Some albums introduce themselves with a firm handshake. Others ask a question, glance toward the nearest exit and let the silence grow uncomfortable.

Can You? belongs firmly in the latter category.

For years, Off Contact has quietly occupied one of the most distinctive corners of Sioux Falls’ music scene, blending post-punk, shoegaze, psychedelia and art rock into something that increasingly feels less like a collection of influences than a language of its own.

For listeners expecting towering choruses or immediate hooks, the album’s deliberate pacing may initially feel restrained. The restraint is precisely where Off Contact separates itself from many contemporary post-punk acts. Across 40-odd minutes, the band shows little interest in racing toward catharsis. It would rather study the pressure building beforehand: the private craving, the public threat, the thought circling after midnight and the bargain made when desperation has worn down every lock.

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An entrepreneuring young man had an idea, opened a small stand and in his first year drew in 4,000 curious tourists.

Fifteen years later, that roadside attraction had grown into an 11-acre site, and the Black Hills Reptile Gardens was bringing in more than 200,000 visitors annually, according to the July 23, 1951, edition of the Rapid City Journal.

Earl Brockelsby was working as a tour guide at “Hidden City” in 1935. When the tours were finished, he removed his hat and, to everyone’s surprise, revealed a live rattlesnake coiled on top of his head. That’s when he realized just how captivated people were with snakes.

Read more

Stay up to date with The Dakota Scout + Lyrical Limelight event listings from across the state. From festivals and concerts to theater performances, local sports and community gatherings, we bring you the latest updates on entertainment and activities for all interests. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly fun, cultural experiences or vibrant nightlife, you’ll find plenty of exciting events to explore.

Submit your events to The Dakota Scout and Lyrical Limelight by emailing events@thedakotascout.com.

THIS WEEK

Friday, July 24

Weary Ramblers at the Old Courthouse Museum Summer Concert Series

Friday, July 24 • Noon–1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum, Sioux Falls | Free

Weary Ramblers perform in the plaza behind the Old Courthouse Museum as part of its Friday lunchtime concert series. The performance moves indoors if the weather refuses to cooperate.

Days of ’76 Rodeo & Parades

Friday, July 24–Saturday, July 25 • Parades at 1:30 p.m.
Days of ’76 Event Complex and downtown Deadwood

Deadwood closes its annual Days of ’76 celebration with two final days of rodeo events and afternoon parades. A Youth Native American Celebration is also scheduled Friday and Saturday at Outlaw Square.

Maxxis Midwest Speedway Nationals

Friday, July 24-Saturday, July 25 • 3-8:30 p.m.
University Plains Speedway, Brookings

University Plains Speedway hosts two days of competitive racing during the Maxxis Midwest Speedway Nationals. Friday and Saturday sessions are both listed from midafternoon through the evening.

Arts in the Park

Friday, July 24-Sunday, July 26
Hitchcock Park, Mitchell | Free

Arts in the Park begins with a Friday evening kickoff from 6-9 p.m. before continuing Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The weekend includes more than 100 vendors, food trucks, live entertainment and a beer garden.

Downtown Friday Nights with Dustin Evans

Friday, July 24 • 6-9 p.m.
Downtown Spearfish

Dustin Evans headlines this week’s Downtown Friday Nights gathering. The recurring block party includes live music, food, drinks, crafts and activities for children.

Flavor Fusion

Friday, July 24 • 6-8 p.m.
Plum’s Cooking Company, Sioux Falls | $90 plus tax

Plum’s Cooking Company hosts an evening cooking class built around combining flavors and techniques from different culinary traditions. Registration is required.

Spearfish Sasquatch vs. Oahe ZAP

Friday, July 24 & Saturday, July 25 • 6 p.m.
Black Hills Power Sports Complex, Spearfish

The Spearfish Sasquatch host the Oahe ZAP for two consecutive Expedition League baseball games. Friday is Beef Night, while Saturday carries a Christmas in July theme.

Mason Jennings

Friday, July 24 • 7-10 p.m.
The Park 707, Rapid City | $20-$35

Singer-songwriter Mason Jennings brings his intimate acoustic songwriting to The Park 707 for a Friday night performance.

Hot Like Mars

Friday, July 24 • 7 p.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Hot Like Mars, a Chicago-based funk group that is sure to bring energy to your Friday night plans. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!

Spotlight Theater Company Presents: OLYMPUS: A Greek Rock Musical

Friday, July 24 • 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 25 • 1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Belbas Theater, Sioux Falls

This 45-minute youth production turns Greek mythology into a rock musical as young performers tackle gods, heroes and the usual mythological family complications.

1776

Friday, July 24 & Saturday, July 25 • 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 • 2 p.m.
Grand Opera House, Pierre | $15

Pierre Players closes its run of 1776 with three weekend performances. The musical follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson as they attempt to persuade the Continental Congress to support American independence.

South Dakota youth baseball state tournaments

Friday, July 24–Sunday, July 26
Brookings, Harrisburg, Mitchell, Pierre, Renner, Tea and Vermillion

South Dakota Class A Baseball holds its 13U tournament in Brookings, 14U tournament in Pierre, 16U tournament across Harrisburg, Renner and Tea and a 13/14U tournament in Mitchell. The South Dakota American Legion’s 14U championship also runs Friday through Sunday in Vermillion. Daily brackets and start times vary by tournament.

Saturday, July 25

Falls Art Market

Saturday, July 25 • 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
BronzeAge Art Casting near Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls | Free

The Falls Art Market gathers local artists and makers near the Levitt lawn with fine art, functional pieces, wearable work and rotating vendor displays.

Brookings Farmers Market and Arts Council Block Party

Saturday, July 25 • 9 a.m.-noon
300 block of Sixth Avenue and Brookings Arts Council, Brookings

The Brookings Farmers Market shares the morning with the Arts Council Block Party. Visitors can shop produce and art vendors, visit food trucks, hear live music, watch artists work and find family activities including games and face painting.

43rd Annual Gem & Mineral Show

Saturday, July 25 • 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 • 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Nerdy Nuts Expo Building at Central States Fairgrounds, Rapid City | $5 adults, free for children 12 and younger

The Black Hills Area Gem and Mineral Society brings vendors, displays, fossils, jewelry, polished stones and geological specimens to the Central States Fairgrounds for its annual weekend show.

Spearfish 150 Grill Out Party

Saturday, July 25 • 2–4 p.m.
435 Meier Ave., Spearfish

The Spearfish Historical Society Development Committee hosts a community grill-out celebrating the city’s 150th anniversary. The afternoon serves as both a birthday gathering and a fundraiser connected to local history.

Black Hills Hunger Fest

Saturday, July 25 • 4–11 p.m.
The Park 707, Rapid City | $25–$30

Black Hills Hunger Fest combines a full afternoon and evening of live music with a community fundraiser addressing hunger in the region.

Nyberg’s Ace Hot Classics Night

Saturday, July 25 • 4–10 p.m.
Downtown Sioux Falls | Free

Hot Classics Night fills downtown Sioux Falls with hundreds of classic vehicles, custom builds and automotive displays. The event is one of the largest annual car gatherings in the downtown district.

Wild Earp & The Free for Alls

Saturday, July 25 • 7 p.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Wild Earp & The Free for Alls, taking you for a ride along the American music landscape with their dynamic country tunes. Bring a lawn chair, your crew and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!

Wiley’s Block Party featuring Niko Moon

Saturday, July 25 • 7-11 p.m.
Wiley’s Tavern, Sioux Falls

Country artist Niko Moon headlines Wiley’s outdoor block party, with former Minnesota Vikings player and singer-songwriter Blake Proehl also scheduled to perform.

Bramble Park Zoo Food Truck Festival

Saturday, July 25 • Time not listed
Bramble Park Zoo, Watertown

Food trucks serving sweet and savory options will be stationed around the zoo grounds, with Jaded providing live music on the main stage. The zoo’s official calendar confirms the event, though current festival hours and admission details are not displayed.

Sunday, July 26

Paul Larson and Ken Cook: Cowboy Music & Poetry

Sunday, July 26 • 2–4 p.m.
High Plains Western Heritage Center, Spearfish

Paul Larson and Ken Cook mark National Day of the Cowboy with an afternoon program combining cowboy songs, poetry and Western storytelling.

American Legion Sunday Fundays: No Name Band

Sunday, July 26 • Time not listed
American Legion Post 8, Pierre | Free

No Name Band performs on the American Legion deck as part of Pierre’s recurring Sunday Fundays concert schedule.

Sioux Falls Municipal Band Presents: The Grand Finale

Sunday, July 26 • 8 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall, Sioux Falls | Free

The Sioux Falls Municipal Band closes its regular summer season inside Mary W. Sommervold Hall with a finale program celebrating the ensemble’s latest run of community performances.

Monday, July 27

Mondays at McKennan: Guilty Pleasures

Monday, July 27 • 7 p.m.
McKennan Park Bandshell, Sioux Falls | Free

Guilty Pleasures performs a variety set for this week’s Mondays at McKennan concert. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome at the bandshell.

Tuesday, July 28

Storyland Children’s Theatre: Nancy Drew and the Case of the Missing Piñata

Tuesday, July 28 • 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29 & Thursday, July 30 • 10 a.m.
McKennan Park Bandshell, Sioux Falls | Free

Storyland Children’s Theatre brings the young detective to McKennan Park for four performances spread across three days. The production follows Nancy Drew through a family-friendly mystery involving a vanished piñata.

Johnny Hastings

Tuesday, July 28 • 5–7 p.m.
707 Sports Bar, Rapid City | Free

Johnny Hastings performs as part of The Park 707’s recurring Tuesday summer music series.

Summer Delights

Tuesday, July 28 • 6-8 p.m.
Plum’s Cooking Company, Sioux Falls | $90 plus tax

Plum’s Cooking Company hosts an evening class centered on seasonal summer dishes. Registration is required.

Autumn Lies Buried with The Behest of Serpents

Tuesday, July 28 • 7-11 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls | All ages

Autumn Lies Buried comes to Bigs Bar with The Behest of Serpents for an all-ages heavy music show.

South Dakota Class A Senior American Legion Baseball State Championship

Tuesday, July 28-Saturday, Aug. 1 • Times vary
Black Hills Surgical Hospital Ballpark, Rapid City

South Dakota’s Class A Senior American Legion teams meet in Rapid City for the state championship and a chance to advance to the Central Plains Regional Tournament.

Wednesday, July 29

Seafood Boil on the Dock

Wednesday, July 29 • 6-8 p.m.
Plum’s Cooking Company, Sioux Falls | $110 plus tax

Plum’s Cooking Company moves dinner outdoors for a seafood boil staged on the loading dock near Eighth and Railroad Center.

Canyon Acoustic Series

Wednesday, July 29 • 6 p.m.
Spearfish City Park, Spearfish | Free

The Canyon Acoustic Series continues with outdoor music, food vendors, arts and crafts and beer and wine service in Spearfish City Park.

Thursday, July 30

AMPT! 2026

Thursday, July 30 • 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cherapa Place, Sioux Falls | Free

AMPT! returns to Cherapa Place with live lunchtime entertainment as part of Downtown Sioux Falls’ rotating summer performance series.

Hydrant Party

Thursday, July 30 • 1-3 p.m.
Whispering Woods South Park, Sioux Falls | Free

Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation teams with Sioux Falls Fire Rescue for an afternoon of sprinklers, water balloons and other ways to get thoroughly, deliberately soaked.

Live on the Lawn: Concrete Cowboys

Thursday, July 30 • 5–7 p.m.
Main Street Square, Rapid City | Free

Concrete Cowboys perform during the final July edition of Live on the Lawn. Food trucks, yard games, fountains and a beverage garden are also planned.

Downtown at Sundown

Thursday, July 30 • 6–10 p.m.
Downtown Brookings | Free

Downtown at Sundown brings live music, local food and drink vendors, shopping and free children’s activities to downtown Brookings. Vendors open at 5:30 p.m., with music beginning at 6 p.m.

