Since Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, most Hampton haunts are taking advantage of getting ghoulish twice. And while this weekend sees plenty of frightening and fabulous good fun, there’s plenty of other cool Hamptons happenings to sink your teeth into if you don’t celebrate All Hallows Eve at all.
From a local independent film festival and Gatsby radio play to art workshops and winning whiskey celebrations, there’s something for every one this weekend. Costumes optional.
Offshore Film Fest comes to Montauk
The fifth annual Offshore Art & Film Festival starts in Montauk, sure to be three days filled with independent films, live music, filmmaker conversations and community. A directors meet and greet is at Shagwong Restaurant Thursday night from 7 to 9 p.m. Opening night is set for Friday, Oct. 23 at the Montauk Yacht Club from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., which will include independent film screenings, live music from Annie Trezza and a filmmaker Q&A. Saturday, it’s “Surf & Skate” night at the Montauk Playhouse starting at 6 p.m.
Author Betsy Sussler will be on hand at The Church for a reading from her debut novel, “Station of the Birds.” (Photos courtesy of The Church)
Gear up for Gatsby radio play in Southampton
Center Stage at the Southampton Arts Center (25 Jobs Lane) presents “The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play” starting Friday and continuing through Sunday. The radio play brings F. Scott Fitzgerald’s beloved classic to life in the spirited radio broadcast, featuring an ensemble playing over two dozen characters. There’ll be four performances in total: Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25, $20 for members, $10 for students.
Brass, birds and pottery at The Church
Stories & Songs is at The Church (48 Madison St., Sag Harbor) with Betsy Sussler, author of “Station of the Birds” on Friday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. Experience the debut novel brought to life in a live reading from the author. The event also features a special performance by Real East End Brass. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $22 for members. Also at The Church, on Saturday, Oct. 24, all are welcome to join environmental artist and educator Tony Valderrama for Native American Zoomorphic pinch pots workshop. Participants will shape clay while exploring the native culture through art and music. Starts at 2 p.m. Tools and materials will be provided. Tickets are $25, $22 for members.
Head to Havens Harvest on Shelter Island
The annual Havens Harvest is this Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Shelter Island History Museum grounds (16 S. Ferry Road). The fall fundraiser, to benefit the history museum, will feature music from Peconic Bay Ramblers as well as a raffle and silent auction. Food offerings include smoked brisket and bass sliders, roasted shellfish and vegetables prepared by local clambake master Ray Congdon. Local wine, beer and cider will be flowing. Tickets are $150 per person and are selling out fast.
“Frankenstein” will be broadcasted at Guild Hall Friday night, while a Family Day of fun is set for Saturday afternoon. (Left photo by Catherine Ashmore; right photo by Jessica Dalene)
File in for Frankenstein and Family Day at Guild Hall
“Frankenstein,” starring Jonny Lee Miller (as the creature) and Benedict Cumberbatch (as the doctor who made it), is on at Guild Hall in East Hampton (158 Main St., 631-324-0806) this Friday night starting at 7 p.m., as part of the London-based National Theatre Live’s broadcasting program. Captured live on stage back in 2011, this production became an international sensation, experienced by almost half a million people in cinemas around the world. Plus, it’s festive, so who doesn’t love that? Tickets are $25 per person and are available here. On Saturday, gather your family for a day of getting creative at Guild Hall’s Family Day. Featuring a hands-on oil pastels workshop led by Kayla Matters, self-guided activities inspired by the current exhibition, “Ross Bleckner: Never the Less,” and a behind-the-scenes open rehearsal from 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. with current Guild Hall William P. Rayner Artists-in-Residence j.bouey dance projects. Free to drop in and join the fun! Runs from 1 to 3 p.m.
Bust a gut at Bay Street
Ha Ha Hamptons Comedy Tour makes a stop at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor (1 Long Wharf, 631-725-9500) on Saturday at 8 p.m. This installment includes Tugboat Manny, John Santo, Matt Burke and James Mallios, bringing top-notch laughs, sharp observation and sensational storytelling. Tickets start at $44. Head here for yours.
Wet your whiskey whistle in Sagaponack
Sagaponack Farm Distillery hosts a New York State Whiskey Celebration this Saturday, Oct. 24, from 3 to 7 p.m. Enjoy cocktail samplings from spirits made at both their distillery as well as from Twisted Cow Distillery in East Northport. Barbecue bites will be provided by Townline BBQ and beer is from Kidd Squid in Sag Harbor. Admission is free. Sagaponack Farm Distillery also hosts Golden Hour Market on Sunday, Oct. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. Join in for a day of celebrating local farmers and incredible artisans while enjoying food and drinks. Live music will be from Annie Trezza and Reilly Rose with additional tunes from DJ Antara. An art installation by Scott Bluedorn will also be on view, there’ll be activities for the kids as well as a curated wellness area from Ceremonia Meditation on site. A true celebration of community, 10% of the proceeds go to the FoodLab at Stony Brook Southampton. Rain date is Nov. 1. Sagaponack Farm Distillery is located at 369 Sagg Road.
Carve pumpkins, win the annual contest
The 28th Bridgehampton Lions Carving Contest will be held at the Bridgehampton Museum’s Corwith House (2369 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton) on Sunday, Oct. 25, starting at 5 p.m. It’s open to all ages, free to enter, and free to see, but you can’t win unless you bring a carved pumpkin or squash-like life form to enter in the contest. There’s no carving taking place at this event, so be sure to bring your finished submission (carving a day or two before the event is recommended). The judging happens when it’s dark, so it’s important to be sure your entry glows and your candles are lit before the judges come by. Natural candlelight seems to be the way to go, but other safe lighting sources are acceptable.
Trick or treat in Eastport (and other Hamptons haunts)
Now in its sixth year, the Eastport Chamber of Commerce hosts a family fun day of Main Street Trick-or-Treating on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Additionally, the Eastport Fire Department hosts their open house and see what great businesses we have here in Eastport. There’s oodles more Halloween hijinks for the kiddos happening across the Hamptons this weekend. Click here to see what’s up.
