AGP Executive Report

Broadway in the Black Hills: The Book of Mormon lands at The Monument Theatre in Rapid City April 10–11, 2027, with tickets going on sale Sept. 25. Music on the move (and sometimes off): Jo Dee Messina’s Sept. 27 Sioux Falls show at Washington Pavilion was canceled, with refunds issued within 30 days; meanwhile, Incite dropped a lyric video for “Chucked Off,” and Remedy Drive headlines Rapid City’s anti-trafficking “Ignite Hope” concert and awareness night. Local live entertainment picks: Tea’s Prairie View Event Hall hosts a 1st annual car show Sunday (4–7 p.m.) with live music and food; Sioux Falls is also planning a big “Dream Big at the Quarry” community block party Oct. 1 tied to Falls Park upgrades. Community arts & culture: Vermillion’s Vortex Film Festival returns Sept. 25–27 at the Coyote Twin Theater, spotlighting Midwest filmmakers and South Dakota stories. Sports entertainment: Freeman’s varsity homecoming football game is canceled due to a player shortage, but homecoming festivities continue with a junior high game and pork loin barbecue.

Sioux Falls Community Spotlight: “Dream Big at the Quarry” invites residents to help shape the future of the 16-acre Quarry at the Falls during a Oct. 1 block-party-style community event, backed by a $15 million Bezos Earth Fund grant. Black Hills Live Music: Deadwood Jam turns 36 with a big, genre-spanning lineup, including Ian Munsick’s packed kickoff and Kenny Wayne Shepherd headlining Saturday night. Sioux Falls Fall Music: Lallycooler Music Festival is officially done after two years, leaving Sioux Falls fans without next summer’s big-name lineup. Rapid City Family Fun: The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival drew thousands, with South Dakota Mines engineering students launching pumpkins hundreds of feet using custom-built siege engines. Arts & Film: Local film “Thread Bound” premiered in theaters across South Dakota, with the team touring for meet-and-greets. Music on the Move: Sugarland brings its 20th anniversary “Ride or Die” tour to Rapid City on Oct. 16. Theater: KU Theatre & Dance kicks off its season with “Songs for a New World,” featuring student performers and choreography.

Deadwood Jam: Thousands packed historic Deadwood for the 36th annual Deadwood Jam, with a genre-spanning lineup that included Ian Munsick and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, plus free Saturday music and strong weekend attendance. South Dakota Film Spotlight: “Thread Bound,” shot in South Dakota with filming in Aberdeen, premiered in theaters statewide, with director/writer Allison Downey saying the team wanted to give back to local communities. Rapid City Fall Fun: The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival drew big crowds for pumpkin shopping and student-built siege engines launching pumpkins hundreds of feet, plus Pumpkin Chunkin’ and other family activities. Sioux Falls Riverfest: Riverfest returned for its 13th year with live music, food and vendors, and a Big Sioux River conservation focus. Black Hills Art: Dahl Arts Center’s new interactive exhibit “Living Map: What Grows When We Gather” invites residents to share hopes for the region’s next 20 years. Concert News: Sugarland’s 20th anniversary “Ride or Die Tour” lands in Rapid City Oct. 16 at Summit Arena. What to Watch: A look at what’s billed as South Dakota’s biggest concert in history—Luke Bryan headlining the 2016 “Jacks Bash” in Brookings.

South Dakota Film Spotlight: The locally made movie “Thread Bound” premiered in theaters across the state, with filming sites including Aberdeen and the crew touring for meet-and-greets in Aberdeen, Watertown, and Mitchell. Black Hills Arts: Dahl Arts Center debuts “Living Map: What Grows When We Gather,” an interactive exhibition running Oct. 9–Dec. 26 that invites residents to add hopes for the next 20 years to a community-changing map. Rapid City Fall Fest Frenzy: Thousands packed downtown for the Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival, featuring student-built pumpkin-launching siege engines, pumpkin carving and painting, and vendor-filled streets. Sioux Falls Riverfest: Riverfest returned for its 13th year at Cherapa Place Plaza, mixing live music and food with education on protecting the Big Sioux River. Music on the Move: Sugarland announced a Rapid City stop—Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush play Summit Arena at The Monument on Oct. 16 for their 20th anniversary “Ride or Die” tour. Community Mentorship Push: Big Friend, Little Friend in Mitchell launched “Flip the List” to recruit more adult mentors for youth.

