The Independent

Southern Utah Art Guild Highlights June Exhibits "The Southern Utah Art Guild continues to showcase local and regional artists through exhibitions taking place throughout June. Red Cliff Gallery is currently presenting Explosion of Color, on display through June 18. The exhibit features more than 190 pieces of artwork from 83 artists and highlights a wide range of contemporary styles. Jack L. Burns is the featured artist for the show. All artwork is available for purchase...."

Sofia Talvik Brings Nordic Folk and Americana to Cedar City Born and raised in Sweden, Talvik has performed in 48 U.S...."

From Red Rocks to Glaciers: Southern Utah and Alaska Through the Lens "The Sears Art Museum at Utah Tech University is pleased to present From Red Rocks to Glaciers: Southern Utah and Alaska Through the Lens, a photography exhibition exploring the visual and emotional connections between two monumental landscapes through a unique curatorial dialogue. On view June 5 through August 14, 2026, the exhibition centers on an evocative suite of Alaskan wilderness photographs by Tisa Zito, alongside works by prominent regional photographers whose images of Southern Utah and the larger southwest serve as both companion and response...."

From Red Rocks to Glaciers: Southern Utah and Alaska Through the Lens "The Sears Art Museum at Utah Tech University is pleased to present From Red Rocks to Glaciers: Southern Utah and Alaska Through the Lens, a photography exhibition exploring the visual and emotional connections between two monumental landscapes through a unique curatorial dialogue. On view June 5 through August 14, 2026, the exhibition centers on an evocative suite of Alaskan wilderness photographs by Tisa Zito, alongside works by prominent regional photographers whose images of Southern Utah and the larger southwest serve as both companion and response...."

Wine Making Refined in Southern Utah at Zion Vineyards "Zion Vineyards is busy in June bottling wines, weeding, planting, and irrigating the vineyard. New growth is emerging throughout the property, and the vineyard is showing signs of another season of high-quality fruit. The clusters of grapes currently developing on the vines are a good indication of healthy vines. Guests are invited to join Zion Vineyards for Paint and Sip on Sunday, June 28. This fun-filled afternoon combines creativity, friendship, and wine tasting. Participants can follow along with instructor Ash's featured painting or explore their own creative direction. The event begins at 2:30 PM and continues until approximately 5 PM. Tempranillo is back on the menu...."

Publishers Perspective: Life Is Full Of Challenges "Life is full of challenges, and I sure have had my own set of them lately. I won't get into a lot of detail, but let me just say how grateful I am to have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, money in my bank account, and a job that has sustained me for 30 years and a few months. But I will be honest with you. I've had some serious highs and lows since the beginning of the year...."

So U Comedy Celebrates 10 Years of Unscripted Laughs in St. George "As summer heats up, so does the laughter at So U Comedy. Experience fast-paced, unscripted improv comedy live at upcoming shows in June and July. Located in the heart of downtown St. George, So U brings fresh comedy, audience interaction, and unpredictable fun to the stage. Celebrating its 10th year of improv, So U Comedy Theater continues to entertain audiences with its signature short-form improv style, featuring quick games and scenes made up on the spot using audience suggestions. No two shows are ever alike...."

Kick Off Summer with Laughs at OTC Comedy "Summer is finally here, and OTC Comedy is ready to help audiences celebrate with a season full of laughter, spontaneity, and reasons to get out of the house. Every Friday at 8 PM, the OTC Comedy Theater, located at 913 S. Main St. in Cedar City, comes alive with fast-paced improv comedy created entirely from audience suggestions. With no scripts, no reruns, and no two shows ever the same, OTC delivers a live entertainment experience that encourages audiences to put down their devices and enjoy an evening of shared laughter...."

Stage Door Invites Southern Utah to Honor Local Heroes During Come From Away "As The Stage Door prepares to bring Come From Away to Southern Utah audiences this June, the theater is launching a community initiative designed to celebrate the everyday heroes who make the region a better place. Based on the true story of the days following Sept. 11, 2001, Come From Away recounts how 39 planes were unexpectedly grounded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, after American airspace was closed. Thousands of stranded passengers suddenly found themselves far from home, and an entire community came together to offer kindness, support, and hospitality during a time of uncertainty...."

