January 16, 2026 - Slumber Party 2026, Free Covey Concerts

What’s Up Provo! It’s been exactly 50 years since Donny and Marie premiered on ABC, so if you happen to see Donny at the store or something today tell him congrats! (he’s probably in Vegas though)

Also, happy Appreciate A Dragon Day! 🐲

Let’s get into it!

In Partnership with
Zion’s Sourdough

We love supporting businesses that are truly local. Especially when they are special, and this one is. The name says it all. It’s truly heavenly sourdough, and it's made fresh just for you! 🫵

Order some this weekend: Message @zionsougdough on Instagram

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🍦 New Creamery on Ninth!
OK, time to apologize. We saw this was happening, but we didn’t realize they would be giving out free food half the week! If only WUP was on its game we all would’ve been eating a lot of hamburgers and ice cream this week. Anyway, hope you can forgive us, and if you want to know about the new creamery, it’s open now! It’s much bigger (71% larger), it still has great ice cream, burgers, and fries, and it still has groceries (hopefully they are 71% cheaper), and great college vibes.

🎬 Sundance 2026: Last Call
The Sundance Film Festival returns to Park City & Salt Lake City Jan. 22 – Feb. 1, 2026 for its final run in Utah before relocating to Boulder, Colorado in 2027. Most in-person passes sold out, but individuals can still grab tickets ($35 each) or try the waitlist via the festival app. Screenings also stream online Jan. 29 – Feb. 1. Alongside films, don’t miss “Beyond Film” talks featuring indie icons like Richard Linklater, Ava DuVernay and Salman Rushdie.

🏀 Gut-Check at the Marriott
It wasn’t pretty but they got the win. (And the school record too, 13 wins in a row! the article doesn’t say it’s the school record but we’re 98% sure it is). It was not a very good first half but AJ Dybantsa, who was sick, led the comeback with 25 points. A sea of offensive rebounds and clutch free throws sealed the late-game win ahead of a big road test this weekend. Let’s hope AJ’s well by then.

🎨 All Shapes & Sizes 2026
Got art that refuses to fit in a box—literally? JKR Gallery is now accepting artist applications for All Shapes and Sizes 2026, a show celebrating diverse identities and lived experiences. The twist: artwork can be any shape except a square or rectangle. No need to make new work—artists are selected based on their overall portfolio. Applications close Jan 26!

🎻 David Park at Orem Library Hall – Excellence Concert Series
Renowned violinist David H. Park performs on the 1692 "Earl Falmouth" Stradivari with Larry Gee (former NYC Opera assistant conductor) in the Excellence Concert Series—free admission! (And while you’re at it, check out the Tribute to Sinatra coming up later this month—also free! Just got to grab your tickets before they’re gone.)
Orem Library Hall | Jan. 17 | 7pm-9pm

💤🎸 Velour Slumber Party 2026
Velour’s beloved pajama-friendly tradition returns for two cozy, floor-seated nights with Book On Tape Worm. Blankets and pillows welcome.
Velour Live Music Gallery | Jan. 16 & 17

🐴 Skijoring Utah - Annual Horse and Skier/Boarder Event
We talked all about this one last time. But what we didn’t tell you was that you can kick off SkiJoring Utah with live music by Raina “Lawless” Wallace, a mechanical bull, a Calcutta-style showcase + fashion show, and dancing. Go and meet-the-athletes and wear a costume if you want, it’s that kind of party. And of course, stick around and watch riders get towed at high speeds through the course at this two-day event.
Wasatch County Events Center (the kick off party is at Black Rock Mountain Resort in the Ballroom) | Jan. 16-17 | 10am-5pm

🔥 Burn Bright
Kick off 2026 with a community bonfire.
125 W. Community Center Way, Mapleton | Jan. 16 | 5pm-7pm

🎶 Pedals, Pipes & Pizza
Try the pedals, peek into the pipes, and enjoy pizza.
BYU Music Building Concert Hall | Jan. 17 | 10am-12pm

