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"Sons of Anarchy" stars Charlie Hunnam and Ryan Hurst have joined tech entrepreneur Vijay Kumar to create a digital autograph platform that gives fans personalized, animated mementos.

Driving the news: The trio launched Neon Mango on Thursday at FanX in Salt Lake City as crowds lined up at nearby "Celebrity Row" for pen-and-paper signatures from Hollywood stars like Christopher Lloyd and Tony Danza.

How it works: A celebrity writes a personalized autograph on a tablet — "Salt Lake FanX we love you :)," Hunnam demonstrated — and the stylus strokes are recorded in an animation.

The writer can add an audio message that plays along to music as the writing appears.

Why it matters: Paper autographs may soon become as obsolete as printed photos, Hurst said.

"In 15 years, 12-year-olds are going to walk up and say, 'I want something on my phone,'" Hurst told Axios.

The big picture: Since the COVID pandemic made virtual events and interactions routine, tech developers have been trying to make them more authentic.

What they're saying: "I started coming to fan conventions about three years ago and was just really taken by how pure and uncynical and happy and community-oriented and positive these things are," Hunnam told Axios. "So, I was already sort of enamored by the engagement experience."

But faraway fans or those with disabilities may be left out, and the big crowds aren't for everyone, Hurst and Hunnam said.

"If we couldn't give them an in-person event, we wanted to come as close to that as possible digitally, so that it has a meaningful, emotional impact," Hurst said.

Our thought bubble: If you haven't been to a paid celebrity meet-and-greet, you might expect it to feel phony or mercenary.

But having stood in a photo line myself, braced for awkwardness — I found instead a palpable thrill in that moment of personal attention from a familiar face whose storytelling has filled our imaginations.

It's a difficult experience to replicate digitally. But the personalized autograph is no different than a signed photo sent by mail, and I can envision fans replaying their signatures after an IRL encounter.

Zoom in: Hurst demo'd the tool with my name, dotting an exclamation point with a heart and adding a rock music background.

I burst out laughing when he added a video animation of himself gazing proudly at my name while posing with dramatic flourish.

"That. That reaction is why we're doing it," Hurst said.

Details: Autographs on Neon Mango's website start at $50.

Hunnam and Hurst are in the celebrity lineup along with their "Anarchy" costars Kenny Johnson and Emilio Rivera, plus Emmy nominee Chris Sullivan. "TRON" actor Garrett Hedlund and "Battlestar Galactica's" Tricia Helfer are joining soon.

Charlie Hunnam's tech startup aims to remake the celebrity autograph

Hunnam and "Sons of Anarchy" costar Ryan Hurst launched the digital autograph platform at SLC's FanX.

Actor Charlie Hunnam displays a digital autograph via his new company Neon Mango at FanX in Salt Lake City while his costar and cofounder Ryan Hurst walks in the background. Photo: Erin Alberty/Axios

Actor Charlie Hunnam displays a digital autograph via Neon Mango at FanX in Salt Lake City. Photo: Erin Alberty/Axios

&quot;Sons of Anarchy&quot; stars Charlie Hunnam and Ryan Hurst have joined tech entrepreneur Vijay Kumar to create a digital autograph platform that gives <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fans personalized, animated mementos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/09/22/fanx-2023-salt-palace-celebs" data-vars-content-id="3eac2947-6ac4-419b-a26d-8b1403028f58" data-vars-headline="Charlie Hunnam&#x27;s tech startup aims to remake the celebrity autograph" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/09/22/fanx-2023-salt-palace-celebs" target="_self">fans personalized, animated mementos</a>.Driving the news: The trio launched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Neon Mango" data-vars-click-url="https://www.neonmango.com/" data-vars-content-id="3eac2947-6ac4-419b-a26d-8b1403028f58" data-vars-headline="Charlie Hunnam&#x27;s tech startup aims to remake the celebrity autograph" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.neonmango.com/" target="_blank">Neon Mango</a> on Thursday at FanX in Salt Lake City as crowds lined up at nearby &quot;Celebrity Row&quot; for pen-and-paper signatures from Hollywood stars like Christopher Lloyd and Tony Danza.

