"Big Night" Dinner - Friday, April 27

Building on the success of our Robert Burns Supper celebrating the food, music and culture of Scotland, the U. Club Foundation will host a "Big Night Dinner" on Friday, April 27, celebrating the music, culture and food (yes, there will be Timpano!) of Italy.

Arrive at 5:30 for cocktails, appetizers and music inspired by the movie (prosecco, chianti, martinis, antipasto, poached salmon, crostini).

Enjoy the swingin' sounds of the late 1950s, and feel free to dress as you would have to go out to a nice dinner in NYC in the era of The Rat Pack. Gloves and costume jewelry for the ladies, skinny ties and slick hair for the gents... Dressing the part is optional but encouraged!

Dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. and our Italian chef Kevin Pagano will recreate some of the traditional dishes featured in the movie - baked chicken, fish, risotto, roasted vegetables, and - of course - Timpano.

Tickets are $40 per person, $75 for two, and include appetizers, dinner, desserts and coffee/tea. A portion of the proceeds benefit the University Club Foundation, so tickets may be purchased with cash or check (drinks may be charged to member accounts.)

Non-member guests are welcome - the more the merrier! This event is sponsored by the University Club of Albany Foundation.The Foundation is a 501c3 corporation 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.

And ... ACTION - Act I - Tuesday 4/10

Bringing the Past to Life
"American General: Benedict Arnold"
with Filmmaker Tom Mercer

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Networking Reception

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Presentation and Discussion

American General: Benedict Arnold is a documentary film about one of the most controversial and influential men in American history. Few Americans truly understand the complexity behind his story and the immense sacrifices Arnold made for the cause of American Independence.  Some of the most compelling parts of his story are set right in our region of Upstate New York.  The program uses noted historians, state-of-the-art visual effects, dramatic recreations, exciting battle sequences, and startling realism to immerse viewers in the American Revolution. 

In his presentation at the University Club, Tom will show some clips from the film and talk about the journey he and his partners have embarked upon as they strive to bring history to to life.

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Throughout the Spring Filmmakers Forum, actors, screenwriters, producers, and independent filmmakers will share their insights, their experiences, and their thoughts on what makes a great film at the University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street.

The Spring Filmmakers Forum is presented by the University Club of Albany Foundation, and all sessions will be open to the public. The series is co-sponsored by the Lark Street BID and the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau/Albany Film Commission.

Each session in the series will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., with a networking reception from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. (cash bar) and the presentation commencing at 7:00 p.m.

The cost is $10 per session, a subscription to all 3 is available for $25, and light fare will be provided at each event. Reservations are suggested and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151.

The University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, was formed to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the University Club building and property, its historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

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Save the dates! 

ACT II - Tuesday, April 24

Filmmaking as an Economic Engine

With Mike Camoin and Larry Jackson

ACT III

Tuesday, May 1

A Sense of Place: Challenges, Opportunities in a Small Market

With Rich Lounello

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Thomas Mercer holds a Masters Degree from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and he studied film at Ithaca College while pursuing a degree in Politics. Tom has garnered substantial experience as a producer director and writer.  His recent works include:

• American General: Benedict Arnold.  Co-producer and Writer.   This two hour cinematic documentary is currently in post-production and intended for national television broadcast.
• The Peacemaker's Journey.  Director and Co-writer.  This feature length documentary film, currently in pre-production, uses the oral traditions of the great Peacemaker who founded the Iroquois Confederacy over on thousand years ago to teach peace in our time.
• UnCivil Liberties.  Writer and Director of independent narrative feature film with national distribution by Ariztical Entertainment (2007).
• Face of the Enemy. Writer and Producer of independent digital short film. Shown at the Claremont - Ferrand Film Festival in France (2004) and currently in European distribution by BritShorts of London.
• 225th Anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga.  Co-producer and co-writer of the official commemorative video of the large scale re-enactment of the Battle of Saratoga. (2003)
• Saratoga National Historic Park Visitor Center Orientation Film.  Associate Producer for Piranha Films.  (2002)

"Off the Record" - Friday, April 6!

This 60s Futurist trio plays great songs you remember from that era, as well as newer tunes influenced by the swingin' sixties. The hip threesome features Joanna Palladino on vocals (and beehive!), Bob Resnick on percussion and Lou Sansivero on guitar. 

