Sundance Film Festival
January 15 – January 25
Tickets $15
Various Theaters
One of Utah’s most recognizable claims to fame is the annual Sundance Film Festival that begins Thursday and runs for 10 days. The festival is known for being a launching pad for some of the greatest independent movies, and there is always something for everyone. All the clubs in Park City usually host parties with some of the hottest bands of the moment and the streets are usually lined with A, B, C and D-list celebrities looking to either maintain their status as a legend or make a much-needed comeback. If all you’re in the mood for is celebrity hunting, this is the perfect weekend for it, but if you actually want to check out some quality films you might never hear about after Jan. 25, check out www.sundance.org/festival.

Carrie Rodriguez
January 18, 7:30 p.m.
$35 to $75
Rose Wagner’s Black Box Theatre (138 W. 300 South)
25+

Carrie Rodriguez’s folk/country style of music would have been lost amid the bad nu-metal of a few years ago, but the times they are a-changin’ and Rodriguez has made a name for herself with quality songwriting and a do-it-yourself mentality that shows through her music. Her second solo album, She Ain’t Me was released in August and Rodriguez has been actively promoting it ever since. She’ll be stopping at the Rose Wagner Black Box Theatre on Sunday night to help local Internet radio station UtahFM raise money for better equipment, hoping to enhance the sound of the station and give the “radio documentarians” a chance to create original works more easily. More information on the fund raiser, Carrie Rodriguez and UtahFM can be found on www.utahfm.org.

Souls of Mischief (Hieroglyphics)
January 18, 9 p.m.
$10
Urban Lounge (241 S. 500 East)
21+

Souls of Mischief have been one of the most influential groups in the rap industry since they burst onto the scene way back in 1993. Their debut album, 93 Til Infinity, was named one of the 100 best rap albums of all time by The Source Magazine. Their laid-back, instrumental style helped them become one of the premiere rap groups, paving the way for hotshots of today’s skate-rap scene such as Lupe Fiasco. Rumors have been circulating that the group will be releasing its first official album in almost 10 years, and with the group on tour, it’s a pretty safe bet that the rumors are true.
Compiled by Trevor Hale