We don’t want to jinx it, but this is already shaping up to be a pretty sweet summer. As long as this weather holds, the month of June is slated to be a fun and happening time all across the South Fork. For this weekend, our rich East End history is honored via author and book talks as well as presentations from local organizations and civic groups. Sen celebrates 30 years in Sag Harbor with its first ever matsuri, a day-long festival for members of the community to celebrate the culture behind the Japanese eatery. Cultural centers are featuring musical and dancing events for both adults and kids — Bay Street Theater holds a kids dancing class and kicks off a LGBT-themed mixer series, while LTV Studios hosts a performance for its “East End Underground” concert series.
Friendly reminder, people: This weekend is the last chance to A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Hampton Theatre Company in Quogue. Performances will be all weekend long, with the last performance for the company’s season (until they re-convene in the fall) this Sunday, June 9. Also, don’t forget about your friendly neighborhood farmers market, typically occurring across most South Fork hamlets today through Sunday. If you can, try to shop small and try to shop local. Click here to find one near you.
Make it to Sen’s First Annual Matsuri!
In honor of Sen Restaurant’s 30th anniversary, the Sag Harbor sushi spot (located at 23 Main Street) is hosting its first annual matsuri, Japanese for festival — specifically a way for the local community to get together and celebrate — this Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.. Slated to have fun for all ages, activities will include taiko drum performances, calligraphy, arts and crafts, traditional Japanese games and entertainment, raffles, and complimentary food samples and tastings. There will also be an age 21 and over ticketed cocktail party in the Arigato Garden (located directly behind Sen) which will include a DJ, food stations and raw bar, cocktail tastings and a traditional Kagami biraki sake barrel ceremony. Admission to the cocktail party is $30 per person and includes two drink tickets.
Learn about trusts and cheese boards at HB Library
Tonight, Britt Burner, Esq., partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. will be at the Hampton Bays Public Library to discuss the different types of trusts used in estate planning. Beginning at 7 p.m., Burner will explore the differences between a revocable trust and irrecovable turst, among other topics, ensuring how they can benefit you and your loved ones. On Saturday, June 8, from 1 to 2 p.m., Raven Janoski, manager of The Village Cheese Shop in Mattituck, will be on hand at the library for a how-to guide on building the perfect cheese board. Utilizing cheese, chocolate, fruit and other edible goodies, Janoski recommends participants bringing their own 12-inch by 12-inch board to assemble on. Cost for the workshop is $15 per person.
Attend an author’s historical talk
A talk with author Ryan Carr is at East Hampton Library tomorrow, June 7, at 5 p.m., part of the ongoing lecture series from the library’s Long Island Collection. Carr, who also is a professor at Columbia University, will be discussing his latest book Samson Occom: Radical Hospitality in the Native Northeast. Occom, a Mohegan Presbyterian minister, played a prominent role on eastern Long Island, particularly the East Hampton community. One of the first indigenous writers to publish in English, he also built a community upstate of Christian natives with help from his brother-in-law, a member of the Montaukett. Admission to this event is free, but advanced registration is requested. Do it here or call 631-324-0222 ext. 4.
Talk books at BookHampton
BookHampton on Main Street in downtown East Hampton hosts two events for the public this weekend. Tomorrow at 5 p.m., it’s “Lost in Translation: An Evening with Elizabeth Birkelund,” a conversation on Birkelund’s latest book A Northern Light in Provence, led by East Hampton author Anna Pitoniak. A meet and greet book signing with Eric Ripert is this Saturday at 1 p.m. where the three-Michelin-starred chef of Le Bernadin will be featuring his latest book, Seafood Simple, which includes step-by-step recipes and techniques for preparing fish at home.
Say hello to Reilly Rose at LTV
“Hello Best Friends: An Evening with Reilly Rose” is this Saturday at 8 p.m. at LTV Studios. Part of the Wainscott locale’s summer-long “East End Underground” live concert series, Saturday’s event features music and comedy from East End-born, New York City-bred Rose, performing her original piano folk music. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, $15 for students. VIP café seating is available for $65.
Just dance at Bay Street
Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor hosts “Summer Sunday Tea Dances,” kicking off this Sunday at 4:30 p.m.. Sponsored by the LGBT Network and the Long Island LGBT Chamber of Commerce, two Sundays of each month through August will feature a themed mixer, complete with cocktails, light bites, music and lots of dancing. $20 per person, open to ages 21 and over. This Sunday’s theme is “Swifty Sunday,” featuring an array of Taylor Swift’s most danceable hits. A kids summer dance workshop with Shayla Lopez on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.. Designed for kids ages 6 to 12, youngsters are invited to explore their passion for dance, whatever skill level they may be at. Cost is $50 per child. Snag your tix here.
Take in some free tunes
Vanessa Trouble performs at Kidd Squid from 6 to 8 p.m. in Sag Harbor this Saturday night. Almond’s “World Famous” karaoke is on Thursdays all summer long at the Bridgehampton resto beginning at 9:30 p.m. and hosted by DJ Carlos Lama. Jake Atherton performs at The Clubhouse in Wainscott tomorrow night from 6 to 9 p.m. as part of the locale’s “Friday Night Mics” series. Rob Europe plays at Westhampton Beach Brewing Co. tomorrow night beginning at 4 p.m. and on Saturday at 3 p.m., it’s Craig Hopping Band.
Food for thought at The Parrish
The Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill hosts “Food Matters: The Big Picture,” an hour-long presentation on food and agriculture-related topics from individual members of the East End community. Starting at 6 p.m., discussion topics will range from food service and farm-related labor to food security to sustainable agriculture. About 10 people will give a brief presentation, including award-winning poet and yoga teacher Megan Chaskey, East Hampton Town Shellfish Hatchery director John “Barley” Dunne, and Miranda Capriotti, development director at East End Food. Admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $10 for members, free for students and children.
