Tim Yates' photostream  

I burned a lot of film back in 1988 while taking several photography classes at a local community college, TCJC. We would always have these little assignments; shooting subjects that contained the primary colors, or mixed light (natural and artificial). Very seldom did I photograph much in the area I lived. I found it boring and uninspiring. Seen it, done it.

I would frequent an area of Dallas called Deep Ellum. Known as a prime jazz and blues hotspot in the South in the late 1930's. Artist such as Blind Lemon Jefferson and Robert Johnson played in clubs like The Harlem and The Palace. It was once written that Deep Ellum was "...[the] one spot in the city that needs no daylight saving time because there is no bedtime...[It is] the only place recorded on earth where business, religion, hoodooism, gambling and stealing goes on at the same time without friction...Last Saturday a prophet held the best audience in this 'Madison Square Garden' in announcing that Jesus Christ would come to Dallas in person in 1939. At the same time a pickpocket was lifting a week's wages from another guy's pocket, who stood with open mouth to hear the prophecy"

In the Eighties the area became quite popular as it was being renovated by local artists and soon to be night club owners. The popular night spots were the Prophet Bar, the Twilight Room, the 500 Café, The Main Bar, Empire, Video Bar, Club Dada, the Gypsy Tea Room, and Trees. Local bands such as The Butthole Surfers, Old 97's, Toadies, Tripping Daisy and Edie Brickell and the New Boheimians were in heavy rotation at these clubs. Early glimpses of nationals acts like Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and 10,000 Maniacs could be seen here as well.

On one of my many trips to Deep Ellum I came across these four girls and asked them if I could take their picture. I was somewhat surprised by their eagerness to be photographed. For a background I quickly found this wall which donned the remnants of old concert and movie posters once held up by the remaining staples, tacks and dried glue.

I always thought about the girl on the far right. Not dressed quite "fringe" enough to stand out like the other girls. However, in this context she appears to have more individuality than the others. Even though the Madonna wanna-be had a fun vibe of her own.