The Westhampton Beach Project, a two-day event, was held at the Great Lawn on Main Street in Westhampton Beach, NY, July 28 and 29 . It featured performances by the renowned Parsons Dance Company and celebrated singer Chris Ruggiero, was a treat for attendees! Pairing these incredible performances with delicious bites and drinks from local Long Island restaurants surely added to the enjoyment of the evenings.
Chris Ruggiero/Photo By: Rob Klein
The event was free and open to the public. However, guests were given the opportunity to receive VIP lawn seats and other perks with a charitable donation, which tangibly supports the Musical Mime Company, INC. This not-for-profit organization’s dedication to assembling artists and collecting information on corporal movement and art in general is a noble effort in promoting creativity and artistic expression.
The Westhampton Beach Project is an initiative conceptualized by Steven Colucci, a local Westhampton resident, artist, and President of the Musical Mime Theater. With over 45 years of experience in the arts, Colucci decided to dedicate himself to this project with the aim of exposing the younger generation to various art forms he has studied and worked on throughout his career.
The project involved organizing a two-night event in Westhampton Beach to showcase different art forms for the community and the guests. The event included performances from the Musical Mime Theater, where Colucci serves as President, to entertain and educate the audience about this unique form of theatrical expression.
Additionally, during the event, guests were given the opportunity to view and purchase Colucci’s paintings. The proceeds from the sales of his artworks would have been channeled back into supporting the Westhampton Beach Project. This kind of fundraising approach would help the initiative continue its mission and potentially expand its reach in the community.
Overall, the Westhampton Beach Project was noble endeavor, bridging the gap between different generations and promoting artistic expressions while supporting a local artist’s work and the arts in general within the Westhampton community. Events like this not only bring joy and entertainment to the community but also foster support for important causes and organizations. Kudos to The Westhampton Beach Project for organizing such a fantastic event with a charitable purpose!
The Westhampton Beach Project is funded by Steven Colucci and Colucci Musical Mime Theater and the Lanza Family Foundation.
Near the ocean, amid the dunes of Amagansett, Elizabeth Jacoby and Richard Brand opened their home to ballet fans to meet ABT soloist Chloe Misseldine and Ukrainian dancer Vsevolod Mayevsky. The occasion was a friend raiser for Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). The tall dancers (she is the tallest and among the most stunning at ABT) spoke of how important YAGP was to their careers and the opportunities the organization makes for dancers worldwide. Both are YAGP Alumni. Vsevolod, formerly with Russia’s Mariinsky Ballet, was able to leave the country at the beginning of the war with help from YAGP’s founder Larissa Saveliev.
Vsevolod Mayevsky and Chloe Misseldine _ Credit Richard Lewin
Guests included, Carrie Barrett, Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane, Renee Cox, Kimberly Goff, Michele Gerber Klein, Tinu Naija, Emily Reifel, and Alexis Tobin.
Youth America Grand Prix is the largest global network of dance. YAGP fulfills its mission of dance education through scholarship auditions, master classes, alumni services, performances, and education. For the past 24 years, over $4.5 million has been awarded in scholarships to the world’s leading dance schools, with up to $500,000 now awarded annually. Since YAGP’s founding in 1999, over 200,000 young dancers – ages 9 to 19 – of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds have participated in YAGP’s international workshops, audition classes, and dance awareness events. Today, more than 12,000 young dancers audition annually. More than 450 Youth America Grand Prix alumni are now dancing with 80 professional companies around the world, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet (UK), Mariinsky Ballet and many others. Over 100 of these alumni are soloists and principal dancers.
(July 29, 2023) LongHouse Reserve’s annual Summer Benefit celebrated artist Mary Heilmann and writer A. M. Homes. The MidSummer Dream theme brought a sense of wonder and enchantment to the occasion. Various pop-up performances that contributed to the whimsical atmosphere, including stilt walkers, musicians, dancers, a horse rider, a merman in the pool, trapeze aerialists, and acrobats roaming the gardens.
Atmosphere _ Credit PMC/Sean Zanni
Lys Marigold and Iesha Kenmore _ Credit PMC/Sean Zanni
Atmosphere _ Credit PMC/Sean Zanni
Additionally, the inclusion of art installations by Wyatt Kahn and Fitzhugh Karol, as well as loans from prominent artists Daniel Arsham and Ai Weiwei, alongside permanent works by artists like Buckminster Fuller, Sol LeWitt, and Yoko Ono, must have made the experience even more captivating for the attendees.
The presence of esteemed guests like Alice Aycock, Candace Bushnell, Rosanne Cash, Renee Cox, Bill T. Jones, Laurie Lambrecht, Sophie Chahinian, Robert Longo, Lisa Perry, and G.E. Smith added to the charm of the event.
The event was successful in raising over $650,000. This financial support will undoubtedly help LongHouse Reserve continue its mission of promoting and celebrating creativity and art.
Dinner began with a video of the late LongHouse Founder Jack Lenor Larsen walking the gardens sharing, “Change involves the new and there’s something magical about the new. Let’s look at what could be done; at what hasn’t been done. How to get away from the ordinary and the conventional, to discover. Let’s do that, even in a small way, and see what we can find.”
