Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 
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Hannah McDonald

Thrill seekers enjoy the Turn of the Century ride during Lagoon’s season opener in Farmington, Utah, Saturday, April 2, 2011.
Entertainment
Top 12 Lagoon rides, ranked by intensity
As Lagoon lovers await the arrival of Primordial, here’s a look at 12 of our favorite rides, ranked by thrill level and enjoyability.
By Hannah McDonald, Brittany Binowski, and 1 more
The Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art reopened in September after a two-year renovation.
Entertainment
USU’s newly renovated museum shows there’s more to Western art than cowboys and horses
The American West rarely gets the credit it deserves for its contributions to modern art, but USU’s Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art hopes to rectify that.
By Hannah McDonald
Chris Hicks is the author of "Has Hollywood Lost It's Mind?"
Entertainment
Want to be a film critic? Learn from these pros
With Oscar season just beginning, film critics are preparing to review a bevy of films that are all aiming for the Academy Awards.
By Hannah McDonald
Alexandra Bracken is the author of "The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding."
Entertainment
Book review: Middle grade novel ‘Prosper Redding’ is full of twists despite slow pace
Young adult author Alexandra Bracken’s first middle-grade book may at times move a little slowly, but it’s otherwise a solid match for kids and parents who like a little humor with their scary stories.
By Hannah McDonald
Jell-O won its designation as Utah's official state snack after years of history, marketing and a stiff competition with Iowa.
Entertainment
Fry sauce, Jell-O, funeral potatoes: Just how unique are your favorite Utah foods?
Utah’s food culture is distinctive, but is it actually as unique as we think it is?
By Hannah McDonald
The Craft Lake City mascot walks around during Craft Lake City at the Gallivan Center in 2016. Crafters and patrons can attend Craft Lake City this year at the Gallivan Center from Aug. 11-13.
Entertainment
Why Utahns love do-it-yourself projects
Utahns are often quick to pick up skills that could enable someone to support an individual or a family in times of hardship. But they’re also skills that have fostered the growth of an extensive underground crafting community.
By Hannah McDonald
Larry the Cable Guy will join Jeff Foxworthy in Salt Lake City on Aug. 18.
Entertainment
Redneck roundup: Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy are coming to USANA
Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy’s new tour is an outdoor “comedy and music festival.”
By Hannah McDonald
Robin Thorn of the Book Club recommended these eight books.
Entertainment
On the same page: Book club goes through life, death together
Robin Thorn is one of the co-founders of the Book Club, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
By Hannah McDonald
A musical based on the 2013 Academy-award winning movie "Frozen" will premiere in Denver on Aug. 17.
Entertainment
‘Frozen the Musical’ releases first behind-the-scenes preview
A musical based on the 2013 Academy-award winning movie “Frozen” will premiere in Denver on Aug. 17.
By Hannah McDonald
Cindy Lund, of the Insights to Conservation book club, recommends these seven novels.
Entertainment
On the same page: Utah book club members get in touch with their wild side
Cindy Lund is the founder of the Insights to Conservation book club, which meets monthly at the King’s English Bookshop and reads books about environmentalism in the Western United States.
By Hannah McDonald
Cosplayers gather for a group photo before the start of a press conference at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, where the celebrity guest lineup for this fall's Salt Lake Comic Con was announced.
Entertainment
Salt Lake Comic Con welcomes Dick Van Dyke to September convention
The actor may not be the first person that comes to mind as an ideal guest for a comics convention, but Salt Lake Comic Con co-founder Dan Farr assures that he’s a perfect choice for Utah’s fifth annual comic con.
By Hannah McDonald
This year, Tuacahn is performing "Newsies" as well as "Shrek the Musical" and "Mamma Mia."
Entertainment
Heading south? Here’s 12 hours of culture, food and fun in St. George
Whether you’re interested in hiking, history or theater, St. George has something to offer for everyone.
By Hannah McDonald
AndrÉ Jordan is Donkey, left, Steve Judkins is Shrek and Whitney Winfield ais Fiona in Tuacahn's production of "Shrek: The Musical."
Entertainment
Theater review: Tuacahn’s ‘Shrek the Musical’ provides cheeky take on familiar fairy tales
Tuacahn’s “Shrek the Musical” is the story of one man’s journey to obtain a title for his land. Well, that, plus his quest to rescue a princess, topple a corrupt government and help out a bunch of fairy-tale characters.
By Hannah McDonald
Jordan Aragon as Crutchie, left, Ryan Farnsworth as Jack, Will Haley as Les and Daniel Scott Walton as Davey in Tuacahn's production of "Newsies."
Entertainment
Theater review: Actors seize the play in Tuacahn’s immersive ‘Newsies’
Tuacahn’s “Newsies” is truly unique, and it’s worth the mileage for northern Utahns who want to see the musical in a new setting.
By Hannah McDonald
Slow Food Utah book club founder Gwen Crist recommends, among the other books shown here, "With a Measure of Grace: The Story and Recipes of a Small Town Restaurant."
Entertainment
On the same page: Eat and read at the Slow Food Utah book club
Gwen Crist is the founder and leader of the Slow Food Utah book club, which meets every other month. Crist’s book club is part of the larger Slow Food Utah organization.
