EDM royalty Nervo, Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike served up the cocktails on the left and on the right DJ Sneak and Reboot were on BBQ duty. “Everyone, get drunk for charity” a voice declared over the tinkles of MK's smash Burning. In Ibiza, we don't need an excuse for a beverage but if we did, we can't imagine a better one than that!
This was Mambo in the Mix, the annual charity event hosted by the legendary sunset strip bar. The concept behind it was simple; Isla Blanca's favourite house DJs swap the booth for the Cafe Mambo's bar and grill to raise money for the island's less fortunate community leaving the decks free for holiday-makers to receive coaching from the A-list names and mix the beats for a donation. The proceeds of the party are set to go to local charities including the Red Cross of Ibiza and Formentera.
It was the 3rd time Café Mambo's had thrown the free fundraiser and the beach was teaming with clubbers, the bass from Route 94's My Love pumping all the way out to the top of San Antonio. The atmosphere was lively and every so often I overheard awe-struck music savvy revellers acclaim “Oh look who that is” and “I need to get a pic with them” as they spotted the familiar faces of their favourite DJs dishing up mojitos.
As I was ordering the fattest hot dog with extra ketchup from Reboot, Defected Records boss Simon Dunmore was just arriving after 9pm. It was like being in a parallel world, like House Music Narnia and other dance superstars present included Mark Knight, Judge Jules, Example and Uner.
As the DJs mixed the drinks and the party-goers mixed the records, the screen overhead projected the smiling faces in the booth. The event created an opportunity for the White Isle's biggest names to give something back to the island that has done so much for the electronic music world. A large wooden spinning wheel whirled on the strip with a table of Mambo prizes below and there was table football, raffles and exclusive t-shirts on sale with a list of all the DJs on the back. Waves by Mr Probs (Robin Schulz Remix) rang out and I spotted the Mambo brothers looking pretty chuffed with themselves…with every right to be. Although we will have to wait about five days to see how much this year raked in, previous summers have raised over a staggering 60 000 euros.
For those who were unable to make it to the sunset strip, you can still donate through cafemamboibiza.com and links posted through Facebook facebook.com/mamboibiza.
WORDS | Francesca Evans PHOTOGRAPHY | Marc de Groot
