Theatrical arts, a singing workshop, art classes for all ages, and oodles of talks, panel discussions and conversations are on the docket starting today and continuing through this weekend across the South Fork. Containing distinctive and singular topics, from how to medicinally use native plants to an old-time craft demonstration to a screening of a brand new 20-minute dramatic film with a Hamptons backdrop, these events are sure to beef up your weekend dance card. It’s a true celebration of all things local as a slew of different cultural centers, businesses and civic groups put forth the incredibly unique work of some of its incredibly unique residents.
Whether it’s an open mic featuring local musicians or a musical play highlighting the life and times of a historical ship-building family, there’s more than plenty to pick from to scratch your intellectual itch.
Share some nature poetry at SOFO
An adult poetry open mic is at the South Fork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton on Sunday, July 23, beginning at 4 p.m.. Suffolk County Community College English teacher Jennifer Senft hosts, as participants read their written works concerning the natural, summer and local landscape of the East End. Free and open to the public, but registration is required. Sign up here.
Show up for a short film and new exhibition at SAC
Tomorrow, July 21, the Southampton Arts Center hosts a screening of I Am Not Ok, a 12-minute film that explores a mother and son’s response to the killings of black Americans juxtaposed with the protests following the death of George Floyd in 2020. Doors open at 6 p.m.. There will be live music from flutist Dwayne Kerr and the screening will start around 8:30 p.m.. As part of a collaboration with the Southampton African American Museum (SAAM), its founder and executive director Brenda Simmons will introduce the film, then moderate a panel immediately following the screening. This event is outside so bring a lawn chair or blanket.
SAC’s new exhibition “Change Agents: Women Collectors Shaping the Art World” opens Saturday, July 22. Curated by Kate Fowle, Folasade Ologundudu and Xiaoyu Weng, this new exhibition will feature works from nearly 60 different artists chosen from the private collections of 14 female art advocates.
Go to Guild Hall’s Clothesline Art Sale
The Clothesline Art Sale is this Saturday, July 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind Guild Hall in East Hampton. One of the Hamptons most cherished traditions, the sale started in 1946 and has included hundreds of artists over the years. On Saturday, works will range in price from $75 to $3,500, with all proceeds split 50/50 between the artist and Guild Hall. Only credit cards will be accepted. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Grab a short flick and a beer at Murf’s
The dramatic short film Later Gator screens at Murf’s Backstreet Tavern in Sag Harbor tonight at 8:30 p.m.. A Q&A with the filmmakers will follow. Set in the Hamptons, and written, produced and directed by Kevin Quinn, Later Gator was an official pick at this year’s Manhattan Film Festival. This 20-minute film shows how the relationship between two childhood best friends forever changes after a fateful day at Sagg Main Beach. Admission is free and you can peep the official trailer here.
Enjoy some historical musical theater on Shelter Island
The Shelter Island Historical Society presents its third annual community musical fundraiser with this year’s new play, “The Lords of Menantic,” starting tonight at 6 p.m.. Continuing every day through Sunday, July 23, the play, written and directed by local playwright and musician Lisa Shaw, celebrates Shelter Island’s ship-building Lord family. Performances will be on the outdoor stage at the Shelter Island History Center (16 South Ferry Road). Tickets are $75 for adults, $25 for kids.
Paint and create at art classes for all ages
Calling all artists! Pawcasso Art Studio & Boutique (3 Sunset Ave., Westhampton) hosts art classes every day all summer long. Daytime classes start at 9 a.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. on weekends, and continue all day. Kids can attend for $50, while adults are $65. Can’t make it during the day? The studio also offers nighttime classes for adults on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. To reserve your spot click here. The studio’s Happy Painting Hour, where all paint classes are half price, runs from 4 to 8 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday all summer long. All classes include guided instruction along with snacks and a drink. Next week, the studio hosts its first-ever kids art show from noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, and Friday, July 28. Participants are asked to pick their favorite creation, put its title along with the artist’s name and age on an index card, and bring it to the studio by Tuesday, July 25. There will be pizza and snacks provided by Hampton Estates Realty. For more information, call 631-887-6705 or email [email protected].
Sing at SCC
Do you have a passion for singing? All ages are welcome to the Southampton Cultural Center this Sunday, July 23, for “Do Re Mi,” a tailored workshop for people who love to sing. In partnership with the Choral Society of the Hamptons, the 90-minute session focuses on different areas of individual and group singing designed for experienced and beginner singers alike. Starts at 3 p.m. and there’s a $10 registration fee. A small reception with refreshments will follow.
Celebrate the written word at The Church
A book talk with author Pacifique Irankunda is tomorrow evening at The Church in Sag Harbor. Attendees are welcome to gather at 6 p.m. to hear this month’s writer-in-residence read from his latest work The Tears of a Man Flow Inward: Growing Up in the Civil War in Burundi. Written in lyrical prose, the book draws upon Irankunda’s and his family’s personal experiences during the 13-year war in his small, native country located in East Africa, exploring how he ultimately came of age in a very dark time. A Q&A will follow. Admission to the talk is $20, $10 for members. Get your tickets here.
On Saturday, July 22, its WORD, a continuation of The Church’s series of spoken word and open mics. Beginning at 6 p.m., the evening will include exploration of the written word in all forms from a slew of local writers, storytellers, and performers, including a flute performance by Matauqus Tarrant. Café table seating is available (with table seats up to four people) for $25 a seat, while regular seating is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available here.
Free live music galore this weekend across the South Fork
Tonight, Nancy Atlas performs at Good Ground Park in Hamptons Bays at 7 p.m. while The Sound Symphony (featuring soprano Stefanie Izzo) plays at 7:30 p.m. at the village green in Westhampton Beach. At East Hampton’s Club House, Gene Casey and the Lonesharks perform tonight on the lawn while tomorrow, July 21, it’s Bingo Bango. Deep Donkey and Glenn Strange Band play on Saturday, July 22, and Project Vibe is on Sunday, July 23. All performances start at 6 p.m.. In Montauk, Zanti Misfits is performing on Sunday, July 23, at 6 p.m. as part of the summer concert series at the dock of Gosman’s. Tonight in Sag Harbor, Michael Weiskopf performs in The Green Room atop the Sag Harbor Cinema at 8 p.m..
Learn about medicinal plants in Bridgehampton
Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton hosts “Medicinal Plants and Their Traditional Uses” this Saturday, July 22, at 10 a.m. for $20 per person. Co-presented by the Niamuck Land Trust, the event will include a visit to the gardens’ four-quadrant herb garden focusing on the medicinal bed along with a talk from Bianca Collins, a member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. Located at 36 Mitchell Lane and sponsored by the Peconic Land Trust, Bridge Gardens is a five-acre, multi-purpose outdoor classroom containing a wide variety of flowers, native and non-native shrubs and trees, a demonstration vegetable garden and a rose garden. Call 631-283-3195 to register.
Watch historical craft demos in WHB
The Westhampton Beach Historical Society summer craft demonstrations start this Saturday, July 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Free, open to the public, and continuing every weekend until August 5, Saturday’s specialty crafts will include demonstrations on historic spinning and building handkerchief dolls. There will also be hands-on activities available. Located at 101 Mill Road.
Attend a furniture and design exhibition
The 7th annual East End Contemporary Furniture and Design Exhibition starts tomorrow, July 21, at Ashawagh Hall in East Hampton. Located at 780 Springs Fireplace Rd., the exhibition is hosted by the Springs Improvement Society and is slated to feature pieces from about a dozen East End artisans and designers.