By Hannah McDonald
An artist's rendering shows the new Guardians of the Galaxy ­– Mission: BREAKOUT! ride, which opened in Disney's California Adventure park May 27.
Entertainment
5 new TV and movie-based theme park attractions for 2017
Families and individuals who are traveling this summer can take note of these five new film- and TV-based attractions at theme parks around the world.
By Hannah McDonald
"My Little Pony: The Movie" will be released on Oct. 6.
Entertainment
The Clean Cut: “My Little Pony” movie to hit theaters this October
The 2010 TV show that developed a surprisingly varied fanbase released a trailer for its upcoming movie yesterday.
By Hannah McDonald
Under the direction of Mormon Tabernacle Choir director Mack Wilberg, members of the Wasatch Music School's advanced vocals group perform "Child of God" and "River in Judea."
Entertainment
From cells to cellos: Music program has Utah inmates singing a new tune
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir director’s newest students may wear prison uniforms and reside in Draper’s detention facilities, but the artistry and spirituality of their singing is undeniable.
By Hannah McDonald
YouTube personalities Peter Hollens and Whitney Avalon released a new video medley featuring the antagonists who often get what Hollens called the "best songs in the whole movie."
Entertainment
The Clean Cut: Get ready for this epic Disney villain medley
A capella is having a moment right now, and with the help of YouTube personalities Peter Hollens and Whitney Avalon, it’s unlikely to fade anytime soon.
By Hannah McDonald
"YA and Wine" book club members pose with author Jennifer E. Smith.
Entertainment
On the same page: YA literature more than Harry Potter
Utah natives Krysti Meyer and Sarah Cleverley are the founders of the “YA and Wine” book club. They discuss young adult, or YA, literature both online and in their monthly meetings at The King’s English Bookshop.
By Hannah McDonald
Anne Holman, manager at The King's English Bookstore, keeps her boxes of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" under wraps in 2007. The King's English was one of the first bookstores in Utah to sell the Harry Potter books, which is celebrating the 20th a
Entertainment
Utah bookstore knew Harry Potter was magic from the start
Salt Lake City’s King’s English Bookshop was early to the now 20-year-old Harry Potter craze.
By Hannah McDonald
Pleasant Grove resident and BYU alumna Elisabeth Larsen will compete on "Jeopardy" on Monday night.
Entertainment
Watch two BYU students on ‘Jeopardy’ Monday night
Pleasant Grove resident Elisabeth Larsen and BYU senior Brandon Randall are set to face off against Friday’s “Jeopardy” winner on Monday night’s episode.
By Hannah McDonald
Common Sense Media announced plans to identify television and movies that counter gender stereotypes. MasterChef Jr. will receive the designation once it is introduced.
Entertainment
Common Sense Media announces addition of new rating for TV and movies
Common Sense Media, a San Francisco nonprofit that advocates for family-friendly media, announced yesterday their plans to introduce a new metric to evaluate gender-positive movies and television.
By Hannah McDonald
CenterPoint Theatre's "1776" will play from June 16 to July 15.
Entertainment
Founding Fathers keep it real in CenterPoint Theatre’s “1776"
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre’s performance is charming and well worth the time. Audiences will leave the theater feeling a bit better educated and much more devoted to their country.
By Hannah McDonald
Scottish band Alestorm originally intended to be a power metal band, but it adopted a permanent pirate theme after the success of its song "Heavy Metal Pirates."
Entertainment
11 oddly specific music genres you didn’t know existed
The internet has made it possible for people around the world to bond over music from all times and all places. But it’s also made it possible for a few more unusual genres to gain notoriety.
By Hannah McDonald
Members of the Utah Graphic Novel Book Club pose together after a field trip to see "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."
Entertainment
On the same page: Utah book club explains what makes graphic novels so dynamic
Chelsy Bloomfield is the founder of the “Utah Graphic Novel Book Club,” which meets monthly at locations in Farmington or Ogden.
By Hannah McDonald
James D'Arc (left) met with James Stewart in 1985, two years after the university acquired his film collection. James Stewart starred in "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939), among others.
Entertainment
That’s a wrap on BYU film archivist’s career
Brigham Young University film archivist James D’Arc, the founder of the BYU Motion Picture Archive and BYU’s classic film series, will retire in September.
By Hannah McDonald
Todd Wente (John Adams), Daniel Sessions (Thomas Jefferson) and Dave Hill (Benjamin Franklin) will portray the famous founding fathers on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Entertainment
Founding Fathers sing their way through revolution in CenterPoint Legacy Theatre’s ‘1776'
The War for Independence may be long over, but the cast and crew of CenterPoint Legacy Theatre’s “1776" hope audiences will leave with the desire for greater national unity and collaboration.
By Hannah McDonald
Jessica Surprenant, an actor portraying fictional character Eymani, talks to Nancy Garen, right, at the new Vikings exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 26, 2017.
Entertainment
Vikings sail into Natural History Museum of Utah this June
For Utahns, the new “Vikings: Beyond the Legend” exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Utah may be more than a casual stop between the dinosaurs and the lapis lazuli.
By Hannah McDonald
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Entertainment
‘Love, Kennedy’ is touching, if a little heavy-handed
T.C. Christensen’s “Love, Kennedy” is touching, but its themes of faith and testimony may feel a little heavy-handed for nonreligious viewers.
By Hannah McDonald
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