Event producer, photographer, illustrator, drink and draw host and DJ, the mostly Rebar-based Richard Burrowes aka Baird is a multi-hat wearing force of NYC nightlife.
Thotyssey: Richard, hello! Thanks for chatting with us today! So as April draws to a close, how did the month treat you?
Richard Baird: Well, my month has been pretty jammed packed with an array of events. This month has had a lot for me to do. I started a second Drink and Draw at Rebar that is a session with a fully nude model, and I also had a few gigs photographing at M.E.A.T. and Red Eye.
You do it all! You DJ, you draw, you shoot photos, and you have been doing it all for a minute now. Where did you grow up, and was creativity always a part of your life?
I am a native New Yorker; I grew up in Jamaica, Queens and I feel like being creative has always been a part of my life. As a Caribbean child, it was sometimes difficult because art as a profession was frowned upon. But my mom was always really proud of me when I would create stuff in school and [pursue] contests to create artwork. My mom honestly, out of everyone, really supported my creative goals.
As both an illustrator and photographer, was the human body always a favorite subject of yours?
The human body has always fascinated me. I did gymnastics for a large part of my life, so I know the extremes the body can move. So when I started drawing the human form, it felt really familiar and whimsical. Drawing a person is a beautiful act, because you are so attentive to who they are and the smallest details of how they present themselves.
[All above illustrations by Richard Baird]
Most folks in the NYC nightlife world came to know you as an on site photographer. How and when did that begin… and what’s the secret to being good at that job?
I started when I was in college; I was taking a photography class at the international center of photography. I had a camera on me all the time because of that class, and when I was out I started shooting the bars I was frequenting–mostly at Splash or the Ritz. One day I was approached to shoot a night at Splash’s college night. I said yes, and it snowballed after that from XL to Stage 48, and then working for Absolut Vodka and traveling around the USA.
I can say that to be a good photographer in nightlife, you have to have a strategy on how to move with people and understand the vibe of the room. I always tell myself if you kill people with kindness, they will never say no to a photograph. I treat everyone I ask to shoot as a respected client that I will see in the future, and I want them to remember me.
Do you have any stories or memories of wild moments throughout your nightlife career, as far as things you’ve seen or experienced?
I mean, so many crazy moments. But the one that stunned me was when I was shooting at the Ritz for the show “Our Lady of Saliva“–a drag queen performed a number about making a salad, and they didn’t have any apples. And when I tell you, it… fell out of her. My camera was not shooting because I was shocked at where she pulled it out from. I’m trying to keep this PG, lol.
Also when I was an intern at Time Out New York they had me photograph the Black Party expo, and there was a pie-hole eating contest… and it was very self-explanatory.
These are the times to remember! On a sadder note, we just learned of the sudden passing of RuPaul’s Drag Race star and local drag legend Jiggly Caliente. Were you able to work with her over the years?
I have worked with Jiggly many times throughout nightlife. Hearing the news was a whirlwind; it really weighs deeply on my heart that she is no longer with us. Jiggly was a star, and her personality was one of a kind. I will miss her.
When did DJing start for you?
Well, I have always really admired DJs and music working in nightlife. But when we came back from Covid I was just doing my little gig at Rebar playing music between commercials of Drag Race [viewing parties]. The owners said I was doing a good job, so I started to take it seriously. The experience of learning to DJ was really moving to me; during Covid I lost so many people, and grief is real and uncontrollable. It will come when it wants, and DJing allowed me to control the narrative of how I felt and where I wanted my feelings to go.
The music I lean towards is UK house spoken word remix’s that talk about the world and how we feel, with a deep beat. I love music that can move the spirit.
[All above images c/o Richard Baird, from Rebar’s Drink & Draw sessions]
A lot of bars have Drink and Draw events, where patrons come to sketch live models (which in gay bars often means fit, scantily clad men) nowadays, but the one you host every Tuesday at Rebar is currently one of the longest running. How did it come about?
When I was living in Brooklyn I was ask to model at Lovegun’s Drink and Draw, and I had such a good experience that I went as an artist a few times. I had to work some days at G Lounge, so it was hard to balance my time going there to draw. So I turned to G Lounge (which is Rebar Chelsea now) and proposed the idea of a Drink and Draw. They were excited to help me take it on, so we started it up… and it’s been a wild ride for 10 years this November. I truly love how it has blossomed, and created a space for artists and art lovers to come and have somewhere to practice.
And as you mentioned, there’s now a second Drink and Draw event at Rebar–this one with nude models. That’s a whole new ball game, so to speak!
Having a full nude Drink and Draw was something to struggle with. As artists we have perspective, and I know the human form is great… but I hate how it is cheapened by genitalia. But how these Saturdays have gone has been such a blessing of beautiful work and focus. Saturdays is going to be a hidden jam.
You also a have new weekly Thursday DJing night at Rebar now as well: “Homo House!”
These are following Richard Cortez’s jazz night on Thursdays. We try to blend the nights with a lounge moment: good house music and living room vibe. I also want to just say this new direction is do to my good friend and host Calvin Hrezik.
What else is coming up for you?
What I’m excited for is the new Drink and Draw on Saturdays. We have a wonderful set of nude models for May, 1:30 – 4pm at Rebar Chelsea. This is a traditional figure drawing event where people get the full experience without the happy hour rush. The last two we did in April went well, and I’m just trying to find my footing with this new journey for this nude Drink and Draw.
Good luck and thanks, Richard!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Richard Baird’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram and LinkTree.
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