Hancher

interesting building 2

A comment from Geoff to the entry below (interesting building) agreed that a Rem Koolhaas building in Iowa City  would be very cool. There is the new Steven Holl art building and the Frank Ghery one so...

Here is an interesting one from Daniel Libeskind. It is not a performing arts building but an art museum addition in Toronto.

Libeskind's Denver Art Museum addition is beautiful. I went to the AIGA conference in Denver a couple of years ago. First stop: the Denver Art Museum. It was early before the first event of the day and the museum was almost empty. I was so abosorbed in the great modern pieces there and how they fit into this wonderful structure. I turned a corner and saw someone that looked exactly like Daniel Libeskind. The person with him called him Daniel. Wow, it really is Libeskind. It was his first visit back after the opening and he was speaking later at our conference. I don't even remember what he said but I was so taken by the idea of being in a magnificent building he built at the same time as he was there. Doesn't take much to make me star struck but when it comes to architecture, it takes even less.

interesting building

Here is a performing arts building by Rem Koolhaas. Just to give us some ideas of what is possible. More here.

story time

Chuck and Ken both participated in the StoryCorp project last year after the flood. A recent story in the UI publication fyi profiled them both with a nice picture. Listen to them here.

settling in

A year ago we moved without notice (the flood was directing it) to Lindquist Building South. It was a good home and we found lots of good things to say. We were all together in the same space for the first time. At Hancher we were in separate areas as boxoffice/backstage/offices. I discovered the great collection of children's books in Lindquist North in the Curriculum Resources Laboratory. And we had the courtyard with the best piece of sculpture on campus--the Louise Nevelson. It was like discovering new parts of the campus.

Now as of yesterday, we have moved to the opposite side of campus in Seashore Hall. This building is full of history and I have to say that for me the best part is that everyone has windows. As designer, having natural light is such a treat.

According to Wikipedia, this location (different structure) was where the UI first began classes: "The first faculty offered instruction at the university in March 1855 to students in the Old Mechanics Building, situated where Seashore Hall is now. In September 1855, there were 124 students, of whom forty-one were women."

So, we are settling in, unpacking, and for the most part back to work. Moving is such an ordeal but we had great help from Bob Kutcher and his crew. It is kind of fun getting to see new parts of the campus as resident and not just visitor.

Today I climbed up to the 6th floor of Seashore West and had a great view of downtown Iowa City. That view ranks right up there with the view from the top of the Court Street Parking Ramp. I have a gorgeous view of the steeple on St. Mary's Church. The clock on the tower keeps perfect time, most unusual for those large public clock towers that never seem to work.

The Box Office is in the downtown mall now and we make an effort to stop by to say hello and keep connected. We invite you to stop by either location and say hello. We are busy getting ready for our new season which starts September 11 with the Joffrey in Des Moines and September 25 here on campus with the Imani Winds. 

last year today

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
new digs

We are now in our new location on the east side of the river and it almost is an adventure if it weren't for the reason we moved. Things are still looking dire as far as what might come. We will see...

We will see indeed! We have been in our new offices in Lindquist for a year today. It is kind of interesting—and a little wierd—to go back and read the blog from last year remembering all the stuff that we haven't really forgotten. At least some of the uncertainty of that day is now gone. We still have lots of plans and hopes and we have a brand new season just announced. We are right now going back to the Hancher building to pack up all our stuff there. We brought with us a year ago, just the stuff we thought we would need for a few weeks, assuming we would be back in the building by fall maybe. Well, that obviously didn't happen and through the year we have gone over to pick up odds and ends of things we needed. The stage staff has been sorting and cleaning and figuring out what was saved and what was gone. But now we are moving later this month out of here at Lindquist to another location in Seashore Hall. The Box Office is already in their new spot in the downtown mall. Some of were over at Hancher yesterday packing up offices. It is dirty but cool and not smelly. Depressing and sad but expected. Danielle our stage manager reminded us that she lost her office so she had to start from  scratch.

So lots of folks are "celebrating" the flood a year ago. We are by moving the last of our things out of the building we are having a hard time saying goodbye too. Can't wait to see what I will write about on June 11, 2010.

Ron

the history story

The Joffrey Ballet has come to our rescue with an offer to do benefit performances for us. We jumped at the opportunity and have two events coming in September in Des Moines and Chicago. We often talk around here about how we go way back with the Joffrey and all the times we have shared unbelievable events--the Nutcracker, the summer residency, Billboards, and of course Hancher's 35th Anniversary tour of Iowa. Those of us who have been in Iowa City for a while know the history of the Joffrey and what makes them such a world class company.

