It’s an eclectic entertainment season—Cindi Lauper, Bill Cosby, Ricky Nelson’s twin sons, comedians David Brenner and Joe Piscopo, the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Here’s the scoop: starting at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (whbpac.org, 631-288-1500), some of my favorites are:
Cindi Lauper (July 23-24), Village People (Aug. 7), Bill Cosby (Aug. 13), Lyle Lovett (Aug. 14), Jon Secada (Aug. 21), Callaway Sisters (Aug. 28), John Pizzarelli (Sept. 3), Shawn Colvin (Sept. 4), Blondie (Sept.5).
Heading east, Southampton’s Parrish Art Museum (parrishart.org, 631-283-2118) has the “Opera & Ballet in Cinema” series Thursday eves and Sunday afternoons, a Bay Street Theatre comedy “My Son, the Waiter, A Jewish Tragedy” (Aug. 20-21, 27-28), two unique documentaries (July 22, Aug. 7) plus children’s programs. The Rogers Memorial Library has classical/jazz/Latin singers Frederique Trunk and Hill Green on July 23, and Stony Brook Southampton’s writers conferences running through Aug.1 with well-known authors, poets, screenwriters, playwrights speaking evenings (631-632-5143, stonybrook.edu/writers).
In Bridgehampton, Hampton Library holds its popular “Fridays at Five” famous authors talks through August 20 (Kati Marton). Dan’s Papers’ Dan Rattiner reads chapters from his new book every weekend in different villages. Bookhampton stores in Southampton, Sag Harbor and East Hampton host weekend readings with best-selling authors.
Bay Street Theatre, Sag Harbor, continues its Mainstage season with an outstanding production of Lanford Wilson’s Fifth of July (through Aug.1) and David Mamet’s farce Romance (Aug.10-Sept.5). Its Comedy Club swings with Jim Breuer (July 26), David Brenner (Aug. 7), Joe Piscopo (Aug. 23) and others. There’s also Hamptons singer/songwriter Sundays (free) and children’s programming (baystreet.org, 631-725-9500). Canio’s, the quaint bookshop at 290 Main St., has good writers speaking every weekend.
East Hampton’s Guild Hall is operating 24/7. Playwrights’ Theatre of East Hampton and Manhattan’s Primary Stages perform new work. Florence Henderson and Bruce Vilanch share “A Bipolar Evening” (July 24), and musically, there’s a classical series July Thursdays plus Manhattan cabaret/Broadway stars on weekends (Karen Akers, Christine Ebersole, Klea Blackhurst, Steve Ross, Melissa Errico). Alec Baldwin introduces new documentaries from the Hamptons International Film Festival and there’s a world cinema series Thursdays Aug. 5 through Sept. 2. The Clothesline Art Sale is July 31, the Summer Gala dinner dance Aug. 13, and the Garden as Art weekend is Aug. 27-28 (guildhall.org, 631-324-4050).
Amagansett’s Stephen Talkhouse, the cozy music venue, has a diverse line-up including Richie Havens (July 23), The Radiators (Aug. 1), Judy Collins (Aug. 7), Shelby Lynne (Aug. 12), Original Wailers (Aug. 13), Leon Russell (Aug. 19), Ricky Nelson’s twin sons (Aug. 28), Southside Johnny (Sept. 3), and David Bromberg (Sept. 4). Music Festival of the Hamptons presents its Festival String Trio at Longhouse Reserve, East Hampton, on July 31 (musicfestivalofthehamptons.com). The popular Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival brings American and international stars July 28 through Aug. 22 (bcmf.org). Shelter Island’s Perlman Music Program has free, informal concerts with its developing artists Fri. and Sat. 7:30 p.m. through July 31(perlmanmusicprogram.org); call 212-877-0545 for additional concerts. Pianofest, for emerging artists, has Monday concerts, 4:30 p.m., at Avram Concert Hall, Stony Brook Southampton campus, through Aug. 2 with the Grand Marathon finale Aug. 7 (631-329-9115).
Many new restaurants (in alphabetical order) have received good reviews: The Boathouse (East Hampton), Cilantro (Sag Harbor), Clemente’s Maryland Crab House (Montauk), Exile Bar & Grill (Amagansett), The Grill at Pantigo (East Hampton), Navy Beach (Montauk), Pizzaetteria Brunetti (Westhampton Beach), Rumba (Hampton Bays), Race Lane (East Hampton, original Laundry), Serafina (East Hampton), 1 North Steakhouse (Hampton Bays). The Coast Grill reopened under new management in Noyac and, thank goodness, Nello’s Summertime (Southampton) is here.
Here are some of the new shops: Montauk—Cynthia Rowley, Kailani; Amagansett—Gloria Jewel; East Hampton—Balenciaga, Hugo Boss, Chico’s, Juicy Couture, Michael Stars, Vanita Rosa, Pucci; Sag Harbor—Lauren G., Sean (menswear); Bridgehampton—25 Park; Southampton—Atlantis by Peter Elliot, Courage.b, Michael Kors, Stitch; Westhampton Beach—Lil’ Bit of This-n-That, Shibori, Gloria Jewel.
The Hampton Classic Horse Show is off Snake Hollow Rd., Bridgehampton, from Aug. 29 through Sept. 5. There are boutiques, an international food court and exciting competitions daily (hamptonclassic.com). And don’t forget the Hamptons International Film Festival with new feature films, documentaries, panel discussions, parties and more, which runs Columbus Day weekend this year, Oct. 7–11 (hamptonsfilmfest.org).