Thursday Night Live: Project Constellation

Thursday, July 30 • Doors at 6 p.m., show from 7–8:30 p.m.
Pepsi-Cola Theatre, Mitchell | Free

Project Constellation presents a mixed program of music for violin and guitar. A cocktail hour begins when doors open, and the show is open to all ages.

Parkston Amphitheater Thursday: Todd Keiffer and IVORY

Thursday, July 30 • 6–9 p.m.
Parkston Amphitheater, Parkston | Free

Todd Keiffer opens at 6 p.m., followed by IVORY at 7 p.m. Food trucks and drinks will be available during the community concert.

Summer Nights: Tripwire

Thursday, July 30 • 6–9 p.m.
Downtown Rapid City

Tripwire headlines the Summer Nights main stage as Rapid City’s weekly block party stretches along Sixth Street toward Main Street Square.

Art After Dark: All About Pink

Thursday, July 30 • 6–8 p.m.
Visual Arts Center at Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls | $20

This adults-focused Art After Dark event draws inspiration from the Barbie: A Cultural Icon exhibition with themed activities, dessert and a specialty cocktail.

Radolescents with Fueled by Spite

Thursday, July 30 • 7–11 p.m.
The Park 707, Rapid City

Original members of Southern California punk band The Adolescents perform material from the group’s Blue Album, with Rapid City’s Fueled by Spite opening the show.

Bermuda Search Party

Thursday, July 30 • 7 p.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Bermuda Search Party, with a vibrant energetic performance. Bring a lawn chair, your crew and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!

South Dakota Class A Junior American Legion Baseball State Championship

Thursday, July 30–Sunday, Aug. 2 • Times vary
Harmodon Park, Sioux Falls

The Class A Junior American Legion state tournament opens Thursday with pool play continuing through Saturday. The top teams advance to Sunday’s single-elimination bracket.

Have an event we should consider for a future roundup? Send the event name, date, time, location, ticket or event link, and a short description to Intellectual Dissatisfaction.

Future Events

Check back each week for an updated list of future events.

South Dakota Class B Senior American Legion Baseball State Championship

Friday, July 31–Tuesday, Aug. 4
Flynn Field, Madison

South Dakota Class B Junior American Legion Baseball State Championship

Friday, Aug. 7–Sunday, Aug. 9
American Legion Field, Redfield

USS South Dakota Day of Honor

Saturday, Aug. 8 • 10 a.m.–noon
Battleship South Dakota Memorial, Sioux Falls

Children’s Theater Workshop: Space Pirates!

Friday, Aug. 14 • 7 p.m. & Saturday, Aug. 15 • 10 a.m.
Grand Opera House, Pierre

Jo Dee Messina: Bridges Tour

Sunday, Sept. 27 • 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls

South Dakota Festival of Books

Saturday, Oct. 3
Sioux Falls

Zach Top: Cold Beer & Country Music Tour

Thursday, Oct. 15
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

Another beautiful Saturday evening welcomed music lovers back to The Levitt at Falls Park. With comfortable weather, a lively crowd, and another free night of live entertainment, the stage played host to two very different acts that were united by one thing. Authenticity. The evening featured a local nonprofit whose music serves a life-changing mission alongside a family bluegrass trio whose lifelong passion for music radiated through every note.

By the end of the night, attendees had experienced not only excellent performances but also reminders of the power music has to unite people, tell stories and bring communities together.

Read more

For nearly a century, one of the Lakota Indians’ most sacred practices was illegal in the United States.

But 75 years ago, with permission from the federal government, on July 16, 1951, Chief William Spotted Crow led a Sun Dance on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Offering prayers to the Great Spirit, the ceremony sought an end to the Korean War, according to the Argus Leader.

The most important ceremony practiced by many Plains Indians, the Sun Dance seeks renewal for the tribe, its people and the earth, according to Chamberlain’s Aktá Lakota Museum and Cultural Center.

Read more

Stay up to date with The Dakota Scout + Lyrical Limelight event listings from across the state. From festivals and concerts to theater performances, local sports and community gatherings, we bring you the latest updates on entertainment and activities for all interests. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly fun, cultural experiences or vibrant nightlife, you’ll find plenty of exciting events to explore.

Submit your events to The Dakota Scout and Lyrical Limelight by emailing events@thedakotascout.com.

THIS WEEK

Friday, July 17

DTSF Summer Crazy Days

Friday, July 17–Saturday, July 18
Downtown Sioux Falls | Free

Downtown Sioux Falls hosts Summer Crazy Days with deals and discounts at participating downtown retailers. Store hours vary by location, so readers should check participating businesses before heading out.

Balloons Over Brookings

Friday, July 17–Sunday, July 19
Brookings | Free

Balloons Over Brookings brings a weekend of hot air balloon flights and family-friendly activities to Brookings, weather permitting. The event is built around sunrise and evening balloon viewing, with exact timing dependent on conditions.

Festival in the Park

Friday, July 17–Sunday, July 19
Spearfish City Park, Spearfish

Spearfish’s Festival in the Park returns for a weekend of art, vendors, music, food and community gathering in Spearfish City Park. The event runs Friday through Sunday.

Weekly Grill-out at the Co-op

Friday, July 17, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Sioux Falls Food Co+op, Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls Food Co+op continues its weekly summer patio grill-out. Guests can purchase grill items inside, bring the receipt outside and grab lunch on the patio while supplies last.

Bubbles with the Butterflies

Friday, July 17 • 10–11 a.m.
Butterfly House & Aquarium, Sioux Falls

The Butterfly Conservatory opens its Friday morning with bubbles floating among the butterflies, turtles and quail. The experience takes place during the first hour of the facility’s regular operating day.

77th Annual South Dakota Open Tennis Tournament

Friday, July 17–Sunday, July 19
GreatLIFE Cares Foundation at Tomar Park and McKennan Park, Sioux Falls

The South Dakota Open brings competitive tennis players from across the region to Sioux Falls for a three-day tournament. The Level 4 Open is part of the Dakota Circuit and includes singles and doubles competition.

Rowena Ceili Band at the Old Courthouse Museum Summer Concert Series

Friday, July 17, noon–1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum, Sioux Falls | Free

The Rowena Ceili Band performs in the plaza behind the Old Courthouse Museum as part of the Friday summer concert series. The concert gives downtown readers a free lunchtime live music option.

Free Summer Concerts: Carmen Schooler

Friday, July 17, noon
Diamond Store Park, Mitchell | Free

Carmen Schooler performs as part of Mitchell’s Free Summer Concerts traveling series. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in downtown for a midday concert.

Friday Night Farmers Market

Friday, July 17, 4–7 p.m.
Pomegranate Market, Sioux Falls

The Friday Night Farmers Market brings local food and handmade goods to Pomegranate Market near the Cherapa complex. It is a short evening stop for readers looking to shop local before the weekend begins.

Artist Reception

Friday, July 17, 5–8 p.m.
Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center, Sioux Falls | Free

Washington Pavilion hosts a free artist reception for the Visual Arts Center’s newest exhibitions. Visitors can meet featured artists, explore the galleries and spend a quieter Friday evening with local and regional art.

Fireworks and Fine Wine

Friday, July 17, 6–8 p.m.
Plum’s Cooking Company, Sioux Falls | $100 plus tax

Plum’s Cooking Company hosts Fireworks and Fine Wine with instructor Rachel Elias. The class explores American wines, from Willamette Valley selections to California classics.

Downtown Friday Nights

Friday, July 17, 6–9 p.m.
Downtown Spearfish

Downtown Friday Nights continues in Spearfish with live music, food, beer, crafts and kids activities. The weekly summer series gives the northern Black Hills a reliable Friday evening gathering place.

Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Lincoln Saltdogs

Friday, July 17–Sunday, July 19
The Birdcage, Sioux Falls

The Sioux Falls Canaries host the Lincoln Saltdogs for a three-game weekend series. Friday’s game starts at 7:05 p.m., with additional games scheduled Saturday and Sunday.

Greatest Show on H2O

Friday, July 17, 7 p.m.
Catfish Bay, Sioux Falls

Catfish Bay hosts a Friday night performance of the Greatest Show on H2O, its long-running family-friendly water ski show. Online general admission tickets are listed at $17 for adults, $16 for seniors and military and $15 for kids ages 4-12.

Oh He Dead

Friday, July 17, 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Oh He Dead plays a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls. The Washington, D.C., group brings a mix of funk, pop and rock to the Levitt lawn.

Disney’s Frozen the Broadway Musical

Friday, July 17–18
Brookings

Disney’s “Frozen the Broadway Musical” continues in Brookings with an evening performance. The stage adaptation follows Elsa, Anna and the world of Arendelle with songs, spectacle and family-friendly theater.

2026 Summer Dinner Theatre

Friday, July 17, 6:30–10 p.m.
Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell

Dakota Wesleyan University’s Summer Dinner Theatre presents “Love, Sex, and the I.R.S.” The evening pairs a four-course dinner with a live comedy production.

Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo

Friday, July 17–Sunday, July 19
Stampede Park, Mitchell

The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo continues in Mitchell with weekend rodeo performances at Stampede Park. The Friday performance begins at 8 p.m., with additional rodeo events scheduled through Sunday.

Saturday, July 18

Kid’s Day at the Butterfly House & Aquarium

Saturday, July 18 • 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Butterfly House & Aquarium, Sioux Falls | Regular admission applies

Kid’s Day includes a scavenger hunt, crafts and presentations from the facility’s biologists and aquarists. An axolotl talk begins at 1 p.m., followed by an Under the Dock feeding demonstration at 3 p.m.

Friends of Blood Run 5K Trail Run/Walk

Saturday, July 18, 8 a.m.
Blood Run National Historic Landmark, Granite, Iowa area

Friends of Blood Run hosts a 5K trail run and walk tied to the Blood Run National Historic Landmark area. The event was shared through Dakota Scout event submissions and is worth keeping in the future/current-week mix.

Farmers Market

Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m.–noon
300 block of 6th Ave., Brookings

The Brookings Farmers Market continues its Saturday morning season with local produce, food and vendors. The market is held near the Brookings Library and county courthouse.

club.presso

Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m.–noon
The Source Coffee Roastery + Taproom, Sioux Falls | Free

club.presso brings a Saturday morning DJ set to The Source in downtown Sioux Falls. It is part coffee stop, part low-key morning music hangout.

Rodeo Parade

Saturday, July 18, 10:30 a.m.
Main Street, Mitchell

The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Parade rolls through Mitchell on Saturday morning. It gives families and rodeo fans a daytime community event before the weekend’s evening performances.

AMPT! 2026

Saturday, July 18, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Phillips Avenue Plaza, Sioux Falls | Free

AMPT! brings live music and performance to Phillips Avenue Plaza during the Saturday lunch window. The downtown series runs through the summer with rotating performers.

Flat River Band

Saturday, July 18, 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Flat River Band performs at Levitt at the Falls with a family-harmony sound rooted in country, bluegrass and Americana. The sibling trio brings a polished outdoor concert to the Levitt lawn.

Shakey Graves

Saturday, July 18, doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
The District, Sioux Falls | All ages

Shakey Graves comes to The District for an all-ages Saturday night show. Doors open at 7 p.m., with music scheduled for 8 p.m.

JAMPOKE Live at Spearfish Pub

Saturday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.
Spearfish Public House, Spearfish

JAMPOKE performs Saturday night at Spearfish Public House. It adds a late evening live music option to a busy Festival in the Park weekend.

Sunday, July 19

The Art of Cold Brew

Sunday, July 19, 10 a.m.–noon
Plum’s Cooking Company, Sioux Falls | $50 plus tax

Barista Noah Adams leads The Art of Cold Brew at Plum’s Cooking Company. The class focuses on smooth, refreshing coffee techniques for cold brew fans and curious beginners.

Good Earth Summer Concert Series: Alexis Lorene

Sunday, July 19, 4-6 p.m.
Good Earth State Park at Blood Run, Sioux Falls area | Free with park entrance license

Alexis Lorene performs as part of the Good Earth Summer Concert Series. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket, and a food truck is planned for the outdoor show.