I was preparing some materials for the two events and looking at the Joffrey's website. I ran across this video on their fundraising page that goes to the origin. It is a video of Robert Joffrey talking about the start of this great group. If you don't know who Joffrey is, take a look. If you are a longtime lover of the Joffrey, take a look. It once again verifies how a dream becomes real.

Ron

Alpin Hong and a story of joy

I received this audience comment after Alpin Hong's time at Hancher in April.
Thanks M for sharing your personal story and your observations of how Alpin
touched those who heard him--kids and adults alike. Hearing this is so good.    --Ron

I'm so glad to have this opportunity to talk about Alpin Hong. It's 
wonderful to see someone who loves music to be so outgoing about it,
to show kids that classical music can be fun, to be such a well-
rounded, funny person and to share that side of himself so
enthusiastically.

I went to South East Jr. High to watch his classes with the seventh
and eighth grade orchestra students and loved it! There he was, in
sweatpants and a T-shirt, just a normal guy. He has the ability to
tune into any age group to share his loves and talents. He had the
kids' complete attention in the first minute. Then when he played a 
bit of Super Mario and the two cellists and bassist said, "We know
 that!", he immediately told them to get their instruments and play for
 him. It sounded all cobbled together, of course, but he recognized
 their talent and said, "Hey! Would you consider opening the second
 half of the concert with me?" (He asked them, as though it would
 genuinely be a favor to him - and he was sincere.) Wow! How often does
 that happen? This was Wednesday afternoon, and by Friday night, Hong
 and the kids sounded fantastic. When he said he had made three new
 friends for life, I believed him.

 I'm sure it was amazing to the students to see the transformation of
 Alpin the skateboarder, in his workshops, to Alpin Hong the concert
 pianist: suit, hair pulled back, on stage with the grand piano. But
 his personality shone through and spoke to audience members of all ages.

 And as for his playing, his style is unique. I heard even the most
 familiar pieces, like the "Moonlight" sonata and "Rhapsody in Blue",
 as though for the first time. His have become my favorite renditions.

 My husband, son, and I went to his concert a few years ago at Clapp
 and were very impressed. We were excited that he was coming back.
 Unfortunately, my family was sick the week of the concert at City and
 couldn't go, so my one ticket, with shipping and handling, cost me
 $100. But he was worth it at any price. Is it his doing that the cost
 of tickets to his concerts is so reasonable ($28.) just so he and his
 music are accessible to everyone? It would be like him.

 Severe chronic depression has been with me for well over two years.
 Alpin Hong gave me joy in an otherwise dark existence.
 Thank you.

 Sincerely,
 MJD

a teacher and her class

I received the following comments from Meredith Alexander after the Academy of Ancient Music concert we presented this spring. It is always gratifying when we hear that someone REALLY connected with an event. We, of course, hope that will always happens and feel certain it often does. It is nice when we hear from someone like Meredith saying just that.

The Academy of Ancient Music was an experience of a lifetime.  The Brandenburg Concerti are one of my favorite pieces of music, and to hear it for the first time played live by a world renowned orchestra was a highlight of many years as a Hancher audience member and as a music lover.  In light of how challenging this season has been for all of us in the performing arts, I am especially in awe of and grateful for whatever extraordinary efforts it took to ensure their visit happened.
 
In addition, several students in my Arts in Performance class also had an experience of a lifetime; as one of them put it, he was never before aware of the way each instrument played its part, and now listens to all styles of music differently, hearing the piece while also hearing the parts. Such an experience for our students, as well as for the community of music lovers, is worth all the aggravations (which may be easier for me to say than for your struggles this season!).
 
Thank you so much for bringing us yet another group of consummate artists!
 
Best,
Meredith Alexander
Faculty, Department of Theatre Arts 

What makes this particularly important to us is that she is also writing about her students' experiences. We are committed here at Hancher to connecting to the students and to the purpose of the University. Each semester we publish a guide for faculty that describes how our events connect with specific courses being offered. But it is more than providing an excellent resource. We believe the arts provide the students (and the community) with experiences that can make a difference in how you see things, add quality to your ongoing education, make you think. and make you feel good. I don't think that overstates the importance in the arts.

Thanks Meredith. Thanks for the feedback. It helps.

Ron

friends

It is nice to have friends. After the flood, we were so buoyed by the comments and notes and support we received. Many of those are here on the blog from last summer. Hancher received many such notes and we all individually had folks asking us about how we were doing. And we still do.

