Kayenta Arts

FESTIVAL OF THE AMERICAS
2024-05-18 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-19 10:00 - 17:00 UTC | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
Festival
FESTIVAL OF THE AMERICAS
A FREE Art Festival at Kayenta Art Village
Friday-Sunday, May 17-19, 2024
10am-5pm Daily
Join us for the return of Festival of the Americas, an immersive three-day festival to celebrate indigenous and Native American art & culture.
Wander through a vibrant marketplace of native arts and crafts featuring regional vendors showcasing exquisite handcrafted and indigenous products and art. Let the beats of mesmerizing performances echo in the air as talented artists bring the spirit of the Americas to life. Indulge your taste buds in a culinary adventure with a diverse array of delectable offerings from authentic food vendors.
This festival is more than an event; it’s an experience that invites you to connect with the heart and soul of native traditions. Join us for a harmonious blend of art, music, flavors, and traditions at the Festival of the Americas – where the spirit of the continent comes alive in every moment.
Festival of the Americas

Southern Paiute Constellation Presentation
2024-05-18 18:00 - 19:30
LECTURES & IDEAS
Southern Paiute Constellation Presentation
part of Festival of the Americas
Presentation by Autumn Gillard, (maternal descendant of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah)
Saturday, May 18, 2024 // 6:00pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
Autumn Gillard is the Cultural Resource Manager for the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah. A Southern Paiute astronomer, she was a former Interpretive Ranger at Pipe Spring National Monument in Arizona, which in 2021 through her research successfully petitioned to have it designated as an International Dark Sky Park. Autumn has a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology minor psychology and a masters degree in cultural resource management.
Presentation to be followed by outdoor refreshments & stargazing!
TICKETS

Soirée Musicale with Jason Bonham Jazz, Rock and Movie Music
2024-05-25 19:30 - 21:30
MUSIC
Soirée Musicale with Jason Bonham
Jazz, Rock and Movie Music
Saturday, May 25, 2024 // 7:30pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
Soirée Musicale features top local musicians and guest professionals from across the Western region tackling some of the most advanced and inspiring instrumental music in the repertoire. Our Spring series is under the direction of Jason Bonham, esteemed musician and principle violist with Las Vegas Philharmonic.
For May’s concert, join us for a fun evening of instrumental music featuring pop, jazz, and movie music from the Beatles, Queen, Chick Corea, Batman and more!
Featuring: DeAnn Letournau (violin), Urs Rutishauser (violin), Jason Bonham (viola) and Andrew Smith (cello).
Tickets $35

Sunday Night… All Right! with Mike & Elaine
2024-05-26 19:30 - 21:30
Sunday Night… All Right! with Mike & Elaine
Sunday, May 26, 2024
7:30pm-9:30pm
Kayenta Art Village Outdoor Theater
Join us for the fun Kayenta tradition of Sunday Night…All Right! at the Kayenta Village Outdoor Theater. Our May 26th date will feature Mike & Elaine!
You are welcome to bring a snack and/or beverage. Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale. Join your friends as we celebrate the warmer weather with music and dancing.
UPCOMING SUNDAY NIGHTS:
June 23 6:30-8:30 pm: Julie Wright
Tickets $15

Voyager Lecture Series: The natural function of nicotine and other botanical tales of intrigue from Kayenta’s neighborhood
2024-05-28 19:30 - 21:30
Voyager Lecture Series: The natural function of nicotine and other botanical tales of intrigue from Kayenta’s neighborhood
LECTURES & IDEAS
Voyager Lecture Series
Presentation by Ian T. Baldwin, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena Germany, and the DI Ranch, Motoqua, UT
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 // 7:30pm
Optional Social Hour With Like-Minded Friends, Light Snacks And Beverages @ 6:30pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
Have you wondered why plants produce so many of the drugs that humans use and abuse (nicotine, cocaine, opium, THC, aspirin, etc.)?
These “why” questions have been addressed in studies that lack scientific rigor, being little more than modern versions of Rudyard Kipling’s “just-so-stories” (How leopards got their spots…). Thanks to the long-term patient funding of the Max Planck Society in Germany, Ian T. Baldwin and his students have developed a fire-chasing native tobacco plant, Nicotiana attenuata, which grows in Kayenta’s botanical ‘hood, into a model for the rigorous scientific study of these “drug-related why questions”. For the past three decades, we have been silencing the genes in this plant that are responsible for the plant’s amazingly diverse chemistry (it makes more than 20,000 unique compounds) and conducting experiments at the Lytle and DI Ranches in the Beaver Dam wash to provide answers to these “drug-related why questions”.
This talk will provide many examples of the sophistication with which this plant uses its chemistry to solve ecological problems. The solutions that this plant has evolved matches the creativity of the human imagination. These science-grounded examples of the creativity of natural selection underscore why nature preserves, such as those at the Lytle and DI Ranches, are invaluable laboratories for the study of gene function.
Tickets $20

