Author: Grant Wentzel

Laura Jane Grace to Rock The Icon!

Laura Jane Grace Against Me

Hey Punk Rock fans! We’ve got a big little show coming up at the The Icon. Against Me! front-lady Laura Jane Grace will be taking the stage Sep. 30th for an acoustic show.

We caught Against Me! back at whatever-that-old-club-off-of-29 was called around a decade ago…and they brought more rock than we deserved. Against Me! always had a little more soul, and a little more to say than the other pop-punk/emo bands that were scoring hits at the time. Tune in to Laura Jane’s journey over the last few years, and it becomes very clear as to why.

So get on out there and find out what the fuss is all about!

Goodbye Argus, Hello Dakota Scout!

When we moved to Sioux Falls, duty called us to sign up for the local paper. We’d never done that before. Other (bigger) ‘burgs we’d lived in had plenty of local coverage competing for our eye-balls and ear-holes. But, at the time, the Argus Leader was more-of-less the only game in town. After a few dozen cut-backs, subscribing to the ever-thinning local rag became silly. So we stopped. Easy call.

Here’s what can’t be stopped: The vocational call to journalism. Some of the Argus’s best-and-brightest can still be read online. Folks like Jodi Schwan, Patrick Lalley, & Megan Rapoza are doing their thing, better than ever.

Now we can add two new names to that list of fearsome freelancers: Jonathan Ellis and Joe Sneve. After both spent decades at the Argus Leader, tirelessly doing the good work of calling the powerful to account, they’ve launched a new project: The Dakota Scout.

To misquote Timothy Leary: these guys Dropped Out and Turned On. We’ll be Tuning In!

Four Winds Festival Returns!

Is there good local-ish music in Sioux Falls? Yes! Want proof? Head out to the Four Winds Festival and prepare to have some fun! This year they’ve got two nights of tunes ready to roll at the Icon Lounge. Let’s hope the weather holds!

All ages too! So let the high school kids off the leash, mom and dad. They need need this, just like you once did.

Potential Guv’ner Jamie Smith Nails Noem

We don’t wade into politics much around here, but super nice-guy Jamie Smith makes a good point in his latest spot. “Where’s she ridin’ off to?”, the ad asks of our current leadership. Maybe Noem should focus on the folks back home?

Good point! Anecdotally, it seems we hear more about Noem’s latest adventures from folks in other states who keep up on her via Fox News spots and editorials in the national (rightward) press than we do from the people down the street.

Not sure how popular Mr. Smith is around the state, but his reputation is strong around Sioux Falls, whether you agree with him or not. Who knows how this will shake out come November. Watch the spot here: https://twitter.com/RepJamieSmith/status/1552314501466406915

It’ll make you smile.

Levitt’s About to Gear Up!

We were skeptical when we first caught wind of the Levitt Pavilion going up near Fall’s Park. With a streak of music-snobbery we had to ask: Who were these guys? Who were they gonna book? Was this going to be any fun?

Thankfully, we’ve been proven wrong. Whether you’ve heard of the acts or not, it’s always a high-quality (and free!) show. You can never go wrong swinging by and checking it out. This year looks to be the best yet. They’ve got a bigger mix, including western swing vets The Hot Club Of Cowtown, indie-rap lady-boss Dessa, and the bass player from The Stray Cats, Lee Rocker!

Rounding it all out will be local favs like Kory & The Fireflies, kids shows, local openers and more. Here’s the list:

Lee Rocker - Stray Cat
  • June 3: The Burroughs
  • June 4: The Clover Fold
  • June 9: Sonia De Los Santos
  • June 10: Carrie Newcomer
  • June 11: D’DAT
  • June 16: Avey Grouws Band
  • June 17: Toronzo Cannon
  • June 18: Brody Ray
  • June 23: Inez Barlatier
  • June 24: Brian Hanegan Quintet
  • June 25: Joropo Band
  • June 30: Britnee Kellogg
  • July 1: Danielle Nicole
  • July 2: The Yawpers
  • July 7: Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra – part of the Innoskate Festival
  • July 8: Dessa – part of the Innoskate Festival
  • July 9: A Visual Sound, 6 pm. – part of the Innoskate Festival
  • July 9: Meet Me @ The Altar, 7 p.m. – part of the Innoskate Festival
  • July 14: Miss Myra and the Moonshiners
  • July 15: The Kris Lager Band
  • July 16: The New Respects
  • July 21: Terrance Simien $ the Zydeco Experience
  • July 22: The Nadas
  • July 23: The Wilder Blue
  • July 28: Socks in the Frying Pan
  • July 29: Bette Smith
  • July 30: Brulé 
  • Aug. 4: Nate Botsford
  • Aug. 5: Chapel Hart
  • Aug. 6: Janitor Bob and the Armchair Cowboys
  • Aug. 11: Eddie 9V
  • Aug. 12: Hot Club of Cowtown
  • Aug. 13: The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
  • Aug. 18: Sophia Beatty
  • Aug. 19: Kuinka
  • Aug. 20: Lemon Bucket Orkestra
  • Aug. 25: Jazzed Up Big Band
  • Aug. 26: Everyday Everybody
  • Aug. 27: Elia Blue
  • Sept. 1: Parranderos Latin Combo
  • Sept. 2: Making Movies
  • Sept. 3: KORY and the FIREFLIES
  • Sept. 8: Roanoke
  • Sept. 9: Mae Estes
  • Sept. 10: Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats

We’ll be there!