Cal Poly Pomona’s (CPP) beloved Midnight Madness blasted off into uncharted territory last semester! On Dec. 1, Associated Students, Inc. (ASI)’s Bronco Events and Activities Team (BEAT) turned the Bronco Student Center (BSC) into an interstellar playground with an “Into the Galaxy” theme. Buzzing with music, activities, and school spirit from 9 p.m. to midnight, CPP students were able to unwind and de-stress before their final exams. As soon as students entered University Park, they discovered an epic laser tag arena under the stars with teams going head to head, which kickstarted a night of otherworldly adventure attractions that was just getting started. 
“They have these awesome tents set up outside. The neon from the laser tag gear, plus the tents made it feel out of this world,” says engineering student, Brandon Dell.
Inside, attendees explored different rooms in the BSC, each offering a unique galaxy-themed experience. In the tarot card reading room, mystics divined people’s futures among the heavens. Those who sought more sensory pleasures indulged at the oxygen bar, which offered dreamy scent samples to enjoy and give their nasal passages a satisfying change of pace. Attendees craving tricks beyond the limits of possibility were astounded by the mystifying hypnotist show. There, they witnessed participants clucking, acting out, or even forgetting where they were at the hypnotist’s beck and call, much to the audience’s amazed delight.
Other experiences like photo opportunities, art stations, free swag, face paint, and space fuel in the form of cheesy nachos rounded out the starry offerings.
“The 360 camera was so fun. We had all three of us on the platform and we did a random pose. It was just so funny just to see the video afterward,” boasted computer science student, Viet Nguyen.
Midnight Madness provided a spotlight for talented Bronco creators across artistic mediums. Inside the silent disco, student DJs like DJ Mech_E, who also opened BroncoFusion 2023, had the opportunity to express their mixing mastery. Attendees donned wireless headphones to tune into the DJ channel of their choice.
“It was amazing to see the crowd switching between channels to catch every beat drop,” DJ Mech_E says. “I had to plan my set strategically based on when people were on my channel.”
Students could vibe alongside their friends to each DJ’s curated song sequences in an immersive audio experience catalyzing camaraderie on the dance floor. The crowd synced up to dance to each buildup and beat drop, connected through the music.
The music continued in the game room as Billy’s Battle of the Bands’ victors, Raccoon Cartoons, took the stage. Coming off the heels of their big battle win, the band had another chance to share their infectious original songs and stage presence, rewarding the audience with another signature performance.
The return of guest passes allowed students to bring along friends of their choosing to share the dazzling Midnight Madness experience.
“I went here because my boyfriend goes here and he said that he saw this cool free event on Instagram that we could go to at night and I said, that sounds fun!” says guest Hannah Adoian.
From the moment attendees stepped into the transcendent galaxy of this year’s “Into the Galaxy”- themed Midnight Madness, they were immersed in an alternate reality brimming with music, activities, art, and community. As experienced firsthand, ASI provided interactive attractions tailored to engage all the senses and bring Broncos together. Whether it was the laser tag under the stars or the hypnotist show, Midnight Madness created magical memories to cherish. This semester’s otherworldly event opened doors to new realms of imagination, creativity, and togetherness – showing how special moments Broncos share can empower them to explore brighter possibilities.
What was your favorite activity at Midnight Madness: Into the Galaxy? Let us know on our social media and keep up to date on more upcoming events @ASICPP on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok!
