Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

If you aren’t traveling for spring break 2026, don’t fret. Ames still has events. Quilts will blanket Reiman Gardens, Courtney Krause and Meara Rose perform at the city auditorium and a lecture will educate about the past, present and future of electricity in Ames.

And kicking off next week, newspaper editor and author Art Cullen will speak about his new book on Monday. The event is sponsored by the Ames Voice, and we’ll be around if you want to stop by and say hello or if you are interested in getting involved.

Co-Editors: Anthony Capps & Amber Mohmand
[email protected]

Event Spotlight

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Calendar of Events

Ongoing

🌱 2026 Garden Quilt Show
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday | Reiman Gardens

Reiman Gardens and the Iowa Quilters Guild host this three-day show, which encourages the art of quilting through beautiful displays of garden-themed quilts. This show will award prizes in several categories, including Big and Small, Garden Theme: We’ve got the biggest bulbs of them all!, and Big Sacrifices. Vendors demonstrating, displaying and selling fabric art will also be available.

FREE

Tuesday, March 17

👩‍🏫 Protecting Assets from Nursing Home Care Costs
7 p.m. | Danfoss Room, Ames Public Library

Attorney Merlaine Mosley breaks down Medicaid planning in plain language and explains lawful strategies to protect your home and assets while still qualifying for care.

FREE

🎥 Leprechaun
7:45 p.m. | Movies 12

An evil, sadistic Leprechaun (Warwick Davis) goes on a killing rampage in search of his beloved pot of gold.

$5

🎤 Ride On
9 p.m. | Sam's Place

Green beer and rock-and-roll music provided by Ride On.

Wednesday, March 18

🎤 Open Mic Night
7 p.m. | Alluvial Brewing

Hosted by Adam Kindred, the night is open to music (2 songs), comedy, poetry and prose.

FREE

Thursday, March 19

⚡ Learn with the League: Ames Electric Utility
7 p.m. | Rotary Room, Ames Public Library

Since 1896, the city has been providing electricity to its residents and for the past 50 years operated a waste-to-energy facility. Today and into the future the city is focused on a balance of “Reliable, Renewable and Rates.” Don Kom, director of electric services, will discuss how Ames is uniquely positioned to blend these three cornerstones of utility preparedness.

FREE

Friday, March 20

🥎 Softball: Iowa State vs. Houston
4 p.m. | Cyclone Sports Complex

The Cyclones take on the University of Houston Cougars.

🎤 Silversonic
7 p.m. | Alluvial Brewing

A versatile local group delivering a blend of rock and alternative covers and originals. Their sets are known for being melodic and highly danceable.

$8

🎤 Courtney Krause and Meara Rose
7 p.m. | Ames City Auditorium

Fifth and Clark Fridays continues with the lyrically driven and Des Moines–based singer-songwriter Courtney Krause, who blends country, folk, soul and rock. Pianist, vocalist, songwriter and Iowa native Meara Rose also performs, showcasing her love for soul, Latin jazz and her classical music roots.

$10

Saturday, March 21

🎤 Writer’s Round w/ Wally Neal & Guests
7 p.m. | Alluvial Brewing

A yearly tradition featuring Wally Neal, Casey Joe Collins and others in a song-sharing circle. The intimate "listening room" format lets the stories behind the songs shine.

$5

Upcoming events on our radar

🌧️ March 24: Iowa's Surprising 2020 Derecho: What Have Meteorologists Learned?, Memorial Union

😂 March 25: Daniel Tosh: My First Farewell Tour, Stephens Auditorium

📷 March 26: The National Geographic Photo Ark: One Man's Quest to Document the World's Animals, Memorial Union

👩‍🏫 April 2: A Conversation with Author Lyz Lenz, Memorial Union

🎭 April 2-12: Over the River and Through the Woods, Ames Community Theater

🎭 April 4: Peter Pan, Stephens Auditorium

🎤 April 10: The Fab Four, Stephens Auditorium