LGBTQ+
June 1, 2017
Contributor Limelight: Alex Vermillion
Since ze joined SLUG in August 2015, Alex Vermillion has become an invaluable and dazzling force on SLUG’s team as a writer and Editorial Intern. A queer performer and aspiring dramaturg, Vermillion has taken zir enthusiasm, passion and expertise to write countless pieces for SLUG that celebrate Utah’s creative community, from spirited reviews of Utah theatre and local artist-activist interviews to drafting synopses for our SLUG Soundwaves episodes. In this issue, Vermillion talks music with Civil Lust (pg. 6) and Primitive Programme (pg. 7) for SLUG Localized, and ze previews one of zir favorite annual events: the Utah Beer Festival (pg. 38). Whether ze is working, writing or ruling the stage, Vermillion has been a tireless advocate for Utah’s many diverse and less-represented subcultures, and we at SLUG feel blessed to have Vermillion on our masthead.
Articles by contributor
Review: The xx – I See You
The xx = Michelle Featherstone + The Head and the Heart + Chet Faker … read more
Review: Temples – Volcano
Temples = Allah-Las + Pond + The Growlers … read more
Review: Sóley – Endless Summer
Sóley = Sigur Rós + Mogwai + CoCoRosie … read more
Review: Myrkur – Mausoleum
Myrkur = Sleep thief + Burzum + Amethystium … read more
Review: Merzbow – Aodron
Merzbow = Nordvargr + Hanatarash + Masonna … read more
Local Review: Strange Familia – Self Titled
Strange Familia = Panic! At the Disco’s Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! + Echosmith + Imagine Dragons … read more
Local Review: Spirit City – We’re All Insane
Spirit City = Death Cab for Cutie + PlayRadioPlay! + Innerpartysystem … read more
Local Review: Red Sleeves – OK
Red Sleeves = Metro Station + twenty øne piløts + OneRepublic … read more
Local Review: Josaleigh Pollett – Strangers
Josaleigh Pollett = Neko Case + The Head and the Heart + Audra Mae … read more
Local Review: Elytra – Embers and Stardust
Elytra = Adele + Amy Winehouse + Florence and The Machine … read more
Local Review: Batty Blue – Peeling an Orange or Flattening a...
Batty Blue = (Soley X Princess Chelsea) + Cat Power … read more
Local Review: Alyxandri Jupiter – Out of Body Experience
Alyxandri Jupiter = Cecil Otter + Glass Animals + Hiatus Kaiyote … read more
Review: Beats Antique – Shadowbox
Beats Antique fans might be surprised by the group’s ten-year anniversary album, “Shadowbox.” Comprised of a slew of genres that are different from previous albums, “Shadowbox” is an album to approach with curiosity and an open-mind. … read more
The “All-American Prophet”: Eccles Theatre Brings The Book of Mormon...
I’ve seen The Book of Mormon musical two times: the first in London, the second, Salt Lake City. Let me tell you—seeing this particular musical in Utah was 10 times better. … read more
Adding Sass to Your Art Collection: Meet Artist Heather Mahler
Heather Mahler’s work is a combination of her screenprinting BFA from Utah State University, her passionate fandom love of ’90s anime art and her personal experiences. … read more
Belly of the Whale: Getting to Know Underbelly
One thing that separates Underbelly from other design teams is their dedication to client relationships. Rather than leaving the grid and coming back with a finished product, Underbelly works with their clients from start to finish. … read more
Samantha Fish at the Utah Blues Festival
The charming and ever-talented Samantha Fish, who just released her album Chills & Fever in March, will steal your heart and convert you into a blues lover after her live performance at this year’s Utah Blues Festival. … read more
Queering the Classics: Riot Act’s HØÜSES
After their recent Utah premiere of Poor Bastard, London-based theatre company Riot Act is preparing to deliver to Salt Lake City yet another rebellious and evocative classic adaptation. This time, Riot Act is spicing up the Utah theatre scene with HØÜSES, a modern, LGBTQ+ version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. … read more
Localized: Civil Lust
Inspired by bands such as The Cure and Morrissey, Civil Lust are part of the new rise of goth in Salt Lake City, and they’ve become quite a hit in the local scene. Check them out at SLUG Localized at Urban Lounge on June 29, along with Primitive Programme. … read more
Localized: Primitive Programme
Local band Primitive Programme take listeners back to late-’70s punk music while mixing in their own futurist, minimal-pop sounds. Become a “programmer” and check out their new wave stylings at SLUG Localized on June 29 at Urban Lounge, along with new-wave locals, Civil Lust. … read more
The Utah Beer Festival: Curing Your Ale-Ments Since 2009
We thought this would be a great opportunity to host a festival because we had so much great beer—great local beer,” says Briggs. “We were so excited to see them winning awards at the Great American Beer Festival and in San Diego. We thought that we should be highlighting them ourselves, here in Utah.” … read more
Dancing with the Spider: Utah Rep’s Kiss of the Spider...
