AGP Executive Report

Arts & Culture: Ogden Contemporary Arts named Brooklyn artist Zachary Fabri its 2026 artist in residence, with a project tracing Utah salt extraction from Great Salt Lake to Compass Minerals and exploring the cultural echoes of colonial labor through video, sculpture, and photography. Local Film/TV: Utah-made Regency miniseries “Seeking Persephone” has been renewed for two more seasons, continuing Sarah M. Eden’s Lancaster series after its Amazon Prime momentum. Theater: Patrick Page brings Shakespearean villains to McCarter Theatre in “All the Devils Are Here,” spotlighting how the Bard shaped the modern idea of the villain. Music/Pop Culture: “American Idol” Season 21 winner Iam Tongi says he lost “a lot of followers” after openly sharing his Latter-day Saint faith during the show. Sports (Utah): BYU’s fall camp buzz includes a first scrimmage where the offense edged the defense, while Utah’s Colton Swan leans into rodeo-honed toughness as he helps drive BYU’s pass-rush goals for 2026. Community/Religion: The Utah Area YSA Conference wrapped with a “Together in Christ” focus on connection and hope for young adults across Utah.

Utah Film & TV Buzz: A Utah-made Regency miniseries, “Seeking Persephone,” is renewed for two more seasons, with its author Sarah M. Eden saying she adapted the next Lancaster novels for the screen. Cosmere Watch: Brandon Sanderson shared an update on Apple TV’s “Cosmere” adaptations, keeping Utah’s biggest fantasy export firmly in the spotlight. Local Screen Production: The Utah Film Commission approved three new incentive-backed projects, including a Utah-based feature film, with filming slated across five counties. Music & Pop Culture: “Minecraft” sequel rumors are swirling about Utah filming, while “Talladega Nights” turns 35 and is getting renewed attention. Sports Entertainment: Real Salt Lake’s winless skid vs. Minnesota continues, with injury concerns after a 1-1 draw. Community Arts: UVU and FanX Studios are teaming up to bring “HumBug! The Musical” to the Noorda Center, a Broadway-bound Dickens prequel built with students at the core. Civic Education: A Mount Logan Middle School teacher received Utah’s inaugural civic education award for bringing primary sources to life for students.

Local Arts Milestone: Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City marked its 117th anniversary, celebrating more than a century of bells, murals, and major renovations since its 1909 dedication. Faith & Community: Utah Area young single adults wrapped up the “Together in Christ” conference, with attendees sharing loneliness, hope, and a push toward deeper connection. Film & TV: Angel Studios’ “The Brink of War” lands as a Cold War drama built around Reagan and Gorbachev, while “Anna Pigeon” Episode 2 leans into a missing-child mystery with equine scent detection. Music & Live Culture: Park City’s Chef’s Table Festival brings Michelin-linked chefs and dozens of special meals to Le Depot, and Salt Lake’s reggae four-piece The Lip releases live tracks to streaming for the first time. Theater & Education: UVU and FanX Studios expand their partnership to bring “HumBug! The Musical” to the Noorda Center. Utah Screen Industry: Three new film projects were approved for Utah incentives, with shooting planned across five counties and an estimated $9.3M impact. Sports (Local): Real Salt Lake returns to MLS play with a new Black Diamond third kit after Leagues Cup momentum, facing Minnesota United.

Utah Valley University & FanX Studios: UVU’s School of the Arts is teaming up with FanX Studios to bring “HumBug! The Musical” to the Noorda Center, a Broadway-bound prequel to “A Christmas Carol” directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Wilson. Northern Utah Arts & Events: This week’s calendar highlights include the Box Elder County Fair (Aug. 22-29) and the Snowbasin Art Walk (Aug. 15-16), plus Ogden’s lineup of shows, markets, and community events through Aug. 19. Park City Food Scene: The Chef’s Table Festival is in full swing, with dozens of top chefs hosting unique meals across Park City, building on the region’s push into the Michelin Guide. Music Releases: Salt Lake’s alternative reggae four-piece The Lip drops its self-titled debut album for streaming, while Skillet announces the EP “After The Storm” (Oct. 9) and Rise Against shares new singles “Katy Bar The Door” and “Living Undercover.” Screen & Stage Buzz: “The End of Oak Street” gets a local review, and “Anna Pigeon” Episode 2 leans into equine scent detection in its missing-child mystery. Sports (Utah): Real Salt Lake returns to MLS play vs. Minnesota United in its new Black Diamond third kit after Leagues Cup momentum.

