Blog
ZAP Welcomes New Director
August 24, 2017
We are delighted to welcome Kirsten Darrington as the new Director of the Zoo, Arts and Parks program.
Kirsten joins us from the Utah Division of Arts & Museums where she has worked for the past six years as Assistant Division Director and Change Leader Program Administrator. She brings excellence to the position with a depth of experience in the Utah arts community. In her positions for the State of Utah she fostered leaders, worked with advisory boards, and managed the distribution of Federal and State arts funds. Prior to her time at the State, Kirsten worked with several local arts groups including Ririe-Woodbury, Utah Shakespeare Festival and Utah Symphony|Utah Opera.
In addition to Kirsten’s professional experience, she holds a Bachelor of Arts from Westminster and a Master of Fine Arts from Southern Utah University in Arts Administration.
Kirsten’s education and experience positions her well to lead ZAP. We are fortunate to gain her expertise and look forward to Kirsten’s contributions not only to our department, but to Salt Lake County as a whole.
-Holly Yocom, Community Services Department Director
Final Destination Celebration for ZAP Explorers
August 23, 2017
That's a wrap on the ZAP Kids Summer Passport! Did your explorer(s) earn five stamps from five different destinations or more? Make sure to bring your ZAP Passport back to your nearest Salt Lake County Library location, and they'll show you how to reserve your spot for the Out-of-this-World Final Destination Celebration on Wednesday, August 30.
The Celebration includes a private party at the Clark Planetarium, where ZAP Explorers and their families can enjoy the exhibits, a free IMAX movie, and the opportunity to win prizes from some of your favorite ZAP-supported organizations including:
- Hale Center Theatre
- Living Planet Aquarium
- Red Butte Garden
- Utah's Hogle Zoo
- Utah Museum of Fine Arts
- UtahPresents
The Planetarium is located in The Gateway at 110 S 400 W, Salt Lake City.
Parking and Transportation
- Underground parking is available at no charge for the first hour
- $1 for 1-2 hours
- Additional parking fees apply after the first 3 hours
ZAP and the Clark Planetarium will validate a portion of parking fees for Celebration attendees.
Taking public transportation is also an option- the UTA TRAX Blue Line is located right outside the Planetarium's front door. More details on planning your visit can be found here.
We hope to see you there!
Learn more about the ZAP Kids Summer Passport
Ticket Tuesday with DRAW Inc
August 22, 2017
A winner has been chosen for this giveaway courtesy DRAW Inc.
Stay tuned for the next ZAP Ticket Tuesday.
Ticket Tuesday to the Bumble Bee Bash
August 15, 2017
A winner has been selected for this giveaway courtesy Discovery Gateway Children's Museum.
Stay tuned for the next #ZAPTicketTuesday.
ZAP Kids Summer Passport Final Weeks
August 09, 2017
Back to school, back to school...
The ZAP Kids Summer Passport program is drawing to a close, as the new school year is on the horizon. Fit a few more adventures in before class starts.
Passport opportunities run through August 20, and are free unless otherwise noted.
OBT Presents: Utahoma!
Select dates starting August 11 | 7:30 PM Off Broadway Theatre
The Off Broadway Theatre offers original family-friendly comedies and musical parodies for parents and kids alike. Utahoma! is an original musical parody based on the classic Oklahoma. Threading some of the major events in Utah's history through the show, OBT ties them to the Oklahoma plot. Present the ZAP Kids Summer Passport, and each member of the family will receive a $2 discount off the regular (Adult, Student/Senior, or Child) price.
Honk Junior presented by Empress Youth Theatre
August 11-12 | 7:30 PM, or 2 PM Saturday Matinee Empress Theatre
Exprience family-oriented theatre fun at Magna's historic Empress Theatre. Honk Junior is a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences of all ages with its sparkling wit, unique charm and memorable score. Present the ZAP Kids Summer Passport at the box office, and the passport holder will get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket ($12).
Alta Kids Day
Saturday, August 12 | 10 AM - 2 PM Albion Base
Join Alta Community Enrichment for Alta Kids Day -- filled with fun for children and adults alike with birding station, family nature walks, interactive watershed models and kids art activities.
