Spring 2008

Tuesday, April 29
University Series
Achy Obejas
Iwan Ries Building

Tuesday, May 13
University Series
Robert Wallace
Iwan Ries Building

Wednesday, May 28
University Series
Théâtre des Architectes
James and Kutyla

About the Cigar Society

ONE OF THE OLDEST AND greatest traditions of the University Club is the discussion of intellectual, social, legal, artistic, historical, scientific, musical, theatrical, and philosophical issues in the company of educated, bright, and appropriately provocative individuals, all under the beneficent influence of substantial amounts of tobacco and spirits.  The University Club Cigar Society embraces this tradition and extends it with its fortnightly Informal Smokers, monthly University Series lectures, and quarterly Cigar Society Dinners, in which cigars, and from time to time pipes and cigarettes, appear as an important component of our version of the classical symposium.  To be included in the Cigar Society's mailing list, write to the Secretary.

Pulitzer-prize winning Chicago journalist, novelist, and poet Achy Obejas will join the Cigar Society on April 29 to smoke a cigar or two and lead a discussion on the future of Cuba. Achy Obejas was born in Havana in 1956 and emigrated to the United States at the age of six. Since then she has received the Studs Terkel Journalism Prize, several Peter Lisagor journalism honors, two Lambda Literary awards, a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship in poetry, and residencies at Yaddo, Ragdale and the Virginia Center for the Arts. She is currently Sor Juana Visiting Writer at DePaul University. $30 includes premium open bar, light hors d'oeuvre, and special cigars. We will be meeting privately in the Lounge at Iwan Ries.  RSVP to Curtis Tuckey.

Robert Wallace will give us an illustrated tour through ancient Greek war and warfare, from Homer through the battle of Marathon and on down to the Roman conquest, in search of an answer to the question whether these people were really so bloodthirsty and bellicose as their art and literature suggest.  Fans of Troy and 300 can hear the truth of the matter (which is: you bet they were).

Professor Wallace (BA Columbia '72, MA Oxford '77, PhD Harvard '84) teaches Greek at Northwestern University.  He books include The Areopagos Council to 307 B.C.; Origins of Democracy in Ancient Greece; Poet, Public, and Performance in Ancient Greece; Transitions to Empire: Studies in Greco-Roman History 360-146 B.C.; Harmonia Mundi: Music and Philosophy in the Ancient World.  He has recently completed Reconstructing Damon: Music, Wisdom Teaching, and Politics in Democratic Athens.

$30 includes premium open bar, light hors d'oeuvre, and special cigars. We will be meeting privately in the Lounge at Iwan Ries.  RSVP to Curtis Tuckey.

University Club Cigar Society Officers for 2008
David O'Connor, Supreme Dodo.  Gerald I. Bauman, Treasurer.  Curtis Tuckey, Secretary.  Alexander Sherman, Metropolitan Philosopher.
J. Douglas Johnson, Liaison to Various Other Clubs (Honorary).  Jeffrey Dean, Chair of the Subcommittee concerning Pipe Smoking.
David Fitzpatrick, Government Relations.  Jorge del Castillo, Doctor of Tobacciana.  Thomas S. O'Brien, Stentorian. John H. Nelson, Herald. 
David Karrow, Liaison to the Industry.  Denise Lubaway, Liaison to the Public.  Andrew Hernandez, Excursionista.  Mark Warden, Apologist.
Augustus V. M. Higginson II, Gadfly.