Sioux Falls Riverfest: Downtown Sioux Falls wrapped up its 13th Riverfest at Cherapa Place Plaza—live music, food and family activities, plus a big education push on the Big Sioux River and conservation. Black Hills Art With a Purpose: Dahl Arts Center’s new interactive show, “Living Map: What Grows When We Gather,” invites Black Hills residents to add hopes for the next 20 years to a changing community artwork (free; Oct. 9–Dec. 26). Rapid City Concert Buzz: Sugarland is bringing its 20th anniversary “Ride or Die Tour” to Summit Arena at The Monument on Oct. 16, with tickets now on sale. Native Story on Screen: A documentary on the nine Charbonneau sisters’ abuse at a South Dakota boarding school sold out multiple showings in North Dakota, with Indigenous community members set to attend upcoming screenings. Local Fall Fun: Oktoberfest hits Vermillion on Sept. 26 (food, polka, beer, competitions), and Rapid City’s Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival returns this weekend with 100+ vendors and family activities. Arts Funding Call: SDSU’s Briggs Library is seeking submissions for its 2027 Jackrabbit Gallery Art Show, “Reflections,” due Nov. 22.

Concert Buzz: Sugarland is bringing its 20th anniversary “The Ride or Die Tour” to Rapid City’s Summit Arena at The Monument on Oct. 16, with tickets now on sale and the duo promising hits like “Stay,” “Stuck Like Glue,” “Baby Girl,” and “It Happens.” Fall Festivals: Oktoberfest returns to downtown Vermillion on Sept. 26 (4-8 p.m.) with polka music, German food and beer, plus a stein-hoisting contest and Bohemian Tractor Pull. Local Arts & Culture: The Homestake Opera House is rolling out a packed fall lineup, and the USD College of Fine Arts is set for its Hall of Fame ceremony Sept. 25 in Vermillion. Community Events: Rapid City’s Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival brings 100+ vendors and family activities this weekend, and the Great Plains Zoo hosts adult-only Oktoberfest (Sept. 26) and Adult Boo at the Zoo (Oct. 10). Arts Funding: SDSU’s Briggs Library is seeking artwork for its 2027 Jackrabbit Gallery show, with submissions due Nov. 22.

Oktoberfest in Vermillion: Downtown Vermillion is gearing up for Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 26 (4-8 p.m.) with polka music, German food and beer, costume and stein-hoisting contests, plus a Bohemian Tractor Pull. Arts in Vermillion: USD’s College of Fine Arts hosts its 2026 Hall of Fame celebration Friday, Sept. 25, with tours and a reception following the ceremony. Yankton Fine Arts honors: Four people are set for induction into the Yankton High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame on Sept. 24. Music festival news: Lallycooler Music Festival says it won’t return in 2027. Black Hills live culture: Homestake Opera House is rolling out an action-packed fall lineup. Rapid City fall fun: The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival returns this weekend, and Touch-A-Truck is part of the festivities. Zoo adult nights: Great Plains Zoo announces Oktoberfest at the Zoo (Sept. 26) and Adult Boo at the Zoo (Oct. 10). Community arts support: SDSU Briggs Library is seeking submissions for its 2027 Jackrabbit Gallery Art Show, “Reflections.” Statewide arts push: South Dakota Arts Council launches a Visiting Artist Program for schools and communities.

Fall Festival Buzz (Rapid City): The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival is back this weekend with 100+ vendors, pumpkin contests, a Kidz Zone, and Touch-A-Truck vehicle displays—plus Rapid City’s Pumpkin Chunkin trebuchet launches at the Mines. Adult Nightlife (Rapid City): The Great Plains Zoo is serving up Oktoberfest at the zoo (Sept. 26) and Adult Boo at the Zoo (Oct. 10) with live music, DJ vibes, and themed food/drinks. Opera & Live Music (Black Hills): Homestake Opera House is rolling out an action-packed fall lineup featuring live theater and seasonal performances. Arts Submissions (Brookings + Statewide): SDSU’s Briggs Library is seeking art for its 2027 Jackrabbit Gallery show (“Reflections”), and the Governor’s Student Art Competition opens for K-12 entries with Capitol exhibit plans. Community Giving (Rapid City): South Dakota Day of Giving registration is open for Dec. 1, aiming to boost nonprofit fundraising statewide. Music Spotlight (Sioux Falls): Jo Dee Messina brings her “Bridges Tour” to the Washington Pavilion on Sept. 27. Local Culture (Vermillion): Oktoberfest returns to downtown Vermillion with polka, German food/beer, stein-hoisting, and a Bohemian Tractor Pull. Entertainment Industry Watch: Alt-metal band A KILLER’S CONFESSION drops “Roses,” ahead of its “Victim 3” album. Tech & Privacy (Suno): Another proposed class action targets Suno over a reported 2025 data breach involving 55M users.

