Salt Lake City’s Beloved Backyard Concerts Silenced by Zoning Laws: Community Rallies for Turkanis

In an unexpected turn of events, Salt Lake City’s cherished summer tradition of backyard concerts hosted by 81-year-old Carolyn Turkanis has hit a major roadblock. For over two decades, Turkanis’s Sugarhouse home served as a vibrant venue for local musicians, fostering a sense of community and celebrating the arts. However, recent city interventions citing zoning violations have forced these gatherings to a halt, sparking disappointment and calls for compromise from both the host and the local music community.

Community Cornerstone Threatened

Since 2000, Turkanis’s garden concerts have been more than just events; they’ve been milestones of summer in Salt Lake City, offering a platform for artists and a gathering space for the community. The concerts have thrived on voluntary donations, potluck dinners, and the sheer love for music. Despite attempts to adhere to regulations by ending events before 10 p.m. and addressing traffic and noise concerns, the city’s steadfast stance on zoning laws threatens to end this tradition, citing continuous violations despite Turkanis’s efforts to comply.

Impact on Local Musicians and Community

The cessation of Turkanis’s garden concerts doesn’t just affect the tradition itself but also the livelihood and growth of local musicians. Artists like Michelle Moonshine and Megan Peters have expressed how these concerts have been pivotal in their careers, offering them not just a stage, but a nurturing environment to grow as performers. The community’s response, including a letter of support signed by dozens, underscores the significance of these concerts in fostering local talent and unity. The situation raises important questions about space, opportunity, and support for artists in urban settings.

Looking for a Middle Ground

Despite the current impasse, Turkanis remains hopeful for a solution that can satisfy both the city’s regulations and her desire to support local music. The community’s support, including offers to host concerts in alternative venues, highlights a collective will to preserve this unique cultural tradition. Yet, the essence of these gatherings – rooted in Turkanis’s garden and her hospitality – cannot be easily replicated. The ongoing debate emphasizes the need for cities to balance regulatory concerns with cultural and community enrichment.

As Salt Lake City grapples with the implications of its zoning laws on community-driven initiatives, the story of Turkanis’s garden concerts serves as a poignant reminder of the value of grassroots arts movements. The hope for a compromise lingers, not just for the sake of tradition, but for the continued vibrancy and unity of the community at large.