If you find yourself wanting to take a breather from the chocolate bunnies and colored eggs extravaganza that is this weekend, fear not: There are plenty of inspiring and interesting events covering all-things art across the South Fork. Write poetry, draw a live figure or attend an opening reception at a local art gallery to keep your inner artiste alive and well.
Keep it moving with a disco-themed dance party, a couple of hikes on our handy, dandy local trails or learn a new dance altogether! Here’s a quick run-down of what’s up this weekend at some favorite Hamptons hangouts.
Dance the night away at The Suffolk
Get down disco style on the dance floor with That 70’s Band, playing at The Suffolk in Riverhead this Saturday, April 8th. This beloved band brings all the fabulous funk, playing classics from favorites including Earth, Wind and Fire, the Bee Gees, and KC and the Sunshine Band. Show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $45. Get yours here.
Peruse two opening art receptions
The opening reception for “Inside Out,” the newest exhibition at Sag Harbor’s Grenning Gallery, is tomorrow night beginning at 6 p.m.. Located at 26 Main Street, the gallery’s exhibits include timeless paintings and sculpture from classically trained contemporary artists. Featured artists in this upcoming show are Nelson White and Amy Florence. Visit their website or check out their carefully curated Instagram page here.
“Under the Influence” opening reception is at Dan Welden Studio/Gallery tomorrow from 4 to 7 p.m.. Located at 1649 Millstone Rd. in Sag Harbor, this exhibition series features work from local artists Eric Fischl, Vito DeVito and Cynthia Di Giacomo (to name a few), all inspired by Welden. Call 631-725-3990 for more.
Meet one of Sag Harbor’s finest, get an intro to FlexN
Sag Harbor chief of police Austin J. McGuire is the featured “Knowledge Friday” speaker at The Church tonight at 6 p.m.. April Gornick, co-founder of the Sag Harbor locale, conducts the interview of the police chief, who’s slated to discuss his 20-plus years in law enforcement and his ties to the village. RSVP here. $10 per person, free for members.
Tomorrow, April 8th, it’s “Intro to FlexN” with Cal Hunt at noon. FlexN is a unique and expressive style of street dance characterized by pausing, snapping and gliding. The two-hour workshop is for ages 16 and older and is $35 per person. Register here.
Celebrate a local Shinnecock filmmaker
The Southampton Cultural Center hosts a celebration of Shinnecock filmmaker Ginew Benton on Saturday, April 8th. First up is a preview of Shells of Wisdom, Lessons from Ajijaak at 3 p.m.. The film is accompanied by a live Native American song and dance. Two more previews of Benton’s films, The Dim and Mirror Man follow at 6 p.m.. Benton is the recipient of both the Russell Bates Indigenous Award and the Phillip K Dick Science Fiction Award 2022. He’ll be on hand after the previews for a Q&A. Call 631-287-4377 for ticket info.
Watch a movie at WHBPAC
Chess Story screens at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center tonight, April 7th, and tomorrow, April 8th, as part its winter run of The Finest in World Cinema program. This Austrian/German thriller tells the story of a lawyer imprisoned by the Nazis and how, in order to withstand the Gestapo’s psychological torture, he escapes into the world of chess. Tonight’s screening is at 7:30 p.m. while tomorrow there’s two screenings at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.. Get your tickets here.
Hike through Hither Hills with EHTPS
All are welcome to a moderately paced five to six miles through Hither Hills State Park with the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society Saturday, April 8th, at 10 a.m.. Meet on Napeague Harbor Road, where the Paunanok Path enters the wood. Hike will include treks from Nominicks to Fresh Pond. Call Rick Whalen at 631-275-8539 for more information.
Figure draw at SAC
Artist Linda Capello is on hand at the Southampton Arts Center today at 1 p.m. for a figure drawing workshop. Working from a live model, participants can explore technique and learn about proportion in this two-hour session. $20, $25 for non-members. Registration is required. Workshop will occur every Friday for the rest of the month. Click here to RSVP.
Catch a screening of a classic
42nd Street screens at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor tomorrow night, April 8th, beginning at 8 p.m.. Originally filmed in 2018 at the infamous London’s West End Theatre Royal, this rendition of the beloved play is directed by the original author of the show, Mark Bramble. Tickets to the screening are $35 per person. Get yours here or call Bay Street’s box office at 631-725-9500.
Visit the Laurel Valley Preserve
The Southampton Historical Society and the Southampton Trails Preservation Society hosts a morning hike through the Laurel Valley Preserve beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow, April 8th. This 2.8-mile hike starts at 2400 Deerfield Road in Sag Harbor and features treks through deep ravines and black locust trees with gorgeous views across the Noyac golf course and Noyac Bay. Parking is available. Call 631-283-2494 for more information.
Write poetry at Amagansett Library
A new poetry workshop starts tomorrow, April 8th, at 1:30 p.m. at the Amagansett Library. Open to adults and teens ages 14 and up, the sessions are guided by Brooklyn-based poet Tyler Allen Penny and will include writing prompts and lively discussions, along with coffee and light snacks at the end. Space is limited, so be sure to save your spot. Call 631-267-3810 for more details.