Atmosphere _ Credit PMC/Sean Zanni
Director Carrie Rebora Barratt quoted Eleanor Roosevelt saying “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” as she referenced Jack’s vision for LongHouse. “When I worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I remember Jack visiting from time to time, sitting in our Textile Center, always looking and learning. He’s created quite a stir, fabulously dressed, so tall, and that voice. Jack was present and thoughtful, local and global, just like the institution he created that we carry on”.
Board President Nina Gillman said “We continue to learn from Jack, and from LongHouse, a magical place in our community that inspires each of us to live with art in all its forms. Jack was endlessly interested in the new and had a fearless love of change. He often instructed us ‘to be relevant, not reverent’ once he was gone. Since his passing 2 ½ years ago, we have used these words as our guide. This has been a time of enormous change for LongHouse, from a private residence with grounds open part-time to visitors, led by its founder, to a fully public institution with expanded open days and hours, led by board and staff. We have more programming, greater engagement with the community, and more supporters and members than ever before. In this transition, LongHouse is moving from strength to strength.. Speaking of strength and beauty, I’d like to toast Dianne Benson and allow us to thank you. Dianne B, your vision and leadership, and style and grace, are beyond compare. We are honored to call you our President Emeritus.”
Nina Gillman _ Credit PMC/Sean Zanni
Laurie Anderson introduced A.M. and shared a few words about her longtime friend, “Some of A.M’s recent work has been about talking trees, and so it’s great that we’re here at Longhouse, a place that treasures trees and is probably pretty open to what trees might have to say, if they could talk. I first met A.M. in a tree. It was the early ’80s after a show in Washington and for some reason I was outside trying to climb a tree. A.M. just showed up and we started to talk. I immediately saw her as someone who’s intensely interested in where she is at the moment and able to put that into words. Lately the talking trees are branching out into AI and I’m really happy about that since I think AI is one of the most powerful tools for writers. The language it produces is a mix of moronic and profound. It’s a little bit like what I imagine the sentences of talking trees will sound like when we finally start to understand what they’re really saying. So I put in the phrase “our friend A.M. and her talking trees” into the supercomputer, ground it through the algorithms, and out came about 9,000 words. I’m going to share a few of these, so here is A.M. in AI.”
“The words, the words, the words are the words. And the birds? What about you? You’ve been out of reach for a while now. But don’t give up hope. Dreams are made of smoke.A.M. P.M. A.M. P.M. She’s a poet and a writer and she writes in her head. At 3 A.M. At 4 A. M. At 5 A.M At 6 A.M.”
A.M. took the stage to share “an odd piece of trivia that I’m sure no one knew when they selected me for this honor.Jack Lenor Larsen has been part of my life since I was 3 days old—literally. In 1960 my parents built a modern glass house at the edge of Rock Creek Park in Washington D.C.. At three days old I was carried through the front door; the first thing I passed were beautiful woven curtains—fabric by Jack, and then I was carried down the hall to my parents room and placed on their bed, fabric by Jack, and the drapes in that bedroom, by Jack. My first experiences, my first visions were influenced by Jack. For the entirety of my childhood, I viewed the outside world through the weave of Jack Larsen.”
Artist Almond Zigmund introduced honoree Mary Hailmann, “One of my favorite people and painters. Mary’s work gives you permission to luxuriate in the now. I don’t surf but I imagine looking at her work is similar to the experience of catching a perfect wave, where the absolute chaos of the ocean and tranquil sublimity of catching the wave are combined and distilled into a perfect gesture. That is what Mary’s paintings are to me.”
A Junior Committee – including Emma Wrazej (Chair) and Hilary Cianciolo, Noah Erni, Emma Grayson, Mary Kantor, Robert Ladov, Vivienne Lange, Victoria de Lesseps, Sami Lyons, Owen McGowen, Ben Mitchell, and Morgan Wilkins – hosted the afterparty with cocktails, dessert, and dancing with DJ Amber Valentine until midnight
This years art auction, benefiting education at LongHouse, included works by Annie Albers, Bjorn Amelan, Laurie Anderson, Ross Bleckner, Cyril Christo & Marie Wilkinson, Peter Dayton, Dawn DeDeaux, Michael De Feo, Sally Egbert, Maryam Eisler, Connie Fox, Joe Gaffney, Judy Hudson, Peter Hujar, Anton Perich, Fitzhugh Karol, Mel Kendrick, Laurie Lambrecht, Jeff Muhs, Randy Polumbo, Marcia Resnick, Ugo Rondinone, Cindy Sherman, Kiki Smith, Arlene Slavin, Clintel Steed, Suzannah Wainhouse, David “Mr. StarCity” White, Lucy Wynton, Mark Wilson, and Robert Wilson.
In the coming days LongHouse will host conversations and book signings with celebrated multidisciplinary artist Michele Oka Doner for her forthcoming book, A Seed Takes Root: A True Story on July 30th, as well as actress Alexandra Auder with her book Don’t Call Me Home: A Memoir on August 13th. Gifted virtuoso pianist and composer Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner will share an evening of enchanting music under the stars in celebration of Jack Larsen’s birthday on August 5th, made possible by the generous support of Barbara Tober.
