- The documentary "Darius Goes West," about a young man's cross-country adventure to raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), screens tonight at 7 at the South Towne Expo Center, 9575 S. State St., Sandy - with the movie's central character, Darius Weems, and the crew in attendance. Free.

- Sweet Honey in the Rock brings its gospel-inflected a capella music to Salt Lake City, 7:30 tonight at Kingsbury Hall, 1395 Presidents Circle (on the University of Utah campus). Tickets, from $28.50 to $44.50, are available at the Kingsbury web site.

- The Utah Symphony plays Prokofiev's Concerto No. 3 (with Russian pianist Illya Yakushev as a last-minute replacement for Olga Kern) and Bartok's "The Miraculous Mandarin," tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. at Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple. Tickets, from $16 to $51, available at ArtTix.

- Return to the '90s: Rappers Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer share the bill, tonight at 8 at the McKay Events Center, 800 W. University Parkway, Orem. Tickets, from $32.50 to $38, are available at SmithsTix.

- Choose your annuals: The North Carolina indie-rock band Annuals (pictured) plays at 9 tonight at Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, Salt Lake City (tickets are $10, at the door), while Salt Lake City-based Band of Annuals play on a bill with Larkin Grimm and O Wild Birds at the Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City (doors open at 9 tonight; tickets are $7, at the door). The Tribune's David Burger talked to both bands, to try and clear up the confusion.

- San Diego indie rockers We Shot the Moon play Saturday at Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, Salt Lake City. Big Surrender and Black Hounds are also on the bill. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, at SmithsTix or 24Tix.

- Two Dollar Bash, an acoustic folk-country-blues band with roots in Scotland, Ireland and France, plays Saturday at 9 p.m. at Piper Down, 1492 S. State St., Salt Lake City. Admission is free, but private club membership dues may apply.

Labels: Utah Symphony, weekend schedule

The other day I joked that we reporters read Jim Romenesko's blog - a clearinghouse of news-industry stories - the same way elderly people read the obituaries: To see if people they know are gone.

The joke was gallows humor, a whistling-past-the-graveyard comment about the perilous state of the news industry, where layoffs and buyouts have given way to wholesale shutdowns of newspapers.

The problems of the news industry hit home Thursday afternoon, when the E.W. Scripps chain announced that Denver's Rocky Mountain News - a paper that has been reporting Colorado's news for almost 150 years - was ceasing publication with Friday's edition. (Reading the live-blog of the newsroom announcement is a heartbreaking exercise.)

The closure makes Denver a one-newspaper town: The Denver Post (owned by MediaNews Group, which also owns The Salt Lake Tribune) carries on.

"Contrary to a lot of what has been written, the Rocky is not struggling financially any more than The Post," the Rocky's editor, John Temple, wrote in today's edition. "But its owner, the E.W. Scripps Co., sees losses in Denver worsening and little prospect that the business can be turned around, even in a one-newspaper town. That's why they decided to leave Denver, after running newspapers here for more than 100 years."

MediaNews Group's CEO, William Dean Singleton, called the Rocky's closure "a sad day" - but acknowledged that the move "it will help [the Post] substantially from a financial standpoint."

And what's happening in Denver could happen elsewhere soon. The company that operates Philadelphia's two daily newspapers recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Hearst chain has announced that both The San Francisco Chronicle and The Seattle Post-Intelligencer could close if buyers don't come forward soon. And Gannett announced that the Tucson Citizen may cease publication in March, after 138 years, if no buyer steps up.

Labels: journalism

Sandy singer Megan Joy Corkrey missed the cut on "American Idol" Thursday night, but don't count her out yet.

The tattooed mom's jazzy rendition of Corinne Bailey Rae's "Put Your Records On" - which Simon Cowell said she "oversang" in the second half - wasn't enough to convince the voting public to put her in the Top 12.

Instead, Kris Allen (who did a cover of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror"), Allison Iraheta (Heart's "Alone") and Adam Lambert (The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction") advanced.

But Corkrey's fans shouldn't give up hope. Several of the also-rans from the Top 36 will be back for a wild-card round on March 5. It's clear from the comments Wednesday night that the judges like Corkrey's jazzy sound - and Randy Jackson even opined that he wants to see her go farther in the competition. (He's not the only one: Entertainment Weekly's "Idol" blogger Michael Slezak picks Corkrey as one of the singers he'd like to hear in the wild-card show.)