Utah Rep brings audiences the Utah premiere of “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” which makes visible the unattainable hope of tomorrow while intermingling dark humor, fishnets, feathers and killer choreography. … read more
Threading Through: Nappi Clothing
If you’re looking for that sweet spot between quality clothing and a chic aesthetic, Nappi Clothing is the place to satiate that style. The combination of an androgynous look mixed with Nappi’s signature colors—black, white and every grey in between—create a sexy yet professional style. … read more
Threading Through: Pretty Macabre
Andrea Hansen might easily be the most talented horror-couture designer in Salt Lake City. Pretty Macabre is exactly what it sounds like—grotesque, horrific and high-fashion couture. Hansen is your go-to if you want a cosplay outfit for Salt Lake Comic Con, a high-fashion wedding dress, an elaborate steampunk outfit or an elegant dance costume. … read more
Excavating Anton Chekhov: Riot Act’s Whit Hertford on Poor Bastard
Whit Hertford, American-born artistic director and founder of Riot Act, has written Poor Bastard to be non-traditionally staged in the basement of the CUAC gallery in downtown Salt Lake City. This comedy, set in rural America, is available to view until Jan. 28 and is definitely one production you won’t want to miss. … read more
Taylor Mac: Manifesting Our Future Through Performance
On Jan. 14, the exceptional talent of Taylor Mac makes its debut in Salt Lake City at Kingsbury Hall. One of the greatest theater artists of our time, Mac (who uses “judy” as a gender pronoun) is known for judy’s talented performance pieces and playwriting. … read more
Heels, Wigs and All the Rage: Hedwig and the Angry...
Hedwig and the Angry Inch bring comical banter, Utah-focused jokes, unbeatable musical talent and a remarkable story to the SLC scene as Hedwig enters the stage in pumps, glitter and all the rage. … read more
Keeping Coffee Local: Rimini Coffee’s Mark Wilson
Rimini Coffee is a small, local business that’s run purely out of the love for coffee, and their focus of keeping customers happy is a vital part of the Rimini philosophy. … read more
Experience, Explore, Engage: Waterpocket Distillery
There’s a new distillery coming to Utah, and when it hits, you’ll be left with a craving to get out and explore. Waterpocket Distillery opens in West Valley City at the beginning of next year with a palate of new flavors and a bit of an adventurous side. … read more
Movie: Lights Out
Lights Out is not a movie for the faint of heart— especially those afraid of the dark— but I will say it’s the best scary movie of the year. David F. Sandberg accurately portrays the demons of mental illness in Lights Out, an expansion of his short film (2013). … read more
Review: The Conjuring 2
Based on a “true story,” The Conjuring 2 follows demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren to the Hodgson family in London, where Janet, the youngest daughter, is showing symptoms of possession. Join the Warrens on their journey of demon-hunting and self-discovery. … read more
Traveling the Rivers and Roads: The Head and the Heart’s...
Drummer Tyler Williams discusses the The Head and the Heart’s trajectory ever since their regrouping this last summer—as well as getting us pumped for their concert this Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the brand-new Eccles Theater. … read more
City Salt: The Art of Bones
There are many people in the world who refuse to wear or display bones due to moral conflicts or an aversion to the entire concept. Kelly Lublin’s CitySalt is here to break that stigma and prove that everything, even after life, is beautiful and has a purpose. CitySalt creates elegant, framed bone art that is truly one-of-a-kind. … read more
Wasatch Theatre Company’s State Premiere: A Bright New Boise
A Brand New Boise is about a man named Will who fled his fundamentalist church after a major scandal ensued and heads to Boise to meet his estranged son, Alex. Of all the uncomfortable plays I’ve seen in my life, this one has made it near the top of my list. … read more
The Price of a Photograph: The Witness
Vivienne Franzmann’s The Witness is more complex than your average family-conflict play: It explores themes of race, class and privilege within family. … read more
Radical Feminism in Contemporary Art: An Interview with Artist Cori...
