“There’s nothing to do in this stupid town…”

I hear this lament all the time and I have to tell you it is an outright lie! There is plenty to do in this town and as the future Entertainment Editor of the Rapid City Journal it will be my personal mission to change such ideas in the minds of naysayers. (I guess we’ll all see if that makes me slowly go insane.)

This weekend in fact there are tons of things to do. Aside from the all movies available, the outdoor activities that should be dried out soon, the tons of fantastic restaurants in town and the random bar fun to be had, there are also some live performances available for those who are interested.

I’ve picked out a few that I feel are noteworthy and listed the rest for all the naysayers out there.

Crystal’s Friday Night Pick: Red Water Music Festival
Besides the fact that my best friend Dee will be singing there, I gotta tell you I love a festival, whether it’s Christian or not – even if it is a fundraiser. Of course the nice thing about a fundraiser is the tickets are technically free and you can decide how much the performances were worth when they “pass the hat.”
So the Red Water Music Festival will be from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Countryside Community Church, 625 Woodland Drive in Spearfish. It’s north of the holiday inn and convention center. Just use exit 14 and look for signs to find the place.
The festival is indoors and headliners Ayiesha Woods and Jason Grey are set to begin shortly after 7:30 p.m.
Prior to that, local and regional groups including the Countryside Community Church worship band and vocalists from the Faith Temple Church Choir (like Dee Davis) are set to perform.
There will be chuck wagon foodservice, booths, an auction and silent auction. Benefits area Christian organizations including: Vocation for Orphans, the Black Hills Christian Academy and Young Life
This has been a yearly event that featured local talent but this year it has been expanded to include nationally know Christian artists. Besides the silent auction there will also be a live auction for a trip to Cabo San Lucas. And, slthough childcare will not be provided there will be an activity corner for the children.
If you have questions you can call Rick Furnish at (605) 641-2979

Crystal’s Saturday Night Pick: Barefoot Dance Studio’s premiere dance recital
The director of Barefoot Dance Studios, Andrea Muehl, is a brilliant performer herself and I am very excited to see the progress her students are making. It is the first recital for the Barefoot Dance Studio and it’s going to be at a great venue.
I know this is a music blog, not a dance blog, but musicality is a super-important element of dance. Plus there will be one solo dance piece by Terran Elliott featuring live music by Ben LeMay.
Muehl also said that the music for the majority of the pieces in the recital has a “warm guitar theme.” It is also of musical note that modern dance — such as the dance at Barefoot’s recital –approaches the music in very different way than classical dance and ballet.
“We don’t nessecarily stick to the same phrasing as the music does,” Muehl said. “We break the rules of rythem and more juxtapose the movement with the music.”
So get a good dance fix and support the artistic students in Rapid City by going to the Barefoot Dance Studio’s premiere dance recital at 6 p.m. in the Central High School theater. Cost is $10.

Sunday Night Pick: Christian Hip Hop artist Michael Fugitt
Christian Hip hop – now that’s what I call provocative! Michael Fugitt, a hip-hop artist from Sioux Falls will play at 6:30 p.m. the Destiny Foursquare Church at 1001 E. Philadelphia Street in Rapid City. Just a hint – the church is behind the K-Mart.
(If you don’t want to leave town tonight for the Redwater Music Festival, Fugitt is also playing tonight from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Alternative Fuel Coffee House on 620 Main St.)

See, I told you there was something to do in this town! Below is a list of more things to do. Also, the Rapid City Journal posts lists of such events weekly on www.blackhillslive.com. If you know of something to add t the list please e-mail the information to bhj@rapidcityjournal.com. I hope everyone has a fun weekend and finds tons of stuff to do!

