By Tracy Dietlin
This past Saturday night something unique, amazing and epic happened at The Hood Bar & Pizza. Jeff Bowman’s brilliant idea to put together a bunch of musician’s in 5 different bands, and have them play 7 cover songs each, came to fruition and blew everyone away. All 5 bands were crazy good and the bar was packed like I’ve only seen it a few times before. It was like a big high school reunion or family gathering.
Bowman did a fantastic job bringing the whole desert music community together by trying this new concept and now everyone is saying that it should be an annual or regular event. I personally predict Bowman’s Mixed Up Music Party getting nominated for a CV Music Award for Best Live Music Event!
The event was also for a good cause with proceeds going to Desert Cancer Foundation.
Sarah Bryant, Executive Director at Desert Cancer Foundation: “Desert Cancer Foundation is incredibly honored to have been selected to receive funds raised by A Mixed Up Music Party. We are grateful to Jeff Bowman for organizing such a unique event, as well as The Hood Bar & Pizza for hosting, and all of the amazing, talented artists and supporters that came together for a great cause. More than $2,000 was raised at the event, which helps provide financial assistance for screening, diagnosis and treatment for cancer and allied diseases for local Coachella Valley and surrounding community residents. Every dollar raised translates to more than $10 in cancer care.”
I asked Bowman to share his thoughts on how the event turned out.
Jeff Bowman: “The show was literally a dream come true. Thanks to the spirit of everyone involved, A Mixed Up Music Party! An Event to Benefit The Desert Cancer Foundation, lived up to its billing, and then some.
Mixed Up Music, Yes: 33 beautiful musicians, in their new mixed up bands, very well-rehearsed, poured their hearts, souls and talents into 35 energetic, unforgettable song performances.
Party! Yes: With as many party people as the Hood could hold! All dancing, grooving and singing along…and every song from every band was followed by screams, whistles and applauses from the audience that seemed to last for minutes!
An Event to Benefit The Desert Cancer Foundation. Yes: Through donations of $5.00 at the door and program sales of $3.00, our music community raised over $2,000, which translates to $20,000 in medical costs covered for people in right here in our Desert community, who are in need of those funds to help with cancer screening and treatment.
And beyond all that, there was a beautiful and almost indescribable element to the night as well… A sum that was greater than just the total of all of those awesome parts. It was humanity. It was love. We broke through. We let our guards down. We got a little silly and shared our best with each other and our greater community. And it was magical.”
