. . . the weekend awaits
lets FLOW
By: Luis Medel
There’s a golden bar that stretches along the side of the venue. A dark room with several rows of seats, filled with cheering silhouettes in front of a stage lined with blood-red curtains. The band plays on. A 7-piece R&B ensemble in perfect sync with the lovely Miss Ramonne at the helm.
I think even the walls quivered with every word she sang and these walls at the Hotel Cafe have heard it all. It’s a Thursday night in Hollywood. The drinks are tight, the streets are ripe. The weekend awaits. What better place to start than on Hollywood Blvd. With my bloodstream thinned with whisky and my camera in tow, we march.
I managed to become acquainted with several members of the band after their performance and was invited to join in on the post-gig festivities at Madame Siam’s, a popular local bar. Vintage decor with an Asian twist. Dark, but with a vibrant atmosphere.
There’s different rooms throughout the lounge; each with a live performance and a full bar at the nucleus connecting it all surrounded by glowing, neon lights. The patrons are friendly and ready for photo ops. It’s a great energy to be a part of. Smiles, poses, and clinking glasses.
I can hear a group of pretty girls talking and laughing behind a really great emo/pop-punk mix coming from the DJ’s booming speakers. There’s just enough moody lighting for some really excellent shots and with some more than eager subjects I was able to capture some great in-the-moment pictures of the evening and its wonderful habitue.
All in all, it was such a blast! There’s a great quote by William Butler Yeats that reads,”There are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet.” True indeed. Night’s like this are testament to that.
Luis Medel is a musician, photographer, writer and podcaster. ZO is excited to welcome Luis as a new Writer, Photographer and one of our City Curators . . .
Luis is vailable at:
