Mondays in the Park

Free concerts of folk and ethnic music and dance are presented selected Monday evenings in July and August at 7 p.m. in front of the Chase Home Museum in the middle of Liberty Park (enter from 900 South or 1300 South at about 600 East in Salt Lake City). Started in 1987, Mondays in the Park has featured performances from various cultural communities living in Utah and showcased native, ethnic and occupational heritage. Mondays in the Park is presented by Excellence in the Community and Utah Arts & Museums.

This year we have invited a selection of the state's best slam poets to perform their poetry during intermission during each of the summer concerts. Under the direction of coach Cody Winger, the Salt City Slam team, some of whom are represented here, is headed to Charlotte, NC this summer to compete in the National Poetry Slam.

2012 Concert Series Performers

July 9 - Tagaloa

Enjoy an evening of Polynesian music and dance with Tagaloa, committed to teaching and sharing Polynesian culture with all who are eager to learn, young and old, regardless of ethnicity. Students perform the dance techniques and styles of Samoa, Tahiti, Hawaii, Tonga, New Zealand and Fiji and strive to instill pride in and appreciation for Polynesian heritage.

Intermission Slam Poetry by Gray

July 16 - Evening in Brazil

Join musicians Mike Christiansen, Eric Nelson, Christopher Neale, Linda Linford, Lars Yorgason, Don Keipp, and Jason Nicholson for Brazilian music from the Bossa Nova movement including the classics of Antonio Carlos Jobim (1927-1994) a Grammy Award-winning Brazilian songwriter, composer, arranger, singer and guitarist. Music from other contemporary Brazilian composers will showcase the diverse regional rhythms of Brazil.

Intermission Slam Poetry by Rebeca Mae

Island Time

July 30 - Mariachi Sol de Jalisco

and Ballet Folklorico de las Americas

Experience Latino music and dance with Mariachi Sol de Jalisco, playing traditional tunes and songs made popular by famous Mexican singers, and Ballet Folklorico de las Americas, one of Utah's oldest Latin American folk dancing groups.

Mariachi Sol de Jalisco began more than 20 years ago in the village of Jaliciense when Jose Orozco Martinez taught his six small children to play the violin, guitar, vihuela and other instruments.

Ballet Folklorico formed in 1979 and represents the cultural heritage of Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. The group has had many dancers from different Latin American countries and now has one member that was born in the year it was formed.

Intermission Slam Poetry by Willy Palomo

August 6 - Kenshin Taiko Drummers

and Okinawa Kenjinkai

Resonate to the beat with Kenshin Taiko, a Salt Lake City-based group of international musicians dedicated to sharing their love of Japanese culture and taiko drumming. This high-energy performance has its roots in ancient Japan and American jazz.

Then enjoy traditional Okinawan dance and music with Okinawa Kenjinkai, a group dedicated to strengthening understanding between American and Japanese cultures, particularly that of the remote Ryuki archipelago with its own distinct heritage and traditions.

Intermission Slam Poetry by Karen Neverland

August 13 - Kairo by Night

Discover Middle Eastern music from Arabic, Israeli, North African and Persian cultures as well as original music by band composer and keyboard player Dave Weisenberg. Now working on their fourth album, Kairo by Night can be heard on the soundtrack for the Discovery Channel documentary "Restorations of the Sphinx" and was awarded the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance trophy for Best New Album.

Intermission Slam Poetry by Jesse Parent

August 20 - Voice of Africa

Learn about the struggles, beauty and passion of Africa with Voice of Africa, Sauti ya Africa, performing traditional African song, dance and drumming with music influenced by Ghanaian, Zimbabwean, Kenyan, Zambian, Malian, Namibian and Rwandese cultures. Voice of Africa provides scholarships to help its members further their education.

Intermission Slam Poetry by DeAnn Emett

About the Poets

	DeAnn Emett was a featured poet in Slam This at Western Wyoming Community College and the Arkansas Regional Grand Slam. She took 1st place in the Utah Arts Festival Grand Slam and was a finalist for the Women of the World Poetry Slam in Denver. DeAnn comes from Hurricane, Utah, where she studied violin and piano, choir, and musical theatre.
	Jesse Parent placed 2nd at both the 2010 and 2011 Individual World Poetry Slams and was part of the 8th place Salt City Slam team at the 2011 National Poetry Slam. He has been on the 2007-2011 Salt City Slam teams, has served as SlamMaster and coach for Salt City Slam, and has served on the executive council for Poetry Slam, Inc.