Category Archives:Sports

lisa lampanelli
Apr. 04.

Comedy, Kids, and an Archery Competition

By GotMine | Posted in Civic Center News, Comedy, Community Events, Sports |
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This weekend, the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center will host events that couldn’t be more different, yet they’ll each draw equally enthusiastic crowds. Come out and support whatever event speaks to you, from kids to comedy to a sports tournament!

Comedy’s Lovable Queen of Mean – Lisa Lampanelli

Love her, hate her, or love to hate her, you can’t deny Lampanelli’s quick wit and ability to give a dang good roast. If you’re ready for a raunchy good time, you won’t want to miss legendary comedian Lisa Lampanelli in the flesh. She’s bringing her “Queen of Mean” routine to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Theatre on Saturday, April 6th, 8:00pm.

Known as an “equal opportunity offender,” Lampanelli has become a regular on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and Howard Stern’s Sirius satellite radio shows, as well as appearances on “Late Show with David Letterman,” “Chelsea Lately,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and “Good Morning America.” In 2009, she joined the ranks of comic greats with the premier of her first ever one-hour HBO comedy special, “Long Live the Queen,” which was received with fantastic ratings. However, it’s her numerous Comedy Central and Friars Club roasts that have gained Lampanelli the most notoriety. She has roasted personalities including Jeff Foxworthy, Pamela Anderson, David Hasselhoff, Betty White, Donald Trump and Flavor Flav to name a few.

Fans can expect this same caliber of offensive fun during Saturday night’s event. After all, it wouldn’t be Lampanelli if it wasn’t a little nasty, right? Get in on the jokes and be sure to purchase your ticket to see Lampanelli in person, Saturday, April 6th, 8:00pm. Mature audiences only!

YFS Kids’ Fair

It’s a fabulous weekend to be a kid! Youth & Family Services Kids’ Fair celebrates children and their families in an annual event that provides entertainment for all. This signature YFS weekend draws nearly 11,000 attendees every spring to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. For the 18th year, YFS Kids’ Fair will feature new attractions mixed with old favorites such as hands-on activities, inflatables, mini-train rides, and live entertainment. If you’re a kid or just a kid at heart, you’ve got to make your way to the Civic Center this weekend. The fun will take place Friday, April 5th from 8:30am to 4:00pm, Saturday, April 6th from 8:30am to 4:00pm, and Sunday, April 7th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Children under one year of age get in free, all other visitors pay $3.

National Archery in the School Program – State Tournament

On Saturday, April 6th, 660 students representing 37 schools across South Dakota will gather in Barnett Arena to put their archery skills to the test. Sponsored by South Dakota Game Fish & Parks, the National Archery in the School Program has steadily gained popularity over recent years. In fact, registration numbers have doubled from 330 students in the 2011 tournament. There is no cost for anyone who would like to watch the event, so come out and support South Dakota’s budding archers on Saturday, April 6th, beginning at 8:00am in Barnett Arena.

 

We look forward to hosting all of the exciting events taking place this weekend, from comedy to kids to an archery contest. Come out and support your favorite event at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center!

GET YOUR LISA LAMPANELLI TICKETS TODAY

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rapid city rush hockey
Mar. 27.

Rapid City Rush Fight for President’s Cup in Playoffs

By GotMine | Posted in Civic Center News, Hockey, Sports |
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After a riveting 2012 – 2013 season that ended with a Rush victory over the Denver Cutthroats on Saturday, it’s official: the Rush are headed to the playoffs, where they’ll battle to take home their second President’s Cup Championship.

The regular season was a hard-fought showcase of determination, talent, and the ongoing dedication of loyal fans throughout the region. In fact, after the Central Hockey League released the results of their ‘Best of the CHL’ polling, Rush fans were named Fans of the Year yet again. In addition, the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center’s Ice Specialists were awarded Best Ice in the league for the third consecutive year. The team and their home facility have proven an unstoppable match for many reasons.

Beginning this weekend, Rush fans will have the ultimate opportunity to show exactly why they’ve earned themselves the coveted title. The Rush will face the Missouri Mavericks in a best-of-seven series during the opening round of the 2013 CHL playoffs. With a fourth place finish, the team has secured home ice advantage for the series, which begins Friday March 29th and Saturday March 30th. Fans are encouraged to show up sporting black, and ‘black out’ the Ice Arena for all home playoff games.

The Rush and Mavericks series will follow a ‘2-3-2’ format, with Rapid City hosting games #1 and #2 as well as #6 and #7 if necessary. The opening schedule is as follows:

Game 1:           Fri. March 29th            Missouri at Rapid City, 7:05pm

Game 2:           Sat. March 30th            Missouri at Rapid City, 7:05pm

Game 3:           Wed. April 3rd             Rapid City at Missouri, 7:05pm

Game 4:           Fri. April 5th                Rapid City at Missouri, 7:05pm

Game 5:           Sat. April 6th                Rapid City at Missouri, 7:05pm

Game 6:           Tues. April 9th             Missouri at Rapid City, 6:35pm

Game 7:           Wed. April 10th           Missouri at Rapid City, 6:35pm

For all the loyal fans who want to show their support throughout the series, playoff packages are still available through the Rush office and begin at $150. Want to cheer on the home team with all your family and friends? Groups of 10 or more will receive a discounted price of $11, while individual tickets begin at $16. Or, experience the rush of a premium suite. Your entire group will enjoy incredible views of the arena and exclusive privileges that are reserved for our suite guests.

