Dan's Papers - July 3, 2009 - Hamptons Events Rage On, Despite Recession

Bob Hope once said, "If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble."

Perhaps that's one reason, despite the country's worst recession since World War II, the Hamptons is buzzing with its usual roster of great benefits and optimism abounds. If you do ever need medical care on the East End (heart trouble or otherwise), be thankful Southampton Hospital is still going strong and preparing for its 51st Annual Summer Party on August 1. "Celebrating 100 Years of Healing" is one of the signature events in the Hamptons. The money raised goes directly to emergency healthcare services.

"Our event is really an institution in itself," explained Kathy Lucas, director of special events, Southampton Hospital. "Healthcare is the great equalizer. When you need emergency medical care, it doesn't matter who you are out here." And the response has been quite remarkable for the event, she added. She attributes the positive response to the fact that emergency services are always critical. "Many people have lost their health insurance and are unemployed at the moment. Southampton Hospital guarantees that no one is turned away."

The event is an elegant evening of cocktails, a silent auction, dinner and dancing. This year's Honorary Chairperson is Christie Brinkley and the Master of Ceremonies is Chuck Scarborough. In preparing for this year's event, Lucas and her team worked hard to cut expenses. "We were committed to cutting expenses by 25% this year," she said. "We felt compelled to cut in this environment and asked all of our vendors to work with us considering these tough times. So far our strategy seems to be working."

Julie Fitzgerald, managing director at Bay Street Theater, exudes the passion so many people bring to a cause, with her bubbly personality. Fitzgerald, in her 12th season at Bay Street, expressed cautious optimism about this year's Bay Street's Summer Gala Benefit Bash being held on July 18 on the Wharf in Sag Harbor. "So far we've had a very positive response," she explained. "Let's face it, people are looking for fun right now and want to be entertained. Bay Street is all about culture and entertainment and our event reflects that."

Fitzgerald went on to say that Bay Street always watches its budget - even during better economic times - but this year it is being a little more conservative. "We're doing what we have to do, but we never want to compromise the quality of the event," she stressed. "Of course we trimmed our budget this year. People don't realize that as a non-profit our ticket sales are 47-48% of our whole operating cost. The rest has to be raised. This is a key event for us."

This year Bay Street also fine-tuned its auction, including a bigger variety of items that reflect more varied price points. This year's theme is "Sailing Back to the '60s," although ticket prices won't also reflect the 1960s. But Fitzgerald said that while ticket prices are the same as last year, it's important to note that they also haven't been raised in five years. "We did some tweaking this year though," she said. "This year we have tables for eight versus 10 people. A little more flexibility shows that we are working with people. We get it."

Fitzgerald was especially grateful to the town of Sag Harbor, which once again is permitting Bay Street to use the wharf. The event features cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a sit-down dinner, dancing and a silent and live "fantasy" auction. Fitzgerald has also secured singer-songwriter Lesley Gore for the gala. Best known for her 1963 pop hit, "It's My Party," Gore's rare appearance will certainly make the 1960s theme come alive. She is one of the most recognized teen pop stars of the '60s. Additional entertainment includes songs from Dames at Sea, which opened in the same decade and is being performed at Bay Street this summer.

The American Heart Association's big event, the 13th Annual Heart of the Hamptons Ball, took place on June 20 and in the weeks prior to the event Regional Director Barbara Poliwoda was running around getting everything together - both excited and busy. The Heart of the Hamptons Ball, sponsored by Merck & Co., is a fun and elegant event focused on raising funds for the mission of the American Heart Association. This year's theme, "Stayin Alive," was a fitting name for the Association's ongoing dedication to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. The emcee for the evening was Bill Hemmer, anchor for Fox News Channel, and there was an exclusive preview of the soon to be released documentary, King of the Hamptons, introduced by Dan's Papers' very own Dan Rattiner.

East Hampton has the distinction of being the first Long Island town to be designated a HEARTSafe Community, receiving its award for meeting the specific criteria at the Ball. Poliwoda explained that a HEARTSafe entity or community promotes and supports CPR training in the community; public access to defibrillation; early advanced care and an increase of "out of hospital" survival rate.

"In terms of the economic impact this year I will say that we were still quite pleased, despite being down from the previous year," said Poliwoda. "Our donors came back this year, albeit a bit less than before, but they came back." The American Heart Association aggressively advocates for policy and environmental change at the federal, state and community level. "Fundraisers such as the Heart of the Hamptons Ball enable us to continue on our mission. I am hoping we raise $500K this year."

