Memorial Day Weekend Recap

This wasn’t the usual Memorial Day weekend on the East End. But the community came together to provide a handful of fun events, virtually and safely.

On Thursday night I logged onto the Maureen’s Haven virtual benefit. Maureen’s Haven brings together houses of worship and other organizations across the East End to provide temporary shelter for the homeless. The event honored Jesse Thistle, the author of autobiography “From The Ashes.” The evening also included a live performance by Points East.

Friday night I headed to Wölffer’s Instagram live for a performance by Lynn Blue Band. I sat on my front porch and had a glass of wine and pretended to be in the field next to the vineyard at the wine stand surrounded by friends. It’s a place where I’ve spent many Memorial Day weekend Fridays.

On Saturday, acclaimed food writer Florence Fabricant was in virtual conversation with BookHampton owner Carolyn Brody, discussing “The Ladies’ Village Improvement Society Cookbook.” 

The book consists of a collection of 100 recipes for everything from entertaining to everyday life. Recipes are by LVIS members as well as renowned chefs and celebrities with a Hampton presence like Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, Hilaria Baldwin, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Eli Zabar. You’ll also find recipes from local figures such as farmers and vintners.

Sunday was a pizza party. Award-winning chef Laurent Tourondel — the owner of the BLT group, which includes Sag Harbor’s LT Burger and Sag Pizza — hosted a special “Let’s Make Pizza” night to help raise money for Guild Hall’s Restart Fund. I enlisted the help of my chef husband and we enjoyed an afternoon making pizzas with Guild Hall, right from our own kitchen.

The Surf Lodge, Governors Ball, and Bumble teamed up for “The Sun Still Sets” streaming performance. So, from the parking lot of Coopers Beach as the sun was setting (while we waited for the drive-in movie to begin) we listened to RÜFÜS DU SOL, Bob Moses, Sofi Tukker, Snoop Dogg, and more. The stream benefitted the World Central Kitchen, founded by Chef José Andrés, to fight hunger.

Following our little concert in the car, it was time for the Southampton Arts Center’s screening of the 1981 Steven Spielberg classic “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” The evening was made possible by the generosity of Simone and David Levinson. The Independent also joined as a media partner.

We brought a picnic and enjoyed as we watched Indiana Jones try to beat a band of Nazis to a unique religious relic. This event also served as a food drive benefiting Southampton’s local food bank, Heart of the Hamptons. Attendees were encouraged to bring non-perishable items to donate.

jessica@indyeastend.com
@hamptondaze