12th Annual Bunny Hop attendees smiling for the camera - While BYU’s honor code might discourage being drunk or being gay, these Cougar alumni would rather be on a bench at the Garage than on a pew in the Ward any given Sunday.
Jesse Walker felt a wild mix of emotions as his party started hoppin’—the 12th Annual Bunny Hop presented by SLUG Magazine hosted by Garage on Beck. After rain flooded the DJ booth with four inches of water in 2019 and a global pandemic in 2020 pressed pause on parties for two years, emotions were bound to run high—Walker simply glowed as he greeted DJs and guests—he’s so happy! And he’s not alone. Long-time Bunny Hop veterans and first-year bunny hoppers ordered Mimosas or Moscow Mules and tore into the Garage on Beck’s brunch buffet as the sun warmed a chilly patio scene.
It was a DJ-driven, low-key vibe as the party picked up in its first hour. DJ Johnny Peppinger delivered a vintage mix that drew on elements of tiki, Pulp Fiction, dirty sax and surf guitar. He passed the mic to Rockin’ Robin, who offered soul and sunshine pop in the second hour. DJ Retrograde picked it up from there with some and Toots and the Maytals before spinning an eclectic mix that might have included some ‘60s garage and psych and soul. A rotating cast of DJs changed the channel every hour as Bunny Hop progressed.
By 3 p.m., the patio was packed, the restaurant was busy and a line had formed at the door. The crowd embraced the Bunny Hop theme with Easter dresses, bunny ears, glitter highlights, rabbit suits and colorful clothing. For a crowd that might prefer a bar bash over an Easter service, Walker’s Bunny Hop provided an inclusive alternative to standard Easter events while making a campy nod to Easter’s pop-culture traditions.
Walker knows what ingredients to include in a fabulous bunny hop: groovy music, delicious food, cheerful guests, surprise prizes, hidden Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny in person! As a bonus, Bunny Hop raised funds for the HERC—Hip Hop Education & Resource Center—learn more at slcherc.com, and look forward to another wonderful Easter Sunday festivity with Walker next year. –John Barkiple
Also check out Jesse Walker‘s gallery recap of the event for New City Movementhere.
Photos: John Barkiple
(L-R) Kimberly, Lizbeth, Peppa and Emily give it their best hop! Photo: John Barkiple.
Rivers is an interior designer, and he recently refreshed Stoneground restaurant on 400 South. Today, he’s in charge of Easter décor at Jesse Walker’s 12th Annual Bunny Hop. Look for the lights on the tree after dark — they took it to the top! Photo John Barkiple.
Garage on Beck welcomed and hosted Bunny Hop 2022. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Hannah and Levi were told to attend by friends who work at the Salt Palace and know all the best things to do in Salt Lake. Those same friends are hung over today and might not make for brunch — Levi recommends Liquid IV as a remedy! Photo: John Barkiple.
DJ Johnny Peppinger draws on several influences as he builds a set: tiki, Pulp Fiction, dirty sax and surf guitar. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Adrien, Devon and Max blend their own Mimosas, and they’re going a little light on the OJ. Max is the Bunny Hop veteran in the group while Adrien and Devon are attending for the first time. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Natalie and Alex are sisters who haven’t seen as much of each other as they’d like. Alex is excited to hit the Cliff Spa later for a pedi and some pool time, but right now she’s enjoying her first Bunny Hop at the Garage on Beck. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Christian and Craig enjoyed the bunny hop. Craig lived in the Marmalade for a while, so he’s known about the Bunny Hop for years. In other years, he might spend Easter praising the Lord, but today he’s praising Jameson! Photo: John Barkiple.
DJs on deck: (Back) Mathew Fit (Front L-R) Rockin’ Robin, Jesse Walker, NixBeat and Retrograde. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Mercedes, Mike and Kim are long-time Bunny Hoppers. Mike has attended every single one! Photo: John Barkiple.
While BYU’s honor code might discourage being drunk or being gay, these Cougar alumni would rather be on a bench at the Garage than on a pew in the Ward any given Sunday. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Cash and Corrine kept the drinks flowing and the crowd happy. This was Cash’s first Bunny Hop. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Chris, Rand and Dan are Garage on Beck regulars — 2-3 times per week! Stop by next Tuesday, and they’ll be here to greet you. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Chelsea and Logan love this event. They’re still celebrating their engagement by knocking back Moscow Mules because the Garage on Beck isn’t pouring Bloody Marys today. Photo: John Barkiple.