ABOUT A.M. HOMES
A. M. Homes, Randy Polumbo and Laurie Anderson _ Credit PMC/Sean Zanni
A.M. Homes is an author whose work has been translated into twenty-two languages and appears frequently in Art Forum, Harpers, Granta, McSweeney’s, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Zoetrope. She is a Contributing Editor to Vanity Fair, Bomb and Blind Spot. Several times a year she collaborates on book projects with artists—among them Eric Fischl, Rachel Whiteread, Cecily Brown, Bill Owens, Julie Speed, Michal Chelbin, Petah Coyne, Carroll Dunham, Catherine Opie and Todd Hido.
She was a Co-Executive Producer and Writer on David E. Kelly and Stephen King’s, Mr. Mercedes, Co-Executive Producer and Writer on Falling Water and has created original television pilots for HBO, FX and CBS and was a writer/producer of the Showtime series The L Word. Homes serves on the Writers Guild East Counsel. Additionally, Homes wrote the adaptation of her first novel JACK, for Showtime. Director Rose Troche’s 2003 adaptation of The Safety of Objects marks the screen debut of Kristen Stewart. Other Homes novels include, The Unfolding, This Book Will Save Your Life and May We Be Forgiven.
A.M. Homes has been the recipient of numerous awards including Fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, NYFA, and The Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers at The New York Public Library, along with the Benjamin Franklin Award, and the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis.
In addition, she has been active on as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Yaddo, and on the board of The Fine Arts Work Center In Provincetown, The Writers Room, and PEN-where she chaired both the membership committee and the Writers Fund. Additionally, she serves on the board of Poets and Writers.
ABOUT MARY HEILMANN
Influenced by 1960s counterculture, the free speech movement, and the surf ethos of her native California, Mary Heilmann ranks amongst the most influential abstract painters of her generation. Considered one of the preeminent contemporary Abstract painters, Heilmann’s practice overlays the analytical geometries of Minimalism with the spontaneous ethos of the Beat Generation, and are always distinguishable by their often unorthodox—always joyful—approach to color and form.
Raised in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Heilmann completed a degree in literature, before she studied ceramics at Berkeley. Only after moving to New York in 1968 did she begin to paint. While most artists at that time were experimenting with the concept of dematerialization and demanding that painting should avoid any references to experience outside the material presence of the work itself, Heilmann opted for painting, rebelling against the accepted rules. ‘Rather than following the decrees of modern, non-representational formalism, I started to understand that the essential decisions taken during the creative process were more and more related to content. The Modern movement was over…’
Since then, Heilmann has created compositions that evoke a variety of associations. Her work may be non-representational and based on an elementary, geometrical vocabulary—circles, squares, grids and stripes—but there is always something slightly eccentric, casual about them. The simplicity of the forms is played down by a deceptive form of nonchalance: the contours are not clearly defined. In some paintings, amorphous forms appear to melt into each other like liquid wax. Splashes of color can be discerned, sharp edges bleed for no apparent reason, and the ductus of the brushstrokes is always perceptible. Heilmann’s casual painting technique conceals a frequently complex structure that only gradually reveals itself to the viewer.
ABOUT LONGHOUSE RESERVE
LongHouse Reserve is 16-acre integrated environment created by artist, collector and world-renowned textile designer and weaver Jack Lenor Larsen (1927-2020)with a missionto inspire living with art in all forms. Over the past two years, LongHouse has transitioned from a founder-led to board and staff-led public institution, serving the community with vast open space, programs in art, nature, and wellness, providing a sanctuary for Long Island and beyond. The sculpture garden, featuring more than 60 outdoor works—including permanent collection works by Yoan Capote, Buckminster Fuller, Yoko Ono, Sui Jinguao, and Willem de Kooning, and seasonal loans from artists such as Wyatt Kahn, Maren Hassinger, and Ai Wei Wei—encourages exploration and contemplation for new and repeat visitors alike. As of this year, the garden is fully open to the public for education and enjoyment, with a next chapter of activating Larsen’s home (a modernist structure based on the Shinto Shrine at Ise) and the extensive collections.
LongHouse Reserveinspires and empowers visitors of all ages to see and think in new ways, and to incorporate art and design into their lives, invoking an ongoing act of creation that is renewed by the diverse communities drawn to its values and purpose. Whether visitors return to see a favorite garden or walk the grounds in search of a new installation, LongHouse is always changing and always new.
LongHouse Reserve is open April – December, Wednesdays through Sundays from 12:30pm until 5pm. A Membership allows you to visit LongHouse Reserve throughout the season. General admission is $20, with reduced price tickets for seniors and students, and no charge for children, veterans or active-duty personnel. More information is available at www.longhouse.org.
(New York, NY – July 24, 2023) – Newly-elected Southampton Village Mayor William Manger Jr. will step out on Thursday, July 27 at 10 am to lend a hand as the Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) kicks off its 5th annual Week of Hope summer tradition in Southampton.
During the Week, stores throughout Southampton display a large, yellow HOPE balloon (environmentally safe and recyclable) in front of their doors, transforming sidewalks into a sea of sunshine to raise mental health awareness.
Over 100 businesses are part of the Week of Hope, including Loveshack Fancy, Ovando, Poupette St. Barth, and Veronica Beard, a major HDRF sponsor. The mayor will join HDRF Founder and Chair Audrey Gruss, a longtime Southampton resident, to place the first balloon in front of the Veronica Beard store (84B Main Street, Southampton) at 10 am.
