Levitt at the Falls | 2019 Summer Lineup

Written by on May 9, 2019

The 2019 summer lineup for the newly completed Levitt at the Falls has been announced and we are giving you a look into the artists!

Americana Series

July 11: Spooncat! – Sioux Falls original horn band, playing 70 distinct styles of Rock, Funk, and R&B since 1996. Especially 1996-2008. But every so often they do it again.

July 13: Jonathan Byrd & the Pickup Cowboys – Jonathan Byrd and The Pickup Cowboys are musical gunslingers, vaudevillian hucksters, and old-fashioned tent revivalists.   Between heartbreaking ballads and heart-lifting sing-alongs, the Cowboys entertain and get audiences involved in the show.

July 26: John King – In a short time, King has been making a name for himself in Country Music. John’s debut radio single, “Tonight Tonight,” earned him his first Top 40 hit and was heard by millions of NFL fans and used to highlight CBS network’s Thursday night football throughout the 2014 season.

July 28: Burlap Wolf King – Burlap Wolf King, is the vessel of song of South Dakota based singer/songwriter, Thomas Hentges. Hentges performs solo as well as with band, both under the Burlap Wolf King moniker. Throughout 10 active years, BWK has seen a rotating cast of characters.   2009’s full length LP “The Middle” was followed up by 2013’s live and acoustic-leaning “BWK” EP.  Now back with a decidedly solidified six-piece lineup, Hentges and company are stronger than ever. BWK’s 2017 full-length offering, “Bitter Honey”, is highlighted by a distinct leap forward in songwriting & style, all the while showcasing this new outfit’s prowess and versatility both live and in the studio.

Throughout 10 active years, BWK has seen a rotating cast of characters.   2009’s full length LP “The Middle” was followed up by 2013’s live and acoustic-leaning “BWK” EP.  Now back with a decidedly solidified six-piece lineup, Hentges and company are stronger than ever. BWK’s 2017 full-length offering, “Bitter Honey”, is highlighted by a distinct leap forward in songwriting & style, all the while showcasing this new outfit’s prowess and versatility both live and in the studio.

Aug. 2: The Way Down Wanderers – The Way Down Wanderers are from the very heartland of America – central Illinois, Peoria, to be exact – which is reflected in their distinctive sound, which draws on elements of bluegrass, but also touches on classic rock influences including the multi-part harmonies of the Beach Boys and The Band’s hybrid soul, as well as the roots qualities of The Avett Brothers and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, with surprising elements of jazz, classical music and even hip-hop.

Aug. 3: Pistol Whippin Party Penguins – on’t let the name fool you! This is not a violent group of flightless aquatic birds looking for a party, but rather 5 self proclaimed gentlemen, 2 guitars, a mandolin, a bucket of fiddles, an upright bass, a banjo, and a 4 part vocal harmony that will make Donald Trump stop tweeting…. and listen. As they prepare to release their 4th studio album this fall/winter, this quintet from Minneapolis strives to maintain the original spirit of the “string band” while continuing to play new original music and creative cover songs. The combination of folk, rock, blues, bluegrass, and the occasional stage banter will create an experience that anyone can enjoy!

Rock Series

July 4:  Mogen’s Heroes – Averaging around 50 gigs a year over four decades, so the band vans have seen a lot of territory. The trio has played in more than 120 South Dakota towns and cities, along with North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas City, Missouri. Mogen’s Heroes was the final band to play at the iconic dance hall at the Blue Dog Inn. The group loves to play the South Dakota State Fair, arts festivals, county fairs, wedding dances, political rallies (Rudy Giuliani, VP Dick Cheney, and Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney)—any event where the goal is to have fun.

The Fabulous Jadesmen – The group, inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, had its origins in an eighth-grade talent show in 1958 at Edison Junior High School in Sioux Falls. Four teenagers, Tim Moratzka, Butch Noteboom, Edgar Borgers, and Wally Doolittle, performed in the talent show under the name, The Jades, the hall of fame article states, and they continued to practice and play together through high school, playing at area ballrooms and dance halls including The Arkota Ballroom, The Dell Rapids Pavilion, Shore Acres, The Roof Garden, The Cobblestone, and other venues.

The Pilgrims – 1965 was the year The Pulsating Pilgrims were formed. Original members were Vince Rundus, Greg Olsen, Randy Guise, Mike Roe, and Jim Woelber. Eventually they were booked by the legendary Jimmy Thomas and included a tour with Dickie Lee. The group recorded a 45 at IGL Studios, Little Latin Lupe Lu/Suzie Q. There were some changes in personnel over the years but the band always included some of the best musicians in the Pipestone and Sioux Falls area. They were a crowd favorite throughout the Upper midwest.

July 5: Judd Hoos – Off the grid for 6 days with no cell service, 30-miles from Mt. Rushmore, Judd Hoos started off 2019 in a cabin recording their upcoming EP “We Were Young.” Nashville producer J. Hall (Young The Giant, Delta Saints, Ric Todd) helped craft the new EP, a follow up to the band’s iTunes chart topping album, ‘Music In The Dark’, featuring Breathe In, Say My Name, and Billboard.

