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 ...


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18 comments:

  1. GojiraJanuary 24, 2017 at 7:41 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2017 at 9:28 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2017 at 9:35 AM

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

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  4. SpikeJanuary 24, 2017 at 10:05 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2017 at 10:07 AM

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

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2017 at 11:00 AM

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

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  7. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2017 at 11:24 AM

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

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  8. UnknownJanuary 24, 2017 at 11:49 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  9. cmartyyJanuary 24, 2017 at 11:58 AM

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

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  10. ShawnJanuary 24, 2017 at 12:03 PM

    WE LOVE YOU RAY!

    Thanks to everyone who came out and helped out!

    You guys are the best!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Laura Goggin PhotographyJanuary 24, 2017 at 12:29 PM

    Happy birthday, Ray!

    ReplyDelete
  12. DrBOPJanuary 24, 2017 at 1:03 PM

    SUPPAHRAYYYYY!!!

    Eighty-Four looks great on you!

    Keep On Chooglin'!

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2017 at 1:11 PM

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

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  14. Eden BeeJanuary 24, 2017 at 1:21 PM

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

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  15. p o o g e n e !January 25, 2017 at 1:40 AM

    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

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  16. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2017 at 9:19 AM

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

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2017 at 1:16 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2017 at 2:46 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete

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