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The Sag Harbor Farmers Market returns this Saturday, May 27, just in time for Memorial Day. (Photo courtesy Sag Harbor Farmers Market)

Well folks, we made it. Memorial Day is this Monday, May 29, and there’s tons of cool stuff happening all across the South Fork, all weekend long. In addition to a slew of parades in honor of our nation’s fallen heroes (here’s a list of where they’ll be), plus all the usual barbecues and early beach parties, plenty of locales are gearing up for the start to the summer season.

Whether you want to go see a brand new musical, attend an artist lecture or meet a world-renowned celebrity photographer, it’s for sure a celebration of all things art this weekend. Check out three new exhibitions, featuring exclusively local artists, in Montauk, Southampton and Springs. See a two-day-long arts and crafts show in Westhampton Beach and sip and shop for new sneaks and skincare in Southampton. And if you don’t feel like moving off your couch, tune into WLIW for some local troubadours.

This weekend also sees the season debut of at least five farmers markets scattered across the Hamptons and Shelter Island, making it super easy to support our local farmers, plus dozens of other South Fork specialty suppliers. Here’s where to go and what to do on this, the unofficial kick-off weekend of summer on the East End.

Watch some movies, hear some music at Sag Harbor Cinema

Free music continues this week in The Green Room, the third floor bar of the Sag Harbor Cinema, today beginning at 8 p.m. with a performance from Hot Club of Montauk. For Memorial Day weekend, the cinema will host a couple special screenings. On Saturday, May 27, as part of the year-long retrospective “The Worlds of Julie Andrews,” A Shot in the Dark, directed by Blake Edwards (Andrews’s late husband), screens at 8:30 p.m., with an introduction from director John Landis, via Zoom. On Sunday, May 28, Depeche Mode 101 is at 7:15 p.m.. The documentary, which chronicles the 101st and final performance of the band’s “Music for the Masses” tour, will be followed with a Q&A with director Chris Hegedus and producer Frazer Pennebaker.

Artwork from local artists, like this watercolor from Kirsten Benfield, will be on view at Ashawagh Hall in Springs this weekend. (photo courtesy of Ashawagh Hall)

Show up for a members art show at Ashawagh Hall

The 39th Annual Members show opening reception for the Springs Improvement Society is tomorrow at Ashawagh Hall in East Hampton at 5 p.m.. The exhibition will be on view all weekend long, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28, as well as from noon to 4 p.m. on Monday, May 29. Located at 780 Springs Fireplace Road, all proceeds go toward the maintenance of the Springs locale as well as the Ashawagh Hall scholarship fund.

Tune into Gene Casey’s Weekend Jamboree on WLIW-FM

Starting this weekend, listen to the inspiration of local musical icons right at home. Rockabilly legend Gene Casey (he of Lone Sharks fame) will kick off “Weekend Jamboree with Gene Casey” on WLIW-FM — Long Island’s only NPR station, just sayin’ — spinning his deep-dive mix of rock, blues and roots. Tune into 88.3 FM Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 11 p.m.. Stick around after and before, respectively, as Joe Lauro of the HooDoo Loungers takes over at 4 p.m. Saturdays and leads in at 10 p.m. Sundays with his New Orleans-influenced style of jazz and blues tunes, too.

Play, eat and groove at the Ram’s Head Inn

Pickleball lovers can join in for a pop-up clinic today (free for hotel guests, $70 per person) from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the Ram’s Head Inn on Shelter Island. Tomorrow, it’s Nina Et Cetera, to move you with melodies from 6 to 9 p.m.. On Saturday, May 27, move and groove with Shuck + Jive from 5 to 8 p.m. and Dick Behrke Quintet will play on Sunday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.. Brunch is served Saturday through Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner is tonight through Monday from 5 to 9 p.m..

Le Closet in Southampton hosts a special “sip and shop” event on Sunday. (photo credit: Apollo Fields)

Shop and sip at Le Closet

On Sunday, May 28, there’s a summer kick off party with Shiseido at Le Closet in Southampton. Running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., guests will enjoy wine and light refreshments while shopping around the curated consignment shop, including the new exclusive sneaker room which features new Jordan 1s, 3s and 4s as well as Nike Mids and Dunks. Specials orders will be available upon request. Every purchase will receive a complimentary Shiseido sunscreen. Le Closet is located at 9 Windmill Lane in Southampton.

Celebrate all things art at The Church

There’s an open rehearsal at The Church in Sag Harbor tonight beginning at 5 p.m. featuring artist/choreographer/director in-resident Raja Feather Kelly. Presently, Kelly is working on a dance theatre documentary about the Great American Eclipse: a total eclipse of the sun resulting in three minutes and 24 seconds, slated for April 8, 2024. Tickets are $20. Buy yours here.

On Saturday, May 27, there’s a book talk with Sally Susman, executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer at Pfizer. Her debut book Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts and Change the World is up for discussion beginning at 4:30 p.m.. Tickets are $20, $15 for members and include a wine reception with the author after the talk.

All are welcome to “Insight Sundays” at the Sag Harbor locale at 10:30 a.m. featuring this month’s artist Judy Husdon. Her colorful watercolors celebrate the freedom of women and express themes of sexual transgression and the inequitable behavior between men and women. Tickets are $10. Get yours here.

