Nov. 9-11
Audra McDonald sings
Audra McDonald is a legend on Broadway — winning six Tony Awards over a 30-year career will do that — but she’s practically an honorary Utahn, by way of her marriage to actor and Hale Center scion Will Swenson (who’s currently starring on Broadway as Neil Diamond in “A Beautiful Noise”). McDonald will be in Utah this week for three performances with the Utah Symphony, Thursday at the Val A. Browning Center in Ogden, and Friday and Saturday at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are available at utahsymphony.org.
Nov. 10-11
Remembering our veterans
Saturday is Veterans Day, a commemoration for those who have served in this country’s military — held to mark the 11th day of the 11th month, when the guns went silent to end The Great War (now known as World War I) in 1918. Utah liquor stores will be closed Saturday, and there will be no mail delivery that day. Because the date falls on a Saturday, Friday will be the observed holiday for government offices. Among the free events happening to honor veterans Saturday: A “Celebration of Veterans,” 9 a.m., at the SCERA, 600 S. 400 East, Orem; a flag retirement ceremony, 10 a.m., at Memory Grove Park, 375 N. Canyon Road, Salt Lake City; a ceremony at 11 a.m. at Draper City Park, 12500 S. 1300 East, Draper; and a parade and honors ceremony, starting at 11:11 a.m. along Wasatch Drive and ending at Layton Commons Park, Layton.
Nov. 10-11
Light up the night
The Utah Arts Alliance holds its annual Illuminate festival, featuring light art and creative technology, Friday and Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m., at Library Square, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City. The event includes a STEAM lab, locally made silent movies screened against the wall of The Leonardo (curated by the Utah Film Center), a pop-up of “The Dragon’s Labyrinth” from the Dreamscapes exhibition, a night market and a stage with live entertainment. At 9 p.m. both nights, a drone show will play above City Hall. The event is free.