Sulgrave Club
DECEMBER 2024/JANUARY 2025
Upcoming at Sulgrave
Judge David S. Tatel
Cocktail Lecture Dinner
January 21
Taste of Tuscany
Wine Dinner
January 24
Meryl Gordon
Lecture Luncheon
January 28
Charlotte Moss and Stan Dixon Lecture Luncheon
February 6
Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky
Cocktail Lecture Dinner
February 11
Renée Fleming
Cocktail Lecture and Dinner
February 18
Dining Reservations
Reservations are required for the Dining Room. To reserve online log in to www. sulgraveclub.org and click “Dining” along the top navigation, then select “Dining Reservations” on the left. To reserve by phone or email, please contact the Front Desk at (202) 462-5800 or diningroom@sulgraveclub.org. For reservations within 48 hours, please call the Club directly.
Club Event Reservations
Three ways to reserve Online — Log in to www.sulgraveclub.org. Click on “Club Activities,” and then “Calendar” located on the left. Find the date of the event for which you wish to register and click on the event name. Now select “REGISTER.” Be sure to adjust the party size and include the names of your guests or other members who will join you and any requests that you may have.
E-mail — RSVP@sulgraveclub.org
Phone — (202) 462-5800 x5443
The Catering and Membership Office manages all Club event reservations. Changes may be made to all event reservations via online, email, or phone prior to 5:00 p.m., three business days in advance of the event date. After this time, all reservations will be considered confirmed as they stand, and any changes are subject to full charge.
Valet
Valet parking is an essential member benefit and helps all members easily utilize Sulgrave. The Club’s valet fee is $25. Please note that even at this fee amount, Sulgrave's overall operations still significantly subsidize valet parking. Please consider alternative transportation (carpool, Metro, Uber/Lyft) and nearby parking (ParkMobile, SpotHero) options.
Dining Room Hours
Breakfast Sunday - Friday 7:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Lunch Monday - Friday Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Brunch Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Afternoon Tea
Monday - Friday 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Dinner Monday - Saturday 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Please note that the Club will be closed from December 24 through December 26 and December 30 through January 2.
From the President
Fellow Members,
Light and joy come to my mind when thinking about Sulgrave Club during the holiday season. We start with the joyful camaraderie of Decorating Day (December 3), a Club tradition of our members coming together and decorating the Club House, aided by our fantastic staff and managers. The sparkle of lights and glass balls sets the stage for the events to come.
Perhaps you will delight in gathering with friends and catching up over tea or cocktails or see the joy in children’s eyes at Santa Brunch or Gingerbread Decorating. My husband, in particular, loves to gather around the piano to sing carols at the Candlelight Dinner (his enthusiasm makes up for his singing voice). These are just a few ways to share joy with your friends and family this December. Please see this Bulletin and the Holiday Guide for information on the buffets, brunches, and other happy holiday events.
Several of the events outlined above will have more interest than available space. Please join the Waitlist as attendees’ plans can change and spots at the popular events can open up. On the flip side, if you can no longer attend an event, even at the last minute, please let the Club know (via phone or rsvp@sulgraveclub.org). Your change-of-plans may give a fellow member an opportunity to enjoy the Club and make cherished holiday memories.
As we move from December to January, please let the joy and light of the Sulgrave Club continue to brighten the short winter days. We will delight in the wise perspective of Judge David Tatel as he speaks about his life and public service. Author Meryl Gordon will discuss her new biography about sparkling Washington hostess (and member) Perle Mesta. And Sulgrave’s own chefs will dazzle with a cooking demonstration on January 31. When I review our holiday events from Thanksgiving onward, I count 15 Club events. That total does not include numerous private parties and events. This time of joy for members is delivered by our amazing management and staff who work extra hours to provide unmatched service. As you move through the Club in December and January, please take a moment to give an extra “thank you” to our employees (A directory of employees is on the Club website. Please use the QR code below if you would like to match a face and a name). Sulgrave is a vibrant club and much of its success is due to Mr. St. Francis and his team of staff and managers.
Happy Holidays,
Emily
Emily King President
From the General Manager
Dear Members,
It is wonderful to be into full Sulgrave swing so early in our season. September was remarkable, one of our busiest ever! Not only did we have some amazing Club functions, but the Dining Room, our overnight rooms, and private parties were booming. I would like to give a big shout of thanks to the team because they did a remarkable job of adjusting to so much activity straight out of the chute after our summer hiatus.