Labels: American Idol, Megan Joy Corkrey

- Wall Street Journal columnist Jeffrey Zaslow will talk about The Last Lecture, his best-selling collaboration with the late Randy Pausch, at 7 at Northridge High School's auditorium, 2430 N. 400 West, Layton. Tickets are $15, at the door.

- Singer-songwriter Todd Snider (with opening act Cory Mon) plays at 7:30 at the Murray Theater, 4916 S. State St., Murray. Tickets are $16, at the door.

- Rascal Flatts, my children's favorite country-music act (because they know the cover of "Life Is a Highway" from the "Cars" soundtrack), plays EnergySolutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple - with Jessica Simpson as the opening act. Show starts at 8. Tickets, from $53 to $73, are available at TicketMaster.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

Word is trickling out that Holly Mullen has been let go as editor of the City Weekly, Salt Lake City's alt-weekly paper.

The news came in that most modern of ways - through Mullen's status on Facebook.

Mullen started the City Weekly gig in January 2007, after leaving her gig as the Tribune's metro columnist. She's also known for her family ties: Her ex is the Tribune's Salt Lake Crawler blogger Glen Warchol, and she's now married to former Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson (which makes Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake County councilwoman, her stepdaughter).

More details as they arrive...

Labels: City Weekly, journalism

Utah State Sen. John Valentine (pictured), R-Orem, has thrown a new anti-alcohol bill into the mix, aimed at protecting our precious youth from the dastardly sight of a restaurant worker mixing a cocktail.

The bill, SB187, would make it illegal for a restaurant to prepare a drink where patrons could see it - and mandates 10-foot walls to block the view.

Valentine's bill also widely expands the definition of legal intoxication, to include "easily observed outward manifestations of behavior or physical signs produced by the over-consumption of an alcoholic beverage." It's a definition so broad and vague that even acting a little quirky or exuberant could be interpreted as drunkenness.

Meanwhile, as the Tribune's Dawn House reports, the legislature is planning to cut funding for a successful ad campaign aimed at curbing teen drinking.

Inspired by Sen. Valentine, I offer this proposal: The state should erect a 10-foot wall in the Utah House and Senate galleries, so children won't be exposed to erratic behavior. Also, people could receive citations to people who exhibit "easily observed outward manifestations of behavior or physical signs produced by legislating or the over-consumption of self-righteous rhetoric."

Labels: alcohol laws, Utah Legislature

If you see a bicyclist trudging east across southern Utah in April, don't be surprised if you recognize the guy.

Phil Keoghan, the rugged host of CBS' reality series "The Amazing Race," will bike cross-country, starting in Los Angeles on March 28 and ending in New York on May 9 - the day before the season finale of "The Amazing Race."

According to USA Today, Keoghan is aiming to encourage people to pursue a healthy life. He's also raising awareness of the fight against multiple sclerosis.

He'll average about 100 miles a day, and will stop in several cities along the way - including Las Vegas and Denver (meaning his most direct route probably will skirt southern Utah).

Labels: Amazing Race, Reality show

- Folkie singer/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird (pictured) plays at In the Venue, 579 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City. Loney, Dear is the opening act. Show starts at 7. Tickets are $25, at SmithsTix or 24Tix, or at the door. (FYI: This show has moved from the Murray Theatre.)

- The documentary "Female Suicide Bombers: Dying to Kill," hosted for National Geographic Explorer by Lisa Ling (formerly of "The View"), screens at 7 at the Sorenson Unity Center, 1383 S. 900 West, Salt Lake City. Part of the Salt Lake City Film Center's monthly "Women at War" series. Free.

- Local neo-new wave fave Cavedoll - along with opening acts Jason Stevens & Flare - perform at 10 at the W Lounge, 358 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $5, at 24Tix.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

Set your TiVos for "American Idol" tonight: Megan Joy Corkrey, the 23-year-old divorced mom from Sandy, Utah, performs in the second wave of the Top 36 singers.

Tune in at 8 p.m. (Eastern/Pacific) or 7 p.m. (Central/Mountain) on Fox (KSTU, Ch. 13, in Utah).

(Hurricane teen Taylor Vaifanua will perform in the third group of 12 next week.)

Here's her rendition of "Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine" from the Salt Lake auditions.

Labels: American Idol, Megan Joy Corkrey, Taylor Vaifanua

Things are getting a mite testy over at the Deseret News.