Considering the continuous national news coverage about Prop 8 and gay marriage, it's important to mention the work of the Empire State Pride Agenda and its upcoming annual Hamptons Tea Dance to be held on July 11. The event is the largest LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) fundraiser in the Hamptons. "The Tea Dance usually draws well over 1,000 people," said Mitch Karsch, co-chair of the Board. "We did not change the ticket price this year, but our tickets are $100, making it accessible to many people."

This year the event is being held at the East Hampton home of co-chairs Will Trinkle and Juan Granados, at the restored 10A Ranch. The Empire Pride Agenda is all about advocacy for gay rights. The organization has been instrumental in helping support issues for the community. Karsch laughed about how great it was that the Real Housewives of New York showed up last year and included the Tea Dance in two episodes, leading to a passionate discussion about how this event really draws people from the entire Hamptons community. "The event organizers work hard to draw a wide-range of East Enders and have been successful so far," said Karsch. "The move to East Hampton (it was previously in Water Mill at the Diamond Ranch), does save some expenses but it really wasn't the reason for the move. We wanted to bring it back to East Hampton, where it all began." All proceeds will benefit New York's Statewide Gay Civil Rights Organization.

At the Parrish Art Museum, the response for its upcoming Midsummer Party, a highlight of the Hamptons summer season, has been great so far, said Nina Madison, deputy director of special events and membership. This year's event takes place on July 11. It will celebrate Dorothy Lichtenstein, who has been a trustee of the Parrish since 2000. Her co-chairs include Agnes Gund, Jo Carole Lauder and Ronald Lauder along with Host Committee Chair Larry Gagosian, and Host Committee Vice-Chairs, Gayle Perkins Atkins, Deborah Bancroft, Danielle Ganek and Kelly Behun Sugarman. The Midsummer Party begins with cocktails and dinner in an air-conditioned tent in the Museum's historic arboretum, and then kicks into high gear with dessert, drinks and dancing from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The party draws approximately 550 dinner guests and 500 "After Ten" attendees. "We did cut back on revenue projections for the year, but so far we are exceeding expectations," said Madison. "We're ahead of where we were last year for the Gala."

The recession, despite its impact on many levels, was inspiring many Hamptonites to seek distraction and entertainment for a good cause. Or, maybe just simple optimism is the key to keeping things moving along in the Hamptons this summer. I know I had to be optimistic when it didn't stop raining in June. It was fun to think ahead to hot summer nights dancing under the stars at one of the East End's many great events.

Saturday July 11, starting at 6:00 p.m. The Midsummer Party is known for its déécor, music, and extraordinary food. Tickets for cocktails and dinner start at $1,000. After 10 p.m., tickets for dessert, drinks, and dancing are $100, $150 after June 26. All proceeds benefit the Parrish Art Museum. More information is available from the Special Events Office, 631-283-2118, ext. 33, or on the museum's web site, parrishart.org.

Empire State Pride Agenda:

Saturday, July 11 from 4 - 8 p.m. This year's event will take place at 10A Ranch at 174 Cedar Street in East Hampton and features the popular DJ Lady Bunny. Considered the major LGBT event of the summer, this great party draws wide audience. An afternoon of cocktails, dancing and fun. For more information about the event and the work of the Empire State Pride Agenda go to .

Bay Street Summer Gala Benefit Bash - Sailing Back to the '60s

Saturday, July 18 from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. The Long Wharf, Sag Harbor. Taking you on a magical mystery tour of the '60s with special guest '60s pop star, Lesley Gore plus performances from Dames At Sea, Hair and others. Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, sit-down dinner catered by Sterling Affair. Dancing to the sounds of the Denice Given Band. Silent and Live "Fantasy" Auction. Billed as true entertainment reflecting what Bay Street is all about. For more information, call the Development Office at 631-725-0818 or email:

Southampton Hospital - 51st Annual Summer Party, a Centennial Celebration

Saturday, August 1 from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. A summer "institution," this event includes cocktails, silent auction, dinner and dancing to the Alex Donner Orchestra to benefit Southampton Hospital's Emergency Services. Honorary Chairman: Christie Brinkley; Benefit Chairman: Sheila O'Malley Fuchs; Master of Ceremonies: Chuck Scarborough. For more information, contact Kathy Lucas, Director of Special Events at (631)726-8700 or email