Ray Of Light Shines On Hollywoodbridge

September 6, 2004

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. 

Ray Of Light Shines On Hollywoodbridge 
Originally uploaded by AugTheBlog. 

The night ended with Mike coming up to sing a roaring version of "New Orleans Is Sinking". I like playing guitar behind him. He has a very powerful voice. When I speak about people from Woodbridge I always find myself wanting to give a lot of compliments. The truth is that there is serious talent there. I am humbled weekly at the Moose. Well there you go... Apparently Jay and Tanya will be reading this (Dave, Jay's friend didn't want to be mentioned)....by the way I appreciate the kind emails from the the folks from Detroit, Rochester, and Cleveland. Thanks....the adventure continues....

WELCOME TO AUG INTERNATIONAL

September 3, 2004

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.....

Aug The Blog Live At The Wolf & Firkin

September 2, 2004

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.

The Windsor Singers 
Originally uploaded by AugTheBlog. 

For the record, Rob, the bartender, was loved by the Windsor girls. I ended the night by taking the girls to the back to sing to 2 older guys who thought the night was over. It was a funny and fitting way to end...I had a great time...Aug The Blog signing off..... By the way...Happy Trails Debbie... 

Beloved waitress from the Wolf is spending some time in Spain. We all wish her luck. Rob (not the bartender) didn't sing any "Tragically Hip".....maybe next time when the adventure continues.....

AUG THE BLOG IS COMING SOON

August 14, 2004

 

AUG THE BLOG IS COMING SOON

This is interactive entertainment. From your favourite pub to your mobile phone, tablet or desktop. Aug The Blog is coming soon.

I am Augy....I sometimes go by the name of Augy G...Over the years people have created different spellings for my name...For example Auggie, Auggie G, Auggy G, Augie, Augie G(those are the only ones I know about)..oh I forgot..I even changed my name once to Auggie Style...Even then I got Auggie Stiles...Auggie Styles....I never corrected anyone...This is all very confusing so let me just say that I am Augy....On the Internet I am AUGBLOG....to quote the great Christopher Hollow....I am "World Famous in Toronto"....lol..