Nine reporters and an intern at Salt Lake's other newspaper mounted a "byline strike" - in other words, removed their names from the stories they filed - in Tuesday's paper, in protest over the demotion of two editors and a change in policy that is turning the D-News into a Mormon-centric publication.

The reporters will not be punished for their insolence, the D-News' managing editor Rick Hall told the Tribune's Paul Beebe. "If they want to express themselves that way, they certainly can," Hall said.

Hall and the D-News' editor, Joe Cannon, reassigned two editors - deputy managing editor Chuck Gates (who will now be a "special writer," whatever that means) and business editor Julianne Basinger, who will join the copy desk - who criticized Cannon's drive to turn the LDS Church-owned paper into a niche publication aimed at Mormons.

(Obligatory disclaimer: The Deseret News and The Salt Lake Tribune share advertising, printing and circulation operations.)

For people outside the news business, a "byline strike" may seem like a toothless protest - and, admittedly, it is. Within journalism circles, it's a major diss. In the end, the only thing a journalist has to claim credibility is his or her good name. Withholding that good name is the ultimate vote of no-confidence in your superiors.

Labels: Deseret News, journalism, LDS

A Utah House committee has pushed forward a bill designed to keep violent videogames out of the hands of minors - a bill that has gamers nationwide up in arms, in part because of the controversial guy who wrote it.

The bill - HB353, labeled the Truth in Advertising Act Amendments - would levy a $2,000 fine to any Utah retailer that claims to monitor video-game sales to minors if they slip up and sell a copy of "Grand Theft Auto IV" to your 16-year-old nephew. (Here's a detailed legal analysis that argues the law won't work - and will likely leave Utah taxpayers with a huge legal bill.)

The bill was co-written by Utah Rep. Mike Morley (R-Spanish Fork) and Florida-based anti-game crusader Jack Thompson (pictured). It's Thompson's involvement that has gamers nationwide angry - because they've dealt with him before.

Thompson's history includes involvement in legal cases in Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama and New Mexico - all cases where suspects in violent crimes were believed to be inspired by video-game violence. He's also made incendiary statements linking video-game violence to the mass killings at Virginia Tech and other shooting sprees - leading critics to compare Thompson to amoral "ambulance chasing" attorneys.

Some gamers thought they would have heard the last of Thompson last September, when the Florida Bar stripped him of his license to practice law. But, as this interview with the gamers' blog Joystiq shows, the disbarred Thompson has not yet begun to fight.

- "Topaz," a documentary about the Utah internment camp that imprisoned thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II, will screen at 7 at the Tower Theatre, 876 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City. It's part of the "Days of Remembrance" commemoration put on by Plan B Theatre Company. Free.

- Salt Lake rappers The Strangerz - who are gearing up for next month's opening slot for The Game at Saltair - perform at the Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City. Mr. Beny Records and Presure are the opening acts. Show starts at 9. Tickets are $6 at 24Tix, or at the door.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

The first rule of marketing should always be, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But marketing people always look at things as broken, whether they are or not, because then they can get credit for fixing it.

But when the "fix" is roundly rejected by the consumer, then what?

For PepsiCo, the answer in the case of its Tropicana orange juice brand is to go back to what worked before. The New York Times reports that after numerous complaints that the two-month-old package design for Tropicana, which featured a large glass of orange juice, was "ugly" and looked like a generic store brand, PepsiCo is bringing back the brand's old orange-with-a-straw logo.

The switchback is an embarrassment both to PepsiCo and to the design firm Arnell in New York, which was responsible for the $35 million redesign and accompanying ad campaign. (Peter Arnell, the design firm's founder, is also responsible for Pepsi's new logo - and is being mocked in media circles for a memo that relates the new Pepsi logo to Da Vinci, feng shui and the earth's gravitational fields.)

Labels: marketing

The Utah Legislature delights in teasing us, holding out hope that some progressive bit of legislation might make it through to becoming a law - only to pull it away, like Lucy Van Pelt's football just before Charlie Brown is about to kick it.

So the news Monday that the House Business and Labor Committee voted 8-5 to approve HB347, which would put an end to Utah's idiotic system of "private clubs" selling hard liquor, should be met with a bit of hope and a whole lot of skepticism.

For one thing, the anti-alcohol crusaders aren't going to stop fighting - and their allies could easily block the bill on the House floor or in the Senate. For another, the idea that club memberships would be replaced by electronic scanners that read your driver's licence (and then store the information for a week) borders on the Orwellian.

