Archive for the ‘Enjoyment’ Category
Does exactly what it says on the tin; just the posts that relate to the above...
Bob’s Band to Bring Sunshine to Charity Festival
Friday, July 16th, 2010
Producer at Mixd by day… Cosmic rock n’ roller by night…
Many of you will know Beardy Bob as the Producer here at Mixd, dedicated to your project. However, he does have a life away from Mixd and one of his major passions is music… and in particular his band, The Bobby Sunshine Revival Band.
On Thursday 12 August 2010, the band will be taking to the stage in Leicester as part of Summer Sundae Fringe Thursday 2010; a warm up to the Summer Sundae Weekender Festival. Fringe Thursday was started back in 2006 to showcase up and coming bands to the festival going public and also to raise money for local Leicester charity, LOROS. Since then it has grown to be a festival in its own right, attracting over 2,000 punters and raising over £7,000.00 for the charity in 2009.
Fringe Thursday 2010 sees over 40 bands performing over 9 venues and The Bobby Sunshine Revival Band will be gracing The Donkey Stage (time TBC). A recent performance at The Donkey for ‘The Sunday Sessions’ can be seen below.
So, if you’re Leicester way or heading down there for the festival, Bob and the band would love to see you. A £5 wristband (all proceeds to LOROS) allows you access to all 40 bands, across all 9 warm-up parties, including transport between the venues!
Associated press release:
The Bobby Sunshine Revival Band was formed from the ashes of 1990’s garage rock band Bobby Sunshine and the Rainbows by lead singer Bob Tait, working to the Leon Russell mantra “it’s a hippy commune bona fide”. The band brings together great musicians from Ipswich, Leeds, Leicester, Manchester, North Yorkshire and Teesside (and occasionally New York!) with the same common denominator… to put a new twist on old classics and to entertain themselves as well as the crowd!
Ever since the latest incarnation collided through the Cosmos in 2005, the Sunshine guys have been exciting audiences throughout the UK at hand-picked festivals, bars, happenings and clubs, playing their own mix of boozy, bluesy cosmic rock n roll, full-tilt boogie-woogie and soulful groove.
Loved by gig-goers, party animals and venue owners alike, comments include: “They’re like the World’s greatest pub jukebox… but better!” and “All thrillers, no fillers!”.
The band has become a favourite at The Donkey in Leicester and will be taking to the stage there for Summer Sundae Fringe Thursday 2010… and the guys will no doubt have some special guests up their floral sleeves.
Enjoying the mystique, the talented group of musicians rarely promote themselves, relying instead on word of mouth referrals; however, they can be found on Facebook by searching ‘The Bobby Sunshine Revival Band’.
Fifty squid if Spain win the World Cup!
Friday, July 9th, 2010
As this Summer’s sporting festival of football, the World Cup, draws to a close, the British Heart Foundation stands to win £50 if Spain are crowned World Champions.
Before the World Cup started, Mixd undertook a sweepstake, donating 6 places to the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The draw was conducted under unprecedented security in the Mixd office and notable events included:
- Bob crying on to his keyboard as he drew USA and Australia;
- Matt punching the air and gloating when he received Brazil (it was as if he’d won the World Cup himself);
- Phil getting Argentina and not really knowing the significance (Phil isn’t an avid follower of football!); and
- The BHF drawing Spain and England amongst their six teams.
So, as we get down to the last two teams in the World Cup, the BHF is to do battle against Chris (a friend of Mixd) on Sunday evening. With a prize for the runner-up, the BHF is guaranteed at least a tenner!
And if Paul the psychic octopus is to be believed, £50 will be added to Phil’s sponsorship for the South Downs Way in aid of the British Heart Foundation!
Good luck! Just a shame it wasn’t England really…
Ride on time!
Friday, July 9th, 2010
Once again this year, our very own endurance athlete (think Lance Armstrong… and then some!) will be taking part in what is known to many as the toughest off-road mountain bike endurance event in the UK – the British Heart Foundation’s South Downs Way Randonnée – on Saturday, 31 July 2010.
The 100 mile (161km) route runs from Winchester to Eastbourne covering the entire length of the South Downs. The route profile includes a staggering 3,550 metres of climbing (that’s nearly 12,000 ft!) and is regarded by many as one of the toughest one day mountain bike endurance events.
Keen to improve on his time from last year (you would be right in thinking it’s not a race!), Phil has been working hard and this year is aiming at a ride time of under 12 hours.
Phil commented, “It’s hard work! I know most people think the South Downs Way is relatively flat but you’re wrong! Twelve hours riding in scorching heat as we had last year was a real test of endurance. It’s not just about the physical ability to ride the distance, you’ve got to consider how your body is going to react! Trust me, sitting down after the ride proved difficult! If you are an off-road cyclist you can’t miss this demanding, yet exhilarating ride. There’s a real buzz between the riders, plus the scenery is truly breathtaking.”
The British Heart Foundation says “Get your own heart healthy whilst helping us fight heart disease – the UK’s single biggest killer.” So why not get involved? At the very least, send a few pennies (or pounds) Phil’s way by sponsoring him… please.
