Why This Weekend's Concerts Are A Cultural Gem For Brookings

World Class Sound, Hometown Stage

This weekend, two of the world's most celebrated musical ensembles are bringing the big city experience to Brookings.

In a remarkable back-to-back weekend, the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center at South Dakota State University will host performances that typically grace stages in cities like Boston, Chicago, and New York.

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First up: the legendary DIVA Jazz Orchestra on Friday, February 27, followed by the iconic Boston Pops on Tour on Sunday, March 1.

Swing, Tap, and Shine with DIVA Jazz Orchestra

The DIVA Jazz Orchestra is the best all-female big band in the world. They've been performing together for over 30 years! On Friday, February 27, they're bringing their show "Tappin' Thru Life" to Brookings.

This isn't just a concert—it's a full show! You'll hear amazing jazz music, watch professional tap dancers John and Leo Manzari perform, and listen to talented singers Ann Hampton Callaway and Clint Holmes. The show celebrates the life of Maurice Hines, a legendary performer, and showcases the best of American jazz.

A Galaxy, Far, Far Away

Two days later, on Sunday, March 1, the famous Boston Pops orchestra is coming to Brookings. Led by conductor Keith Lockhart, they'll play music from all the "Star Wars" movies. If you watched all the Star Wars films, it would take almost 20 hours! But you can hear all of John Williams' incredible music in just one night.

The Boston Pops is one of the most famous orchestras in America, and they usually only perform in big cities.

A Million-Dollar Legacy

These performances are investments in the future of music students at SDSU. Made possible through Woodbine Productions and an anonymous donor who launched the series 19 years ago, every ticket sold becomes dollars towards music scholarships at SDSU. To date, the series has raised over $1 million for students.

David Reynolds, who directs SDSU's School of Performing Arts, said, “Bringing ensembles of this caliber to Brookings — and doing so in a way that directly supports our students — is something rarely seen anywhere in the country.”

So, whether you love jazz or "Star Wars," take your pick of one, or both stellar performances just up the road in Brookings.

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown