Keith Haring artwork © Estate of Keith Haring

“Almost everything I have has a story like most people but the key is to save the memories as best as you can and it will become valuable.RedSaid

“I got this invitation through the grapevine of social society from a friend who worked at a fashion showroom as an receptionist.She gave it to me because she knew that I had known Keith Haring and that I was still upset about his death, it seemed like a bad dream to me at the time and I think I had met his parents that spring or summer in Lambertville N.J. at an exhibition, his mother Joan, came right up to me when she noticed I was wearing a Luna Luna tee shirt (still own)and said to me,”You knew my son,”I said I did and then she called her husband Allen(Haringbone) over to meet me so, “I got to thank Dominic J. Taglialatella of DJT Fine Art now in New York for that magical moment.

“I got to give props to Melissa Horan for giving me this invitation because the party was off the hook, can you imagine models walking around in ABSOLUT clothes handing out Interview magazine?The Limelight was still goth sheik and Disco 2000 wasn’t happening yet so it had a massive mixed croud with music you could really dance to without help.

I have a great story about the image on the invitation painted by Keith Haring for Absolut vodka.

“On the first day I met Keith at his studio this painting was one of the first things I saw when I entered the place.After spending about an hour with Keith we talked about the painting and I said that it looked like a used condom we laughed and he said he didn’t do it intensionally. Also, we discussed a trade between the two of us and I asked for this painting but Keith just laughed and said I couldn’t have it because it was a commission already paid for by Absolut.

“There was something else about that day that, I will never forget and maybe it is the reason why I am creating this page for people to enjoy.

“While Keith and I were walking back from lunch at Acme on third St. just off Broadway he stopped walking and said to me,”We met for a reason because I am rarely with one person especially in the studio.I thought it was a come on line at first but,because of the level of trust and respect that developed between the two of us for the last three years of his life I have no doubt that, had he lived we would have done some work together.

“The last time I saw my friend he was darting into the the Pop Shop in a real hurry but, he always came over to shake my hand when we ran into each other and,I always made sure to squeeze tight that was my way of saying stay strong.I also did it to accually check his strenght for myself because I didn’t want to except he was sick because I knew he was the only person at the time who believed in me and he respected my painting and encouraged me. RedSaid

THIS MEMORY IS FOR THE FAMILY(Joan,Allen,the Girls & cousin Cora),FRIENDS,FANS & FUTURE ARTIST OF POP CULTURE!

This one is for the rave heads to lust after and reflect on if you were able to check this party out!
I can’t begin to explain what kind of blast this was I thought I had landed on this planet of young kids at an indoor carnival complete with rides like you would see at a local carnival but the difference was in the air all around you.I saw girls & boys dressed really weird like newage raggady Ann & Andy with respirators on their faces smelling like Vicks vapor rub and some of them were crying n stuff for no reason I could think of especially at a party like that.Then they were trying to give us candy and trying to hug us just crying away.I couldn’t believe what I was experiencing and I’m glad I went with my cousin so I knew I wasn’t imagining things.
Besides that take a look at the lineup of awesome and now super famous Djs on this ticket you can’t buy this type of entertainment nowadays it would cost you plenty and this was only $15.
I want to thank crazy Marcus Parcus for being a great host where ever you are man thanks!
I also want to give a shout out to Scott Henry(I remember Bensonhurst’s Planet X Records & Staten Island rave)and King Britt Yo,I seen Lady Bug at S.O.B’s Sol Village kickin her new stuff just recently.I did some backdrop art stuff that night it was cool.RedSaid

This was it Ladies and Gentleman the invitation to the party that changed the game forever!At this time there were no giant super clubs yet that promoted urban dance music and the all new “Hip Hop” craze, only the Fun House,The Ritz, Roseland Ballroom and Empire Roller Rink in Brooklyn but, the ROXY did it first with this awesome lineup of entertainment.I don’t have anything in my collection more valueable than this flyer as far as the history of nightlife goes.It was a moment in New York City history, that for those who know, will never be the same. RedSaid

