Kevin Fitzpatrick January 2018 Newsletter

1. The New York Public Library launched citywide “Community Conversations.” On January 31 I am speaking at the flagship library on Fifth Avenue and Forty-second Street. The topic is literary New York and the Algonquin Round Table.

2. My weekly walking tours resume January 29 with literary Manhattan tours and Dorothy Parker’s hangouts (I started leading this tour 19 years ago!)

3. My book World War I New York: A Guide to the City’s Enduring Ties to the Great War is nominated for an Apple Award by the Guides Association of New York City for Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction NYC Book Writing.

Kevin Fitzpatrick Publishes Seventh Book

NEWS -- Kevin Fitzpatrick, President of the New York City "Fascinating Crimes" Chapter of the RBS has just completed his seventh book, World War I New York: A Guide to the City’s Enduring Ties to the Great War (Globe Pequot). It comes out 3/1/2017 and is a guidebook to what was happening in the city during the war and where memorials are located today. For more information about the book CLICK HERE.

Al Hirschfed Exhibit at Algonquin Hotel Nov. 22-Jan 9

New York -- November 22, 2014, is the 112th anniversary of the Algonquin Hotel throwing open its doors to guests. To coincide with the date, a celebration of iconic artist Al Hirschfeld illustrations will be on display in the lobby through January 9, 2015. There will be 25 images of the Vicious Circle and their friends hanging in the lobby. Stop in and have a cocktail, or lunch at the Round Table.

Proposed New Yorker Benchley/Parker Tribute

Dear David,

Hi, I'm an entrant in the New Yorker Eustace Tilley contest and my entry is a playful tribute to Robert Benchley & Mrs. Parker.

It's currently posted at the New Yorker website. I doubt if I'll win, but I wanted to see Sweet Old Bob represented at his magazine! Regards,

Eileen Mitchell

http://www.newyorker.com/online/photocontests/eustace_tilley_2013/entry537501244?previousId=537501481.

New York Walking Tour Sept. 17

The monument was dear to Benchley.

If you are a fan of Robert Benchley, you know that he was obsessed with the Amiable Child Monument that is across the street from Grant's Tomb. He visited it on his birthday. For several years, I have done the same thing on Sept. 15. This year I am organizing a walking tour around the event that Benchley took part in during the 1930s and 1940s. The information:

Robert Benchley Birthday-1920s NYC Walking Tour

Monday, Sept. 17, 4:30 p.m. 
Meet at Grant’s Tomb, West 122nd Street & Riverside Drive, NY, NY, 10027

New York City’s “Fascinating Crimes” chapter of the Robert Benchley Society is sponsoring the walking tour. It meets in front of the General Grant National Memorial, better known as Grant’s Tomb, at 4:30 p.m.

The walking tour will include sites related to Benchley, starting with the Amiable Child Monument. The walking tour will include Riverside Park and the Upper West Side homes and haunts of 1920s figures, including Polly Adler, Babe Ruth, Dorothy Parker, William Randolph Hearst, George and Ira Gershwin, Heywood Broun, Edna Ferber, and many others.

We will see landmarks, historic sites, and noted architectural sites. The walk is led by Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, a licensed New York City sightseeing guide, author of “A Journey into Dorothy Parker’s New York,” president of the local Robert Benchley Chapter, and founder of the Dorothy Parker Society.

The walk will encompass approximately 25 blocks. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring a MetroCard because we will be boarding an MTA bus to skip over some blocks. The tour will end up approximately 6:15 in a cocktail lounge.

The walk is $10, or free for all Robert Benchley Society members. It is open to the public of all ages; dogs are welcome (but can’t go in the Memorial). For more information: email Kevin Fitzpatrick (Kevin @ dorothyparker DOT com), call 917.526.0597 or sign up on Facebook.

Dorothy Parker News

Schedule for Parkerfest

Parkerfest will have a more venues than in past years, as we kick off the events on the anniversary of Mrs. Parker's birth, August 22.

