Isa Cruz

Summer has come to an end, and Jack Magee’s Pub is back with the regular lineup of stand-up comedy, quiz nights, and NFL events that have become the norm in previous semesters. However, Student Activities is also looking to increase student engagement in the space by adding a whole new set of events to the Pub’s schedule.

Building on the success of student-run music events at the Pub last spring, including WBOR’s “Boiler Room” student DJ sets and a performance by Brooklyn rock band Juice, Student Activities is planning a small series of concerts to be held at the Pub this fall. While the names of the guest artists have not yet been announced, the series will begin Oct. 3 and end Dec. 5. Student Activities hopes to have various student bands and DJs serve as support acts for these performances.

Deputy Director of Student Activities Emma Gould hopes to use the pub space to enhance the student experience.

“I think Bowdoin has a really cool student music community on campus, and I’m personally really excited to bring in these smaller, emerging artists,” Gould said.

In addition to student bands and DJs opening for guest artists, Bowdoin student musicians will also have the opportunity to sit down and chat with the artists. Gould hopes the student bands will be able to seek guidance, listen to advice and discuss their music with other musicians.

“Part of my job that I really enjoy is getting to know the student bands on campus, and I think we can really improve on that in the future. I think the student bands are an important part of the culture of the school,” Gould said. “Something that’s also really cool is that in our contract with these artists, we gave the students the opportunity to interview the artists a week before they actually performed.”

Gould also mentioned that while her department will be putting a lot of energy into maintaining existing programming at the Pub, the performance series will be a priority for student activities.

“Concerts are the most important thing for us this semester because we want to try something new,” Gould said.

The Student Activities Department is working with the Food and Beverage Services Department to keep the bar open until 11pm on concert days. We hope this will help to increase student engagement in these events.

Gould mentioned that one of Student Activities’ main goals for this year is to help revitalize the nightlife on campus, especially at the Pub, and that her work with students is a big part of that endeavor.

“I work with a group of students who are on the Pub’s entertainment team, and I work with those students to create student-run programs at the Pub,” Gould said. “We want to bring nightlife back to students, including first-year students.”

Grace Lott ’26, manager of Student Pub Entertainment, said she was enthusiastic about the new events planned. She was especially optimistic about what the concert series means for nightlife on campus.

“I’m really excited about the team we have at the Pub this year. There’s so much we can do in such a central location on campus. The goal is to revitalize the student experience and make the Pub an essential place on campus,” Lott said.

Regularly scheduled Pub events, such as Pub Trivia and NFL football parties, will follow a similar schedule to previous semesters. Pub Trivia will begin next Thursday, September 12, and NFL watch parties will be held on various Sundays throughout the football season. The popular 50-cent wings offering offered at Sunday watch parties is also set to return.