Midsummer Night Conversations On Creativity

In its second summer running, “Midsummer Night Conversations on Creativity” with Questlove returns to Guild Hall in East Hampton, featuring special guests for two evenings of insightful and inspiring conversation.

The special guests haven’t been announced yet, but tickets are now on sale. Last year Jerry Seinfeld was one of the special guests, so I’m guessing this summer’s guests will also not disappoint.

Questlove, the musical director for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” where his group The Roots serves as house band, will host these conversations on creativity on July 28 and August 4. Attendees can join as Questlove shares his wisdom during the informal convos, as he discusses his guests’ creative process, challenges, and art and commerce in their lives.

I was thrilled to preview the man in action last week at the Tribeca Film Festival, at which the musician was in conversation with Boots Riley at Spring Studios, for “Tribeca Talks: Storytellers.” It was a convo with “two musicians who know their craft inside and out and continue to take risks as storytellers, both within the world of music and beyond, whether it be publishing, producing, or filmmaking,” said the Tribeca Film Festival’s Instagram.

We joined the two revolutionary hip-hop collective frontmen as they sat for a convo and discussed their musical inspirations, getting into music, career breakthroughs, and, of course, staying true to their art.

For tickets to Guild Hall’s events, visit www.guildhall.org.

Havana Nights

Another prelude-to-summer event in New York City last week was the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s “Havana Nights.” On Wednesday, May 1, at the DL, guests were invited to toast spring at a cocktail and tasting event hosted by the newly formed SWCRF Associate Board. Proceeds went to benefit the foundation’s groundbreaking cancer research.

The inaugural cocktail party attracted young professionals for a night of themed cocktails by Simple Vodka, passed Cuban-inspired hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment by dancers, live band, and DJ.

Save the date. On Saturday, July 13, SWCRF will host its annual Hamptons Happening in Bridgehampton at the home of Kenneth and Maria Fishel. Guests are invited to savor the flavors of the world without leaving the Hamptons. Honorees include celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich and designer Nicole Miller. Local business honorees include Antonella Bertello, Baker House 1650 owner, and Ian Duke, the owner of Southampton Social Club, Union Cantina, and Union Burger Bar.

Chef tastings that include a “Tour de Cuisine” of global flavors will be an event highlight. Think culinary samplings from destinations of Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean, Spain and Latin America, and the Middle East all lined up to try. There will also be live music from Pat Farrell and the Cold Spring Harbor Band — The Billy Joel Tribute Show.

For tickets and more info, visit www.waxmancancer.org.

jessica@indyeastend.com
@hamptondaze