Volume 20 Number 4: Spring 2020

St. BotolphBulletin

From the Editor Bill Taylor

6:10 PM. Up the steps, and through the doors (why are they so heavy?) Hang up the coats. Turn off the cell phone. Big crowd tonight. Score a glass of red and a crab cake. There’s the Xs and the Ys by the bar. “Haven’t seen you guys in a Bill Taylor while. Where have you been?” [Pick one: Aix. the Algarve. Dublin for Bloomsday. Ravello for the Festival. London at the Reform Club - reciprocal, you know. Cairo. Istanbul. Patagonia. Ulaanbaatar.] “How was it? What did you see, hear, eat?”

Turn to Z, the painter. What to say? Try “Who did that still- life at the turn of the stairs?” “One of mine. You remember; I showed it to you at the opening last week?” Oops. “Ah yes, now I remember. Best in show!”

And there’s A, B and C playing literary trivia in the Library. Kennedy Center Honors: Michael Tilson Thomas Best first sentence: C throws out “Call me Ishmael.” Better is (first row left) and Friends A’s “Who’s there?” Best last sentence: A says “obviously Molly’s ‘Yes,’ if it counts as a sentence.” B prefers “and they lived happily ever after” but the Bs have been reading too much to the grandchildren.

Whoops, 6:28. Just time to grab another red and an eggroll On December 7, 2019, the Kennedy Center and head off to the Music Room. There’s M swinging that particularly loud bell…which wakes me up and I sadly awarded its 2019 Honors medallions for remember where I am and where I’m not. lifetime contributions to American culture But no worries; St. B. will be back to normal soon enough.

through the performing arts. In the meantime, we can reflect on the glories of the winter season. The usual holidays were unusually festive. Lisa Graham and the Metropolitan Chorale worked their magic. The martini fountain flowed and the rest of that Friday (Continued on page 3) IN THIS ISSUE:

1: From the Editor 3: From the Editor (Continued) 6: A St. Botolph Club Mystery 2: St. Botolph Goes to 4: Honoring a Boston Icon 7: New Fellows Washington Again 5: Four Hundred Years Old and 8: Children’s Holiday Party 2020 Distinguished Artist Still Ticking 9-12: Photo Gallery Award Announced Post-Corona Clubhouse Amenities

Acknowledgments St. Botolph Goes to Washington Again Editor Bill Taylor On December 7, 2019, the Kennedy Center awarded its 2019 Honors medallions for Photographers lifetime contributions to American culture Matthew Cavanaugh through the performing arts. This 42nd Gerard Chevalier annual class of honorees comprised Sesame Buell Hollister Street, Earth, Wind & Fire, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Van Demark Sally Field and … Botolphian Michael Tilson Thomas! A member of the Club since 1969, Contributors Marion Dry MTT is currently music director of the San Jean Gibran Francisco Symphony and artistic director of the New World Symphony in Miami. Possibly the senior enfant terrible of modern music, his Kennedy Center citation reads that “far beyond keeping score [a conductor joke]: he has shaped American music and musical institutions for the 21st century.” Kennedy Center Honors: Yo-Yo Ma And on an historical note, MTT is not the first Botolphian so honored. As you may remem- Announcements ber, the 34th Kennedy Center Honorees in 2011 included our own Yo-Yo Ma. Calling All Botolphians – We Need Reporters 2020 Distinguished Artist Award Announced and Photographers! Marion Dry The editor welcomes stories and articles from members. The 2020 Distinguished Artist Award of the Help us define and celebrate St. Botolph Club Foundation will be awarded our Club with your contribu- to internationally acclaimed composer, tions, both written and pictorial. Give us your Michael Gandolfi. A celebration will be held thoughts and suggestions. in the fall. Email me at wtaylor276@ gmail.com. Michael Gandolfi has a broad range of musical interests encompassing not only contempo- – Bill Taylor Editor rary concert music but also jazz, blues and rock, by which route he first became a musi- cian. The span of his musical investigations is paralleled by his cultural curiosity, resulting in many points of contact between the world of music and such other disciplines as science, Club Attire film, education, and theater. Michael Gandolfi Members are reminded that Mr. Gandolfi has had long-standing relation- St. Botolph Club scarves, ships with the Atlanta, Boston, and Memphis Symphony Orchestras, the Boston Mod- ties and other accoutrement ern Orchestra Project, the Grant Park Orchestra and the Boston Musica Viva. His wind are displayed in the ensemble works are now a mainstay of the band repertoire and are routinely heard Hawthorne Room. around the world. His discography includes works on Deutsche Grammophon, Telarc, ASO Media, BSO Classics, Reference Recordings, Foghorn Classics, CRI, Innova, Klavier and BMOP Sound labels, among others.