Parkerfest 2012 Schedule of Events

Wednesday, 8/22 7:00 PM: Dorothy Parker Birthday Party, The Shanty/NY Distilling Co. 79 Richardson St, Brooklyn

Thursday, 8/23 7:00 PM: That Dorothy Parker, Performed by Carol Lempert, The Arclight Theatre, 152 West 71st Street ($22)

Saturday, 8/25 12:00 PM: Dorothy Parker's Upper West Side Walking Tour, Riverside Drive & West 72nd Street ($20)

Saturday, 8/25 8:00 PM: Wit's End Summer Scandals Party featuring the Moonlighters, Flute, Midtown, 205 West 54th Street ($12)

All of the information is found online here.


West Coast Connection

The Los Angeles Chapter of the Dorothy Parker Society is holding two great events in July for all fans of Mrs. Parker and her friend F. Scott Fitzgerald. On July 22 is a free walking tour of Parker and Fitzgerald's local haunts; on July 23 at Musso & Frank Grill, 6667 Hollywood Boulevard, is "That Side of Paradise: Dorothy Parker & F. Scott Fitzgerald in the Garden of Allah," a dinner and talk with writers Adrienne Crew and David Kippen. Advance tickets are required for the dinner. Event info and tickets here.

Limited Time Offer!

Order THE ATHLETIC BENCHLEY between now and Dec 23rd and recieve FREE two rare DOROTHY PARKER pieces, never before published in anthology. Rare Parker items from the height of her wittiest production, unearthed from The DAC News in Detroit. www.glendowermedia.com.

Algonquin Round Table Walking Tour

Algonquin Round Table Walking Tour, Sunday, Dec. 4, Noon-2 p.m.

Location: Algonquin Hotel, 59 W. 44th St (bet 5th and 6th Avenues)
Cost: $20

Walk in the footsteps of the Vicious Circle in the only walking tour dedicated to the city's greatest literary friends. See the places where the Round Table, lived, worked, played and drank. You'll visit the former homes, theaters and speakeasies associated with Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Franklin P. Adams, Heywood Broun, Edna Ferber, George S. Kaufman and many more. The walk begins and ends in the landmark Algonquin Hotel. The walk is led by Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, president of the DPS and author of A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York. RSVP to kevin@dorothyparker.com.

Dorothy Parker News

Annual Dorothy Parker Day in Long Branch
Sunday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. Long Branch Free Public Library, 328 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ, 07740

This is the only celebration of Dorothy Parker in the Garden State. Since 2005, when a memorial plaque was unveiled at the location where her family beach cottage once stood, the residents of Long Branch of gone out of their way to put together a terrific celebration. On Sunday, Oct. 2, there will be a focus on the Round Table, with talks by local authors. Actors and actresses will perform Parker material. At noon, local restaurants will offer a Round Table-worthy luncheon, which is a great way to experience Long Branch. You can also walk to the boardwalk nearby and see the ocean. There will be screening of the Alan Rudolph film "Mrs Parker and the Vicious Circle" at 1:30 p.m. The day will wind up at the official cocktail lounge of the Dorothy Parker Society on the Jersey Shore, The Mix Lounge at 71 Brighton Avenue. Come meet for an informal cocktail reception, in which the Dorothy-themed specials are sure to flow. For directions and additional information on Dorothy Parker Day 2011, contact 732-222-3900. Dorothy Parker Day is sponsored by the Library with the Long Branch Arts Council, the Long Branch Historical Association and the City of Long Branch. Don't miss it.

"A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York"

New York Public Library Illustrated Talk - Free

Thursday, Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m.

Mid-Manhattan Library, 40th Street and Fifth Avenue, 6th Floor

212-340-0837 information line.
Wheelchair accessible.

Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, president of the Dorothy Parker Society and author of A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York (Roaring Forties Press, 2005), will give an illustrated tour of Mrs. Parker's Manhattan. From 1893 until her death in 1967, Mrs. Parker called New York City her hometown. Come explore the residence apartments, hotels, speakeasies and haunts that defined her life. Learn about the locations that shaped her life, and that she shaped too. The talk is free and the book will be available.