Tomato Garden Tour
Wednesday, August 16 | 4 PM Wasatch Community Gardens
Explore the Wasatch Community Gardens Tomato Garden and learn what it's like to grow your own food in the city. Tour the gardens, meet their chickens, taste some fresh garden produce and make and take a seed pot while supplies last.
Explore the Conservation Gardens
Mondays-Saturdays | 8 AM - 8 PM Conservation Garden Park
Stroll through the gardens, walk through a water pipe, learn to make compost or identify plants at the Conservation Garden Park in West Jordan. Explore the Garden any day of the summer and get a stamp in your passport! In addition, join them for a Party in the Park on Saturday, August 19 (4-7 PM) for butterfly releases, food trucks, and more.
Memory Grove Park Scavenger Hunt
Mondays-Fridays | 9 AM - 5 PM Memorial House
Go on a scavenger hunt courtesy Preservation Utah and discover the art and architecture of Memory Grove Park! Get your passport stamp and scavenger hunt guide at the Memorial House (375 North Canyon Road in Downtown Salt Lake City).
Save $2 off the price of admission with your ZAP Passport at these destinations
- Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Visit Discovery Gateway and explore educational workshops, programs and exhibits that inspire the whole family to discover the power of play together. - The Leonardo
The Leonardo is a museum of creativity! Inside, you can discover the wonder of FLIGHT in their newest exhibit, delve into the mind-bending wonder of our exhibit on PERCEPTION, unleash your inner artist, scientist or engineer in one of our three hands-on laboratories, and even be moved by the exhibits in our Human Rights Gallery. Whatever you're interested in, The Leonardo will spark creativity and help you discover a whole new way to see the world. - Tracy Aviary
Tracy Aviary has more than 135 species and 400 individual birds on display. Guests are encouraged to wander its 8 acres and appreciate the different colors, sizes and sounds of our feathered friends.
Once you've earned your five stamps from five different destinations, make sure you take your passport back to your nearest Salt Lake County Library. They'll show you how to reserve your spot for the Out-of-this-World Final Destination Celebration.
The Celebration includes a private party at the Clark Planetarium, where explorers and their families can enjoy the exhibits, a free IMAX movie, and the opportunity to win prizes from some of your favorite ZAP-supported organizations.
We lift off on August 30, and hope to see you there!
Learn more about the ZAP Kids Summer Passport
Ticket Tuesday with Living Planet Aquarium 2017
August 08, 2017
Check back weekly for more ZAP giveaways.
ZAP Kids Summer Passport Week 10
August 03, 2017
The summer's not over yet! ZAP Kids Summer Passport opportunities run through August 20. Make sure to earn 5 stamps at different destinations to attend the Final Destination Celebration, August 30 at Clark Planetarium.
To be eligible to attend:
- Collect at least 5 stamps from different destinations by August 20
- Explorers must bring their completed Passport to any Salt Lake County Library location
- Get information from your librarian on how to reserve your spot!
In addition to free movies and laser shows, we will be raffling off some BIG prizes from some of your favorite ZAP-supported organizations including:
Hale Center Theatre
Living Planet Aquarium
Red Butte Garden
Utah's Hogle Zoo
Utah Presents
Destinations are free unless otherwise noted.
Sounds of Summer Concert*
Friday, August 4 | 6:30 PM
Enjoy free summer concerts on Friday evenings in the park this summer with Midvale Arts Council. Activities provided by the Boys & Girls Club, Copperview Community Center and the local library. This week enjoy tunes from: acoustic rock musician, Ben Brinton and 80's pop/new wave/rock band Channel Z. *Final concert of the season
Blue Moon Arts Festival
Saturday, August 5 | 2 - 10 PM
Holladay Arts Council will have free admission to the Blue Moon Arts Festival along with a free children’s craft, music, food and art vendors. 4580 So. 2300 E. August 5 2 to 10:00 PM.
Make Your Own Pinata
Saturday, August 5 | 2 PM
Create your own mini piñata and learn about its origins with Artes de México en Utah! Supplies will be provided in this bilingual (Spanish/English) visual arts workshops.
