The Western Folklife Center in cooperation with KUED public television presents Red Rock Rondo, a one-hour high-definition music documentary filmed on location in Zion, and a signature project of Zion National Park's "A Century of Sanctuary" anniversary celebration. Red Rock Rondo is coming to Elko June 29: Read the press release. Watch songs from Red Rock Rondo: Song 1: "Hay Colored Leaves"     in High Speed (DSL) or Dial-Up Song 2: "When The Rooster Crows"     in High Speed (DSL) or Dial-Up Learn more on the KUED website. Buy the CD or DVD in our online store.

As Utah’s Zion National Park turns 100, the Western Folklife Center in cooperation with KUED TV have produced an hour-long high-definition television program that has been selected as a signature project of the Park’s Centennial celebration. Red Rock Rondo explores this spectacular place and its people through their stories put to music by Phillip Bimstein, former mayor of Springdale, Utah, which borders the Park. Red Rock Rondo weaves together the contemporary and historical, creating a rich portrait of this spectacular place and the people whose lives are so intricately connected to and affected by it. These songs cover the pioneering of Virgin River Valley by Mormon settlers in the mid-19th century, to the founding of Zion National Park in the 20th century, to modern times where retirees, artists and urban refugees have come to find their own piece of paradise.

Performed by an all-star ensemble on a lively assortment of guitars, violins, oboe, English horn, mandolin, banjo, mandocello, harmonica, button accordion, jaw harp, upright bass and vocals, the film also features the local residents whose stories inspired Red Rock Rondo’s songs. Red Rock Rondo: Zion Canyon Song Cycle is composed by Phillip Bimstein with musicians Charlotte Bell, Phillip Bimstein, Flavia Cerviño-Wood, Harold Carr, Hal Cannon, and Kate MacLeod. The film was produced by Hal Cannon and Taki Telonidis for the Western Folklife Center.

June 29, 2009:

The Western Folklife Center presents a public screening of its newest production, Red Rock Rondo, a musical documentary film of the people, place and history of Zion National Park, Monday, June 29 in the G3 Theater at the Western Folklife Center, 501 Railroad Street, Elko. The screening begins at 7:00 pm followed by a discussion with the film's producers, Hal Cannon and Taki Telonidis. This program is free and open to the public.

The Western Folklife Center presents the World Premiere of Red Rock Rondo, a musical documentary film of the people, place and history of Zion National Park, Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Dixie State College O.C. Tanner Amphitheater, in Springdale, Utah. The program begins at 8:00 pm with a concert of the Red Rock Rondo song cycle, followed by the film screening at 9:00 pm. Tickets are available at the door and are $15 ($10 for seniors and youth under 18). 

The premiere is presented by the O.C. Tanner Company in conjunction with KUED, KUER, Zion Natural History Association, Utah Public Radio , Z-arts (Zion Canyon Arts and Humanities Council), and the Southern Utah Folk Life Festival.

During the afternoon of May 9, Springdale, Utah will celebrate the Southern Utah Folk Life Festival at the Canyon Community Center. Click here to view the poster. The festival will feature local people demonstrating Dutch oven cooking, quilting, fiddling, square dancing and other folk arts.

May 19, 2009:

KUED-TV invites you to watch a screening of their "Diverse Voices" program on Tuesday May 19th, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at theSalt Lake City Main Library. Included in the program will be Red Rock Rondo.

May 21 and 24, 2009: 

Red Rock Rondo: Zion Canyon Song Cycle airs Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 8:00pm on KUED HD Channel 7.1, Salt Lake City, Utah: rebroadcasting on Sunday, May 24, 2009. Click here for more information.

Red Rock Rondo was commissioned by the American Composers Forum, recorded with the support of the Zion Natural History Association and the Utah Arts Council . Major funders are O.C. Tanner Company,  George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, R. Harold Burton Foundation, and Simmons Family Foundation.