This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
For the second year, the Downtown Alliance and Jeffrey Berke Productions are staging EVE, a three-day celebration they claim is the largest end-of-the-year party in the state.
Perhaps the biggest change this year is that many events will be inside, since last year's EVE was beset by inclement weather.
The event boasts more than a dozen locations with more than 142 performances, so the schedule can seem overwhelming. So we have taken the time to recommend certain activities that should be worth your family's while. All activities are free with an EVE pass, which also allows you free transportation via TRAX.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supports EVE, and the Conference Center Theater, Joseph Smith Memorial Building and Temple Square will be holding activities beginning at 5 p.m. daily. Any opportunity to hear music in the acoustically pin-perfect Tabernacle should be taken advantage of, and the Tabernacle will be hosting performers only on New Year's Eve from 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Use your EVE pass to check out at least a few minutes of the music, whether it is an organ prelude at 5:30 p.m. or LDS musician Sam Payne, with Cherie Call, at 9 p.m.
• The Clark Planetarium is a little off a beaten path, but take advantage of free TRAX service to check out the U2 laser show at 8 nightly, to whet your appetite for the Irish rock band's rescheduled show at Rice-Eccles Stadium on May 24. As you wait for the show to begin, argue with your companion about whether "The Joshua Tree" or "Achtung Baby" is the better album. Ignore the companion who insists on "War." Why did you invite him anyway?
• Unlike last year, one of the music stages will be inside the Salt Palace. While all of the musicians deserve ears, I would recommend seeing Joslyn on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. and staying for the Paul Jacobsen show at 8 p.m. On Dec. 30 at 8 p.m., don't miss the Red Rock Hot Club, who pay tribute to the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt. And on New Year's Eve, be sure to check out either Libbie Linton, The Devil Whale or Cub Country, who perform from 9 p.m. to midnight.
• Outdoor music can be dicey on a cold New Year's Eve. But I recommend listening to Caleb Chapman & The Voodoo Orchestra at 11 p.m. as you wait for the fireworks show at midnight. The Voodoo Orchestra resurrects the high-energy jump swing of the '30s and '40s with Rat Pack swagger, and when you see that the musicians are all between the ages of 15 and 18, you won't believe your ears.
• One word: BounceTown. Inside the Salt Palace, BounceTown is described as a wall-to-wall town of inflatable playgrounds, and EVE officials have assured me that it's not just open to kids, but also adults.
• At the Salt Lake Art Center on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, there will be a New Year's Resolution Telephone. If you need help making yours, here are some possibilities: Return all shopping carts to cart-collection stations, rather than flinging empty ones into incoming parking-lot traffic. Or, resolve to never again take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night. And spend the year hearing more live music.
• More than 50 tons of snow will be used to build the EVE Air urban ski and snowboard jump in downtown Salt Lake City, where more than a dozen local athletes will compete over three nights. Athletes will accelerate down a 100-foot-long, four-story-high slope toward the jump, then flip, spin, twist and invert their bodies across a 20-foot gap. Advice: Don't pose as a professional snowboarder to attempt this, even if you are drunk and believe you fear nothing and will feel no pain.
• Other activities include Charlie Chaplin film shorts at the Broadway Cinema, improv comedy at the Off Broadway Theatre, eBay it Forward at the Salt Palace, and the fire dancers performing at the entrance of the Salt Palace. Resolve to check out the complete schedule and make your personalized event plans at http://www.eveslc.com.
EVE: Salt Lake City's New Year Celebration
When • Dec. 29 , 6 to 10 p.m.; Dec. 30, 6 to 10 p.m.; Dec. 31, 6 p.m. to midnight
Where • Various downtown Salt Lake City locations, including West Temple between 100 and 200 South, and inside the Salt Palace Convention Center
Tickets • EVE passes are $10 per day; children under 10 are free. Passes can be purchased at participating Fresh Markets, Maverik and at on-site box offices (cash only) at the Salt Palace, Off Broadway Theatre, Broadway Center Cinemas and the Gateway concierge
Transportation • Ride TRAX free Dec. 29-31 with your EVE pass, courtesy of Rio Tinto's Kennecott Utah Copper
Bandemonium Stage (at West Temple and 200 South)
Wednesday, Dec. 29
6 p.m. • Ryan Innes
7 p.m. • The Last Look
8 p.m. • Jarrett Burns
9 p.m. • Two and a Half White Guys
Thursday, Dec. 30
6 p.m. • High Beams
7 p.m. • The Better Life Band
8 p.m. • Battle of the Tribute Bands II
Friday, Dec. 31
6 p.m. • Feel Good Patrol
7 p.m. • The Trappers
8 p.m. • Toy Bombs
9 p.m. • Eyes Lips Eyes
10 p.m. • Muscle Hawk
11 p.m. • Caleb Chapman & The Voodoo Orchestra
Chill Zone Music Stage (Inside the Salt Lake Convention Center)
Wednesday, Dec. 29
6 p.m. • Dave Hahn
7 p.m. • Joslyn
8 p.m. • Paul Jacobsen
9 p.m. • joy&eric
Thursday, Dec. 30
6 p.m. •Daniel Day Trio
7 p.m. • Dan Weldon
8 p.m. • Red Rock Hot Club
9 p.m. • Scott Foster
Friday, Dec. 31
6 p.m. • Nate Robinson & D.J. Grey
7 p.m. • Brian Thurber
8 p.m. • Colin Robison
9 p.m. • Libbie Linton
10 p.m. • The Devil Whale
11 p.m. • Cub Country