It was everything you would expect from a major rock concert — screaming guitars and screaming fans — except that the fans were mostly 13-14 year olds and their parents. Oh, and so was one of the bands.

The second annual Music Night, April 9, was the latest development of an idea managers of Das Dutch Village Inn, in Columbiana, had to provide young local musicians a place to perform, and fans too young for bars to hear a concert.

The 52-room Dutch Village Inn, which opened in 2001, is the newest part of the family business — Das Dutch Haus — started by Ralph Witmer and Raymond Horst 26 years ago, and includes the Village Shops in the rear of the property at the intersection of St. Rtes. 14 and 164. Witmer’s daughter, Grace Styer, who was an impetus behind the creation of the inn, and runs it, is the music mover, too.

Music has been as much a part of the local families as business, and manager Grace Styer saw the opportunity to provide a venue for budding musicians and fans. “For two years we opened up the lobby on the second floor on Thursday nights, during the winter,” she said, “and had mostly acoustic acts — in consideration of the other guests. Eventually, even that got a little too loud.”

In addition to an indoor swimming pool and two large meeting rooms, the Inn also has a 4,500 square foot banquet facility in the basement, with a portable stage, dance floor and moveable walls, the perfect venue for their usual fare of private events and dinner theater. Moving the music there allowed Music Night to expand.

An Inn employee, Drew Wade, the lead singer for Devonshire, is friends with the members of Third Class, and, according to Khaled Tabbara, of The Zou, “We love Third Class, and if they want us to play a show with them, we’re there;” this year, after just getting back from a national spring tour. All three bands played both years.

And opening the show again this year, the pride of South Range Middle School, No Clue, who’s exuberant fans filled the banquet hall. “Oh my God,” gushed one girl, “he’s up on the stage. Did you see his HAIR?” JamBrain is no expert on the emotions of teenage girls, but she seemed near ecstasy.

Other than being “13 going on 14,” No Clue is the stereotypical rock band: lead singer/guitarist Luke Eusibio is tall and cute with a stage presence; lead guitarist/keys Tom Kuhns is intense; bassist Nick Scheetz has a ball playing bass; and drummer Adam Witmer (yes he is related) played a solo. They do current covers and quality originals, they can actually play, and they even did a Zou tribute. 

The fans and bands had a blast (the bands split the gate, the Inn sold concessions), and it was an altogether fun event, which gets a big JamBrain cheer.