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In the good old days, I was a celebrity at Stratengers. Nash and I would sneak into the bar at late hours, and I would do tricks for the patrons or just listen to their woes. Drunk humans have a tendency to tell us canines all their mortal problems at closing time. It was a dark and stormy place, full of ex-marines, secret agents and waitresses with a night off. I loved them all, especially Karl the cook. My favorite trick after last call was to jump up on a stool and then onto the bar, where I would stroll up and down, munching on the leftover pretzels and chips. Sometimes my wagging tail would wipe out the wine glasses hanging from the rack above, but no matter, this was Stratengers and I loved everyone! I would visit all the bar crowd at eye level, making sure they were able to walk home. If not, they just imagined a dog drinking their beer. When things were quiet I would be the centre of attention, but other times I would have to sneak in under orders from Nash not to visit anyone. I would immediately go to the command centre on the comfy couch. Tough life. Bodyguards get perks too, especially if your canine ninja skills of silent skulking come from border- collie blood. Now Stratengers has been renovated, and it's not a fit place for dogs or roaches(of any kind!!). Our friend Dahram has completely re-done the place and I'm not even invited to hang out upstairs. It's not that Nash really needs my security instincts in this club, but I sure miss the proximity of kitchen to dressing room. Karl, I'm gonna miss ya. Nash drops me off at Diesel's for the evening, and although his is a fun doghouse to hang out in, Stratengers was the first (but not the only) bar that I could call home. Nash tells me the new club has no stage. What? I once sang on that stage!
Nash sets up on the floor, with the audience sitting at tables just a few feet away. The presentation is more intimite at floor level than when performing on a real stage with its impied grandeur. The PA is a small but effective system, and it fills the space with a depth of sound that is quite remarkable for its small size.
The new t-shirt is very popular, and everyone has a good time. Too bad I wasn't there to see the regular gang after the show. I'll miss all the old sailors, spies and whores, but Stratengers never really had these types. It seems that the patrons I used to meet at closing time were all just talk. They were never really capable of commiting such devious or depraved acts. Dogs beg, money talks and humans mumble. The new Stratengers is a beautiful club and I'm just going to have to be even more charming than ever to be invited back. Nash says I can come and visit Strats next time, and Karl sent me some fresh bones as a thoughtful New-Years' gift. Digger |
Stratengers is now a large and bright restaurant, not a dark and dingy
rock bar, but there is a space along one wall that is an excellent area
for Nash to perform in. The location is easily seen from all vantage points,
in particular from the enlarged balcony.
Nash wants to do this gig to show that it still works at Stratengers.
Two sets of Nash Thrash leave the audience
satisfied, and Nash is happy that all went well with the performance. New
material included an updated version of