Friday, May 30
Redwater Music Festival, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Countryside Community Church, Spearfish. Headliners are Ayiesha Woods and Jason Grey, joined by local and regional groups. Food, booths, auction and silent auction. Benefits area Christian organizations.
Dakota Country Band, 8:30 p.m., Elk Creek Steak House, Piedmont.
Phatt Daddy, 8:30 p.m., Robbinsdale Lounge & Casino, 801 E. St. Patrick St.
Deja Voodoo, Firehouse Brewing Co.
Bill Miller, 8 p.m., Reunion Lounge, 1902 LaCrosse St.
Dueling Pianos, 9 p.m., Saloon No. 10, Deadwood.
Groove Daddy, 7 p.m., Canyon Lake Resort, 2720 Chapel Lane.
Rausis and Royer Jazz Guitar Duo, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Club Room of Seven Grill, Spearfish.
Boom Shine, 8 p.m. to midnight, Oasis-Fireside, 1145 Main St., Sturgis.
Brandon Sterling, 7:30 p.m., CD release concert, The Journey Museum theater. $5.
Walt Keys & Unfinished Business, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Deadwood Tobacco Co., 628 Main St., Deadwood.
Abbey Road Band “Beatles Tribute Show,” 8 p.m., Thirsty’s, 819 Main St.
Renner/Larsen Jazz Duo, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Roma’s Ristorante, Spearfish.
Michael Fugitt, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Alternative Fuel Coffee House, 620 Main St.
Deja Voodoo, Firehouse Brewing Co. patio.
Crash Wagon, 8:30 p.m., Sawtooth Saloon, Piedmont.

Saturday, May 31
Dakota Country Band, 8:30 p.m., Elk Creek Steak House, Piedmont.
Phatt Daddy, 8:30 p.m., Robbinsdale Lounge & Casino, 801 E. St. Patrick St.
Deja Voodoo, Firehouse Brewing Co.
Dueling Pianos, 9 p.m., Saloon No. 10, Deadwood.
Alternative Jones, 9 p.m., Loud American Roadhouse, Sturgis.
Walt Keys & Unfinished Business, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Deadwood Tobacco Co., 628 Main St., Deadwood.
Deja Voodoo, Firehouse Brewing Co. patio.
Crash Wagon, 8:30 p.m., Sawtooth Saloon, Piedmont.
The Easy Sounds Band with Sid Phelps, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. dance, Viking Hall, 2900 Canyon Lake Drive.
Barefoot Dance Studio dance recital, 6 p.m., Central High School theater. Cost is $10.

Sunday, June 1
Dakota Country Band, 6 p.m., Elk Creek Steak House, Piedmont.
Dueling Pianos, 9 p.m., Saloon No. 10, Deadwood.
Brandon Sprague Blues Band, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Deadwood Tobacco Co., 628 Main St., Deadwood.
Dakota Country, 6 p.m., Elk Creek Steakhouse & Lounge, Piedmont.

By Molly Albrecht

Online Editorial Assistant

Those who know me well would say I’m somewhat of a music snob. My iPod is jammed with musicians like Peter Bjorn and John, Sea Wolf, Castanets, Liars, Yeasayer, Great Lake Swimmers, Deer Tick, I Am Kloot and Phosphorescent–music that’s just a bit too obscure to find inside a Wal-Mart. I’ve always turned down my nose at “singers” such as Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson. They’ve never shown enough talent for my taste.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I learned that I actually enjoy one of teen pop sensation Miley Cyrus’ songs.

The first time I heard “See You Again,” I was driving to the gym, a mainstream radio station set as background noise. When Miley’s song started, it immediately caught my attention. I cranked up the dial and couldn’t help but bop my head to its catchy beat. By the time I’d arrived at the gym, I was full-on shimmying in my car.

Admitting that I enjoy a 15-year-old’s pop song isn’t easy for me. In fact, it’s downright embarrassing. But I think that everyone has that one song, or that one musical artist, that they’re a little reluctant to admit they like.

What are yours?

By Ryan Woodard

Nammy (Native American Music Award) winning rapper Night Shield and a slew of other hip hop artists will be congregating at Teddy’s Sports Bar and Grill Friday night for the 2008 Hip Hop Jam. The event is scheduled for 8 p.m. until midnight. Go to Night Shield’s page at the above link for a full list of performers.

Anybody going? I think I’m going to check out Night Shield’s performance and maybe a few of the others. If you haven’t listened to any of Night Shield’s music, I suggest doing so. He’s good.

By Eric Lochridge

The rumors have been swirling for a week or two, and we’ve finally received confirmation that Kiss will be performing at Glencoe Nation’s Rock’n the Rally on Aug. 4, the first official day of the Sturgis motorcycle rally.

The band is currently touring Europe in its trademark makeup and costumes, with Tommy Thayer taking the place of founding member Ace Frehley, who re-left the band a few years ago and performed in Rapid City in March.

Tickets are available at www.startickets.com or 1-800–345-9213.

By Eric Lochridge

OK, summer vacation season is coming up quick. What’s on your iPod when you have to hit the road?