Now that spring semester is over, Ames may seem like a town with nothing to do. Fortunately, the city provides several summer events and activities to keep residents busy during the next couple of months.

One major event hitting Ames soon is the Odyssey of the Mind 2009 world finals. Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition open to students in kindergarten through college. Participants compete in teams with a maximum of seven teammates per group. The competition also provides activities open to spectators at no cost. Some of these events include a creativity festival, a float and banner parade and NASA presentations. Odyssey of the Mind comes to Ames on May 27.

For those interested in music, the Main Street Cultural District’s concert series, “Tune in to Main Street”, offers live performances each Thursday from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Bands like alternative-rock group Otter, along with Danny Grause, Scott Davis and Isaac Norman will perform in Tom Evans Park. There will also be children’s entertainment and food provided by Hy-Vee. Concerts start on May 28 and continue through July 30.

“Ames on the Half Shell” will be another reoccurring concert series on Friday nights. Starting on June 5 and ending in July, the “Half Shell” offers a chance to meet new people and listen to local music. “Ames on the Half Shell” offers cold beer and bands each week.

For students looking for an event that’s more on the artsy side, “Jazz for the Arts” may be the place to go. The event is a fundraiser supporting the Octagon Center for the Arts, located at 427 Douglas Ave.

The Roxi Copland Band, from Des Moines, is scheduled to perform at the event June 4. Complimentary hors d’ oeuvres, wine and beer will also be served. Audience members have the opportunity to win a raffle drawing for a $1,000 shopping spree to Ames Silversmithing, 220 Main St.

“Jazz for the Arts is a great opportunity to support the arts right here in the local community. All the revenue received goes directly to providing programming for art programs here at the Octagon in Ames,” said Ruth Wiedemeier, manager of the Octagon.

Along with Jazz for the Arts, Ames Community Arts Council will be hosting “Art Walk” in downtown Ames on July 5. “Art Walk” is an event at which local businesses each showcase a separate artist. The event allows people to travel between business, meet the artists participating in the event, and view their work. Nancy Brousard, coordinator for the Ames Community Arts Council, said the event benefits both the artist and spectators.

“It’s an opportunity for different artists to exhibit their artwork. It also gives the people an opportunity to visit all the various stores in the Main Street Cultural District, and in the stores are artists that will allow them to see the different types of art that would be available in the Ames community,” Brousard said.

For more of a hands-on experience, the ISU Workspace will host up to 40 classes throughout the summer.

The ISU Workspace art studio, located in the Memorial Union, offers classes in ceramics, photography and stained glass, and more.

“For summer it’s a great outlet to try something new and something you might not have time for during the school year. We’re open to all students and the community,” said Letitia Kenemer, director of the Workspace.