Arts

Nick Engbers (lead singer) and Phil Mueller (Drummer) of Sioux Falls alternative band Amos Slade join today's program. The band releases their first full-length CD "Hungry Earth" today. The band plays some of their best tunes and talks about their growth over the last year. They'll perform at next month's 605 Summer Classic at 8th and Railroad Center in Sioux Falls.

Classically trained at Julliard, Tracy Silverman is the world's first concert electric violinist.  He built one of the first-ever six-string violins shortly after graduating in 1980.  Silverman's unique performances demonstrate his "strum bowing" method on both fretted and fretless six-string violins.  He has recorded with a virtual who's who of the new music, jazz and rock world and established a long-standing relationship with Windham Hill Records.

This episode of No Cover, No Minimum Radio stars Tracy Silverman in his April 26, 2013, concert at the Spearfish Arts Center.

Ian Punnett is a 38-year radio veteran, a host of the popular Coast to Coast AM radio program and a deacon in the Episcopal Church.  He is also an author, having penned the new book, "How To Pray When You're Pissed at God...Or Anyone Else For That Matter."  Punnett shared details of a medical condition which has prompted him to decide to leave the air.

Anne Serling joins the program. Daughter of legendary writer and creator of The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling, Anne Serling pays tribute to her dad in her book, "As I Knew Him: My Dad, Rod Serling," which was released on April 30. Serling shares her stories about her famous father who she claims had a great sense of humor.

Jazz guitar legend Lee Ritenour put together a world class band for his 2013 tour that stopped in Sioux Falls on April 5 at the Orpheum Theater.  Ritenour was joined by long-time collaborator and 12-time Grammy Award winner Dave Grusin on piano and keyboards, Melvin Davis on 4, 5, 6 & 7 string bass and Sonny Emery on drums.  Ritenour's concert was the final show in the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society's 2012-13 concert series.

J.D. Ackman, professor and director of theatre at South Dakota State University, talks about the 43rd season of the Prairie Repertory Theatre. Performances of "State Fair," "The Foreigner," "Love, Sex & the IRS," and "A Second Helping: The Church Basement Ladies Sequel" begin June 5. Three of these shows are new for PRT. All four shows are presented in both Brookings and Brandon. Prairie Rep is offering season books through May 15 that offer four shows for the price of three.

Cleveland Johnson, executive director of the National Music Museum in Vermillion, joins the program. The museum has obtained new acquisitions of instruments used by Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, John Entwistle and other rock/country/blues legends. Also, the National Music Museum has just engaged "From the Top," to perform in Vermillion this September during a gala weekend celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Museum.

A renowned filmmaker from New York says people have a lot to learn about one of the most famous stories ever told. Local actors in Sioux Falls showcase The Wizard of Oz this week, and an acclaimed documentary producer says the story’s meaning runs much deeper than a lost little girl and her dog trying to make their way back to Kansas.

Brad and Jennifer Dumke, producers of the documentary, "W.L. Dow, Architect," joins Dakota Midday. Wallace Dow has been referred to as the "Builder on the Prairie" and was considered the premier architect of South Dakota in the late 19th century. "W.L. Dow, Architect" is a documentary about the man who came to Dakota Territory in 1880 and built a number of iconic structures - from the original Minnehaha County Courthouse to Old Main on the University of South Dakota campus. The documentary airs tonight on SDPB-TV at 8:00 p.m. Central.

Kristi Thielen of the Journey Museum and Pat Lien Francis discuss the new exhibit displaying at the Journey Museum. SDPB's Victoria Wicks followed them on a tour of "The Dreaded Washday," a new exhibit at the Journey Museum in Rapid City. The exhibit covers areas like laundry, irons, soap and even soap operas.

Thousands graduate from South Dakota colleges in May, and some of them walk across the stage to receive their diplomas this weekend. Graduates at one state school host an acclaimed author for their commencement. Kathleen Norris writes non-fiction, and she’s published seven books of poetry. 

This week, a freelance writer and poet tours sights on South Dakota State University’s campus. Kathleen Norris prepares for her commencement address. The title is “Refusing to Live on an Island.”