Verve Blogs
Morgan’s Mix: New music venue in Sioux City The Ox open to all ages
A new DIY house venue in Sioux City called The Ox has opened its doors to music lovers of all ages. The Ox was started by Kendall Motl, a Sioux City resident. She said she started the venue in her home so more kids could be included in the music scene instead of having to go […]
Parker’s Movie Review: “The Founder” breaks ground
John Lee Hancock’s “The Founder” is a fascinating tale that may be concerning at first, but turns down a darker, more complex path that showcases its star with gusto. How McDonald’s was spread from San Bernardino to the entire United States and most of the world is explored in “The Founder.” Hancock tells the story […]
Review: ‘Kingsman’ holds its throne
An adventurous sequel to a 2014 spy action thriller, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” is a witty, thoroughly enjoyable film that never leaves the audience without something to marvel at. Matthew Vaughn returns to direct this most recent installment of the “Kingsman” franchise. Masterfully blending action and comedy, Vaughn continues to subvert expectations and make “Kingsman” […]
Review: “Death Note” dead on arrival
Devoid of any likeable characters, plot thickness or respect for its source material, Adam Wingard’s “Death Note” is a recent addition to Netflix that anyone is best advised to avoid. The Japanese cultural phenomenon of “Death Note” is long established. For those curious, the premise of “Death Note” is this: a young man finds a […]
Morgan’s Mix: Q&A with Night Moves at FernsonFest
Minneapolis band Night Moves has a uniquely soulful, psychedelic, true-country sound that band members refer to as “bombastic.” The band is comprised of old high school friends John Pelant (guitar, vocals) and Micky Alfano (bass) along with Charles Murlowski (guitar) and Jared Isabella (drums). Night Moves headlined FernsonFest, a music festival hosted by Fernson Brewing […]
Review: “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” kills with charm
Patrick Hughes’ “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” is an action-packed, comedic take on a world-class bodyguard protecting a world-class hitman. Without its incredible leads, the film would take a nasty dive into mediocrity. Thanks to Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” succeeds in what it sets out to do. The film follows its two […]
Review: ‘Lion’ lives up to its name
Known by many for its presence at the Oscars, Garth Davis’ film “Lion,” an adaptation of Saroo Brierly’s autobiography “A Long Way Home,” tells the incredible true story of a young Indian boy estranged from his family by hundreds of miles. Nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor, “Lion” is critically acclaimed, […]
Morgan’s Mix: PROF, Soulcrate and more perform at That Sounds Decent
All kinds of music fans made their way to the parking lot of 8th and Railroad for That Sounds Decent, a music festival hosted by local rap group Soulcrate, Saturday night in Sioux Falls. Even Mayor Mike Huether is a Soulcrate fan – he declared Aug. 26 to be Soulcrate Day in honor of Soulcrate’s […]
Morgan’s Mix: Q&A with NE-HI’s Jason Balla
NE-HI is a band from Chicago comprised of Jason Balla (guitar), Mikey Wells (guitar), James Weir (bass) and Alex Otake (drums). The band stopped at Total Drag Records on Easter night on their tour promoting their full-length album “Offers.” It was their second time at Total Drag; their first was during a tour with fellow […]
Column: VLP open mic night showcases USD talent
One of the perks of going to a university with a flourishing English department is having the opportunity to check out a variety of poetry readings and open mic performances. The most recent event on March 30 closed out the Vermillion Literary Project (VLP) Writer’s Festival, a day of workshops led by award-winning writers and […]