The week ahead: June 25-July 1

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.

June 25: Zoofari

The Great Plains Zoo will offer an adults-only, after-hours expedition from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The event will include live music, global cuisine and desserts by Vespa Catering, up-close animal encounters, giraffe and farm animal feedings, butterfly exhibits, the touching of horseshoe crabs and vet clinic tours. Proceeds benefit the zoo and aquarium’s education programs and animal care. Tickets are available here. 

June 25: OneBook author

Matthew Davis, author of “A Biography of a Mountain,” will have a conversation at a One Book South Dakota event from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mosaic Arts & Events, 500 N. Main Ave. In addition to the author presentation and community discussion, cultural programming will celebrate the traditions and stories of South Dakota communities with local food, storytelling, art and presentations. The event is free.

June 27: NextGen Market

Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation will host a NextGen Market for young creators and entrepreneurs. Nonedible creations such as crafts, artwork, jewelry, clothing, woodwork and other handmade goods will be sold to the public. The event will run from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Jacobson Plaza Skate Ribbon, 810 N. Phillips Ave. The deadline to sign up to be a vendor is noon Friday. You can register here.

June 27: Nature’s Game Show

Good Earth State Park at Blood Run, 26924 480th Ave., will offer game-show fun at 2 p.m. Saturday. Teams will play games inspired by TV game shows all about nature and South Dakota history. The program is geared at participants 8 and older — and there will be prizes.

Becky Hruby photo

June 27-28: Rock the Country

Rock the Country: Celebrating 250 Years of Independence will perform Saturday and Sunday at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. Headliners include Kid Rock, Treaty Oak Revival, Chris Janson and Uncle Kracker. For a complete lineup and ticket information, click here.

July 1-3, 5, 9-12

A nine-member cast from the Bare Bodkins Theatre Company will present Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar” over eight nights at the Queen Bee Mill at Falls Park. Admission is free. The performances will begin at 7 p.m.

Upcoming: July 14

Send Sioux Falls artist Alex Lunstra a photo of your pet, and Lunstra will draw up a picture, transfer it to a canvas and bring the necessary supplies so you can paint an 8×10 portrait. The class runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 14, but Lunstra needs the photos by July 2. The class takes place at Mosaic Arts & Events, 500 N. Main Ave. The $60 fee includes a complementary beverage; a debit/credit card-only bar also will be available. Tickets are available here. Send your photo to [email protected].