Wetlands frontman Jeremy Reineck claims a peculiar source of the group’s funky, rhythm-infused performances.

“I keep a big orb of energy in my closet,” said Reineck, lead singer, keyboardist and City College student. “We each take a sip of it before every show.”

Wetlands heated up the Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative festival Saturday afternoon, featuring musicians banging bongos, slapping the base, pounding drums and wailing on the synthesizer.

The collaborative reaches out to local artists and musicians through annual festivities in the community. Saturday’s Artists Making a Street Scene event was a benefit to raise money for the inclusive artists.

The street festival ran along a portion of West Mason St. in between State and Anacapa St., and lasted from two p.m. until 10 p.m.

Artists displayed their canvassed pieces and handcrafted jewelry at booths lining the street.

Performance entertainers juggled alongside the bands and S.B.A.C. artists painted along a Mason St. building wall.

Local performers included bluesy indie rock band Sprout, jazz instrumental group Fungk Shway, and the spritely Wetlands.

Whether it’s the energy orb, or just plain hype that explains their enthusiasm, Wetlands kept the show alive by interacting with the audience.

At one point, bongo player Miguel Leon and percussionist Dusty Ineman walked off stage into the crowd and started dancing along with the audience.

“We’ve played shows where there’re five people and shows where there’re over 200,” bassist Victor Murillo said. “But we show everybody the energy.”

Murillo, a full-time student at City College, said he always looks forward to practicing and playing with the band on the weekends.

While they still find time, Wetlands practice regiment has suffered since school has started.

“Practicing was a summer project,” Reineck said. Now that they are full-time students, they only practice two to three hours a week.

Wetlands had the crowd moving with its afrobeat-influenced songs, combining soulful chords tied with punk rock melodies.

During their songs “Cook for You” and “The Light” the band rocked with upbeat dance tunes, and then slowed it down for their last few songs “Family Affair” and “Silk Hands.”

Drummer Justin Flint is a third-year full time biology major at City College who tutors English in the Learning Resource Center. He said being in the band is more about fun than the competition.

Wetlands continue to book shows all over town at venues such as Soho, Muddy Waters Café, and Velvet Jones.

“Every show gets better and better,” Murillo said.