Benefits and Galas Galore in the Hamptons This Month
A rich part of summer tradition in the Hamptons is the cavalcade of galas and benefits to support myriad causes here on the East End and those with an even wider-reaching influence.
Celebrate Sag Harbor Main Street at the Sag Harbor Historical Society Benefit on July 14, 6-8 pm. For $150, get into a mellow July mood listening to jazz while toasting merchants and residents of Main Street, along with society members and the public. Taste hors d’oeuvres, bid on the silent auction, cross your fingers that it’s your lucky day in the raffle, and check out the large copies of old photographs and postcards of Sag Harbor that will decorate the tent on the grounds of the Custom House at 912 Main Street. The Sag Harbor Historical Society is in the Annie Cooper Boyd House, 174 Main Street, and it’s there to foster the preservation of the historic character of the one and only Sag Harbor. For reservations, call 725-5092.
Or, glam it up at the Family Service League 2012 Seaside Summer Gala. Sip cocktails, shop for unique designer gifts from Ferragamo, Burberry, Michael Kors, and Tiffany’s; or bid on fun fun things like VIP seating at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, golf and restaurant prizes and lots more at the auction. Then, enjoy the moment, and dance under the grand tent on The Great Lawn in Westhampton Beach, July 14, 7-11. Dolly Lenz, vice-chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, will be presented with the Corporate Leadership Award, and NYS Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr., will get the Government Leadership Award that evening. FSL serves more than 50,000 Long Island residents each year in need of help for mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, job training, and computer literacy, among other needs. Tickets are $250. Call 288-1954×249.
It’s the month to celebrate being American, which includes people of all backgrounds, and when you come to think about it, dogs of all backgrounds. On July 14th, Michael and Marcy Warren will open up their Water Mill home for the 4th Annual Martinis for Mutts Benefit, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Honorees are Dina Manzo, star of HGTV’s Dina’s Party, and Wendy Diamond, founder and editor of Animal Fair Media for their support to end the senseless loss of companion animals across the country. The sponsor is Last Chance Animal Rescue, a volunteer group. Admission prices start at $100 “mutt” tickets, but that can be upgraded all the way to “Great Dane,” for which you can choose between having a picture with your pet in the “Paw Bill Journal,” an “In Memory” ad, or an ad for your business. Sponsorships are also available, ranging from ”Chihuahua” level to “Great Dane”. Call 478-6844×4 for tickets.
Add to your list of July fireworks events the “Sparks Flyin’ Grills Smokin’ Roar For a Cure” event on July 21 at the Duke Home (178 Springy Banks Road, Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton. 6:30-10 p.m.) A perfect event for families with delicious barbecue, eye-popping fireworks, and circus acts. This perfect celebration for the nation of the U.S.A. benefits the Max Cure Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. The Clamshell Foundation provides the fireworks—kids and adults of all ages provide the partying that will rock! Prices $225 adults; $125 youth; $50 ages 13 and under; and sponsorships and reserved tables are available. Call Linda B. Shapiro 329-5480.
“How Can You Say No to a Face Like This?” The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation isn’t just talking about all the beautiful people who are sure to be at one of summer’s most elegant nights, but all of those animals waiting for adoption. The “Unconditional Love” benefit July 21 will be held at the waterfront home of animal-devotee Sandra McConnell. The shelter, formerly run by Southampton Town, has gone through tremendous improvements from its days in Quogue when some dogs were doubled up in dirt-floor pens. They now have clean, modern facilities since it was taken over by the foundation a few years ago after the Town had decided to close it down. Dependent on private donors, this is the only “open admissions” shelter on the East End—meaning they will take any stray, abused, or surrendered animal in need. Spokesman Natascha Grief emphasizes that the shelter is devoted to helping dogs find homes, a big help in that effort coming from its training and behavior staff, headed by Aimee Sadler. Tickets are $500 and up. Channel 4 Anchor Chuck Scarborough (co-anchor with the former co-anchor Sue Simmons!) and wife, Ellen, will be honored at the event. www.southamptonanimalshelter.com.
On July 28 at The Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton, The Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival 29th Season Benefit features a sneak preview of the eleven-concert summer series. The evening begins at 6:30 PM with a music concert by Haydn, Schubert, Martinů, and Dvořák performed by BCMF founder and artistic director Marya Martin, flute; Benjamin Beilman and Arnaud Sussmann, violins; Jonathan Vinocour, viola;Michael Nicolas, cello; and Orion Weiss, piano. At 7:30, a brief cocktail period precedes the elegant dinner. Tickets range from single tickets at $1,500 and $2,000 to tables from $12,000 to $25,000. Attire is festive casual. For information, contact Derek Delaney at 212-741-9073 or derekdelaney@bcmf.org.
July will exit in sizzling summer style at HEAT on the 28th, the star-studded gala to benefit Southampton Hospital’s Ellen Hermanson Breast Cancer Center. Honorary chairs are Katie Couric and Fern Mallis at this event held at the Water Mill home of Dr. Howard and Gayle Sobel. Honoree will be Dee Dee Ricks. With TV anchor Rosanna Scotto’s charismatic, take-charge personality as MC, and dancin’ music by 4 AM DJs, how could there be a dull moment? Celebrity mixologists will be stationed all over, and food will run from the amazing to the heavenly to the unbelievable, with chefs that include John Villa and Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. The fun goes from 6-8:30 p.m., tickets start at $300, (Junior tickets $150). www.ellensrun.org.