Oktoberfest in Vermillion: Raise a stein—Oktoberfest returns downtown Sept. 26 (4-8 p.m.) with polka music, German food and beer, plus a costume contest, stein-hoisting competition, and a Bohemian Tractor Pull. Music at the National Music Museum: “NMM Live!” brings Ross McIntosh & Benjamin Tufte to USD Sept. 25 at noon. Arts Council boost: The South Dakota Arts Council launched its Visiting Artist Program, pairing professional artists with schools and communities statewide for performances, workshops, and residencies. Student art spotlight: Governor Larry Rhoden and the SD Arts Council opened the Governor’s Student Art Competition for National Arts in Education Week; submissions are due Nov. 6. Community giving: Registration is open for South Dakota Day of Giving, set for Dec. 1, 2026. Rapid City fall fun: The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival expands Sept. 19, and Touch-A-Truck returns Saturday with nearly 20 city and emergency vehicles. Local pop culture: Sioux Falls Siouxpercon hits the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center Sept. 25-27 for comics, cosplay, gaming, and more.

Sioux Falls Public Safety: DUI arrests are climbing fast, with police pointing to grant-funded enforcement and warning the trend “shows no signs of slowing down.” Arts Education: Gov. Larry Rhoden and the South Dakota Arts Council opened the Governor’s Student Art Competition for K-12 artists, with electronic submissions due Nov. 6 and selected work headed to the Capitol in 2027. Music & Live Shows: Jo Dee Messina brings her “Bridges Tour” to the Washington Pavilion on Sept. 27, while Dylan Scott is set as Sioux Falls’ first 2027 concert on Jan. 28 at the Sanford Pentagon. Big South Dakota Events: Custer State Park’s Buffalo Roundup returns Sept. 25 with about 1,300 bison, and Deadwood Jam keeps the live-music momentum going this weekend. Community Creativity: A new 605 Theater Company launches in Watertown with “A Christmas Carol” planned for December, and “Thread Bound” premieres in Aberdeen before rolling out across the state. Youth & Culture: CRYP’s Sept. 18 Harvest Festival dinner marks 20 years of its teen center, and Siouxpercon returns Sept. 25–27 for pop-culture fun in Sioux Falls.

Pop Culture & Community: Sioux Falls Siouxpercon returns bigger than ever at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center Sept. 25–27, bringing superheroes, anime, gaming, cosplay, vendors, and meet-and-greets for a full weekend of fan fun. Film Premiere: “Thread Bound,” an independent family drama shot in Aberdeen, premieres Sept. 17 at Capitol Cinema Theatre, then rolls out with screenings across South Dakota through the weekend. Local Arts Push: A new 605 Theater Company launches in Watertown with “A Christmas Carol” in December and plans workshops, mentorship, and year-round theater access. Music & Nightlife: Tayko Jones—South Dakota musicians blending jazz and grunge—hosts an album release party at Trio Jazz Club in Sioux Falls Sept. 18–19. Statewide Arts in Schools: Governor Rhoden and the South Dakota Arts Council open the Governor’s Student Art Competition for grades K–12, with submissions due Nov. 6 and selected work exhibited in Pierre in 2027. Big Outdoor Tradition: Custer State Park’s Buffalo Roundup hits Sept. 25 with about 1,300 bison, plus the Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival running Sept. 24–26.

Suicide-prevention meets street art: In Winner, tattoo artists at 183 Ink teamed up with the 437 Project to design custom running shoes for the 437-mile relay, with proceeds benefiting the Helpline Center. New local theater: A Watertown group called 605 Theater Company is launching with “A Christmas Carol” at the Goss Opera House and plans workshops and mentorships. Film premiere in Aberdeen: The independent drama “Thread Bound,” shot in Aberdeen, premieres Sept. 17 at Capitol Cinema Theatre, then rolls through multiple South Dakota cities. Mentor push in Mitchell: Big Friend Little Friend’s “Flip the List” campaign is recruiting more mentors to match caring adults with local youth. Arts education statewide: Governor Rhoden and the South Dakota Arts Council opened the Governor’s Student Art Competition for grades K-12, with submissions due Nov. 6 and winners exhibited in Pierre in 2027. Music & pop-culture weekend: Sioux Falls’ Siouxpercon returns Sept. 25–27 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, and Deadwood Jam brings live music to historic Deadwood this weekend. Community festivals: Fort Sisseton’s Harvest Festival hits Sept. 19, and Riverfest lights up downtown Sioux Falls Saturday with music, vendors, and a cleanup.

