2017 Summer Concert Series at Devils Tower

Press Release – Devils Tower National Monument and the Devils Tower Natural History Association present a spectacular family fun summer!  The 2017 Summer Concert Series kicks off Saturday, May 27 in the amphitheater near the Belle Fourche River Campground.  All programs will begin at 8:30 p.m. unless specified.

May 27:  Lyle Miller presenting Lakota history and culture, storytelling and art.

May 27:  Immediately following Lyle Miller’s presentation meet the ranger for Half the Park is After Dark; an astro-photography interpretive event!  Meet the astro ranger for an evening of astro-photography and stargazing with special emphasis on viewing the constellations, planets and satellites. Telescopes will be available for viewing deep sky objects.

May 28:  Lyle Miller presenting Lakota history and culture, storytelling and art.

June 10:  Join Dr. David Ode, author of “Dakota Flora”, botanist and ecologist for the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks as he blends history, folklore, science, and poetry in exploring the flora of the region.

June 10: Immediately following Dr. Odes’ presentation a ranger will present Half the Park is After Dark.  A night skies program will focus on some of the purest night skies in the world.   The full Moon will rise at 10 pm, washing out the fainter stars but illuminating Devils Tower for beautiful night sky photography opportunities. The international space station will make two passes over Devils Tower.  Planets, Jupiter and Saturn may also be visible throughout the night.   Telescopes will be available for viewing deep sky objects.

June 16 and 17: Willie LeClair, Eastern Shoshone from Riverton, Wyoming is a traditional dancer continuing the tradition of the warrior, wearing the eagle feathers of past days.

June 23 and 24: Kevin Loche, Lakota and Anishinaabe is a preeminent player of the Native American flute, a traditional storyteller, cultural ambassador, recording artist and educator.

June 24: Immediately following Kevin Loche’s performance an encore presentation of Half the Park is After Dark will offer views of the night sky making for a perfect night of astrophotography of stars, planets and the Milky Way.  Jupiter may be visible along with Saturn, whose recent opposition will offer excellent viewing of the ringed planet.

June 25: The Old Settlers Picnic will begin at 12 noon in the picnic area.  Pioneer gatherings at the Tower started in the 1890s and became known as the Old Settlers’ Picnic.  There will be free entrance into the Monument.

June 30 and July 1: Meet President Theodore Roosevelt as he describes in detail his life and the conservation and preservation measures taken to make Devils Tower the first national monument.   President Theodore Roosevelt, portrayed by Mr. Gib Young, declared Devils Tower as America’s First National Monument in 1906.

July 1: Immediately following Mr. Young’s presentation there will be an encore presentation of Half the Park is After Dark will offer opportunities to view 3 Iridium Flares.

July 7 and 8: Indiana Bones, “Keeper of Legends” (aka Mike McCartney) an Emmy Award winning writer, producer and performing artist combining archeology, action, adventure, ancient legends, mythology and folklore.  Indy thrills and educates audiences with his unique storytelling abilities.

July 14 and 15: Join Buffalo Bill Boycott and Dr. Jo as they present a live musical performance with exciting western songs about Cowboys, The Oregon Trail, The Transcontinental Railroad, Lewis and Clark,  Stories in Traditional Native American Indian Sign Language,  Cowboy Poetry and World-Class Yodeling.

July 29: Join a ranger for a tour of the night sky during the Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower.

August 11:  Join a ranger for a special astronomy presentation during the Persieds Meteor Shower.  Telescopes will be provided although you may bring your own.

August 25 and 26: Robert Dennis presents cowboy poetry and music of the western life from a lifelong love affair with Western South Dakota.

August 20:   11:30 am -12:30.  Join a ranger for a prelude presentation about the solar eclipse.

August 21:  11:30 am -12:30. The first total solar eclipse in the continental United States in 38 years.  Devils Tower will see 95% of the total solar eclipse.  Join a ranger for a solar eclipse interpretive event!

All programs are free of charge and may be changed due to inclement weather.  For more information call the visitor center at 307-467-5283 ex. 635.

To learn more about Devils Tower National Monument visit www.nps.gov/deto or www.facebook.com/Devils-Tower-National-Monument-Official-NPS-Site or twitter.com@DevilsTowerNM or Instagram at #devilstowernps

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national parks system and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/nationalparkservice, and You Tube  www.youtube.com/nationalparkservce.