Making it big in the music industry can be next to impossible, especially when musicians aren't even given the chance to be heard. Skellerpalooza, held at 10 p.m. every Thursday at Rathskeller All American, 108 S. Pugh St., is a chance for new music groups to play, and bar-goers to experience variety.

"It's an event designed to enable bands that don't normally get to play in places like State College to have an opportunity to be heard," Jeff Sabarese, the event coordinator, said.

Sabarese travels often with his own band, Sona, and meets other groups while on the road. He saw this new type of venue was something that could benefit State College.

"There's a big demand for somewhere to play, and nothing like it existed in State College," Sabarese said.

Sabarese said that many venues in State College stick to house bands that play weekly.

"It's almost impossible for new bands, who are just starting out, to get gigs no matter how good they are, or how hard they work. Management just finds it easier to be able to rely on a house band."

Since Skellerpalooza began, bands have come from cities such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C.

"This is a big deal," Sabarese said of the distances bands are willing to travel to play.

He's also excited to see a more diverse crowd coming into Rathskeller.

"I've got punk bands coming in whereas I used to see the Skeller as more of an alumni-type bar," Sabarese said.

Although the scene in the back of Rathskeller, where the bands play, changes weekly, Sabarese said there's comfort for the regulars because in the front, nothing has changed at all.

Sabarese tried to get the event to run itself by posting a Web site, www.skellerpalooza.com, where bands can post its information and even choose a time slot it can play.

Lauren DeMichiei of Lushwell, a band from Pittsburgh, played at Skellerpalooza last Thursday, and will be returning again in September.

"Skellerpalooza is a great opportunity to be introduced to a different crowd," she said.

Chris Zembower of The Breakouts, was skeptical of the event at first because he feared it might be another open mike night. After playing, he felt differently.

"Bands really have a chance to show what they can do," he said. "I can't express how cool I think it is. There are no outlets for good music."

Sabarese is glad his project is taking off. "I'm trying to develop a music scene that has never previously existed here," he said. "I'm trying to get people who like music to come out."