Good Roots Pizza Nights

Sunday, July 19, 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Brookings

Good Roots Pizza Nights continues Sunday evening in Brookings. The recurring event gives readers a relaxed food-focused option to close out the weekend.

Karaoke Sunday Funday

Sunday, July 19, 6 p.m.
Crow Peak Brewing Co., Spearfish

Crow Peak Brewing Co. hosts Karaoke Sunday Funday. It is a casual Sunday night stop for readers who want to sing, listen or simply watch the brave souls take the mic.

Brookings Area Community Band

Sunday, July 19, 7:30–9 p.m.
Brookings

The Brookings Area Community Band performs Sunday evening. It adds a traditional community concert option to the Brookings weekend calendar.

Sioux Falls Municipal Band Presents: Viva Italia!

Sunday, July 19, 8 p.m.
Terrace Park, Sioux Falls | Free

The Sioux Falls Municipal Band presents Viva Italia!, a concert inspired by Italian culture and music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for the Sunday night park performance.

Days of ’76 Rodeo & Parades

Sunday, July 19–Saturday, July 25
Days of ’76 Event Complex, Deadwood

Deadwood’s Days of ’76 Rodeo & Parades begins Sunday and runs through the following Saturday. The historic rodeo week brings rodeo performances, parades and Western tradition to Deadwood.

Monday, July 20

Spearfish Sasquatch vs. Casper Spuds

Monday, July 20, 6 p.m.
Black Hills Power Sports Complex, Spearfish

The Spearfish Sasquatch host the Casper Spuds for Monday evening baseball. It is the first game in a four-night home stretch against Casper.

Brulé

Monday, July 20
Outlaw Square, Deadwood

Brulé performs at Outlaw Square in Deadwood. Public calendar details are limited, so readers should check the event page for final timing before making the drive.

Mondays at McKennan: The Fabulous Fitty Band

Monday, July 20, 7 p.m.
McKennan Park Bandshell, Sioux Falls | Free

Mondays at McKennan continues with The Fabulous Fitty Band. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for a free Monday evening concert in the park.

Tuesday, July 21

Intro to Fishing

Tuesday, July 21, 4–5:30 p.m.
Brookings

Brookings hosts an Intro to Fishing class for people learning the basics of the sport. The listing is geared toward anyone looking for a hands-on outdoor activity.

Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes

Tuesday, July 21-Thursday, July 23, 6:35 p.m.
The Birdcage, Sioux Falls

The Sioux Falls Canaries host the Winnipeg Goldeyes for a three-game weekday series. Games are scheduled Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 6:35 p.m.

Bingo with Ben

Tuesday, July 21, 6 p.m.
Crow Peak Brewing Co., Spearfish

Crow Peak Brewing Co. hosts Bingo with Ben on Tuesday evening. It is a low-key midweek option in Spearfish.

Sioux Falls Municipal Band Presents: That’s Amore!

Tuesday, July 21
Trail Ridge, Sioux Falls | Free

The Sioux Falls Municipal Band continues its summer schedule with That’s Amore! at Trail Ridge. The concert leans into warm, romantic and familiar selections.

Wednesday, July 22

McCrory Gardens Community Days

Wednesday, July 22, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
McCrory Gardens, Brookings

McCrory Gardens hosts Community Days on Wednesday. The event gives Brookings-area readers a full-day garden and community outing.

Tween Crafts Night

Wednesday, July 22, 3:30 p.m.
Grace Balloch Library, Spearfish

Grace Balloch Library hosts Tween Crafts Night on Wednesday afternoon. It is a creative option for younger readers and families in Spearfish.

Canyon Acoustic Series

Wednesday, July 22, 6 p.m.
Spearfish City Park, Spearfish | Free

The Canyon Acoustic Series continues with free Wednesday evening music in Spearfish City Park. The series includes local food vendors, arts and crafts, beer and wine.

Greatest Show on H2O

Wednesday, July 22, 7 p.m.
Catfish Bay, Sioux Falls

Catfish Bay adds a special Wednesday night performance of the Greatest Show on H2O. The water ski show blends tricks, stunts and family-friendly comedy.

Thursday, July 23

Food Truck Frenzy at First Bank & Trust

Thursday, July 23, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
First Bank & Trust, Brookings

Food Truck Frenzy brings a midday food truck stop to Brookings. It is a simple lunch-hour event for readers looking for a different Thursday bite.

AMPT! 2026

Thursday, July 23, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cherapa Place, Sioux Falls | Free

AMPT! returns Thursday with live music and performance at Cherapa Place. The downtown summer series keeps the lunch hour moving with rotating performers.

Lake Lorraine Farmers Market

Thursday, July 23, 4–7 p.m.
Lake Lorraine, Sioux Falls

The Lake Lorraine Farmers Market continues Thursday evening with produce, baked goods, meats, eggs, flowers, plants, food trucks and other local vendors.

20th Anniversary Pool Party

Thursday, July 23, 4 p.m.
Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort, Spearfish

Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort hosts a 20th Anniversary Pool Party on Thursday afternoon. Details are limited in the public calendar, so readers should check the event source before going.

Parker’s Bistro Patio Nights

Thursday, July 23, 6-=–8 p.m.
Parker’s Bistro, Sioux Falls | Free

Parker’s Bistro continues its summer Patio Nights series with free live music on Thursday evening. It is a downtown dinner-and-music option for readers looking for something easy after work.

Live on the Lawn: High Rise

Thursday, July 23, 6–8 p.m.
Main Street Square, Rapid City | Free

Live on the Lawn brings High Rise to Main Street Square for a free Thursday evening concert. The weekly series includes food trucks, lawn games, fountains and a beverage garden.

Summer Nights: The RathCo

Thursday, July 23, 6–9 p.m.
Downtown Rapid City

Rapid City’s Summer Nights continues with The RathCo on the main stage. The weekly downtown block party includes live music on two stages, food and a full evening of summer street energy.

Parkston Amphitheater Thursday

Thursday, July 23, 6–9 p.m.
Parkston Amphitheater, Parkston | Free

Parkston Amphitheater Thursday continues with Chad Madsen at 6 p.m. and Tara Faber Band at 7 p.m. Food trucks and drinks are planned.

Live Music with Chris Miller

Thursday, July 23, 6–9 p.m.
Palace City Brewing Co., Mitchell

Chris Miller performs Thursday evening at Palace City Brewing Co. in Mitchell. It is a brewery music option for readers in the Mitchell area.

Magic Show by Cody Landstrom

Thursday, July 23, 6 p.m.
Spearfish Park Pavilion, Spearfish

Cody Landstrom brings a magic show to Spearfish Park Pavilion. The event gives families a Thursday evening entertainment option in the northern Black Hills.

Adam Bohanan

Thursday, July 23, 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Adam Bohanan performs at Levitt at the Falls, with Juke the Tiger listed as the opening act in local event listings. The free outdoor concert continues Levitt’s Thursday night summer series.

Sioux Falls Municipal Band Presents: Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Thursday, July 23, 7:30 p.m.
McKennan Park Bandshell, Sioux Falls | Free

The Sioux Falls Municipal Band presents Shake, Rattle, and Roll at the McKennan Park Bandshell. The program is described as a high-energy concert with rhythm, momentum and familiar favorites.

Future Events

Check back each week for an updated list of future events.

South Dakota Class B 14U American Legion Baseball State Championship

Friday, July 24–Sunday, July 26
Prentis Park Baseball Field, Vermillion

South Dakota Class A Senior American Legion Baseball State Championship

Tuesday, July 28–Saturday, Aug. 1
Black Hills Surgical Hospital Ballpark, Rapid City

South Dakota Class A Junior American Legion Baseball State Championship

Thursday, July 30-Sunday, Aug. 2
Harmodon Park, Sioux Falls

South Dakota Class B Senior American Legion Baseball State Championship

Friday, July 31–Tuesday, Aug. 4
Flynn Field, Madison

South Dakota Class B Junior American Legion Baseball State Championship

Friday, Aug. 7–Sunday, Aug. 9
American Legion Field, Redfield

USS South Dakota Day of Honor

Saturday, Aug. 8 • 10 a.m.–noon
Battleship South Dakota Memorial, Sioux Falls

Children’s Theater Workshop: Space Pirates!

Friday, Aug. 14 • 7 p.m. & Saturday, Aug. 15 • 10 a.m.
Grand Opera House, Pierre

Jo Dee Messina: Bridges Tour

Sunday, Sept. 27 • 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls

South Dakota Festival of Books

Saturday, Oct. 3
Sioux Falls

Zach Top: Cold Beer & Country Music Tour

Thursday, Oct. 15
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

In its ninth edition, Sioux Falls’ homegrown extreme-metal festival filled Bigs Bar with two stages, a dozen Saturday bands and the kind of community that keeps local music alive.

Metal has always had a funny way of looking hostile from the parking lot and feeling like home once you walk through the door. From a distance, it is all sharp logos, hard riffs and vocals that sound capable of filing their own weather report. Up close, it is often one of the kindest rooms in live music.

That has been true for me since I was younger. I came for the hardest riffs, loudest screams and best breakdowns. I stayed because the metal scene was the one that invited me in with open arms. It is where my real love of live music began.

On Saturday, July 11, SlamDakota Death Fest IX brought that lesson back to Bigs Bar in Sioux Falls. This was only my second year attending, but the festival already felt familiar in the best way: part concert, part reunion and part evidence that something local can keep growing if enough people decide it deserves another year.

Nine editions and still growing

SlamDakota first gathered at Bigs in August 2018. A 2019 listing called the next event the second annual festival, the 2020 lineup was documented as Death Fest III and the 2021 event was billed as the fourth annual edition. From there came V in 2022, VI in 2023, VII in 2024, VIII in 2025 and IX in 2026.

That gives SlamDakota nine annual editions across the eight years since the first festival.

The Roman numerals are more than trivia. They are a record of persistence. Local festivals rarely disappear with a formal goodbye. More often, they miss a year, then another, until somebody notices the poster is no longer in the window.

SlamDakota has gone in the other direction. It has continued through changing lineups, changing summers and the ordinary wear that comes with asking venues, bands, vendors, production crews and fans to keep believing in the same thing.

Travel South Dakota describes SlamDakota as an annual gathering of death metal, slam and thrash bands from across the country and around the world. That is a long way from a small passion project, but the festival has not outgrown the quality that helped it survive: South Dakota’s heavy-music scene still has a stage of its own.

Two stages and very little standing still

Bigs is unusually well suited to a festival like this. The parking lot becomes an outdoor stage and gathering space while the indoor room holds the other half of the bill, the bar and a growing collection of vendors.

On Saturday, the doors opened at 4 p.m. and the music began at 5. For most of the evening, a new set started every half hour, alternating between the indoor and outdoor stages. If one band finished and you wondered what came next, the correct answer was usually, “Turn around and start walking.”

That rhythm kept the day moving without making it feel rushed. It also gave the crowd natural moments to cool off, find water, visit a booth or grab something to eat. The schedule was demanding, but it understood something important: even the most committed metal fan occasionally needs a taco and a minute to locate both earplugs.

A Saturday bill that told its own history

The first four sets leaned into the newer edge of slam and deathcore.

At 5 p.m., Indiana’s Slamology opened indoors. The Charlestown project had released its first track, “Iverson Anklebreaker,” only in January, giving the beginning of the day a genuinely fresh band.

Chicago’s Gutnoose took the outdoor stage at 5:30 with a five-song debut EP from 2025 and a sound planted firmly in slamming brutal death metal.

At 6, Orbital Gate brought one-woman slamming brutal death metal from Cary, Illinois, into the indoor room.

At 6:30, Sioux Falls’ own Reviver moved outside with progressive deathcore and a catalog that runs from 2020’s “The Death Experience” through the 2023 release Voids Embrace.

In 90 minutes, the festival had already made room for a new Indiana project, a Chicago band with one EP, a solo Illinois project and a hometown act with several years of releases behind it.

