Ogden Art Scene: Live poetry, backyard arts, outdoor concerts and more this week
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- A new mural by artist Leon Araujo lights up the South Ogden backyard location of the yART Sale.
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- Inside Unspoken, where Ogden’s first Speak-Easy Poetry & Mixed Media Jam will be held.
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- Nurture the Creative Mind’s Community Water Balloon Fight is back this Saturday, July 16, 2022.
Summer yArt Sale
The biggest backyard art market is back! It’s at the residence of Audrey Christensen of Hey Be Fab, who started it in her South Ogden home in 2020 during the pandemic. Now backed by the city, this is expected to be the biggest one yet, with over 80 artisans and makers and six live performances from Grandpa Paul Entertains, Holly Faith Music, The Pho3nix Child, DKOEN, Kyle McBride and Smol Stone. For the first time, sponsors supported 10 lucky vendors, making this truly an inclusive event for everyone, from newbie to seasoned artists and makers. “I believe that when one rises we all do! Which is why it is so important for me to keep building a community of creatives,” Christensen stated on the yART Sale Instagram page. Sponsors receive “yARTie bags” full of goodies and special perks. There is also more food this time around with Jen Taylor Cakes, Wing Wah and Los Churros Del Norte. “Toasted Lavender,” a live podcast, will be there recording, slinging their art zine The LQ and selling records specially curated from Lavender Vinyl’s collection. “Join the Joy” this Thursday at the summer yART Sale. — Deann Armes
Thursday, July 14, 3-8 p.m., 3746 Madison Avenue, South Ogden, free, heybefab.com
Speak-Easy Poetry & Mixed Media Jam
Step back into history at Unspoken for “Speak-Easy,” a showcase of poetry and mixed media. Organized by local Ogden women, Deann Armes with The Ogdenite, poet laureate Angelika Brewer and creative entrepreneur Sarah Glass, the night will start with jazz lead singer and keys player from local band Standards and Substandards. Then eight local poets will perform including writer/poet Wynter Storm as emcee, Ogden’s new poet laureate Angelika Brewer, Jayrod Garrett, Stephen St. Peter, Christina Re Anderson, Rees Sweeten, Kellie Joy, Jocelyn Cortes and Leon Araujo (comedian). Artist Rachel Manning will paint live during the show and Josh Fawsom will accompany the spoken word performances with his acoustic guitar. Rap artist RhaGenetix will heat things up and DJ Linus Stubbs will end the night with a dance party. “We hope to bring our diverse creative communities together in a way that will inspire a poetry movement in Ogden and new opportunities for all artists to shine their light on our city,” says Armes. Sponsors for the event helped to keep the tickets at $10 and to pay all of the artists for their time including Michelle Williams, Realtor, Team Live Play Utah, Powered by Real Broker (gold sponsor), LeeAnn Ballard with Only In Ogden, The Local Artisan Collective, Maegan Lovelady Realtor, Unspoken, WBs Eatery, Just James Photography, Christina Miller and Paddy Teglia Music. — Karen Painter
Thursday, July 14, 8 p.m., Unspoken, 211 25th Street, $10, theogdenite.com
Community Water Balloon Fight
A big community water balloon fight, something so simple yet likely to be a kid’s most memorable fun this summer. A creation of Nurture the Creative Mind and Ogden Arts Festival, this is a free family-friendly event for all ages to get out and have some good old-fashioned fun. There will be over 6,000 water balloons, a massive water brawl, but there is some structure to it; individual water balloon fights are categorized by age, and adults even get to play in a separate category just for them. All are welcome to enjoy the water fun. This is becoming a favorite summer pastime in Ogden. — Deann Armes
Saturday, July 16, 4-6 p.m., Ogden Municipal Park, 343 25th Street, free, FB@NurturetheCreativeMind
Blues, Brews & BBQ
Snowbasin Resort’s Blues, Brews, & BBQ series continues this Sunday with two touring bands: the 70s-infused Southern rock and folk songwriting of Aaron Davis & the Mystery Machine, and New Orleans Suspects who are making waves straight out of Louisiana. Good music, beer and BBQ on the patio make this laid-back concert series a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors. Attendees can bring blankets, chairs and umbrellas to set up on the plush lawn and dancers of all ages like to sink their feet into the front-of-stage sandpit. Cocktails and local brews are available on the patio to wash down the BBQ-style grub from Earl’s Lodge. While there, friends and families can also explore the hiking trails, ride the gondola or head over to the Wildflower Mini-Golf Course and playground. — Deann Armes
Sunday, July 17, 12-5 p.m., Snowbasin Resort, 3925 East Snowbasin Road, Huntsville, $10, shop.snowbasin.com/s/summer-activities
Lindquist Pops Concert and Fireworks
Fourth of July in Ogden is really just a preamble for the real deal: the annual Lindquist Family Symphony Pops and Fireworks show at Weber State University. The tradition, started in 1978 with John A. and Telitha E Linduist, brings the community together every year on a Sunday evening in mid-July, attracting thousands. This year’s festivities will begin with a 60-minute patriotic concert by The New American Philharmonic, directed by Shannon Robers, at the Ada Lindquist Plaza, which accompanies one of the largest fireworks displays in Utah at 10 p.m. Food trucks will be out selling refreshments and drinks, and on-campus parking and seating is available. The organizers said extra precautions are being taken due to drought conditions. The event may be canceled if wind or weather pose a threat. — Deann Armes
Sunday, July 17, 9 p.m., Weber State University, 3848 Harrison Boulevard, free, weber.edu