Photos BFA.com
Architecture in the Hamptons is a voyeur’s pleasure.  Architect Roger Ferris known both for his inventive and groundbreaking modern design of the famed Bridge Golf Club Clubhouse and Topping Rose House renovation gives us a chance to peek inside his buildings in his new book.
 
In celebration of, Inventive Minimalism: The Architecture of Roger Ferris + Partners, Roger Ferris held a special gathering at The Bridge.  You never say no if you have an invitation to this private club with its stunning …

Say good bye to normal. As soon as you enter through tiki torches into Fada: House of Madness you know for sure you’re not in Kansas anymore.  The annual fundraiser of the Watermill Center is a feast for the senses with performance art, music, black salt rimmed glasses of tequila cocktails and of course a cornucopia of fashion.
 

By Heather Buchanan
Think of it as a fantastic literary mosh pit. An enthusiastic crowd of 2,000 mingled last Saturday with 100 authors at the 11th Annual Authors Night Benefit for East Hampton Library under a tent of titans of words. Considered one of the nation’s leading annual literary celebrations, the night begins with guests interacting with their favorite and new authors to get books personally inscribed, take selfies, and ask one another in excited hushed tones, “Who’s your literary crush?”

There are a few magical moments when the Hamptons transform into a worthy wonderland – namely the best Hamptons fundraisers.   These fantastic events not only raise money for various causes but create memorable evenings.   Think of it as tax deductible decadence.

I am all about a grilled hot dog but there are plenty of things to put in your Hamptons Fourth of July bun.   Here are some of the best Hamptons Fourth of July weekend activities.  Remember that this is just an introduction and many of these events are ongoing throughout the summer.

Hamptons fundraisers are not only the place to see and be seen but a great testament to the generosity of the community to support local and national organizations.  Here’s a round up of HIpHamptons favorite Hamptons Benefits 2014. Even if you can’t make the date, you can find other ways to contribute or enjoy these cultural institutions.  A few wardrobe musts: wedge heels, creative attire as many of these events are themed, layers you can add or shed in case it’s warm …

All eyes have been on the Watchcase condominium development in Sag Harbor and getting an invitation to one of their events is a way to act as if you are already one of the lucky owners.
Jay McInerney, noted author and wine authority, hosted a small gathering at Cape Advisors’s Watchcase to do a tasting of rosés and read from his book The Juice.
Jay conducted a blind tasting of four different rosé wines, Provence vs. Long Island. Guests tasted two wines from Long Island …

On Saturday, August 10, 2013, the East Hampton Library will present its 9th Annual Authors Night benefit event.
As a library card carrying enthusiast – I can attest this is a wonderful literary event.  OMG. Put down your smart phone.  Turn off reality TV.  Tune into really great books and great authors.  By the end of the evening you might even be using three syllable words and full sentences!  Come for the cocktail portion or better yet sign up for an intimate literary …

By Heather Buchanan
For a happy Hamptons Thanksgiving we have a few HipHamptons Do’s & Don’ts as well as a list of great activities for the weekend.
Don’t mess with the stuffing –
Let’s face it – It’s not really about the turkey, it’s about what’s inside.  The family wants the old fashioned stuffing served every year.  Don’t go all crazy on it with truffles, dates, and cognac.  Your family will be upset… for a while.
Don’t play with the turkey parts –
Yes it seems super …

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 …

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 …

Kelly Killoren Bensimon arrived at Chris Burch’s C. Wonder boutique on Main Street in Southampton on Saturday to sign her new book “I Can Make You HOT!”
You have to love an event where the first person standing in line is an aging man in a polo to buy “I Can Make You HOT!.”  He was a bit surprised to find out it was about dieting.  Rubbing herself in honey is, alas, only Kelly’s skin softening trick.
It is admittedly hard to resist the …

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 …

photo Megan Whitmarsh and My Barbarian  “Tourists From The Future” photo by Rosalie Knox
One of the Hamptons best secrets is a secluded cultural oasis where some of the most amazing emerging artists from all over the world gather to experiment and collaborate.  And guess what?  You’re invited.
The Watermill Center was founded by Robert Wilson to provide a living laboratory where artists in residence could explore new ideas in a unique environment.  Tucked away on the back roads from Southampton, the six acre …

Photo Credit: WW Burford
One of the great things about the Hamptons is we never know what power player is going to show up in our own expensively landscaped back yard.  Better yet, we may not have to crash the VIP tent at Polo or a Meadow Lane cocktail party to meet them.  At the most recent Writers Speak Wednesdays at Stony Brook Southampton College sponsored by their MFA in Creative Writing and Literature Program, the New York head of Amazon Publishing Larry …

When the tryptophan haze wears off, you’ve successfully buried Aunt Rosemary’s fruit cake in the back yard, and you’re ready to put on your expandable waist pants and venture out into the world, the Hamptons have plenty to offer this weekend.  Get in the holiday spirit, shop for charitable causes, and get ready to dance off the pumpkin pie.

