February Flair brings flair to OB

Senior Jessica Stanphill exhibits her art at February Flair in OB last Friday night. Ocean Beach First Baptist Church hosted the event. Junior Ivan Hernandez’s art (bottom) was inspired by a near-death experience. Photos by Cristy McNatt and Jen Lebron

Senior Danica Sandberg crouches on the floor in a sea of papers, slicing wallet-sized advertisements as chaos reigns around her. Workers arrange food in the back corner, artists set up their artwork along walls and a band does a sound check on stage. Sophomore Kaley Hearnsberger walks up to ask Sandberg what to do about the burned-out lights in Ocean Beach First Baptist Church, otherwise known as OB1.

The night’s art event, February Flair, is scheduled to start at 5 p.m., which is in 15 minutes.
Sandberg peacefully shrugs her shoulders.

“It will be OK,” she says. “We’ll just start a few minutes late.”
She gathers up her papers and heads off to finish the next task before the evening begins.

Sandberg leads the Ocean Beach Discovery Center student ministry. For the first time, the group teamed up with OB1 and arts, music and performance ministry Radiance to put together February Flair, a night of local Christian art and entertainment.

“The arts need more of the church,” said Radiance founder and spoken word artist “Michael Not Mike.” “And in order for that to happen, the church needs more of the arts.”

Many PLNU students had an opportunity to exhibit their artistic talents, whether through painting, films or music. The point of the evening, said Sandberg, was to connect and build relationships with the OB community.

“Our goal is to meet people and show them Jesus,” she said.

More than 70 people crowded into the church that night, perusing the artwork, enjoying the eclectic selection of music, watching independent films and listening to slam poetry and spoken word.

“I really like seeing all these people come together and celebrate each other’s art,” said PLNU senior Jessica Stanphill, whose art was on display.

Event organizers created a relaxed coffee-shop atmosphere with flickering candles and glowing lights strung along the walls. The featured musicians, too, immersed themselves in the mood. Junior Bryan Bangerter, who opened the musical portion of the evening, revealed that he wrote four new songs during his time on stage.

“It’s about expression and improvisation,” said Bangerter. “People get into it and start bobbin’ their heads.”

Event highlights included the Smart Brothers, a band of three San Diego guys who grew up together in a foster home. The band has an older country-folk sound, and all three members sing to create a sometimes rough and dissonant harmony. The trio looked like a traveling troupe dressed in vintage suits, vests and top hats. They sometimes work with as many as 20 instruments, including kazoos, slide
whistles and harmonicas.

“I loved how they pulled instruments out of their pockets and played them,” said PLNU sophomore Alycia Cox.

The band Family Wagon, comprising PLNU students Calen Lucas, Gareth Moore, Ryan Weiss and Bryan Bangerter, closed the night with a rollicking performance before a packed house of PLNU students, parents, children and young adults from the OB community.

Sandberg was pleased with the event’s turnout.

“It makes me thankful that we didn’t let little obstacles get in the way,” she said. “When something like this is founded through prayer, there is a peace that comes with it.”