Bobbysix.com's End of Year Review 2011 - Alice Parsons

Today, Bobbysix's resident artist, reviewer and all round lovely human-being, Alice Parsons, tells us about her 2011. Be sure to keep an eye on Bobbysix.com later in the week as we'll be bringing you the overall winners of album/film/gig/song of the year:

Top 5 Albums
1. Wasting Light - FOO FIGHTERS
Not that I need any more reasons to suspect that Dave Grohl is a god but, Rope and White Limo offer pretty conclusive proof.
2. Skying - THE HORRORS
Beautiful album cover and beautiful trippy sounds. Still Life in particular.
3. Queens of the Stone Age - QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
Avon do do do do do doooo
4. Suck it and See - ARCTIC MONKEYS   
5. The Peoples Temple - SONS OF STONE

Top 5 Gigs
1. DISTANT WORLDS -  The Royal Albert Hall, London
A full orchestra playing the haunting music of the Final Fantasy games. Yes I am a nerd... that is fine.
2. OK GO - Koko club, London
Two feet away from Damien Kulash *sigh*   
3. CHASE AND STATUS- Brixton Academy, London    
They really know how to put on a show.
4. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - O2 Arena, London
Okay haters, I agree about the new stuff but the oldies are still classic. Really strong performance, to my surprise.
5. TELEPATHETIC - various Brighton venues
Admittedly my brother’s band but brilliant nonetheless.

Album Cover of the Year:
Bon Iver – Self Titled LP. Artwork by Gregory Euclide

2011 in Words
In order to remember what I’ve been doing with myself in this the year 2011, I had to have a little dig back through the pages of my big wave calendar in search of clues for the exciting events and glamorous parties I have surely attended. I was surprised to find that my only engagement in March was a visit to the dentist (clearly this was a big month for me). Luckily I had been more diligent across the rest of the year in noting my activities. Here follow a few of my 2011 highlights. Excellent year!

Item of the Year:
My vintage Moroccan Rug from the Atlas Mountains (found in Brighton). I am in love with it. It is joy in rug form. Also my suede peep-toe cut out wedges in pale blue from Office.

Art Highlight
Visiting the Mucha museum in Prague was really inspirational for me. His work is incredibly iconic and seeing the original sketches and poster prints just made me appreciate his skill even more. He was also super prolific, how can anyone produce so much work and still each piece be unique and worth looking at? I lost a lot of money in the gift shop as usual.

Brilliant Event
My lady friends and I took in our first Chap Olympiad. What a day. Gentlemen and Ladies, all decked out in exquisite vintage ‘chap’ attire (and sporting well groomed moustaches, well the men were anyway) enjoying Pimms and tea cakes whilst sheltering under brollies to watch the chaps compete in a number of daring events including ‘Swooning’, ‘Shouting at Foreigners’, ‘Not Playing Tennis’ and ‘The Umbrella Joust’. A top day of japery and high jinks was enjoyed by all. I will see you at the next one!

Alice Parsons - Contributor
Not only is Alice a genius illustrator/artist (she came up with the fantastic blog header at the top of the page), but she can write too and has also been known to do a spot of modelling. Is there no end to her talents?

The Bobby Six Guide to Prague

In the first of a new series here at Bobbysix.com, Celeste Macdonald does her best to avoid the puking Brits as she takes us around Prague:

If, like this tourist-hating traveller, when you think of Prague, you think of drunk Englishmen on stag weekends in matching footballs shirts and hoards of Japanese shutterbugs blocking your path at every angle, well, you're partially right.

Upon first glance, the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square appear as an overcrowded tourist trap, filled with restaurants, tacky tourist shops and vacuous crowds staring at the Orloj Clock, an admittedly beautiful ancient astronomical timepiece. Push past the masses towards the Charles Bridge, passing an array of portrait artists and buskers and follow the steady flow of tourists up the hill to the Prague Castle, the world's largest ancient castle. Ideally, attempt this journey in the late afternoon, the crowds have dispersed slightly and you can appreciate the spectacular view as the sun sets.

While the main attractions of Prague are a must for visitors, those who are looking for an untouched paradise will be wholeheartedly disappointed. However, take the time to scratch below the city's touristy exterior and you will find a host of chic bars and pubs, leading examples of art nouveau architecture and modernist sculpture.

Take for example the Czech Republic's heralded sculptor, David Černý, whose controversial, provocative modern treasures are hidden throughout the city. You can easily spend a day absorbing Černý's sculptures, notably, his cherub-esque faceless babies can be seen climbing the Zizkov Tower, which serves as a stark reminder of Prague's Communist history.

A great way to spend the day is by taking a trip to the Kampa Modern Art Museum, where you will see a variety of modern sculptures against the picturesque setting of the Vltava River. It's also a chance to see Černý's famous faceless babies up close (below). Wind down with a picnic lunch in the park outside. Finish the afternoon with a stroll through the Jewish Quarter, an ancient area which plays hosts to cafes, bars, galleries and shops and is also the birthplace of Frank Kafka. The Jewish Museum and Old Cemetery are well worth a visit for an understanding of the rich Jewish history of the Czech Republic.

Daring to wander further than the town centre is a must if you want to discover the real Prague. Additionally, you will find that beer prices are usually less than half of those in and around the town centre. A must see venue for mingling with locals in an uber-cool setting is the Cross Club, a chic, arty bar with a welcoming, laid-back vibe. Such an atmosphere extends to many of the bars in Prague and is perhaps a result of the Czech Republic's decriminalisation of drug possession.

Nearby, in the suburb of Žižkov you will also find Bukowski's Bar, named in honour of Charles Bukowski, the famed American poet. The crowd is a mix of locals and expats alike.

One thing you will inevitably notice about Prague is that it only requires a short amount of time before you feel as though you have seen everything. All the main tourist attractions can easily be visited in one long weekend. This rule doesn't apply where the awesome Clown and Bard is concerned. This quirky little hostel with its own bar, just outside the town centre, draws backpackers in with the promise of cheap accommodation in a friendly atmosphere. Foolishly, most book a two-night stay and vanish into the cloud of smoke, emerging several days later, dazed and confused, with new friends and an impossible-to-avoid appreciation for foosball. To quote Joe, the bearded barman: "It's dangerous having a bar in your living room."

One important warning: as hard as you try to avoid the Old Town Square, you will inevitably find yourself inadvertently stumbling through one of its various entrances, the intense smell of grilling meat subconsciously dragging you in. Don't let it disillusion you, away from it there is an entirely authentic side of Prague waiting to be found.

You can access Prague by air with Easyjet or by bus with Eurolines. 

Words by Celeste Macdonald. Pictures by Celeste Macdonald and Rob Townsend.

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