The move has the backing of Gov. Jon Huntsman, who on his recent trip to D.C. became quite the media star - appearing on MSNBC to talk about his fellow Republicans' resistance to President Barack Obama's stimulus plan, dissing GOP congressional leaders to both The Washington Times and Politico. (Between these remarks and his recent endorsement of civil unions for gay couples, Huntsman soon may become more popular outside the Utah Republican Party than in it.)

Apparently being a reasonable-sounding Republican is sort of like a talking dog - so unusual it's newsworthy.

Labels: alcohol, alcohol laws, Jon Huntsman, politics, Utah Legislature

- Los Hermanos de Los Andes, a group that performs Incan music on traditional instruments, perform at 7:30 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South, West Valley City. Free.

- The roots-rock act Michael Dean Damron & Thee Loyal Bastards, and opening act Two Cow Garage, play at 8 at Burt's Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State St., Salt Lake City. Tickets are $8, at the door.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

The death Friday of Larry H. Miller - car magnate, entrepreneur, Utah Jazz owner, racing enthusiast - is going to leave a gaping hole in Utah's cultural fabric.

In so many ways, the idea of going out for a night on the town in Salt Lake City - whether it's a Jazz game, a concert at EnergySolutions Arena, or a movie at one of the Megaplex Theatres - wouldn't be the same without Miller's influence.

I interviewed Miller a few times about movies, which sparked his interest as an exhibitor - his Megaplex chain covers 70 screens in Utah - and, briefly, as a movie producer on "The Work and the Glory" series.

Movie producing was foreign territory for Miller, and it wasn't a good fit for him. In Miller's experience - selling cars and building an NBA franchise - quality means success; you put out a well-made car or a winning team, and people will buy.

Movies don't always work that way. "There can be some really well done stuff - cinematography-wise, story-wise, even acting-wise - and not have it do well," Miller told me in 2006.

Then there was that whole dust-up in 2006, when Miller pulled "Brokeback Mountain" from the Megaplex 17 because he was offended by the idea of gay cowboys. With that decision was the added hypocrisy that the theater, at the same time, was okey-dokey about booking a gruesome torture-porn horror movie, "Hostel."

"It's not my favorite business, just because it's one I'm not that engaged with like the car business and the basketball business," Miller said. "I don't understand it as much as the others."

Labels: Larry H. Miller, movies, Utah Jazz

- The Appleseed Cast, indie rockers from Kansas, play tonight at Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, Salt Lake City. I Hear Sirens and Shark Speed are the opening acts. Show starts at 7. Tickets are $10, at 24Tix or at the door.

- Spy Hop Records, a teen-run record label based in Salt Lake City, will have a signing party to showcase three new acts - hip-hop artist Malevolent MC, singer-songwriter Sam Burton and poetic MC Burnell - Saturday at 6 p.m. at NoBrow Coffee and Tea, 315 E. 300 South, Salt Lake City. Free.

- Skid Row, the late '80s/early '90s glam-rock band fronted by Sebastian Bach, plays Saturday at Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, Magna. L.A. Guns is the opening act. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $22, available at SmithsTix and KTix.

- Watch the Oscars and party for a good cause at the Utah AIDS Foundation's annual Oscar Night America gala, starting 6 p.m. Sunday at the 23rd floor of the Wells Fargo Building, 299 S. Main St., Salt Lake City. Tickets are $120, available through the UAF website.

- Celine Dion - whose hit from "Titanic," "My Heart Will Go On," won an Oscar - will belt out the tunes Sunday at 8 p.m. at EnergySolutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Tickets, from $45 to $125, are available at TicketMaster.

Labels: weekend schedule

We at the Tribune are justly proud of Pat Bagley, our fiercely observant editorial cartoonist. Now somebody else recognizes Bagley's talent, too.

The Herb Block Foundation, named for the legendary Washington Post cartoonist, has announced that Bagley will receive the 2009 Herblock Prize - given to "distinguished examples of original editorial cartooning that exemplify the courageous standard set by Herblock."

The jury - "Doonesbury" creator Garry Trudeau, the Village Voice's Jules Pfeiffer, and the Boulder Daily Camera's John Sherffius (last year's winner) - were unanimous in their choice.

Bagley will pick up his prize - a sterling silver trophy and a $15,000 cash award - on April 2 at the Library of Congress.

