Live on Stage has been bringing world-class entertainment to Marshalltown since it formed in 1939. It returns for its 86th season at 7 p.m. on Sept. 25 with a performance by The Next Generation Leahy. All concerts are staged at the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center, located at Marshalltown High School.

LOS has a board of 19 members who strive to select high-quality acts and ensure the season lineup offers something for everyone.

“We usually go to Nashville for a showcase, and we work with Live on Stage Nashville, and they vet the acts for us,” said LOS Marshalltown Board President Bonnie Lowry. “They give us a selection of 30 or so artists to choose a season from. This year, prices have just skyrocketed all over…(so) they’ve gone back to a virtual format.”

Board members view acts and take a vote on who should be selected.

“It’s just really nice to be able to bring in an eclectic group of individuals into Marshalltown to continue that cultural experience for our community,” she added. “People think that a board of 19 is way too much. However, we need every opinion sitting around the table to bring quality entertainment to Marshalltown and to meet the needs and the interests of a larger community.”

Lowry said quality comes first, and budget second. Booking also entails ensuring the artists are available.

“We are really at the mercy of those that do the routing,” she said. “If an artist is really popular, they only have a certain amount of time that they’re traveling, and so we can only get them at a certain time.”

This season’s lineup ranges from 11 performers at a time (Leahy) to soloists.

“Nobody’s from Marshalltown, so they’re either traveling on a bus or they are flying into Des Moines and renting a vehicle to come here. So all of our artists are responsible for their transportation and their lodging, and that definitely figures into the cost for us,” Lowry said.

Lowry said LOS could comfortably offer six concerts per season, with this year’s featuring seven. They are scheduled as follows:

• The Next Generation Leahy at 7 p.m. on Sept. 25

• The Swon Brothers at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24

• How Sweet It Is!: Steve Leslie Sings James Taylor at 7 p.m. on Jan. 9

• GQ Gentlemen’s Quartet at 2 p.m. Jan. 25

• MidAtlantic Men at 2 p.m. on Feb. 15

• Bridge & Wolak’s “Scandalous Romantics” at 7 p.m. on March 19

• The Bronx Wanderers at 7 p.m. on April 23

Originally known as the Marshalltown Community Concert Association, LOS first only offered classical music acts. Now, a variety of genres are represented.

Lowry noted the board has chosen the artists for the 2026-27 season, but awaits learning artists’ availability.

“We’re always working a year ahead,” she said.

LOS has staged its events at the high school’s auditorium since it was added to the building in 1985.

“We are celebrating the 40 years with the school district and community — honoring the space, because it’s a landmark,” she said.

Subscriptions (season tickets) for 2025-26 are available. The family package is $175; single adult $90. Included is reciprocity with Jasper County Concert Association and Waterloo Metro Music Series, allowing ticket holders to also see shows with those entities.

Single tickets are $25.

Corporate sponsors help bridge the gap. This season’s sponsor is M. Gervich and Sons. The Patron Program is available at these levels: friend, donor, century, sustaining, benefactor, and champion.

Live on Stage Marshalltown is an all-volunteer non-profit concert association.

Purchase tickets online or at the door. Season tickets may also be purchased by sending a check to: Live on Stage Marshalltown, PO Box 323.

LOS may be reached at: losmarshalltown@gmail.com or by phone at 641-328-9445.

Learn more at: www.losmarshalltown.org.