Ë®¹ûÅÉAV

Moondog's Lounge, located at 24 State St. downtown, will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Saturday, June 28. 

The lounge's annual Moonstock concert will feature sets by four of its mainstay bands beginning at 5 that evening: Honky Tonk Hindooz, The Lunch Ladies, Fattenin' Frogs and Joel Kane and Friends.

Some of those bands are slightly louder than the ones Moondog's owner Lynn Varley imaged taking its stage when it opened July 1, 2015. For her, "lounge" was the operative word, she told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV. But as the years went on, Moondog's was slowly possessed by what she called "the spirit of Spirits," a reference to the beloved rock venue that occupied the same space for 25 years until 2008.

"There were many musicians who played at Spirits who now play at Moondog's," Varley said. "So we continued to evolve."

Not that the lounge ever tried to avoid the association — the Spirits chalkboard schedule hangs prominently behind the corner stage. It's one piece of a richly textured and colorful decor that gives Moondog's its character, Varley said, along with art by local artists like Jesse Kline, Kevin Burke and Ryan O'Hara, as well as surreal touches like the snare drum sinks in the bathrooms.

That decor helps make the lounge an escape, Varley said.

"It's an atmosphere of happiness. We don't have a TV on, so you can escape into that atmosphere and let your brain have a break from other things," she said.

"Once we're all under that roof, our views outside may be different but we have the commonality of music and art and can have a good time in the present moment." 

In the middle of its first decade, Moondog's wasn't able to provide that escape due to COVID-19. But the closures and limitations of the pandemic years proved to be helpful, Varley said, because they led her to improve the lounge's business model. She began taking reservations for its few seats for $10, which goes to the musicians, while continuing to accept walk-ins at no charge.

The extra support has helped Varley, who teaches full-time at Herman Avenue Elementary, keep Moondog's sustainable. 

Her passion for the lounge has been one of the main reasons it has not only lasted 10 years, but succeeded Spirits as the heart of the Auburn music scene, musician Phil Bauso told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV.

"She sets the tone for the whole joint," he said. 

Another main reason for Moondog's success, Bauso said, is its sound system. The lounge has its own, and a person who runs it, sparing musicians what can be a big headache.

Such a small venue having its own system is rare, Bauso said, and that along with its friendly acoustics have made Moondog's a destination for musicians well outside the Auburn area. 

"It's really been a lifesaver to Auburn," he said. "And the audiences are great, everyone's really appreciative. Everyone just goes there to hear the music and that makes it even better."

That's why Bauso and his band, Inside Job, selected the lounge to record a professional concert video. He also hosts Moondog's open mic night twice a month, which he called "a whole family thing."

Varley feels the same way about the musicians, artists, staff and customers who've been a part of the lounge over the last 10 years.

"From the bottom of my heart, I'm really absolutely grateful for the community and the musicians and all the support I've gotten over the years," she said. "It's a true passion of love."