Mr. Gandolfi chairs the composition department at the New England Conservatory, is Head of Composition at the Tanglewood Music Center, and has been a faculty member at Harvard, Indiana, and Boston universities.

2 | ST. BOTOLPH BULLETIN From the Editor (Continued from page 1) afternoon remains a bit hazy. The Children’s Holiday Party was unbelievable: see below. New Year’s Eve featured balloons, noisemakers and funny non-prescription 2020 eyewear, good for one night only and never to be worn again. And more roistering at Twelfth Night: songs, skits, roasted politicians and priority wisdom from Mark Slater. A wonderful start to the New Year.

Here’s an idiosyncratic curation of the rest of the season, dimmed only by memory and nostalgia.

January 7: Conversations with the Botolphian artists at the Biennial Exhibition revealed what you always wanted to know about art: where inspiration originates, the mechanical processes involved, the mysterious short-cuts and techniques employed, and how to clean your brushes.

January 16: For $1 oysters, Buell Hollister recounted tales of yesteryear luncheons at the Long Table.

January 22: Botolphian Fellow Gabby Diaz and Betty Anne Diaz introduced little-known but fascinating works for violin and piano by women composers.

January 24: The annual Burns Night dissipation highlighted excess – an excess of plaid, men’s knees and a Chef Brad special Children’s Holiday Party: Heads and Tails haggis in whiskey cream sauce.

January 29: Botolphian Chris Knight discussed and screened March 12: And finally, Mark Twain, as surveyed by Pieter his award-winning film detailing the raising of young bald Roos, held the room spellbound, as Twain often did. As the eagles and releasing them into the wild at the Quabbin subject of the last known Roundtable, we may take some Reservoir. comfort in Twain’s optimism:

February 3: Ty Burr’s annual Oscar forecast featured the inside “... as far as being on the verge of being a sick man I don’t take scoop on the industry and the Academy along with a prescient any stock in that. I have been on the verge of being an angel prediction for Parasite. all of my life, but it’s never happened yet.” (Mark Twain – A Biography by Albert Bigelow Paine) February 25: Spectacular landscape photography and paintings offered by Peter Vanderwarker brought new insights into On the other hand, Mr. Roos did warn us against the familiar works and a new appreciation of the power of the genre. proliferation of spurious Twain aphorisms.

March 2: In a violin and piano recital billed as “An American in Finally, in closing, a reassuring voice from the past, Paris,” Elizabeth Lee evoked the spirit of the period, coupling (slightly mangled), which some of us may remember: the exquisite Ravel and Debussy sonatas with transcriptions of the Gershwin standards. We’ll meet again March 4: The gala opening of the Words & Images ~ Allan Rohan Crite 1910-2007 exhibition co-curated by Jean Gibran Do know where, don’t know when and Cathryn Griffith is reviewed below, but you certainly should But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day. have been there. Keep smiling through March 10: George Washington, the Constitutional Convention, Just like you always do a lady lecturer and the fate of gender in the Constitution were ‘Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away. unraveled by Professor Mary Builder, and the Roundtable discussion added women’s suffrage and the role of single-sex Stay safe. colleges to the mix.

VOLUME 20 NUMBER 4 | 3 Honoring a Boston Icon Jean Gibran

On the clear Wednesday evening of March 4, St. Botolph Club members and guests gathered to celebrate Words & Images ~ Allan Rohan Crite 1910-2007. Gracing the stairwell walls were over fifty paintings, watercolors and drawings by an artist whose precocity was recognized at the age of fourteen and whose Neighborhood Series of paintings are national treasures.

Characterized by others as an “artist-reporter,” and by himself as a storyteller in “the old African tradition-what Crite Opening - Members and Distinguished Guests they call a griot,” Crite successfully captured scenes of our African-American community.

Viewers ascended Club stairs where the twenty-one year old’s self-portrait, his 1945 painting of “The News (Death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt),” the 1970 collage of “St. Stephen’s and South End Neighborhood” testified to the artist’s powerful presence.

