Get a behind-the-scenes look at show business in Utah and meet the passionate creators who share their stories through film, dance, and music. Join host Liz Adeola as she meets members of the International Folk Dance Ensemble at BYU, hunts for hidden film locations with film scout Mimi Davis Taylor, and meets the 99-year-old Ogden jazz legend Joe McQueen.
Heritage is something that informs both where we came from, and who we are today. Explore the pioneer foundations of historic Spring City, see how the members of Ballet Folklórico connect with their Latin American roots through dance, and meet the great-granddaughter of a Chinese transcontinental railroad worker who is working to keep her family’s story alive.
From corralling wild bison to running a community radio station, people working together can accomplish amazing things. Meet the horse riders who help keep Antelope Island’s bison population in check at the annual Bison Roundup, the volunteers, DJs, and staff who keep local music on the air at KRCL radio, and the members of the African dance group who bring African culture to life in Utah.
Meet four inspiring individuals — Erba Jean Woodruff, Dale Myrberg, and brothers Al and Bob Walkenhorst — who aren’t about to let age keep them from doing what they love. From ballroom dancing to pastry baking and advanced yo-yoing, Jean, Al, Bob, and Dale have left an indelible mark on Utah, and they don’t plan on stopping any time soon.
From farm-to-table operations to cuisine as art form, food can inspire us in surprising ways. We’ll meet local artist Kent Christensen, who uses depictions of candy as a societal critique, get an inside look at Utah’s craft chocolate industry, and visit Mesa Farm Market, a sustainable farm in Caineville that sells goat cheese, oven-fired bread, organic produce, and more.
Everyone needs a helping hand. See how Spice Kitchen Incubator helps refugees start their very own businesses, meet the members of the family-owned Circle J. Rodeo Company who have found a second family through rodeo, and learn how Velour Live Music Gallery founder Corey Fox helps local bands make the push for stardom — and the surprising way the community gives back.
The most groundbreaking ideas can come from the smallest communities. Meet the owners of Hell’s Backbone Grill in Boulder, which brings together local flavor and top-notch cuisine; see how local artist Jason Nessen immortalizes his community in paint on the walls of Tremonton City; and learn how the crew of the Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville is working to make life on Mars a reality.
Humankind has always had a desire for speed. Hold onto your hats as we ride along with land speed world record holders at Bonneville Speed Week, join Snowbird’s avalanche rescue dogs as they race against time to find trapped skiers in the backcountry, and hit the ice with Olympic long track speed skater Jerica Tandiman.
The stage has a gift for amplifying diverse voices through performance. See how real-life inspiration and a devoted audience has kept SLAC’s “Saturday’s Voyeur” on stage for 40+ years, learn how 1520 Arts fosters a thriving community around Hip Hop arts, and learn the stories of forcibly displaced women who go from fleeing conflict to walking the catwalk at the Women of the World fashion show.
Utah has the largest proportion of young people in the nation — and that next generation is making an impact on the world. See how Malialole, a Polynesian music & dance group, is preserving its culture, meet 18-year-old classical composer & conductor, Maya Miro Johnson, and learn how State Street Boxing Gym helps local youth not only hone their boxing skills, but keeps them on the path to success.
Sometimes all it takes to get a project off the ground is one person to lay the groundwork. Learn how the Utah Shakespeare Festival keeps fans coming back year after year, meet the local artists working to revitalize small-town Helper, and see how five architecture grad students work together to build a new home for a Diné mother.
Utah is home to some serious bedrock — and millions of years of uplift & erosion means there’s no shortage of places to explore outside. See how rock climbers & Emery County residents came together to create Joe’s Valley Festival, learn the history of recreational skiing in the Wasatch with Wasatch Mountain Club, and explore 40 miles’ worth of indigenous rock art in Nine Mile Canyon.
Art has a special way of resonating with people, bringing to light complex emotions that cannot always be conveyed through words. We’ll meet the people & organizations using art a powerful tool for healing —from Diné fine arts photographer Eugene Tapahe to award-winning spoken word artist Jaruwat Maendl to a new interactive play from the Utah Shakespeare Festival entitled “Every Brilliant Thing.”
Utahns are known for traveling far and widein search of adventure, but sometimes the greatest adventures can be found close to home. We’ll examine three stories of stopping to smell the roses, with Punk Rock Farmer Aldine Grossi, theteens and local organizations working to clean the Jordan River,and the meaning of objects as a reflection of their owners with All in the Family Estate Sales.
Passion —it’s what drives us to get up in the morning, put nose to the grindstone, and accomplish great things. We’ll meet three people with passion projects of their own, touring Emigration Canyon with artist Carel Brest van Kempen, learning from the industriousness of bees with beekeeper Adesina Daniel Oduntan, and connecting with land &the universe through Nancy Holt’s famous Sun Tunnels.
To change the world, sometimes you need to take matters into your own hands. We’ll meet three pioneering women who have fought for change on their own terms, from pro skier and activist Caroline Gleich to suffragist, doctor, and state senator Martha HughesCannon to Alyssha Dairsow, whose organization Curly Me! is teaching young girls how to love their natural, curly hair.
In a world of modern technology, there’s something uniquely rewarding about doing things the way your father or grandfather might have done them. We’ll meet three individuals who are keeping the spirit of the past alive for a new generation, from the fireflies on the historic Thompson Century Farm to an annual sheep run through Brigham City to a modern-day mountain man in Cache Valley.
Utah has a rich history of learning and growth. Join the Wild Old Bunch, a group of passionate senior skiers, as they hit the slopes in search of the perfect run. Discover Utah's Black History on a mobile museum tour, following the bus to explore the state's fascinating past. Finally, ride along with James Fain, the renowned rodeo photographer.
The power of cultural traditions is unparalleled in its ability to unite people. Meet Allan Moreno, a musician who established Academia Mis Raíces (My Roots Academy), which teaches students the significance of mariachi music. Taiwanese American baker, Mika Lee, invites you to indulge in the art of afternoon tea from Honey Teahive. And witness stunning Polynesian fashion by designer Denise Koli.
Travel Utah's Heritage Highway, also known as U.S. Route 89. Along the way, take a break in Spanish Fork at the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple. Travel further south to Cedar City and experience the traditional music and dance performances by the talented youth of the Southern Paiute Tribe. Finally, in Kanab, meet some of the adorable animals of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Utah boasts a rich history of athletes who fearlessly face any obstacle, from amateurs, to professionals, and Olympians like the remarkable fencer Shelby Jensen. Despite a childhood stroke, she trained hard to represent the United States at the Paralympic Games. Then, discover three women who united to establish a welcoming and diverse community for climbers of color in Utah's bouldering world.
Embark on a journey through the deserts of Utah, taking the road less traveled. Get to know Jaxson Riddle, the youngest freeride mountain bike athlete to compete in the exclusive Red Bull Rampage competition, located near Zion National Park. Later, join the Holland Family as they venture into the wild lands where Butch Cassidy once roamed, and indigenous communities have lived for centuries.
Delve into the tale of the Great Salt Lake which is an integral part of the Salt Lake Valley's culture and identity. Learn of the lake's ecosystem through the world of brine shrimp. Discover how the Great Salt Lake Institute's team of scientists and educators are investigating whether the lake can survive. And experience the poetry of Nan Seymour, whose words advocate for the lake's protection.