It’s that time of year again. Time for new book bags, back to school clothes, binders, and…bulldozers?? Yes, the 2010 school year beginning on Monday, August 30th will present some new challenges for the 2,000-plus students attending Rapid City’s Central High School.

Due to a much needed school-expansion project, students and staff will have to deal with reduced parking and crawling two-lane traffic on Eighth Street. Roughly 50% of Central High School’s students drive themselves to school, meaning that there will be a severe shortage of parking in the school’s own lot.

Fortunately, we at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center are happy to step in and be a good neighbor. After meeting with school officials, we have given the ok for Central students to utilize 550 spaces in our two northern parking lots, Lots A and B. There is a pedestrian cross walk so that students will be able to safely make their way across the street, as well as school security officers directing traffic from 7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Since the majority of our events take place during the evenings and weekends, there should be very little conflict between student parking and parking for events in our building.

Principal Mike Talley has asked that drivers avoid using Eighth Street during the hour before and after school. Traffic will be slow moving and congested during these times, so if we can all do a small favor by taking a different route during these hectic hours traffic should flow much more smoothly and safely.

Between Advanced Calculus and trying to decipher the symbolism of Hamlet, Central students will face enough challenges during their school year. That’s why we are happy to do a favor and open our lots to them. Let’s all do our part in reducing traffic congestion and safety hazards during this time. These students are the future of Rapid City – We need to make sure they get out of school with enough time left to start on their homework!

Lacking the time, money, or motivation to make the long journey to NYC to take in your favorite Broadway Play? No worries! Four spectacular performances are traveling all the way to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

The 2010-2011 Broadway Play Series will feature an outstanding lineup: Grease, A Chorus Line, Wizard of Oz, and Spamalot will take the stage beginning in November. Show tickets may be purchased individually, or as a Series Subscription which includes all four performances.

Grease, November 19-20, was Time Magazine’s 2007 pick for “#1 Musical of the Year.” The 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey delves into the subculture of 1950’s working class youth known as “greasers.” Set at Rydell High School amidst poodle skirts, drive-ins and cars, the play follows bad boy Danny Zuko, girl next door Sandy Dumbrowski, and their fellow greasers as they croon their way through the challenges of high school life and young love.

Based on a book authored by James Kirkwood, A Chorus Line will take the stage December 11-12. The play features nineteen characters, Broadway dancers who are auditioning for coveted spots on a chorus line. The show offers a glimpse into the personalities of the dancers and choreographer, as well as the events that have led them to pursue a career in dance. With nine Tony Awards and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama to its name, A Chorus Line is a must see.

Step into the magical world of Oz February 11-12 when the Wizard of Oz dazzles with Dorothy, Toto and her companions. Based on the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, the play follows Dorothy as she journeys from Kansas to the Land of Oz. Come along on the adventure as she makes a group of unique new friends, faces the Wicked Witch, and discovers that sometimes, there’s nothing quite like home.

March 15-16 Monty Python’s Spamalot will take us back to medieval England, jesting all the way. The musical comedy, which won three Tony Awards in its original 2005 season, offers not only a parody of the Arthurian Legend, but also of Broadway theatre. Spamalot follows King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail, and maybe a pit stop at a Vegas-style Excalibur, complete with showgirls and oversized dice. If you’re looking for an evening of side-splitting entertainment, Spamalot will undoubtedly do the trick.

All of our favorites, from Danny Zuko to King Arthur to Dorothy will be right here. Don’t pass up the opportunity to experience Broadway in your own hometown. Visit gotmine.com for further ticket information and reserve your seats today!

In a time when consumers are bombarded with violent song lyrics, suggestive dance moves, and pop stars that coast by on bare minimum talent, it’s rare to discover the contrary. Yet that’s exactly what Celtic Woman brings to their hauntingly beautiful stage. The four-woman ensemble offers a dazzling showcase of spectacular ability, grace, and true passion for Celtic culture.

Celtic Woman, a show assembled by Sharon Browne and former Riverdance musical director David Downes, is a flawlessly executed treat for anyone who appreciates a class act. The ensemble’s music is an intriguing amalgamation of melodic styles, ranging from classical, modern, pop, and folk. While their presentation incorporates the theatrical, the show defiantly refuses to fall back on smoke and mirrors. Instead, we are presented with a performance which hinges on the astounding talent of four women who stand front and center to share their gifts with an enraptured audience.

It is this talent which sets Celtic Woman apart from other female ensembles. Every member experienced a strong solo career before becoming a part of the group. When the women perform together, each distinct musical background blends with the next to produce an evocative and beautiful tale of Celtic culture. However, the women have been encouraged to retain their unique individuality, allowing each to shine in her own right.