The Hampton Theatre Company’s staging of “The Portuguese Kid” kicks off this weekend. (Photo courtesy of Hampton Theatre Company)

Get tix for Hampton Theatre Company’s latest show, The Portuguese Kid

Starting tonight, the Hampton Theatre Company debuts their latest tour-de-force, the hilarious comedic work of laughs, The Portuguese Kid. Written by Pulitzer Prize winner John Patrick Stanley, it’s the story of a melting pot of maladies and questions that will take you on a rollicking, hilarious ride of “what ifs?” in this 90-minute performance. Runs from Thursday to Sunday starting this weekend and ending the weekend of June 11, with shows at 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. Saturdays and a 2:30 p.m. matinee Sundays at the Quogue Community Hall, 125 Jessup Avenue, Quoque. Tickets run from $20 to $36 and can be purchased here.

See artworks from the SAA at the SCC

The opening reception for Southampton Artists Association is Sunday, May 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Southampton Cultural Center. The show, which will feature over 50 participants from the SAA will have works for sale will continue through June 4. Gallery hours are Sunday through Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m..

Get crafty in Westhampton Beach

The Greater Westhampton Chamber of Commerce hosts the Maggie Burbank Arts & Crafts Show this Saturday and Sunday on the great lawn. Showcasing the talents of a variety of exceptional artists, the rain or shine event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Located on the corner of Potunk Lane and Main Street, the event includes more than 50 artists’ works in oils, acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, wood and jewelry.

Also on Saturday, there’s the WHB farmers market beginning at 9 a.m. on the village green (at the corner of Mill Road and Main Street). It will continue every Saturday until October 7.

On Friday, May 26, all are welcome to a ribbon cutting ceremony in honor of the grand opening of the new home decor store, The Hamptons Home, located at 135 Main Street, at noon. At 12:30 p.m. there’s also a ceremony at the new location of Pawcasso Art Studio and Pet Boutique, located at 3 Sunset Avenue.

Meet famed celebrity photographer Harry Benson at the opening reception for his latest exhibition at the Southampton Arts Center tomorrow night. (Photo courtesy of Harry Benson)

Meet a celeb photographer at SAC

The opening reception for “A Moment In Time: Iconic Images by Harry Benson” is at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Southampton Arts Center. Benson, a Scottish photojournalist who’s been photographing celebrities for over a half a century, will be present at the opening. Free and open to the public, there will be complimentary drinks and light bites available. Click here to register.

Catch a musical’s world premiere at Bay Street

Double Helix, a new musical by Madeline Myers, starts at Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theater Tuesday, May 30. The play follows the story and personal struggles of young researcher Rosalind Franklin and her efforts to discover the structure of DNA, all set in the 1950’s. Tickets start at $50 and the play runs until June 18. Click here to grab yours or call the box office at 631-725-9500.

Visit the latest locale of East End Farmers Markets

East End Farmers Markets is adding the Bridgehampton Museum (aka the William Corwith House) on Montauk Highway (across the street from the Candy Kitchen) as one of its locations, starting today beginning at 3 p.m. and continuing to 6 p.m.. Additionally, tomorrow, May 26, EEFM is in East Hampton’s Herrick Park starting at 9 a.m. and Sag Harbor’s is on Saturday at 9 a.m. (in front of the Breakwater Yacht Club). All three farmers markets are slated to continue weekly through October.

Hit up the Haven’s Market at the Shelter Island Historical Society

Over on the Rock, the Shelter Island Historical Society, this Saturday, May 27, is the launch of their annual seasonal Haven’s Market. Rain or shine, come to the ground of the History Center each Saturday through September 2 for a bounty of basket-filling options from venders like Goodale Farms, Mattituck Mushrooms, Blue Duck Bakery, the Perfect Pickle, KK’s Farm, Alice’s Fish Market, Eel Town Oysters, Suhru Wines and more. And often, there’s music, too. With flowers from Island Thyme, it’s one-stop shopping for a dynamite dinner party.

Start your summer art scene at “The End”

The Montauk Artists Association hosts a slew of artsy events this weekend, beginning today with a new exhibition, “The End I,” at the Depot Art Gallery in Montauk continuing through June 5. There’s an opening reception on Saturday, May 27, from 5 to 7 p.m., free and open to the public. Member jam sessions, “Upstairs at the Gallery,” start on Sunday, May 28, at 5 p.m.. RSVP here. Depot Art Gallery is located at the Montauk LIRR train station at the junction of Edgemere and Flamingo Roads.

Alicia G. Longwell speaks on the history of the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill tomorrow at 6 p.m.. (Photo courtesy of the Parrish Art Museum).

Take in some history at the Parrish

In honor of the Parrish Art Museum’s 125th anniversary, the Water Mill locale will host a series of lectures and conversations, beginning tomorrow with chief curator emeritus Alicia G. Longwell. Starting at 6 p.m., Longwell will offer testimonials discussing her own forty-year career at the Parrish as well as the legacy of former board of trustees president Rebecca Bolling Littlejohn. Cost is $16 for adults, $5 for members, $12 for seniors, free for students and children. Save your spot by clicking here.

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