Events ranged in scale and complexity, from small intimate Gatherings held monthly for under 50 people, to Formal Dinner parties with 24 persons seated and a expanded social after for more relaxed activities, to Quarterly Socials with more than one hundred fine folk present.
After sixteen decadent Quarterly Socials, in 2019 our attention turned to a new format, one that provided an opportunity to explore, refine, and experiment with sophisticated fine dining. These evenings were defined by an appreciation for the savoring of fine manners, meticulous details, and sincere authentic service.
Our Formal Dinners consisted of a delicious four course meal with fine service, followed by an evening of frolicking and social mingling. All members were encouraged to attend with a partner, friend, or lover. One performed the role of the Diner for the evening, sitting at the formal table and demonstrating witty repartee and fine social graces suitable for a dinner party. The other assumed the role of Server, dining separately, with the service team, and while doing so learning the fundamentals of excellent service, from how to place a plate to how to clear one appropriately, from describing the ingredients in a dish to telling its story.
TIMING: Members and guests arrived promptly at 8 PM for pre-dinner mingling and conversation. The doors opened after dinner, from 9 until 11 PM, to additional members and guests for an after dinner social. The evenings drew to a close at 2 AM.
This lovely event series ran from 2014 to 2018, encompassing sixteen events, bringing together elegant gentlepeople, who shared in excellent conversation, and enjoyed fine cocktails, tasty nibbles, and superb company.
PINS: Included in everyone’s very first parcel was an official membership pin that all members must wear both when they join us and throughout the evening. This ensures all present know you are a member and may greet you as such. Each member was invited to bring one guest; this guest must arrive with you, or you will be asked to fetch them from the entrance.
TOKENS: A token was required for each member’s admission; if they brought a guest, they required two tokens. Throughout the evening these same tokens were needed to procure fine beverages from the bar. Additionally, they could be used to acquire pieces of art, including mystery and limited edition prints, large posters, or my signature selected items, such as our lovely European-manufactured stockings. Once inside, should any find themselves unexpectedly short on tokens, the Token Agent could assist, or they might enjoy bartering with other members for any spare tokens they find themselves holding.
VICTUALS: To ensure none of our guests went hungry or thirsty, we had complimentary delectable, cheese, fruit, and other fine nibbles on hand, some warm, some cold, to suit a range of dietary restrictions, as well as tasty non-alcoholic beverages. Water was freely and readily available, and all guests were encouraged to consume sufficient quantities that they wake up fresh and clear-headed the next day.
At these monthly gatherings we collectively assembled, addressed, and prepared nearly one hundred different mailings for all members. Some years that involved long handwritten letters, calligraphy practice for newcomers (or any not yet confident in their handwriting), or affixing photographs via small corners on cards, embossing, stamping, and sliding assemblages into glassine enveopes, and some years finally into hand addressed linen envelopes.
Across all events, we communciated clear expectations during the welcoming process, inviations, and on arrival at the event, through dedicated team members who helped ensure a smooth and relaxed transition into the exciting atmosphere of the event.
DRESS: All took the occasion to dress up quite finely, as nothing brings me greater pleasure than a room of well-dressed, elegant revelers. Cocktail dresses, jackets waistcoats, and ties were present. Well-polished wingtips or elegantly high heels are always in fine taste, and all of those who knew me knew well my taste for garters, holding up socks or stockings. I wore one of my tuxedos (as a host ought), and those who wished were encuraged to follow suit.
RSVP: We required an RSVP and asked that all confirm or decline attendance at their earliest opportunity. Members provided a name for their guest, though a chosen name is acceptable. If plans remained indefinite, and did for some time, we appreciated hearing that members were maybes.
LOCATION: In order to preserve the discretion of the venue, and allow for any last minute changes, we sent a message just a day prior to the event with the location and directions to find one’s way there. For members who needed an approximate location in order to make travel or other arrangements, on request we provided a general area.
MANNERS: As always, I asked that all members, and their guests, be mindful of whatever is consumed, to ensure that we all stayed comfortably within a state that lends itself to polite behavior. I expected all present, members and guests, to exercise the utmost in excellent social manners and ensure that they have permission before touching, embracing, or becoming overly familiar with another guest. When anyone made someone uncomfortable, myself, a Welcome Agent, or Safety Agent were on hand both during the event and anytime following. We made note of any specifics shared and either engaged promptly, or made notes to follow up afterwards as needed. Privacy of those impacted were thoughtfully respected, and they those who spoke up had control over the manner of how etiquette infractions were addressed. Note too that we reached out when members made modest missteps in manners, as of any of can, in order cultivate a culture of high standards, discerning interactions, and an appreciation for gentle corrections.