Cori Redstone is an L.A. contemporary artist—but her roots are based right here in Utah. Like many Utah children, Redstone was raised in a conservative home that denied her the right to self-expression; however, Redstone did not let that stand in the way of finding her authentic self. … read more
Art | Art and Fashion | LGBTQ+
Rock n’ Roll Camp For Girls: Loud Music, Proud Women...
Amy Stocks, Secily Saunders and Hillary McDaniel came together to start Utah’s first Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls—an intensive, week-long, volunteer-run jam session where girls ages 8–18 come together to write, design, practice and perform a song with a newly formed band. … read more
The Soul of Salt Lake: The Second Annual Utah Blues...
The Utah Blues Festival is not only a fun and family-friendly event; it’s also the largest fundraiser in Utah for the Blues Foundation. … read more
RuPaul’s Battle of the Seasons: Alaska Thunderfvck 5000
Battle of the Seasons will showcase some of the most beloved, glamorous and successful queens from each season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. This year, one of these stars is none other than the multi-talented Alaska Thunderfvck 5000. An alien diva from Glamtr0n who crashed in the state of Alaska in 1966, she’s been tearing apart the stage for years. … read more
People Productions’ Grounded: Who is Watching You?
People Production’s showing of Grounded, directed by Richard Scharine, is a play that will leave you questioning the “gods” in your life: Who is watching you on a daily basis? Who has control of your daily life? And how often does this endless killing—the kind that dismembers multiple people at the single press of a button—occur each day while we go about our routine schedules? This insightful production runs until Sunday, April 24 at the Sugar Space Arts Warehouse. … read more
Kingdom of Heaven: The Church of Latter-day … Drag?
Jenifer Nii’s original musical, Kingdom of Heaven, explores the universal journey of self-discovery when a Mormon housewife discovers a direction that could forever alter her life and the lives of those around her: becoming a drag king. Plan-B Theatre Company will premiere this unique production on March 31. … read more
The Practice of Suspense and Faith: URTC’s Doubt: A Parable
Suspicion is a feeling universal to humans. It sinks in slowly, starting with a single moment of doubt. Once suspicion arises within us, it is nearly impossible to close our doors to it until we have what we’ve been looking for: the truth. Doubt, written by John Patrick Shanley, throws its audience into the world of suspicion and mystery by setting us into the St. Nicholas Catholic Church and School in The Bronx, New York. … read more
If the Truth Isn’t Funny, Make it Up: An Interview...
Performers around the world are usually known for a specific feature or characteristic: good looks, intelligence, kindness, talent, passion or hard work. However, RuPaul’s Season 7 Russian Queen, Katya Zamolodchikova, is known by her fans and friends to hone all these qualities and more. Between hilarious performances—like her famous Abe Lincoln look—and her ability to improvise regardless of circumstance, Katya is the drag queen to take notes from! … read more
The Power of Family Feuds: Sonia and Masha and Spike...
Wasatch Theatre Company has never disappointed me with their performances. Their directors are dedicated, the actors are top-notch and the designers succeed in making the play and director’s vision a reality. … read more
Retail Hell: Plan-B’s Premiere Production of Booksmart
Booksmart is only here for two weeks. Grab your tickets at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center ASAP and check out the rest of Plan-B Theatre Company’s lineup for this year. This is a dedicated group of designers, producers and performers that will give you a show to remember. … read more
Disease as Commodity: Utah Presents Mercy Killers
Mercy Killers isn’t simply a call to action concerning our healthcare system. It also questions whether or not we should still believe in the American Dream. … read more
The Bride of Frankenstein: An Adaptation by Sackerson Productions
As a long-time lover of Frankenstein and classic horror, I was pretty skeptical about how The Bride Of Frankenstein would turn out. … read more
Familia: An Interview with Ella Mendoza
In the past couple of years, Utah has incubated many fantastic local organizations that help Utah residents in various ways, but few are quite as badass as Utah’s Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement. … read more
An Evening with Cancer: Reviewing “Wit” by Wasatch Theatre
Wit was one of the most exceptional, beautiful productions I’ve seen in a long time. I don’t remember the last time I cried so much and laughed so hard. … read more
Stand For Queer Lives: An Interview with Adrian Romero
In January of 2015, Adrian founded the group Stand for Queer Lives, a support and activist group dedicated to aiding the lives of LGBTQ+ people. … read more
Rally at the Capitol: Stand with Planned Parenthood Official Press...
On Tuesday, Aug. 24, Planned Parenthood advocates and supporters met at the capitol for an official press conference and rally as a response to Governor Gary Herbert’s Aug. 14 announcement. … read more