We also heard from many of the artists who have performed at Hancher and who feel a real connection here. Chuck and Judy heard from many and some volunteered to do something to help out. We spent some time planning how we could use the generous offers. We now have four benefit performances set up and we are so excited to announce those today. Let me say also that there were other offers that we hope we can take up in the future and those offers were no less appreciated.

So the details will be coming soon as far as tickets and locations. But today we want you to put the dates on the calendar and be ready to help our artist friends benefit Hancher.

We are excited about the range of dance, family, and chamber music. Check back often and keep up on what's next. The performances and dates are right here.

Ron

read the students

We have been getting some good posts from our student bloggers reviewing recent events at Hancher. You can read them by clicking on the link to the right "STUDENT BLOG."

Also if you want to get an email when something new has been added to our blog, use the email sign up to the right at the top.

Ron

encouragement

We have settled in to a new way of working since the flood. It has been interesting and often things we had a set way of doing have to be rethought and done from scratch. We are happy to be able to present in all kinds of places. It seems to be working for now while we wait for more definite plans for the building. Sometimes it really helps to get a word of encouragement. This note came unsolicited after the Box Office sent out their reminder email to ticketholders for an upcoming event. To the Carrolls: "We really appreciate it. Enjoy the show."            —Ron


Hi:  Thanks for the reminder.  Hopefully "HANCHER" will be back soon and better than ever.  We enjoy the entertainers you bring to Iowa.  Keep up the great work.
Thanks again,

Pat & Karen Carroll
Cedar Rapids

variety of folks

Time for Three's last day of residencies was yesterday. Now all that remains is their concert tonight at Opstad Auditorium which I know will be a real treat. Wednesday's activities ran the gamut of places and people. It began with high school string students, went to ACT for lunchtime performance, to United Action for Youth after school where some local high school students joined in for a jam session and some actual recording in the recording studio there. The final event was with Access Iowa group in Cedar Rapids. It strikes me that over the course of a residency, our artists probably get a good view of our community by working with a wide variety of people. I know they will go away remembering their time here--and surely it will all be good!

Here is lunch at ACT

and jamming at United Action for Youth

java time

 

Time for three at the Java House Tuesday night.

Big crowd, great music!

fairground curiosity?

From Hal Ide, Hancher's Assistant Box Office Manager:

I am getting all confused, and feel kind of strung out.  At the end of January we presented jazz vocalist Kurt Elling.  It was a wonderful event, and made all the more so by ETHEL, a string quartet.   We touted their presence as adding class and sophistication to the evening, which they did.  Now we are busy selling Time for Three, a youthful string trio.  And we are busy telling folks that “oh no, it’s not stuffy and staid like a string quartet or anything, these guys are fun!”.

Ach du lieber.  Do you see my problem?

And of course, right smack dab in the middle of these two performances we presented the St. Lawrence String Quartet.  Plain.  No frills. 

Remember when the Beatles came out with “Eleanor Rigby”?  People spoke in reverential tones… “they used a string quartet!”, as if adding strings to a pop recording was something new.  It wasn’t, it had been done hundreds of times before.  Yes, “Rigby” is a beautiful recording, but it did not really break any new ground.  Nor is crossing genres anything new, witness those wonderful janissary moments in Mozart and Beethoven, or Debussy’s musical reaction to hearing a Gamelan at the Paris Exhibition.

So what is it that excites us about this mixing of styles?  Does it help us to see ourselves differently?  “I’m a jazzer, but I have some class”  “I’m a classical person, but I can be spontaneous and have some fun”.  Is it fair-ground curiosity?  “See the three-headed dog!!!”

Maybe we are drawn to these things because they let us know that we all share a lot in common.   Maybe it just feels good to hear how we are all connected.  Maybe music does this in a way words can not.  And just maybe there is something in each of us that really craves for music to speak to us that way.

Hal

time for three Tuesday

Time for Three continues the residency with Hancher today. Here are some photos from Tuesday morning. Opstad Auditorium was packed--main floor AND balcony--with students grades 4-8 who are all string players. It was an awesome audience and the energetic three put on a great show!

classical garage band

MORE PHOTOS HERE

We've been talking about Time for Three around here as a classically-trained garage band. That is what their promo stuff says and that is what they say in person. One of the two violinists, Nick mentioned today at a residency activity here that one of the hardest things for them was to figure out how to market their music. It doesn't fit any one niche.

