Articles from September 2026

Kingsley Ibeneche dances to Paul Cunllife’s percussion at the Dance Building in Iowa City on Thursday, September 3, 2026. The Dance Building was formerly the old museum of art prior to the 2008 flood, and will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 24.

UI Dance Department relocates, enters new era of growth

The University of Iowa's Dance Department is moving from Halsey Hall to a renovated space in the former Museum of Art building, with an opening ceremony set for September 24, 2026. The new facility offers five studios, better flooring, climate control, and natural light, upgrades faculty say will expand the program's teaching capacity, even as some, like longtime staff and students tied to Halsey Hall, feel the loss of that history.
Directors Emily Trapnell (left) and Eloy Barragan (right) pose for a portrait at FilmScene at The Chauncey during the International ScreenDance Festival, August 29, 2026.

The International ScreenDance Festival brought together global displays of film and dance for its eleventh year

The International ScreenDance Festival celebrated its eleventh year at FilmScene at The Chauncey on August 29, 2026, showcasing 11 films from nine countries that blend choreography with cinematic techniques like editing and camera angles. The festival was founded by University of Iowa dance professor Eloy Barragán, who has directed it since its inception, and has been organized for the past five years by Emily Trapnell, a third-year Dance BFA student at the University of Iowa.