The week ahead: Aug. 17-23

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.

Aug. 18: Vinyl release

East Bank Art Gallery, 401 E. Eighth St., will host a vinyl album release reception for Jeff Thomson at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Thomson and his son, Dylan, will play live music from the album “Sugarland Avenue,” which can be purchased that evening at the gallery. Jeff Thomson wrote the songs on the album, plays guitar and sings. Dylan Thomson plays bass guitar.

Aug. 18: Melons and music

Join the Brandon Valley Lynx Marching Band for a preview of this year’s performance, “Solstice!,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the BVHS Stadium. Admission is free, as is the watermelon being served.

Aug. 18-19: Art Collective

The Art Collective, one of the largest gatherings of local artists in the Sioux Falls area, has been going on for more than a decade. This year’s gathering will run from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Visual Arts Center’s Everist Gallery at the Washington Pavilion. The show will feature local artists of all ages and is free. There will be a full bar for cocktails with a $1 raffle for pieces from the artists.

Aug. 19: Bugapalooza

The Butterfly House & Aquarium, 4320 S. Oxbow Ave., will host Bugapalooza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to celebrate the “little guys” that play a big role in the ecosystem. Explore interactive activities with local partners, learn insect facts and get an up-close look at these small but mighty creatures. Bugapalooza takes place outside on the lawn and is free.

Aug. 19: Downtown Riverfest

The 10th annual Downtown Riverfest presented by The Bancorp is a party on the Big Sioux River with live music, various activities, food vendors, display vendors, cold beverages and more. Rich Show & the Airports will perform from 5:30 to 7 p.m. followed by Spooncat from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and Kory and the Fireflies from 9:30 to 11 p.m. For a complete list of vendors, click here.

Aug. 22: Boulevard gardening

Tired of mowing the weedy grass — or grassy weeds — in your boulevard? You can fill them with flowers or vegetables instead. Learn more at a class on boulevard gardening with Cami Jacobsen, South Dakota State University Extension Master Gardener, at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum. Register here.