You often hear me share accolades and appreciation for our valued employees. They are our most valuable assets, and they separate us from other private clubs. One of our behindthe-scenes heroes whom many of you might not have met is truly a man for all seasons: our secret weapon and Building Engineer Mr. Jorge Martinez. Not only is Mr. Martinez a master carpenter and well versed in the construction trades, but he is also HVAC and Refrigeration Repair certified, a Boiler Operator, and now—with the number of leaks we've had over the last few years—he's a mighty fine plumber as well! It is hard for me to explain just how much Mr. Martinez means to this organization. His skill set that he generously shares with Sulgrave saves us tens of thousands of dollars every year. Many a club has an engineer whose primary responsibility is to identify problems and then hire someone to fix the issue. Not our guy. Mr. Martinez takes great pride in fixing our problems himself. Moreover, he often comes in on weekends or in the middle of the night because many of these repairs cannot be done while we are operational.
Mr. Martinez has been with the Club for over 23 years and is our longest serving manager, and it is safe to say that there is not another human being on earth who knows the Wadsworth House better than he does. He has touched every inch of this place and often had a wall opened, made a leaking pipe repair, expertly closed the access hole back up with drywall, and seamlessly made the patch and repair and added paint before a third party could even get here! It was my distinct pleasure to present Mr. Martinez and his Housemen to our Board of Governors at our October meeting where they were each given a warm round of applause and a bonus for going above and beyond what is expected for their extraordinary contributions during the summer of 2024.
As the Christmas season will soon be upon us, you will likely see these gentlemen working sideby-side with our Christmas decorating battalion of volunteers on December 3. If you happen to see one of them and opportunity presents itself, please be sure to share our appreciation for these silent heroes who work magic behind the scenes.
Robert K. St. Francis, Jr. CCM, CCE COO/General Manager
Dining Room
SUNDAY PRIX FIXE BRUNCH
December 1, 29
January 5, 12, 19, 26
The prix fixe Sunday Brunch has three courses—appetizer, entrée, and dessert—and offers a wide selection of items, from egg dishes to salads to seafood. A complimentary glass of Champagne or a Mimosa is included. Brunch is served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The price is $48.00 per adult and $32.00 per child, ages three to twelve.
MONDAY BISTRO NIGHT
December 2, 9, 16
January 6, 13, 20, 2 7
Bistro Night at the Sulgrave Club provides members and their guests a lively setting to enjoy an appealing dinner at the start of a wonderful week. In keeping with the simple, but delicious, bistro-inspired offerings, the menu will feature a full selection of appetizers, entrées, and desserts. The three-course meal is $52.00 per person. Due to member demand and the popularity of this weekly event, only the Bistro menu is available.
TUESDAY AND THURSDAY GOLDE N HOUR
December 3, 5, 10, 1 2, 1 9
January 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
Join us for Golden Hour, the happiest hour in D.C. The Terrace Bar and Withdrawing Room are open from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for specially priced small plates and half priced glasses of wine, house cocktails, beer, and mocktails.
1932 SEAFOOD SALAD
December 4, 1 8
January 8, 15, 22, 29
Paying tribute to the year of the Club’s inception, our beloved Seafood Salad will be offered at the “historic” price of $19.32 at lunch on Wednesdays in the Dining Rooms.
AFTERNOON ENGLISH TEA SERVICE
Afternoon tea service is available Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Terrace Bar. The elegant English Tea includes loose leaf tea, steeped by Sulgrave staff, and an enticing selection of tea sandwiches, scones, and delicate pastries. It is $35.00 per person. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we are offering a complimentary glass of Champagne. Please make a reservation or call ahead so that the Club can welcome you and your guests.
Boardman Dining Room Events
All That is Beautiful Book Club
The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22
Noon to 1 : 30 p.m.
Luncheon discussion in the Boardman Dining Room
Participants will order à la carte from the menu
Please join the Continuing Programs’ "All That is Beautiful Book Club" to discuss The Art Thief by Michael Finkel. The New Yorker calls it “one of the most remarkable true-crime narratives of the twenty-first century." It's the story of the world’s most prolific art thief Stéphane Breitwieser, who pulled off more than 200 heists, often in crowded museums. He never sold a piece, displaying his stolen art in his attic bedroom. This is a riveting story of art, crime, love, and an insatiable hunger to possess beauty at any cost. "All That is Beautiful Book Club" is meant to be stress-free and fun. Participants will order à la carte from the menu. Because of space considerations, early reservations are suggested. Please contact Barbara Carney-Coston at Barbara.crn@ gmail.com or Susan O’Connor at oconnorsh@gmail.com with questions.
In-Person Salon : An Evening Book Discussion
Horse: A Novel by Geraldine Brooks
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3
7 : 00 to 9 : 00 p.m.
