Pinkster Celebration 6/6 - Honorary Committee

Please make plans to join our featured speaker, Paul Grondahl, on Friday, June 6 as we host the 4th annual Pinkster Celebration at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany.

REGISTER HERE FOR HONORARY COMMITTEE - $100/PAIR OR CORPORATE SPONSOR

GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS AVAILABLE MAY 9

In the 19th century in New York’s Hudson Valley, Pinkster Day was a most-anticipated holiday. Pinkster Day was a celebration of spring for all: a religious holiday for the Dutch, and for enslaved Africans, time off from work and a chance to gather with friends and family. The holiday began on the seventh Monday following Easter, the day after the Christian Holy Day of Pentecost or Whitsunday. In 2014, Pinkster Day falls on Monday, June 8, but we’ll have our celebration a bit early on Friday, June 6.

The University Club Foundation is pleased to welcome Paul Grondahl as the featured speaker for our Pinkster Celebration. Grondahl will discuss his latest book, These Exalted Acres: Unlocking the Secrets of Albany Rural Cemetery. The book was published by the Times Union with support from the cemetery’s board of trustees and its benefactors. It contains a historical overview, photographs, maps and biographies of 50 fascinating people and historic monuments at Albany Rural Cemetery. Following the presentation, books will be available for purchase and signing. Proceeds from book sales benefit the nonprofit Times Union Hope Fund, which helps underprivileged children attend after-school programs and summer camps.

The Pinkster Celebration will feature a cocktail reception with light fare and cash bar from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., followed by a presentation by Grondahl, who has been a staff writer at the Albany Times Union since 1984. His assignments have taken him from the Arctic to Antarctica; from Northern Ireland to Africa; from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and Haiti after its catastrophic earthquake in 2010; and across New York State, from Ground Zero on 9/11 to the Adirondack wilderness.

We are writing to invite you to join the Honorary Committee for the 2014 Pinkster Celebration to benefit the University Club Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 organization incorporated in 2009 to facilitate access to grants and charitable contributions for the preservation of the historic Clubhouse.

Last summer, we launched a bold and ambitious capital campaign to repair and preserve our National Register-listed Clubhouse. In less than a year, we’ve raised $70,000 to address the problems caused by years of deferred maintenance to the roof and HVAC system! Proceeds from the Pinkster Celebration will support the cost of repairs and maintenance that protect the historic Clubhouse building from deterioration and decline that could rob future generations of this handsome and significant landmark.

By adding your name to the Honorary Committee, you show your support in two ways: you provide an early and generous contribution to help support the up-front costs of the Pinkster Celebration, and you

add your name to a prestigious list of supporters of the University Club Foundation. No additional effort is required as a member of the Honorary Committee, but if you would like a handful of invitations to send or distribute to your friends and colleagues so they can join the celebration, please let us know.

The celebration of Pinkster Day was outlawed by Albany Common Council on April 28, 1811, with a resolution that read, “No person shall erect any tent, booth or stall within the limits of this city, for the purpose of vending any spirituous liquors, beer, mead or cider, or any kind of meat, fish cakes or fruit, on the days commonly called Pinxter; nor to collect in numbers for the purpose of gambling or dancing, or any other amusements, in any part of the city, or to march or parade, with or without any music under a penalty of ten dollars or confinement in jail.” Club members petitioned the Common Council to repeal the ban, and the prohibition was lifted on May 16, 2011. The Club’s inaugural Pinkster Day Celebration was held on Monday, June 13, 2011.

The University Club revived the Pinkster Day tradition in 2011 to commemorate the listing of the Clubhouse on the National Register of Historic Places, and to advance the educational mission of the University Club Foundation. The first Pinkster Celebration featured readings from four centuries of scholarly and popular publications documenting the people and places of New York’s capital city, including Paul Grondahl reading from his book Mayor Corning: Albany Icon, Albany Enigma. 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.

When the reception wraps up at 8:00 p.m., Pinkster revelers are invited to head downstairs for an after-party in the Grille Room with vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Geo Doody, who serves up a versatile mix of classic rock, R&B, and Irish Pub standards. On the first Friday of each month, the University Club serves as a venue for 1st Friday, the downtown arts walk that showcases Albany’s lively art scene.

We are offering two options for you to claim your tickets in advance, while helping us meet our fundraising goals:

• Honorary Committee tickets are available at $100 a pair, or
• Corporate Sponsorships are available at a number of levels to suit your needs.

