the mommy avenger

There’s something unmistakably magical about settling into a comfy seat, popcorn in hand, the lights dim—then, the familiar triumphant swell of Harry Potter’s world washes over you. But imagine, instead of just your home surround-sound or a theater speaker, the full might of a live orchestra filling the air. That’s exactly what’s waiting at Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert with the Utah Symphony, happening next week at Abravanel Hall.

Watching a treasured film with a live orchestra is an experience that resonates in your bones, that reminds you why stories matter and music moves souls. When the Utah Symphony plays John Williams’s iconic score live, every chord—from the mischievous jingle as Dobby sneaks in, to the swelling strings as Fawkes the phoenix takes flight—feels alive. It’s like the film reaches beyond the screen and folds into the room, humming with energy. You don’t just watch; you feel every heartbeat of Hogwarts as if you were there.

Every time I see a film in concert at Abravanel Hall, especially Harry Potter, my eyes are wide and chest full, because live music has a way of translating our pulse into pure enchantment. The ordinary hush of a theater becomes a lush, breathing tapestry of sound. It’s how I want my kids to understand what it means to be present. Just story and orchestra dancing in perfect tandem.

And especially for a story I adore—Chamber of Secrets—that sense of wonder is turned way up. It’s my favorite way to relive the film, and I’m honestly counting down days until I can do it again, surrounded by families and friends, all of us quietly marveling.

Let’s pause for a moment—just in case someone reading this hasn’t visited this second magical year of Hogwarts yet:

Harry returns for his second year at Hogwarts despite dire warnings from Dobby the house-elf. Strange things begin to happen: students are petrified, messages appear warning “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened.” Hagrid’s behind bars, Ron’s car takes flight, a mysterious diary whispers truths, and a giant spider named Aragog scuttles in the shadows. With the help of Hermione’s brilliance, Ron’s loyalty, and Fawkes’s fiery redemption, Harry descends into the Chamber, confronts the basilisk, saves Ginny Weasley, and reveals the legacy of Tom Riddle. It’s dark, thrilling, funny, and full of that “don’t mess with my friends” courage we all adore.

Now imagine all of that accented by a live symphonic soundtrack. The suspense, the humor, the triumph—it becomes a visceral journey that hits you in the heart on a whole new frequency.

OK, I know you you want to be there, too. If you are in Utah next week, here’s how to snag your spot in this symphonic spectacle:

• Dates & Times:
  • Thursday, September 4, 2025 – 7:00 PM
  • Friday, September 5, 2025 – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, September 6, 2025 – 7:00 PM
• Location:
  All performances take place at Abravanel Hall in downtown Salt Lake City.
• Tickets:
  You can secure yours now through the Utah Symphony website here: Get Tickets.

When the Utah Symphony breathes life into the soundtrack of our childhood, it’s more than nostalgia. It’s about gathering—together—under one roof, letting music and story carry us beyond everyday routines. I can almost hear the rumble of the orchestra before the “Harry Potter” logo even appears. I can almost feel Fawkes’s wings brush my cheek.

Watching a beloved film with a live orchestra is reminding us what “real life magic” feels like. It’s a chance for parents to be kids again. For kids to see magic isn’t just made on screens—it’s built in moments, in instruments, in shared gasps and cheers.

So get your tickets now and we will see you next week with your robes and wands!