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ROBERT BENCHLEY SOCIETY 2011
ANNUAL GATHERING and HUMOR AWARDS DINNER
"A Capital Idea"
The Eighth Annual Gathering of the Robert Benchley Society will be Friday through Sunday, November 11-13, 2011, in Washington, D.C.
Don't Miss these Events!
The Robert Benchley Society has "A Capital Idea" for an outstanding weekend packed full of events for this the Eighth Annual Gathering of the Society. This is the first time in Washington, D.C. Pricing for this year's gathering is ala carte, allowing you choice which events you'll participate in.
Friday, November 11th
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6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Dinner at Buca di Beppo.
The food is southern Italian and served family-style. Depending on the size of our group we'll dine at the round table in the "Pope" room or in the "Cardinal" room. The Buca di Beppo chain is also known for their vintage framed photographs hung closely spaced throughout the entire restaurant. This will be a fun evening and we are planning some special entertainment.
At the right is the five-course menu we've selected.
Register for Friday dinner at Buca di Beppo using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. The PayPal billing information will show "Mary4Nails."
The price for the Friday dinner, which includes meal, tax, and tip (but not your bar tab), is–
Now through April 30 $50 May 1 through June 30 $55 After June 30 $60
Saturday, November 12th
11:00 - 1:00 Library of Congress "Hope for America" Exhibit
Bob Hope, who entertainment historian and critic Leonard Maltin declared “may be the most popular entertainer in the history of Western civilization,” was arguably the nation’s best-loved topical humorist during the twentieth century. Hope for America draws from the personal papers, joke files, films, radio and television broadcasts, and other materials donated to the Library of Congress by Bob Hope and his family. To put the history of the involvement of entertainers in politics into perspective, the exhibition also profiles the politically oriented activities of other prominent figures represented in the Library’s vast collections.
The exhibition (http://myloc.gov/exhibitions/hopeforamerica/Pages/default.aspx). invites visitors to examine artifacts that represent an array of viewpoints and draw their own conclusions regarding the interplay of politics and entertainment in American public life and its consequences for the nation’s political culture.
While at the Library of Congress we'll also see the George and Ira Gershwin Room.
Meet in University Club lobby at 10:30 a.m. sharp to depart for the Library of Congress.
Register for Saturday Library of Congress Outing using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. Admission to the Libary of Congress is free, our fee of $15.00 per household (not per person) is intended to help cover incidental expenses of the Society in putting on the weekend program; your only other expense for this event will be taxi fare.
The Main EventSaturday, November 12, 2011 beginning at 7:00 p.m. Annual Humor Awards Dinner will be held at the University Club of Washington, D.C.
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Sunday, November 13th
TBA. We are working on ideas for a joint event with the Art Deco Society of Washington.
Don't Miss this Fabulous Weekend!
Don't miss this event, which will be the largest 2011 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, N.Y.,
- Philadelphia, Penn.,
- Providence, R.I., and
- Washington, D.C.
Where to Stay.
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Stay at the University Club of Washington, D.C. David and Mary Trumbull have made special arrangments with their club for rooms for the Robert Benchley Society Annual Gathering at a rate of $129 per night plus tax (about $154 with tax and fees). The University Club (www.universityclubdc.com) is a favorite meeting spot for members and their guests, with the comfort and privacy of a home away from home.
The Club’s collegial atmosphere makes it possible to enjoy an amazing array of services including upscale dining, casual grille, health club, squash, indoor pool and spa treatments in addition to private event rooms and peaceful reading in the library. With superior recreational facilities and a full schedule of social programming, The University Club of Washington, D.C. has established itself as one of the premier private city clubs in the country.
The Club House is conveniently located on 16th Street between M Street and L Street next to the former Russian embassy (now the residence of the Russian ambassador), across the street from the National Geographic Society and just four blocks from the White House.
The University Club attracts members and guests from both the national and international communities. Members' professions range through the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, including clergy and foreign nationals. Mark Russell, the judge of the 2011 Robert Benchley Society Annual Award for Humor and David Trumbull, RBS chairman, are members of the Club.
Room reservations MUST BE MADE THROUGH DAVID TRUMBULL at david@robertbenchley.org, DO NOT CONTACT THE CLUB DIRECTLY.
Make your reservations NOW. WE have small room block but once they are taken we cannot guarantee you a room at the Club and rooms at nearby hotels are about twice this price!
Transportation.
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You are on our own. By air you have three choices:
Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA) is by far the most convenient. From DCA take the Blue Line Metro train toward Largo Town Center and get off at Farragut West (about 15 min. and $1.85 fare); you will be at the corner of 17th St. and I St.; walk up I St. to 16th St., turn left, continue past K St. and L St., the Club is in the middle of the block between L St. and M St. Alternatively, take a taxi for about $20.
Should the fare to Reagan be prohibitive, the next choice is Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) which is located between Washington and Baltimore. From BWI you can get a commuter train (MARC train, "Penn Line") to Washington for about $6 and you'll be at Washington Union Station in a half hour. From Union Station take the Red Line Metro train toward Shady Grove and get off at Farragut North (about 8 min. and $1.85 fare); you will be at the intersection of Connecticut Ave., 17th St. and K St.; walk up K St. to 16th St., turn left, continue past L St., the Club is in the middle of the block between L St. and M St. Alternatively a taxi from Union Station to the Club will be around $10.
Failing either of the above, you can fly to Dulles International Airport (IAD) where you can get a shuttle bus or taxi.
By rail take AMTRAK to Union Station, Washington, D.C. From Union Station take the Red Line Metro train toward Shady Grove and get off at Farragut North (about 8 min. and $1.85 fare); you will be at the intersection of Connecticut Ave., 17th St. and K St.; walk up K St. to 16th St., turn left, continue past L St., the Club is in the middle of the block between L St. and M St. Alternatively a taxi from Union Station to the Club will be around $10.