Author: Grant Wentzel

Sioux Falls Puts the “X” in TEDx!

TED talks! They’re so good, they’ve become a joke…“thanks for the TED talk, Karen!”

But as they say, there’s always a new “idea worth spreading,” and Sioux Falls is doing its part once again with a local edition August 20th. It’s been moved to the Washington Pavilion from the Orpheum so that the crowd can have a little bit more Covid-buffering space from on another. Smart! (as you’d expect…) The move also means there’s a few more tickets available, so grab one now while you can.

Here’s the lineup. (You just might recognize a few names!)

  • Chef Sean Sherman
  • Tracy Saathoff
  • Benson Hsu
  • Melissa Johnson
  • Wes Eisenhauer
  • Wendy Mamer
  • Eric Siversten
  • Amy Baete
  • Russ Van Der Werff

Dig all the details at https://www.tedxsiouxfalls.com/

Wild Water (& Rollercoasters?) West

Our local waterpark announced this spring that they were set to build a ferocious ‘coaster alongside the Lazy River, adding little ying to your sunburnt yang.

Official stats, with artistic flair.

And then they announced it was being pushed back. Because Covid. (Ain’t it always these day?) However, it’s still in the plans and might be ready for your 2021 funtimes.

But how does it compare? First of all, it’s going to be the biggest coaster between Minneapolis and Denver! Then again, there’s not much of anything between The Twin Cities and the Rockies, so maybe that’s not very helpful.

Here’s how high you’re gonna get on a few rides you might have heard of:

Cedar Point’s “Millennium Force”: 310ft.

Six Flags Over Texas’s “Titan”: 245ft.

Valley Fair’s “Wild Thing”: 207ft.

World’s of Fun’s “Mamba”: 205ft.

The new one proposed for Wild Water West looks to be topping out at 113ft. So hey, not bad for our town. You’ll still get some great views of the flat-n-wide prairie landscape from up there.

We were skeptical at first about the idea of adding one big amusement park style thrillride to a relatively chill water park, but alongside the go-carts, batting cages, and mini-golf, why not? It’s good to have some family fun close to home, even if the super-coaster maniacs in town will still be seeking their kicks a little further abroad. You guys do you.

Light the Torches! There’s a Tiki Bar Coming To Town

Have your dreams of dashing to the South Pacific been crushed by Corona? Never fear! The Hello Hi is getting ready to put a splash of spiked pineapple in your cup, umbrella garnish included, gratis.

With its tiki-bar theme and tropical craft cocktails, the Hello Hi is just what our scene needs to take the heat out of summer days — or perhaps more importantly — help you escape the inevitable winter blasts that those darned Canadians love to send our way.

They’re opening soon-ish at 120 S. Phillips Ave (the former location of Half-Baked.) We’re looking forward to trying this one out!

Might just break out the hula skirt and coconut bra and shimmy on down for opening night!

Slamdakota Death Fest III – Oh Yeah, It Rocked!

For the third year in a row, Big’s Bar brought together the best Midwestern sons of Death Mental for a 2-night 20-something brutal band line up.

Getting it started while the sun still shines.

We headed up to catch the dueling stages on Saturday night, and not an eardrum was left unbled by the awesome assault of unbridled down-tuned fury.

Highlight had to be Gorgatron from Fargo, ND. These guys brought everything we could have hoped for: metal-tastic intensity, unleashed from a fortress of fun.

And that’s the thing with so many of these bands: Get past the wild-eyed antics, and they’re just good guys looking to have a good time. Sure, it’s the stuff that scares mom & dad and might just piss off the neighbors, but under it all, it’s just rock ‘n roll baby. And who couldn’t use a night of that?

See you next year for Death Fest IV!

Catch a Falling Star! Comet NEOWISE Is Here!

NEOWISE over Lake Alvin. Thanks Argus!

Looking for some Covid-safe family fun? Go comet hunting! You’ve still got a few more days to catch comet NEOWISE in the north sky over Sioux Falls.

We ventured out last night just past Hartford and were not disappointed. Yeah, it’s a little faint and fuzzy, but much bigger than we expected.

Our middling camera skills failed to get a decent shot, so take a look at the Argus Leader’s photo of NEOWISE just south of town at Lake Alvin.

If you’re looking to geek out, read up all about it on NASA’s website. They seem to know what they’re talking about.