Sioux Falls Arts & Culture: The South Dakota Art Museum is rolling out “America in Art” for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, blending classical and pop-culture styles and pulling in Indigenous, African-American, and local artists. Custer State Park Spotlight: The 61st annual Buffalo Roundup returns with a free, family-friendly schedule—bison races, sorting and branding, plus the Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival running Sept. 24–26. Music Scene: Tayko Jones, a jazz-grunge fusion band made up of South Dakota musicians, hosts an album release party at Sioux Falls’ Trio Jazz Club Sept. 18–19. Community Events: Riverfest brings live music, vendors, craft beers, and a conservation-focused River Cleanup to downtown Sioux Falls. Black Hills Visual Arts: Hill City’s 9th annual Black Hills Plein Air Paint Out kicks off this weekend, with artists setting up easels across the region. Rapid City Music Boost: North Middle School received $21,000 in instruments from Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to expand music access. Emmys & Pop Culture: Huron’s Cheryl Ladd reunited with the “Charlie’s Angels” cast at the Emmys for the show’s 50th anniversary. Local Fundraiser: Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Rusty Wallace Ride raised nearly $800,000 for Special Olympics Rapid City Flame and the NASCAR Foundation.

Buffalo Roundup Buzz: Custer State Park is gearing up for the 61st annual Buffalo Roundup on Friday, Sept. 25, with about 1,300 bison and 60 horseback riders, plus the Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival running Sept. 24–26. Sioux Falls Riverfest: Downtown Sioux Falls’ 13th Annual Riverfest returns this Saturday at Cherapa Place Plaza with a cleanup, family activities, vendors, food, craft beer, and live music from The Brass Holes, Mogen’s Heroes, and The 1270’s. New Music in Town: Tayko Jones—jazz-grunge fusion—hosts album release parties at Trio Jazz Club (Sept. 18–19) and The Matthews in Spearfish (Oct. 9). Music Education Boost: North Middle School in Rapid City gets $21,000 in instruments from Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to expand band access. Arts & Culture Calendar: The South Dakota Festival of Books lands in Sioux Falls on Oct. 3, and the University Chamber Music Series starts Oct. 2 in Brookings with free concerts. Local Spotlight: Rapid Valley United Methodist Church hosts a fall festival Sept. 19, and Hill City’s 9th Annual Black Hills Plein Air Paint Out kicks off this weekend.

Maratha Protest Update: Fasting activist Manoj Jarange heads to Mumbai despite police denying permission, citing a Bombay High Court ruling and traveling with a small group under tight security. Local Music Boost: North Middle School in Rapid City gets $21,000 in instruments from Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, expanding access to band and music programs. Arts & Community Events: Sioux Falls’ Sidewalk Arts Festival returns for its 63rd year with 230+ artists and 40,000 visitors expected, while Rapid City’s Chile Pepper Festival brings heat, food trucks, and live vendor fun this weekend. Film in Theaters: South Dakota-made faith-based movie “Thread Bound” begins screenings across the state this month. Heritage & Culture: Winner hosts its first Czech Festival with food, music, dancing, and genealogy-inspired celebrations. Tickets & Pop Culture: Sioux Falls radio contest gives listeners a chance to win Neil Diamond tribute tickets for “I Am, He Said” at the Washington Pavilion. Sports Spotlight: SDSU and USD both start strong in 2026, with tougher matchups on deck.

Local Film Premiere: South Dakota-made faith-based movie “Thread Bound” is hitting theaters across the state this month, with writer-director Allison Downey talking about the Aberdeen roots behind the story. Sports Spotlight: SDSU and USD are off to strong starts, but this week brings big tests—SDSU hosts No. 10 Youngstown State and USD faces Boise State. Sioux Falls Music Nightlife: Country star Jordan Davis brought the country vibe to the Sanford International in Sioux Falls, pairing golf with charity. Arts & Community: Sioux Falls’ Sidewalk Arts Festival returns for its 63rd year, drawing 230+ artists and supporting the Washington Pavilion. Black Hills Food Fun: Rapid City’s Chile Pepper Festival turns up again for its 21st year, with heat levels, food trucks, and local beer. Aberdeen Food Event: The Aberdeen Area Chamber’s Field to Fork is set for Sept. 17 with local bites and a special beer. Family-Friendly Fall: Spearfish Harvest Fest brings baking contests, a Recipe Walk, and seasonal activities downtown. South Dakota Culture: “Monumental Memories” at the Journey Museum explores Black Hills pioneer towns and why some survived. Halloween Shopping: Sioux Falls Costco is selling a 6-foot animated vampire butler for $99.97. Faith & Multicultural Worship: Christ Community Church in Sioux Center expands Spanish-language services, led by worship leaders who help bridge cultures. Radio Industry Watch: ASCAP is seeking damages in a radio music licensing fight, adding pressure to how stations handle music rights.