LEAD –– Open auditions were recently announced for “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” a semi-autobiographical comedy play by Neil Simon, American playwright and screenwriter, to take place Sept. 22-23.

SPEARFISH –– The Matthews Opera House recently announced that Community Engagement Manager Kyler Flock has been selected by Arts Midwest as one of only four recipients of the Future Leaders’ Fund Scholarship.

VERMILLION — In conjunction with the September premiere of Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary series, SDPB and the National Music Museum (NMM) in Vermillion are partnering to showcase South Dakota’s own rich heritage and connections to country music. Storied instruments once owned and play…

BELLE FOURCHE — Sundae and Mr. Goessl, a charming wife/husband duo who incorporate humor, nostalgia and serious chops in their vintage-inspired act, will kick off the Center of the Nation Concert Association’s 2019-20 season at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26 in the Belle Fourche Area Commun…

DEADWOOD — One of the most prolific hit making bands in country music will be making a return trip to the Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center when Diamond Rio performs on Sunday, Oct. 27.

PIERRE — New to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this year is the “Sturgis Beef Throw Down.” 

NEW YORK (AP) — In 1964, Stanley Kubrick, on the recommendation of the science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, bought a telescope.

SPEARFISH — Grab a lawn chair or blanket and head to the park for a free summer evening of entertainment! Current and classic movies will be shown at local parks this summer, and all movies are family friendly and shown on an outdoor screen. Movies begin at sunset, weather permitting, and to…

SPEARFISH — The annual Canyon Acoustic Series, a free, outdoor summer series on Wednesdays from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Spearfish City Park bandshell, begins Wednesday, when Black River Revue performs. The rest of the lineup includes: July 3, Six Mile Road; July 10, Cole and the Thornes; July 17,…

SPEARFISH — For more than a decade, Ann Froelich, of Spearfish, brought worlds to life onstage, directing the Peanut Butter and Jelly Players, the children’s community theater program at Matthews Opera House.

BROOKINGS — Though he won’t be sitting next to Fatback in the back seat of Grover’s beat-up old car as he tours South Dakota this summer, Kent Nerburn’s 2019 One Book Tour does bear similarities to the journey that led him to write “Neither Wolf nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder.”

STURGIS — In celebration of the formation of Meade County in 1889, this year’s Sturgis and Meade County Historical Society’s fifth annual History Day on Friday and Saturday, June 14-15, will celebrate the 130th anniversary of Meade County.

BLACK HILLS — The 10th annual Black Hill Film Festival features 27 films including narratives and documentaries from South Dakota and around the world. Filmmakers from all over the world will be on hand after their film’s debut to answer audience questions. 

SPEARFISH — Join Black Hills State University assistant professor of history Dr. Alex Lang at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 25 for the final faculty-led Geek Speak lecture of the semester titled, “Noise-Makers: Fascists and Music.” During the lecture, Lang will discuss how fascist themes are convey…

SPEARFISH — Community theater at Matthews Opera House presents the comedy, “The Curious Savage,” directed by Max G. Merchen April 25-28, with Thursday through Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday show at 2 p.m. 

SPEARFISH — The High Plains Western Heritage Center in Spearfish has made upgrade over the past three years that have improved safety, security, and accessibility, due to the financial support from the city of Spearfish.

CACTUS FLAT — Modern technologies allow unique opportunities to explore all manner of locations. To mark National Virtual Vacation Day on March 30, Minuteman Missile National recently announced a series of new virtual reality tours of the preserved Delta Flight sites. Now you can explore the…

DEADWOOD — In honor of Women’s History Month and in conjunction with Deadwood History, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, South Dakota Humanities Council Speakers’ Bureau Scholar Phyllis Schrag will present a lecture at noon on Thursday, March 28, at the Homestake Adams …

DEADWOOD — Deadwood’s Forks, Corks, and Kegs citywide food and wine festival, the ultimate event for lovers of fine food and drink, is set for April 5-6. The event, in its sixth year, is expected to sell out for the fourth year in a row. Tickets sales leading up to the festival are trending …

LEAD — The Gold Camp Players (GCP) community theater at Historic Homestake Opera House (HHOH) announces the performances for Stephen Karam’s Tony Award-winning dark comedy play, “The Humans” on March 22-24 and March 29-31, 2019. Friday and Saturday shows will start at 7 p.m. and Sunday matin…

SOUTH DAKOTA — Students are welcome to participate in the 2019 South Dakota Junior Duck Stamp Contest. It is a free art and conservation contest open to South Dakota students K-12. Deadline for submissions is March 15.  The entries can be dropped off at the Booth Society Office or mailed to …

DEADWOOD — A rising star in the magic community, South Dakota native Reza will bring his nationally touring show, “Edge of Illusion” to the Deadwood Mountain Grand stage on Saturday, March 2. 

BELLE FOURCHE — The Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center’s February Family Fun Day will take place at 2 p.m. Feb. 17. The day is entitled “Money, Money, Money.” 

SPEARFISH — The South Dakota Music Education Association will present Middle School All State Orchestra, taking place at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center (Mitchell, SD) on Feb. 22-23, featuring Dakota Wesleyan University’s Bethany Amundson as conductor.

BELLE FOURCHE — The Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center opened a new temporary exhibit Saturday, “Someone’s in the Kitchen,” and it features the history of cooking, food, utensils and appliances, kitchens, and cookbooks. 

NEW YORK (AP) — Not long before Election Day, 2016, Samira Ahmed completed the first draft of her novel, “Internment,” a dystopian narrative about the rounding up of Muslim-Americans.

SPEARFISH — As part of the 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 Geek Speak at Black Hills State University, Tami Haaland, Montana’s former poet laureate, will present an afternoon of poetry.

PIERRE — In anticipation of the commissioning of the USS South Dakota submarine on Feb. 2 in Groton, Conn., former Gov. Dennis Daugaard released the poem commissioned to honor the vessel and her crew.   

BROOKINGS — The South Dakota Humanities Council, a statewide non-profit that provides humanities programs for South Dakotans, has hired a new executive director.