DOCUTAH presents: Song for Our People
2024-06-07 19:30 - 21:30
FILM

DOCUTAH presents:
Song for Our People
Friday, June 7, 2024 // 7:30pm
Arrive early for FIRST FRIDAYS!
Enjoy live music, food, and fun in the Kayenta Art Village beginning at 5:30pm.
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
The Center for the Arts at Kayenta is thrilled to partner with DOCUTAH on a new monthly film series. DOCUTAH seeks to open hearts and minds to the world through beautifully crafted stories on film, promoting education while creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and community.
About the Film:
Go behind the scenes of an unforgettable recording session where an extraordinary group of artist activists come together to create a powerful new anthem to honor Black lives and inspire the fight for racial justice in America.
Tickets $10

Rhapsody in Blue Suede Shoes 100 Years of American Music and Dance
2024-06-14 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-06-15 18:30 - 20:30
DANCE / COMMUNITY
St. George Dance Company Presents
Rhapsody in Blue Suede Shoes
100 Years of American Music and Dance
June 14 & 15, 2024 // 6:30pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
2024 is the 100 year anniversary of Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue. Help us commemorate this important piece of artistic history by celebrating the last 100 years of American music, and dance at our encore performance of Rhapsody in Blue Suede Shoes.
From the infectious energy of the jazz age to the rebellious spirit of rock ‘n’ roll; from the soulful rhythms of Motown to the infectious beats of hip-hop, this show celebrates the rich tapestry of American creativity and innovation.
But this isn’t just a journey through the past – it’s a celebration of the present and a glimpse into the future of dance and music. Our dancers bring a fresh perspective to each movement, infusing traditional styles with contemporary flair and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
Get $5 off tickets when you subscribe to St. George Dance Company’s email list

Tickets $25

Sunday Night… All Right! with Julie Wright
2024-06-23 19:30 - 21:30
Sunday Night… All Right! with Julie Wright
Sunday, June 23, 2024
7:30pm-9:30pm
Kayenta Art Village Outdoor Theater
Join us for the fun Kayenta tradition of Sunday Night…All Right! at the Kayenta Village Outdoor Theater. Our June 23rd date will feature Jammin’ with Jules!
Julie’s talents range from 50’s 60’s 70’s 80’s Rock, and Country. She currently sings in a 2-person group called The Dilly Dilly Duo as well as single, “Jammin’ with Jules”. She entertains regularly at The Elks Lodge, Tuacahn, Kayenta, St. George Senior Citizens Center, Legacy, Sterling Court, and other venues.
You are welcome to bring a snack and/or beverage. Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale. Join your friends as we celebrate the warmer weather with music and dancing.
Doors open at 7pm
Tickets $15

Tumbleweed Theatre presents Blamed: An Established Fiction
2024-06-28 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-06-29 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-06-29 19:30 - 21:30
THEATER / COMMUNITY
Tumbleweed Theatre presents
Blamed: An Established Fiction
by Callie Prendiville Johnson
Directed by Aubrey Sanders and Brandon Bruce
Friday 6/28 7:30pm
Saturday 6/29 2:00pm and 7:30pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
“Blamed: An Established Fiction”, by playwright Callie Prendiville Johnson, is a captivating and thought-provoking play that explores the narratives of girls and women who have been unfairly blamed across history, literature, and mythology. Through the integration of text, live music, and dance, these narratives are vividly brought to life, offering audiences a powerful lens to examine societal attitudes and injustices. Don’t miss out on this enlightening and dynamic theatrical experience!
The Cast:
Aubrey Sanders
Brookelyne Peterson
Courtnee Ramos
Mercedes Murguia
Jaycie Montaño
Rylan Benson
Addy Enslen
The Center for the Arts at Kayenta is proud to host local artists for this presentation.
Tickets $25