Dinner discussion in the Boardman Dining Room
Participants will order à la carte from the menu
Continuing Programs presents a discussion of Horse: A Nove l by Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks. Horse is a fictional story based on a real thoroughbred racehorse from the 1850s, a real painting retrieved from the trash in 2019 Georgetown, and a real skeleton in the Smithsonian. Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, Horse features two storylines. One follows Jarret, an enslaved groom, and his beloved horse Lexington. The other takes place in modern-day Washington, DC, when Lexington’s painting and skeleton are discovered. “ Horse isn’t just an animal story—it’s a moving narrative about race and art,” writes Time magazine. Oprah Daily praises Horse as “a thrilling story about humanity in all its ugliness and beauty . . . the evocative voices create a story so powerful that reading it feels like watching a neck-and-neck horse race, galloping to its conclusion— you just can’t look away.”
A Little Français or Español Goes a Long Way
Foreign Language Conversation Luncheons
The conversation luncheons in French or Spanish are “faciles” where everyone is at ease. Proficiency is not a requirement, and we will help you find the vocabulary you need and the correct form of those horrid verbs. We focus on light conversation enjoyed during a tasty lunch. You are promised a delightful afternoon with charming company. Reservations are required.
French
Conversation Luncheon
MONDAYS, DECEMBER 16, JANUARY 20, AND FEBRUARY 17
12:30 p.m.
Participants will enjoy a pre-set, specially designed menu from Chef Tim for $50.00. Please contact Didi Watson at (202) 498-2680 or didiwatson@gmail.com with questions.
Spanish Conversation Luncheon
MONDAY, JANUARY 13
12:30 p.m.
Participants will enjoy a pre-set, specially designed menu from Chef Tim for $50.00. Please contact Nina Pillsbury at (202) 363-6108 or ninapills@aol.com with questions.
Travel Table Luncheon
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Noon to 1 : 30 p.m.
Luncheon discussion in the Boardman Dining Room
Participants will order à la carte from the menu
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”– C.S. Lewis. The Travel Table luncheon, presented by Continuing Programs, is the ideal time to hear members’ lively travel tales and recap (and relive) your own journeys. We meet over lunch to share our recent or past tours and treks and get inspiration and first-person recommendations from fellow voyagers. Participants will discuss all aspects—good and bad— of their travels, including hotel recommendations, reciprocal clubs, local cuisine, tour companies, pitfalls, essential sites, and more. Early reservations are suggested as seating is limited. Select one option from the à la carte dining room menu, join us for a spirited discussion, and share your personal experiences with other adventurous, energetic Club members. Please contact Karen Lamb at karenlamb43@gmail.com or Amy Mutscher at amy.mutscher@gmail.com with questions.
Sulgrave Club Monthly Conversation Table: Dinner and Discussions with Fascinating Guests
MONDAYS, JANUARY 27, FEBRUARY 24 , AND MARCH 24
Cocktails at 6 : 30 p.m. | Dinner at 7 : 00 p.m.
Participants will order à la carte from the menu
Members only until three weeks prior to event date
Please join the Continuing Programs Committee for an exciting series of conversations —Celebrating the Artisan—featuring three memorable evenings with accomplished artisans who share stories of their areas of creativity and finely-honed skills.
A Tour and Behind-the-Scenes Discussion on the Creation of the New Sulgrave Wine Cellar with Alfred Abayomi-Cole, Sulgrave Club Food and Beverage Manager
MONDAY, JANUARY 27
We kick off the new year of conversations with a tour of the highly anticipated Sulgrave Club wine cellar. Mr. Abayomi-Cole will detail the process of designing and building this unique space within a landmark building. With 22 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, including Level 1 certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, Mr. Abayomi-Cole crafts exceptional dining experiences, highlighted by his signature cocktails and perfect wine selections for each event. Additionally, he will share with us the hidden gems of our wine collection and the process by which our wines are procured.
Celebrate the Artisans of the Washington Color School and Beyond with Colette Chipman, Fine Art Specialist and Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Colette Chipman heads the Fine Art Department at Weschler’s Auctioneers and Appraisers here in the metro area. Although she has studied and evaluated all styles and periods of art, the Washington Color School has become her passion. As a result, Ms. Coleman earned a designated specialty in Washington Color School and Artists of Washington, D.C. from the International Society of Appraisers. We will be treated to an evening of auction secrets and a discussion of current auction trends and the artisans to watch.
