Month: June 2019

New York and $3 PBR Beer

 

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New York and the $3.00 PBR, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer has been a God-Send to many New Yorkers. As you all know, the US Economy has been in the Shitter for the past 5  years or so.

Many people are out of work, and many who are working, are taking home Half-as-Much Money or more of what they used to make. People have had to buckle down and give up or curb many things they enjoyed previous to the current state of our economy, which is in almost a Depression Era State.
Yes, everybody says that we are not in a Depression, we’re in a recession. Those are the Rich and Well-Off, The 1%-ers  talking. To many, the state of our Union and their feelings are of Depression.
So, because of the Terrible State of our Economy you have given up eating out 3 times a week, you buy less clothes, spend less on Entertainment and any number of things. You haven’t had a vacation in the past two years, maybe more. You’ve given up a lot. We all have.

Now when it comes to socializing, going out for a few Beers or Cocktails with some friends, you’ve had to cut back on that too. But hey, you gotta draw a line somewhere, and everyone is entitled to a few drinks to unwind every now and then, and to be with friends. Yes times are bad, people are hurting, you need your friends more than ever. And having a few Beers or Drinks is one of the most common adult ways to do so. It’s natural and part of everyday life. You should be able to have two or three drinks or beers and not have to spend a small fortune doing so. You should be able to have 2 beers for about $10 including tip, and about $16 for tow drinks including tip. That’s reasonable. That’s what most people pay around America, and even less. But we don’t live in America, we live in the greatest City in The World, New York, and Cocktails and Beers here can be oh-so-dear. “Expensive!” Expensive as Hell, “Ridiculously Expensive.” It’s absurd and outrageous, with many places thinking it’s normal and OK to charge $16.00 or more for a measly little Cocktail made by a friggin so-called “Mixologist.” Ha! 

It’s not OK, what’s a person to do? So yes, we live in New York, and having a couple cocktails here can be a costly undertaking.. What is a Poor Working Guy or Working Girl to do??? Well Boys and Girls, let’s Thank God for that great thing of wonder and the Bars and establishments who so graciously and kindly serve it, The $3.00 PBR, That’s right, a $3.oo Beer in The Land of The Over-Priced $16.00 Cocktail, Manhattan, New York, NY….. It’s quite Sad, Greedy too, not to mention “Ridiculous Ludicrous and Insane.”

Yes, Thank God and let’s thank the Kind-Hearted proprietors who serve $3.00 PBR’S or any Beer for just $3 or $4 in a New York Bar. You are doing your fellow man a public service and we thank you for that. Whoever you are, you are to be commended, and Shame-On-You, all those places that serve $14 PLUS Cocktails. “RIP-OFF” !!! Wish the masses would Boycott these places and patronize places like Blue & Gold Bar, 7B, and anyplace who has a heart. Bars that serve 3 and 4 Dollar Beers.
I just have to say, it’s great to go to a place like Blue and Gold Bar on East 7th Street and know that you can have 3 or 4 Beers for just $12 to $16, accounting for a Buck a Pop for the Barkeep. Now that’s pretty good. I have had the best times hanging at Blue & Gold with some friends. You sit at the Bar or get into a nice comfy booth, drink your Beers ($3 PBR’S), relax, listen to the Music, Chit Chat, and just enjoy, and it’s not going to cost you The Shirt Off Your Back.
Yes, you can have 4 Beers, tip included for the price of 1 Rip-Off Drink at one of those Rip-Off Joints. And if you are Dumb enough to have four drinks in one of those places, guess what it’s going to cost you? About $75 my friend.

Well, do the Math, and if you can afford $75 for only 4 drinks, God Bless You. And if you can’t, you’ve got an alternative. Right, your local $3.00 PBR Joint. They’re a God-Send.

 Daniel Bellino Zwicke
 Copyright 2008 Daniel Bellino Zwicke

PLACES To GET A $3.00 PBR in NEW YORK

BLUE & GOLD BAR in the East Village, on East 7th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues. Blue & Gold has long been a favorite of mine ever since I lived in the East Village from 1982 to 1994. It’s just a cool ol normal old style bar with a pool table, standard 50’s 60’s Bar Decor, and Best-of-All $3.00 PBR’S and $6.00 Cocktails. I love it.7B   a.k.a. The Horseshoe Bar, also in the East Village, a bastion of cheap and fare prices in Manhattan and Land of The $3.00 PBR and other $3 and $4 Beers.  7B  is located on the corner of Avenue B at 7th Street, hence the name “7B”  … The nickname Horseshoe Bar comes from the shape and dimensions of the bar, “Horseshoe Shaped.” The bar has been the setting of numerous movie shoots, including the scene in Godfather II when Frankie Pantangeli (Frankie 5 Angels) goes to this bar for a meeting with the Rosato Brothers, and Danny Aiello raps a Piano-Wire around his neck. A scene from Crocodile Dundee and other movies as well ….  But Best of all, at 7B they serve $3.00 Beers, cheap drinks, and they have a photo and sell Potato Chips and Pretzels which practically no bars in Manhattan ever do any more. And this is a good thing when you get the munchies from the Beer. Glory Hallelujah, thank God for 7B .. 