First Fridays at Kayenta
2024-07-05 18:00 - 21:00
Events & Happenings
First Fridays at Kayenta
every First Friday / 6:00p-9:00p
FREE to attend!
Kayenta Art Village
We’re thrilled to introduce First Fridays at Kayenta, launching March 1 and happening on the first Friday of every month in 2024! Enjoy live music, food, and fun in the Kayenta Art Village.

re:UNITING
2024-07-11 19:30 - 21:00
FILM
re:UNITING
Thursday, July 11, 2024 // 7:30pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
re: UNITING follows six best friends from college, now in their 40s, who reconnect for their 25 year reunion weekend. As secrets are revealed, one will force them all to reevaluate their lives. (2024)
Director: Laura Adkin
Cast: David James Lewis, Jesse L. Martin, Michelle Harrison, Roger Cross, Carmen Moore
Runtime: 100 minutes, this film is rated PG.

Tickets $12

GUEST ARTIST EXHIBITION: Three Feather Studios
2024-07-12 10:00 - 2024-08-25 18:00
VISUAL ART
Jeremy Salazar: Three Feather Studios
Friday, July 12 through Sunday, August 25, 2024
Judy & Tim Terrell Main Lobby
We are proud to host exceptional guest artists for pop-up solo exhibitions in the Judy & Tim Terrell Lobby at the Center for the Arts. All artwork on display is available for sale, directly benefitting the artist with a small percentage supporting Kayenta Arts Foundation.
Our Lobby is open Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm, plus one hour before all evening events.
Native American artist Jeremy Salazar is a contemporary painter based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He specializes in vibrant acrylic portraitures with a combination of abstraction and realism. “What I try to emphasize in my work are the eyes and facial expressions of my characters, making these more realistic and full of depth while the rest of the composition fades away into abstract colors. The color schemes sets the mood while the face gives life to the painting.”
Having been born and raised on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, Jeremy has never received any formal art training and is consequently a self-taught artist. Yet his humble upbringing on the reservation has helped shape his artistic paradigm and purpose for art. “I grew up without running water and electricity—old dirt roads, sagebrush, out in the middle of nowhere. Although a meager upbringing, it was in retrospect, an open canvas for me as a young kid. It is a passion for me to help represent the authentic native arts as an authentic native artist. We as native peoples know our own stories best, the ones who lived it, the story tellers.”
Using a bold and vibrant color palette in every painting, Jeremy has come on scene as a promising emerging artist. Making both a statement of reclaiming authentic native artwork done by native hands and also painted stories of color and faces of the Native American people.
Learn More at https://www.three-feather-studios.com/

Transition
2024-07-12 19:30 - 21:00
FILM
Transition
Friday, July 12, 2024 // 7:30pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
Filmmaker Jordan Bryon from Australia is followed as he goes through a transformation while working with Taliban soldiers. (2023)
Director: Jordan Bryon
Cast: Jordan Bryon, Farzad Fetrat, Kiana Hayer
Runtime: 89 minutes, this film is rated PG.

Tickets $12

Go On, Be Brave
2024-07-13 14:00 - 15:30
FILM
Go On, Be Brave
Saturday, July 13, 2024 // 2:00pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
The story of one woman’s race against time– a diagnosis of ALS and an attempt at the impossible– to be the first person with ALS to complete a marathon in all 50 states. (2023)
Director: Miriam McSpadden
Cast: Andrea Lytle Peet, David Peet
Runtime: 111 minutes, this film is not rated.

Tickets $12

Io Capitano
2024-07-13 19:30 - 21:30
FILM
Io Capitano
Saturday, July 13th, 2024 // 7:30pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
Seydou, a teenage boy who, together with his cousin Moussa, decides to leave Dakar in Senegal and make his way to Europe. A contemporary Odyssey through the dangers of the desert, the horrors of the detention centers in Libya and the perils of the sea. (2024)
Director: Matteo Garrone
Cast: Seydou Sarr, Moustapha Fall, Issaka Sawadogo, Hichem Yacoubi, Doodou Sagna
Runtime: 121 minutes, this film is not rated.

