American historian Henry Glassie wrote, “History is not the past but a map of the past, drawn from a particular point of view, to be useful to the modern traveler.”
Whether you’re a native East Ender, a frequent Hamptons dweller or a first time South Fork visitor, the same rings true for all: However you slice it, this is a special place with a significantly rich and unique history.
Although the East End of Long Island is home to some of the most affluent people on Earth, the area started out as a point of entry for travelers from all over the world, from all walks of life, drawn to the unparalleled physical beauty. This weekend, plenty of locales are stepping back in time to examine how it was across the South Fork as recent as a generation ago or as far as a couple centuries ago. Through art, themed-festivals, music, poetry and even costumed reenactments, our South Fork businesses, organizations and cultural centers are bringing history to life this weekend. This is your chance to go along for the ride.
Celebrate poets and Bonackers at Duck Creek
The Arts Center at Duck Creek in Springs hosts a community shared poetry reading dubbed the East End Dead Poets Society, this Saturday, September 30, at 3 p.m.. In a celebration of East End poetry, local poets will gather to read the works of others historically important to the East End literary scene. Panelists/poets will include Grace Shulman, Philip Schultz, Kathryn Levy and Julie Sheehan. Audience members can participate with readings of their own work. This event is free, but registration is required. Do so here.
“Celebrating Bonac” is at Duck Creek on Sunday, October 1. Guests can enjoy an afternoon of stories, traditional arts and sea shanties from 3 to 5 p.m.. The Bonackers, a 60-minute documentary that tells the story of long-time locals who fished and farmed land and sea across the East End for nearly four centuries, will also be shown.
View watercolors from local artists at Ashawagh Hall
Local watercolor artists will be featured in a new show, “Water+Color+Works,” at Ashawagh Hall in Springs starting tomorrow, September 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.. An opening reception will be this Saturday, September 30, from 5 to 8 p.m., with the show being on view starting at 10 a.m.. Sunday’s (October 1) viewing hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Featured artists include Kirsten Benfield, Nancy Brody, Barbara Dilorenzo, Laurie Hall, Janet Rojas, Carol Craig Sigler and Sherry Shawbe.
Celebrate SouthamptonFest at SAC
The 11th annual SouthamptonFest kicks off tomorrow, September 29, with a cocktail party hosted by the Southampton Rotary Club at 6:30 p.m. at Southampton Arts Center. There will be complimentary beer and wine from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with a cash bar available from 8 to 9:30 p.m.. Refreshments will be provided by East End food trucks and live music will be played by Damaged Goods from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.. $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Grab your ticket here. On Saturday, September 30, SAC hosts plenty of fun for the whole family beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing all day long until 6 p.m.. There’ll be lots of live music, tarot readings, chowder contests, plus a special traditional Shinnecock dance by the boys and girls of Shinnecock Nation. Also, last chance to see the riveting exhibit, “Change Agents: Women Collectors Shaping the Art World,” which will be on view from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. SouthamptonFest will continue throughout Southampton Village through Sunday, October 1.
Learn about our water’s health at SOFO
“What’s in Our Water?,” a program led by South Fork Natural History Museum environmental educator Ian Robinson, is on Saturday, September 30, at the Bridgehampton locale. Starting at 10:30 a.m. adults and teens age 14 and older are welcome to a special presentation on how development across Long Island has led to the rise of various disruptions to the environment. The presentation will discuss varying algal species, concerns and mitigation. $15 for adults, $10 for kids, free for members. Sign up here.
Meet 2023’s “Road Show” artist at the Parrish
Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill hosts a talk with this year’s “Road Show” artist Hiroyuki Hamada at 6 p.m. tomorrow, September 29. Hamada’s latest work, titled “Matter on Ground,” was installed at the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center in Bridgehampton earlier this year, which was a great fit considering his pieces tend to explore the parallels between nature and art in an outdoor, site-specific environment. Hamada will be on hand to discuss his process and his experiences with the “Road Show” so far. Tickets to this Friday night talk are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors, $5 for members and free for students and children. Register here.
