Neon lights and a DJ booth replaced the usual hum of washing machines at Black and Gold Wash and Fold in New Orleans on Saturday, August 24. Kenneth Preyear organized the pajama rave and performed under the Dj name Jon Liston along with Tech, Acrypta, Joseph Brooks, DJ CoolMathGames, Bandikoot, Buktooth, Zevyman, OkJoe, Naada, and St. Ove. During the rave, there was also a promotion of the 7th newest zine edition for BRNR (pronounced “burner”) Collective, created by recent Loyola alum Sofia Bermejo. The Zine is published monthly and has delivery options if requested through their Instagram @brnrzine. BRNR Zine Volume 7 featured front cover art of a woman sticking her head in a washing machine by Loyola Junior Sophia Christ and a melty, double-faced illustration by Junior Zach Cesarini.
The rave kicked off at 9 p.m., with over 100 students and party enthusiasts packing the laundromat, inside and out, in pajamas ranging from Hello Kitty onesies to cutesy slip dresses and classic flannel pajama pants. Kenneth Preyear, DJ name Jon Liston, took the stage with Loyola student Zev Russ, DJ name Zevyman, to bounce UK Garage beats.
“What really made the night was the crowd; playing to a packed, energetic dance floor made the difference in how Jon and I performed,” Russ said.
Loyola graduates and founding members of the band St. Ove, Billy Brown Jr. and Stephen Wood, finished the long night off with their distinguishable mix of techno electronica and electric guitar.
Attendees praised the creativity of the event, with many noting the novelty of the location as a highlight. “If you haven’t tried dancing on top of a washing machine, you should try it. It’s not every day you get to rave in your PJs at a laundromat,” Miles Caradine, Loyola junior, said.
