Not everyone gets the day off (like, say, journalists—hint, hint, as well as a multitude of other workers who show up and keep things humming along), but for those of you who do, Presidents’ Day is shaping up to be a nice, long and at least partially sunny (fingers crossed!) weekend with a multitude of excellent occurrences to check out. Grab your nearest and dearest, put down that phone (or at least just silence the darn thing, okay?) and get out to one of these something-for-everyone great events.
Take a beading workshop at Ma’s House
Artist and artisan Denise Silva-Dennis will be leading this super cool beading workshop at Ma’s House in Southampton on Friday, February 17th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Beginners are very welcome, along with beader leaders who just want to exchange ideas or get inspired to start a new project. The $20 entry fee includes all materials and the workshop is open to all. RSVP here.
Speak about love at The Church
San Francisco’s Sacred Grounds isn’t the only place of poetry slams and spoken-word open mics. On Friday, February 17th, get your snaps ready for “All the World’s a Stage: Love Is a Verb,” a half-dozen writers both experienced and new reading from their original work under the theme of the night in this new series from the Sag Harbor community art hub. And if you find yourself moved to speak, after the evening’s designated word-smiths are done, you’re welcome to sign up for the open-mic portion of the evening, and read something of your own (there’s a three-minute time limit, so there’s no stage-hogging). Reserve your spot for a café table ($15) or regular seating ($10). There will even be little bites and sips from Cavaniola’s and Wölffer to fuel your creativity. Starts at 6 p.m..
Take in some music and a movie at The Suffolk
The Suffolk in Riverhead has a jam-packed jammin’ weekend in store, kicking off with Boston-based AC/DC cover band, Dirty Deeds: The AC/DC Experience on Friday, February 17th—a must for any fan of the Aussie band, whether you’re team Bon Scott or team Brian Johnson (but really, aren’t you both?). Tickets start at $45 and doors open at 7 p.m.—arrive early for in-house bites, like roasted duck empanadas and pan-fried dumplings with chicken and lemongrass alongside one of their signature cocktails and make a full-on night of it.
Saturday, February 18th, grab your sweetie or bestie for a starry screening of the Audrey Hepburn classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Bonus: before the movie starts at 8 p.m., a wine pro from Macari Vineyards will be on hand to lead swoon-worthy wine tasting alongside a half-dozen handmade chocolates from North Fork Chocolate. Tickets for the tasting and movie are $42; but if you just want Audrey-only, movie admission is 15 bucks. Grab yours here.
Finally, if you want to see the man that Total Guitar Magazine declared the best acoustic guitarist in the world, secure your place Sunday night, February 19th for the 8 p.m. show of Mike Dawes, the British guitarist who’s played alongside iconic bands like the Moody Blues. Opening act is Gareth “the Welsh tornado” Pearson, whose finger-style pyrotechnics will dazzle you. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets start at $35.
Armchair Travel at East Hampton Library
On Saturday, February 18th, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., dive into the world of Vegas organized crime with mob maven Jeffrey Sussman, who’ll be discussing his book, Sin City: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Las Vegas. Hear how Bugsy Seigel, Meyer Lanksy, Sam Giancana and a cast of other shady real-life characters built the gambling and entertainment Mecca (don’t be shy to ask Sussman about Elvis and Sinatra—he’s got the deets!).
On Sunday the 19th, surf fans will want to check out the unexpected take on the sport features in the film, Between Land and Sea: A Year in the Life of an Atlantic Surf Town. Directed by Ross Whitaker, the nonfiction flick takes you to the wild waters of western Ireland and a town called Lahinch in County Clare, known for its surf culture and not-even-on-a-dare giant waves. Make sure you’ve jockeyed for a good seat before the film starts at 2 p.m. For both events, registrations is a must; do so on Eventbrite, by calling 631-324-0222, ext. 3 or stop by the Adult Reference Desk.
Get your fashion icon on at Southampton’s XOX Shop, SelfCare + Sip pop-up
Fashion icons, rejoice! Starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 19th you’ll get the opportunity to stock your closet with style that slays at the XOXO Shop, SelfCare + Sip pop-up. This one-day affair will be held at Le Closet’s Southampton outpost (with nibbles and wine, mais oui), featuring small-business beauty, clothing and jewelry brands like Bootights, EpicLight Beauty and Bond + Bella. But this afternoon of fab fashion ain’t a free for all, so you’ll have to make a reservation here.
Beer, band and cheese at Kidd Squid
Yup, it’s true: they can’t stop, won’t stop—the raclette madness at Kidd Squid continues! This Saturday, February 18th, head on over to the tasting room of Sag Harbor’s darling new brewery where they’ll partner up with Hamptons Raclette for ooey-gooey cheese-and-taters, a multitude of fresh brews on tap or in can (there’s wine, too, if you must) and music by Second Hands, the modern-folk duo (think: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings) of husband and wife Geoff Schroeder and Laura Koch. Sounds, suds and spuds start at 3 p.m.
Catch a Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner concert in Shelter Island
If you missed last week’s amazing ode to Frida Kahlo at the Parrish Art Museum, where pianist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner curated a phenomenal medley of music to honor the Mexican artist and accompanying exhibit, “Kahlo: An Expanded Body” (through April 2nd at the Parrish), you’re in luck. The Shelter Island Friends of Music have nabbed the virtuoso on Sunday, February 19th at 3 p.m. for an afternoon of stunning sound—the likes of Schumann, Liszt, Chopin, Chávez and Stravinsky—at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church (32 North Ferry Road). Admission is free (but donations are very, very welcome). Stick around for the wine and cookie reception after and learn more about this Juilliard and Yale-educated young artist.
Honor Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for president of the United States
Perhaps the coolest, most apropos thing you can do this Presidents’ Day weekend would be to celebrate the first Black woman to run for president of the United States. Take in the one-woman show written and performed by actor Ingrid Griffith, “Unbossed & Unbowed: The Shirley Chisholm Story,” to learn more about this fascinating, driven, inspiring former congresswoman whose love for her fellow humans drove her to make meaningful change, despite the odds. The one-day-only performance is Sunday, February 19th—get your tickets here and learn more about Griffiths from our story earlier this week here.
