The Ames Winter Classic will hit the Maintenance Shop for the seventh time on Friday.

The small indoor music festival will feature headliner Extravision as well as AIBU and Kelli Rae Powell.

Extravision is a blend of sounds, genres and concepts from Ryan Stier. The ensemble’s performances sometimes show slight variation and growth on songs they have already written, giving the audience the chance to experience the group’s music in new ways.

Extravision will be replacing Mumford’s, an Ames Winter Classic regular, as the headlining act.

Nate Logsdon, the frontman of Mumford’s and the mastermind behind the Ames Winter Classic, had to step away due to family circumstances.

Logsdon originally envisioned the event as a smaller version of the Maximum Ames Music Festival. The most important part of the concept was the venue.

Logsdon wanted to hold the winter festival in the Maintenance Shop because it is such a revered venue. Its history gives it a type of star status within the community.

The winter season isn’t often home to big music events, but Logsdon managed to accomplish just that. Every year, for six years, the Ames Winter Classic has brought color to the local music scene and showcased a diverse roster of artists for students and Ames community members to discover and enjoy. 

Past artists have included Mumford’s, Gloom Balloon, EBONY TUSKS and Kickstart the Sun.

Music is important to Ames and to Iowa State University. Many people care deeply about it. The Ames Winter Classic is an honest representation of the diversity and dedication that can be found in local artists and local music lovers. 

The event is free and open to the public. It will start at 8 p.m. and the Maintenance Shop will open its doors at 7:30.