Algonquin Round Table Walking Tours


Sunday, Nov. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 4

Location: Algonquin Hotel, 59 W. 44th St (bet 5th and 6th Avenues)

Cost: $20 ea


Walk in the footsteps of the Vicious Circle in the only walking tour dedicated to the city's greatest literary friends. See the places where the Round Table, lived, worked, played and drank. You'll visit the former homes, theaters and speakeasies associated with Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Franklin P. Adams, Heywood Broun, Edna Ferber, George S. Kaufman and many more. The walk begins and ends in the landmark Algonquin Hotel; it will be shortened to accommodate the evening start and finish time. The walk is led by Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, president of the DPS and author of A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York. RSVP to kevin@dorothyparker.com.
Buy tickets in advance via TicketWeb:

•November 13

•December 4

Parkerfest Set for Aug. 21 & 22

This just in from the Dorothy Parker Society:

Sunday, Aug. 21, Noon-5 p.m.
Jazz Age Lawn Party & Festival on Governors Island.
Join us as we have a Sunday afternoon picnic party at one of New York's greatest parks, the one that is located on Governors Island in New York Harbor. Dress up in period 1920s attire. Live music by Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra. A dreamy afternoon rendezvous of live music and dance, instruction in period dances, picnicking, a "best pie" judging competition, a vintage automobile exhibit, and more. The ferry ride to the island is free from Manhattan & Brooklyn. Tickets are available in advance for $7; $10 at the doors (kids under 12 free) buy tickets here.

Monday, Aug. 22, 6 p.m.
Algonquin Round Table Walking Tour
Location: Algonquin Hotel, 59 W. 44th St (bet 5th and 6th Avenues)
Cost: $10

Walk in the footsteps of the Vicious Circle in the only walking tour dedicated to the city's greatest literary friends. See the places where the Round Table lived, worked, played and drank. You'll visit the former homes, theaters and speakeasies associated with Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Franklin P. Adams, Heywood Broun, Edna Ferber, George S. Kaufman and many more. The walk begins and ends in the landmark Algonquin Hotel; it will be shortened to accommodate the evening start and finish time. The walk is led by Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, president of the DPS and author of A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York. RSVP here.

Parkerfest Set for August 19 - 21

We just heard that the Dorothy Parker Society is planning this year's Parkerfest for August 19th through the 21st in New York City. Watch for more details.

The Crossword Craze of the 1920s

We thank Kevin Fitzpatrick for these images from issues of the New York Times of September 1924.Kevin is president of the New York "Fascinating Crimes" Chapter of the Robert Benchley Society as well as president of the Dorothy Parker Society. More information on the DPS is available on their website http://dorothyparker.com/

 

Our Mrs. Parker

They ask; we answer (as best we can):

Thank you for contacting the Robert Benchley Society.

I tracked down the original of the quotation asked about; it's from "Our Mrs. Parker" from While Rome Burns, by Alexander Woollcott

"I pointed out celebrities in the manner of a barker on a Chinatown bus. Young Bill seemed especially interested in the seamy lineaments of a fellow Harvard man named Robert Benchley... Seated beside him was a little and extraordinarily pretty woman with dark hair, a gentle, apologetic smile, and great reproachful eyes. 'And that, I suppose,' said the lad from Emporia, 'would be Mrs. Benchley.' 'So I have always understood,' I replied crossly, 'but it is Mrs. Parker.'"

Alex Robinson Cartoon of Mrs. Parker and Mr. Benchley

Drawing of Dorothy Parker and Robert Benchley by Alex Robinson.

Alex Robinson was born in the Bronx on 8 August. He grew up in Yorktown Heights, New York where he graduated high school in 1987. His first job upon graduation was washing dishes in a gourmet deli and it was while working there he decided that maybe college was a pretty good idea after all.

