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AFTER FIVE: Robby Marvin does more… will you?

By Joe Jennison

Robby Marvin, 25, went to an Access Iowa Exchange meeting at Cornerhouse Gallery, 2753 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, in October and listened to a speech given by Bob Untiedt, executive director of the Linn County Non Profit Resource Center.

Marvin credits Untiedt for inspiring him at that meeting to do more. According to Marvin, it was because of Untiedt’s speech that night that he got to thinking about what more he could do for the community.

That “more” turned out to be The Robject (www.therobject.com), a year-long project in which Marvin plans to volunteer 365 hours and donate 31.2 percent of his earned income to 12 area nonprofits. Over the next year, through May of 2010, Marvin plans to give each of 12 nonprofit organizations a $1,000 matching grant and plans to volunteer 30 hours a month at each.

According to his web site, the 12 nonprofits are:

1.    Cedar Rapids Downtown District
2.    Horizons
3.    Boys and Girls Club
4.    Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa
5.    The Cedar Rapids Public Library
6.    HACAP
7.    Habitat for Humanity
8.    Junior Achievement
9.    Legion Arts at CSPS
10.    Theatre Cedar Rapids
11.    Foundation 2
12.    YMCA

Why these 12 organizations?

“Because I can,” he says. “How many organizations can you help? Can you help one? Maybe you can help 12. Think you can top 12? Remember, small contributions, when made by many others, make a huge difference. That’s what The Robject is all about – giving more!”

The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival offers a day-long festival on the Fourth of July, including the “Music-on-the Fourth” event at Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. Scheduled to perform are Funk Stop, Terry McCauley, Carlis Faurot and Glenn Lonsdale. At 8 p.m., the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band with perform its annual “Fanfare to Fireworks,” followed, of course, by the “Celebration of Freedom Fireworks” at 9:45 p.m. It’s all free. More information is available at (319) 365-8313.

The Amana Colonies will offer its “Firecracker Fourth Tailgate” Friday, July 3, from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Festhalle Barn in Main Amana. It’s free. More information is available by calling (319) 622-7622.

Mount Vernon offers its “Lincoln Highway Antique Show” all day Saturday, July 4, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., where two blocks of the historic Lincoln Highway will be blocked off and filled with antique vendors. It’s free. More information is available by calling (319) 560-9478.

Summer of the Arts offers the Iowa City Jazz Festival in downtown Iowa City, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 3 through 5. Friday night will feature the Des Moines Big Band followed by The David Sanchez Quartet. Saturday features Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue and the Lionel Loueke Trio, followed by Iowa City’s Fourth of July Fireworks. It’s free. More information is available by calling (319) 337-7944.

Coralville’s Fourth Fest will take place in S.T. Morrison Park, Coralville, throughout the day on Friday, July 3. The headliner this year will feature Dennis DeYoung of Styx performing from 8 to 9:30 p.m. It’s free. More information is available by calling (319) 248-1750.

The Linn County Fair will take place July 8 through 13, at the Linn County Fairgrounds, 201 Central City Rd,. Central City. The fair offers everything from harness racing to Terry Lee Goffee, the ultimate Johnny Cash tribute performing Friday, July 10, from 7 to 10 p.m. Most events are free. Grandstand ticket prices vary. More information is available by calling (319) 350-5569.

The UI Summer Rep will be offering the plays of Sarah Ruhl throughout July. “The Clean House” and “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” will be performed in repertory at the UI Theatre Building, on the University of Iowa campus, Iowa City, most Tuesdays through Sundays at 8 p.m. through July 19. Tickets are $24, with discounts for seniors, students and youth. Reservations and information are available by calling (319) 335-3213.

The Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival will continue through July 12 at the Riverside Theatre Festival Stage in Lower City Park, Iowa City. See “Richard III” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” performed in repertory Tuesday and Sunday at 7 p.m.; or Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $37. Reservations and information are available by calling (319) 338-7672.

Theatre Cedar Rapids will present “Schoolhouse Rock Live” July 2 through 12 at Theatre Cedar Rapids Lindale, 4444 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. See the show Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through July 12. Tickets are $20 to $25, with discounts for students. Reservations and information are available by calling (319) 366-8591.

Brucemore, 2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, offers two outdoor theatrical productions in July. See “To Kill a Mockingbird” Thursdays through Saturdays July 9 through 18, at 8 p.m. outside in the natural amphitheatre near the duck pond. Tickets are $15 to $18. See “The Princess Who Wouldn’t Wear Pink” children’s show Wednesday through Saturday, July 22 to 25, at 5:30 p.m. in the same natural amphitheatre. Tickets are $3 to $5. Tickets to both shows are available by calling (319) 362-7375.

The Folllies will be performed Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12, at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, on the University of Northern Iowa campus, Cedar Falls. This is a large, Vegas-style comedy music revue, and always a lot of fun. Tickets are $19 to $32. Reservations and information are available by calling (319) 273-4TIX.

“Queen of Bingo” is the next performance at The Old Creamery Theatre Co. Depot Stage, in the basement of the Ox Yoke Inn, 4420 220th Trl., Amana, from Thursday, July 16, through Sunday, Aug. 2. The play concerns two bingo players and a bingo game where the audience can play along. Tickets are $26.50. Reservations and information are available by calling (800) 35-AMANA.

“The Wizard of Oz” is going to be a huge summer production at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. See the show that stars professional actors from Old Creamery alongside dozens of local young actors and actresses, Thursday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; or Sunday, July 19, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25, with discounts for children. Reservations and information by calling (319) 688-2653.

The Parlour Theatre Co. presents something called “The Summer Love Show” Saturday, July 25, beginning at 7 p.m. at Ushers Ferry Historical Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE, Cedar Rapids. Attendees are asked to pack a picnic and a blanket, grab your one true love, and join the Parlour Theater Co. for “great music, delightful stories, sappy love poems and just enough wry wit to remind us that we are Iowans.” Grounds open for picnics at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12. Reservations and information are available by calling (319) 286-5763.

Joe Jennison is executive director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, a group of 125-plus arts and culture organizations. Contact him direct at (800) 650-ARTS.