Once again, Hancher tackles the impossible—presenting a full season of events without a performance venue. Of course, it is possible—since that’s exactly what organizers did last year, relocating as many events as they could after floodwaters from the Iowa River severely damaged Hancher Auditorium. The twist to the 2009-10 season is that in addition to several Iowa City locations, events will be held in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Chicago, and Riverside, too.
"Without question, Hancher Auditorium was a special place—a place of so many glowing memories for all of us,” says Executive Director Charles Swanson. “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 UI and to enrich the cultural life of the university and the state. We view it as both a challenge and an opportunity.”
Two benefit events open the season: at the new Joffrey Towers in Chicago (Sept. 3) and in the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines (Sept. 11). And then Hancher migrates to City High School, Riverside Casino, UI Pentacrest, Iowa Memorial Union, UI Theatre Building, Englert Theatre, West High School, US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids and St. Mary's Catholic Church.
For tickets: http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu , or directly by phone or in person at the Hancher Box Office, now located on the first floor of the Old Capitol Town Center in downtown Iowa City. Call the box office at 319-335-1160 or 800-HANCHER and the staff will fill out an order form for you. All advance orders are subject to a $10 handling charge. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays.
2009-10 Hancher Performing Arts Season
Sept. 3: The Joffrey Ballet, Joffrey Towers, Chicago
Sept. 11: The Joffrey Ballet with the UI Symphony Orchestra, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
Sept. 25: Imani Winds and Stefon Harris, City High School Opstad Auditorium
Oct. 2: Dinner and Dance with the City Lights Orchestra Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Event Center, Riverside
Oct. 11: Hot 8 Brass Band, Pentacrest
Oct. 18: Rob Lake Magic, An Afternoon of Magic, City High School Opstad Auditorium
Nov. 13: Herb Alpert and Lani Hall, Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Event Center, Riverside
Dec. 5: Natalie MacMaster, "Christmas in Cape Breton," Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Event Center, Riverside
Dec. 8: Straight No Chaser, Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge
Jan. 23: Thank You, Gregory, City High School Opstad Auditorium
Feb. 5-7 and 12-14: Rinde Eckert, "Eye Piece," Mabie Theatre, Theatre Building
Feb. 10: An Evening with Rosanne Cash, Englert Theatre
Feb. 12: Winard Harper Sextet, City High School Opstad Auditorium
Feb. 21: YL Male Voice Choir, West High School Auditorium
March 4: Abraham Inc., Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge
March 26-28: "Avenue Q," U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids
April 10: Interpreti Veneziani, St. Mary's Catholic Church
April 16: Luna Negra Dance Theater, Englert Theatre
May 9: Michael Cooper, "Masked Marvels & Wondertales," Mabie Theatre, Theatre Building