Mixtape Atlanta

InstaRecap: 500 Songs for Kids Weekend 2

500 Songs for Kids continued its musical marathon on Weekend 2 of the five weekend charity event. Departing Smith's Olde Bar for the first time in seven years, The Loft hosted the second weekend of songs focused on VH1's Greatest Hits from the 1980s and 1990s.

Local musicians including Sonia Leigh, Ben Deignan, Joshua Fletcher, David Dalton, and many more belted out their assigned songs. Sonia Leigh's cover of the Alanis Morissette classic and jilted girl anthem "You Outta Know" had the entire crowd screaming along.

This weekend, 500 Songs for Kids takes over The Earl while the countdown continues with 100 Greatest College Radio Songs.

Follow Mixtape Atlanta on Instagram and Twitter for instant updates and photos. Check out all our Instagram photos from Weekend 2 of 500 Songs For Kids, here.

X-Mix 2011 Wrap-Up

Mixtape Atlanta's third annual holiday party X-Mix was a Motherfluffin' success thanks to sponsor Whynatte, entertaining musical acts, and a room of party people at Star Bar! Whynatte got the party started in festive fashion by supplying Motherfluffer shots to the entire venue and a celebratory toast led by Whynatte co-founder Jesse Altman.

Lauren St. Jane and the Dead Westerns got the dance floor warmed up with their infectious country and rock original songs. Ben Deignan followed with an acoustic set featuring some of his popular songs as well as creative covers. Songs for Kids Foundation founder Josh Rifkind stopped by for his annual rendetition of "The Hanukkah Song" with a few lyric updates.

Aerobics Cube led the audience in some holiday inspired dance workout moves with their special Christmas song only set, including the creative "playing" of jingle Shake Weights. The newly formed super group of Bruce Butkovich (The Futura Bold), Chris Cox (The Greater Vavoom), Jade Lemons (Injected), and Rob Hammersmith (Skid Row) gave the audience a preview of their new band and songs. James Hall made his third straight performance at X-Mix with an original sing-along holiday song, he recently wrote for the occasion.

Wolves closed the live music section of the night on a high note and they were the perfect kick-off to the night long dance party that lasted well into the early morning.

Check out photos of all the music acts and fun, here. Pick up your Motherfluffer photo booth photos, here.

Special thanks to everyone that made X-Mix 2011 such a great success. Mostly importantly, thank you all for donating to Toys for Tots and Songs for Kids Foundation.

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like X-Mix

This year we are dreaming of a White X-Mix for Mixtape Atlanta's third annual holiday showcase at Star Bar on December 17. Inspired by the classic holiday film, Star Bar will be transformed into a winter wonderland with snow and fluffy goodness. Speaking of fluffy goodness, this year X-Mix will serve as the launch of Whynatte's newest shot- Motherfluffer, a combination of Pinnacle Marshmallow vodka and the local latte beverage. Don't forget to get your photo taken downstairs at the Mixtape Atlanta and Whynatte Motherfluffer photo booth, where there will be a special guest. Whynatte will also be starting the party right with a festive Motherfluffer toast to all of Star Bar at 9:30PM, so don't be late.

Doors for X-Mix open at 9PM and the music will start immediately following Whynatte's toast. This year, we couldn't be more excited about the immensely talented and entertaining artists gracing the X-Mix stage.

Lauren St. Jane and The Dead Westerns have had an amazing 2011 with appearances across the country to local shows at Smith's Olde Bar and Vinyl, and this will mark the trio's first appearance at Star Bar.

From a live DVD release earlier this year to performing at Peachtree Music Festival as well as performances at diverse venues across Atlanta, Ben Deignan continues to draw a crowd and new fans with his soulful mixture of rock, pop, and funk.

Aerobics Cube will be performing an exclusive mix of holiday songs in their unique aerobic, 80s workout, Jane Fonda approved style. The X-Mix stage will also host the premiere of a new super group featuring some of Atlanta's most talented and respected musicians including, Bruce Butkovich (The Futura Bold), Chris Cox (The Greater Vavoom), Jade Lemons (Injected), and Rob Hammersmith (Skid Row). Wolves will closeout the evening with their headlining set of danceable pop, rock, electric songs. Mixtape Atlanta is also very excited to have James Hall stop by for the third year in a row for a special performance.

Don't miss X-Mix 2011 on December 17 at Star Bar in Little Five Points. Doors open at 9PM; music and merriment starts at 9:30PM. The upstairs of Star Bar will also be NON-SMOKING for this event. Cover is $10 donation or $5 with a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. All proceeds benefit Songs for Kids Foundation.

