BSG in negotiations with Reel Big Fish for Brock the Port
By Amanda Seef
ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
Plans for fun before finals have become more finalized, as Brockport Student Government is making plans to contract live music, supply new activities, approach downtown vendors and prepare for an evening of relaxation at the annual Brock the Port. The event is scheduled to take place Friday, May 4 from 4 to 9 p.m. in the village of Brockport.
The event was moved this year from on-campus to Main Street (from Market Street South to State Street).
“We think that this event being [on Main Street] will help off-campus students get involved with the campus,” said Mike Davis, BSG programming director.
Festivities at the event will include inflatables, a Jimmy Z’s garbage plate eating contest, snow cones, magicians, psychics, caricature artists, airbrush tattoos, make your own trucker hat, fish tank and wax hands, among many others. There will be plenty of freebies given away, as well — including free T-shirts. BSG will be handing out Brock the Port T-shirts in advance Thursday, May 3 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Union.
Reel Big Fish, a ska band that became mainstream in the late 90s, is one of the expected bands on the roster for the concert performance that evening. Contracts were still being negotiated at press time, but BSG President Frank Guidice said he is confident the contracts will be signed and Reel Big Fish will be the band performing.
The band’s style takes root from reggae, with mix-ins of pop/punk rock and brass instrumentals. The band has released five studio albums and one live album, including Cheer Up and Everything Sucks. The band has made appearances in many movies and had video rotation on MTV, though their own ska revival was short-lived. The band has become an underground staple, and an influence for many bands getting their start in the ska scene.
Reel Big Fish was chosen for their vibrant style of music that is easy to dance along to, and let loose and have fun, said Guidice.
Also on the music roster will be an acoustic cover act, Chad DeMarche. Local band and Smokehouse frequenter Ghosthand and the salsa band Fama sin Gafas will be playing before the main act goes on.
Negotiations are also underway with Flash’s Bar to supply students with free food if they show a Brockport ID. BSG will be providing funding for the food, but the details of the contract were not finalized by press time.
There will be a van service shuttling students to and from campus. The office of campus life is coordinating this service and Davis said there will be one or two pick-up points taking students from campus to Main Street.
According to Davis, Brock the Port will cost a total of $50,000 to $60,000, including $20,000 for Reel Big Fish
Sponsorship from the bars in town is not allowed. All open-container laws and village ordinances will be enforced by the 32 police officers supervising the event. Event staffers will also be patrolling the area, warning students that may be acting inappropriately or hazardously.
“BSG is not involved in any way, shape or form with alcohol sale or consumption at the event,” Guidice said. “We expect all vendors to act legally and responsibly as they normally would.”
Davis added that BSG is not allowing alcohol at the events as per college policy. “We are hoping that students can have a good time without drinking,” he said.
The event will be held rain or shine, although the weather is currently looking mighty fine, with highs in the 60s and bright sunshine.
“In the past, on the last day of classes everyone is in a good mood with little to no responsibilities,” Davis concluded. “Brock the Port is a time to enjoy yourself and have fun.”