Where the love of learning meets
the art of gathering.
It’s not a lecture, and it’s not just a night at the bar.
It’s the space between, where curiosity and connection meet.
Great cocktails and venues you’ll want to come back to.
Engaging talks from local and national speakers.
A relaxed space to mingle, connect, and chat with new people.
About Reason & Revelry
Reason & Revelry was created to bring people together around good ideas and even better nights out.
At our gatherings, scholars, creators, and interesting voices share ideas in a way that feels engaging and approachable. Think short, compelling talks, good conversation, and plenty of time to linger afterward—drink in hand.
It’s not quite a lecture, and it’s not just a night at the bar. It’s the sweet spot in between: where curiosity, good company, and great ideas come together to form a night out that you’ll want to revisit again and again.
At the heart of Reason & Revelry is community. We believe learning should feel welcoming, not formal—and a night out can be both fun and meaningful. Our events are for curious, open-minded individuals who enjoy learning something new and talking about it with others. Whether the topic is culture, history, science, creativity, or the human experience, the goal is to create a welcoming space where ideas and connections can flourish.
Upcoming Event
The Sacred and the Scandalous: Visual Culture, Burlesque, and the Back Rooms of Salt Lake City
Date/Time: June 25, 2026 | 5:30-9:00PM
Location: Eight Settlers Lounge Downtown | 44 Exchange Place
From the back rooms of Charles Ellis Johnson's late-19th century Salt Lake City photo studio to the glittering neo-burlesque stages of the 1990s to present, the modern spectacle of the female body carries a longer, and often more surprising, history than generally known.
In this talk, art historian Dr. Marissa Vigneault begins with a local paradox: Johnson, a photographer who documented LDS church officials and the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple, simultaneously produced some of the most widely circulated risqué stereoviews of the late-19th and early-20th centuries. His double life opens onto a broader story about looking and desire, as well as the economics of image circulation.
Moving across late-19th century cigarette and tobacco cards, hand-held stereoscopes, 1970s feminist performance art, and today’s neo-burlesque revival, Vigneault traces how the boundaries between sacred and scandalous, kitsch and High Art, have never been fixed and absolute. The lecture follows burlesque through its heyday in the early twentieth century, its suppression amid shifting moral and legal pressures in the 1930s, and its reemergence as neo-burlesque in the 1990s, to show how early forms of visual entertainment trained audiences in practices of looking that would shape modern striptease. At the center are the women who moved from object to agent, stepping out from behind the image to claim the lens, the stage, and the terms of their own visibility.
Marissa Vigneault
Associate Professor
Modern & Contemporary Art History
Utah State University
Frequently Asked Questions
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Each event centers on a short, engaging talk (usually 30–45 minutes), followed by a moderated Q&A, and plenty of time for conversation before and after. The night is designed to feel relaxed and social while still offering depth and substance.
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Reason & Revelry is for curious, open-minded adults who enjoy learning, conversation, and a thoughtfully designed night out. No background knowledge is required—just a willingness to listen, reflect, and engage.
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Not at all. Talks are designed to be accessible and engaging for a general audience.
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Absolutely! Many guests attend solo, and our events are designed to make that feel comfortable and natural. You’ll be in good company.
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Whatever makes you feel comfortable and yourself! Treat this like any night out.
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Events take place in intimate, thoughtfully chosen venues designed for conversation and connection—often spaces known for great drinks, atmosphere, and hospitality. Specific venue details are listed on each event page.
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Food and drinks are available for purchase from the venue. Some events may feature special menus or signature cocktails.
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Most Reason & Revelry events are held in bar venues and are therefore 21+. Any exceptions will be clearly noted on the event page.
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Tickets are non-refundable. If you’re unable to attend, you’re welcome to transfer your ticket to a friend.
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Occasionally, events may be photographed or lightly recorded for promotional or archival purposes. Any media focuses on the speaker and overall atmosphere, not individual audience members. By attending, you consent to potential incidental appearance in photos or video.
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We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out through our contact form below with a brief note about your interest, and we’ll be in touch.
Connect with us!
Interested in Reason & Revelry? Whether you’d like to discuss a speaking engagement, host an event at your venue, collaborate with us, or simply ask a question — we want to hear from you!
Submit your inquiry, and a member of our team will get back to you.
© Atlas Consulting Ventures 2026