On Friday, December 9th, the Battlefield High School Journalism program held one of it’s famous “Open Mic Nights” at 4410 under the Contemporary Music Center near Foster’s Grill in Haymarket. Open mic is held on various Friday nights throughout the school year. The event raises the much needed money to print the Program’s magazine, Inside 15000, and to pay for this site, BHSBeat.org, each month.

The event started at 7:00 pm, and ended at 9:00 pm. As always there was a large crowd and many amazing performers.

Some of Open Mic Night veterans were there, like Battlefields own, Mr. Ditmer. He normally sings Frank Sinatra and crooner style songs. Sophomore Ryan Dishman was there performing, as well as his younger sister and journalism student, Kailee. She sang Riptide by Vance Joy, and I Don’t Know My Name by Grace Vanderwaal, both accompanied by her playing on the ukulele. Her brother played Guitar and sang Where are you going by Dave Matthews Band and Something like Olivia by John Mayer. Aly Fridey sang Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire. Alyssa Bryars played the piano and sang Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley. Alyssa Stump sang Santa Baby Eartha Kitt and a holiday version of the classic Hallelujah originally recorded by Leonard Cohen.  

Senior Alexx (the first X is silent, as she frequently jokes with the audience) Frilles played the guitar and sang an original song. Providing a break from the music and proving you do not have to sing to get up on stage at Open Mic Night, Hayley Miller shared a short story she wrote, Prisoner of Time.  The story is featured under the ‘Creative Corner’ section of the this site. Seniors Heather Trobridge, Savannah Gaillard, Jule Gaitley, and Michaela Baker, sang and danced to Jingle Bell Rock.  Open Mic has seen everything from break dancing to comedy acts up on that stage. Junior Grace Cutsinger sang Mama’s Broken Heart by Miranda Lambert, and played the piano and sang Lost Boy by Ruth B.

It was Cutsinger’s first time performing at Open Mic, “It was fun, everyone was nice, and it was a very supportive environment.”

Joe Bendekovic and the Meme Boys closed the show with some John Mayer hits.

Junior Mary Riley went to Open Mic for the first time on Friday and says “It was great! It had an awesome  friendly feel, it was clearly a  “no judgment” zone. I definitely recommend going if not performing.”

Sophomore Alex Simber says “I love Open Mic night! It’s a great way to hang out and experience new music from locals and even students you could be friends with. I love the environment at 4410 and would absolutely recommend it to any of my friends!”

The next Open Mic night is on January 20th, from 7pm-9pm at 4410 under the Contemporary Music Center in Haymarket. We hope to see you there!