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The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

Daniel Zwicke

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NEW YORK & The $3 PBR RE-VISITED 2019

 

I first wrote this piece way back in 2008. I was unemployed at the time, and not doing as well as I am today. What a difference a decade makes. No, I’m sill not rich, no where near it, though I have saved a bit more money, and definitely doing a lot better than I was when I wrote “New York & The $3 PBR,” and how much it meant to me, and a good many New Yorker’s at the time when New York and America had gone into a major recession and financial downturn. Many lost their jobs, as did I, and millions other fellow Americans. Many lost their jobs, and got new jobs at half their previous pay and even worst. And on top of it, the average price of a cocktail in New York was somewhere around $14, and many places at $16 &$17 before tip. Just figure on Twenty Dollars a drink at those places. And with sky-high rents, what was a person to do? If you wanted to go for 2 or three drinks, it could cost you $40 to $60 just for  a few drinks. Again, “What is a person to do?” I person has to drink, doesn’t one? Well no, it’s not really a necessity, like, air, water, food. Or is it? Yes, for many it is. The ability to go out for two or three drinks, and not pay, “An Arm & a Leg” so to speak. Shouldn’t your average Jane or Joe Shmoe be able have two or three drinks for just about 20 Bucks or less, including tax, tip, drinks, everthing? “Hell Yeah!” Well my good friends, just like back in 2008 when I wrote New York & he $3 PBR, believe it or not, you can still go to bars in NY and get a three dollar beer, a $3 PBR, and even for just $2.00 … “I Love it!” This is certainly good news. I was thinking about those places, and wondering, did they still have $3 Beers? Yes They do. There are even places where you can go and get a Shot & a Beer for just Six Bucks. Yes I said $6.00 … “Well, where the Hell are they,” you want to know? Read on my friends.

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WHERE to GET $3 BEERS & MORE CHEAP DRINKS in NEW YORK ?

BLUE & GOLD BAR … East 7th Street, EAST VILLAGE, NY NY  … “They Still Got $3 PBRs” and you can get a SHOT & BEER for just $6.oo … “Still my Favorite Bar” in NEW YORK

7B Horseshoe Bar at the corner of East 7th Sreet & Avenue B in he East Village of New York …  Yes they sill have $3 PBRs and other Beers, and one of the Very Few Bars in NEW YORK where you can still buy Pretzels & Potato Chips , “Love It!”

169 BAR … Lower East Side, NEW YORK NY …  $3 PBR’S, GENESSEE CREAM, MILLER HIGH LIFE, MILLER LITE and other Beers.

RUDY’S … 627 9th Avenue “HELL’S KITCHEN” NEW YORK NY, between 44th & 45th Streets … Pitchers of BEER for Only $8.00 & FREE HOT-DOGS .. $3 Pints of RUDY’S BLONDE LAGER

MILANO’S “New York’s Favorite Dive Bar” ,, 51 East Houston Street, New York, NY .. No, they may not have $3 PBRs, but $4 cans of ROLLING ROCK, a great Jukebox, and the fact that it’s NYs Favorite Dive Bar is good enough for me. I’ve had lots of wonderful times here, spent banging back a few brews, dropping cash into the Jukebox to play all my favorite songs (NO HIP HOP RAP CRAP), and sing along with my Pals. We’ve had many legendary nights here.

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Milano’s Bar

Note Old CASH REGISTER

 

WELCOME to The JOHNSON’S … 123 Rivington Street, NY NY … $2 PBR’S

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Welcome to The Johnson’s

 

My Hurricane Sandy Odyssey

 
Base of The FLATIRON BUILDING
 
NEW YORK
 
Aftermath of HURRICANE SANDY
 
October 2012
“MY HURRICAN SANDY ODYSSEY & WHY STARBUCKS SUCKS” !!!
 
 
I’m walking up 5th Avenue, just south of the Flatiron Building in New York, the day after Hurricane Sandy hit New York around 8 PM the previous night. The storm knock-out all Electricity below 26th Street in New York, which included my apartment in Greenwich Village.
 