Huzzah! Utah Midsummer Renaissance Faire Returns to Cedar City for Its 44th Year "For four days each summer, Cedar City trades modern life for medieval merriment. The Utah Midsummer Renaissance Faire returns to Main Street Park July 15–18, inviting visitors to step through the gates and into a world of knights, nobles, pirates, artisans, entertainers, and adventure. Now celebrating its 44th year, the long-running event has become one of Southern Utah’s most beloved summer traditions, drawing families, history enthusiasts, costumed performers, and curious first-timers alike. The transformation begins the moment guests enter the village...."

Southern Utah Funday Market Brings Local Flavor and Community to Downtown St. George "Looking for a reason to get out on a Sunday? The Southern Utah Funday Market continues to grow as one of the area's favorite weekend gathering spots, bringing together local vendors, shoppers, families, and even a few four-legged friends. Located at the corner of Bluff Street and St. George Boulevard, the outdoor market takes place on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from 9 AM to 1:30 PM. Visitors will find a wide variety of products from local artisans, makers, and collectors, including jams, herbs, photography, antiques, and other unique goods. Since its launch, the Southern Utah Funday Market has seen growing interest from residents looking for more Sunday activities...."

Fort Desolation Fest Returns to Capitol Reef Country With Three Days of Music and Adventure "TORREY, Utah — Fort Desolation Fest is heading back to the red rock country surrounding Capitol Reef National Park Sept. 24–26, bringing another weekend of nationally recognized musicians, outdoor adventure, camping, and community to Cougar Ridge Resort. Now entering its fifth year, the boutique festival has built a reputation for combining intimate live music experiences with some of Utah’s most spectacular scenery. Organizers have announced a 2026 lineup featuring Drive-By Truckers, Andrew Bird, Grahame Lesh & Friends, Rayland Baxter, Futurebirds, Tune-Yards, Bella White, Grace Cummings, Coleman Jennings, Triggers & Slips, and Pixie & The Partygrass Boys...."

BLM Fire Restrictions Begin Across Southwest Utah and Northwest Arizona "As fire danger continues to rise across the region, the Bureau of Land Management has implemented seasonal fire restrictions across public lands in Southwest Utah and Northwest Arizona...."

Southern Utah Events Guide – May 28, 2026 "Southern Utah Events Guide – May 28, 2026. This week’s Southern Utah Events Guide features The Last Light Boat Show, Heritage Rodeo, Because You're Mine, comedy shows, theater productions, art, markets, local live music, and more.  If you would like to add an upcoming event, you can add one here, or if you need to cancel or edit a previously submitted event, you can do so here...."

With nearly 5 million visits recorded in 2025, Zion National Park officials say advance planning will be essential for anyone visiting during the holiday weekend...."

Captured in Escalante: Art Festival Invites Artists and Visitors This September "Artists and art lovers alike are invited to experience the landscape and creative energy of Southern Utah at the Escalante Canyons Art Festival, returning September 18–27, 2026. Whether returning to familiar terrain or visiting for the first time, participants are encouraged to explore the ever-changing landscape and interpret it through their own artistic lens. The invitation is simple: capture the essence of the land, and let its beauty capture you. The festival includes a range of opportunities for artists at every level. Plein air painting begins with a stamp-in running September 18–21, followed by submissions on September 23...."

Raven’s Heart Gallery Summer Show Brings Live Art and Community to Kanab "Raven’s Heart Gallery in Kanab is welcoming summer with a vibrant, hands-on celebration of art on Saturday, June 13, from 1–4 PM. The Summer Show, featuring live art-making demonstrations, takes place at 57 W. Center St. This interactive event is free and open to the public, offering a chance to experience art not just on the gallery walls, but in the making by the gallery’s artists. The afternoon centers on live demonstrations, transforming the gallery into a working studio. Gail Alger will present an acrylic animal painting demo, while Angela Woods showcases her whimsical animal subjects in oil...."