The Judd Hoos touring schedule has already kicked into full gear including support shows with Puddle of Mudd, Third Eye Blind, and Trapt. The band is looking at a 2019 calendar that encompasses 120 dates booked across 10 Midwest states including a week of headline shows booked at the 2019 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Judd Hoos live experience is beginning to catch attention on a national scale.  

July 6: The People Brothers Band – Originally hailing out of Madison, Wisconsin, The People Brothers Band (PBB) are a staple of the Midwest’s vibrant music scene. Featuring some of the best vocalists and musicians in the region, the PBB have blossomed into a unique brand of Rhythm and Soul dedicated to uplifting the hearts and minds of its friends and fans. The PBB’s core mission is to bring people together by spreading love through music. Coupled with their energetic live shows and infectious stage presence, they are guaranteed to bring the party.

July 12: The Cole Allen Band – Cole Allen, critically acclaimed solo artist and guitarist for the Sena Ehrhardt Band, is without a doubt one of the most exciting up-and-coming singer/guitarist/songwriters of contemporary blues and rock music.

Aug. 1: The Twilight Hours – We use the word rock loosely, as a descriptor for something that is definitely not anything but rock, but a type of rock that is thoughtful, sometimes introspective, sometimes full of rejoicing. We are grateful for the continued opportunity to rock.

Aug. 10: Kory & the Fireflies – Kory and the Fireflies create music described as, “pop rock with punch” and the band has a special gift for connecting with an audience. The group has charted in two National Radio Publications and shared the stage with over Seventy National Acts, including touring with Goo Goo Dolls, they’ve also supported Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, 3 Doors Down, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow and many many more.

Women of Song Series

June 20: Sam Miltich & The Clearwater Hot Club – Sam Miltich is a self-taught jazz guitarist born and raised in the woods of northern Minnesota. Sam burst on the scene in his teens as a young lion of gypsy jazz, joining Paul Mehling’s Hot Club of San Francisco and touring internationally with the world-renowned Robin Nolan Trio.  Sam’s fluid and instinctive sound has graced hundreds of stages, from small towns on the Iron Range to New York’s Lincoln Center.  In addition to fronting his own band, the Clearwater Hot Club, Sam records and performs extensively with Minneapolis-based jazz singers, Connie Evingson and Charmin Michelle; legendary Twin Cities saxophonist Dave Karr; and many more of the Twin Cities’ top jazz artists.  In addition to a busy touring schedule, Sam also hosts a weekly Jazz at the VFW night in his home town of Grand Rapids, MN.  Scroll down for full bio.

June 21: Davina & the Vagabonds – Since exploding onto the scene in 2005, Davina and the Vagabonds have grown from a down-and-dirty blues band into one of the most exciting acoustic ensembles on the international stage. This high-energy quintet has established itself with a stellar live show, a professional look, and good old-fashioned hard work.  In recent years they have performed in 45 states, 2 Canadian provinces and 12 European countries.

June 27: Jami Lynn – With high honors in the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival’s Songwriting Showcase Finals, her latest folk album “Fall is a Good Time to Die” named to The Telegraph’s top country albums of the year(next to Willie Nelson, The Punch Brothers, and Dar Williams), and critics proclaiming her “5 out of 5 stars, essential listening” (Empty Bottles and Broken Souls), it’s been a good couple of years. Add to that a first-time jazz release with bassist Andrew Reinartz, and a critically acclaimed folk project with Eliza Blue, The Nesters, and you have the master of musical metamorphosis that is singer/songwriter Jami Lynn. But these accolades are not only the culmination of hard work and good luck, but the fruition and maturing of two musical passions-of writing and performing.

June 29: Louis York & The Shindellas

Louis York – The musical creation of Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony, who’ve worked with everyone from Celine Dion and Michael Jackson to Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and Bruno Mars. Their music is not one genre, or influence, or thought, it’s an exploration of it all.

The Shindellas – Mavericks beyond music, we, The Shindellas are a band formed under the belief that when women come together, power things can happen. We are advocates governed by the tenets of excellence, elegance and empowerment.

Aug. 4: Annie Mack – Mack has built a reputation for writing meaningful, relate-able and inspirational songs. Live, she delivers her songs with power, soul and conviction. A dynamic vocalist and charismatic performer, she takes the audience on a journey; from velvet lined melodic depths to exciting, gritty, full bodied church hollers.

Aug. 9: Farewell Angelina – Farewell Angelina is an all-female country group with four powerhouse vocalists, dynamic songwriters and accomplished multi-instrumentalists. Their stellar blend of heart-stopping harmonies over blazing double violins and guitars has earned soaring praise across the board. Roughstock calls them a “Superstar Act… with Killer Songs.” Rolling Stone says, “Wickedly smart songwriting delivered with a healthy dash of sass… deft playing… into one sonic knockout punch.”