News

Business

It's time for Salt Lake's annual fan takeover with thousands of costumed revelers appearing downtown to geek out over their favorite pillars of pop culture.

FanX is back for its 10th year at the Salt Palace.

Here's what you need to know to make the most of the event:

This year's lineup is exceptionally high-profile with the stars of "Back to the Future" in town. It also includes:

Neve Campbell, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, Dermot Mulroney and Jamie Kennedy from "Scream"

Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Carrie Anne Moss and Krysten Ritter from "The Defenders," "Daredevil" and "Jessica Jones"

Ralph Macchio and William Zabka from "The Karate Kid," with Peyton List from "Cobra Kai"

Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkley and Mario Lopez from "Saved By the Bell"

Photos: Available with individual stars or groups. Check online for schedule openings.

Prices range from $50 to $500 for a group shot with Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Tom Wilson (Biff Tannen) and James Tolkan (Principal Strickland).

Autographs: Prices range from $40 to $225.

Star panels: Watch your favorites in audience Q&As at no extra cost.

Discussions may follow an unusual path this year because actors are not speaking about films or shows tied to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Speakers range from Carey Jones, Katee Sackhoff, Gina Carano and Daniel Logan from "The Mandalorian" to "Dr. Who's" Karen Gillan, Alex Kingston and Arthur Darvill and fantasy favorite Andy Serkis.

Topical panels cover a host of niche fandoms, from kawaii culture to H.P. Lovecraft's impact on horror.

Activities include art workshops, voice acting tips and a Disney game night.

Set aside a couple of hours to stroll the vendor floor or take the family to KidCon.

Check out the Delorean display and selfie fundraiser for Parkinson's research at Celebrity Row.

Dress up: Find your fellow fans at cosplay meet-ups and learn to make your costumes better.

Erin's thought bubble: The cosplay contest at 7pm on Saturday is the highlight of the weekend, with a huge audience cheering wildly for Salt Lake's best costumers.

Admission: Single-day tickets are $30 for Friday or $40 for Saturday.

Multi-day and premium tickets are also available.

Time: 11am–8pm Friday and 10am–9pm Saturday

Your guide to Salt Lake City's FanX 2023

From Michael J. Fox to H.P. Lovecraft, a celebration of fandom is taking over Salt Lake's downtown.

It&#x27;s time for Salt Lake&#x27;s annual fan takeover with thousands of costumed revelers appearing downtown to geek out over their favorite pillars of pop culture.<ul><li>FanX is back for its 10th year at the Salt Palace.</li></ul>

Things to Do

Gov. Spencer Cox said on Thursday he supports eliminating unsanctioned camping as state and city officials work to reduce homelessness in Salt Lake City.

What he's saying: "I refuse to let Salt Lake City turn into San Francisco or Portland," Cox told reporters at his monthly news conference, referring to each municipality's homeless crisis.

"We will not allow that to happen in our capital city," he said.

State of play: Cox's statement comes a week after state and Salt Lake City officials announced the downtown location of a temporary shelter community for people experiencing homelessness.

Advocates have long argued for more short-term solutions to address homelessness, such as sanctioned camping.

By the numbers: Between 2020 and 2022, the number of Utahns who became homeless for the first time rose by 27%, according to state figures.

Gov. Cox says he won't let Salt Lake City turn into San Francisco

The GOP governor said he doesn't want Salt Lake City to become San Francisco or Portland.

Gov. Spencer Cox holds news conference at PBS Utah on Sept. 21, 2023 in Salt Lake City. Photo: Francisco Kjolseth/Salt Lake Tribune/pool

Gov. Spencer Cox holds news conference at PBS Utah on Sept. 21 in Salt Lake City. Photo: Francisco Kjolseth/Salt Lake Tribune/pool

Homelessness

Gov. Spencer Cox said on Thursday he supports eliminating unsanctioned camping as state and city officials work to reduce homelessness in Salt Lake City.What he&#x27;s saying: &quot;I refuse to let Salt Lake City turn into San Francisco or Portland,&quot; Cox told reporters at his monthly news conference, referring to each municipality&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeless" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/08/24/san-francisco-homeless-encampments-sweep-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="0ab23893-5240-45a9-b9df-fd356863e842" data-vars-headline="Gov. Cox says he won&#x27;t let Salt Lake City turn into San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/08/24/san-francisco-homeless-encampments-sweep-lawsuit" target="_self">homeless</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/12/2023-homeless-count-in-multnomah-county" data-vars-content-id="0ab23893-5240-45a9-b9df-fd356863e842" data-vars-headline="Gov. Cox says he won&#x27;t let Salt Lake City turn into San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/12/2023-homeless-count-in-multnomah-county" target="_self">crisis</a>.