Thanksgiving Point Spotlight: Plans are out for “Sphere of Light,” a multistory stained-glass center in Lehi featuring major artwork from Holdman Studios. Native Arts & Community: Paiute tribe youth are sharing their restoration story at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, using performances to educate the public in their own words. Local TV/Streaming Buzz: “Marshals” is back in production in Utah, but Season 2 brings cast shakeups—Cal’s estranged daughter Maddie gets more screen time, and CBS has released a first look. Utah Sports on the Air: The Utah Jazz will have four nationally broadcast games on NBC and KSL 5 TV during the 2026-27 season. Film & Stage: Whitney Leavitt is headed back to Broadway this winter in “Just In Time,” after her “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” exit. Sports Culture: Utah’s Real Salt Lake heads into a key matchup as the Loons look to rekindle set-piece success. Pop Culture Legal Drama: Taylor Frankie Paul wins a continued stalking injunction in her ongoing case tied to “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

Utah Arts & Entertainment: Real Housewives of Salt Lake City: Meredith Marks says cameras kept rolling through Mary Cosby’s grief after the death of Mary’s son, with Marks calling Mary’s handling “inspirational” as Season 7 prepares to return. Music & Live Shows: Paris Paloma: The Brighton artist dropped “I Cry In Front Of Paintings,” previewing her upcoming album The Fatal Flaw and bringing her “Fatal Flaw Tour” to SLC’s Rockwell at Complex on Sept. 29. Festival Buzz: Jurassic Fields Festival: A full multi-stage lineup is set for Aug. 14–16, including the Arctic Monkeys tribute “Artificial Monkeys,” Goldie Lookin’ Chain, Scouting For Girls, and more. Local Culture: Anthro Weekend Utah: The Layton convention wrapped with strong turnout and a bigger push for participation and charity, including added partners beyond the usual Nozzles & Co.

NBA Schedule Frenzy (Utah angle): The league dropped the full 2026-27 NBA slate, with the Knicks, Spurs, Lakers and new-look 76ers each set for the maximum 34 national TV games, while Utah’s matchups show up across the calendar (including a Wizards trip to Utah on Feb. 27). Local Arts & Community: Logan’s Center Street Art-Beat returns as a free, one-day art-and-music festival with a plein air competition, mini skate park, and local headliner “Shrink the Giant.” Campus & Theater: USU’s Caine School of the Arts is seeking $300,000 to upgrade seating at the historic Caine Lyric Theatre after a $5.5M stage-house renovation. Conventions & Causes: Utah’s Anthro Weekend Utah drew big energy and charity momentum, while a Utah furry convention raised $35,000+ for animal groups. Film & Travel Buzz: Airbnb is offering first-time host bonuses to lure Boulder listings for Sundance Film Festival’s 2027 move from Park City. Halloween Plans: Lagoon announced Frightmares dates and attractions for Sept. 11–Nov. 8, 2026.

Broadway Buzz: “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” breakout Whitney Leavitt is heading back to Broadway for a six-week run as Sandra Dee in “Just in Time,” after her “Chicago” debut. Utah Arts & Culture: A Japanese-American internment story, “Kintsukuroi,” screens at the Sutter Theater in Yuba City Saturday, with ties to Topaz, Utah. Music Spotlight: Utah’s Jake Ward (BYU) is headed to the Guitar Center Drum-Off finals in Hollywood after winning regional rounds. Local Sports/Entertainment: Real Salt Lake unveiled its new Black Diamond third kit, built around an oversized mountain pattern and classic wordmark, ahead of a home debut. Reality TV: Netflix is reportedly greenlighting “Arizona Hot,” its next ensemble reality series. Pop Culture Health/Live Events: Rod Stewart cancels more farewell dates after a coronary stent procedure. Music Releases: Mastodon shares “In the Ruins,” the latest preview from “Marrow Deep.” Community Events: Water Lantern Festival returns to Julia Davis Park Saturday with live music and lantern releases at sunset.

