Book Party at the Museum of the City of New York Aug. 26

Kevin Fitzpatrick Book Signing at:
The Speak Easy @ 1220 Fifth, Museum of the City of New York Presents
“Wit’s End: A Celebration Of The Jazz Age”

Prohibition Party - Drink and Dance to Swinging 20s Music

Wednesday, August 26, 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Hey, all you swing dancers and jazz aficionados; Club Wit's End is teaming with the Museum of the City of New York! On Wednesday, August 26, Yehoodite DJ Jason Ganetsky is spinning music from the Jazz Age era from 6-9pm. Akemi Kinukawa will teach 1920s style Charleston followed by Prohibition era jazz. And there’s more: Each month Wit’s End features a different live band, so at the museum we will have live music by the Moonlighters quartet.

There will be specialty cocktails of the era and author Kevin Fitzpatrick, president of the Dorothy Parker Society, will speak briefly about speakeasies in New York during Prohibition and will be signing copies of the new book he is the co-editor of The Lost Algonquin Round Table, 50 pieces written by the Round Table. This new collection presents, for the first time, many pieces from family collections and long-lost periodicals.

Fifth Avenue Terrace - Museum of City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue (Museum Mile on Fifth Ave and 103rd), New York, NY
Museum Members: $10 | Non-Members: $12
Admission includes one FREE drink and access to the Museum's first-floor galleries.

No reservations, tickets sold at the door. Rain or shine!

Come out to dance and drink spirits inspired from the era. Vintage costume or repro is encouraged to help recreate that period.

Benchley Films Screen on TCM

Gordon Ernst sent a message to the members of the esteemed Robert Benchley Society about Robert Benchley films on the Turner Classic Movies Channel, including a slew that will air on his birthday, Sept. 15. Gordon wrote the definitive collection about Benchley's career, Robert Benchley: An Annotated Bibliography (a wonderful book and worth owning).

Upcoming Robert Benchley Feature Film Appearances on Turner Classic Movies (all times Eastern):

August 12: China Seas 9:45 AM
August 24: Bedtime Story 5:15 PM
September 8: Three Girls About Town 7:15 AM
September 15 (Benchley's birthday):
Live, Love and Learn 6:45 AM
Janie 8:30 AM
See Here, Private Hargrove 10:30 AM
Pan-Americana 12:30 PM
The Stock Club 2:00 PM
Weekend at the Waldorf 4:00 PM
Janie Gets Married 6:15 PM

Perhaps some of Benchley's short subjects will be shown between features on the 15th.

There are more than a dozen Benchley pieces in The Lost Algonquin Round Table, including some from his days in Hollywood.

Thanks to Gordon for pointing this out.

Book Signing Schedule of Events, Pt 1

The editors will be making several appearances and talks at literary events this summer and fall.

Sunday, Aug. 16, 11 AM, Long Branch Free Public Library, 328 Broadway Long Branch, NJ 07740 732.222.3900. As part of the annual Dorothy Parker Day, Kevin C. Fitzpatrick will give a talk, reading and book signing. Free. Open to the public.

Wednesday, Aug. 19, 6 PM, The Corner Bookstore, 1313 Madison Avenue, at E. 93rd Street, New York, NY 10128. (212) 831-3554. Official book launch and reception party. Editors Nat Benchley & Kevin C. Fitzpatrick will be on hand with special guests. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Free. Open to the public.

Thursday, Aug. 20, 8 PM, Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th Street, New York, NY 10036. Big Night Out presents the “1930s Idol” cabaret competition. Kevin C. Fitzpatrick will be signing/selling copies of the book plus is a judge in the show. Two drink minimum. Open to the public. Reservations encouraged: 212-757-0788.

Saturday, Aug. 22, 12 PM, Algonquin Hotel, 59 W. 44th Street, New York, NY, 10036. Algonquin Round Table Walking Tour. Editor Kevin C. Fitzpatrick has led this literary walking tour for ten years. Walk in the footsteps of the Vicious Circle and see the locations they visited, from speakeasies to old haunts. Cost is $20 ea. At 3 p.m. in the lobby will be a book signing, followed by a small celebration to mark Dorothy Parker’s birthday today. Reservations encouraged: 212-222-7239.

Sunday, Sept. 27, 12 PM, Governors Island (Colonel’s Row). The Jazz Age Lawn Party and Roaring Twenties Party. Live music by Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra. Book signing 12-3 PM. $5 admission. Open to the public. info here.

Upcoming Events

Donald Books will have a book release event at Dorothy Parker Day, to be held in Long Branch, New Jersey, on Sunday, Aug. 16, at 10 AM. The event begins at the Long Branch Free Public Library, with a reading and book signing.

The public is welcome to attend.

More information TBD.

Donald Books Catalogue

We are launching Donald Books with The Lost Algonquin Round Table this summer.