The UMOCA (Utah Museum of Contemporary Art) gala is one of the best yearly parties in Salt Lake City. The theme this year was “unprohibited”—1931 prohibition, in tribute to the year the institution was founded—and The Fallout was the perfect venue to channel a Chicago-basement speakeasy. Jazz hounds from across SLC might have arrived in Duesenbergs and Rolls (valet of course). Decked out in boas and boaters, feathers and fedoras, attendees chased the green light like they were Gatsby, gazing across the bay. Liquor and beer flowed from two bars while guys and dolls mingled and mock cigarette girls walked around with trays of peppermint stick candy called “Lucky Lights” and “Stallions.” Attendees were encouraged to attend wearing “ritzy underground” dress.
Bill Allred of X96‘s Radio From Hell emceed the proceedings, which included a silent auction on artwork, live auction for trips to Montreal, Los Angeles, Miami and New York—as well as excellent food catered by Blended Table, which was splendid as always, including baby lettuce salad, spring peas with browned butter and prosciutto garnish, scalloped potatoes, meatloaf with demi-glace and a dessert of berry and whipped cream trifle.
During what is UMOCA‘s largest annual fundraiser, attendees had a chance to support local artists, enjoy a meal and drinks from local distillery Beehive Distilling and meet local tastemakers and business owners who help make Salt Lake City a thriving post–Volstead Act metropolis.
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” –F. Scott Fitzgerald
Click images for captions
(L–R) Samantha Justus and Tom Greet skirting the Volstead Act. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
(L–R) Courtney Williams and Felicia Baca channeling their inner flapper. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
Steve Labrum was happy to show off his prohibition-era duds. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
Mock “cigarette girls” were walking around with peppermint stick candy disguised as cigarettes. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
(L–R) Mark and Pepper Elliot looking fantastic. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
The cigarette girls with trays of candy peppermint sticks added to the speakeasy feeling. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
(L–R) Trell Robovit, Jenny Wilson, Grand Donovan and Ellen Donovan were looking fantastic in their “ritzy underground” clothing. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
(L–R) Jason Mathis and Molly Mazzolini looking dapper. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
(L–R) Marian and Nathan Florence were Prohibition-level snazzy. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
Amber Pearson performs on the trapeze in front of hundreds of attendees. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
PIG EON playing in front of packed house. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
There were trays full of the devil’s temptations (candy) widely available. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
(L–R) Susannah Holmberg and Lisa Dickman enjoying the atmosphere. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
(L–R) Sisters Jaime and Lindsay Vieta pose together near the bar. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
(L–R) Brent Jespersen and Jill Perelson were happy to skirt the feds and their silly 18th Amendment. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
Most of the attendees participated in the dress code of “ritzy underground.” Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
The food provided by the Blended Table was fantastic as per usual. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
Courtney Williams looking the part. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
The lines for drinks were long, which seemed fitting for the party’s theme. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
(L-R) Ronson McKee and Denise Begue looking great in the their Prohibition-era garb. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
Attendees could bid on art and goods by local artists and purveyors. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
The bar was as busy as a Capone-owned basement in Chicago. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
Journalists were on hand to to document the grand charade. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
Side holsters were common for “protection.” Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
A live auction took place where attendees could bid on trips to Montreal, New York, Miami and Los Angeles. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
(L–R) Tracy Hopkins, Jesse Walker and Jenney Wilder pose together in The Fallout’s beautiful Granary District building. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
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