The 10th annual Maximum Ames Music Festival takes place from September 15-18.
Like many other yearly events, this one has an asterisk because of the coronavirus epidemic.
But the organizers insist they welcome that caveat with open arms as they bring back a four-day festival with 40 artists spread across seven locations.
Maximum Ames, which kicked off in 2011, was just starting to plan its major 10-year celebration in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, according to festival organizer Fred Love.
“About a month later, all those preparations went out the window, and we had to declare that we were canceling,” he added.
Throughout that year, Maximum Ames streamed live shows from vacant Ames venues.
They held a two-night concert in 2021, but it was much smaller than that because several of the performers had to back out due to the spread of the coronavirus.
Still, with the vaccine and booster shots readily available, the organizing committee thought it would be safe to revive the four-day celebration this year. The group opted to celebrate the milestone they feel Maximum Ames merits even though it isn’t the actual 10-year anniversary.
The DIY, Iowa-centric, scrappy little music event that Maximum Ames has always been being celebrated, Love said.
Blues musician Rush Cleveland, singer-songwriter Courtney Krause, Americana rock band Brother Trucker, and Iowa indie rockers Annalibera will be among the many performers at this year’s Maximum Ames festival.
The Goldfinch Room in Stephens Auditorium, a relatively new concert venue in Ames, will play host to a number of upcoming events. On September 18, you may catch Elizabeth Zimmerman and Liv Carrow performing in the listening room located on the lower level of Ames’ famous theatre.
It’s officially MAXIMUM AMES WEEK!!! So much great Iowa music is on the way in just a few short days!
Today, we’re spotlighting the psychedelic blues rock Eleven Moons! Don’t miss Eleven Moons on Sunday, Sept. 18, at The Angry Irishmen!
WHO’S READY FOR MAX AMES 2022?? pic.twitter.com/BZTopL0dOP
— Maximum Ames (@maximumames) September 12, 2022
The cost is $40 for a table that seats four, or $15 per person at the door. Please visit center to make your reservation.
Besides the two presentations at Stephens, all of the others are gratis as well. Festival-goers today don’t have to buy wristbands to get in, unlike in years past. Visit TheActiveNews.Com to stay abreast of the most recent headlines and posts.