I knew they had electricity above 26th street so I went on a quest in search of  Coffee, food, and electricity to charge the batteries in my Laptop Computer, my tablet, and Cel Phone.  I thought I’d be able to fulfill these requirements at a Starbucks somewhere, but Star Bucks failed me and all of New York by not being able to pull together crews to open at least 2 or 3 of their stores in Midtown Manhattan. Starbucks Failed New York and the people of the city of NY at a time when we needed them most, during Hurricane Sandy. Satrbucks SUCKS ! And they do not have an excuse that because of the hurricane, they couldn’t open any of their locations, McDonald’s did, and if they did, Starbucks should have been able to and they didn’t. They probably didn’t even try, they Suck. I’ve never really liked Starbucks, and I don’t support them, and this I will never forget or forgive Starbucks for not helping New Yorker’s when we needed it most, during Hurricane Sandy. If McDonalds was able to open some of there locations and they did and I went to one and had a large coffee and a Black Angus Cheeseburger and used the Wifi and that really helped me out, and helped the people of New York, so once again I want to say STARBUCKS SUCK, you Failed the people of NEW YORK when we needed you most.
 
So anyway, I couldn’t find one dam Starbucks open. Those SOBs. I did find a McDonalds and had a nice time there. Before I went to the McDonald’s in midtown, I went up to The Waldorf Astoria Hotel and plopped myself down in the lobby of the Waldorf for a couple hours, hung-out,and charged my batteries and had a great time there.
 
I left the Waldorf and as I was walking from east to west, I came upon a McDonald’s that was open, so I went in. I ordered a large Coffee and a Black Angus Cheeseburger and I was in business. I sat down and enjoyed my coffee and burger, and I was happy.
 
 
 
Calm Before The STORM
 
 

 
 
 
HURRICANE SANDY
 
ONE MANS ODYSSEY
 
FRANKENSTORM
 
NEW YORK CITY
 
October 2012
 
And WHY STARBUCKS SUCKS !!!!
 
 
 
 
COFFEE
 
Most peopel probably don’t think about it, but for many of us (Millions) Coffee is one of the most important and loved things in all our lives. It’s almost a necessity to many. We all must air to breath, and water, and food to survive, clothing, and the shelter of a home and roof over our heads, and after these absolute necessities to actually staying alive, to live, Coffee comes right after these things taht are an absolute must to staying alive. Yes, Coffee is an option, but the # 1 most popular, “Must Have” options to living a happy life, “We’ve got to have IT.” We gotta have our Coffee in the morning, and thorughout the day, but we have to have tht first cup to get us going in the morning, and if we don’t, we’re not happy campers.
 
The day Hurricane Hit New York, we (New Yorker’s) wanted food, shelter, we wanted Electricity, some of us had it, and some  didn’t. I for one was one who didn’t have electricity, and we were without it for 5 days, but I for one made due. Well, not just me, a few million of us in the New York Metropolitan area. Anyway, again, I must reiterate, Starbucks failed us on this day when they could have and should have served us well. They didn’t, and for this, I say again, STARBUCKS SUCKS ! Do you hear me Starbucks? You SUCK !
 
 
So, I walked from my home in Greenwich Village. I walked up Sixth Avenue in search of Coffee, Food, and Electricity. I did find all 3 eventually, but not at Starbucks, do you know why? Starbucks Sucks, that’s why. McDonald’s managed to open a couple locations, but Starbucks didn’t, they were all closed. Starbucks didn’t serve New Yorkers coffee when they needed it more than ever, they Suck.
 
Anyway, I wanted to go to The Ace Hotel to get coffee and electricity, but they weren’t letting anyone other than guest to go into the hotel, so I continued on looking for a Starbucks, which I found, but they were all closed, Starbucks couldn’t manage to at least open a couple Starbucks, the way the McDonald’s Corporation did, serving New Yorker’s when they needed it most, McDonald’s came through, Starbucks didn’t. Starbucks SUCKS !
 

 

 

Me and The Big Lebowski Cookbook

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The DUDE Makes a “CAUCASIAN”

White Russian Cocktail

The Dude Abides! Yes he most certainly does. I first saw the seminal movie The Big Lebowski, (Crime Comedy)I think it was somewhere around the year 2000. I know this because the movie was released in 1998, and I was working as a manager at Da Silvano restaurant at the time, and my co-worker Alessandro and I used to quote lines from the movie. We booth loved, as we also loved Boogie Nights, and I  remember Alessandro quoting lines, like “Don’t bother me. My  wife is in the driveway with an Ass up her Dick, and you’re giving me shit about the lighting.”

Anyway, I can’t remember the exact time watching it, but I do remember there was a video store that sold new VHS Movies pretty cheap. Like $5.99 and $6.99 for a lot of good movies, and I really built up my movie library frm that place, whatever its name was, I can’t remember. Anyway, along with Casablanca, The Godfather, several 007 Bond films, Fargo (Coen Brothers), and other movies, I bought a VHS copy of the Coen Brothers “Big Lebowski,” at that video store on 6th Avenue that day. I took the movie home and watched it that night, “I Loved it,” it was brilliant, and since that first viewing, I’ve probably watched The Big Lebowski starring Jeff Bridges as The Dude, at least 80 times in the past 19 years or so. I can never get enough of the Dude, Walter (John Goodman), Donny (Steve Buscemi), and Maude (Julianne Moore). and the greatest cult movie of all-time The Big Lebowski. The movie is fun, lighthearted and entertaining, and Jeff Bridges in the lead roll turns in a brilliant performance. I recently  came across a video clip of Julianne Moore stating in an interview, saying something like, “I’m stunned as to why Jeff Bridges was nominated for an Oscar. His performance was amazing.”

