{10/16} Crankie Theater Night: Moving Pictures & Live Music

Event Details

Date: Friday, October 16
Family Matinee: 5:00 PM
Evening Performance: 7:00 PM
Admission: Pay what you can; free registration available
Suggested Donation: $10 per person or $25 per family
Location: Outdoors in front of Handcraft Revival
Address: 1365 S 1100 E, Salt Lake City
Featured Musician: Kaelee
Ages: All ages at 5:00 PM; adults and older youth at 7:00 PM
What to Bring: A chair or blanket and warm layers

This event is still taking shape! We’re currently gathering crankie performers and musicians for both performances. Additional details and the full performance lineup will be added as they are confirmed, so please check back for updates.

Admission & Musician Donations

Please reserve a free ticket so we can plan for seating. If you’re able, consider adding an optional musician donation to your registration.

The suggested donation is $10 per person or $25 per family, but any amount is welcome. All donations and tips collected for Crankie Night will be divided among the participating musicians. Our community crankie artists are generously volunteering their performances for the evening.

{ Musician Donation Link }

An Outdoor Evening of Crankie Theater

Gather with us in front of Handcraft Revival for an autumn evening of moving pictures, storytelling, and live music.

Crankies are an old-fashioned form of moving-picture theater. A long illustrated scroll is slowly turned through a handmade box while a story, song, or piece of music is performed alongside it. Part folk art, part theater, and part storytelling, each crankie opens a small handmade world for its audience.

The evening will feature a community collection of crankie performances accompanied by live music from The Cart Before the Horse band and other local musicians.

5:00 PM — Family Matinee

Our early performance is created especially for children and families. Expect a shorter, playful collection of illustrated stories, songs, and moving pictures accompanied by live music.

All ages are welcome. Children must attend with an adult.

7:00 PM — Evening Performance

Return as the sun goes down for a second collection of crankie performances. The evening program may include longer stories, poetry, traditional songs, and more contemplative or experimental pieces.

This performance is intended primarily for adults and older youth.

Have a Crankie to Share?

Do you have a crankie box with a story, song, or illustrated scroll to share? We would love to include both experienced performers and first-time crankie artists.

We’re seeking performances for both the family matinee and evening program, including:

• Illustrated stories
• Songs with moving artwork
• Poetry or spoken word
• Traditional tales
  
• Crankie Box stories

Crankie artists are invited to volunteer a performance of approximately 3–10 minutes. Complete our performer form to tell us about your piece, whether it would be best suited to the family or evening performance, and whether you need musical or technical support.

{ Apply to Perform }

Outdoor Seating & Weather

Both performances are planned for outdoors in front of Handcraft Revival. Seating will not be provided, so please bring a chair or blanket and dress warmly.

In the event of poor weather, registered guests will be notified of any changes to the event.