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.
Sisters from the Outlaw Trail, Teresa Kay Orr and Marci Broyhill will present their program, Tangled Trails. The sister duo enjoys sharing their original stories, music and PowerPoint that reflect the expansion of the American West.
The Great Plains Radio Theatre under the direction of Ralph Swain presents a hilarious comedy from the Golden Age of radio drama.
Several members of the Sioux City Magic Club will present “Magic, Mystery, and Fun” with their entertaining assortment of tricks and illusions, appropriate for the entire family.
On Sunday, April 7 at 2:00 pm at the Betty Strong Encounter Center, Buck ‘n Bill, a talented and lively Acoustic Guitar/Vocal Duo, take the stage
On Sunday, March 24, Mary Watts, harpist, will celebrate “Spring is in the Air.” Uplifting music including Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “It Might as Well Be Spring” and selections Claude Debussy, Aaron Copeland, and Traditional Irish.
On Sunday, March 17, Jody Lamp will present on preserving stories that shaped American agriculture. The American Doorstop Project (https://www.americandoorstopproject.com/) preserves and promotes historical places, spaces and events that have shaped our country over the past hundreds of years.
On Sunday, March 3, at 2:00 p.m. at the Betty Strong Encounter Center, the Sioux City Camera Club (SCCC) will present a series of dynamic still-photo travelogues. Beautiful Photos in Beautiful Places is the theme of the presentation.
One of the Center’s favorite musical duos will bring their comfort music to warm our hearts and souls. Jack and Mike have entertained audiences all over the United States and Europe.
Iowa Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with LAMB Arts Regional Theatre present “Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest."
The Betty Strong Encounter Center is honored to host Dr. Scott Culpepper’s presentation on “Elizabeth I in History and Memory.”
Local historian Russ Gifford will present an informative discussion on "POW Camps in Iowa, Nebraska, and Sioux City."
Celebrated singer, songwriter, speaker, and author Jill Miller will entertain the audience with musical selections. Since making music her full-time career, Jill has recorded six albums in Nashville.