I have been sitting on Santa’s lap for decades now whispering my desires in his ear.  Sometimes my wishes are noble like helping a friend’s talented daughter get a scholarship to art school and other times completely frivolous (you haven’t lived until you’ve gotten a faux mink car ice scraper.)  For  those of us in the Hamptons we have many reasons to count our blessings.  Here are a few of my favorite ways to light up the Hamptons holiday season.

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 …

If you look at the list of accomplishments of Jimena Fama you might be expect someone far older than this young Argentinean beauty who has taken the musical world by storm with Tango Conspiracy.  “Normally you meet someone who really knows tango or really knows electronic music,” notes Jimena, “It’s rare to find someone who understands both.” She explains that traditional tango can be intimidating and she is finding a way with her compositions to translate tango to the next generation.  “This …

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 …

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 …

This is the see and be seen event to kick off the Hamptons Social Season of 2012.  Mingle at the Parrish Art Museum fundraising event with artists, socialites, and moguls.  There will be a live band by Todd Barrie Music, delectable hors d’oevres donated from Sant Ambroeus, a bargain silent auction with everything from designer accessories to local business services, and an open bar featuring delicious specialty drinks, free wines from Niche Import Co., martinis by Glacier Potato Vodka and Southampton Public …

It’s back!  One of the top Hamptons Happy Hours is game on starting this Friday April 20th at 5pm, Wolffer Vineyard Wine Stand’s Sunset Fridays.  They kick off with a kick *** band – namely drummer Richie Siegler of Escola de Samba BOOM fame who brings his quartet Jazz Meets Samba to serenade the crowd.
Wolffer Sunset Fridays are held out on the lawn with a view of the vines – what could be better than hot jazz, cold wine, and old and …

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.

SL EAST PARTNERS WITH EAST HAMPTON STUDIO AND OCEAN SOUND AND LIGHT TO HOST LIVE MUSIC DANCE PARTIES FEATURING
THE AREA’S BEST COVER BANDS EVERY SATURDAY FROM 9PM TO 12AM FOLLOWED BY DJ BIGGIE SPINNING ‘TIL CLOSE
NOVEMBER 19 WILL FEATURE THE BAND FULL HOUSE

Labor Day is time to play.  For everyone who has spent hours at their computer or inside an office or cursing Irene because you are still using baby wipes for a shower this is your chance to blow it out.  HipHamptons gives you pure pleasure permission.  Here are a few of our favorite things.

By Heather Buchanan
I’m the first one to play in the sandbox, dive down the rabbit hole, or pull the genie out of the bottle so when I had the chance to go through the Grey Goose Blue Door – I was the first one to arrive at the blue velvet rope.
Grey Goose Vodka launched their Blue Door series to celebrate the best in life, inviting guests into their Hamptons summer wonderland for a curated cultural experience.  Held in a private estate in …

 
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 …

 
You know the summer is sizzlin’ hot when safe sex arrives by the truckload to the Hamptons.  Trojan is going to get things steamy when they arrive at the Surf Lodge in Montauk on Saturday.  We of course will be getting first hand information and will report back.
Trojan takes on New York’s “Food Truck” craze by bringing vibrators to the masses via the Trojan Good Vibrations Truck Tour
On Saturday, July 30th, the Hamptons will be buzzin’, as Trojan Brand Condoms brings the …

Get ready to rock.  Hampton Jams Concert Series launches this weekend on Saturday May 28 with headliner Sweet Cyanide accompanied by Attention Deficit Society and Jim Turner.  Held at the East Hampton Studio, the summer series will transform the spacious interior into a great concert venue (no fear of rain here).  Special VIP preferred seating gets you food, wine, beer, special meet and greets, and backstage passes.

 
By Heather Buchanan
photo credit hotel images Rick Lew
As a fellow Scott, Hotelier Alistair MacLean could have had me at Cheers, especially with the astoundingly good Bloody Mary that even Eric Ripert said was the best he ever had.  But truly, the new Shelter Island boutique hotel and restaurant La Maison Blanche adds a fresh flare to the Hamptons social scene without the velvet rope mentality. 

In its sophomor year, the Montauk Music Festival takes over the tip of the East End From May 12 – 15, 2011 with 100 shows, 75 bands and singer songwriters, 25 venues, and free admission for the public.  While it may not be the Rolling Stones at the Memory Motel it is a vast roster of emerging talent.  You will hear rock, pop, reggae, alternative, flamenco, blues, jazz, metal, and country.  