The middle of the schedule widened the sound.

Lansing, Michigan’s Krocophile took over indoors at 7 with reptile-themed slam. The concept carries a sense of humor, but the music does not treat heaviness like a joke. Releases such as A Cold-Blooded Torture Chamber and 2025’s Sewer King, King of the Sewer give the band a whole scaly little universe to work in.

At 7:30, Fed to Pigs put Sioux Falls death metal on the outdoor stage. Formed in 2024, the band is young enough to represent the scene’s current growth, yet its full-stage presence looked completely at home within the festival.

A local event does not become regional by leaving local bands behind. It grows by giving them room beside the touring acts.

Then came Beer Goblins at 8. The Sioux Falls band has been described locally as party thrash and groove metal, a useful change of gait on a bill dominated by death metal’s heavier subdivisions.

By that point, the schedule read less like an itinerary and more like a list of things a county health inspector would prefer not to discuss, which is how you know a death festival is doing its job.

New Jersey’s Condition Critical followed outside at 8:30. The band has played what it calls “unrelenting New Jersey thrash metal” since 2010 and arrived with Degeneration Chamber, released in 2025. Its sharper thrash attack gave the outdoor stage a different kind of momentum before the late-night stretch.

At 9, Minnesota’s Glutton for Punishment returned the night to death metal indoors. The band’s history reaches back more than two decades, with releases including Purified in Blood and the 2018 full-length The Mutilation Process.

Glutton for Punishment has also appeared at earlier SlamDakota editions, including 2019 and 2025. A recurring festival is partly built from bands that know the road back.

Denver’s Angelic Desolation took the outdoor stage at 9:30 and supplied one of the evening’s most complete visual moments: smoke rolling across the musicians, purple and red light filling the air and the crowd pressed close enough to become part of the composition.

The band calls its collision of thrash, grindcore, death metal, horror and riff worship “American Razorgrind.” The description fits. Its 2023 full-length Orchestrionic Abortion turns the same mixture into a full record.

At 10:15, Dallas–Fort Worth’s Kill Everything moved the night back inside. Formed in 2016, the Comatose Music band works in slam and brutal death metal and released Scorched Earth in 2018.

The closing slot at 11:15 belonged to Suffer, and that was more than a hometown courtesy.

Suffer’s roots reach to 1989, when the musicians were known as Pukus, before the Sioux Falls death-metal name took shape in 1990. The surviving demos from 1989 through 1994 document a local band working during the birth of death metal itself.

The Saturday bill became a compressed history of underground metal. It began with a project whose first song arrived six months earlier and ended with a Sioux Falls band whose earliest recordings are older than many people in the room.

New slam, local deathcore, party thrash, razorgrind, brutal death metal and old-school hometown history all fit within the same day.

The part of the festival that does not come through the speakers

As someone who has worked as an event vendor, I know how much a good booth can change the feeling of a room.

Vendors give people somewhere to linger between sets. They create conversations that would not happen in a line at the bar and remind us that a local scene is built by more than musicians.

One of my favorite parts of events at Bigs has been running into Michele and her partner with Sanctuary Goods. Their table is filled with jewelry, stones, tinctures, artwork and other handcrafted goods, but what stays with me is their warmth.

They do not simply put merchandise on a folding table. They take care of people, and people can feel the difference.

Sanctuary Goods is still a relatively new Sioux Falls shop. Founder and curator Stefan Bernardino opened the Jones421 storefront in December 2024 and described it as “a place filled with curiosities.”

Its mix of local art, wellness, spirituality and handmade work fit naturally at SlamDakota. Alternative culture is rarely one straight line. It is more like a neighborhood where the tattoo shop, record label, jewelry maker and death-metal band all borrow extension cords from one another.

The rest of the festival marketplace carried the same handmade character. Shirts and records shared space with jewelry and artwork. An artist worked at an easel inside while another booth glowed behind them.

Outside, Westside Glass Emporium paired its merchandise display with live glassworking, giving the parking lot one more kind of controlled fire.

When all that culture made people hungry, Windy City Bites was waiting in the parking lot. Food trucks are humble pieces of festival infrastructure, but around hour six, a hot meal can feel like thoughtful urban planning.

The afterglow

By midnight, the smoke had started to clear, the vendor tables were being packed away and the parking lot was slowly becoming a parking lot again. The music may stop on schedule, but a metal festival follows you home in ringing ears, dusty shoes and the sudden realization that your neck is going to file a complaint in the morning.

This was only my second SlamDakota, but I left with the same feeling that first brought me into the metal scene years ago. The music may be built from aggression, distortion and every unpleasant medical term a band could fit onto a T-shirt, but the people remain remarkably welcoming.

Most communities are built with lumber, asphalt and meetings that should have been emails. Metal communities are built with cables, black shirts and somebody reaching down to help a stranger back to their feet.

Watching Suffer close the night brought the festival’s history full circle. A Sioux Falls band with roots reaching back to 1989 finished a day that began with some of the newest names in slam and death metal. Between them stood the touring bands, local musicians, artists, vendors, sponsors, production crews and fans carrying the scene forward.

Nine editions are now in the books. If the Roman numerals continue as expected, next year brings X. Until then, Sioux Falls can let its ears recover and take some pride in knowing the most vicious fest in the Midwest is also one of its warmest welcomes.

Content courtesy of Lyrical Limelight.

Thousands of artists, shoppers and visitors will descend on Brookings this weekend as one of South Dakota’s longest-running summer traditions marks its 55th year.

The Brookings Summer Arts Festival kicks off Saturday with more than 300 artists representing 12 states filling Pioneer Park for the free, two-day event, which is expected to draw as many as 70,000 visitors.

“Art, food and entertainment is what make up the whole thing,” festival spokeswoman Shari Budahl Avery told The Dakota Scout. “I think economically it is a great thing for Brookings. Visitors who just come for the day or two days for the arts festival have the opportunity to see what else Brookings has.”

Read more

The legend of outlaw Jesse James’ horseback-leap across Devil’s Gulch grew a little larger 25 years ago.

Thanks to a fourth-grade class, a local reporter and a museum-to-museum gift, the Garretson Historical Society received four oil paintings, including one that depicts the disputed jump, according to the July 5, 2001, edition of the Argus Leader.

Read more

Stay up to date with The Dakota Scout + Lyrical Limelight event listings from across the state. From festivals and concerts to theater performances, local sports and community gatherings, we bring you the latest updates on entertainment and activities for all interests. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly fun, cultural experiences or vibrant nightlife, you’ll find plenty of exciting events to explore.

Submit your events to The Dakota Scout and Lyrical Limelight by emailing events@thedakotascout.com.

THIS WEEK

Friday, July 10

Lallycooler Music Festival

Friday, July 10–Saturday, July 11
Sioux Falls Stadium, Sioux Falls

Lallycooler Music Festival returns to Sioux Falls Stadium for two days of national touring acts and summer festival energy. Friday’s lineup includes Darius Rucker, Braxton Keith, Graham Barham and Weston Frank, while Saturday features Jason Derulo, Bow Wow, Gavin DeGraw, Josh Ross and Goodroad Band.

Table Talk: Lally Cooler After Party

Friday, July 10 • 8 p.m.
The Den Live Music & Casino, Sioux Falls | Free | 21+

Table Talk plays a free Lally Cooler after party at The Den Live Music & Casino. The show is listed as 21+ and starts at 8 p.m.

Live Music

Friday, July 10–11, 6:30–10 p.m.
Trio Jazz Club, Sioux Falls

Trio Jazz Club hosts live music Friday evening in downtown Sioux Falls. The Experience Sioux Falls calendar lists the performance as part of the club’s ongoing live music schedule.

Red, White and Blue Big Band Dance

Friday, July 10, 6:45–10:30 p.m.
El Riad Shrine, Sioux Falls

The Red, White and Blue Big Band Dance brings a Friday evening of live big band music and dancing to El Riad Shrine. The event adds a classic dance-hall option to a weekend already loaded with concerts.

Deadwood Blues Festival

Friday, July 10–Sunday, July 12
Historic Deadwood

The Deadwood Blues Festival brings a three-day, citywide celebration of blues music to Historic Deadwood. The festival includes more than a dozen local, regional and national blues acts at venues around town, with Saturday evening programming at Outlaw Square and a Sunday blues brunch at Deadwood Mountain Grand.

Chalk Art on 10th Street

Friday, July 10, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Great Outdoor Store, Sioux Falls

Local chalk artist Doug Holubek will be working near the Great Outdoor Store as part of the 10th Street Traffic Calming pilot. The community is invited to watch and participate during the morning and early afternoon.

Weekly Grill-out at the Co-op

Friday, July 10, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Sioux Falls Food Co+op, Sioux Falls | Cost varies

Sioux Falls Food Co+op hosts its weekly Friday patio grill-out. Guests can purchase grill items inside, bring the receipt outside and grab lunch on the patio while supplies last.

AMPT! 2026

Friday, July 10–11, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
The Steel District, Sioux Falls | Free

AMPT! brings live music and performance downtown during the lunch hour. Friday performances are scheduled at The Steel District as part of the summer series running through August.

Fridays on the Plaza

Friday, July 10, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
12th Street Plaza, Sioux Falls | Free

Fridays on the Plaza returns with live music and food downtown. The weekly summer series gives readers a midday outdoor option before the weekend turns louder.

Tom Watson at the Old Courthouse Museum summer concert series

Friday, July 10, noon–1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum, Sioux Falls | Free

Tom Watson performs in the plaza behind the Old Courthouse Museum as part of the museum’s Friday summer concert series. The concert moves indoors if weather causes trouble.

Pokémon Open Play & Trade

Friday, July 10, 5 p.m.
Lookout Games, Spearfish

Lookout Games hosts Pokémon Open Play & Trade on Friday evening. It is a casual option for players and collectors looking to trade, play and talk cards.

Downtown Friday Nights

Friday, July 10, 6–9 p.m.
Downtown Spearfish

Spearfish’s weekly Downtown Friday Nights series brings live music, food, beer, crafts and kids activities downtown. The summer series continues through July with a few August dates.

The Elders

Friday, July 10, 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring The Elders, an exciting Celtic rock band you will not want to miss. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and your own snacks—or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site! Presented by RBC Wealth Management- Vandemark, Lavin & Hodgins, World Genre Sponsor: Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium, and MarketBeat.

Slamdakota Death Fest IX

Friday, July 10–Saturday, July 11
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls

Slamdakota Death Fest IX returns to Bigs Bar for a two-day heavy music festival. The event runs Friday and Saturday, giving metal fans a full weekend of loud rooms, low-end rumble and blast-beat weather.

Saturday, July 11

Randy Burghardt Concert: Dock Side at Spring Creek

Saturday, July 11
Spring Creek area, Pierre

Randy Burghardt performs as part of the Dock Side at Spring Creek concert listing on the Pierre Area Chamber calendar. Public calendar details are limited, so readers should check the event listing for time and location specifics before heading out.

Spearfish Canyon Half Marathon & 5K

Saturday, July 11, all day
Spearfish Canyon, Spearfish

The Spearfish Canyon Half Marathon & 5K sends runners through one of the Black Hills’ most scenic routes. Readers should check the event page for registration details, route information and start times.

Neighbors 2 Neighbors Farmers Market

Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m.
Lion’s Park, Spearfish

The Neighbors 2 Neighbors Farmers Market offers a Saturday morning stop for local produce, vendors and community shopping in Spearfish.

Brookings Summer Arts Festival

Saturday, July 11–Sunday, July 12
Pioneer Park, Brookings

The Brookings Summer Arts Festival returns to Pioneer Park for a two-day weekend of art, handmade goods, food and entertainment. The long-running festival draws artists and visitors from across the region.

Jelly of the Month Club

Saturday, July 11, 10:30 a.m.
Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free family-friendly concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Jelly of the Month Club— a funky-swing rock band with a high energy live show for everyone. Music starts at 10:30AM, with food trucks Heartland Coffee and Nosh, Rudy’s Tex Mex, and Street Sweets. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and snacks for a joyful morning downtown! Sponsored by Bob & Joan Thimjon, Avera Health, and MarketBeat.

