“April is a reminder that something better is always around the corner.”
While we don’t know exactly who said that nice little line, we do believe it and it totally works as the mantra for this weekend. Sure, there’s still a little nip in the air and things are still a little quiet, but there’s a definitive, anticipatory hum across the Hamptons that’s gaining momentum as the spring season advances. History and art reign as far as action at local libraries goes, with a collage-centric art show opening at Quogue Library tomorrow while a presentation on the influential and renowned urban planner and public official Robert Moses is at Shelter Island Library. If you love the Hamptons restaurant scene, learn the history behind it (and what’s likely coming up for the future) with local chefs Joe Realmuto and Jason Weiner, and veteran 1770 House GM Carol Covell as they helm a panel discussion at East Hampton Library moderated by longtime New York Times food columnist Florence Fabricant.
Do a little spring cleanup for our waterways with nonprofit organization Peconic Baykeeper at a few Southampton spots this weekend and laugh your head off with Joseph Vecsey’s all-star lineup of comedians at Bay Street on Saturday. If you’re looking for music, you’re in luck, as this weekend sees a slew of musical performances across the South Fork from beloved 90s ska band The Scofflaws to righteous reggae performer Winston Irie.
See the saving of Fire Island on Shelter Island
“Saving Fire Island from Robert Moses” is tonight at the Shelter Island Library (37 N. Ferry Road, 631-749-0042) at 7 p.m. Taking place on Zoom, the program will discuss how urban planner Robert Moses attempted to pave the shorelines of Fire Island not once, but twice: in 1932 and again in 1962. These attempts led to the creation of the Fire Island National Seashore, a U.S. national park that includes protection for a 26-mile section of Fire Island, an approximately 30-mile and half-mile wide barrier island separated from Long Island by the Great South Bay. The program is free, but you can register here.
Watch movies, enjoy reggae music at LTV
Tomorrow in Wainscott, LTV Studios (75 Industrial Road, 631-537-2777) hosts an installment of “On the Screen at LTV” with screenings of “I Am Not OK” and “Leveling Lincoln” beginning at 7:30 p.m. Part of the locale’s ongoing “Women Rising: Stories of Strength and Change,” the event is curated by filmmaker and chair of the Brooklyn College Film Department Annette Dano, with the films celebrating ideas of resilience, courage and unwavering determination of women both in front of and behind the camera. Tickets to tomorrow’s event are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. VIP Café seating is available for $35 and includes reserved front row seating and a drink ticket. $5 for students. On Saturday, it’s conscious reggae rebel Winston Irie, along with his Selective Security Band, performing at LTV at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door with VIP seating costing $50.
Dare to do karaoke in Hampton Bays
Blind karaoke is at Hampton Bays Public Library (52 Ponquogue Ave., 631-728-6241) tomorrow night at 6:45 p.m. Designed for teens, the event is a great opportunity to take a little bit of a risk, as participants will have no idea what song they’re about to sing. Sure to bring on a lot of laughs, don’t forget to be kind to your fellow courageous crooners. Spots are filling up fast, so don’t forget to register here.
Hear some ska music in Sag Harbor
Take a musical trip down memory lane, back to the big bad 90s with Huntington-based third wave ska band The Scofflaws, playing at K Pasa (2 Main St., 631-800-8226) in Sag Harbor this Saturday, April 5. Beloved by many for their rambunctious live shows, technically stunning horn solos and airtight musical arrangements, their set is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. with the performance slated to end around 11 p.m.
Help keep our waterways clean with Peconic Baykeeper
Peconic Baykeeper, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of Long Island’s aquatic ecosystems, hosts a spring Alewife Trail walk tomorrow, at 10 a.m. Participants can join in for the half-mile trail walk at Emma Rose Elliston Park, off Millstone Brook Road in Southampton. Hikers can discuss river herring and diadromous fish restoration efforts on Long Island while searching for alewife in Southampton’s Alewife Creek. Event runs until about 11:30 a.m. On Saturday, all are welcome to join in for a community cleanup of Meadow Lane marsh and shoreline from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at Dune Beach Parking lot (1678 Meadown Lane, Southampton) to lend a hand and help do some spring cleaning to protect our beaches, bays and wildlife. Rain date is Sunday, April 6.. Click here to register for the two events.
Learn about the Hamptons resto scene from three pros
“Savoring Success: The Rise of the Hamptons Dining Scene” is at East Hampton Library (159 Main St., 631-324-0222) this Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A conversation with seasoned restaurateurs Joe Realmuto, Carol Covell and Jason Weiner, moderated by New York Times restaurant news columnist Florence Fabricant, kicks off the library’s Tom Twomey Series for this year. Panelists will speak about their roles in helping to shape the Hamptons dining scene along with behind-the-scenes stories and experiences about how the Hamptons has evolved into a premier culinary destination. Admission to the talk is free.
Collage and plants at Quogue Library
“The Collage Show” in the gallery at Quogue Library (90 Quogue St., 631-653-4224) starts today and continues to be on display through May 1. Five local artists’ works, using collage technique, will be on display: Pamela Bell, Stephanie Blank, Lulie Morrissey, Patti Robinson and Susan Saunders. A reception for the artists in on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday also sees adults gathering at Quogue Library for “Plants You Have (likely) Never Heard Of” beginning at 11 a.m. Led by Mariah Whitmore, master gardener and owner of Whitemore’s Nursery, the in-person presentation talks about overlooked, underappreciated and unknown trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and vines that thrive on Long Island. Free to participate but registration is required. Do it here.
Bust a gut at Bay Street
Bay Street Theater (1 Long Wharf, 631-725-9500) in Sag Harbor has got the comedy cure for your Saturday night dilemma! Joseph Vecsey’s All-Star Comedy, now in its 15th year, show starts at 8 p.m. this Saturday night. Stand-up acts for this weekend include comedy king of the tri-state area Ken Krantz, founder of the 5t Borough Comedy Festival Jon Kurschner and country-crossing funnyman Reg Thomas. Tickets start at $42 and are available here.
Come out for chamber music on Shelter Island
The Shelter Island Friends of Music continues its 2025 season with a performance by Grammy Award-winning Catalyst Quartet on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church (32 N. Ferry Road). The ensemble is known for its dynamic performance, with this weekend’s performance featuring works by Ravel, Piazzolla, D’Riverra and Gershwin. Members of the quartet — Karla Donehew Perez and Abi Fayette (both on violin), Paul Laraia (viola), and Karlos Rodriguez (cello) redefine the classical music experience, previously performing at some of the most revered spots around, like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Admission is free and donations are appreciated. A reception for the artists will follow the concert.
