The Social Season

Galas, polo, the Derby and the great rooms — the social season, its calendar and its codes.

The Black Gala Circuit: A Field Guide to the Season

The Black gala circuit guide: black gala season charity balls in Atlanta, New York and beyond — what each night supports, costs and expects of you.

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Buying the Table: Sponsorship, Seats, and the Generosity Ledger

Charity gala table sponsorship levels explained: how it works, donor vs sponsor, underwriting, journal ads and giving at the level that moves the room.

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Joining the Club: Private Clubs, Membership, and the Rooms Where It Happens

How to join a private members club: the application process, proposers, waiting lists, dues and the conduct that keeps a membership for life.

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The Art Season: Fairs, Auctions, and Opening Nights — An Art Fair Etiquette, Auctions and Preview Guide for Collectors

Art fair etiquette, auctions and preview guide for collectors: previews, paddle manners, reserves and buyer's premium, and building a collection with grace.

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Polo, Racing, and the Sporting Season in Good Company: What to Wear to a Polo Match — A Racing Etiquette Guide

What to wear to a polo match and racing etiquette guide: divot stomping, enclosures, hats and linen, owners' manners, and golf invitationals in good company.

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The Church Anniversary and the Pastor's Ball: A Pastor Appreciation Banquet and Church Anniversary Etiquette Guide

Pastor appreciation banquet and church anniversary etiquette: honouring clergy and spouse, dressing for the banquet, love offerings, and the social season of faith.

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Hosting the Salon: Evenings of Music, Letters, and Talk

How to host a salon evening of music, poetry and guests in the Harlem Renaissance tradition: the guest list, the programme, and the host's quiet craft.

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The Holiday Season at Full Splendour: Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the Open House

How to host a holiday open house with Kwanzaa celebration etiquette at full splendour: the kinara, the flow, staff honoured, charity woven through it.

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Weddings as a Guest of Standing: Gifts, Dress, and the Dance Floor Rules

Wedding guest etiquette: how much money to give as a gift, the dress code rules, destination wedding costs and dance floor manners, done with standing.

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The Benefit Concert and the Museum Night: Culture as Philanthropy

Museum patron circles and benefits, joining young patrons, benefit concerts and naming gifts: how the culture calendar funds itself, and how families join it.

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The Most Exclusive Rooms: A Guide to the Social Clubs Themselves

The most exclusive social clubs in America: a members clubs guide to the storied city clubs, great golf clubs, university clubs and new Black-founded houses.

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The Bourgeois Society Standard: A Closing Word on Doing It Beautifully and Doing It Kindly

What is Bourgeois Society Magazine? The Black Excellence standard it lives by: wealth with manners, luxury with legacy, kindness as a daily discipline.

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The Great Museums: Where to Stand, What to See, and How the Patrons Do It

The best art museums in the world, must-visit and mastered the patrons' way: the Met, the Louvre, Tate, the National Gallery of Art and Harlem's own.

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The Exhibition Calendar: Reading a Season and Catching the Shows Worth Flying For

Best art exhibitions to see, planned like a patron: how major museums and the biennale set the art year's rhythm — and how to catch the shows worth flying for.

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Polo, Watched Properly: The Game, the Grounds, and the Afternoon Around It

Polo match etiquette, what to wear and how to watch: chukkers, handicaps and ponies, the great grounds, the divot stomp and the champagne ritual, explained.

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Golf, the Rich Life Version: The Clubs, the Courses, and the Etiquette of Belonging

The most exclusive golf clubs, membership and the best private courses: what joining really involves, member-guest etiquette, and the Black golf tradition.

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Derby Day and the Racing Season: Louisville First, Then the Calendar of the Track

The Kentucky Derby experience: luxury boxes, hats and etiquette on Millionaire's Row, the mint julep ritual, Derby week galas, and the racing calendar.

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The Hosts With the Rooms: Famous Black Society Hosts, Salons and Dinner Parties

Famous Black society hosts, salons and dinner parties — the great Black salons, their keepers, and what earns an invitation. Bourgeois Society.

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The Inner Circle, Explained: Black Greek Societies, the Boulé, Links and Jack and Jill

Black Greek societies, Boulé, Links and Jack and Jill explained — how Black America's inner-circle societies work. Bourgeois Society Magazine.

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The Family Reunion, Produced: How to Plan a Large Family Reunion

How to plan a large family reunion — budget, program and run of show for 200 cousins: committees, timelines and the history wall. Bourgeois Society.

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The Proposal, Produced: Asking at the Level You Live

Proposal planning, etiquette, the ring and the family permission conversation — a produced proposal, private first, that photographs forever.

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Milestone Birthdays: The 40th, 50th and 60th Done as They Should Be

Elegant 50th birthday party ideas and milestone celebration craft for the 40th, 50th and 60th — tributes, toasts, and a guest of honor who enjoys it.

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The Family Portrait: An Annual Tradition Worth Framing

Large family portrait tips: what to wear, choosing the photographer, one palette, elders first, printed big — the annual legacy tradition worth keeping.

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Anniversary, Kept Properly: The Years That Deserve a Room

Anniversary, kept properly: 25th anniversary celebration ideas, vow renewal etiquette, gifts by year, and the speech a spouse actually gives at this level.

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The Listening Rooms: The Best Jazz Clubs in America

The best jazz clubs in America: a live jazz venues guide to the listening rooms — where to sit, what to order, and how each room treats you — city by city.

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