This is interactive entertainment. From your favourite pub to everyone's desktop. Aug The Blog is coming soon.
...Kirk's amazing voice, and special people in the audience help make this night a memorable one...most entertaining moment was chasing Spencer around the entire bar as he wandered with my guitar through the Phoenix & Firkin...
At that moment I truly believed that Spencer was the happiest man in the world...The audience agreed....full story soon
posted by AUGBLOG @ 2:22 a.m.
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I had never played in Niagara Falls, and I had never performed on the 22nd floor of anything. The Sheraton Fallsview was a cool place to be on Thursday, October 28, 2004 cause I'm greeted with open arms by Diane and Mike (smooth voice) at the the elevator of the 22nd floor (did I mention we were on the 22nd floor??...lol). I have all of my equipment on the standard hotel dolly ready to be rolled down to the main entertainment room. I set up with my back to a large window which exposes the American and Canadian Falls. It's a striking view. The room has two levels, and there are nice couches around where I set up to play. It's kind of like a big livingroom and Kelly is making me feel at home. The function is a private one so I won't mention the company name (unless they want me to). Vladamir and Yolanda do some impromptu Polka dancing as I expose my Polka repertoire (a rare event). Now the other people start walking in and I am very impressed by the costumes. Louie, the werewolf stands out for me. I wanted a picture of him with my guitar. I thought this would be priceless (It is). Dr. Don wants to hear about Trader Vic's when I comment on Louie's costume so i sing "Werewolves of London"...in Niagara Falls. Charlie's Angels showed up, and there had to have been at least five witches. Look...there's Victoria. She's dressed like an African Queen. Lotto (spelling?) had a very cool Indian outfit on. There were prizes for costumes and wine tasting during my break. Mike (smooth) the MC did a great job. I am sure he is great at his job although I suggest a career in Broadcasting could be a consideration. The last hour was the best. Wendy began turning into a party animal and Eleni & Christina showed off their great dancing abilities during the Greek Song. Louie's wig was placed on more than a few heads of people who were coaxed on to the dance floor. Thanks Kelly for the invitation. Thanks Ellen for the rec. I salute the "Thundering Water" that is Niagara Falls and I head home...Aug The Blog has left the building.....the adventure continues....
posted by AUGBLOG @ 3:14 a.m.
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...Mississauga Fox Legend GUMP was supposed to show up...instead the place fills up with a whole lot of good spirited young people...
posted by AUGBLOG @ 3:49 a.m.
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Kristen, from Markham, smiles everytime Wilson sinks a shot. He's a shark. Meanwhile I am setting up my equipment at this Fox & Fiddle in Mississauga. I am then further informed that he won the last 7 games straight. I cheer him on and then he tells me he's a singer and a songwriter. He starts singing Lionel Ritchie's "Hello" and sounds pretty good. Kristen still has that proud look on her face. He has that romantic type voice that make the young (and older) girls cry. I have a good feeling about this guy so before he gets away I ask him to pose for a picture. He strikes the pose a few times. Not shy. He self proclaims himself the BACHATA KING. He has a Bachata band that occasionally plays at the Dominican Friendly Restaurant on St. Clair & Oakwood on Sundays (8 PM start). All this happens before I begin to play. All this happens before I find out about "GUMP".
posted by AUGBLOG @ 3:53 a.m.
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It was nice to see Francois (Mike...how could you) again. Julie, the dance instructor, was there without Vanessa. The off the cuff tune of the night was called "Andy". Andy's friends told me he was out in the parking lot on his way in. They had just finished speaking with him on a cell phone. They wanted me to roast him so we started out by going outside to greet him at his car....guitar and all. There he was....Andy with his red cap on. When he got inside I started singing about him and his shameful ways. His friends John and Danny were there as well (crazy bunch). Danny and Andy took most of the pictures for me that night. Thanks! The evening was pleasant, and because of those who attended, definately worth blogging....the adventure continues....Oh!!! I almost forgot to ask....How did I end up serenading Diane and Danny boy outside, in the cold, on the patio??? Maybe you should ask a certain famous bartender at The Moose...
posted by AUGBLOG @ 2:46 a.m.
