Infinite Dream Festival
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Infinite Dream Festival
September 17, 2025 - September 20, 2025
$25 – $150
Through the lens of the arts, Infinite Dream explores the complex fabric of the American Story—our grand accomplishments, disruptive failures, and remarkable potential for excellence.
Events will feature performances, presentations, and discussions from artists and thinkers from around the world as well as students, faculty, and staff from the University of Iowa. The festival’s theme serves as a reference point for the performances and conversations—a loose frame for artists and patrons to consider as they share and experience transformative work.
The festival also celebrates the vast creativity found on the University of Iowa’s campus—evident in the work of its students, faculty, and staff and embedded in its remarkable cultural venues. In addition, Infinite Dream positions the university’s artistic efforts within the scope of robust creative activity happening in the larger Iowa City community.
Infinite Dream festival 2025
Sharon Van Etten in Conversation
Wednesday, September 17 / 1:00 p.m.
Old Capitol Museum / Senate Chamber / General Admission Seating
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
With special guest Helado Negro
Wednesday, September 17 / 7:30 p.m.
The Englert Theatre / Auditorium Seating
Farmhouse/Whorehouse
An artist lecture by Suzanne Bocangera
Starring Lili Taylor
Thursday, September 18 / 6:30 p.m.
Hancher Auditorium / Hadley Stage / Onstage Seating
José James
With special guest Jim Swim
Thursday, September 18 / 8:30 p.m.
Hancher Auditorium / Strauss Hall / Standing Room
Alan Sparhawk in Conversation
‘Creating from Loss’
Friday, September 19 / 12:00 p.m.
Public Space One / Close House / Main Hall / General Admission Seating
Roger Guenveur Smith in Conversation
Friday, September 19 / 1:00 p.m.
Old Capitol Museum / Senate Chamber / General Admission Seating
Kaveh Akbar and Eve L. Ewing
Reading and Conversation
Friday, September 19 / 5:30 p.m.
Voxman Concert Hall / General Admission Seating
32 Sounds
A film by Sam Green
With music by JD Samson & sound design by Mark Mangini
Friday, September 19 / 6:30 p.m.
Hancher Auditorium / Hadley Stage / Onstage Seating
Roger Guenveur Smith
In Honor of Jean Michel Basquiat: A Personal Tribute to a Revolutionary Artist
Friday, September 19 / 7:30 p.m.
The James Theater / General Admission Seating
Alan Sparhawk and His Band
Followed by a DJ set with JD Samson
Friday, September 19 / 9:00 p.m.
Hancher Auditorium / Strauss Hall / Standing Room
Meandering River
Saturday, September 20 / 1:00 p.m.
Lagoon Shelter House (adjacent to the Iowa River and Hancher Green)
Josh Johnson in Conversation
Saturday, September 20 / 1:00 p.m.
Old Capitol Museum / Senate Chamber / General Admission Seating
Roger Guenveur Smith
Frederick Douglass NOW
Saturday, September 20 / 6:00 p.m.
The James Theater / General Admission Seating
Josh Johnson
The Flowers Tour
Saturday, September 20 / 8:00 p.m.
Hancher Auditorium / Hadley Stage / Auditorum Seating
Festival Passes
You can access events with a festival pass or individual show tickets. Many events are free.
Festival passes and individual tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, July 21 at 10:00 a.m.
Day Dreamer Pass
Pick any 3 ticketed events
$75 General Public
$25 Students & Individuals under 25
Infinite Dreamer Pass
Pick any 7 ticketed events
$150 General
$50 Students & Individuals under 25
*There are more than 7 ticketed events but only 7 that you can attend due to timing overlap on Friday night
Festival Venues:
The festival will take place at various venues including Hancher Auditorium, The James Theater, The Englert Theatre, and other presentation spaces across our campus and community.
All seating at the festival is general admission.