Hancher staging Infinite Dream Festival around downtown Iowa City

Music, dance, discussions, readings and comedy from a world of artists, thinkers and the University of Iowa will be in the Infinite Dream spotlight Sept. 24 to 28 at various Iowa City venues.

Through the lens of the arts, this festival, which debuted last year, is described as exploring the American Story — “our grand accomplishments, disruptive failures, and remarkable potential for excellence.”

The festival also celebrates the creativity found on the UI campus and in the larger Iowa City community. Venues include Hancher, 141 E. Park Rd.; the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St.; Old Capitol Museum, 21 N. Clinton St.; and The James Theater, 213 N. Gilbert St.

Schedule

Tuesday, Sept. 24: On Baldwin: Celebrating a Great American Writer (Night #1), 5 p.m. reading, Stanley Cafe at Hancher; free, no ticket required

Tuesday, Sept. 24: Pianist/composer Conrad Tao and dancer/choreographer Caleb Teicher, “Counterpoint,” 7:30 p.m., seating onstage in Hancher Auditorium; $10 to $25 or festival passes

Wednesday, Sept. 25: No More Water: A Conversation with Meshell Ndegeocello, 1 p.m., Senate Chamber, Old Capitol Museum; free, no ticket required

Wednesday, Sept. 25: Touch of Red: A Conversation with TRIBE’s Shamel Pitts and Mirelle Martins, 5 p.m., Stanley Cafe at Hancher; free, no ticket required

Wednesday, Sept. 25: Singer/songwriter John Moreland, 7:30 p.m., onstage seating in Hancher Auditorium; sold out

Thursday, Sept. 26: On Baldwin: Celebrating a Great American Writer (Night #2), 4 p.m. reading, Stanley Cafe at Hancher; free, no ticket required

Thursday, Sept. 26: Vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello, “No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin,” 6 and 9 p.m., onstage seating in Hancher Auditorium; $10 to $25 or festival passes

Thursday, Sept. 26: Comedian Hari Kondabolu, 7:30 p.m., cabaret in Hancher’s Strauss Hall; sold out

Friday, Sept. 27: A Conversation with indie songwriters and collaborators Andrew Bird and Madison Cunningham, 1 p.m., Senate Chamber, Old Capitol Museum; free, no ticket required

Friday, Sept. 27: Patti Smith, A Reading of Selected Poetry, 5 p.m., Englert Theatre; free, no ticket required

Friday, Sept. 27: Madison Cunningham and Andrew Bird, 8:30 p.m., Englert Theatre; perform a top-to-bottom cover of “Buckingham Nicks,” the 1973 duo album by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks; $10 to $35 or festival passes

Friday, Sept. 27: Stamptown Comedy Night, 8 and 10:30 p.m., The James Theater; $10 to $20 or festival passes

Saturday, Sept. 28: This is the Army: Mobilizing Dancers for War, discussion featuring Rebekah Kowal, 1 p.m., Senate Chambers, Old Capitol Museum; free, no ticket required

Saturday, Sept. 28: Wright House: 10 Years of Fashion in Iowa City, 3 p.m., Senate Chamber, Old Capitol Museum; founder, artist and designer Andre Wright will discuss and evolving legacy of fashion in Iowa City, with Katie Roche, Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation director; free, no ticket required

Saturday, Sept. 28: aja monet, 5 p.m., cabaret in Hancher’s Strauss Hall; poetry and jazz; $10 to $20 or festival passes

Saturday, Sept. 28: Patti Smith and Her Band, 8 p.m., Hancher Auditorium; $10 to $55 or festival passes

Saturday, Sept. 28: Stamptown Comedy Night, 8 and 10:30 p.m., The James Theater; $10 to $20 or festival passes

Festival passes

Day Dreamer: Choose any four ticketed events, $80 general or $30 students and people under age 25

Infinite Dreamer Pass: Choose any eight ticketed events, $150 general or $50 students and people under age 25

Details and ticketing links: All seating is general admission; hancher.uiowa.edu/infinitedream