A Weekend Of Benefits

Summer is in full swing and it was another busy weekend on the East End.

On Friday, July 12, I laughed my face off at LTV’s Super Salon Comedy Benefit. Creative Director Angela LaGreca hosted a celebrity lineup of comedians including the hilarious Elayne Boosler and Michele Balan at LTV Studio in Wainscott. The night of comedy began with a cocktail hour and closed with a live auction. TV personality and comedian Bill McCuddy served as the night’s auctioneer.

On Saturday, July 13, Blue Parrot in East Hampton hosted its 10th Anniversary Family Fiesta, supporting Green Beetz. The foundation empowers elementary and middle school students to navigate the modern food system, and to make healthy and sustainable food choices. All drink proceeds from the event went directly to Green Beetz.

Next up, the South Fork Natural History Museum presented its 30th Anniversary annual Summer Gala Benefit at the breathtaking museum grounds in Bridgehampton. Each year, the SoFo benefit is better than the last. The event began with a VIP cocktail reception that included chef tastings from some of the best local restaurants. The gala continued with a buffet dinner, live and silent auctions, and honoree tributes. The event honored Dr. Demian Chapman, Trammell Crow, and Greg Manocherian. Co-Chairs included Carole Crist, Georgia and Dr. Gerry Curatola, Eric Goode, April Gornik and Eric Fischl, Susan and David Rockefeller, and Liev Schreiber. The Independent was a media sponsor of this event again this year.

After SoFo, I headed over to the 15th annual Hamptons Happening to benefit the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation. This year’s honorees included chef honoree Lidia Bastianich; restaurateur honoree Ian Duke, owner of Southampton Social Club, Union Burger Bar, and Union Cantina; fashion honoree, designer Nicole Miller; and business honoree Antonella Bertello, owner of The Baker House 1650. The food tastings were fantastic. As committee member for this event, I see firsthand all of the hard work that goes into making such a magical night happen. Meeting Bastianich, after interviewing her last month, was also a huge highlight. The Independent is the newspaper sponsor of this event each year.

To close out the night, I headed over to the Parrish Art Museum for its Late Night party, which takes place following the Parrish’s Midsummer Party at the museum in Water Mill. The event was a festive social gathering of artists, art collectors, curators, philanthropists, and business leaders. Guests also had the opportunity to experience the museum’s current exhibitions including Thomas Joshua Cooper’s “Refuge,” Renate Aller’s “The Space Between Memory and Expectation” and Jean-Luc Mylayne’s “A Matter of Place.” This year, the museum honored Louise and Leonard Riggio, and artist Maya Lin.

The theme of this year’s party was midnight metallic. Guests danced the night away, while enjoying drinks and desserts — all while shimmering in metallics and enjoying the light-show photo booth (see above).

jessica@indyeastend.com
@hamptondaze