He spent one year at SUNY Brockport and then transferred to an art school in New York City, where he majored in cartooning. Among his teachers were Will Eisner, Andre LeBlanc, Sal Amendola and Gahan Wilson. In his sophomore year he got a job at a bookstore, where he continued to work for seven long years.

After graduating from art school, Alex began doing mini comics (small print run comics xeroxed and stapled by himself). He soon started working on the story that would become his first graphic novel, Box Office Poison.

In 1996, Antarctic Press started publishing the serialized version of Box Office Poison. The series ran for twenty-one issues, and once the story was complete, Top Shelf Productions published the entire thing in one 608 page book. Shortly after the book was published, Alex won the Eisner Award for Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition.

Although Box Office Poison was nominated for several awards (a Harvey, an Eisner, an Ignatz and the Firecracker book award) it failed to take home a single prize. Pathetic. Alex bitterly got to work on a second book.

2005 got off to a great start when the French translation of Box Office Poison won the prestigious Prix du Premier Album award in Angouleme, France. August finally saw the release of Tricked, which Top Shelf announced was going to a second printing in November.

In 2006, Tricked lost the Eisner Award for Best Graphic Novel, but managed to win a Harvey and Ignatz Award. This year also so Astiberri in Spain release both of his graphic novels in handsome, one volume editions.

Alex has expanded his storytelling to include fantasy, with the release of Alex Robinson's LOWER REGIONS (2007), the time travel/high school drama Too Cool to Be Forgotten (2008, winner of the Harvey Award for Best Graphic Album-original) and an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's A Kidnapped Santa Claus (2009).

He currently lives in New York City with his wife Kristen and their pets, Krimpet and Wrigley.

Learn more about Mr. Robinson at www.comicbookalex.com

Dorothy Parker Society Newsletter, June 2010

Summer is here and there is a boatload of Dorothy Parker news and events to tell you about. In June, July and August there are events in many cities. And if you hate summer resorts, read what Mrs. Parker had to say about it.

It was just announced that Mario Brassard's 2008 short film Dorothy Parker's "The Sexes" is an official selection of the 13th annual Long Island International Film Expo in Bellmore. The film will be screened on Saturday, July 17, at 4:30 pm. For more info visit www.liifilmexpo.org and www.TheSexesFilm.com. Congratulations to Mario and his fine cast and crew. This is nice, because Mrs. Parker spent childhood summers in Bellmore, more than 100 years ago.

In August, Mrs. Parker's short story "Here We Are" will be part of the Silver Spring Stage's one-act festival. The festival runs two weekends and by happy coincidence "Here We Are" will run the 19th to 22nd of August, thus closing on the 117th anniversary of Mrs. Parker's birth. Silver Spring Stage is an all-volunteer community theater in Silver Spring, Maryland, outside Washington, DC. For more info visit here.

Dorothy Parker Society News

The Dorothy Parker Society is heating up June with two big nights of fun, live music and cocktails. The Last Thursday Series in the Borsalino Room is Thursday, June 24, at Flute Gramercy. Two nights later, the monthly Wit's End (clubwitsend.com) bash will be at Flute Midtown on Saturday, June 26 for the "Beyond the Silvery Sea" party with the world-famous Moonlighters performing. The venue on June 24 is underneath Flûte (flutebar.com), the popular Champagne lounge in Gramercy Park (40 E. 20th Street) in its underground private cabaret room. The DPS, New York's #1 literary association, is the evening's sponsor. The musical director and accompanist is the incomparable William Zeffiro, the man behind the hit show "The Road to Ruin" at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Table reservations for the Last Thursday Series are encouraged (212-529-7870). There is no cover with a 2-drink minimum. Must be over 21 to attend. Then on Saturday, June 26, is the monthly Wit's End party at Flute Midtown (205 West 54th Street at Broadway). Swing and tap those toes into the glorious summer season with us as we celebrate the wonder of the underwater world in Jazz Age style! Songs inspired by the sea and fabulous uke tunes brought to you by The Moonlighters. More information about both events is here.

