AGP Executive Report

Native Art & Campus Culture: USD’s University Art Galleries and College of Fine Arts will host the 37th annual Oscar Howe Memorial Lecture Sept. 17 in Vermillion, featuring the dedication of Colleen Cutschall’s “Victorious” sculpture and a “Circle Back” retrospective. Sioux Falls Dining: The Steel District’s first-ever Restaurant Week runs Sept. 10–21, with four spots offering special multi-course menus plus live music at the Big Sioux River. Film Premiere: South Dakota-made feature “Thread Bound” (shot in Aberdeen) starts its statewide theater run Sept. 17, with screenings planned across the state. Music & Performance: SDSU School of Performing Arts director David Reynolds previews “Brass in America,” a free Sept. 13 public recital at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. Local Sports Glam: Sanford International in Sioux Falls adds country star Jordan Davis to the “EMC Greats of the Game” on Sept. 12. Community Giving: Registration is open for the 2026 South Dakota Day of Giving, set for Dec. 1. Remembering 9/11: SDSU will hold a Sept. 11 panel with witnesses sharing what they saw and experienced.

Sioux Falls Dining: The Steel District’s first-ever Restaurant Week kicks off Sept. 10 with special menus at Big Sioux Diner & Dive, Cascata, Dahlia, and Ironwood Steakhouse, plus live music and drink pairings. Local Film Buzz: South Dakota-made feature “Thread Bound” starts its statewide theater run Sept. 17, beginning with a hometown premiere in Aberdeen. SDSU Performing Arts: SDSU’s School of Performing Arts hosts a free “Brass in America” recital Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4 p.m. Sports + Star Power: Sanford International at Minnehaha Country Club runs through Sept. 13, with country hitmaker Jordan Davis joining the PGA Tour Champions festivities Sept. 12. Community Storytelling: America 250’s mobile “Our American Story” tour stops in Sioux Falls Sept. 18-19 for people to share South Dakota narratives. Native Arts Spotlight: USD and the University Art Galleries present the Oscar Howe Memorial Lecture Sept. 17, including dedication of Colleen Cutschall’s “Victorious” sculpture. Black Hills Fall Plans: Tourism highlights fall drives and hikes across the Black Hills and Badlands as cooler weather rolls in.

Sioux Falls Sports & Stadium Drama: The Sioux Falls City Council backed away from a $1 million artificial turf plan for the outfield at Sioux Falls Baseball Stadium, voting 6-2 to remove the funding from the budget amendment. Sioux Falls Arts & Community: Downtown’s River Greenway amphitheater is finally ready for Riverfest, with a new illuminated structure built in time to bring more live music energy to the Big Sioux. PGA Spotlight: Sanford International tees off Friday in Sioux Falls for its ninth year, with new players including Zach Johnson and Henrik Stenson, plus tour and broadcast voices weighing in on what’s next. Native Art in Vermillion: USD hosts the Oscar Howe Memorial Lecture Sept. 17, including a dedication of the “Victorious” sculpture by former student Colleen Cutschall. True Crime on the Move: “Dakota Spotlight: Call Me Shelly” screens in Sioux Falls (Sept. 14) and Aberdeen (Sept. 16), aiming to keep a North Dakota cold case alive. Giving Day Countdown: Registration is open for the 2026 South Dakota Day of Giving, landing Dec. 1. Music & Local Talent: Brookings Public Library brings “Singing Tales of Truth” with Curtis & Loretta on Sept. 14. Black Hills Culture: Sturgis Mustang Rally hits its 20th anniversary with record crowds and big show-and-shine energy. Theater Buzz: A local story on what it’s like to get “bitten by the theater bug” keeps the arts conversation going.

Sports & Stadium Buzz: Sioux Falls City Council is weighing a $1M decision on replacing outfield grass with artificial turf at Sioux Falls Stadium, with conditions tied to the Canaries’ lease and longer-term campus planning. High School Football Tradition: The 48th Annual Dakota Bowl returns Saturday, Sept. 12, as O’Gorman hosts Harrisburg at McEneaney Field—expect camps, music, food, and thousands of fans. Holiday Lights Planning: Float registration is open for the 34th Annual First Bank & Trust Parade of Lights, set for Nov. 27 with a new earlier 6 p.m. start and a Mayor’s Choice Award for judging. Music on the Move: Brookings Public Library hosts Curtis & Loretta on Sept. 14 for “Singing Tales of Truth,” featuring story-driven acoustic harmonies. True Crime for South Dakota: “Dakota Spotlight: Call Me Shelly” screens in Sioux Falls (Sept. 14) and Aberdeen (Sept. 16) from the podcast team behind the case. Local Community Events: Spearfish’s Dakota Five-O Bike Week wraps with “Five-O fever” as 800 riders hit a 50-mile mountain ride. Arts Spotlight: Waterfront Gallery for the Arts debuts Brigid Hoffman’s surrealist work in Pierre, mixing pop culture, Catholic imagery, and dreamlike scenes.

New Teachers in K-W Classrooms: K-W School District is welcoming fresh faces for the school year, including multilingual language teacher Pamela Bennewitz, plus new math, choir, band, and support staff bringing fresh ideas and community-minded plans. Local Music & Community Support: Rural Tabor singer Elizabeth Jo is set to perform at “Branding Together for Dan Kubal,” a benefit for her father’s pancreatic cancer, with auctions, raffles, and a meal. Sioux Falls Stadium Decision: Sioux Falls City Council is weighing a roughly $1M artificial turf move for Sioux Falls Stadium, with councilors pushing for long-term campus planning and lease details tied to the Canaries. Arts Calendar Picks: Yankton Community Library is kicking off September noon-hour live music tied to Library Card Sign-Up Month, and the National Music Museum in Vermillion hosts a Rosh Hashanah shofar lecture and demo. Fall Fun in the Sioux Empire: Ribs, Rods and Rock & Roll returns in Vermillion with DJ nights and a new farmers market, while a guide highlights major fall festivals across the region. Big Weekend Vibes: Sturgis Mustang Rally marks its 20th anniversary with record crowds and car-show energy in Rapid City-area headlines.

Community Spotlight: Marquise Bowie’s journey from South Minneapolis streets and federal prison to community leadership at George Floyd Square is highlighted as a story of mentorship and “putting the neighbor back into the neighborhood.” Music Education: Platte-Geddes percussionists earned a spot at the Bandmasters convention in Brookings after a successful audition run. Local Events: Sioux Falls’ 34th Annual First Bank & Trust Parade of Lights opens float registration, with a new “Mayor’s Choice Award” and an earlier 6 p.m. start. Live Sound: DAS Audio’s ARA Series is powering four nights of live music at WyoJam 2026, with the Sturgis connection noted in the production company’s history. Art in Pierre: Brigid Hoffman’s surrealist exhibit brings pop culture, Catholic imagery, and dream-like scenes to a Pierre gallery. Family-Friendly Fun: Owen’s Outfitters hosts a game night fundraiser Sept. 19 in Sioux Falls, mixing prizes, live music, and support for its medical equipment library. Deadline Reminder: Disney streaming subscribers have until Sept. 8 to claim money from a $50 million antitrust settlement. Capitol Update: South Dakota’s restored Capitol Rotunda has been unveiled, with scaffolding down and the historic space back in full view.

Sioux Falls City Budget Watch: The Sioux Falls City Council is set to give final approval to Mayor Christine Erickson’s first budget, including nearly $1 million for artificial turf at the Birdcage baseball stadium—despite questions about the aging complex and whether bigger plans are needed. Library + Live Music: Yankton Community Library kicks off September with free Wednesday noon performances by local musicians as part of “A Library Card Hits All The Right Notes,” plus sign-ups for new library cards. Vermillion Holiday Arts: The National Music Museum hosts a Rosh Hashanah lecture and shofar demonstration Friday, Sept. 11, with live instrument time and history. Vermillion Weekend Festival: Ribs, Rods and Rock & Roll returns Sept. 11-12 with DJ Marcus Destin, a new farmers market, and a full schedule built around a USD home game. Cancer Fundraiser: Gifts of Hope holds its Sept. 15 fundraiser at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds with steak dinner, auctions, and live music. Community Fair Fun: Webster’s Harvest Bash lands this Saturday with free family activities, food trucks, and a concert.

Art & Exhibitions: The University of South Dakota is hosting internationally recognized Santa Fe photographer Natalie Christensen for “The Deconstructed Self,” a free solo exhibition running Oct. 7–30 with an opening reception Oct. 9 in Vermillion. Fall Fun in the Sioux Empire: A new guide spotlights major Sioux Falls-area fall festivals, including the Country Apple Orchard Fall Festival in Harrisburg (weekends Sept–Oct) with hayrides, corn mazes, live music, and seasonal treats. Music & Community Events: LifeLight Music Festival returns to Nelson Park in Sioux Falls on Sunday, Sept. 6 (free, noon–9:30 p.m.) with Christian artists and speakers. Local Arts on Stage: SDSU’s School of Performing Arts presents “Brass in America,” a free Sept. 13 recital in Brookings featuring a world premiere work “Purpose.” Pop Culture Spotlight: A Sioux Falls resident, Iowa native Carter Krull, is set to compete on the new season of “Survivor,” kicking off Sept. 23. Photography & History: Custer photographer Paul Horsted’s new book “South Dakota Yesterday & Today” pairs historic and modern images across about 100 towns and landmarks.

