LAKE STEVENS — It wasn’t a big crowd, but it was an appreciative one.

For three hours, 15 student rock bands and solo performers played largely for each other and friends and family in the Vikingpalooza music fest at Lake Stevens High School.

Organizers didn’t call the Friday night event the battle of the bands. Rather, it was advertised as “the minor disagreement of the bands.”

The description more accurately captures the environment where young people felt encouraged to play for the joy of making diverse music, including grunge, Christian rock, classic metal and a combination of rap and ukulele with a Polynesian influence.

Many LSHS students also relish the chance to play for classmates on the once-a-month open mics during lunch in the school’s cafeteria.

Ricky Kemp, a junior, sang three numbers while his early childhood friend, Casey Martin, played guitar on Friday. Kemp even pointed out his mom in the bleachers in recognition of Mothers’ Day on Sunday.

“I’m not too cool for my mom,” he said afterward. “You are never too cool for your mom.”

Kemp has gained confidence performing in front of his peers since an inauspicious first open mic in which he had to race out of the bathroom and tripped over a cord.

“The school itself is really accepting of individuals and at the same time having school spirit,” he said. “It’s a good balance. You can do both.”

Friday’s event was sponsored by the school’s Natural High Network, a 20-member student club that organizes activities as an alternative to drug and alcohol use. The evening proved a who’s who of rock ‘n roll T-shirts with young musicians showcasing the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana and AC/DC.

Sara Frisbie, a senior who emceed Friday’s event, said music and an upcoming film festival of student-produced works “are great outlets you can use to be drug-free.”

Kelsey Hopkins, a senior who plans to study music at Edmonds Community College next year, played solo on guitar and vocals, performing the Moody Blues’ “Nights In White Satin,” Coldplay’s “Clocks” and an original work.

Hopkins said open mics and events like Vikingpalooza help her discover others who share a passion for music.

“It just promotes musicality instead of drug use,” she said. “To play for an actual audience is nice.”

Steve Pitkin, a LSHS prevention and intervention counselor and an adviser to the club, well remembers being nervous before his own first open mic when he was 19. Providing positive social opportunities helps young people make good life choices, he said.

“We don’t spend a lot of time saying, ‘Say No to drugs,’” he said. “Research shows us that cultural opportunities like these are incredibly important” at protecting students from risky behaviors.

The club will sponsor a community-wide open mic night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 11 at the North Cove Park behind City Hall, 1812 Main St.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.