In the Celtic days “going green” had to do with sustainability but it was how many green beers you could consume and sustain your balance without falling down and having the wee fairies make fun of you.
For East Enders St. Patrick’s Day is a hallowed rite of spring with their Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade which will be held Sunday March 20 at 1pm in Montauk.  Many may not know that St. Patrick is actually the patron saint of Elvis impersonators on …

By Heather Buchanan
So you’ve got a scratchy throat and you can’t button your jeans after the holiday gluttony and you just ran outside in your bathrobe yelling, NOOOO to try and stop the automated home heating oil delivery because you can’t pay the bill.   All valid bummers.  However there is a thing called perspective, and if you sit down with Jonathan Nash Glynn founder of Wings Over Haiti and get a first person report on the human suffering front in Haiti you have a new outlook on …

New Year’s is about ritual whether it is toasting at an intimate dinner with the one you love or the hottie you just met under the disco ball.  Being in a committed relationship when it’s only until midnight is manageable for anyone.  Putting your best foot forward on New Year’s day may mean plunging it into an icy ocean to raise money for a good cause.  You can head to a jazz brunch for hair of the dog or you can also put that energy into …

LIGHTS!
 The East End is famous for its natural light but romantics will appreciate the villages’ megawatts holiday lights.  If you’re looking for your Rudolph moment (Valentino that is) take advantage of the romantic display of lights:

Before you sink into a tryptophan, family overload, I ate so much my button burst off my pants and almost blinded the Pug coma, get up and head out to enjoy all the Hamptons have to offer this holiday weekend.  ’Tis the season to receive… um to give.”

Friday August 6
Jill Lynn & Co Art Opening
6p to 9p
Aside from the beautiful custom made jewels from designer Jill Lynn you can check out the artwork of Grant Haffner and Dana Bell.
Jill Lynn & Co., 66 Jobs Lane, Southampton.
 
Phao Thai Kitchen – Chill Lounge
This great thai restaurant turns up the heat – body heat that is with music all weekend. 
Project Vibe is Friday from 10 pm – 1am with a $10 cover
Saturday is DJ Cana from 10:30pm – 2am
Sunday is Reggae at …

The unsinkable Nancy Atlas usually leaves a trail of smoke and charred pink boa feathers in her wake but she was so smokin’ hot with her band at Surf Lodge on Wednesday that Montauk’s finest were almost called to bring power hoses to cool it down.  Her special guest fiddle player Randy added a she-devil goes to Georgia energy to the evening.

As if that wasn’t enough the wizard of drum sticks Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers sat in 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 …

 
If ever there was a supernatural sense of time and space it is the experience of the annual gala at the LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton, this year entitled Excentrica with donations supporting its mission to exemplify living with art in all forms.
Alexandra Munroe’s description of the LongHouse Award honoree Laurie Anderson, “She shares a shimmering knowledge here and now of the universe,” perfectly described not only the performance artist but the whole evening.

EXcentricA comes to the LongHouse Reserve for their annual gala which is truly a midsummer’s night dream.  This Saturday July 17 they will turn their 16 acre East Hampton sculpture garden into a magic forest to honor artist Laurie Anderson and arts patron Jan Cowles.  Click here for the special video invite by Laurie Anderson.

 
photos courtesy of Rossa Cole
Despite the local lack of rain, “There’s no draught of talent,” stated juror and king of exterior decorating John Danzer of the garden desginers competing in Planters On & Off The Ground III and Open Bowls at the LongHouse Reserve sculpture gardens last Saturday in East Hampton. 

Saturday June 26 
It’s one of those weekends with too many fun Hamptons events.  With the warm weather, the full moon, and the full docket of activities HipHamptons picks out a few favorite Hamptons events for the weekend.

