DUBUQUE, IOWA (July 15, 2020) — After careful consideration, University of Dubuque Heritage Center’s 2020-2021 Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series season will be delayed through at least mid-January.
“Heritage Center and the live performance industry are all about communal experiences, witnessing artistry in real-time with friends and neighbors surrounding us, shoulder to shoulder, in the same room with the art and each other. Live arts are something we are intentional about doing together for the health and nourishment of our intellects, souls, and emotional well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has put live performances in a theater full of warm hearts and inquiring minds on hold,” said Thomas Robbins, executive director of Heritage Center.
Three series performances scheduled for the fall in John and Alice Butler Hall and four performances in Babka Theatre were canceled or postponed. One of those performances, Christmas at Heritage Center, is tentatively planned for relocation to Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Although the series will begin later than expected, Heritage Center remains committed to the arts.
Throughout the fall, Heritage Center will host an exciting new series called Live(stream) with Heritage Center once a month on its Facebook page. Live(stream) with Heritage Center will feature special guest artists for live music and discussions. In July, Neil Berg and Rita Harvey will join Live(stream) with Heritage Center at 7:30PM, Monday, July 20. The couple appeared on the Heritage Center stage earlier this year with Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock and Roll. Berg is a composer, lyricist, and producer; Harvey, a Dubuque native, is a Broadway actress, singer, and performer. Heritage Center will feature this duo and many more on their stages again soon. Until then, tune into Heritage Center’s social media by searching @heritagectr for updates and more exclusive content from favorite performers at Heritage Center.
The 2020-2021 season lineup will be announced later this fall. Past season ticket holders and Friends of Heritage Center will be offered an advance opportunity to purchase discounted tickets for the new season.
Even though there are no live performances this fall, Butler Hall will not be empty. The venue is closed for installation of Opus 97, a custom $2.4 million pipe organ gifted by UD Trustee John Butler (DHL’17) and his spouse, Alice (DHL’17). The pipe organ installation is scheduled to be completed in December.
“We eagerly anticipate the opportunity when we can all gather together once again for the magic that happens during live, in-person performances in Heritage Center. Along with the new season of events, we look forward to unveiling Opus 97, the new custom-built, 3,000 plus pipe organ that will grace John and Alice Butler Hall beginning early 2021,” Robbins said. “We have so much to look forward to and are blessed to have such a strong following of patrons and supporters.”
Farber Box Office is closed until further notice.
