High School Student Launches Open Mic Night at New Port Shores

People from various parts of the state and of all ages have been showing up at recently and its all thanks to one local high school student.

sophomore Will Pfrang has been working with his dad, Charlie, and New Port owner John Weinrich to organize a free Open Mic night on Thursdays. The event starts at 8 p.m., is a first-come-first-serve forum and allows artists of any kind.

"It's not like we will turn anything away," Pfrang said. "I think the coolest thing to see, is seeing the eclectic groups of people come together. It's really wild, because you'll have an accordion playing … we've had banjos, multiple drummers come in… they just all get up, and they can jam out and play really well together just by ear."

Pfrang comes in early every Thursday to set up a small speaker system that allows six instruments to plug in at a time, as well as two microphones for singers. In the first few weeks of hosting the event, musicians and singers ranging in ages from 16 to 72, according to Weinrich, have come from as far away as Waukesha and Neenah — located in an area commonly referred to as the Fox Cities.

To spread the word, Pfrang said he's advertised in newspapers a few times, as well as used a website called openmics.org. Mostly, he is relying on word-of-mouth.

Pfrang has been playing acoustic guitar for the past five users, under the guidance of teacher Michael Hecker of Fredonia. He also writes and sings his own material.

Pfrang said New Port Shores was an obvious choice as a great place to host this event — and now he's hoping it can become something bigger.

"(My dad and I) were just thinking of great places in the area that would be awesome for holding an open mic, and New Port Shores was just the perfect spot for it. John, the owner, is very supportive of … the music scene," Pfrang said. "This summer we’re going to be moving it outdoors onto the big stage outside. I think it’s going to turn into something that just going to be fantastic."