There is the sprightly Mairead, a woman who conjures up memories of Tinkerbell and plays the fiddle with an unbridled passion. There is Lisa Kelly, a vocalist with a background heavily steeped in musical theatre, as well as classical piano. Youngest is Chloe Agnew, a twenty-one-year-old sensation who made her stage debut at four weeks old and studies piano, guitar, and the recorder. The group is completed with Lynn Hilary, a classically trained soprano and former lead vocalist for Riverdance. There is no shortage of talent when it comes to Celtic Woman.

And audiences have undoubtedly recognized this talent, as apparent in record sales. “Songs from the Heart” debuted at #9 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts, making the album their second top 10 sensation. The album was the group’s fifth release to debut at #1 on the Billboard World Music Chart, firmly cementing Celtic Woman as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.

Yet despite their success, the ensemble shares a down to earth attitude towards their phenomenon. As Chloe remarked, “I played Carnegie Hall in New York one week with ‘Celtic Woman’ and the following week I was back at school on lunch duty, cleaning off tables and mopping the floor. But that’s life.” Perhaps that’s part of Celtic Woman’s appeal – Their ability to deliver a refreshingly genuine performance, while still reminding you of one of your best girl friends from high school.

So join us at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center on Saturday, August 21st at 8:00 p.m. to discover the true talent, beauty, and class that is Celtic Woman!

Someone once said that “Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.”

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame’s ever-growing collection of motorcycles embodies that soul: The soul of a motorcyclist, each a unique specimen with its own distinctive story to tell. The Museum understands that motorcycles are more than shiny chrome and custom paint jobs. Motorcycles are a way of life; a freedom like nothing else that’s felt on a long, open stretch of hot asphalt.

And it’s the soul of six incredible men and women that will be honored on August 11, 2010 in the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. These individuals will be recognized for the positive impact they have had on a way of life that not only offers a serious adrenaline rush, but that also emphasizes living each day to the fullest and keeping loved ones closer than any bike.

The Inductees have tirelessly supported fellow riders, founded websites and organizations, volunteered their time and kept the history of motorcycling alive and accessible. They are passionate about motorcycles, but more than anything they are passionate about devoting their time to help others. They teach safe riding courses, organize rides to raise money for charity, and share their knowledge with others just as enthusiastic as they are. At the end of the day, they are exceptional individuals whose mutual love of motorcycles and serving their community has brought them together to become a part of the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame is only one aspect of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. The museum is also home to more than seventy motorcycles, dating from the 1900’s to the 1990’s. The facility got its start in an old church building on June 1, 2001. After a remarkably successful first year, the museum packed up and moved into the old Post Office building on the corner of Main Street and Junction Avenue, where it has been located ever since. Open seven days a week, the museum also opened a lower level in August of 2003, and continues to expand its impressive collection. Admission is $5, with discounts for seniors and children.

If two wheels move the soul, the six individuals being honored have truly put some miles on those two wheels. The passion they have shown towards motorcycling goes beyond their own personal interests; it drives them to make a difference in the motorcycle community as a whole.

So come and join us as we honor the Inductees, August 11, 2010, 9:00 a.m. in the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center for the Induction Breakfast. Individual tickets may be purchased for a $35 donation, or tables of eight for $300. Tickets can be purchased through the Museum, 605.347.2001, or online at www.sturgismuseum.com/cart/.

Alright, guys and gals. We need your input.

Unless you’ve been living under a large, shadowy rock for the last several years, you know that social media has taken a firm grasp on our lives, completely restructuring the way we communicate. A majority of this renovation has occurred within the last five years: Five years ago You Tube was just getting its start, and MySpace was the most prevalent social network. As for that other little site called Facebook? Facebook was still toddling around on its baby legs, restricted to a network of college students searching for attractive coeds in the dorm.

Since then, social media has exploded. Facebook is no longer a site limited to twenty-something’s working towards a degree. We can now share photos, links, and wall posts with anyone who has a valid e-mail address. If we want to watch a video of just about anything, we head to YouTube. A whole new mass of social media has emerged as well. Wondering what Lindsay Lohan ate for breakfast this morning? Follow her on Twitter and receive live updates.

We have always strived to become a part of the newest social media outlet. If you’re reading this, you know that we post weekly blogs, keeping you informed about current events and news. Our Facebook and Twitter pages are updated daily and provide a tremendous outlet for sharing your comments and opinions. (And don’t be shy! We love to hear your thoughts!)

Now, social media has taken yet another step forward: Foursquare. Sure, it’s fun to post a status update on Facebook or Twitter about how you’re out for the evening. But what if you could actually earn points and receive special deals for hanging out at your favorite restaurant, bar, or event center? Foursquare works with your mobile device, allowing you to “check in” to a location and unlock special deals, simply because you’re out having a good time. It’s a new way for friends to remain updated on your location, so they can come and join the party.

