Weekender

08/09/2026

For your consideration: Next year's 'Top Young Artists'

The Sioux City Symphony Youth Orchestra will be playing a concert, side-by-side with adult members of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. See this very special concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Orpheum Theatre, 528 Pierce St. Support some of the area's best musicians at the very beginning of their careers.

08/08/2026

Crunk it up!

We think most people know Lil Jon for hits like "Turn Down for What," for catch phrases like "Yeah!" as well as for living an altogether "crunk" lifestyle. But did you know his dad was an aerospace engineer, and his mom was a medical doctor? Also, did you know that Lil Jon is a dedicated holistic meditator and an avid home renovator (with a past HGTV how-to series to prove it?) By the way, Lil Jon (aka Jonathan H. Smith) is headlining a 7 p.m. Saturday show as part of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Battery Park outdoor concert series.

(Photo provided)

08/07/2026

If you want to know even more events happening around the Sioux City area, the Sioux City Journal's got you covered.

The Sioux City Journal's calendar of events for Aug. 7

08/07/2026

King Ralph

Singer-songwriter Ralph Dittman has come a long way since being named one of the Weekender's "Top Young Artists" in 2024. First of all, he put out a CD (with the help of Tim Armstrong from Rancid) and snagged a spot on Saturday in the Park's Main Stage in 2025. Now, Dittman will be making his Vangarde Arts debut for an 8 p.m. Friday concert, with grunge rockers Baby Doll as an opener.

08/07/2026

On the Dot(son)

Born in Okoboji, Damon Dotson has shared the stage with legends like B.B. King, The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, and John Legend. Now he's bringing his signature blend of soul, rock, and Americana to Friday's Downtown Live concert, in front of the Roth Fountain at Fourth and Virginia Streets. Come at 7 p.m. because the popular local duo of Mandy & Dylan will open the evening with an acoustic set.

08/03/2026

The Sioux City Symphony Youth Orchestra (SCSYO) will be hosting its second annual Junior Summer Strings Camp and fifth annual Summer Strings Camp Aug. 7 - 9.

The highlight of the Camp will be a concert at 3 p.m. Aug. 9 concert at the Orpheum Theatre, 528 Pierce St. The concert will include a side-by-side performance by camp participants along with musicians of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra (SCSO), and will showcase students performing works by Bach, Bobrowitz, Leavitt, Mendelssohn, O’Loughlin, Vargas, and more.

The concert is free and open to the public with a reception to follow in the Orpheum Lobby.

The Junior Summer Strings Camp is led by Michele Grossman and the Summer Strings Camp is led by youth orchestra directors Dr. Bradley Miedema and Kristin Ortmann, with assistance by musicians from the Sioux City Symphony who offer instruction in masterclasses, private lessons, sectionals and rehearsals.

As the SCSO’s flagship education initiative, the youth orchestra training program seeks to motivate and inspire progressing instrumentalists throughout the region in the pursuit of musical excellence. The tuition-free Youth Orchestra and Summer Strings Camp are underwritten thanks to a collection of sponsors and donors who believe wholeheartedly in music education.

08/02/2026

The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Wise I Brewing Company, will host "Let There Be Light," the city's first-ever beer festival dedicated to crushable, flavorful beers and ciders, all with an ABV (alcohol by volume) of less than six percent.

The event -- taking place from noon - 3:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Olson Cultural Events Center, 38 First St. NE -- will bring together more than 25 breweries and cideries from across Iowa. Attendees will enjoy a broad selection of easy-drinking styles including lagers, pilsners, sours, IPAs, stouts, and ciders.

The festival’s unique focus is on lower-alcohol beers that don’t compromise on flavor, character, or craft.

Food trucks will serve food throughout the festival and an After Party will be held at Wise I Brewing Company, 15 Second St. NE, immediately following the festival.

Proceeds from this fundraising event will benefit the Le Mars Rotary Club and the Iowa Brewers Guild.

08/01/2026

Not some ordinary pony show

High Horse -- a progressive acoustic band that blends bluegrass and old-time country -- is made up of G. Rockwell, Carson McHaney, Noah Harrington and Sioux Falls native Karl Henry. The group, along with acclaimed folk singer/fiddler Kat Wallace, will give a 2 p.m. Sunday concert at the Betty Strong Encounter Center, 900 Larsen Park Road. Admission is free, but freewill donations will be accepted. Though High Horse warns it will say "neigh" to either oats or carrots.

07/31/2026

If you want to know about even more events happening around the Sioux City area, the Sioux City Journal's got you covered.

07/31/2026

Sioux City native Michael Widjaja is the founder, artistic director and conductor of the Siouxland Chamber Orchestra -- Sioux City's first-ever professional chamber orchestra -- which is slated to perform its inaugural concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, inside of Immaculate Conception Church, 1212 Morningside Ave.

Native Sioux Cityan to start area's first professional chamber music orchestra