Center’s Week to Feature New Exhibit, Powwow Instruction and Comedy

The Center announces the schedule of events to be held on its campus the week of Sept. 18.

Throughout the week and over the next several weeks, around a dozen artists associated with Sioux City’s Art SUX Gallery will display their work in the main gallery of the Betty Strong Encounter Center. The exhibit will feature selections in a variety of styles, including abstract, expressionist, and surrealist, and a range of media such as acrylic and oil paint, and collage.

As the Center settles into fall, it continues its Adventure Saturdays series of classes and activities.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, we will offer the children’s class “Powwow.” In the two age-appropriate sessions, children will learn about the origins and significance of the powwow and the importance of keeping Native traditions alive. The class will read the book Powwow Day, prepare for their own powwow, discuss and create different tribal flags, and talk about the importance of music and dance in Native culture.

*The Center’s Adventure Saturdays class will teach students about the cultural significance of Native American powwows*

K-3^rd Grade classes begin at 1:00 and 4-6^th Grade classes begin at 2:30. Seating is limited and registration is required. Parents may register their children to participate by completing a form on the Center’s website.

The Center has laugh-out-loud entertainment in store for its audiences on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 2:00 as the Not Ready for Lunchtime Players present a series of comic vignettes featuring figures of local interest.

*Dane Maier as Sgt. Floyd and Melissa Ferris as Dear Abby. Photo by Jerry Mennenga.*

The premise for the series of skits is simple, yet ingenious: What if Sioux City native advice columnists Ann Landers (Joanne Fox) and Dear Abby (Melissa Ferris) had been given the opportunity to counsel and advise historic figures like Buddy Holly (Eric Sorenson), Jimmy Stewart (Garie Lewis), Donna Reed (Shari Hoelker), Beaver Cleaver (Steve Smith), Lori Petty (Rachel Wurth) and Sharon Farrell (Dianna Spirk)?

Joanne Fox, a Center volunteer and veteran performer, imagined just that situation when she wrote the script for this performance and brought together this group of performers to form the Not Ready for Lunchtime Players. They have previously entertained for the Sertoma Club, and this program at the Center will be just their second performance.

The program will be followed by a reception. All the Center’s events and classes are offered to the public for free.