August 12-13 and beyond
Oktoberfest, for 10 weekends
Snowbird, up Little Cottonwood Canyon, is starting its annual Oktoberfest celebrations this weekend, and every Saturday and Sunday through October 15 (and also on Labor Day, September 4). That’s 10 weekends of live music, activities, traditional Bavarian food, more than 50 varieties of beer, and a roster of local vendors. It runs from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free, but parking costs $12 per car.
August 15, 18
Which old-school rock?
Which classic rock act do you want to hear this week? Veteran blues rocker Boz Scaggs headlines Tuesday at Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City; Jackie Bristow is the opening act; the show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $60 for general admission at RedbutteGarden.org/concerts. On Friday night, the rock legends Foreigner perform on their farewell tour at Usana Amphitheater, 5150 Upper Ridge Road, West Valley City; Loverboy is the opening act; the show starts at 7 p.m.; tickets are available at LiveNation.com.
August 19
Sam Smith sings
Grammy-winning singer Sam Smith is the headliner Friday night at the Delta Center, 301 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Smith has moved from blue-eyed soul of their breakout hit “Stay With Me” to a rougher sound on this year’s “Unholy,” their duet with Kim Petras — which made Smith the first openly nonbinary artist to win a Grammy, and Petras the first openly transgender artist to win in a major category. Opening for Smith is Jessie Reyez. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at DeltaCenter.com