U. Club Events

1st Friday Happy Hour with Jeff Strange!

2012-02-21T21:49:00.000-05:00

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!

2012-02-15T13:08:00.001-05:00

View the photos on Flickr.

Leap Day Wine Tasting - 2/29!

2012-02-04T11:50:00.000-05:00

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.

1st Friday - 2/3 - With TN4!

2012-01-31T21:33:00.001-05:00

TN3 has become a favorite of First Nighters at the U. Club. Now, with the addition of trumpet player John Hines, the group is known as TN4!

Metroland calls local guitar hero Todd Nelson “a preternaturally tasteful guitar player…” The group performs instrumental rock and ...roots, and also features Kyle Esposito on fretless bass and Manuel Quintana on drums and percussion.

The performance is free and open to the public as part of the University Club’s participation in 1st Friday in Albany. Dinner will be served until 9 p.m. Please call 518-463-1151 for reservations.

As Todd points out, "Free shoeshine for the men (semi-automated) -- it's always nice and toasty in the Grille Room."

Photos and Videos from the Inaugural Burns Supper!

2012-01-28T19:49:00.002-05:00

A Play Date for Grownups! 2/14

2012-01-18T20:41:00.000-05:00

Valentine’s Day guided tour of the “Kid Stuff” exhibit at the Albany Institute of History & Art, with wine and games at the University Club

This Valentine’s Day, revisit the toys and games of your childhood with a guided tour of “Kid Stuff” at the Albany Institute, then proceed across the street to the University Club for drinks, games or dinner – or all of the above!

On Tuesday, February 14, the festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m., as adults meet at the Albany Institute at 125 Washington Avenue in Albany, for a one-hour guided tour of Kid Stuff: Great Toys from Our Childhood. From Slinky®s and Wooly Willy®s to Lionel® Trains and BarbieTM Dolls, Kid Stuff takes visitors back to the age of tailfins and vinyl records with more than 40 toys from decades past. See vintage toys with original packaging and promotional materials, and play with LEGO® blocks, Twister®, Mr. Potato Head®, and more. (This exhibit closes on March 4 – don’t miss it!)

At 6:30 p.m., cross the street to 141 Washington Avenue and enjoy a warm welcome at the National Register-listed University Club. Find a partner to play some of the games featured in the exhibit, have a drink or order dinner from the a la carte menu. The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is presenting this event in conjunction with the Institute, and one need not be a member to attend.

The cost for the tour and reception is $15 and includes admission to the Albany Institute. Show your admission sticker and receive a complimentary glass of wine at the University Club. 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.

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

"Ella Unplugged" - Sonny & Perley in Concert on 2/7

2012-01-18T20:32:00.000-05:00

“Ella Unplugged” – A tribute to Ella Fitzgerald

Dubbed “The First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums.

On Tuesday, February 7 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., vocalist Perley Rousseau and pianist Sonny Daye will present “Ella Unplugged: A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald” 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.

Sonny & Perley will be joined by special guest bassist Lou Pappas, a former member of the United States Military Academy Band in West Point, NY. Pappas now serves as adjunct faculty at Vassar College. The trio will highlight music from Ella Fitzgerald’s Great American Songbook recordings as well as selections from her Pablo Records albums with jazz guitarist Joe Pass.

The cabaret feeling of the University Club’s Grille Room will provide an intimate setting for this concert of vocals with piano and bass, including anecdotes from Ella’s life, from her Apollo Theatre debut at age 16 to her retirement. Ella was the first recorded voice Perley heard as a child, and she was greatly influenced by her music and shows an affinity for her style. Signature songs such as A Tisket A Tasket, How High The Moon, and The Lady Is A Tramp are among the audience favorites included in this unforgettable show.

The cost for the concert is $10, cash or check made payable to 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.

Inaugural Burns Supper Slated for U. Club

2012-01-05T22:30:00.002-05:00

Whisky, Haggis and Poetry are on the bill of fare for Friday, January 27, 2012

“Some have meat and cannot eat,
Some cannot eat that want it;
But we have meat and we can eat,
So let the Lord be thankit.”

-- The Selkirk Grace by Robert Burns

On Friday, January 27 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., the University Club will celebrate all things Scottish with its first annual Burns Supper 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.

Robert Burns (January 25, 1759-July 21, 1796) is one of the most enduringly popular and important poets of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and is widely regarded as the National Poet of Scotland. Having witnessed his father’s struggles with poverty, Burns became a vigorous social and political critic, championing civil and economic equality for all people, especially the working class. Much of his work reflects his social, moral and philosophical values.

According to the official Robert Burns website, www.robertburns.org, “Burns Suppers range from stentoriously formal gatherings of esthetes and scholars to uproariously informal rave-ups of drunkards and louts. Most Burns Suppers … adhere, more or less, to some sort of time honored form which includes the eating of a traditional Scottish meal, the drinking of Scotch whisky, and the recitation of works by, about, and in the spirit of the Bard.”

The U. Club’s Burns Supper is aiming squarely between the formal and the rave-up. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails followed by a bagpipe procession to the dining room and a dinner buffet complete with the presentation of the haggis, cock-a-leekie soup, neeps and tatties, and plenty of other dining options including poached salmon and chicken française.

Event chair Meredith Helgerson, who has hosted several Burns Suppers, will lead participants in songs, whisky toasts and poetry and continue Albany’s long tradition of celebrating Robert Burns. The Robert Burns Statue in Washington Park, the site of the annual “Poets in the Park” poetry series, was designed by George H. Broughton and sculpted by Charles Calverley, both Albany artists. The statue was dedicated on September 30, 1888, and relief plaques on the base were added in April, 1891. The sculpture cost $40,000 and was erected with funds provided by the McPherson Legacy.

In the life-size bronze statue, Burns is depicted holding a book in his right hand and a tam in his left hand. The square Scotch granite base is adorned with four bronze relief plaques depicting: “The Cotter’s Saturday Night” (a family seated around a father reading aloud from a book); “The Poet Plowman and the Daisy” (Burns standing with his horse and dog in a field); “Tam O’Shanter” (a man galloping away on his horse while spirits chase him); and “Auld Lang Syne” (two men having a drink together and shaking hands across a table).

This promises to be an unforgettable evening, whether or not you claim Scottish heritage! The cost for dinner and entertainment is $40 per person, two for $75, 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. Formal or Highland attire optional.
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.

1/6/12 - A Tour of Libations & Traditions!

2011-12-29T12:31:00.003-05:00

Whether you call it 12th Night, Little Christmas, Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, January 6 is celebrated with a wide array of customs around the world.

Join us as we celebrate 12th Night at the U. Club on January 6 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. with a wine tasting presented by Capital Wine. Greg will offer a selection of wines from Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, and Germany, as well as spirits from England and Ireland. Learn a little about how each country celebrates on January 6, and receive a coupon good for 16% off your next purchase at Capital Wine - just for showing up!

Stay for live music in the Grille Room from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. with MotherJudge. MotherJudge blends influences of jazz, blues, country, bluegrass and folk to bring a unique Americana music experience alive in every show. Sublime vocals, the best musicians, and a deep songbook of originals and covers bring it all home.

THIS JUST IN: Mother Judge will be performing with her husband, the magnificent guitarist Sten Isachsen, and percussionist extraordinaire Mote Matson!

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. The performance and tasting are free and dinner will be served until 9:00 p.m., please call 518-463-1151 for reservations!

Download a PDF to preview the tasting notes.

State of the State Luncheon - Jan. 4, 2012

2011-12-19T21:51:00.000-05:00

One of the great traditions of the University Club, the viewing of the State of the State address on the big screen TV, will take place on Wednesday, January 4th.

The U. Club will serve a hot and cold buffet from 11:30 - 1:00 p.m., then watch Governor Cuomo's presentation at 1:00 p.m.

This event is open to members and their guests, and is on track to sell out this year. Please call 518-463-1151 now for reservations -- first come, first served.

$12 for members, total cost with tax and service charge is $15. Beverages and dessert additional.

We hope you'll join us as we kick off the Legislative Session with good food and good company!

A Very Retro Holiday - with "Off the Record"

2011-11-28T16:53:00.001-05:00

Kick off the holiday season with Off the Record as they return to the University Club on Friday, December 2 from 8-10 p.m.

This 60s Futurist trio plays great songs you remember from that era, as well as newer tunes influenced by the swingin' sixties. This hip trio 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.

Sonny & Perley return to the Grille Room - 11/4

2011-10-30T22:01:00.000-04:00

Start November on a jazzy note as Sonny & Perley return to the University Club on Friday, November 4th from 8-10 p.m., presenting their unique blend of jazz with International Cabaret and Great American Songbook standards.

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.

All About Jazz notes that "Sonny and Perley brightly blend lyricism, passion and rhythm in a way that is both rich and exotic ... The nexus of art and emotion are joined in an exceptional way," and Chronogram Magazine calls them "Harbingers of aesthetic jazz ... and romanticism."
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.

We'll hope to see you on 1st Friday!

Haunted History Tours - Oct. 24-28

2011-10-04T18:21:00.000-04:00

Haunted History Walking Tours Will Benefit Historic Albany and University Club Foundations

Murders. Kidnapping. Untimely deaths. Many dark and unsettling dramas have played out behind the elegant façades of Albany’s Center Square and Hudson/Park neighborhoods. In October, a guided walking tour will explore both the sinister deeds and the handsome architecture of a bygone era.

The tours will be offered on each weeknight during the final week of October, beginning on Monday, October 24 and begin and end at the University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The tour will step off at 6:00 p.m. each night, and the cost is $15 per person.

The tour will cover an area bounded by Washington Avenue, Willett Street, Madison Avenue and Swan Streets, and the round trip is approximately 1.5 miles. Hudson/Park resident and University Club member Tim Varney, who developed and researched the tour, warns that the narrative will include “graphic material not suitable for children or the faint of heart.”

Proceeds from the tour will be divided between Historic Albany Foundation and the University Club Foundation. Participation will be limited to no more than 20 people per tour and reservations are required. Please call Historic Albany at 518-465-0876 x. 10 to add your name to the list.

Payment may be made by cash or check payable to the University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation. Your donation may be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The University Club Foundation 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. For information on upcoming events, visit www.uclubevents.blogspot.com .

Founded in 1974, Historic Albany Foundation is a private, not-for-profit membership organization working to promote the preservation and appreciation of the built environment in and around the city of Albany. For more information, visit www.historic-albany.org .

Harvest Home Dinner - Friday, 10/28

2011-10-04T17:57:00.000-04:00

Taste the Bounty of the Season and Support Flood Recovery Efforts at Denison Farm in Schaghticoke

The University Club Foundation was established to foster stewardship of the National Register-listed University Club building on Washington Avenue in Albany. But the Foundation is also eager to step in when help is needed by members of the community.

On Friday, October 28, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m., the public is invited to support the Foundation and the Denison Farm in Schaghticoke at a benefit Harvest Home Dinner.

Brian and Justine Denison, along with their children Suzanna and Maggie, have been farming in New York State for seven years. They moved here from Maine, where Brian earned his Forestry degree and Justine taught elementary school. Their farm, 164 acres of rich bottomland nestled along the Tomhannock Creek in northern Rensselaer County, was devastated by flooding, just as the vegetable and berry harvests were in full swing. They estimate their losses to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Tickets for the Harvest Home Dinner are $50 per person, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Denison Farm. The three-course dinner will feature a bounty of freshly-harvested local foods – many sourced from Denison Farm – prepared by the University Club’s award winning Chef, Kevin Pagano. The dinner will be served buffet style, and vegetarian options will be available. The ticket price includes tax and gratuity, but not alcohol.

Several members of the University Club participate in the Denison Farm CSA and set up this benefit to help with recovery efforts. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) connects people to a local farm and farmer. “When you become a CSA member, you agree to support the costs of running the farm in exchange for a share of the harvest,” said Colleen Ryan, one of the organizers. “By paying our membership fee in the dark days of winter, we become partners with the farmer and share some of the risk – but we reap the benefits in pounds of produce over the spring and summer. As members, we thought we should play a larger role in getting the farm back on track for the next growing season.”

Reservations for the Harvest Home Dinner are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151. Payment may be made by cash or check payable to the University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation. A portion of your donation may be tax deductible.

The University Club Foundation 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.

Lunch with author of "Another Man's Treasure" 10/26

2011-10-04T17:46:00.000-04:00

The simple life of home organizer Ted McCormick is about to explode. He must deal with the ire of James Smith, a demanding client who is convinced his eccentric father died leaving something of great value hidden in his cluttered and mysterious Victorian mansion. What — or who — is in the house to prevent Ted from finding it?

Author James O’Connor will discuss his book, Another Man’s Treasure, set in Albany, at a luncheon on Wednesday, October 26 at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The buffet lunch will begin at 12:00 noon, with the presentation commencing at 12:30 p.m., followed by a question and answer period. The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is presenting this event, and one need not be a member of the University Club to attend.

The cost for the luncheon and lecture is $25. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151.

"When I was in college, I told my father I wanted to become an author,” said O’Connor. “He told me, ‘writing is a great back-up skill to have for a real job.’ He was right.” Before starting his own public relations firm specializing in book and author publicity, Jim worked in corporate communications for a number of Fortune 500 corporations. He is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago. He and his wife live in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Another Man’s Treasure is his second book. His first book, CUSS CONTROL: The Complete Book on How to Curb Your Cursing, was a media sensation.
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.

TN3 at the U Club on 10/14

2011-10-04T17:20:00.004-04:00

TN3 at Club Helsinki in Hudson, NY

The Todd Nelson Trio (TN3) returns to the University Club, 141 Washington Avenue (at Dove Street) on MoHu Friday, October 14 from 8-10 p.m.

Based in Upstate New York, guitarist (and Hamilton Street neighbor) Todd Nelson earned his reputation by distilling and refining his big musical influences — from Chet Atkins and Julian Bream to guitar icons Metheny, McLaughlin and Martino. His trio performs "Jazz Americana," and features Kyle Esposito on fretless bass and Manuel Quintana on drums and percussion.

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.

The performance is free and dinner will be served until 9:00 p.m., call 518-463-1151 for reservations. As Todd says, “the Club is a nice place to hang."

While you're there ... check out the Athletic Annex Show - a "pop-up gallery" curated by Chip Fasciana and featuring the work of more than 20 local and regional artsts - behind the University Club in the former fitness center! Exhibit closes at 9 p.m.

The Athletic Annex Exhibition - 10/6 - 10/15

2011-09-21T17:04:00.000-04:00

Squash Courts, Locker Rooms Will House Pop-Up Gallery During MoHu Art Festival

The University Club’s former fitness annex will gain new life as a “pop up art gallery” with an exhibit featuring some 20 local and regional artists.

The artwork will be installed throughout the building, located behind the National Register-listed University Club at 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, October 6th from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., and the closing reception will take place on Friday, October 14th from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. with special musical guests TN3 – The Todd Nelson Trio – performing in the Grille Room from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.

The Athletic Annex Exhibition will be curated by Chip Fasciana – named by Metroland as the “Best Moveable Curator” in their July 2011 Best Of issue. A painter, sculptor and founder of Albany Underground Artists, Chip has a gift for “unifying his creative colleagues, and his shows have become a significant facet of the Capital Region arts scene.” He received the Masterpiece Award at the Albany Institute of History & Art’s 2010 exhibition, Tomorrow’s Masters Today.

The show has been scheduled to coincide with MoHu (http://www.mohufest.com/) – the Mohawk Hudson Art Festival. This 9-day-long arts festival will be held in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties, and will feature theatre, dance, music, visual and random acts of art throughout the region.

Participating artists will include: Matthew Jay Landon, Jason Cosco, Jason Patrick Voegele, Michael Conlin, Christina Kincaid, Patrick Porter, Chip Fasciana and many more.

The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is presenting this event with the Albany Underground Artists, and one need not be a member to attend. Sponsors include Metroland, Troy Web Consulting, High Voltage Electric Service, and the Terri Boor Cultural Programming Fund. For more information, call 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.

Celebrate NYS Archives Month on 10/5 with Dutch Visiting Scholar

2011-09-21T12:17:00.005-04:00

Dr. Eric Ruijssenaars to discuss archival research and discoveries
Dr. Eric Ruijssenaars, the New Netherland Research Center’s first Senior Scholar in Residence and founder of Dutch Archives, a historical research firm in Leiden, will discuss his research at a luncheon on Wednesday, October 5 at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The buffet lunch will begin at 12:00 noon, with the presentation commencing at 12:30 p.m., followed by a question and answer period.

Although a specialist in the history of Russia and the Netherlands, he is also a scholar of the Brontë sisters’ time in Brussels and has published two books on the subject.

He is currently researching the life of Abraham Staats. In 1642, Staats arrived in the Dutch colony of New Netherland to serve as a surgeon on patroon Kiliaen van Rensselaer’s vast estate, Rensselaerswijck, which is now part of Albany and Rensselaer counties. Over the course of his life, Staats became a magistrate of the court, a captain of the burgher guard, the owner of a sloop that made regular trips to New Amsterdam (New York City), and an Indian language translator. Something of an oddity in rough-and-tumble New Netherland, he remained a very respectable man and was, for that reason, regularly called on to mediate disputes between his less respectable and more litigious neighbors.

The New Netherland Research Center is a partnership of the New Netherland Institute and the New York State Office of Cultural Education. It continues and extends the work of the New York State Library’s New Netherland Project, which since 1974 has preserved, transcribed, translated, and published 17th century documents in order to make the history of the Dutch colonial presence in North America more broadly accessible for study.

The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is presenting this event, and one need not be a member of the University Club to attend. The cost for the luncheon and lecture is $25. 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.

Speakeasy Night - October 3

2011-09-21T12:03:00.000-04:00

SpeakeasyNight ~ Monday, October 3 ~ 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

There is no period of time in Albany’s history richer in lore than Prohibition!Stop by the U. Club after work to wet your whistle, and relive the era ofBootleggers, Rumrunners and Moonshiners!

