5th June 2008: Charity gig with a difference

For the fifth or sixth time, I played a role in the famous Party Near the Park event. This is an annual event raising money for Land Aid - the charity supporting homeless causes in the UK and developmental work in land in Africa. A semi-pro jazz-rock band supports a dozen or so acts drawn from well known figures in the property industry. Rehearsals are extensive - this is more than rock karaoke given that 1300 attend - and the night is fantastic because everyone at the sit down dinner in Old Bishopsgate fish market wants you to do well.

In the past I have been Tom Jones, Love Affair, Liam Gallagher - this time it was Otis Redding 'Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay'. Just a wee bit away from my usual, but fantastic fun being dressed up like a reject from 1970s Miami Vice. As ever, the evening was great fun, made more so given that, for the first time, my wife was able to attend.