As the weeks roll on here in the arts and entertainment department, we are constantly looking for things to fill our pages from day to day, and I am always amazed at how absolutely awesome the entertainment scene is in Ames.

It is super cool that Ames can’t get certain movies until weeks after they come out including “Oh, Brother Where Art Thou” and Best Picture nominees “Chocolat” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” among others.

Speaking of movies, it’s a good thing Iowa State stopped those students from making that film on campus last summer with the “Baywatch” chick and the guys from the “Real World.” That would have sucked.

I guess I understand why – they would have had to bring more security on campus, and we wouldn’t dare pull the cops from the bars where their presence has done nothing but make every bar patron that much happier.

But what really toots my whistle is the music scene in Ames.

For instance, I really love the fact that the Iowa State Center takes so many risks bringing in acts that would appeal to the college crowd. Tina Turner was great – the fact that most of that crowd came from Des Moines and other surrounding cities is really cool. It’s not like the 26,000-plus students give Ames what little heartbeat it has.

I’m really glad Iowa City got the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters show last spring, because it totally wouldn’t have done well here at all – sold-out shows are overrated.

It really sucked when the Iowa State Center used to bring in good bands like the Smashing Pumpkins – I would much rather drive five hours or so to see these good shows than walk ten minutes from my apartment.

But I guess they did bring in Creed last year, and they’re such a great and original band. And they won some awards on VH1 too – that’s super cool.

What really puts a smile on my face, however, is that the Veishea committee had a chance to bring in a band that would create a buzz and get the students excited for Veishea. Vertical Horizon and Five for Fighting – I can hardly contain myself.

The Iowa State Center isn’t the only aspect of the music scene that excites me. People’s Bar and Grill used to bring in bands such as the Urge and Local H. Reel Big Fish and 311 even played there before they got big. It’s a good thing they don’t do that anymore.

I’m just excited that I get the chance to see Dazy Head Mazy five times a semester and Grateful Dead cover bands and other hippie jam bands such as Domestic Problems. Those 20-person crowds must really be helping.

And it’s really super that People’s doesn’t do very many local shows anymore. They didn’t need to provide a club for bands to play in that people actually go to, unlike Boheme. It really sucked when 35″ Mudder and Mr. Plow were selling out the club once a month. I’m just glad that People’s isn’t more like the Maintenance Shop. Really, bringing in numerous diverse national acts every weekend just sucks. Not to mention providing a stage for a number of local and Iowa artists is just a rotten thing to do – shame on them for trying to make the scene better.

I’m sorry if I’m getting too excited about entertainment in Ames, but when your job revolves around all of this, you can’t help but feel major excitement.

It’s a great feeling when the best thing about nightlife in Ames is that it stays with you until noon the next day in the form of the beautiful aroma of stale Winstons on your clothes and in your hair. Hmm, hmm … yummy!

Kyle Moss is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Urbandale. He is assistant arts and entertainment editor of the Daily, but the other assistant, Jon Dahlager, does all the work.