Brian Facquet, co-founder of Prohibition Distillery, will be on hand as we mix up special cocktails with Bootlegger 21Vodka. This award-winning boutique vodka is made with 100% corn and distilledin small batches in Gardiner, NY.

Enter to win a free copy of “America Walks into a Bar: A Spirited History of Taverns and Saloons, Speakeasies and Grog Shops” (Oxford University Press, 2011).

Stay until 7:30 to watch the broadcastpremiere of a 30-minute documentary on WHMT-TV titled “William Kennedy’s Prohibition Story” featuring gritty tales of New York’s Capital City from1919-1933 from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. The local film coincides withthe launch of the multi-part PBS documentary PROHIBITION: A Film by Ken Burns.

Call 518-463-1151 to RSVP.

READ OUT! on 9/29 with the New York Civil Liberties Union, University Club Foundation

2011-09-20T15:36:00.003-04:00

Public is Invited to Celebrate the Freedom to Read during Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week (Sept. 24 – Oct. 1, 2011) highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship. To mark this occasion, the University Club of Albany Foundation and the New York Civil Liberties Union, Capital Region Chapter will present ReadOut! on Thursday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street.

Local actors, writers, poets, and community leaders will read brief excerpts from books that have been banned or challenged in America. This event is free and open to the public, light fare will be served, and drinks will be available. Readers will include community and environmental activist Reszin Adams; Sylvia Barnard, professor of Classics; Assemblymember John J. McEneny; musician Bob Resnick; Colleen Ryan, president of the Albany Roundtable; worker safety activist Janet Womatchka; actor and educator James Yeara and many others.

An additional ReadOut! program is slated for the Schenectady County Public Library, 99 Clinton Street, Schenectady on Sunday, September 25 at 2 p.m.

According to Joanna Palladino, a member of the NYCLU and an organizer of the event, “As Noam Chomsky said, ‘If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all.’ Banned Books Week stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.”

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association; American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression; the American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of American Publishers; and the National Association of College Stores. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. In 2011, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, National Coalition Against Censorship, National Council of Teachers of English, and PEN American Center also signed on as sponsors.

The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is presenting this event with the New York Civil Liberties Union, and one need not be a member of either organization attend. For more information, call 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.

Preview the Program

1st Friday Concert Schedule!

2011-08-18T20:53:00.006-04:00

Save the Dates!

On Friday, September 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 from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. at the University Club. 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!

Save the dates for these upcoming performances!

October 14 (MoHu Friday) - TN3
1st Friday, November 4 - Sonny & Perley
1st Friday, December 2 - Off the Record

A Reception Honoring the Artist Terri Boor

2011-08-12T11:20:00.003-04:00

The public is invited to a special event to honor one of the region’s great working artists and supporters of fine arts education, Terri Boor. The reception will take place from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, at the University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street.

Mrs. Boor’s body of work includes altar cloths and vestments for St. George’s Episcopal Church in Schenectady, and a sculpture titled The Sword of Giuseppe Garibaldi, which she donated to the Italian American Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in Albany. She studied with Henry Dispirito at the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute in Utica; worked with Louis Paul Jonas at Jonas Studios in Hudson; and served as artist-in-residence at the University at Albany, where the award-winning Boor Sculpture Studio is named in her honor. Many of her works are in the collection of the University at Albany’s art museum.

Honorary Co-Chairs Professor Edward Mayer, Sculpture Area Chair at the University at Albany, and his wife, Judith Mayer, artist, educator and creator of the DVD “Children Artists All: A Study in Creative Growth,” will make a brief presentation outlining Mrs. Boor’s contributions to the arts and culture in Albany and across New York State.

Mrs. Boor recently made a gift to the University Club Foundation of the sculpture titled Ballerina which is on display in the Club’s main dining room. The Foundation is hosting this reception in Mrs. Boor’s honor to thank her for this gift, to present her with an Honorary Life Membership in the University Club, and to announce the creation of the Terri Boor Cultural Programming Fund.

Proceeds from this reception will benefit the University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, and the Terri Boor Cultural Programming Fund, established to support the social, cultural and historic preservation programs of the University Club Foundation, including maintenance of the National Register-listed University Club as a venue for cultural enrichment programs.

To be listed on the Honorary Committee, tickets must be purchased by Thursday, August 18. Honorary Committee tickets are $50 per person, Supporter tickets are $25 per person. The reception includes light fare and cash bar. Please call the University Club at 518-463-1151 to RSVP.

A Reception Honoring Terri Boor - 8/23

2011-07-21T12:11:00.004-04:00

Mention the University Club, and some may think of a handsome building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or an elegant setting for a dinner or reception. For many it is the site of special family events and memorable occasions. While these things are true, the Club also offers unique opportunities to experience Albany’s outstanding arts and culture.

The Pinkster Day Celebration with readings from local authors, the Snow Scenes luncheon and lecture on the collection of Walter Launt Palmer paintings in the Club’s dining room, and a reception and presentation on the centennial of the Great Capitol Fire of 1911 are just a few examples of well-received programs held in 2011.

Please join us in another special event that will honor one of the region’s great working artists, as well as a supporter of fine arts education, Terri Boor. Mrs. Boor’s recent donation of the beautiful sculpture Ballerina graces the credenza in the Club's main dining room.

The University Club Foundation will host a reception in Mrs. Boor’s honor on Tuesday, August 23, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., to thank her for this gift, and to recognize her contributions to the arts and culture in Albany and across New York State.

Mrs. Boor’s body of work includes altar cloths and vestments for St. George’s Episcopal Church in Schenectady and The Sword of Giuseppe Garibaldi, which she donated to the Italian American Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in Albany. She studied with Henry Dispirito at the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute in Utica; worked with Louis Paul Jonas at Jonas Studios in Hudson; and served as artist-in-residence at the University at Albany, where the award-winning Boor Sculpture Studio is named in her honor.

For all these achievements and more, the University Club Foundation will present her with an Honorary Life Membership in the University Club, as we announce the creation of the Terri Boor Cultural Programming Fund. This dedicated fund will support the efforts of the University Club and Foundation to grow as a venue for performing and visual arts as well as cultural events.

We hope that you will join us in providing a fitting tribute for Mrs. Boor’s leadership in the arts, as well as recognition of her philanthropic support for social and cultural institutions.

Please join Honorary Co-Chairs, Professor Edward Mayer (pictured above with Terri Boor), Sculpture Area Chair at the University at Albany, and Judy Mayer, artist, educator and creator of the DVD "Children Artists All: A Study in Creative Growth," and add your name to the honorary committee for this event with a contribution of $50 per person. Tickets for the event will be offered to the general public for just $25 to encourage attendance from a wide variety of artists and patrons of the arts. This event will benefit the University Club Foundation, a 501(c) (3) corporation, with a portion of the proceeds set aside for the Terri Boor Cultural Programming Fund.

Through your generosity, we will honor a deserving local artist and ensure that appreciation of the arts and culture remains an integral part of the identity and mission of the University Club.

Sincerely,

Vito F. Grasso
President, University Club Foundation

Colleen M. Ryan
Vice President, University Club

Lunch with General “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne

2011-06-15T21:45:00.005-04:00

Author and historian Dr. Bruce Venter portrays the British commander whose surrender at Saratoga marked a turning point in the American Revolution

On July 6, 1777, American forces evacuated Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain, leaving it to British General John Burgoyne. The loss of the fort – and its supplies, desperately needed by General George Washington's forces – was a tremendous blow to American morale.

In October of that year, however, Burgoyne surrendered after the Battles of Saratoga and the course of history was changed forever.

Two hundred thirty-four years to the day after Fort Ticonderoga was lost, the public is invited to hear General John "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne's side of the story of the summer of 1777, in a talk titled The Murder of Jane McCrea or How I Lost the War in America.

Jane McCrea was a young woman living near Fort Edward (Washington County) who was slain by Native Americans associated with the Burgoyne's army on July 27, 1777. According to some accounts, her death led to an increase in Patriot military recruiting.

Dr. Bruce M. Venter, author and historical consultant, will portray "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne at a luncheon at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The buffet lunch will begin on Wednesday, July 6 at 12:00 noon, with the presentation commencing at 12:30 p.m. followed by a question and answer period until 1:30 p.m. The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is presenting this event, and one need not be a member of the University Club to attend.

The cost for the luncheon and lecture is $25. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151.

Dr. Venter is CEO of America's History, LLC and has written for Blue & Gray, Civil War and the Washington Times. His article, “Behind Enemy Lines: Americans Attack Burgoyne's Supply Line” appears in the May/June 2011 issue of Patriots of the American Revolution magazine. In addition to his published work, he is an experienced tour guide, having previously led tours entitled From Ticonderoga to Saratoga: the Turning Point of the American Revolution and Defending the Highlands: The Revolutionary War in the Hudson River Valley.

Dr. Venter is in Albany for an America's History, LLC tour titled Leatherstocking Tales. From Wednesday, July 6 at 7:30 p.m. thru Saturday, July 9 at 5 p.m. – returning to Albany each night – participants will experience the real historic and geographic sites portrayed in several of James Fenimore Cooper's novels and explore the author's insight into America's frontier legacy.

