UPLIFTING THE ARTS THROUGH MUSIC

Mikeand Judy Connor of Sioux Falls are familiar to music fans in the area as both educators and performers. Mike began performing when he was 13, and is a three-time South Dakota Rock and Rollers Hall of Fame inductee. Both Mike and Judy taught music, and for years they were involved with the beloved South Dakota Acoustic Christmas performances.

In a sparsely-populated state, strong organizations like Arts South Dakota and the South Dakota Arts Council are important to the Connors, and their donations give them peace of mind that the arts will continue to flourish in South Dakota.

“Judy was an intern with the South Dakota Arts Council and they supported me with a touring program early on,” Mike says. “Charlotte Carver (the first executive director of the South Dakota Arts Council) was very influential in our careers.” one term as mayor. She was instrumental in the preservation of the historic Homestake Opera House on Lead’s Main Street, and also spearheaded the charge to rebuild after the catastrophic opera house fire in 1984. She has served on many arts boards at the city, state and national levels.

Now retired, Mike enjoys playing in The Shamrockers with musicians Boyd Bristow and Guy Gullickson. He also performs several gigs a year with fiddler Kenny Putnam, playing at festivals, reunions and crowded shows at the Levitt in Sioux Falls. This winter Connor and Putnam will perform a Christmas show titled “Fiddlers and Friends,” debuting in Watertown and Rapid City.