Members of the Ames community don’t have to look far to find an environment that will condone their passion for belting out their favorite songs.

Bars around Ames have found that adding a karaoke night to their weekly schedules, advertisements and specials is beneficial. The activity is becoming a popular weekly activity among ISU students.

With the bright spotlights, center stage and a microphone, many students are finding that it may not be as embarrassing and intimidating as they originally thought to get up and perform a well-known oldie or newer pop song.

On karaoke night at Capone’s Drinking Academy, 2518 Lincoln Way, students typically start coming into the bar for a couple drinks around 9 p.m. Once they unwind a bit, the fun really starts to begin.

Jacob Willet, junior in mechanical engineering, is the go-to-karaoke guy for Capone’s, and Sgt. Pepper’s, 116 Welch Ave. He comes into Capone’s with his karaoke equipment on Wednesday nights and is the segway for students to have a unique week-night experience.

“I’ve only ever done karaoke in the summer, but usually it’s pretty profitable for the bars in Ames,” Willet said. “On other nights when karaoke is not available, the bars are pretty dead — at least during the week and in the summer. But, for example, on a Wednesday night at Capone’s there are tons of people just waiting to get up and sing.”

As the karaoke host for Capone’s and Pepper’s, Willet said his fee varies, depending on what else he helps the bars with on a particular night.

Andy Havens, senior in mechanical engineering, said he participates in karaoke night at least two or three times each month.

“I really enjoy karaoke because it’s a fun opportunity to get up in front of people,” Havens said. “I’d say people who get up to sing are good singers about 50 percent of the time, but karaoke allows you to make a fool of yourself without being embarrassed and to have fun entertaining a bunch of people who don’t care how good you are.”

But some students cannot put their pride on the line and choose not to participate in karaoke events.

Kristen Johnson, senior in psychology, said she doubts she will ever perform on karaoke night.

“I don’t want to get up in front of people and sing,” Johnson said. “I’m just not that great of a singer. If a lot of my friends would go up, I probably would, but none of my friends are really into that sort of thing.”

Even if students are nervous to climb onto the stage, Willet said it’s an experience they will not forget.

“People like to sing and show off, karaoke draws people in,” Willet said. “I know a lot of karaoke first-timers get a rush and the feeling of being in a band and performing is an experience that is priceless.”

Top five karaoke songs according to Jacob Willet, junior in mechanical engineering:

   1. “Alcohol,” Brad Paisley

   2. “Sweet Caroline,” Neil Diamond

   3. “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Journey

   4. “Friends in Low Places,” Garth Brooks

   5. “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” Cyndi Lauper

Participating bars in Ames:

Capone’s Drinking Academy, 2518 Lincoln Way

Paddy’s Irish Pub, 124 Welch Ave.

Mickey’s Irish Pub, 109 Welch Ave.

Sgt. Pepper’s, 116 Welch Ave.