The tour will be led by Dr. Venter and Dr. Wayne Franklin, an Albany native, professor and head of the English department and former director of the American Studies Program at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Franklin is the author of the award-winning biography James Fenimore Cooper: The Early Years and The New World of James Fenimore Cooper. Dr. Franklin is a frequent lecturer on Cooper and is on the board of directors of the James Fenimore Cooper Society.

The cost of the three-day tour is $399 per person, and includes motor coach transportation, three lunches, beverage and snack breaks, a map and materials package, all admissions and gratuities, and the services of two experienced tour guides.

Dr. Venter has generously agreed to donate $25 to the University Club Foundation for every member of the University Club who signs up for the tour. Please provide your membership number when you register. 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.

For more information on the tour, visit www.AmericasHistoryLLC.com, or call 1-855-OUR-HISTORY (687-4478).

Explore the Albany History Room - Monday 6/27

2011-06-15T21:16:00.004-04:00

7:00 p.m. tour, 8:00 p.m. reception

Join us for a special presentation from Albany City Historian Tony Opalka and Assemblyman Jack McEneny on Monday, June 27 at 7:00 p.m. on the second floor of the Albany Public Library at 161 Washington Avenue.

Learn about the Pruyn Collection’s outstanding catalogue of books, city directories, newspaper clippings, photographs, and documents and find out what makes this collection so valuable to researchers, genealogists, and historians.

After the presentation, stroll down to the University Club for complimentary snacks and additional conversation until 9:00 p.m.

The Albany History Room is open Mondays from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m. The City Historian is available to help researchers on Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. Special appointments to use the room can also be made by calling Local History Librarian Ellen Gamache at 518-427-4327.

This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited (there are 17 chairs in the Albany History Room!) so please call the Club at 518-463-1151 to let us know you'll be there.

Celebrate Pinkster Day at the University Club!

2011-05-31T15:42:00.011-04:00

Call 518-463-1151 to make a reservation or to purchase your tickets with a credit card!

The University Club of Albany has received notice from the National Park Service that it has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The National Register of Historic Places is the United States’ official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. The designation took effect on May 11. (http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20110520.htm)

To celebrate, the Club is reviving a tradition from Albany’s past.

On Monday, June 13, the University Club will host A Pinkster Day Celebration from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., honoring Albany’s rich history with readings from scholarly and popular publications documenting the people and places of New York’s capital city. The event will feature a cocktail reception with light fare and open bar as well as celebrity readers.

Readings and readers for A Pinkster Day Celebration were selected to illustrate the long arc of Albany’s history, and the evening’s program will include excerpts from:

Rum Punch and Cultural Revolution written and read by Justin DiVirgilio; The Northern Star & Freemen’s Advocate published by Stephen Myers, read by Paul Stewart;

Southern Life, Northern City written and read by Jennifer Lemak;

Mayor Corning: Albany Icon, Albany Enigma written and read by Paul Grondahl;

Thirty Years of Smoke, Heat and Hell written by Warren Abriel, read by Executive Deputy Chief Warren Abriel, Jr. of the Albany Fire Department, who was elected President of the University Club’s board of directors on May 20; and

Six and Eleven written and read by Ed Dague.

Tickets for A Pinkster Day Celebration are $50 and reservations can be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151. Hosted by the University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, the celebration is open to the public and one need not be a member to attend.

Since 1901 the University Club has occupied only two clubhouses (with temporary use of the Fort Orange Club and the former Albany Institute building on State Street while various construction projects occurred). The first location was at 99 Washington Avenue roughly across the street from the current Fort Orange Club from 1901 to 1907.

In 1907 the club purchased the Victorian-era Queen Anne style home of the late George Amsdell (1825-1906), a local brewer and proprietor of the Amsdell Brewing Company on Lancaster and Jay Streets, the largest brewery in the area at the time. Located at the corner of Washington Avenue and Dove Street, the house was fully renovated in 1914 when the Club added a modern extension off the rear to house a restaurant and additional sleeping rooms.

Less than a decade later, in November of 1923, a fire resulted in the demolition of the Amsdell home. The present clubhouse was constructed in 1924-25 to the design of Albert Fuller & William Robinson.

The University Club is one of the four component buildings of one of Albany’s most architecturally compatible and imposing intersections. The red brick building in the Colonial Revival style was the last major commission Fuller, a prolific Albany architect. The main entrance to the Club, on Dove Street, features an entry porch with 4 sets of paired columns surmounted by an architrave, a cornice, and a decorative iron balustrade. The main interior spaces on the first floor are large, formal and elegant, and largely unchanged from the date of construction.

“This is a tremendous distinction for the University Club, and recognizes our important role in Albany’s history,” said Colleen Ryan, elected Vice President of the Club’s board of directors on May 20. “We are delighted that our clubhouse will take its place on the National Register, a list that includes Albany City Hall, Cherry Hill, the Ten Broeck Mansion, and our neighbors the Harmanus Bleecker Library and Albany Institute of History and Art.”

The nomination was prepared by Kimberly Konrad Alvarez of Landmark Consulting in Albany, and was recommended for National Register listing on March 9 by the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

The celebration of Pinkster Day was outlawed by Albany Common Council on April 28, 1811, with a resolution that read in part, “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...” Club members requested that the Common Council repeal the ban, and the prohibition was lifted on May 16, 2011.

The University Club was founded by a distinguished group of prominent citizens of the Albany area in order to “establish and maintain assembly rooms, promote social activities among the members and cultivate and maintain university spirit in the City of Albany.” One hundred and ten years later, this tradition endures. The University Club continues to attract the best and brightest from all walks of life and to offer services and facilities that respond to the current social and business needs of a diverse and distinctive membership. For more information, visit www.universityclubalbany.com .

Ruth Pelham Celebrates 1st Friday!

2011-05-25T16:04:00.004-04:00

Bring the kids to the University Club on Friday, June 3 for a special "early-bird" program from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Please join your friends and neighbors -- and families -- as we welcome Ruth Pelham, the musician and educator who brought the Music Mobile to Albany in 1977!

Ruth Pelham brings to the world a fresh vision of world peace and social change. With a voice and vision that have earned her the affection and trust of audiences young and old alike, Ruth’s music touches our common heart and renews our hope for humanity's ability to grow toward a lasting world peace.

The kitchen will be open for dinner until 9:00 p.m. – please call 518-463-1151 for reservations.

The performance is free and open to the public as part of the University Club’s participation in 1st Friday, the downtown arts walk that showcases the thriving and lively art scene in downtown Albany.

Prospect Place: Luncheon and Tour

2011-05-13T14:13:00.004-04:00

Meet the Designers and Enjoy “A Symphony of Past and Present Beauty” After Lunch at University Club on 5/19

Built in 1839 and previously home to a merchant, a physician, and political leaders, Prospect Place is open to the public for a limted time as the 2011 Vanguard Designer Showhouse.

“A Symphony of Past and Present Beauty” is slated for Thursday, May 19 at 12:30 p.m. and begins with a hot and cold buffet at the University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The luncheon will feature a presentation from local author and historian Peter Hess, who will discuss the history of the home.

Participants will depart the Club for Prospect Place (10 Stafford Street in Loudonville) at 1:30 p.m., for a guided tour at 2:00 p.m. The tour takes place on “Meet the Designers” day and will offer an opportunity for visitors to speak to the designers about the rooms they have created.

The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is presenting this event in conjunction with Vanguard Albany Symphony, Inc., and one need not be a member of the University Club to attend. The cost for the luncheon and lecture is $30 and includes admission to the Vanguard Show House. Reservations please — call the University Club at 518-463-1151.

A portion of the proceeds from this event benefit the University Club Foundation, 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. Events presented or sponsored by the Foundation can be found online at www.uclubevents.blogspot.com .

The Vanguard Designer Showhouse is an annual benefit for the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Prospect Place is open for tours through May 22, for more information visit www.vanguardshowhouse.org .

An Evening with Beth Wood

2011-05-13T14:09:00.003-04:00

“Folk singer-guitarist Beth Wood has such a dazzling voice it’s a mystery why she’s still just a cult artist.”

-- Dallas Morning News

Friday, May 13th
Reception ~ 6:00 pm
Concert ~ 7:00 pm

University Club of Albany
141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street Tickets $25

An intimate concert in the historic University Club’s Parlor. Proceeds benefit the University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, and a portion of your contribution may be tax-deductible. One need not be a member to attend.

Reception with light fare and cash bar at 6:00 p.m., followed by 2 sets of Beth’s “soulful, organic, free-range, barefoot music.”

Call 518-463-1151 to reserve your seats for an unforgettable evening.

http://www.bethwoodmusic.com/

Click here to view and download a PDF flyer

MotherJudge on 1st Friday!