Peachtree Music Festival 2011

Many Atlantans look forward to fall every year for the cool temperatures and amazing concert lineups that tend to come through our city. This October will be no exception. Rocktober is kicking off in exciting fashion with the inaugural Peachtree Music Festival taking place on October 1 in Midtown at 8th Street NW and Spring Street. With popular hip-hop and indie-rockers dominating the lineup, there is something in this music festival for everyone. Tickets are now on sale and if you act fast, you can save $10 using the promo code “mixtape”. Stay tuned to Mixtape Atlanta for artists updates and more information regarding Peachtree Music Festival 2011!

Confirmed Artist Lineup

MAIN STAGE
12:15 p.m. Under the Flood
1:15 p.m. Tesla Rossa
2:15 p.m. Ocean is Theory
3:15 p.m. Levi Lowrey
4:15 p.m. Stokeswood
5:45 p.m. The Dirty Guv’nahs
7:15 p.m. Civil Twilight
8:45 p.m. Shiny Toy Guns
10:15 p.m. DGAF: Dallas Austin & Corey Enemy

BMI STAGE
12:45 p.m. Aunt Martha
1:45 p.m. The Young Rapscallions
2:45 p.m. Ben Deignan
3:45 p.m. The Kingston Springs
5:00 p.m. Modern Skirts
6:30 p.m. Open Air Stereo
8:00 p.m. Freesol
9:30 p.m. DJ Khaled

Keep On Keepin' On at Smith's Olde Bar

It is no secret that Smith's Olde Bar is one of Atlanta's most popular music venues for musicians and fans alike. It has also been a familiar stage to Atlanta's soulful-rocker Ben Deignan. Earlier this year, local filmmaker Rett Thompson shot one of Ben's live performances at the venue. Combining that live performance, interviews, and commentary, Ben and Rett have produced a special DVD titled Keep On Keepin' On.

Saturday, June 18, Ben returns to Smith's stage to celebrate the release of this DVD, perform, and share the stage with other talented acts, including Company of Thieves and Sleeper/ Agent. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

Mixtape Atlanta is giving away two pairs of tickets and DVDs. To enter email [email protected] with "Ben DVD Show" in the subject line.

500 Songs for Kids 2011: Ben Deignan

Ben Deignan's performance from Night 5 of 500 Songs for Kids 2011.

Ben Deignan at 500 Songs for Kids 2011 from Mixtape Atlanta on Vimeo.

Night 5- Twist and Shout

From The Graduates a cappella group to soul legend Hermon Hitson, Night Five of 500 Songs for Kids provided an extremely diverse lineup of passionate performers. Brad Cox rocked Smith's Olde Bar as if it were Madison Square Garden for his performance of the rock classic "Sweet Child O' Mine." 500 Songs for Kids stage manager Jed Drummond combined his singer/ songwriter talent and Lady Gaga's magnetism for his rendition of "Poker Face." In a last minute collaboration, Songs for Kids founder Josh Rifkind joined Hermon Hitson for The Isley Brothers' "Twist and Shout". Hitson welcomed the onstage company and Rifkind appeared in awe and honored to play with Hitson. Ben Deignan provided a soulful performance of Prince's "Raspberry Beret" adding some funk to his usual pop/ rock sound. In the category of costumes though Stone Cold Fox was the funkiest winner with feathered hair and bellbottoms galore for their take on Sly & The Family Stone's "Dance to the Music." Check out Night 5's photos!

View performances below by Jed Drummond, Ben Deignan, Hermon Hitson, Brad Cox, Joshua Fletcher, The Graduates, The Exile Musik Mob, Martha's Trouble, Stone Cold Fox, Innate Forte, Michael Lee Miller, Dinock, and Wesley Cook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Send Ben To London

Last year, Atlanta's own Rudy Vaughn was chosen as the national winner of Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock competition and was sent to London to perform at the historic Hyde Park in front of 40,000 fans as well as share the stage with legends such as Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews Band, Neil Young, and more. This year, Atlanta has another opportunity to send one of our most talented musicians to London to perform on the same stage as Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, and more at Hard Rock Calling at London's Hyde Park. Ben Deignan won the Atlanta round of Hard Rock's competition and he is now in the finals! The winner will be selected by whomever wins the online poll. Ben is currently half-way there, but he needs your vote. Please visit SendBenToLondon.com and vote for Ben! Each online vote sends an email to the address entered, and the vote is not counted until you click the confirmation link in the validation email, so be sure to check your email after you vote. Online voting continues until June 6 so start voting now! Let's continue to make Atlanta know as the city that presents the best young talent to London.