Tickets $12

The Taste of Things
2024-07-18 19:30 - 21:30
FILM
The Taste of Things
Thursday, July 18, 2024 // 7:30pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
This French historical romantic film features the gourmet named Dodin Bouffant, a character based on novelist Marcel Rouff’s protagonist in the The Passionate Epicure. Set in 1895, the story features how Dodin has been running his popular restaurant for 20 years. Its success is helped by the presence of his chef named Eugenie, who herself is revered for her excellence in the industry. The film narrates how the two developed feelings for each other as they went about their professional lives. (2024)
Director: Anh Hung Tran
Cast: Juliette Binoche, Jan Hammenecker, Benoit Magimel, Jean-Marc Roulot
Runtime: 145 minutes, this film is rated PG-13.

Tickets $12

Bad Behaviour
2024-07-19 19:30 - 21:00
FILM
Bad Behaviour
Friday, July 19, 2024 // 7:30pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
The film is a dark comedy about Lucy (Connelly), a former child actress who seeks enlightenment at a retreat led by spiritual leader Elon (Whishaw) while she also navigates the close yet turbulent relationship with her stunt performer daughter, Dylan (Englert) (2023).
Director: Alice Englert
Cast: Jennifer Connelly, Ben Wishaw, Alice Englert, Ana Scotney, Dasha Nekrasova, Marlon Williams, Beulah Koale and Karan Gill
Runtime: 109 minutes, this film is rated TV-14.

Tickets $12

Geoff McFetridge: Drawing a Life
2024-07-20 14:00 - 15:30
FILM
Geoff McFetridge: Drawing a Life
Saturday, July 20, 2024 // 2:00pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
The iconic work of artist Geoff McFetridge is everywhere. But this film is more than a primer on his career- it’s about the choices we confront in trying to lead meaningful lives, and how we use our most precious resources: time. (2024)
Director: Dan Covert
Cast: Sofia Coppola, Spike Jonze, Geoff McFetridge, Sarah DeVincentis, Jesper Elg
Runtime: 80 minutes, this film is rated PG.
https://visitfilms.com/geoff-mcfetridge-drawing-a-life
Tickets $12

The Promised Land
2024-07-20 19:30 - 21:30
FILM

The Promised Land
Saturday, July 20, 2024 // 7:30pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
This historical drama is an adaptation of The Captain and Ann Barbara, a book written by Ida Jessen. The story is set in 1755 and follows Ludvig Kahlen, a veteran soldier who was awarded a piece of land in a Northern European peninsula by the king. He tries hard to establish a life there, hoping to create a thriving settlement with the help of some of the people in the area. However, their efforts are being blocked by an evil landowner who wants to take over the whole area. (2023)
Director: Nicolai Arcel
Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Amanda Collin, Simon Bennebjerg, Gustav Lindh, Kristine Kujath Thorp
Runtime: 127 minutes, this film is rated R.

Tickets $12

All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
2024-07-25 19:30 - 21:00
FILM
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
Thursday, July 25, 2024 // 7:30pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
Tender caresses and enveloping embraces are portals into the life of Mack, a Black woman in Mississippi. Winding through the anticipation, love, and heartbreak she experiences from childhood to adulthood, the expressionist journey is an ode to connection – with loved ones and with place. (2023)
Director: Raven Jackson
Cast: Kaylee Nicole Johnson, Chris Chalk, Jayah Henry, Sheila Atim, Bernadette Albright
Runtime: 92 minutes, this film is rated PG.

Tickets $12

Embodied
2024-07-26 19:30 - 20:30
FILM
Embodied
Friday, July 26, 2024 // 7:30pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
Embodied examines the stories of five individuals as they combat weight stigma in a world that fears fatness. The film follows a drag queen using humor to unravel discomfort around their weight and queerness; a mermaid reconciling with generational fatphobia; a midwife working to dismantle fat bias in reproductive health; a former linebacker navigating the unclear relationship between health and size; and a CEO creating space and community for the millions of Americans with fat bodies. (2024)
Director: Isabel Bethencourt
Cast: Chè Monique, Justine Lovett, Darienne Lake, Rebecca Alexander, Dr. Christopher Forth
Runtime: 68 minutes, this film is rated TV-14.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30797144/?ref_=tt_mv_close
Tickets $12

Feeding Tomorrow
2024-07-27 14:00 - 15:30
FILM
Feeding Tomorrow
Saturday, July 27, 2024 // 2:00pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
Up against a broken food system suffering from ecosystem destruction, climate change, health epidemics, and inequality, a brave group of visionary leaders in agriculture, healthcare and education work to build a more just regenerative, and resilient system in their local communities. (2024)
Director: Oliver English
Cast: Jamer Bellis, Ethan Hethcote, Mark Miller
Runtime: 80 minutes, this film is rated G.

