Dan's Papers - June 26, 2009 -

This past Saturday, the 10th Annual Love Heals benefit at Luna Farm was forced to move indoors to the Polish Hall in Southampton. Despite the rain, the "Beach Chic" themed event was a huge success and helped raise more than $300,000 dollars to benefit the Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education. Guests feasted on a barbeque dinner by DeForest Gibbs, CRUMBS cupcakes and sipped SKYY vodka specialty cocktails. DJ Kiss kept the crowd moving as they bid on the silent auction for items that included an actual internship with Diane von Furstenberg which went for $2000 and a tour of the "Gossip Girl" set that went for $5250.

Late night at Axe Lounge in Southampton, DJ Steve Aoki was at the helm as hundreds of guests including Stella Keitel, Sports Illustrated model Jessica Gomes, Stavros Niarchos, Jessica Hart, and the cast of the upcoming film directed by Josh Sugarman, Trophy Kids, helped PR Powerhouse Amanda Mitchell celebrate her Birthday. As VIPs posed for pictures snapped by celebrity photographer Lisa Wagner, waiters kept an endless supply of Cristal on tap. Earlier in the week, Mitchell, the owner of Southern Hospitality Marketing & PR hosted an exclusive birthday dinner party at Matt Levine's LES restaurant, Levant East, which is not officially open to the public. Guests including, "America's Next Top Model" cycle 9 finalists, Kimberly Leemans and Sarah Hartshorne, Amy Beth Stern, Collette Leonard, Sabrina Nieves-Greenstein and Lori Wasserman received the VIP treatment which included endless rounds of specialty drinks and a three course tasting menu. Mitchell and crew ended the night with several Cristal toasts at The Eldridge.

Tennis anyone? This Saturday morning, June 27, the Ross School in East Hampton will officially unveil a tennis center on campus, and you're invited. Congressman Tim Bishop will host the ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Students of all ages can practice their forehand, backhand and footwork on the court at the First Annual Pro Am Tennis Tournament hosted by Jim Grabb, twice ranked the world's number 1 doubles player, and 2-time singles All-American. Plus, the one time only event will feature sessions with celebrity tennis pros Luke Jensen, Murphy Jensen and Todd Martin. For specific clinic times or to play with a pro, contact Jennifer Rockford at or 631-907-5171. Post matches, the Ross School will gear up for another big event at 6 p.m. Power couple Kelsey and Camille Grammer will host the Retreat's 14th Annual Artists Against Abuse Benefit Gala (see story). This year's plate artists include Peter Max, April Gornik, Dan Rizzie, Robert Reynolds, Giancarlo Impiglia, Ross Bleckner, Jamie Wyeth, Will Ryman, Elaine deKooning, and many others. If you can't make it to the gala, stop by The Retreat after party at the on-site Love Bar from 10:30 p.m. - 1 a.m. For a $100 contribution, DJ Ray Jarrell will keep the party going which includes a fully stocked open bar and late night snacks. Call 631-329-4398 to purchase tickets.

Last Sunday Hamptonites SOTH got a taste of Ibiza poolside, thanks to the OSO restaurant in The Southampton Inn. Several VIPs including Prince Justin DiCosolo, grandson of Princess Marcella Borghese, Ina Sunshine, Lena Gutauskaite, and granddaughters of Baron de Hirsch, Jenna Gotthelf and Shane Moan, attended the SHI for the soft launch of the official Sunday brunch-meets-pool party hosted by Sidi Belqaid and Liz Derringer. OSO's executive chef Bryan Naylor churned out pizzettes and tapas. The Official house DJ Derrick Reason will keep the Ibiza theme going from day into night. The OSO "Brunch Pool Party" is every Sunday.

Until next week - Life is short, you only live once, so party on!

TV host, entertainment & feature correspondent, director, writer and executive producer, Gina Glickman, can be seen Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends hosting News 12 Long Island's "What's Hot in the Hamptons."