Sturgis Area Arts Council

April Events

Armchair Travelers Book Club

Armchair Travelers will meet on Thursday, April 4^th, 12:00 noon in the Lushbough Room of the Sturgis Public Library to discuss books on Magic Realism. A list of potential reads has been sent to interested readers, but please holler if you’d like the list and didn’t get it. The librarians generally have books on each month’s topic from their stash displayed near the check-out desk, so stop down at the library if you need a book idea.

Armchair Travelers Book Club is sponsored jointly by the Sturgis Area Arts Council and the Sturgis Public Library. It is open to all interested readers and meets at noon on the first Thursday of each month except in August. Online reporting is also an option if you’re from out of town or can’t get to a discussion.

If you have questions, would like a list of recommendations, or wish to have your name removed from the mailing list, please let me know-dapulscher@gmail.com

April SAAC meeting

The Sturgis Area Arts Council meets the second Thursday of most months (in April that will be the 11^th) in the Lushbough Room of the Sturgis Public Library at 2:30pm. We like to see new faces and hear new ideas, so if you have some thoughts for the group, or you simple want to see what we’re up to, you’re always welcome to join us.

History at High Noon

On Friday, April 19^th, Peg Aplan will be presenting a program on Poker Alice.

History at High Noon presents free community programs on the third Friday of the month (January through May, October and November). We meet at 12:00noon in the community room of the Sturgis Public Library. One and all are welcome to join in and learn more about this place we call home.

We are always looking for ideas. If you would like to tell your family’s history or have something history-based, please contact Richard Moeller (running2win@gmail.com, 605-939-3789), Ross Lamphere (lamphere@rushmore.com, 605-490-3110), or Diana Hayes (605-347-3007).

Auditions for “Urinetown”

The Arts Council producers are primed and ready for auditions for this summer’s community musical, Urinetown. Auditions will be held on Sunday and Monday evenings, April 28-29, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1061 Sherman, Sturgis. Auditions will include reading from the script and singing. No preparation is necessary but be sure to bring a list of dates when you might be absent from a rehearsal. Rehearsals are Monday-Thursday evenings (6:30-8:30 p.m.) beginning May 1st and continuing each week until the week of the performances, June 20-23. Absences need to be minimal to ensure a quality show. The performances are at 7:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, June 20-22 with a matinee on Sunday, June 23, at 2:00 p.m. This hilarious script offers roles for adults of any age plus some great teenage parts for strong singers and actors.

What can be the subject of a play with this interesting title? A terrible water shortage precipitates a mad attempt to regulate water consumption. Corruption ensues when the government outlaws the use of private toilets. So, the citizens must use pay-to-use toilets owned by the corrupt Caldwell B. Cladwell. Anyone who refuses to pay is hauled off to Urinetown – never to be seen again. But it’s really a love story, too! It is a musical! And, oh yes, there is a revolution, too. Will the revolution succeed? Can the youngsters find true love? You will find the answers when you attend this very enjoyable play.

Characters include: Officer Lockstock, Officer Barrel, Penelope Pennywise, Bobby Strong, Little Sally, Caldwell B. Cladwell, Josephine “Ma” Strong, Dr. Billeaux, Mr. McQueen, Senator Fipp, Hope Cladwell, Joseph “Old Man” Cladwell, Tiny Tom, Soupy Sue, Little Becky Two-shoes, Hot Blades Harry, and Ensemble.

We also need set builders, costume sewers and tech folks – if being ON the stage isn’t your thing, but you still want to be involved, please stop in to auditions and let us know you’re interested in a backstage role.

May Events

Armchair Travelers Book Club

Armchair Travelers will meet on Thursday, May 2, at 12;00 noon in the Lushbough room of the Sturgis Public Library to discuss books about mothers, daughters, and/or sisters. A list of suggested titles will be forwarded to interested readers. The librarians usually have a group of the library’s collection near the check-out desk.

Armchair Travelers is an open book club sponsored jointly by the Sturgis Area Arts Council and the Sturgis Public Library. Interested readers meet at noon on the first Thursday of each month except August. Online reporting is also an option if you can’t get to a discussion.

History at High Noon

For our May 17th program, we will be finishing out the 2023-2024 season with Tim Velder doing a program on George Sitts.

June Events

Armchair Travelers Book Club

Armchair Travelers Book Club will meet on Thursday, June 6^th, at 12;00 noon in the Lushbough room of the Sturgis Public Library to discuss books with young people as the main characters. A list of suggested titles will be forwarded to interested readers. The librarians usually have a group of the library’s collection near the check-out desk, so please go ask them if you need inspiration.

“Urinetown”

What can be the subject of a play with this interesting title?? A terrible water shortage precipitates a mad attempt to regulate water consumption. Corruption ensues when the government outlaws the use of private toilets. So, the citizens must use pay-to-use toilets owned by the corrupt Caldwell B. Cladwell. Anyone who refuses to pay is hauled off to Urinetown – never to be seen again. But it’s really a love story, too! It is a musical! And, oh yes, there is a revolution, too. Will the revolution succeed? Can the youngsters find true love? You will find the answers when you attend this very enjoyable play.

Performances will be

Thursday, June 20th at 7:00pm

Friday, June 21st at 7:00pm

Saturday, June 22nd at 7:00 pm

Sunday, June 23rd at 2:00 pm

Performances will be at the Sturgis Community Center Theater, located at 1402 Lazelle Street in Sturgis. Admission is $20 per person at the door (no advance ticket sales). Cash or check only, please – but there is an ATM available in the community center lobby if you need one.

Northern Hills Community Band Concerts

Once again, the Sturgis Area Arts Council, along with First Interstate Bank, is pleased to sponsor the Northern Hills Community Band as they present two summer concerts in Sturgis.

The Northern Hills Community Band, which is made up of volunteer musicians from the Northern Hills area, plays a wide variety of selections ranging from marches to show tunes to patriotic music.

You can check out more about the band at their website; www.northernhillscommunityband.com Here you can see their concert schedule and get information on how to join the band as well as see pictures and help sponsor the band.

Their first concert here in Sturgis will be Sunday, June 23rd, and their second concert will be Sunday, July 21st. Both will be at Sturgis Rally Point (corner of Main and Harley-Davidson Way) and both will start at 7:00pm.

We ask that you please bring your lawn chair (some seating is available, but not enough for all) and relax with an evening of fine music by this talented and well-loved group of area musicians.