The Artisans of the National Cathedral: Brianna Castelli, Stone Carver and Mason
MONDAY, MARCH 24
As the first female stone mason to be employed at the Washington National Cathedral, it is only fitting that Brianna Castelli join us at Sulgrave Club to give us an in-depth look into the complex and highly challenging stone sculpting and repair work taking place on the Close. Ms. Castelli began her artisan path in Antwerp, Belgium and it was there that that she discovered her love of stoneworking. Upon her return to the U.S., she enrolled in the International Masonry Institute focusing on historic masonry preservation. A true artisan, Ms. Castelli looks forward to discussing with us what it really takes to sculpt a spire finial, then scale that spire to install its long-awaited crown.
December Events
The Holly and the Ivy: Christmas Tea and Bubbles
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4
Seatings at 2 : 30 , 3 : 00 , and 3 : 30 p.m.
$ 55.00 per person
Be among the first to enjoy the magnificent Christmas decorations at our elegant Christmas Tea, a Sulgrave tradition which honors friendship and the spirit of Christmas. Toast the start of the season with champagne and sip a festive holiday cup of tea or two as soft carols play in the background. Sample the Chefs’ delectable spread of seasonal delights, savory finger sandwiches, festive pastries, and melt-in-your mouth sweets. Wreaths adorned with holly and the soft scent of pine will create a magical atmosphere and a lovely opportunity to introduce friends to the Club and to come together with friends and family. Many thanks to the Special Events Committee for hosting this elegant event. Please join the Waiting List for this fully subscribed event.
Holidays in Bloom:
A Floral Arrangement Demonstration with Ashley
Greer, Atelier Ashley Flower
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
10 : 00 a.m. to Noon | $ 150.00 per person
The Continuing Programs Committee invites you to get ready and excited for the holidays by creating a beautifully designed floral arrangement with new Sulgrave member Ashley Greer, owner, CEO, and creative director of Atelier Ashley Flowers and cofounder of Art in Bloom D.C. Ms. Greer was recently named to Modern Luxury DC Magazine’s 2024 Dynamic Women list and was awarded the best florist in their Best of the City 2024 issue. Known for her love of the outdoors and of the energy and vibrancy of plant materials, foliage, and fruits, Ms. Greer will guide us through her creative process and the mechanics of floristry as we create our own special arrangement combining unique blooms and color palettes. The cost includes floral materials, a container, and a coffee buffet.
Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 - FOR
PICK-UP
10 : 00 a.m. to Noon
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
- IN PERSON EVENT
: a.m. to : p.m.
$ 85 . 00 per gingerbread house kit | $ 30 . 00 per apron, red with Sulgrave logo
$ 40 . 00 per person for refreshments, for in-person event only
The Club will supply gingerbread house kits complete with icing and plenty of treats for you and your family to create the sweetest of candy creations. Holiday lunch will be served. Back by popular demand, kits will also be available for pick up. Please join the Waiting List for this fully subscribed event.
Brunch with Santa
SUNDAY, DECEMBER
8
Seatings at 11 : 00 a.m. and Noon
$95.00 per adult, $ 45 . 00 per child under 12
Ho, ho, ho! He's been watching all year and now he wants to see you in person! Santa Claus is coming to his favorite place for some final checks of his list before packing his sleigh. The Younger Members Committee invites you and your family to our annual Brunch with Santa. Children can visit with jolly Old Saint Nick and take home a photo, and the entire family can enjoy a delicious spread of food and drink in the decked-out Club House. Please join the Waiting List for this fully subscribed event.
Christmas Cookie Decorating Workshop
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9
6 : 30 to 8: 30 p.m. | $80.00 per person, including dinner buffet
Enjoy dinner, sweets, and savory treats at the annual Younger Members’ Christmas Cookie Decorating Workshop led by the Sulgrave’s talented Pastry Chef Josh Short. Cookie tins will be provided. Please join the Waiting List for this fully subscribed event.
Securities Investment Group - An Independent Partnership
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
10 : 30 a.m. | $35.00 per person
The Securities Investment Group welcomes new members. The Investment Group meets monthly to learn about and discuss investment strategy, to consider individual stocks, and to make buy and sell decisions in the jointly held portfolio. Experts in the field of finance are periodically invited to speak and advise. New members do not need to have had prior investing experience. Guests are welcome to audit meetings. To sign up for auditing or to learn more about joining the partnership, please contact Nancy Griscom, president, at (202) 362-7251 or ngriscom @ gmail.com.
It's Christmas Time in the City!
Chef’s Christmas Buffet Luncheons
TUESDAY, DECEMBER AND WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER
Seatings at Noon and : p.m. | $75.00 per person, including apéritifs
Step inside our sparkling club with friends and family for a delightful midday meal and take a pause from all the hustle and bustle of the season. Allow Chefs Tim and Josh to spoil you and yours with a thoughtfully curated buffet of seasonal flavors. Celebrate the season by gathering friends among twinkling lights, garlands of evergreens, and touches of gold and rose gold. Enjoy laughter and conversation and the shared joy of the season. The Luncheons will be held on two consecutive days to accommodate the very high demand. Club tables will be available both days. Many thanks to the Special Events Committee for hosting this delightful event. Please join the Waiting List for this fully subscribed event.
