Anderson Plaza Summer Performance Series wraps up with smooth jazz

Tuesday, July 30, marks the last concert of the South Dakota Art Museum 2024 Anderson Plaza Summer Performance Series. 

Everyone is invited to hear Gene McGowan and Friends performing straight-ahead jazz on Anderson Plaza behind the South Dakota Art Museum, from 6-7:30 p.m. In case of rain, the concert moves inside to the museum’s auditorium. 

The concert is free. The South Dakota Art Museum is also free and open daily, with extended hours during the concert. A cash bar and snacks will be available, as well as free shaved ice snow cones from Aloha Shave Ice. 

The Anderson Plaza Summer Performance Series, now in its third year, is part of the museum’s mission to inspire creativity, connect people and enrich lives through art. 

“We love seeing people of all ages enjoying picnics, cool drinks and yard games together as music fills Anderson Plaza and the South Dakota State University Campus Green,” South Dakota Art Museum Director Donna Merkt said. “It’s about bringing people together to have fun, create memories and enjoy community.” 

Tuesday’s concert features Sioux Falls musician Gene McGowan playing jazz standards from The Great American Songbook with Ralph Olsen, Greg Olsen and Brookings’ own Jim McKinney and Jon Bakken. 

Bakken noted that he and his family have been enjoying the Anderson Plaza concerts since the first season in 2022. 

“We really look forward to this each week,” Bakken said. “The music is always fun and engaging. The concerts start early so the kids can come and have a good time, especially with the yard games. And we always bump into good friends and meet new ones. The Anderson Plaza Summer Performance Series rules!” 

Abigail Ramsbottom is the museum’s curator of education and outreach and leads the planning and execution of the seven-night performance series. 

“The variety of musical genres this season — from the 147th Army Band’s brass ensemble to Alma Andina’s cumbia rhythms and traditional dances, to bluegrass and jazz — has been exciting for our community,” Ramsbottom said. 

Merkt added, “We really appreciate Lynn and Diane Anderson for making this possible, together with museum members whose gifts support our exhibitions, education and outreach programs. I have also enjoyed the colorful lips thanks to free Aloha Shave Ice sponsored by Patricia and David Meyer. And we are always grateful to South Dakota State University for support for the museum as a unit of the university and to the South Dakota Arts Council.” 

The South Dakota Art Museum is located on the SDSU campus at 1036 Medary Ave. Free parking is available without permits after 4 p.m. in the university parking lots south and west of the museum. Parking in the museum’s visitor lot west of the museum is also free. For more information, call 605-688-5423 or visit the museum's website.