This promises to be a historic evening! By lending your early support for the Pinkster Celebration, you will honor the legacy of University Club members past and present as we strive to preserve our historic traditions for the future. When you purchase your Honorary Committee ticket or sign on as a corporate sponsor, you will know that the University Club is being preserved through your generosity.

Whiskey For Women - Friday, 5/16

(Scroll to bottom to register.) 

World Whiskey Day is Saturday, May 17, but some will start the party a day early with an exclusive, expert-led tasting and discussion of whiskey – with a twist. 

It’s for women only. 

New York native Meghan Leary will present Whiskey for Women at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street, on Friday, May 16 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Meghan will be showcasing the American Whiskey Collection from Heaven Hill Distilleries. Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. The tasting will feature: Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon; Evan Williams 1783; Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon; Bernheim Straight Wheat Whiskey; Larceny Wheated Bourbon; Elijah Craig 12-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon; and Henry McKenna Bonded Single Barrel Bourbon.

Meghan’s passion for the brown goods market developed through a cultural family influence rooted in her proud Irish American heritage and the family’s love of horse racing. According to Leary, “I hail from a long line of successful salesmen who place their faith in God, family and the two true symbols of the American spirit – whiskey and thoroughbreds.”

Her book, Whiskey for Women, offers insight into how women can take advantage of the whiskey world - chapter headings include “Educating the Female Drinker,”  “How Whiskey Can Help You Break the Glass Ceiling,”  “Generational Trends” and “What the Whiskey Women are Saying.” The volume also includes recipes for whiskey cocktails, cooking with whiskey and a glossary of terms. Copies of Whiskey for Women will be available for sale and signing after the tasting for $10.

The cost for the tasting, which includes light fare and prizes, is $20. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151 or online. During Whiskey for Women, which will be held upstairs in the Club's Living Room, men are invited to enjoy a beverage downstairs in the Grille Room, and all are welcome to stay at the Club for a Southern-style dinner buffet from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. The cost for the buffet is $30, beverages additional.

BUFFET MENU

• Bourbon Glazed Pork Ribs
• Southern Fried Chicken
• Popcorn Shrimp
• Cajun Style Crab Cakes
• Cole Slaw
• Country Biscuits
• Pecan Pie 

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 Foundation 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. Support for educational programming presented by the University Club Foundation is provided by AT&T.

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To pay with a credit card or Paypal, indicate how many will participate in the tasting and how many will attend the buffet. You may do either or both! Both items may be paid for with one transaction. If you are attending the Tasting and the Buffet, click "Add to Cart" only after completing both selections. You may also choose "Continue Shopping" from the checkout page to return to this page.

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Tasting: For Women Only

Select Number of Guests

One Woman $20.00 USD Two Women $40.00 USD Three Women $60.00 USD Four Women $80.00 USD Five Women $100.00 USD

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Southern Buffet: All Are Welcome Select Number of Guests

One $30.00 USD Two $60.00 USD Three $90.00 USD Four $120.00 USD Five $150.00 USD

TASTING! April in Paris - 4/25

Have you made your reservation yet for April in Paris this Friday, April 25? 

Mark Brogna of Capital Wine & Spirits on Lark Street in Albany has lined up a tasting featuring French wines perfect for spring and summer - red, white and rosé. The tasting is included in the price of the buffet - $30 includes tax and gratuity.

• Mouton Cadet White Bordeaux 2013 (100% Sauvignon Blanc) This elegant white wine reveals the freshness of Sauvignon Blanc and offers crisp, spring-like flavors of white peach and grapefruit. It is a perfect accompaniment to grilled fish, seafood and poultry. 
• Jean-luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé 2013 (67% Syrah, 33% Mouvedre) Subtle hints of peach, rose petal and soft pepper on the nose. Round and full of finesse. Surprisingly complex, with intriguing notes of raspberries, fresh cherry, black olive and fennel. 
• George Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages 2011 (100% Gamay) This wine is tender and wonderfully fruity with the aroma of fresh grapes, cherries and stone fruits. Serve slightly chilled to complement many lighter foods. 
• Nicolas Potel Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2012 (100% Pinot Noir) Still young but it has a full cherry nose, a beautiful light red color, the taste of tart cherries with plenty of soft tannin; an excellent example of what it is, an every-day drinking red. 
• Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Rouge 2011 ( 65% Merlot, 20% Cab Sauv, 15% Cab Franc) Complex aromas pleasantly combining ripe stone fruit (cherry) with fresh berries, especially blackcurrant. On the palate, very smooth with a full-bodied attack. Right Bank.