Dreaming of a White Christmas Brunch en Blanc
SUNDAY, DECEMBER
Seatings at 11 : 30 a.m. and : p.m.
$. per person, including apéritifs | $ 40 . 00 per child under 12 years
Treat your family to a cozy, heartwarming gathering that captures the magic and wonder of the season. Imagine enjoying a scrumptious holiday buffet of comforting seasonal favorites in a winter wonderland of snowflakes and glistening treetops and the cheerful hum of family chatter. A memorable family gathering just like the ones you used to know. Cheers to the Special Events Committee for hosting this festive event.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Christmas Candlelight Dinner
TUESDAY, DECEMBER
Cocktails at : and Dinner at : p.m. $ 125 . 00 per person, including apéritifs
Celebrate the holiday season, Sulgrave style, with family and friends at this enchanting and elegant Christmas Candlelight Dinner. This is a holiday tradition many Club members and their families hold dear as our Club will be decked in all its glorious Christmas splendor. Guests will be treated to an exquisite dinner prepared meticulously by Chef Tim and Chef Josh. The candlelit ambiance, delectable cuisine, and merry Christmas music make for a truly memorable holiday evening. It is always a stunning, not-to-be-missed Sulgrave Club tradition guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. This event is sponsored by the Special Events Committee and event co-chairs Heidi Hatfield, Andrea Hatfield, and Anne Hatfield Weir. Please join the Waiting List for this fully subscribed event.
Cocktails and Christmas Cheer
THURSDAY, DECEMBER
6: to 9 : p.m. | $. per person
’Tis the season to mix and mingle, Christmas bells soon will jingle. Please join the Younger Members Committee to celebrate the warmth of the season with an evening filled with holiday cocktails, good friends, and merriment.
Home for the Holidays Family Christmas Brunch
SUNDAY, DECEMBER
Seatings at : a.m. and : p.m.
$ 90 . 00 per person, including apéritifs | $ 40 . 00 per child under 12 years
Gather your family for a holiday homecoming brunch like no other. The halls are decked. The trees are lit. The music is festive. The tables are set. A fabulous Christmas feast is prepared, and your loved ones are together to enjoy it. Please join the Waiting List for this fully subscribed event.
The Eve of Christmas Eve Dinner
MONDAY, DECEMBER
Cocktails at : and Dinner at : p.m.
$ 150 . 00 per person, including cocktails and wine pairings
Toast the season by the tree and begin your holiday celebration with a lovely and festive four-course feast. The cost of the event includes pre-dinner cocktails and wine pairings.
January Events
Un-Decorating Day
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3
11 : 00 a.m.
The Halls were decked, fun was had, and the holiday season must come to a close. Volunteers are needed for Un-Decortaing Day. Don your Sulgrave casual attire and spend a morning of camaraderie as you reminisce over your newest holiday memories and help to put the holiday decor away for next year. The Club will provide a complimentary lunch to volunteers. Reserve online or reach out to the Catering and Membership Office if you plan to attend!
Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment at the National Gallery of Art, Private Tour Led by Curator Mary Morton
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7
9:30 a.m. Meet at The National Gallery | Luncheon to follow at the Sulgrave Club
$ 75.00 per person
How did impressionism begin? Discover the origins of the French art movement with a private tour of the "Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment" exhibition led by Mary Morton. Ms. Morton is the Curator and Head of French Paintings for the National Gallery of Art and helped curate this remarkable presentation of 130 works. The exhibit includes a rare reunion of many of the paintings first featured in the now-legendary exhibition, which is considered the birth of modern painting. Revisit beloved paintings by Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, and Camille Pissarro and meet their lesser-known contemporaries. See the art norms they were rebelling against and learn what political and social shifts sparked their new approach to art. This is a unique chance to immerse yourself in the dynamic Parisian art scene of 1874 and be guided by a curator of the exhibit—the National Gallery of Art is the only American stop for this historic exhibition. Members will meet at the National Gallery for the tour and then gather at the Club for a French-themed lunch. This event is limited to 25. Members are responsible for their own transportation to the museum for the tour and to the Club for lunch.
Pin Pals: Calling all Sulgrave Stitchers
WEDNESDAYS, JANUARY 15 AND FEBRUARY 19
10 : 30 a.m. to 12 : 30 p.m.
