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ROBERT BENCHLEY SOCIETY 2008
ANNUAL GATHERING and HUMOR AWARDS DINNER
The Sixth Annual Gathering of the Robert Benchley Society will be Friday through Sunday, October 3-5, 2008, in New York City.
The Main Event
The highlight of the event will be the Saturday, October 4th Awards Dinner.
- This year's Annual Humor Awards Dinner will be held at the Harvard Club of New York, one of New York City's exclusive gentlemen's and ladies' clubs in the heart of the fabulous theatre district where Mr. Benchley and the members of the Algonquin Round Table hung out. Thanks to the kind support of Joseph Handlin, a New York City Benchley fan, we are able to hold our dinner in this private club–an impressive venue that most of us would not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy. You will not want to miss this event which will be the year's largest gathering of Benchley fans.
- At this event Madeleine Kane of Bayside, N.Y., will be presented with the Robert Benchley Award for Humor. In addition to Ms. Kane's first place entry, Guide for the Opera Impaired, we'll be honoring our medalists in this year's competition, which was judged by Bob Newhart. They are Mike Tuck (2nd) of Hopkins, Minn. for Welcome to America, Jesse Levy (3rd) of North Hollywood, Calif. for How to Watch a Sad Movie and Retain Your Manliness, and Denise G. Weeks (4th) of Richardson, Texas for How to Start Your Own Band.
- The cost for dinner (including tax and tip) is $100 per person and includes wine with dinner.
- Dress: optional black tie and/or 1920s-1940s period.
Also on the Card
For those in town Friday early evening there will be an opportunity to meet for cocktails and dinner.
The Saturday program will kick off with brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a 1920s-style yacht cruising around the Island of Manhattan. The cost of this event is $75. Dress: casual/boating and/or 1920s-1940s period. --SOLD OUT--
At 5:30 p.m. on Saturday we'll gather for pre-dinner cocktails at a location closely associated with Mr.Benchley.
On Sunday, the New York City Fascinating Crimes chapter of the RBS will sponsor a special event.
This will be our fourth time gathering in New York. The Society has also held it's annual event in Boston (2005) and Los Angeles (2006).
Photos of recent Annual Gatherings–
The preferred hotel for the event is The Roosevelt Hotel on Madison Avenue at 45th Street. Note that as a small group we have not been able to arrange a convention rate at The Roosevelt Hotel. You are on your own to book a hotel room.
Don't miss this event which will be the largest 2008 gathering of Robert Benchley fans. Commitments to attend have already been made by members of Robert Benchley Society Chapters in–
- Ann Arbor, Mich.
- Boston, Mass.
- New York City
- Washington State
This will be our fourth time gathering in New York. The Society has also held it's annual event in Boston (2005) and Los Angeles (2006).
How to Sign Up
Register for the Robert Benchley Society 2008 Annual Gathering using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below and you will be taken to a page with details of all the events and instructions for buying the $100 per person Saturday dinner at an exclusive private club and the $75 person Saturday brunch cruise. The PayPal billing information will show "Mary4Nails." Once you pay you will be automatically redirected to the RBS Annual Gathering Registration Confirmation page; if it does not automatically forward, hit the PayPal button from return to vendor.
The price for registration is–
| Now through September 4th | $10 |
| September 5 through 19 | $15 |
| After September 19 | $20 |