Aftermath of a Trainwreck/Cool Your Jets
Dec. 20, 7 p.m.
$6
Artopia (60 Exchange Place)
Hard-core enthusiasts (local ones at least) will be pleased to hear that Salt Lake City legends Aftermath of a Trainwreck and Cool Your Jets will both be reuniting for one show this month.
Aftermath, which hasn’t played together as a band since 2006, and Cool Your Jets, which broke up in the summer of 2007, have decided that now is the perfect time to get back together, if only for a single night. The show will act as a benefit for the Sub for Santa foundation, and all the money made will be donated to families in need of help this holiday season. It will be a night of contrasting styles, as Aftermath’s dark, breakdown-fueled heaviness is the exact opposite of Cool Your Jets’ up-tempo positive sound. It’s not clear whether this is a one-time thing, or if it will pave the way for new music from both bands, but it’s better to catch them now, while you have the chance.
Reviver
Dec. 23, 7 p.m.
Price TBD
Kilby Court (741 Kilby Court)
Reviver has had a good year and they plan on ending on a high note. They formed just more than a year ago, but they’ve already released a full-length album8212;Versificator8212;on local label Exigent Records and toured all over the West.
They plan on hitting the road as soon as they finish ringing in the new year, but first is an all-ages show at Kilby Court two days before Christmas. The hard-core/punk-infused style has a unique sound, blending the band’s love for old Fat Wreck Chords staples Propagandhi with early hard-core brilliance like Refused. Although the lyrics might not be as political as those bands, vocalist Matt Mascarenas still has an urgency that harkens back to when bands cared about something other than MTV and tour buses.
UMFA Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec. 27, noon – 4 p.m.
FREE
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
If Christmas isn’t your thing, and neither is Hanukkah, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts has just the celebration for you. Kwanzaa is a weeklong holiday celebrated throughout the world, honoring African heritage and featuring activities such as candle-lighting and pouring of libations and culminating in a feast and gift-giving. It was established in 1966 by M. Ron Karenga, a professor and activist who felt it was important to preserve and promote African culture. The UMFA will be working hard to ensure a good time for everyone. According to the press release, there will be a performance by the New Pilgrim’s gospel choir, a story-writing workshop with author Ada Chukwukeme, family tree art activities and an art-inspired treasure hunt throughout the museum. All events will be free to the public, but people are encouraged to bring a can of food to donate to the local food bank.