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The Excellence in the Community local concert series began in 2005 on the simple idea that home-grown Utah talent deserves the spotlight.
Armed with a new slogan — "Music to Match the Mountains" — the nonprofit Excellence in the Community Foundation is poised to make its mark on downtown.
The concert series, which has bounced from venue to venue, has landed its biggest supporter yet in the Gallivan Center.
In January, the Gallivan Center, owned by the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City, will begin hosting concerts by the foundation in its indoor terraced building. The hope is that future concerts would be held outdoors when the weather becomes warmer.
Programming of local musicians is in harmony with Mayor Ralph Becker's vision for downtown, said Art Raymond, the mayor's deputy director of communications.
"We always wanted to have an artistic home downtown," said Jeff Whiteley, local musician in Lark & Spur and series founder. "We could not be more pleased."
The news follows the successful summer Mondays in the Park concert series, sponsored by Excellence in the Community and the Utah Arts Council. Acts such as the Corcovado Band performed at Liberty Park's Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Art, drawing up to 600 people weekly.
The foundation was tireless in finding talented local acts for the series, said Jason Bowcutt, community and performing-arts coordinator for the Utah Arts Council. What [Whiteley] is doing is really smart," Bowcutt said. "I like his whole theory, pulling from the talent around us. He was a great partner."
The new partnership with the Gallivan Center grew out of the "Cultural Core Conversations" project, launched in April by Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County, that brought together cultural, business and government leaders for a series of meetings.
The group identified 11 strategies to promote cultural attractions, based on a landmark agreement between Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County to create a fund that will generate $500,000 annually for the next 20 years. The report, issued earlier this month, defines one measure of success as having "diverse content" that focuses on local art and artists.
"It seemed like a natural fit," said Talitha Day, director of the Gallivan Center, about working with the Excellence in the Community Foundation. "I am committed to doing this."
Day and Whiteley hope the new Gallivan-based concert series will offer free admission. So far, Excellence concerts have had to charge admission.
Having a backer like the city is a bonus for Whiteley and his volunteer staff (which includes GAM Foundation and JazzSLC series leader Gordon Hanks). As a local musician, Whiteley knows that local venues often seemed more focused on programming touring artists from out of state. Melissa Pace Tanner is a Utah jazz vocalist who this weekend will headline her third Excellence in the Community concert with the Jay Lawrence Quartet at the Salt Palace, singing classic songs from The Great American Songbook.
"I don't think there's enough venues for all of us," Tanner said. "We have an exceptional talent pool here. It's on par with any big city. People [from out of state] tell me players here can hang."
Tanner said she believes in Excellence's mission. "I think [Whiteley] has had a hard time finding a home, and it sounds like it's happening."
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Excellence in the Community concert series
P Melissa Pace Tanner with the Jay Lawrence Quartet
When • Saturday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m.
Where • Grand Ballroom, Salt Palace, 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $10 in advance, $15 day of, at SmithsTix.com or by calling 801-467-8499
Also • Award-winning dancers from Ballroom Utah will be on hand.