Dans Papers - May 25, 2007 -Whispers

Four thousand Hamptonites officially kicked off the 2007 summer social season a bit earlier then usual this year, at The 3rd Annual Hamptons Home and Garden Show in Southampton Elks Lodge Fairgrounds. The show created by Rick Friedman, of The Hamptons Expo Group, housed 275 vendors who will be back for another HHGS show at the end of the summer, September 7- 9. Soprano Star Lorraine Bracco helped host the festivities and admitted, "I'm a big garden girl!" The sultry actress happily autographed hundreds of books and bottles of Bracco wine, whose proceeds benefited a foundation she created called, "No Place Like Home." It was only fitting that I had the opportunity to interview Bracco on a couch, considering she played a psychiatrist for the past ten years on "the Sopranos," and her latest project is a book entitled, On the Couch. "It's a whole bunch of stories of my life." Bracco is proud to admit, "I have been in therapy myself!" and "I feel there's been a huge stigma with mental health issues and I'm here to say guys, bad things happen to good people and there's no reason to suffer." Bracco's book is packed with family and celebrity photos from her own personal collection including shots of her ex-husbands and a precarious photo that she agreed to do for Salvador Dali, of her in a bathtub with another model submersed in jewels and five hundred escargots. Plus, the book has numerous shots throughout her life with her daughters, Margaux and Stella. This Memorial Day weekend, you may spot Bracco and Stella at the beach or bouncing around Bridgehampton, dining at their favorite hangout, The Candy Kitchen, but, Bracco sighed in relief, "I really just want to rest," especially after completing those final episodes of "The Sopranos," which Bracco admits were very emotional for her. "Yeah, I'm sad, it was a fantastic experience. I mean creatively and publicly and it all worked, and for ten years it was fantastic to have security creatively."

This Holiday weekend and beyond, when it comes to late night entertainment, you have plenty of new options! If club hopping is your forte, in Southampton, the former Jet East, which was Cain Nightclub last summer, is now Dune. Club Cabana, a.k.a. The Pink Elephant is back for another season. The Tavern has finally come to an end; get ready for Stereo by the Shore. CPI re-opens its doors as WhiteHouse. StarRoom is back for another season in East Hampton. The Cain Nightclub will still have their exclusive, VIP parties at The Cain Estate and promises to be even bigger, but doesn't plan to open up until July 4. If you prefer more of a lounge type atmosphere, Resort in East Hampton has completely transformed into a French Bistro and late night Cabaret Lounge called Flirt, which premieres this weekend. Sen Sushi in Sag Harbor has created a brand new space that is a sleek, yet Zen-riffic Tapas lounge.

Fergie or No Fergie, that is the question? For the past several weeks the brand new venue, WhiteHouse in Hampton Bays, has been promoting an impressive lineup this Holiday weekend including a performance this Sunday with the one and only glamour girl, FERGIE. You can even log onto www.wantickets.com to purchase tickets to hang with The Dutchess. But, Fergie's management team says, "This is not true. There is no way Fergie is scheduled to perform, we have her schedule right here and Fergie has nothing on her schedule for Sunday. In fact, she's performing in Atlantic City Saturday night." But, WhiteHouse owners and their PR rep, Todd Shapiro demanded, "I'd put my life on it! Fergie will be there on Sunday." So, whether Fergie actually performs is the real question. You decide if it's worth 25 bucks to see, not necessarily hear Fergie in action. Regardless, she's Fergalicious!

Until next week. Life is short, you only live once, so party on Entertainment & Feature Correspondent, Director, Writer and Producer, Gina Glickman can be seen Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends starring on News 12 Long Island's "What's Hot in the Hamptons" and log onto www.Hamptons.com for more celebrity action with Gina, on "Main Street" series.