South Dakota State Fair: The 2026 fair is rolling out fresh entertainment plus familiar favorites, with new acts like a circus drummer, mutton busting, and Elephant Encounters, along with upgrades including an ADA-accessible restroom and expanded sensory timing. Sioux Falls Music & Community: LifeLight Music Festival returns to Nelson Park Sunday (free entry), bringing Christian artists and speakers for a full day of worship and performances. SDSU Performing Arts: Brookings gets a free brass recital Sept. 13 featuring “Brass in America,” including a world premiere of “Purpose” for brass quintet and mezzo-soprano. Local Arts & Education: Sioux Falls’ Connect Me offers free one-on-one online tutoring for K-8 students, with tens of thousands of sessions already delivered. Rock & Roll Honors: Quazy is set for induction into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October, celebrating decades of regional roots. Native Arts Spotlight: Leonard Peltier’s artwork heads to a New York City exhibition Oct. 4, honoring his legacy through paintings created during decades of imprisonment. Festival Picks: Ethnic Fest gets a boost with the Elk River German Band returning, and Carrington’s JunkFest hits Sept. 12 with 150+ vendor spaces and live entertainment.

South Dakota State Fair: The 2026 fair is rolling out fresh entertainment plus accessibility upgrades, including new sensory timing and an ADA-accessible restroom facility, while keeping the music mix (rock, pop, country) and big fair-food energy. Sioux Falls Music & Community: LifeLight Music Festival returns Sunday at Nelson Park with a free lineup of Christian artists and worship leaders, making it an easy Labor Day weekend plan. Brookings Performing Arts: SDSU’s School of Performing Arts hosts a free “Brass in America” recital Sept. 13, featuring a world premiere work “Purpose” for brass quintet and mezzo-soprano. Brookings Visual Arts: SDSU’s School of Design welcomes Elizabeth Morisette as its Stuart Artist-in-Residence (Sept. 8–Oct. 2), exploring consumption and transformation through fiber-based sculpture. Local Rock & Culture: Quazy is set for induction into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October after decades of regional electrifying performances. Ethnic Fest: The Elk River German Band returns for a second straight year at Ethnic Fest, bringing Bavarian-style German music and a long festival track record.

South Dakota State Fair: The 2026 fair is leaning into fresh entertainment and easier access, with new acts like a circus drummer, plus mutton busting, elephant encounters, and a new carnival ride, while also adding an ADA-accessible sensory experience setup and restrooms. Sioux Falls Music: LifeLight Music Festival returns Sunday at Nelson Park with a free lineup of Christian artists and speakers, including Z8 Worship, Danny Gokey, and Rhett Walker. Brookings Performing Arts: SDSU’s School of Performing Arts hosts a free “Brass in America” recital Sept. 13, featuring a world premiere called “Purpose” for brass quintet and mezzo-soprano. Brookings Art: SDSU’s School of Design welcomes Elizabeth Morisette as the Stuart Artist-in-Residence (Sept. 8–Oct. 2), exploring fiber-based sculpture and questions of consumption. Local Rock Honors: Quazy is set for induction into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October, celebrating decades of regional rock history. Community Events: Ribs, Rods and Rock & Roll brings music and a car show to Vermillion Sept. 11–12, and JunkFest returns Sept. 12 in Carrington for collectors, creators, and makers.

Arts Spotlight: Joe Foss School’s Vision and Voice art therapy program is putting students’ poetry and paintings on display in community open houses, including work exploring seasonal depression and hope. State Fair Culture: The South Dakota State Fair leans into music, traditions, and new attractions—plus expanded accessibility like an ADA sensory experience update and a new accessible restroom setup. Sioux Falls Public Art: The Full Court Color Project is bringing youth-made designs to basketball backboards across 11 parks, turning kids’ drawings into court-ready community art. Music & Community: LifeLight Music Festival returns to Nelson Park in Sioux Falls Sunday (free), with a lineup of Christian artists, worship groups, speakers, and family activities. Local Rock Honors: Quazy is set for induction into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October after decades of electrifying regional audiences. Capitol Restoration: South Dakota’s Capitol Rotunda interior restoration is now revealed after months of work, bringing fresh life to a key public landmark. Motorcycle Legacy: Laconia Bike Week executive director Charlie St. Clair is remembered with a day of events tied to his life and love of the rally. Collecting & Creators: JunkFest returns Sept. 12 in Carrington with 150+ vendor spaces, food, entertainment, and a new producer taking over planning duties.