I’ll get a nice soft cushion ready for Phil’s return to work.
Let it snow!
Friday, January 8th, 2010
As the nation almost comes to a stand still with the ‘big freeze’, the Mixd crew can’t wait until the weekend to get out in to the glorious white powder that is snow for a good old play about!
On Tuesday, Harrogate was one of the worst hit places in the UK for snow, frost, ice and general coldness… but that’s not going to dampen our spirits! Of course, mishaps happen owing to the weather; we know:
- Matt has crashed his car (he’s okay so that’s cool);
- Bob has twisted his knee;
- Matt then fell and damaged a finger;
- Mike had to be dug out of the car park;
- Bob’s outhouse has frozen so washing machine and outside loo are defunct;
- Dave got stuck on a train; and
- Phil nearly went into the River Wharfe at Pool after slipping on ice in his car!
Not to mention that Bob has been working from home since Tuesday owing to trecherous roads, frozen car and the general desire to shirk a tad.
But what the heck! How often do we get great snow like this? We intend to thoroughly enjoy ourselves in it.
Look out for the Mixd crew this weekend; you’re sure to spot at least one of us:
- Snowboarding down the Otley Chevin;
- Sledging head first towards a river (incidentally, Bob can confirm that the River Tees at Preston Park has completely frozen over);
- Clearing paths for the elderly and disabled;
- Taking part in a huge snowball fight with relatives, friends and anyone else who might want to ‘ave it;
- Building a phallic snow sculpture;
- Going shopping for house-bound neighbours; and
- ‘Snow-surfing’* behind a car (always wear a crash helmet folks);.
So come on Britain, let’s not moan about the cold weather… let’s embrace it!
*snow-surfing is not big and it’s certainly not clever.
100 miles for charity
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
I just wanted to say a huge thanks for all the support and the money raised from the 100 mile South Downs Way bike ride that I took part in last Saturday for the British Heart Foundation.
Despite the miserable weather leading up to the day, Saturday was just amazing. With a bright blue sky and light winds all day I have a very strange tan line on my arms to prove it!
If you’ve not yet shown your support you can sponsor me at: www.justgiving.com/mixd
On your bike son!
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
Are you looking for a challenge this year with the benefit of the knowledge you’re raising money for a worthwhile charity? The British Heart Foundation is holding its long-running South Downs Way (SDW) Challenge on 25 July 2009 and Mixd is pleased to announce that Phil will be stretching his legs and representing Mixd at the event (I have offered to drive the support vehicle and be on standby with a flask of tea and some biscuits).
The SDW is just over 100 miles from Winchester to the western edge of Eastbourne. There is no real technical riding (it’s down south after all!) although there is plenty of scope to fall off(!) and there are some serious hills along the way. So it’s most definitely an endurance event and a steady pace that can be sustained for 100 miles is required!
So if you would like to join Phil on the day please get in touch… he would be more than happy for some company! However, if (like me) you’d rather be following his Tweets as he progresses along the way from the comfort of your sofa then you can show your support by sponsoring Phil at: www.justgiving.com/mixd
As the Crowes fly…
Monday, May 18th, 2009
Gosh… back at work following a week’s annual leave. May I say, it’s truly magnificent to be back. I love being shackled to the desk by the real-time interegation of emails. It certainly beats the relaxing art and cafe culture of Amsterdam; that’s just far too chilled out.
Anyway, last Wednesday me and three pals attended the Heineken Music Hall and saw American band The Black Crowes. My association with this band started back in the summer of 1991 (after I finished my GCSEs) with long-wave radio station Atlantic 252 playing their cover of the Otis Redding classic ‘Hard to Handle’ at least once an hour. I had to hear more of this band, I had to see them live. In the autumn of 1992 they visited the UK and I saw a show (at Newcastle City Hall on 25 November!) that changed my appreciation of music… for ever.
Eighteen years on and wow… what a performance. To see six guys and two backing singers jamming their way through selections from their extensive back catalogue, peppered with some choice covers, for virtually two and a half hours was (to coin an American term) awesome. Some songs would be fairly true to the album and last 5 or 6 minutes; however, some would wander off in to elongated jams of the highest order, returning in the nick of time to the song’s original ending. The highlight of the show for me was a superb version of My Morning Song that let all the musicians flex their muscles and develop the song into a masterpiece of at least 15 minutes.
And what a venue the music hall is. The Dutch know what they are doing when it comes to enjoying themselves. Spritely youths push refrigerated trolleys through the crowds, serving ice cold lager to those who want it… and have had the foresight to buy the necessary tokens (muntens). And the best bit… if the guys with the trolleys can’t reach you, the ones with the lager filled backpacks can! I have to hand it to our Dutch friends for their friendliness, organisation and general willingness to ensure everyone has a great time.
As for The Black Crowes, they put on an amazing show, with a great atmosphere, light show and musicianship; I feel 18 again when I see them… with a tingle going up my spine. As lead singer Chris Robinson says “It’s a feeling you can’t get in cyberspace!”.