Hancher bringing performing arts to local, state, regional stages in 2009–10

The Joffrey Ballet will kick off Hancher Auditorium's 2009–10 season with benefit events for Hancher and the UI School of Music, at the new Joffrey Towers in Chicago and in the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. Photo by Herbert Migdoll.

Hancher Auditorium's 2009–10 performing arts menu is the first season organized in the absence of a headquarters facility—as a result, an "uncontained season" will be presented in 11 locations, including venues in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Chicago, and Riverside, as well as the University of Iowa campus and Iowa City.

"We have always thought of Hancher as much more than a building," says Charles Swanson, Hancher Auditorium executive director. "We have presented most of our events in Hancher Auditorium, of course, but we also sponsored events in other spaces and throughout the state."

The season opens with two Joffrey Ballet benefit events for Hancher and the UI School of Music, at the new Joffrey Towers in Chicago and in the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. Then Hancher migrates to Iowa City City High School, the Riverside Casino, the UI Pentacrest, the Iowa Memorial Union, the UI Theatre Building, the historic Englert Theatre, Iowa City West High School, the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, and St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Hancher's commitment to nurturing the arts through commissions and premieres continues in 2009–10, with Hancher-commissioned premieres by the Imani Winds and Stefon Harris, and UI alumnus Rinde Eckert's theatrical meditation on the loss of sight, in collaboration with the UI Hospitals and Clinics Center for Macular Degeneration.

When Hancher Auditorium was inundated by floodwaters in June 2008, the Hancher staff scrambled to salvage what they could from the 2008–09 season. Through the generous cooperation of schools, churches, and other organizations, they found new venues for many performances.

"Without question, Hancher Auditorium was a special place—a place of so many glowing memories for all of us," Swanson says. "But while we are without a facility of our own for several years, we will continue to do our best to fulfill our mission: to augment the educational programs of the University and to enrich the cultural life of the University and the state. We view it as both a challenge and an opportunity."

2009–10 Hancher Performing Arts Season

September

• 3: The Joffrey Ballet, Joffrey Towers, Chicago
• 11: The Joffrey Ballet with the UI Symphony Orchestra, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
• 25: Imani Winds and Stefon Harris, City High School Opstad Auditorium

October

• 2: Dinner and Dance with the City Lights Orchestra Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Event Center, Riverside
• 11: Hot 8 Brass Band, Pentacrest
• 18: Rob Lake Magic, An Afternoon of Magic, City High School Opstad Auditorium

November

• 13: Herb Alpert and Lani Hall, Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Event Center, Riverside

December

• 5: Natalie MacMaster, "Christmas in Cape Breton," Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Event Center, Riverside
• 8: Straight No Chaser, Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge

January

• 23: Thank You, Gregory, City High School Opstad Auditorium

February

• 5–7 and 12–14: Rinde Eckert, "Eye Piece," Mabie Theatre, Theatre Building
• 10: An Evening with Rosanne Cash, Englert Theatre
• 12: Winard Harper Sextet, City High School Opstad Auditorium
• 21: YL Male Voice Choir, West High School Auditorium

March

• 4: Abraham Inc., Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge
• 26–28: "Avenue Q," U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids

April

• 10: Interpreti Veneziani, St. Mary's Catholic Church
• 16: Luna Negra Dance Theater, Englert Theatre

May

• 9: Michael Cooper, "Masked Marvels & Wondertales," Mabie Theatre, Theatre Building

by Winston Barclay