College kids have a tendency to think of themselves as the definition of hip and trendy. However, sometimes it takes a bunch of high schoolers to show college students the error of their tunnel-vision practices.

For the past two years, hundreds of high school students from the Ames area have been coming to what has become a popular hangout and venue for up-and-coming entertainment acts. Blinks Club and Coffeehouse, 323 Fifth St., a local establishment sponsored by the First Evangelical Free Church of Ames, 2008 24th St., is trying to blend a “chill” environment and the most intense and energetic music in a religious setting – and has a lot of fun doing it.

“You usually think of a Christian place as being prudish or boring or they’re going to sing “Kumbaya” to a nose harp or something like that. That’s not what we do here,” said Brent Thomas, director of Blinks. He said Blinks doesn’t require that a band offers a statement of faith.

This isn’t just Thomas’ opinion. Dustin Murrell, senior in religious studies and booking manager for Blinks, said that although Blinks is supported by a local church, it isn’t overbearingly preachy.

“There’s going to be something [Christian if] that’s their purpose,” Murrell said.

Murrell says that because of the church affiliation, most of the bigger acts are going to be off the Christian labels. A few of the bigger names that have been featured include up-and-coming acts such as As Cities Burn, Subseven and Calibretto.

Austin Brown, junior at Ames High School and sound technician at Blinks, said the club typically brings in a good crowd because of the energy and atmosphere.

“The people are great and the bands are awesome. We’re not going to press stuff on you when you’re here. We just want to hang out and have a good time, listen to good music and enjoy each other’s company,” Brown said.

All religious and nonreligious connotations aside, Blinks has been host to a wide variety of acts. Several groups ranging from Celtic punk band Flatfoot 56 to Ames locals The Envy Corps have chosen Blinks repeatedly when they are searching for a venue.

The venue, a converted car dealership showroom, may pass itself off as a standard coffeehouse boasting a fresh modern appeal. At the far end of the club lies a large performing stage with its own drum platform and public address system built in. From there, a performing act can venture into the club’s own green room or head up to the bar, which has snacks and nonalcoholic beverages. Several couches, tables and chairs are there for patrons who wish to relax and watch music videos or movies on one of several TVs and projection screens.

“There are a lot of kids who kind of go there and hang out who aren’t generally big music kids,” Murrell said. “There’s foosball tables and couches and junk where kids are playing UNO or something like that.”

Thomas said what probably stands out the most about Blinks is that it is almost completely staffed with volunteer employees.

“They’ve chosen to come and do it just as a service to students,” Thomas said.

The volunteering doesn’t stop with helping out with cleaning or running the concession stand at Blinks.

Thomas said the volunteers provide each band a hot, home-cooked meal before its show since band members typically don’t get that sort of thing on the road.

“We treat our bands well. Because we can’t pay a whole lot, we try to treat them well in other ways,” Thomas said.