DJ Rockin’ Robin played soul and sunshine pop with a decidedly ‘60s aesthetic. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Carlos, Felipe, G. and Camille relax near the DJ booth. Felipe is in unicorn mode right now, but stick around! He’ll unlock trippy mode soon and maybe gold naked mode before the party wraps. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Dajon and Jamaal love the vibes on the patio, and they’re hyped about their upcoming lvrsslc.com event. It’ll be their one-year anniversary, and they’re celebrating with a party at Good Grammar. Look for them to lead with love. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Nick and Ellie handle the merch booth at the 12th Annual Bunny Hop presented by SLUG Magazine. Nick is excited to people watch and have a good time. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Tarry and Joye heard about the Bunny Hop on Facebook. It’s Joye’s first, but Tarry has attended every single one. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Gabriel joined Tina for the Bunny Hop. She never misses ‘em, and they’re friends with Jesse Walker, the DJ who made it all happen. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Naty, Seth, Roxy, Carli, Christian, Chris and Scott live in the same apartment building on 4th West, and they bring that Friends vibe wherever they go. Look for them at Jaguar Occult’s Silent Disco’s secret location next week (if you can find it). Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Alicia and Savannah know DJ Rockin’ Robin Banks. They adore the vintage valentines and old-magazine vibe that Banks delivers. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Brock and Kayla love working a good party. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Joe and Rebecca made the most of Rockin’ Robin’s retro dance tunes. They had the swim on lock. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Ashley and Q brought the matching bunny ears. Photo: John Barkiple.
(L-R) Chris and Tanner stayed at the Bunny Hop all day. You’ll see Tanner working as a volunteer this summer at Craft Lake City’s DIY Festival in August. Photo: John Barkiple.
DJ Retrograde played a mixture of everything with a splash of Toots and the Maytals. Photo: John Barkiple.
Photos: John Taylor
Breakdance at the Bunny Hop, in the air. Photo: John Taylor.
Crowds were enjoying breakdancing. Photo: John Taylor.
Looking out the window at the patio to the Bunny Hop. Photo: John Taylor.
Taking photos of the DJ. Photo: John Taylor.
Smiles all around on the dance floor. Photo: John Taylor.
Sea of pink. Photo: John Taylor.
Bunny Hoppers pose for photos. Photo: John Taylor.
Drinks and friends at the Garage on Beck. Photo: John Taylor.
Some dress up more than others at the Bunny Hop. Photo: John Taylor.
Smiles at the SLUG Mag booth with events assistant Nick Zunkowski. Photo: John Taylor.
Matching ears to go to the party. Photo: John Taylor.
Posing for photos while having drinks at the bar. Photo: John Taylor.
Tongues out for the photo in a green, sparkle dress. Photo: John Taylor.
Outfits are part of the fun of going to the SLUG Mag’s Bunny Hop. Photo: John Taylor.
Girls and drinks and smiles at this year’s party. Photo: John Taylor.
Bartender pouring beer on the patio at the Bunny Hop. Photo: John Taylor.
Cash, serving drinks wearing a Bunny Hop T-shirt. Photo: John Taylor.
Garage on Beck’s bartenders dressed up for this year’s party. Photo: John Taylor.
Having fun for easter at the Bunny Hop. Photo: John Taylor.
Easter day out on a sunny day. Photo: John Taylor.
SLUG Mag Bunny Hop poster at Garage on Beck. Photo: John Taylor.
Beers and more beers with more friends. Photo: John Taylor.
Showing some skin at the Bunny Hop with matching headwear. Photo: John Taylor.
No room left at Garage on Beck—at capacity! Photo: John Taylor.
Dressing up is part of the plans for the Bunny Hop. Photo: John Taylor.
Out with friends at the Bunny Hop. Photo: John Taylor.
DJ playing music at Bunny Hop presented by SLUG Mag. Photo: John Taylor.
Champagne, fun and friends at the 12th Annual Bunny Hop. Photo: John Taylor.
Still a long line out front at Garage On Beck. Photo: John Taylor.
It was a long walk if you could find parking. Photo: John Taylor.
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