Author: Provo Music Magazine

Provo Music Magazine is an online music magazine that covers the latest music releases and news about the Provo Music scene.

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Provo City News

Sound of Freedom: Provo Distributor Smashes Box Office

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By Richard Provost

The independent film industry is captivated by the surprising anomaly Sound of Freedom, a non-major-studio production with faith-based undertones. Initial predictions indicated that the film would gross $11 million to $15 million over six days, but it has already surpassed those projections. In fact, rumors suggest that the movie might even reach $20 million in its first six days.

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Adding to its success, Sound of Freedom received an A+ CinemaScore, and is sitting at 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. While that’s only based on 16 reviews, more reviews are coming in. And they’re getting more impressive.

In their review of the film, Owen Glieberman of Variety said, “Let’s assume that, like me, you’re not a right-wing fundamentalist conspiracy theorist looking for a dark, faith-based suspense film… Even then, you needn’t hold extreme beliefs to experience Sound of Freedom as a compelling movie that shines an authentic light on one of the crucial criminal horrors of our time.”

Angel Studios, the Provo-headquartered distributor behind the movie, has adopted an innovative crowdfunding platform called Pay It Forward to boost ticket sales. This patent-pending technology empowers moviegoers to purchase tickets for others, creating a unique and engaging communal experience. Angel Studios previously used this platform for the release of His Only Son in March, a film centered around the prophet Abraham. His Only Son earned $5.5 million on its opening weekend and ultimately grossed $12 million in the United States against a budget of only $250,000.

Promotional art for the movie, starring Jim Caviezel in the lead role of Tim Ballard.

Angel Studios recently announced that crowdfunding efforts for Sound of Freedom have raised an additional $2.6 million, bringing the total gross to $14 million. Earlier reports indicated that presales through crowdfunding had reached $10 million for the movie, which depicts the true story of Tim Ballard, a homeland security officer who personally took on the mission of rescuing abducted children worldwide.

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Comparable films to Sound of Freedom include other faith-based titles based on true stories. However, Sound of Freedom is surpassing the performance of these films as well. Notable examples include Soul Surfer from 2011, which opened with $3.6 million on its first Friday, $10.6 million in its first three days, and ultimately grossed $43.8 million. Similarly, Fireproof from 2008 opened with $6.8 million over three days and reached a total domestic gross of over $33 million.

In a separate development, Disney’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny had an unexpectedly strong July 4th (typically not a peak moviegoing day) with only a 3% decline from Monday’s earnings of $11.8 million. As a result, the film has amassed $83.6 million over its five-day run. If Dial of Destiny follows the trend of other films targeting an older male audience, like No Time to Die, it might experience a 57% to 60% decline and earn approximately $24 million to $25 million in the upcoming weekend. Many industry analysts are already considering Dial of Destiny (which had a budget of $300 million) a box office bomb.

We’re certainly living in strange times. Few would’ve predicted that an indie movie studio from Provo, Utah would one day produce a film more profitable than an Indiana Jones movie – by a margin of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Sound of Freedom is in theaters now.

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University News

BYU Is Finally In The Big 12

BYU fans celebrated at an on-campus party on June 30, 2023. Photo courtesy of BYU Athletics
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By Mike Romero

It’s been a long 22 months. After nearly 2 years of waiting, BYU will end its era of independence by uniting with the elite Big 12 for the 2023-2024 season. Celebrations among students, fans, and alumni took place this past weekend.

A massive gathering was held in Provo, Utah. Fans gathered and counted down until midnight, when the BYU Cougars were officially admitted into the conference. BYU even made a massive announcement on a digital display at Times Square in New York City.

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BYU’s sports teams will compete in 20 of the 23 sports sponsored by the Big 12. The school won’t participate in wrestling, rowing, or equestrian. Since the Big 12 doesn’t support men’s volleyball, BYU’s men’s volleyball team will stay in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

In a major win for Latter-day Saints and a gracious move on the part of the Big 12, BYU will not compete in athletic events on Sundays – a holy day for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

BYU football begins their 2023 season with three non-conference home games. Then they’ll hit the road to take on Kansas on September 23. Home games this year include Cincinnati on September 29, Texas Tech on October 21, Iowa State on November 11, and Oklahoma on November 18.

