Innoskate in Sioux Falls: The really big deal you may not have heard about

We're thrilled to be part of Innoskate on July 7-9 at The Levitt in downtown Sioux Falls.

We'll be there so come and see us at our photo booth.

This is a huge event for our city. It's a cooperative effort between the Smithsonian, USA Skateboarding the The Levitt. 

How about that.

And, it's skateboarding.

Think about that for a minute. Oh, how far we've come.

Here's a sample of what's going to be going on:

• Skate demonstrations with pro skaters
• Panel discussions with professional and Olympic skateboarders, inventors, scientists, artists and local community leaders
• Interactive invention activities from the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center of Invention and Innovation
• Mobile skatepark from the Sioux Falls Skatepark Association
• Learn to skate clinics
• Art Alley with interactive art activities and working artists
• DTSF vendor skater village
• Skateboard deck art show at Rehfeld’s Art Gallery
• A Visual Sound skate film in concert with Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and filmmakers Chris Pastras and Jason Lee
• Best trick contest
• Free concert headlining performances from Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Dessa, and Meet Me @ The Altar

Here's what we know of the schedule right now:

Thursday

• 7pm – Innoskate 360 Kick-Off Panel Discussion
• 7:30pm – Concert performance:  Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

Friday

• 10:30am – Jazz for Kids performance by Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra
• 12pm-7pm – Innoskate Festival Activities – vendor fair, art alley, food trucks, interactive invention activities, panel discussions, skate demos, learn to skate clinics, mobile skatepark, and DJs
• 7pm – Dessa performance

Saturday

• 12pm-7pm – Innoskate Festival Activities – vendor fair, art alley, food trucks, interactive invention activities, panel discussions, skate demos, learn to skate clinics, mobile skatepark, and DJs
• 6pm – “A Visual Sound” skate film in concert
• 7pm – Meet Me @ The Altar performance

And here's some more info from the press release about the event:

The Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, USA Skateboarding and Levitt at the Falls will collaborate to create a one-of-a-kind “Innoskate” festival for the Oglala Lakota Nation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, July 5, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, July 7– 9. The Innoskate festival brings skateboarding and local communities together in a dynamic exploration of invention, creativity, fun and freedom of expression.

The Levitt Shell, centrally located to downtown Sioux Falls in Falls Park, and the Wounded Knee Four Directions Toby Eagle Bull Memorial Skatepark in Pine Ridge, will provide dynamic backdrops for the 2022 Innoskate festival. Discussions and live concerts featuring the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra ensemble and other national and local artists will examine the deep connections between music, skateboarding, creativity and innovation. 

In addition, professional and Olympic skateboarders, inventors, scientists, artists and local community leaders will engage audiences through a variety of demonstrations, conversations and hands-on activities that explore the impact of skateboarding innovations in American culture. Leading figures will discuss skateboarding technology, skateboarding in the Native American community at Pine Ridge, issues of diversity and inclusion, skateboarding’s role in promoting physical and mental health, and nurturing the growth of the skate community in Sioux Falls.

“The Innoskate team is excited to inspire young audiences, with a particular emphasis on engaging the youth of Sioux Falls and surrounding communities,” said Jeffrey Brodie, deputy director of the Lemelson Center. “Innoskate motivates young people to be active contributors to their society driven by technological change and to appreciate that invention and innovation happen every day, often in unexpected places.”

“Levitt at the Falls is thrilled to be working with the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center and USA Skateboarding to bring Innoskate to our community and to our friends in Pine Ridge,” said Nancy Halverson, executive director of Levitt at the Falls. “Music is an integral part of the skateboarding culture, and we look forward to exploring the rich intersection of music and sport.”

“Since our first site visit to Sioux Falls we knew there was an opportunity to do something really special with Levitt at the Falls and the skate community in South Dakota,” said Josh Friedberg, CEO of USA Skateboarding. “Our ongoing collaboration with the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center is a cornerstone of our Skateboarding for All program and this summer’s Innoskate event is going to be incredible.”

Skateboarding demonstrations, public skating and learn-to-skate clinics will take place throughout the festival. Young people will unleash their creativity through hands-on invention activities, art education programs, music demonstrations and health and fitness activities while learning how to build skate obstacles and skateable art. As always, Innoskate will conclude with a “Best Trick” contest.

The participating institutions and artists will host a series of live programs and demonstrations sharing different perspectives on skateboarding throughout each day. Innoskate Sioux Falls will feature free concerts on the Levitt stage, including performances by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Dessa and Meet Me @ The Altar, as well as a special “A Visual Sound” skate film in a concert presentation.