It’s official: the Rush for the Cup is back in full force. Gather your friends, family, and your Rush spirit, and come support everyone’s favorite team. It’s a premier event you don’t want to miss. Let’s show our challengers just what it takes to be a true Rush fan, and have an incredible time while we’re at it.

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sports rapid city
Mar. 14.

Roller Derby’s Rapid City Revival: Season Opener March 16th

By GotMine | Posted in Black Hills Life, Civic Center News, Sports |
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Hang onto your seats, because this Saturday, March 16th, roller derby is rumbling into the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Grab the whole family and make your way to the season opener, featuring the Black Hills Wildfire vs. the Coal Miners Daughters, kicking off at 6:30pm.

This week, we were able to catch up with Wildfire Captain Tara “Danger Girl” Flanery.  She was more than happy to visit about her passion for the sport and its progress in Rapid City. “The roller derby revival started about 2001, and it’s now the fastest growing sport in the world,” explains Flanery, who has played for five seasons. “I played on a local team before. We saw the need for a competitive team in Rapid City, so we started the Black Hills Wildfire. Our team has been practicing for a year, and the season opener is our very first bout,” she says.

Indeed, roller derby has proven to be a legitimate sport that is currently vying for its place in the Olympics. Flanery has watched its popularity explode in recent years, especially in the Black Hills region. “We wanted to make a league, bringing players together from all the local teams,” she says. “This is the first of its kind, for sure.” The area is currently home to three teams, including the Spearfish Madhouse Madams, the Rushmore Rollerz, and the Lead Deadwood Aces n Sk8s. Together, they create the Black Hills roller derby.

For those who are unfamiliar with the sport, it’s one that requires a great deal of strategy and guts. Rosters can include fourteen girls who face off on the roller derby track. Each team consists of four “blockers” and one “jammer.” The goal of the jammer is to lap the pack of skaters as many times as she can, as she earns a point for each girl she laps. In the meantime, the opposing team will do all they can to hit her, knock her down, and hold her back. The two team jammers are in a race against each other, working hard to dodge and block hits as they skate at breakneck speeds. Each bout consists of two halves, each a half hour, and a twenty minute intermission.

Saturday’s event will feature an expo bout beginning at 6:30pm. During this matchup, newer players will face off in a mixer to get their feet wet and find out what the sport is all about. “Roller derby can be a very scary thing to do, especially if you’re playing against more experienced girls,” says Flanery. “It can be daunting, so the expo is a good opportunity for our fresh meat to get a taste of the experience. It will be a good contrast for the next bout featuring the Wildfire.”

Along with their commitment to the sport, the Wildfire also has goals to give back to their community. “Our mission is to eventually be able to do some fundraising,” says Flanery. “We need to get established first and gain some sponsors, and then we’ll be able to use our door money to donate to charity.”

Support Rapid City’s newest sporting event this Saturday, March 16th beginning with an expo bout at 6:30pm. It’s an evening the entire family can enjoy, and kids ages 5 and under receive free admission. Eager fans can even bring their own camp chairs and enjoy ringside seating. See you at the roller derby!

Also this weekend, don’t miss the State A Boys Basketball Tournament, and the Rapid City Rush as they battle the Tulsa Oilers. Looking for a way to relax? Sit back and enjoy Strings in Concert, or stop by the Winter Extravaganza. You’ll find a huge variety of home based products and a great way to spend the weekend. It’s all happening at the Center of it All!

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northern plains outdoor expo
Feb. 07.

The Transformation: Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® to Northern Plains Outdoor Expo

By GotMine | Posted in Civic Center News, Community Events, Sports |
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Sure, housekeeping chores can be a real drag. Then again, it sure beats tidying up after 80 tons of dirt has been dropped in your living room. It’s been a busy month at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, and all signs show full speed ahead. As the annual Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® wrapped up on Saturday, February 2nd, crews immediately began the massive, necessary changeover from cleanup to setup for the Northern Plains Outdoor Expo.

However, for Assistant Operations Manager Tom Barber, this definitely isn’t his first rodeo. “We’ve done this year after year, so everybody knows what we need to get accomplished,” says Barber. He explains that a crew of 65 employees has worked around the clock from Saturday night until Wednesday evening. On Thursday, Northern Plains Outdoor Expo vendors will begin moving into Rushmore Hall and Barnett Arena in preparation for the event’s kickoff on Friday.

While the changeover is a lengthy process, Barber says the most challenging aspect is simply removing all of the dust. Crews pressure wash all the walls and restrooms, removing millions of particles that coat the facility. The task has its benefits, too. “Usually when the dust goes, the smell goes out with it,” says Barber.

