When the 4th of July celebrations fizzle, the Hamptons social season starts to sizzle with celebrities, style and glamorous galas—all in the name of charity. Pack your best weekend wardrobe (remember to practice safe sun at these outdoor events) and head out east to party with a purpose!
JULY 12
DAN’S TASTE OF TWO FORKS
Sayre Park, Bridgehampton
danstasteofsummer.com; (631) 227-0188
Fashionable foodies indulge in the festivities of Dan’s Taste of Two Forks—the East End’s most fun food and wine festival. Experience some of Long Island’s best culinary talent in one night, under one tent. Sip wines from our local vineyards and sample diverse and decadent dishes and desserts. The great gastronomic dinner party is hosted by The Kitchen’s Geoffrey Zakarian and Katie Lee. Go hungry, designate a driver and arrive early to beat the line. Or better yet, splurge on a VIP ticket for champagne, early entry and a gift bag ($240).
BAY STREET THEATER’S 23RD
ANNUAL SUMMER GALA
Bay Street Theater, Sag Harbor
baystreet.org; (631) 725-0818
Perhaps the most picturesque party of the charity circuit, Bay Street Theater’s Summer Gala is nestled on the Long Wharf in Sag Harbor. Watch the sunset over the Island’s largest and most luxurious yacht docking area, dance the night away to the music of Nancy Atlas and hobnob with some of Broadway’s biggest stars. In recent years, Susan Lucci, Mario Cantone, Kim Cattrall, Blythe Danner, Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber have attended to support the theater’s programming. The event is open to all and ticket prices accommodate: $395/young professional, $550/individual and $1000/VIP.
JULY 16
MARLO THOMAS IN CLEVER LITTLE LIES
Guild Hall, East Hampton
guildhall.org; (631) 324-0806
It’s that girl! Marlo Thomas takes the stage at Guild Hall in East Hampton starring in Clever Little Lies. Her famous friends are sure to come out for opening night. The show also stars Greg Mullavey, Jim Stanek and Kate Wetherhead and runs through Aug 3. Next stop (hopefully) Broadway, though tickets will likely be pricier than the $40-75 at this staging.
JULY 19
CMEE 6TH ANNUAL FAMILY FAIR
Children’s Museum of the East End, Bridgehampton
cmee.org; (631) 537-8250
Bring the little ones for a day of fun in the sun. You’ll recognize famous faces like Edie Falco, Mariska Hargitay, Mark Feuerstein, Jane Krakowski, Tiffani Thiessen and their families. There are arts and crafts, games and water rides to splash in at this annual bash to benefit the Children’s Museum of the East End. Tickets start at $100/child, $150/adult.
BRIDGEHAMPTON POLO OPENING DAY
Two Trees Farm, Bridgehampton
bridgehamptonpolollc.com;
(631) 237-5388
Find a fancy hat and see if you can snag one of a limited number of field-side tailgate tents available for purchase throughout the season. A gourmet picnic and champagne for 10 are included in the cost—it’s the next best thing to finding your way into the invitation-only opening day VIP tent. Rubbing elbows with oft-spotted Hamptons queen Christie Brinkley is not far off. Or pack a picnic and take in the action from the sidelines, for a mere $20 per-car entrance fee. Participants can also enjoy the polo tradition of divot stomping at halftime.
JULY 26
SUPER SATURDAY
Nova’s Ark Project, Water Mill
supersaturday.ocrf.org;
(212) 268-1002
The most star-studded Saturday of the season kicks off with the biggest shopping event of the summer. Serious shoppers charge through the gates (and charge the day away) at Super Saturday at Nova’s Ark Project in Water Mill. Dubbed “the Rolls Royce of garage sales,” Super Saturday, hosted by Kelly Ripa and Cedarhurst native Donna Karan, is bargain hunting at its best. Designers donate and sell every item at a discount and every dollar benefits the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Buy up bargains like celebrity shoppers including Beth Stern, June Ambrose, Lisa Rinna, Zosia Mamet, Jonathan Cheban and try to keep up with the Kardashians—spotted scooping up sales in recent years. Get there early for the most stylish selection and stay late when prices are slashed. Be sure to wear a swimsuit under your clothes if you plan to try anything on—there are no fitting rooms—and don’t forget to grab a glamorous goodie bag. Tickets are $450-850 (kids are $150), but with a little luck the savings will outweigh the entrance fee.