2011-04-24T17:19:00.002-04:00

May 6 • 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Americana alt-folk diva MotherJudge performs, writes and produces music with inflections of Hank Williams and Ray Charles, swampy rhythms and deep gospel and soul sounds. On 1st Friday, she's coming to the U. Club with her husband, classical guitarist Sten Isachsen with their friend Mote Matson on percussion to deliver a one-of-a-kind performance. (I hear she's even got some special dance music planned for the end of the evening, so be prepared to cut a rug.)

The kitchen will be open for dinner until 9:00 p.m. – please call 518-463-1151 for reservations. The performance is free and open to the public as part of the University Club’s participation in 1st Friday, the downtown arts walk that showcases the thriving and lively art scene in downtown Albany.

Keeping Place, Keeping Pace: Luncheon and Tour

2011-04-05T17:44:00.003-04:00

Go behind the scenes on “The Ultimate Home Improvement Project” with the University Club and Historic Cherry Hill

Historic Cherry Hill, the ancestral home of Van Rensselaers and Rankins, has been closed to the public for several months while it undergoes extensive restoration.

Now, the public is invited to take part in a Behind-the-Scenes Restoration Tour on Thursday, April 21, 2011 from noon – 2:00 p.m. highlighting the exciting plans and progress of the ongoing structural work on this building, erected in 1787.

Keeping Place, Keeping Pace will begin at noon with a hot and cold buffet and lecture at the University Club, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. Participants will depart the Club at 1:00 p.m. for small-group behind-the-scenes tours at Historic Cherry Hill, 523 ½ South Pearl Street in Albany.

The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is presenting this event in conjunction with Historic Cherry Hill, and one need not be a member of the University Club to attend.

Liselle LaFrance, the house museum’s Director, will discuss the unique perspective that Cherry Hill offers on the city of Albany, the region, and a changing society as it was continuously occupied by five generations of one family for 176 years. Opened to the public in 1964, the museum boasts a collection of some 20,000 objects, 30,000 manuscripts, 7,500 textiles, 5,000 books and 3,000 photographs.

The cost for the luncheon and lecture is $30 and includes admission to Historic Cherry Hill. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151.

A portion of the proceeds from this event benefit the University Club Foundation, 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.

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

###

NYS Capitol Fire Centennial - Tuesday 3/29!

2011-03-23T10:55:00.002-04:00

Reception, Book Signing, Video Preview

Please RSVP by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151! Tickets are just $20 - delicious appetizers will be served!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the early morning hours of March 29, 1911, a fire broke out in the New York State Capitol at Albany. By sunset, the vast collection of the New York State Library, then housed in the Capitol, had been reduced to ashes.

To commemorate the centennial of the fire, coauthors Paul Mercer and Vicki Weiss, both of the New York State Library, have published The New York State Capitol and the Great Fire of 1911 (Arcadia Press, 2011) including rare images and documents from the special collections of the modern library, which arose from the ruins of the 1911 fire.

The public is invited join Executive Deputy Chief Warren Abriel of the Albany Fire Department to mark the 100th Anniversary of this historic event on Tuesday, March 29, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the University Club of Albany.

The reception will feature light fare and cash bar, and authors Mercer and Weiss will discuss and sign the book. Royalties from book sales benefit the Friends of the New York State Library.

The event will also feature a preview of a documentary set to air at 9:00 p.m. on March 31 on WMHT, The New York Capitol Fire. Robert Altman, President and CEO of WMHT Educational Communications, will introduce a clip of the video, which draws on interviews, archival materials and reenactments. This WMHT documentary was created in collaboration with the New York State Museum, the New York State Archives, the Albany Institute, the New York State Library, the City of Albany and the Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol.

The cost for the reception, book signing and video preview is $20 per person. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151.

A portion of the proceeds from this event benefit the University Club Foundation, 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.

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

Prime Rib & More Buffet is on - Wine Auction Canceled

2011-03-17T18:34:00.002-04:00

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the wine and art portion of the Sip, Savor & Support Fundraiser has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The Club's outstanding "Prime Rib & More Buffet" will still be offered for $23.95 per person. Please call 518-463-1151 to make a reservation!

Mixed Green Salad
Soup Du Jour
Balsamic Bluefish with tomatoes
Chef-carved Prime Rib
Roast Pork with Stuffing & Sauteed Apples
Gourmet Macaroni & Cheese with Crabmeat
Au Gratin Potatoes
Sauteed Zucchini and Eggplant
Peach Trifle
Fresh Fruit

This just in ... for Sip, Savor & Support!

2011-03-15T16:38:00.004-04:00

Updated Menu and Wine Auction List

On Friday, March 18, from 5:00 – 8:30 p.m., the public is invited to support the University Club Foundation and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at a benefit titled “Sip, Savor & Support.”

Beginning with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar at 5:00 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to bid on premium wine and fabulous art during a silent auction. At 8:15, bidding will begin in an exciting live auction, featuring bottles to enjoy now to as well as collectable vintages to hold for years to come.

The Club's outstanding "Prime Rib & More Buffet" is included with your $35 ticket! Call 518-463-1151 to make a reservation!

Mixed Green Salad
Soup Du Jour
Balsamic Bluefish with tomatoes
Chef-carved Prime Rib
Roast Pork with Stuffing & Sauteed Apples
Gourmet Macaroni & Cheese with Crabmeat
Au Gratin Potatoes
Sauteed Zucchini and Eggplant
Peach Trifle
Fresh Fruit

The following wines were donated by a private collector who wishes to remain anonymous, and will be offered in both silent and live auction format. Do you feel lucky?

Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
est. auction value $90-120
Deep dark garnet color with no rust as of yet, showing somewhat earthy black currant and tobacco in both flavor and aroma.

1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia
est. auction value $180-$200
Easily the most hedonistic of the Insignias tasted, this one wore its lush, slightly more reddish fruits on its sleeve. The nose hits you right away with that fruit, framed by vanillin oak. The overall effect is pleasing. Palate is what you'd expect from the nose- seductive fruit and creamy oak. The higher sweetness in the overall profile feels like a style change compared to the 90-92 bottlings.

1987 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant
est. auction value $85-110
38.5% Mourvedre, 35.8% Grenache, 25.7% Syrah 2400 cases
A big upswing in Contra Costa County Mourvedre supported the 50% jump in production. This wine has more oomph … but still has elegant raspberry fruit. In fact, it smelled like Grenache: bright and lively. Rating 94

1987 Chateauneuf-du-pape Domaine du Vieuf Telegraph
est. auction value $50-70
A blend of 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc, 15% Bourboulenc and 15% Roussane. A member of the classic school of white Châteauneuf-du-Pape: more floral than fruity aromas, and characterized by balance and freshness. "Focused, with a range of apple, lime, pear, floral and mineral notes that stretch out on the bright, stony finish. This has concentration in reserve. Drink now through 2012." 93 Points, Wine Spectator

1986 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Napa Valley-CabernetSauvignon
est. auction value $130-150
The 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill exhibits a deeper, darker ruby color, tough tannin, but much more of a mid-palate with sweet fruit, as well as fine glycerin giving it a nicely-textured, ripe, generous feel in the mouth. Although the tannin is high, the wine remains intact, with excellent fruit, medium to full body, and the potential to evolve for another 10-12 years.

1987 Ravenswood Merlot
est. auction value $35-50
Merlot has gotten a bad rap as of late but there is no denying this wine's appeal. Packed with deep, dark berry fruit and nuanced hints of cocoa, herb and earth with a soft structure. Its velvety texture makes this bottle instantly appealing and an obvious alternative to similar, more tannic Bordeaux varieties.

And don't forget to enter the raffle for a bottle of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Cask 23 (1987). Tickets are $2 each, 3 for $5, or 7 for $10. With a Robert Parker 91 rating, this bottle has an estimated auction price of $360-$400!

Lots of high marks for these landmarks

2011-03-13T19:15:00.005-04:00

Schoolhouse, fire tower, several other local sites recommended for State and National Registers

By PAUL GRONDAHL Staff Writer (Times Union)
Published 12:01 a.m., Saturday, March 12, 2011

ALBANY -- A one-room schoolhouse, private social club, fire tower and grain and feed store are the historic structures in the Capital Region among 39 properties recommended to be listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

"Bringing recognition to these properties will help us to preserve and illuminate important components of New York State history," said Rose Harvey, the new commissioner of the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The 39 properties, subject to a federal review that typically confirms state recommendations, will join a roster of 90,000 historic buildings, structures and sites across New York state that have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Begun in 1966, the National Register is the official list of the nation's historic places worthy of preservation. A listing confers recognition and prestige upon a property and makes the structure eligible for historic preservation grants, along with state and federal tax breaks as incentives for refurbishment.

"It gives us a sense of pride, makes people more aware of the building's history and gives us a boost for fundraising," said Colleen Ryan, secretary of the board of the University Club in Albany. The private social club at the corner of Washington Avenue and Dove Street in line for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Designed by noted architect Robert Fuller and constructed of red brick in the Colonial Revival style, it was completed in 1925. It replaced a Victorian mansion destroyed by fire that previously housed the club, which was founded in 1901. Like other private clubs, the recession has further eroded a declining membership that has leveled off at 200. The old building is also in need of near-constant repair. The most immediate concern is to replace its 28,000-square-foot roof at a cost of more than $100,000.

