Let’s make this week about a different Taxman!

This week, the Ames staple band Indigo Monks performs at Alluvial Brewing, and the jazz combo can cover a vast array of musical genres.

ISU Theatre brings us Peter and the Starcatcher, Opera Iowa presents an afternoon of musical theater, the Renaissance Faire returns, Iowa State University students present their latest for fashion, young classical musicians perform downtown, and Ames High Drama gets Rotten.

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

Event Spotlight

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Calendar of Events

Ongoing

🎥 Cyclone Cinema: Marty Supreme
7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday | Carver 101

Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet), a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.

FREE

🎭 Peter and the Starcatcher
7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday | Fisher Theater

A Tony-winning play that serves as a prequel to Peter Pan, using physical theatre and imagination to tell the orphan's origin story.

$20 public; free for students

🎭 Something Rotten!
7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday | Wayne “Hank” Hansen Performing Arts Center, Ames High School

A musical comedy about Bottom brothers Nick and Nigel, playwrights living in Elizabethan England and struggling to compete with the wild success of their contemporary, William Shakespeare.

$15 public; $10 students

⚔️ Prairie Rose Renaissance Festival
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday | 1400 S. 4th St.

Previously called the Ames Renaissance Faire, the 2026 Prairie Rose Renaissance Festival will include knights, duels, royalty, food, music, entertainment and community. Costumes are not required.

$18+ adults; $12+ children

Tuesday, April 14

🩰 World Ballet Company: Cinderella
7 p.m. | Stephens Auditorium

A breathtaking production of the classic fairy tale featuring a multicultural cast of elite professional dancers. It features hand-painted sets, over 150 stunning costumes and Prokofiev’s legendary score.

$40+

🚂 Albert Benton Pullman: Railroad Pioneer and American Entrepreneur
7 p.m. | Ames History Museum

This talk by Simon Cordery, professor of history at Iowa State, details the life of an unjustly neglected Gilded Age figure. Older brother of the notorious George Pullman, Albert Pullman made several crucial but forgotten contributions to the success of Pullman's Palace Car Company and engaged in an erratic, fascinating investment career.

FREE

Wednesday, April 15

👨‍🏫 Natural Hydrogen: An Overlooked Energy Resource
6 p.m. | Sun Room, Memorial Union

U.S. Geological Survey research geologist Geoffrey Ellis discusses the potential for “Gold Hydrogen” trapped underground to become a clean energy source. He outlines the geological search for this renewable fuel and its role in decarbonization.

FREE

🎺 CySlides and Trombone Studio
7:30 p.m. | Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, Music Hall 

The resident ISU student trombone choir, CySlides, will perform several original works by Bill Reichenbach, Madeline Lee and Andrew J. Skaggs. Also featured will be Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 3.

FREE

River Valley Veterans Network
6 p.m. | Torrent Brewing Company

The gathering creates a welcoming space for veterans to connect with one another, discover resources and explore employment opportunities in a relaxed, supportive environment. Businesses who value veteran talent are invited to attend.

Thursday, April 16

🧬 Science with Cyclones
5:30 p.m. | Reiman Gardens

A family event for kids age 2 to 11, attendees will learn in interactive ways about topics from Spider-Man and scabs to badgers and green cows. Cy will be there to meet the kids.

FREE

✍️ Re-Engaging with Writing in the Age of AI
6 p.m. | 2630 Memorial Union

Organizational facilitator Elizabeth Wardle discusses how writing remains a vital tool for learning and human connection despite the rise of generative AI.

FREE

👚 Day to Day Life of a Designer
7 p.m. | Cardinal Room, Memorial Union

Katrina Pedrick, designer for clothing brand Aerie, provides a practical look into the professional world of design, focusing on the daily challenges and creative workflows.

FREE

Saturday, April 18

🛠️ Ames Repair Café
10 a.m. | Ames Public Library

Drop in to a free Repair Café at the Library! Volunteers will help repair broken items to give them a longer life cycle. There is no charge for repairs at the Repair Café.

FREE

🎤 Spring of Ames 2026
6:30 p.m. | Ames City Auditorium

In its second year, this concert showcases young award-winning classical musicians from across Iowa. All ticket proceeds support KHOI music programming.

$15 general; free for students

🎤 Haymakers
7 p.m. | Alluvial Brewing

A lively string band performance focused on bluegrass and old-time favorites. Their energetic sets are a staple in the local Ames music scene.

$10+

👚 The Fashion Show
7 p.m. | Stephens Auditorium

Produced entirely by students, The Fashion Show showcases more than 100 student design entries. The event provides students with enriching leadership opportunities, connections with other students and an outlet to express their creativity.

$19+

Sunday, April 19

🎶 Arias in Ames
2 p.m. | Northminster Presbyterian Church

The talented musicians of the 2026 OPERA Iowa troupe offer an afternoon of arias and songs from musical theater.

$20 public; free for students

Monday, April 20

🎸 Paul McCartney's Evolution as a Bass Player
6 p.m. | 2630 Memorial Union

An exploration of McCartney’s technical innovation and global impact on popular music by Brian F. Wright, associate professor of music history at the University of North Texas.

FREE

Upcoming events on our radar

⚖️ April 22: Channeling Conflict: The Constitution, the Courts and the Character of American Self-Government, 2630 Memorial Union

🎤 April 23: CeCe Winans: More Than This Tour, Stephens Auditorium

🥗 May 2: Ames Main Street Farmers Market opening day, Downtown Ames

🎶 May 3: Masterworks Concert, Stephens Auditorium

🎶 May 15: Across the Water, Collegiate Presbyterian Church