This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
We're here to help you plan your weekend, with best picks from our entertainment reporters, critics and bloggers. For more event listings, visit http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment.
Chariot Racing
Hoofs will fly at Wasatch Slopes Chariot Racing. For more information contact Mark Hodson, 801-540-2776.
When • Saturday, Dec. 22, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where • Golden Spike Events Center, 1000 N. 1200 West in Ogden
Tickets • $5 at gate
SantaCon Salt Lake City
Ever see hundreds of people dressed as Santa Claus walk through downtown Salt Lake City going from bar to bar? The 2012 edition of this pub crawl begins 8 p.m. Friday at Gracie's. Click for the event's Facebook page with a schedule of the crawl. http://on.fb.me/VSTypi
When • Friday, Dec. 21, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where • The first bar is Gracie's, 326 S. West Temple, but the Santas will be walking to bars across downtown.
Tickets • Santas must buy their drinks.
International Choral Academy
The Salt Lake Choral Artists will sponsor their International Choral Academy and is intended for students of all levels and interests. Courses include conducting, musicianship, group voice, and choral literature. Registration available at saltlakechoralartists.org/ica.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 at 9 a.m.
Where • Salt Lake Choral Artists Building, 700 N. 200 West, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Fees range from $90-$200;
Stuff the Van
West Valley Auto Plaza will hold its Stuff the Van fundraiser for Utah Food Bank. People visiting the dealership may "Stuff the Van" with food and the Auto Plaza will match the donation. On Friday, Dec. 21, Mic and Allen from KBER 101 will be give the van away at 6 p.m. to a deserving person who will be selected from KBER who was nominated by a friend, family member etc.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Where • West Valley Auto Plaza, 3899 S. Redwood Road, West Valley City
Tickets • Free
Holiday Market at Gallivan Center
Friday and Saturday are the last days of the Downtown Holiday Market at Gallivan Center. The market brings holiday charm to Salt Lake City's urban center with a focus on local and handmade goods.
When • Friday, Dec. 21, and Saturday, Dec. 22, from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Where • Gallivan Center, 239 S. Main St., Salt Lake City
Amy Caron Angels Series
Ice cream sprinkles, coffee grounds, dried kiwi, feathers, knitting needles, tiny moustaches, and fake tattoos are just the tip of the intriguing material list for artist Amy Caron's new "Angel Series."
When • Friday, Dec. 21 from 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Where • Frida Bistro, 545 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Alta's Annual Christmas Holiday Art Show
Buy unique locally made holiday gifts this season made by local artisans and craftspeople.
When • Friday, Dec. 21, through Sunday, Dec. 22, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where • Our Lady of the Snows, Highway 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta
Tickets • Free
Meet The Authors Night
Leicester Bay Books will co-sponsor with Eborn Books a Meet The Authors Night for book signings. Authors scheduled to appear are the Salt Lake Tribune's columnist Robert Kirby, the Tribune's editorial cartoonist Pat Bagley, Stephen Carter, editor of Sunstone Magazine, Kent Miles, Jon Robert Howe, and Shirlee H. Shields.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Where • Eborn Books - Salt Lake City, 254 S. Main St., Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free
Live Nativity
The Orem Community Church will hold a live nativity scene. Hot drinks and goodies will be served inside the fellowship hall.
Live organ and piano Christmas favorites will be played by organist, Glenn Worden, in the Sanctuary. Stop in to listen and sing-a-long!
When • Friday, Dec. 21 from 7 p.m.- 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22 from 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Where • Orem Community Church, 130 N. 400 East, Orem
Joyful Noise
"Joyful Noise" is a play based upon the historical characters that surrounded George Fredric Handel at the time that he created his most famous oratorio, Messiah. The play will be held in the new Brinton Hall. Visit coveycenter.org for information.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W. Center St., Provo
Tickets • bit.ly/THI1c4
A Christmas Carol On The Air
ParkCityShows.com will present "A Christmas Carol On The Air," a story within a story, a radio show yet a live stage production, and the audience participates. Fred C. Adams will portray Scrooge. Visit holdmyticket.com/event/123035 for tickets.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where • Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main St., Park City
Tickets • $30-$60;
Wesley Bell Ringers Christmas Concert
Wesley Bell Ringers will perform a Christmas concert.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Christ United Methodist Church, 2375 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free; Donations to support the choir will be accepted.;
A Time of Forgiving - A Christmas Musical
Where there is healing, there is Christmas. Enjoy a magical night of inspiration, love and hope. The story with its poignant tribute to life's lessons will inspire you. Visit kingsburyhall.utah.edu/performances/a-time-of-forgiving for information.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Kingsbury Hall - University of Utah, 1395 E. President's Circle, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $28-$58;bit.ly/SOJrDb
North Pole Express
The North Pole Express train ride will take passengers on a journey to see Santa Claus at the North Pole.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where • Heber Valley Railroad, 450 S. 600 West, Heber City
Tickets • $20-$47;http://www.HeberValleyRailroad.org
This Bird of Dawning Singeth All Night Long
"This Bird of Dawning Singeth All Night Long" is a presentation of the Christmas Story told through poetry, mask, and music. This Nativity piece is both original and traditional. Poets range from Shakespeare to W. B. Yeats to Li-Young Lee. Visit arttix.org for information.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where • Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $10.00; bit.ly/QU54n4
The Nutcracker
Imagine Ballet Theatre will present its sixth annual performance of the holiday classic "The Nutcracker." Visit smithstix.com for information.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m.
