The Honeycomb is buzzin' with Black Tie's open mic and abundant art

There’s no doubt the universe is making cool things happen all the time. The supermoon eclipse. What salt does to caramel. The publicly amusing friendship of Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon.
But a couple of island business owners are looking to give serendipity a bit of intervention, and the magic it creates a little nudge. They aren’t looking to change what was meant to be. They are just letting it be a little sooner. Oh, and logistically handier.
Daniel Island mainstays Black Tie Music Academy and Honeycomb Café have collaborated to make art even more accessible within their neighborhood and the surrounding Charleston area. Oanh Dang, who co-owns Honeycomb Café with husband Jonathan Broadhurst, has been supporting local artists since March 2011, selecting an “artist of the month” to display at the island eatery. And Black Tie Music Academy co-owner (and presumed insomniac) Kris Manning, alongside (assumed equally sleep-deprived) business partner Braeden Kershner, has proven her dedication to the arts with such projects as the nonprofit-for-kids Music Battery and The Academy of Right Brain Technology (A.R.T.). It seems, as far as the universe was concerned, these two were fated to join forces in the name of art awesomeness.
Manning was already in the process of designing a mural for the wall space over the Honeycomb’s coffee bar, and in discussions with Oanh to put up a large community corkboard inside the restaurant. The more they talked, the more they realized they could band together to artistically amp up the island. “We wanted to create visible opportunities for musicians and artists in the community,” relates Manning.
Musicians get a mic and an audience
On Wednesday, October 7, the Black Tie Music Academy/Honeycomb Café Open Mic Nite debuted. It will roll on as a weekly event, with the doors of Honeycomb opening for musician sign-up at 6:15 p.m., and shared gigging from 7 to 9 p.m. The restaurant will offer wine and beer and a light fare menu, and there is no fee to participate or cover to drop-in and enjoy.
Each week will feature a different “sponsor” or theme. At the inaugural mic night, Black Tie Bands, a nonprofit arm of Black Tie Music Academy which helps local artists create videos and hone business skills, assisted with the evening’s sound system and other “back of the house duties.” Future nights will focus on everything from youth musicians to particular genres, but every Wednesday will be open to all ages, levels, and styles.
Open Mic Nite participants are encouraged to bring their own instruments, though Black Tie will have a few pieces on hand as well. There is no need to register in advance; musicians can simply show up, sign up, and be ready to perform in a relaxed, interactive environment. Like the adult jam bands her studio hosts every first Friday, Manning expects this outlet to offer a way for musicians and vocalists to not only overcome stage fright in a judgment-free venue, but to learn more technical aspects of live performances as well.
Manning and Dang underscore their encouragement for artists to play original music, something of a rarity in the gig world. “That’s really a big deal,” states Manning. “It’s not allowed many other places – they want (other artist’s) songs covered.” The duo also points out the potential these special evenings open up for musicians to meet and form bands, or even get “discovered” by industry insiders looking for fresh talent. And, of course, it gives the youngest musicians a safe environment to practice, perform, and pal around.
For visual artists, a venue to continue
The Honeycomb Café will advance its commitment to local artists by not only offering a space to show, but also enlisting some pretty cool curating help. Manning happens to be an active member (and outgoing president) of the Art Guild of Daniel Island, a collective of burgeoning and established local artists. The group meets the third Wednesday of each month at the Academy of Right Brain Technology (A.R.T.) center at Black Tie Music. And, beginning in January, Manning will select the artists to display at Honeycomb.
The first month of 2016 will feature the Art Guild of Daniel Island, which is currently composed of about 30 artists. After that, the walls of Honeycomb will celebrate a different local artist, highlighting a cross-section of ages, backgrounds, and mediums. And, to bring all this cosmic artful bounty together, the last Open Mic Nite of each month will serve as a reception for its selected artist.
“This is all within the honeycomb concept,” observes Dang. “A buzzing place, a hive of creativity.”
 
On Wednesday, October 7, the Black Tie Music Academy/Honeycomb Café Open Mic Nite debuted. It will roll on as a weekly event, with the doors of Honeycomb opening for musician sign-up at 6:15 p.m., and shared gigging from 7 to 9 p.m.
Visit these websites for more information: artsathoneycomb.com artguildofdi.org artsybrain.com (A.R.T. website) blacktiemusicacademy.com