The only catch to these epic nights of entertainment is as of now, “Live from the 803” events are invite-only
Local arts organization Black Nerd Mafia continues to uplift indie artists in Columbia, particularly from the thriving though often underrepresented Black arts scene, through their new event series, “Live from the 803.” Hosted by The Player’s Club, “Live from the 803‘s” monthly main events consist of visual artist/musician duo, presenting a unique opportunity to experience the impressive range and passion that the Columbia indie arts scene has to offer.
This month, “Live from the 803” will host visual artist Jakeem Da Dream (AKA Dominique Negus Hodge) and singer-rapper-songwriter JB SamSon. The event will take place Saturday, September 28th starting at 8 p.m. with a catered cocktail reception, where guests are invited to sit back, relax, and enjoy a curated display of artwork by Jakeem Da Dream, and will even be given the opportunity to chat with the artist himself about his work. Following the reception, JB SamSon will take the stage in a very intimate concert setting, allowing guests to get up close and personal.
Such memorable special touches, from the box of worms to the live painting, truly set a remarkable expectation for what’s to come as the event series continues.
If the second installment in this series is anything like its debut event, which took place on Saturday, August 10th, the energy is sure to be electric. Painter and muralist Ija Monet set the tone for the evening with her stunning collection of work, which innovatively combined the mediums of painting and tapestry. She also gave attendees the chance to watch her genius in action, painting live at the center of the reception and impressing spectators with her speed and her technical prowess.
For the musical portion of the evening, guests were escorted into a smaller room with a stage to watch alternative hip hop artist patX’s concert farewell to Columbia. The room was packed, but patX did not allow that to hinder his connection to the audience, a connection that he prioritized from the start, cultivating an environment of authenticity, and displaying a clear passion for his work. Alongside Airborne Audio–Live from the 803’s wickedly talented full time DJ–patX launched into a set of incredible musical diversity, showcasing his talent as a rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer. In the middle of his set, he unveiled a surprise that evoked shock, delight, and perhaps some disgust: a box of dirt and worms for audience members to dig through for mixtape souvenirs. He ended the night by taking requests, once again centering that connection between artist and fans (some old, some brand new).
Such memorable special touches, from the box of worms to the live painting, truly set a remarkable expectation for what’s to come as the event series continues. The only catch to these epic nights of entertainment is as of now, “Live from the 803” events are invite-only—in other words, you have to know someone, or at least know someone who knows someone, to receive an event ticket. That being said, “Live from the 803” also hosts a variety of smaller-scale events and meetups at The Attic Lounge–including jam sessions, DJ sets, artist networking events, and other opportunities to both appreciate local arts or show off your own skills–which provide the perfect opportunity to express your interest in the exclusive Player’s Club events.
To stay up to date with “Live from the 803” and all of their awesomeness, follow them on Instagram @803.live.
The Attic Lounge