Photos and text by Stacie Joy
Per tradition, well-wishers gathered at Ray's Candy Store for a little entertainment in honor of proprietor Ray Alvarez's birthday … featuring a new Ray's record of six dancers!
The tiny shop at 113 Avenue A was packed last night in honor of the longtime store owner's 82nd birthday. Burlesquers Hayden Riots, Gal Friday, Ginger Twist, Pearls Daily, Licketty Split and Pinkie Special helped Ray and company celebrate.
Gal Friday, making her third appearance for Ray's celebration, said that "Ray was her favorite guy," and that he had "a special place in her heart" as she kissed his cheek, leaving a red set of lip prints.
As for the rest of the entertainment…
The night was capped off with some Veniero’s cheesecake, presentation of a special book of images and stories about Ray, the traditional singing of "Happy Birthday," and smiles all around.
If you are nearby, then feel free to drop by Ray's to wish him a happy 82nd.
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Bonus exterior photo via jdx…
Slum Goddess has more photos AND video here.
Find more photos on the Ray's Candy Store Facebook page.
34 comments:
Why is Ray frowning in the bottom group photo?
Well, there goes Ray’s A letter grade.
He was taking in all the love. Las night was the happiest i have ever seen Ray I think. NIPPLE TASSEL SPIN.
Birthday vixens! (Are we allowed to say vixens?) This is awesome on so many levels.
You'll never, ever see memories like these being made at a Duane Reade. Happy Birthday Ray! I'll be by for a pistachio cone as soon it warms up into the 30s.
Am i the only one who finds this kind of...ehhh...creepy?
I knew we had a special connection, now I see one day a couple of years apart in birth. Only an Aquarian could be as cool as Ray!
Was a hilarious night. Some guy came in and ordered something and totally ignored the blue haired half naked girl gyrating on the counter as if she did not exist. People kept walking by and trying to peek in..half opening the door then closing it really confused.
Now I'm craving for some egg cream.
yay! happy birthday Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!:D
Ohh yessss Walter.....
.....Deee-liciously creepy!
And Anon 7:10.....Ray ain't frowning.....
....he's VERY happily stunned!
Keep on rockin' their worlds, Ray.
I sometimes wonder who enjoys this more: Ray or the girls!
Fun night!
Happy Birthday Ray! 82 and he is still making memories others envy!
Agreed, Walter.
Walter: Yes, you ARE the only one!!
As the party at Ray's Burlesque was in full swing, the shitty little deli next door that has been trying extremely unsuccessfully to steal Ray's customers since it opened a few months ago, was completely EMPTY. As usual.
I love all the photos, but the last two do something to me inside.
The birthday kiss, with Ray so overcome, makes me teary. And the b/w one is so beautiful, with a 1940s-1950s feel to it.
Such lovely generous ladies and a special gentleman. Thanks Grieve!
Dr. Bop, It's definitely a frown.
All in all, I think that people one-third Ray's age treat him like their pet when they do this. I don't envy him.
@ Anon 7:13 AM
Agreed. There's something distasteful to me about this... folks are treating him like a mascot rather than a man.
Holiday trees. Females. Holiday trees. Ray's Burlesque birthday tradition. Holiday trees. Holiday trees. Holiday trees.
In some of the photos he looks like a kid in a candy store. :)
aw YEAH!!!! happy birthday, ray!!!
Ray looks like the happiest man alive -
Ray for President.
Yeah Ray!!Happy and Healthiest Ever.
Melanie
East Village Corner
Heh! Now people have to argue about whether Ray actually likes his birthday party every year. Actually, he HATED it. Hated every minute. He tried to cover of the dancers with his shirt but they weren't having it. He begged people to take the cake back. He took one look at that scrapbook and puked. I mean he actually vomited so hard it covered the wall. He then set it on fire and called the cops on everyone there. IT WAS CRAZY! I have never seen a man so enraged by a party that he has been asking for for over a month now. When he was told there would be more dancers next year at the anniversary party he had a complete meltdown. I am not kidding here. He picked up the ATM and threw it out the window and the store is closed until further notice. WHAT HAVE WE DONE?!
Yeah, Ray looks ab-so-lute-ly miserable...
Riiiiiight.
Like here:
https://www.facebook.com/RaysCandyStoreNYC/photos/a.778453258898012.1073741827.179970415412969/779124332164238/?l=44af02276f
And here:
https://www.facebook.com/RaysCandyStoreNYC/photos/a.778453258898012.1073741827.179970415412969/779124402164231/?l=034718c004
Ugh. Just look at the pain in his eyes:
https://www.facebook.com/RaysCandyStoreNYC/photos/a.778453258898012.1073741827.179970415412969/779124482164223/?l=3afde4865d
He's definitely welling up in this shot, not because he is overwhelmed with joy, but because of the agony he feels inside:
https://www.facebook.com/RaysCandyStoreNYC/photos/a.778453258898012.1073741827.179970415412969/779124592164212/?l=041bcf5a56
Maybe the "frowning" image is the truth, and not just due to Ray needing to take a break from smiling so much, like in this shot taken seconds after:
https://www.facebook.com/RaysCandyStoreNYC/photos/a.778453258898012.1073741827.179970415412969/779124625497542/?l=6863c977f4
Poor guy.
Think you're reading it wrong, Walt.
Take a gander through the whole gallery up on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.778453258898012.1073741827.179970415412969&type=3
Think Ray's gonna be okay. He's generally one of the happiest guys we know. And this is clearly one of his happiest nights of the year.
@ Eden Bee.....
....clevah, clevah :+)
and thanks for piclinks Anon....hope I'm smilin' that much when I hit the Big Eight-Two......unfortunately I anticipate that the only propeller I'll be spinnin' is on my head on a Birthday Beanie.
<3 the shorthaired girl who is she?
I'm with Walter.
AnonymASS 6:02: You and Walter can STAY with each other.....
This has been going on for years and Ray is nobody's pet. He loves this and looks forward to it every year. There are some people who always have to put up their negative dumbass comments no matter what the story is. Also, the people who organize this for Ray are the same people that saved him and his store. Bob Arihood who was his best friend and supporter started this and without Bob RIP Ray would be gone and probably would die if he lost his store. Be Honest you don't really care about him just your own miserable selves.
John P - where have u been hiding? I mish u!
What John said.
In reply to where I am is back in Asheville NC and I wish I could go by Ray's all the time and hang out like I used to do. Thanks for asking. Anyone need a roommate who can't afford to pay rent let me know and I will be back kicking Real Estate Developer ass in a NY minute. Tell Ray I said I miss him and he will say oh yeah he gave me $50 when I was gonna lose my store.
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