Moving to Sioux Falls. What should I do?

mattsk42 · #1 07-13-2011, 08:30 PM

I'm from Pierre originally, so I know SD. What I'm wondering is what should I do in SF and specifically (since this IS TalkBASS), what is the music scene like? Any bars/clubs we should go to or avoid?

I'd love to come out to some of your gigs too, so let me know when and where.

mrpackerguy · #2 07-14-2011, 07:04 AM

Prolly just end it all right now.

Actually, I think Sioux Falls just made some list recently of best places to live for its size. I would guess lots of naturey things to do, so I know we'd like it. I think they are strong in health care as well.

jaywa · #3 07-14-2011, 07:11 AM

Matt,

PM me with as many and detailed questions as you would like. I grew up 40 miles from Sioux Falls and have lived here since 1997 and I am also pretty well established in the local music scene. There is more than enough work here for even passably competent bassists as long as you don't mind playing covers and don't plan on doing music full-time for a living. Also I don't know if churches are your thing but there are churches all over town desperate for worship team bassists. Anyway PM me and I'll try to get you up to speed. Good luck with the moving preps.

jaywa · #4 07-14-2011, 07:32 AM

P.S. Awesome pic of the capital in your avatar. We're gonna be out in Pierre twice this summer (Bubba Ray's later this month and Dog Days in August), so anything you can hip me to on that scene in return, would be appreciated.

mattsk42 · #5 07-14-2011, 07:47 AM

Cool, PM is coming!

SteveC · #6 07-14-2011, 07:59 AM

They do a "jazz" festival every year. Must be something happening locally.

jaywa · #7 07-14-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

They do a "jazz" festival every year. Must be something happening locally.

It's happening this very weekend in fact. First acts go on tonight.

jaywa · #8 07-14-2011, 08:09 AM

Matt,

PM received... won't have time to respond till lunchtime, but I will then.

mattsk42 · #9 07-14-2011, 08:15 AM

OK sounds good. On the jazz thing, I'm hoping to get there this weekend to see some of it Saturday. Where at in ND, SteveC ? My parents are from there and I still have most of my extended family there.

jaywa · #10 07-14-2011, 08:35 AM

We're playing in New England, ND this weekend. Doesn't look like there's a whole lot out there...

SteveC · #11 07-14-2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattsk42

OK sounds good. On the jazz thing, I'm hoping to get there this weekend to see some of it Saturday. Where at in ND, SteveC ? My parents are from there and I still have most of my extended family there.

I'm in grand forks. I drove down last year to catch the Yellowjackets. They are awesome of course, and the only real jazz group at the festival. Lots of blues.

jaywa · #12 07-14-2011, 09:07 AM

Yeah Steve I hear you on that. They've gotten pretty far outside the strict Jazz genre for that event... i.e., headliners this year including The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Feat and a zydeco band, none of which are close to jazz... but it's still a great event, especially being free. I also like that they have given Main Stage time to local / regional talent the past couple of years. There's not a lot of cities the size of Sioux Falls where local musicians can even have a shot at playing on a huge stage to 10-20,000 people or more without even leaving town. I'll gladly go out and drop $30-40 on food and beverage for the wife and I to keep something like that going.

Bottom line... It's not an event I spend all weekend at (or even all day... too bloody hot), but I do try to put in an appearance every year especially if any of my musician friends from the area are on stage.

SteveC · #13 07-14-2011, 12:08 PM

Didn't mean to bash it at all, just saying they could cal it something other than a Jazz or Jazz and Blues Festival. maybe the Sioux Falls Outdoor Music Extravaganza.

jaywa · #14 07-14-2011, 12:30 PM

Steve, agreed re the event naming. I've thought the same thing.

The event is put on by the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society, so something like Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Festival would make perfect sense. Also, there are any number of "JazzFests" being held all over the world throughout the year so a re-branding might help avoid some confusion on that front as well. But I'm not a member so I don't think my opinions or suggestions would get real far.