Events & Programs
View all upcoming live concerts, literature/poetry readings,
exhibition openings, and more below.
Email Programs Coordinator to propose an event at the Hearst Center.
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Red House Studios: Located next door to the Hearst Center, this facility offers studio space to artists. We announce open lease opportunities on this site and our social media. Thanks to the UNI Art Department for their continued partnership in awarding a recent graduate a sponsored space at the Red House.
Upcoming
All events listed below are free, unless otherwise noted requiring pre registration via Civic Rec.
MARCH
SEAN KIEFER JAZZ QUARTET
Thursday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m.
The quartet is Sean Kiefer, trumpet/composer; Oisin Leopold, piano; Vincent Valadez, bass; and Jackson Schou, drums. Selections for the performance will include works from Kenny Wheeler, Ambrose Akinmusire, Chick Corea, and original compositions/arrangements.
Sean Kiefer is an award-winning jazz trumpeter and composer/arranger currently studying jazz at the University of Northern Iowa, under Dr. Michael Conrad and Chris Merz. As a trumpeter, he performed at the local, state, and national levels, including a residency at the Telluride Jazz Festival in August of 2024. As a composer/arranger, he has had his works praised by organizations including Downbeat Magazine, ASMAC (American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers), and ISJAC (International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers).
MIDDAY MELODIES
Second Fridays at noon
Enjoy classics performed by the UNI School of Music Department students and faculty.
March 14: Hannah Porter Occena directs Flute Students
IOWA CHAMBER MUSIC COLLECTIVE CONCERT
Sunday, March 30 at 2:00 p.m.
The Iowa Chamber Music Collective returns this season with a free live concert in Mae Latta Hall. Based in the Cedar Valley, this diverse group of musicians founded ICMC in 2022 as a non-profit organization dedicated to making classical music more accessible for communities in Iowa. Musicians: Daniel Kaplunas, violin; John Chiles, viola; Liudmila Lebedeva, cello; Camille Balleza, piano; Ranee Yang, clarinet; Dan Reynolds, piano.
HYBRID! FINAL THURSDAY READING SERIES
Open mic starts at 7:00 p.m. & featured author talk begins at 7:30 p.m.
Visit FTRS website for links to attend virtually. MAE LATTA HALL Join us for a community open mic followed by a discussion with a featured author. The Final Thursday Reading Series is a collaboration of Final Thursday Press, the Hearst Center, the UNI College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences, and the UNI Department of Languages and Literatures. This event takes place on the final Thursday of each month.
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March 27: Kristi Hemmer| Kristi is the author of the memoir Quit Being So Good: Stories of an Unapologetic Woman (Wise Ink Creative Publishing) *This event is co-sponsored by the UNI Women’s & Gender Studies program as part of Women’s History Month.
APRIL
BOOK TALK WITH CHERIE DARGAN
Saturday, April 5 at 2:00 p.m.
Author Cherie Dargan discusses book three of her series, The Gift. Join us for her insight into what she has learned about the role of Iowa in WWI, as well as the role of Iowa’s women and the 19th amendment.
EKPHRASTIC POETRY WITH THE HEARST COLLECTION
Tuesdays, April 8-22 from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Unlock Creativity Through Poetic Responses to Art. Ekphrasis, originating in ancient Greece, is the art of describing a subject with vivid detail. This series is perfect for visual artists, arts appreciators, and writers! Participants will: •Explore rarely seen artworks from the Hearst Permanent Collection. •Practice visual learning techniques to deepen art appreciation, critical thinking, and strengthen your own creative writing. •Develop skills to describe your own art to patrons or potential buyers. Led by our 2024–25 James Hearst Writer-in-Residence, Dr. Hannah CarrMurphy, this series invites you to create your own ekphrastic poems, guided by expert instruction.
Space is limited! Preregistration required. Register now!
HEARST FILM SCENE
For cinephiles, film buffs, and anyone interested in movies. As part of this program we will be screening films, hosting conversations and featuring art that incorporates moving pictures. Doors open at 7 p.m. Events start at 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday, April 8 at 7:15 p.m. Panel Discussion: What Makes A Film Great?
All art is subjective; nonetheless, with film there is a consensus between viewers and reviewers as to qualities which put a movie in the running for greatness. Typically, films are rated based on technical merits such as: writing, cinematography, editing, sound, acting and direction. As moviegoers there are some quick gut-check questions we ask: Was the film entertaining? Did I enjoy watching this film? Were there characters I could relate to? Would I recommend this to my friends? Would I watch it again? Am I still thinking about the film two days later? In this panel discussion we’ll examine these facets that speak to a great film. We’ll also look at films that have landed on numerous “great film” lists and talk about why they land there. We’ll also discuss why films critics love sometimes bomb at the box office? And why are blockbuster hits often panned by critics?
