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Despite needing a translator for a recent interview with the Spanish-speaking Havana Cuban All-Stars, nothing is lost in translation when it comes to the music. The energetic band will deliver an eclectic mix of Cuban sounds when it swings through Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City on March 14. “The diversity of music is what makes (our) music so great,” bandleader Michel Padron said via an interpreter. “I think Cuban music is unique because of the different rhythms used — Son, cha cha cha and others. We use four different rhythms in the first four songs of our show.”

A mystical singing hat named “Capello,” a musical prodigy, and a noisy, strange city: It sounds like the makings of a wonder-filled children’s novel, the type that is hard to buy into as an adult. But Theater Lovett has made this mystical plot into a reality and invites tired college students to sit back, relax, and explore childhood wonder in the midst of midterms season. At 2 p.m. March 10, Theater Lovett will bring its highly acclaimed show They Called Her Vivaldi to Hancher.

A partnership between the Spencer Performing Arts Coalition, University of Iowa and Hancher Auditorium has resulted in traditional Irish ensemble, Danu, launching its U.S. tour in Spencer Thursday, Feb. 28. Danu’s Spencer performance at 7:30 p.m. on the SCT Playhouse stage is sponsored by the University of Iowa Foundation, Hancher Auditorium, Lilian Swanson Foundation and SPARC. “Danu is from Ireland, and usually comes to the United States one to two times a year,” said Chuck Swanson, executive director of Hancher Auditorium. “This season they are only coming once, and Spencer and Iowa City are their only Iowa stops; with other performances in Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Maine.” “It will not only be a great music experience but also a great lesson in geography,” Swanson said. “One would have to travel to Ireland to experience music like this. I am a native of Spencer and it is such a joy to be able to help create an experience like this for our friends in Spencer.”

The British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams wrote many major orchestral works as well as pieces for students and amateurs during his long creative life. In 1950, he composed “Concerto Grosso” for a performance to be given by massed British schools conducted by Sir Adrian Boult. The piece is unique in that it may be performed by only advanced players or can be split into three sections based on skill, from professional to amateur. It is logical to assume that this piece would be a perfect choice for a Preucil School of Music concert, with children from ages 3 to 18 studying stringed instruments. But, because of the scheduling difficulties involved, the younger children have not been included since 1976, when our school was quite new and had fewer students. Suddenly it seemed like a good time to program it, to let the younger students experience the thrilling sound of massed string orchestra. Some of our alumni now in musical careers tell us that playing that piece as youngsters began their love of music. Come to our Annual String Concert at Hancher Auditorium on Sunday, February 24 at 2:00 p.m. to hear “Concerto Grosso” performed by 110 students from our orchestra program, the youngest aged seven!