Saturday, 24 May 2025

(A Part of) Preston Jazz Festival (Review and, Upcoming, Performance) - Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

 Spur of the moment decisions sometimes turn out to be just the best. Do you get me? Yes, I know. You do.

Anyhow, I spotted an ad for an event, that I had seen recently advertised, just today.

With a little bit of oomph, I thought, I might be able to attend this one, aswell as, participate in it.

*

In the mood of doing something community orientated, as a musician, I thought "this is good timing", and as it turns out, imho, so are our group: maintaining excellent timing, in such a short time, learning different rhythms, who shall, now, voluntarily, be performing next Saturday and/or 01/06/2025, as part of the Festival, either in Avenham Park (Saturday 30/05/2025) between 11 and 1pm or at at The Ferret (pub) Wednesday evening (8pm onwards), as said! 

Anyway, there were more us of at the beginning, however some had to leave early due to work commitments. I, myself, to make attending the event in time had failed to have lunch. Though, as a performing artist this is often, more often than not, by the by! However, the community spirit event that was what I sought was, as Shakespeare says: If music be the food of love, then play on! my, let's say, interim nourishment.

Looking forward to seeing you there, when the community shows off their skills, very, soon!







* Here I am, on the Dun Dun, far left - Photo courtesy of the Workshop Leader, Jon Aveyard.





For more information please see:




#musician
#supportlivemusic
#justtakepart
#communityspirit
#mentalhealthisimportant





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🎡🎢🎡🎢🎡🎢🎡🎢🎡🎢🎡🎢🎡🎢🎡🎢🎡
















Sunday, 30 March 2025

Happy Mother's Day Blog By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

Our Unsung Heroes!

Here's to all of our unsung heroes!

It's Mother's Day, so yes this is the theme of this blog, but what about, our every day peoples without whom we would very much be struggling, a helluva lot more than we already do!

Bcos, let's face it, the catastrophies that we read about in the news aren't going away, nevermind out own individual, day to day, of what sometimes can only be described as, "experiences"!...

Let's call to mind Mental health matters!

However, so does our physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing also.
It also matters, yes, a helluva lot!

So, I am reaching out, on this (another) special day to promote a local business, who have always helped me to keep safe, when, occasionally, I venture out and treat myself to socialising without any worries of how am I going to get there/back, safely - totally reliable - I shall always recommend this business (https://a6taxis.co.uk/).

Anyhows, here's  a couple of pics., first one up stars Steve, who very kindly obliged for his photo for this little ole blog of mine - Thanks again Steve!

Also, me, myself and my little pooch who is very much becoming not so a little pooch anymore, however he's coming on with his training and he's showing a helluva lot of promise, he's got a long way to go, bless him!

Enjoy!


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Relative Articles: 

• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2025/01/update-pups-first-christmas-and.html

• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2024/06/introducing-by-sophie-cox-oshaughnessy.html





#HappyMothersDay!

#ArtistAtHome!

Pup'sUpdate!

#NotOftenIfEverDoIShowOffMySlippersButHeyHereWeGoLetsHaveIt!

#Re.TravelEtc.StaySafe!

#SupportLocalBusinesses

##OhYeahAlsoNeverForgetBowwWoww!






πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’πŸ’









* Copyright S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2025












 

Sunday, 23 February 2025

Live Film Music for New Cinema Opening Event By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

 This week was an exciting time for Preston city centre when the new, ARC,  cinema was officially opened by Film Animation Artist Nick Park.

The band supporting the event, that wasn't advertised, was a very pleasant surprise as their talent and repertoire was brilliant, but also the costume characters Wallace and Gromit completely entertained me no end!  The conductor, Graham, of Preston Concert Band played ball ducking and diving as both Wallace and Gromit took turns in taking over conducting the band and playing up to the crowd.

In my spare time I like to people watch. Adults and children alike were full of smiles. At one point a little girl mimicked the Wallace character mimicking the band's conductor - hilarious and cute.

The band who seem to consider themselves amateur were flawless and totally professional playing classis film theme tunes such as James Bond, Indiana Jones, Disney classics, pop medleys, Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit no less. The latter whilst Nick Park cut the ribbon to the entrance of the cinema officially opening it.

It was dry, windy and cold weather and the musicians played, for at least 2 hours, throughout.  As a musician I can totally empathise with them playing in such conditions. I found them to be remarkable and completely understated.  Bravo I say to them!

Although I am no maestro, as a multi-instrumentalist, to varying degrees, I can play the clarinet, flute, saxophone, trumpet, percussion of the concert band instruments, for example. However, their standard was impeccable and a true inspiration to behold.

Here's an impromptu video clip I managed to capture of the said awesome concert band (please excuse my chaukling in the background"That's (live) Entertainment!" for you):

https://youtube.com/shorts/APRJHQw48-0?si=_ufwO78q9dWOU69N

Although the band is not mentioned by Blog Preston here is their link to one of their articles about the news with more information:

https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/02/prestons-animate-cinema-and-leisure-complex-opened-by-nick-park-with-feathers-mcgraw-statue-unveiled/



#Muso

#KeepingMusicLive

#JustForFun


πŸŽΊπŸ“―πŸ₯πŸŽ·πŸͺˆ









Tuesday, 11 February 2025

Happy Valentine's Day Blog By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

 

So This week is, apparently, the week of lurve, and so ahead of the Big Weekender of Lurve, I thought I'd write my valentine's blog.

