April 8, 2026 - Kolache Fest, Rock Opera

What’s Up Provo! As you probably already know, it’s Pygmy Hippo Day—so happy Pygmy Hippo Day Provo/Orem!

Great events to enjoy this week, both here in the valley and up in Heber valley as well. Let’s get into it!

In Partnership with
Desert Willow

Spring is when your yard starts talking to you. And if you’ve got trees, it’s worth listening.

Spring is the time to assess, prune, and plant with intention. Done right, your attention sets your trees up for years of healthy growth. Done wrong, small problems quietly become big ones.

Come join Desert Willow Tree Care as we host a 🌳 Pruning Clinic for Homeowners in Mapleton on Saturday, April 25th! (the day after Arbor Day).

You’ll learn the basics of safe and effective pruning, how to spot what actually needs attention, and how to make clean healthy cuts. As a bonus, we will also go over the fundamentals of proper tree planting. Whether you’re a hands-on homeowner or just want to know what to look for when you walk your yard, this clinic is for you.

Spots are limited, and attendance is $10 — RSVP to save your place.

And if you’ve got trees that need more than a homeowner’s touch, Scott and the team at Desert Willow are your local professionals for pruning and removal needs. Give us a call and we will handle the rest!

Desert Willow
📞 (385) 450-5202

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🏈🏀 BYU Transfer Portal
For basketball, former 4-star big man Xavion Staton is headed to the portal after limited freshman minutes. On the gridiron, though there are two big transfers, Roger Saleapaga and Walker Lyons — both tight ends — will make the tight ends one of the deepest position groups heading into 2026.

⚔ Marc J. Gregson - DOWNFALL

There is a lot to love about Gregson’s rise to success. He started out as a middle school teacher here in Utah, and after years of persistence, his debut novel Sky’s End broke out onto the national stage, capturing readers with its high-stakes world of skyships, monsters, etc. It went on to hit the New York Times bestseller list and there are now talks of a film adaption!

So come meet Marc, learn how he did it, and and get a copy of his new book DOWNFALL (also an instant New York Times bestseller) signed!

Folklore Bookshop | Apr. 8 | 3pm-4pm

🌷 Tulip Festival
Are the tulips blooming yet?! We don’t know, but you probably want to make sure they are before you go 😉
Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point | Apr. 8–May 16 | Mon–Sat 9am-8pm

🌶️ Spice & Simmer
Sounds like a mouth watering class to those of us who love spices, lots of flavor, and the sound of simmering dishes!
Provo Rec Center | Apr. 8 | 6pm-8pm

🚲 Family Bike Rodeo
Bring your bikes for a free, family-friendly rodeo with a kids’ safety course to practice skills, dancing, free pizza, and giveaways.
Utah Valley University Parking Lot (L10) | Apr. 8 | 5pm

🎆 Night of Lights
Is this one just for students? We don’t know, but there will be a hot air balloon and fireworks (at 9pm), treats, food truck, live entertainment by the Mountain Strings!
BYU Helaman Fields | Apr. 8 | 7pm-9pm

🎾🏐 BYU Sports (home games)
Women’s Tennis vs Arizona State | Apr. 9 | 12pm
Men’s Tennis vs Arizona State | Apr. 9 | 4pm
Softball vs Houston | Apr. 9 & 10 @ 6pm, Apr. 11 @ 12pm
Men’s Volleyball vs #4 USC | Apr. 10 @ 7pm, Apr. 11 @ 8pm
Women’s Tennis vs Arizona | Apr. 11 | 11am

In Partnership with
Tin Can

This was one of the more popular things we’ve talked about recently, and so it’s no surprise that they seem to be currently out of phones. ☹

The first five batches of this popular new phone for kids has sold out but they are going to be selling a new batch in a few months. Preorder now and get your kids a phone that doesn’t give them access to the whole internet.

The Tin Can allows kids to chat (meaning actually call) and reach their friends, or grandma/grandpa, or mom and dad when they’re on a date, etc. And there are no apps, no screen, no dumb games, and 100% scroll-free.

It also allows you as the parent, control over who can call you, and you can even set up a “quiet hours” schedule as well.

👉 Learn more! Because the Tin Can might be just what your family needs right now.

They offer two plans:
1⃣ Can 2 Can Plan (Call other tin can’s for free!)
2⃣ Call Friends and Family for $9.99/month. First month free

Later this week + Next week sneak peek

🤠 Kolache Fest (Hruska rebranding rodeo party)
Hruska’s Kolaches—which we all know and love and which almost always has a line out the door and for good reason—is changing its name!

Rebrands aren’t everyone’s favorite, but you have to love that there will be an all-you-can-eat mini kolache buffet! Also, Cosmo the cougar will be there, and a mechanical bull, face painting, maybe or maybe not live music—it’s going to be a party.

