Tuesday, January 24, 2017

At Ray's 84th birthday celebration at Ray's Candy Store last night


[Photo last night by Peter Brownscombe]

Ray Alvarez, the proprietor of Ray's Candy Store at 113 Avenue A, turns 84 this month.

And once again several of Ray's friends/regulars celebrated his birthday inside the shop between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

In a break from the more burlesque tradition, there was a Persian-themed event last night paying tribute to Ray's Middle-Eastern roots ... the evening included a reading from the "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyám," a variety of Middle-Eastern food and a belly dancer named Amanda.

EVG correspondent Stacie Joy shared a few photos...



















This is the 10th anniversary for a birthday extravaganza at Ray's. Check out Bob Arihood's photos from Ray's 74th birthday bash here.

Updated 11:30 a.m.

Here's a shot via EVG regular jdx ...


18 comments:

Gojira said...

Happy birthday, Ray! Please live forever - can't imagine Avenue A without your little gem of a store. Best egg creams in town, and those beignets - yum!

Anonymous said...

Wow what an awesome celebration.Happy Birthday Ray. Love you.
Melanie
East Village Corner

Anonymous said...

yay Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!! Happy Birthday young man!!!:D

Spike said...

Not as much cheesecake this year, but happy birthday Ray nonetheless!

Anonymous said...

yaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!! happy birthday, wonderful ray!!! and hooray for the party organizers too!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Ray. The sweetest fella. Sweeter than one of his egg creams

Anonymous said...

So awesome! Happy Birthday Ray! May you live forever!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, Ray, and many more!
Bringin' class to the EV! And the best egg creams anywhere!
Woshing you many more.

cmartyy said...

Still a lot of love for you left in he EV... So keep going, Ray! Many Happy MORE!

Shawn said...

WE LOVE YOU RAY!

Thanks to everyone who came out and helped out!

You guys are the best!

Laura Goggin Photography said...

Happy birthday, Ray!

DrBOP said...

SUPPAHRAYYYYY!!!

Eighty-Four looks great on you!

Keep On Chooglin'!

Anonymous said...

Anyone remember when Ray had the sandwich store next door? I don't think it lasted more than a year.

Eden Bee said...

Haha my fave in that one pic...that was so great! Even in the pouring rain it was packed!

p o o g e n e ! said...

ray must be short for ray of light. thanks for your endless perseverance im keeping in tact old school east village. i love you brother

Anonymous said...

84 and still as active as can be! Ray, you are an inspiration to all of us. Happy Belated Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Such a happy occassion, Ray knows how to enjoy things. Love his store.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Ray! You were my "ray of sunshine" through some pretty dark day some time ago and I'll never stop being grateful for that!
May you have many many more wonderful birthdays to come! xxx