7 new reasons to visit the Washington Pavilion this summer

This paid piece is sponsored by the Washington Pavilion Management Co.

In six months, the atmosphere at the Washington Pavilion has completely changed.

“It’s like a tale of two years,” president and CEO Darrin Smith said. “At the beginning of 2021, we were very much in the thick of the pandemic, and now our Broadway subscription sales are off to their strongest start in history, our science center is having the busiest summer in 20 years, and we just had one of our top five attendance days ever.”

When you learn more about what’s happening at the Pavilion, though, it’s easy to see why.

“You’re going to see a lot of new things here,” Smith said. “We spent the last year determining both how to create a safe environment while also offering new reasons to visit, and I think that’s also why our membership sales in the last couple months have been stronger than ever. People are seeing the investment and changes.”

Want to take a peek for yourself? Take a look at these seven reasons for your next visit to the Washington Pavilion

You know South Dakota “rocks”

Excuse the pun, but it makes sense when you see what awaits in the new South Dakota floor on the third floor at the Kirby Science Discovery Center.

“We opened a portion of that floor during COVID, so we know there are a lot of people who still have not experienced it, and it’s awesome because it’s all things South Dakota,” Smith said.

From a quarry dig to a Dinosaur Discovery exhibit, you’ll dig for dinosaur bones, load rocks onto a conveyor belt at the L.G. Everist quarry, experience a touchable tornado and engage in more South Dakota-inspired activities.

You’ll also find live science experiments at Avera Stage Science.

“It’s been fun to see people discovering this floor for the first time,” Smith said. “It’s definitely a highlight.”

You appreciate going local – even if that means the weather

The newest addition to the South Dakota floor, called Grow It, features the chance to imagine life on the farm, climbing into a tractor cab, picking crops, exploring tunnels to see what takes place underground and bringing your produce to the marketplace.

You even can feel the sun, wind and all varieties of South Dakota weather in a 4D theater experience courtesy of KELOLAND Television.

And a ball-drop exhibit from POET helps explain biofuel and animal feed.

“It’s an incredibly interactive area that will engage kids of all ages – and be fun for parents and grandparents too,” Smith said. “This is the sort of area you’ll want to visit multiple times because the experience can always be something different.”

You – or your kids – have been extra captivated by space lately

Have the flights of billionaire space tourists made your family talk more about a trip outside of Earth? The second floor of the Kirby Science Discovery Center allows you to experience outer space without leaving Sioux Falls.

Among the many interactive exhibits, explore the Gravity Grid to experience how your center of mass attracts pieces of gravity to you.

And create your own video in the Space Animation Studio. Put on a spacesuit, add stars and more in front of the moon backdrop.

“We have an entire floor dedicated to space exploration and discovery, so I know recent events will reignite interest in that floor,” Smith said.

You love a good show

While a lot of shows don’t tour during the summer months, you still can catch some great performances at the Pavilion.

Mo Pitney will be in concert July 28 at 7:30 p.m. Pitney has been named “Artist to Watch” by Rolling Stone, Billboard and Bobby Bones and is a frequent performer on the popular TV shows “Larry’s Country Diner” and “Country’s Family Reunion.” Click here for information.

Hilarious comedian Leanne Morgan brings her Big Panty national tour to the Pavilion Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. Click here for information.

And Air Supply has rescheduled its pandemic-delayed show for Aug. 15 at 7 p.m., and there still are tickets available. Click here for details.

Plus, “Reality Wives” from Goodnight Theatre Collective is showing at the Orpheum Theater Center Aug. 5-7. It’s an over-the-top comedy that follows the antics of six devilishly delightful society ladies navigating life in front of the reality-TV cameras. Click here for information. 

“There’s such a variety in those four shows,” said Regina Ruhberg, director of performances and events.

“You have jazz, comedy and a classic concert. That’s what I like about the summer months. When we concentrate on our friends renting our theaters, they can bring this sort of variety that fills in the gaps with what we provide as far as Broadway.”

You appreciate local art

The South Dakota Governor’s Ninth Biennial Art Exhibition has arrived at the Everist Gallery featuring 66 artists of diverse backgrounds, working in all mediums and styles, from all parts of our state.

The Biennial is a juried exhibition selected by a panel of visual arts professionals that was first held in 2003. It will be at the Pavilion until Sept. 19, and an artist reception is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.

“It’s really cool because it’s rare and unique in that it only happens every other year,” Smith said. “We’re one of four host sites in the state of South Dakota, and we’re proud of that.”

Your kids could stand to be a bit more active

Whether you’re looking for a way to burn off some energy for the kids, escape the heat or just explore something new, head to the fourth floor of the Kirby Science Discovery Center for an attraction that debuted during the pandemic.

The Pavilion and the David B. Jones Foundation partnered on this two-story Prehistoric Adventure Climber, offering tons of interactive experiences. Kids can discover caves, use a pulley system to transport dinosaur bones and then glide to the bottom in a 7-foot turbo slide.

“It’s like a massive climbing obstacle course,” Smith said. “The climber has been so popular, but we know we missed people because it was installed during the pandemic. That wasn’t ideal, but we’d wanted something like this for years, and it came together.”

And while you’re on the fourth floor, stop by the Fit Zone and the Health Quest exhibit fueled by Sanford Health for more interactive fitness-focused exhibits.

You love a quick, good meal

If you’re downtown around the lunch hour – for any reason – head to Leonardo’s Café on the first floor for a kid-friendly menu that also includes weekly specials and a featured burger every Friday.

“It’s really a downtown eatery at the end of the day, so we’re focused on weekday lunch service, and the menu really is back to basics,” Smith said. “You’re going to find great pizzas, hot dogs and sandwiches plus grab-and-go options perfect for those who live and work nearby.”

Plan ahead

This also is the time of year to be planning for your future visits to the Washington Pavilion as tickets become available both at the Pavilion and the Orpheum Theater Center.

Tickets for REO Speedwagon go on sale Friday, and tickets for Clint Black are on sale. And if you love Broadway, you’ll want to snag your tickets to the 2021-22 Pavilion Performance Series as soon as possible.

Single tickets go on sale July 24, but remember if you’re a donor, member or Facebook fan, you can buy them early.

“When single tickets go on sale, you should buy right away, which is completely different than what you’re used to,” Ruhberg said.

“Because there is less touring, it’s going to sell out faster, plus our quality is enhanced every year. People are going to be coming from Minneapolis and Rapid City areas because touring is limited, so you really should be buying early. It’s also your best price because as scarcity increases, price can too.”

Become a member

There always are new reasons to keep coming back to the Pavilion, and a membership likely offers even more value than you realize, starting at just $5.99 per month for a couple and $9.99 for a family of five.

Click here to learn more. 

Here’s when you can buy tickets to Pavilion Broadway shows