BS: Augustine Report

Subject: Augustine Report
From: Bob P
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 04:29 PM

A note to express my appreciation for the efforts of frogmore and others who volunteered guidance on my recent sojourn through a wondrous place.

Thoughts akin to Dorothy's comments to Toto came to mind.

Brief details, for anyone interested . . .

Confirming discouraging tidings, St. George's pathways are sadly and completely "street-performer free"; swept clean as a tourist's wallet.

Acoustic Krystalnacht?

Harbinger fortelling future "supression of expression".

Probably not.

Also missed White Lion (livestuff on weekends only) & Alcazer Cafe (short hours), but Tradewinds, Mill Top and OC Whites compensated.

Missed Mark Hart at Tradewinds (out of town), but his fill-ins (different sub each day) and general atmosphere were terrific. A fellow named Scott something (never quite caught last name) and Elizabeth Roth or Ross were both very impressive.

Mill Top was equally good, with changing combinations of talent from "Hortense" and "Camels" creating a loose, song circle, atmosphere. An impromtu harmonic rendering of Ruby Tuesday, complete with acapela chorus, was among the best moments. A Sam Pacetti set was also very good.

OC Smith's featured several good performers, including one named Mike Howard (if that's not exact, it's close).

In Chicago, I would have had to traverse many miles to catch as much music as Augustine offers in an easy footwalk.

Other business kept me from seeing more, but I will keep keep it high on my return-to-soon list.

One bit of advice for anyone headed that way.

Consider staying at the Monson Bayfront Resort - very near the center of action. It's the best way to have access to a car when you need it, without having it become a pain in the ass.

Best food was at Scarlet O'hara's.

Anyway, thanks to Frogmore and a few other veteran Augistinians, I had six most enjoyable days.

I even drank Guiness from a can; something I had supposed I would never do, at least not knowingly.