In a season of glamorous Hamptons fundraisers some stand out.  Because it’s personal.   For women of many different generations their first love stories involved a trip to Planned Parenthood.  At the Planned Parenthood benefits many successful women recount how the organization is still near and dear to their hearts.  For many women the only the health insurance they can afford is high doses of Vitamin C.  It is essential to support organizations such as Planned Parenthood which serves so many in this …

By Heather Buchanan
Greetings at the third annual Harvest East End Food and Wine Classic went something like this:
“Orlmmm, yermm, hold on a sec and let me get a napkin.”  With so many delectable edibles and fine wines, it was literally hard to get a word in edgewise. Organized by Merliance and the Long Island Wine Council and presented by Wine Spectator, Harvest East End was the epicurean destination, held this year at the regal Hampton Classic show grounds.

What’s Your Hamptons Summer Bucket List?  Here’s some not to miss moments.

EVENTS:

Harvest East End – Saturday August 25th 6p to 9p
Here is the food version of speed dating. No need to commit because you have so many delicious options of local food and wine from top chefs and vintners. Benefitting the Group For The East End, Peconic Land Trust, and East End Hospice this epicurean festival is a true delight. Be sure to check out …

By Heather Buchanan
If you ventured under the tent for the East Hampton Library Author’s Night 2012 on Saturday you were treated to a vast array of literary talent.  You simply felt smarter.  With so many accomplished authors in one place you had to do a bit of speed dating, or perhaps more aptly speed reading.  Each of the 120 writers had a tale to tell ranging from novels to biographies, memoirs, cooking, decorating, self help and children’s books.  The event which was …

By Heather Buchanan
If you’ve never descended down the rabbit hole to Robert Wilson’s Watermill Center’s annual gala, you have missed one of most coveted experiences in Hamptons fundraising.  This year’s Big Bang proved that the creative spirit is alive, well and being nurtured, raising over $1.5 million for the Watermill Center’s year round artist residency and education programs.  With input from all these creative minds this was no business-as-usual benefit under the big top.

There was na’er a plastic glass of cheap wine …

Your first clue was the number of Rolls Royces parked out front that there was a veritable who’s who of the art, design, and Hamptons social set at the Parrish Art Museum’s Midsummer Gala.  This year celebrated the “creative spirit of the East End” on July 14th by honoring director/choreographer Patricia Birch, visual artist Chuck Close, author/historian Barbara Goldsmith, interior designers Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper, musician G.E. Smith, and choreographer Paul Taylor.

By Holly Buchanan
“I have but one regret in life, that I didn’t drink more champagne.” John Maynard Keynes
Well, that’s certainly a fate I don’t intend to share.
Giddy is the only appropriate word to describe what I felt walking into the James Beard Foundation’s 2012 Chefs & Champagne® New York at the bucolic Wolffer Estate Vineyard.  Ah, so many inspired, delicious dishes, fabulous champagne (and wine) and so little time.   It was like speed dating for foodies – a whirlwind tour of over …

The Empire State Pride Agenda set a new record of 1500 attendees to support the LGBT rights organization at the Hamptons Tea Dance on July 14th which celebrated its 20th Anniversary.  We clearly must have started coming when we were six.
Not only were there impressive leaders of business, design, the arts, politics and finance, there were some serious white gogo boots we were envying.

By Heather Buchanan
Hamptons fundraisers are supposed to be like children – you love them all equally.  But we know that’s not really true.  Everyone has favorites. The James Beard Foundation Chefs and Champagne® New York on Saturday July 21st is consistently is a top pick for the finger-licking good food, top notch bubbly and wine, spectacular setting, silent auction that has your Master Card maxing out, and great camaraderie.  Chefs may be known for their egos but when you see them all …

ArtHamptons July 13- 15, 2012 at Nova’s Ark Sculpture Field in Bridgehampton features $200 million worth of art: 3000 post-war and contemporary works from 80 galleries from 10 countries.
Tongues and tails were wagging over artist and showman Kevin Berlin’s “Tiger Training For Beginners” where art, the cause of tiger conservation in the wild, and four gorgeous naked girls painted with stripes meet.  The tigers, Jenni from Texas, Tessa from Sag Harbor, and Ksenia and Alina from Siberia said it’s the artists job …

By Heather Buchanan
Photos by Owen Hoffman for Patrick McMullan Company

It wasn’t only the lightning that set off sparks in the tent for the 650 Hamptonites who came out support the Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education at Love Heals at Luna Farms in Sagaponack, raising over $300,000.  Unlike the senior blue-blazered crowd found at many Hamptons benefits, this was the sizzling social set.  You know an organization is dedicated to safe sex when they make sure every goody bag contains a “Proper …

Wednesday July 4th – Montauk Grucci Fireworks on Umbrella Beach
Any town beach is good viewing.  Go early for parking and bring a picnic – this is hugely popular.  Remember your flashlight or your iPhone flashlight app.
www.montaukchamber.org

Men’s Lives at Bay Street Theatre – July 3 – 29
If there is one classic play about the Hamptons it is Men’s Lives when fishermen and not financiers ruled the Hamptons.  This is the 20 year revival from Sag Harbor’s own Joe Pintauro based on the book …

2012 HAMPTONS BENEFITS
It’s a full Hamptons Fundraiser season benefiting many worthy causes. Here are a few ways to make the most of each event:

Take time to learn about the cause and find out how you can further get involved.
Note there are often ticket discounts if you are a member of the organization.
Some events have a cocktail hour or junior ticket which is less expensive.
Buy in advance – there may be a discount and some Hamptons benefits do sell out.
I’m going to …