Politics

It's the last day of summer, which means it's time to name the winner of our guessing game:

How many days reached 100° in Salt Lake City?

Catch up quick: After the record- (and soul-) crushing summer of 2022, we approached June 21 with trepidation.

Temps reached 100° on 31 days from June 21 to Sept. 20 last year, with 34 100-plus days for the whole year.

The previous record was 21 days, in 1994 and 1960.

The latest: This summer brought 13 days at or above 100°.

Twelve of those came during the third-hottest July on record, with an average temperature of 85.3°.

Lucky 13: Salt Lake's 100°-day count drops sharply in 2023

After 2022's record-smashing 34 days of triple-digit temps, we're heaving a sight of relief.

Illustration of a thermometer being shattered. 

It&#x27;s the last day of summer, which means it&#x27;s time to name the winner of our guessing game:<ul><li>How many days reached 100° in Salt Lake City?</li></ul>

Fans of the iconic television series "Friends" will soon have the chance to visit the Central Perk coffeehouse and Monica and Rachel's kitchen — without ever leaving Salt Lake City.

What's happening: "The Friends Experience" is coming to The Gateway Oct. 20 through Jan. 28, 2024.

The interactive exhibit first launched in New York City in 2019 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the sitcom, which ran from 1994-2004.

The pop-up has toured in several U.S. cities, including Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago.

The intrigue: Last year, CNN included the exhibit in its "best immersive experiences around the world" list.

Two people attempt to move a couch in a stairwell. 

Details: The Instagram-friendly exhibit will allow visitors to walk through and take selfies in recreated sets from the show, such as Joey and Chandler's apartment and the fountain from its title sequence.

Attendees can also relive scenes, like Ross' laughable attempt to move a couch up the stairs.

Admission: Tickets are $26.50, plus fees.

Interactive "Friends Experience" is coming to The Gateway

Visit Central Perk without ever leaving Salt Lake City.

Two people pose for a photo in a recreated set of Central Perk from the TV show "Friends."

Television

Fans of the iconic television series &quot;Friends&quot; will soon have the chance to visit the Central Perk coffeehouse and Monica and Rachel&#x27;s kitchen — without ever leaving Salt Lake City.What&#x27;s happening: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Friends Experience" data-vars-click-url="https://www.friendstheexperience.com/saltlakecity/?utm_campaign=website&amp;utm_source=sendgrid.com&amp;utm_medium=email" data-vars-content-id="2c15ef27-4f8f-4f60-a951-411302e8d944" data-vars-headline="Interactive &quot;Friends Experience&quot; is coming to The Gateway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.friendstheexperience.com/saltlakecity/?utm_campaign=website&amp;utm_source=sendgrid.com&amp;utm_medium=email" target="_blank">The Friends Experience</a>&quot; is coming to The Gateway Oct. 20 through Jan. 28, 2024.

Salt Lake City hopes to rev up the North Temple area with a festival this weekend at a park that closed for months last year amid complaints of rampant crime.

Why it matters: Madsen Park, near 900 West and North Temple, is in a historically underserved neighborhood frequently blocked to the south by freight rail traffic and sitting at the edge of an industrial area awash in empty gravel lots.

But the park and the neighborhood are changing fast with new developments.

Catch up quick: The city closed the park for a few months starting in December 2021 after neighbors complained it had become a "safe haven" for crime.

It reopened last year after a heavy-duty cleanup and repairs, including the removal of some fencing and a berm that neighbors said were providing cover for drug dealing and illegal camping.

Since then, neighbors tell Axios the park has become much safer.

Flashback: The city at one point looked at moving the park altogether to a "more central" location on 900 West.

Yes, but: That proposal is almost certain to be withdrawn. A city report in August noted "tremendous" development in the surrounding neighborhood, including hundreds of new apartments under construction.