Co-curators Jean Gibran and Cathryn Griffith greeted all with the tinkling of the 6:30 bell. Recognizing Art Committee members and supportive St. Botolph staff for sharing their expertise and organizational skills, Jean thanked the several contributors to this comprehensive show, including St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, to which parishioner Crite Crite Opening - Cathryn Griffith, Barry Gaither and Jean Gibran donated several works; the Boston Athenaeum, repository of much correspondence and art; the Museum of African American History, holders of the historic “Settling the World’s Problems” that garnered the1933 Boston Transcript rave reviews; and Denenberg Fine Arts for watercolors of the adolescent’s home and favorite sites. Jean’s final accolade was to the Crite Family Collection whose director Jackie Cox-Crite received an ovation for preserving and presenting her late husband’s legacy.

Cathryn Griffith then introduced Edmund Barry Gaither, Director of the National Center of the Museum of Afro- American Artists and Special Consultant to the Museum of Fine Arts. She described his scholarly achievements and recognized his help with the Center’s loan of ten Crite works to the exhibit. Director Gaither then spoke, describing how his great friend Allan Rohan Crite created a world of ordinary, hard-working, plain-living yet privileged, neighbors. He Crite Opening - Cathryn Griffith, Jackie Cox-Crite and Jean Gibran explored Crite’s social activism, spiritual engagement, and devotion to life as illustrator, documentarian, and proud exponent of the world of his people.

Following Chef Brad’s delicious dinner, attendees examined the Club’s impressive “Words & Images” catalogue that includes a Crite timeline of his works and a list of his publications. Passing by our bronze plaque of past exhibitors, people were pleased to learn that Allan Rohan Crite was no stranger to the Club. He participated along with Gardner Cox, Maud Morgan and Polly Thayer in our 1940 New England Painting exhibit, and his return eighty years later is a powerful testament to the enduring role of the St. Botolph Club in honoring Boston artists who have contributed to our city’s Crite Opening – Guests on the stairs aesthetic tradition.

4 | ST. BOTOLPH BULLETIN Four Hundred Years Old and Still Ticking

David Burnham and William Martin William Martin and David Burnham Margo Miller and William Martin and Mrs. Martin

In May, the newly restored Mayflower IIplans to sail into Boston As a speaker, Martin was a consummate storyteller – in fact, Harbor to begin the commemoration of the four hundredth recounting many stories in his formal talk and during the dinner anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Provincetown and that followed. It should be clear from the accompanying pictures, Plymouth. In January, Botolphian David Burnham – Director that the evening was not entirely humorless history. Nonetheless, of Mayflower Sails 2020 and Trustee of Plimoth Plantation – we came away with a new appreciation of the struggles of our organized a Club Night around the Mayflower voyage and the ancestors and their determination to make a life in Massachusetts. subsequent experiences of the passengers in the New World. Narrating the story was William Martin, whose best-selling work Circumstances permitting, plan to be at Charlestown Navy Yard th th of fiction, Cape Cod, is so historically accurate that it is the only in May for the 400 . The 500 will no doubt be more spectacular, fictional account sold at Plimoth Plantation. Martin is, of but why wait? course, familiar to us as the author of Back Bay, the story of the ground we sit on.

Post-Corona Clubhouse Amenities

Did you know that the St. Botolph Club offers more than just lunch, dinner and event opportunities to its membership?

The clubhouse is open from 11am to10pm daily and all mem- bers are welcome to stop in for coffee or tea in the afternoon, a cocktail before Symphony or a nightcap in front of the fire on a cold winter’s night. The staff is here to accommodate anyone who would like to just “stop by” and enjoy all that our beautiful clubhouse has to offer. Something to look forward to once our sequestration is over.

VOLUME 20 NUMBER 4 | 5 A St. Botolph Club Mystery Marion Dry

What St. Botolph Club group includes 4 painters, 1 costume designer, 2 novelists, 1 guitarist, 1 literary performer, 1 interdisciplinary artist, 2 conductors, 1 mixed media artist, and 2 violinists?