So, the question is this: Since we all know that the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center is truly the center of everything from concerts to Broadway plays to hockey games,

Is Foursquare a social media outlet that you would use in connection with the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center? Do you currently use Foursquare? Which social media outlet do you prefer?

We can’t wait to hear your feedback – Just click on the link below this post titled “Comment” and share your thoughts. After all, we want social media to work for you, our fans and loyal supporters. So let us know what we can do to make your experience as interactive as possible!

Eric Church has seen his share of highs and lows.

Doesn’t that seem to be a recurring theme when we think of our grandparent’s “country music”? For a great deal of today’s generation, the term conjures up unpleasant thoughts of twanging steel guitars and lyrics lamenting lonely nights and cheatin’ hearts.

That’s what sets Church apart, though. The controversial and fiercely independent musician/songwriter has continuously blurred the line between country and rock, with a young and vivacious fan base supporting him along the way. There is a gritty, authentic feel to each of his songs and even more so to his live performance, which is the result of an artist who refuses to sing about topics that aren’t true on a personal level.

And Church certainly does have a wealth of personal experience to draw from. Growing up in the small town of Granite Falls, North Carolina, he quickly recognized his love of music, and began writing songs at 13.

It was at a bar in the mountains of North Carolina where he truly found his calling, though. As he watched the band on stage, their melody weaving its way amongst the crowd, he realized that he could play those songs just as well. Church formed the Mountain Boys, and within a year he was incorporating original songs into the band’s set list. After college Church headed to Nashville, determined to make a name for himself.

Although he found some initial success, Church’s story is not one of overnight celebrity. His debut single, “How ‘Bout You” struggled on the music charts. He was booted from the Rascal Flatts tour after failing to comply with an assigned set length, and subsequently left those large arenas to play small rock clubs.

Crazy as it may have seemed, the decision turned out to be a wise one. It was in those rock clubs that Church began to see a loyal fan base develop, one comprised of young men who tattooed his lyrics on their bodies and packed the front rows of each show.

Church has now established a more loyal fan base than ever, and has plans to tour with fellow country star Miranda Lambert this fall. His ability to open himself to an audience has made him one of the most relatable young musicians around, with incredible range and depth.

We all experience our own highs and lows. What Church does is deliver an energetic show that takes an honest look at those times and gives us something we can reach out and connect with. Because at the end of the day, we’re all human; Eric Church has simply found a way to bring us together.

So come and join Eric Church live in concert on Saturday, July 24th and be a part of the experience!

Information from billboard.com; “Big Country: A Look At Three Artists,” and ericchurch.com.

Imagine a night out at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center: You’ve been anxiously waiting to see one of your favorite artists for months (Carrie Underwood, anyone?) in person and amidst a throng of other fans just as thrilled as you are. What’s on your mind? Making sure you haven’t forgotten your tickets on the kitchen counter, arriving on time, and the general excitement of the event are all running through your head.

On our end, though, there are countless responsibilities and tasks being executed behind-the-scenes, all of which are essential to ensure that an event is a success. One of our primary concerns is the safety of the public and of the staff who work each event that takes place in our facility. When security is a top priority and functioning at the highest level, the experience is one of enhanced enjoyment and safety for everyone.

While we’ve always made safety a top priority, we felt that there were even further steps we could take to bring our security measures to the next level. This goal has been a long time in the works, and we are tremendously excited to finally see it being completed this summer.

The undertaking includes sixty-plus cameras installed throughout the Civic Center, including the outside of our building and the parking lot. There will be cameras installed near entrances, food and alcohol vending areas, and hallways. The IP network cameras will have High Definition and megapixel resolution capabilities, as well as substantial storage capacity. Our building will also be transitioning to a keyless access system which eliminates the need for physical keys. This reduces the risk of a key falling into the wrong hands, and will provide a record of exactly who has entered the facility.

So what does all of this mean to the public attending concerts, comedy shows, and hockey games?

It means a little more peace of mind while you are enjoying whatever event brings you in, and for those of us taking every possible step to keep our building a safe and pleasant one. The heightened security measures being implemented give our facility increased credibility and professionalism, and we are excited to see the positive results from their presence.

So feel free to sit back, enjoy the show, and let us take care of the rest.

Summer is here and as the sun comes streaming in our windows, we begin to look back over the last year to see what worked, what didn’t, what you liked and what you’d like to see changed. This is our 34th season and while there are always updates to make; old fixtures that need our attention and care, new items that need to be adjusted or changed – this year our plans include a few particularly fun projects. This is the time of year when we throw ourselves fully into these efforts, looking back over he past year and finding ways to improve our building and our services.

For us, the summer has begun with furious note-taking and compiling sessions, project organization and coordination, and research into how the events and happenings of the last year could be improved.

Of course, some of the changes have been a long time coming. A very long time.