“I’m delighted Mayor Manger will continue the tradition started by his predecessors to support this mental health campaign,” said Gruss. “Southampton is leading the way on Long Island by embracing mental health, one of the most important health issues of our day.”
Of course, after Mayor Manger and Audrey Gruss set the first balloon, there are hundreds more to go! For that, HDRF will get the help of a cadre of teen athletes from Southampton High School and their track coach Eddie Arnold, who will spend the morning setting up the rest of the balloons around the village.
“We’re so excited to be part of this effort,” said Arnold. “This is a festive and fun way for the youth in our community to be advocates for a critical cause that is sadly very prevalent in teens right now.”
Along with the HOPE balloon display, participating stores will have special hand-outs provided by HDRF with the latest information on depression in the U.S. and how to spot signs and symptoms.
The Week of Hope began in 2018 to serve as the lead-up to HDRF’s signature summer event, the Race of Hope 5K to Defeat Depression. This year the Week culminates in the 8th Annual Southampton Race of Hope on Sunday, August 6 at 8:30 AM around Lake Agawam. The Race attracts over 500 participants from the tri-state area and beyond to unite as a community and raise mental health awareness and fund depression research.
The Co-Grand Marshals of the Race of Hope are Audrey Gruss and Arthur Dunnam, who is an HDRF Advisory Board member and resides in East Hampton.
The Teen Grand Marshals of the Race are Grier Hammond Henchy, the 17-year-old daughter of Brooke Shields, and Hayden Lucas, an NYC high school senior and leader of the newly formed HDRF Teen Task Force.
Gruss said: “As we launch our Week and Race of Hope, we recognize the staggering statistics around depression and suicide in the United States. HDRF is working tirelessly to find solutions by focusing on education and research into novel treatments.”
100% of revenues from the Race go to groundbreaking research into the root causes of depression in the brain and new and better treatments. To sign up or learn more, please visit the website at hopefordepression.org
The Week of Hope also offers several other events to raise awareness and funds for depression research. On Friday, August 4, HDRF hosts the Hope Summer Seminar “How to Talk to Friends and Family About Mental Health,” with acclaimed psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman at the Southampton Arts Center at 11 am.
From July 27-August 6, the Veronica Beard store on Main Street will hold Shop for Hope – with ten percent of all purchases going to HDRF’s life-saving research.
The Week of Hope, in conjunction with the Race of Hope, has helped to raise over $1 million for advanced depression research. The Race is supported by local residents including Janna Bullock, Arthur Dunnam and Roy Cohen, Alan Glatt, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Mai Hallingby Harrison, Kim Heirston, Tania Higgins, Natasha Jeffries, Leonard and Judy Lauder, Sharon and John Loeb, Jr., Anne and Jacques Nordeman, Kathy Prounis, Hilary Geary Ross, Nancy Silverman, and Lis Waterman.
Week of Hope participating business owners to date include: 27 Hampton Salon, Aboff’s paint, Bean2tween, Breezin Up, Cheese Shoppe, Corwin Jewelers, egg New York, Flying Point Surf Shop, Fowler’s Garden Center, Geary Gubbins Sports / Gubbin Running Ahead, Herrick Hardware, Hidden Gem, Hildreth’s, Jennifer Miller, Johnny Was, Laviano, Loveshack Fancy, Main Street Optics, Ovando, Paul Stuart, Poupette St. Barth, Roberta Roller Rabbit, Rogers Memorial Library, Saunders, Shari’s Place, Southampton Inn, Southampton Publick House, Southrifty Drug Co., The 1708 House, Veronica Beard, and WM Rugs.
ABOUT HOPE FOR DEPRESSION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (HDRF)
HDRF was founded in 2006 by philanthropist Audrey Gruss in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. The mission of the HDRF is to spur the most innovative brain research into the origins, medical diagnosis, new treatments, and prevention of depression and its related mood disorders – bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and suicide.
The World Health Organization has declared depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, and yet conventional medications today are outdated and do not fully work for 50% of patients. HDRF is working tirelessly to improve the mental health landscape for every American. The Foundation has provided more than $50 million through over 200 grants for breakthrough depression research that promises to transform the way depression is viewed, diagnosed, treated and prevented. Currently, HDRF has a potential new class of medication in pilot clinical trials at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Columbia University, and Stanford University. HDRF is also funding clinical trials into other novel therapeutics and diagnostic tests at Johns Hopkins, University of San Diego, and the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The Southampton Cultural Center hosted a special VIP Reception at ARTACOM Southampton, where guests were able to enjoy the artwork of over 30 artists and sparkling wine supplied courtesy of Single Married Divorced, a brand founded by Irena Patar.
. The exhibition, curated by visionary artist Roger Sichel, showcased a diverse range of art forms, including digital displays, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, paintings, sculptures, performance arts, and live art. This cultural event started in the summer and was set to run until the end of August 2023.
The gala chair for the Ellen Hermanson Foundation Annual Gala that took place during the summer was philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, who also graced the cover of Art Bodega. Jean Shafiroff, known for her philanthropic endeavors, was among the notable attendees at the event. Other guests included Roger Sichel, Ilene Sichel, Julie Ratner, Ron Burkhardt, Fern Mallis, Laurie Gelman, Michael Gelman, Bob Golden, Kathy Green, Julie O’Brien, Bill Boggs, Ali Mitchell, Elizabeth Andreassen, Katherine Andreassen, Ana Maria Osorio, Elton Ilirjani, Kavita Channe, Ann Liguori, Scott Vallary, Dede Gotthelf, Terry Moan, Pamela Morgan, and Elena Gibbs.