In July there are 2 events on the same weekend, in New York and Boston:

NEW YORK: The 5th Bi-Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island, Saturday & Sunday, July 17th & 18th and August 28th & 29th, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission $7/advance (available on brownpapertickets.com), $10/door (Children Under 12 Free). Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra (http://dreamlandorchestra.com) will perform and there will be a whole schedule of activities (to be posted on the News page). This is a fantastic weekend, among the best events in the city all summer. The DPS will be at the August weekend (see below).

BOSTON: The 7th Annual Gathering of the Robert Benchley Society will be Friday through Sunday, July 16-18, 2010, in Boston. The Dorothy Parker Society will be in attendance (if you want to attend email Kevin@dorothyparker.com). Boston's We've Come for the Davenport Chapter has planned an outstanding weekend packed full of events. There is a cocktail party, walking tour, book talk & author signing, evening dinner cruise, and much more. Info: Four writers and editors will tip their caps to Benchley at a free book talk and reading Saturday, July 17, in Beacon Hill. The event begins at 11 a.m. at the Boston Society of the New Jerusalem, the Church on the Hill, 140 Bowdoin Street (churchonthehillboston.org). The talk and book signing is free and open to the public. More info here.

This year's Annual Robert Benchley Humor Awards Dinner will be held aboard the Secret Love. This handsome yacht has the charm and amenities that define private yachting. We have chartered the vessel for Saturday evening. There will be a full open-bar for the entirety of the cruise. Boston organizer of this event, Mary DiZazzo-Trumbull, has opted for the most luxurious of the dinner selections offered on the Secret Love, Boiled Maine Lobster Tails with drawn butter and Tenderloin of Beef with creamy horseradish sauce. Tickets for the weekend, which includes the walk, cruise, dinner and open bar, are $225 and all information is here.

August Event: the DPS will hold the 12th annual Parkerfest on Governors Island during the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island, Saturday & Sunday, August 28th & 29th. More info to come later, check the News page.

More Dorothy Parker News

In May when Dorothy Parker Complete Poems was published (read the story about the book here) we ran a little trivia contest to win a free copy of the book, courtesy of Penguin Classics, and signed by editor Marion Meade. The question: "The Passionate Screen Writer To His Love" is expanded with lines missing from the earlier edition. To celebrate, where did Dorothy Parker meet Marilyn Monroe? The correct answer was the American Academy of Arts & Letters (www.artsandletters.org), 633 West 155th Street. We got two copies of the book to give out, and the first two people with the correct answer were Beth Woolley (Long Branch, NJ) and Jason Stoneking (Paris). Congrats!

Dorothy Parker Verse of the Month

Since the DPS is having an event next month with the Robert Benchley Society, here are a few lines that Mrs. Parker wrote to her best friend, Robert Charles Benchley (available in Complete Poems and the 2006 edition of The Portable DP):

For R.C.B.
By Dorothy Parker

Life comes a-hurrying,
Or life lags slow;
But you've got to stop worrying—
Let it go!
Some call it gloomy,
Some call it jake;
They're very little to me—
Let them eat cake!
Some find it fair,
Some think it hooey,
Many people care;
But we don't, do we?

***

Thanks for reading!

Forward this newsletter to your friends, post it on your blogs, and we hope to see you at a Dorothy Parker Society gathering!

Kevin Fitzpatrick,
The Dorothy Parker Society
Email: kevin@dorothyparker.com
AIM - k72ndst
Skype - k72ndst
http://www.dorothyparker.com
New! Facebook: Dorothy Parker Society

Events in NYC for Dorothy Parker Society

Dorothy Parker Society friends and lovers in New York City, can enjoy two events this week. Both involve live music and cocktails in vintage settings, uptown and downtown. Make plans on Thursday and Saturday night to come out for a great evening. Read on!

