American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre returns to close Hancher’s 50th anniversary season with a mixed repertory program that is sure to thrill and delight everyone who experiences it.
Pilobolus
Pilobolus—that feisty arts organism—is, like Hancher, celebrating 50 years! Turning its traditions sideway and bringing its past into the future, Pilobolus will perform a mix of signature works from the vintage and visionary to the fresh and electrifying.
Nachte Raho 2022
We're back with our 20th annual Nachte Raho: The University of Iowa's very own premier Bollywood Fusion dance competition! This year, seven teams will be competing for a total of $3000. (First Place: $1500, Second Place: $1000, Third Place: $500)
This year's teams are:
Dance Gala 2021
Dance Gala celebrates 40 years of captivating audiences with groundbreaking choreography created by University of Iowa Department of Dance faculty and prominent guest artists from around the world. This year, we are privileged to stage The Moor’s Pavane by José Limón, a 20th century modern dance masterwork. In addition, the dance faculty will premiere four exciting works, expressions of our resilience, commitment to, and enthusiasm for this art form. Dance Gala 2021 promises to engage audiences of all ages and we invite you to take a leap and join us in this celebration.
Dance Gala 2021 Livestream
Dance Gala celebrates 40 years of captivating audiences with groundbreaking choreography created by University of Iowa Department of Dance faculty and prominent guest artists from around the world. This year, we are privileged to stage The Moor’s Pavane by José Limón, a 20th century modern dance masterwork. In addition, the dance faculty will premiere four exciting works, expressions of our resilience, commitment to, and enthusiasm for this art form. Dance Gala 2021 promises to engage audiences of all ages and we invite you to take a leap and join us in this celebration.
WorldCanvass - Wellspring: The Power of Partnerships
This live WorldCanvass event will feature a short performance by Step Afrika! as well as an interview with company founder C. Brian Williams among other festivities.
Hancher will host WorldCanvass on September 10 for an outdoor celebration of community. Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague will join Chuck Swanson of Hancher, Russell Ganim of International Programs, and a host of performers and artists including Brian Williams of Step Afrika! and sculptor Colette Hosmer in an exploration of the power of partnerships to enrich and enliven community life.
Sculpture Dedication, Step Afrika!, and Business After Hours
A short performance by Step Afrika! will be part of the dedication ceremony for a new sculpture honoring longtime Hancher friend Mary Jo Stanley.
Mark Morris Dance Group
Mark Morris meets The Beatles! Pepperland is replete with Mark Morris’s blend of wit, musicality, and ingenuity. The evening-length work features original music by Ethan Iverson (formerly of The Bad Plus) as well as arrangements of songs from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band performed by a live ensemble, with Ethan Iverson on keyboards and a live theramin.
Free Demonstration Event
Dancers from American Ballet Theatre will teach some ballet movement for everyone and will also share some of the choreography that will be part of the evening’s performance.
Right: Jacob Clerico in Indestructible Light (Photo: Todd Rosenberg Photography)
Step Afrika!
Step Afrika! returns with a tale of resistance, resilience, and reclamation. Grounded in the Stono Rebellion of 1739, which led to the banning of drums among enslaved Africans, Drumfolk celebrates the beat entering the very bodies of persecuted people.