Labels: journalism

Apparently because there's not enough to do in the Massachusetts Legislature, State Rep. William Brownsberger has introduced a bill that would make "Fever Pitch" - the 2005 romance and Red Sox comedy starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon - the official movie of the commonwealth.

Aside from questioning Rep. Brownsberger's taste in movies (c'mon, why not "The Departed" or "Mystic River" or "Good Will Hunting"?), this story got me thinking: What would be Utah's official movie?

• Would it be a movie about Utah history, like "Brigham Young, Frontiersman"?
• Would it be a movie about Mormon history, like "The Work and the Glory"?
• Would it be a movie filmed in Utah, like "High School Musical" or "Thelma and Louise"?
• Or would it be a movie made by a Utah filmmaker, like Trent Harris' "Rubin & Ed"?

Come on, Utah, what would you pick? Nominate your favorites in the comments.

Labels: movies, Utah Legislature

- Utah Philharmonia and Danish alto saxophonist Benjamin Koppel will give a recital at 7:30 at Libby Gardner Concert Hall, 1375 E. Presidents Circle (U. of Utah campus), Salt Lake City. Tickets are $7, or $3 for students, at the Kingsbury Hall box office.

- Big Head Todd & The Monsters (pictured) return to The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City, at 8. Tickets are $22, at the door.

- The Utah Jazz take on the Eastern Conference's biggest monster, the Boston Celtics, at 8:30 at Energy Solutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Tickets available at TicketMaster.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

Congratulations, Utah! Once again, the world is judging the entire state by the actions of one obnoxiously bigoted member of your legislature.

State Sen. Chris Buttars' recent interview with documentarian Reed Cowan has made the rounds of the blogosphere, and the response has been rather harsh.

Some examples:

• Commentator Andrew Sullivan, on his blog for The Atlantic, nominated Buttars for a "Malkin Award," named for right-wing bloviator Michelle Malkin.
• The liberal blog Think Progress printed large portions of the transcript, hanging Buttars with his own words.
• The blog Pam's House Blend, which tracks gay and lesbian issues, called Buttars and the Utah Legislature (which whacked the last of the Common Ground Initiative bills Wednesday) "pathetic."
• Ed Brayton, radio host and keeper of the "Dispatches from the Culture Wars" blog, declared that Buttars has regained his status as "looniest state legislator in the country."
• Meanwhile, blogger Eric Ethington puts the lie to Buttars' claim that Cowan promised to let Buttars review the footage from the interview - by publishing the release form Buttars signed.

Of course, as a commenter to the Vulture blog pointed out, Buttars is a citizen and therefore free to express himself any way he wants. But if he's going to dish out hateful insults, he can't cry and complain when epithets are hurled back at him.

Labels: politics, Utah Legislature

Just when it looked like Utah State Sen. Chris Buttars was warming up to gay activists - who even brought him pumpkin bread - the outspoken conservative swats away all such pretense of civility.

In an interview with documentary filmmaker (and former Salt Lake TV news reporter) Reed Cowan, Buttars - he's the one on the left (next to his cartoon lookalike, the Burgermeister Meisterburger) - called the gay-rights movement "probably the greatest threat to America." (Clips from the interview aired Tuesday night on KTVX, Ch. 4. Here's an account by the Tribune's Rosemary Winters.)

"It's the beginning of the end," Buttars said. "Oh, it's worse than that. Sure. Sodom and Gomorrah was localized. This is worldwide."

That's right, gays - who have to ask the Utah Legislature for permission not to be discriminated against (permission the legislature once again denied) - are "the greatest threat to America." Not Osama bin Laden, the falling economy or even the heartbreak of psoriasis.

"He basically labeled my community as virtually the devil incarnate," said gay-rights activist Jacob Whipple, who called for Buttars' resignation. "I don't think that he represents Utah any more. … Saying something so hurtful has no place on the hill."

Labels: politics, Utah Legislature

- Local experimental pop-rockers La Farsa play at 7 at the City Library, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City, as part of the Music @ Main series. Free.

- Fingerstyle guitarist Andy McKee, famous for YouTube videos (like the one below) that demonstrate his unusual technique, plays the Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City - with opening act Chaz Prymek. Doors open at 9. Tickets are $12, at 24Tix or at the door.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

It's kind of cool to think that Robert Redford can get $50 million inserted into President Barack Obama's mighty stimulus package with just a phone call.