Wracking your brain? the Board of Governors. The Fellowship our Club membership. This keeps us alive Checking the Blue Book? provides these artists with a 3-year, to new possibilities, if we are to remain non-renewable but financially affordable, current as a cultural leader in the Boston The Answer: term as a Fellow. Upon completion of that area - which seems to be our The St. Botolph Club Fellows term, Fellows are encouraged to become ambition, as well as to be a social club. candidates for full membership. The SBC And, in the spirit of the social aspects of Until Mich Jedry, then chair, invited me to Fellows Program serves the development our Club, I should add that at least one join the Fellows Committee four years ago, of working artists while enriching the life popular event, the 10-Minute Play Festival, I had no idea there was such a program. of the Club. came directly out of and continues to be I have discovered that I was not alone. fed by the energy and expertise of the The benefits to Club members and to So if you find yourself ill-informed (or Fellows’ program.” even if you don’t), take a moment to Fellows run both ways. If you are a life-long learner (and what learn more about the Fellows and the Former Fellow, Artistic Director of St. Botolphian--member or Fellow--isn’t), Fellows Program. Underground Railway Theater, and every one of these people has the poten- current Fellows Committee member, The Fellows Program has gone through tial to widen your horizons. You should Debra Wise has this to say about several iterations, starting (according to plan to attend their Club Art Show the program: Roger Howlett) in the 1950s. The current openings, sign up for their Round Tables, program began in 2013. The St. Botolph “I found my time as a Fellow incredibly and enjoy their musical performances in Fellows are accomplished, articulate, valuable in my professional work - the Music Room and become friends. dynamic artists who enjoy the Club and getting considered feedback from new add to the enjoyment of our members. and thoughtful friends at the Club, and Current Fellow, Julie Beck writes: Fellows attend and participate in Club ac- broadening networks in the arts in greater “I often hear how the Fellows program tivities and help organize and perform in Boston. Now, as a member of the Fellows’ adds to the community of the Club but I Club events including the Fellows Fanfare, Committee, I am struck again and again want to be sure to highlight the other side the 10 Minute Plays, Twelfth Night, and how valuable the experience is for our of that relationship: the elements of the several Fellows Nights per season. Month- Fellows, and know that– for instance – I program that the Club offers the Fellows. ly on the First Friday of the month, the Fel- have been able to introduce to the Club to Personally speaking, being a Fellow has lows meet at the Long Table for lunch. All many theater artists whom Club mem- been an unexpected catalyst for new Club members are invited to join them, as bers have enjoyed getting to know as friendships, experiences, and inspira- they share commentary about their work, friends off stage, as well as artists on the tions. The opportunity to interact with a process, and interests. The food is always stage. And Fellows bring into the Club new population of people who are incredibly terrific and the conversation perspectives (for instance, former Fellow smart, with varied specialties and inter- is unbeatable. Vincent Earnest Siders brought Youth ests, and an underlying appreciation of Underground actors to share their Artists, actors, musicians, and writers the arts (and definitely a sense of humor!) original theater piece about equal (creative artists of all stripes) are nominat- is invaluable.” ed to become Fellows by Club members, opportunity in education), and reviewed by the SBC Fellows Committee, perspectives that are more diverse and elected for a three-year term by than those represented in most of

6 | ST. BOTOLPH BULLETIN New Fellows

Though we add new Fellows every month Andrew Fish Regie Gibson or two, the roster, as I write, includes: Alysia Abbot, novelist; Ibrahim Ali-Salaam, Andrew Fish is a painter and Literary Performer, Regie Gibson, printmaker who studied at the has lectured and performed in painter; Julie Beck, painter; Chris Castel- School of Visual Arts in New York the U.S., Cuba and Europe. In lani, novelist; Gabby Diaz, violinist; David City and has attended several Italy, representing the U.S., Regie Feltner, conductor; Andrew Fish, painter; artist residencies and workshops. competed for and received both the Regie Gibson, literary performer; Steve Absolute Poetry Award (Monfalcone) Lipsitt, conductor; Greg Lookerse, He exhibits internationally and is and the Europa en Versi Award the recipient of a Somerville Arts interdisciplinary artist; Wilhelm Neuss- (LaGuardia di Como). He and his work Council grant, a New York Studio appear in “love jones,” a feature- er, painter; Lisa Rosowsky, mixed media School Award, a Contemporary film based on events in his life. He artist; Chuck Schoonmaker, costume Arts Center-Woodside Award, a is a former National Poetry Slam designer; Elinor Spiers, violinist; and Carl Distinguished Artist Scholarship Champion, has appeared on HBO’s Straussner, guitarist. from The Art Students League Def Poetry Jam and various NPR Residency at VYT, a Manship programs, has presented at several Members of the Fellows Committee Artists Residency Fellowship, and TED X events and has been nominated include former fellows, Carol Monacelli, the Curators Choice Award from for a Boston Emmy. David Wells Roth, and Debra Wise, as well the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists as Holly Handlin, Chair; Carol Daynard; Coalition. He’s received the Walker Scholarship, a Mass Cultural Council Award, the Marion Dry; Merton Flemings; Roger Fish currently lives in Somerville, Lexington Education Foundation Gordon; Barbara Lucas; Glenda Mattes; MA and teaches at Massachusetts Grant, a YMCA Writer’s Fellowship and Sheldon Peck; and Margaret Shepherd. College of Art and Design and the Brother Thomas Fellowship from The Fellows Committee invites every Lesley Art & Design. His work The Boston Foundation. member of the Club to nominate working can be viewed online at www. andrewfish.art and at Childs Regie has served as a consultant for artists for this program. Gallery in Boston, MA the NEA’s “How Art Works” initiative Please make it a point to get to know the and the “Mere Distinction of Color” Fellows, and don’t hesitate to reach out to exhibit at James Madison’s Montpelier home which examines the legacy of any member of the Fellows Committee to slavery and the U.S. Constitution. learn more about the program or to ask how to nominate someone. He is one half of the duo, Shakespeare to Hip-Hop: an education and There are myriad reasons why the performance vehicle integrating the St. Botolph Club is special. We can all performance and study of classical be grateful that the Fellows Program and modern texts into English is a jewel in its crown. curricula, which played at the St. Botolph Club in March 2019.

