IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre Celebrates 35th Anniversary With “A Night at the Museum”

Photo: Courtesy of IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre

Step into the stunning world of IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre for one night only on First Friday, Nov. 7. Mesmerizing dancers will transport audiences with spellbinding, rolling performances throughout the museum. This unique immersive experience will also highlight iconic costumes and archival footage from past productions in IONA’s esteemed history.

Behind the mind-blowing performances and gorgeous costume designs is Founder and Artistic Director Cheryl Flaharty. All of the costumes are created by Flaharty, and she works with a small team to piece together each one by hand. “Costumes are like children,” she says. “It’s hard to choose a favorite!”

Two of IONA’s newest and largest costumes will be featured on First Friday, both from the show Oh My Goddess! (Ola Ko‘u Akua Wahine!). A performance by Namaka, Hawaiian goddess of the sea, will open the evening in the sculpture garden’s pool while the Madame Pele, goddess of fire, costume will be on display in all its glory inside the lobby.

Photo: Courtesy of IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre

Through the years, IONA has become known for boundary-pushing performances in nontraditional settings as well as on stage. Another major component in the dance company’s DNA is Flaharty’s passion for connecting audiences through dance with modern global issues. This has led IONA to gain a reputation not only for its visually breathtaking presentations but also “incorporating themes of spirituality, culture and social justice into powerful performances.”

Photos: Courtesy of IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre

This exclusive First Friday showcase serves as a sneak peek for IONA’s sold out 35th anniversary gala happening the following evening at Capitol Modern. A limited number of free tickets are available to the public here.

Fans can also access the evening’s performances from anywhere in the world on Vimeo beginning Nov. 22.

“We are so excited to share this milestone with our community,” said Flaharty. “For 35 years, IONA has been a platform for exploring meaningful and often challenging topics through dance and performance, and we are thrilled to bring our history to life in such a special way.”

All ages welcome, free admission, Nov. 7, 5 to 9 p.m., Capitol Modern, 250 S. Hotel St., capitolmodern.org, @capitolmodern

Lisa Shiroma is a correspondent for Capitol Modern and an artist. She is the former owner of the Capitol Modern Museum Gallery Shop, which she ran with partners Aly Ishikuni and Travis Sasaki from Mori by Art + Flea.