Remember that old Jane’s Addiction chestnut “Nothing’s Shocking”? Apparently, Perry Farrell never tried publishing a newspaper in Utah. For City Weekly’s 17th annual Best of Utah issue, the theme running throughout is urban art—or graffiti, for the Andy Rooney crowd. Even though the art form has transcended its modern-America expression as gang-related vandalism, we’re bracing for the odd complaint that we’re encouraging spray-painting sprees. It’s always something. Just as we’re sure to hear about our cover model, who may or may not be nude under the paint (we’ll leave that to your imagination).

Beyond the look of this issue, the Best of Utah 2006 features well over 400 combined reader and staff picks about local stuff we like (and select stuff we don’t), so somebody’s bound to disagree with something—hence, the fun.
Read on, and we’ll see you at the party.

See: Media, Politics & People
Play: Nightlife & Daylife
Eat: Food & Drink
Shop: Goods & Services

COVER ART
Cein Watson is a local artist whose work reflects modernism, minimalism and organic chaos. His use of color and subtle elements reward viewers the deeper they look. Look for his work and that of collaborator Joe McVetty in To Leave and Never Return, an upcoming show at the Kayo Gallery from April 21 to May 12.

Michael Haswood is a local chalk artist. He began his career at the Coffee Garden, doodling on its chalkboards while practicing the fine art of espresso making. His work is rich in color and follows the Navajo tradition of working in a clockwise motion. Michael currently sells his mixed-media contempory folk art at the Downtown Farmers’ Market and is also displaying some pieces at the Native American Trading Post.

Leia Bell has screenprinted rock posters for venues all over the globe, including (near and dear to her heart) Kilby Court in Salt Lake City. She has been the subject of or mentioned in articles in Newsweek, Nylon, Print, Jane, Punk Planet, Paste, Screenprinting, City Weekly, Skywest, Thrasher and Salt Lake. Leia also has a section in the 492-page Art of Modern Rock book, published by Chronicle.

Chris Jameson dedicates himself to growing both technically and artistically as a freelance photographer. He has been shooting for City Weekly for the past two and a half years and has contributed to People, Wired and Utne Reader. Burton Snowboards also uses his photography. As a freelance assistant, he has traveled the world, from Mexico and Switzerland to the British Virgin Islands and the United States.

Contributors:
Katharine Biele, Brandon Burt, Carolyn Campbell, Stephen Dark, Bill Frost, Jamie Gadette, Shane Johnson, John Kilbourn, Susan Kruithof, Jess Leonard, Ted McDonough, Jenny Poplar, Scott Renshaw, John Saltas, Ted Scheffler, Jacob Stringer, Wina Sturgeon, John Taylor, Rebecca Vernon, Josh Wangrud, Kass Wood,
Jerre Wroble