Reflections on the Hot Club of San Francisco’s Silent Surrealism

Written by Sharon Dickey

When I first entered the theatre I observed that it was very neat and clean, unlike some other places I’ve been to. I liked that the theatre wasn’t so big where you’d get lost; at the same time it wasn’t too small. Overall, I appreciated the way I was greeted, treated, and dismissed. I really liked the vibe I felt from the staff; there was no negativity as far as the attitudes.

The audience was mainly Caucasian and their ages ranged from 40 and up. It wasn’t much of a big crowd. The theatre was a bit cold; I kept my jacket on for the whole show. The sound and lights were enjoyable because I could see and hear everything that was happening on stage. The musicians were excellent; they worked very well together and the sound that came from their instruments was so phenomenal because of that very reason. When I listened to them play, I felt at ease and relaxed. However, I didn’t feel the same way as I sat there through the films. I don’t want to make it seem like I’m bashing all of them because out of the four that were played, I liked three: It’s a Bird, Now You Tell Me, and The Land Beyond the Sunset.