$ 25 . 00 per person, optional à la carte lunch to follow
Continuing Programs’ Sulgrave Stitchers invites all handicraft enthusiasts to join us to embroider, knit, or needlepoint with fellow stitchers. All skill levels are welcome from beginner to expert. We are social group that loves to discuss ongoing projects, learn new techniques, and share ideas and resources—conversation is effortless as it’s an easy time to bond with fellow members over shared interests. For our first meeting of the year, please bring your favorite work in progress or a piece you finished over the holidays. We also invite you to bring a friend who shares your love of needlework, particularly if she is curious about laying her first stitch! For those who can stay to continue the camaraderie, we will enjoy a Dutch treat à la carte luncheon. Reservations are required and attendance is limited to fifteen. Note that a separate reservation is needed if staying for lunch. Please contact Crawford Horan at crawford.horan@gmail.com with questions.
Cocktail Lecture with The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Judge David S. Tatel
Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21
Cocktails at 6: 30 p.m. | Lecture at 7:00 p.m. | Dinner to follow
$ 82.00 per person or $ 40.00 per person cocktail lecture only
David S. Tatel served for nearly 30 years on the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, America's second highest court where many of our country’s most controversial cases are reviewed. Throughout his career, Judge Tatel championed equal justice for all Americans. Professionally, he is widely respected and admired for relentlessly seeking consensus and embodies the ideal of what a great judge should be: blind to partisan politics and policies. Judge Tatel is also blind and has been for 50 years. Initially, he trained aides as “readers” to recite documents aloud to him. Recently, a suite of hi-tech solutions have allowed him to listen to documents at high speeds. Judge Tatel’s book Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice reveals and explores his inner struggle first to hide, and then cope with blindness. He now accepts and embraces his disability and the role it has played in his professional as well as in his personal life. His is a valiant and clearly narrated story by a man often in “the right place at the right time.” Vision will be available for purchase
Winter Wine Dinner
Taste of Tuscany
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24
Apéritifs at 6 : 30 p.m. | Dinner at 7 : 15 p.m.
$ 195.00 per person
Tuscany has long been a gateway region for wine lovers around the world, and it’s no surprise why. From affordable Trebbiano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano to straw basket wrapped bottles of Chianti, almost everyone remembers her first encounter with Tuscan wine. However, beyond entry level bottles, Tuscany is home to some of the most prestigious wines in the world. From Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino to various designations of Chianti Classico to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Super Tuscans and beyond. Come savor a curated selection of Tuscan wines paired with mouthwatering creations by our incredible chefs Tim and Josh. Private tables available for parties of 8. Parties of less than 8 will be seated at Club tables. Cancellations must be made prior to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17 to avoid charge.
Daytime Book Talk: A Member-Led Discussion
Prequel
by Rachel Maddow
MONDAY, JANUARY 27
11 : 30 a.m. to 1 : 30 p.m.
$ 50.00 per person includes themed buffet lunch
Continuing Programs presents a Daytime Book Talk luncheon to discuss Prequel by Rachel Maddow, the award-winning MSNBC news anchor. Prequel is a non-fiction account of the fight to preserve American democracy, tracing its roots back to World War II when a handful of committed public servants and brave private citizens thwarted far-right plotters attempting to steer our nation toward an alliance with the Nazis. Before and even after our troops began fighting abroad in World War II, a clandestine network flooded the country with disinformation aimed at undermining the strength of the U.S. war effort and persuading Americans that our natural alliance lay with the Axis, not against it. Meanwhile, a handful of extraordinary activists and journalists tracked the scheme, exposing it even as it unfolded. In 1941, the U.S. Department of Justice made a frontal assault, identifying the key plotters, uncovering their backers, and prosecuting dozens in federal court. The heroic efforts of the activists, journalists, prosecutors, and ordinary citizens who sought to expose the insurrectionists create a deeply resonant and relevant tale for our own disquieting times. This discussion will be co-led by Lisa Eskew and Joanne Couch Cogar.
Perle Mesta: Washington’s Most Famous Hostess Luncheon Lecture with author Meryl Gordon
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28
Apéritifs at 11 : 30 a.m. | Lecture at Noon | Luncheon to follow
$ 57.00 per person | $ 30 . 00 per person lecture only Perle Mesta was a force to be reckoned with. In her heyday, this wealthy globe-trotting Washington widow was one of the most famous women in America, garnering as much media attention as Eleanor Roosevelt. Renowned for her world-class parties featuring politicians and celebrities, she was very close to three presidents: Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and Lyndon Johnson. President Truman named her as the first female envoy to Luxembourg, which inspired the hit musical based on Perle’s life Call Me Madam . A pioneering supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, she was a prodigious Democratic fundraiser and rescued Harry Truman’s financially flailing 1948 campaign. In her book The Woman Who Knew Everyone: The Power of Perle Mesta , author Meryl Gordon chronicles Perle’s lavish life and society adventures in Newport, Manhattan, and Washington, while highlighting her important, but nearly forgotten, contribution to American politics and the feminist movement. Perle Mesta will be available for purchase.