Redford's call last week to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-California, probably didn't do it alone - but it may have been a help in rescuing a $50 million appropriation for the National Endowment for the Arts, according to The New York Times.

The House had approved the NEA money, but the Senate - giving in to Republican grandstanders who consider the arts as elitist leftie timewasters (and who voted against the stimulus anyway) - yanked the appropriation out of the bill. The conference committee that hammered out a final bill put it back in, after arts supporters in and out of Congress made the argument that the arts provide jobs and a boost to the economy.

Redford cited to Pelosi the example of the Sundance Film Festival, a cultural event that celebrates artists - and also pumps an estimated $60 million a year into Utah's economy. "Ticket takers or electricians or actors - all the people connected with the arts are at risk just like everybody else is,” Redford told the Times.

Labels: government, politics, Robert Redford

- Metal band Psyopus, featuring the nimble fingers of guitarist Christopher Arp, celebrates the release of its new album today with a performance at 6 at Studio 600, 26 E. 600 South, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $12, at the door.

- The documentary "Waiting to Inhale," about the national debate over medicinal marijuana, will screen at 7 at the City Library auditorium, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City. It's the second of four films to be shown by the Salt Lake City Film Center in its "War on Drug Policy" series. Free.

- The touring production of the Fats Waller musical "Ain't Misbehavin'," starring 2003 "American Idol" champ Ruben Studdard (pictured) and "AI" also-ran Frenchie Davis, opens at 7:30 at Kingsbury Hall, on the University of Utah campus. The show runs through Sunday. Tickets, from $25 to $55, are available at the Kingsbury Hall website.

Labels: American Idol, Tonight's schedule

I'm back on the culture prowl, after two-plus weeks' vacation (gotta thank George Washington and Abraham Lincoln for arranging that extra day off). In that time, I missed the following:

• News that all of Utah's TV stations wouldn't be switching to digital TV today.
• Two Utahns - Megan Corkery of Sandy and Taylor Vaifanua of Hurricane - making the round of 36 on "American Idol."
• A bad stretch for the Osmond clan: Young David (son of Alan) missing the cut in the Hollywood round of "American Idol," while his famous uncle Donny was not among those picked for "Dancing With the Stars" - despite hinting loudly that he would be.
• Utah's own singing heartthrob David Archuleta making his acting debut on Nickelodeon's tweener sitcom "iCarly" - portraying, in a stretch worthy of Olivier, a singer (named David Archuleta) competing on a TV talent show.
• Heber resident Tyson Apostol competing on the new season of "Survivor."
• Huka Bar waitress Kelsey Lee still hanging tough with the other skanks on "Rock of Love Bus."
• The Beehive State's newest congressman, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Publicity Stunt) having his daily routine videotaped for a CNN series, "Freshman Year." (Chaffetz has charmed D.C. media - an easily charmed bunch, apparently - by sleeping on a cot in his office. This is in marked contrast to his predecessor, Chris Cannon, who during the Clinton impeachment sacked out on a cot in the Fox News Channel's green room.)

I did have my own bit of celebrity spotting last week. My wife and I had a pre-Valentine's lunch at a downtown SLC sushi restaurant, and sitting at the next table was actor Frankie Muniz ("Malcolm in the Middle") and a good-sized entourage.

Even on vacation, I can't get away from this stuff.

Labels: American Idol, David Archuleta, Jason Chaffetz, Kelsey Lee, Osmond, Survivor, television

- Minneapolis hip-hop star P.O.S. is the headliner tonight at Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), Salt Lake City. Also on the bill: MC Mike Mictlan and Lazerbeak. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $10, at SmithsTix or at the door.

- Ballet West's run of "Madame Butterfly" begins tonight at 7:30 at Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City. The show continues through Feb. 21. Tickets, from $17 to $71, available at ArtTix.

- Country-punk rocker Ben Kweller plays tonight at The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Opening acts are the top three local bands from the City Weekly Music Awards. Show starts at 8. Tickets are $15, available at SmithsTix or at the door.

- And remember, folks, that Saturday is Valentine's Day. If you don't have restaurant reservations made by now, you're in a heap of trouble.

Labels: weekend schedule

- Our old friend Marcus, runner-up last year on NBC's "Last Comic Standing," comes home for a four-night run at Wiseguys, West Valley City. Shows start at 8 p.m. tonight through Sunday, with 10 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $15, at SmithsTix or at the door.

