Cody Skinner, Contributing Photographer

If you’re involved with Yale’s Art, Drama, or Architecture school population, or Yale’s student DJ scene, chances are high that you’ve seen mentions of the name “FINALfinal.png.” The newfound Yale rave and techno music organization has built a reputation since its inception two years ago, centering graduate student social life around student art and DJing.

The title is relatable and familiar to any perfectionist who’s struggled with endless revisions: “Final.png,” then “Final2.png,” until, inevitably, the “FINALfinal.png” iteration. For Max Stern ARC ’25, the founder and lead of FINALfinal, this name embodies the intentionality and detail that goes into creating the events.

“I am trying to create a space and platform for these people, and the other important thing is to build up name and trust,” said Stern. “When people see it’s a ‘FINALfinal’ thing, they know it’s not some random event. It’s going to be high-quality; the music is going to be very good. It’s going to be a proper production.” 

Stern started hosting DJ events in 2023 without a long-term vision in mind for these parties. He saw a need for grad school students to have a non-school-affiliated social outlet, and he was motivated to fill it.  

For events, which are usually ticketed, Stern brings in and installs high-end sound and lighting systems. These factors are what many attendees and DJs of FINALfinal shows cite as reasons that separate FINALfinal from the other social events on campus.

FINALfinal events have injected New Haven’s techno and rave culture into their high-caliber music, atmosphere and production.

“To me, Finalfinal.png stands out among other parties because it’s more music-centered,” wrote Yiru Wu ARC ’26, contributing DJ to FINALfinal with the name of R:00. “What makes it even more special is the creative energy as I always believe parties should be creative — it’s a curated experience blending music, art, projections, performance and more. … You’ll see projection designs from the drama school, posters and art from graphic designers and set designs by sculptors.” 

For graduate students, opportunities to socialize are limited, according to numerous FINALfinal attendees. Many of the mixers are exclusive to only one graduate school, and are mostly school-related, which creates a different atmosphere and prevents students from intermingling between academic disciplines, explained Stern.

FINALfinal gives students from a variety of backgrounds the opportunity to come together and share their interests in DJing and electronic music. Sabrah Islam ARC ’25, for instance, brings her experience of the music scenes from Manchester, London and Berlin. 

“We’re fortunate to have students from the architecture and art schools who have been part of music scenes worldwide — from Montreal to Berlin, Chicago to London — bringing the sounds and influences from their backgrounds to the city. At FINALFinal, Max provides us the tools to then deliver music to our community,” Islam said.

The experience level of DJs at FINALFinal parties varies. Some DJs have professional DJing experience; for others, it’s their first time. To Max, the barrier to entry can be overcome with enthusiasm and an eagerness to take the music seriously.

For their latest Halloween event, “Alienussy,” more than half a dozen student artists contributed to the setlist. Students from different graduate schools created Alien-themed decor, a custom DJ booth and video projections to match the event’s theme.

“I have been playing professionally for a decade now and to be able to share that with my peers and the broader community here has been incredible,” wrote Nicholas Arvanitis ARC ’25, also known as Shagabond, to the News. “Max runs FINALFinal in a similar way to how an actual club event would operate. …  He is literally everywhere, making sure the door is running smoothly, adjusting lighting, playing his own set even.”

Like Avantis, Jesús Hilario-Reyes ART ’25 has DJ-ed professional venues for over seven years and is a current resident at Bossa Nova Civic Club, a New York techno music hangout space.

For artists like Hilario-Reyes, spaces like FINALfinal help students’ passions flourish in a local environment to serve the Yale community. To some, it may even align with their academic discipline. 

“In terms of other parties I’ve been to on campus, I think what Max says reigns true about the music being the focus of the night,” said Hilario-Reyes. “There’s a level of rigor and narrative that I enjoy about DJing and I understand it as an art form … because I’ve extended it. Even my visual art practice has a lot to do with djing and nightlife.”

Stern graduates next year, which opens the door for discussions about the future of the organization and FINALfinal parties. He is thinking about continuing to host events in New York, but also hopes that FINALfinal can be a long-lasting fixture of Yale’s campus even after his departure. 

He admits, it’s not the easiest task to inherit the responsibility. Organizing FINALfinal events requires a substantial amount of time, effort, planning and financing — as well as enthusiasm from student DJs. 

Since its opening, however, FINALfinal has demonstrated that more serious experience-driven social spaces can exist at Yale and serve the needs of graduate students. 

“FINALfinal is unique in the sense that it is a student-run event that hosts curated club events with music performances that were previously unseen in the academic context, prioritizing collective experience over profit,” wrote Cornelius Pelzer ARC ’25, who has DJ-ed for eight years under the name DJ PARK3R. “The previous events were introducing ‘clubbing culture’ as an inherent part of our professional field as artists and architects in the 21st century, much more than other options on campus. That was about time, and might be why it is successful.” 

Zaroka Bar and Grill, located at 148 York St, has served as the venue for several FINALfinal events.