THE ESSENTIAL A&E PICKS FOR JUN 5 - JUN 11 

• Courtesy photo

Randy Feltface @ Wiseguys West Jordan
"Rant comedy" has been its own subgenre of stand-up ever since George Carlin's 1992 Jammin' in New York special. There are few things funnier than watching someone absolutely pitch a fit, but any anger intense and genuine enough to be funny is only ever a few expletives away from becoming uncomfortable—or even frightening—and rant comedy requires walking an extremely fine line between levity and unbridled emotion as such. After all, you can't do it without a real human up on stage, screeching and howling and wetting themselves—or can you?

Enter Randy Feltface, a cuddly-looking purple puppet who wouldn't look far out of place in a Jim Henson production. His onstage persona, though, is anything but G-rated: crass, self-important, and prone to bouts of hysteric rage that leave him heaving for breath, flopped over the desk that conceals his puppeteer, Heath McIvor. Feltface's blank-yet-instantly-charming smile holds an unmatched power to counterbalance even the bitterest kvetching, and his sharp insights on the absurdity of modern life blend seamlessly into meta asides on his lack of functioning eyes. Since finding international viral fame with a pirated YouTube clip from his 2018 special Randy Writes A Novel, Feltface has staked his claim as one of the hardest-working puppets in showbiz.

First Banana, Feltface's sixth original special in as many years, comes to Wiseguys Jordan Landing (3763 W. Center Park Dr., West Jordan) June 6 and 7, 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.; select performances are sold-out at press time. Tickets for the 21+ show are $30 at wiseguyscomedy.com. (Kerry Renshaw)

• Tina Truong

Utah Asian Festival
For nearly 50 years, the Utah Asian Festival has been evidence of the richness and diversity not just of Utah's population, but of the many cultural traditions that can be gathered under the designation of "Asian." The festival had its origins in an attempt to unify those traditions in the name of mutual support, and now provides not only ongoing evidence of that unity, but a chance for people of all backgrounds to experience the diversity within that designation.

Returning to the Utah State Fairpark shows how successful the event's mission has been. "The growth of the festival exploded recently thanks to an influx of younger volunteer organizers," says Margaret Yee, a founder of the original event, via a press release. "They share the founders' unwavering commitment to uplifting our many cultures, but have brought with them novel ideas propelling the festival to new heights as a grand celebration for the entire state. My heart runs full to see the fruits of our labor still ripe after 48 years."

Visitors will once again find an event full of more than 60 traditional and contemporary performances of dance, music, theater and more. Children can experience crafts and other age-appropriate activities, food vendors representing a range of cultural traditions, vendor booths and artisans.

The 2025 Utah Asian Festival takes place at the Utah State Fairpark (155 N. 1000 West) on Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; visit utahasianfestival.org for venue map, festival guide, performance schedule and more event information. (Scott Renshaw)

• Courtesy photo

Jane Austen Regency Festival
For fans of Jane Austen—and if popular culture is any indication, they remain plentiful—2025 marks an auspicious occasion, as the 250th anniversary of the birth of the celebrated author. Austen's unique perspectives on gender, class and romance and the indelible characters she created remain engaging centuries later, and have inspired ongoing fascination with the British Regency period in which she was active. That interest manifests itself locally in activities like the 2nd annual Jane Austen Regency Festival—a Cedar City-based gathering of those who share an interest in celebrating Austen and her time.

In the tradition of Renaissance festivals, the Jane Austen Regency Festival is an immersive event which expects attendees to dress in period-appropriate attire; the festival's website, Instagram and Facebook pages include suggestions for how to thrift or create such costumes. Scheduled events include a promenade through the Southern Utah University campus, a Regency marketplace, lawn games, a Friday ball with catered dinner, Saturday afternoon tea, movie night and more. Completely unfamiliar with how to dance in the Regency style? Never fear—a workshop will be provided ahead of the ball by a Southern Utah University instructor in ballroom dance.

The 2025 Jane Austen Regency Festival takes place in and around the Southern Utah University Campus in Cedar City. Tickets are $160 per person for the full festival experience including swag bag; guests who wish only to attend the ball and accompanying dinner can purchase individual tickets for those events at $85 per person. Visit jaregencyfest.com to purchase tickets and for additional event information. (SR)