The time of year is almost here again – the return of the Live After 5 season on May 15. Except now it is MCBD Presents Live After 5 and it will be on the Marshall County Courthouse lawn.

The Marshalltown Central Business District (MCBD) took over operation of Live After 5 in November from Friends of the Orpheum Theater. MCBD Executive Director Danielle Lekin said Grand Marshall is the opening act for this year’s season, which will be at the new downtown event plaza.

“We wanted an act that felt energetic, fun and approachable while also helping create a welcoming atmosphere for the relaunch of the series downtown,” she said. “Grand Marshall has a strong local following and brings the kind of energy we felt matched the spirit of bringing this event back to the heart of the community.”

The rebuilding of the infrastructure for the first event while balancing sponsorship development, logistics, permitting and communication during major downtown construction proved to be the biggest challenge.

“There are many moving pieces behind the scenes, but our volunteers, committees, partners and sponsors have stepped up in a big way to help bring the series back,” Lekin said.

The biggest change to the annual Marshalltown series is moving it back downtown. According to Lekin, Live After 5 has a long history and they wanted to reconnect it with the downtown district and the businesses that help make the district vibrant.

Another big change is opting away from the every other Friday format for the concerts. Instead, four events have been strategically scheduled throughout the summer – on one Friday each month.

“That allows us to spread activation throughout the season while creating more intentional partnerships and experiences around each event,” she said.

Relaunching a beloved community event comes with some unknowns, she said. Especially since they are navigating a new location, street construction and rebuilding the series which had been operating differently in recent years.

“That said, we have received a tremendous amount of community support and excitement surrounding the return of the series downtown,” Lekin said.

For Live After 5 fans, Lekin asked them to be respectful of the space, surrounding businesses and each other. Outside alcohol will not be permitted as the goal is to create a welcoming, family-friendly environment where everyone can gather and enjoy downtown. The latter is what Lekin is looking forward to most.

“Downtown is our community’s living room, and events like Live After 5 create opportunities for people to connect, spend time together and create positive shared experiences,” she said. “Seeing the newly revitalized bandshell debut in the new plaza will also be a really special moment for our organization and community.”

——-

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.