Catching Sight: Conversation with Deni Elliott

Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m.
Henry’s Books, Spearfish

Henry’s Books hosts a Saturday conversation with author Deni Elliott tied to “Catching Sight.” It adds a book-and-discussion option to the weekend calendar in Spearfish.

Live Music with Molasses Flood

Saturday, July 11, 6 p.m.
Crow Peak Brewing Co., Spearfish

Crow Peak Brewing Co. hosts live music with Molasses Flood on Saturday evening. It is a brewery music option for readers in the northern Black Hills.

Matthew Whitaker

Saturday, July 11, 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring The Elders, an exciting Celtic rock band you will not want to miss. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and your own snacks—or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site! Presented by RBC Wealth Management- Vandemark, Lavin & Hodgins, World Genre Sponsor: Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium, and MarketBeat.

Okami Soul and Etta and the Vendetta: Lally Cooler After Party

Saturday, July 11 • 11 p.m.
The Den Live Music & Casino, Sioux Falls | Free | 21+

Okami Soul and Etta and the Vendetta perform a late-night Lally Cooler after party at The Den. The flyer lists the show as free, 21+ and starting at 11 p.m.

Sunday, July 12

Good Earth Summer Concert Series: Too Drunk to Fish

Sunday, July 12, 4–6 p.m.
Good Earth State Park at Blood Run, Sioux Falls area | Free with park entrance license

Too Drunk to Fish performs as part of the Good Earth Summer Concert Series. The outdoor concert is free to attend, though a park entrance license is required for vehicles entering the park.

Sioux Falls Municipal Band

Sunday, July 12, 8–9:30 p.m.
Terrace Park Family Pool & Aquatic Center, Sioux Falls

The Sioux Falls Municipal Band performs Sunday evening at Terrace Park Family Pool & Aquatic Center. It is a traditional summer concert option for readers looking for a low-key way to close the weekend.

American Legion Sunday Fundays

Sunday, July 12
American Legion, Pierre

American Legion Sunday Fundays continues in Pierre with live music listed on the Pierre Area Chamber calendar. Public details are limited, so readers should check the chamber listing for performer and time information.

Monday, July 13

Mondays at McKennan: Tayko Jones

Monday, July 13, 7–8:30 p.m.
McKennan Park Bandshell, Sioux Falls | Free

Mondays at McKennan continues with Tayko Jones performing jazz at the McKennan Park Bandshell. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in for one of Sioux Falls’ classic summer music traditions.

Kids Camp: Learning the Basics

Monday, July 13–Thursday, July 16, 10–11:30 a.m.
Plum’s Cooking Company, Sioux Falls

Plum’s Cooking Company hosts a four-day kids cooking camp for ages 9-12, with young chefs learning kitchen basics across breakfast, savory classics and sweet treats. The camp runs Monday through Thursday and gives families a hands-on daytime option downtown.

Pioneer Camp

Monday, July 13–Thursday, July 16
Days of ’76 Museum, Deadwood

Deadwood History hosts Pioneer Camp at the Days of ’76 Museum. Public details are limited on the main Deadwood events calendar, so readers should check the event page for age range, daily times and registration information.

Oahe Zap Baseball Game 2026

Monday, July 13
Pierre

The Oahe Zap return to the Pierre Area Chamber calendar for a Monday baseball game. Details are limited in the public calendar view, so readers should check the event listing for opponent, start time and ticket information.

River Cities Cornhole

Monday, July 13, registration at 6:30 p.m., start at 7 p.m.
Devine Park, Pierre | $10 per participant

River Cities Cornhole continues its Monday evening tournament series at Devine Park, weather permitting. The event includes four games of rounders followed by a double-elimination bracket, with all players guaranteed at least six games. Participants can bring their own bags, and bags will also be available.

Midsummer Murder Mystery Charity Event for Humane Society

Monday, July 13, ongoing
Thomas James and Bechtold Jewelry, Sioux Falls

Thomas James and Bechtold Jewelry continues its Midsummer Murder Mystery Charity Event for the Humane Society. Participants follow clues through a fictional murder mystery involving eight suspects, eight rooms and eight weapons.

Tuesday, July 14

Live Music

Tuesday, July 14, 6:30–10 p.m.
Trio Jazz Club, Sioux Falls

Trio Jazz Club hosts Tuesday evening live music downtown. The listing appears on the Experience Sioux Falls concert calendar as part of the venue’s recurring live music schedule.

RCA Classics at The Matthews

Tuesday, July 14, 7 p.m.
Matthews Opera House, Spearfish

RCA Classics at The Matthews brings a Tuesday evening arts event to Spearfish’s Matthews Opera House. Public calendar details are limited, so readers should check the venue for program information.

Wednesday, July 15

Black Hills Corvette Classic

Wednesday, July 15–Saturday, July 18
Beresford, Sioux Falls and Spearfish | Cost varies

The Black Hills Corvette Classic begins its multi-city run Wednesday, with events tied to Beresford, Sioux Falls and Spearfish before wrapping Saturday. The long-running car event brings Corvette owners and fans together for cruises, displays and Black Hills driving.

Canyon Acoustic Series

Wednesday, July 15, 6 p.m.
Spearfish City Park, Spearfish | Free

The Canyon Acoustic Series continues in Spearfish City Park with free Wednesday evening music. The summer series includes local food vendors, arts and crafts, beer and wine.

Thursday, July 16

Martinis, Mules & Music

Thursday, July 16, 5–7 p.m.
SpringHill Suites at Cadillac Jack’s, Deadwood

Martinis, Mules & Music continues its Thursday summer run at Cadillac Jack’s. The series pairs a two-hour live set from a local artist with cocktails from the Tito’s Martini & Mule Bar in the SpringHill Suites lobby.

Spearfish Area Fiber Arts Club

Thursday, July 16, 5 p.m.
Spearfish Public Library, Spearfish

The Spearfish Area Fiber Arts Club meets Thursday at the Spearfish Public Library. The listing offers a quieter creative option for readers interested in fiber arts and community making.

Spearfish Sasquatch vs. Bison Baseball

Thursday, July 16, 6 p.m.
Black Hills Power Sports Complex, Spearfish

The Spearfish Sasquatch host Bison Baseball at Black Hills Power Sports Complex. It gives northern Black Hills readers a Thursday evening baseball option.

Kissing Candice, Fatal Fall and Dissipated

Thursday, July 16
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls

Bigs Bar hosts Kissing Candice, Fatal Fall and Dissipated for a Thursday night heavy music show. Event details are limited on the venue calendar, so readers should check the event link for final timing and ticket information.

Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars

Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, blending early creole and New Orleans R&B sounds. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and your own snacks—or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site! Presented by ADA Sioux Falls, Fresh Finds Genre Sponsor: Grand Prairie Foods Inc | Kurt & Valerie Loudenback, and MarketBeat.

Amerakin Overdose

Thursday, July 16 • 8 p.m.
The Den Live Music & Casino, Sioux Falls | $15 advance | $20 door | 21+

Amerakin Overdose comes to The Den with Grave Corps and Rivorium for a 21+ heavy music show. Doors/details beyond the 8 p.m. start time are not listed on the flyer.

Future Events

Check back each week for an updated list of future events.

Celestial Veil Cabaret Presents: Into the Veil

Saturday, July 18 • 7–10 p.m.
Sultry Stray Studio

Friends of Blood Run 5K Trail Run/Walk

Saturday, July 18 • 8 a.m.
Blood Run National Historic Landmark, Granite, Iowa area

Flat River Band

Saturday, July 18 • 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls

Children’s Theater Workshop: Space Pirates!

Friday, Aug. 14 • 7 p.m. & Saturday, Aug. 15 • 10 a.m.
Grand Opera House, Pierre

Jo Dee Messina: Bridges Tour

Sunday, Sept. 27 • 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls

Zach Top: Cold Beer & Country Music Tour

Thursday, Oct. 15
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

Stay up to date with The Dakota Scout + Lyrical Limelight event listings from across the state. From festivals and concerts to theater performances, local sports and community gatherings, we bring you the latest updates on entertainment and activities for all interests. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly fun, cultural experiences or vibrant nightlife, you’ll find plenty of exciting events to explore.

Submit your events to The Dakota Scout and Lyrical Limelight by emailing events@thedakotascout.com.

THIS WEEK

Friday, July 3

Fire Bros. Fireworks 10 Year Anniversary Party

Friday, July 3, starting at 5 p.m., fireworks at dusk
Fire Bros. Fireworks, 8201 W. 12th St., Sioux Falls | Free

Fire Bros. Fireworks celebrates its 10-year anniversary with a Friday evening party featuring food trucks, bouncy houses and a fireworks show at dusk. The event adds another family-friendly fireworks option to the holiday weekend calendar.

Fort Pierre Rodeo and Boots & Roots weekend

Friday, July 3–Saturday, July 4
Stanley County Fairgrounds, Fort Pierre

The 100th annual Fort Pierre Rodeo continues into the holiday weekend with Friday slack at 10 a.m., SDRA rodeo action at 5:30 p.m. and a Wade Hayes concert at 7:30 p.m. The celebration continues Saturday with a 10 a.m. parade, a 7 p.m. rodeo and a fireworks display sponsored by the Fort Pierre Fire Department.

The Spearfish America 250th Parade

Friday, July 3, 2 p.m.
Downtown Spearfish | Free

Spearfish marks America’s 250th with a Friday afternoon parade. The route begins at Spearfish High School before turning onto Hillsview Road and moving through town.

Lake Norden Community Barbecue & Independence Day Celebration

Friday, July 3–Saturday, July 4
Lake Norden

Lake Norden’s two-day Independence Day celebration begins Friday with the annual community barbecue and live music from 5–7 p.m., along with bouncy houses, balloon art, equipment displays and family activities. Saturday includes a triathlon, baseball and fireworks.

DTSF Open Streets

Friday, July 3, 5–8 p.m.
Phillips Avenue between 6th and 7th Street, Sioux Falls | Free

Downtown Sioux Falls opens part of Phillips Avenue to pedestrians for its July Open Streets event. This month’s edition celebrates America’s birthday with vendors, performers, kid-friendly activities, food trucks and a car-free block downtown.

Free First Friday

Friday, July 3, 5–8 p.m.
Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls | Free

The Washington Pavilion opens the Kirby Science Discovery Center and Visual Arts Center for Free First Friday. Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Mina Lake Freedom Festival

Friday, July 3–Saturday, July 4
Mina Lake

Mina Lake’s Freedom Festival includes live music, kids activities, a fun run and walk, parade, car and motorcycle show, family picnic and fireworks over the lake. The fireworks are scheduled for dusk Friday, around 10 p.m., with the community parade set for 10 a.m. Saturday.

Custer’s Fourth of July Celebration

Friday, July 3–Saturday, July 4
Custer

Custer’s Fourth of July Celebration runs across the holiday weekend with a Patriot’s Parade, street dance, arts and crafts fair, games, races and fireworks from Pageant Hill at dark Saturday. Check the full schedule before heading west, since individual activities vary by day.

Springfield 4th of July Celebration

Friday, July 3–Sunday, July 5
Springfield

Springfield’s holiday celebration includes mutton busting, Bull-O-Rama and a street dance Friday, followed by a Firecracker 5K, marina activities and fireworks Saturday. Sunday programming includes games in the park.

Gold Camp Jubilee

Friday, July 3–Sunday, July 5
Lead

Lead’s Gold Camp Jubilee continues through the holiday weekend with vendors, live entertainment, family activities, music, sports tournaments, food and fireworks. This year’s celebration also marks the 100th Gold Camp Jubilee, Lead’s 150th birthday and America’s 250th.

Black Hills Roundup

Friday, July 3–Saturday, July 4
Black Hills Roundup, Belle Fourche | Ticketed

The Black Hills Roundup continues its July 1–4 run in Belle Fourche with rodeo, carnival programming, concerts, food and holiday events. Daily schedules vary, so check the full event calendar before driving.