Presenting Sulgrave’s Culinary and Beverage Team in Action: A Demonstration and Tasting featuring Savory, Sweets, and Sips
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31
Apéritifs at Noon | Program and Luncheon at 12 : 30 p.m.
$ 90.00 per person
Continuing Programs presents a very special interactive culinary demonstration, tasting, and wine pairing with our very own Executive Chef Tim Loveland, Pastry Chef Josh Short, and Food and Beverage Manager Alfred Abayomi-Cole. Whether you are a gourmet connoisseur or simply want to enhance your knowledge, join Chef Tim as he prepares delicious savory dishes while offering us his cooking tips and insights; enjoy an interactive sweet and take-away with Chef Josh; and sip a wine tasting flight paired by Alfred to complement our dishes from Sulgrave’s own cellar. Members only for this popular event until January 20, at which time non-member guests may attend if space allows.
February Events
Lecture and Luncheon with Charlotte Moss and Stan Dixon
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Apéritifs at 11 : 30 a.m. | Lecture at Noon | Luncheon to follow
$ 57.00 per person or $ 30.00 per person lecture only
Celebrated designer Charlotte Moss and award-winning architect Stan Dixon explore the collaborative process between architecture and interior design. With a career spanning over three decades, Charlotte Moss is one of the most celebrated and respected interior designers in the industry. Her name has become synonymous with southern warmth and hospitality. Ms. Moss’s designs are heavily influenced by her travels and her love of history; she is known for her timeless aesthetic, layered interiors, and keen eye. Stan Dixon’s edited approach to the classical elements of architecture creates an understated aesthetic that is historically based while embracing influences of modern design. He crafts buildings of permanence and delight that provide beautiful places to live. Mr. Dixon takes risks in blending genres and styles with results that are creative and original. Ms. Moss and Mr. Dixon are a part of a group revolutionizing the design world. Ms. Moss’s book Home: A Celebration and Mr. Dixon’s book HOME: The Residential Architecture of D. Stanley Dixon will both be available for purchase.
Cocktail Lecture and Dinner with Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky: Making the Presidency: John
Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Cocktails at 6: 30 p.m. | Lecture at 7:00 p.m. | Dinner to follow
$ 82.00 per person or $ 40.00 per person cocktail lecture only
President George Washington left his vice president John Adams with relatively little guidance and impossible expectations. When Mr. Adams became president, he was immediately confronted with intense partisan divides, debates over citizenship, fears of political violence, potential for foreign conflict with France and Britain, and a nation unsure that the presidency could even work without President Washington at the helm. In Making the Presidency , Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky explores a period critical to the survival of the American republic. President Adams defended the presidency from his own often obstructionist cabinet, protected the nation from foreign attacks, and forged trust and dedication to election integrity and the peaceful transfer of power between parties, even though it cost him his political future. Renowned journalist Brian Lamb—the founder, executive chairman, and now the retired CEO of C-SPAN—will discuss the quixotic and stubborn John Adams with Dr. Chervinsky. Dr. Chervinsky is an author and a presidential historian and the Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library. Making the Presidency will be available for purchase.
Galentine's Cookie Decorating
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
6 : 30 p.m.
$ 80.00 per person
Enjoy dinner, sweets, and all kinds of treats at the Younger Members' Galentine’s Day Cookie Decorating Workshop. Bring your friends, neighbors, daughters, and mothers— spread the love while you spread the icing! The workshop will be led by Sulgrave’s unrivaled Pastry Chef Josh Short. Take-home cookie tins will be provided. Private tables are available for groups of 8 to 12. Parties of smaller size may be seated at Club tables. Many thank to Clementine Wall and Elise Sidamon-Eristoff for co-chairing this event.
Valentine's Day Dinner
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Apéritifs at 6 : 30 p.m. | Dinner at 7 : 00 p.m.
$ 135.00 per person
Won't you be ours? From Cupid and cocktails to chocolate kisses and red roses, what better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than at the Sulgrave. Come and enjoy an elegant evening dining with loved ones and friends. An enchanting four-course dinner, complimented with wine pairings and ending with a heavenly dessert, awaits you and your guests. This annual tradition will prove once again not to be missed. Seating is by party sizes.
