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.
APRIL
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RED HERRING THEATRE PRESENTS: ALL MY SONS
Tuesday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Written by Arthur Miller; Directed by Gary Kroeger; Sponsored by Jones Law Firm, Mike and Rita Waggoner, and Friends of the Hearst.
Synopsis: All My Sons by Arthur Miller is a three-act play, which tells of Joe Keller and Steve Deever’s desire for wealth at the expense of twenty-one American soldiers, including Joe’s son, Larry, by selling faulty airplane parts.
FINAL THURSDAY READING SERIES
Thursday, April 25
Open mic starts at 7:00 p.m. & featured author talk begins at 7:30 p.m. Visit finalthursdaypress.com 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 in Mae Latta Hall.
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Guest author: Micki Berthelot Morency | Morency is the author of the debut novel, The Island Sisters (BHC Press). Stacy Hawkins Adams says Morency’s writing “leaves you rooting for her characters as if they’re your kin. Her vivid prose paints an unforgettable portrait of Haitian culture and customs, while imparting wisdom and gripping your heart
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MAY
MIDDAY MELODIES
Friday, May 3 at 12:00 p.m.
Enjoy classics performed by the UNI School of Music Department students and faculty.
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Guest musicians: Bonus Concert! Alex Pershounin directs UNI Bass students
SIDEWALK CHALK COMMUNITY ART PROJECT
Saturday, May 4 from 11 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Pettersen Plaza
Local artist Katie Walberg will guide participants to create a sidewalk chalk mosaic at Pettersen Plaza in Cedar Falls. All ages are welcome to participate. Stay tuned for more details.
OUTDOOR SING ALONG CONCERT WITH MET CHORALE
Thursday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hearst Sculpture Garden
Metropolitan Chorale reprises its popular Cedar Valley Beer Choir at the Hearst Sculpture Garden. Join the choir that sings and BYOB! If you love cool beverages and get the urge to sing along with the performance, you’ll love Beer Choir! No talent is required for this enjoyable participation-optional event. The Chorale will provide their Beer Choir Hymnal, a songbook of 40 drinking song classics, original works, and favorite melodies updated with irreverent lyrics.
Bring a lawn chair and your beverage of choice to join in the fun
JUNE
JAZZ TRIO CONCERT
Saturday, June 1 at 2:00 p.m.
Join the Jazz Trio that is Mike Conrad; composer and pianist, Katie Ernst; bassist, and Cassius Goens III; drummer, as they perform their new tracks. Previously the trio released an album of original music entitled Reconnect in 2022. They performed at the Iowa City Jazz Festival and throughout the Midwest, having won a Jazz Road Tours grant in 2023.
OUTDOOR CONCERT WITH CARTER GUSE
Thursday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Singer and songwriter, Carter Guse, is a performer who excites audiences with stories and songs ranging from the 50’s through today’s hits. He is currently attending Belmont University in Nashville and majors in Songwriting and Music Business.
FREE WORKSHOP! PRAISE THE A’s, AFRICAN ART AND ACTIVISM IN AMERICA WITH EMMETT PHILLIPS
Thursday, June 13 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Pre-registration is encouraged via Civic Rec
African art has been an essential tool for activism in the ongoing struggle for peace in America. This workshop uses roleplaying, poetry, and writing to depict and analyze the reality of life for Africans in America throughout their time in this country, bringing to life a deeper understanding of the production of justice. It reaffirms why arts and activism have been such essential tools for equity in an ongoing struggle for peace. The participants are split into 3 groups: writers/poets, actors, and activists. The activity is intended to generate reflection and analysis. Emmett Phillips is a facilitator at Oakridge Neighborhood. He is a hip-hop Artist, poet, teaching artist, and actor who’s performed from St. Louis to New York City. Emmett has worked with Des Moines Public Schools, the Des Moines Playhouse, Pyramid Theatre Company, and more. He is most passionate about using his art forms to tell stories that promote equality, social justice, and freedom.
JULY
PARTY ON THE PATIO
Thursdays from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Friends of the Hearst
Come jam with us to local live acoustic music on the Corning Patio. Thank you to Second State Brewery for refreshments. Popcorn will also be provided. *Inclement weather concerts will be held in Mae Latta Hall.