Time for Three is amazing. They combine it all. They talked this morning about the fact that because they all are classcially trained, they have the ability to take their music to new places. They said that what they find so exciting is that when they play a concert, they know where a piece will begin and end but what goes on in the middle is open to improvisation. Like jazz. Like classical. Like blue grass. Like folk. Like rock. Like life. They also talk about how their own backgrounds bring something to their music. Music has in the past been a lot about drawing on the geography and cultural context of the musicians and composers. That is certainly part of this amalgamation too. It is hard to talk about but let me say that it is full of energy, thoughtful, and beautiful music. Take a listen.You can hear them on their MySpace page.

I have mentioned before how I like a new direction that some chamber music has taken. We've seen evidence of that with Hancher artists over the last few years. It ranges from groups with a classical repertoire that includes a new, unknown composition, to groups wanting to reach completely new audiences. Hancher has commissioned pieces with the idea that creating new work for groups with new ideas will be a good and exciting thing.

Tf3 is here as part of Hancher's special project this year. Before we expanded the term to include our whole post-flood season, Can't Contain Us was the name of the project where we take chamber music out to all kinds of venues around the area. We started with The Chiara String Quartet and now it is TIme for Three. Today they were at a UI class and at the Press Citizen lunch hour. They will be several places over the next few days; the one at the Java House tomorrow night at 8 pm will be free and open to everyone. Don't miss it and I guarantee you will want to get your tickets for the full concert on Thursday at City High. (Tickets still available!)

 See what you think. And let me know.

Ron

PS. Check out Melea's preview of Time for Three on the Hancher Student blog.

resident writer

I always love it when I have something related to Hancher that I can blog about and when it involves showing everyone what a great staff we have here.

Rob Cline is our Marketing Director and in that role writes most of the words that come from Hancher: brochures, eNews, ad copy, event blurbs on the web and much more. [I have to add here that as the designer who then works with those words, it is a delight to have Rob's work.]

Rob also does writing on his own and I wanted to let everyone know about the latest Wapsipinicon Almanac which has a delightful essay by our very own Rob. The essay is called “The Naked Truth: Tidings from the Paper Route.”

"Paper delivery itself was not something I had in mind when I was casting about for an new job nearly seven years ago." It's a thoughtful look at life from an angle most of us would never know about as a paper carrier.

The Almanac was first published in 1988 as a yearly or biannual journal of good, local writing. Tim Fay edits and prints it in Anamosa where he has a print shop doing things the old way with letterpress. I, for one, love all the new techology available for designers and printers but publications like the Almanac have a special place in our world. I remember visiting letterpress shops decades ago and Tim's work reminds me of that rich part of print history. But there is something more important about the publication. You are just one or two steps from the hands that actually crafted the book. That close connection to the craftsman makes the book feel good and adds an aura to the words and ideas inside. The Almanac is available several places in Iowa City and many more around the state.

And you can hear Rob read when he will be one those reading his work from the Wapsipinicon Almanac at Prairie Lights Book Store on January 30. I hope everyone will read our resident writer's latest and get a chance to be at the reading.

Ron

big box, new life

I was reading one of the design journals that I get and was quite surprised to turn the page and discover a two-page spread photo of the University of Iowa art department facility under the title "Big box, new life." Print magazine generally deals with print design of all sorts and writer Julia Christensen wrote this article. Her particular interest is how communities are reusing abandoned big box buildings and she says when she heard about the UI Art Department's "Menards Project" she immediately headed to Iowa City.

The article talks about the flood and the physical losses but points out that the catastrophe reaches beyond that to the spiritual, artistic and financial impact. It goes on to describe how the transformation took place and some of the problems inherent in having all the studios and classrooms in one space. But it is the surprising developments that give the story the human side. One student is quoted that somehow being in a building without the tradition and history is less intimidating. And then there is the new found collaborations. With various disciplines are all together, there has been an ease of collaboration and interdisciplinary opportunities. The trend today is for more crossing the boundaries between media and it seems the Menard Project, born out of necessity, has held some good surprises in this area.

It was good to see this article in a national magazine, with a positive spin, talking about the amazing things that have happened on this campus since the flood. Since Hancher has been relocated we have found some of those positive things too and will certainly add to who we are as we move on and get back to what we were before the flood. We also need to hear those stories to help us maintain the spirit.

The February 2009 issue with this article isn't online yet as of this posting but I am hoping it will be up soon and will include the UI story. It's worth checking out. Congratulations to the Art Department for doing it right.

Ron

deeply grateful

I didn't want to miss the chance to mention the Brad Mehldau Trio concert a week ago. I have admitted before to not being a sophisticated jazz listener. I tend toward loving the more accessible music and zoning out on the more abstract ones. I should have learned from my new found love of contemporary chamber music, that if you are willing to try and willing to be open, you can find something very worthwhile in the effort to move outside your usual playlists.