🍲 Orem Soup and Bread Taste-off
Grab a to-go kit (with Broccoli Cheddar, Loaded Potato, Chicken Noodle, and seasonal Chicken Sweet Potato & Kale soups plus rosemary focaccia, French country sourdough, hazelnut 12-grain, and Asiago bread), and then vote via QR code by Jan. 18.
Kneaders Bakery & Cafe | Jan. 17 | 4pm-6pm

🤸 BYU Gymnastics
Lots of sports this weekend! Let’s start it off with gymnastics. The #23 Cougs take on Boise State in the Marriott Center!
Marriott Center | Jan. 16 | 7pm

🏐 BYU Men’s Volleyball
#8 BYU hosts #10 UC San Diego at the Smith Fieldhouse. Gooo Cougs!
Smith Fieldhouse | Jan. 16 & 17 | 7pm

🎾 BYU Tennis vs. Weber State
If you haven’t been to a tennis match yet, now’s your time to go! It’s fast paced and has lots of matches going on at once.
BYU Indoor Courts | Jan 17 | 12pm

🏀 BYU Women’s Basketball vs. Baylor
BYU’s coming off a long break and a win. Now they look to take down #18 Baylor.
Marriott Center | Jan 17 | 2pm

🏀 BYU Men’s Basketball vs. Texas Tech
Ok, not a home game, but it’s a big game! #11 Cougs take on the #15 Red Raiders in Lubbock. BYU’s last win over Texas Tech was in 1993.
United Supermarkets Arena | Jan 17 | 6pm

Next week sneak peek

🎙 Forever Plaid
Monday is opening night for Forever Plaid at the Ruth. Expect 1950s hits, tight harmonies, sharp suits, and a funny, feel-good story of four crooners getting a second chance.
The Ruth | Jan. 19–Mar. 28 | times vary

🎆 VELOUR 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW
Velour Live Music Gallery is celebrating two decades (‼) of live music in Provo by featuring legendary Utah acts past and present.
Eyes Lips Eyes, Kid Theodore/Toy Bombs, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, Sego, The New Electric Sound, Chasing Kings, The Moth & The Flame, Parlor Hawk, Polytype, all will play at this special anniversary concert lineup.
Velour Live Music Gallery | Jan 22–Jan 24

👻 Macabre Mondays | Dark Fiction Book Club
Discuss “There Is No Antimemetics Division” with host Quinn.
Folklore Bookshop | Jan. 19 | 7pm-8pm

🤝 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Help honor Dr. King as Thanksgiving Point and UServeUtah lead the assembly of 2,500+ care kits (with a STEM activity) for Ronald McDonald House and the Five.12 Foundation—free to join.
Thanksgiving Point | Jan. 19 | 9:30am-12pm

🎶 Tuesday Tunes
Featured artist: Phillip Enkey
University Place | Jan. 20 | 5pm-7pm

We’ve got a great Indian food scene — and it just got better!

Haveli Modern Cuisine just opened January 2 and it’s quickly racked up some great reviews (and a perfect 5 ⭐ rating).

Haveli has all the classics, of course (Tikka Masala, Chicken Makhani, Biryani), but they’ve also got a lot of dishes you probably haven’t tried.

Check out their Lamb Chop Sizzler🥩 and/or give one of their expansive selection of paneer curries a try. (Got to love paneer, Paneer Makhani is a well known favorite, but we suggest the Shahi Paneer.)

And if you love a little spice you need to try their Indo-Chinese dishes: Chicken 65 🔥, Chili Paneer/Chicken 🌶, Dragon Chicken 🐉, and Gobi Manchurian 🇨🇳 are 👌. (These are some iconic dishes in India, but they are more rare in the United States. You probably won’t find some of these dishes served anywhere else in Utah County.)

Learn more about Haveli
2005 State St, Orem, UT

Hey! If you have a fun local business let us know—we’ll spotlight you for free!
Email us soon at [email protected]

Thanks for reading and get this email to all the Velour fans out there! 😉

-Nicole, Josh, & Carlie

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