We’re in the dog days of summer, people! While this weekend is sprinkled with a few galas, fundraisers and typical Hamptons highfalutin happenings, we’ve also included a few gems that are worth going to that either won’t totally break your bank or are just really cool.
Most activity listed here is all for a really good cause, too, so we can get behind ’em! Also, speaking of good causes, don’t forget to hit up the Sag Harbor Fireman’s Carnival at Tides Beach (aka Havens Beach) right in Sag Harbor Village. In case you haven’t noticed, things have been looking pretty hazy around the Hamptons for a few days now and it’s widely because of the large, numerous wildfires happening in our neighbors to the north, Canada.
No better time to celebrate our local fireman from our tiny corner of the world. They’re the ones keeping the fires at bay.
Help rebuild oyster reef
Back to the Bays, an initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension, hosts a special happy hour at Montauk Yacht Club (32 Star Island Road) starting tonight at 5 p.m. Learn about the marine program’s mission, plus hear about what’s next for their Montauk stewardship site and oyster reef. Enjoy drinks and appetizers and feel free to participate in an ArtSEA Create and Sip: Oyster Decoupage. Tomorrow, Aug. 8, join in for an oyster reef deployment at Tiana Bayside Facility (89 Dune Road) in Hamptons Bays starting at 2:30 p.m. Ages 13 and up are welcome. Free to attend.
Take in the wonderful women of WACH
Join the Women’s Art Center of the Hamptons (2418 Main Street, Bridgehampton, 631-899-4253) today from 5 to 7 p.m., to celebrate the debut of “Infinite Woman II,” the center’s newest exhibition spotlighting the power and imagination of women in art. This group show features the work of five artists: Siba Agbeyegbe, Sylvia Baruch, Marilyn Church, Jeannie Friedman, and Setha Low. Each brings a distinct voice and perspective to the exhibition — from intimate explorations of the body and memory to studies of place, ritual, and gesture.
Learn about elegant design over lunch at Maidstone
The East Hampton Historical Society hosts the 9th Annual Summer Design Luncheon on today at 11 a.m. at the Maidstone Club (50 Old Beach Lane, East Hampton). This year’s luncheon features guest speaker, interior designer, Marshall Watson discussing his new book, Designing Elegance. Marshall will reveal how his design principles adapt to geographies and climates, explaining in detail how he translates each owner’s lifestyle, the house’s history and the setting into a highly original form of elegance. Tickets start at $275 and are available here.
Get to Grenning Gallery’s group show
The “Summer Group Show” comes to Grenning Gallery (26 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-725-8469), with an opening reception this Friday, Aug. 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Showcasing the work of Anthony Mastromatteo, Steven Levin, Doug Reina, and introducing Gene Johnson, this year’s group show has a retro, mid-century aesthetic that calls attention to angularity, symmetry, balance and the subtle impact of color.
Support Hamptons Dance Project in Springs
The Hamptons Dance Project, now in its seventh season, returns to the Fireplace Lodge (939 Springs Fireplace Road) in Springs starting tomorrow and continuing through Sunday. Presented in association with LTV Studios, performances showcase classical dance from a contemporary perspective and feature dancers from the American Ballet Theatre as well as guest artists from other major dance companies. Tickets start at $150 per performance.
Pile in for art, conversation and film at the Parrish
Kaitlin Halloran, associate curator and publications manager at the Parrish Art Museum (279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, 631-283-2118) leads a tour of artist Sean Scully’s “The Albee Barn, Montauk” at the museum tomorrow from 3 to 4 p.m. Showcasing Scully’s work from 1981 to 2024, it explores his Long Island connection and how a single month spent in Montauk in the summer of 1982, with a fellowship at The Edward F. Albee Foundation, became a pivotal place and moment in the artist’s career. $30 for adults, $24 for seniors, $12 for members, free for students and children. On Sunday, Aug. 10, the Parrish hosts a screening of “Land of Dreams” in the Lichtenstein Theater beginning at 3:30 p.m., followed by a conversation with director Shirin Neshat. “Described by Neshat as one of her most personal works so far,” according to a description on the museum’s website, “the film follows Simin, an Iranian immigrant who works for the United States Census Bureau, on a journey to record citizens’ dreams.” $30 for adults $24 for seniors, free for members, students and children. For tickets click here.
Shell out for Surfrider gala
The Surfrider Foundation‘s One Ocean Gala reception is at Crow’s Nest (4 Old West Lake Drive, 631-668-2077) in Montauk this Saturday, Aug. 9, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. In honor of the foundation’s efforts to protect our natural coastal environment and keep beach culture alive, this year’s honorees are Taylor and Liev Schreiber, for their commitment to protecting the ocean. The event will include stunning views of Lake Montauk, a DJ set by Pilgrim Surf + Supply founder/owner Chris Gentile, a raw bar and hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Crow’s Next, craft cocktails and mocktails.
Attend Authors Night in East Hampton
This Saturday, the East Hampton Library presents its 21st Annual Authors Night fundraiser, a popular and (usually) celebrity-studded event showcasing some of the most prominent present-day page-turners. Authors Night features 100 authors across all genres.and has become one of the most successful celebrations of books and authors in America. Starts at 5 p.m. with a special Authors Cocktail Party reception under the tent at Herrick Park, where guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and wine, while meeting and mingling with the authors. For tickets and more info, click here.
Clean up for coral in Montauk
The Coral Collective and Project Zero are hosting a clean up of the beach located on the corner of South Edison Street next to Bounce MTK this Sunday at 10 a.m. in Montauk. Followed by “Celebration for Coral,” an afternoon fundraising event ($50 per person) beginning at 3 p.m. at Surf Lodge (183 Edemere St., Montauk, 631-483-5045) there’ll be tunes by DJ Alexandra Richards, cocktails and fun. The event coincides with an auction that runs through August 18. Of the funds raised, 100% will go to Project Zero’s Coral Collective initiative to save the coral reefs from extinction.