"This type of development has only increased the need and the possibilities for activation of a previously under-utilized site as close to North Temple as possible," staffers wrote.

The big picture: Despite its past controversy, the park has secured funding for big future improvements.

Community meetings to plan renovations will begin next year, with construction likely to start in 2026, the city's Public Lands Department spokesperson Mia McCain told Axios.

What's next: While it awaits renovation, the city will celebrate the park and the neighborhood this weekend with a free fall festival.

Live music, artists, and vendors will be on site from noon to 7pm on Saturday.

Yes, there's beer: Red Rock Brewing will be there to sell $4 pints, city officials announced Wednesday.

Madsen Park gets a makeover — and a festival

The city is celebrating the park and neighborhood amid "tremendous" development.

A couple picnics in the shade at Madsen Park while new apartments are under construction across the street.

A couple of picnics in the shade at Madsen Park yesterday while new apartments are built across the street. Photo: Erin Alberty/Axios

Salt Lake City hopes to rev up the North Temple area with a festival this weekend at a park that closed for months last year amid complaints of rampant crime.Why it matters: Madsen Park, near 900 West and North Temple, is in a historically underserved neighborhood frequently blocked to the south by freight rail traffic and sitting at the edge of an industrial area awash in empty gravel lots.

Travelers and sports fans can now pick up a Utah Jazz souvenir at the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Details: Travel retailer WH Smith North America — in partnership with the NBA team — announced Wednesday the opening of a new store that sells Jazz-branded jerseys, hoodies, and collectibles.

The Utah Jazz Pro Shop, which opened last Friday, is located in a new section of Concourse A between gates 31 and 33.

Be smart: Store hours are 5am to 11pm, per the airport's website.

New Utah Jazz store opens in Salt Lake City International Airport

The new store sells Jazz-branded jerseys, hoodies and collectibles.

A storefront for Utah Jazz merchandise at the airport.

Photo: Courtesy of WH Smith North America

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Travelers and sports fans can now pick up a Utah Jazz souvenir at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/06/21/restaurants-bars-salt-lake-airport-2024" data-vars-content-id="2cf1832f-f243-4360-bda4-747821c563ff" data-vars-headline="New Utah Jazz store opens in Salt Lake City International Airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/06/21/restaurants-bars-salt-lake-airport-2024" target="_self">Salt Lake City International Airport</a>.Details: Travel retailer WH Smith North America — in partnership with the NBA team — announced Wednesday the opening of a new store that sells Jazz-branded jerseys, hoodies, and collectibles.

Sports

From film screenings to a rock concert, there's plenty to choose from in Salt Lake City this weekend.

The Salt Lake Film Society will screen two excellent horror movies — "The Witch" and "The Return of the Living Dead" — as part of its annual Tower of Terror film series at Broadway Centre Cinemas.

When: "The Witch" plays Friday at 9pm; "Return of the Living Dead" is Saturday at 9pm.

The rock band known for 2005 hits like "Dirty Little Secret" and "It Ends Tonight" is scheduled to perform at the Great Saltair.

Sing along to "Under the Sea" at Yalecrest Neighborhood Council's screening of the 2023 film "The Little Mermaid" at Laird Park.

The event will feature food trucks, popcorn, and a performance by local steel drum band SteelWorks.

What to do in Salt Lake City this weekend | Sept. 22-23

From film screenings to a rock concert, there's plenty to do in Salt Lake City this weekend.

Illustration of a cassette tape with the tape unspooling to spell weekend. 

Illustration of lit marquee letters spelling "WEEKEND" sitting in a row of theater seats.

From film screenings to a rock concert, there&#x27;s plenty to choose from in Salt Lake City this weekend.

National

Hollywood writers reach tentative deal with studios that would end strike

Labor strikes

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

Lego scraps efforts to make oil-free bricks from recycled bottles

Lego

Ominous forecasts about the impact of climate change serve as the backdrop for the world — led by U.S. lawmakers and companies — to debate big action on the problem, which could upend energy systems and our way of life.

Energy & Environment

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

Canadian autoworkers ratify new labor deal with Ford

Ford Motor Company

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Diving Into Doctor Who — RANKER

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