Carte du Jour

After the tasting, enjoy a special buffet menu that our Chef Kevin, trained in the art of French cuisine, has developed. Sounds délicieux!

• Vichyssoise ~ a chilled leek and potato soup 
• Coquille St. Jacques ~ scallops and mushrooms in a rich sauce 
• Coq Au Vin ~ a country dish of chicken braised with wine, mushrooms, bacon and onions 
• Chateaubriand ~ the choicest part of the beef tenderloin, the fillet, gently roasted and carved to your liking 
• Haricot Vert ~ French string beans 
• Potatoes Au Gratin ~ thinly-sliced potatoes in a creamy sauce with a crunchy topping House-Made 
• Crème Brulee ~ traditional French custard topped with caramelized sugar

Wine Pull How often do you get the chance to pay $20 for a bottle of wine worth $100 or more? At the April in Paris Wine Pull, everyone's a winner! Buy your chance, and choose a mystery bottle of red or white wine. Your bottle will have an average retail value of at least $20 and as much as $100!

Wine Raffle
Raffle tickets will also be available during the evening for $5 each or five for $20, and guests may enter drawings for collectible wines and other prizes. We are delighted to offer two wines in the raffle, donated by a generous University Club Foundation benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous.

• 1985 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour, Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley average value $89 This wine is nearly opaque black-ruby with purple highlights. The aromas show dark fruits, licorice, black pepper and minerals, with Rutherford accents of black olive, peppercorn and dark cherry. Full-bodied in texture, this wine has pronounced, dense and concentrated flavors of black currant, anise, sweet vanilla and distinctive minerality. The rich tannins are balanced by medium acidity providing freshness. 
• 1992 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley average value $169 Rich and full, this wine's opaque ruby/purple color is followed by a sweet, jammy nose of black fruit and minerals, huge body, a sweet inner-core of ripe fruit, and a long, low acid, opulent finish.

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 buffet and tasting is $30 and includes tax and gratuity, beverages are additional. Tickets for the wine pull are $20 each, your choice of red or white. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. 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.

Come for the tasting and buffet, and then - if you're feeling lucky - take your chance at the wine pull and raffle! 

Répondez s'il vous plaît! Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151. Tickets and wine pull chances may also be purchased online with PayPal or a credit card. 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 historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

April in Paris - Friday, 4/25 - MENU!

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 25 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 – red, white and rosé. The tasting is included in the price of the spring buffet.

Chef Kevin, trained in the art of French cuisine, has come up with a buffet menu that sounds délicieux!

• Vichyssoise ~ a chilled leek and potato soup
• Coquille St. Jacques ~ scallops and mushrooms in a rich sauce
• Coq Au Vin ~ a country dish of chicken braised with wine, mushrooms, bacon and onions
• Chateaubriand ~ the choicest part of the beef tenderloin, the fillet, gently roasted and carved to your liking
• Haricot Vert ~ French string beans
• Potatoes Au Gratin ~ thinly-sliced potatoes in a creamy sauce with a crunchy topping
• House-Made Crème Brulee ~ traditional French custard topped with caramelized sugar 

At the Wine Pull station, everyone’s a winner – for a $20 ticket, guests will pull a bottle valued between $20 and $100.

Raffle tickets will also be available during the evening for $5 each, and guests may enter drawings for collectible wines and other prizes. We are delighted to offer two wines in the raffle, donated by a generous University Club benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous.

• 1985 Beaulieu Vineyard, Georges de Latour, Private Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (average value $89)
  This wine is nearly opaque black-ruby with purple highlights. The aromas show dark fruits, licorice, black pepper and minerals, with Rutherford accents of black olive, peppercorn and dark cherry. Full-bodied in texture, this wine has pronounced, dense and concentrated flavors of black currant, anise, sweet vanilla and distinctive minerality. The rich tannins are balanced by medium acidity providing freshness.
• 1992 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (average value of $169)
  Rich and full, this wine's opaque ruby/purple color is followed by a sweet, jammy nose of black fruit and minerals, huge body, a sweet inner-core of ripe fruit, and a long, low acid, opulent finish.

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 and wine pull chances 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 historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.