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Univ. of Utah’s basketball arena operating at deficit that could top $1M

Univ. of Utah’s Jon M. Huntsman Center, which hosts Utah basketball, gymnastics and volleyball, is “operating at a significant deficit,” according to Courtney Tanner of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE. The arena was reported in the red this past fiscal year, with a $765,859 loss. That has since been paid off, but this fiscal year, it is “projected to grow to a new deficit” of over $1M. Utah is “subsidizing the losses by transferring funds from other operations.” Utah CFO Gary McArthur said that the school “won’t be able to reverse it immediately.” But he “pointed to the now-finalized private equity partnership” Utah formed with Otro Capital to “revitalize revenue for Utah Athletics.” Under that deal, the spinoff company Crimson Brand Partners is expected to “take over commercial sports events on campus, including ticketing, concessions, licensing and branding, as well as stadium and arena operations.” Part of that includes a planned renovation of the 57-year-old Huntsman Center. According to an initial study, the idea is to “shrink its capacity and add more premium suites with higher-priced ticket sales.” The plan also “calls for more food offerings for fans, who currently have relatively few options.” McArthur added that “any renovation plans won’t be ready to present for approval this year to the Utah Board of Higher Education” (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 11/11).

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Salt Lake City Weekly’s live music picks for November 12 through November 18.

The term “psychedelic” first came into use in the mid-1950s; music’s psychedelic era commenced about a decade later, propelled by wider availability of LSD and other psychoactive drugs. The leading lights of the psychedelic era were bands like the 13th Floor Elevators, Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead, while even darker undertones were explored by the Velvet Underground and other less-commercially oriented artists. By the mid-1970s, however, psychedelic rock had largely faded from the public’s consciousness as other forms—disco, punk etc.—took over. But nobody told The Black Angels. Not exactly a throwback to the original psychedelic era, the Austin, Tex. band makes modern music that is greatly informed and inspired by the music of old. But in the hands of this boundary-pushing band, psych is once again enjoying an extended and very much above-ground heyday. The group debuted in 2004 with a fresh rethink of ’60s psychedelia, focusing on drone, experimentation and long-form musical excursions. By the time of 2017’s Death Song (their fifth studio album), The Black Angels had moved toward concise, shorter forms while keeping the swirling psychedelic values at the fore. The Black Angels come to Metro Music Hall for a 21+ show on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets are currently sold out, but resale may be available at the Fan Marketplace on 24tix.com. (Bill Kopp)