Downtown Friday Nights

Friday, July 3, 6–9 p.m.
Downtown Spearfish

Spearfish’s weekly Downtown Friday Nights series brings live music, food, beer, crafts and kids activities downtown. The series runs through July with a few special August dates.

East of Westreville with guest fiddler Kenny Putnam

Friday, July 3, 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring East of Westreville, with their Americana classics, joined by legendary fiddler, Kenny Putnam. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!

Sitting Bull Stampede Rodeo

Friday, July 3–Saturday, July 4, 7:30 p.m. nightly
Mobridge

The Sitting Bull Stampede Rodeo brings PRCA-sanctioned rodeo action to Mobridge as part of the community’s major annual celebration. The event includes rodeo performances, carnival activities, main street parades and fireworks after the rodeo on July 4.

Freedom & Fireworks Watch Party

Friday, July 3, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City | $10

Hotel Alex Johnson hosts an all-ages indoor watch party for the Mount Rushmore fireworks livestream. The ticketed event includes backyard-style games, appetizers and beverages available for purchase.

Mount Rushmore Fireworks

Friday, July 3
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone area

South Dakota’s America 250 programming includes a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on Friday.

Julius Caesar by Bare Bodkins

Friday, July 3, Sunday, July 5 and Thursday, July 9, 7 p.m.
Queen Bee Mill ruins at Falls Park, Sioux Falls | Free

Bare Bodkins brings Julius Caesar to the Queen Bee Mill ruins at Falls Park for its 29th season of Shakespeare in the Park. The free 90-minute performances are open seating, with tickets available at the gate 30 minutes before each show. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, since the ruins are not built for seating.

American Legion Sunday Fundays

Friday, July 3–Sunday, July 5
American Legion, Pierre | Free

American Legion Sunday Fundays brings three days of live music to Pierre over the holiday weekend. John Swanson performs Friday, Side Hackers play Saturday and Lithium Project closes the run Sunday.

Saturday, July 4

Fall River 4th of July

Saturday, July 4; registration begins at 6 a.m.
Hot Springs

Hot Springs starts Independence Day early with the Firecracker Mile, 5K and 10K, followed by a parade at 10 a.m., community picnic, duck race, car show, cornhole tournament and more afternoon programming in Centennial Park.

Independent Independence

Saturday, July 4, music, art and food starts at noon
The Den, 909 N. West Ave., Sioux Falls | $15 advance, $25 at the door

Independent Independence brings an all-ages Fourth of July show to The Den with music, art and food starting at noon. The lineup includes Sad Eyed Pearl, Misty Cans & The Horny Toads, Donnybrook Brawlers, Freya Jane and the Nightshades, Gloves and Shovels, Devils on Deck, King Sized Coffin, The Gormandizers, Brian Hoffman, Adam Houghtelling, Beer Goblins and The Shirks.

Sioux Falls Independence Day Parade

Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m.–noon
Phillips Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls | Free

The Sioux Falls Independence Day Parade returns for America’s 250th anniversary, with the route running on Phillips Avenue from 13th Street to 6th Street. Floats are scheduled to begin moving at 10 a.m.

4th of July Food Truck Madness

Saturday, July 4, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Corner of 6th Street and Phillips Avenue, downtown Sioux Falls | Cost varies by vendor

Food Truck Madness brings food trucks, live bands and a public vote for the “maddest and baddest” food truck champion to downtown Sioux Falls during the Independence Day parade. The event is sponsored by Experience Sioux Falls and gives paradegoers another reason to linger downtown before the afternoon clears out.

Interior 4th of July

Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m.
Interior

Interior celebrates the Fourth in the Badlands with a 10 a.m. parade, 11 a.m. car show, 1 p.m. cornhole tournament, 5 p.m. Triathlon Rodeo, 9 p.m. fireworks and live music at Lulu’s Bar after the fireworks.

Yankton All-American 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks

Saturday, July 4
Riverside Park, Yankton

Yankton celebrates Independence Day with free family activities in Riverside Park, food vendors, Ben’s Brewing, evening concerts and fireworks from the upper deck of the Meridian Bridge at dusk, around 10 p.m.

Deadwood Independence Day Parade and Live Music

Saturday, July 4–Sunday, July 5
Historic Deadwood

Deadwood’s Independence Weekend Celebration includes a parade on Main Street at 3 p.m. Saturday and live music across the weekend. The event is part of a larger year of programming tied to Deadwood’s 150th anniversary.

Red, White and Wu Independence Day Weekend

Saturday, July 4–Sunday, July 5, 1 p.m. daily
Mr. Wu’s, Deadwood

Mr. Wu’s hosts a two-day weekend celebration for America’s 250th and Deadwood’s 150th, with live music, complimentary barbecue, draft beer, Kung Fu Lion Dancers, Deadwood Alive performances and more beginning at 1 p.m. each day.

Andrea Ross & Her Big Band

Saturday, July 4, 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Andrea Ross, an internationally acclaimed vocalist and Broadway performer. Bring a lawn chair, your crew and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!

Sioux Falls Fireworks

Saturday, July 4, 7–10:45 p.m.
W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls | Free

The Sioux Falls Fireworks event returns to the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds for America’s 250th birthday. The event includes free grandstand seating, food and drinks available from vendors, free parking and courtesy shuttles.

Sunday, July 5

Vintage Base Ball Game in Lead

Sunday, July 5
Mountain Top Field, Lead

Lead and Deadwood mark their 150th anniversaries with a vintage baseball game played using 1877 to 1885 rules. The public is invited to watch the throwback game at Mountain Top Field.

Good Earth Summer Concert Series: Corrie DeVries

Sunday, July 5, 4 p.m.
Good Earth State Park at Blood Run, 26924 480th Ave., Sioux Falls

Good Earth State Park at Blood Run hosts Corrie DeVries as part of its summer concert series. The Sunday afternoon show offers an outdoor music option just outside Sioux Falls after the Fourth of July weekend rush.

Monday, July 6

Summer in Italy

Monday, July 6, 6–8 p.m.
Plum’s Cooking Company, Sioux Falls | $90 plus tax

Chef Andrew Ernst leads a Summer in Italy cooking class at Plum’s Cooking Company, with a menu built around rustic Italian flavors. The class is listed on the Downtown Sioux Falls calendar for Monday evening.

River Cities Cornhole

Monday, July 6, registration at 6:30 p.m., start at 7 p.m.
Devine Park, Pierre | $10 per participant

River Cities Cornhole continues its Monday evening tournament series at Devine Park, weather permitting. The event includes four games of rounders followed by a double-elimination bracket, with all players guaranteed at least six games.

Tuesday, July 7

Destiny Bond with Fear of Falling, People Without Wings and Topanga

Tuesday, July 7, 6–10:30 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls $15

Bigs Bar hosts a Tuesday night heavy music bill with Destiny Bond, Fear of Falling, People Without Wings and Topanga. The event is listed on Bigs Bar’s current events calendar.

Comedy Open Mic

Tuesday, July 7, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
ICON Events + DaDa Gastropub, Sioux Falls | Free

ICON Events + DaDa Gastropub host a Tuesday comedy open mic downtown.

Meet the City of Pierre Mayor Open House

Tuesday, July 7
Pierre | Free

The Pierre Area Chamber calendar lists a Meet the City of Pierre Mayor Open House for Tuesday.

Wednesday, July 8

Canyon Acoustic Series

Wednesday, July 8, 6 p.m.
Spearfish City Park, Spearfish | Free

The Canyon Acoustic Series continues in Spearfish City Park with free Wednesday evening music. The summer series includes local food vendors, arts and crafts, beer and wine.

Missouri River Clean Up

Wednesday, July 8
Pierre area

The Missouri River Clean Up appears on the Pierre Area Chamber calendar for Wednesday.

Lakota Language Night

Wednesday, July 8
Pierre

Lakota Language Night is listed on the Pierre Area Chamber calendar for Wednesday.

Thursday, July 9

Patio Nights: Kevin Ryan

Thursday, July 9, 6–8 p.m.
Parker’s Bistro, Sioux Falls | Free

Parker’s Bistro hosts Patio Nights with Kevin Ryan as part of its summer Thursday evening music series. The performances are free and open to the public on select Thursdays downtown.

Oahe Zap Books & Baseball

Thursday, July 9, 6–7 p.m.
Rawlins Municipal Library, Pierre | Free

Oahe Zap players visit Rawlins Municipal Library for Books & Baseball, a story time event for kids. Players will read to children, and free frozen treats are planned after story time. Registration is requested.

Brandon Jones

Thursday, July 9, 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Brandon Jones, bringing his rugged Black Hills country sound. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!

Tales on the River

Thursday, July 9
Moose Lodge, Fort Pierre

Tales on the River appears on the Pierre Area Chamber calendar for Thursday.

Future Events

Check back each week for an updated list of future events.

Slamdakota Death Fest

Friday, July 10 & Saturday, July 11
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls

Brookings Summer Arts Festival

Saturday, July 11 & Sunday, July 12
Pioneer Park, Brookings

Black Hills Corvette Classic

Wednesday, July 15 – Saturday, July 18
Beresford, Sioux Falls, Spearfish

Celestial Veil Cabaret Presents: Into the Veil

Saturday, July 18, 7–10 p.m.
Sultry Stray Studio

Children’s Theater Workshop: Space Pirates!

Friday, Aug. 14 • 7 p.m. & Saturday, Aug. 15 • 10 a.m.
Grand Opera House, Pierre

Jo Dee Messina: Bridges Tour

Sunday, Sept. 27 • 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls

Hundreds of the earliest citizens of Deadwood were Chinese immigrants — but little was known about them. That all changed 25 years ago thanks to construction work in the gold rush boom town’s former Chinatown district.

Archaeologists unearthed a cache of artifacts preparing for a new parking lot, and officials thought eight weeks of work would be required to examine the site, according to the July 2, 2001, edition of the Argus Leader.

Those eight weeks turned into years of digs, restorations and research.

Read more

The Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls opened its doors on a warm June 30 for The Bigger & Weirder Tour, headlined by Weird Al Yankovic. From the moment I walked through the entrance, there was a different kind of energy in the building. Concertgoers weren’t just wearing band shirts. Hawaiian shirts, fake mustaches, costumes inspired by Al’s music videos and even a few accordion themed outfits filled the concourse. It felt less like a typical concert and more like a gathering of people who had spent decades laughing alongside one of music’s most unique entertainers.

Of course, before the accordion took center stage and the parody madness began, there was still another performance waiting in the wings. Every great concert has to start somewhere, and before Weird Al brought his wonderfully weird world to South Dakota, the audience was treated to an opening act that deserved some attention of its own.

A perfectly weird match for the tour

I don’t know if you could have dreamed up a more suitable opening act for The Bigger & Weirder Tour than Puddles Pity Party. The larger than life clown persona created by Michael Geier is the perfect complement to Weird Al’s brand of offbeat entertainment. While the two artists approach comedy from completely different angles, they share the same ability to make audiences laugh while delivering genuinely impressive musical performances.

I previously caught Puddles’ headlining show back in November 2023 at The District, where I quickly learned that his act is unlike anything else touring today. His exaggerated facial expressions, silent interactions with the audience, bizarre props and surprisingly emotional lounge style covers of modern hits somehow combine into one cohesive performance. It constantly walks the line between absurd comedy and legitimate musicianship, and that’s exactly what makes it work.

Going into this performance, my biggest reservation wasn’t whether Puddles would be entertaining. I already knew he would. Instead, I wondered how well his incredibly interactive show would translate from the intimate atmosphere of a club to the massive stage of the Denny Sanford Premier Center.

At The District, audience interaction was practically the entire show. Puddles repeatedly wandered into the crowd, often stopping beside unsuspecting fans to create awkwardly hilarious moments. One of the funniest bits involved him taking audience members’ phones while they were recording, filming himself for several seconds, and then intentionally handing the phone back to the wrong person several rows away. Watching confused fans try to reunite with their phones while Puddles remained completely expressionless was laugh-out-loud funny.