“The dog days of summer” can be a beautiful thing in the Hamptons when you have animal welfare activists working tirelessly for their four legged friends.  Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States launched his new book, The Bond: Our Kinship With Animals, Our Call to Defend Them, at Georgica Restaurant on Saturday.  Hosted by Amanda Hearst, Annie Churchill, and Frances Hayward the launch party treated guests to cocktails and vegan bites.

By Heather Buchanan
The 7th annual Authors Night to benefit East Hampton Library gathered enough literary talent under the big top tent to entertain, educate, and enlighten us for years to come.  As a card-carrying member of the East Hampton Library it was a pleasure to see the success of the fundraising event and the passion for reading more than “U R HOT.”

Catwalk Confidence & Dasha Wellness Introduce Hamptons Fitness/Wellness Fundraiser
 

East Hamptons fitness & wellness soiree to benefit Soles4Souls, hosted by PIX 11 Dr. Steve Salvatore
Saturday August 13 2p- 6p

Dr. Emily Splichal creator of the #1 posture and balance workouts “Catwalk Confidence” and “Stiletto Recovery” has partnered with Dasha Wellness to launch a luxury East Hamptons fitness & wellness soiree to benefit Soles4Souls on August 13, 2011.   The event will be hosted by PIX 11 Dr. Salvatore.

Read a good book lately?  And no The Great Tweets of Ashton Kutcher doesn’t count.  If you venture to the 7th Annual Authors Night benefit for the East Hampton Library on Saturday August 13 you will have literally an entire tent full of good options from some of the most talented writers around.  Whether it’s fiction, poetry, biography, non-fiction, self help, or cook books, you will find amazing options.  The best part is you have the opportunity to talk to the authors …

 
By Heather Buchanan
You’ll never look at your tuna tartare in the same way again.
Ted Danson headlined the Hamptons Splash Party to benefit Oceana this Saturday July 30.  Guests enjoyed a lovely soiree at the luxurious oceanfront home of Margie and Michael Loeb.  With a starlit night where romantic couples could wander to our world class beaches and gaze at the Atlantic it was more apparent than ever how important it is to support Oceana which works to protect the world’s oceans.  As …

One of the great pleasures in life is having a true local bookstore you can visit and ask “Read anything good lately?” and they can tell you everything from children’s books to beach reads to biography to historical gems.  Canio’s Book Shop in Sag Harbor at Main Street retains the personal touch.  It is a true literary gathering place with readings from authors and poets.   Along with a calendar of authors they also display work from local artists .
Rob Calvert’s art work “Summer’s Time” new works on paper …

Ted Danson headlines the Hamptons Splash Party to benefit Oceana this Saturday July 30 in Southampton.  Get ready to kick off your shoes and dance the night away at a luxurious private oceanfront home in Southampton (i.e. leave the stilettos and wingtips at home).  With Hamptons beaches as one of our most prized assets it’s important to support Oceana which works to protect the world’s oceans.

By Heather Buchanan
Broadway arrives at East Hampton’s Guild Hall, delivering a truly must-see comedy, “Long Story Short,” a one man hilarious tour de force by Colin Quinn, directed by Jerry Seinfeld.  This “History of the World in 75 minutes” covers everything from Socrates to Snooki, writing from the Old Testament to the New York Post (which really hasn’t changed much), and a debate on the distracting powers of spit balls versus sexting.

We’ve all heard about Lady Chatterley falling for her gardener but how about Lord Chatterley?  Certainly in the Hamptons women landscapers have blazed a blooming trail such as Edwina Von Gal, but who were her green thumbed predecessors.  Author Cynthia Zaitzevsky will be conducting a lecture on her book Long Island Landscapes and the Women Who Designed Them on May 20 in Southampton at the Meadow Club.  “Astonishingly records show that half of the private gardens laid out on Long Island during …

The Hamptons have a long tradition of being a gathering place for artists and writers.  Other than the eponymous softball game each summer, bringing together these talents, especially in public for an in depth discussion has become rare.  Thanks to c/o The Maidstone Hotel for producing the Art & Dine series where every other Tuesday night the public gathers in a salon setting to share food, wine, and the discussion of the arts with a live in-depth interview of an artist or …

You suddenly felt smarter when you entered the tent at the East Hampton Library for the literary star studded 6th Annual Authors Night on Saturday night.  Being in the presence of a plethora of talented writers makes you suddenly want to start texting with complete words and grammatically correct sentences, even consider using adverbs again.

