As January plugs along, plenty of Hamptons locales are plugging away at providing top-notch, interesting entertainment for residents and visitors alike.
On the live music front, this weekend sees Hamptons JazzFest hosting “Rhythm of the Americas” at the Masonic Temple in Sag Harbor tomorrow night while local fave Nancy Atlas takes the stage at Bay Street Theater for another round of Fireside Sessions, this time joined by equally talented musical virtuoso Brain Mitchell. The 35mm projector is put to use at Southampton Playhouse, which, among several riveting first-run films, will host a special screening of Hitchcock classic tomorrow night. If you’re looking for a little less suspenseful of a time, hop on the ferry and head over to Shelter Island’s Rams Head Inn for a special (and free!) writing workshop retreat with award-winning author Jacqueline Christy.
Finally, in Riverhead, the library hosts a special volunteer expo in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, (which is this Monday, Jan. 19). This is a good opportunity to meet people behind local nonprofits and community organizations that help to better the East End.
Remember Dr. King’s wise words: “Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.”
Remember, everybody needs a helping hand. Maybe now more than ever.
Work on your writing with a retreat
Jacqueline Christy’s free writing workshop retreat continues today through Sunday, Jan. 18 at Rams Head Inn on Shelter Island (109 Ram Island Drive, 631-749-0811). All levels of experience are welcome to the writing workshop — hosted by the Rams Head Inn to support the local creative community. Join this drop-in workshop to enhance your writing skills, learn techniques for engaging narratives, and receive constructive feedback from fellow writers as well as the award-winning writer and filmmaker. Special room rates will be available for retreat-goers. On Saturday, Jan. 17, there’ll be a Fireside Chat with Christy at Rams Head from 5 to 8:30 p.m. for $75 per person. The evening will include a welcome cocktail hour, followed by dinner and a special film screening complete with a Q&A.
Get jazzed up in Sag Harbor
Experience live jazz inside the historic Masonic Temple (located at 200 Main St. on the second floor of the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum) this Friday night, Jan. 16, beginning at 7 p.m. Pianist Bill O’Connell leads the ensemble, drawing on decades of documented work in Afro Cuban and Latin jazz. His career includes performances and recordings with Dave Valentin, Paquito D’Rivera, Mongo Santamaría and Cándido Camero, reflecting a deep command of rhythm, harmony, and form. Other group members set to perform with O’Connell are bassist Essiet Essiet, baritone sax player Larry Bustamante and trombonist Juanga Lakunza. MC and founder of Hamptons JazzFest Claes Brondal will also perform with the group on the drums. A pre-show reception, featuring an option for dinner from Tapovana Lunch Box, along with cocktails, starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $20. Click here for tickets.
View “Vertigo” in Southampton
The Master of Suspense, director Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece, “Vertigo,” will be shown in a special 35mm screening at the Southampton Playhouse (43 Hill St., Southampton, 631-339-9069) tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. This will mark the third film at the Playhouse to screen in 35mm. Tickets are available here.
The Grenning Gallery in Sag Harbor will host an opening reception for its latest exhibition “Vacation!” this Saturday. On the left, Paul Rafferty’s “Orange Umbrellas”; on the right, “Desert Trail” by Kelly Carmody. (Photos courtesy of Grenning Gallery)
Go on “Vacation” with the Grenning Gallery
Let art take you on a visual vacation at the Grenning Gallery in Sag Harbor (26 Main St., 631-725-8469) starting this weekend. “Vacation!” is the gallery’s latest exhibition, opening this Saturday, Jan. 17, with a reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Featured artists include Marc Dalessio, Viktor Butko, Doug Reina, Tina Orsolic Dalessio, Ben Fenske, Rachel Personett and Paul Rafferty, the exhibition explores not only various corners of the world stretching across places near and far, but the idea (and necessity) of how traveling is a crucial component of not only the creative process, for a joyful life in general. “Vacation!” will be on view at the gallery through Feb. 8. Saturday’s opening reception will have refreshments.
See “Life of Pi” at Guild Hall
Guild Hall (158 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-0806) hosts a performance of Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi,” an epic journey of endurance and hope bought to life in a breath-taking new way. Part of the National Theatre Live series, which showcases live performances from London’s West End, the performance screens at the East Hampton cultural institution this Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $22.
Participate in a day of service in Riverhead
“Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service: Volunteer Expo” is at Riverhead Free Library (330 Court St., Riverhead, 631-727-3228) from 1 to 3 p.m. this Saturday. Discover many ways to honor Dr. King through service to the community by meeting with local non-profits and choose volunteer opportunities such as helping with animals, assisting at events, working in gardens or food banks and so much more. Presented by the Heart of Riverhead Civic Association.
Attend Nancy Atlas’s music session at Bay Street
A night of New Orleans magic comes to Bay Street Theater (1 Long Wharf, Sag Harbor, 631-725-9500) as local songstress Nancy Atlas takes the stage this Saturday at 8 p.m. As part of her annual off-season Fireside Sessions at Bay Street, Atlas performs with some of the most talented musicians across the East End and beyond. Saturday’s performance will feature the multi-talented Brian Mitchell, the harmonica-blowing, accordion-playing keyboardist, perhaps best known for his work with The Boss man himself, Bruce Springsteen. Mitchell has also performed with Dolly Parton, BB King, Bob Dylan and Levon Helm, to name a few, bringing his own unique style and sound, with a nod to the bluesy, jazz of New Orleans. Tickets start at $44.