World Music Series

June 15: Flor de Toloache – Latin GRAMMY Winners Flor de Toloache make New York City history as its’ First and Only All­-Women Mariachi Group. Founded in 2008, Flor de Toloache is lead by singers Mireya I. Ramos (founder) & Shae Fiol (founding member). Reminiscent of the early days of mariachi the group started as a trio, Harp, Violin and Vihuela. Today, Flor De Toloache’s members hail from diverse cultural backgrounds such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Italy and the United States. This defines their unique flavor and sound. The result of this cultural bouquet is an edgy, versatile and fresh take on traditional Mexican music. They coalesce as would a band of sisters, with a grace and vibrant beauty that casts a spell over their audiences not unlike the legendary Toloache flower still being used in Mexico as a love potion. While working to preserve centuries old traditions of Mariachi, their melange of the traditional and the modern pushes the boundaries of the genre and brings Mariachi music to new audiences.

June 22: Rhythm Collective – An award winning band, the recipient of multiple OEA Omaha Entertainment Awards. RC performs original reggae and calypso tunes from their two albums. They also performs standard island reggae tunes of Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff’s and Kitchener and Byron Lee Soca and Calypso party tunes. They also perform American Classic rock in reggae and ska styles.

July 25: Eleanor Dubinsky – Eleanor Dubinsky has found the tender edge where jazz, world, and pop sensibilities meet emotionally forthright songwriting. Composing in English, French and Spanish, the indie songstress is noted for her soothing, sultry vocals, enlivened by Latin, Brazilian, American and West African rhythms. Accolades include being named “Best Up and Coming Francophone Singer in NYC” by French Culture Guides and winning the Sennheiser recording contest at the 2012 ASCAP EXPO with her song “Wait For You” (included on her upcoming release).

July 27: Brulé – The group is best known for thrilling audiences with a mergence of cultural rock and theatrical instrumentations.  Now in their 20th season, their national performances carry the same contagious excitement as Trans Siberian Orchestra, Celtic Thunder, and Riverdance—but with the emotional impact of the American Indian culture.

Aug. 8: The High Kings – The true heirs of Ireland’s Folk heritage, The High Kings are Internationally acclaimed singers of Irish folk songs. A quartet of accomplished musical pedigrees, the band first exploded onto the Irish folk music scene in 2008. They have sold out hundreds of shows, in Ireland and the US, and appeared on numerous TV shows. The High Kings showcase their incredible versatility and skills as multi-instrumentalists, playing 13 instruments between the four of them, bringing a rousing acoustic flavour to brand new songs as well as some old favourites. Their first ‘Best Of’ Compilation ‘DECADE’ was released in November 2017.

The Family Series

June 16: Phil Baker – For 25 years, Phil Baker has used music to educate, entertain, and enrich the lives of young people.  He has played guitar, sung, directed and produced shows, and keynoted events throughout the United States and places as far away as Australia and Costa Rica.

June 19: Shamarr Allen – Music has been a part of Shamarr Allen’s life for as long as he can recall. A musical prodigy, people have forever recognized his extraordinary talents as a musician. Shamarr’s countless career accomplishments, are highlighted by performances with artists Patti LaBelle, Lenny Kravitz, Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis, and a multi-city tour and studio recordings with country legend Will Nelson, Ray Price, Leon Russell, and R.E.M. His personal compositions include music for the New Orleans Saints, “Bring Em To The Dome,” the ecologically conscious oil spill record, “Sorry Ain’t Enough No More.”

June 28: Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience – Originally from the small town of Saint Joseph Iowa, Shaun attended Saint John’s University before settling in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where he began his career with the nationally-known vocal group, Tonic Sol-fa. This quartet has been featured in Newsweek, on the Today Show and can be seen across America on PBS.
Shaun’s career pursuits have extended to business speaking, home design and writing; his compositions have been an integral part of over 1,000,000 independently sold albums.

June 30: Gaelynn Lea – Classically trained violinist and songwriter Gaelynn Lea has been bewitching scores of fans with her haunting original songs and experimental takes on traditional fiddle music. Her work most recently won NPR Music’s 2016 Tiny Desk Contest, a competition drawing submissions of original songs from more than 6,000 musicians across the country.

July 14: Jazz Diversity Project – The Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues began the Jazz Diversity Project (JDP) in 2006. JDP is a traveling assembly program that brings live jazz music into middle schools across South Dakota. Since the beginning, over 50,000 students have been exposed to this great program!

The Jazz Diversity Project is an hour-long presentation combining jazz music education with American History the Humanities and Social Science curriculum.  A live jazz combo and multi-media presentation bring the music to life.

The presentation begins as students discover the role jazz music played in the early 1900’s leading up through the Civil Rights Movement and into the present day. Students and teachers alike have enjoyed the program coming to their schools:

July 18: JAS Quintet – A five-piece instrumental group that specializes in original jazz music as well as standards throughout the jazz age.