Ever since Covid, and stay at home restrictions and the like, I started to include "super hero" themed blogs. However, these are basically me getting dressed up, striking a pose and first and foremost hoping to inspire and share joy with folks.

Continuing on, with my appreciation of sharing joy and dressing up, here's a cute treat for, like my good self, any other single and ready to mingle folks out there:

Enjoy!


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#Artist

#LoveAndPeace

#ArtPhotography

#"GirlsJustWantToHaveFun"

#DressingUpAtHomeIsJustAsMuchFun

#TheBigLoveItUpWeekender








Relative Articles:

• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2023/02/art-photography-by-sophie-cox.html

• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2021/02/valentines-blog-by-sophie-cox.html

• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2020/02/happy-valentines-day-by-sophie-cox.html

• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2019/02/sophie-cox-oshaughnessy-for-valentines.html•

•  https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2016/02/happy-valentines-day.html






* c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2025









Wednesday, 8 January 2025

Update: Pup's First Christmas and Greetings from (from little ole me) my Good Self! By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

So, I didn't go out this year to celebrate New Year, but staying in, and, getting dolled up, proves just as much fun, anyways.  

This is the first time I have worn this dress, and regardless of "being seen' in it's entirety, it doesn't matter Because it is in the feeling of the adornment that is most special, really.

So, girls, ladies, womenfolk  Remember, but most importantly, Enjoy This Fact!

BECAUSE it is a matter de facto!



It reads
Happy New Year!




Oh My Gosh! 

WHAT did he do to "Father Christmas"?!




#PeaceGoodwillHappinessAndAllThat!


#ArtistsAtHomeRule

#TeachersAtHomeRule

#WhoAmIKidding?!:-

#PetsAtHomeRule!



#GodBless



Relative Articles:

• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2024/12/a-very-happy-christmas-and-new-year-by.html

• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2024/10/me-my-dog-and-i-blog-by-sophie-cox.html






Photos c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2024/5!













Wednesday, 25 December 2024

A very Happy Christmas and New Year! By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

 So, Santa must have got my letter!

Here's me, myself and I with my new shoes for Christmas!  


Just gorgeous!

How did he know my size and style?!





#πŸ˜‰

#TreatYourselfForChristmas

#ChristmasSelfie






c. Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2024








Thursday, 5 December 2024

Pre-Christmas Blog By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

 My Pup's Adventures 

"Update!"

Pup's continuing to have his adventures, but Mum said enuf is enuf, when, asked to leave him on his own for more than 7 hours, and, a potential, all in all, 18 hr, visit to London -  at a pre-organised and very special event, at which, a former contestant from the Strictly Dancing Show, no less, would be present, for example - "dogathon" - So what!  Mum lost £60 (sixty quid)!... and says, "So what! I  always, put the well-being of my pup and mine first! 😁"...


evidence Obvs.!:


Furbaby Mum, also says: "I purchased the ticket with the view that it enabled me to choose, as I am observing pup's development, and yes, he's doing so well, with his puppy training classes, as well, he's really coming on, however, imho, he's far too young for kennels, as yet, but, maybe, in the new year, we can, look forward to, and, plan for more  adventures and further afield!...

In the meantime time, as he well knows, there is a lot to do before, and for, the good will season ahead, so, he's, Obvs. getting his head down, as, he got landed with the, very much sought after job, Head Reindeer: Rudolph, following a very, successful, but a bit, tight audition, tbh, but, we're not going to dwell in that OHoho!..."

So, here's Rudolph, resting up, before the Big Job, ahead, in his indoor dwelling that he can come and go in/from-to, as he pleases - it's never ever locked Bcos To be Rudolph, Obvs. you have to be an exceptionally, very good (dog)reindeer, (Shh, don't go there, just, don't go there!) and this is an accepted and, maybe, expected, perk of the job, shall we say!

Anyhow Here, getting Ready for it, is, the Lead Reindeer, Pup of all pups, The Snow Dog: Rudolph: (sneaky peak - shh, don't tell anyone, and, you'll still get your, wish list, presents, from Santa!):

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#ArtistWithDogs

#ImaginationIsReal

#MentalHealthMatters

#AnimalTherapy


#HaveAVeryHappyChristmas!



🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🌲⭐πŸŒ²πŸŒŸπŸŽ„πŸ¦ŒπŸ›·πŸ¦ŒπŸ›·πŸ¦ŒπŸ›·πŸ›·πŸ¦ŒπŸ›·πŸ¦ŒπŸ›·πŸ›·πŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ›·πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒŸ❄️πŸŽ„⛄⭐❄️☃️πŸŒ²πŸŽ„⭐❄️🌟⛄☃️πŸ¦ŒπŸ›·πŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ›·πŸΎπŸΎπŸΎπŸΎπŸΎπŸΎπŸΎπŸΎπŸΎ





Relative Articles:

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2024/10/me-my-dog-and-i-blog-by-sophie-cox.html







*c. Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2024