2014 Atlantic Journalism Awards Finalists
Attachments
| Slug/Label | Bare |
|---|---|
| Date Aired or Published | February 6, 2014 |
| Media outlet where first aired or published: | The Coast weekly newspaper |
| Name of Program: | n/a |
| If co-produced, list partner: | n/a |
| Location: | Halifax |
| List awards, grants: | n/a |
| Running time (TV/Radio): | |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: Ralph’s Place is the last strip club standing in Nova Scotia. Located far from Halifax’s other bars and entertainment, the place has become something of a myth. Everybody knows about it, but nobody seems to have been there. Behind the club is a man just as enigmatic. Son to Lebanese immigrants, Khalil Nasrallah is taking up the torch of his family’s business. He likes his money wiped clean at the end of a night, he smokes incessantly and—most important of all—his strong Orthodox Christian upbringing means that family always comes first. This piece gives readers a peephole into the little-understood world of legitimate sex work through the eyes of the people who run the show. |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: Originally a homework assignment for a King’s College narrative non-fiction class, there were no financial or concrete resources at the writer’s disposal—only as much time as she could stand to work on it. The goal of the story was to enter an environment completely foreign to most people, then piece together a narrative using different viewpoints in order to capture the most realistic and nuanced understanding of the place. Despite the owner being the protagonist, getting to know the dancers, the bartenders and even the coat-check girls was crucial. Did they like working there? What was their outlook on life? What kind of people were they? It was also important to see the un-sexy paperwork and managerial side—not just the girls and beer—involved in running the business that is Ralph’s Place. The writer observed the club and collected material during a variety of times, from laid-back weekday lunch services, to the hectic Saturday night rush, to the early-morning cleanup afterwards. She was paid as a freelancer for The Coast. |
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