One Extraordinary Evening: Southern Utah’s Musical Standout Event this November 2nd, Setting the Stage for a Landmark 2025 Performance

IVINS, UTAH – October 07, 2024 Center for the Arts at Kayenta is set to host a rare musical event that will bring world-class talent rarely seen in Utah to the stunning backdrop of Southern Utah’s landscape. On Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 7:30 pm, the Crossing Open Ground collective will present an introduction to their groundbreaking project, featuring music by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Luther Adams and other renowned artists.

This exceptional performance, produced by Liquid Music and presented by Center for the Arts at Kayenta, serves as an introduction to the ambitious full production of the Crossing Open Ground project, scheduled for October 25, 2025 in a jaw-dropping nearby landscape. This future large-scale performance will feature 36 local musicians joining forces with the world-class ensemble to perform Adams’ work in the majestic setting of Southern Utah.

The upcoming November 2nd event will showcase a chamber music ensemble of unparalleled caliber, including:

• Christopher Rountree: A three-time Grammy-nominated conductor praised for his “elegant clarity” by the New York Times.

• Vicky Chow: A Hong Kong/Canadian/American pianist who has been described as “brilliant” by the New York Times and “one of our era’s most brilliant pianists” by Pitchfork.

• Nathalie Joachim: A Grammy-nominated composer and flutist, hailed as “a fresh and invigorating cross-cultural voice” by The Nation.

• C.J. Camerieri: A two-time Grammy award winner who has toured with Paul Simon and collaborated with Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens.

• Trever Hagen: A Grammy-nominated musician who has worked with Bon Iver and Mouse on Mars.

“This concentration of world-class talent in Southern Utah is unprecedented,” says Kate Nordstrum, Liquid Music artistic director. “We’re bringing together musicians who regularly perform in the world’s most prestigious venues to create something truly special in the unique environment of southwestern Utah. We will return in less than a year’s time to mount John Luther Adams’ outdoor work Crossing Open Ground for 40 musicians (utilizing local talent), so this visit will provide an introduction to the project leads and preview what we have in store.”

The November 2024 performance will feature works by John Luther Adams, whose music is deeply influenced by nature and environmental concerns, alongside pieces by the ensemble members. This intimate showcase will offer the Kayenta community a rare opportunity to experience music at the highest level, typically found only in major metropolitan areas.

“This is a peek at what will be a once-in-a-lifetime performance next year, it is a significant opportunity for our community,” says Miranda Wright, Executive Director of Center for the Arts at Kayenta. “To have musicians of this caliber not only perform here but also engage with local artists is extraordinary. It’s a testament to the growing cultural significance of our region.”

Tickets for the November 2, 2024 performance are available now through Center for the Arts at Kayenta website. Due to the exceptional nature of this event, early booking is strongly recommended.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit KayentaArts.org or call (435) 674-2787.

About Liquid Music: Liquid Music is a Minneapolis-based leading producer of special projects in contemporary music, an internationally recognized laboratory for artists from across genre and disciplinary spectrums. This creative institution nurtures and realizes bold ideas from performers and composers, inspiring audiences to discover, learn and be transformed.

About Center for the Arts at Kayenta Center for the Arts at Kayenta (CFAK), built by the community through Kayenta Arts Foundation, whose mission it is to develop and create an environment that fosters diverse artistic endeavors for educational and enrichment purposes, hosts over 50 events and approximately 120 performances annually. These span theater, music, dance, storytelling, and lectures, serving audiences in Washington County and the American Southwest.  

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