BYU International Cinema

Brigham Young University offers an exciting alternative to the traditional movie date. Several times each month, BYU shows numerous international films free of charge. Apparently, it is "the worlds largest and longest-running foreign film program".

BYU International Cinema, sponsored by the BYU College of Humanities, is designed to meet the following three educational objectives:

1. To supplement the curriculum of BYU foreign language classes by providing frequent opportunities both to hear native speakers of such languages, and to experience the art and culture of the countries in which those languages are spoken;

2. To supplement the curriculum of BYU English, film and humanities classes by showing classic and quality films from the canon of world cinema, as well as cinematic adaptations of great English literature;

3. To provide BYU honors students with frequent and consistent opportunities to complete the film component of their Honors Great Works requirement.

This is not just for Humanities students, in fact it is free for anyone. This is a really good date idea, and the movies always leave you with something to talk about.

For additional information on current showings click here

Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity

It's too easy to get caught up in the busy lifestyle our generation has created for itself, so hard to find a peaceful place to repose. There is a small community of 21 men in Utah who have dedicated their entire lives to feeling and promoting that peace that comes through a life dedicated to serving God.

The Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity in Huntsville, Utah, is probably best-known for its Trappist Creamed Honey. According to the Abbey's Web site:

"Trappist Creamed Honey is a specialty of the Abbey of the Holy Trinity. It is a fine blend of Utah honey and various flavors calculated to satisfy a variety of tastes. It is crystallized to a consistency like that of butter or margarine. It makes a good spread for bread, toast, pancakes or waffles, and is a good topping for baked goods and bagels. It can be used to sweeten coffee, tea and hot cereal."

Don't go there just to buy honey, though, or you'll be missing out on the best part of the experience: getting to understand the life of a monk. The Retreat House in the monastery is open for any man, Catholic or not, who wants to feel the peace of a monk's life. Women who wish for this same experience can go into the Family Guest House when it is not being used by the monks themselves.

Further than this, however, is the option to reserve a private room in the Retreat House for up to 3 days free of charge (although a donation would be wise). The retreater can spend time reading religious books and pamphlets in the Abbey library, or choose to dedicate his time to prayer.

"For newcomers the transition from life in today’s fast-paced and stressful American society to the slowed-down, quiet way of life at Holy Trinity Abbey can be disorienting. Some call it liberating. Although we are not completely cut off from society, we deliberately withdraw from many features of city life, even good ones, for the sake of our religious practices. Monks do not pretend to live in the Middle Ages, free of modern technology and totally self-sufficient, but monks do filter and restrict their contacts with contemporary society."

See the monks praying here.

Utah Symphony

Did you know some of the worlds greatest musicians have come to Salt Lake City just to play with the Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall? The best part is that students can go to any symphony for just $8! The Utah Symphony is an amazing activity if you are looking for a good cultural event. You get to dress up all nice and listen to some of the best music around. Look at their website for additional information about ticket prices. Also, take a look at their calendar to see what will interest you the most!
123 W South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

801.533.5626 (general office)
801.533.NOTE (ticket office)

http://www.utahsymphony.org/

See the World Without Leaving Provo

Next time you’re feeling a little “trapped” inside “liitle ol’ Provo, Utah” take a trip to a distant land by transforming your apartment into another country. Pick a country and make it the theme for your evening. For dinner, find a recipe online or from your local library associated with your country and find out what ingredients you need to get. Either get your ingredients before or as part of your evening and gather everything the recipe calls for. While dinner is on the stove or in the oven, do some research on the culture, people, history and famous sites of the country. (Hint: a quick and easy place to find info is the Provo City Library).

If you know of some traditional games or activities associated with the country try some of them out after dinner (i.e. Making Fabrege eggs or building a snow cave for a Russian night; Writing Japanese/Chinese Characters with paintbrushes; Building the Eiffel Tower out of candy; Making a Bedouin Tent in your Living Room). Or if you prefer an easier route, rent a travel film about the respective country and learn about the country through the film. Movies are also an easy way to continue the theme of an evening. You could document the fun you have by making your own travel film about the country and the things you've learned. If you have time: dressing in traditional clothing, listening to foreign music and decorating your apartment all can add spice to the evening.

