Hancher Auditorium will be hosting the 3rd annual Infinite Dream Festival this week from September 17 through September 20th. From the heart of the festival at Hancher, it branches all across Iowa City to The James Theater, The Old Capitol Museum, and many more locations. Here is your guide to the festival.
On Wednesday, Sharon Van Etten will have a busy day between her free to attend conversation with Iowa City native author Rachel Yoder at 1:00 pm, and her performance with her band at The Englert Theatre at 7:30. The Attachment Theory has become the latest creative outlet in the 18-year career she has had so far. Releasing their first record in February of this past year, Van Etten and The Attachment Theory bring their fresh post-punk sound to Iowa City for the first time. Calling on her heroes like Joy Division, Cocteau Twins, and Roy Orbison, this is a can’t miss performance by Van Etten playing a mix of her solo work and one of 2025’s best records. The performance will be opened by alternative artist Helado Negro, whose 2024 record “Phasor” got an 8.3 from Pitchfork.
Infinite Dream Festival will continue to host a collection of free conversations in the Old Capitol Museum’s Senate Chamber. Roger Gueveneur Smith will be speaking with University of Iowa Professor Caroline Clay at 1:00pm on Friday, September 19th. Smith is an accomplished actor, becoming a favorite of Spike Lee and starring in a handful of his films throughout the past 30 years. In addition to his conversation, Roger Gueveneur Smith will be performing 2 of his one man plays, In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquit: A Personal Tribute to a Revolutionary Artist at The James Theater on Friday night at 7:30pm. This play showcases Smith’s personal friendship with Jean-Michel Basquit who was a neo-expressionist artist who passed away in 1988 at age 27. Basquit’s piece Untitled sold in 2017 for a then US record $110.5M and his works have only continued to grow in value.
Smith’s second performance will take place at The James Theater the following night on Saturday the 20th at 6:00pm. This play, Frederick Douglass NOW, studies the life of the abolitionist and freedom fighter. With his writings arguably more relevant than ever, Smith combined his works with jazz to create this special production.
Comedian and Daily Show host Josh Johnson will be coming to Iowa City for both a conversation and a special stand-up performance. He will be speaking at 2:00 on Saturday September 20th with fellow comedian and University of Iowa Professor Megan Gogerty. Johnson will also be performing at a sold-out Hancher Auditorium to close out the festival.
Hancher will be hosting 2 on stage events including “Farmhouse/Whorehouse: An artist lecture by Suzanne Bocangera starring Lili Taylor” Thursday at 6:30pm and “32 Sounds: A film by Sam Green with music by JD Samson & sound design by Mark Mangini” on Friday night at 6:30pm. Club Hancher will also be busy with performances by José James and Iowa City local Jim Swim in Strauss Hall at 8:30pm on Thursday night along with Alan Sparhawk and His Band followed by a DJ Set by JD Samson Friday night at 9:00.
Esteemed University of Iowa author and poet Kaveh Akbar will be in conversation with the executive director of the University of Iowa’s Office of Writing and Communication Daniel Khalastchi. This will be the one event at the Voxman Music Building throughout the festival. On the river at the Lagoon House, there will be an interactive experience exploring all of the different aspects of the environment and humans that braid us into one. Called “Meandering River” and put together by University Professors, this event involves soundscapes, dancers, and more. This is a unique adventure only found at the Infinite Dream Festival.
Iowa City continues to hold its crown as a center for literature and the arts, welcoming in performers of all different kinds from all over the country. While some events are sold out, festival and day passes are still available allowing access to all the events throughout the festival. You can find passes and more information here.