But with Brad Mehldau, I didn't even have to try. Wow. I left the concert thinking that I can't remember when I've left a performance feeling so deeply satisfied. The Mehldau trio was perfect--perfect program mix, perfect ensemble, incredible playing. It was like the most beautifully crafted piece of art. It did move to areas of what I term abstract sound. Not unlike my favorite 20th century abstract painters. Unlike a painting though the music moved on and left me with only a memory of how wonderful it was. Left me, as I said, deeply satisfied.

The highlight for me was an incredibly beautiful take on the Richard Rodger's song "Something Good." This song was written--music and lyrics--by Richard Rodgers for the Sound of Music movie. Not in the original version and done after Hammerstein had died, this song is not a huge hit in the movie but it was when Mehldau played it. Beautiful, sublime, ethereal. Words just don't describe it. Heavenly, perhaps.

Ah, but, my original reason for writing this was to bring up a very nice letter we got from our audience comments. Marcelo is a Jazz Studies student at Iowa and he writes how deeply grateful he was for the opportunity to see this great musician. Here is what he wrote:

My name is Marcelo Kuyumjian and I'm doing my masters in Jazz Studies. I'm from Brazil and this is my first year here. Brad Mehldau has been to Brazil a few times, and I always wanted to see him, but it was really expensive and hard to get tickets. I got a great surprise when I found out that he was playing here in Iowa and that it was really affordable for me to come.

Since I'm a jazz piano student, I was really glad to know that I was going to see one of the best pianists alive today. It's great to know, as a student, that there people willing to bring great musicians to Iowa City. If we have other concerts like this, I would definitely go, and I really hope that happens again soon!

I realize how I take for granted the wonderful opportunities that abound here. Thanks Marcelo for reminding me.

Ron

Note that you can read the other audience reactions by clicking on the Audience Comments link to the right.

Brad and Joni and Nietzsche and Hal

from Hal Ide, Senior Assistant Box Office Manager

I am having a crisis, and I blame Rob Cline.   Reading our November eNews I was interested to discover that Brad Mehldau is a writer, and one that Rob admires.  So I followed the links and read some of Mr. Mehldau’s writing.  Indeed, he is really good. Still curious, I went on to read some of the other offerings on the website, items that had been written about Mr. Mehldau and his music.

That is where the trouble started.

The first thing I came to was titles   “Smashing the Framework with a Piano Hammer: An Interpretation of Nietzschean Existentialism in the Music of Brad Mehldau.”

Yep.  “Nietzschean Existentialism in the Music of Brad Mehldau”.  Oh dear.  I must confess that philosophy has never been my strong suit.  As a matter of fact I have always felt that in the end it is all rather pointless, like those long discussions we used to have late at night in the dorms, or “if a tree falls in the woods…”.    In addition, reading philosophy always makes me painfully aware of my intellectual limitations.  I can often read a paragraph 3 or 4 times and still not understand it at all.  I do not like confronting my intellectual limitations.  So of course I had to talk to Rob about all this.  Turns out, he is quite interested in philosophy, however, he is “not a Nietzsche guy”.  I guess that makes two of us.    Anyway this all kind of nagged at my brain, so I did a quick study of Nietzsche to help myself out, and I read the article again.  No luck, I still did not understand what was being said.  My only comfort was to learn that Nietzsche eventually went crazy.  Hah! I thought, see… this philosophy stuff is bad for you, and these people sitting around writing and talking about it are just wasting their time.  I thought I had my little seed of discomfort nicely extracted from under the mattress.

Pity the fool.

I am a huge Joni Mitchell fan.  I was listening to a tribute album of her music last night.  That is where the trouble got deeper.  Brad Mehldau does a track on said album.  He covers “Don’t Interrupt the Sorrow” from Ms. Mitchell’s “The Hissing of Summer Lawns”.   He does a marvelous job, and I was enjoying his performance.   Until I realized…. In this song Joni refers to and quotes Nietzsche.  So, obviously there IS a connection.

Ahem.  Replace seed of discomfort under mattress with bed of nails!!!  Have I been fumbling in the dark all these years?  Am I missing out on all kinds of wonderful levels of understanding and appreciation?  Ach.  Worse yet, I kind of think I have decided that I am too lazy to really try to figure it all out.  How bad is that?  Should I let sleeping dogs lay, or should I wake them up and confront the gnashing teeth of my own limitations?

For the moment I turn to Joni.  “I’m just living on nerves and feelings, with a weak and lazy mind, coming to people’s parties, fumbling deaf, dumb and blind”.

—Hal