Tickets $12

Sometimes I Think About Dying
2024-07-27 19:30 - 21:00
FILM
Sometimes I Think About Dying
Saturday, July 27, 2024 // 7:30pm
part of CineSizzle, a summer independent film series
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
About the Film:
Lost on the dreary Oregon coast; Fran finds solace in her cubicle; listening to the constant hum of officemates and occasionally daydreaming to pass the time. She is ghosting through life; unable to pop her bubble of isolation; when a friendly new coworker; Robert; persistently tries to connect with her. Though it goes against every fiber of her being; she may have to give this guy a chance. Director Rachel Lambert and team craft beautiful cinema for this delicately told story of love for the socially awkward and emotionally challenged. The film is made all the more human by its lovely cast; most prominent in the penetrating eyes of lead actress/producer; Daisy Ridley; and the caring smile of lead actor; Dave Merheje. SOMETIMES I THINK ABOUT DYING is an unexpected fable on the virtues of living.(2024)
Director: Rachel Lambert
Cast: Marcia DeBonis, Parvesh Cheena, Dave Merheje, Daisy Ridley
Runtime: 91 minutes, this film is rated PG-13.

Tickets $12

First Fridays at Kayenta
2024-08-02 17:30 - 21:00
Events & Happenings
First Fridays at Kayenta
every First Friday / 5:30p-7:30p and later
FREE to attend!
Kayenta Art Village
We’re thrilled to introduce First Fridays at Kayenta, happening on the first Friday of every month in 2024! Enjoy live music, food, and fun in the Kayenta Art Village beginning at 5:30pm, with film screenings in the theater, and good vibes all around.

Friday August 2 Lineup:

5:30p-7:30p VISUAL ART Reception
Jeremy Salazar / Three Feather Studios
The Center for the Arts at Kayenta Lobby

5:30p-7:30p FMASU Presents:
Summer Shorts!
Short films cycling throughout the evening indoors at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta

6:00p-8:30p Live Music in the Courtyard
Soul What?!
The Center for the Arts at Kayenta Courtyard

Guest Vendors:
Los Elementos
Eden Apotheca
Crazed coyote
WildFlowr Denim
Blissful Bites by E&E Confections
Frankie and Stars
Lavish Links
Silver Forge

Food Trucks:
The Hearty Beet, LLC
Wild Goat Coffee Co.
Zeppes

Secondhand Stevie
2024-08-09 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-08-10 16:00 - 18:00
Kayenta New Play Lab
Secondhand Stevie
by Joss Carlisle (Hurricane, UT)
Friday August 9th 7:30pm & Saturday August 10th 4:00pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
We are thrilled to announce the return of the Kayenta New Play Lab, a unique opportunity for theater artists and audiences to converge to create and witness the development of new work. Six playwrights have been selected to participate by a panel of local and nationally-recognized experts. Following a 10-day development residency, each play will be presented as a staged reading for our summer audiences, followed by engaging discussions and opportunities to meet the artists. This dynamic New Play Lab fosters creativity, connection, and an unforgettable artistic journey. Join us in celebrating new, original work, full of inspiration and camaraderie!

New Play Lab Package

About the Play:
Follow Blake, a drag performer who impersonates Stevie Nicks, as he explores his relationship with the world and the people around him.
About the Playwright:
Joss Carlisle recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in theater from Utah Tech University. In the fall, they will be attending graduate school, pursuing an MFA in playwriting. They are currently an associate member of the Dramatists Guild. It is Joss’ hope to make a career focused on writing, directing, and adapting plays about the queer experience.
Tickets $20

The Kayenta New Play Lab is sponsored by Douglas Caputo / Desert Dweller at Equity Real Estate
