A note from the executive director
While the past several months have been the most challenging I have experienced in my career at Hancher, I have been constantly reminded of the kindness of our many friends. And we have no better friends than the wonderful people of the Joffrey Ballet.
In early August, we received an exceptionally generous letter from Christopher Conway, executive director of the Joffrey Ballet, offering the company’s assistance as we seek to recover from the summer’s devastating floods.
The letter arrived just a day before I joined a busload of Hancher supporters on a trip to Chicago to see the Joffrey perform at the Ravinia Festival.
Prior to the Rivinia performance we had dinner in one of the tents and members of the administrative and artistic staffs of the Joffrey came by to welcome all of us. And then, as the performance was set to begin, it was announced that the company was dedicating the evening to Hancher and the University of Iowa because we have made Iowa their home for the past 34 years. As you might imagine, it was a very touching moment.
But the Joffrey is willing to do more than simply dedicate a performance to us. Our good friends have graciously offered to give a benefit performance at the company’s beautiful new facility, the Joffrey Tower, on September 3, 2009.
A magnanimous offer from another friend—Civic Center of Greater Des Moines President and CEO Jeff Chelesvig—has opened the door for a second benefit performance, as well. Building on the wonderful evening shared by so many when the Joffrey Ballet kicked off our river-to-river 35th anniversary tour in Des Moines in 2007, the company will dance on the Civic Center stage on September 11, 2009.
These two benefits will mean so much to us as we raise money for the recovery of our facility. We are grateful to our many friends and hope to see you at the benefit performances.
Chuck Swanson
Executive Director