Wednesday, October 5, 2011

At the memorial for Bob Arihood last night

Community members gathered last night outside Ray's on Avenue A to honor their friend Bob Arihood, who recently passed away... Several people, including Ray, John Penley, Clayton Patterson and Chico, talked about their longtime friend...

Bobby Williams was there and took these photos...






...and Jewels even pulled down his pants in Bob's honor... an act that Bob caught on film many times through the years.



BoweryBoogie has more here ... including a video. Jill posts her thoughts from last night here. Patrick Hedlund filed his report for DNAinfo here.

One attendee remarked how strange it was not to see Bob there, standing in the background, chatting, observing ... and taking photos... a sentiment that we'll likely be thinking at every local event in the weeks and months to come...

There's talk of a memorial concert in Bob's honor Saturday afternoon in Tompkins Square Park. We'll pass along the details once organizers finalize the plans.

Updated:
Dave on 7th passes along this photo from 6:15 this morning... candles still burning brightly...

7 comments:

Marty Wombacher said...

A great tribute to Bob. I got there late, but people were still there. Everyone shared memories of Bob. He'll be remembered always. Thanks to Shawn and Lindsay for organizing it.

Lindsay said...

It was such a beautiful night. It was wonderful seeing so many people gathering in front of Ray's to remember Bob. He was such an amazing person, the stories everyone shared of how Bob influenced and touched everyone's lives was incredibly moving. It was so wonderful to meet some people I've only known through stories Bob told me and it was so great to see familiar faces as well. Last night was a testament to how many people loved Bob. Everyone came together last night and we need to keep that spirit alive, for Bob.

Lindsay said...

Jewel's dedication to Bob was amazing as well, haven't laughed so hard in a bit. It was so fitting. haha!

chris flash said...

It was nice to meet more of my neighbors, all of us connected through our friendship with Bob.

The concert in Tompkins Square Park scheduled for this Saturday will include a tribute to Bob. The show runs from 2pm - 6pm.

Melanie said...

The photo of Jewels cracked me up too!!pun definately intended.

Shawn said...

Chris a big thank you for getting everyone to speak - you're the best dude!

So glad everyone came out, we only expected a small handful of people and like Lilly O'Donnell wrote, the community of the Lower East Side (East Village) is still very much alive.

amyk said...

ughz. i can't get over bob dying. i didnt know him well. i did know him well enough where we'd exchange small conversations here and there and he'd come visit me at my jobs, even when he didnt particularly like the place i was working. any time i was going through a rough patch in life, bob was there to offer me words of support and make me feel as though *i* mattered. that alone!, was enough to make me adore him. his reporting and general view points made all of that that much more important.

thanks everyone for doing the ray's candle light vigil. im glad i stopped by, i'm glad i saw people i havent seen in a bit. i'm glad bob was remembered. i'm sorry i didnt say anything when i was asked to (shyness + last minuteness + depression = quiet). i dont think mr. arihood realized how much he was appreciated and seeing all these blog posts/public memorials/etc is so sweet but i just wish he could have known it. i hope his brother realizes it. i miss him terribly and will continue to do so.

i'd pour one out for him but i'd like to think that he, like i, think that's terribly ridiculous.

xo