Anyway, I just love the film and the characters, and all the little happenings in it, and great music too. Not an ounce of Shitty Ass Rap Hip Hop so-called music. To me, its just awful noise, and ever chance I get, I’ve just got to knock it and put it down for the Shitty Ass Crap that it is. Basta!

Anyway, back to the good music of the Big Lebowski. The movie begins with a mystic figure of the Cowboy Stranger, played brilliantly by Sam Elliot narrating (not seen) and stating he’s going to tell a story about a guy named The Dude who lives in Los Angelas as the song “Tumbling Tumbleweed” plays in the background, and we see a panormic shot of the city of Los Angelos, then a closer shot of a actual Tumbleweed rolling in the wind down the streets of LA. 

Yes there’s music by the obscure Sons of Pioneers (Tumbling Tumbleweed), Bob Dylans “The Man in Me,” the Eagles who we find out that The Dude hates, and most of all the Dude favorite band Creedence Clearwater Revival, who the Dude just loves and listens to constantly. We hear Creedence music throughout the movie. One of the most memorable scenes is when Dude is happy driving in his car (favorite pastime), smoking a joint and listening to Creedence’s “Out My Back Door.” The Dude ends up dropping his joint into his pants, which starts burning his crotch, the Dude bangs on his crotch to put the little fire out, and proceeds to crash his car into a telephone pole.

The Dude ends up in all other kind of mishaps and hi-jinx. H to is favorite pastimes as the Dude states Maude one day that he likes; Bowling, smoking weed, driving around, and “A Little of This & a Little of That.” Doesn’t everyone?

Yes, I’ve watched the Big Lebowski many times, it makes me happy, I just laugh and laugh. I love the characters, the things the say (like Fuck 225 times), and their outlook on life. Walter likes Beer, bowling, and being a Hard Ass, and his all-time # 1 favorite thing is to tell Donny to “Shut The Fuck Up!” Donny, what does Donny do? Well, Donny likes Bowling too, and is more or less along for the ride and have Walter (John Goodman) yell at him, “Shut The FUCK Up Donny!!!”

Maude, she’s into art, hanging with her Gay Friend Knox Harrington, “the Video Artist,” and going to the Biennale (Art Festival) in Venice. That’s Venice, Italy, not California where the Dude lives.

The there’s “The Jesus” played by John Tarturro. Jesus is a rival bowl of Mexican ancestry who Walter claims is a pedophile.,  but he “Can Fucking Roll,” as Dude says, meaning that he’s a really good bowler.

The actual Big Lebowski is played by actor David Huddleston. He’s a rich guy living in Pasadena and is married to a much younger “Trophy Wife” named Bunny, who just so happens to be a Porn Star actress, starring in a Pron Film Logjammin, that Maude screens for the Dude one day. 

The whole them of the movie is that Bunny owes money to her Pornographer Producer boss Jackie Treehorn (Ben Gazzara) who wants his money back. Treehorn sends a couple of dumb goons to Bunny’s husband Jeff Lebowski to get his money back. Only problem is the dummies go to the wrong Lebowski House, they go the Dudes house in Venice Beach. The Dude’s real name is Jeff Lebowski as well, and this turns out to be a case of mistaken identity. This is how the Dude ends up mixed into a lot of stuff, like the faked Kidnapping of Bunny Lebowski (Tara Reid) being held for ransome, which in the end turns out that Bunny’s Husband Jeff Lebowski who is Maude’s father is trying to extrot 1 Million Dollars from a fund that his family has set up for  under-Privileged children in the city of Los Angelos.

Well, what about the food you want to  know? Well food comes up in the famous scene when the Dude, Donny, & Walter end up at an In-N-Out Burger ( recipe ) one night after thinking that a high school kid named Larry has their briefcase full of money (supposed). 

The  movie the Big Lebowski has an enormous cult following of millions, many of whom like to call themselves achievers, named after the children who receive funding for their education from the Big Lebowski’s “Urban Achievers Foundation.” Many have wondered if the Dude is a vegetarian or not and what he likes to eat, which we never see him eating any food on the movie. In the scene where they go to In-N-Out Burger on Camrose, and we see Donny and Walter eating In-N-Out Burgers in The Dudes car, but we never see Dude eating one. Why? Some have speculated the Dude is a vegetarian. He’s not. Dude loves burgers too. He loves Guacamole, Burritos, Tacos and Maude’s Meatloaf, as well as Walter’s “Jewish Penicillin.” And it’s all in the cookbook “Got Any Kahlua?” The Collected Recipes of The Dude, aka The Big Lebowski Cookbook written by me.