Honk Junior presented by Empress Youth Theatre
Select dates through August 12 | 2 PM or 7:30 PM
Exprience family-oriented theatre fun at Magna's historic Empress Theatre. Honk Junior is a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences of all ages with its sparkling wit, unique charm and memorable score. Present the ZAP Kids Summer Passport at the box office, and the passport holder will get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket ($12).
Destinations you can visit all summer long
Earn stamps at any of these locations throughout the summer.
Explore the Conservation Gardens
Stroll through the gardens, walk through a water pipe, learn to make compost or identify plants at the Conservation Garden Park in West Jordan. Explore the Garden any day of the summer and get a stamp in your passport! Garden hours are from 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Saturday.
Memory Grove Park Scavenger Hunt
Go on a scavenger hunt courtesy Preservation Utah and discover the art and architecture of Memory Grove Park! Get your passport stamp and scavenger hunt guide at the Memorial House (375 North Canyon Road in Downtown Salt Lake City), Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM).
Save $2 off the price of admission with your ZAP Passport at these destinations
-
Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Visit Discovery Gateway and explore educational workshops, programs and exhibits that inspire the whole family to discover the power of play together. -
The Leonardo
The Leonardo is a museum of creativity! Inside, you can discover the wonder of FLIGHT in their newest exhibit, delve into the mind-bending wonder of our exhibit on PERCEPTION, unleash your inner artist, scientist or engineer in one of our three hands-on laboratories, and even be moved by the exhibits in our Human Rights Gallery. Whatever you're interested in, The Leonardo will spark creativity and help you discover a whole new way to see the world. -
Tracy Aviary
Tracy Aviary has more than 135 species and 400 individual birds on display. Guests are encouraged to wander its 8 acres and appreciate the different colors, sizes and sounds of our feathered friends.
Having fun on your adventures? Tag your photos with #exploreZAP for a chance to have your photo shared on ZAP's Instagram @slcoZAP!
Ticket Tuesday with Wasatch Food Fest
August 01, 2017
ZAP Kids Summer Passport Week 9
July 26, 2017
There is more fun going on this week across Salt Lake County. We hope you'll get out and explore with us. Earn your stamps at any of the following free destinations, July 27 through August 3.
Sounds of Summer Concert
Friday, July 28 | Midvale City Park
Enjoy free summer concerts on Friday evenings in the park this summer with Midvale Arts Council. Activities provided by the Boys & Girls Club, Copperview Community Center and the local library. This week enjoy tunes from: Royal Academy and Jarabe Mexicano.
2017 Wasatch Wildflower Festival
Saturday, July 29 | 9 AM - 2 PM Alta Ski Area
Join Alta Community Enrichmentfor wildflower walks, acoustic music, and kid's art projects while learning about the wide diversity of wildflowers that are found in the Wasatch Mountains.
Utah Pacific Island Heritage Month Kick Off Party
Saturday, July 29 | 5 PM to 10 PM Sorenson Multicultural Center
Listen to a Classical Musical Performance
Monday, July 31 | 2:30 PM Columbus Library
Experience folk and classical music with a performance by students from the Salty Cricket El Sistema program.
Learn Classical Indian Dance
July 31 | 7 PM Sandy Library
Enjoy an evening with ChitraKaavya Dance, including a short Ganapathi Kauthuvam, a song in praise of the Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed god. Then join in some interactive fun and learn abstract dance movements with the group.
The Final Destination Celebration is Out of This World!
Are you close to completing your ZAP Kids Summer Passport? Save the date for our FINAL DESTINATION CELEBRATION at the Clark Planetarium : August 30, 2017, 3-7 PM! To be eligible to attend:
- Collect at least 5 stamps from different destinations by August 20
- Explorers must bring their completed Passport to any Salt Lake County Library location
- Get information from your librarian on how to reserve your spot!
In addition to free movies and laser shows, we will be raffling off some BIG prizes from some of your favorite ZAP-supported organizations including:
Utah's Hogle Zoo
Hale Center Theatre
Red Butte Garden
Living Planet Aquarium
We hope to see you there!
Ticket Tuesday with Flamenco del Lago
July 25, 2017