Where • Peery's Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Blvd., Ogden
Tickets • $12-$25;bit.ly/XGfeGm
Adventure Club End of the World Party
Celebrate the end of b'ak'tun dancing the night away with Canadian Dubstep Duo Adventure Club. Special guest DJ Charles Anton will get the party started. Just for a little extra fun - Dress like a Mayan and get 50% off ticket price. meganpearce@parkcitylive.net. Tickets available at smithstix.com/events/item/root/adventure-club.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 from 8 p.m.- 2a.m.
Where • Park City Live, 427 Main St., Park City
Tickets • $20.00; Must be 21+ to attend;ticketcake.com/event/adventure-club/park-city/2012-12-21
3 on 3 Holiday Basketball Tourney
Spot Seekr will hold its first annual Holiday 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament as a fundraiser for The Christmas Box House. Visit s434274758.onlinehome.us/basketball-tournament-registration for information.
When • Saturday, Dec. 22 from 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Where • Dimple Dell Recreation Center, 10670 S. 1000 East , Sandy
Tickets • $109.00; bit.ly/S5OeTM
Winter Solstice
Come to the Children's Garden to celebrate the return of the light! As you wander through the Garden, warm you hands at fire barrels, enjoy hot chocolate and make a New Year wish at the Yule Log. Participants can also create winter candles and their own Solstice head wreath. Visit redbuttegarden.org/2012wintersolstice for information.
When • Saturday, Dec. 22 at 10 a.m.
Where • Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $8.00; *
Santa Visits Waldorf Astoria Park City
Santa will greet children and hear their Christmas wish lists. Santa will also be available for pictures and will host story time with the children. Families are invited to share in the holiday merriment and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, milk and cookies.
When • Saturday, Dec. 22 from 3 p.m.- 6p.m.
Where • Waldorf Astoria Park City, 2100 Frostwood Drive, Park City
Tickets • Free
Beethoven Festival - A Winter Concert
The Beethoven Festival brings together a group of the finest artists who will perform a selection of classical music including Klesmer works, Handel's Messiah, Vivaldi's "Winter", virtuoso solo works and other classical favorites. Visit pcmusicfestival.com/2013winter.html for information.
When • Saturday, Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Park City Community Church, 4501 N. Highway 224, Park City
Tickets • $20.00; *Tickets available at the door;http://www.pcmusicfestival.com/tickets.html
Flight From Shadow Exhibit
Travel through a world of fantasy at The City Library. Throughout Dec. 2012 and January 2013, The City Library will display sets, costumes and more from the Wheel of Time themed fan-film "Flight From Shadow." Trek through the displays on a quest where you will find a tavern set, horse and armor, costumes, a dice table, and more. If you succeed on your journey, finding all the items on the map, a great prize could be in store. Return your quest-card to the browsing library to be entered in a drawing for prizes from The Hobbit. Visit http://www.slcpl.org/events/view/1842 for information.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m.- 6p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22 from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 23 from 1 p.m.- 5 p.m.
Where • Salt Lake City Public Library - Main, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free
Blue Christmas Service
The Salt Lake Center for Spiritual Living will hold a Blue Christmas Service. A service of light in the midst of darkness
(for those experiencing a loss of any kind). Child care is available.
When • Sunday, Dec. 23 from 3 p.m.- 5 p.m.
