The week ahead: April 9-15

The Week Ahead is our hand-picked event guide to the next seven days in Sioux Falls and slightly beyond. For guaranteed placement or to promote your event ahead of time, email [email protected] about a featured event listing.

April 9: The Big Squeeze

It’s National Public Health Week, and Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation and the city Health Department are teaming up for The Big Squeeze, a one-day, citywide blood pressure screening event. The free blood pressure checks will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Midco Aquatic Center, 1601 S. Western Ave., and Westside Recreation Center, 8701 W. 32nd St., and at both Active Generations locations, 2300 W. 46th St. and 5500 E. Active Generations Place.

April 10-11: Book sale

What better time to stock up on your summer beach reads? REACH Literacy, 2101 W. 41st St., will host its Spring Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. No need to bring a bag –REACH Literacy will provide a tote bag with your purchase.

April 10: Sioux Purr Cats

The inaugural Sioux Purr Cats, a community celebration dedicated to promote feline welfare and connecting cats with loving homes, will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Sioux Falls Arena, 1201 N. West Ave. There will be education opportunities, interactive play zones with crafts, face painting and games, along with small-business vendors. Plus: kitten yoga! Tickets are available here. Minimum donation is $5 a person with children younger than 7 free.

April 11: 8-second challenge

Got eight seconds to test yourself on a mechanical bull? Pendleton Whiskey and WilLiquors, 3625 W. Avera Drive., are hosting mechanical bull riding for all ages. It will run from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Professional bull rider Derek Kolbaba will be on-site from 3 to 4 p.m.

April 11: Pet ‘pawty’

Dogs will create their own masterpieces on canvas, make paw-print ink art and more at the National Pet Pawty Day celebration, hosted by Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Kirby Dog Park, 201 S. Second Ave. All supplies are pet safe. The event is free.

April 11: Prine tribute

Musician Don McKenna will celebrate the music of the late John Prine at Club Lobo at The Alliance, 1600 W. Russell St. He will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday. There’s no cover charge.