Hamptons Fall Arts, Festivals and Theater Preview
Fall is a great time for the arts in the Hamptons! With events all over the East End for all ages, there’s plenty of variety. From classical music to comedy, there’s truly something for everyone in the coming days and weeks.
Guild Hall has a wealth of diverse and interesting offerings into the fall. On Saturday, September 7, see a staged reading of William Douglas Horne’s The Kingfisher, a comedy starring Mercedes Ruehl, Brian Murphy and Harris Yulin. The play revolves around Cecil, an aging novelist who contemplates marrying the recently widowed Evelyn. The show starred Rex Harrison and Claudette Colbert on Broadway. On Saturday, September 21, Guild Hall and the Watermill Center will present CollaborationTown’s The Momentum. CollaborationTown is a theater company that maintains a core ensemble while constantly “collaborating” with other artists, and The Momentum is a show that is both funny and moving and is described as “self-help-sploitation.” In October, there are two opportunities to check out “The Met: Live in HD.” On Saturday, October 5, see Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, and on Saturday, October 26, see Shostakovich’s The Nose. For more information about Guild Hall and for tickets, head to guildhall.org
The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center continues their strong slate of programming. On Friday, September 27, folk band The Waterboys will perform highlights from their new album An Appointment With Mr. Yeats, as well as their classics like “The Whole of the Moon” and “Fisherman’s Blues.” The next day, on Saturday, September 28, catch Grammy winner Bruce Hornsby perform with nothing but his piano and voice. On Saturday, October 5, Wanda Sykes will appear at WHBPAC with her biting, witty (adult only!) comedy. On Sunday, October 6, country music extraordinaire Phil Vassar will perform songs he’s written and sung like “Just Another Day in Paradise” and “In a Real Love.” On Sunday, October 13, author and Grammy-winning humorist Garrison Keillor will bring his signature brand of storytelling to the Hamptons. Most know Keillor for A Prairie Home Companion. On Saturday, October 26, Grammy-winning acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke will perform his unique and beautiful music, which is appropriate for all ages. For more information on the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, go to whbpac.org.
On Saturday, September 28, the Suffolk Theater will present Ladies of Laughter, an evening of performances from female comedians. Actual performers to be announced. On Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6, check out My Sinatra. And on Friday, October 11, the Theater will celebrate the life of John Lennon with John Legend Re-Imagined: The Beatles and The Solo Years, by The Nutopians, an eight-piece ensemble dedicated to performing the music legend’s work. For more information on Suffolk Theater, go to suffolktheater.org.
Coming off their excellent summer mainstage season, Bay Street Theatre has some great events throughout the fall. On Saturday, September 14, the theater will present the Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks 25th Anniversary Concert. Known as the “House Band of the Hamptons” and “East End’s Best of the Best,” Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks are a popular local band who have made the rounds all over the island. Their songs have been featured in film and television series, as well. Come ready to move, because the dance floor will be open! The “Legends of Rock” film series returns on Friday, September 20 with Volume 5, featuring rare footage of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Crosby, Stills Nash & Young, The Doors, Santana, Sly & the Family Stone and Cream. The event will be hosted by filmmaker Joe Lauro. Musician Corky Laing performs on Saturday, September 21, to recount his life and career through words and music. Laing co-founded Mountain and West, Bruce & Laing. On Sunday, September 22, Bay Street will host the Hamptons Take 2 Documentary Film Festival’s presentation of Nancy Buirski’s The Loving Story. The documentary is the story of Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial couple that married in 1958 in Washington, D.C. and were arrested in their bedroom in Virginia and banned from the state for 25 years. The Lovings fought for their rights and became reluctant pioneers for their cause. For anyone in the mood for some traditional musical theater, check out Betty Buckley and the Vixens of Broadway on Saturday, October 12. VIP tickets are available and include an after-party with Buckley. For more information and tickets, go to baystreet.org.
This year’s Sag HarborFest will be held from Friday, September 6–Sunday, September 8. This 50-year-old tradition is a three-day festival with music, food tastings, contesting, historic tours and whaleboat races. The Fest began in 1963 as the Old Whalers’ Festival, with iconic author John Steinbeck serving as honorary chair. The Fest kicks off with the HarborFest Fiesta, a benefit party at Sag Harbor Whaling Museum, on Friday from 6–9 p.m. The Fiesta will feature Montaco Truck tacos, Montauk Brewing Company beer, Channing Daughters wine, ice cream from Sylvester & Co. and music by DJ Mister Lama. Throughout the weekend, check out vendors, “The Taste of Sag Harbor” and tons of children’s activities. And don’t forget the Chowder Contest on Sunday! For more information, go to sagharborchamber.org.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story continues at Gateway Playhouse through Saturday, September 14. A biographical musical about the iconic Buddy Holly, featuring some of his hit songs like “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Rave On” and more. For more information and tickets, go to pasc.org. And if you’re the type of person that loves scary things, check out Gateway’s Haunted Playhouse, which transforms the entire Bellport theater into a massive house of horrors. Gateway’s Haunted Playhouse is set to open September 27. For more information, go to hauntedplayhouseofhorrors.com.
The Southampton Cultural Center is one of the organizers of Southampton SeptemberFest. This year’s Fest will run from Friday, September 27 through Sunday, September 29. Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks will perform at the “Friday Night Kick-Off” party Under the Tent in Agawam Park in Southampton Village. Tickets are available in advance or at the door, but there’s limited availability, so act fast. On Saturday, September 28, New Life Crisis, featuring Paul Mahos, Steve O’Brien, Steve Bonacio and Jeff Allegue will perform a free concert at Agawam Park. Their “no setlist” policy has earned them a huge fanbase. More free events will be announced on the Southampton SeptemberFest website at southamptonseptemberfest.com, so check often.
The Southampton Cultural Center has some great events of their own coming up, including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, part of their Center Stage program, from Thursday, October 17 and running until Sunday, November 3.
Greenport’s 2013 Maritime Festival will take place on September 21, 22 and 23 in Greenport Village. There will be tons of vendors, artisans, local vendors, aquaculture and agriculture demonstrations and activities. For the first time, the Festival will feature The Little Merfolk Contest, for boys and girls ages 5–12. Kids who participate in the mermaid/merman costume contest will get to march in the Opening Day Parade in the village. For more information on Greenport’s Maritime Festival, go to eastendseaport.org. If you’re feeling up to a little “Upisland” fun, check out Gallery North’s 48th Annual Outdoor Art Show in Setauket on September 21 and 22. The event will feature live music, free demonstrations, yoga, art activities for kids, food and vendors. There will also be a gallery shop. The event is free to the public. For more information, go to gallerynorth.org.
For more event listings, announcements and previews, make sure to check out our online Events Calendar.