Got Any Kahlua is  a satirical look at the movie the Big Lebowski, and it’s an actual cookbook with lots of great recipes that we (I, “The Royal We”) think the Dude would like to eat, like; Eggs for Breakfast, Tunafish, Cowboy Chili, Steak, Burgers, Guacamole, Tacos, Burritos, and of course Maude’s Meatloaf. And yes, there’s a recipe and instructions for The Dude’s favorite beverage, a “Caucasian,” aka White Russian Cocktail which has become a trademark of the Dude and that movie called The Big Lebowski. And no Big Lebowski Themed Cocktail or Bowling Party would be complete without them.

So, loving the Big Lebowski, and food, and being a writer of cookbooks, and a chef, I one day got thee idea to put them all together, and so GOT ANY KAHLUA aka The Big Lebowski Cookbook was conceive, written, and executed by little ol me, Daniel Zwicke.

 

 

GET YOUR COPY of GOT ANY KAHLUA ?

aka

The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

ABIDE in IT !

 

 

The BIG LEBOWSKI is a CRIME / COMEDY Movie written, produced and Directed by the COEN BROTHERS in 1998

Starring ; JEFF BRIDGES as The DUDE

John Goodman as Walter

Steve Buscemi as Donny

John Tarturro as “The Jesus”

Julianne Moore as Maude Lebowski

Davide Huddleson as The Big Lebowski

Philip Seymour Hoffman as “Brandt” 

 

 

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GOT ANY KAHLUA “

aka The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

Daniel Zwicke

AMAZON.com

 

 

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My Favorite Picasso Paintings

 

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Sleeping Peasants

Pablo Picasso

1919

 

Sleeping Peasants, 1919, is the most potent of the small erotic paintings that is brilliantly colored. The restless, irregular rhythms mapped out by the contours of the tume scene limbs and rumpled drapery amount to a graph of love-making which has just occurred, while the woman’s thrown-back head and uncovered breast confirm her Maenadic ancestry. The ripe bodies nestled in the ripe crops implying some archaic fertility rite. 

The painting is carefully planned and controlled, and in that sense an Apolline work of art, and makes its share of erudite allusions to the classical tradition: to the Antique (the pedimental sculptures of the Parthenon), the Renaissance (the massive, straining figures of Michelangelo) and modernist classicism (the late Arcadian scenes of Cezanne). 

 

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Women Running

PABLO PICASSO

1922

 

Yes, “Sleeping Peasants” painted in Paris 1919 by Pablo Picasso is my favorite of all Picasso paintings. I came upon it one day at the MOMA, The Museum of Modern Art in New York. I was at the MOMA one night, walking around looking at paintings when I came upon this masterpiece by the great Spanish Artist Pablo Picasso. I came upon this wonderful little painting and was immediately enamored with it, “I fell in love in an instant.” Look at it, it’s absolutely  gorgeous the way the great artist conceived and executed it. The painting is so wonderful, I just love it. Though it’s not one of Picasso’s greater works, and one most people wouldn’t be familiar with, to me it’s priceless. And I couldn’t believe my good fortune when I was given a gorgeous copy of this painting, painted by New York artist Wayne Enstrude. It now hangs in my living room and I love just as much as the original by Pablo Picasso. My friend Wayne captured it perfectly, so Lucky Me.

Also picture above, is Picasso ‘s “Running Women” another Picasso painting that I love so much, that I once painted a copy of it myself. When I was moving from New York’s East Village to Greenwich Village, for lack of space (and Money) I sold it. Sorry I did, and I wish I still had it. Another painting I copied by Picasso was Picasso’s portrait of Gertrude Stein, of which, when Picasso  finished painting it and Stein saw it, she remarked, “that doesn’t look like me.” Picasso replied, “it will,” meaning one day Gertrude Stein would look like the portrait that Picasso painted of her. And so it did.

 

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My copy of PICASSO ‘S “The DOVES”

Painted by Me

 

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The DOVES

The Original by PICASSO

 

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Picasso

“Woman with Artichoke”

 

RECIPE LUCIA’S STUFFED ARTICHOKE

 

Rene Ricard Remembered

 

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Rene Ricard

Poet / Artist

(1946 – 2014)

Rene Ricard (1946 – 2014)  was an American poet and painter who achieved status in the art world dating back to his involvement with Andy Warhol, appearing in several of his films such as “Kitchen” (1965) and “Chelsea Girls” (1966). Well known for his influential essays in Artforum, Ricard held a major role in helping to establish the careers of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Ricard published four volumes of poems: René Ricard 1979–1980; God With Revolver (1990), which included his visual representations of the poems; Trusty Sarcophagus Co (1990); and Love Poems (1999), which collected his verse alongside drawings by Robert Hawkins. Ricard’s paintings have been exhibited at Petersburg Gallery, Cheim & Read, Half Gallery (New York), Vito Schnabel Presents (New York & Los Angeles), and the 2011 Brucennial. His work is in the permanent collections of the British Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (New York), as well as the private collections of Brice and Helen Marden, Francesco Clemente, and Andy Spade.

