The week of Valentine’s Day, an atmospheric river swept into Santa Cruz, rushing in heavy rain and up to 60 mile-per-hour winds.

Despite conditions causing road closures, evacuation warnings and power outages across the city, over 70 students and community members braved the harsh weather to come together to celebrate love at KZSC’s annual “Crush on Radio” event on the eve of Valentine’s Day. 

KZSC 88.1FM, UC Santa Cruz’s student radio station, hosted their annual Valentine’s Day event at SubRosa, an anarchist community space that hosts a variety of events, from community meetings to live performances.

The circus-themed gathering encouraged people to come “clown around and find your true love.” The radio station also advertised a performance from the local band “STARPOWER,” live DJ sets from KZSC and arts and craft activities.

“Unfortunately the rain is kind of raining on our circus,” said KZSC member and an organizer of the event Quynh-Thy Hoang.

Upon arriving at the event, attendees were offered paper hearts to embellish their clothing, advertising their relationship status to other attendees: “single,” “taken,” or “it’s complicated.”

“I want to see some live music, socialize, find my lover,” said Olivia Gonzales, an attendee that night.

While some came to the event trying to find their true love, there were any number of other reasons to spend Valentine’s Eve at SubRosa.

Maia Kramer and their partner Sidney Ulrich sport a duo clown costume in keeping with the circus themed event. “I love Star Power,” Kramer said. “And I love an excuse to dress up.”

The wide array of activities offered at the event accommodated people with different ways to celebrate the holiday. Many attendees expressed that they prefer to celebrate non-romantic love with their friends and family. 

“I’ve mostly been celebrating my friendships, whether I’ve been in relationships or not — because the holiday is more capitalist centered — gift giving and spending,” said attendee Sonia Delarios Moran.

On the outside patio of SubRosa, guests could pay to screen print a circus-themed shirt, play games for prizes, eat candy or purchase “mystery mix tapes” sold by KZSC.

[TOP] Alex Lung shows off a KZSC circus-themed screen print.

[BOTTOM] Attendees could make Valentine’s Day cards inside the SubRosa space prior to STARPOWER’s performance.

While many attendees opted to stay dry inside, others happily endured the cold outside air to participate in the festivities. They stood huddled under the canopy tents and shared umbrellas with friends. 

Inside the venue, attendees decorated paper hearts and danced to upbeat and love-themed mixes from DJ Diana Castaneda and DJ 3N.

Diana Castaneda spins a Valentine’s Day themed mix, prompting the vivacious crowd to dance.

“[This event] means keeping the work of past KZSC generations going and [it’s] a time to get students and our listening community together,” Castaneda said. 

As soon as the sound of electric guitars, drums and a harmonica burst from inside, attendees piled inside to witness STARPOWER’s performance.

The band was an arms-length away from audience members, the heat of all of the bodies in the space causing a fog to form on the windows. 

Starpower performs inside the venue as people gather around enthusiastically. 

Audience members danced along to the beat as rain continued to pour outside, and the band played their vibrant and upbeat set.

As the evening came to a close, attendees continued participating in the event’s activities and talking with friends, new and old. Despite the variety of feelings on the holiday, the celebrations that evening highlighted one thing: 

“We’re not afraid of a little rain,” Moran said.

After Starpower’s performance, attendees continue to dance the night away.