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As Utah's largest outdoor multi-disciplinary arts event, the Utah Arts Festival once again will transform Library Square into a four-day city of art June 22-25, featuring venues presenting all major forms of artistic expression and culture with dynamic opportunities for shared experiences and hands-on participation in the arts.

In its 41st year, the Festival features 160+ visual artists and 100+ performing arts groups, it's a creative challenge to decide what to see and do across six performing stages of top world, national and local musicians and performers and program slates in literary arts, visual arts, kids activities, dance performances, musical commissions, street theater, art & technology, urban arts, film and culinary arts. We're here to help.

HEADLINER PERFORMANCE PICKS

Each night has a different act we consider not to be missed. Starting with the first evening, Thursday, Festival-goers can catch Shooter Jennings & Waymore's Outlaws

The sole son of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Coulter, Jennings brings his maverick country roots that cross several genres and brings in fans from many interests including sci-fi and horror. Waymore's Outlaws consists of former members of Waylon Jenning's recording and touring band.Outlaw country music is back on track, keeping the spirit of Waylon and his music alive.

Catch Shooter Jennings on Thu, June 22, at 9:45PM on the Amphitheater Stage at the Utah Arts Festival located at Library Square.

On Friday, our hometown Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra, featuring vocalist Andrea Miller and trumpeter Chuck Findley take the stage. Andrea Miller's voice has been described as soulful, sensual, hypnotic and endearing. Influenced by Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan and Stevie Wonder, Miller is heating up the jazz scene coast to coast and receiving national airplay, including opening for Al Jarreau at the Newport Jazz Festival. Known for her 21st century updates of classic songs, she will be headlining with the Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra for an electrifying performance.

A veteran session musician, Chuck Findley plays trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone and other brass instruments. Findley's resume is filled with recordings with many legendary artists that include being part of two "Tonight Show" bands, as well as tours with Jimmy Dorsey and Buddy Rich and recordings with Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan and Elton John, to name just a few stars.

Mark you calendars for: Fri, June 23, 7:45PM at the Utah Arts Festival-Library Square.

On Saturday, our picks are a mix of beats and banjo, with RJD2 and Fruition.

RJD2 (Ramble Jon Krohn) progressive samples incorporate rich soul cuts, clean horn sounds and idiosyncratic film clips to create a cinematic hip-hop sound that alternates between moody and bombastic. "I treat my records like thrillers," RJD2 says of his work.

RJD2 performs on Sat, June 24, 9:45PM at the Utah Arts Festival-Library Square.

The three lead singer/songwriters' voices of Fruition naturally blend into the three-part harmony that drives the energy of the group's string-infused songs. Eight years after an impromptu busking session, the Portland, Oregon-based quintet has grown from a rootsy, string-centric outfit to a full-fledged rock band with an easy but powerful grasp of soul, blues, and British Invasion era pop.

Fruition plays Sat, June 24, 9:45PM at the Utah Arts Festival-Library Square.

On Sunday, Cuba comes to the Utah Arts Festival for a unique cultural sharing opportunity. The Pedrito Martinez Group, a 2013 Grammy nominee, describes its musical style as Afro Cuban with roots in Cuban rumba and influenced by timba, American R&B and jazz. Born in Havana, Cuba, Martinez has proven his status as one of the best Afro-Latin hand percussionists, appearing on more than 100 recordings in the last 15 years. In La Habana, from the group's latest self-titled release, Martinez opens the song with, "Nadie conoce La Habana mejor que yo," which translates to "Nobody knows Havana better than I do."

Close out your Festival on Sun, June 25, 9:45PM at Library Square.

TICKETS

First off, get tickets early at uaf.org and save. Act now to score a four-day pass for just $30. This year's Festival mantra is "United in Art," and this theme of unity is no accident, as art brings people together. Plus, with discounted group tickets, you'll have a little extra dough to spend on food (we could do an entire story on just how and where to eat at the Festival) - or better yet, on art in the largest artist marketplace to date.

VOLUNTEER

Another way Utahns choose to experience the Festival is as a volunteer, where you'll lend a hand to help build and run a city of art. Coordinating a group of family members, friends, neighbors or coworkers, for an exciting and fun volunteer experience!

Volunteer opportunities range from the Art Yard, where children decorate, paint and add to the collaborative sculptures and on-site installations, to hanging out as a marketplace booth sitter, while the artist takes a short break, as well as Festival greeters who help at the entrance and information booth by welcoming patrons.