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May 9, 2019

Levitt at the Falls is a little more than a month away from its inaugural concert and has announced a diverse lineup of 30 free shows this season.

The newly constructed Levitt Shell at Falls Park West will host 10 South Dakota, 10 regional and 10 national and international professional artists with a diverse variety of genres and musical styles.

“Everything is coming along beautifully,” said Nancy Halverson, executive director of Levitt at the Falls.

“There’s a little more concrete that needs to be poured, and they will put more grass in, but the building is pretty much done, and people are really getting excited.”

The first show is June 14 and features Grammy-nominated gospel and blues singer Ruthie Foster. The season ends Aug. 10.

The concerts will be at 7 p.m. on select Wednesday through Saturday nights and 5 p.m. Sundays with pre-show opening acts featuring many local performers, food and drink vendors and lawn activities starting one hour before each concert.

There are two food trucks booked per show, and JJ’s Wine, Spirits & Cigars will handle beverage sales.

“We have 17 local trucks we’re working with, and we tried to curate trucks to go with the music,” Halverson said. “The response was terrific.”

The nonprofit Levitt group also will rent chairs and sell nonalcoholic beverages and concession-type snacks to raise funds.

Most of its revenue comes from corporate donations, though. Sanford Health is the presenting season sponsor.

“Sanford Health always believes in investing in the communities that we serve,” said Paul Hanson, Sanford Health Sioux Falls president. “The Levitt project is clearly a quality-of-life initiative that was easy for us to support. We know locals and people from around the region will enjoy this concert series on the edge of our city’s namesake.”

Other key supporters are the city of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department, the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation, Holiday Inn City Centre, KELOLAND Media Group, Lloyd Cos., Midco and Ballard Spahr LLP.

“The dream of bringing Levitt at the Falls to our community began eight years ago,” said Jennifer Kirby, board chair for Levitt in Sioux Falls. “Thanks to the city of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department, Mimi and Mortimer Levitt Foundation, local Levitt board, generous donors and widespread community support, our dream is coming true this summer, one concert at a time.”

With the kickoff June 14 with Ruthie Foster, here’s the rest of the lineup:

Americana Series

Sponsored by CorTrust Bank

July 11: Spooncat!

July 13: Jonathan Byrd & the Pickup Cowboys

July 26: John King

July 28: Burlap Wolf King

Aug. 2: The Way Down Wanderers

Aug. 3: Pistol Whippin Party Penguins

Rock Series

Sponsored by First PREMIER Bank

July 4: Fourth of July with the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame featuring Mogen’s Heroes, the Fabulous Jadesmen and The Pilgrims

July 5: Judd Hoos

July 6: The People Brothers Band

July 12: The Cole Allen Band

Aug. 1: The Twilight Hours

Aug. 10: Kory & the Fireflies

Women of Song Series

Sponsored by Avera

June 20: Sam Miltich & The Clearwater Hot Club

June 21: Davina & the Vagabonds

June 27: Jami Lynn

June 29: Louis York & the Shindellas

Aug. 4: Annie Mack

Aug. 9: Farewell Angelina

World Music Series

Sponsored by MetaBank

June 15: Flor de Toloache

June 22: Rhythm Collective

July 25: Eleanor Dubinsky

July 27: Brulé

Aug. 8: The High Kings

The Family Series

Sponsored by an anonymous donor supporting Therapy Dogs International

June 16: Phil Baker

June 19: Shamarr Allen

June 28: Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience

June 30: Gaelynn Lea

July 14: Jazz Diversity Project

July 18: JAS Quintet

For the full schedule, concert details and artist bios, visit levittsiouxfalls.org.

Next season will increase to 50 free concerts, and Halvorson said her team is already working on booking them.

“The really popular acts are booking out that far,” she said. “If they’re going to be in the Midwest, it’s a lot less expensive to get them, so if you can be flexible and start the conversation early enough you can get in on the routing.”

She estimates the venue will accommodate 3,000 people with chairs, blankets and picnics and about 5,000 standing room only. Seating is first come, first served.

“Everybody’s ticket is the same,” Halvorson said. “It’s free.”