Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Elise Maxwell Personal Blog #1



I'm consistently amazed by the versatility of the city. I believe this to be exemplified by the plazas of the Salt Lake City downtown library and the City County building as well as the street that runs between them.

On any average day, the plazas are relatively empty. People are will walk through, on their way to various destinations, rarely, if ever, stopping to talk to anyone. People rarely stop and stay, for any reason. The plazas are open and welcoming, but rarely social.

A few times a year, however, the plazas are completely transformed. The plaza hosts a variety of festivals. When the Utah Jazz Festival has free concerts, they are held there. Each summer, the plazas host the Utah Arts Festival. The Utah Gay Pride Festival has started being held there, as well. During these times, the plazas come alive. Street vendors and booths line the street and make their own grids. Every kind of person can be found, all enjoying the atmosphere and the entertainment.

I remember specifically a few years ago a performance I saw at the Utah Arts Festival. A performance group repelled off the glass wall of the City Library. With a crowd gathered below, the group danced at sunset. On the glass, you could see the reflection of the dancers. As a member of the crowd, I remember feeling as if I was a part something. People who didn't know each other began to interact, losing their social barriers because they were joined by something amazing.




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