ARTACOM is a free to the public donor supported show and accepting donations throughout the Summer. The Southampton Cultural Center is a 501(c)(3) that has the mission of bringing the Arts to All.
Artists include Roger Sichel, Patrick McMullan, Inson Wood, Ray Gross, Don Hershman, John Melillo, Peter Max, Stas Rutkowski, Maxi, Julie O’Brien, Leila Pinto, Cannon Hersey, John Hersey, Howard Kanovitz, Jaxi, Gabe Aiello, DJ Leon, Pamela Lubell and Daria Deshuk. Visit the website for a full list of participating artists.
Works Include highlights from Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alexander Chen, Pino, Felix Mas, Karl Wenig, Marsel Mouly, Patrick Guyton, Peter Max, Andrew Bone, Scott Jacobs, Leblanc Stewart, Anatole Krasnyansy and Edmund Blair Leighton.
The event will take place at Southampton Cultural Center located at 25 Pond Lane, Southampton, NY 11968.
Jean Shafiroff is a philanthropist, humanitarian, TV host, writer, and the author of the book “Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give”. Jean works extensively as a volunteer fundraiser and leader in the philanthropic world. She serves on the boards of 8 charitable organizations and each year chairs upwards of eight to 9 different charity galas. Among the many causes she champions are those involved in women’s rights, rights of the underserved, health care, and animal welfare.
Jean serves on the boards of the American Humane, Southampton Hospital Association, NYC Mission Society, French Heritage Society, Couture Council of the Museum at FIT, Global Strays, New York Women’s Foundation, Casita Maria, and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Honorary Board. A Catholic, she served on the board of the Jewish Board for 28 years and now is one of their honorary trustees. Jean Shafiroff has been honored numerous times by a variety of charitable organizations for her work. Jean Shafiroff is among the leading ladies of the philanthropy world, both nationally and internationally. Jean Shafiroff is an influencer and has over 1.2m Instagram followers.
(Bridgehampton, New York – July 12, 2023) Holiday House hosted the opening of their Summer 2023 Designer Showhouse event on Saturday, July 8th in Bridgehampton, helping to raise critical funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and local Southampton charity, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation.
Founder and breast cancer survivor, Iris Dankner, was joined at the gorgeous showhouse by co-chairs Kenneth Alpert, Campion Platt, Andrea Stark and Ashley Stark. Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff served as the honorary chair for the evening. Over 450 guests walked throughout a luxury East End estate, while enjoying bites from Elegant Affairs Caterers. The event was presented by BJC Custom Home Builders, Corcoran and Douglas Elliman, and featured the talents of designers including Amy Storm & Company, Ashley Stark Home, Barbara Ostrom Associates, Bjorn Bjornsson Interior Design, Blake and Emily Interiors, Brianna Scott Interiors, Campion Platt, CLW Interiors, Collette Home, Elizabeth Dow Home, Elsa Soyars Interiors, Fish Row Designs, Gil Melott Studio, Kim Radovich Interiors, KRID Studio, Lola Tucker Interior Design, Melanie Roy Design, Mina Lisanin, New Age Interiors, Riki Wagh Design x Neil Kerman Artist, Siriano Interiors and Tamara Hubinsky Interiors. Each presented chic and cutting-edge designs within their own space spanning from bedrooms and bathrooms to kitchens and living areas.
“I am blown away by the turnout for our 5th Holiday House Hamptons Opening Night White Party. It warms my heart to see a house full of people who care so deeply about our important cause. The house could not be more beautiful thanks to our team of incredible designers and artists, and I can’t wait for more people to experience it over the next two months. I am so grateful to everybody involved for making my dreams come true. Cheers to an incredible summer and to one day living in a world without breast cancer,” said Iris Dankner.
Among those in attendance included Julie Ratner, Alison Stager, Andrea Correale, Beth Donner, Christian Siriano, Debra Halpert, Elisa Distefano, Evan Mason, Patti Grabel, Melanie Roy, Felicia Persaud, James Peyton, Jay Decker and Anne Marie Decker, Elisa Port, Beth McNeill, Jim Miller, Lori Levine, Lynn Blumenfeld, Lynn Scotti, Preston Bailey, Frederico Azevedo, Renee and Richard Steinberg, Jeff Muhs, Susan Breitenbach, Tatiana Platt, Philip Bershad, Thomas Cavallo, Victoria Schneps, Melissa Lubliner and Oscar Molina, Amy Rosenblum, among others.
Event sponsors for evening included Arhaus, Arte, ATS (Allied Technical Solutions), Badilla Painters, Baldwin, Benjamin Moore, Brown Jordan, Calico Wallpaper, California Closets, Collette Home, Eichholtz, Exequor Wellness, FJ Hakimian, Hamptons Fabric and Blinds, Jenn Air, Kravet, Lladro, Nash Stone Group, NY Little Elves, Porsche, Royal Botania, S. Harris, Shakuff, Singulart, Stark, SUK Design Group, Tito’s Vodka, Unlimited Earth Care, Vera Wang Party and Wolffer Estate Vineyard. Media partners included Hamptons Magazine, Hamptons Real Estate Showcase, Park Magazine and Dan’s Papers.
