Hancher Launches 50th Anniversary Season With Serious Star Power

Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City is ushering in a new era and celebrating its 50th year as an Eastern Iowa arts and entertainment resource with a lineup that will keep audiences spellbound.

Andre Perry is the head of the UI’s new Office of Performing Arts and Engagement, and the new Hancher Director. In a statement published by the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Perry said:

It’s an exciting moment for Hancher and for all of the performing arts at the University of Iowa. We are building on decades of exceptional work and continuing to serve our campus, community, and state in robust, meaningful ways. Hancher’s 50th anniversary season celebrates where we have been and starts to point the way forward

“Hancher’s Golden Anniversary — We All Rise" is the theme, named after a song from the legendary jazz saxophonist Wynton Marsalis, just one of the many names bringing star power to the auditorium.

Other favorites include Motown legend Patti LaBelle and actor/singer Leslie Odom, Jr., best known for his work in the Broadway musical "Hamilton". This season is the last one programmed by Hancher's now-retired former executive director, Chuck Swanson, who left his post in February, according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

August

Dana Kunze’s Watershow Productions

• Aug. 26-28

Too Many Zooz

• Aug. 26

September

Levitt Lecture: Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein

•  Sept. 14

Leslie Odom Jr.

• Sept. 24

Soweto Gospel Choir presents “HOPE: It’s Been a Long Time Coming”

• Sept. 29

October

Aaron Diehl and Brandon Patrick George present “Songs of Black America”

• Oct. 14

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis “All Rise”

• Oct. 22

Brentano String Quartet and Dawn Upshaw: “Dido Reimagined”

•  Oct. 25

November

UI Department of Dance’s Dance Gala 2022

• Nov. 11-12

“Annie”

• Nov. 14-16

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis

• Nov. 19

December

Cantus

• Dec. 1

Patti LaBelle

•  Dec. 9

January

STOMP

•  Jan. 21

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

•  Jan. 29

February

Pilobolus: “Big Five-Oh!”

• Feb. 4

Kronos Quartet: “At War With Ourselves – 400 Years of You”

•  Feb. 11

Dan + Claudia Zanes: “Let Love Be Your Guide”

• Feb. 18

March

Academy of St Martin in the Fields

• March 2

Club Hancher: Alexa Tarantino Band

•  March 8

Club Hancher: Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet

• March 23

Club Hancher: Vuyo Sotashe Group

• March 25

Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott

• March 28

April

Conor Hanick with Keir GoGwilt and Jay Campbell

• April 14

Emerson String Quartet

• April 21

David Gonzalez and David Carlton: “Finding North”

• April 28

May

American Ballet Theatre

• May 6

Tickets are currently on sale to Hancher donors at the $120 level and higher. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Aug. 15.