Presented by Hancher, Mission Creek Festival, and SCOPE Productions
SEASON SPONSOR: West Music
MISSION CREEK TITLE SPONSOR: University of Iowa Community Credit Union
 

Andrew Bird

The A.V. Club calls Andrew Bird a “musical polymath [who] is the quintessential word-of-mouth artist.” So, take our word for it: Bird is the real deal. A multi-instrumentalist, a compelling singer-songwriter, and a heck of a whistler, he has quietly built a loyal fan base happy to shout its approval of his eclectic music. Of the songs on his most recent record, Are You Serious, Bird says, “Here I am with my most unguarded, direct, relatable [music] to date. Go easy on me.” Fans old and new will no doubt heed this Bird’s call.

My Brightest Diamond

The sheer force of Shara Nova’s beautiful voice and adventurous artistic spirit combine to create My Brightest Diamond. Nova’s career and influences are multi-faceted. Raised in a musical family of traveling evangelists, she has studied operatic voice and classical composition. She was a member of the band AwRY and Sufjan Stevens’ Illinoisemakers. She has collaborated with Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, and University of Iowa alum and Pulitzer Prize winner David Lang among many others from across the musical landscape. As My Brightest Diamond, Nova mines the full potential of her prodigious talent.
 

BEFORE THE CONCERT

Short story writer Kelly Link invites readers into the slipstream with stories of the fantastic. Link has collected a Hugo Award, three Nebula Awards, and a World Fantasy Award. Her most recent collection, Get In Trouble, was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize. Step into the wondrous with one of today’s most thrilling spinners of tales.
 

Mission Creek Festival website

Andrew Bird website

My Brightest Diamond website

Kelly Link website