Dans Papers - May 25, 2007 - Take Five 2007 with Jan Silver

Welcome to another season packed with a variety of entertainment. Memorial Day weekend starts off in a big way with talented country/blues performer John Hiatt at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Saturday followed by Brazilian music star Bebel Gilberto on Sunday. Sag Harbor's Bay Street Theatre opens its Mainstage season with the new comedy Things Being What They Are, starring Broadway actors Brian D'Arcy James and Tom McGowan, and its Comedy Club series begins with Paula Poundstone on Monday evening. There's also comedy improv Saturday in Westhampton Beach and a Yiddish singalong Sunday in Southampton. The Sag Harbor Whaling and History Museum debuts its 300th anniversary exhibit with a party on Saturday, and Dan's Papers 29th Potatohampton 5K minithon run is Sunday morning. There are Memorial Day events scheduled in the local villages (Monday in Sag Harbor, Tuesday in Southampton).

THEATER AND COMEDY
Bay Street Theatre opens its 2007 season this weekend with the East Coast premiere of Wendy MacLeod's comedy Things Being What They Are. Two young suburban neighbors, portrayed by Brian D'Arcy James and Tom McGowan, come to a crossroads in their lives and marriages. Directed by Broadway veteran Leonard Foglia, performances are Tuesday through Sundays. On Monday at 8 p.m., Bay Street Theatre's Comedy Club series starts with the casual but sharp-witted comedienne Paula Poundstone. Purchase tickets for all shows (from $50) online at www.baystreet.org or call the Sag Harbor box office at (631) 725-9500.

Gateway Playhouse in Bellport has an unusual show - an ice skating musical starring former Olympic champion Oksana Baiul. The Frank D'Agostino show is called Cold As Ice and runs through June 17. Tickets ($39-43) are sold at the box office or online at www.gatewayplayhouse.com.

The improvisational comedy troupe Just Say Yes, formed last fall by local actors, has been honing its skills over the winter at several venues. They will be at different venues during the summer (Westhampton Beach, Southampton and East Hampton), and have a preview of the madcap act(s) at Tierra Mar/Atlantica in Westhampton Beach this Saturday at 10 p.m. ($15).

MUSIC
Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center has two accomplished performers this weekend. On Saturday, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter John Hiatt ("Thing Called Love") brings his mix of blues, country, rock and soul to the stage at 8 p.m. ($60-90). On Sunday at 8 p.m., Bebel Gilberto, daughter of Brazilian singer Miucha and musician/composer Joao ("Girl from Ipanema") Gilberto, sings her unique blend of soft samba, bossa nova, jazz-pop and soul ($60-80). Tickets at the box office (631-288-1500) or online at www.whbpac.org.

The noted baritone Hershele performs Yiddish songs, accompanied by pianist Alla Bell, on Sunday, 5 p.m. at Southampton Hospital's Parrish Hall (free admission).

Recommended performers at local clubs and restaurants: Amagansett - at the Stephen Talkhouse (631-267-3117) on Fri. (Telly, Bastards of Boom, Booga Sugar), Sat. (cover band Lez Zepplin then country/rock with Nancy Atlas Project), Sun. (singer/songwriter Martin Sexton then reggae favorite Winston Irie), Mon. (masterful surf & rock guitarist Dick Dale). Jazz club Estia Cantina, Amagansett (631-267-6320) - drummer/composer Matt Wilson on Fri. (7 & 9) and Sat. (8 & 10), salsa with Bill Smith and Mambo Loco next Thurs. East Hampton - Coco Restaurant (Maidstone Arms) pop and jazz standards with Jane Hastay and Peter Martin Weiss (Fri.) and country/pop/blues with Jim Turner (Sat.); Fiddler's Cove has Jim Turner on Sun. Sagaponack - Twilight Thursdays (5-7:30 p.m.) at Wolffer Estate Vineyard with live music. Bridgehampton - jazz & pop standards Sun. afternoon at World Pie with Stefanie Cardinali Group, and Jody Carlson next Tues. at Pierre's Restaurant. Southampton - Latin rhythms with Ludmilla on Thurs. at Le Chef, reggae Thurs. at Wildthyme. Hampton Bays - live music Fri. at Buckley's Inn Between. Westhampton Beach - acoustic musicians Fri. at Annona, acoustic guitarist Steve Fredericks (Fri.) and Mambo Loco Cuban jazz band (Sun.) at The Patio.

BOOKS AND SPEAKERS
(No admission charge unless indicated) Canio's Books, Sag Harbor, has a busy weekend. Sara Gordon, trained as one of Al Gore's Climate Messengers, brings his slide show and chats about global warming at 6 p.m. Friday. On Saturday at 6 p.m., Joe Hanna reads from his new murder mystery Close Brush with Death. On Sunday, 5-7 p.m., a reception to introduce artist/poet Star Black's new collages. Author Danielle Ganek will be at BookHampton, Southampton, on Sat. at 6 p.m. with her new book Lulu Meets God. At East End Books, East Hampton, artist Giancarlo Impiglia's new work debuts Sat. from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and clothing designer Cynthia Rowley will speak about her new memoir Slim on Sunday.

BENEFITS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Group for the East End (formerly Group for the South Fork) has an informal cocktail reception at Bridge Gardens Trust, Bridgehampton, on Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (631-537-1400 ext. 14; tickets $50 in advance, $60 at the door). The Sag Harbor Whaling and History Museum opens its summer exhibit celebrating the town's 300th Anniversary, "Keeping Time in Sag Harbor," with A Taste of Sag Harbor cocktail reception Sat. from 5-7 p.m. ($25 at the door) and an Artisans Fair on Sun. afternoon and Mon. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($7 includes Museum admission).