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Thanks for the comment Mike....You didn't leave your email address so I'll leave this post up for a week or so....Hopefully you'll see it...
posted by AUGBLOG @ 12:07 a.m.
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Maybe it was the law of averages playing itself out....that uncanny coincidence....maybe not. Thursday night at Aw Shucks in Aurora proved to be just that. I had finished a long first set when I searched the bar for an empty seat. There was only one spot available. I asked the good looking couple if the seat beside them was taken. They politely asked me to have a seat. I will withhold their full names, and withhold any photos of them at their request. I refer to them as Dr. Lu and Jan. Dr. Lu (a real doctor) was quick to strike up a conversation (as my lonely guitar lay on the stool in the other room), and was very friendly. He discussed his travels with Jan through Europe. He then began speaking gloriously of his stay in Scotland. She was Scottish and he was Italian. To look at them I would have to say that this was a perfect match. They showed great respect for each then spoke of when he accompanied his son, the writer, actor, to Los Angeles. It's funny because my father had accompanied me to Los Angeles when I went to school there many years before. He spoke of the journeys of his great grandfather and that mirrored the journeys of my grandfather in America. He was a very wise man. All of this was fun. The three of us agreed that Italians and Scottish make a great combination. I then decided to go back to work. In the main room a couple walks in. She is maybe 20. He is a little older. Within 5 minutes I discover that they are on their 1st date. I also discover that she is Scottish and he is Italian (mmm interesting). They reveal their names. She is Caitlin. He is Richard. At this point I feel that it is my mission to make sure the date goes well (even though it's none of my business). Dr. Lu and Jan enter the room. A third couple then walk in. It's Rachel and Mike. It turns out Rachel is a friend of Caitlin. They are another great couple. They are getting married in a year or so. The night was fun.I must admit the energy of the evening was when my guitar was on it's stool and I was sitting down talking with Dr. Lu and Jan and the other young couples. I wish all of them luck....the adventure continues.....
posted by AUGBLOG @ 2:24 a.m.
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Dave from www.tweakandrome.com sent me some pics from that special Saturday night in Toronto at The Wolf & Firkin....this one is me with Skippy taking over Elm Street....thanks Dave....
posted by AUGBLOG @ 7:51 p.m.
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...Shades of Legions...Rosies....and the return of BISCUIT....
posted by AUGBLOG @ 2:45 a.m.
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Hi Tanya...Oh My God....There are less than 5 people here tonight...."It'll Fill up around 10 " . Tanya's optimism always helps the vision of a good night reveal itself as a possibility. Okay.....I order my pasta dish ....cooked to perfection by AHHHHLLLEEEEE!!!! the cook. There's Ray at the bar. I didn't even see him come in. Everyone knows Ray. He's a great musician/writer/sing....hold on Ray ...there are too many slashes in your name. Ray is one of the better songwriters around. One day his talent will extend past these chosen walls of Woodbridge. Alex and Justin were there again They are Bonafyde fans. Here comes Christian with shorter dreads. He's giving me the finger (non-threateningly). Was it something I said? Dean and Brian came to play darts and to visit Tanya. Dean is very intense this evening. It's possibly because I haven't learned "Shameless" yet. Everyone's just hanging out. I played a couple of sets and near the end of the night Ray played one of his originals, then he passed the guitar back to me. Later he came up and did a few covers. A crowd started forming around him as he played and sang. Mike came in with some people from France (Fabien and Sophie). Fabien went up and sang harmonies with Ray.
posted by AUGBLOG @ 12:15 p.m.
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At around 8:30 Saturday night, Guy from Orillia, Ontario steps into the Wolf & Firkin on Elm Street. He comes and sits beside me at the bar. Guy introduces himself, then starts talking about his wife living in Yorkville in the 60's. I think this is impressive . He says the whole " Yorkville Hippy Scene" was overrated. C'mon Guy...I didn't want to hear that. When we were talking he didn't know I was the entertainment until I got up on the stage. That was how I met my first friend of the evening. I started playing some folk songs and I notice this couple, sitting beside Guy, are being extra nice to me. It turns out that this is Dave and Katie from Detroit (I should have known it was them). They've been married for 2 years and they are out for a good time. Sitting in the back is Ted, from England. He becomes the assigned "movie star". His family gets a kick out of that. I ask him to come over and shake hands with Guy.
