Week of September 19th, 2016

Monday, September 19th: Art Deco lecture
The Princeton Club hosted gallery owner Ben Macklowe who treated us to a very interesting lecture on all the different factors contributing to and influencing Art Deco style in jewelry.  The period between the First and Second World Wars was a time of radical change in modern life. Art, fashion, and broadened international communications all played key roles in defining the styles and tastes of the era that was most famously dominated by the geometric lines and striking simplicity of the Art Deco movement.

From innovations in metalworking to the opening of international trade routes to the influences of Chanel and Bauhaus, Macklowe connected the major cultural influences of the time to the design and evolution of interwar jewelry. He was an engaging speaker and held his audience's attention.

Tuesday, September 20th: Nancy Cunard
During the Jazz Age, the flapper roll call from Josephine Baker to Zelda Fitzgerald reached its aristocratic high point with Nancy Cunard. Heiress to a shipping fortune, a champion (and lover) of jazzmen, a hard-drinking sybarite, and relentlessly on the move to be wherever the party was, the fashion-forward Cunard was a meal ticket for gossip columnists. But the wild tales mask her own prodigious talent for poetry, which Dr. Charles A. Riley II ‘79, professor of literature and author of more than thirty books, explored in a vivid portrait of this fascinating figure.

Cunard ran with a regular Who's Who of the 1920s Art Pack and had intimate knowledge of many of her contemporary poets from T.S. Eliot & Ezra Pound to Pablo Neruda. Her own haunting verses were well presented by Dr. Riley and were a delightful surprise.

Dr. Riley was one of the most animated and interesting speakers to grace the Princeton Club and spoke about his subject with obvious passion and great knowledge. His next book comes out in May, and we hope to have him back at the club at that time.

Week of September 12th, 2016

Thursday, September 15th: Le Dîner En Blanc
Le Dîner En Blanc took over Battery Park in a stunning display of style and elegance. 5,000 diners all clad in white, sat at tables dressed in white linens and set with white china. Our table featured very creative friends whose elaborate costumes and headpieces garnered quite a lot of attention.

Our Table

Press coverage and photos:

• Basia's Album: https://www.facebook.com/basia.malinowska/media_set?set=a.879628318805476&type=3
• Raphael's Album: https://www.facebook.com/rpungin/media_set?set=a.10153772839721302.1073742437.501376301&type=3

• Village Voice: http://www.villagevoice.com/slideshow/heres-a-look-inside-this-years-secret-diner-en-blanc-party-9117197
• CBS News Video: https://www.facebook.com/rpungin/videos/10153772652106302/
• Untapped Cities: http://untappedcities.com/2016/09/15/2016-nyc-diner-en-blanc-hits-downtown-waterfront-at-robert-f-wagner-park/
• Women's Wear Daily: http://wwd.com/fashion-news/they-are-wearing/they-are-wearing-diner-en-blanc-new-york-city-10194541/
• Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3792564/Thousands-high-society-diners-gather-New-York-s-ultra-exclusive-Diner-en-Blanc-dress-white-bring-table-chairs.html

Sunday, September 18th: Midieval Fair at The Cloisters

Fort Tryon Park was taken over by knights and ladies of the realm.

Week of September 5th, 2016

Tuesday, September 6th: Amor Towles Book Signing
Novelist Amor Towles discussed his latest book with a standing room only crowd at Barnes and Noble. The Gentleman from Moscow, tells the story of a young Russian aristocrat held under house arrest in a hotel in Moscow, where he meets a varied cast of characters. His first novel, The Rules of Civility, remains one of my favorite books.

Saturday, September 10th: Swing Remix featuring Ron Sunshine and his Orchestra
Friends old and new gathered to enjoy the always fabulous orchestrations of Ron Sunshine and his Orchestra.   We had great balcony seats for the dance performances, where we indulged in chocolate mousse cake and prosecco... A well-deserved break from dancing our feet off.

Week of August 29th, 2016

Wednesday, August 31st: Wet Wednesday
Wet Wednesday returned at The Princeton Club. Our group expanded as we met lots of lovely new people.

Thursday, September 1st: Cocktails aboard the Languedoc
A few LFNY alumni met up aboard the French frigate, Languedoc, docked in Brooklyn. The view of the Manhattan skyline was fabulous and the food wasn't bad either.

Saturday, September 3rd: Lunch on City Island
We drove up to City Island and met friends for a decadent lunch at Sea Shore. Then we walked off the extra calories during a scenic walk the length of this hidden NY gem.

Week of July 18th, 2016

Wednesday, July 201th: Wet Wednesdays - Columbia hosts cocktails at The Princeton Club
A lively group convened by Druce met for cocktails and conversation on the terrace of The Princeton Club. Thanks to Tamara for the photos.

Week of July 11th, 2016

Wednesday, July 14th: Bastille Ball
LFNY Alumni and friends were out in full force to celebrate France's Independence Day.

Week of July 4th, 2016

Midsummer Night Swing 2016
According to tradition, The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra closed out everyone's favorite summertime Swing series. Taking place in Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, dancers from all over the NYC area reunite every year at this fabulous dance.

photo credit: M. Batiuchok