Watertown Art Scene

A new year means new opportunities to enjoy arts, entertainment


“Jared Freiburg & The Vagabonds” is among three bands left to perform during the Watertown Concert Association’s 2024-25 season. Courtesy photo.

Happy New Year! Be sure to mark your 2025 calendars with these upcoming opportunities. With the community’s input, the Watertown Current will feature a weekly summary of arts activities and cultural events.

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Looking for a little mystery to jump start the year? Immaculate Conception School’s dinner theater fundraiser “Murder at the H.O.A.” will be held at 7 p.m. both Friday, Jan. 24, and Saturday, Jan. 25, at Second Street Station. General admission tickets are $60 with table purchase options also available. Tickets are available for purchase at: www.icschoolwatertown.org or by calling 605-886-3883.

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If you’ve been thinking about starting a book club, look no further than Watertown Regional Library. Did you know the library has “Book Club Tubs” available for checkout? The library offers more than 70 tubs that can be checked out for six weeks. What a great opportunity to get that reading resolution started!

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There are three more shows to see during the Watertown Concert Association’s 2024-25 lineup. Courtesy photo.

The Watertown Concert Association 2024-25 Concert Series has three upcoming concerts in 2025 – and tickets are currently available. Performances will include: “Sail On” (Beach Boys tribute) on Friday, April 11; “Jared Freiburg & The Vagabonds” on Saturday, May 3 and “Sing Us a Song…You’re the Piano Man” on Sunday, May 11. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. in the D.D. Miller Auditorium, located at Watertown High School. Adult season ticket ($50) or student season tickets ($20) can be purchased at the show or by mailing a check (made out to the Watertown Concert Association) to Watertown Concert Association, c/o Kate Hardee, 707 Jonathan Dr., Watertown, SD 57201. For additional information, call 605-868-3224.

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Northern Prairie Arts has issued a call for arts and written word for “The Star Show,” a group challenge exhibition set for Feb. 13, 2025. Artists and authors of all ages are invited to explore and express their unique interpretation of the theme, “Star.” A non-refundable jury fee of $10 is required to submit from one to three pieces. The registration deadline is Feb. 1, 2025. Complete details for submission can be found at www.NorthernPrairieArts.org. A People’s Choice Award will also be presented. The Star Show will open at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, at Dempsey’s ATY, located at the Watertown Regional Airport.

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Dancing with the Celts will perform at the Goss Opera House on Friday, March 7.

If you’ve yet to experience a concert at The Goss Opera House, there are some fantastic live performances coming up in 2025. “Dancing with the Celts” is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7; “Tusk” will take the stage at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 28; and the “South Dakota Symphony Orchestra” will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 11. Individual tickets for each concert can be purchased at Maud’s Mercantile (lower level of The Goss) or online at www.thegossoperahouse.com.

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The new display is located near the baggage claim area inside the terminal. Photo by Roger Whittle, Watertown Current.

January’s Arts Night at the Pub (held on the second Thursday of each month at Dempsey’s at the Watertown Regional Airport) will feature Watertown poet Brit Graham on Jan. 9. Arts Night begins at 5 p.m. with a chance to meet the artist, followed by an ArtTalk at 6:30 p.m. The monthly event, sponsored by NPA (Watertown’s Arts Council) is free and open to the public.

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The Watertown Area Camera Club will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, at Lake Area Tech’s Archway building, room 1202 on the second floor. This month’s theme will be “Light.” Meetings are open to all interested in cameras and photography. All skill levels are welcome

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Check out Dinner and a Movie at the historic Goss Opera House in downtown Watertown. Courtesy photo.

The popular movie, “Frozen,” is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, as part of the ‘Dinner and a Movie at the Goss” series. The kid-friendly menu will appeal to all ages! Floor tickets include dinner and dessert. Balcony and box seats (without a meal) are also available. For further information, check out www.thegossoperahouse.com.

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“Art does not reproduce what we see, rather it makes us see.”  – Paul Klee

(Twila Schmitt writes to keep you up-to-date with arts opportunities in and around Watertown. Have a suggestion? Want an item included in the next column? Email twilaschmitt@gmail.com.)