You won't want to miss a minute of their performance in the warm and inviting atmosphere of the Grille Room. The performance is free and dinner will be served at the University Club until 9:00 p.m., call 518-463-1151 for reservations.

On the first Friday of each month, the University Club celebrates the arts and culture in Albany by serving as a 1st Friday venue. One need not be a member to enjoy live music, dinner and dancing in the Grille Room, dress is casual, and cash and major credit cards are accepted.

"And ... ACTION!"

University Club Foundation Presents Spring Filmmakers Forum 

Actors, screenwriters, producers, and independent filmmakers will share their insights, their experiences, and their thoughts on what makes a great film in a series of presentations at the University Club of Albany.

The Spring Filmmakers Forum, titled “And … ACTION!” is presented by the University Club of Albany Foundation, and all sessions will be open to the public. The series is co-sponsored by the Lark Street BID and the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau/Albany Film Commission

Each session in the series will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., with a networking reception from 6:00 – 7 p.m. (cash bar) and the presentation commencing at 7:00 p.m.

Scheduled sessions are:

• Tuesday, April 10 - Thomas Mercer will share insights and lessons learned while producing his cinematic documentary on the military career of Benedict Arnold in his talk “Bringing the Past to Life – American General: Benedict Arnold.”
• Tuesday, April 24 - Mike Camoin and Larry Jackson will discuss a film the former has in production, Grazing Miss Albany, and the hit 1988 film Mystic Pizza, for which Jackson served as studio executive in charge of production, in their talk on “Filmmaking as an Economic Engine.” 
• Tuesday, May 1 - Rich Lounello will discuss the challenges and opportunities of life as a professional actor in a small market, his work on the WMHT-produced 2011 documentary William Kennedy’s Prohibition and his award-winning short film The Loop in his talk, “A Sense of Place.” 

The cost is $10 per session, a subscription to all 3 is available for $25, and light fare will be provided at each event. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151.

The University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, was formed to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the University Club building and property, its historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

1st Friday Happy Hour with Jeff Strange!

On Friday, March 2, Jeff Strange returns to the University Club as part of our 1st Friday Concert Series! 


A founding member of internationally known Irish folk band Donnybrook Fair and longtime member of The Newports, Jeff is known for his on-stage patter and energetic performances incorporating a broad selection of Irish, rock and original music. 


Jeff will play an EARLY SHOW in the Grille Room from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The performance is free and dinner will be served until 9:00 p.m., please call 518-463-1151 for reservations. 


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, dinner and dancing in the Grille Room, dress is casual, and cash and major credit cards are accepted. Come be a part of the downtown arts walk that showcases Albany's thriving and lively art scene! 

Photos from A Play Date for Grownups!

View the photos on Flickr. 

Leap Day Wine Tasting - 2/29!

Party will benefit University Club of Albany Foundation and Historic Albany Foundation

What will you do with your extra day in 2012? On Wednesday, February 29 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., the University Club will host a Leap Day Celebration at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is presenting this event, and one need not be a member of the University Club to attend. Proceeds benefit the University Club Foundation and Historic Albany Foundation.

February 29 usually occurs only once every four years, and is commonly known as Leap Day. This day is added to the calendar in leap years as a corrective measure, because the earth does not orbit around the sun in precisely 365 days. In the Gregorian calendar, the current standard calendar in most of the world, most years that are evenly divisible by 4 are leap years. In each leap year, the month of February has 29 days instead of 28.

The University Club will celebrate this extra day with a festive sampling of wines with names appropriate to the occasion such as Stump Jump, Frog’s Leap, and Rabbit Ridge and a savory hot and cold hors d’oeuvres buffet. Wines are provided by Capital Wine & Spirits on Lark Street in Albany. The reception will conclude with an exciting raffle for a bottle of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Cask 23, 1987. This highly collectible bottle was donated by an anonymous benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous, boasts a Robert Parker 91 rating and an estimated auction price of $360-$400.

Tasting notes find “a huge aroma of coffee, fruitcake, cassis, oriental spices, toasty new oak, herbs, and black fruits that is profound. In the mouth, there is an almost endless sensation of voluptuous, velvety fruit, as well as an opulence that borders on decadence.” Raffle tickets will be available for $2 each, 3 for $5, or 7 for $10.

Tickets for the Leap Day Celebration are $29 per person, cash or check made payable to the University Club of Albany Foundation. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the Club at 518-463-1151. The University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, was formed to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the University Club building and property, its historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.