- It's Local Band Recognition Night at Club Vegas, 445 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City. Belly of the Whale, Josh and the Dream Killer and Birds on a Wire are on the bill. Show starts at 8. Tickets are $7, at 24Tix or at the door.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

- The Utah Jazz host the dreaded Los Angeles Lakers at 7 at EnergySolutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple. Tickets available at TicketMaster.

- The Portland electronica quintet Musee Mecanique plays at the Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City. Black Hens and La Farsa are on the bill. Doors open at 9. Tickets are $6, at SmithsTix or 24Tix or at the door.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

- Singer Katy Perry, famed for her single "I Kissed a Girl" and her Varga-pinup looks, performs at 6:30 at In the Venue, 579 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $20, at SmithsTix or 24Tix or at the door.

- Utah Symphony assistant conductor David Cho dissects music - particularly Beethoven's 3rd Symphony, "Eroica" - in a program, "Cho's Anatomy," designed for young listeners (8 and up). Tickets, from $15 to $21, available at ArtTix.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

- The Salt Lake City Film Center starts its "Rock Docs" series with "Shine a Light," Martin Scorsese's 2008 concert documentary of the Rolling Stones (pictured), at 7 at the City Library auditorium, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City. Free.

- The Public Domain String Band plays its brand of Southern mountain music at 7 at the Whitmore Library, 2197 Fort Union Blvd., Cottonwood Heights. Free.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

- Amy Ray, one half of the Indigo Girls, plays a solo show tonight at the Avalon Theatre, 3605 S. State, South Salt Lake City. Arizona is the opening act. Show starts at 6:30. Tickets are $15, at SmithsTix or the door.

- Carl Nielsen's Symphony No. 4 - "The Inextinguishable" - highlights a Utah Symphony program that includes Mozard, Stravinsky and Berlioz, conducted by Hugh Wolff with pianist Peter Serkin, tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. at Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Tickets, from $16 to $51, available at ArtTix.

- You might be a redneck, but are you smarter than a fifth grader? Comic Jeff Foxworthy can tell you if you are, when he performs tonight at 8:30 at EnergySolutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $30, at TicketMaster.

- Lisa Williams, the medium and clairvoyant (seen on her TV series on Lifetime), delivers her "Messages From Beyond" program, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City. Tickets, from $35.50 to $55.50, are available at ArtTix.

Labels: weekend schedule

- Ogden rockers Fox Van Cleef headline at Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), Salt Lake City. Opening acts are The Naked Eyes, Throwing Randy and Seamus. Show starts at 7:30. Tickets are $7, at 24Tix or at the door.

- The Utah Jazz - those still able to get around on the floor, anyway - will play the Dallas Mavericks at 8:30 at EnergySolutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple. Tickets available at TicketMaster.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

- It may be a day late for Mardi Gras, but there's "Party Gras" - with hip-hop acts Petey Pablo (pictured), Spice 1 and Mo-Thugs - at 8 at Bliss Nightlife, 404 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $20, at SmithsTix or at the door.

- Get your Led out with Presence, a Led Zeppelin tribute band, and opening acts Parley's Drifters and Gone Beyond, starting at 8 at Burt's Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

- Welsh rockers Funeral For a Friend plays at 6:30 at the Avalon, 3605 S. State, South Salt Lake City. Tickets are $15, at SmithsTix or at the door.

- A screening of the 1960 courtroom classic "Inherit the Wind," starring Spencer Tracy and Fredric March, screens as this month's "Science Night Movie" - presented by the City Library and the Utah Natural History Museum - at 6:30 at the City Library auditorium, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City.

- Siberian rock band Mumiy Troll plays at the Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City. Doors open at 9. Tickets are $15, at SmithsTix or at the door.

Labels: Tonight's schedule

- Jazz singer Stacey Kent plays her only gig of the winter for the Jazz at the Sheraton series, at 7:30 at the Sheraton, 150 W. 500 South, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $25, at 24Tix.

- The Utah Jazz host the Charlotte Bobcats at 7 at EnergySolutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple. Tickets available at TicketMaster.

- Alaska rockers The Lives of Famous Men, with opening acts Anarbor and Go Crash Audio, play at 7 at SHO, 4916 S. State, Murray (next door to the Murray Theatre). Tickets are $10, at SmithsTix or at the door.

Labels: Tonight's schedule