And we’re all curious what the new name will be (Cowboy Kolaches? Kolache Kounty? no idea, and we’re probably reading into the "rebranding rodeo” thing too much). Whatever it is, they said they are “putting on some new boots, but we’ve got the same roots.” The event will be running all morning, so you can drop in whenever. Adults $10, kids 3–10 $5; and the first 100 in line snag a limited-edition T-shirt.

Hruska’s Kolaches, Orem | Apr. 11 | 8:30am-12:30pm

🎸 School of Rock: The Musical
Opening night!
SCERA | Apr. 10 | 7:30pm

🇧🇷 BYU Wind Symphony: A Brazilian Celebration!
BYU | Apr. 10 | 7:30pm

👻 Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera
From their website: “Deep Love is show without dialogue—a modern take on the opera—where the characters tell the story entirely through the veil of a rock & roll concert.” You are supposed to clap and shout for your favorite character throughout the show and you are supposed to wear funeral attire.
The Velour | Apr. 10

🧚 Fae Market
Provo Towne Centre | Apr. 10-12 | Fri 4pm-Sun 6pm

🎣 The Great Carp Hunt
It’s the beginning of another friendly game of get-rid-of-the-carp-and-win-some-money. And this year they are giving $3 per carp you catch, double what they gave last year!
Utah Lake | Starts Apr. 11

🏁 B.A.C.A. Central Utah Car & Bike Show
Great cause and great people, plus free hot dogs, face painting, and caricature portraits.
Summit Harley-Davidson in Lindon | Apr. 11 | 9am-2pm

🎤 JK LIVE!
A live performance in the Main Hall by JK Studios! (The original Studio C cast)
The Covey Center | Apr. 11 | 4pm

🌈 The Wizard of Oz
The opening performance is this upcoming Monday and the show will be running until May 23rd.
The Ruth | Apr. 13 | 7:30pm

🎉 Devotional: Unforum
It’s the final devotional/forum of the semester!
Marriott Center | Apr. 14 | 11:05am-12pm

🪗 Bridge & Wolak
This acclaimed Canadian duo (Michael Bridge (on the accordion and piano) and Kornel Wolak (on the clarinet and piano)) will be performing at BYU. There will be two showtimes, and tickets are $15–$42.
BYU | Apr. 14 | 5:30pm & 7:30pm

🫒 Mediterranean Date Night & Bob Ross Cookies
We mentioned the Spice and Simmer already, but there are other classes happening soon as well, including a night of Mediterranean-inspired cooking (next Wednesday), a class about creating beautiful desserts (this Friday), and a Pizza Date night (next Friday)!
Provo Rec Center | Apr. 10, 15, 17 | 6pm-8pm

Some Midway/Heber Events this Friday/Saturday

🎨 Midway Art Walk
Stroll a self-guided route through local shops and businesses to see artwork by Midway artists. (This happens the second Friday each month.)
Midway | Apr. 10 | 4pm-8pm

🛍️ “Ask Heber Valley” Community Expo
Free community expo. There’s a new Family Zone, lots to eat (including free hot dogs, 2nd free hot dog event this week), as well as giveaways and specials.
Wasatch County Rec Center | Apr. 11 | 10am-3pm

🫖 Mad Hatter Tea Party
And if you’re up in Midway/Heber anyway, check out this Wonderland-inspired high tea event. Each table gets a private three-tiered tray loaded with finger sandwiches and an assortment of sweet and savory bite-sized hors d’oeuvres, plus your choice of beverage.
Homestead in Midway | Apr. 11

Wednesday - 73° | ⛅️ | 0%

Thursday - 75° | ⛅️ | 0%

Friday - 74° | ☁️ | 2%

Saturday - 63° | ⛈️ | 57%

Sunday - 56° | 🌧️ | 57%

(next) Monday - 47° | 🌧️ | 57%

(next) Tuesday - 55° | ⛅️ | 24%

@ The Velour
Wednesday – Open Mic Night
Thursday – Ultravatic, The Stoats, Ophelia’s Drowning
Friday – 19 Miles Per Hour, Lazy Loners, Internet Lover Boys
Saturday – Swerved By Blondes, Lighten Up Francis, Kings & Clowns, The Schwacksters, Outnumbered

@ The Boardwalk
Friday – The Skolarz, Geist, 10:31
Saturday – Winterforever, Relate, Troubled Minds, Wicked Bears, Halbrook Drive, Binding Vow, Head Above Water, Dog Years, Papercut Memory, Ideal Horizon

@ Java Junkie
Thursday – LampShade Wild Card Night: Avett Brothers
Friday – Open Mic Night

@ The Rise
Friday – Ruca 83, HEBER MATÜTE

@ BYU
Wednesday – BYU Symphonic Band
Friday – BYU Jazz Voices, BYU Wind Symphony
Saturday – BYU Wind Symphony

Thanks for reading, enjoy the art stroll and/or rock opera and while you’re at it forward this to someone who needs to take you out for a strawberry nutella kolache. 😉

-Nicole, Josh, & Carlie

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