Classic Music with a Modern Twist

Classical Music with a MODERN TWIST These organizations continue Ogden’s rich legacy of performance by keeping it fresh

BY CAMILLE WASHINGTON

Contemporary classical music probably sounds like an oxymoron to most people. How can an artform that arguably peaked hundreds of years ago be made fresh in our digital age? Local organizations like NEXT Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra Ogden, and Onstage Ogden, champion the blend of traditional orchestral and chamber music with new compositions and fresh takes on old masters.

The decidedly unstuffy and completely approachable concerts by NEXT Ensemble are often performed in unexpected places: a nature preserve, an art gallery, a restaurant basement. Audiences are encouraged to come as they are, with no pretense about expertise or uptight dress code, to let the classical music “connect people through sound,” as their mission

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Bizet to Pops concerts featuring music from blockbusters like Star Wars, and original compositions like Crossroads Ogden by bluegrass star Jens Kruger. Importantly, tickets are less expensive than a movie ticket. Part of Chamber Orchestra Ogden’s mission is to make cost less of a barrier to enjoying classical music.

Chamber Orchestra Ogden

EIGHTH BLACKBIRD, photo by Saverio Truglia

explains. This also includes casual interludes during performances by ensemble members or guests that offer historical tidbits or suggested ways of listening to enhance the experience. Chamber Orchestra Ogden features over fifty professional and semi-professional musicians who are local to the area. It is a chamber orchestra, not a full symphony, due to its slightly smaller scale. Their offerings are eclectic, ranging from Brahms and For 70 years, Onstage Ogden, formerly Ogden Symphony Ballet Association, has brought the Utah Symphony, Ballet West, and other renowned national and international touring musicians and groups to town. At The Monarch this March and April, they will host their new Downtown Series. It features GRAMMY awardwinning ensembles Third Coast Percussion and Eighth Blackbird, and others that push the boundaries of traditional classical music. As one of the oldest arts organizations in Utah, Onstage Ogden recognizes the need to stay contemporary and feature the kind of performance that pushes the boundaries of classical music. Ogden has always been an arts city. Even though the old Opera House is long gone, and tastes have changed dramatically over the years, classical performance is just as relevant here as anywhere.

For more information on all of these organizations, visit the Ogden City Arts website!

Walk the Nine Rails District

Ogden Ampitheater

 Peery’s Egyptian Theater

 Kiesel Building

Ogden City and other community partners have established the Nine Rails Creative District in Ogden, Utah. This district will create new opportunities for the community to engage with art in the public realm, and will support places and programs that encourage creative people to live and work in Ogden.

instagram.com/kaceedicksonphoto kaceedickson.com

INDUSTRIAL ELEGANCE Elegant design features balance The Monarch’s industrial architecture in The Royal Room, featuring exposed steel trusses, concrete floors and white washed brick walls. The Royal Room has been artfully designed to accommodate all occasions by including state of the art audio/video, stages, tables, chairs and linens.

THE ROYAL ROOM Weddings, Corporate Events & Special Occasions

UPPER DECK Outdoor Events, Music & Markets

THE ATRIUM Workshops, Exhibits & Fairs

GIST Book Signings, Presentations & Intimate Gatherings discover more at: themonarchogden.com/#venues

EXPERIENCE ART BOX GIFT SHOP • INTERACTIVE ART STUDIO CANDLE MAKING ANYTIME Discover what inspires you! www.artboxogden.com

Is Bird Watching REALLY for the Birds? Northern Utah is the birdwatcher’s paradise with millions of birds passing through semiannually.

BY HAILEY MINTON

I’ll admit it. I originally thought birding was the epitomizing hobby of lameness. However, after several years of disdain and a single day of giving it a chance, my opinion has shifted 180 degrees.

In 2017, I was living in Hawaii while my husband finished up school, and we drove past a bird refuge quite frequently. I love exploring, and I had driven past this place countless times. Each time, I wondered what I would find there. Eventually, we visited, and what I found, aside from birds, were enthused birdloving folks who shared their passion with me. A finger pointed to the sky and was followed by an exclamation of “a ruddy turnstone!” There were friendly people sharing their binoculars and scopes as we walked through the warm sunshine and a comfortable breeze. Everyone was captivated by each new species we encountered along our walk; I was mostly captivated by these birders’ enthusiasm. I learned about the names, behaviors, and environments associated with the different birds. Their personalities were fun to watch, as some bobbed their heads up and down to each other. Others made amusing squeaky toy sounds, and some were just gorgeous to behold. It was also interesting to learn what species were vulnerable, why, and what is being done to make a difference. At the end of the experience, I decided to volunteer once a week to help reestablish a bird colony at the refuge. It was through serving these baby chicks that I grew to love birds in general. The birds, on the other hand, hated us through the whole experience, which is good because, after they fledged, they stayed reliant on their instincts instead of humans. The more I’ve learned about birds, the more I realize how awesome it is to be in Northern Utah. The Great Salt Lake is a rest and nest stop for millions of migrating birds on their way to their breeding grounds in the summer and their wintering grounds in the fall. It’s a critical link in the flyway between North and South America, with 3 to 6 million birds representing 250 species visiting and nesting annually. We all know it’s important to “not waste a drop,” but here’s one more drop in the bucket for why we should conserve water. An increased water demand from the growing Utah population, drought, and a decrease in river flow is contributing less water and less habitat for these migrating birds, according to the Audubon Society. On audubon.org, you can look at how the water level of the Great Salt Lake has fluctuated from 1984 to 2018. Although it hasn’t reached its record low, there are a lot more salt flats than what there used to be. Less habitat means less room for visiting birds to rest and feed. I love being outside and it turns out, you will probably see birds whether you’re specifically looking for them or not. Are you taking a walk, mountain biking on a trail, relaxing at a lake, or having fun with any outdoor activity? You’ll probably encounter a few birds. Having background knowledge of what you’re seeing can add depth to your experience and really help you feel connected to nature. I’ll admit, it’s pretty cool to see a bird and know at least a few things about it. One of my favorite bird memories Did you know that one side of the Great Salt Lake is saltier than the other? The south shore of the lake attracts birds that favor these saltier conditions. FUN FACT:

