Festival season is here!

Get out your calendar and plan a visit to Living Traditions, Busker Fest, Utah Arts Festival, Veteran Golden Age Games, Crying with Laughter, and National Learn to Row Day. Plus, Tango Nights with live music from Kechi.

Every Monday in May, RadioACTive brings you cool people, places and things to get your summer started. Check them out and get plugged into your community!

Kechi, a Utah band that performs traditional Turkish folk music and is part of the Utah Turkish American Association (UTAA). 

• May 19: Kechi at Living Traditions Festival, 12:00 p.m. at Amphitheater Stage, Washington & Library Squares, 451 S. 201 E., SLC. "The group consists of nine members, most of whom were born and raised in Turkey and now live in Utah. They play piano, guitar, and several different drums, as well as traditional Turkish instruments. The music they typically perform is traditional Turkish folk, classical, pop, and Anatolian rock music, incorporating old songs that are well-known by anyone who has grown up in Turkey, evoking childhood memories, and shared memories that bring our Utah Turkish community together." For the full festival program, click here. 

• May 25: Tango Nights - Live Music with Kechi, 7:00-10:00 p.m. at E.W. Garbett Center for Choral Music, 700 N. 200 W., SLC. Event by Two Flame Tango: "Get ready to be captivated by the vibrant sounds of Kechi, a renowned Turkish folk band that will weave their magic into the passionate world of tango. Doors at 7:00 p.m. Beginner tango lesson 7:30-8:30 p.m. No experience necessary! Live Music by Kechi starts at 9:00 p.m. This is your chance to learn the basic steps in our beginner-friendly lesson, immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere with live music, tango the night away with friends and loved ones, and savor delicious food. Everyone is welcome at Tango Nights!  Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just curious to explore the world of tango, we guarantee a night filled with fun, passion, and a touch of Turkish flair. Tickets: $15 in advance; $20 at the door." For tickets, click here. 

National Veterans Golden Age Games needs nearly 2,000 volunteers for its games in August. RadioACTive speaks with local co-chair Curtis Ivins, volunteer Ed Kimball, and veteran athlete Central Pierre.

• Aug. 24-29: 38th National Veterans Golden Age Games, Salt Lake City. "The VA Salt Lake City Health Care System and National Veterans Golden Age Games are looking for nearly 2,000 volunteers to give back to our Veterans as they go for the gold in Salt Lake this summer. Nearly 1,100 Veterans from across the country will descend on Salt Lake from August 24-29 for the 38th National Veterans Golden Age Games. The Golden Age Games serve Veterans 55 and older who receive care at VA medical centers. We are looking for volunteers of all ages. The only restrictions are ages 5-13 must be accompanied by a parent and 14-17 must have parental permission." To register to volunteer, click here.    

Brian Higgins of Mental Healthy Fit, a nonprofit that aims to succeed in ending mental health stigma through education, entertainment and impact. A new standup comedy workshop for youth starts this month.

• May 15: Happy Documentary Free Screening & Arts Workshop - Focus on Mental Health, 6:30-9:00 p.m. at Project Connection, 2655 S. Lake Erie Dr., West Valley City. Event by Mental Healthy FiT - Ending Stigma: "Join us to celebrate Mental Health Acceptance Month with a Utah Premiere Screening of Happy. Based on the life of Leonard 'Porkchop' Zimmerman, HAPPY is more than merely an artist’s story. This inspiring documentary feature is about love, loss, grieving, and the incredible healing power of art. A film about finding that one thing that gives you strength, eases your pain, and in time... helps you find your happiness. Part of Focus on Mental Health, we'll be presenting the Utah premiere in May, in conjunction with a special expressive arts workshop with the film's creative team and a Q&A with the film's director and star Michael McKinley and Leonard Zimmerman. Register for free tickets here https://mentalhealthyfit.org/calendar-1/happy-doc-screening."

• May 29: Crying With Laughter - A Youth Mental Health Awareness Show, 6:30-9:00 p.m. at Fit To Recover, 1397 S. 800 W., SLC. Event by Mental Healthy FiT - Ending Stigma and PBS Utah: "Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month by laughing together. No experience necessary. We’ll inspire each other to find the light in the dark... then get on stage and tell everyone! No performance necessary. Youth of all ages! We’re teaming up with PBS Utah to get ready for the premiere of Roots of Comedy with Jesus Trejo. A special early release of all six episodes of the series will stream starting May 24. The series will also be available to stream on the PBS YouTube channel, following the television broadcast premiere on PBS Utah June 21 at 9 p.m. Come along to the workshops to craft your set, then show off what you’ve got on May 29th supported by comedian Steve Soelberg who chooses to do this all the time! Seats are limited! If you want to secure your seat, RSVP to jrasekhi@pbsutah.org."

Talking arts, summer and quality of life with folks putting on some of the summer festivals we've come to rely upon in our community. RadioACTive talks with 

• Dawn Borchardt, Living Traditions Festival, May 17-19 at Washington & Library Squares, 400 S. 200 E., SLC. 

• Kim Angeli, Busker Fest, May 24-25, surrounding Eccles Theater; stroll along Main Street and Regent Street between 100 and 200 South to see traveling and local street performers — FREE

• Aimée Dunsmore, Utah Arts Festival, June 28-30, Washington & Library Squares, 400 S. 200 E., SLC,  the argest multi-disciplinary outdoor event in Utah annually

National Learn to Row Day is June 1st. And Great Salt Lake Rowing invites you to join them. RadioACTive gets tips from GSLR members Meghan Saunders, Irene Lysenko, and Jason Wimmer. 

• June 1: National Learn to Row Day - 2024, 8:00-11:00 a.m. at Great Salt Lake State Park & Marina, 13312 W. 1075 S., Magna. Event by Great Salt Lake Rowing: "Have you ever wanted to learn to row? Come and get a taste of what rowing on the Great Salt Lake is all about at our National Learn To Row Day! We are inviting the public to join us for a morning of learning the basics of rowing on the ergometers and dry boats before taking a spin in the marina. Come see what it is all about!" For directions, click here. 

Guests' views, thoughts, or opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the board, staff, or members of  Community Radio of Utah, KRCL 90.9fm. Questions, comments or suggestions for the show? Email radioactive@krcl.org. Tonight's RadioACTive team included:

• Executive Producer, Host: Lara Jones
• Community Co-Host: Tamrika Khvtisiashvili
• Production Assistant: Connor Estes

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