How about this crazy photo of me wearing the Garage shirt?Huh
If you knew anything about going out to dance in New York City you had to know about the Paradise Garage on King St. off of Varick St. in the west village.When I was in High School I heard about this club and how you had to be a member to get in or you had to be escorted by a member as a guest.This was another gay club that had a straight night but it still wasn’t easy to get in you had to go through this selection process that could be embarrassing at times.I know some people who still carry their membership cards in their wallet as if the club will reopen one day.This was Keith Haring’s favorite place to hang out and I remember him telling me about it one day in his studio but, I already knew about it before I met him.I do think, if I can remember correctly, on this day I got a chance to see the paintings of Keith with Larry Lavan & Juan Dubose done by Andy Warhol. Now isn’t that a wonderful bit of history.RedSaid

I don’t expect that too many of you ever had the pleasure to visit this very special club Hugh Hefner’s own private playground for the social hipsters.If you have had the opportunity then you will know about the diso on the fourth floor simply called “Hefs”disco and you had to have a key that would allow you to access the floor via elevator.There were other floors that you could enjoy if you had the right key which was handed to you by a gorgeous “Playboy Bunny”who screened you at the door.I had the chance to become a member at the time and I remember this beautiful lady giving me this application to fill out.I had the time of my life that night roaming from floor to floor checking out every door in the place looking for something special.Redsaid p.s.The artwork was done by yours truly I was so excited that next day I drew on the envelope and years later made a work of art out of the application itself which hangs in my office today.

I started to get more hip to the special entry cards and I began getting membership cards to the clubs that I liked to hang out at for one reason or the other.I kind of mentioned already what the club Area was like with its changing themes and art shows but,The Saint however was a totally different animal altogether for many reasons.First of all it was one of the super big clubs with plenty of space and places you could go beyond the dance floor and bar area not unlike the Palladium with its multi-levels and the Michael Todd Room for the V.I.P parties.It was an old planetarium on second avenue at Sixth Street and the dance floor was inside a round silkscreen dome where images of the universe along with pornographic stuff was shown.It also had a multi- level scaffolding built around the dome connected to the balcony with catwalks.I really enjoyed hanging out at this place except, did I mention that this was a gay disco and that’s the animal I was talking about,there were not enough women for me to enjoy it.I had to bring a date if I was going to have some fun I think Thursday night was straight night with Dj Robbie Leslie and lights by Richard Sabala of course.
Does anyone out there remember the great posters that were sent out to the members?I use to collect them and I had the ones done by artist like David Wojnarowicz & Martin Wong but gave them away to my cousin who later lost them not realizing what a treasure he would have right now.RedSaid

I remember walking into this place for the first time it was if I was struck by lightning or something.I couldn’t believe how amazing it made me feel I was glad I had a camera to document the moment.This was one of the many places I visited while checking out the Soho fashion scene.I use to cut through the little alley street named Jersey St. and it was the smallest street I ever walked down right next to the Pop shop that ran between Lafayette St & Crosby St. on my way to Canal Jean Co. for more shopping.RedSaid

Keith Haring artwork © Estate of Keith Karing

This was how the original store looked like back in 1986 with its swinging curved door giving you a view of the stockroom.The photo also includes Bipo the original manager who was instrumental in me meeting Keith Haring & Tseng Kwon Chi and the rest of the crew dubbed “The Harrintons” by Chi Chi Valenti of those “Nation”days before Madonna made it popular with her Hit song titled: “Vouge”which was probably in rotation on the awesome little sound system hooked up in the place.
I would hang out there for hours until Bobby Bresleau (R.i.P) or David Spada would kick me out but Bipo would tell me to just leave and come back and that’s just what I did in those days before I accually met Keith Haring in April of 1987 at a photo shoot in front of the “Crack is Wack” mural on E.Houston Street.
For the real “Pop Art” fan, if you look carefully at the photo to the left you will notice the portrait of Keith done by Andy Warhol who was instrumental in encouraging Keith to open the shop had his own teeshirt and, y’all don’t see the Kenny Scharf tee up-n-there do you?All sold at this never to be forgotten New York institution and source of inspiration forever.
For the Capitan & Crew “The Best,RedSaid

Keith Haring artwork © Estate of Keith Haring