5th Annual Pinkster Celebration with Beth Wood - 5/29

In the spring of 1811, the Albany Common Council banned Pinkster Day celebrations because of “rioting and drunkenness.” The resolution read, in part, “No person shall … collect in numbers … with or without any music under a penalty of ten dollars or confinement in jail.” Two centuries later, in an effort to revive a tradition from Albany’s past, members of the University Club petitioned the Common Council to repeal the prohibition. The Pinkster ban was lifted on May 16, 2011.

On Friday, May 29, the U Club is bringing music back as we welcome singer-songwriter Beth Wood for a concert as part of the 5th Annual Pinkster Celebration at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany.

Beth Wood, based in Eugene, Oregon, is a modern-day troubadour and believer in the power of song. Her exceptional musicianship, crafty songwriting, and commanding stage presence have been winning over American audiences for sixteen years. Beth’s music is soulful, organic, intelligent, barefoot, high-energy communication of joy.

The Club’s first Pinkster Celebration featured readings from four centuries of scholarly and popular publications documenting the people and places of New York’s capital city. In 2012, the University Club Foundation was delighted to welcome Albany’s own Pulitzer Prize-winning author, William Kennedy. The featured speaker for 2013 was Stefan Bielinski, the director of the Colonial Albany History Project. Last year, award-winning journalist and author Paul Grondahl discussed his latest book, These Exalted Acres: Unlocking the Secrets of Albany Rural Cemetery.

The 2015 Pinkster Celebration will feature a cocktail reception with light fare and cash bar from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., followed by the concert by Beth Wood.

Two levels of tickets are available for the Pinkster Celebration with Beth Wood: $25 per person for General Admission or $50 per person for Preferred Seating. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151 or tickets may be purchased online.

Proceeds from the event benefit the University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 corporation, and one need not be a member of the University Club to attend. The Foundation was formed to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the National Register-listed University Club building, its historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

Introducing NEQ! 1st Friday ~ May 1 ~ 8 - 10 p.m.

L to R: Kyle Esposito, Manuel Quintana, Todd Nelson. Photo by Tom McGregor

Hudson Valley, NY based NEQ puts instrumental exploratory electric spacey americana, jazz grooves and more on the table.

A perennial favorite at the U Club under the name of "Todd Nelson Trio" - the band is launching a new recording with a new name - Nelson Esposito Quintana, or NEQ if you're pressed for time or trying to keep your tweet under 144 characters.

NEQ plays original songs and original arrangements of unusual covers of any genre signified by the muse. Improvisational but not noise; exploratory in texture and sound but melodic; arranged but open-ended; structured while embracing the random; aware of the past without repeating it; unafraid of space, subtlety or beauty, and they rock. Todd Nelson - Guitar, loops and textures, Kyle Esposito - Fretless bass, Manuel Quintana - Drums, percussion and sfx.

Metroland calls local guitar hero (and Hudson/Park neighbor) Todd Nelson “a preternaturally tasteful guitar player…” 

On the first Friday of each month, as part of the University Club’s celebration of 1st Friday, one need not be a member to enjoy live music in the Grille Room, dress is casual, and cash and major credit cards are accepted. Dinner served until 9 p.m., call 518-463-1151 for reservations.

Raffle Reveal! April in Paris ~ Friday, 4/24

Spring Buffet, Wine Tasting, Wine Pull and Raffle

Celebrate spring and support the University Club Foundation with a scrumptious spring buffet, a wine pull, or both!

The University Club Foundation will host April in Paris on Friday, April 24 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Mark Brogna of Capital Wine & Spirits on Lark Street in Albany is lining up a tasting featuring fine French wines – reds, whites and rosés. The tasting is included in the price of the spring buffet.

At the Wine Pull station, everyone’s a winner – for a $20 ticket, guests will pull a bottle with a value of up to $100.

THIS JUST IN: 
These bottles, donated by a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous, will be raffled at April in Paris. Tickets are $5 each, or five for $20.

