If you walked into the Sandbar on Saturday night, you would have found an unmistakable impression of your run-of-the-mill, LA coffee house.
The lights were dimmed to set the mood and in the background, an acoustic guitar slowly played as students nonchalantly sipped from their cups.
You probably think the venue was flooded with upturned mustaches, disinterested expressions and chords that were barely audible above the witty banter. You would be forced to sift through endless tables of tweed jackets, just to find coffee that was only served black and comes in flavors like “Indonesian cherry.”
Wrong.
The aesthetic appeal was all there, but the atmosphere was anything but dull.
At the Sandbar the coffee comes with cream and cookies, lots of cookies. If the chords had ever been less than audible, it was only because of the level of excited cheers that followed the height of each song. At this Coffee House, students of all years gathered together to enjoy talent from Pepperdine’s community.
If you’re a regular to Coffee House, you might have noticed a few changes this season.
“I come here quite often,” junior Nduka Nwankwo said. “This year they’re incorporating more aspects of global music, pertaining to drums and rhythm. They’re launching a new start with the whole production in terms of vocal quality and visuals.”
Following that general theme were solo and group performances with pianos, violins and even a few electric guitars.
Veterans of Pepperdine’s first fall Coffee House were no strangers on Saturday night either, as seniors dominated the spotlight. Senior performers Arthur Sanders and Patrick Chisum were two students familiar with the tradition.
“I’m excited to perform,” Sanders said. “I probably won’t get to do something like this ever again.”
As for Chisum, the fun lies in the relaxation.
“It’s a good way to take a break from academics and get out of the lab. It’s kind of a hobby,” Chisum said.
For other seniors like Francis Batac, the experience relates heavily with a connection to the music.
“The performance itself depends on how I’m synchronized with the meaning of the song,” Batac said.
“The coffee house is an outlet for expression.”
“For me, [when I’m performing], it feels like 30 hours in a 15-minute set, but I can’t really quantify it because I think about it everyday,” Batac continued.
The practice has paid off for many performers. Spectators were pleased and even surprised by the bustling groups in the Sandbar.
Senior Nicolai Savaro was one of many students to notice the crowd.
“I feel like it’s too small of a setting. We need to relocate to another spot, maybe Elkins or Smothers,” Savaro said.
Many observers were in agreement with Savaro. The popularity of the show packed the Coffee House to its maximum capacity.
But the crowds were not a negative aspect for Savaro, who said he thrived in the unity of it all.
“I want to make an effort to be with company and close friends. Music brings people together, it’s the musical mantra,” Savaro said.
Pepperdine’s Coffee House would not be possible without some serious organization. Coffee House chairperson senior Peter Walton collaborated with sophomore and assistant chairperson Jessica Herrera to get the job done. The two worked closely with sound technician David Yoon to create the atmosphere they were hoping for.
“It takes several weeks to prepare,” Walton said. “We have to look up and contact musicians we think students might like, set up our equipment needs and even book artists.”
Spectators and performers alike appreciated the hard work with good food and friends.
“I love the feeling of watching the artists and student performers,” Hererra said. “I have the opportunity to find the grace of God in something I really like. My mission is to bring out student talent on campus. It gives us a sense of pride, and it’s a great way to bring people together.”
Whether you have a talent or just like good entertainment, head on over to the Sandbar for Coffee House next month. The next performances are Oct. 7 and Oct. 28. It might be dark, but you’ll find yourself in good company. Did I mention they have cookies?