The scenes in front of and inside the 538 Club, which was on Harrison St., were shot the day the proprietors lost their beer license in the spring of 1983. They decided to just give away what beer was left, because they were out of business.
Once word got around the neighborhood, the free beer drew quite a crowd. Eventually that momentum led to the graffiti treatment to the outside of the building, then the total trashing of the interior of the club.
This three-minute film was assembled using old Super 8 footage that was transferred to video over 20 years ago, then recently converted to digital. The soundtrack is borrowed from R. Crumb's Keep-on-Truckin' Orchestra (1972); the tune is "Wisconsin Wiggles."
Other footage was shot at High on the Hog parties on Libby Hill, between 1980 and 1983. Those who were part of the local rock 'n' roll scene in those days will recognize lots of faces in this collection of moving snapshots.
Since 1985, in various formats, SLANT -- an independent voice based in Richmond's Fan District -- has offered its readers original commentary on politics and popular culture, including cartoons and selected sundries. Warning: Sometimes that means satirical content. All rights are reserved.
3 comments:
What's with all the short shorts on the guys?
I was gonna say that too. Those cutoffs look totally gay. Not that there's anything wrong with it.
Tom, Bruce,
That's how it was in those days. Shorts were actually short, whether worn by men or women.
Post a Comment