Utah Arts & Culture: Thanksgiving Point is unveiling “Sphere of Light,” a massive “living canvas of light” stained-glass landmark in Ashton Gardens, with Tom Holdman’s 10,000-square-foot vision built from thousands of handcrafted panels. Books & Humanities: John Green’s Salt Lake City stop on his “Hollywood Ending” tour adds Brandon Sanderson as a special guest at West High School (Oct. 10). Music & Film: Moab Music Festival returns for its 34th season, celebrating 250 years of American roots music across canyon and venue performances. TV & Streaming: CBS’ “Marshals” begins Season 2 production in Park City, adding Marque Richardson and expanding Morgan Lindholm’s role. Local Spotlight: Utah Tech’s Institute for Continued Learning opens fall registration (70+ classes/clubs starting Sept. 8). Community & Safety: A federal hate-crime indictment was filed against a man accused of stabbing a Muslim man at West Valley Mall. Inspiration: A 13-year-old Utah teen built a custom 3D-printed wheelchair for a 21-month-old girl, blending engineering with giving back.

Music & Tours: Rod Stewart has officially cancelled the remainder of his North American “One Last Time” farewell tour after a routine coronary stent procedure; his rep says he’s recovering well but needs four weeks to regain full fitness before returning to the stage. Local Faith & Community: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened applications for volunteers and performing groups for the 2027 Salt Lake Temple Celebration (April 5–Oct. 1), with roles ranging from welcoming guests to behind-the-scenes support. Utah Arts & Culture: The John Wesley Powell River History Museum and Glen Canyon Institute will wrap up the “Glen Canyon Exposed – Then + Now” exhibit with “The Celebration of Glen Canyon Exposed” on Sept. 3, featuring Craig Childs, Dawn Kish, Richard Jackson and Hopi educator Georgie Pongyesva. New Music: LP released “Mi Corazón,” a new single from upcoming album “Room 12,” with a scheduled stop in Salt Lake City at the Depot on Sept. 8. Pop Culture: “Fallout” Season 3 got a first look teasing Walton Goggins’ Ghoul return, with filming reportedly transforming a Pomona theater into the show’s “Salt Lake Sinema.”

Local Arts: Springville Museum of Art is set to open “Contemporary Portraiture” Aug. 27, running through July 23, 2027, with works from 20+ artists exploring how portraiture shapes identity through paint, film, and clay. TV/Film Buzz: “Fallout” Season 3 is filming in downtown Pomona, with fans spotting the Fox Theater transformed into a “Salt Lake Sinema,” and social posts hinting the story may connect back to Utah’s geography. Music & Pop Culture: Country star Riley Green says Luke Grimes helped kickstart his acting path, leading to a role on CBS’s “Marshals.” Sports Spotlight: UFC 332 is coming to Salt Lake City Oct. 3, and local fighter Court McGee says he’s signed on for his final UFC bout in Utah. Community & Culture: The 12th Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival wrapped up at Trolley Square with 28 shows and awards across theater, solo work, and original scripts. Health/Entertainment: Rod Stewart canceled upcoming dates after a successful coronary stent procedure, with four weeks of recovery ahead.

Local Music Spotlight: Florestan Festival in Salt Lake City brought a small but mighty classical community together with “Fairy Tales” programming, pairing quartet performances with poetry and Arthurian readings. New Releases: The Week in Review highlights fresh records, including Citizen’s “Halcyon Blues” and Turnstile’s “Glow On,” plus Goat’s “Headsoup” compilation and Water From Your Eyes’ “Structure.” Tour News: Fuerza Regida added a fall leg of “This Is Our Dream Tour,” with a stop at the Maverik Center in West Valley on Oct. 24. Big-Name Health Updates: Rod Stewart postponed and canceled multiple shows due to minor medical procedures, including Cincinnati and Cleveland. Utah Events & Family Fun: Price City’s International Days wrapped with a Grand Parade and drone light show, while NHMU’s BugFest-style insect celebration returned with hands-on “Bug Bar” tastings. Culture & Travel: Amangiri’s branded real-estate residences signal a quieter ultra-luxury push in southern Utah. Weird News (National): The Pentagon released a fifth batch of declassified UAP files, including new orb and sphere videos.

Utah High School Sports: KSL Sports is now the exclusive streaming partner for Utah High School Activities Association championship events, with Game Night Live expanding to Thursday and Friday broadcasts and games available via KSL 5.3, KSL+ and the KSL Sports app. Local Arts & Community: Provo leaders begin reviewing a controversial 20,000-seat Vesper Amphitheater plan in Provo Canyon proposed by the Osmonds, after the planning commission voted 5-2 against a zoning change in June. Music & Live Entertainment: Rod Stewart postponed his Aug. 9 Cincinnati show due to an “unforeseen but minor medical procedure,” while Fuerza Regida announced a second U.S. tour leg hitting West Valley City, Utah. Pop Culture Buzz: A viral Salt Lake City Shake Shack kiosk “no tip” test claims prices jumped 50 cents per item, and the company says it’s investigating. Sports Culture: Utah’s pickleball obsession keeps climbing—ranked No. 3 in North America overall and top in the lower 48. UFO Files: The Pentagon released a fifth batch of declassified UFO materials, including new videos and reports.

Utah Music & Pop Culture: Brandon Flowers keeps the momentum going with “Tiger’s Blood,” the third single from his solo album Thrasher—a nostalgic, country-leaning anthem that nods to his Utah roots. Live Entertainment: Rod Stewart’s Cincinnati show was postponed after a minor medical procedure, with tickets honored for a rescheduled date. Utah Sports & Community: BYU’s Cosmo the Cougar flips into the Mascot Hall of Fame’s 2026 class, joining other major sports mascots in a big international vote. Utah Arts & Faith on Screen: The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls leans into family-friendly faith talk, with the cast taking on survival-style challenges in the Utah desert. Utah Outdoors & Travel: A Route 89 “National Park Highway” road trip idea spotlights Utah’s place in a bigger West loop hitting Zion, Bryce, Grand Teton, Yellowstone and more. Utah Tech/Local Business: Mountain America Credit Union opens a Sandy branch and expands its Rose Park branch with community events and family-friendly activities.

Utah Arts & Community: Park City’s Kimball Arts Festival named 16 of 195 artists as 2026 Best in Show winners, with local connections including Heber City photographer Johnny Adolphson, Park City-raised jeweler Paxton Juhlin, and pastel artist R. Michael Wommack. Salt Lake City Culture: The Salt Lake Buddhist Temple marked its legacy and future, tracing how Japanese immigrants pooled resources to build a downtown gathering place. Music & Events: Phoebe Bridgers announced “Lost Weekend” listening events at more than 40 planetariums across 30 cities, pairing album play with laser shows and night-sky presentations. Food Scene: Two Utah celebrity chefs—Urban Hill’s Nick Zocco and Pretty Bird’s Viet Pham—teamed up for a one-night fusion menu in Salt Lake City. Sports Spotlight: Asterisk Talley won the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur at The Honors Course, beating Anna Iwanaga 8 and 6. Entertainment TV: Bravo’s “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th” premieres Aug. 9, with Utah’s Lisa Barlow among the cast. Big Utah Pop Culture: “The Chosen in the Wild” heads to Utah’s Castle Valley for Bear Grylls’ faith-forward adventure series.

Kimball Arts Festival: Park City’s Kimball Arts Festival named 16 of 195 artists as its 2026 Best in Show recipients, including Heber City photographer Johnny Adolphson, Park City-to-Salt Lake jewelist Paxton Juhlin, and pastel artist R. Michael Wommack (a Wasatch Back connection) taking Overall Artist honors. TV & Faith/Utah Filming: Prime Video’s The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls drops Aug. 9, with the cast and Dallas Jenkins tackling Utah’s Castle Valley and Canyonlands plus other rugged locations. Sports (Utah): The UFC is coming back to Salt Lake City—UFC 332 lands Oct. 3 at the Delta Center, with fights still TBA. Local Arts Calendar: Utah Valley event roundups highlight BYU Museum of Art exhibits and more, plus a centennial Utah Open at Riverside Country Club Aug. 14-16. Reality TV (Utah): Taylor Frankie Paul says her three-year probation is complete after a Utah judge reduced her aggravated assault felony to a Class A misdemeanor. National/Entertainment Buzz: Marshals is renewed for season 2, premiering Oct. 4 on CBS.