May 21, 2013
Drive-In Movie Theater Launches Second Season

Roy's Black Hills Twin Drive-In Theatre will hold its grand opening week May 24-30.

The new drive-in movie theater south of Rapid City - Roy's Black Hills Twin Drive-In Theatre - begins its second season with a grand-opening week May 24-30, according to the theater's Facebook page.

South Dakota Public Radio reported on the enthusiasm customer's have for the outdoor theater.

May 21, 2013
Sculpting to Begin in Main Street Square

Japanese sculptor Masayuki Nagase launches The Sculpture Project: Passage of Wind and Water in July.

Masayuki Nagase
Masayuki Nagase
Masayuki Nagase

The $2 million sculpture project, inspired by the natural features of the Black Hills and Badlands, is expected to take three to five years to complete, according to the Main Street Square website.

May 9, 2013
Piedmont Valley Library Hosts Dan Alfson Photography Exhibit

View the amazing photography of Dan Alfson at the Piedmont Valley Library during the month of May. An article from the Meade County Times gives information about the artist.

Visit the Piedmont Valley Library website to learn details about the hours you can view Dan Alfson's photographs, as well as a preview of them. You can also find details about the artist reception to be held on Sunday, May 19th.

April 8, 2013
Homestake Opera House Hosting Concerts

Attendees at the Historic Homestake Opera Hous's two April concerts are asked to make donations at the door.

To help other nonprofit organizations in the Black Hills, the Historic Homestake Opera House will host two benefit concerts in April, according to a post on KOTA's MyTown website.

A concert on April 7 benefitted the Children's Miracle Network, and a concert on April 13 will raise money for the Northern Hills United Way.

To learn more about the opera house's ongoing renovation efforts, visit its website.

March 18, 2013
Halley Park Only Option for Native Sculpture Garden

Supporters of the First Nations sculpture garden view Halley Park as the only acceptable location for the project.

Supporters of the First Nations sculpture garden view Halley Park as the only acceptable location for the project. According to a Rapid City Journal article, the sculptures will honor Native American heroes and the land at Halley Park holds historic significance.

March 14, 2013
Summer Nights Venue Discussed [Updated]

The Legal and Finance Committee approved a downtown venue for Summer Nights in 2013, despite concerns from some downtown business owners.

The Rapid City Legal and Finance Committee gave initial approval for Summer Nights to be held downtown this summer, however the event will be moving from Main Street to Saint Joseph Street. Discussion opened at the Legal and Finance meeting about moving the festival to Memorial Park after the Promenade is completed this fall.

February 17, 2013
Art Alley Faces Challenges

A task force has been established to address issues regarding Art Alley in Rapid City.

After the Business Improvement District board declined to pursue a project in Art Alley, a task force was created to address issues regarding the alley in Rapid City. The task force was established by the Legal & Finance Committee at their February 13th meeting.

February 16, 2013
Native American Sculpture Garden Project Moves Forward

The sculpture garden proposed for Halley Park in Rapid City is making progress.

A Native American sculpture garden proposed for Halley Park in Rapid City is making some progress. After receiving a proposal from First Nations, the Parks and Recreation Board approved a motion that will direct staff to establish a memorandum between the First Nations Board and the city.

February 11, 2013
Restoration Project Celebrates Valentine McGillycuddy Day

Progress continues on the restoration of the historic McGillycuddy house in Rapid City.

The restoration of the historic McGillycuddy house in Rapid City has made recent progress by acquiring the adjacent property needed to recreate the original entrance location. According to a Rapid City Journal article, Historic Rapid City purchased the house next door for an undisclosed amount.

February 11, 2013
Wounded Knee Site for Sale - Updated

Property near the historic Wounded Knee site is for sale at $3.9 million.

James Czywczynski has owned property near the site of the Wounded Knee memorial for four decades, but is now looking to sell the undeveloped land for almost four million dollars. KOTA reported that the price will cover both the cost of the national historic land and the damages sustained during the occupation in 1973.

February 1, 2013
Civic Center Revenue Remains Stable

Thanks to revenue generators like the Rapid City Rush and Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo, the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City has maintained a stable revenue over the last year.

During the 2011-2012 year, the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center maintained a steady revenue. According to a Rapid City Journal article, the Civic Center's most profitable contributor is the Rapid City Rush hockey team followed by the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo.

February 1, 2013
Journey Museum Adds New Dinosaur Track Exhibit

A new exhibit is "making tracks" at the Journey Museum in Rapid City. 

Dinosaurs are making tracks at the The Journey Museum. The 3 ton slab shows the tracks of at least two small theropod dinosaurs with more tracks possibly being discovered as the fossil is examined further. A YouTube video shows the process of the slab being moved into a new permanent display in the Journey Museum lobb

January 14, 2013
Game, Fish and Parks Seeking $4 Million for Projects

Game, Fish and Parks Department officials preseted to the state legislature’s joint committee on appropriations, seeking $4 million to fulfill Governor requests.

South Dakota GF&P Department officials preseted to the state legislature’s joint committee on appropriations, seeking $4 million to fulfill the Governor's requests according to a recent Rapid City Journal article.