Tuesday, April 22 at 7:15 p.m. Film Screening: The Seventh Seal
Sixty-eight years after its initial release The Seventh Seal is still considered one of the great films of all time. Director Ingmar Bergman takes viewers on a profound exploration of existential themes, with powerful imagery; a compelling central metaphor of a knight playing a chess game with Death; strong character studies; a unique blend of dark humor to offset the bleak subject matter; and an ability to provoke deep philosophical discussions about life, death, and the meaning of existence. A bucket list title for film fans. And if you haven’t seen this for a while a film certainly worth revisiting again…and again. This film is in Swedish with English subtitles. Not rated. Running Time: 1 hr 36 m.
MIDDAY MELODIES
Second Fridays at noon
Enjoy classics performed by the UNI School of Music Department students and faculty.
April 11: Anthony Williams directs Trombone Students
HYBRID! FINAL THURSDAY READING SERIES
Open mic starts at 7:00 p.m. & featured author talk begins at 7:30 p.m.
Visit FTRS website for links to attend virtually. Join us for a community open mic followed by a discussion with a featured author. The Final Thursday Reading Series is a collaboration of Final Thursday Press, the Hearst Center, the UNI College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences, and the UNI Department of Languages and Literatures. This event takes place on the final Thursday of each month.
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April 24: Bao Phi| Bao is the author of the poetry collection Sông I Sing (Coffee House Press) and the children’s book A Different Pond (Capstone Young Readers), a Caldecott Honor book.
ARTS RETREAT: CREATING DEEP TIME
Saturday, April 26 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Join the EarthWhispers Abbey sisters, Sue Schuerman and Felicia Babb, for a threehour free workshop designed for anyone needing a creativity refresh. If you enjoy journaling and using your cell phone camera to create resonating moments, this workshop is for you!
This workshop involves improving your creativity with more spontaneity through: •Photography and writing prompts
•Sharing your creative work
•Commenting and inspiring each other Using the Hearst Center garden and galleries as sources to nourish and refresh your creative spirit in the company of other wild minds, the EarthWhispers Abbey sisters will help you see and appreciate our world.​​
RED HERRING THEATRE PRESENTS: THE LACY PROJECT
Tuesday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Written by Alena Smith; Directed by Ahmad Madlock; Sponsored by Jones Law Firm, Mike and Rita Waggoner, and the Friends of the Hearst.
Synopsis: Her mother’s photographs turned Lacy into an icon of childhood innocence and beauty. Now, on the night of her 22nd birthday, Lacy must navigate between image and reality, sex and friendship, self-indulgence and responsibility. This wild tragicomedy presents a portrait of a young woman held captive by her own childhood, and a vivid picture of a generation unable to grow up.
MAY
Join us in the Hearst Sculpture Garden! Get Up! Get Down! is an instrumental jazzy funk band formed in 2022 by drummer Don Colton and guitarist Jon Chamberlain. Joined by Devin Ferguson on bass and Simon Harding on woodwinds and keyboards. Their repertoire includes original tunes as well as covers from some of the biggest names in jazz-funk, such as Lettuce, Soulive, The Meters, John Scofield, Medeski Scofield Martin and Wood, and Herbie Hancock.
OUTDOOR CONCERT WITH GET UP! GET DOWN!
Thursday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m.
CEDAR FALLS COMMUNITY THEATRE AND HEARST CENTER PRESENT...GORILLA THEATRE
Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m.
The stakes will be high and there will be no net in an unscripted comedy event called… Gorilla Theater. Two improv teams will meet in a comedy showdown to determine which team captain will go home with Bingo the Comedy Gorilla! This is a totally improvised show with lots of audience participation – everything you see will be performed for the first and for the last time! It will be bananas!
OUTDOOR CONCERT WITH CARTER GUSE
Join us in the Hearst Sculpture Garden! Welcome back singer/songwriter, Carter Guse to the Hearst Center. He is a performer who excites audiences with stories and songs ranging from the 50’s through today’s hits. BYO lawn chair, beverages, and snacks
MICHAEL CONRAD & CHRISTOPHER MERZ JAZZ DUO
Thursday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m.
The Mike Conrad / Chris Merz Duo plays a mix of original compositions, lesser-known jazz works, and tunes from the Great American Songbook that have often been given a creative twist. These University of Northern Iowa Jazz Faculty members take a dynamic and highly-interactive approach to the piano/saxophone duo format
JUNE
FILM SCREENING OF GARY KELLEY DOCUMENTARY
Tuesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Directed by David O’Shields, this documentary explores the artist’s successful and prolific career while sticking close to his Iowa roots to share with local audiences.
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