The Live After 5 summer concert series returns Friday for the first of four shows. Sponsored by the Friends of the Orpheum Theater (FOOT), there will be a mix of returning favorites and soon to be new favorites, including appearances by Sherry Holly, the niece of Buddy Holly, and Connie Valens, the sister of Ritchie Valens.

Previously held in a parking lot behind the Tremont, and before that in the parking lot of the Orpheum, this year, Live After 5 will take place in West End Park, off 13th Street, with performances from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A returning favorite, Exit 185, will start the season off on Friday. Then on July 14 enjoy the sounds of Chillin’ led by Marshalltown musician Mark Nord.

For July 7 and 14 the food trucks on hand will be the Flying Elbow and Lillie Mae.

Bob Moore, who serves as president of the Friends of the Orpheum Theater board, said the 13th Street District committee and Marshalltown Parks and Recreation aided in helping the board secure this new venue.

“Since we sell alcohol during these concerts, we could no longer use the parking lot of the Orpheum because the Marshalltown Community School District has a strong rule against alcohol on any of its properties,” he said.

He noted holding the concert series in West End Park also helps solve some visibility and electrical issues they faced last season.

“There is an amphitheater there and a broad area for people to bring their lawn chairs,” he said of West End Park.

Board members and other volunteers will help serve the beverages. Board Secretary Linda Moore said instead of the board purchasing the refreshments and reselling them, this season it is working with Thirsty Pigs Mobile Event Co. Board members and other volunteers will then do the serving (beer, wine, soda and water).

On July 21, local musicians the Mary Runyan Band will bring their energetic style to the stage. The food trucks that night will be Smokin’ G’s and Lillie Mae.

The Moores said the series finale on July 28 would be a show not to miss. The Baldy Holly Band out of Newcastle, England will play rock and roll classics from the 1950s. Bob noted that when the group’s local promoter, Steve Ames, approached him about having the band perform at Live After 5, he jumped at the chance.

The Baldy Holly Band will play songs made famous by Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran, plus popular ballads by Paul Anka and Neil Sedaka.

For the first time appearing together on stage, Sherry Holly, the niece of Buddy Holly, and Connie Valens, the sister of Ritchie Valens, will also perform. Bob noted that evening’s concert would be structured differently: music from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by an intermission, picking up at 7 p.m. and lasting until 8 p.m.

Rock and roll legends Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens perished in a plane crash near Clear Lake on Feb. 3, 1959, alongside J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson and pilot Roger Peterson. The tragedy is known as “the day the music died.”

Clare’s Tenderloins, Appleberry Farm and Lillie Mae will have their food trucks at this concert.

Parking for Live After 5 will be off street and behind Franklin Elementary School. Portable restrooms will be available.

Bob noted that although the school district now owns the Orpheum Theater, the board is still dedicated to the theater’s preservation. Funds raised from a portion of beverage sales from Live After 5 will help support performances and activities held at the Orpheum’s auditorium and Black Box Theater, plus help cover the costs of technicians and/or equipment.

“We want to use what dollars we have wisely to help the school district keep those two venues available to the public,” he said. “We see that as a legitimate way to continue to fundraise and support the Orpheum.”

Same mission, new outlook

In 2005, the Orpheum Centre, Inc. joined forces with the Iowa Valley Community College District (IVCCD) to repurpose the theater, which was built in 1948. It was decided the building would become a “multi-use facility.” With $3.4 million poured into the historic building, the project was finished in July 2010, launching the IVCCD Orpheum Theater Center.

Volunteers then helped to curate and care for a collection of theater memorabilia as well as a Stage & Screen Museum that honored famous Iowans. Among those who assisted include Tom LaVille, Nancy Adams and Bob and Linda Moore. At a September 2021 school board meeting a unanimous vote sealed the deal of purchasing the Orpheum for one dollar. Then on Jan. 9, 2023, ownership of the Orpheum Theater transferred from the Iowa Valley Community College District to the Marshalltown Community School District, providing the historic downtown movie house a second lease on life.

After the sale, these volunteers helped find new owners for artifacts housed in the Orpheum that did not have a local connection.

“All non-MHS alumni items have been re-homed to other legit venues including the Donna Reed Museum and State of Iowa History Museum,” said volunteer Nancy Adams. “In addition to Jean Seberg (materials) and other MHS alum items, MCSD is keeping all of the items related to the building’s history and Marshalltown theater history.”

Like many organizations, the Friends of the Orpheum Theater seeks board members.

For more information on the concerts, or to learn more about FOOT, call or text Bob Moore at: 641-750-2853.