January 14, 2013
Photo Contest Call for Entries - Deadline Extended

The Black Hills Knowledge Network's first photo contest is now accepting entries through March 30, 2013.

 

Show the greater Black Hills what's great about your community by capturing work and play in photos.
 
We are looking for images of people in their daily lives, at work, at school and at play. The Black Hills offers exciting and diverse experiences often best depicted by pictures.
January 4, 2013
Dahl Calls for Entries to Amateur Mountain Film Fest

The deadline for submission is 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26.

The Rapid City Arts Council invites all regional amateur filmmakers to participate in the 1st Annual Dahl Mountain Amateur Film Contest & Screening, 
part of the Dahl Mountain Culture Festival, according to a post on the Dahl website.

December 17, 2012
First Nations Sculpture Garden Location TBD

A Native American memorial has been proposed for Halley Park, but that location has been called into question.

The First Nations Sculpture Garden has been proposed for Halley Park in Rapid City, but that location has been called into question by the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.

December 17, 2012
Main Street Square Sculptor Announced

Artist Masayuki Nagase has been chosen to sculpt Main Street Square's granite sculptures.

California sculptor Masayuki Nagase has been chosen to carve Main Street Square's granite. Masayuki will do most of the carving by hand, according to a Rapid City Journal article. The $2 million dollar project is funded by the John T. Vucurevich Foundation.

Visit Masayuki Nagase's website to view his previous work and read his biography.

December 15, 2012
Lakota Voice Project takes hold in Rapid City

The project, which is the brainchild of an Oglala Lakota College intro to business class and the Black Hills chapter of the American Advertising Federation, is an anti-suicide campaign that uses photographic images to promote hope across the Pine Ridge Reservation.

 

                                                          

By Brandon Ecoffey

Native Sun News Staff Writer

November 29, 2012
Makeover at Rapid City Arts Center Just In Time for the Holidays

An $18 million makeover at Rapid City High School is just in time for holiday programming.

A renovation and construction project that unites the Rapid City school district's alternative high school programs plus provides a new venue for a multitude of performing arts programs is near completion.  In fact, the first holiday concert will be held Sunday December 2, 2012 and will feature the Rapid City Children's Chorus in the Historic Theater.

November 16, 2012
Black Hills Passion Play Amphitheater Sold

Local developer Rand Williams has purchased the Black Hills Passion Play site for use as an entertainment venue.

 

The 6,000-seat amphitheater and the world's longest stage will get lighting and sound system upgrades, the Black Hills Pioneer reports.

The amphitheater was constructed in the 1930s and was home to the Passion Play production for 70 years before the final performance in 2008. Williams plans to involve members of the community in operations of the facility, starting with public meeitngs.

November 16, 2012
“Wichapi Hinhpaya: The Lakota Story of Fallen Star Boy” Premieres at Lakota Ways

The play is scheduled to premier at Lakota Ways during Native American Heritage month to showcase the talents of area tribal and community members.

Wicahpi Hinhpaya: The Lakota Story of Fallen Star Boy is a theatrical play by Wilmer Mesteth (Oglala Lakota) and Kiri Close (Tagata Mao’i). This play is premiering as a ‘sneak preview’ during Native American Heritage month to showcase the talents of area tribal and community members. The play opens to the general public the weekend of November 17th & 18th at the recently established Lakota Ways in Wall, South Dakota.

November 9, 2012
Amphitheater That Once Hosted Black Hills Passion Play Sells

The historic Black Hills Passion Play Amphitheater has been sold to local developer.

The Spearfish amphitheater, the longest stage in the world, that once hosted the Black Hills Passion play has been sold to Spearfish developer, Rand Williams. Sold for an undisclosed price that was finalized on November 2, 2012, Williams has announced that he has renovation and multiple upgrades planned that would encourage live performances and increased tourism, according to the BH Pioneer.

The article can be accessed here.

October 23, 2012
Alpine Inn Chef Honored by Beef Industry Council

Alpine Inn chef Clark Braun has been named the 2012 Prime Promoter by the South Dakota Beef Industry Council.

 

Clark Braun, a certified executive chef at Hill City's Alpine Inn, was honored at the SDBIC's annual meeting in Brookings, the Hill City Prevailer reports.

Braun, who has a racked up an impressive list of awards, earned this one for his participation in cooking demonstrations and SDBIC events.

October 17, 2012
Black Hills Storytellers To Tell Ghoulish Tales at Adams

Black Hills Storytellers is the only storytelling guild in South Dakota.

A spooky program, recommended for mature audiences, will commence at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Adams Museum in Deadwood, according to a museum news release.

Doors will be locked for the event, which features folk, personal, and literary stories highlighting various interpretations of our nighttime fears.

October 17, 2012
Journey Museum's Family Fun Day About Masks

Families encouraged to wear Halloween costumes to event.

Parents and children can explore "The Meaning of Masks" at the Journey Museum's Family Fun Day on Sunday, Oct. 21, according to a Journey news release.

All children will be given a take-home packet with information, puzzles and games about the history of masks in cultures around the world.

Learn more about the Journey Museum at it's website.