Unplugged in Byram

It was mid-2004 when Joanne Brown, Tony Grillo and Kathy Cortez felt that the Byram community needed a fun, substance-free event. During that time, the idea for an “Open-Mike Night” was created. For the past year and a half the Open-Mike Night in Byram has attracted teenagers, adults and musicians alike. Brown, a member of the Sussex County YMCA as well as the Byram Municipal Alliance, wanted to create a teen program and other “suitable, well-organized activities.” That teen program eventually became the Byram Open-Mike Night. Brown said, “We wanted a mix of everyone, and to especially target the younger kids.” Grillo, a substance-abuse counselor, and Cortez, a special education teacher, are both on staff at Lenape Valley High School and were also contributors to the project. On Feb. 17, musicians, parents and fans all gathered at the local Byram Civic Center, a former school. The room was filled with an excited audience anxiously waiting to hear the performers. The night began with Dreux Ferrano, a junior at Lenape Valley High School and a regular at the Byram Open-Mike Night. Ferrano began with classics such as “Highway to Hell” by ACDC and “Creeping Death” by Metallica. Ferrano is a talented guitar player, who has been attending the events since their inception. So far, he has attended five. “I went to the first one. It’s a lot of fun,” Ferrano said. The second performer, Kate DeMareo, sang “The Point Sometimes” by Hawk Point and captured the audience’s attention immediately. DeMareo sang beautifully, as the audience listened intently to her every note. DeMareo said, “I’m usually outgoing, but as soon as I get in front of an audience my heart races. I get nervous every time.” DeMareo is also a regular at Open-Mike Night and was at the first along with Ferrano. The “Dan Arthur Project” ended the night with a variety of songs. Dan Arthur, lead singer and guitarist of the band, said he discovered the Open-Mike Night through his high school. Arthur was joined by Tom Dinunzio on percussion, Ben Scardo, who plays the base guitar, and Leo Arthur, the drummer. The group played their own songs, including “Here to Stay,” “Lay Quiet,” “Echoing Through the Streets,” and “My Good Friend”. The band dedicated two of their songs to fans. Dan Hock, one of the fans, said of the event, “It’s really cool, and good for the town.” Dreux Ferrano Sr. said, “This is my fifth Open- Mike Night, every time we come we see more and more people. It gets better every time.” Many would agree with Ferrano that the Open-Mike Night was indeed a success and might serve as a model for other communities.