Levitt at the Falls releases 2023 numbers

Levitt at the Falls has concluded its 2023 concert season of 50 free concerts, including several new outreach programs, festivals and partnerships.

“This season marked so many exciting accomplishments for the Levitt,” executive director Nancy Halverson said in a statement. “As we continue to build our programming, we want to make sure that everyone in our community has access to this professional and free live music.”

More than 100,000 people attended the Levitt this summer in downtown Sioux Falls, with 3,000 of those taking part in the Festival of Cultures hosted by Levitt and the LSS Multi-Cultural Center in June.

Almost 10,000 people attended the new All My Relatives — Mitakuye Owas’iƞ in Dakota and Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ in Lakota — Festival in July sponsored by The Wokini Initiative of South Dakota State University. The festival celebrated Native American art, music and culture, and brought three main-stage performers to the Levitt along with Native opening acts, a fashion show, children’s activities and a vendor fair.

“This season, the Levitt team collaborated with partner community organizations to bring several cultural festivals and special events to the lawn,” said Rose Ann Hofland, director of communications and community engagement. “It was wonderful to welcome new audiences and build relationships through these partnership events. We continue to work towards our vision to become a gathering destination for the wider community and to celebrate the diversity of our Sioux Falls community.”

Average in-person concert attendance this year was 2,019, topping last year’s 1,977 average. An additional 60,000 people watched the concerts online. That includes two new genres introduced this year — hip-hop and indie vibe — designed to bring more diversity to the stage.

“Part of our mission here at the Levitt is to build community through music,” Halverson said. “One way we do this is by showcasing diversity on our stage through music, genres and through the artists themselves.”

Helping make it all happen, 199 volunteers contributed 3,744 hours of community service. That includes the woman you’ll meet below.

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