While the audience interaction naturally had to be scaled back a bit, the heart of the performance remained intact. Puddles still invited multiple audience members onto the stage throughout the set, turning everyday concertgoers into unwilling co-stars in his silent comedy routine. He even ventured out into the audience for a brief walk through the arena, giving fans outside the front rows a chance to become part of the act.

Rather than relying entirely on the venue’s production cameras, Puddles became his own cameraman. Throughout several songs, he wandered the stage holding a handheld camera, filming everything from his own perspective while the footage appeared instantly on the massive video screens behind him.

It was a clever solution that made an arena of thousands somehow feel surprisingly intimate. Instead of watching a performer from a distance, the audience got to see exactly what Puddles was seeing, making everyone feel just a little more involved in the performance.

Beneath the comedy is a world-class vocalist

As hilarious as the entire performance was, the biggest takeaway remains exactly what it was the first time I saw Puddles. Beneath all the makeup, props and silent comedy is an incredible singer.

Too often, comedians who incorporate music into their acts use humor to compensate for average musical ability. Puddles does the exact opposite. The comedy gets you through the door, but the vocals are what leave a lasting impression. His rich baritone voice effortlessly transforms pop songs into heartfelt lounge ballads that are every bit as captivating as they are funny.

Honestly, I believe Michael Geier could retire the clown costume tomorrow, form a traditional lounge band and still build a successful career purely on the strength of his voice.

Instead, he continues to blend world class vocals with wonderfully bizarre comedy, creating one of the most unique live performances you’ll find anywhere. As an opener for Weird Al Yankovic, there may not have been a more fitting choice. Before the headliner even stepped on stage, the audience had already been laughing, singing and wondering what wonderfully weird thing they were going to see next.

The main event finally arrives

What can you really say about Weird Al Yankovic that hasn’t already been said over the course of a career spanning more than 45 years? Few artists have managed to remain culturally relevant across multiple generations, and even fewer have done so by building an entire career around parody. Yet somehow Weird Al has outlasted countless musical trends, continuing to introduce himself to new audiences while longtime fans still eagerly anticipate hearing songs they’ve loved for decades.

Before he even took the stage, the production reminded everyone just how much history there is to celebrate. During many of the costume changes, the video screens became a highlight all on their own, rapidly cycling through classic Weird Al television appearances, comedy sketches, music video clips and interviews. Rather than leaving the audience waiting in silence while costumes changed backstage, every transition became an entertaining nostalgia trip.

The biggest surprise for me was seeing an extended clip from “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” proving that even the intermissions between songs were carefully crafted to keep the audience laughing.

Rather than walking out from backstage like most artists, the show opened with a cinematic live feed showing Weird Al making his way through the backstage hallways and loading docks underneath the Denny Sanford Premier Center. The audience watched him weave through the arena’s underbelly before finally emerging onto the stage in perfect sync with the music, turning what could have been a standard entrance into a full theatrical production.

It was an incredibly creative way to kick off the evening and immediately established that this wasn’t just going to be a concert. It was going to be a comedy show, a musical and a theatrical production all rolled into one.

Four decades of music without a four-hour runtime

One of the biggest challenges facing any artist with a catalog this extensive is deciding what to leave out.

After more than four decades of recording music, Weird Al has accumulated enough fan favorites to fill multiple nights of performances. Thankfully, instead of trying to cram every song into a marathon length show, he found a much smarter solution.

Throughout the night, the audience was treated to several medleys that seamlessly stitched together snippets of numerous songs into one continuous performance. The transitions flowed so effortlessly that each parody rolled straight into the next, and somehow Weird Al still found time to appear in a fresh costume, even if it was just swapping to a new hat, every time the music changed.

Officially, the setlist contained around two dozen songs.

In reality, it felt like we experienced well over 40.

Longtime fans were rewarded with quick bursts of deep cuts while casual listeners still heard the classics they came to see. It was an impressive balancing act that kept the pacing brisk without ever feeling rushed.

Costume changes at lightning speed

If there was one thing that became immediately obvious throughout the night, it’s that nobody commits to a costume change quite like Weird Al.

Nearly every song came with a completely different look, ranging from elaborate parody recreations to wildly exaggerated original outfits. Between the wardrobe, props, video packages, choreography, and live band, each performance almost felt like its own self-contained music video brought to life.

The sheer logistics behind the production were staggering. Every few minutes another costume appeared, another video rolled, another parody began, and somehow everything stayed perfectly synchronized.

It’s easy to forget just how much work goes into making a production this intentionally ridiculous.

Still full of energy at 66

Perhaps the most impressive part of the evening had nothing to do with costumes or comedy.

At 66 years old, Weird Al still performs with the enthusiasm of someone half his age.

He spent nearly the entire evening moving across every inch of the stage, interacting with his band, acting out every lyric and throwing himself fully into each performance. At one point, he even ventured out into the audience, climbing over seats and interacting directly with fans while continuing the song without missing a beat.

Moments like that reminded everyone why live shows are still relevant in the digital age. No music video or streaming playlist can recreate the feeling of watching an artist completely immerse themselves in the crowd.

The “Bigger & Weirder” title wasn’t just clever marketing.

It perfectly described the entire experience.

Saving some of the biggest nostalgia for last

As the evening wound toward its conclusion, Weird Al saved some of his most recognizable material for the finale.

Before the encore, he appeared dressed head to toe in full Amish attire for “Amish Paradise,” instantly drawing one of the loudest reactions of the night. The combination of the familiar parody, the over the top costume and the audience enthusiastically singing along created one of those classic Weird Al moments that reminded everyone exactly why the song has remained so beloved.

After briefly leaving the stage, he returned one final time dressed as a Jedi, along with his entire crew dressed as storm troopers, Princess Leia and even Darth Vader, for a performance of “The Saga Begins” followed immediately by “Yoda,” closing out the evening with two of his most iconic Star Wars parodies.

For many fans, it was the perfect ending.

The weirdest crowd I’ve ever seen

Ironically, one of the strangest parts of the night had nothing to do with Weird Al himself.

Throughout the entire show, the nearly sold out crowd enthusiastically clapped, laughed, sang along and reacted to every joke. The energy inside the arena was undeniable.

Yet almost nobody stood up.

Song after song passed with nearly every person remaining seated, even during some of the biggest hits. It wasn’t because the audience wasn’t engaged. Quite the opposite. They were having an incredible time.

Then the encore arrived.

Almost instantly, the entire arena jumped to its feet.

And just as strangely, once the encore songs actually started, many people sat right back down.

I’ve attended hundreds of concerts over the years, covering everything from metal to country, Christian music to Broadway productions, and I honestly can’t remember witnessing another crowd behave quite like this. Somehow, it felt oddly appropriate. At any other concert, the audience’s behavior would have seemed bizarre.

At a Weird Al Yankovic show?

It somehow felt perfectly normal.

Afterglow

Overall, the show was a perfect embodiment of its title, Bigger & Weirder. From the moment Puddles Pity Party stepped onto the stage until the final notes of Weird Al’s encore, the evening embraced the wonderfully unhinged spirit that both performers have built their careers upon. What could’ve easily been a simple nostalgia trip instead became a celebration of creativity, comedy, musicianship, and the joy of not taking life too seriously.

What stood out most was how much effort goes into every aspect of the production. It would have been easy for an artist with such an established legacy to simply walk on stage, play the hits, and call it a night. Instead, every song felt like an event unto itself. Between the elaborate costumes, the video packages, the medleys, the crowd interaction and the nonstop pace of the performance, there was never a moment where the audience’s attention drifted. Even during costume changes, the screens provided enough entertainment to keep the momentum going.

As the final encore ended and the house lights came up, there was a noticeable feeling throughout the arena that we’d experienced something special. Not because it was the biggest production I’ve ever seen or because it featured the most elaborate stage design. It felt special because it was uniquely Weird Al. There simply isn’t another touring act that delivers this combination of humor, theatricality, audience participation, nostalgia and genuinely impressive musicianship. For nearly two and a half hours, thousands of people gathered together to laugh, sing and celebrate the wonderfully strange world that Weird Al has been creating for more than four decades.

Content courtesy of Lyrical Limelight.

A piece of the largest sculpture in the world came to Deadwood 75 years ago this week.

Made of material blasted from the Crazy Horse Memorial, a granite bust of Wild Bill Hickok by Korczak Ziolkowski was unveiled before thousands, according to the June 22, 1951, edition of the Deadwood Pioneer-Times.

Born in Boston in 1908, Ziolkowski worked as a carpenter in a local shipyard, where he learned the skills necessary to become a carver. Initially working in wood, he made his first marble sculpture in 1932, honoring the death of a Boston judge that Ziolkowski had known as a child, according to the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

Read more

Stay up to date with The Dakota Scout + Lyrical Limelight event listings from across the state. From festivals and concerts to theater performances, local sports and community gatherings, we bring you the latest updates on entertainment and activities for all interests. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly fun, cultural experiences or vibrant nightlife, you’ll find plenty of exciting events to explore.

Submit your events to The Dakota Scout and Lyrical Limelight by emailing events@thedakotascout.com

THIS WEEK

Friday, June 26

Quarry Days

June 26-28
Dell Rapids

Dell Rapids opens its annual Quarry Days weekend with a full community celebration running through Sunday. The schedule includes food vendors, live music, family activities, a duck race, fireworks and other small-town festival staples tied to the city’s quartzite identity.

Black Hills Bluegrass & BBQ Festival

Friday, June 26, 6 p.m.
Elk Creek Resort, Piedmont | See event page for ticket details

Bluegrass, barbecue, workshops, jam sessions, kids’ activities and food trucks fill the weekend at Elk Creek Resort between Rapid City and Sturgis. The festival starts at 6 p.m. Friday and continues through Sunday.

$5 Fridays at Club David

Friday, June 26, 8 p.m.
Club David, Sioux Falls | $5

Club David hosts a $5 Friday night event featuring Bloke, Somi, Isseyah and Pools, with Tuff Sound & Events attached to the night. The flyer points toward a club-ready electronic music lineup for readers looking for a late Friday option downtown.

Oahe ABATE Fun Run

Friday, June 26th, evening
Nystrom’s Goose Camp, Pierre

The Oahe ABATE Fun Run begins Friday with a bike show and walking poker run, then continues Saturday with an 11 a.m. poker run from Nystrom’s Goose Camp, supper, a bike rodeo and live music from Lance Spears.

Mississippi Hot Club at the Old Courthouse Museum summer concert series

Friday, June 26, Noon-1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum, Sioux Falls | Free

Mississippi Hot Club performs in the plaza behind the Old Courthouse Museum as part of the museum’s Friday summer concert series. Bring lunch, settle in downtown and expect the show to move indoors if weather gets fussy.

83rd annual El Riad Shrine Circus

Friday, June 26, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Yankton Area Ice Arena, Yankton

The El Riad Shrine Circus returns to Yankton for two Friday performances at the Yankton Area Ice Arena. The event is billed as the 83rd annual edition, with proceeds benefiting El Riad Shrine.

Oahe Zap vs. Capital City Aviators

Friday, June 26, 6:05 p.m.
Hyde Stadium, Pierre

The Oahe Zap host the Capital City Aviators for a Friday night baseball game in Pierre. It is a straightforward summer sports option for readers in central South Dakota.

2026 summer dinner theatre: Love, Sex, and the I.R.S.

Friday, June 26, 6:30-10 p.m.
DWU Black Box Theatre, Mitchell

Dakota Wesleyan University’s summer dinner theatre pairs a four-course meal with the comedy “Love, Sex, and the I.R.S.” by William Van Zandt and Jane Milmore. The production is one for theatre fans who prefer their Friday night with plates clinking before the punchlines land.

Downtown Friday Nights

Friday, June 26, 6-9 p.m.
Downtown Spearfish

Spearfish’s weekly downtown block party brings live music, food, beer, crafts and kids’ activities to the heart of town. The summer series runs Fridays, with this week’s edition falling right inside the roundup window.