Founded by interior designer and breast cancer survivor Iris Dankner in 2008, Holiday House is an interior design showhouse in which top interior designers and lifestyle brands can showcase their talent. All proceeds from Holiday House events benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Ellen Hermanson Foundation.
Holiday House will be open from now through August 27 on Friday-Sunday from 10:00am – 6:00pm. You can learn more about Holiday House by visiting their website at www.holidayhousehamptons.com.
Upcoming Holiday House Hamptons Special Events:
Vicente Wolf Book Signing and Conversation with Preston Bailey
July 22 at 12:00pm-2:00pm
Motivational Monday
Monday, July 24
Time: 10:00am -5:00pm
DanceBody Class
Friday, July 28 at 10:45am
Young Designers Event
Saturday, July 29
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Art Night
August 11 at 5-8pm
Surfboard Auction
Art Panels
Hosted by Joe Badilla of Badilla Painters and Roman Roth of Wolffer Estate
The West Coast premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s new Giselle performed by the United Ukrainian Ballet (UUB) at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa indeed carries a strong political message. Ratmansky, the choreographer, highlights the significance of hope and resilience within the context of the dancers’ experiences as Ukrainian refugees as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
By emphasizing that “Hope is what the United Ukrainian Ballet is all about,” Ratmansky acknowledges the transformative power of art and the ability of the UUB dancers to find solace, strength, and unity in the face of adversity. Through their artistry, they have turned their pain into something beautiful and meaningful. The performance aims to convey their strength, honesty, pride, and determination to the audience, inviting them to experience the emotional depth and resilience embodied by the dancers.
In this way, the performance becomes a platform for the United Ukrainian Ballet to raise awareness about the plight of Ukrainian refugees and to showcase their artistic expression as a means of overcoming the challenges they have faced. By presenting their story through the universal language of dance, the UUB seeks to foster empathy, understanding, and solidarity among the viewers, transcending political boundaries and resonating with the audience on a human level.
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 29: United Ukrainian Ballet dancers perform during United Ukrainian Ballet Ratmansky’s Giselle at Segerstrom Center For The Arts on June 29, 2023 in Costa Mesa, California. (Photo by Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
This blend of art and politics in the performance of Giselle serves as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of the arts in bringing attention to important social issues and inspiring change.
The evening was a benefit for BlueCheck Ukraine; the organization created by Liev Schreiber, to vet, verify, and fund Ukrainian-led frontline organizations providing humanitarian aid to victims of the Russian invasion. The evening was made possible by Elizabeth Segerstrom, Ratmansky’s longtime friend and major supporter of his work at the American Ballet Theater and through the Henry T. and Elizabeth Segerstrom Foundation. Mrs. Segerstrom attended the evening surrounded by friends and hosted a reception following the opening night.
Born in Leningrad, Ratmansky’s father is Ukrainian and his mother Russian. He was raised in Kyiv, where much of his family still lives. So, for him, the conflict is personal.
Elizabeth Segerstrom offers these words, “Despite insurmountable obstacles, these dancers, who have all been displaced because of this tragic conflict, have remarkably come together to create a world-class company which demonstrates the transcendent power of the arts. This evening is dedicated not only to these dancers and their spirit but also to you, whose presence tonight demonstrates your commitment to the cause.”
Elizabeth Segerstrom’s words highlight the extraordinary resilience and determination of a group of dancers who have faced immense challenges due to a tragic conflict. Despite being displaced from their homes, these dancers have managed to unite and form a world-class company, showcasing the transformative power of the arts. The dedication of the evening extends not only to the dancers and their indomitable spirit but also to the audience present, acknowledging their unwavering support and commitment to the cause.
A star-studded audience, including Cheryl Burke, Veronika Dash, Mario Lopez, Nigel Lythgoe, Gleb Savchenko, and Montana Tucker as well as Los Angeles Ballet’s Artistic Director Melissa Barak and Chair Jennifer Bellah Maguire, joined the Artistic Director and Founder of UUB, Igone de Jongh, who said, “Tonight is an historic occasion, made possible by the Henry T. and Elizabeth Segerstrom Foundation through her tremendous generosity and humanitarian spirit. Elizabeth has brought us here to this magnificent theater, to share with you the transformative power of the arts.”
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 29: Mario Lopez attends United Ukrainian Ballet Ratmansky’s Giselle at Segerstrom Center For The Arts on June 29, 2023 in Costa Mesa, California. (Photo by Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
ABT’s Christine Shevchenko starred the title role on opening night, with a cast that also included Alexis Tutunnique, Elizaveta Gogidze, Oleksii Kniazkov, Iryna Zhalovska, and Denys Nedak with the Pacific Symphony under the baton of Gavriel Heine. Ratmansky explained, “This Giselle is an interpretation of one of the greatest romantic ballets in the classical repertoire. The end is surprising. Traditionally, the hero is left alone with his pain. Our ending gives hope.”
