By Shaun Delliskave | [email protected]

Find that nuclear-strength sunscreen; Murray’s summer art season is about to begin. This year, Murray Arts in the Park program will expand, adding even more concerts to its traditional schedule. Plus, Wheeler Farm and the Food Truck League have events planned.

“Last year’s attendance was not too bad as people desired and really needed to get out and enjoy the arts again. We were not totally back to our usual admission numbers but think we will surpass what we have done in past years,” Murray Cultural Arts Manager Lori Edmunds said.

Theater

Murray Amphitheater’s (495 E. 5300 South) season begins in June with “Matilda the Musical.” Roald Dahl’s tale and later a movie adaption from which the musical derives, takes stage June 16-18, 23-24.

Sticking to the habit of musical adaptations, “Sister Act,” based on the 1992 film, runs July 15-16, 18, 21-23. In August, the “Drowsy Chaperone,” a parody of the American musical comedy of the 1920s, will run, Aug. 12-13, 15, 18-20.

Stretching the theater season into September, “Once On This Island Jr.” a children’s musical, will run Sept 9-10. Adapted from the celebrated Broadway musical, this Calypso-flavored tale follows one small girl who finds love in a world of prejudice.

Murray City Cultural Arts is sponsoring the Kids Act Up Drama Camp for up-and-coming actors. Aspiring actors can learn the fundamentals of being on stage. Activities will include improv games, musical theatre, props, and how to develop a show. A performance for parents will be held at the end of the camp.

Concerts

An expanded slate of concerts awaits the busy Murray Amphitheater’s stage. The Murray Symphony Pops presents “Broadway Classics” on June 4. The Murray Concert Bands Summer Concert will follow June 15.

Returning to the amphitheater stage, Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four will present a workshop concert July 9. Students interested in honing their string playing skills can attend a workshop with the violinist-supreme and perform with her family group in concert.

Get ready to do a jig or two July 29-30. Along with Mairead Nesbitt, the Scariff School of Irish Dance will present “A Celtic Summer’s Night.”

Instead of one showcase concert closing the summer season, concertgoers can now expect three.

“We are super excited to be bringing Toast. They sound really good, and I think we may sell out. We are always cognizant of who our audiences are and try to cater to their likes and desires, but big names are expensive to bring in, and we like to keep our prices affordable. It is a hard balancing act,” Edmunds said.

No, the cultural art folks are not bringing fried bread for you to watch but a Bread-tribute band. Get it, band names Bread/Toast? Toast will perform the soft-rock group Bread’s hits Aug. 26.

The following night, the One Voice Children’s Choir will perform. Having made several national television appearances and international tours, this will mark the group’s first visit to the Murray Amphitheater.

Wrapping up the summer concert season will be, Close to You – A Carpenter’s Tribute Band. They perform at the amphitheater Sept. 2.

Free summer lunch concerts are held every Tuesday at noon in Murray Park Pavilion No. 5 from June through August. Bring your sack lunch and enjoy an hour of entertainment. Also held in Pavilion No. 5, free children’s matinee concerts every Thursday at 2 p.m.

Family night concerts are held on the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Senior Recreation Center outdoor plaza located at 10 E. 6150 South.

Movies

If you can finish the phrase, “Do-Re-Mi,” you are invited to sing along with “The Sound of Music,” starting the free movies in the park June 3. The classic film will play on the screen with captions so that you can sing with the Von Trapp Family Singers.

Also showing under the stars “American Underdog” on June 17 and “Encanto” on July 17. But bring your bathing suit on July 1 to watch “Luca” at the outdoor pool, followed by “Lilo & Stitch” Aug. 5.

Library

Looking for a way to keep your kids reading during the break from school? Sign them up for the summer reading program at Murray Library. The library’s reading program is especially rewarding for youngsters, as the program always ends with a huge end-of-summer bash featuring prizes and a fire hose.

The library’s “Stop in For Stories” gives parents a break by providing a storyteller every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 11:15 a.m. in the Murray Park Gazebo.

Of course, the library has programs this summer for the whole family to enjoy. Every Wednesday, families are invited to catch an enlivening performance from magicians to reptiles to raptors to Miss Murray. The events are free and start at 1 p.m. For a calendar of the library’s Summer Shorts, visit murraylibrary.org.

At Wheeler Farm, there will be songs and stories in the Ice House for preschoolers and their caregivers. This is a partner program with Salt Lake County Library Services on the second Tuesday of the month. No admission fee for this event.

Summer Camps

Wheeler Farm will offer its traditional summer camps for youngsters this year. One-week camps allow children, ages 6-10, to participate in goat milking, gathering eggs, farm chores, horseback riding, wool spinning, animal grooming, and blacksmith demonstrations, to name a few.

For ages 8-14, Horse Camp will allow participants to learn to care for horses by grooming, bathing, and handling. As well as learn the basics of riding. More information can be found at www.slco.org/wheeler-farm/.

Food

The Food Truck League visits Murray Park every Tuesday evening. Where else could you eat a Korean appetizer, a Peruvian entree, and a Middle Eastern dessert? Trucks vary from week to week. Follow www.thefoodtruckleague.com to see whose cooking.