The audience approves this with applause. Now I notice Mike and Janet from Ireland (turns out that Mike is Welsh). They seem shy, which is hardly their demeaner at the end of the evening. Everyone was getting along and singing along. When I take my break I get to know Dave and Katie a little better. They have a website www.tweakandrome.com They have fun with it. I checked it out and I like it. He even scribbled it on the "Specials" blackboard for all to see. Some friendly people from Niagara Falls, New York and Scotland help make this an Aug International Event. Next thing you know a crowd steps through the door welcomed with ovation. They are from Rochester, New York. It's Paul's Birthday, and soon after singing Happy Birthday I meet Rochester's secret weapon. SKIPPY!!! Skippy is Paul's dad. He's not afraid to come and speak in the microphone, dance, and later on in the night lead a willing following outside to Elm Street. I'm in the middle of Elm Street in downtown Toronto singing "American Pie" with Skippy from the USA. Dave from Detroit has pictures of this. Maybe he'll post them on his site. Skippy is all heart. His wife Pat agrees. When we get back inside I start singing songs about Ed Dooley (good guitarist). His son Brian is also having fun. I later find out that Ed is Paul's father in law. Paul's wife Suzanne (Kindergarden teacher) is there. There was also Sue (I didn't forget). The great thing about tonight is that everyone knew and liked each other by the end of the night. When Ivanna from York, UK stepped through the door with Clive she received an ovation and a free dance with Skippy. Click...I get the pic. I had fun....the adventure continues.....
posted by AUGBLOG @ 2:24 a.m.
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Rob (man of many tatoos) the bartender is nice to me tonight as I lug my gear in. My van is parked illegally outside since the street has no vacancies, and the nearest parking lot is too far away. My boss Tracy has just finished her long shift and says she'll stay for a bit of my set. Guess What? Rock's back! Florida Rock. We haven't seen him for awhile. He always seems to make friends quickly. Tonight he's discussing Geography with some folks at the bar. I start playing to zero reaction. After singing a few songs I see a few lips subconsciously singing along. This is a good sign that i'm not just wallpaper. Tracy then introduces me to Sarah. I declare her the happiest person in the bar because she is. Tracy then comes to sit close to me and cheers me on (a catalyst always appreciated.). Uh Oh....Here comes the Ohio express..from Clevelend....3 Mikes....and wives...Mike of Ellen....Mike of of Debbie....Mike of Kathleen (sounds biblical). Rock, from Florida, was there throughout the night. He's in fine form this evening.
I notice that he's getting along with the Ohio people. Some dancing is happening.....Lookout!!! One of the Mikes is singing Whole Lotta Love and he sounds quite good. I then had a very thoughtful conversation with Kathleen on my break as she was telling me about her son who had served in Iraq. It was quite moving. Tracy comes up and does a soulful rendition of "Crazy"...All hell breaks loose when the Windsor people step in. The owner, Billy, had bought them drinks earlier...now they return ready to party. I can't believe it. Another Lilly....Lilly the grandmother with her daughters and grand daughter Trish who happens to be a mom are all here tonight. They're just getting in after going to see "Mamma Mia". They are a great crowd....the people love them...the place is starting to fill up now. Hey!!! Where's Chris Hollow? Where's BBeeeyearnt and Jay from BC??? (still recovering from Debbie's party the night before). There are some people from Ireland. Gavin (animation student) is here from Scotland . Roger is working (always smilng that guy). Gord buys shots for the Windsor crowd. Pat, Trish's mom came up to sing, then they all get up. I pass the camera around to Pat, Donna, Trish, and Gail. Lilly tells me that I look like Tony Danza. I tell Donna that she looks like Mary Tyler Moore. We're all famous I guess.
posted by AUGBLOG @ 4:37 a.m.
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