On Thursday, March 1, from 5:30-7 p.m., the internationally acclaimed Elias String Quartet will take WorldCanvass inside the process of music-making. In a performance-filled program called Translating Music, members of the quartet and Elizabeth Oakes, director of the University of Iowa String Quartet Residency Program in the School of Music, will discuss what it takes to bring a piece to life by focusing on two themes—nationality in music and storytelling through music. WorldCanvass takes place at MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street, and the program is free and open to the public. Please come early for a pre-show catered reception from 5-5:30 p.m.

WorldCanvass starts its ninth season by teaming up with Hancher and its Embracing Complexity project for a multi-layered program exploring the beauty of Islamic art and the diversity within Islamic cultures. Joan Kjaer hosts the program, which moves to a new location in the heart of downtown Iowa City—MERGE, at 136 South Dubuque Street. The live show takes place from 5:30-7 p.m. on Friday, September 29, and is free and open to the public. We invite you to come at 5 and join us for a pre-show catered reception!