An Evening with World Renowned Soprano
Renée
Fleming:
Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Cocktails at 6: 30 p.m. | Lecture at 7:00 p.m. | Dinner to follow
$ 82.00 per person or $ 40.00 per person cocktail lecture only
Five-time Grammy winner, 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree, and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts and Health, Renée Fleming will present a compelling and growing body of research that has shown music and arts therapies to be effective tools for addressing a widening array of conditions. From providing pain relief and alleviating anxiety and depression, to regaining speech after stroke or traumatic brain injury, and improving mobility for people with disorders that include MS and Parkinson’s disease, Ms. Fleming draws upon her own experience as an advocate to showcase the breadth of this booming field. She invited leading experts to share their discoveries in her book Music and Mind . Much of this area of study is relatively new, made possible by recent advances in brain imaging, and supported by the National Institutes of Health, major hospitals, and universities. In addition to describing therapeutic benefits, Ms. Fleming explores evolution, brain function, childhood development, and technology as applied to arts and health. Joining her in conversation is Planet Word founder and Sulgrave member Ann Friedman. Music and Mind will be available for purchase.
The
New Cold War: How the Contest Between the US and China Will Shape Our Century Cocktail Lecture with Sir Robin
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Niblett
Cocktails at 6: 30 p.m. | Lecture at 7:00 p.m. | Dinner to follow
$ 82.00 per person or $ 40.00 per person cocktail lecture only
We have entered a new Cold War. The contest between the U.S. and China is global and unbridgeable, and it encompasses all major instruments of statecraft: economic, political, and military. It has its tinder box: Taiwan. And both protagonists are working hard to draw allies to their side from across the world. This Cold War is nothing like the conflict between the Soviet Union and the West. We need new ideas to navigate its risks and avoid a globally devastating hot war. Sir Robin Niblett argues that only by looking back can we learn the lessons to guide us through this new reality: he will talk about ten ways in which the New Cold War is different and will offer five rules for navigating its onset. He contends that how we manage this contest will determine not only whether there is still space for international cooperation to deal with our many global challenges, from the climate emergency to the technological revolution, but also who will lead the twenty-first century and, quite simply, the course of all our futures. The New Cold War will be available for purchase.
Looking Ahead
Friday, February —Winter Dine Around—
Rio Carnival! Samba over to the Sulgrave Club to exchange those winter blues for the explosion of flavors, colors, and rhythms of the biggest event on the Brazilian cultural calendar. Sip on a caipirinha and savor the feijoada, pão de queijo, churrasco, the tastiest barbequed beef, and all the delicacies of Brazilian cuisine from Copacabana Beach to Ipanema. Save the date for this culinary and cultural extravaganza sponsored by the Special Events Committee.
Thursday, March 6—Lecture Luncheon with Michael S. Smith—
One of the most original and respected talents in interior design, Michael S. Smith is revered for his impeccable taste and style. Informed by a deep understanding of design history and the art world, Mr. Smith’s work is the ultimate in elegance and luxury, reflecting an uncommon sense of scale and drama and a deft use of craftsmanship and materials. Mr. Smith will discuss his new book Classic by Design , a flawless blend of European classicism and American modernism. The projects in the book range from a contemporary beach house in East Hampton to a Moroccan-influenced Mallorca escape, as well as two of Mr. Smith's own homes, including his extraordinary apartment in a nineteenth-century palace in Madrid.
Tuesday, March —Cocktail Lecture and Dinner with Ben Pentreath—
Ben Pentreath is one of the foremost designers of new traditional buildings and country houses in the world. For more than a decade he has advised King Charles III on architecture and has designed houses for Poundbury, the King’s model community. He will share insights and images from his personal residences in Dorset, London, and Scotland that brought him international fame, in addition to many old and new houses that he has designed, and some of the larger, town-scaled projects that make his practice unique in the world of traditional design. In his new book An English Vision , he presents his authentically, yet playfully, classical approach. Although the results range from his colorful and romantic versions of the English country cottage to traditional splendor, there are underlying ideas that inform the breadth of his output—a sense of scale, proportion, craft, detail, sustainability, and appropriateness—that have a universal relevance today.
Wednesday, February —Easter Brunch Call-In Date—
Sunday, April 20 - Hop on over to the Club for a sumptuous buffet with all the traditional Easter favorites. Apéritifs will be offered thirty minutes before each seating. There will be tables on the first and second floors because of the popularity of this annual brunch. Reservations open on Wednesday, February 19, only by voicemail message or phone call to (202) 462-5800. There will be no cancellations after Friday, April 11, unless the space can be filled from the Waiting List.
Sulgrave Club
Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C.