So Martin may be a small-sized town with only one Wal-Mart and no Starbucks, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do around here.

Martin has plenty to offer in the way of entertainment. With four major night spots and within driving distance of a few major cities, you have no reason to spend Friday night in your dorm room watching Will & Grace reruns with the excuse of ‘there’s nothing to do around here.’

For one thing, check out the Ying Yang Twins right here on the campus of UTM. The rap stars, probably most famous for their collaboration with Lil’ John and the Eastside Boyz known as ‘Get Low,’ will be visiting our very own Elam Center. This will be the first time UTM has hosted a concert for the students since Tennessee natives Fuel were here in 2001. They will be here on at 8 p.m., Sat., Sept. 17. Tickets are on sale now for $20 at the Information Desk in the UC.

For those of you whose musical tastes lie elsewhere, Bryan Hayes and the Retrievers will be making an appearance. Made up of three former UTM students, the musicians have received praise from the Commercial Appeal as ‘a country cousin to Tom Petty.’ They will be at the Stables on Sept. 17.

Don’t forget Martin’s slew of local bands! You can usually check out some of your classmates at the Stables on the weekends. For example, Seven Signs, made up of all UTM students, will be hitting the stage on Sept. 9.

If you don’t mind making the drive and are willing to sleep through the next day’s classes, Ozzfest is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary by hitting the stage in Nashville on Wed., Aug. 31. Bands like the original Black Sabbath, Rob Zombie, Velvet Revolver, Black Label Society and other bands will showcase their talents in an all day concert at Nashville’s Starwood Amphitheatre.

For those of you with a taste for more low-key entertainment, UTM offers a free movie to students every Wed. and Fri. night here in Watkins Auditorium. Also, the Comedy Series begins at 7 p.m., Sept. 1 on the patio.

A guest artist exhibit featuring Jack Troy will open in the Fine Arts Building at 5 p.m., Sept. 6 and will run through Sept. 9. Another way to help fight boredom on the weekends when all of your friends are gone are Martin’s ‘swinging hot spots.’

If you’re looking for a somewhat quiet place where you can sit and hang out with your friends, check out Cadillac’s. Dress code is casual, with most people showing up in something that looked like it came strait off the American Eagle rack.

The Watering Hole is a popular spot for pool players. This is also a great place to hang out with your friends. Dress code is usually whatever you wore to class that day.

Cheers has something to offer everyone. The front part offers TVs and pool tables. But walk into the back and things are vastly different. Here you can find a dance floor, a bar and karaoke for the brave folks. Dress code is anything you want to wear. It ranges from regular street clothes to barely-there tops and skirts that don’t leave much to the imagintation.

The Stables is more famous for its music than for its drinking. But it’s still a great place to hang out with your friends. Dress code is casual.

So no matter if it’s a bunch of guys head banging, or wandering around looking at a bunch of paintings, you can be sure that there will be something here to keep you from complaining to your friends that Martin is ‘boring.’