"This designation is a feather in our cap and it will help us protect the building as we raise money to fix the roof," said Ryan, who is planning a party in June to celebrate the club's history and to install a National Register plaque.

The other property in Albany County that made the list is a one-room schoolhouse in Rensselaerville built in 1853 and known as Potter Hollow District #19 School. The simple clapboard structure, with metal roof and small bell tower, features intact original architectural details. Long vacant, it reflects mid-19th century educational attitudes in a rural vernacular.

In Rensselaer County, the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower in Grafton Lakes State Park was recommended. The 60-foot-tall, steel-frame fire viewing tower was erected in 1924. It was one of more than 100 built by the New York State Conservation Commission beginning in 1908. They were positioned to identify fires and sound an early warning so firefighters hopefully could put out fires quickly, before they caused catastrophic damage to trees, buildings and wildlife.

Helen Ellett, of Grafton, was among the first female fire observers at the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower when she was hired in 1943 at $100 a month. She returned for a second stint from 1959 to 1965 and her pay by then had risen to $244 a month.

In Saratoga County, Smith's Grain and Feed Store, built in 1892, earned a listing. Located in the Clifton Park hamlet of Elnora on Main Street near Route 146A, it now houses a restaurant called the Main Street Grille that's owned and operated by John and Karen Esposito.

"It's a unique building that represents the agricultural heritage of the town and looks just the way it did in the early 1900s," said John Scherer, town historian and State Museum emeritus historian.

The wooden structure was built along railroad tracks initially so trains could pull in and unload shipments of molasses. Local farmers also dropped off their corn crops there by horse-drawn wagon and truck. The corn and molasses were mixed to create feed that supplied a robust cattle industry in the formerly rural area that is now synonymous with suburban sprawl. The facility operated as a feed and hardware store until the Espositos bought it and converted it into a restaurant. The restaurateurs took pains to preserve original details, such as milling equipment on the second floor.

"People don't realize how many historic buildings we have in Clifton Park," Scherer said. "The Register listing gives our residents a sense of pride and makes them aware of our historic heritage. We're not all shopping centers and housing developments here."

Reach Paul Grondahl at 454-5623 or by e-mail at pgrondahl@timesunion.com.

Sip, Savor & Support - March 18!

2011-03-08T19:24:00.003-05:00

Wine and Art Auction to Benefit
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and University Club Foundation

ALBANY, NY – March 8, 2011 – A primary goal of the University Club Foundation is to be a good steward of the historic University Club building on Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The Foundation is also eager to be a supporting partner for charitable causes in the community.

On Friday, March 18, from 5:00 – 8:30 p.m., the public is invited to support the Foundation and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at a benefit titled “Sip, Savor & Support.”

Beginning with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar at 5:00 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to bid on premium wine and fabulous art during a silent auction. At 8:15, bidding will begin in an exciting live auction, featuring bottles to enjoy now to as well as collectable vintages to hold for years to come.

The auction will offer something for everyone, including a raffle for a single bottle of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Cask 23 (1987). Tickets are $2 each, 3 for $5, or 7 for $10. Tasting notes boast of “… 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.” With a Robert Parker 91 rating, this bottle has an estimated auction price of $360-$400. The wine has been donated by a private collector who wishes to remain anonymous.

The Club’s renowned Prime Rib and More Buffet is included in the ticket price of only $35 per person. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151. Payment may be made by cash or check payable to the University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation. A portion of your donation may be tax deductible.

Founded on the belief that each generation has a responsibility to embrace, preserve and promote its shared history, the University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. 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, New York where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

Club member Douglas Boettner of Boettner & Associates LLC is sponsoring the event on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

###

The NYS Capitol and the Great Fire of 1911

2011-03-02T13:59:00.002-05:00

Reception, Book Signing, Video Preview

ALBANY, NY – March 1, 2011 – In the early morning hours of March 29, 1911, a fire broke out in the New York State Capitol at Albany. By sunset, the vast collection of the New York State Library, then housed in the Capitol, had been reduced to ashes.

To commemorate the centennial of the fire, coauthors Paul Mercer and Vicki Weiss, both of the New York State Library, have published The New York State Capitol and the Great Fire of 1911 (Arcadia Press, 2011) including rare images and documents from the special collections of the modern library, which arose from the ruins of the 1911 fire.

The public is invited join Executive Deputy Chief Warren Abriel of the Albany Fire Department to mark the 100th Anniversary of this historic event on Tuesday, March 29, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the University Club of Albany. The reception will feature light fare and cash bar, and authors Mercer and Weiss will discuss and sign the book. Royalties from book sales benefit the Friends of the New York State Library.

The event will also feature a preview of a documentary set to air at 9:00 p.m. on March 31 on WMHT, The New York Capitol Fire. Robert Altman, President and CEO of WMHT Educational Communications, will introduce a clip of the video, which draws on interviews, archival materials and reenactments. This WMHT documentary was created in collaboration with the New York State Museum, the New York State Archives, the Albany Institute, the New York State Library, the City of Albany and the Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol.

The cost for the reception, book signing and video preview is $20 per person. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151.

A portion of the proceeds from this event benefit the University Club Foundation, 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.

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

Sip, Savor & Support!

2011-02-26T15:37:00.007-05:00

Friday, March 18, 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Support the University Club Foundation and bring a friend for silent and live auctions of premium wine, fabulous art and fine cigars ~ your dinner is included!

Appetizers & Cash Bar at 5:00 p.m.
Silent Auction in the Living Room - Bidding Closes at 8:00 p.m.
Prime Rib & More Buffet
Live Auction Begins at 8:15 p.m.
Tickets $35 per person ~ Checks payable to the University Club Foundation, a 501c3 corporation.
Call 518-463-1151 for reservations.

Parade Day Buffet! March 12

2011-02-26T15:35:00.007-05:00

Albany’s 61st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade ~ Saturday, March 12

Watch this annual spectacle from one of the best spots along the route … the U. Club Lawn!

The Club will open at noon for drinks and the renowned Corned Beef and Cabbage Buffet will be served from 1:00—3:00 p.m. The parade should pass the Club at about 2:15 p.m., and then you can return to warm your toes by the fireplace or your fingers around a steaming mug of Irish Coffee!

Please call 518-431-1441 to reserve your table for the Buffet! Just $14.95 for adults and $7.95 for children!

1st Friday with Jeff Strange!

2011-02-19T14:26:00.003-05:00

On Friday, March 4, Jeff Strange returns to the U. Club to help us warm up for St. Patrick's Day!

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 from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. at the University Club. 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!

"Snow Scenes" Luncheon and Gallery Tour

2011-02-04T15:58:00.007-05:00

Explore the works of Walter Launt Palmer at the University Club and Albany Institute of History & Art

The public is invited to attend a luncheon and presentation celebrating the work of one of Albany’s most prolific artists, Walter Launt Palmer, on Thursday, February 17, 2011 from noon – 2:00 p.m.

Snow Scenes will begin at noon with a hot and cold buffet and lecture at the University Club, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street, and then proceed across the street at 1:00 p.m. for a guided tour at the Albany Institute of History & Art. The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is presenting this event in conjunction with the Institute, and one need not be a member to attend.

Tammis Groft, the Institute’s Deputy Director for Collections and Exhibitions, will discuss a collection of Palmer’s snow scenes on permanent exhibit in the dining room of the University Club, along with a selection of related material in the collection of the Institute. Participants will get an up-close look at two recently-acquired pieces of Chinese ceramics that Palmer depicted in his 1878 painting, Interior of the Learned House, 298 State Street, Albany. The pieces were donated in 2009 by Philip Kerr of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The painting itself will be on view at the Institute, along with a library table designed by New York Architect Russell Sturgis also featured in the painting.

Frequently called “The Painter of the American Winter,” the Albany-born Walter Launt Palmer (1854-1932) produced more than three hundred snow scenes from 1884 to 1932. In his 1910 essay “On The Painting of Snow,” Palmer, who had embraced Impressionism, acknowledged his debt to John Ruskin and the Pre-Raphaelites for influencing his early work, especially the discovery that the shadows on snow are blue, an important original element found in all of his snow scenes.

The cost for the luncheon and lecture is $35 and includes admission to the Albany Institute. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the University Club at 518-463-1151.

A portion of the proceeds from this event benefit the University Club Foundation, 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.

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

Above: Road to Olana, Walter Launt Palmer (1854-1932), 1888, watercolor and gouache on paper; Albany Institute of History & Art, gift of the estate of Miss Evelyn Newman. 1964.31.40

Banish the Winter Blues with TN3!

2011-01-17T11:16:00.002-05:00

The Todd Nelson Trio (TN3) returns to the University Club, 141 Washington Avenue (at Dove Street) on Friday, February 4 from 8-10 p.m.

Metroland calls local guitar hero (and Hamilton Street neighbor) Todd Nelson “a preternaturally tasteful guitar player…” His trio is performing instrumental rock and roots, and features Kyle Esposito on fretless bass and Manuel Quintana on drums and percussion.