Where • Salt Lake Center for Spiritual Living Brickyard, 1111 E. Brickyard Road #202, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Freewww.spirituallyfree.org/events-and-activities/upcoming-events.html
Handel's Messiah
The Cottonwood Heights LDS Stake Center will sponsor Handel's Messiah. This year's production will feature accomplished
coloratura soprano Erin Morley. Under the direction of Elizabeth Palmer, the community choir and orchestra will consist of more than 70 voices and 30 instrumentalists.
When • Sunday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.
Where • Cottonwood Heights LDS Stake Center, 6890 S. 2228 East, Cottonwood Heights
Tickets • Free
Salt Lake Children's Choir Christmas Concert
The Salt Lake Children's Choir will present its traditional Christmas Concerts. Featured will be music of Bach, Vivaldi and other early masters. Also heard will be music of film composer, Miklos Rozsa and prominent Utah composer, Vanja Watkins. Audience and combined choirs will join in several carol favorites to conclude the evening.
When • Sunday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.
Where • Salt Lake Central Stake Center, 951 E. 100 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free
Christmas Candle Lighting Ceremony
The Salt Lake Center for Spiritual Living will hold a Christmas candle lighting ceremony. The center will celebrate the birth of the Christ Child and the renewal of the Christ within each of us.
When • Sunday, Dec. 23 from 7 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Where • Salt Lake Center for Spiritual Living Brickyard, 1111 E. Brickyard Road #202, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Freespirituallyfree.org/events-and-activities/upcoming-events.html
Jazz Vespers Quartet
The Jazz Vespers Quartet will perform. On Dec. 23, 2012, music for "Christmas Kool" will be performed. Visit on.fb.me/YhWJNt for information.
When • Sunday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • First Unitarian Church, 1300 E. 569 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free
Music • listings by David Burger
Snoop Dogg with Pac Div
Show of the week • Where else would Snoop Dogg rather spend his last night on Earth than in Salt Lake City? The southern California rap trio Pac Div will be opening for the Doggfather, and in a Tribune interview Pac Div's Mibbs said the chances of the world ending in a Mayan-predicted apocalypse are about five percent. "I'm going to live that day like a normal day," said Mibbs, who along with his brother Like and childhood friend BeYoung will be demonstrating to The Depot why West Coast rap is not dead. "If anything happens, it will be a good thing." The trio released its album "GMB" in late November, and Like and Mibbs' grandmother Fleecie graces the cover. "There would be no us without her," Mibbs said. "She's a symbol of the future. She created the future." Being a fixture in the L.A. rap scene led the Long Beach-raised Snoop select Pac Div to open selected dates on his tour, and perhaps the hottest rapper of the moment, Kendrick Lamar, is a good friend and is featured on "GMB," and Pac Div return the favor by guesting on Lamar's brilliant 2012 album "good kid, m.A.A.d city." Mibbs is so confident on the upswing of the West Coast that he even believes his favorite team, the Lakers, will rise from the ashes of their thus-far disappointing season. Does Kobe know?
When • Friday, Dec. 21 at 9 p.m.
Where • The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $55 at SmithsTix
Savoy
Savoy is a mix of big-band sound, upbeat jazz and sassy swing. It will perform music from its latest Christmas CD "Merry Little Christmas." The band features well-known local vocalist Sam Payne.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Sandy City Hall, 10000 Centennial Parkway, Sandy
Tickets • $10 at sandyarts.com/christmas
Solstice Concert
This musical event brings the sounds of jazz into the historic church with an atmosphere that blends perfectly with the Christmas season. The concert will feature cellist Eric Samuels, Cimbalon performer Igor Iachimciuc and flautist-vocalist Carole Turcotte, all artists who are internationally recognized as masters of their respective instruments.
When • Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • St. Mark' Episcopal Cathedral, 231 E. 100 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free; Donations are encouraged
Joshua Wright
Local pianist Joshua Wright will perform a Christmas concert. His debut record was on the Shadow Mountain Records label.He is expected to release his next CD, "My Favorite Things," in 2013.
When • Saturday, Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Sandy City Hall, 10000 Centennial Parkway, Sandy
Tickets • $12 at sandyarts.com/christmas
Jazz Vespers Quartet
The Jazz Vespers Quartet will perform its annual beloved "Christmas Kool" concert.
When • Sunday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • First Unitarian Church, 1300 E. 569 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free
Movies • Listings and reviews by Sean Means
A messy and funny midlife movie tops the weekend's offerings.
