Here's River Laker in better times and clothed.^River Laker's impromptu striptease (with a bicycle helmet covering his jewels) has caused something of a ruckus and brings to mind a simple question: What the hell did you people expect? This is River Laker. He does things like this all the time.
The defensive posturing by event sponsors and owners of 202 Market, where the stip occurred, would be laughable if not so pitiful. OK, so some minor ABC law might have been smudged, but this is River Laker. Riv is quoted in this a.m.'s daily paper as saying he likes to see how far he can push the envelope before the employment police terminate him.
Lighten up, people. River seems to be the only person involved in this who has the proper perspective: it was a joke. It was funny. So laugh and get on with what's next.
Well said, Dan.
ReplyDeleteBRAVO, Dan Smith! BRAVO! Your article shames all the low-lifes.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your short and succinct point of view.
ReplyDeleteI would really like to point out that in the article I read on Roanoke.com there was a claim that customers turned away choosing not to watch. There is also a video posted with the article. Although it does not show the entire bar, it is pretty clear people did not turn away and, in fact, egged him on and took photographs. Lots and lots of photographs. Also, the Square Society is very well known for their fundraisers being connected to bar and other drinking type events. When you add alcohol to parties you cannot expect to maintain control and your organization will have to accept the consequences. I want to be clear here, I have no idea if River was drinking or not. I never recall seeing him drink alcohol before, but, again, it is a party and I have seen far worse drunken behavior at Square Society events. This is the major reason I choose to avoid their events. And we all know everyone has this right. River wants to encourage a large number of his interests in the valley so that Roanoke grows and prospers. Using unusual ways of gaining attention is a large part of what he does to communicate. Maybe folks should just see it for what it was and move on. Isn't Lohan in trouble or something?
Thanks for that blog post Dan. Although I am not a practicing friend of Bill, I completely understand and appreciate the corrected point of view that people need to have about all this. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteRon
In my opinion, River sharing like this is courageous. He has allowed himself to become vulnerable to the possible outcry which he has received. There are still a lot of us who are hesitant to even look outside of our comfort zones. I encourage more people to do so.
ReplyDeleteSeeing River reach beyond the status quo helps me feel a sense of wonder and authenticity. In order for us to grow as a community, I think we need to be willing to release more of our alarm and apprehensions. A little more authenticity of our own selves and appreciation for those who are willing to share will allow us all to feel more free.
Thanks, River for showing us some of the light.
PS - Fleda, there are a lot of organizations revolving around bar activities and this should in no way be a personal attack against orgs and establishments. I hope people also refrain from anti-org and anti-business comments, if we are indeed supportive of Roanoke and the Arts.
ReplyDeleteLive and let live, I believe the quote is.
On a personal note, it matters little to me if River opts to disrobe in public. It appears many like this type of attention/publicity seeking action. And believe this makes Roanoke a more progressive place to live. I'm sure others would disagree.
ReplyDeleteWhat appears lost in this conversation is that his actions have and are having an impact on others that he may or may not have anticipated. He calls his actions "genius." That's too self serving and arrogant - others before him have gotten publicly naked or nearly naked (anybody live through the 60's or 70's out there?). Nor can his actions be justified by claiming he was only attempting to help raise money for the Square Society - because that didn't happen. After all how would this help raise more money?
What has happened is he raises his public profile. An interesting public dialouge results, which is interesting and likely a good thing. But a law was broken (regardless if you think it's a good law). Therefore, a local business (202) now has to spend time, energy and maybe money based on being investigated by state of VA ABC Dept. The Square Society must respond publicly with unknown results. And based on what the ABC findings are, there is some chance this entire affair impacts the Square Society's ability to obtain ABC Licenses for future fund raising events such as Microfestivus. If that were to occur, River's "genius" plan really does hurt our community.
Therefore, the moral is, at least keep the boxers/briefs on at a public event. If you can't resist than at least think through the possible impact on others before you don a bike helmet as your only attire. "Not that there's anything wrong with that" - shameless Seinfeld reference.
No one gave a crap all weekend, so River was forced to create the "low-lifes" he refers to. Joke's on you, sweetie.
ReplyDeleteLaker is self serving as the email to reporters shows.
ReplyDeleteHe is an embarressment to Roanoke. You are not hearing from Roanoke's majority only his kooky supporters.
The other 99% of Roanoker's think he is mentally challenged.
The women supporters should now try the same stunt. See if they get treated the same way. I look forward to some more "stupid pet tricks" on video.
Star City Fame- Nothing is more annoying than someone making an assumption to the negative. My comment was not "a personal attack against orgs and establishments" as you stated. I did state " When you add alcohol to parties you cannot expect to maintain control and your organization will have to accept the consequences." Grammatically speaking there is a use of 'you' that is 'understood'. The statement is towards all organizations not just the Square Society. Because they hosted the event I wrote of them. It is that simple. Your assumptions and what you have read into beyond the basic statement I wrote is a reflection of you. There is also a quote "don't read into things". And also again "back off". Thank You
ReplyDeleteI second Larrys comment. Roanoke could use to open up a bit but not in a way that hurts local businesses and nonprofits. I find Dans description of them as "laughable" to be more than a bit harsh. These are just people who realize that they have an obligation to their employees and/or causes. Im sure that none of them have any personal ill will against River. They are just doing what they have to protect against the possible consequences of his actions. Everyone, including the press wants to make this about personal attacks when it is just damage control. I doubt anyone at 202 or Square Society is afraid or terribly offended by nudity, but they hold positions that require them to be responsible and proactive when there is a threat of legal implications. They didn't make the laws. It seems very unfair and i feel bad for both parties.
ReplyDeleteAnd by both I mean the 202/squaresociety group and the River/roanokearts group
ReplyDeleteHe's not a public menace. And he's not funny.
ReplyDeleteI understand what River did impacted the business and perhaps, for this reason only, he should have reconsidered. But, I think Roanoke is making way too big a deal of this. The Gold & Silver joint is just down 419. He did nothing worse than what is supposed to go on down at a "private" club. Lighten up Roanoke. It was a joke, and we didn't see anything that God gave Mr. Laker Speedos show more than he did. It was a joke meant to raise money - nothing more, nothing less. I got a chuckle when I heard about it, then thought "uh oh...this is Roanoke. Here we go...."
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