The Last Thursday Series in the Borsalino Room is Thursday, May 27, with a very special performance by Karen Oberlin. She is a Bistro and MAC Award winning jazz-pop vocalist, recently described by Stephen Holden in the New York Times as having “impeccable classic pop style…musical intelligence…arresting and perfect moments (with) beautifully shaped, delicately voluptuous phrasing.” In addition, five other special guest vocalists will be performing.

The venue is underneath Flûte (http://www.facebook.com/l/66c44;flutebar.com), the popular Champagne lounge in Gramercy Park (40 E. 20th Street) in its underground private cabaret room. The Dorothy Parker Society (http://www.facebook.com/l/66c44;dorothyparker.com), New York’s #1 literary association, is the evening’s sponsor. The musical director and accompanist is the incomparable William Zeffiro, the man behind the hit show “The Road to Ruin” at the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Appearing at the Last Thursday Series on May 27 at 8 pm:

• Karen Oberlin (http://www.facebook.com/l/66c44;karenoberlin.com), is performing at the Algonquin Hotel for three weeks in June. She is a 2010 MAC award nominee for outstanding vocalist of the year. Bistro Award winner. She has appeared at major New York venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Iridium Jazz Club, Feinstein's, Merkin Hall and The Metropolitan Room.

• Kristin Maloney (http://www.facebook.com/l/66c44;kristinmaloney.com), performed Off Broadway as Dorothy Parker in a mini-tour of Ginny Redington/Tom Dawes musical, Talk of the Town, as well as a full year at the Algonquin. Kristin made her principal debut at New York City Opera in the Glimmerglass Opera co-production The Glass Blowers as comic soubrette Rose Green.

• Adam MacDonald (http://www.facebook.com/l/66c44;adamjmacdonald.com), also starred in Talk of the Town, as Robert E. Sherwood, MacDonald has performed in the national tour of My Fair Lady.

• Danielle Erin Rhodes (http://www.facebook.com/l/66c44;myspace.com/danierhodes), a pianist, composer, and songwriter has performed twice at the New York Musical Theater Festival. Danielle toured all over the world with such shows as Grease and Oliver!

• Libba Bray (http://www.facebook.com/l/66c44;libbabray.com), author-vocalist Bray has written hit novels for teens including Going Bovine and Rebel Angels, and she is making her cabaret debut.

• Marnie Klar presented her New York solo cabaret debut at Don't Tell Mama in December.

Table reservations for the Last Thursday Series are encouraged (212-529-7870). There is no cover with a 2-drink minimum. Must be over 21 to attend.

Then on Saturday, May 29, is the monthly Wit’s End party at Flute Midtown (205 West 54th St). The party starts at 7 pm. All info and photos here: http://www.facebook.com/l/66c44;clubwitsend.com

Celebrate the vibrant history of America this Memorial Day weekend at the Star Spangled Soiree! Patriotic vintage dance tunes brought to you by favorites SKY BLUE & JESSE SELENGUT (http://www.facebook.com/l/66c44;jesseselengut.com)!

Free Hors D'Oeuvres 7pm-8pm...come down early and have dinner at Flute!

FREE BEGINNER DANCE LESSON – 830 pm! Jeri Lynn Astra helps you tap those toes!

Come in your finest vintage patriotic attire - 1910s/1920s/1930s/1940s! Bring out that red, white, and blue and enjoy dancing and have some vintage cocktails with us!

There is a $12 cover. Must be over 21 to attend.

Check out http://www.facebook.com/l/66c44;dorothyparker.com for more news about summer events, including Parkerfest in August.

