California Lutheran University’s campus radio station iCLU Radio filled Peppergrove Park with music and vendors at its annual music festival CalLuPalooza on Friday, April 25.
According to iCLU Radio President Amanda Janssen, the event has become a community favorite.
“It’s an event that actually got me involved in radio my freshmen year,” Janssen said.
CalLuPalooza is hosted by iCLU Radio and designed to bring people together, pursuing their passions and engaging the greater campus community. Kyle Tamkin, iCLU Radio station manager, said his favorite part about the event is seeing students come together to support one another.
“It’s impactful because first of all, the student body can get together and show off their different talents, whether it’s performing in a band, running audio in the back of the house, and we have student vendors here too,” Tamkin said.
Sophomore Grace Brodoski said the unique structure of CalLuPalooza is something that draws people, unlike other typical campus events.
“I think it’s nice that it’s such a long event because it is from 1-6, so people come and go as they please, and everyone loves free food as a college student. Everyone loves music,” Brodoski said.
Janssen said promoting student involvement through events like these is important not only to her as an individual but to several departments on campus as a whole.
“People should get out of their dorm rooms because, again, we don’t have that many activities on campus to be involved in, so I think if there’s an opportunity for you to be involved, you absolutely should,” Janssen said.
Brodoski said events like CalLuPalooza are some of the best places to meet new people and make new friends.
“Especially going to a small school, the only way you’re going to meet people is going to these school events. It’s the best way to get out of your comfort zone. Sometimes you have to go to those events that you don’t think you’ll enjoy and you have the best time,” Brodoski said.
Janssen said learning to become uncomfortable has helped her grow as a person and a student. Furthermore, Janssen said participating in radio and hosting events like this have developed her communication skills.
“I definitely wasn’t shy coming into Cal Lutheran but this communications department, specifically being involved in radio and having my own show, and being involved in the planning of CalLuPalooza and all the interdepartmental work I’ve done throughout the years has helped me blossom not only as a communicator but as a connector,” Janssen said.
In addition to live music, student vendors set up shop to sell and promote their small businesses. Janssen said being able to display the talents of every unique individual is one of the best things about the festival.
“A lot of people worked really hard to make this happen and we have a lot of very talented musicians on this campus that I think deserve to be spotlighted and recognized,” Janssen said.
Brodoski and Tamkin said college students may be drawn to the event by the free food and t-shirts, but it’s seeing their friends that gets them to stay.
“You may find something you love doing, you may be interested in doing live entertainment as a career, you may meet a new friend, but the seller for me is always there is free food and free merch,” Tamkin said.
Though CalLuPalooza won’t be back until spring 2026, iCLU radio is looking to bring fun to campus in many other ways, according to Janssen.
“Being involved in the Communication Department, in general at Cal Lutheran, is something that is very inclusive and it just gets everyone out of their shell,” Janssen said. “It’s just a beautiful event with a lot of different departments coming together to make it work.”