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Provo City News

Provo Celebrates July Fourth Through Tradition

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By Richard Provost

The Fourth of July is one of the busiest, most festive times of the year for Provo residents. Steeped in tradition, the Fourth in Provo, Utah is a bright, cheery, and magical time with plenty to do. Provo’s Freedom Festival is one of the largest in the United States.

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On Saturday, July 1, legendary rock group, Journey, returned to Provo for the second time. They played LaVell Edwards Stadium to a large audience. F-35s from Utah’s Hill Air Force Base flew over the stadium, and the night concluded with the nation’s largest stadium fireworks spectacle.

This morning, the Grand Parade will take place at 9 AM. Marching bands, professionally crafted floats, giant balloons, horseback riders, and musical performers will all appear in downtown Provo. Provo’s Balloon Fest will conclude this morning before the parade. Hot air balloons have filled the sky the entire weekend, taking off from Fox Field at 6 AM each morning.

Freedom Days, Provo’s Fourth of July carnival, will take place today from 11 AM to 7 PM. Food trucks, musicians, vendors, and rides will be situated on Center Street and University Avenue, across from the Provo Temple.

“I invite each and every one of you to come and experience the patriotic spirit that fills our city during the Freedom Festival,” says Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. “It is a wonderful way to connect with your neighbors, friends, and family, and to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy in our beautiful nation.”

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Provo City News

How To Navigate Stadium of Fire Today

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By Zach Collier

Tonight, legendary rock band Journey will headline Stadium of Fire – an annual Provo tradition held at Lavell Edwards Stadium at Brigham Young University. The event will feature musical performances, fireworks, patriotic festivities, and… tons of traffic.

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For locals, this can be problematic. Provo City has announced road closures surrounding the event. Barricades will be placed in the following locations to help keep things orderly:

  • At the intersection of E University Parkway and N 150 E headed north and east.
  • At the intersection of E University Parkway and N 450 E headed west.
  • At the intersection of W University Parkway and University Avenue headed East.
  • At the intersection of Stadium Avenue and N 150 E headed east and south.
  • On Stadium Avenue by Lot 47 Y.

Utah Transit Authority encourages people to park further from the stadium and to take the BRT to the event to reduce congestion. Tickets to the event are still available online here.

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Provo City News

Provo Watches Celebratory Flyover

Photo courtesy US Department of Defense.
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By Mike Romero

Residents of Provo just witnessed a remarkable event. The U.S. Air Force and Utah Air National Guard’s air refuelers took flight over northern and central Utah on Tuesday, commemorating a century of air refueling.

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On June 27, Tuesday, we honor the remarkable achievement of U.S. Army Air Service aviators who successfully executed the first-ever air refueling 100 years ago. It was on this historic day in 1923 when 1st Lts. Virgil Hine and Frank W. Seifert, piloting a DH-4B aircraft, transferred gasoline through a hose to another DH-4B plane carrying Capt. Lowell H. Smith and 1st Lt. John P. Richter.

The inaugural air refueling, once believed to be an impossible feat, marked a new era for combat aircraft. This innovative process enables planes to remain airborne for extended periods, conserving fuel and saving valuable time during long-distance flights.

Provo residents witnessed the flyover between 10:10 and 10:20 AM, with the three aircraft passing directly over BYU campus at 10:13 AM. Watch the flyover in the third slide below.

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Provo City News

Provo Municipal Candidates Will Address City on Thursday

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By Charlie G. Patreus

Candidates vying for municipal office in Provo are gearing up for the upcoming fall elections. The Municipal Council seats will be up for grabs, and Provo voters will have the chance to choose their representatives in this year’s general election. The primary election is scheduled for September 5, but before that, an opportunity awaits Provo voters to hear directly from the candidates on Thursday.

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Utah Representative Tyler Clancy, a first-term legislator representing a substantial portion of Provo (the area east of State Street and generally between 2620 North and 300 North) will host the forum. The event will take place from 6:30 to 8 PM in the Bullock Room of the Provo City Library.

Clancy has emphasized the importance of an informed electorate for a thriving republic and highlights the forum as a platform to actively engage in the political process and make well-informed decisions on election day. In a press release, Clancy expresses his hope that the event will foster open dialogue between the candidates and the citizens of Provo, build community trust, and lead to a more responsive government.

