The week ahead: May 30-June 5

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.

May 30: Tornado truth

Will a cow go flying during a tornado? Find out during the event Science on Screen: Twister “Hollywood vs. Reality” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the State Theatre. Todd Heitkamp, the National Weather Service’s meteorologist in charge, will dissect Hollywood’s depictions of tornadoes, revealing the stark disparities between cinematic fantasy and scientific truth. He also will delve into the realities of recent extreme weather events. Purchase your tickets here.

May 31: Music at the Falls

The music is back! Levitt at the Falls will begin its summer season Friday night with Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience — and there will be 49 more free concerts as summer progresses. The music begins at 7 p.m., and there’s another concert Saturday. See the complete schedule here.

June 1: Hit the trail

Join Dakota Adventure Supply, Great Bear Ski Valley and the Great Outdoor Store for National Trails Day at 10 a.m. Saturday to celebrate the trails and recreation areas in this community. Choose your trail at Great Bear, and explore the area with the group or on your own. Those interested can participate in a trail cleanup initiative. Dakota Adventure Supply will offer an exclusive patch to the first 50 individuals to arrive, commemorating their participation and support for trail preservation. Participants are encouraged to bring water, sunscreen, bug spray and comfortable hiking/walking shoes to enhance their hiking experience.

June 1: Pavilion anniversary

The Washington Pavilion will have a silver sparkle Saturday as it celebrates 25 years of entertainment in science, art and theater. You can find a complete schedule of activities here. There’s a lot of free stuff, including admission to the Kirby Science Discovery Center, the Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium and the Visual Arts Center galleries, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The day culminates with a special evening performance from two-time Tony Award-winning actress and singer Sutton Foster.

June 1: Loft tour

The Downtown Sioux Falls Spring Loft Tour 2024 will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Cherapa Place. During the self-guided tour, you can view vacant and occupied lofts that otherwise would not be available to see. Purchase passes the day of the tour by entering Cherapa Place at Eighth or Sixth streets and go to the parking ramp for free parking. You’ll find street musicians and mimosas on Cherapa Plaza or in the The Bancorp Building lobby if the weather is bad. Cost is $5 per individual; children younger than 12 are free. Ticket sales will take place between 11 a.m. and  2 p.m.

June 1: Veg Festival

The third annual South Dakota Veg Fest will share the positive benefits to living a vegetarian/vegan life when it takes place Saturday at The Good Earth Farm, 28318 466th Ave., Lennox. Food vendors will sell sample-sized portions, so you can try as much variety as possible. The farm opens at 1 p.m. with a meet-and-greet with the animals. Events include yoga and classes on sourdough bread, kombucha and make-and-take plants. Find information here.

June 1-2: Renaissance Festival

There’s mead, there’s music, there’s flames, there’s fun! And there’s a lot more at the 23rd annual Siouxland Renaissance Festival on Saturday and Sunday at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. You can find a complete list of activities here.

June 4: Portraits in Courage

South Dakota Voices for Peace will host Portraits in Courage: A Storytelling Event at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the State Theatre. You can purchase your tickets here. The Portraits of Courage documentary series will be previewed, and three community elders will share their stories of discrimination and their journeys toward healing and resilience. A panel discussion will follow.