The Vindys

Friday, June 26, 7-9:30 p.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring The Vindys, bringing powerful rock vocals and an exciting brass line to the lawn. Music kicks off at 7 p.m. with some local acoustic music from Janice Gilbert & Friends. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and your own snacks—or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site! Presented by Koch Hazard, Rock Genre Sponsors: First PREMIER Bank and MarketBeat.

Irene Rodeo

Friday, June 26 – Saturday, June 27
Irene Rodeo Grounds, Irene | $15 advance, $20 gate, kids 10 and under free

The SDRA-sanctioned Irene Rodeo runs two nights with youth mini bulls and broncs, barrels, team roping, calf roping, bulls and mutton bustin’. Friday’s performance starts at 7 p.m., and Saturday’s starts at 6 p.m.

Buckhorn Rodeo

Friday, June 26 – Saturday, June 27
Eight miles east of Britton on Highway 10, Britton area

The Buckhorn Rodeo brings SDRA, NRCA and MRA-sanctioned rodeo action to its natural bowl arena east of Britton. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with concessions on-site.

Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Kane County Cougars

Friday, June 26 – Sunday, June 28
The Birdcage, Sioux Falls

The Sioux Falls Canaries host the Kane County Cougars for a three-game weekend series at The Birdcage. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Friday, 5:35 p.m. Saturday and 4:05 p.m. Sunday.

State of Mind and All Our Own Booking

Friday, June 26, doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls | $12 advance, $15 at the door

State of Mind and All Our Own Booking bring a Friday night heavy music bill to Bigs Bar, with local support still listed as TBA on the flyer. Check the Facebook event page for the final band list before heading out.

Karoke Night with Aliens Do_Exist

Friday, June 26, 8 p.m.
Den Music & Casino, Sioux Falls | Free

Den Music & Casino hosts a free Friday karaoke night with Aliens Do Exist. The flyer gives the night an alien-abduction twist, but the setup is simple: show up, sing something strange or familiar and let the neon little green men do the judging.

6th annual Tattoos for Rescues

Friday, June 26 – Sunday, June 28, noon-6 p.m. daily
Divergent Ink LLC, 5107 W. 41st St., Suite 3, Sioux Falls | $100 flash tattoos

Divergent Ink LLC hosts the 6th annual Tattoos for Rescues, a three-day Sioux Falls Area Humane Society fundraiser featuring $100 flash tattoos, food trucks, vendors and meet-and-greets with adoptable animals. The event is walk-ins only, cash only at the tattoo station, limited to three tattoos per person and open to ages 18 and older with valid ID.

Saturday, June 27

Brookings Bonanza

Saturday, June 27, Starts 9 a.m.
Downtown Brookings

Brookings Bonanza brings sales, specials, the farmers market, food trucks, mobile boutiques, artisans, kids activities, musicians and the Brookings Fire Department Street Dance into downtown Brookings for a Saturday community event.

Cowboys Don’t Cry Oliver Tree Tribute

Saturday, June 27, time not listed
Icon Event Hall + Lounge, Sioux Falls | Free

Cowboys Don’t Cry brings an Oliver Tree tribute show to Icon Event Hall + Lounge, with DaDa Gastropub and Icon hosting the no-cover Saturday night event. The tribute leans into the bright, off-kilter pop chaos and comic visual energy associated with Oliver Tree, making it a nightlife pick for readers looking for something loud, strange and unserious in the best way.

Sound Sessions: Siouxciety & Friends Summer Bash

Saturday, June 27, patio pre-party 6:30-8:50 p.m., music at 9 p.m.
The Den, Sioux Falls | Free

Siouxciety presents Sound Sessions: Siouxciety & Friends Summer Bash at The Den, with a patio pre-party and open decks before the music starts at 9 p.m. The 21-and-over event is powered by BassBoss and offers a free-entry night for electronic music fans.

Neighbors 2 Neighbors Farmers Market

Saturday, June 27, 9 a.m.
Lion’s Park, Spearfish

The Neighbors 2 Neighbors Farmers Market offers a Saturday morning stop for local produce, vendors and community shopping in Spearfish. It is one of the week’s quieter options, which sometimes is exactly the point.

NextGen Market at Jacobson Plaza

Saturday, June 27, 9-11 a.m.
Jacobson Plaza Skate Ribbon, 810 N. Phillips Ave., Sioux Falls | Free

Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation hosts NextGen Market at Jacobson Plaza, a youth-focused market featuring young makers, vendors and small business owners. The Saturday morning event gives kids and teens a public space to sell handmade goods, creative projects and other items while families browse the plaza.

Joy Lab ft. Joe Davis & The Poetic Diaspora

Saturday, June 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls | Free

Join us for a free family-friendly concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Joy Lab— a playful world where words bounce and rhythms groove. Music starts at 10:30 a.m., with food trucks Heartland Coffee and Nosh, Rudy’s Tex Mex. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and snacks for a joyful morning downtown! Sponsored by Sioux Falls Blues & Jazz Society, Avera Health, and MarketBeat.

Rock The Country

Saturday, June 2 – Sunday, June 28
W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls | Ticketed

Rock The Country returns to Sioux Falls for a two-day festival at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. The Sioux Falls lineup includes Kid Rock, Staind, Treaty Oak Revival, Brantley Gilbert, Chris Janson, The Marshall Tucker Band, Uncle Kracker, Ashley Cooke and more across the weekend.

15th annual WoodieFest Car Show

Saturday, June 27, 1-5 p.m. car show, 5:30 p.m. barbecue, 8 p.m.-midnight dance
Moose Lodge, Mitchell

WoodieFest marks its 15th anniversary with a car show, barbecue and dance at the Moose Lodge in Mitchell. Dr. Feelgood is scheduled for the evening dance.

That Sounds Decent Festival

Saturday, June 27, 5-10:30 p.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls | Free

That Sounds Decent returns to the Levitt with a free local and regional music festival. The 2026 lineup includes Night Moves, Mato Wayuhi, Off Contact, Etta and the Vendetta and more, along with food vendors and all-ages activities.

Sunday, June 28

Fatal Concept album release show

Sunday, June 28, doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls | $12 presale, $15 day of show

Fatal Concept celebrates an album release at Bigs Bar with Sinking Under and additional heavy support. The all-ages Sunday night show opens doors at 6 p.m. before music starts at 7 p.m.

Blake Rave and the Bandoleros live at Eastway Lounge

Sunday, June 28, 4-7 p.m.
Eastway Bowl, Sioux Falls | Free

Blake Rave and the Bandoleros bring an afternoon of folk-pop and Americana to the patio at Eastway Lounge. North End Productions and Rex Kevin Lalley host the no-cover show, with all-day happy hour and a weather backup planned indoors if needed.

Dell Rapids Quarry Days Car Show

Sunday, June 28, noon
Dell Rapids Park, Dell Rapids

The Quarry Days Car Show opens Sunday at Dell Rapids Park and is listed as open to cars, bikes, motorcycles and vendors. It is part of the larger Quarry Days weekend celebration.

Live music with Delaney Campbell

Sunday, June 28, noon
Sawyer Brewing Co., Spearfish

Sawyer Brewing Co. hosts Sunday live music with Delaney Campbell. It is an easygoing midday stop in Spearfish for readers pairing music with a brewery visit.

Good Earth Summer Concert Series: Kobe Jordan

Sunday, June 28, 4-6 p.m.
Good Earth State Park at Blood Run, Sioux Falls area

Kobe Jordan performs as part of the Good Earth Summer Concert Series at Good Earth State Park. The setting gives this one a different flavor from the downtown concert calendar, with music tucked into one of the area’s most distinctive outdoor sites.

Yin Yoga with Shannon

Sunday, June 28, 9 a.m.
Good Natured, 2501 W. 10th Street, Sioux Falls

Good Natured hosts Yin Yoga with Shannon on Sunday morning, offering a slower, floor-based practice built around longer holds, blankets and a calm studio setting. Readers should check the Facebook event page for cost and any registration requirements.

Manifestation Practices

Sunday, June 28, 3-4 p.m.
Good Natured, 2501 W. 10th Street, Sioux Falls

Good Natured hosts Manifestation Practices, a Sunday afternoon community gathering centered on discussion, sharing and learning from one another. The event invites participants to explore practices around shifting perspective, joy and balance in a public group setting.

Spearfish Artwalk

Sunday, June 28, 4 p.m.
Matthews Opera House, Spearfish

The Spearfish Artwalk is listed for Sunday afternoon at the Matthews Opera House. It adds a visual arts stop to a week otherwise heavy with rodeos, festivals and music.

Church of Hope patriotic concert

Sunday, June 28, time not listed
Pierre

Church of Hope’s patriotic concert appears on the Pierre Area Chamber calendar for Sunday, June 28. Details are limited, but the listing places it among the area’s early Independence Day season programming.

Monday, June 29

Trip to Deadwood Pierre Senior Center

Monday, June 29, 8 a.m. CT departure
Pierre Senior Center, Pierre | $30

The Pierre Senior Center hosts a bus trip to Deadwood casinos, with the bus leaving Pierre at 8 a.m. CT and departing Deadwood by 4 p.m. MT. Members and nonmembers are welcome, though the signup deadline was listed as June 25.

Books & Blankets

Monday, June 29, 10-11 a.m.
Storybook Island, Rapid City | Free

Storybook Island hosts Books & Blankets, a free Monday story time that invites families to bring a book and blanket and read in the grass. The event runs every Monday in June and July, making it a simple summer morning option for families in Rapid City.

Minneluzahan Open Mic

Monday, June 29, 1-2:30 p.m.
Minneluzahan Senior Center, Rapid City

The Rapid City Arts Council hosts an afternoon open mic at the Minneluzahan Senior Center. Participants are invited to sing, read poetry, tell a story or share another performance in a casual community setting.

One Book South Dakota

Monday, June 29, 6-8:30 p.m.
Dahl Arts Center, Rapid City | Free

Author Matthew Davis visits the Dahl Arts Center as part of the 2026 One Book South Dakota tour. Davis will discuss “A Biography of a Mountain,” which explores Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills and the different histories and perspectives surrounding the region.

River Cities Cornhole

Monday, June 29, registration at 6:30 p.m., start at 7 p.m.
Devine Park, Pierre | $10 per participant

River Cities Cornhole hosts a Monday evening tournament at Devine Park, weather permitting. The event includes four games of rounders followed by a double-elimination bracket, with all players guaranteed at least six games. Participants can bring their own bags, and bags will also be available.

Celebrate America’s 250th in Yankton

Monday, June 29-Saturday, July 4
Yankton

Yankton begins its Celebrate America’s 250th programming Monday with a week of Independence Day events running through Saturday, July 4. The celebration includes community activities tied to the nation’s semi quincentennial, with readers encouraged to check the full event schedule for daily times and locations.

Tuesday, June 30

Fort Pierre Rodeo: Rope Ride & Slide

Tuesday, June 30-Saturday, July 4
Stanley County Fairgrounds, Fort Pierre

The 100th annual Fort Pierre Rodeo opens Tuesday with Rope Ride & Slide at 7 p.m., then continues Wednesday with barrel racing and breakaway roping at 4 p.m. Thursday’s family day events start at 7 p.m., with more rodeo, parade and fireworks programming continuing into the holiday weekend.

Rick Monroe and The Hitmen

Tuesday, June 30, 7 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls | $10 advance, $15 day of show

Nashville’s Rick Monroe and The Hitmen bring modern Southern rock with country soul to Bigs Bar for a Tuesday night show. The band’s road-tested sound should fit readers looking for a midweek bar concert with guitars up front and a little honky-tonk grit in the engine.

RCA Classics at The Matthews

Tuesday, June 30, 7 p.m.
Matthews Opera House, Spearfish

RCA Classics at The Matthews brings a Tuesday evening arts event to Spearfish’s Matthews Opera House. Details are limited on the public calendar, but the event is officially listed by Visit Spearfish.