The Salt Lake Valley
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The Salt Lake Valley
Friday · The Weekend Issue #45 · September 4, 2026
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The Utah Royals host Boston tonight, and Coldplay USA plays South Jordan free Saturday

Plus the final Summer Showdown, Shakespeare in Magna, and a new hospital planned for State Street.

Good morning, Salt Lake Valley.

The Utah Royals host Boston Legacy FC in Sandy tonight, one week after Utah beat Orlando 2-1.

Saturday brings a free Coldplay tribute to South Jordan and Something's Brewing to the Jordan River in South Salt Lake.

Salt Lake Film Society closes its Summer Showdown on Saturday, while the Empress Theatre moves Shakespeare into 1930s Appalachia in Magna.

📍 30 seconds in the valley⏱️ 7 min read

⭐ The Big One

The Utah Royals host Boston Legacy FC in Sandy tonight

Utah's women's soccer club returns home after a 2-1 comeback win at Orlando. Tonight is Boston Legacy FC's first visit to America First Field, and the Royals enter the match second in the NWSL with 39 points. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m., with the match also airing on NWSL+ and KMYU.
🕐Hours: Friday, Sept. 4 · 7:30 p.m.
📍Address: 9256 S State St, Sandy
💵Cost: Ticketed; current seats through the Utah Royals

📰 Around the Valley

Intermountain plans a new LDS Hospital on the old Sears block

Intermountain Health unveiled plans Wednesday for a replacement LDS Hospital at 745 S State St, the former Sears site.
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TSA PreCheck members can apply for a free gateside pass at SLC

Salt Lake City International Airport joined Gateside by TSA PreCheck, a new program that lets approved non-travelers pass security to meet or send off someone at the gate.
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📅 This Week

Best of the week

Something's Brewing runs five hours at Pia Okwai

Tracy Aviary's Nature Center at Pia Okwai hosts five hours of live music, food, community vendors, and drinks ranging from beer to kombucha, tea, and coffee. The event is part of September's Get to the River Festival.
🕐Hours: Saturday, Sept. 5 · 4-9 p.m.
📍Address: Nature Center at Pia Okwai · 3310 S 1000 W, South Salt Lake · About 15 minutes from downtown
💵Cost: Free entry; food and drinks cost extra
⏰Timing: Go around 4 p.m. if you want time with the community booths before settling in for the music and food.
Our take
Start with the Jordan River community booths, then stay for dinner and live music. One stop covers the whole evening.
⚠️ Heads up: The event runs until 9 p.m., but community booths are easier to browse before the dinner crowd arrives.
$ Jordan RiverFree festivalSouth Salt Lake
Book now

Salt Lake Film Society ends Summer Showdown on Saturday

Salt Lake Film Society finishes its summer movie tournament with two final 7 p.m. screenings. The series pairs cult, indie, and summer films head-to-head, with viewers collecting punches and following the season leaderboard.
🕐Hours: Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5 · 7 p.m.
📍Address: Broadway Centre Cinemas · 111 E 300 S, Salt Lake City · In downtown Salt Lake City
💵Cost: Ticketed; seats through Salt Lake Film Society
⏰Timing: Choose Friday or Saturday before the last two screenings close out the series.
Our take
Book one of the last two nights if you like repertory films with a little competition attached. This weekend is the end of the fifth annual series, not another recurring date later in September.
⚠️ Heads up: The movie pairing changes by night. Check the exact matchup before buying, and ask for parking validation if you use the structure east of the theater.
$ Repertory filmDowntown date nightClosing weekend
Worth it

A Midsummer Night's Dream moves into 1930s Appalachia

The Empress Theatre resets Shakespeare's comedy in the Appalachian mountains, with mountain folklore and rural superstition replacing the familiar fairy-forest look.
🕐Hours: Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5 · 7:30 p.m.
📍Address: Empress Theatre · 9104 W 2700 S, Magna · About 25 minutes from downtown without traffic
💵Cost: Ticketed; seat selection through the Empress Theatre
⏰Timing: Use Main Street parking in Magna. The gravel lot west of the theater is no longer available to patrons.
Our take
Go if you want a small-theater Shakespeare production with a clear setting change. The Appalachian staging gives the familiar mix-ups a specific place and period.
⚠️ Heads up: The run continues through Sept. 12, so this weekend is not your last chance. The theater asks patrons to avoid the west-side gravel lot.
$$ ShakespeareSmall theaterMagna

