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AFTER FIVE: Quality of life is not free...

By Joe Jennison

According to a recent study completed by the Linn County Nonprofit Resource Center, preliminary estimates indicate that Linn County nonprofit organizations received nearly $36 million in flood-related damages. This doesn’t begin to account for the financial loss many of the flood-affected and non-affected nonprofit organizations are feeling as a result of a projected loss of funding, box office receipts and diminished audiences.

As we continue discussions about rebuilding of the Corridor, let’s remember also to preserve our quality of life. The trails we enjoy, the museums, performance spaces and the historical sites that we gather in, and the Corridor-area festivals, art, music and dance programs have all helped to establish this area as the place to go for arts and culture in Iowa. Most of these programs are produced by organizations that count on support dollars to keep going even in the best of times. Without these organizations, the Corridor cannot compete for skilled workers, new residents and visitor dollars.

In a community dealing with flood damages in the hundreds of millions of dollars, it is understandable that certain services, industries or organizations would be considered non-essential by some. But if we want to continue to welcome new workers to our area and visitors from other parts of the country and world, then we need to continue to offer a quality of life that helps to attract and retain new residents.

If we don’t also rebuild a strong nonprofit community, we will not rebuild a place that others will want to live and visit.

Remember, quality of life is not free.

The Abend Gallery Tour, throughout the seven villages of the Amana Colonies, offers everyone a chance to explore the working studios of several Amana artisans and crafters as they open their galleries, workshops and studios for this self-guided, evening tour. The tour takes place Friday, Sept. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. at several locations throughout the colonies. Find a complete map posted at www.timeandtides.com/gallerytour.htm. More information is available by calling (319) 622-7622.

Balloon Glow is a signature summer event that usually takes place every June during the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival. Because of the summer flooding, the event has been postponed and will take place Friday, Sept. 5, from 7 to 10 p.m. on the grounds of Brucemore National Trust Historic Site, 2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids. A Freedom Festival event, admission is free to all Freedom Festival button-wearers. More information is available by calling (319) 362-7375.

“Spontaneous Dance: The Raku Sculpture and Pottery of Barbara Harnack & Michael Lancaster,” is the featured exhibit at Iowa Artisans Gallery, 207 E. Washington St., Iowa City, from Aug. 29 to Sept. 28. This nationally known artist couple was recently featured in the June 2008 edition of Ceramics Monthly magazine. Harnack and Lancaster began working together in ceramics in 1978. Regular hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. More information is available by calling (319) 351-8686.

“The King and I” is the Iowa City Community Theatre’s take on the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. It is 1862 in Siam when an English widow, Anna Leonowens, and her young son arrive at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, having been summoned by the king to serve as tutor to his many children and wives. The king is largely considered to be a barbarian by those in the West, and he seeks Anna's assistance in changing his image, if not his ways. See the musical Friday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13, at 2 and 7:30 p. m.; or Sunday, Sept. 14, at 2 p.m. at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. Tickets are $15, with discounts for students and seniors, available by calling (319) 688-2653.

World Lunch is a monthly summer festival that takes place the second Saturday of the month. This has been a wonderful way to experience the food and culture of other countries and Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Marion Square Park, Marion, marks the last such event of the year. Expect multi-cultural food vendors, international music and dance, cooking and art demonstrations. It’s free. More information is available by calling (319) 377-6316.

The Cedar Rapids Symphony welcomes Katherine Goeldner, Karla Goettel, Nathan Granner and Jeff Fields, all with their own unique ties to the state of Iowa. Back from her triumphant performances in Europe and the Met in New York, Goeldner returns to perform Mahler's enchanting song cycle “Songs of a Wayfarer.” The evening is capped with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony — “The Ode to Joy.” See the concert on the lawn of Brucemore, 2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, Saturday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. Ticket information is available by calling (319) 365-8221.

The 10th Annual Honey Fest will take place Sunday, Sept. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids. Discover the fascinating world of bees and honey through crafts, games, music, food, and more at this annual festival. Tickets are $2. More information is available by calling (319) 362-0664.

The Kalona Fall Festival will take place this year on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26 and 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kalona Historical Village, 715 D. Ave., Kalona. The festival always includes live demonstrations, homemade food, hand crafted arts and crafts, kids activities, and live music. Tickets are $5, $2 for children. More information is available by calling (319) 656-2519.

Railroad Earth will perform Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m.; and The Robert Cray Band will perform Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. Tickets to Railroad Earth are $23; tickets to Robert Cray Band are $50; both are available by calling (319) 688-2653.

The 9th annual Kirkwood Blues Concert featuring guest artist the McMurrin and Johnson Band, CR Jazz Big Band, KCC Jazz Ensemble and Combos will take place Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at Ballantyne Auditorium, on the Kirkwood Community College campus, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SE, Cedar Rapids. Tickets are $8 and are available by calling (319) 398-4956.

A great quality of life — another reason why I’m so glad I live here.

Joe Jennison is executive director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, a group of 125-plus arts and culture. This column originally appeared in the Corridor Business Journal. More information on these and other arts and culture events in Eastern Iowa is located at www.culturalcorridor.org and www.CorridorBUZZ.com