OTHER HINTS: Provo is a gathering place for people from around the world with various backgrounds, interests, tastes, and cultures. Take advantage of it by making new friends and meeting new people. If someone is from another country or has visited another country invite them over for a cultural night, ask if they could share some things about their culture and country with you. Don't rule out your Professors either, many have traveled numerous places and might even enjoy sharing some of their experiences with you. Ask what fun or tasty dishes they would recommend to make and offer to provide the ingredients if they teach you how to make it.

The BYU Kennedy Center also has guest lectures from various parts of the world that speak on a sundry of topics. Sometimes they take place in the evenings. You might consider working those or other campus sponsored events that into part of your travel itinerary for your night in another culture.

Cathedral of the Madeleine

This beautiful piece of architecture was erected in the early 1900's downtown Salt Lake. The outside of the cathedral is Romanesque style with tympanums, gargoyles and towering spires, and the interior is Gothic full of stained glass windows, rib-crossed vaulting and a long, echoing nave. The Madeleine's choir puts on a number of concerts throughout the year and sings every Sunday at Mass. Visitors can tour the cathedral and enjoy its quiet solitude and majestic beauty. Hint: See comment on this site for a self-guided tour to use while touring the Cathedral .


Investigating the rich symbolism of Christian Art and Architecture can really be a fun and educational part of experiencing the Cathedral. Bring your scriptures and see if you can identify biblical figures. Most prophets are portrayed by a token or symbol of their story. Ex. Peter holds keys, because Christ gave him the "Keys of the Kingdom". Paul holds a sword because he calls himself "the good soldier for Christ". For more information please see: http://wegast.home.att.net/symbols/

331 E. South Temple

Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1226

Phone: (801) 328-8941

http://www.saltlakecathedral.org/

Clark Planetarium

Located in the Gateway Mall, the Clark Planetarium is an out of this world experience. Whether walking on Mars and on the Moon, or seeing yourself on TV giving the weather forecast, the Planetarium is fun for all ages. You can look through the collection of meteorites, learn about the life cycle of a star, and see an actual moon sample brought back by the astronauts of Apollo 15. After touring the Planetarium, rest your feet by attending one of the many shows in the IMAX or Dome theatre. Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is an incredible laser show that proves to be a cosmic experience. The seats lean back, Pink Floyd music starts playing and it feels as if you are flying through outer space. Although you may leave feeling a little "trippy," you'll be talking about how incredible it was for days. For more information on show times and pricing visit http://www.clarkplanetarium.org/nowplaying.php

to watch a clip of a laser show visit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E9ta23G27M

BYU Museum of Art

BYU's MOA is one of the largest museums in the western United States and contains an extraordinary collection of pieces that range from Rembrandt to Monet and Maynard Dixon to Norman Rockwell. Most importantly, the museum is free. Come check out a gem on BYU campus. The museum has four levels and 10 galleries. There is also a library, an auditorium, classrooms, and a small theater and a gift shop. Exhibits rotate frequently, so check it out often.


For information on special exhibits visit http://moa.byu.edu/

The museum is located at:
492 E Campus Dr, Brigham Young University,
Provo, UT 84602 · 801-422-8287

Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-9pm; Sat Noon-5pm

Color Me Mine

"It's a way for the artistically disabled to feel like they're crafty." ~ Brittany Bartholomew

This is a more commonly known "secret" of Provo, but still, not a ton of people know about this create-your-own-art studio. At Color Me Mine you paint white clay pottery in any crazy, artsy (or ugly, like mine always turns out) way you want. The shelves are stocked to the ceiling with an array of mugs, plates, mirrors...you name it. You can use as much paint as it takes, and they come in every color of the rainbow. For the novice artist there are stencils, sponges and stickers to help decorate your piece. The studio is full of tiny tables to paint at; it's quite cozy, but still you can enjoy an intimate evening wrapped up in your own little space.

Friday nights are the best; there's live "lounge" music, which adds to the whole artsy, sense-indulging scene. Color Me Mine is a great date, or even a place to go by yourself to just get away and lose yourself over a hot chocolate mug.

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Color Me Mine

5033 N. Edgewood Drive

Provo, Utah 84604

http://www.provo.colormemine.com/