Held at c/o The Maidstone in East Hampton on Sunday August 15th from 3:30pm to 5pm is a chance to meet author Gary Reiswig and Dr. Peter Davies PhD, an expert in research to learn more about what is new in Alzheimer’s disease research.
Author of The Thousand Mile Stare, Gary Reiswig tells the story of his ancestral roots in a small German Town to Dr. Alois Alzheimer’s discovery of the disease, to the Reiswig’s triumphs and tragedies on their Oklahoma farm, to …

If you are looking for the one Hamptons summer event which will have the most luminaries under one tent, put on your grass friendly wedges and head to the 6th Annual Authors Night at the East Hamtpon Library Saturday August 14.
Before we spoke to each other in letters, U R HOT, we actually used complete sentences, beautiful turns of phrases, apt metaphors, and poetic license.  Some of the most talented wordsmiths (think Mr. and Mrs. Smith with lethal phrases) will gather to …

SATURDAY JULY 31
Clothesline Art Sale
9 am to 4 pm
A vast array of artists display and sell their art work at Guild Hall.  Discover the next Pollock in the making.
Guild Hall 158 Main Street, East Hampton, www.guildhall.org 631-324-0806.

LongHouse Reserve Book Signing and Music In the Gardens
5:30 p
This Saturday, July 31st, LongHouse Reserve will host THREE exciting events in its 16-acre East Hampton sculpture garden – the worldwide release of Jack Lenor Larsen’s LongHouse by Molly Chappellet, a preview of this year’s second art …

FRIDAY JULY 23
Fridays At Five – Author Series
5pm
Bridgehampton Library hosts this event each Friday in their grassy back yard with wine and other refreshments.  Authors of various books (books, actual hard cover books, think pre-Kindle) are there in person to give you their first hand accounts of their stories.  This week’s author is Frances Osborne talking about her biography of her enigmatic great grandmother Idina Sackville a proper British woman breaking the boundaries in the jazz age.  Admission is $15.
Bridgehampton Library, 2478 …

 
Harborfest in Sag Harbor which runs from Sept. 11 – 13 is a hallowed local tradition which lets you know front and center that you are lucky to be in a maritime village with a rich history. How many times have you walked by historic buildings or cemeteries or heard something about a famous author who lived here. Now is your chance to find out.

The first Labor Day took place in New York in 1883 and was a “workingmen’s holiday.” with a parade to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.”  For everyone out there who has been busting their butt all summer, now is the time to express your own personal Hamptons esprit de corp and set up your perfect holiday.  We have the best of the weekend laid out here for you to enjoy, no permission slip required.  …

 
Tax-deductible dating continues in the Hamptons with social events raising money for causes ranging from Breast Cancer Patient Support to homeless animals, to local cultural institutions.   As always fine food and wine and let’s face it, perfect pretty people watching abound whether you’re listening to Gershwin under a tent or sliding into home base (literally or should we say literarily).  Read on.

A star studded creative brain trust gathered under the tents at the East Hampton Library for Authors Night which not only raised money for our hallowed literary ground, it proved the see and be seen sophisticated social spot for a Hamptons Saturday night.   While we may know them through their words, there is nothing like meeting your favorite authors in person and having a tete a tete.  For the younget set, it would be like if the entire cast of Gossip Girl …

Where else can you meet female icons Candace Bushnell and Barbara Walters, taste morsels from chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin, eat rasberries picked moments before from the field, and do yoga with your dog?  It has to be a weekend in the Hamptons.
Friday August 7
Fridays at Five – Author Steven Gaines
Take the time to enjoy this witty author whose Hamptons’ and world views always entertain, giving you a glimpse into the true inside stories of the rich and famous, or infamous …

 
We know you’re searching for meaning along with your mojito so add a little literary culture into your Friday night festivities.  Sex on the Page is your opportunity to hear fresh new voices from the literary and theater world at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor Friday July 24 at 10pm.  Presented by yours truly as well as Ankinrowen Productions and The Pefect Manhattan Productions this free reading features pieces ranging from racy to hilarious to heartbreaking.  It will be in the …

 
One of the Hamptons literary treasures is the Hampton Library Fridays at Five author series in Bridgehampton.  While we adored its outdoor setting on the lawn, the library has been undergoing renovations and the lectures will take place at the Bridgehampton Community Center which is on Rt. 27 at School Street just across from the Candy Kitchen (which has the best home made ice cream in the Hamptons).