Dorothy Parker News

The Third Annual Dorothy Parker Day is Saturday, August 16th, in Long Branch, New Jersey, Mrs. Parker's birthplace. The schedule of events:

10:00 to 11:30 AM -- Dorothy Parker Dog Walk and Blessing of the Dogs. FREE & Open to the Public. Back Parking Lot of Saint Michael's Catholic Church, Ocean Avenue, Long Branch

12 to 1:30 PM -- Algonquin Round Table Luncheon. Open Mic Readings of Dorothy Parker's Works. Jesse's Café, 139 Brighton Ave., West End. Reservations Required: 732-229-6999

2 to 4:00 PM -- Readings and Dramatic Interpretations of Dorothy Parker's Works. FREE & Open to the Public. Long Branch Free Public Library, 328 Broadway, Long Branch

4 PM -- A Toast to Dorothy Parker. The MIX Martini Lounge, 71 Brighton Avenue, West End.

4:30 PM -- Algonquin Round Table Dinner. Open Mic Readings of Dorothy Parker's Works
Jesse's Café, 139 Brighton Ave, West End. Reservations Required: 732-229-6999

Saturday August 16th at 3 & 8 PM & Sunday, August 17th at 2 & 7 PM. The Little Hours, a New Musical by David Bucknam. Based on the Works of Dorothy Parker. New Jersey Repertory Company, 179 Broadway, Long Branch. For Information & Reservations: 732-229-3166

Sponsored by: The Long Branch Arts Council, The Long Branch Free Public Library, Long Branch Historical Association, and the Dorothy Parker Society

To see video and photos of previous Dorothy Parker Day events, look here:
http://www.dorothyparker.com/nj/

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In New York, a special Dorothy Parker birthday party planned for Wednesday, Aug. 20. It will have live music, singing, and a lot of fun. The event is "1930s Idol" and will be held at Broadway Baby Bistro, 318 West 53rd Street, at 10 p.m. in the Chicago City Limits Room. The evening will feature an Open Mic contest showcasing 20 talented contestants performing songs from the 1920 and 1930's and competing for prizes. There is NO COVER and the cocktails will flow. The event is 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. For more information, click here. http://www.jenniferwren.info/Jennifer_Wren/1930s_Idol__.html

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In Los Angeles, the red-hot chapter of the DPS also has a party planned. Hoist a few in honor of Dorothy Parker's birthday.
Date: August 22, 2008
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Culver City Hotel bar
Address: 9400 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: (310) 838-7963
We'll gather in the bar of the Culver City Hotel -- A landmark drinking establishment near the MGM studio where Dorothy Parker worked as a screenwriter during the '30s. Come for ribaldry, epigrams, aphorisms... and those few people who use words like that in sentences. The rest of us will be at the bar. Join us!
More info:
http://sites.google.com/a/adriennecrew.com/dorothyparkerwest/
http://www.culverhotel.com/

And September 26-27, the DPS LA Chapter is hosting its first Parkerfest West! It will be at the fabulous, the fantastic, and the super special Chateau Marmont. All info is here: http://sites.google.com/a/adriennecrew.com/dorothyparkerwest/

Dorothy Parker Society News
Our June party on Governors Island was fantastic. Hundreds showed up for the 1920s Lawn Party, with live jazz performed by Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra. We will be repeating this party in September and it will be our annual Parkerfest! Save the date for the 2-day party, Sept. 13 & 14. If you want to see photos and video of the June party, look here:http://www.dorothyparker.com/special/

In addition, on Thursday, Sept. 11, Potable Productions will present a reading of Parker works. It will be at the Salmagundi Club, 8-10pm. More information will be on the site soon.

More Dorothy Parker Society News

Dorothy Parker Society officer William Zeffiro has announced the venue and schedule for his musical THE ROAD TO RUIN. (He wrote the book, music and lyrics). We will have a special DPS Night on Friday, Sept. 19, 8 pm, with a post-show cast party, details TBD. If you are interested in attending, email Kevin@dorothyparker.com to get on the VIP List.

