Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Back to the 80s: Celebrating Ray's 85th birthday at Ray's Candy Store



Ray Alvarez, the hard-working proprietor of Ray's Candy Store, turned 85 on Jan. 25.

And, as is recent tradition, some of Ray's friends/regulars threw him a party inside the shop at 113 Avenue A.

Last night's celebration had an 1980s-theme, and featured burlesque dancers Cheeky Lane, Pearls Daily, Lil Miss Lixx, Nasty Canasta and Gal Friday, who took turns to era-friendly classics such as "I Want Candy" and "Material Girl." (The Ray's birthday party celebration with dancers goes back to 2007. Check out Bob Arihood's photos from Ray's 74th birthday bash here.)

EVG correspondent Stacie Joy shared a few photos from last night...




[Cheeky Lane]


[Pearls Daily]


[Gal Friday]



Throughout the evening, friends and longtime regulars stopped by to wish Ray a happy birthday. There was a cake from Veniero's...



Jimmy Webb delivered a gift from his Orchard Street boutique I Need More (there was also a gift from the folks behind the
East Village Vintage Collective on 12th Street) ...







Updated:

Slum Goddess has photos and videos here.
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7 comments:

  1. Eden BeeJanuary 30, 2018 at 2:40 PM

    Last night was the best one yet Ray said!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2018 at 2:46 PM

    I love you Cheeky Lane

    ReplyDelete
  3. KurtJanuary 30, 2018 at 2:58 PM

    Every year the dancers are on that counter and every year I think, "This has to be a DOH violation."

    ReplyDelete
  4. Laura Goggin PhotographyJanuary 30, 2018 at 8:42 PM

    Happy birthday, Ray!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2018 at 9:09 PM

    Living the good life.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ScoobyJanuary 30, 2018 at 10:13 PM

    Fantastic celebration for one of the sweetest, most genuine humans on this earth. So glad I got to see him when I was in town. Had I known this was on the 25th I would have changed my departure.
    Love and Respect, brother.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2018 at 10:02 AM

    Happy Birthday Ray! Looks like a blast! Awesome photos! Glad we do this every year...real community.

    ReplyDelete

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