Calling all artists! Great Salt Lake Bird Festival 2020 Student Art Contest: All Utah students in Pre-school or grades k-12 are invited to create original artwork of a Yellow-headed Blackbird on an 8 1/2 x 11 white paper or art board. Submissions are due May, 1 2020 by 4:30 p.m. For additional info visit www.daviscountyutah.gov/greatsaltlakebirdfest/student-art-contest

is when I saw a bald eagle dive down over the water at Pineview Reservoir in the winter and attempt to snatch a fish.

The Salt Lake Bird Festival May is the month for prime time bird watching. The Salt Lake Bird Festival goes from Thursday May 14th to Sunday May 17th so visit www.daviscountyutah.gov/ greatsaltlakebirdfest for the schedule of events. Tickets go on sale March 2, and each field trip has a limited number of tickets available. Some of the activities and events are free, others are not. You can go on an Owl Prowl on Antelope Island. Or you can look for golden eagles and pelicans out at the Spiral Jetty with the help of National Audubon’s Max Malmquist. There are handfuls of different activities happening each day of the festival, and there is something for everyone.

Let's go bird watching!

WHERE to find them The Ogden Nature Center Kingfisher Wetlands loop trail on the Ogden Parkway trail. Nature Conservancy in Layton. Open from March to October (801) 531-0999 Antelope Island State Park Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

WHEN to find them January, February At antelope island, you can March: find bald eagles, winter ducks, and prairie falcons Spring: Peregrine falcons, stilts, and burrowing owls June: Canada Gees goslings August: Pelicans December: Wintering Ducks

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reducing stress, sore muscles, chronic pain, and so much more! Flotation therapy can even help with the symptoms of concussion. In fact, Dr. Clark Madsen, MD/MS, from McKay Dee Hospital has already completed half of a 2-year-long study in conjunction with iFloat and Weber State, trying to figure out why floatation therapy works so well. Concussed patients ranging from athletes to car accidents to general head trauma have been sent to iFloat as part of the study, and they have seen astonishing results in just three float sessions. Pretty cool right? << The float pods can be closed or open and have lights and music.

i-Float Sensations De-stress, help body aches and pains... and calm your mind

BY MELINDA HORTIN Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to float in the clouds? Weightless and free from the cares of the world? This week, I had the amazing opportunity to try something that came as close as you can get to that. I tried something called flotation therapy. Ever heard of it? It’s been around for over 50 years and it’s not really something you would do for entertainment; it is something you would do to feel better, actually, to feel marvelous.

The high concentration of Epsom salt helps with buoyancy, but it also aids in detoxifying the lymphatic system, getting rid of lactic acid and inflammation and reducing swelling throughout the entire body.

What is floatation therapy? Floatation Therapy (also commonly known as sensory deprivation float pods) involves a person lying down in a large “float pod”. The pod is filled with about 10 inches of warm water and almost 1,000 lbs. of pharmacopeiagrade Epsom salt. The pods can be closed, thus shutting out external stimuli, sight, sound, and gravity. Without external sensory distractions, your mind is freed, which allows you to melt into a deep, relaxed state of being. The high concentration of Epsom salt helps with buoyancy, but it also aids in detoxifying the lymphatic system, getting rid of lactic acid and inflammation, and reducing swelling throughout the entire body. The pod’s environment is ideal for dramatically

+ i-Float Sensations 1490 5600 S, Ste 2, South Ogden, UT 84403 ((801) 888-6777 www.ifloatOgden.com iFloat Sensations Ogden Tips: • Don’t shave or wax before your float • Remove contacts • Don’t touch your eyes (ouch!) I really enjoyed my first float. When I first arrived, I had a great conversation with Keith, the owner, who’s love for floating started in 1991 in Sydney, Australia. His pregnant wife of eight months floated at the same time and found immediate relief from her aches, pains, and general discomfort. After this experience, they were hooked! It wasn’t until years later (2013), that he decided to open his flotation center in South Ogden. iFloat supplies everything you need to get started: towel, ear plugs, shampoo, and body wash. All you need is your birthday suit. After getting briefed, I entered my very own private suite, showered, then hopped right in the pod. After closing the lid, I turned off the lights and music, then started my float in absolute peace and calm. After 10 minutes of focusing on my exhales, my mind chatter cleared, allowing me to relax and zone-out. It felt like a meditation session to me. I loved it! I felt calm and peaceful as I floated in this zero gravity environment. I didn’t realize how much my soul needed that silent stillness. It was magical. As I lay in the water, I couldn’t tell where my body ended and where the water began. I was floating in the clouds. It’s a pretty cool feeling. As I lay there, I noticed that my back pain was GONE! Talk about immediate relief! Once my hour was up, the lights and pumps automatically turned on again, signaling to me that my time was up. That hour flew by! It’s been a few days since I’ve floated, and I am still feeling the calming effects of this experience. If you’re interested in finding relief from your aches and pains, or just need a way to de-stress, then I highly recommend trying iFloat Sensations.