Synopsis: It's 1928 Do You Know Where Your Daughter Is? The Road To Ruin (The 1928 Exploitation Musical), where sex delinquency, neglectful parents, bottled water and Christians bring down Little Sally Canfield, "The Nicest Girl at Central High." But Never Fear: by the final curtain, justice is served and redemption achieved through good works, cookies and dogs.
Venue: 45th Street Theater, 354 West 45th Street, New York, NY
Schedule: Sept 18, 8pm; Sept 19, 8pm; Sept 21, 8pm; Sept 25, 8pm; Sept 28, 8pm; Oct 1, 4:30pm
Youtube clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8M31KfIH6g
http://www.nymf.org/Show-860.html
http://www.theroadtoruin.com

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Eleanor Cox, a member of the Dorothy Parker Society, has a treat for you. She has organized the Great Gatsby Boat Tour. Mrs. Parker and her pals spent a lot of time on Long Island's fabled "Gold Coast" -- where Fitzgerald set The Great Gatsby. Now, see the locations via a boat tour of beautiful Manhasset Bay, led by Eleanor. The schedule is
August 31 at 1 pm (Labor Day weekend)
September 7 at 1 pm
September 21 at 1 pm
Cost is $25 per person. Departs Port Washington Town Dock on Main Street. Check with her on schedule.
More information here. http://greatgatsbyboattour.org

Special Dorothy Parker News
There are still some copies left of The Ladies of the Corridor for Dorothy Parker Society members: a limited edition numbered first edition of 40 copies. Each is signed by Marion Meade, the book's editor and Parker biographer, who wrote What Fresh Hell is This? These are on sale for $10 each, plus $3 shipping. (Outside the USA, shipping is $6). Once these are gone, that is it. To order, click here. http://www.dorothyparker.com/books01.html

Do you live in Los Angeles? A chapter of the DPS is up and running. The LA Chapter is hitting the monthly burlesque night at El Cid in Hollywood. Shoot an email to labrainterrain25@gmail.com

Are you a member of Facebook? Look for the new group called Dorothy Parker Society.

Los Angeles Event July 31

Members of the Robert Benchley Society have been invited by the Los Angeles chapter of the Dorothy Parker Society to an evening of frolic and LA history in the 20s on Thursday, July 31, at 6:30-10 pm at Casa Del Mar, 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Phone: (310) 581-5533.

We will have time to get to know each other during cocktail hour between 6:30-7:30 in the Casa Del Mar bar. Around 7:30 pm, historian Alison Jefferson will give a brief slide show about the special history of the beach area, nicknamed "The Inkwell," in front of the Casa Del Mar, the site of a beach club popular with Dorothy Parker's crowd in the 20s and 30s.

Alison Jefferson works for Historic Resources Group as a historian. She has a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from Pomona College in Claremont, California and her Master's in Historic Preservation from the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on Southern California vacation spots frequented by African Americans during the segregation in the 20s and 30s.

The meeting is open to the public. Invite your friends.

Robert Benchley Society Top-Ten Humor Books for the Summer

In time for Independence Day Weekend, the Robert Benchley Society presents a Top-Ten List of humorous summer reading for 2008.

Number one on this year's list is “What To Do While the Family is Away” from Love Conquers All, by Robert Benchley. The family is off on holiday: what does Daddy want to do with his freedom? What does he actually end up doing?

Somewhere or other the legend has sprung up that, as soon as the family goes away for the summer, Daddy brushes the hair over his bald spot, ties up his shoes, and goes out on a whirlwind trip through the hellish districts of town.

Other authors on this summer's list are Dorothy Parker, O. Henry, Dorothy Sayers, Jean Shepherd, Charles Lamb, H. Allen Smith, Mark Twain, and P. G. Wodehouse.

Past summer top-ten lists are available here and here

Dorothy Parker Society News

BIRTHDAY PARTY! The Dorothy Parker Societ announces plans for a special Dorothy Parker birthday party on Wednesday, August 20, 2008. It will have live music, singing, and a lot of fun. The event will be held at Broadway Baby Bistro, 318 West 53rd Street, New York, at 10 p.m. In the Chicago City Limits Room will be an open mic, available for anyone that wants to belt out a classic song from the '20s, '30s, or '40s. The party is hosted by DPS officers (minister of martinis) Jen Wren and (minister of chaos) Bill Zeffiro. There is NO COVER and the cocktails will flow. If you are a singer, come on out and win a prize. The event is 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.