Hello to all you icepack-wearing, cane-holding, muscle-swelling, what-the-hell-did-I-do-to-myself-this-time enthusiasts! --- Without going too much into it, I've spent nearly two weeks hobbling around on one and a half feet. Nothing like waking up in the morning every day with pain shooting straight up your thigh, until the thoughts of having your best buddy come lop it off with an axe start to surface. Before this gets too dark, let me go take a couple of painkillers and get into what's happening, but first, the latest look at the 337 Memorial Wall:

Before I dive into events, local bands need to listen up: The Utah Arts Festival has opened up applications for performing artists for the 2014 Festival. This is one hell of an opportunity to not pass up, as thousands of people will be on hand each day of the festival, checking out everything the two-block radius has to offer. This is an event I've seen bands rocket from that shouldn't be overlooked. Head to their website and fill out the form; applications without late fees are due by Dec. 31.

Getting into events, the monthly Mudson performance from loveDANCEmore at the Masonic Temple will take place Monday night, Nov. 18 -- a rare opportunity to see a free dance performance in one of the cooler venues in town. You’ll get to see works in the making from local choreographers and performers Graham Brown, Tawna Halbert, Rachael L. Shaw and Emma Wilson. Show kicks off at 7:30.

Skipping on down to Friday, KRCL's annual Polar Jubilee will take over the Salt Lake Hardware Building to celebrate the season, the station, and help raise funds toward its efforts. There will be live performances all throughout the night, including Bad Brad Wheeler's Harmonica Army, a silent action and other things in the works all the way until that night. It's all-ages, as well, for those of you under 21 looking for a cool showcase. Tickets are currently on sale on their website.

Meanwhile, across town, Copper Palate Press will be holding a showcase called Prints Of Prince, where several talented printmakers from around the city will be displaying works dedicated to the music icon himself, Prince. It's free to check out, but if you're a fan, be sure to bring cash, as these limited-edition pieces tend to go quickly!

Next Monday, Salt City Slam returns to Weller Book Works for another set of performances. The evening has already snagged its 12 participants for the SLC slam competition happening that night, as well as invited Dominique Christina (National Poetry Slam champion of 2011) to perform her own works. The evening is totally free; you should seriously check it out.

Thanksgiving is slowly approaching on me a little late, and, of course, with it brings the bullshit insanity that is Black Friday. (But if you're a South Park fan, you're getting a kick out of the latest episode.) The one and only event on that day I will promote is the one from Randy's Record Shop, where half the damned shop will be a special sale. If you're into music in a big way, this is the one to be at.

And then following in with that, Local First Utah will be running its Shift Your Spending campaign starting on Saturday, encouraging all of you to put your money into local businesses so we keep our local economy flowing strong in a season where the majority of cash is usually spent in box stores or online retailers. For more information on the campaign and special deals you could find around the state, check out their website. 

As for the blog: To be honest, I'm keeping most of it a surprise since there are a couple of things shifting around, and I'm sure most of you are looking forward to the holiday more than the blog. As always, we'll see what happens.

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