See a “Cast of Characters” at Keyes Art
Keyes Art Gallery in Sag Harbor hosts an opening reception for “Cast of Characters” this Saturday, September 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.. Located next to the American Hotel on Main Street, the reception will honor the gallery’s newest exhibition featuring works from Walter Bobbie and the late James Della Volpe, with this exhibition being the first public one showcasing Bobbie’s work.
Trim some trails with EHTPS in Montauk
All are welcome to help the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society with some trail maintenance along the easternmost portion of the Paumanok Path this Saturday (September 30) morning, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Camp Hero Road in Montauk. Breaking into two teams, one will focus on the Paumanok Path to Ogdens Brook Bridge, while the other will be working on the Point Woods area, out to Old Montauk Highway. Work will include mowing, weed whacking, hedge trimming and reinforcing the trail blazes. Work gloves are highly recommended and participants are encouraged to bring their own tools, if they can. Meet on Camp Hero Road, just south off Route 27, Montauk Point State Parkway. This event is weather permitting. Call Michael at 917-539-0535 or email [email protected] for more information.
Help scare cancer away at Sylvester Manor
Shelter Island’s Sylvester Manor hosts a scarecrow making event, in an effort to “scare cancer away” on Saturday, September 30, from 1 to 2 p.m.. Bales of hay, bases to make your scarecrow and accessories to dress them up in will be available, but participants are welcome to bring their own scarecrow attire. Prizes will be awarded for the best scarecrow and all will be on display in the farm fields at the Manor for the rest of the season. There’s a suggested donation of $50 per scarecrow, but give whatever you can and join in the fun. All funds raised go to support the organizations behind the 24th annual Shelter Island Fall 5K (slated for Saturday, October 21) to help raise awareness and funds for combating women’s cancers.
Fall into a new autumn festival at Club House
A new fall festival is coming to the Club House in Wainscott. Starting this Saturday, September 30, it’s “Pumpkin House,” with some fantastic fall fun for all ages. Activities will include pumpkin picking, live country music, a petting zoo, Halloween-themed mini golf and pumpkin decorating. There will also be fall-themed beers on tap, a fall food menu available, hot chocolate and cider, candied apples and football on most of the indoor and outdoor TV big screens. Festivities will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through October 15 at the Daniels Hole Road locale.
Take in some history with the EH Historical Society
The East Hampton Historical Society hosts a history-themed family fall festival on Saturday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 10 James Lane in East Hampton. On tap for the day are history demonstrations, including a Revolutionary War reenactment, and oodles of costumed interpreters, plus tons of games, crafts, music and exhibits. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Watch some movies at WHBPAC
World Cinema at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center continues this week with two screenings. Tomorrow, September 29, at 7:30 p.m. it’s What?, a Charlie Chaplin-esque black and white silent film set in modern-day Los Angeles. The comedy shows a deaf actor struggling with discrimination in Hollywood. On Saturday, September 30, Love… Reconsidered screens at 7 p.m.. Based on a true story, the film follows 30-year-old New Yorker Ruby (played by Sophie von Haselberg, daughter of the Divine Miss M herself, Bette Midler) whose life is moved to the Hamptons after a chance meeting with a wealthy business owner. A panel discussion will follow the screening.
Discover Long Island’s wartime history in Amagansett
Learn what part Long Island played in important historical conflicts at the Amagansett Library this Saturday, September 30, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.. From colonial times during the Revoluntionary War all the way up to modern day America and with several wars in between, Long Island played an important part in several world conflicts. All are welcome to join Eco-Photo Explorers (a photography service in East Setauket) as they examine our nation’s wartime history from a Long Island perspective. Register here.
Enjoy works from local artists in Montauk
Montauk’s Depot Art Gallery has a new exhibit titled “The End II,” featuring works from members of the Montauk Artists Association starting today and continuing through October 9. All are welcome to an opening reception for the exhibit on Saturday, September 30, from 5 to 7 p.m..