July 11: California and Sunnyside
July 18: Ace Jones
July 25: Karla and Deb
August 1: Zoot and Newt
ARTISANS IN THE GARDEN
Sunday, July 14 from 1:00-3:30 p.m.
Celebrate art from times past with local artisans showcasing their crafts. Participate in art activities for all ages with The Northeast Iowa Weavers and Spinners Guild; “Do a Little Weaving on a Little Loom” piece, Hearst Education Crew; candle making, Thursday Painters; watercolor painting, and Uncle Stinky; blacksmithing. Buy art from local artists at the expo, enjoy delicious food from Concept Kitchen, and listen to the sweet tunes of musician, Uncle Finch.
Follow our social media for continued exciting updates on this event.
AUGUST
FRIENDS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP CELEBRATION WITH THE AVEY GROUWS DUO Thursday, August 15 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Friends of the Hearst
Bring a chair, a beverage and enjoy an outdoor evening filled with live music and food trucks. Avey Grouws Band blends blues, roots, rock, and soul as powerfully as the Mississippi River runs through their home in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois. Led by powerhouse vocalist Jeni Grouws and ace guitar man Chris Avey, the twotime top ten Billboard charting band are known for their gritty sound and engaging shows. Learn how your membership donations are being used during the Friends of the Hearst Annual meeting while enjoying local food from vendors on site. Friends of the Hearst will share projects and events made possible through membership donations over this past year. We invite all members and prospective members!
RED HERRING THEATRE PRESENTS: BAD BOOKS
Tuesday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Written by Sharyn Rothstein; Directed by Sam Card; Sponsored by Jones Law Firm, Mike and Rita Waggoner, and the Friends of the Hearst.
Synopsis: A worried mother comes to the library for what she thinks will be a reasonable, polite discussion about which books are appropriate for her teenage son. But her confrontation with the town librarian, a woman who cares deeply about her job and her community, sparks a chain reaction of consequences no one expected. Equal parts heartbreakingly poignant and absurdly funny, Bad Books leaves audiences wondering what it truly means to care for our children. A raucous and brash debate in the quietest place in America... the library
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FINAL THURSDAY READING SERIES
Open mic starts at 7:00 p.m. & featured author talk begins at 7:30 p.m. Visit finalthursdaypress.com 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.
August 29: Vince Gotera | Iowa Poet Laureate Vince Gotera launches his latest poetry collection, Dragons and Rayguns, at the inaugural event of the 24th season of the FTRS. Enjoy a late summer night with fantasy and science fiction poetry.
SEPTEMBER
MARY SWANDER PRESENTS: SQUATTERS ON RED EARTH
Tuesday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m
Sponsored by Friends of the Hearst
Actor, Rip Russell; Director, Brant Bollman; Music Composer, Laura Hudson Kittrell; Costume Designer, Michele Payne Hinz; Set Designer, Shelley Buffalo; Puppet Designer, Monica Leo. Squatters on Red Earth is a one-man touring play that explores the positive relationship that the Amana Colonies have had with the Meskwaki Indigenous people.
Synopsis: The Amana Inspirationists fled religious persecution in their homeland in Germany only to become part of the white settler land grab in the United States. The Inspirationists sought productive land hidden from the rest of the mainstream society in the Iowa River Valley where they encountered the Meskwakis and their long agricultural tradition. The two groups, both agrarian and communal with strong spiritual beliefs, managed to live together peacefully, with a mutual respect for the ecology and sacredness of the land.
OUTDOOR CONCERT WITH FORREST MCCURRAN
Thursday, September 12 at 6:00 p.m.
Forrest McCurren comes from the heart of the heartland, where the foothills of the Ozarks meet the Big Muddy: The Middle-of-Missouri. Blazing his own trail while stylistically tipping his hat to the songwriting giants of the past, McCurren wields the magic of lyricism to cast a light on the many intricacies of everyday life set against vignettes of Middle America. Tackling topics such as: wise words from waitresses, heartbroken high school football standouts, and tattooed trailer park lovers, McCurren writes songs for good people that got bad grades in school, are drunk on dreams, and still trying to figure out if life is sour or sweet.