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I first met Rene Ricard one night when I was walking home from work (John’s E. 12rh Street NYC) .. I ran into my good friend Alma Marti who was hanging out with Rene that night. I bump into them on 2nd Avenue in the East Village, where we all lived at the time. Alma introduced me to Rene, and we exchanged the usual pleasantries when meeting someone. We were chit-chatting and I was telling Alma that I was flying to Rome that coming Saturday (June 15, 1985). When I told them I was going to Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Venice, and Positano, Rene got quite excited and wanted to tell me all about Venice and Positano, where he had vacationed the previous Summer with his mother. 

Rene told me that I should stay at the Hotel Locarno in Rome where he had stayed. The Locarno is probably the coolest hotel in all of Rome, and is favored among artists and writers, such as Ricard. Rene continued, “you have to go to the Piazza d’ Popolo to see the twin churches of Santa Maria, and go to Rosatis’s for an apertivo. Do you know what an aperitivo is? Just order a Campari & Soda or a Negroni. Get a nice table outside, it’s devine,” Rene said. Well, I would have loved to stay at the Locarno, but it wasn’t in my budget, however, seeing the Twin Churches at the Piazza del Popolo and having a Campari at Rosati’s was, and so I did.

Rene told me a hotel to stay at in Venice (can’t remember) and he told me, in Positano, that I should stay at the Villa Maria Antionetta, whcih was a very affordable little pensione right in the center of Positano, not far from the beach and all the best little trattorias and caffes / bars in town.

Rene said, “go to Bar DeMartino, it’s the best place to go to at night, all the cool people hang out there. And you have to go eat at Da Vincenzo’s next door, their Spaghetti Vongole is the best in the world.” I went there, and fell in love with bothBar DeMartino and Da Vincenzo, and Rene was right, Da Vincenzo was a wonderul trattoria, and yes, they do make the World’s Best Spaghetti with Clam Sauce, I can attest to that.

Rene was also so kind as to write me “A Letter of Introduction” to the signora at the pensione. He told her that I was his friend and would she please take good care of me while I was in Positano staying at her little guest house, Villa Maria Antionetta.

Rene gave me some great advice that night, and his name and the recommendations he gave me for Rome, Venice, and Positano often come up in some of my conversations every now and then. I bet Rene would be surprised, but happy to here of this, and that in this little way, it’s just one of the ways in which the spirit of the poet Rene Ricard is kept alive, though in a way no one including Rene would have ever dreamed. This is just a little story, but I think it is nice, and so I write it.

 

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Mick Jagger in Positano

 

I arrive in at Ville Maria Antoinetta, Positano

 

A man told me exactly where the little pensione was, and so I headed over. It wasn’t far at all, and in no time flat, there I was at Villa Maria Antonietta. I asked the lady if she had any rooms available. She did, so I checked in, but not before showing her the “Letter of Introduction” from Rene Ricard. She took a quick glance and then brought me to my room. Once inside, I took a nice warm shower and unpacked some of my clothes before heading out to explore the town.

 

Excerpted from the forthcoming book POSITANO by Daniel Bellino Zwicke 

 

 

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Enlightenment

RENE RICARD

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Bikini Wax?

and I thought they waxed the

Surf – Board

Rene Ricard

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blow – jobs 5 cents

w/ Lipstick 25 cents

Rene Ricard 2011

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Rene Ricard

INDEPENDENT :  5 MINUTE INTERVIEW with Rene Ricard

If I weren’t talking to you right now I’d be…

Painting. I’m in the middle of two paintings right now.

A phrase I use far too often is…

“Hello.” I need to say goodbye more often.

I wish people would take more notice of…

My paintings. They do give them some notice, but they need to give more.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was…

That I’ve got a show at all. I’m massively excited and I think Ronnie Wood has the loveliest family – I love his wife and kids, so I can’t wait to see them again.

I am not a politician but…

If I were, I would probably be in Mark Spitzer’s shoes and be impeached. I think the most grotesque thing is they make such a big deal about it and drag his wife into it. People are shocked at all the money he spent – I think it’s good that he spent money on good whores.

I’m good at…

Parties

I’m very bad at…

Saying goodbye

The ideal night out is…

Staying home, as it’s almost impossible to do.

In moments of weakness, I…

Work. My work is all that I think about because I spent so many years not doing anything. Therefore, work pleases me, which is success in itself.

You know me as a poet, but in another life I’d have been…

A rich kid.

