Built in 2007, the Betty Strong Encounter Center connects to the Sioux City Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to serve a permanent mission of commemorating a history of encounters that occurred before and after the Lewis and Clark expedition.
It hosts free photo and art exhibitions, and offers free programs, events and activities that explore themes of the land, rivers and people of the region. Themes are as diverse as agriculture, Mighty Mo fishing, heritage food and music, and Native Games days.The 10,000-square foot Encounter Center features galleries, an activity room, restrooms, an amphitheatre and areas for outdoor games and events. The Stanley Evans Auditorium hosts lectures, music and theatre programs, movies and panel discussions. A long corridor known as “The River Connection” invites visitors to encounter maps and images of the Missouri River.
Award-winning author and historian Don Hickey will deliver an illustrated lecture on “James Madison: America’s Fourth President” at the Betty Strong Encounter Center at 2:00 PM on April 6, 2025.
On Sunday, March 3, 2025, at 2:00 pm in the Betty Strong Encounter Center’s Stanley Evans Auditorium, come hear the Radio Rangers play “Songs We Like to Play.”
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, come listen to talented singer/songwriter Michael “Mac” McDonald present a concert of tunes he has written for some of the finest cowboy poems of the Great Northern Plains, featuring cowboy poetry of E. A. Brininstool, Badger Clark, E. A. L. Griffin, and Robert V. Carr. Admission is free; reception to...
On Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 2:00pm, Russ Gifford will present about “50 Years of Big Names, Great Music, and Memorable Venues: Sioux City on the Music Circuit” Admission is free; reception to follow. It was no accident that Sioux City spent decades as a key stop for some of music’s biggest names. Sioux...
On Sunday, January 19, at 2:00pm, join us as Brian Buckmeier and Darren Maurer discuss their “Dinosaurs of the Hell Creek” museum exhibit that will be at the Sioux City Museum from Feb. 1 to July 31. Admission is free; reception to follow. The pair have been hunting and digging fossilized dinosaur bones from...
On Sunday, December 1, 2024, holiday music will ring out when New Horizon’s Band of Sioux City presents its concert under the direction of Benjamin Mauritz at 2:00 pm at the Betty Strong Encounter Center. For this concert, the band will play a variety of music including carols, classical, pop, jazz, and novelty pieces. Admission...
The Betty Strong Encounter Center will host talented singer Amy Ellsworth on Sunday, November 24 at 2:00 PM. Ellsworth, a Center favorite, always provides the audience with enjoyable music. Admission is free with reception to follow. Ellsworth is from Brandon SD and former lead vocalist of Jukebox Zeroes. She has opened for many national...
The 5th-annual Siouxland Inspirational & Historical Short Film Festival has expanded to two sessions this year in Sioux City, Iowa. On Sunday, November 17, a selection of films will be shown in the auditorium at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. From 11:00 to 1:00 p.m., a variety of locally, regionally, and nationally produced...
On Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 2:00pm the Betty Strong Encounter Center welcomes Sioux City-based standup comic Garie Lewis to its stage. Admission is free with a reception to follow. Garie genuinely loves performing stand-up. Whether it is at a comedy club, a huge theatre crowd, or a handful of friendly folks at a...
Award-winning author and historian Don Hickey will deliver an illustrated lecture on Jefferson at the Betty Strong Encounter Center at 2:00 PM on October 27, 2024.
On Sunday October 20, 2024, at 2:00pm Russ Swanson will thrill the audience about what was once the largest manhunt in U.S. history.
Join us at the Betty Strong Encounter Center at 2:00 PM Sunday, October 6, 2024, to hear singer, songwriter, guitarist, and entertainer Teresa Kay Orr. Admission is free with a reception to follow.