With a total of thirteen candidates vying for the four open seats, there is only one incumbent seeking re-election. In District 1, Craig Christensen and Stan Jensen are contending for the seat currently held by Bill Fillmore. For the District 3 seat, currently occupied by Shannon Ellsworth, the candidates are David Lewis and Becky Bogdin. Incumbent council member Travis Hoban is the sole candidate for District 4.

Meanwhile, Council member David Shipley has decided not to run for re-election for the City Wide II seat. Eight candidates are stepping forward to replace him: Joseph Penrose, Beth Hedengren, Ari Emmanuel Webb, Gary Garrett, Wendy Ahlman, Tanner Bennett, McKay Jensen, and Nathan Smith Jones.

The forum will allow the candidates to address crucial topics, respond to audience questions, and present their ideas for improving the community. After the event, the candidates will have tables set up for further discussions. The forum is free and open to the public, welcoming everyone interested in participating. See the map of Provo Council Districts below.

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University News

BYU Students Construct Solar-Powered Concrete House on Campus

Photo by Matthew Norton/BYU
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By Zach Collier

In a groundbreaking achievement, students from Brigham Young University (BYU) have designed, engineered, and built a sustainable, zero-energy dwelling directly on campus. Tucked away behind BYU’s Snell Building, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence has received hundreds of visitors this month.

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Affectionately known as the “Triple Dome Home,” this architectural marvel comprises three interconnected monolithic concrete domes. A featured dwelling in the Utah Valley Parade of Homes, this zero-energy domicile spans a modest 850 square feet and stands as a testament to the prowess of student builders. This transportable house can be relocated wherever a crane can be stationed. In fact, this particular dwelling will soon be uprooted and transported to California for sale later in the fall.

Built as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon, it’s meticulously designed. The house aims to minimize its carbon footprint, curtail water consumption, and effortlessly maintain a consistent temperature throughout both frigid winters and scorching summers.

The interior of the BYU Triple Dome Home by BYU Photo.

The Triple Dome Home boasts several remarkable engineering features, including the utilization of fiberglass in lieu of rebar as the primary material for reinforcing the concrete structure. Additionally, a PVC membrane envelops the entirety of the exterior walls, providing insulation and imperviousness to water. Portions of the exterior walls are concealed beneath soil, rocks, and plants, creating an innovative berming technique.

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The residence harnesses the power of 34 double-sided solar panels seamlessly integrated into a carport and an adjacent pergola. Thanks to its concrete dome construction, the house boasts windproof and fireproof properties while remaining resilient to extreme temperatures. Enhanced energy efficiency is achieved through the inclusion of triple-paned windows.

This undertaking has stretched the physical and intellectual capabilities of over 20 students involved in the design, engineering, and construction processes.

BYU represents one of the 15 universities hailing from the United States, Canada, and India that took part in the esteemed Solar Decathlon Build Challenge. Later this year, the BYU team and their Triple Dome Home will also compete in the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon.

There are only two days left to tour the home before it moves to California. The Utah Valley Parade of Homes is happening now, and concludes on June 24.

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Orem City News

When Will the Orem Temple Be Dedicated?

A rendering of the Orem Utah Temple.
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By Charlie G. Patreus

The Orem Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be dedicated on January 21, 2024, despite minor construction issues along the way. The dedication and open house dates were announced by the church’s First Presidency, along with the closure date for the Provo Utah Temple.

The Orem Utah Temple will have a public open house from October 27 to December 16, with exceptions for Sundays and Thanksgiving Day. A media day will be held on October 23, followed by invited guests touring the temple from October 24 to 26.

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The dedicatory sessions will be broadcast to all units in the Orem Utah Temple district, and more details about the dedication will be shared later.

The Provo Utah Temple will be closed starting from February 24, 2024 for reconstruction. During the closure, members are encouraged to attend other temples, and those seeking ordinances should contact nearby temples for arrangements.

Utah has a total of 28 LDS temples, including the Orem and Provo temples. The state is the global headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with a membership of 2.2 million people. The Saratoga Springs Utah Temple will be dedicated on August 13, and the St. George Utah Temple will be rededicated on December 10.

