Suzanne Gallegos~Realtor ~-Salt Lake City, Utah Homes

WHO'S WHO AT SUNDANCE

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Sundance Film Festival. The Festival is presented by the Sundance Institute, an organization headed by the legendary Robert Redford. Park City, Utah hosts the event against a backdrop of the "Greatest Snow On Earth"! Here's a brief list of Sundance Alumni - just to give you a taste of what goes on there...

-The Coen Brothers: Winners of the Dramatic Grand Jury prize in 1985, the first year of the festival. They won with their thriller Blood Simple. Their success at Sundance launched them into a now legendary career including films such as No Country For Old Men, Brother, Where Are Thou?, Fargo, Raising Arizona, and many more. They have received three Oscars including one for Best Picture last year for No Country For Old Men.

-Quentin Tarantino: In 1992 Tarantino debuted at Sundance with his cult classic Reservoir Dogs. He followed that with Pulp Fiction, one of the biggest films of that decade. That film was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. He is now known as one of the kings of cult films. He may be best known for his Kill Bill series.

-Michael Moore: 1989 saw the introduction of a quirky story teller by the name of Michael Moore. At Sundance in 1989 he unveiled his documentary Roger & Me. This little film soon became the highest-grossing documentary of all time. However, Moore bested his own record by topping that with the Oscar winning Bowling For Columbine in 2002, and Fahrenheit 9/11 in 2004. Fahrenheit still holds the record for highest grossing documentary.

-Steven Soderbergh: In 1989 a little film called Sex, Lies, and Videotape took Sundance by storm. Since that time Soderbergh has gone on to release such hits as Ocean's Eleven, Traffic, and Erin Brokovich. The latter two both earned Best Director Oscar nominations.

If you are planning to visit Utah, or considering relocating to Utah you must visit the Sundance Film Festival yourself! Sundance consistently turns out legendary film making talent and is considered the premiere coming out festival for new talent in the film industry. It is too soon to know the front runners for this year. But, you can bet you will hear about them in the coming months.

Stay tuned to this blog for more SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL INFO

If you go:

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, Utah - Jan 15 thru Jan 25

Part Deux - Navigating The Festival

If you are a first time Festival-goer you may find yourself overwhelmed at first. The streets are packed....the shows are sold out.....and the really hot parties are invitation only. What's a newbie at the film festival to do? There are a number of options, if you just learn the ropes. Never fear - I will let you in on a few Festival secrets.

1: Transportation - Don't even think about driving up Main Street. It will be closed to vehicles during the Festival. There really is no decent parking up there anyway. Make use of the free shuttles during the event.

2: Sold Out - Yes, most of the movies will be sold out. If you didn't realize this and purchase a package of tickets ahead of time.....let not your heart be troubled.....there is hope! More tickets are released at 8 a.m. the morning of the showing. There is also a wait list option. Arrive at the venue 2 hours before scheduled showtime and get your wait number. Be back 30 minutes before showtime and, yes, wait. This is a great time to do your celebrity watching, by the way. AND, many wait-listers do get in.

3: Private Parties - O.K. this is a toughie. These parties are, indeed, invitation only. BUT.....there are a hundred and one parties that are open to all Festival party-ers! All of the fun and funky bars that line Main Street host nightly gatherings. And who knows, you may meet someone there and score an invitation to one of the "big" bashes.

Alright, that should be enough to get you started. You will blend right in and look like a long time Festival-goer in no time! Have fun!

Check back more inside news from Sundance!

Today marks the kick off of the 25th Sundance Film Festival in Park City Utah. Sundance is the world's largest market place for independent film. Now under the direction of the Sundance Institute, the Festival was founded by the legendary Robert Redford as a venue to showcase independent films.

Besides being a coming out party for the hottest new filmmaking talent through the Festival's program of documentary, dramatic, and short film, Festival attendees can experience live music shows, panel discussions with leading filmmakers and industry figures, parties celebrating the Festival community, and more. Sundance runs for ten days and will screen over 100 films in Park City and Salt Lake City.

The film selections will no doubt be as unique and varied as the Festivalgoers themselves. Some of the most anticipated films are those such as "When You're Strange", a documentary about the legendary 60's band The Doors. Another interesting submission is comedian Chris Rock's "Good Hair", a tribute to African American hair styles. Word on the street is that this year's submissions will stray a bit from the traditional Festival black comedy genre. The buzz is that this year's films are a bit lighter.

Stay tuned to this blog for all the scoop on the events throughout the Festival!

(Grizzly Gulch - Alta Utah - photo courtesy Alta.com)

It is a bright, sunny 43 degrees in Salt Lake City today! The sun is glinting off the snow crystals. It is incredible! Outside Magazine recently named some of Utah's ski resorts the best ski resorts in North America. The #1 spots went to Alta and Snowbird resorts. Both are located in Little Cottonwood Canyon and only minutes apart. Snowbasin was named #5 and Solitude was named #13. Here are just a few suggestions to make your ski trip to Utah amazing!

Utah Ski Tips (courtesy skiutah.com)

** Show your airline boarding pass and recieve a complimentary no-charge same day lift ticket at your choice of three Park City, Utah ski resorts: Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort or The Canyons Resort. Visit parkcityinfo.com and click on their "Quick START" link for details and required registration: http://www.parkcityinfo.com/quickstart/.

**Set up a SkiUtah.com text message with your phone. Book a flight with Southwest Airlines and just get there. After landing check your Ski Utah message, choose your resort and within minutes you are in the "Best Snow on Earth". It can't get any easier or better than that.

** Skis Fly Free on Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines offers some of the most competitive airfares in the market. To top it off, Southwest allows passengers to check two bags for free. That means no charge for skis and snowboards and no airline-fee hassles.

** Take your time and use skiutah.com, the best way to find all the information you need like resort distance maps, local secrets and ground transportation.

It's time for the Countdown, Downtown! The new year is here and this is is your last reminder to join in the First Night celebration with three stages of entertainment on Gallivan Plaza. First Night is the state's biggest and best New Year's celebration and it's right in downtown Salt Lake City. First Night is a family friendly event, with something for everyone. There is even a circus of fire performers that always proves to be a favorite! The event promotes cultural, ethnic, and artistic diversity. Transportation is available by using Trax. You can ride Trax free on Dec. 31 from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. with your First Night admission button. Bundle up to stay warm and enjoy the festivities! First Night admission buttons are available at select Albertson's stores, Discovery Gateway, the Gateway concierge and the Leonardo. For more information go to firstnightslc.org.