Be Revolutionary at the U Club! 9/28

Meet the Author of The Battle of Hubbardton, Sip Nine Pin Cider

The last major land battle of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Yorktown, began on September 28, 1781. But without the earlier Battle of Hubbardton in 1777, the fledgling United States might have failed in their quest for independence.

On Monday, September 28, the University Club of Albany will host an evening of early American history and beverages. Author and historian Dr. Bruce M. Venter will discuss and sign his book The Battle of Hubbardton: The Rear Guard Action that Saved America (April 2015, Arcadia Publishing) at the National Register-listed University Club at 141 Washington Avenue from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.; and Nine Pin Cider Works of Albany will pour samples of hard cider.

The tasting and meet the author reception will begin at 6:00 with the presentation commencing at 7:00. A book signing will follow the program, and books will be available for purchase courtesy of The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza for $19. (Preorder your book!)

The battle of Hubbardton was perhaps the loss that saved the war for the patriots. British and German troops ran into stubborn rebel resistance at Hubbardton, Vermont, on July 7, 1777. After easily capturing Fort Ticonderoga, Lt. Gen. John Burgoyne pursued a retreating Continental army under Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair. In the fields and hills around Hubbardton, a tenacious American rear guard of about 1,200 derailed the British general's plan for a quick march to Albany. The patriots, under Col. Seth Warner, left the British and Germans bloodied, though they claimed a tactical victory. Burgoyne and his weakened force ultimately surrendered at Saratoga on October 17, 1777, paving the way for a French alliance which ensured American independence.

A beverage that quenched the thirst of many a revolutionary citizen was hard cider. More than two hundred years later, cider's popularity has rebounded along with craft beers and spirits. Nine Pin Cider Works crafts delicious Nine Pin New York Hard Cider at 929 Broadway using farm fresh fruit sourced from orchards in Albany, Saratoga, and Columbia counties. Founder Alejandro del Peral includes apples grown from seed on the del Peral family farm. Nine Pin Cider Works will pour samples of their signature cider, as well as seasonal and experimental blends. The Club will offer specialty cocktails made with Nine Pin Cider, including the "Warehouse District" featuring Ironweed Rye Whiskey from Albany Distilling Co.

A veteran of 26 years of service in the Albany City School District, Bruce Venter is president of America's History, LLC, a tour and conference company where he leads Revolutionary War tours. This company is best known for its highly successful annual conference on the American Revolution. Bruce is also 1st vice president of the American Revolution Round Table of Richmond and was 1st vice president of the Goochland County Historical Society. He frequently lectures on the Revolutionary War, including at Fort Ticonderoga's American Revolution Seminar. He is also known for his character portrayals of General John Burgoyne and Charles Earl Cornwallis.

There is no cost for the program but reservations are required and may be made by calling the Club at 518-463-1151; by sending an email to ellen@universityclubalbany.com; or on the Club's website. The event is sponsored by the University Club Foundation and one need not be a member of the Club to attend.

The University Club of Albany Foundation is a 501c3 corporation formed in 2009 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. Support for educational programming at the University Club is provided by AT&T.

For more information about the University Club, visit www.universityclubalbany.com .

Blues Journey with Andrew Wheeler - 10/9/15

University Club Hosts Concert and Presentation on Friday, October 9

From the Delta to Chicago and beyond – one element ties the blues together – truth. The music is a poetic vernacular form that rose up from suffering and oppression – it represents movement, change and rebirth.

On Friday, October 9, you’re invited to take a Blues Journey with musician and historian Andrew Wheeler at the National Register-listed University Club at 141 Washington Avenue. Meet for drinks and/or dinner at 7:00 p.m. with the concert and Q&A from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.

This interpretive blues lecture and performance takes you down dirt roads to the piney woods, from moonlit nights in the delta to an empty freight train car, along highways 49 and 61, and into the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago just before World War II.

Hailed as “genuine, authentic and engaging,” the presentation includes music steeped in Americana – from  such legends as Son House, Howlin’ Wolf, Blind Willie Johnson, Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, Elizabeth Cotton, Tommy Johnson, Charley Patton, Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell, Big Bill Broonzy, Muddy Waters and more. Hear and feel these legends come alive in story and song.

Andrew Wheeler has been researching and playing blues and roots music for over 20 years. He has performed on stages large and small from orchestra pits to bistros. During the day, Andrew Wheeler is Senior Academic Advisor in the School of Nursing at Excelsior College. Outside of work, he’s a lead guitarist and backup singer for Bent Rail, named #1 Blues Band in the Capital Region in the 2011 Metroland Readers’ Survey.

Tickets for the event are $10 and a portion of the proceeds benefit the University Club Foundation. Reservations may be made by calling the Club at 518-463-1151; by sending an email to Ellen; or online with a credit card. The event is sponsored by the University Club Foundation and one need not be a member of the Club to attend.

The University Club of Albany Foundation is a 501c3 corporation formed in 2009 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. Support for educational programming at the University Club is provided by AT&T.

For more information about the University Club, visit www.universityclubalbany.com .