Rock Hall News: Quazy, the Nebraska band that’s been rocking since 1974, is set for induction into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this October, with members tracing decades of “ballroom days” and lineup changes. Native Arts Spotlight: Leonard Peltier’s artwork is headed to New York for an Oct. 4 exhibition at the Fifteenth Street Friends Meeting House, marking a major return of his creative work after decades in federal prison. State Fair Fun: The 2026 South Dakota State Fair rolls out fresh entertainment plus accessibility upgrades, including an ADA sensory experience update and new fair attractions like mutton busting and elephant encounters. Music in Sioux Falls: LifeLight Music Festival returns to Nelson Park Sunday, Sept. 6, with a free lineup of Christian artists, worship sets, and speakers. Community Art + Sports: Sioux Falls is installing basketball backboards painted with student-designed art through the Full Court Color project, turning 11 parks into mini galleries. SDSU Performing Arts: SDSU’s School of Performing Arts hosts a free brass recital Sept. 13 featuring a world premiere work titled “Purpose.” Rodeo Weekend: The Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup lands in Sioux Falls Sept. 25-27 with a $1.5 million payout and concerts after performances.

Capitol Culture: South Dakota’s Capitol Rotunda restoration is officially unveiled after months of work, with artists and Gov. Larry Rhoden highlighting how the space preserves history while staying ready for the next big moments. SDSU Music & Art: SDSU’s School of Performing Arts hosts a free “Brass in America” recital Sept. 13, featuring a world premiere called “Purpose,” plus SDSU’s Stuart Artist-in-Residence Elizabeth Morisette (fiber-based installations) running Sept. 8–Oct. 2. Sioux Falls Public Art: The Full Court Color project is bringing student-designed basketball backboards to 11 Sioux Falls parks, turning neighborhood courts into community-made art. Downtown Sioux Falls September: Riverfest-themed programming at the Orpheum, Remedy’s Oktoberfest, a Friday night fall market, and more are lined up across the month. Community Events: LifeLight Music Festival returns to Nelson Park Sunday (free), and the Banquet’s Chili Fest is set for Oct. 1 with local chef competition, live music, and prize-filled fun. Black Hills Theater: Black Hills Community Theater revives its Discovery Series for 2026–27, aimed at giving more people a shot at performing.

Labor-Day Weekend Music & Cars: Vermillion’s “Ribs, Rods and Rock & Roll” returns Sept. 11–12 with DJ Marcus Destin, plus a new farmers market on Saturday morning. Sioux Falls Public Art: The Full Court Color project is bringing student-designed basketball backboards to 11 parks, turning local creativity into game-day backdrops. Rodeo Spotlight: The Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup hits Sioux Falls Sept. 25–27 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center with a $1.5M payout and concerts after Friday/Saturday performances. Theater & Arts Calendar: Black Hills Community Theater is reviving its Discovery Series for 2026–27, and downtown Sioux Falls is stacking September events like Riverfest-themed Orpheum shows and Oktoberfest at Remedy Brew Co. Community Fundraiser: Chili Fest for The Banquet returns Oct. 1 in Sioux Falls with 10 chefs, live music, and prize drawings. Local Arts Leadership: Sioux Falls Arts Council is hiring a new executive director after Kellen Boice stepped down. Pop Culture Moment: Gloria Steinem, co-founder of Ms. magazine, has died at 92.

Labor Day Hype (Wagner): Wagner’s 126th Labor Day Celebration is set to turn Charles Mix County into a full-on weekend party, with a carnival, rodeo, parade, car show, festival in the park, kids’ activities, motorcycle ride, and figure eight races running Friday through Monday. Local Arts in Motion (Sioux Falls): The Full Court Color project is bringing student-made artwork to basketball backboards at 11 Sioux Falls parks, giving kids a real hand in shaping public spaces. Big Rodeo Coming (Sioux Falls): The Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup returns Sept. 25-27 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center with a $1.5 million payout and a shot at qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo. Community Food Fun (Sioux Falls): The Banquet’s Chili Fest is back Oct. 1 at Icon Event Hall and Lounge, featuring 10 local chefs, live music, a silent auction, quarter hog raffle, and a hidden-diamond cinnamon roll prize. Arts Leadership Shift (Sioux Falls Arts Council): The Sioux Falls Arts Council is hiring a new executive director after Kellen Boice stepped down, with board members planning fresh community input and renewed advocacy. Native Culture Spotlight (All My Relatives Festival): Levitt at the Falls hosts the All My Relatives Festival, celebrating Native American culture through community programming and performances. Music & Theater Calendar (Rapid City/Sioux Falls): Black Hills Community Theater is reviving its Discovery Series for 2026-27, while downtown Sioux Falls is lining up September events like Riverfest-themed programming at the Orpheum. Pop Culture Moment (Gloria Steinem): Gloria Steinem, co-founder of Ms. magazine and a major feminist voice, has died at 92, with AP looking back at her early celebrity-era journalism.