ART FOR LIFE
Fairview Farms, Bridgehampton
rushphilanthropic.org/artforlife;
(212) 254-6677
It’s the annual Simmons soirée to raise money for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. The house is packed with hip-hop heavyweights, powerhouse performers and friends of Uncle Rush (organizer Russell Simmons). Last year, for the first time in over a decade, Art for Life was at Fairview Farms in Bridgehampton instead of at the Simmons estate. The music mogul said, “by doing it on the water we found two things—it had a nice breeze and we saved ourselves $100,000 for air conditioning, which went directly to the kids!” The venue change also allowed for creative celebrity entrances such as Michael Strahan’s boat arrival. This year the gala honors Michael Bloomberg, Valentino Carlotti and Kimora Lee. Simmons said to expect surprise performances as well. Last year, Estelle, Maxwell and Rick Ross shared the stage making the $1500+ tickets a bargain.
CHEFS & CHAMPAGNE
Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Sagaponack
jamesbeard.org/chefsandchampagne; (212) 627-2308
Pop the corks and let the champagne flow at the James Beard Foundation’s Chefs & Champagne. This elegant affair features fine dining from a select group of chefs as the sun sets over the stunning Wölffer Estate Vineyard. Cheers to this year’s honoree: Celebrity chef, restaurateur and Hamptonite Bobby Flay. The price of entrance ($200/members, $275/general) is a bargain considering the menu and culinary extravaganza.
AUG 2
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH GALA
Montauk Playhouse, Montauk
montaukplayhouse.org; (631) 668-1124
Begin August…at the end. Make your way to Montauk for The Diamond in the Rough Gala for the Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation. The laid-back gala heats up with honorary co-chairs Nancy Mack and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Keep your eyes peeled for Montauk resident Julianne Moore. Tickets start at $250.
AUG 9
AUTHORS NIGHT
location TBA at press time, East Hampton
authorsnight.org; (631) 324-0222
It’s a star-studded signing session to benefit the East Hampton Library. Stock up on summer reading material at Authors Night. Bring a Sharpee, meet and greet acclaimed authors and celeb scribes including Lee Grant, Jennifer Esposito and James McBride. Authors usually sit in alphabetical order, so stop by your favorites first before books sell out. See what’s on founding co-chair Alec Baldwin’s summer reading list as he shops around (you can usually find him at Nelson DeMille’s signing spot). Tickets start at $100 but $2500 will include a pass to attend a themed dinner after-party at a private estate in honor of your favorite author.
AUG 16
ARTISTS & WRITERS CELEBRITY SOFTBALL GAME
Herrick Park, East Hampton
awgame.org
Superstars step to the plate! It’s artists vs. writers in this annual charity softball game at Herrick Park in East Hampton. Come casual and watch celebrities like Matt Lauer, Alec Baldwin and Chevy Chase play ball. Grab a hotdog and keep your eye on the outfield. Last year President Bill Clinton stopped by. Score autographs during practice before the game. Game time is 2pm and the rain date is Aug 23. $10 suggested donation. For an inside look at this famous game, see page 156.
AUG 22
CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Guild Hall, East Hampton
guildhall.org; (631) 324-2722
Laugh out loud as celebrity memoirs are acted out…by celebrities. Alec Baldwin, Christie Brinkley, Ralph Macchio, couple Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn and more star in Celebrity Autobiography at Guild Hall. Tickets start at $40.
AUG 24–31
HAMPTON CLASSIC
Bridgehampton
hamptonclassic.com
It’s one of the top-rated horse shows in the country, attracting the world’s best equestrians. The show grounds feature food, fun and plenty of shopping. You can spot famous faces like Billy Joel keeping a low profile around the grounds. Sunday’s Grand Prix boasts one of the biggest VIP tents of any sporting event in the nation—and perhaps the best dressed. Last year it had major star power with local horse farm owner Matt Lauer, Hamptonite Jon Bon Jovi, LA Reid, Sofia Vergara and Mary-Kate Olson. Not bad for $10 tickets ($20/carload, kids under 6 free). Head to page 151 for more on this classic summer event.