Just got a note from Greg Augustine, or Augie Dawg, a 50-some-year-old newer musician, who is releasing a new song and music video called the ‘Back Pain Blues’.
“Really it’s a song about life. Besides, the statistics show 80 per cent of the population having back pain at some point in their lives. You just need to talk to people to realize how many people suffer from it. I did for 13 years. The song isn’t a downer blues song, there is an upbeat groove to it, with lyrics that share what it’s like to have back pain, and it’s got a happy ending,” he says.
“I am very grateful for the powerhouse band of local musicians I was able to bring together: Art Chicago on bass, Doug Bloudeau and Dale Manason on guitar, Donnie McGillvary on drums, Dee Cooper on piano and me, Augie Dawg, on harmonica and vocals.”
The song was recorded at the Woodshop studio with Zak Cohen. A music video planned, filmed and edited by Matt and Arianna Gladman of Keywork Productions will be released at a party on May 31 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Eagles Lounge on Boys Road.
It’s to “celebrate and thank all the people who came together to help make this song and video project a reality. There is no charge for the party. It is a potluck event, people can bring appetizers or snacks. It is going to be an epic event with four live bands, the premiere viewing of the music video, dancing, food and fun.”
Look for music from Sooke’s Jonny Mack plus Valley recording artist Beverley McKeen. In addition there will be two bands making their live debuts: Augie Dawg and the Old Bones and then a brand new 70s-80s cover band that really rock it.
To RSVP for the party, email Greg Augustine at augiedawg@soma4living.com. To find the song or video go to www.soma4living.com after June 1.
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Are you up for some tense drama?
Reginald Rose’s 12 Angry Men never gets old and Frances Kelsey Theatre is presenting the iconic play from June 6-8 at 7 p.m. nightly.
Directed by Anna Roberts from Sherman Sergal’s adaptation, this show originally reached the public on TV in 1954 as part of CBS’s Studio One series. It was later re-written for the stage.
(It may seem odd to today’s reality-show TV generation but excellent actors presented some fine drama during television’s golden age 50-60 years ago on such programs as Studio One, Playhouse 90, The Goodyear TV Playhouse, and Kraft Television Theatre.)
The play takes place inside a jury room as a really mixed bag of personalities has to decide on the case of a Puerto Rican teenager accused of murdering his abusive father.
Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors.
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Stop the presses! It has been officially announced that the Cowichan Dinner in White will be held at the Farm Table Inn on Saturday, July 6.
“We are so excited to be the caterer and the venue for this elegant evening,” says the note from the happy folks at Skutz Falls. “Transportation packages are available so please do enquire at the time of booking your ticket. Call 250-932-1107 to reserve by phone.”
Diner en plein air, long-table style in the delightful surroundings of the Inn, with everyone dressed in white, sounds wonderfully elegant to me.
Why not start organizing your group now, and get those seats booked before they get away from you?
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The Cowichan Musical Society is holding auditions on June 22 for “a mystery show”, according to the Society’s Irwin Killam.
“We can’t tell you right now! But come out June 22 to audition. Clues: ABBA music, love is in the air, probably a blue and white theme, being performed in several places this year. You get the picture, [and] not trying to copy but rights agreement forbid us from mentioning the name of the show in print until Sept. 1.
If you want audition materials, get them at https://files.constantcontact.com/fea50e4a501/67ee018c-7bea-4d81-97eb-250245d18a65.pdf, she says.
“All details and links are in the attached pdf file. Please read carefully and download the materials you need for the role for which you are auditioning. You will see there are ages associated with these roles; if you think you can play the role, even if you are outside of the stated age range, go for it.
“And we have a great directorial team: drama director is Gregg Perry; choreographers are Ricki-Lee Allison, Andrea Wickham, and Alora Killam. Can you tell there is going to be a lot of dancing in this show?
“We are also looking for help in off-stage roles such as production manager, props, costumes, always set building, among others. Come along to the auditions if you want to get a better sense of what you’d be getting into. If you have problems downloading the documentation, or any questions or concerns please contact our secretary, Sue Elo at cowichanmusicalsociety@gmail.com or Irwin Killam at 250-710-0010.”
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Speaking of the Cowichan Musical Society, this year’s executive team is comprised of: president Irwin Killam; vice-president Cliff Braaten; secretary Susan Elo; treasurer Natalie Miles Branch; and directors at large: Vera Wilson, Gregg Perry, Grant Mellemstrand, Jamie Johnstone, Jennifer Cleough, and Wanda Chow Lindbergh.***And, while I’m on the subject of Valley folks who work hard behind the scenes to support the community, the Duncan-Cowichan Festival Society also boasts a wide-ranging board of directors this year including Rick Martinson (MNP), Longevity John Falkner (Duncan Showroom), Ian Fairwell (The Red Balloon Toyshop), Jeff Downie (The Old Firehouse Wine Bar), Adam Clutchey (Panago Pizza), Brenda Burch (Social Media Is Not Simple) and Ian Smith (Station Street Tatoo Company).They’ve been working on organizing such nifty events as the July long weekend in Duncan, the Panago Grande Parade, and, of course, The 39 Days of July.