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.

The performance is free and dinner will be served until 9:00 p.m., call 518-463-1151 for reservations. As Todd says, “the Club is a nice place to hang.”

You can download the 1st Friday map here ... http://www.1stfridayalbany.org/maps/UAG_1stFriday_20110204.pdf

1st Friday with Sonny & Perley!

2011-01-02T12:00:00.003-05:00

Start the year off on a jazzy note as Sonny & Perley return to the University Club on Friday, January 7th from 8-10 p.m., presenting their unique blend of jazz with International Cabaret and Great American Songbook standards.

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.

All About Jazz notes that "Sonny and Perley brightly blend lyricism, passion and rhythm in a way that is both rich and exotic ... The nexus of art and emotion are joined in an exceptional way," and Chronogram Magazine calls them "Harbingers of aesthetic jazz ... and romanticism."

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.

We'll hope to see you on 1st Friday!

Warm up during the Holiday House Tour!

2010-12-07T15:00:00.005-05:00

The University Club invites one and all to explore the warm and gracious surroundings of this historic Clubhouse, decked out in its holiday finery!

Cookies and bar service will be available from noon to 4:00 p.m. -- an adult hot chocolate (with a shot of Bailey's) will help to take the edge off the brisk weather!

Located just across Dove Street from the Albany Institute (the location for ticket pick-up), the Club is one of the four component buildings of one of Albany's most architecturally compatible and imposing intersections.

The red brick building in the Colonial Revival style was the last major commission of prolific Albany architect Albert Fuller, and was built in 1924-25. The main entrance to the Club, on Dove Street, features an entry porch with 4 sets of paired columns surmounted by an architrave, a cornice, and a decorative iron balustrade. The main interior spaces on the first floor are large, formal and elegant, and largely unchanged from the date of construction. Don't miss the collection of Walter Launt Palmer landscapes of American and Italian scenes in the main dining room.

While you warm your hands and lift your spirits downstairs in the Grille Room, be sure to pick up an invitation to the New Year's Eve Gala benefiting the University Club Foundation. This 501c3 organization was established in 2009 to protect and promote the historic Clubhouse, the surrounding neighborhood, and the City of Albany where the Club has been located since its founding in 1901.

In fact, the Foundation recently engaged a consultant to prepare a nomination to list the Clubhouse on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, which is on track to be considered by the State Board at their March, 2011 meeting. Just last month, State Historic Preservation Office staff confirmed that the Club was individually eligible for this designation.

Additional information about the long tradition of the Club, membership opportunities, and historic photos will be on display during the tour. We hope to see you on Saturday, December 11!

Sing Along with Little Otto - 1st Friday 12/3

2010-11-26T16:58:00.003-05:00

Slick Nick and the Bad Santa Band will perform your holiday favorites, including: Chuck Berry - Run Run Rudolph • Jimmy Buffet - Merry Christmas Alabama • Eagles - Please Come Home for Christmas • José Feliciano - Feliz Navidad • Dobie Gray - Decorate the Night • Kingston Trio - Go Where I Send Thee • Greg Lake - I Believe in Father Christmas • John Lennon - War is Over • George Michael - Last Christmas • Peter, Paul & Mary - We Wish You a Merry Christmas • Royal Guardsmen - Christmas Bells and much much more!

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.

The performance is free and dinner will be served until 9:00 p.m., call 518-463-1151 for reservations.

1st Friday - TN3 CD Release Party for "Here"

2010-10-28T16:24:00.010-04:00

The Todd Nelson Trio (TN3) returns to the University Club, 141 Washington Avenue (at Dove Street) on Friday, November 5 from 8-10 p.m.

The band will have copies of their new CD, titled “HERE” available for $10.

According to a review by Mike Hotter in Metroland (9/16/10) “Todd Nelson is a preternaturally tasteful guitar player … the album is enjoyable from start to finish … his guitar lines hew mindfully to the emotional intent of... each composition…” The recording is “custom built for fans of instrumental rock and jazz” and “unpretentious enough … to please even those who don’t consider themselves aficionados.”

Greg Haymes, in a review on Nippertown.com (9/27/10), called HERE a “stellar break-out recording that is worth the wait …Nelson’s guitar sound is clean and crisp, but always warm, bringing to mind Bill Frisell…Despite his lengthy musical career, Nelson’s recorded output has been all too sparse. This album goes a long, long way in remedying that situation.”

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. Drink specials will include the HERE Kir, a signature cocktail created for this event.

The performance is free and dinner will be served until 9:00 p.m., call 518-463-1151 for reservations. As Todd says, “the Club is a nice place to hang.”

FREE TRIAL Membership - through 12/31/10!

2010-10-25T17:51:00.005-04:00

U Club Application - FREE

The University Club is a wonderful resource for the people of Albany and the Capital Region:

a handsome historic building which is a significant anchor on one of our busiest thoroughfares;
a place where one can have lunch with a colleague, or host a meeting for a small or large group in an elegant, professional atmosphere; and
an extension of our homes – whether we want to get together with friends for drinks, host an intimate dinner or a fun party, or put up out-of-town guests for the evening.

We’re certain that you’ll love our Club as we do. In fact, we’re so sure, we want to offer you a free trial membership through the end of 2010. No charge, no strings, no gimmicks!

This offer is available to anyone who is not currently a member of the University Club, and we ask that you provide your credit card number for billing of any fees incurred for meals, drinks, or room rentals.

To become a member, simply fill out and drop off or mail in a copy of the application form. During this free trial period, we are waiving the requirement that candidates have two sponsors and meet a representative of the Membership Committee prior to consideration by the Board of Directors – we are also waiving the entrance fee. The sooner you sign up, the sooner you can begin enjoying benefits of membership!

All over the country, private clubs are closing because of dwindling attendance. The average age of club members is climbing, and younger people are not joining as their parents once did. Today, the University Club needs careful stewardship to endure, and to maintain its dignity, history and uniqueness.

The club is membership-owned and is governed by four elected officers and a board of directors. Membership is open to men and women who have graduated from, or attended, a recognized university or college. A limited number of memberships are available for those who have not attended college.

We hope you’ll take advantage of this limited time offer, and join the University Club of Albany!

PS: Did you know that the University Club has reciprocal agreements with some 125 other clubs around the country, including the Penn Club in New York City and the University Club of Boston? You can visit the University Club online at http://www.universityclubalbany.com/ for more information.

Community Connections III - Thu. Oct. 14

2010-10-14T11:09:00.000-04:00

Help celebrate volunteerism, promote not-for-profit organizations in Albany!

The public is invited to attend a reception celebrating Albany’s educational, charitable and social organizations on Thursday, October 14, 2010 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Community Connections III will take place at the University Club, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. is hosting this event, dress is casual and one need not be a member to attend.

The reception is free and open to the public, and will feature information from many of Albany’s not-for-profit institutions and City representatives, including: Albany Damien Center; Albany Institute of History & Art; Albany Roundtable; the quarterly publication Capital Neighbors; Center Square Association; Common Council Member Richard Conti; eba, Inc.; Equinox; Friends of the Albany Public Library; Girls Inc.; Historic Albany Foundation; Hudson/Park Neighborhood Association; Mansion Neighborhood Association; Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany; Senior Services of Albany; The Stakeholders; the Albany Field Office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI Albany), and the Washington Park Conservancy. Representatives will be on hand to let participants know how they can join or support these important organizations.

Raffles, prizes, and hot and cold appetizers will round out the evening. Beer, wine and soft drinks will be available.

“The Albany Institute is honored to be a part of Community Connections III,” said Steve Ricci, the Institute’s Director of Public Relations and Marketing. “There are so many outstanding nonprofits working to enrich our community. Community Connections is an opportunity for them to meet the public, and each other, so we can all learn more about we do and lend support to those efforts.”

The first Community Connections was organized in November 2009, and additional events have been scheduled by popular demand.

“Community Connections was envisioned as a membership-building event, something that not-for-profit groups could use to attract new supporters,” said Colleen Ryan, one of the event’s organizers. “But it’s also a ‘one-stop-shopping’ opportunity for potential supporters and volunteers to check out the wonderful cultural, social, and human service-oriented not-for-profits in Albany. We hope to see many familiar as well as new faces at Community Connections III on Thursday, October 14.”

Sip, Savor & Support

2010-10-01T14:48:00.006-04:00

Please join the University Club Foundation for an evening of food, art and fine wine on Friday, October 8th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Your $25 tax-deductible donation entitles you to:

A taste of 6 hand-crafted wines presented by Capital Wine and the Hudson-Chatham Winery (see wine descriptions below)

Elegant hors d’oeuvres

Silent and live auctions for fine wine and art

Ticketed guests are also invited to stay for the University Club's signature "Prime Rib & More Buffet" which features: soup du jour, mixed green salad, succulent Roast Prime Rib, Baked Salmon, Chicken Teriyaki, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Vegetables, Triple Chocolate Cake and Fresh Fruit. $25 per person plus tax and service charge - buffet will be served from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Reservations are necessary -- please call 518-463-1151. Cash and credit cards accepted for non-members.