After the final curtain for Giselle, and rounds of standing ovations, UUB returned to the stage with Ukrainian flags as Pacific Symphony played the Ukrainian National Anthem. When the curtain rose again, Ukrainian soldier Oleksander Budko Teren took the stage performing Airlift, choreographed by Emma Evelein. Both his legs have been amputated after a tragic war incident. Now fitted for prosthetics in the US (thanks to the Revived Soldiers Ukraine Foundation). UUB invited him to attend their performance in Washington and he fell in love with the company. UUB dancers surrounded Teren as the emotional crowd at Segerstrom Center for the Arts rose to their feet again when the curtain fell the final time.
Bridgehampton, New York – The South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO), the only state-of-the-art natural history museum on the South Fork of Long Island, will host its 34th Annual Summer Gala Benefit (The Nurturing Power of Nature) to honor acclaimed environmentalists and humanitarians on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm. This event will benefit SOFO’s educational and environmental programs and initiatives empowering families to be responsible stewards of our planet and starting the conversation.
This year’s summer gala will be co-hosted by actor, director, screenwriter, narrator and producer Liev Schreiber and SOFO Founder Andy Sabin, as they honor some special friends of SOFO’s. The evening Host Committee will include Sissi Bohlen, Carole Crist, Anke & Jürgen Friedrich, Kimberly Goff, Julia Haart, Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, Kim & Greg Lippmann, Rolise Rachel, Susan & David Rockefeller, Ada Samuelsson, and Sammi & Scott Seltzer. Conservationist Kris McDivitt Tompkins, who stars in the new documentary Wild Life, will also make a special remote guest appearance.
Honorees for the evening will include Yvon Chouinard, environmental champion who have made the extraordinary move to transfer ownership of Patagonia to two new entities: Patagonia Purpose Trust and the Holdfast Collective with every dollar that is not reinvested into Patagonia being used to protect the planet; Dan & Rae Emmett, nature enthusiasts who led Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Green Building Initiative, and established the number-one environmental law program in the country; and Basil Seggos, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Co-Chair of the State’s Climate Action Council, who oversees programs that promote a clean, healthy, and accessible environment, including protecting and restoring New York’s air, lands and waters; combatting climate change; and enforcing State environmental laws and regulations. Annette Sabin, the Matriarch of the Sabin Family, will receive the Posthumous Animal Advocate Extraordinaire Award for her love of nature and wildlife, which was a constant inspiration to her son Andy Sabin, who co-founded the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) with other naturalists in 1988.
The VIP cocktail reception will be held from 6 pm-7 pm with a tasting menu by acclaimed chefs from Almond Restaurant & Bar, Peter Ambrose, Bamboo Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Bell & Anchor, The Beacon, Centro, East Hampton Grill, Hen of the Woods, Old Stove Pub, Page at 63 Main, Saaz, 1760 Homestead Farm and Shellworks. Music will be provided by Alfredo Merat.
The honoree presentation, seated dinner, auction, and dancing will take place from 7 pm-10 pm. The event will be catered by Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs Catering with flowers by Designs by Mark Mason, coffee drinks by Hampton Coffee Company and music by DJ Epic. Beverages for the evening will be provided by Amagansett Wines & Spirits, Channing Daughters Winery, Lalo Tequila, Michael Cinque, J.A. Baczewski Monopolowa Gin & Vodka, Kidd Squid Brewing Co., Soirée Mocktails, Springs Brewery, Talkhouse Encore and Top Hops Craft Beer.
VIP Tickets are priced at $1,400 and general admission tickets are priced at $550. VIP tables range from $6,000 for six people, $10,000 – $50,000 for ten guests and more. Personalized sponsorship packages are also available for $2,750 to $50,000. For VIP tickets, tables, and business sponsorship opportunities, call Diana Aceti, Director of Development at 631-903- 7217 or email dianaaceti@gmail.com. General admission tickets can be purchased online athttps://sofo.org/summer-gala or by calling 631-537-9735.
The mission of the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) is to stimulate interest in, advance knowledge of, and foster appreciation for the natural environment, with special emphasis on the unique natural history of Long Island’s South Fork. SOFO is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 nature organization chartered by the New York State Department of Education. SOFO is located at 377 Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor Turnpike, PO Box 455, Bridgehampton NY 11932, http://www.sofo.org , and is open seven days a week from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information, call 631-537-9735. SOFOis a not-for-profit 501(c)3 nature organization chartered by the New York State Department of Educat
Mikail Akar, a remarkable wonderkind and prodigy in the art realm, is causing a sensation at a mere age of 10. This exceptionally talented individual has already established himself as a genuine painter, with his works reaching global acclaim and gracing the walls of countless international exhibitions. Captivating admirers of contemporary art, Mikail’s vibrant creations draw inspiration from renowned figures such as Jackson Pollock, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Gerhard Richter.
His second New York exhibition “UNBELIEVABLE” was on display at Modus10 – Rolf Benz Flagship Store in SoHo. It contained 23 works on canvas and paper of various sizes and in the price range of $8,000 – $16,000.
_Credit Sean Zanni for PMC / Getty Images
_Credit Sean Zanni for PMC / Getty Images
Mikail’s art was included as part of the ArtExpo New York Fine Art Fair 2023 at Pier 36 and in recent days Mikail held a live painting session held at dawn at the iconic Empire State Building with graffiti artist Luca.
In addition, Mikail currently has an exhibition at the Grand Hotel Schloss Bensberg, Germany running until May 2023 and in another project Mikail recently custom painted the hood of a $450,000 Rolls-Royce motorcar.
