The weekdays may drag on, but beginning Saturday night, Saturdays Rock at the Boheme.

Saturdays Rock is a locally operated concert series that runs every Saturday evening through Oct. 27 and features bands from around the area. For only $5 (excluding the Halloween show), $3 (for the first show only) if you are a club member of Boheme, patrons of all ages can gain access to hours of local and regional rock. This Saturday’s show features Pookey Bleum, dead by Wednesday, Keepers of the Carpet and headliners Hog Mallet beginning at 7 p.m.

Jim Schloemer, dead by Wednesday frontman, is responsible for the series. He started Saturdays Rock last year by coordinating a three-show series consisting of his friends’ bands and regional acts.

Originally, Schloemer’s purpose was to promote his friends. However, the shows snowballed, and regional acts came into the picture.

“It was farther reaching than I expected it to be,” Schloemer said.

Eventually, he found himself booking bands from the Twin Cities, Davenport and Southeast Iowa, along with bands from Ames and Des Moines.

“It was one of those things where I would ask a group to play, and then one of them would say, `Hey, there’s this great band that my friend is in that you should check out,'” Schloemer said. “The shows would then consist of a more well-known band from out of the area, some of the more popular local bands, and then my friends’ bands squeezed in between.”

Though last year’s band spots filled quickly, with more bands desiring to play than could be booked, the audience turnout was “not the greatest,” according to Schloemer.

This did not dampen anyone’s interest in setting up a sequel to last year’s Saturdays Rock. After talking to Justin Means, the man in charge of booking bands for the Boheme, and getting the go ahead, Schloemer sent out a mass e-mail. Soon after, responses from intrigued bands poured in.

“It didn’t matter that not many people showed up last year,” Schloemer said. “The bands really liked it because they were able to meet other groups and learn from each other. Some of them have the attitude that they don’t even need anyone to come and watch; it’s an artistic conference.”

A larger audience is expected this year, especially because of an incentive Schloemer has devised. For each show, whichever music fan comes and brings the most people with them receives free paraphernalia from each of the bands playing that evening. This includes T-shirts, CDs and much more.

First-time Saturdays Rock participant Patrick Fleming of Pookey Bleum feels the series will be a positive experience for everyone involved.

“It’s a great opportunity for local musicians to get their groups known, and it’s also a great deal for people who like music,” he said. “For $3-5 you get to see a lot of great bands. Other than the M-Shop there aren’t really any places that have all-ages shows, so it gives more people a chance to listen to great music. It’s really going to get things going for the local scene.”

Both Schloemer and Fleming feel the Boheme offers a very pleasant, laid-back atmosphere where everyone will be able to enjoy the show.

“There isn’t a band playing that I don’t like and don’t have faith in,” Schloemer said. “It’s been a booking nightmare, my own self-torture, only being able to have so many bands per night, but I love it. It’s been worth it, because every performance will be great.”