Featured Wines from Hudson-Chatham Winery:

Reisling
A dry Riesling made from Finger Lakes grapes that has that refreshing characteristic snap of a delicious, refreshing Riesling. A perfect accompaniment to everything from a variety of cheeses to fruits, poultry, fish, and salads.

Lindenwald White
Packaged in a distinctive blue bottle and named for President Martin Van Buren’s home in Kinderhook, this is one of Hudson-Chatham Winery’s most popular wines. It’s a blend of Diamond and Niagara grapes, and smells and tastes like a juicy Concord grape, reminiscent of those found on wild vines. It’s sweet yet light – a great sipping wine with spicy food or dessert.

Ghent Blush
This sweet rosé is a wine made from red grapes whose skins were removed after fermentation began. The fermentation is stopped before the wine goes dry, providing a sweeter taste. Blush wines are created in every wine producing country and despite being less serious than other types of wine, have become popular.

Pomme Bullé
French for “Apple Bubble,” this hard cider is produced from the juice of Northern Spy apples. Like ordinary apple cider, Pomme Bullé tastes autumnal but is much less sweet. It compliments fall foods — stews with root vegetables — and seasonal desserts, especially apple pie. It also is an ideal foil for your savory-with-a-touch-of-sweet Thanksgiving menu.

2008 Cabernet Franc
A medium-bodied dry red made with grapes grown on the North Fork of Long Island, our Cab is smooth and tasty – a great all-purpose red for those who want some fruit but like their red dry. The Hudson-Chatham Winery Cabernet Franc rated 84 in Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Empire Red
Empire Red is 33% Cab Franc from the Finger Lakes, 33% Merlot from the North Fork of Long Island, and 33% Baco Noir from the Hudson Valley. The wines are made individually, and then the best lots are selected for this important portfolio wine. Blended after one year’s time, the wine is separated into three lots and separately aged in French oak, American oak, and stainless steel barrels. The wine is then bottle-aged six months, resulting in a complex and mature wine of incredible depth.

Julia Donnaruma - After 1st Friday - 10/1/10

2010-09-10T18:28:00.003-04:00

Julia Donnaruma returns to the University Club on Friday, October 1st from 8-10 p.m., and you won’t want to miss her performance in the warm and inviting atmosphere of the Grille Room.

In an interview on Nippertownreview.com, Michael Bisio noted “Julia’s phrasing embodies the best of the past, present, and future. I hear Ms. Holiday, Washington, Jones, Barber, Wilson and always Julia Donnaruma.”

Make an evening of it. Stop by for dinner (5-9 pm) and stay for the music (8-10 pm). Reservations please - call 518-463-1151.

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,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.

Psst ... Hey You ...

2010-09-10T18:18:00.005-04:00

Tuesday, September 21 is Speakeasy Night at the U. Club!

Are you looking for a place to wet your whistle after work? There's a swell place right nearby that has plenty of giggle juice and great chow. It's got a bowling alley, pool tables too! And it's a real class joint, white linen and everything!

You just gotta know somebody to get into the place ... So call 518-463-1151 to get your name on the list, and TELL'EM JACK SENT YA!

Our special guest, Assemblymember John J. McEneny, will give a brief presentation on breweries and Prohibition in Albany at 7:00 p.m.

This event is sponsored by the University Club Foundation -- the public is welcome! Cash and credit cards will be accepted!

Download the full-sized flyer here ...

Celebrate the 4th Anniversary of 1st Friday!

2010-08-31T15:37:00.002-04:00

On Friday, September 3, The University Club Foundation and Albany Institute are teaming up to co-present "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day with Jeff Strange" as part of Albany’s 1st Friday celebration of arts and culture.

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 three sets: from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Albany Institute, and from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. at the University Club. 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 Albany Institute remains open until 8:00 p.m. and admission to their galleries is free as part of the downtown arts walk that showcases the thriving and lively art scene in downtown Albany.

Likewise, 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.See More

Fun & Games at the U. Club - Monday 8/16

2010-08-12T21:32:00.005-04:00

Drinks, dinner, fun AND games, all conveniently located at the corner of Washington and Dove!

Casual dining in the Grille Room with a full menu being served. Dinner will be available from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Choose a board game and challenge your fellow diners, or test your skills on the Wii system set up on the 60" TV!

After some Wii bowling, head over to the newly resurfaced lanes and think about signing up for fall leagues - members or mixers!
Don't forget - two pool tables upstairs!

Bring the whole family -- but please call the front desk at 518-463-1151 to let them know you'll be there!

Golf Outing 8/31 - RSVP by 8/13!

2010-08-05T22:46:00.004-04:00

The 42nd Annual University Club Golf Outing is Tuesday, August 31!

Country Club of Troy
Cocktails and dinner at University Club $150 per person / $55 for dinner only.

Click here to download sign-up or sponsorship forms.

Enjoy a day of fun, friendly competition and great food and drink. Everybody gets a prize- no matter how bad your game! Shotgun start at 9:45 a.m., scramble format. Come early to warm up on the driving range.

Cocktails are at the University Club at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner. Prizes will be awarded throughout the evening. This event is open to all members and their family, friends and business associates, so get your group together and make a reservation.

Proceeds benefit the University Club Foundation, which 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, New York where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

Whether you’re a foursome, threesome, twosome or alone -- we want you to join this special Outing! Sponsorship opportunities also available, call Ellen at 518-463-1151.

Old Albany Buffet - 8/10

2010-08-05T12:38:00.002-04:00

Our Trolley Tour of Albany Rural Cemetery is sold out, but we invite you to join us for a feast a Patroon would love!

In keeping with the historic theme of the day, the University Club will be featuring an Old Albany Buffet on Tuesday, August 10th from 6:30-8 PM. Whether or not you're going on the Trolley Tour, stop by for a special dinner menu dinner featuring traditional Old World Dutch fare: Savory Pumpkin Pancakes, Red Cabbage with Apples, Bief Stuk (premium cuts of beef with a variety of sausage and potatoes), Kibbeling (deep fried nugget sized cod), Asparagus and Witloof (chicory) served with ham & cheese and for dessert Stewed Pears and Almond Pastry. $23.95 per person (beverages additional). Reservations please -- call 518-463-1151!

$5 Fundraiser with Jeff Strange!

2010-07-09T11:51:00.000-04:00

Please join us on Monday, July 12 at 6:00 p.m.!

Jeff Strange Flyer

Yuko Kishimoto - Flyer

2010-06-29T23:51:00.000-04:00

Yuko Kishimoto Flyer

Dinner Menu

2010-06-29T22:57:00.003-04:00

So, you've been wondering what's on the menu at the University Club? Specials change from week to week, but this will give you an idea of the delicious fare coming out of the kitchen ... Don't see what you want? Just ask!

One Page Dinner Menu[1]

Luncheon Menu

2010-06-29T22:56:00.001-04:00

One Page Lunch Menu[1]

Parents' Night Out with Jeff Strange - 7/12

2010-06-29T22:22:00.002-04:00

Monday, July 12
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Regular Dinner Menu Available

Crafts and games in the Terrace Room were such a hit at the Holiday party, we're bringing the babysitters back! And while the young ones play upstairs, the grown-ups will enjoy the music of Jeff Strange in the Grille Room. Jeff's engaging blend of oldies, contemporary pop -- and the occasional Irish sing-along -- has been a big draw on 1st Friday. This is your chance to see him on a weeknight -- and enjoy your food while it's still hot! $5 per person contribution for music, $5 per child for on-site supervision. Please let us know when you RSVP at 518-463-1151 whether the children will eat before they come over, or whether you would like to order from the kids menu.

Rack'em and Roll'em - 7/6

2010-06-29T22:16:00.002-04:00

Tuesday, July 6
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Regular Dinner Menu Available

Thanks to generous support of the Foundation's "Dollars for Bowling" campaign, the Club's bowling lanes will be resurfaced during the summer break. Before they close, you're invited to stop in and roll a ball or two, and meet with U. Club League members Tim Varney and Bob Serenka to learn about new leagues being established for the fall. Pick up a cue stick and try your skills on the fabulous 9-foot billiard tables upstairs -- members Tom "The Shark" Clark and Steph "Rack'em" Richardson will be on hand to help you hone your game.

Enchanted Evening with Yuko Kishimoto - 7/2

2010-06-29T21:58:00.003-04:00

Make plans to join us for a very special 1st Friday on July 2, as The University Club Foundation presents Yuko Kishimoto.

A native of Japan, Yuko Kishimoto is a clasically trained pianist with experience in jazz, pop, French cabaret, and Broadway musicals. She earned a master's degree in piano pedagogy and a bachelor's degree in piano performance from Michigan State University. She will perform from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. at the University Club.

As part of the University Club's celebration of 1st Friday, you 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. Call 518-463-1151 for dinner reservations!

Yuko performs as a soloist, accompanist, and band leader of her own combo (trio and quartet), appearing frequently at local venues such as Justin's, Midtown Tap & Tea Room, 74 State and others. We hope you'll join us at the University Club to kick off your Capital 4th of July weekend in style!