🏟️ The Scoreboard

Real Salt Lake

RSL lost 1-0 at Colorado on Saturday, its fourth straight loss across all competitions and eighth straight MLS match without a win.
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Salt Lake Bees

Sacramento beat Salt Lake 3-1 Wednesday on Charlie Szykowny's walk-off three-run homer after Brett Kerry threw six scoreless innings for the Bees.
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🍴 Eat & Drink

Worth it

Sauce Boss Southern Kitchen, Draper

Chef Julius Thompson's Draper kitchen serves modern soul food built around fried chicken, catfish, pork chops, shrimp and grits, and slow-cooked sides.
🕐Hours: Friday-Saturday · noon-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; closed Sunday-Monday
📍Address: Sauce Boss Southern Kitchen · 877 E 12300 S, Draper · About 25 minutes from downtown without traffic
💵Cost: Menu-priced; main dishes include sides and cornbread
⏰Timing: Use the noon lunch opening or arrive after 5 p.m. The kitchen closes between 3 and 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Our take
Order the cornmeal-breaded catfish with collard greens and Golden Splendor shells and cheese. The catfish comes with two sides and cornbread, so it is enough for a full dinner without adding appetizers.
⚠️ Heads up: The restaurant is closed Sunday, Monday, and major holidays. Do not show up during the 3-to-5 p.m. break on Friday or Saturday.
$$ Soul foodCatfishDraper

🌲 Get Outside

Worth it

Silver Lake boardwalk, Brighton

The Silver Lake loop circles an alpine lake near Brighton on 0.9 mile of boardwalk and easy trail with about 55 feet of elevation gain.
🕐Hours: Boardwalk season runs May through October, weather permitting
📍Address: Silver Lake Visitor Center · 8073 Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Brighton · About 40 minutes from downtown without canyon traffic
💵Cost: $10 per vehicle for a three-day Forest Service recreation pass; America the Beautiful passes accepted
⏰Timing: Start early in the morning before the Visitor Center lot and Big Cottonwood Canyon traffic fill in.
Our take
Use this when your group wants mountain air without a steep climb. Most of the loop is wheelchair-accessible boardwalk, and the signed route returns to the Visitor Center lot.
⚠️ Heads up: Big Cottonwood Canyon is protected watershed. Dogs are prohibited even inside vehicles, and swimming, wading, and paddleboarding are not allowed.
$ Easy walkAccessible boardwalkBrighton

🎟️ Also Happening

Sandy Farmers Market

Farmers, food vendors, handmade goods, live music, and family activities fill Sandy Amphitheater Park Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free.
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ZepFEST closing day

Utah's film and creative festival closes Saturday at the Murray Theater, 4961 S State St, with workshops, screenings, and a 7 p.m. awards show. Festival passes start at $45.
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Premier Lacrosse League semifinals

The Utah Archers face the Denver Outlaws Monday at 1 p.m., followed by Boston against Philadelphia at 3:30 p.m. at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. One ticket covers the semifinal doubleheader.
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📰 Valley News

The historic Ford Building will become Newmark's headquarters

Newmark Mountain West bought the 1924 Ford Building at 280 S 400 W and plans a $40 million renovation before moving its headquarters there in 2027.
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Norbridge Court finishes a full renovation and opens a new gallery

Artspace has finished renovating Norbridge Court at 511 W 200 S, preserving 62 two- and three-bedroom apartments for households earning 20% to 80% of the area median income.
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The Debate

💙 Good Neighbor

Tell us who's making the valley better

Every issue we want to spotlight one neighbor, teacher, coach, or cause quietly making the Salt Lake Valley a better place to live. Know someone who deserves it? Send them our way.

Nominate a neighbor →

The Royals kick off at 7:30 p.m. tonight. NWSL+ and KMYU carry the match if you are staying home.

Wednesday's question put The Red Clay Strays against Pedal the Parkway. If you did either one, tell us how it went.

Reply with your Utah Royals or A Midsummer Night's Dream pick. We read every one.

— The Salt Lake Valley crew
Got a tip, a new opening, or an event? Just reply, we read everything.
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