NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH “HOOKER”

Day Five of “Fresno – The Documentary” was at the May FLYP event. Through an unexpected SNAFU (as they usually come), Brad and Kristy had to move their event at the last minute to Ghaleb’s Grill and Hookah Lounge. Now, with Jaguar present, one might confuse the term and think “hooker”, but no, alas, it was “Hookah”. The smoking kind of “hookah” – picture a harem with its sultan at the center among colorfully, diaphanous clad, petite and beautiful young women on a floor of pillows with their testosterone chief, in gold adorned silks, smoking from a tall, fancy and aromatic hookah.

So, the lounge did not exactly look like that, but now you’ve pictured a hookah. (I really like the word, so I’m going to keep finding ways of putting it in!) It was a large “room” in the middle of a strip mall: absolutely Fresno! Candles and “Harry Potter Goblet of Fire”-like miniatures, with middle eastern artifacts were set about the room, which might have once been a Mexican restaurant. It was dark, very dark, which Jeremy (our DP) did not like. Even though the venue had changed last minute, the turnout was great. Everyone enjoyed the salsa lessons and people were up dancing as long as we were there. When we left, at around 8:30, newcomers were still arriving. (Hint: women tend to outnumber the men.)

Brad and Kristy have managed to create an atmosphere where all ages are welcome, though the younger set seems to be more prominent. Everyone talks to everyone. Everyone dances with everyone. Drinks flow freely as does conversation. It’s a good mixer which welcomes all from the shyest middle-aged office worker to the most outgoing redhead in Fresno (BTW, that wasn’t meant to be me). People admired the hookahs, jello shots and oxygen bar, but tended to stick to more mundane habits – drinking inside in a nightclub setting and smoking cigarettes outside in the parking lot.

On film we’ve caught Jaguar dancing with the other Christine, a couple smoking a hookah, lots of great interviews with Fresno’s diverse culture, the wall of hookah, candlelight, dancing and fun!

See you on Day Six, Friday at the Fresno Filmworks presentation of “La Última Mirada” at 5pm and 8 pm at the Tower Theater!