A free Big Band night in Provo, an Orem craft swap, and a Lehi luau
Plus mountaintop yoga at Sundance, $4.95 kouign amann in American Fork, and two Utah teams to follow this weekend.
Good morning, Happy Valley.
The Covey Center opens its Main Stage for a free Big Band concert tonight. Tad Calcara and The New Deal Swing Band start at 7:30pm, and the ticket page requires an advance reservation.
The long weekend also brings an Orem craft-supply swap, mountaintop yoga at Sundance, and a Labor Day luau in Lehi. We found a pastry worth ordering in American Fork, a free indoor stop for kids, and the exact I-15 and US-6 hours to avoid.
📍 30 seconds in the valley⏱️ 8 min read
- 🎺Hear a free Big Band concert in Provo tonight
- ✂️Trade unused craft supplies in Orem Saturday
- 🚗Avoid the worst Labor Day traffic windows
⭐ The Big One
Pick of the week Tad Calcara brings a free Big Band concert to the Covey Center
Tad Calcara and The New Deal Swing Band play the Covey Center Main Stage tonight as part of Provo's celebration of America's 250th year. The program draws from the Big Band music of Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, and the Andrews Sisters. The concert is free, but the ticket page requires an advance reservation.
Our take
This is a full two-hour stage concert, not background music in a park. Go if you want Glenn Miller brass and a proper Friday night show without paying for a ticket.⚠️ Heads up: Free does not mean walk-in. You still need to reserve a seat before the concert.
free free date nightlive jazzdowntown Provo
📰 Around the Valley
UDOT expects long Labor Day backups on I-15 and US-6
UDOT says southbound I-15 from Spanish Fork to Nephi could add 30 minutes Friday from 10am to 8pm, with the worst traffic near 3pm. Eastbound US-6 from Spanish Fork to Soldier Summit could add 10 minutes from noon to 10pm. Monday's return trip is worse: westbound US-6 could add 40 minutes, and northbound I-15 from Nephi to Spanish Fork could add a full hour.
A Provo startup is turning down-payment help into a job benefit
NestSteps built a program that lets employers help workers save for a home. The platform combines a savings tool, employer contributions toward a down payment, and homebuying classes. Co-founder Cheri Salazar told KSL the company is working with 11 Utah employers, and 58 workers signed up after one recent company meeting.
📅 This Week
SATURDAY
Bring a bag Trade the craft supplies sitting in your closet
Orem Public Library is holding a two-part craft-supply swap in Library Hall. Drop off yarn, paper, fabric, paint, or other unused supplies Friday from noon to 8pm, then return Saturday morning for the swap. The library lists the event for all ages.
Our take
Bring the paper, yarn, or paint you are not using and come home with supplies for the next project. The separate Friday drop-off keeps Saturday focused on trading.⚠️ Heads up: The drop-off and the swap happen on different days. Friday is for donations; Saturday is for picking supplies.
free craftersfree suppliesall ages
SUNDAY
Skip unless Ride the lift to mountaintop yoga at Sundance
Sundance carries the class up Outlaw Express for an open-air yoga session on the Bearclaw Cabin patio. Mats are available at the lift, and the $85 ticket includes the chairlift ride. Guests meet at the base of Outlaw Express at 9am.
Our take
Skip it if you only want a yoga class. The $85 makes sense when the chairlift ride and the mountain setting are the reason you are going.⚠️ Heads up: Sundance requires 24 hours' notice to cancel without a charge. Summit weather can shift from sun to cold air.
splurge mountain viewsyogaSunday morning
MONDAY
Reserve ahead Dinner and island dance fill Ashton Gardens
Thanksgiving Point's Labor Day Luau serves kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, rice, fruit, macaroni salad, and pineapple cupcakes before a 7:30pm show of Pacific Island dances and stories. Doors open at six, and the dinner and pre-show run until the main performance starts.
