For one Saturday every year, Willamette’s campus transforms from a place for study to a place for play. Face paint, bubbles and hula-hoops abound — and no one mentions finals or theses.
Wulapalooza, Willamette’s 17th earth, art and music festival, promises another thrilling Saturday of camaraderie and celebration on April 25. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Jackson Plaza and Brown Field.
Attendees can enjoy music, snow cones, chicken wings, airbrush tattoos and semi-authentic Vietnamese food from Fusion. Additional attractions include a 12-foot beach ball, a rainbow parachute and a beer garden for students with ID.
Attendees can also support the festival by purchasing T-shirts for $12, metal water bottles for $5 — or $15 for the pair — using cash or student accounts only.
“Wulapalooza is a huge party where everyone is invited,” Jerome Sader ’15 says. “It's not just about the great music — it’s a celebration of everyone surviving another rigorous semester.”
Earth Day Celebration
Staying true to its Earth Day roots, Wulapalooza offers a variety of earth-conscious activities. In the past, attendees made smoothies with a bicycle-powered blender and planted strawberries and sunflowers on campus.
This year, attendees can exchange gently used books, CDs, DVDs, clothing and electronics for Wulapalooza water bottles and grocery bags made from vintage Wulapalooza T-shirts. The trading post will also accept unwanted electronics and recyclable paper and containers.
Creative Expressions
As part of Wulapalooza’s art celebration, attendees can purchase student artwork and draw chalk murals on Jackson Plaza.
They are also invited to listen to more than 20 student groups perform a variety of music — including hip hop, funk, electronic, metal and a cappella — throughout the day. The students will start performing at 10 a.m. on Brown Field. By 6 p.m., five professional bands will begin taking the stage.
Seattle R&B singer Shaprece will usher in the evening, followed by Seattle funk band Down North. The celebration will end with performances by New Orleans pop crooner Dent May, Portland power punk trio The Thermals and Los Angeles hip hop legends People Under the Stairs. For a full schedule, visit the Wulapalooza website.
For Emily Weatherford ’15, the music and art are part of what makes Wulapalooza an exciting and stress-free event for students and community members alike.
“People should attend because it's one of the odd days on campus when the fun comes to you,” she says. “The whole campus becomes your playground.”
• Article by Emma Jonas ’15, creative writing major and co-coordinator for Wulapalooza
