Comedy and politics reign this week, with a Gloria Estefan soundtrack

SIOUX FALLS — We’ve been doing weekly event previews at SiouxFallsLive.com for more than a month now, and we’re proud to say that our lists have something for everyone. Seriously, if you can’t find something you enjoy in this list, you might as well hibernate for the winter.

This week is no different, with a slate of events for those who like to dance, something for those who like a laugh and a college basketball showdown between the Jacks and Coyotes, which is always a good time.

So here we go. Here’s what you need to know and things to do from Jan. 10 to 15:

The “rhythm is going to get you” at a handful of toe-tapping events in Sioux Falls this week.

The musical “On Your Feet” tells the true story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan through some of their most well-known songs.

“On Your Feet” will be performed three times at the Washington Pavilion: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. Tickets are $27 to $111 and can be purchased on the Washington Pavilion website .

The New York Times in 2015 said the musical “offers a music-business bio-drama laced with hurdles, and a score stuffed with familiar songs.”

• The El Riad Shrine hosts a Winter Wonderland Dance from 6:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, with a variety of music such as swing, ballroom, Latin, tango, polka and more. The event begins with a lesson followed by dancing until 10:30. Business casual or “dressy” attire is suggested. Cost is $14 per person or $7 with a student ID.
• In addition, learn Irish social dances during the Ceili Dance event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at the Old Courthouse Museum. The Rowena Ceili Band will perform. Beginners are welcome at this free event, and dances will be taught to live music while the moves are being called out.

• Who is the best comic in Sioux Falls? See 12 contenders and vote for your favorite during Boss’ Comedy Club’s Funniest Comic 2022 event at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online. Comics featured are Ian Reiland-Smith, Jerry Irby, Aleda Windels, Andrew Koerner, Logan Hartnett, Tim Jastram, Zach Dresch, Chris Freier and TR Risk.
• Golf and comedy go together great, as “Caddyshack,” “Billy Madison” and your terrible putting game can attest. Great Shots hosts a comedy night with national touring comedian Brendan Gay at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12. Local comedian Zach Dresch will also be featured. Gay was a finalist in TruTV’s Comedy Breakout Initiative at The New York Television Festival and has participated in several other comedy festivals. He brings a “keen perspective on minority culture (and) growing up as a millennial,” according to his bio. Doors open at 7 p.m. and there is a one-item minimum. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased on EventBrite.

For comedy of a different kind, look to Pierre for the start of the 2023 legislative session.

Gov. Kristi Noem will kick off her second term and the session with her State of the State address at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 10. The address will be broadcast online at SDPB.org or on television on SDPB.

Addresses on the State of the Judiciary and State of the Tribes will follow on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

The storylines of the 2023 session are still to be written, but expect some spirited debate on the sales tax issue after Noem made cutting taxes on groceries a central part of her re-election campaign.

Almost 100 bills have already been pre-filed, including authorizing the DOC to construct a new prison facility in Rapid City, funding scholarships for those entering the behavioral health field, modifying debilitating medical conditions for medical cannabis use and replacing the emergency alert system.

If you have kids, the holiday break (and the extra two days off of school because of snow) likely led to some cabin fever. And now public-school kids in Sioux Falls have Friday, Jan. 13, off as well.

Quick, find something for them to do!

The Washington Pavilion is hosting a No School STEAM Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday where kids will learn about science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) in a supervised setting. Parents can sign their kids in and leave as the students explore the Kirby Science Center, watch a film in the CineDome, get a tour of the Visual Arts Center, participate in an art lab and conduct hands-on activities. The cost is $30 (plus fees) for kids K-5, and registration can be purchased at the Washington Pavilion website.

The event’s website says “your child will have a productive, educational and fun time off from school in an exciting, engaging environment.”

Not mentioned: You also get the day off from them.

Coyotes-Jackrabbits face off for first time this season

Mirror scheduling sure is fun, isn’t it? The South Dakota State Jackrabbits and South Dakota Coyotes women’s and men’s basketball teams play against each other for the first time this season on Saturday, Jan. 14, but you’ll need to pick one to watch — or drive if you want to see both.

The Summit League mirror scheduling means that the Jackrabbits host the women’s game at 1 p.m. and the Coyotes host the men’s game at 6 p.m. We miss the old days when you could watch both games back-to-back. Get off my lawn and all that.

Anyway, if you can make it work, stop at Frost Arena as the Jackrabbits, the top team in the Summit League, play the No. 2 Coyotes in a likely preview of the Summit League championship game this March. The men’s field is more wide-open, but that won’t make Saturday’s rivalry game any less interesting. If you make it to both, we salute you.

On the Heritage Court

The Sanford Pentagon hosts major college basketball games, area colleges and the Sioux Falls Skyforce throughout the year at its renowned Heritage Court. It’s one of the best basketball courts in the country, so anytime high school kids can get a chance to play on it is extra special.

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Sioux Valley and Hamlin girls and boys teams get the court for the day during a Throwback Classic matchup, as JV teams and the varsity teams will play from 3:30 until 9 p.m. The No. 1 Class A Hamlin Charger girls play the Sioux Valley Cossacks at 6 p.m., while the No. 2 Cossack boys play the Chargers at 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for kids.

In minor league action, the Sioux Falls Stampede host the Fargo Force at 7:05 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, and the Omaha Lancers at 6:05 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. Saturday’s game is “Hockey Day South Dakota Night” and features several youth and high school games prior to the Stampede taking the ice at the Premier Center. The Sioux Falls Skyforce host Raptors 905 at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, in the NBA G League.