Want the grape vine to be abuzz about your business?  On Wednesday June 23 the place to see and be seen for your Hamptons business is the Parrish Art Museum Business Council evening at Bedell Cellars from 6 – 8pm.  Hamptons movers and shakers are headed to Cutchogue on the North Fork to the scenic Bedell Cellars Vineyard for their fine wines (see why their Domaines cc Rose´ is a summer must have), hors d’oeuvres by Brent Newsom Caterer, Rolling in Dough …

 
Looking for a private beach and a cold glass of rose´ to toast the setting sun with a lobster roll or plate full of fresh oysters in front of you? Look no farther. There’s a new kid on the Hamptons beach scene and she’s wearing a vintage bikini and serving up coastal and comfort food with couture cocktails. The new cool Hamptons hot spot is Navy Beach Restaurant in Montauk tucked off the beaten path where you can dip your toes in …

Something bold and beautiful is in the air, and it’s not just the scent of Melody Parfume roses blooming early this year.  Amateur grillers go boldly forth with lighter fluid and undercooked chicken.  Ex husbands and wives join forces to travel to the Hamptons together so they can take advantage of the HOV lane.  Whole teams from Price Waterhouse debate the magic number for the price of lobster salad.  Farmers markets re-open with the anticipated return of mushroom man, pickle Pete, and …

 
strong>Stephen Talkhouse is going to be jamming this week and weekend, not only being the official late night watering hole for the Hamptons Film Festival, but featuring some favorite bands and fantastic newcomers.
Thursday Oct. 8 at 10pm:
PERROTTA is a fashionable pop rock trio that combines songwriting aptitude with a grand and sweeping soundscape. The band features Sarah Perrotta: Rhodes piano, Moog synthesizer, and voice; Johnnie Wang: guitar and voice; and Will Olsen: drums. With their romantic melodies and driving rhythms, Perrotta’s sound …

 
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.

Kudos to John Kawalenko and Cheryl Stair of Art of Eating Catering and Hampton Event Management International for Ladles Of Love where locals came out in support of locals to enjoy a rockin’concert and food and wine tasting to raise money for the East End Food Pantries.
The concert at Principi Farm had a little bit of everything from acoustic guitar to drummers to rock and roll to hip hop.  Loved the guys from Montauk, Suddyn.  Be sure to check out their myspace …

Why sit quietly at a bar when you can get up in front of a crowd of strangers and have the chance to be a superstar or an ass?  All you American Idolaters and out of work real estate agents, here’s a guide to where to go for Hamptons Karaoke each night of the week. Remember, you can be a selfish Karaoke singer or one who thinks of others.  Clearly if you choose Bridge Over Troubled Water, that’s for you, even if …

ROCK OUT — HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING OF “IT MIGHT GET LOUD” AT GUILD HALL
Academy Award winning director Davis Guggenheim reveals the personal stories of three generations of electric guitar virtuosos – The Edge (U2), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), and Jack White (The White Stripes) in this documentary film, “It Might Get Loud” part of the SummerDoc Series with HIFF and Guild Hall which is sponsored by American Airlines, Altour, and c/o The Maidstone.
Series Host Alec Baldwin will participate in a …

Here’s the some of the top pix for this weekend’s hip destinations in the Hamptons:
 
Who Are The Gems?  Jewelry Designer Jill Lynn teams w/ Christina V.
Attention ladies the men who love them – a best kept secret of originally designed jewelry, Jill Lynn & Co, welcomes Christina V. to share her collection of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings of precious and semi-precious stones at a trunk show Friday 7/24 from 2 – 9pm.  Jill Lynn & Co. 66 Jobs Lane Southampton, www.jilllynnandco.com.

On Monday nights Sagg Main Beach in Sagaponack turns into a magical mystery tour of locals and special respectful visitors to enjoy a fantastic drum corp as the sun sets behind the dunes at about 7pm.  This is a spontaneous gathering – not hosted by anyone – bring your own everything – child, dog, picnic, hula hoop.  If you come, please note the rules: (NOTE – no drumming on Monday Aug 3)

They say that music can calm the savage beast and after hours in traffic and running around town to get ready for guests or a stressful work day, the perfect antidote is to sit in a beautiful setting and let a soothing breeze of classical music blow your cares away as you enjoy a glass of wine.  The Music Festival of the Hamptons which runs from July 10 – 24 serves you world class musicians in your own back yard.

If you’re looking for music in the Hamptons vineyards, truly one of the most stunning settings, and we are very picky about our pretty places, is Wolffer Vineyards in Sagaponack.  The winery opens its Tuscan villa doors for Twilight Thursdays from 5 – 7:30pm, where you can buy a glass of wine, enjoy complimentary cheese, and listen to live music while striking a pose on their stone patio overlooking the vines. 

There are a few key tools in my seduction arsenal, and right next to the black lace up bodice and pure rose oil is Bebel Gilberto’s CD Tanto Tempo.  When I heard she was playing in Montauk at The Surf Lodge, I actually squealed with delight – in a sexy way of course.