The best age to be is…

For a woman, the forties; for a man, the fifties. Women are really beautiful in their forties, and men seem to come of age around the period of their second wife.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this…

I don’t have a philosophy in a nutshell; I would go on and on too much.

Toby Green

VICE MAGAZINE Interview with RENE RICARD … May 31, 2009

Vice: What can we expect to see in your new show?

Rene Ricard: There are some new paintings and drawings and I did some collages, which are pseudo-prints. I printed them off the computer and wrote on them and they look nice, very turn-of-the-century, 1890s or early 1900s kitsch.

Over the years you’ve transitioned from text to a more visual type of poetry and communication. How did that happen?

I began adding images because I’ve always liked to draw and paint. And it was hard to find junk-store paintings of the right quality, things that could support some writing, so I just started making the images myself. Unfortunately, people really like that, even though I far prefer just the writing. I’m vain about my handwriting. An artist once called it my “font.” [laughs]

How do you feel about state of poetry today, especially in New York?

I loathe poetry. I just gave a poetry reading, and other poets were standing up and reciting their rhymes from memory. I guess that’s cute, you know, with the backbeat, but I loathe it. I don’t like what I read in the New Yorker. I really like my own poetry a lot and I think that’s why I write it. Of all the arts, it’s the one I know the least about, and it’s interesting that it’s the one I practice and earn my living on. Anyway, yes, I like my own work. It speaks to me. [laughs]

That seems reasonable. It’s better than acting like you’re ashamed of your work, which so many poets do.

It sounds terrible because I have colleagues like Bob Holman, who I’m sure will hate hearing this even though I adore Bob and I like his work. But when it comes down to it, I like my own work the most. I don’t think that I would proliferate it the way I do unless I really liked it.

What about your acting days? Are you up for doing some of that again?

Oh, I was just in a movie that was at that Robert Redford thing. What’s it called?

Sundance.

Yes. So many of my friends are terribly young and do things like make movies. And if they ask you to do it, what are you going to say? No? You’re not going to say no. You know what I mean. If somebody needs an old man in a movie, I’ll do it.

What’s the name of the movie?

You Won’t Miss Me. My friend Ry Russo-Young made it and Stella Schnabel is in it and that’s why I did it. I play her uncle. She won an award for it—the Geraldine Page Award for Method acting. You know, Geraldine Page was my absolute favorite actor and I know all her kids. Seeing Sweet Bird of Youth at too early an age turned me queer. Geraldine Page turned me queer. She was so glamorous. I didn’t want to grow up to be a movie star—I wanted to grow up to be a faded old movie star

Rest in Peace, Rene Ricard (1946-2014)

RicardRENE.png

BY HARRIET STAFF

Rene Ricard has died. The Warhol Factory Member, film star, artist, and poet, passed away at Bellevue Hospital this weekend, taken by cancer. From GalleristNY–

Rene Ricard, the Massachussets born artisit and poet was a fixture of the New York Art World since he arrived in 1965, has died. He passed away early this morning in Bellevue Hospital, said the artist Brice Marden, wha had known Ricard since the 1960s. He died of cancer.

“This is an irreplaceable person,” Mr. Marden told The Observer. “He was really something, just on all ends of the spectrum.”

A member of Andy Warhol’s Factory, Ricard in iconic films, including The Kichen (1965), and Chelsea Girls (1966), and even played Andy Warhol in The Andy Warhol Story (1967) alongside Edie Sedgwick. He is perhaps best known for his essay “The Radiant Child” which appeared in the Artforum in 1981 and effectively launched the careers of Jen Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, and his collections of poetry. The Tiffany-Turqoise volume Rene Ricard 1979-1980 was Dia Art Foundations debut publication.

Toward the end of his life, Ricard was represented by art dealer Vito Schnabel.

According to Mr. Marden Ricard was experiencing difficulty walking and went into the hospital a week ago for hip replacement. “When he went in they found all this other stuff,” Mr. Marden said.

Rene Ricard, the Massachussets-born artist and poet who was a fixture of New York’s art world since he arrived in 1965, has died. He passed away early this morning in Bellevue Hospital, said the artist Brice Marden, who had known Ricard since the 1960s. He died of cancer.

“This is an irreplaceable person,” Mr. Marden told The Observer. “He was really something, just on all ends of the spectrum.”

A member of Andy Warhol’s Factory, Ricard appeared in iconic films, including Kitchen (1965) and Chelsea Girls(1966), and even played Warhol in The Andy Warhol Story(1967) alongside Edie Sedgwick. He is perhaps best remembered for his influential essay “The Radiant Child,” which appeared in Artforum in 1981 and effectively launched the careers of painters Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, and for his collections of poetry. The Tiffany-turquoise volume Rene Ricard 1979-1980 was the Dia Art Foundation’s debut publication. Toward the end of his life, Ricard was represented by Vito Schnabel.