For Barber and his crew, the changeover from the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® is the biggest of the year. “It’s definitely the toughest one to change over and get clean again, just due to the huge size and sheer amount of dirt left behind,” Barber admits. The task provides valuable experience for the rest of the year. Next week the team will quickly change the Ice Arena from a Rush hockey game to high school wrestling the following day. In March, staff will transform Barnett Arena from Monster Trucks to the much anticipated 3 Doors Down concert, and the next week will bring a changeover from Jeff Dunham to a Rush hockey game the next day.

While changeovers bring plenty of work for Rushmore Plaza Civic Center staff, it’s an undertaking we’re happy to tackle. Tight changeovers mean a full schedule and a variety of events for the community to attend. We look forward to hosting entertainment and events of all types in the coming months, beginning with the Northern Plains Outdoor Expo this weekend.

This Friday through Sunday, visitors will have the opportunity to browse the area’s most exciting selection of inventory under one roof, as well as a Big Buck, Bull, & Mt. Lion Contest, Live Auction, seminars, gun raffle, youth archery, gift and art area, and free kid’s activities, among others. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for kids ages 7-15, and free for children 6 and under. A $12 weekend wristband pass is also available for purchase. See you at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center!

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xtreme bulls tour
Jan. 23.

Xtreme Bulls Tour Unites Competitors in Battle for Cash & Careers

By GotMine | Posted in Black Hills Life, Civic Center News, Community Events, Sports |
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If anyone understands intensity, it’d be Ardie Maier and Chandler Bownds. As the 36th Annual Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® approaches, the two men hope for similar things: good pairings, a supportive crowd, and eight successful seconds. Both competing in the Xtreme Bulls Tour which begins Friday night at 7:30pm, they’ll go up against stiff competition and imposing stock. Of the 70 riders competing for over $50,000, this veteran and young star are ready to ride, though their stories are both unique.

Hailing from Lubbock, Texas, 21 year old Chandler Bownds may be young, but he’s already left a scorching mark on the sport. A WNFR qualifier at the age of 20, the 2011 PRCA Rookie of the Year is riding to the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® on a hot streak. Currently sitting 4th in the 2013 PRCA World Standings, a good year could see Bownds as a World Champion in December.

Though he has his sights set on the title, riding is about more than victories. With a father that team roped and a job helping raise bucking bulls, Bownds knew from an early age what he wanted to do. “I grew up watching some of these guys ride,” he says of competition. “I wanted to be them someday. So it’s pretty cool, getting to hang out with them.”

All perks aside, competing against respected veterans hasn’t unnerved Bownds. “It’s good to conquer things at a young age,” he says of his position. “Getting to travel to these big rodeos around the world, winning a bunch of money, and stepping out there in front of all those people – there’s nothing like it.”

From Timber Lake, South Dakota, veteran Ardie Maier would agree the event is unique for both fans and participants. “The intensity of bull riding is different than anything else,” says Maier. “It’s a lot of excitement, getting on a 2,000 pound bull. You could make the best ride of your career, or you could get hurt. The danger element is a real rush.”

Indeed, the man can speak of danger from experience. The grandson of South Dakota Cowboy Hall of Famer Bud Day, Maier broke his neck in two places during 2008. He’s also encountered a broken back and a bull that crushed one side of his face. Although the broken neck took six months to heal, it didn’t break his spirit. In fact, Maier believes his age gives him an edge. “I think in any sport experience has a lot to do with it. Youth can help you bounce back from an injury quicker, but as you get older you know how to take care of business. Like anything in life, you get a little wiser.”

Wisdom and experience have taken Maier far. Growing up with cowboys that include cousins and World Champion Bareback Riders Marvin and Mark Garrett, rodeo’s always been in the family for Maier. Consecutive wins at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in 2010 and 2011 are among a lengthy list of career highlights. But like Bownds, Maier loves the sport for more than winning.

“The cowboy is a free spirit,” says Maier. “We get to go where we want. And if you put the hard work in, you’ll achieve success.” He also values rodeo for its ability to bring families together. “Rodeo is a family sport; everyone can go and enjoy it. It’s also affordable, and not a big burden to attend. Plus, the cowboys will take time out of their schedule to go talk to people and sign autographs, so fans really enjoy the interaction they get.”

Both Bownds and Maier are looking forward to this year’s Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo®. “It’s good to come back to South Dakota and ride in front of my home state crowd,” says Maier. Bownds hopes for a strong performance during his stay. “It pays well, so I’m hoping to get a good bull,” he says.

Though the competitors are in different places in their career, they’re both grateful to be living the life of a true cowboy. “You have to take every day and live it for what it’s worth, and not take it for granted” says Maier. “Nothing is guaranteed in life, so you’ve got to treat people how you want to be treated.” Bownds has a similar passion for rodeo that he sums up nicely: “If you want to ride bulls, you’ve got to love it.”

Don’t miss Chandler Bownds, Ardie Maier, and a host of fierce competitors as they face off in the Xtreme Bulls Tour. Beginning Friday, January 25th at 7:30pm, this year’s event promises to unite both seasoned veterans and rising stars as they ride for cash and careers during the 2013 Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo®.

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