• 1989 Hermitage Jean-Louis Chave ~ Rhone
  Full bodied, concentrated, magnificently complex and elegant, the wine develops a broad palette of aromas ranging from blackcurrant to smoky tones via notes of prune, leather, toast and spices. Most drinkable 2014-2022. Score 94/100 – Average Value $403

• 1986 Dunn Vineyards ~ Cabernet Sauvignon
  Medium cherry red color with clear meniscus; mature leather, mushroom and tart plum nose; tart plum and tobacco palate, nicely structured with firm underlying tannins; medium-plus finish. Drinkable 2015. Score 91/100 – Average Value $179

April in Paris is presented by the University Club of Albany Foundation, and one need not be a member of the Club to attend. The cost for the spring buffet and tasting is $30 and includes tax and gratuity, beverages are additional. The tasting will be held from 5:30 – 6:30, the buffet from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., and the wine pull and raffle will take place at 8:30 p.m.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151. Tickets may also be purchased online. A portion of the proceeds from the evening will benefit the University Club of Albany Foundation, a 501c3 corporation. The Foundation was formed in 2009 to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the National Register-listed University Club building and property, its neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, Artist in Residence

Opening Reception - Monday, May 4

In addition to paintings by Jonathan Bradley Morse and Walter Launt Palmer and sculpture by Terri Boor, the Living Room, Lobby and Dining Room of the University Club of Albany have long featured works from a variety of renowned artists.

From May through September, the University Club will present a solo exhibition of the works of SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, who will serve as the Club’s third Artist in Residence.

The exhibition will open with a Meet the Artist Reception on Monday, May 4, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the National Register-listed University Club at 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The reception is free and open to the public and will feature light fare and cash bar.  >> Make a Reservation

Scheduled to run through Monday, August 31, the exhibition will be on view during public and special events at the Club, and by appointment with the artist, who will receive an honorary membership in the University Club for the duration of the show.

A concurrent exhibition will feature historic photographs, drawings and artifacts from the SUNY Central Administration Building, the former D&H Railroad Building. Designed by Marcus Reynolds and inspired by the 13th-century Cloth Hall in Ypres, Belgium, this structure sits at the foot of State Street on Broadway. The central tower is thirteen stories high and is capped by an 8-foot-tall working weathervane, a replica of Henry Hudson’s ship Half Moon.

The Artist in Residence program furthers the University Club and Foundation’s commitment to promote the use of the historic Clubhouse as a venue for performing and visual arts as well as cultural events. It builds on the success of the October, 2011 Athletic Annex Exhibition curated by local artist Chip Fasciana. For 9 days, the University Club’s former fitness annex was transformed into a “pop up art gallery” with an exhibition featuring some 20 local and regional artists. The Athletic Annex Exhibition was part of MoHu – the Mohawk Hudson Art Festival featuring theatre, dance, music, visual and random acts of art throughout the region.

“I have a lot of interests outside of my job, but my most cherished avocation is watercolor,” Zimpher said.  “I would do it every day if I could. I still paint, but only on occasion now. My most recent painting dates to a few years ago — I did it as a gift for my son and daughter-in-law when they got married. When I find time, I’ll paint New York. I’ve never seen a more beautiful landscape than what you have here.”

Zimpher’s paintings are largely watercolor landscapes inspired by the countryside in her native Ohio and other places she has lived or visited, including Wisconsin, Florida, and Maine. Rich browns, yellows, and golds are prominent in her work.

In June 2009 Nancy L. Zimpher became the 12th chancellor of The State University of New York. With 460,000 students and 64 colleges and universities, SUNY is the nation’s largest comprehensive system of higher education.

Prior to coming to SUNY, Dr. Zimpher served as president of the University of Cincinnati, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and executive dean of the Professional Colleges and dean of the College of Education at The Ohio State University. She has authored or co-authored numerous books, monographs, and academic journal articles on teacher education, urban education, academic leadership, and community-university partnerships.

Chancellor Zimpher holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education and Speech, a master’s degree in English Literature, and a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Higher Education Administration, all from The Ohio State University.

This event is presented by the University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc., and one need not be a member of the University Club to attend. The 501c3 Foundation which was formed in 2009 to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the University Club building and property, its neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901. For more information contact the University Club at 518-463-1151 or online at www.universityclubalbany.com.

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