He teaches at Clark University and works with members of the Red Cross-Red Crescent Climate Center (Hague, Netherlands) to craft language regarding issues of climate change.

VOLUME 20 NUMBER 4 | 7 Children’s Holiday Party

On December 14, the traditional St. Botolph Children’s Holiday Party morphed into an extravaganza for children of all ages and species. In addition to the usual elf, the party featured a visit from Curious Creatures, a New England interactive and educational live animal spectacular. As shown in the accompanying pictures, “hands-on” doesn’t begin to describe the show. A fabulous party for everyone: animals, young children and older children.

Sandra Gilpatrick and Friend

Can I Come to School with You? Heads and Tails Be Gentle, I’m Shy

Heads and Tails Of course I’m Friendly

8 | ST. BOTOLPH BULLETIN Photo Gallery

Christmas Concert – Gordon Chapel Christmas Concert – Lisa Graham, Julia Scott Carey and the Metropolitan Chorale

Christmas Concert - Michael Halperson giving the toast in Conservatory

Christmas Lunch New Year’s Eve – The Band New Year’s Eve – The Crowd

VOLUME 20 NUMBER 4 | 9 Photo Gallery

New Year’s Eve – Carrie & Shervin Hawley New Year’s Eve – George and Sandra New Year’s Eve – Diane and Richard Gilpatrick Milhender

Twelfth Night - Steven Lipsitt and Lisa Graham

New Year’s Eve – Michael Robbins and Twelfth Night – Our Own Private Primary Elizabeth Hunter

Twelfth Night – Anita Lincoln Thanks Twelfth Night – The Prior Addresses the Verge Art Opening - Patricia Burson with the Staff Congregation Barbara Lucas in front of Forsythia 18

10 | ST. BOTOLPH BULLETIN Photo Gallery

Biennial Discussion – Lois Russell talking Biennial Discussion – Group listening to Burns Night – Down the Fairway and about her habitat for honey bees David Wells Roth Headed for the Green

New Members Gala - Matthew Hollister and Patricia Buddenhagen

Burns Night – Plaid on Parade

New Members Gala – Chris Schroeder

New Members Gala – Mark Poznansky New Members Gala – Timothy Surgenor New Members Gala – Elizabeth Padjen (25 years) and Patricia Buddenhagen (25 years) and Patricia Buddenhagen

VOLUME 20 NUMBER 4 | 11 Photo Gallery

Peter Vanderwarker - Peter Vanderwarker - Landscapes: Allan Green makes the toast Landscapes: Peter talking

An American in Paris: Elizabeth Lee, violin

Chris Knight - Eagle Film: Kathryn Lasky Chris Knight - Eagle Film: Chris Knight and Chris Knight introducing the film

Club Night – The Quintessential American: Mark Twain in Hartford: Ken Turino and Music and Musings, Genius and Gender – Pieter Roos Gabriella and Betty Anne Diaz

12 | ST. BOTOLPH BULLETIN