CHLOE KOWALYK
Editor in Chief
Last Call Entertainment is ending off the semester with a bang with the upcoming BJ’s Fest.
Last Call is an entertainment group that books local and touring bands at BJ’s, a local bar in downtown Fredonia, located at 51 W. Main St.
Those working at Last Call are commonly students, gaining experience booking bands, doing promotions and running a venue.
This year, Last Call is being run by senior journalism and music industry major Jordan Budd and junior music industry major Elena Fitzgerald, with senior sound recording technology major Bryce McCandless running the sound and senior music industry major Tristan Lolonardi helping as well.
Several shows are offered each semester with artists of varying genres.
For instance, local bands such as Relentless Moisture, Mimic, Science Man, Jacob King and Autoignition, among others, have all played at BJ’s in the past year.
At the end of the year, Last Call holds a big show with many bands in a lineup.
This year’s BJ’s Fest includes B-Roll Kazper, The Weather Might Say Otherwise, Gas Station, Robbery Club and Magazine Beach.
Budd handles most of the booking, while Fitzgerald works mostly on promotions, but the two work together on much of the responsibilities of putting on a show.
Fitzgerald has enjoyed the collaborative effort between her and Budd. For instance, Fitzgerald was able to book a band for the upcoming show and Budd has worked on promotions.
“It’s just been really cool to really work the show together, especially for our last show,” she said. “It’s our last thing that we’re doing together with the music scene, so it’s really important to me.”
Fitzgerald explained that some of the bands playing have a close connection to Fredonia.
For instance, members of The Weather Might Say Otherwise went to Fredonia, while members of Gas Station used to work for Last Call.
Because of this, Fitzgerald feels the show will be a closer connection to students and the community.
“It’s really an overarching show for the music scene and specifically the Fredonia music scene,” she said. “Overall, the groups that are playing have been very close to the music scene, besides Magazine Beach.”
Magazine Beach is a group from Washington, D.C. that is visiting Fredonia for the show.
Getting the confirmation from Magazine Beach that they could play BJ’s Fest was exciting for Budd and Fitzgerald.
The duo had wanted to book the band for a while, but always ran into issues with the group being far away from Fredonia.
“The fact they were able to do it this semester was a very nice cherry on top,” Fitzgerald said.
BJ’s Fest is being held on Thursday, May 9 at BJ’s. Doors open at 9 p.m. and music begins at 10 p.m.
In addition, the show is open for those 18 years and older, with a $5 admission fee for those who are 18-years-old and $2 for those who are 21 years and older.
Fitzgerald encourages people to come to the show to support the graduating seniors who are involved in Last Call, and to get a taste of the local music scene in Fredonia.
She especially encouraged coming to the show “if people really want to see what the music scene has become through the years.”
For updates on local shows, Last Call can be found on Instagram @lastcallmgmt. In addition, BJ’s is also on Instagram @bjsfredonia.