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.
Nature Quest, in collaboration with the CFPL, goes through May 2026! More info!​
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.
Upcoming
All events listed below are free, unless otherwise noted requiring pre registration via Civic Rec.
NOVEMBER
HYBRID! FINAL THURSDAY READING SERIES
Open mic at 7 p.m. and featured author at 7:30 p.m. Visit finalthursdaypress.com for virtual links.
Celebrate 25 years of words, voices, and community with the Final Thursday Reading Series! This long-running program offers a welcoming space for writers at all levels, and the evening begins with an open mic that invites new and emerging voices to share their work. Whether you’re reading for the first time or returning to the mic, it’s your chance to be heard.
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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November 20 (one week early due to Thanksgiving): Adrianne Finlay & Rachel Morgan are accomplished writers as well as the proprietors of Semisweet Soaps, an organization that sells handmade soap locally to raise money for type 1 diabetes research. This special “Sudsquicentennial” event features artisan soaps combined with
short literary pieces.
DECEMBER
A CLARINET HOLIDAY CONCERT
Sunday, December 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Ring in the season with the joyful sounds of the UNI Clarinet Ensemble, performing a delightful selection of holiday favorites at the Hearst Center! Under the direction of Dr. Amanda McCandless, this talented group of musicians will fill Mae Latta Hall with warmth, cheer, and clarinet harmonies sure to lift your spirits.
JANUARY
LOCAL FEATURE FILM SCREENINGS
Tuesday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Mickey & Mikey: Written and Directed by Joe Frenna, 53m, (NR)
Synopsis: Fearing he has not successfully launched his adulthood, alpha male Mikey tries to extricate himself from his lifelong friendship with Mickey, an eccentric and borderline obnoxious oddball. However, he cannot seem to resist the pull of Mickey’s personal chaos vortex and finds himself mired in the drama of his best friend’s sad and strange love life.
By the Stars of St. Matthew: Written and Directed by Grant Tracey, 66m, (NR)
Synopsis: This is a love story set in a farmhouse against a 1930s Depressionera gangland backdrop. Kip Haley, a veteran of WWI, and member of Red Foley’s gang, seeks refuge from himself and his wounds. Iris Wellman, a smalltown veterinarian, seeks to heal him and herself. The two are on parallel paths of redemption and journeys to discover their authentic selves.
EMPOWERMENT DRUMMING WITH BARBARA ASHTON
Second Saturdays from January-April from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
In this fun and dynamic group, use various drums and percussion instruments from around the world to create powerful and empowering group music experiences. Drumming can help group members build connections, engage in self-reflection, develop individual and collective strengths, improve coping strategies, deepen communication skills, and process emotions. Join in - instruments provided - no prior music experience is necessary. All participants 18+ are welcome!
RED HERRING THEATRE PRESENTS IMPOSSIBLE MONSTERS
Tuesday, January 20 at 6:30 p.m.
A world premiere play by Jacqueline Kehoe; Directed by Orion Risk. Sponsored by Jones Law Firm, Mike and Rita Waggoner, and the Hearst Center. It is the story of Mary Anning a pioneering paleontologist and fossil collector. She unearthed her first dinosaur find at age 12 and then devoted her life to finding creatures that no human knew to exist. This play celebrates a charismatic and courageous person who overcame the norms expected of an English woman in the early 1800s.
HYBRID! FINAL THURSDAY READING SERIES
Open mic at 7 p.m. and featured author at 7:30 p.m. Visit finalthursdaypress.com for virtual links.
Celebrate 25 years of words, voices, and community with the Final Thursday Reading Series! This long-running program offers a welcoming space for writers at all levels, and the evening begins with an open mic that invites new and emerging voices to share their work. Whether you’re reading for the first time or returning to the mic, it’s your chance to be heard.
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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January 29: Daniel Umemezie & Lamya Pratchett l Umemzie (2025) and Pratchett (2024) are Cedar Valley Youth Poet Laureates
FEBRUARY
CEDAR VALLEY CHAMBER MUSIC PRESENTS VALENTINE TRILLS
Thursday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of trio music featuring UNI faculty members Hannah Porter Occeña, flute; Erik Rohde, violin; and Jamie Clark, cello. Enjoy works by Joseph Haydn, Christopher Theofanidis, Hector Villa-Lobos, and Joan Tower. Refreshments provided
MIDDAY MELODIES
Friday, February 13 at noon
Enjoy classics performed by the UNI School of Music Department students and faculty.
Featured musicians: Hannah Porter Occeña directs Flute Students
YOUTH MUSIC LAB
Sunday, February 15 at 1:30 p.m.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony continues presents a series of free concerts for kids featuring small ensembles from all genres of music and an Instrument Petting Zoo. This series is partially supported by individual donors, Wells Fargo, The Cedar Falls Community Foundation’s Kathryn Ray Fund for the Cedar Falls Public Library, Steve and Terri Jackson Family Fund, Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation, and RJ McElroy Trust.
BOOK TALK WITH CHERIE DARGAN
Thursday, February 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Dargan discusses her fourth book in the Historical Fiction Series, Grandmother’s Treasures, The Recollection (2025). This book is a Christmas holiday-themed novel with the historical story taking place during the Great Depression. Books are for sale during the event.
HYBRID! FINAL THURSDAY READING SERIES
Open mic at 7 p.m. and featured author at 7:30 p.m. Visit finalthursdaypress.com for virtual links.
Celebrate 25 years of words, voices, and community with the Final Thursday Reading Series! This long-running program offers a welcoming space for writers at all levels, and the evening begins with an open mic that invites new and emerging voices to share their work. Whether you’re reading for the first time or returning to the mic, it’s your chance to be heard.
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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February 26: Jim O’Loughlin l This event is a book release reading for an expanded edition of O’Loughlin’s science fiction novel, The Cord, a Midwest Book Award finalist