Monthly News
mission has A Wild thyme for a week
02 / 2009
In the last week of February The Mission Theatre played host to a full week of concerts, organised and promoted by local group WildThymeMusic. First up was folkband INU, making their debut in Bath. The concert was of an extremely high standard and all those who attended agreed that the band are incredibly talented.
On Monday night the theatre became a cinema for the evening for one of Bob Bunyar's railway film shows. Taken across Somerset and beyond, the films feature steam and diesel engines and are always greatly enjoyed by railway enthusiasts.
Tuesday 23rd February saw a vast array of music from the talented students at the City of Band College in Future Fusion. 7 different bands, comprised of students from the music and performance department, played a mixture of folk, jazz and acoustic songs which they had composed themselves. The performers were delighted to perform their music to a live audience and we would certainly like to see more of their musical mastery on display as they hone their skills even further in the future.
On Wednesday 24th February we welcomed back 60s legend Julie Felix. This is now her third visit to The Mission and audiences keep coming back to appreciate her unique North American folk rock. Now over 70, Julie never ceases to amaze with her energetic, warming performances. She greeted the audience after the show before treating herself to a meal from The Green Room in our bar upstairs, finishing off an excellent evening.
Lindy Platt returned to The Mission on Thursday with a concert to raise money for Thought For Food - a project she started in Malawi. Love - Jazz and Folk was completely sold out and the show raised over £600 to provide vital crops and equipment to 6 different communities in one of Africa's poorest countries. The music was excellent, varying from beautifully sung show tunes, to solo acoustic guitar, to local jazz musicians.
On Friday evening the jazz continued with Lindsey Reed and the Jazz Addicts. Since her first performance in The Theatre Upstairs a couple of years ago, Lindsey has released an album and consquently moved her increasingly popular concerts into the Main Auditorium. Now performing almost entirely their own songs, Lindsey and the Jazz Addicts provided a relaxing evening of jazz.
The entertainment continued into the weekend with two concerts on Saturday 27th. The lunchtime matinee was a performance by Sonny Black, a hugely accomplished guitarist. This acoustic set had elements of blues, intimate soulful pieces, folk and country, all professionally delivered. Then on Saturday evening The Mission was once again sold out for The Acoustic Strawbs. This trio of guitarists have been together since the '60s and their country/rock sound has been honed to perfection.
Finally, on Tuesday March 2nd, WildThymeMusic scooped their biggest performer yet - Beverley Craven. Touring for the first time in ten years, Beverley had specially requested to come to Bath since she began her career here. The audience was packed out to hear her amazing vocals and beautiful melodies on the piano, accompanied by a multitude of wind instruments.
Congratulations to Bob and Sue Bunyar and all at Wild Thyme Music for planning and delivering such a successful series of musical delights.
Photos taken during the concerts...