According to Mr. Marden, Ricard was experiencing difficulty walking and went into the hospital about a week ago for a hip replacement. “When he went in they found there was all this other stuff,” said Mr. Marden, who added that Ricard’s death was unexpected. “He was going to be starting chemotherapy, but he didn’t get it in time.”

Mr. Marden, who visited Ricard in the hospital where he was surrounded by friends, said Ricard had been in good spirits. “When I saw him he was really up to it all,” Mr. Marden said. “He was obviously in bad shape but he was really enjoying the company.”

Rest in peace, starlet.

More on RENE

Ricard was a frequent contributor of essays to Artforum Magazine, here publishing one of his poems.

CARAVAGGIO & HIS MODELS by Rene Ricard, Artforum November 1984

Trumps Wears Sloppy Tux to Meet Queen ?

TRUMP ‘S TUXEDO a ROYAL FAIL
 
President Donald J. Trump
 
with Queen Elizabeth.
 
And 1st Lady Melania Trump
 
Cover of The NEW YORK POST
 
TRUMP Looks TERRIBLE
 
with a HORRIBLY Fitted TUXEDO
 
“Well it doesn’t Fit.” Who is his Tailor! Does he have a stylist. This is one person (2?) that should be FIRED (just Kidding). But not Kidding about how horrible The PRESIDENT of The UNITED STATES Donald J. Trump looked is his disastrous Tuxedo. “What The Fuck?”
 
President Donald Trump wore a Bad Fitting, horrible looking Tuxedo to meet the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London, England. “Heads Will Roll.”
 
The Queen din’t look so great either, more of a SoSo, which is far better than Disastrous. Melania Trump on the other hand looked great, in both her outfit and the way she carried herself, complete with a nice smile. The President  seems uneasy and uncomfortable to say the least. The Queen looks to be saying, “let’s get this over.”
 
People have been asking questions on Trump’s Ill Fitting Tuxedo, “did you forget you Tux at home and have to borrow a Halloween Butlers Tuxedo?”
 
There are many problems with the President’s Tuxedo, most of all, it’s badly fitting. People have begged the question about President Trump, “he’s a Billionaire and he doesn’t know how to be fit for a Tuxedo? Money can’t buy Class,” they say.
I’m sure this is the  Last Thing the President would have wanted (to Look Bad and be Laughed at), going to meet the Queen and other Royal, to look so bad, in an Ill Fitting Tuxedo, just doesn’t look good. Now all The British Royals, Fashion Mavens, and the World are having a good laugh at the expense of The President of The United States of America, one Donald J. Trump. This is a Major Mistake, and I’m sure “Heads Will Roll” as the British are famous for saying. Quite Ironic, “Don’t you think?”
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRESIDENT TRUMP with QUEEN ELIZABETH II
 
PRINCE CHARLES & CAMILLA
 
 
 
‘
MeTRUMPbadTUXEDOtwitter
On TWITTER
SUNDAY SAUCE Wants to Know
“WHAT’S UP PREZ ?”
“What’s Up with Wearing The WORST TUXEDO EVER
to Meet The QUEEN of ENGLAND?”
BAD TASTE BRO !
@RiotWomenn says on Twitter ” Jacket sleeves & Pants too long. Who knows the shirt sleeve length, since we can’t see the cuff. No pocket square. (Wrong Wrong Wrong & Wrong)
The bellowing “pantaloons” that drape over the shoes. (WRONG)
The bizarrely long waistcoat.  (WRONG!)
I have never seen a person make a white tie & tailcoat look so sloppy
I think President Trump should have asked his son Doanld Trump Jr for Tailoring advice. Notice that Don Junior’s Tuxedo Tails is tailored properly unlike his father’s, which has a waistcoat that’s far too long, making the President look Sloppy. 
ESQUIRE Mens’s Fashion Magazine , says that Trump’s Jacket & Vest were both Too Short, and these are the reasons he looked so bad. The pointed out that U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin’s Tuxedo looked fine. They added, “When you’re losing a game in style to Steve Mnuchin it’s time to reevaluate your choices.” Esquire also added that President Trump should get a new vest, and head over to Savile Row while he’s in London. Savile Row having an impeccable reputation with some of the World’s Best Tailors and Haberdashers who have clothed England’s moneyed elite for generations.
.
Donald Trump’s SLOPPY LOOKING TUX
With QUEEN ELIZABETH II
First Lady MELANIA TRUMP
Buckingham Palace
LONDON
PRINCE CHARLES
Prince Charles with First Lady Melania Trump
PRINCE CHARLES TUXEDO FITS PERFECTLY
gotanyKAHLUA
GOT ANY KAHLUA ?
The COLLECTED RECIPES of The DUDE
aka The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK
GET The RECIPE For TRUMP’S
PRESIDENTIAL FRIED CHICKEN
#TrumpsBadTux
#TrumpsSloppyTux