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Area 51: Dark Arts Festival

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The Dark Arts Festival brings a unique, alternative showcase of art to Salt Lake City.---

From June 10-12, Area 51 in downtown Salt Lake City will house the Dark Arts Festival. According to Alan Moss, who coordinates the event, the Dark Arts Festival is an alternative to the traditional Utah Arts Festival held in Salt Lake City every June: “It’s an event for artists who aren’t recognized by mainstream arts festivals.”

The well-attended event brings in art in many different forms. Bands, unique fashion and a fashion show, belly dancers, vendors and visual art are all part of what makes the Dark Arts Festival a rare opportunity for those looking to explore a non-traditional aspect of art in Salt Lake City.

Headliners of the event this year include the bands Synapse, a dance-floor electronic group, Espermachine, who within the last few years have headlined dozens of clubs and released a debut album, and Scission, who hail from San Francisco’s dark-rock scene. Many other local industrial, goth and synth-pop bands will be in attendance, as well.

Vendors offering a variety of different products will also be in attendance. Arsenic Fashions’ work features a mix of historical fashion and modern fabrics in their design aspects. Barbed Lotus Designs, which was started at the Ogden Farmers Market, offers products ranging from fairy wings to jewelry and fantasy-themed toys.

The Dark Arts Festival’s art gallery collection will showcase returning photographer Kate Moir, who finds inspiration from murder, film noir and zombies. Dan Tree, who graduated with a BFA from Weber State University and has had worked shown nationally, also will be showing some of his newest work..

For those looking to see the art of Salt Lake City come together in a different light, the Dark Arts Festival is a solid choice. The unique presentation of art, music and people must stand for something: The event has been running annually since 1993.

The event will begin at 8 p.m. on June 10, 6 p.m. on June 11 and 5 p.m. on June 12.