"This Is 40" is Judd Apatow's hiliarious, heartfelt and happily chaotic comedy that takes two of the charactes from his 2007 movie "Knocked Up" and gives them a movie of their own. They are Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann), married with two daughters, and figuring out all the ins and outs of life at age 40. Yes, the movie is long (at two hours and 14 minutes), and has a few too many characters. But the movie is funny, and honest in its emotions, and it contains a beautiful performance by Leslie Mann as the conflicted, confused and completely charming Debbie.
Another studio movie this week is "Jack Reacher," Tom Cruise's latest attempt to start an action franchise. Here he takes on the title role (created by novelist Lee Child), an ex-military police investigator with an uncanny eye for detail. In what Cruise hopes will be the first installment, Reacher comes to the aid of a defense attorney (Rosamund Pike) on the case of a sniper who shot five random Pittsburgh residents. The action has some intense moments, but the pacing is a little sluggish.
Also this weekend (actually, released Wednesday) is "The Guilt Trip," a predictable mother-son road-trip movie starring Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand. The talent is there, but the jokes aren't.
Perhaps the best new this weekend (also released Wednesday) is the 3-D re-release of "Monsters, Inc.," the 2001 Disney/Pixar classic about a human girl landing in the monster world. Somebody want to tell my why this movie lost the first Animated Feature Oscar to "Shrek"?
One more studio release — "Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away," a 3-D celebration of the circus troupe's Las Vegas shows — was not screened for critics.
On the art-house side, "This Must Be the Place" is an offbeat and rambling drama, centering on Sean Penn as a over-coiffed rock star continuing his late father's pursuit of a Nazi war criminal. It's weirdly laconic, and Penn's performance is, uh, interesting.
The performance of Alan Cumming enlivens "Any Day Now," a mushy melodrama about a '70s gay couple (Cumming and Garret Dillahunt) trying to get custody of an abandoned boy (Isaac Leyva) with Down syndrome.
Lastly, "The Other Son" is a heavy-handed drama with a cheesy premise: Two teens, one Israeli and the other Palestinian, learn they were switched at birth. The movie is as overwrought as it sounds.
Or you can wait until Tuesday, when three more movies hit theaters: "Les Misérables," "Django Unchained" and "Parental Guidance." Reviews for those films will be online later today.
Television • By Scott D. Pierce
Fifty years and four days after it first aired, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (Saturday, 7 p.m., NBC/Ch. 5) returns to network TV.
It was TV's first animated Christmas special, and it was an instant hit, with performances by Jim Backus, Morey Amsterdam, Jack Cassidy and Paul Frees and music by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill — who would do the songs for "Funny Girl" shortly thereafter.
And it holds up half a century later. Funny, scary and heartfelt, it will make you laugh and bring a tear to your eye.
Friday on TV ...
College football (5:30 p.m., ESPN): St. Petersburg Bowl — Ball State vs. Central Florida
Men's college basketball: Cal State-Northridge at Utah (6:30 p.m., P12N); BYU at Baylor (7 p.m., ESPN)
The Good Wife (7, 8 and 9 p.m., CBS/Ch. 2): A three-episode mini-marathon of one of TV's best shows.
Back to the Beginning with Christiane Amanpour (8 p.m. ABC/Ch. 4): Amanpour travels to the lands of the Bible to explore the stoies of the Old Testament. (This two-part special concludes Friday, Dec. 28.)
Fringe (8 p.m., Fox/Ch. 13): Peter, Olivia, Astrid and Walter get help from Nina Sharp.
Saturday on TV ...
College football: New Orleans Bowl — East Carolina vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (10 a.m., ESPN); Las Vegas Bowl — Boise State vs. Washington (1:30 p.m., ESPN)
NBA (5:30 p.m., ROOT): Utah Jazz at Miami Heat
Made in Jersey (7 and 8 p.m., CBS/Ch. 2): A woman is killed during a botched robbery; a nightclub owner is accused of murder.
Wedding Band (8 and 9 p.m., TBS): Eddie's employer hires the band to work a corporate event.
Joyful Noise (9:45 p.m., HBO): Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton star in this 2012 musical.
Sunday on TV ...
NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans (11 a.m. Fox/Ch. 13); Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos (2 p.m., CBS/Ch. 2); New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens (2 p.m. Fox/Ch. 13); San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (6:20 p.m., NBC/Ch. 5)
NBA (4 p.m., ROOT): Utah Jazz at Orlando Magic
The Sound of Music (6 p.m., ABC/Ch. 4): Classic 1965 movie musical.
Sister Wives (10 p.m., TLC): The wives make a "polygamy pilgrimage" to Illinois, where Mormon leader Joseph Smith Jr. introduced polygamy.