About Mikail Akar
Born in 2012 in Cologne, his career began by chance. For his fourth birthday his parents gave him a small canvas and finger paints simply because they wanted to give him an alternative gift to usual toys he already had. Mikail began his prolific artistic journey at this exact moment, and he now paints at his Studio in Cologne, Germany.
_Credit Sean Zanni for PMC / Getty Images
His talents were seen in a first painting and his parents fully encouraged him to continue his work. Watching Online video tutorias together Mikail learned certain painting techniques and soon the little artist began to paint nonstop. His introduction into the art world launched shortly after with adult artists wanting to preview his work more and more.
Mikail has already held several exhibitions in cities across Germany including Cologne, Dusseldorf, Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, where international art collectors soon became aware of the young artist. This led to other shows in Vienna, Zurich, Istanbul, and New York City.
_Credit Sean Zanni for PMC / Getty Images
As a visual artist, Mikail does not want to limit himself to canvases. He recently painted a wreckage part of the Airbus 310, which was exhibited in Cologne/Bonn Airport, and will be exhibited at other international airports in the future.
The young artist also has a philanthropic side and has gained notable attention with his work being auctioned for good causes such as the “Art Helps to Give” campaign. One of his most recent collaborations has been with the mineral water brand, Gerolsteiner with the Mikail Akar Artist Edition, where Mikail’s art was printed on more than 17 million water bottles. Additionally, the painter has also launched charity events in Turkey to help local people during the earthquake in 2020 with the Civil Protection authority AFAD. He has also painted numerous times together with German celebrities such as the Höhner, Laith Al-Deen, Manuel Neuer or Peter Maffay and has appeared on German TV show “Klein Gegen Gross” moderated by Kai Pflaume – one of the highest rated entertainment shows in Germany.
Other projects which Mikail is currently working on include painting a series of three classic cars which will be going on a roadshow in the near future. In addition, he is working to create a 165 ft. (50 meter) long canvas painting for a secret project.
Despite his adventures as a creative artist, Mikail has remained a normal child, going to school in Cologne and is fully supported by his parents and two siblings.
Lifeline Humanitarian Organization was founded in 1993 as a response to the humanitarian crisis in the former Yugoslavia. Their mission is to alleviate the suffering of physically and mentally disabled children, orphans, and the elderly, while also improving medical facilities in the country.
During a dinner event, HRH Crown Prince Alexander addressed the guests, highlighting the importance of Lifeline’s work. HRH Crown Princess Katherine expressed gratitude to her husband and all involved with the Lifeline Foundation. She emphasized that her humanitarian efforts for Serbia began three decades ago by providing medical equipment to the University Children’s Hospital in Belgrade.
Atmosphere_Jared Siskin for PMC/Getty Images
Children’s health and well-being have been central to her humanitarian activities and the work of the Lifeline foundation. Crown Princess Katherine acknowledged the challenging situation faced by children’s hospitals in Serbia and emphasized the need for proper equipment to ensure doctors and nurses can provide appropriate care to sick children.
During the event, HRH Crown Prin`cess Katherine emphasized the significance of supporting children in Serbia. Humanitarian items, including clothing, paintings, and portraits, were generously donated and then auctioned off to raise funds for the cause.
In addition to the meaningful speeches and auction, the attendees were treated to a captivating musical performance by singer Gwyneth Giangrande and pianist Nick Guerrero.
Gwyneth Giangrande_Credit Jared Siskin for PMC/Getty Images
Notable attendees included: Patron HRH Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia and HRH Crown Prince Alexander, HE Ms. Olgica Vlacic, Bishop Irinej, fashion editor Rushka Bergman, Catherine Broadbent, Jack Hartnett, TV personality Tijana Ibrahimovic, entrepreneur Cheri Kaufman, fashion designer Nicole Miller, Peter Pizzino, Kyle Wool President of Wealth Managemen at Revere Securities, Soo Wool, EF Hutton CEO Joseph T. Rallo, Ashley Rallo, Greg Roumeliotis, Gillian Tullman Whealen, Ryan Whealen, David Boral, Lisa Boral, Maryanne Grisz FGI president, Ana Martins, Ted Kim, Sun Song, Ivan Martinovic, Kristina Martinovic, Ella Legresley, Nicole Legresley, Bill Schlight, Nadia Martincic, Jay Yu, Seo Pak, Mara Radulovic, Nanad Grmusa, Kristina Bundra, Greg and Sheila Giangrande, Dr. Benjamin Sadock, Dr Virginia Sadock.
Lifeline Humanitarian Organization’s Board of Directors comprises several esteemed individuals who contribute their expertise and support to the organization. The current members of the board are:
David Hryck – President
Susan Gutfreund – Vice President and SKG Decor
Cheri Kaufman – Vice President
Slobodan Bekvalac
David W. Boral
Dragana Djuknic
Anthony Hayes
Peter Pizzino
Joseph T. Rallo
Kyle Wool
Bojana Jankovic Weatherly M.D.
About Lifeline:
Lifeline New York is a registered 501c(3) not-for-profit organization, operating under the patronage of the HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation. It was established in Belgrade in 2001 with the aim of enhancing the health and well-being of individuals in need throughout Serbia, irrespective of their religion or ethnic background.
For further information about Lifeline, please visit www.lifelineny.org.
