Rare View of Benchley's Digs at the Royalton

As many Robert Benchley fans know, when in New York Robert lived across the street from the Algonquin Hotel at the Royalton New York Hotel, 44 West 44th Street, where the clutter in Benchley's rented rooms prompted his friend Noel Coward (1899-1973) to remark, "I must say, it looks lived in." Recently, Robert's grandson Nat gave the Robert Benchley Society permission to reproduce, on our website, a photographic copy of a painting of Robert's digs at the Royalton produced by Robert's son Nathaniel. You can see it on our website by clicking here. Please note that the image is copyrighted by the estate of Robert Benchley.
Nat's blog "Benchly on Benchley" may be viewed at www.natbenchley.com.

Expose Yourself to Art

WHAT: Life drawing

WHEN: Afternoon of Sunday, May 13, 2012.

WHERE: Beacon Hill, Boston, Mass.

HOW MUCH: $25 for Robert Benchley Society Members; $30 for non-members

The Boston "We've Come for the Davenport" Chapter of the Robert Benchley Society will have a Round-up on Sunday, May 13, 2012. We have hired artists' models for an afternoon/evening of life drawing. For $25, which covers the cost of the models and artists' supplies, wine and tonic and pizza, you can join us for sketching, food, drinks, and conversation. Maybe someone will read Mr. Benchley's essay "Artist’s Model Succumbs" to put us in the mood.

NOT AN ARTIST? Don't worry. None of us are. The idea is to expose ourselves to something new -- sketching -- in a fun atmosphere with friends. No one will judge your work. For more information or to sign up, email David or Mary at trumbull@trumbullofboston.org.

Our models for this session are:

the lovely Shoney

And handsome Jim

When this event was last offered, in November, 2011, it proved one of our most successful local chapter Round-ups. Read more here -- http://benchley.blogspot.com/2011/11/boston-rbs-chapter-enjoys-artists-and.html

They're Off!

Join the Boston "We've Come for the Davenport" Chapter of the Robert Benchley Society on Saturday, June 2, 2012, for the opening day of live thoroughbred horse racing at Boston's Suffolk Downs. “They’re Off!” is the title of a Benchley essay that appears in Benchley Beside Himself, beginning on page 180, The Treasurer's Report and Other Aspects of Community Singing, beginning on page 277, and Benchley Lost and Found, beginning on page 1. In addition, Benchley was a part-owner of a race horse (bonus points if you can name that horse).

Kristen Minsky Entertains Us

Kristen Minsky performs for "A Night of Burlesque" at the West End Museum, Boston, Mass.

A Night of Burlesque

Join the Boston "We've Come for the Davenport" Chapter of the Robert Benchley Society for a "A NIGHT OF BURLESQUE," Friday, April 20, 8 p.m. to midnight, at the West End Museum.

April 20th the doors of the Howard open again with a night of burlesque featuring the lovely Kristen Minsky along with the John Licata Sextet. The evening will feature vintage costumes, live music, handcrafted cocktails, and appetizers. Find out why the West End is back again!

The John Licata Sextet
John Licata (Trombone)
Bob McCloskey (Tenor Sax)
Hiroaki Tokushige (Trumpet)
Chas McCann (Bass)
Barry Lit (Drums)
Garrison Fewell (Guitar)

Cost: $75

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here

And he shall come to judge...

The Robert Benchley Society is happy to announce that we have 41 entries in this year's humor writing competition. To view the entries, click here. The preliminary judges have begun their task of selecting the top ten semifinalists to send to this year's celebrity judge, Arte Johnson, for his final ranking of the top four entries.

"Target practice! Target practice!"

Find out if you are a better marksman than Robert Benchley in this 1936 M-G-M short subject "How to be a Detective."

Join us at Mass Firearms School, Holliston, Massachusetts for a One-Hour Learn to Shoot Live Fire Session.

If you are interested, contact David Trumbull at david@robertbenchley.org to coordinate the day and time for the outing and we'll get together a group from the Boston "We've Come for the Davenport" Chapter of the Robert Benchley Society.

Act quickly (with the next three days) and get a bargain -- $37 for One-Hour Learn to Shoot Live Fire Session ($75 Value). To see the Groupon bargain click here.