For those who think that other Midwestern college towns, like Lawrence, Omaha and Iowa City, have a monopoly on cool music scenes, think again. An upcoming outdoor concert featuring Ames’ best talent offerings will change your mind.

Lotsaloozers 2, a live ‘n local event in its second year, will transform the grassy area just outside State Gym (behind Helser and Friley) into a pulsing mass of musical jelly this Saturday. The festivities will start at noon and will last until the sun calls it quits (i.e., dark).

The concert is sponsored by the Ames Independent Music Society, run by students and partially supported by GSB. AIMS is an organization that functions as both a support group for local bands and a way to bring live music to Ames.

“It started in 1988 as the Ames Alternative Music Coalition,” said Lee Bellon, president. “I changed the name when I became the president because the word ‘alternative’ drastically changed since Nirvana.”

Since its makeover and name change, AIMS has worked to promote its own member bands in addition to bringing some national acts to our fair city. Last summer, for instance, they released an AIMS compilation CD, a disc chock-full of tunes from 18 different local acts. Shows of yore that the society has put on include Poster Children, Seaweed and Pavement.

Lotsaloozers will feature lots o’ live tunes, the “gyro guy” for those mid-afternoon munchies, vendors of band merchandise and some surprise games and activities that you’ll just have to see for yourself.

The tentative schedule for the outdoor concert starts with Lube (formerly Filter, but they had to change their name because of that other Filter), Ten Gallon Head, Lunchbox, The Nadas, Viraflora, Crankhead, Squidboy, Amplexus, Pawnbrokeher Pipe Dream and Junk Poet. Only Squidboy and Viraflora don’t call Ames home; rather, they hail from Des Moines.

Most of the bands don’t mind the wind, searing heat or freezing cold that come with an outdoor venue. “I don’t mind playing outside as long as there’s people around,” said Joel Grau, bassist of Junk Poet. “I like playing outside as long as there’s a loud PA system. Like at Battle of the Bands, I didn’t think it was loud enough; it didn’t have that punch-in-the-face that I like to deliver.”

The arrangement comes in no particular order, but “bands from Ames get priority,” Bellon added. Other locals, like Great Big Freak and DogTown, weren’t left out (don’t worry!), but they have other gigs that conflict with Lotsaloozers.

That won’t stop a few other locals, however. Lunchbox has a busy Saturday planned. After their Ames stint, they’re dashing off to another show. “We’re playing in Iowa City that night,” said Tony Bohnenkamp, lead singer, “so we’re packing up and leaving afterwards.”

Tickets are available in advance from Co-Op Records and Peeple’s Music for $4 in advance. They are also available at the door for an extra buck. Festivities start at noon, all ages are welcome and everyone can come and go as they please.