SLCene Suggests: 5 Tips for Your Week

Neon Trees, The Depot, Friday, 7 p.m., $20

Provo’s Neon Trees are making the rounds in support of their new sophomore album, Picture Show, another solid set of ’80s-tinged dance-pop. The band’s 2010 debut, Habits, took them all over the world, and its follow-up could strike a similar chord with the masses, potentially taking the quartet around the globe–again. That makes this 16-and-older gig at The Depot an ideal chance to see Neon Trees on a club-sized stage before they hit the road for far-flung destinations. Nico Vega, The Devil Whale and The Blue Aces open the show.

Provo’s Neon Trees headline The Depot on the band’s tour in support of its second major-label album, Picture Show.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Egyptian Theatre, Friday, June 8, through Sunday, June 17, $20-$30

Six inches forward, five inches back! Plan-B Theatre Company fires up a revitalized production of the best damn rock opera about an East German transsexual lead singer ever. It’s the 10th anniversary of Plan-B’s original production of the show, a play that won an award for Best Theatre Production by City Weekly. This time, the show goes on the road to Park City’s classic, classy Egyptian Theatre–where you can enjoy a beer while you rock out with your, um, well, you know how the saying goes.

The raucous story of a transsexual rock star, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, plays at Park City’s Egyptian Theatre from Friday, June 8, through Sunday, June 17.

18th Annual Art in Pilar’s Garden benefit, Pilar Pobil’s house (403 E. 8th Ave), Friday-Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., $10

For a mere sawbuck, you can join one of the Utah art community’s definitive events, and you can do it in a stunning environment right in The Avenues. Spanish-born painter Pilar Pobil has been hosting art shows/fundraisers in her garden for 18 years now, and the mix of original work, refreshments and fellow attendees makes Art in Pilar’s Garden a must-go at least once in your SLC life. Every bit of the $10 entry goes to help Art Access Gallery provide art to underserved communities, and you’ll see a show of works by Pobil and other artists while you nosh on food provided by Rico’s. Hop to it.

One of artist Pilar Pobil’s paintings reflecting her home country of Spain. Her annual garden benefit runs Friday, June 8, through Sunday, June 10.

Urban Arts Festival, SLC Arts Hub (663 W. 100 South), Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., $5

The Utah Arts Alliance is throwing its second Urban Arts Festival at its brand-spanking-new SLC Arts Hub space, three acres that on Saturday will be dedicated to three stages for live performances, graffiti-art displays, skateboarding space and all manner of hands-on artistic opportunities. Even if you don’t want to try your own hand at silk-screening or graffiti, you can check out bands and DJs, a poetry slam or some break-dancing competitions while you support a vital arts organization in the community.

The Urban Arts Festival runs all day Saturday, June 9, at the SLC Arts Hub.

Heavy Metal Shop 25th Anniversary Party, The Heavy Metal Shop, Sunday, 4-8 p.m., free

Even non-headbangers have nothing but respect for Kevin Kirk, owner of The Heavy Metal Shop. The mere fact that he’s kept his shop open for 25 years, through moves, changing music trends and the onslaught of online music-buying is reason to celebrate with Kirk and his friends, with a live soundtrack provided by Michael Dean Damron, the Kottak and Cleveland Acoustik Attack and an acoustic set by Jake Johnson. What better way to celebrate a Sunday afternoon than with the man who’s been peddlin’ evil since 1987?

Kevin Kirk in The Heavy Metal Shop, celebrating 25 years in business with a free party on Sunday, June 10.

Bonus Pick!

Del McCoury Band and Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Red Butte Garden, Sunday, 7 p.m., $40

No way I’m letting a weekend go by without singing the praises of this show, a pairing of two national treasures on one bill at the best music venue in the state. In the Del McCoury Band, you have arguably the best bluegrass band on the planet, a traditional crew led by Del, a one-time member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys, and featuring his son Ronnie–a ridiculously talented mandolin player. With Del and the boys is Preservation Hall Jazz Band, namesake group of the legendary New Orleans venue, and a remarkably pliable crew capable of delving into all sorts of jazz music–or any other style you can imagine. You might not think old-time twang and Big Easy brass should mix, but the album the two groups made together indicates different. This show could be the sleeper treasure of the summer at Red Butte Garden.

The Del McCoury Band/Preservation Hall Jazz Band show Sunday, June 10, could be one of the sleeper favorites of summer at Red Butte Garden.