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University News

UVU Hosts First Silicon Slopes Artificial Intelligence Summit

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By Charlie G. Patreus

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to bring about both positive advancements and potential chaos and devastation. This was the key message conveyed at the inaugural Silicon Slopes Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit hosted by Utah Valley University.

Tyler Folkman is the chief technology officer and AI officer for Benlabs, an organization dedicated to exploring the applications of machine learning in transforming creator entertainment. Folkman was among the esteemed AI experts who shared their insights at the conference.

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He explained that we are yet to comprehend the full potential of AI. He said there is a belief that it can achieve remarkable feats, but there is also a lot of fear associated with it. As we continue to enhance its capabilities, AI holds boundless possibilities to assist us. While it could potentially cause harm, he believes we now have the ability to control and mitigate those risks.

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes emphasized the need for the tech industry’s involvement in shaping policies and laws surrounding AI. Reyes urged experts and AI consumers to ensure that the regulations implemented protect humanity without impeding the positive applications of AI.

Reyes also pointed out the existence of current tools and ongoing efforts in this regard. He highlighted proposals such as digital watermarks or inherent ID markers that can help distinguish between authentic and fake content, benefiting consumers, businesses, and legal proceedings.

Rachel Bi, an associate professor in UVU’s Personal Financial Planning Program and head of the Finance and Economics Department at the Woodbury School of Business, has been actively researching business applications of AI, machine learning, blockchain, and cloud computing for several years.

UVU aims to be at the forefront of technological adoption.
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Bi explained the distinction between two types of AI. Narrow AI, or weak AI, is designed to tackle specific tasks or solve particular problems. On the other hand, general AI, or strong AI, aims to replicate the broad cognitive abilities of human intelligence, enabling it to comprehend, learn, and perform any intellectual task humans can.

“The majority of the AI that we engage with on a daily basis are narrow AI, including the famous ChatGPT,” Bi said. “It is worth mentioning that developing a general AI could be very challenging and is not yet realized, although people are working on it. But the attainment of self-awareness of general AI will raise profound philosophical, ethical, and technical questions that are hotly debated.”

Bi further highlighted AI’s impact on the financial sector, citing the use of robo-advisors to manage stock portfolios and AI algorithms to determine individual credit scores by analyzing extensive personal data, such as debt, revenue, and spending habits.

Other speakers at the summit included Dave Wright, CEO of e-commerce acceleration platform Pattern, and Christina Baum, vice president of Digital Transformation and chief information officer at UVU.

“I love that UVU is being recognized as leading out,” Baum said. “I love our partnership with Silicon Slopes. I think there is so much that we can leverage artificial intelligence for in the education space, and I think instead of being scared of where that might lead us educationally, we need to embrace that and find ways that we can really catapult our education forward and help remove barriers for students.”

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UVU is well-positioned to adapt to AI-powered learning. George Rudolph, chair of UVU’s computer science department, emphasized that hosting the AI Summit conference strengthens UVU’s connection to local industries and reinforces its commitment to cutting-edge workforce development.

The one-day conference also marked the official launch of the Silicon Slopes AI chapter, further fostering collaboration and progress in the field of artificial intelligence.

For another example of how UVU is embracing cutting edge technologies, check out their work with VR and drones below.

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Provo City News

French Fry Frenzy on I-15 After Truck Crash

Photos courtesy of Jeff Hall.
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By Zach Collier

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I was witness to the McMadness.

A chaotic scene unfolded on Father’s Day Sunday afternoon as Interstate 15 became a traffic nightmare due to a massive spill of french fries, impacting both drivers and emergency responders.

According to Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Devyn Gurney, a semi-trailer carrying a load of french fries overturned near the vicinity of 1450 North. It scattered french fries across four lanes on the southbound side and an additional two lanes on the northbound side.

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Authorities suspect that the truck lost control, leading to the unforeseen incident. As the vehicle collided with the barrier separating the northbound and southbound lanes, it also struck a light pole, which tore open the trailer and ejected hundreds of boxes full of fries across the area.

Cleanup operations persisted for several hours, causing significant traffic congestion spanning miles in both directions of I-15 on Father’s Day. However, the remarkable aspect of this ordeal was that despite the truck veering across multiple lanes, colliding with the barrier, and leaving behind an apocalyptic amount of potatoes, no injuries were reported.

Photo by Jeff Hall.
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