The furniture and décor in our star dressing rooms had been around since the early 1980’s. The seating in the theater was not much better off and the ladies bathrooms always had a really, really long line.

When the Ice Arena went in, we decided it was time to finish updating some other areas of the building. The white, floral print couches and fake wood tables with fake gold trim that were in the green room have been replaced with rich, deep colors on the walls, modern sinks and leather covered benches. Plastic plants and lamps from 1982 were let go and softer, more environmentally friendly lighting went in along with interesting art that matches the theme of each room. We added ADA seats in the theater, as you may have heard already, and extra space for the ladies restrooms to help deal with the lines. We’ve also begun re-structuring and re-roofing LaCroix Hall.

Booking has begun for next year and we already have exciting events and concerts planned for 2011. The Broadway Play series promises a brilliant year of music and dance with upcoming shows like Grease and The Wizard of Oz. Our Rapid City Rush will be at it again and we are proud to host their home games here in our Ice Arena.

Through the coming months you will see us bustling about, preparing our space for the next great season. Stay tuned to the blog for continued updates and information on the progress we’re making and the projects we have in mind.

The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center is always full of life; comings and goings, music and art, festivals and celebrations. Every year about this time, we are not just filled with life, we are filled with hopes and dreams, promise and new adventure… we are filled with High School Graduates.

This time of year may just be our most proud; we watch the children of our community break free and re-define themselves as young adults. We watch them enter our doors throughout their lives and gain experiences and education through music, arts, community and sporting events and other Rushmore Plaza Civic Center happenings. Now we watch them enter with a new light in their eyes, a sense of purpose and freedom on their faces and pride in their hearts.

Many will go off to college and come back to this area to start businesses, build homes and families and bring another generation to life in Rapid City. Many will go forth from here to make powerful and lasting impressions on our country and our world. Some will stay here and become the generation upon whose backs, the future of our community rests. Some will leave, and we will only see them again on holidays and for high school reunions or weddings. These will be missed, but are sent forth with the understanding that we gave them a great education and an ideal place to grow up; full of diversity and yet with a solid connection to the wildness of the Black Hills. We have sent them forth with the understanding that what they dream, they can achieve and they know what hard work can do. These young people may be needed in other parts of our world, because they have had the unique experiences and education the Black Hills of South Dakota can offer. It is in that knowledge that we can find peace, even in their departure.

These satin-robe clad young achievers grace our halls in the coming weeks with hearts pounding and heads held high. The have come because they have achieved. The journey upon which they are about to embark may be the very greatest of their lives for they will understand themselves in a whole new way. They will find purpose and meaning, struggle and reward, sorrow and joy. They will create lives for themselves and we will stand by, just as their supportive parents do with pride and hope for them to find that which truly makes them happy.

In the coming days we will let go of a generation, we will throw our arms around them in one last embrace of support and encouragement, and send them on their way to the wide world outside. Chances are they will be back again, to swim in our lakes, have dinner in our restaurants, and bring their children to our parks. They will always carry with them a deep appreciation and respect for their roots and we will always be here, ready to welcome them home.

These bright spirits are our futures, and they leave our stage with diploma in hand and a new flame in their hearts. We will watch as they toss their caps in the air and leave our building – some for the last time – on a journey none can guess.

We are honored to host their celebration here, and give their families a chance to see them revel in their glory. We are proud to see their faces painted with pride. We watch them leave with great dreams for their lives in our hearts. This time, we will watch them go with just a tinge of sadness, and a whole lot of hope.

Every year about this time we say goodbye to a class of our community’s finest young people. And every year we say hello to the future of Rapid City. Congratulations graduates! We are so proud.

May has arrived and summer is knocking at our door. This is the time the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center staff look back and reflect on our busy winter months and the great successes we have made and the exciting events we have coming.
The 2009-2010 season gave us yet another successful Broadway Play Series, a Central Hockey League Championship, a Nationally televised Olympic Skating performance, the King of Comedy, a show that sold out in 38 minutes, 3 High School State tournament events, and numerous other events.

As we take just a few seconds to pause and enjoy the successful season, we quickly change focus to make the 2010-2011 season even better. There are a couple concerts playing in the next month – Skillet and Korn will light up the stages and provide some great entertainment, Graduations will bring in over 10,000 people in one day to the “Center of It All” and see almost 1,000 Rapid City youth close one chapter and begin another. Hills Alive will keep us hopping in July as they celebrate their 25th Anniversary. The Broadway Play Series will feature “A Chorus Line”, “Grease”, “The Wizard of Oz” and “Spamalot”. Carrie Underwood will perform in front of a sold out crowd in December. All of that plus Tradeshows, Auctions, Luncheons, Conferences, and Meetings remind us that though we can look back and reflect on our successes, we need to always look forward and keep the Civic Center at the Center of It All!