Our take
The ticket covers dinner and the performance, which makes the adult price easier to justify. Arrive when doors open so you can eat before the dancing starts.⚠️ Heads up: General seating is first come. Blankets, low chairs, and tall chairs each have separate sections, and the show runs rain or shine.
splurge Labor Dayfamily dinnerlive dance
🏟️ The Scoreboard
The Monarchs ended a five-game slide with three goals
Real Monarchs beat Tacoma Defiance 3-0 on August 30 to stop a five-game losing streak. Noah Ewald scored twice, Lionel Djiro added the third goal, and Luis Riquelme assisted all three. The Monarchs play North Texas SC on the road tonight.
Utah opened 3-0 without dropping a set
Utah swept Oregon State 25-19, 25-20, 25-20 on August 30 to finish its opening weekend with three straight 3-0 wins. It is the program's first three-sweep start since 2000. The Utes open the Utah Classic against Wyoming tonight, then host Long Beach State Saturday and No. 2 Pitt Sunday.
🍴 Eat & Drink
Order this Gourmandise Bakery & Cafe, American Fork
Gourmandise fills its American Fork pastry case with hand-laminated croissants, loaf cakes, and cookies. The $4.95 kouign amann uses layers of croissant dough with butter and cardamom sugar. The raspberry croissant is $4.70 and adds fresh raspberries and custard cream.
Our take
Start with the kouign amann. It gives you crisp caramelized edges, soft croissant layers, and cardamom sugar in one pastry.⚠️ Heads up: Sunday service ends at 3pm. Friday and Saturday stay open until 10pm.
budget pastry runweekend breakfasttake-home treat
👨👩👧 Family & Free
Free indoor stop Cabela's aquarium and mountain exhibit, Lehi
The 150,000-square-foot Cabela's in Lehi has local fish swimming in an indoor aquarium, a mountain exhibit, a museum, and lifelike animal displays across the showroom. You can walk the displays without buying a ticket.
Our take
This works when a child needs one more stop and you do not want another admission fee. Start at the aquarium, then walk the animal display before leaving.⚠️ Heads up: This is still a retail store. The aquarium and mountain exhibit are the parts you can walk without an admission ticket.
free young kidsrainy hourfree outing
🎟️ Also Happening
🎸 Greg Simpson Band at City Center Park
Lindon's free Concert in the Park starts Saturday at 7pm at 200 N Main St. Bring a blanket or chair.
🇨🇭 Midway Swiss Days
Swiss Days fills Midway Town Square Friday and Saturday from 8am to 8pm. Admission is free, the Provo-side shuttle lot is at Highway 113 and Tate Lane, and parking with the shuttle costs $15.
🥞 Firefighters Pancake Breakfast
Saratoga Springs firefighters serve breakfast Monday from 8 to 11am at the South Fire Station, 2021 S Ring Rd. Tickets are $5, and children under 3 eat free.
📰 Valley News
Spanish Fork Airport is starting the long process toward a control tower
Spanish Fork signed an agreement with the FAA to bring an air traffic control tower to its airport. Airport Manager Christian Davis told FOX 13 the field handles about 125,000 takeoffs and landings a year, making it Utah's busiest general aviation airport. FAA staff are expected to visit within three to six months to choose a site. The full project could take up to five years.
Lehi is replacing Everbridge with a new city alert system
Lehi Connect now lets residents choose city alerts by text, email, or phone call. Utility customers already have an account. Anyone else in the household can create a separate one. The service covers road work and utility updates, plus local events and neighborhood notices. Reserve 911 alerts from Central District Dispatch remain separate.
The Debate
💙 Good Neighbor
Pick a service project for Lehi Serves
Lehi Serves returns Saturday, September 12. Outdoor crews work from 8 to 11am, while indoor projects at Willowcreek Middle School run from 9am to noon. Volunteers can pack food kits, tie blankets, make teddy bears, or join a neighborhood cleanup.
Choose a project →That is the long weekend. The swing band starts at 7:30 tonight, the craft swap runs Saturday morning, and the luau dinner opens Monday at six.
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