The University of Iowa’s Hancher will present SpokFrevo Orquestra on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St. in downtown Iowa City.

Frevo is vibrant Brazilian music with deep ties to Carnival. Saxophonist, arranger, and musical director Spok (also known as Inaldo Cavalcante de Albuquerque) fronts a big band that infuses jazz with the frevo spirit. The result is an energetic, improvisational music that incorporates and redefines tradition.

Spok is recognized as an important innovator by many music critics. In a 2009 article for Jornaldo Brasil, Tárikde Souza wrote that “the time has come for frevo jazz,” pointing to SpokFrevo as “a big band that has synthesized frevo and jazz in a blazing way.” In 2005, O Globo newspaper ranked the SpokFrevo Orquestra performance at the TIM Festival as one of the ten best concerts of the year in Rio de Janeiro.

The SpokFrevo Orquestra performance is supported by the Hancher Partners and gifts to the Hancher Circle through the UI Foundation.

Tickets, which are $30/$25 for nonstudents, $27/$22 for senior citizens, $27/$10 for college students, and $15/$10 for youth, are available from the Hancher Box Office.

Located on the first floor of the south end of the Old Capitol Town Center near the parking ramp, the Hancher Box Office is open for phone (319-335-1160 or 800-HANCHER) or walk-up business from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Tickets may be ordered online at the Hancher website. Any remaining tickets will be available for sale one hour before show time at the Englert Theatre.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact the Hancher Box Office in advance at 319-335-1158.