday and Monday evening at 7:30 pm
Matinees on May 10th and May 24th at 10:00 pm.
Where: The Academy of Performing Arts Complex at 3188 South and 400 East
Who: The Phoenix Theatre Company
Enjoy the popular musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, The Sound of Music performed by local Salt Lake City youth. See how the young nun Maria transforms the silent Von Trapp family into a musical, joyous group in the midst of World War II.
Celebrate Prehistory Week in Utah May 3-10
Photo © Lyndsey B. Kocher
When: May 3rd 10 am - 3 pm
Where: 300 South Rio Grande Street (455 West)
Kick-off prehistory week at the Rio Grande building by throwing a spear using an atlatl, learn about prehistoric technology and rock art, do hands-on kid's activities and try a Navajo Taco.
What: Statewide Prehistory Events
When: May 3- 10th
Where: Various locations throughout Utah
Who: Utah State History
Attend the Four Corners Indian Art Festival in Blanding Utah or head up to the Mountain Man Rendezvous at the Freemont Indian State Park and Museum. Check out the dinosaurs at Thanksgiving Point and listen to several lectures by noted archeologists and paleontologist. Get a full listing of events at Utah State History.
More Prehistory Events!
Photo © Lyndsey B. Kocher
When: May 2nd. Group leaves mid-morning.
Where: Swasey Springs in the House Range (3 miles outside of SLC)
Who: Utah Friends of Paleontology
Register at Utah Friends of Paleontology and bring your own trilobite hunting tools and lunch. Registration is limited to twenty participants so sign up today!
What: Discovery Class: Native People of Utah
When: May 3rd 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm.
Where: 1390 East Presidents Circle at the University of Utah
Who: Utah Museum of Natural History
Cost: $20 per student. $16 for members.
4th and 5th grade students learn about Utah's history. Make pottery, grind corn, throw spears and weave cordage from plants.
Utah Renaissance and Fantasy Faire
Photo © Wendy Abel
When: May 9th-11th and May 16th-18th from 10 am to dusk.
Where: Millcreek Hollow in Ogden at 3100 West Pioneer Road
Who: Utah Renaissance and Fantasy Faire
Cost: Adults $10.00. Children and over 55 are $5.00
Watch the Knights of Mayhem joust or browse the artisan marketplace at this unique festival. Dress up in your favorite Renaissance-era costume to add to the ambience. There is a free kids area and petting zoo. Take exit 346 West in Ogden to Pioneer road.
1st Annual Golden Spike Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival
What: 1st Annual Golden Spike Cowboy Poetry and Music FestivalWhen: May 8th-10th
Where: Ogden Eccles Conference Center
2415 Washington Boulevard in Ogden.
Who: Ogden Cowboy Poetry
Cost: Day events are free. Night concerts are $15-$20.
Curly Musgrave and Belinda Gail, the Bar J Wranglers and Baxter Black will perform along with local Utah artists. Open mic sessions are held every day along with youth performances. Attend a cowboy poetry workshop to unleash the word wrangler in you.
Anniversary of The Golden Spike Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad
What: Anniversary of The Golden Spike Completion of the Transcontinental RailroadWhen: May 10th
Where: The Golden Spike National Historic Park is 32 miles west of Brigham City on Highway 13 and 83 in Promontory Summit.
Who: National Park Service
View a reenactment of one of the most famous moments in American history - the driving of the golden spike, which connected the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads. Watch the historic steam engine locomotives Jupiter and No. 119 arrive and pose with other visitors for your own famous photograph recreation of the Champagne Photo.
May Day Festival
What: May Day FestivalWhen: May 10th Noon to 5 pm
Where: Wheeler Historic Farm
6351 South 900 East in Salt Lake City
Who: Wheeler Farm
Cost: Free
Enjoy kids games, animal shows, hay rides, blacksmith demonstrations and browse vendor booths at this Mother's Day festival.
10th Annual Great Salt Lake Bird Festival
Photo © Dr. Jimmy Chen
When: May 15-19th
Where: Davis County Event Center at 151 South 1100 West in Farmington, UT
Cost: Between $10 - $85 for various field trips. It's free to tour the festival and browse the booths.
Take a fieldtrip to visit Salt Lake's hottest birding spots with experienced bird guides. Make sure to visit the festival and make your own birdhouse at the Home Depot booth or learn more about the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. Listen to keynote speaker, Bruce Thompson at the dutch oven dinner on Saturday or take a look at artist Rosalie Winard's work.
Utah Hawaiian Film Festival
What: Utah Hawaiian Film FestivalWhen: May 15th - 17th
Where: Midvale Hawaiian Cultural Center at 741 West Smelter Avenue in Midvale
Who: Hawaiian Cultural Center
Cost: Call 801-56-ALOHA
Celebrate the 1st Annual Utah Hawaiian Film Festival, "Mo'olelo Ka Ho'owaiwai" or "Stories of Enrichment." The film festival will feature films about Hawaiian life and legends told in the Hawaiian language.
Brain Injury Association of Utah's 14th Annual 5K Run, Walk & Roll
What: BIAU's 14th Annual Run, Walk & RollWhen: May 17th at 8:00 a.m.
Where: Liberty Park
650 East 1300 South in Salt Lake City
Who: Brain Injury Association of Utah
Cost: Charitable donation.
Come run, walk or roll in the Brain Injury Association of Utah's 5K to raise money for the education, prevention and study of brain injury. The BIAU partners with a network of hospitals, rehabilitation centers and government agencies to combat brain injury and to facilitate the recovery of those devastated by brain injuries.
Ballet West's "Innovations"
Photo © Lyndsey B. Kocher
When: May 29 to 31st
Where: Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
138 W. Broadway in Salt Lake City
Who: Ballet West
Cost: Varies
Ballet West's own dancers choreograph and perform their own ballets in "Innovations." This year Ballet West selected Christopher Ruud, Peggy Dolkas and Megan Furse to perform. In addition, James Canfield's Equinoxe, choreographed by Susan Shields will be performed.
